Monday, October 14, 2013

The treasure lies in them, not the things....

When an old friend becomes very ill, I begin devoting a lot of time in my thoughts to them. Really hoping they get better, really hoping for the best. That they don't leave us too soon. I think about their family, where they've been, and where they are going, at least, before they became ill. These thoughts have lead me to memories of days gone by. Such fond memories too. Being so young, in high school, having the time of our lives if we had only noticed back then.

You know, 'stuff' doesn't really matter. The cars we drive, the amount in our bank accounts, etc. It doesn't matter that much. What matters is people. Who we have in our lives, the relationships we nurture, those we spend our time with, our given, and chosen families. The treasure, lies in them. Not the 'things'.

It makes me sad to lose touch with friends, to then devote an entire day(s) of my thoughts to them, because they're very sick, and we don't know the outcome yet. Why did we lose touch? Is what I wonder. I know how it goes. Life becomes extremely busy, we grow up, go to college, get new jobs, move away from home....and before you know it, years have passed. It's not that we don't love our friends anymore, not at all. Life just gets really busy, doesn't it?

I just think maybe it shouldn't get so busy that we can't say hello once in a while. It just takes a few minutes to ask a friend how they're doing, if they're happy in their life.

Well, these are my thoughts tonight, as I sit and remember some great times with an old friend.

This is for Beth. Rest well friend, and continue to fight the good fight. My thoughts are with you and your family.

To you, my reader friend: call a friend you've lost touch with. I bet it will make you feel better than it does them.

See you soon,
Tiffany

Friday, October 11, 2013

That's what I would call a beignet....

Today I'm thinking of some favorite things, in a very random fashion.

One thing that comes to mind is a book titled "If You Give a Pig a Pancake".

I can only describe this book as just delightful. It begins with "If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it.....", then the syrup leads to something else, and then something else again, and before you know it , you've forgotten about the pancake all together. The illustrations by Felicia Bond are brilliant, and yes, I know. I'm an adult and this appears to be a childrens book. Silly rules, I pay no attention to them. This is on my book shelf at home!

Something else I like: undefeated MO football teams. MIZZOU! CHIEFS! I love Fridays, that lead to Saturdays with Mizzou ball on ESPN, which lead to Sundays with Chiefs playing at home. (against the Raiders. sshhh. No jinxing. Let's just enjoy the 5-0 record, okay?) and let's not forget baseball, Go Cards!

I seem to have missed the boat on a few t.v. shows (what's new) that I hear I need to check out. I don't have enough hours in the day, and what little I do have I refuse to give to watching t.v. 100%. With that said, I've seen the first episode of the first season of Breaking Bad, see how behind I am?, I have not seen Scandal or The Walking Dead, or Downton Abbey. I'm sure there's more. I usually give it 3 episodes before I decide if it's for me or not. So maybe by next year I'll be caught up to the point where everyone is right now, and of course they will then be watching the latest and greatest and I'll be behind again. Ah well, such is life. My point is, I like knowing that there are lots of things out there for me to watch when the mood hits. Just like books waiting on my shelf at home, for me to read, that I haven't started yet.

October. Just the entire word. I love this month. Fall leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Decorations, orange and purple lights, crisp air if you're lucky. I'm getting a few pumpkins so I can roast seeds tonight, this is my favorite item on the "things I like" list today. I love the smell of roasting pumpkin seeds. AND watching scary movies!

I love this word: Serendipity
'the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way'
"In general, serendipity is the act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it". I can't think of anyone that doesn't enjoy a a fabulous something that they were not expecting. Of course, it must also be mentioned that I love the movie too.

Speaking of movies, I like movie quotes. I've mentioned before that I can have entire conversations with my sisters (and cousins and friends) using movie quotes. Does this make us weird? I think not. I think we're cool people quite frankly.

Sara: "Um, favorite New York moment?"
Jonathan: "This one's climbing the charts"

I like New York. I specifically like Manhattan.What needs to be done about this, though, is that I actually experience it. I mean, BE THERE. I've never been to Manhattan. Until I am able to be there, I can still say, I like NY. I want one of those "I heart NY" t-shirts. I'm the best tourist you'll ever meet, I don't care if it's touristy, if I want it, I'm buying it.

It's that whole "when in Rome" idea. For example, I just got back from a four-day vacation in New Orleans. I'm not a sweet eater, I just don't crave sweets. But, I've never had a beignet at Cafe Du Monde. So of course I had to do this at least once. I think they taste like a funnel cake, but in the shape of a pillow. A powdery white, funnel-cake pillow treat. That's what I would call a beignet.

 

Cafe Du Monde is a cute little cafe that serves wonderful coffee and beignets, and that's it. You won't have to spend a lot of time perusing a menu here. Just as I like it, when on the move during a vacation when trying to see an entire city in four days (can't be done, by the way).

So I'll add NOLA to my list. I like NOLA. I don't really like humidity, but Tropical Storm Karen has to be blamed for most of that, this trip anyway. Walking the streets of the French Quarter in the early morning hours was quite good for the soul.
 


And the JAZZ! Oh man, it was everywhere and I loved it. These people have nothing but time, and musical talent, and a great big smile to give you. I really enjoyed moving along to the jazzy beats, and turning each corner and hearing even more Jazz playing. So fun.



Does this conclude my entire list of likes in my whole life? No way. But Friday afternoon is about to become evening and it's time to wrap things up and be on my way.

I hope you have a weekend filled with many of your "likes".

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS Coffee and Jazz make a perfect breakfast combo. No, really!