Ramblings of an Old, Romantic Soul

...or should I say dirty laundry? For 13 years, I have wanted my shirts hung up after washing - I don't like to put them in the dryer.  Is it such an insurmountable problem that my husband just can't seem to get his head around?  God bless him for doing the laundry...but when I start to fold and there is not one, not two, not three, but four of my shirts - all dried in the dryer, I just want to ring his neck?!  I have started doing the laundry.  I most often do.  But today I had to service a new store, and when I got home I was pooped - my feet ached (didn't wear proper shoes!) and my back ached.  He had done the dishes, the trash, had lunch ready for me, removed the dead battery from the car, and laundry...how could I possibly be upset?  But I asked him...'after 13 years of marriage, why don't you know NOT to put my shirts in the dryer?'...and you know what the answer was 'I do know; don't know why I do it'.  ????? I believe the issue is, h...

Remember Jim Croce's song?  'Photographs and memories...all that I have are these to remember you'...what a song, what a singer! I have finally begun the huge task of sorting through family photographs - we're talking years of photos.  I will sort and scan, and digitize the photos.  What a joy it's been sorting through - pictures of my nieces and nephews when they were little; pictures of my siblings when we were teenagers, and younger.  They bring back such memories ~ some good, some bad ~ but all filled with love.  I even found a photograph of my Dad with his parents!  The first picture I've ever seen with the three of them together...what a gift that find was to me as I never knew my grandparents. Luckily, I still have more than the photographs and memories - I still have my parents, my siblings, my entire family in my life.  But the joy of going through these photos...the laughter, the tears...great memories to cherish! Certainly not a chore,...

So, the time with my nieces is coming to a close.  They will depart here next Tuesday.  Am I ready for them to go?  Yes, and no.  It's been wonderful having them here, having so much girl time; sharing, laughing, watching movies, going to the beach, etc.  And playing cards.  Wow.  Have we been playing cards.  I am proud to say that I am still the champ in Spit, Pounce, and 500 Rummy - but Phase 10 and Uno?  Um, not so much.  Yes, both the girls have beat me once or twice in all the games, but they have creamed me in Phase 10 and Uno.  And all those childhood feelings of losing have come flooding back!  Yeah, I don't like to lose.  I thought perhaps I had outgrown that silly notion - but no, it is still inherent in my being.  My body tenses, I get angry, and very frustrated...as I told the girls one day 'I am not mad, mad, just mad and frustrated!'...they loved it!  It is safe to say that my nieces have seen a who...

Someone posted this on my poetry website - I just had to share it with all of you!  It is a classic!  Enjoy! Julie Andrews made a special appearance At Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. She sang “My Favorite Things” from the legendary movie “Sound of Music.” These are the actual lyrics she used: “My Favorite Things” *** Julie Andrews made a special appearance At Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. She sang “My Favorite Things” from the legendary movie “Sound of Music.” These are the actual lyrics she used: Maalox and nose drops and  needles for knitting. Walkers and handrails and New dental fittings, Bundles of magazines tied up in string. These are a few of my favorite things. Cadillac’s and cataracts and  hearing aids and glasses, Polident and Fixodent and False teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and Porches with swings, These are a few of my favorite things… When the pipes leak  When the bone...