The joy and pains of friendship

Friday, September 02, 2011

Thursday morning my dear friend Shirley stopped by and wanted to go to coffee. I don't recall ever turning that down. LOL As we sat sipping and talking, she told me that she thought the "New Beginnings" retreat she went on had really helped her through the tremendous sorrow she feels since her husband passed away. But after a moment of silence she said she didn't think it did afterall and she wondered if she would feel this sad for the rest of her life. It broke my heart. As gabby as I am I was at a loss for words to comfort her. I hope and pray she won't. They knew each other since school, dated, and married and were together 45 or so years. How can anyone say the right thing. I have no point of reference to the pain and sorrow and emptyness she feels loosing him. I could only tell her that I didn't know how to help and that i was just going to be here when she needed to cry on someone's shoulder. So the whole day I kept reflecting on what she said and praying that the Good Lord would help her.

So I always go back to things that help me through times like that. It helps me to look at pictures of my Grandkids.....pictures of my kids when they were little.....think about the wonderful experiences I've had in my life and try to be thankful for whatever blessings have come my way. I think that those who are in heaven do look after us in some ways. The day before my sister passed away, a beautiful cardinal came to the house and sat in a low lying bush outside the window.....a place I'd never seen one before, and in fact hadn't seen one for years. My sis and my Grandma were both crazy about cardinals. I think it was Grandma telling me that she would look after Deb and not to worry,. Does that sound crazy? Well, even if it does, I believe it. We talked about that and she said that she and Gary loved collecting coins. And that since he's been gone she is always finding coins in odd places, like the beach by their house where she found a Yosemite coin from a trip they took long before they even lived in this house. She said she thought it was a message from nim and I believe it.

So tonight I was taking in all the beautiful photos that grace the internet for our enjoyment. I saw dozens of pictures of rainbows.....beautiful old towns and villages.....and many other things that interested me. Here is a website off budget travel that you might enjoy yourself.

http://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/35
-brilliant-rainbows,7614/?src=ssrcrc

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No one knows

Thursday, September 01, 2011

One day at work, eons ago, of course, I came back to my desk after break and found this paper taped to my computer screen. I got such a kick out of it that I kept it and as with most things I own, it got lost along the way. Recently I unearthed it (LOL) and thought I would share it with you. It's totally useless information but what the heck...... so here goes.

I have gone to get myself.
If I return before I get back
Hold me here because it is important
I see myself when I get back,
before I get confused.

Hows that for the ridiculous. Never knew who gave it to me. My boss, ahah? Just trying to be funny. It was one of those stressful jobs that made us all a little on the nut and fruitcake side, so I'll never know. ....have to accept that. LOL

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Never Argue With A Woman

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.

Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.

Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'

'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')

'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her.

'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading'.

'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.'

'For reading a book,' she replies,

'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her again,

'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading'

'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.'

'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with Sexual assault,' says the woman.

'But I haven't even touched you,' says the game warden.

'That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.'

'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.

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They say you should be specific

Monday, August 29, 2011

Doing more of my middle of the night reading....always looking for some motivation to keep going on this journey. Sleep would be nice but who's complaining. LOL

Here is what I read. Just thought I'd share it with you.


"When you set new goals for yourself, try to be as specific as possible. “I want to lose twenty pounds” is a goal you can aim to achieve. “I want to lose weight” is not. Knowing the specific measurements of what you want to achieve is the only way you will ever get to the end result you desire. Also, be specific with your actions too. “I will exercise” is not actionable. It’s far too vague. “I will take a 30 minute jog every weekday at 6PM” is something you can actually do – something you can build a routine around – something you can measure."

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NOLS

Saturday, August 27, 2011

I had a couple of things I wanted to tell you about today. I decided to tell you about NOLS. I am sure some of you are familiar with the National Outdoor Leadership School. If you want a unique experience or want to learn more about taking care of yourself in the outdoors, there isn't another school anywhere that can teach you more.

"Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt, NOLS, is a not for profit educational institution--and takes people of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions, teaching technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental ethics in some of the world’s wildest and most awe-inspiring classrooms. What NOLS teaches cannot be learned in a classroom or on a city street. It takes practice to learn outdoor skills and time to develop leadership. The wilderness provides the ideal setting for this unique education.

With courses ranging from 10 days to a full academic year, we attract highly motivated students who want to learn how to lead. Our hands on, learn-by-doing approach means that our graduates get the skills they need to be competent, responsible wilderness travelers long after their course is over."

NOLS is headquartered in Lander, Wyoming. My daughter in law's parents were among the first instructors and outdoor guides, and my daughter in law is an accountant at their offices in Lander. It's a very unique building in the middle of a fairly small town, surrounding by some of the most beautiful country in Wyoming, or anywhere else for that matter. From humble beginnings to today's unbelievable size, it has "classrooms" throughout the world. It's a unique school.

They talk about Sinks Canyon in their information. It's a beautiful place, where my kids choose to be married. It's named that because the Popo Agie river runs rapidly through it and then sinks into a small hole. Two miles down the road it emerges again and becomes a river again. It's unique because the entryway is too small for anyone to explore it so no one knows what it's like, and then when it appears again it's a somewhat placid river. When you hike around the area you will see Mountain Goats and Deer, and there is always the presence of small creatures and I assume snakes, although I have never seen one there. The hiking trails at that location are ones even this old lady was able to manage....and enjoyed it very much.

Please don't take this as a advertisement for NOLS, but just as information you might be interested in if spending more time outdoors is your goal toward gaining a more healthful life. I decided to tell you about it because it's something I know about firsthand, and because Wyoming is near and dear to my heart.

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