MAGIC CARPET

Yesterday was a beautiful day. We have been getting teasers this month when a sunshiney day will appear only to be followed by more blustery weather. Anyway, the temp was near 60 and I so wanted to be outside that I was willing to clean or weed or anything in order to soak up a few rays. I suffer from S.A.D. anyway and at winter's end, I need real sunshine to warm my aching bones and lift my spirits. So, I decided to clean my sorely neglected porches. I was planning to move the glass-topped table and chairs from the upstairs porch down to the one near my driveway, but I soon realized that was much too big a project for me so I decided to postpone that chore and to tackle the carpet instead. I had a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet (8X10', or there- abouts) that had a glider and a setee and a small table on it, which I scooted off to the side. The only water hose that is hooked up now would not reach to the upstairs porch. I rolled up the carpet and threw it over the railing. As it was getting late with me expecting my "date", I decided I'd best wait till today to scrub it down. So I pulled and tugged until I got it spread lengthwise on the chain link fence out back. It really isn't all that heavy until it is wet. So I went merrily on my way and forgot all about it until I had gone to bed when it briefly crossed my mind. The wind was blowing strong, howling gusts. We have had March winds early this years, trouble with trees blowing down and such. I awoke before daylight around six, I guess and I could hear the rain pouring down outside. I remembered how strong the wind was blowing last night and thought, "I'd better look." Our lot is at a "Y" where two roads intersect and the wind comes sweeping down from both directions. I have learned not to leave baskets, patio cushions, etc. out or I will be retrieving them from across the highway. Right now I have four garbage cans that are minus their lids. After many rescues, they are gone forever perhaps in the nearby swollen stream. My garbage service was always leaving them off anyway. Well, I digress, on with my tale, or fable, or whatever it is. I turned on the outside floodlight facing the back fence. No rug! I peered right and left and saw no sign of it. It was still raining so I did not venture out and waited until later in the morning. But as I drank my morning cuppa, a stray thought crossed my mind. What if...........what if my rug had blown out in the road in front of a passing motorist?? Would they think it was a UFO, or maybe Aladdin's magic carpet? I thought wistfully of an inside joke that my late husband and I shared throughout many years. Once I asked him if he knew where my broom was and he smart-alecked back with, "Why, you going for a ride?" Could I let that pass with a wry smile and go on. Oh, no! I got so irate with ruffled feathers that he enjoyed it so much that he used it time and again to annoy me and it never failed to do so. I always told my kids to ignore joking as it only encouraged jokers to tease and poke fun but I couldn't follow my own advice this time. I do miss his offbeat humor and good nature. It helped us through some tough times. I got side-tracked again, didn't I? To conclude, I found my magic carpet in a ditch line at least 30 feet from the fence. Can you imagine wind strong enough to blow a big piece of carpet that far? I finally got it scrubbed and laid out to dry on the steps to the barbecue shed. But I am going to keep an eye out for a genie, now what would I wish for? As a postscript, we are supposedly getting SNOW tomorrow and Sunday. No, No, I reject that forecast. I want more sun. I object, I reject, I will fly to Florida.

TURBULENCE

Nightime snows blanket the ground, and muffle the noises from all around. The stillness echoes without a sound. A picturesque place, a stately home , but inside the family emotions churn. The friction worsens and anger burns. Tempers erupt and spew out insults. A sterner discipline will be the results. Teenagers feel caged and ache to explore. Even mother and father are weary and sore. It seems that all peace has flown out the door. Please don't despair, it will return as before. The bright morning sun will melt all the snow, and you will be free again to come and to go. Spirits will soar, and you won't feel so low. Winter will flee and the snows turn to rain. Hearts will be light and you'll be happy again. So, in the meantime, just try to remain sane. Spring will return with its warmth and its cheer. You won't even remember why you felt so drear. Cabin fever will pass, or at least for this year. Spring will return with warmth and with cheer. You won't even remember why you felt so drear.

BACK TO THE GRIND

Hello! Well, my brief sabbatical is over, so I am back to blogging. I thought I would wait for something great to relate, but alas, that could take forever, so I am stuck with the mini- events that make up my ordinary but wonderful life. One of the perks of aging, in my humble opinion, is being able to experience youth again vicariously, through the grandchildren. You can use their energy to participate in sports, social events and academics without having to expend your own, except for cheers and praises. Of course, one must curb their enthusiasm , especially at ballgames, in order not to distract the foul-shooter or embarrass the player in front of his friends. Kisses are especially a no-no. And hugs. Definitely, do not call out pet names or BABY, regardless of how many times you have diapered that six-foot shooter in the past. Oh, by the way, if you are privileged to take your newly dating grandson and his beautiful cheerleader girlfriend to a buffet lunch after church, follow their lead and eat like a little birdie. No loading that plate down. Mince lightly, and do not relate tales from the young man's childhood. He wants to be percieved as a man with no parents and no past, I suppose. It would be better if you did not open your mouth at all, except to tell them to have a good time at the movie. No, strike that , too! I am getting better at following my detailed instructions. I know that if he gets hurt playing ball, I am NOT to run out on the floor, and to keep an immobile face while he is being revived. No shouting at the referree, either. Proper dress for parents/grandparents is very , very, important to teens. Dress should be conservative, not to draw attention, but not old and fuddy-duddy. Beside the point that they are wearing new jeans with holes on the knees and pockets, and hoodies with weird names like Abercrombie and Hollister. Go figure. I had become paranoid about such things as causing my teens to die from embarrassment. That is until the mother of the above mentioned cheerleader told me that she had been thinking that G-Son Tyler was shy until she took the couple to the Mall on Friday. She said that a dress-up day was scheduled for this coming week at school. an event both kids enjoy. She purchased a Hannah Montana wig for her daughter to wear, and was astonished when shy Tyler wore it all over the mall. He has always liked costumes. When he was two or three years old, he would have a towel tied around his neck to make a Superman cape and could terrify us for hours jumping from the furniture. While I encourage him to become a doctor, I secretly think he would make a great actor. He has the looks for it and he was a hit in the Christmas play at church. But right now, ball games and girls are his focus. Yes, it is wonderful to relive your youth through your grandchildren and give them the things you wistfully wish you could have had, but just remember, if you want to keep your good standing and be allowed this privilege, you best WATCH YOUR STEP and get that silly grin off your face!