It has certainly been an afternoon rife with instruction. I sit here before you a far brighter soul than I was this morning (ok, I’m looking at a computer screen, but that didn’t sound nearly as wise). How much can one learn in an afternoon? Prepare to be amazed..
1. Do not try and untangle the vacuum cleaner hose in a swimming pool while it’s on. Definitely do not do this right before you are heading out the door. Unless you like driving in wet clothes, in which case – please invert this lesson and go right ahead and try this regularly. You will get the result you seek. That said, you could also just hop into the shower after you’ve got your clothes on, make-up done and hair dried – it will serve the same purpose..
Although this isn’t a picture of me, the resemblance is uncanny. I will say, that if you can do this while your dogs are happily barking at said dancing vacuum, or better yet, while you have people around watching you wrestle – even better.
2. My sister can still silence me with one sentence. This time it was (I’m paraphrasing) ‘the one who drives the narrative, drives the response’. Now you tell me – how lyrical is she? How smart? Yeah I know I have typical younger-sister-syndrome – I think she rocks the world every which way the world can be rocked, but come on – who comes out with stuff that good off the top of their heads? The good news for me is that we’re genetically connected, so I may come up with something like that without a script or an edit one of these days.
3. Laughing over lunch with a new friend is the best way to spend part of an afternoon. Perhaps sitting outside when it’s ridiculously hot and humid isn’t the best idea, but if you’re both glowing it makes it okay.
4. While we were away, I was given ‘The Commentator Award’ by the very inspirational and candid author of the blog GenieSpeaks.wordpress.com. My understanding is that this is an acknowledgement of my comments when she posts. She makes it easy – I enjoy her blogs and her sheer delight in the world around her. Travel.Culture.Food.wordpress.com was kind enough to give me ‘The Sunshine Blogger’ award. If you ever want to be transported visually and carried away in your daydreams, visit this blog. You will enjoy the commentary – the exuberance is almost palpable. I have received this award once before from SimonMarsh.wordpress.com, but have just figured out exactly how to post these images without the assistance of one of my kids or kids-in-law. If there’s a ‘Really Smart Blogger Award’, I hope no one ever thinks of me as a possible recipient – it would be disingenuous, I think.
5. I don’t want to minimize this praise, nor diminish the fact that I am continually surprised by such largesse. I am beyond appreciative and I thank you. But today I learned that there aren’t sufficient written alternatives in the English language (or perhaps it’s my limited vocabulary) to express the sheer joy that I have found in this welcoming, forgiving and generous new group of friends. For I feel that those who read this blog have become my friends. I look forward to your posts, I run back to the computer to read your comments, some of us have emailed separately, others reblog…And in this way, we continue to get to know each other and show each other who we are without some of the filters that might exist were we to be introduced in person. I started writing this blog in January – since then it’s been visited by over 10,000 people (presumably most of them have come in error) and there are hundreds of people who are following with intention. I’m not sure why. I do know that five months ago I thought I would try this and see where the road led. It led me to you. You give me far more than awards – you give me your laughter, your stories, your tears, your encouragement, your opinions, your perspective, your talent. Certainly you have given more than I could have asked for or expected. How do you thank people you feel you know but have never met, for the gift of trust and love and friendship? This is a meager attempt to express the abundant gratitude and joy that you have given me. Which leads me to…
6. There are surprises in each day. There is krazy karma and indescribable, head-shaking moments of wonder and humility. And if you know that, no matter how drenched you may get, you’re never all wet.
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
You totally have younger-sister syndrome. For which I am eternally grateful.
I love you all there is…and I would maintain that some of this is very clear-eyed adoration on my part. Just deal with it.
Awesome, awesome post. I laughed out loud several times and the drenched kitty? Priceless. You have such a way with words…you are a definite highlight of my day. Congratulations and you could not be more correct in your description and the emotion about this wonderful corner of the blogging world. It’s incredible and about as welcoming a place as I have ever seen. I’m so glad you are here!
R
Thank you my new buddy!! I love that you are here and sharing your talent with so many..You are a treat in a thousand ways…:-)
do you think our readers ever get sick of our back and forth ‘love fests’? too bad…i’m with you…we need new words to express what we feel without sounding trite or redundant. i’m working on it. ’til then…ditto girlfriend!
Great – when you come up with the best way to do that, will you let me know? 🙂
I love the “love fests” and think there can never be enough. Mimijk you do NOT resemble the cat in any way, but because I love you so much and was laughing so loudly out loud in an empty house, I tried to stretch my imagination to see what you see. Failed miserably. Still think you look better than the cat. Debbie’s words, short and to the point, had such wisdom in them. I will absolutely integrate them aka “steal and use them” in future conversations for sure. This was truly very funny. And, lest I forget, kudos again for all the well deserved recognition coming your way. Warms my heart and soul daily and for that I am grateful.
Next time I see you, I will do my impression of a wet cat, and you will eat your words dear heart…And I don’t think Deb would mind if you stole her words – she’s a pretty generous soul…
And if I can reach your heart from hundreds of miles away from you – then I’m the lucky one..
Beautiful – and funny – at the same time!! I love it! Congratulations on the recognition!!! I am going to go check out the blogs you mention!! Stay dry!
Thank you!! I loved your post today (well, that’s not news is it? forgive the pun)!!!
Love. That’s all I can say. I’m overwhelmed with your eloquence, humor, and humility. You say the things I feel but haven’t yet been able to put to words, especially when writing about the feelings of friendship we experiencel with many of our fellow bloggers (let’s work on a new, nicer word for it!). You are one of those friends to me, and I thank you for continuing to pour it out…so beautifully.
How can there not be krazy karma in the way in which we have ‘found’ each other in this community of people? Please don’t underestimate how effectively you communicate – for that would be a serious injustice – and totally inaccurate. As for thinking up a new term – I agree!!! There has got to be a better lexicon!
The day we stop learning is the day we should all lament. I particularly like your point number 6, embracing and rolling with krazy karma is one of the most important lessons and sadly one that a lot of people miss. Congratulations on your awards!
Thank you very much!! I’m a big believer in trying to give it over to the universe, God, whatever one holds in one’s heart as larger and bigger than any of us. Enjoy your day!
Oh, big sisters do that to you! Just when you think you’re all grown up, they show you more is always possible. Big sisters are the best gift in the world.
Isn’t that the truth?? I’ve had her on a pedestal since she fed me Play Doh because she thought I was hungry…:-)
Love the post. As to the cat bearing resemblance, none. Cat looks taller.
LMAO…I really thought I’d fool you with the feline one. How’d you know?
I’m happy for your joy… but it is good to be cautious, when carried away by optimism…
I certainly view myself as an optimistic realist – a rare and small group admittedly. I certainly can get carried away with enthusiasm, life has taught me that joy exists in the spaces in between all else. The key is to notice them for their essential qualities.
That Play Doh thing? You WERE hungry. I was doing the best I could!
LMAO..I know honey..and you did a darn good job. I haven’t turned down anything blue since then…
Delightful, rollicking, love-filled, happiness-oozing post. 🙂 Smiled and laughed all the way through and said a little thank-you to the powers that be that I’ve stumbled onto this warm, welcoming, oh so insightful little corner of the world. Sending out big hugs….
The thanks are mutual…I love reading your posts, hearing from you when I post and sharing this corner with you…:-)
This post is just full of awesomeness. The drenched cat is too cute, big sisters rock, and I don’t know what I ever did without my blogging friends! I started blogging in January too, and it’s been so therapeutic to find my voice and actually meet (even if not in real life) people who relate to what I’m saying! All the best to you, in and out of the blogosphere.
Thank you so much! I enjoy your blog tremendously, so kudos right back at ya!! What is it about those big sisters – they really are amazing (written without any duress or threat of noogie).. 🙂 I have found that this has been a wonderful exercise in just being ‘in my voice’ if that makes any sense. It allows me to be transparent in a way that I’m not accustomed to – and to be welcomed into this community has been nothing short of amazing…:-)
Wonderful post as always. I can just picture you with that hose! Congratulations with all those awards too – you deserve them! 🙂