seriouslyscorpio

thoughts of the moment and of my life

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MY FLAG LOOKS WEARY……


Didn’t remember to purchase a new flag for the 4th, so the one we had is on display. It joined all the others proudly flying in our cul-de-sac.

I began to think what it has meant to live in such a neighborhood….for all these years. Most of us have been neighbors since we all moved in…1986, in the same week. We came from varied walks of life and different parts of the US. We were moving from the ‘city’ (Orange County, Ca.) to the burbs…or the ‘country’ as our kids called it. Some moved to begin retirement, a new doctor to begin his practice, a newly retired Marine moved is family here from Hawaii, and on and on.

The kids ages were new to 15. Schools were bulging with new students and churches were meeting in condo meeting rooms, day care centers, and offices. The town had one stop-light and the nearest Home Depot and Mall was 30 miles away.

But there was promise…..new beginnings. It was exciting and scary at the same time….New homes, new town, new work, new bills, and yet we all were gloriously happy to be here (except for the teens who longed for South Coast Plaza).

Now we are ready to celebrate another July 4, 2014….in this cul-de-sac. A few have moved, many have grown and married, and the youngest is now in college. We have survived…the move, the job change, the lay-offs, and a couple of recessions. Our little area is a lot like the world…..New people, backgrounds, varying beliefs, shapes, sizes and ages….and we became united. None of these differences or backgrounds mattered…. we became a family because of it. We had our differences, with our priorities, and in our politics, but it didn’t matter, we were united.

This morning, when I looked at our flag. it looked a little weary… I know it is because it has not been retired from service, and that is my fault. However, as I felt the guilt of its appearance, I wondered if the whole country is not just a little weary as it begins to celebrate this most important of holidays. The wind of anger and war has made my flag a little frayed. Her citizens are working so hard to end distress within the her boundary and do so in the best possible way, by referring to her laws. Yes, we are sometimes very fatigued as we test drive the roads of freedom. Some of our citizens are irked at the happenings in Congress, while some think the roads to a better society are better for all. And yes, from time to time, our flag looks tired.

But not to fear, for even one second, because it has been weary, even shredded and burned before…..it will survive. Our flag flies at this moment to represent freedom, democracy, good laws to provide for all, and the opportunity to believe without fear. It stands as an open door to all who come in fairly, with an understanding that we are the UNITED States of America, and not about to change.

I’ll bet that some of you are weary….as is my flag….but no worry. We are, as my cul-de-sac is, united, united to care for one another, to stand for what is right, to live as good neighbors, and devoted to protect our country. Happy 4th


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IT’S OKAY…IN THE GARDEN


It is okay in the garden….my friend went to walk with Jesus a few days ago…as a soul experiencing the glorious moment of being and feeling ‘home’. My loss is that he will not be sitting at a dinner table with our group, discussing ‘affairs’ of the world…and trying to solve them all in the time of one meal. But I am no fool…..I would surely bet he IS sitting at our table, whenever he chooses to, laughing, tasting the wine, and giving opinions, as only a soul can do.

It is an honor to know you, Roger, now and forever….see you later, my friend.


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NRA…..TIME TO TAKE OVER….


I guess this one will be short…….Because the NRA wants those who want guns, to be able to carry guns, I feel it is a good time to pass on the responsibility that goes with this ‘want’. There are varying ways of purchasing guns in each state, as well as rules.
I feel this responsibility should lie with those who push for the right to carry. The NRA should become the overseer for this right. Anyone who purchases a gun should be denied ownership unless they belong to the NRA and adhere strictly to the rules of the NRA. This, of course, should include all those who now own one, too.

It is quite evident that our policing cannot keep up with illegal activities and having the NRA backup would certainly make their jobs easier. Our local and state governments have tried many ways to help curtail the sale of guns to people who should not own them. I am sure the NRA will have a positive effect in local and state government, gun stores and gun shows, and also selling person to person. I know this organization is highly efficient in working with their membership and assume an this growth would be to their advantage.


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JUST IN CASE YOU THINK YOU HAD A BAD MORNING!


My dearest friend…Pookie, age 20 1/2, an American short hair (feline) we adopted almost 19 years ago, is having ‘old people’ problems. It was especially yucky this morning when he decided to barf on my rug beside our bed (at least he gets down from his (my pillow) first)….I flew out of bed and moved him 2 feet so when it happened, it happened on the wood floor. Hubby and I were up (we know the sound and can detect it in the deepest sleep) getting paper towel, windex, all the time watching were we stepped. Minutes later we were snoring and he was purring…..

This is not an everyday occurrence, however, it does happen at least once or twice a week. God made some cats with queasy stomachs and we’ve got one! Yes he’s on medication and all is pretty well, most of the time.

HOWEVER…….Called my sis as she was on her way to work this AM…She is 3 hours behind in Nevada….’I’m sorry’, she said….’I can best you today’. (And she did)

She has two beagles…Oscar, the easy-going ‘grandfatherly’ type decided to enter the sacred bathroom where her 18-year-old cat lives. He has ‘old people problems’ to, but they are different. Anyhow, Oscar crept in to find the buffet of a lifetime. No dog is allowed in there and so my sis carefully puts poop/litter and uneaten food in a bag in the trash. When she retired last evening things were glorious….This morning, disaster.

She walked into the bathroom at 6AM to find Oscar covered with kitty litter and in all four paws. All the other ingredients of the bag were probably in him. He had litter on his face, in his mouth, even in between his teeth.
This is a time when no words must be spoken and all fire arms must be at least 10 miles away. Luckily she had neither….words or firearms.

After a shower in the shower,and a pick for teeth and gums, Oscar is clean and I assume still alive…on his (her pillow, as above) all is forgiven.

She will never assume the bathroom door is completely closed, again and probably sleep with one eye open. Hubby and I will continue to administer ‘chicken flavored reglan’ daily, and sleep with one ear open.


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Oh ….B.B. THORNTON!!!!


You were made for Fargo BB…it took a while for me to see how the characters were going to interact, but it is a great series. How you wind yourself thru these ordinary lives is something else. Well, almost ordinary….on the outside

I guess it is true, if you love Justified, you’ll be happy to be in your seat for Fargo…..FX 10PM on Tues. Be there or be square…..nothing like a snowy night, a few bodies, some idiots, and a little gore….to keep me going. Thanks FX


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THEY’RE GONE!!


They’re gone! I repeat….’they are gone’! The snowbirds are retreating to the north….the harsh winter has ended, and the daffodils are pushing through the wintery mess. It is as though the smell of Spring began drifting into the state of Florida. Having to cut fresh green grass doesn’t seem like a chore in April, now! If you live in the Midwest you understand why winter must come and spring must follow. It offers rest and rebirth to every living creature and every seed of winter wheat. Redbud peek through the woods on the Interstate, tulips thrust out of the soil overnight and seem to grow an inch a day. And then there are the lilac ……there are no words to explain the experience of being near lilac…and better yet, having a bunch in your favorite vase on the dining room table.

Farmers hope for just the right amount of rain, even a little snow, and then warmer days so they can get out into the fields to plant. Soil is turned and turned again. Little streams still run full as snow melts further north, winding their way through new housing developments, and into ‘creeks’ where good fishing will come in just a few months. Flowers show up in the back seats of cars each weekend, carefully chosen by their new owner, to bring color to drab neighborhoods.

Sleds and snow blowers go into hibernation for another 3 seasons. In their place, the new swing sets are assembled, and tricycles rest beside cars.
It is a sight!

Little League fathers come out of their dens…..riding lawnmowers and gardening equipment caravan to local baseball fields. Soon….’play ball’ will be heard across small towns everywhere. And all because of the faint and yet endearing ‘feeling’ that spring is in the air, as life moves from indoors to the patios and parks of these wonderful states.

Ain’t it grand? You betcha!!


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TOBIT, A BOOK THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT


My friend and I do a bible study each Tuesday. We don’t make any claims. We glean information from articles, different bibles, and our own walk with Christ, using the bumpy ones especially.

We finished the New Testament over a month ago and decided on some new material….books that were chosen for the Catholic Bible only. (Before we go any longer, one of the topics has to do with when the bible is capitalized and when it isn’t. No one, including the books and articles seem to follow the all or nothing way of writing ‘bible.) So I’ll just go along and whatever comes thru my fingers, well I hope you understand I mean no harm.

Tobit was our first choice…the main feature in the hour each Tuesday. The ‘short’ was a discussion on how the bible came to be the bible…especially the one we know today. There were some pieces of info that I thought were terrible interesting, however, when noticed half the class had or was nodding off, I spoke quickly and closed early…hoping the main feature would be better received.

Tobit is a nice is a nice story…a kind of novel, as it was described in commentaries. There are lots of good characters and everyone tries their very best to be good. Tobit walks the good walk and sees that his family is informed about being a follower.
He makes pretty good money and treats his employees well, and banks away whatever he can. I am not going to give you a blow by blow description of how the story begins or ends, cause it’s worth reading. One of my favorite parts is when Tobit takes a nap and the birds poop in his eyes, on accident. He loses his eyesight and begins a new life, unable to see anyone or anything. You’ve got to read the book to find out what happened….and how he regains his eyesight! C’mon, it’s only 18 chapters, I think (give or take)

Another character is St. Raphael….and he is in disguise throughout most of the book….St. Raphael is a nice guy/angel and is remembered by many Catholic and Episcopal parishioners.

None one fell asleep during Tobit…..of course we did serve cookies…….later


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NO NEED TO DRAG THINGS OUT….LONG JOHNS AND JUSTIFIED ARE GONE FOR NOW


No need to make two blogs out of this……liked Johns..loved Justified. Now there is to be a quiet moment for both…. John probably will not be back in my life any time soon, but Justified…well that’s another bloody story. I’ll give Fargo a shot, caused I loved the movie and its characters. If it catches my fancy, thank goodness for Direct…and my ability to record.


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LONG JOHN SILVERS……..WHERE HAVE YOU GONE?


We were on the far side of town going to an auction…..oh boy, oh boy, it was close to Long John Silvers, the only one for miles around. There was even a coupon wadded up in my purse…it was meant to be.

Sad to say it was not…..I have been lucky enough to dine in exquisite restaurants, and drive-ins….I like them both. I realize there is usually supposed to be a difference between the two. More often than not, a $35.00 meal tastes like a 8.99 meal, but that’s another story.

I’ve been a fan of Long Johns since I was in my early twenties, and that’s a long time. I remember, way back when, I used to buy the fish dinner with a side order of all the ‘crispies’ that came out of the cooker and broke off the fish. I was not alone when it came to ordering that extra and if Long John’s would have seen the light, they could have been charging all of us for it…..and we would have paid!!! Those were the days when you ordered the fish, chips, hush puppies, and a sweet calorie filled coke….you ate it all…..and never gained an ounce, not one. Those days have vanished, but that’s another story.

Well back to this one…..Hubby ordered the new platter with the lobster pieces, etc. and I ordered the 2 piece fish with fries and a drink. There was great anticipation…knowing it was going to be good and always a little greasy. I even accepted the fact I would probably put on a pound before I got home…but who cares, it was Long John Silvers!

Fries were a little mushy, didn’t finish them, hush puppies were not greasy, they were GREASY, I left one, not one crispie lay on my little white food holder (Okay, I didn’t ask for any)…Hubby’s lobster was the size of the tip of his little finger and was at least 1 to 1 1/2″ in size…no lobster to speak of but lots of breading. He ate one 1/2 piece of fish and left the other, not all his fries, and we said the hush puppy batter had to have changed, cause there was hardly any taste.

So sad, too bad…..checked with my bro and sis/law who are also Long John followers….they said they did partake of Long Johns while in Las Vegas and agreed with us, that the good ole days of Long John Silvers are just that…

Wish that pound would have tasted better……and you do know what I mean……later


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THE CHURCH ……….WHO DO WE SERVE #6


Well, it’s been awhile…..holidays and all, but the ideas and the questions still remain. Certain writers of the Bible wore different hats….some were followers, leaders, disciples, and pastors. As one can realize, most of us are exactly the same…..as in we wear, or have worn, different Bible Hats! We were, in our youth, blind followers…whatever Mom and Dad did, so did we. As we grew, whatever church had the most kids in the youth group….was the church of choice. We were not at the point of arguments over beliefs, attitudes, and church law, at age 15 or even 20. But somewhere, in our twenties, although we weren’t really ‘in’ to church, we began to see there was a difference…..

Our church was ‘a lot like’ all the others one may say. Maybe they had communion once a week, once a month, or on special occasions, but it ‘sounded’ pretty much the same. And really, ‘who cared’? We entered into deep conversations in high school and college, and the words liberal and conservative came into play. If one lived in a small town in the Ohio Valley (like me), not a lot of discussion erupted about ‘flower children’, San Francisco and pot, runaways, etc….unless it had to do with music. The 50’s/60’s kids worried about beer, cigarettes, and getting pregnant…that was the gossip that stirred up neighborhoods, and broke up families. In other words, unless there was a family catastrophe, we all pretty much went with the flow…

Well, here comes adulthood…..here comes marriage, kids, near family, far family, and other opinionated people……And that, my friends is how all this mess about ‘who do we serve’ began. Same God, same Bible, same teachings, same churches, same neighborhood, even same problems. However, now WE knew how to deal.
We were the leaders, we made the decisions in our family, neighborhood, town, and church, according to how much we wanted to participate. And we kind of put God on the backburner. He was there, we remembered all the verses, etc. but what about the laws, the rules, the ‘being disciples’? “I’m doing my job”, you’d say…”I serve on the board, I teach a class, I pick up the ones that need a ride, I sing in the choir, I’m a leader…..” But as the pastors, the leaders, the new disciples of the first century would ask…..how ya do’in?

You see, that’s what they were asking the churches they had just founded….Everything looked good in the beginning…..the idea was good, (Christianity), no one really cared (other beliefs), and the pastors were dynamic in their preaching. But when the excitement wore off and the daily grind became the norm….those who had made promises to carry on the teaching, kind of ….. well, let things slide. It was just a lot of extra trouble….being right with the church all the time. The other beliefs seemed to just be easier…they were ‘used to the other ways’…. and who wanted trouble in the ‘hood’.

Things haven’t changed much…..sometimes being a Christian is ‘just a lot of trouble’……Well, guess who is still around…waiting….waiting, year after year, century after century, waiting for the opportunity only you can give….God. He didn’t walk when you did, He’s still waiting patiently. He said he would, and his promise hasn’t changed….even when he was a youngster, a teenager, and an adult. Who are you serving today…..is the door still open?