For Humanity

It was Monday and there was near panic in the woman’s eyes as she approached her husband.

“Saturday is the day,” she said. “I can’t do this alone.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I have to, but I don’t want to. You know how difficult this is for me.”

“I know,” her husband said as he put his arms around her then gently wiped away the tear and kissed her cheek. “It’ll be ok; you know you can do this. I’ll be right beside you. I have to do it too”.

“I can,” she said, “We can, there is no other way. It is for the good all humanity”.

The anticipation in the house was not one of excitement but rather a feeling of dread. The woman wanted it to just be over, but time marches at its own pace and does not consider the events at hand. If there was another option, the woman would have taken it but… there wasn’t. She knew in her heart that everyone must walk through their own valley of death at some point. “Humanity,” she whispered, “the good of humanity”.

She was human too and it would benefit her as much as anyone, probably more. She lived and worked among so many; she had to keep them all from harm. Was she a super hero? No. She was ordinary, with ordinary fears, and an ordinary life. This duty, this charge was placed upon this ordinary woman, and she was afraid as she was every year at this time when she had to face the same crisis for the sake of herself and all those around her. She always made the same choice; it was the better choice, but not easy in the least for her.

Saturday came and the woman and her husband woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and got in their van to face the noble deed. It was not difficult for the man at all but for the woman it was a tremendous strain. She’d had this fear within her since she was a child and it grew like The Blob from the old horror movie. Still, she had no doubt that she was doing the right thing. “Humanity,” she said to herself, “My children are human. I do this for them and my grandchild”.

She drove, her husband sat beside her. All was silent in the vehicle until her husband turned on the radio. The woman didn’t care, she just wanted it to be over.

After 20 minutes of travel they arrived at their destination. They opened their doors, got out of the van, shut and locked them. It only took two steps for them to tightly grab hands, supporting one another as they entered the building.

They walked to the back. With each step anxiety built up. This event would take place in a small secret place but they would be together. They both answered personal questions to a woman they did not know, then showed proof and papers that they were supposed to be there. Each was told to sit in a chair. A cart was rolled in and then it happened…

They got their flu shots.

And when it was all over they bought apple turnovers because the woman faced her fear and puff pastries made her feel better.

Keep A-Goin'!

Steven and I were in a fairly harsh car accident the last day of August of this year.  I was injured and have had to take some time to recover. The bruises have faded, the pain has greatly lessened, PT is underway, we purchased another van and I am back on the road performing.  

We all have setbacks in our lives and it can be hard. So many times when challenging things happen in my life I refer back to poems. My father loved poetry and recited it often. I like include a poem here and there in my performances, and I’ve even written some of my own that I include.

Just in case you’re a facing some challenges too, here is one of the poems my father loved to help you keep a-goin!!

Remember, in the challenge there is a new story to share.

“Ef you strike a thorn or rose, Keep a-goin’!
Ef it hails or ef it snows, Keep a-goin’!

‘Taint no use to sit an’ whine,
When the fish ain’t on yer line,
Bait yer hook an’ keep a-tryin’ – Keep a-goin’!

When the weather kills yer crop, Keep a-goin’!
Though ‘tis work to reach the top – Keep a-goin’!

S’pose you’re out of every dime,
Bein’ so ain’t any crime;
Tell the world you’re feelin’ prime – Keep a-goin’!

When it looks like all is up, Keep a-goin’!
Drain the sweetness from the cup – Keep a-goin’!

See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like surgin’ sing – Keep a-goin’!”

— "Keep A-Goin'! by Frank L. Stanton

Jovi, my Cat

Jovi, my cat, is a very smart feline. Early on he figured out how to turn the water on in the bathtub, REALLY! He doesn’t do it anymore because the force of the water scares him. He can also open the shutters to look outside.

When I feed him his wet food in the morning I tell him to sit, lie down, wait, and when I pet his head he knows he can go eat. He even watches TV with me. It is amazing what ‘cat-ches’ his attention. Jovi likes the ticker tape that scrolls on the bottom of the news in the morning; he swipes at it and gives a knowing look at me as if to say, “I know it isn’t going to move when I hit it, but this is the closest I will get to playing a video game.”

Ticker tape = feline video game.

Jovi learning how to make doughnuts. If he learned how to clean his own litter box I would be joyous over that.

He seems to ‘purr-fer’ the British shows I watch on my computer; The British Baking show and Call the Midwife are among the top picks in his ‘cat-alog’ of choices. I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me, my vet told me that his breed descended from the Celtic region. I forget what she called it but I’ll ask her again and tell you later. I am glad Jovi came in to our family, he is a rescue and he adds a lot to our lives. Being a black cat puts him among the most overlooked choices for adoption, but for us he is ‘Purr-fect’.

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It's Better Breakfast Day

Today is National Better Breakfast Day. I like breakfast, don’t you? From bagels and peanut butter, grits with cheese, fresh cinnamon rolls, oatmeal with dried fruit and cinnamon, yogurt and fresh fruit, homemade oatmeal pancakes with berries… I could continue, but you get the idea.

Breakfast feels like comfort to me. During the week my husband makes coffee in the morning because he gets up before I do. When I wake up it’s there waiting for me. We each get our own breakfast and watch the news while we eat. On the weekends I get up first and make the coffee and Sunday mornings, I make breakfast: oatmeal pancakes with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream.  Sometimes we even have breakfast for dinner. It might be a bowl of cereal, some toast with cream cheese, or I might make those delicious pancakes.

Tonight I think breakfast for dinner just might be in order. As I write this I’m also thinking there might be a personal story to write about breakfast. I’ll ponder that as I flip those pancakes on my cast iron griddle and listen to the sausage crackle as it cooks. A bit of orange juice in a goblet and hot tea on the side (coffee will keep me awake if I have it for dinner).  

Really, what makes it a better breakfast for me? Sharing it with someone I love.

Here are some photos of recent yummy breakfasts we’ve made!

Fall is Coming

The first day of fall is on September 23 this year and the expected temperature for Charlotte, NC on that day is 92F.

That is not fall weather to me. When I think of fall, I think of: hot chocolate, warm scarves, snuggly sweaters, jeans, fluffy wool socks… Let’s face it – 92F is just too hot for all of that.

On the first day of fall, you’ll more than likely find me in shorts and slip-on shoes. The leaves are starting to turn anyway in my yard and my cherry trees began to shed a few weeks ago. My yard is becoming littered with leaves that float to the ground and will not be returned back to the branches where they grew. They will be recycled and become part of the soil that nourishes new growth.

It really is too hot for fall, in my opinion, but the season says that it is here even though the climate does not support the fact. I will be watching the trees anyway and enjoying the colors that make their way to the ground and reminding myself how beautiful it is to let things go. There will be new growth, new seeds will take root, new people and opportunities will come into our lives and we’ll realize that there is always a new story to tell, even if the climate is not ideal.