Thursday Already!

Life is humming along for Lou and me. We have such a simple, unhurried life now. The kids are doing their thing, not needing us or our money too much any more. Allene's passing in Feb. ended a 5 year commitment to her. We have felt relieved that she is out of her misery; mostly that she is where fear cannot control her life. Seems that fear is the number one element that makes people do and say the most awful and the most funny things! I am not free of that burden entirely, but I am aware when it has taken control. Breathing is my best antidote to fear. When I become conscious of my breathing I become conscious of the here and now and what is actually going on in that moment and it is never fearful, it is usually wonderful. Sitting on the dock watching manatees and their calves swim by, sitting on my porch looking at the water and feeling blessed. Driving over the causeway at sunset and have my breath taken away at the amazing clouds and water. I have a life that most people can only fantasize about. I have an amazing husband who loves me and brings out the best in me. I have kids who are interested in what I say and thank me for what I have been to them. I have a couple of friends that I can be myself with and I have a lovely job; taking care of the books etc with the shop and making Winter Street a lovely place to be for vacationing guests. I get up when I want most days and go to bed when I want. I can shop for groceries the way I chose and I can make good meals for Lou and myself. He is usually happy with the food I make for him and when he is unhappy he says nothing; that is how I know...so sweet of him to be so kind about it. We have little needs and so we make food our treat and entertainment. Funny how little food you need when the food you have is satisfying and delicious. I think that goes with all things in life. One or two good friends can be a lot better than a ton of not so good friends. I have shed a few not so good friends over the years, not by choice, but by distance. The ones that can stay connected in spite of the distance show their true loyalty. I had hard feelings at first about the ones that drifted away, but I understand now that no one has the time or wants to take the time for people that chose to leave your world. I moved, they didn't.
The mail just came and there was a package that I found sitting at my back door. It was three record albums. A few months ago I was doing a search for "Children Songs for a Rainy Day." My Mom wanted me to print out the lyrics to some of the tunes that we grew up with and bring them to the May Family Reunion. The album got lost in the move from Angelus Oaks and I have been sick about the loss. I remember most of the song lyrics, but I still want to find the old record album. After searching online for a while I found a blog that had the email of one of the sons of a songwriter from those old children's song. I emailed him and told him how important "Willie the Spider" had been to me and that I was looking to replace the album I had lost. He offered to send (without cost) a record album of his Dad's original songs. He sent three of them. He included a note to let me know that these were a set. How sweet is that?! Between the new and honest renter we have at Hemet and the really great people who have booked at the WSC, my view of mankind"s basic good has been bolstered. This generous sharing of records is so amazing.