The Itsy Bitsy Spider

I had a brief break yesterday when I found myself playing hide-and-seek with a spider in my home.

He was quite cute; small and compact with black fur and he appeared above the door to my patio. I went to grab him and save him with a quick toss out the door to his prefered living space.
It's as if he sensed danger and didn't trust my intentions. He immediately hid between the door jam and the wall, just out of reach from my helpful hand. In a minute, he peeked out from his spot, tentatively stretching out a leg and smoothly moving around the wood to open wall space.

Again, I reached up to grab him and he retreated between wood and wall. Smart little guy, I'll give him that. Our game continued for another round and then came a client call and I had to give up my rescue attempts and take care of business.

Today I was cleaning up the kitchen and rinsing off the breakfast dish sitting in the sink. I turned on the water and noticed something dark by the drain. It was my furry spider pal, headed to his death as he sank from the sink in a pool of water.

I didn't want that to happen and felt badly that this spider met his demise due to my carelessness. And it was a reminder to me of how short life really is. One day you're hanging out on the wall, the next your at the bottom of the sewer wondering "what happened?"

So today I have a renewed appreciation for this place called "life" and I hope that you do too. Life is precious and there's nothing like a death to remind us that is so.

What are you fighting for?

It's Memorial Day today and I am giving thanks for all the men and women who protect us afar and at home. There are many we don't know who are watching out for us.

I have to confess, I don't always believe that is true. So often I find people who appear to be unaware of those around them, focused purely on their needs in the moment and not thinking of others. For example, at the mall bookstore today I noticed many parents on the floor with their kids, reading books to them.

I'm all for teaching kids to read and for parents spending time with their children, but isn't that what the library is for? Kids with grimey hands and parents sneezing over the store's books turned me off, for sure.

Maybe I missed the days of having my mom read to me or am grieving the time to spend with family that way, I don't know. But it really bothered me and I thought about saying something to the store clerk, seeking agreement from her as to the rudeness displayed by her store's patrons.

Then I just stopped my thoughts and told myself, "get over it. At least they care enough to read to their kids. At least they have the right and the freedom to drive to the store and take time to read, without fear of attack on their personal safety." I realized I could shift my perspective in an instant and put down my "weapon of mass destruction": my mind and my mouth.

I had to ask "What are you really fighting for?" and answer it. After examination, it didn't rate up there with world wars and terrorist attacks. I had to surrender and allow my emotions to move up the vibrational scale and find a better feeling thought.

Can you do the same? Can you give yourself the gift of choosing the battles you fight with grace?

You know you're protected and guided on your path. I give thanks for the men and women who are serving this country, and us, no matter at what level.

Mint Julips and Memories

It's the first weekend of May and that means it is time for the Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday in May.

No matter where I am, I pause on that Saturday at 5 p.m. and lift my silver mint julip glass, a gift from my now-deceased friend, Tony Miller. The glass may be filled with a soft drink or an alcoholic one, but lifting that glass is a toast to the memories of my college and career days in Kentucky and the friends I made there.

Funny how we can so easily grieve the loss of a place, isn't it? It isn't a human being, but a place imprints itself in our memory, offering a treasure chest of moments that we can pull out and share at any time.

I give thanks for my Kentucky days and for being my dad's Southern Belle as a little girl growing up in Virgina and Tennessee. All of these places formed me and shaped me into the person I am now.

My Louisville friends did the same and I love the sights and sounds that contributed to who I am today.

So join me on Saturday in toasting a favorite place of yours. It may not be My 'Ole Kentucky Home, but I bet you have a special spot you often miss.

Here's to all that made you the "you" people love.