Every night, I get off work and come home, do a few chores and rest for the evening with the television, my constant companion—other than the two cats of course.
Tonight I am in the unique position of having the day off, so I thought I would start the Spring Deep Cleaning of the house a little early. Obviously, that isn’t going well.
It’s been a while since I posted here, and have to thank Nibby for getting me back on the horse so to speak.
So I opened up a cold beer, and used the remote control to turn the TV off. I mostly watch news anyway, so I am none the wiser to shut it off once and a while and let my mind wander.
When I was a little girl, I was told I could do anything-be anyone I wanted to be. I danced around that question until I found my passion for service and community and have been happy ever since. I can’t help but wonder what the world will be like for the youth of today years from now. I wonder if they enjoy the small things that lit up my life not so long ago. We see such frustration in the country and in the world, it’s hard to find the bright spots in our own back yard.
You know, it’s funny. I get on Facebook every night just to see what all of my friends are doing. It has brought back a load of memories that make me smile, cry and laugh out loud from time to time. It helps me realize why I am here, and what I want to do for the rest of my life. The number one thing is to not let opportunities pass me by. To quit saying someday I will….and then watch idly by as someday turns into could have.
So I am picking up my journal from the past, and am crossing things off my list. One by one, I will do all of the things I have wanted to do for so long. Things I never shared with a friend, things I never thought I would really do, but want to do nonetheless. Here is a list so far.
1. Go back to Montserrat. I did mission work there, and four years after I helped put the little island back together, a volcano erupted, almost destroying the sweet paradise I grew to love so much. I want to go back there and help clean it up again—to make it the paradise it deserves to be.
2. Go to a NASCAR race. Nine years ago, I had nothing better to do, so I watched the Daytona 500 and was fascinated. Since then, I have grown into a silent fan. I get to cross this off in April, and I am so excited. I don’t know if I will enjoy the experience, but I am glad to give it a go.
3. Keep in touch with my friends better than I have. Well, Facebook helps this a whole lot. But I want to visit them, travel with them and share real life experience with them. I hope to put a bunch of checks next to this one.
4. Play the guitar. I have always wanted to play the guitar, and a few days ago, my older brother asked me if I wanted to learn with him. Well, I jumped at the chance, and now have someone to teach me once I buy a guitar. My hope is to be able to play well by Christmas. Only time will tell if I can check this off.
5. Visit Rome. OK, there is no way I can do this for a while, but I have to put it here nonetheless. Who doesn’t want to see Rome?
6. Laugh each day. This one shouldn’t be too hard. I laugh too much as it is. But I felt the need to make it a list item so I will be conscious of the moments.
7. Fight for what I believe in. We don’t do this as much as we all should. We live in a country that provides us the right and the responsibility to stand by our convictions and we should not be afraid to civilly and respectfully stand up for those convictions. Most know that I have a very eclectic group of friends that represent the entire religious, cultural and political spectrum. We have had debates, but we have been fortunate to show each other respect and have agreed to disagree. It doesn’t have to get nasty or hateful and when speaking from conviction, it shouldn’t .
8. Help start a community foundation in Henderson, KY. I believe this can happen when the right people come together. I hope to begin laying the groundwork for the foundation this year. Henderson is a very giving community, and a community foundation would help the non profits in the city flourish.
That’s all for now. The song for this post comes from the Indigo Girls album, Come On Now Social. I will post the lyrics to Cold Beer and Remote Control, because the lyrics truly tell the tale of today for so many people. I have been a huge fan of the Indigo Girls for close to 20 years, now and once went through two wrecked cars to see them at Miami of Ohio. I have gotten to see them twice, and would see them play whenever and wherever I could. They are awesome!!!
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"Cold Beer And Remote Control"
All of my days have been misspent
Stuffing out the sofa and the antenna's bent
Inside my heart's bustin' out at the seams
I work for the impossible American dream
I got a job at the grocery store
A few bucks an hour and not much more
The world comes in just to take things away
And eat it all up and then they sleep into day
I try not to care I would lose my mind
Running 'round the same thing time after time
Only two things bound to soothe my soul cold beer and remote control
Once upon a time I was nobody's fool
Two jobs and showing up for school
I guess it comes apart so little by little
You don't know you're there till you're stuck in the middle
So I try not care I would lose my mind
Running 'round the same thing time after time
Only two things bound to soothe my soul cold beer and remote control
Sit down the room is dark the blurry graffiti on the benches across at the public park
The plastic's black and buttoned the haze is blue
And all I want is nothing to do
'Cause it's a long walk to the bus stop
It's a long wait for the turning clock
A two-tired car sitting up on the blocks
And things I put aside like that pile of rocks
I try not to care I would lose my mind
Running 'round the same thing time after time
Only two things bound to soothe my soul cold beer and remote control
I try not to care I would lose my mind
Running 'round the same thing time after time
Only two things bound to soothe my soul
Cold beer and remote control
