Stumble ,Stumble,Crawl,Crawl!

As I sit here pondering.......pondering what, I'm not sure. Although there is a lot going on inside the cranium, it seems the thoughts are being sucked through the black hole into the depth of my brain, I think. Sounds silly, even to the point of ridiculous, however, "it is what it is!" Perhaps the events of the day are to blame, sure as hell "it ain't me babe!" Dear God, shades of Sonny and Cher! We'll blame that little gem on 107.7FM. Stuck in a traffic gridlock today,scanning the airwaves, "I've Got You Babe" fills the fume laden air I am now sucking in. That was also compliments of some piece of crap Geo idling directly in front of me. From what I could see this vehicle was held together by bungee cords, two wrapped around the remnants of a muffler and one holding the back hatch closed. Interesting though, the bungee cords and car color matched....dingy blue.

Sitting in traffic with an occasional false hope of movement, temperature hovering close to ninety (much too early for these temps), my immediate neighbor to the right, a brightly colored vehicle of blood red is being driven by a surly and strange looking middle aged man, unkempt appearance, literally dirty blonde hair and a scraggly beard,reminding me of the pirate movie "Yellowbeard". Having just gotten off the phone with my little buddy, Jack Henry, his prized birthday present of a pirate ship, only seemed to make my neighbor "Yellowbeard", all the more realistic. Scenes from the movie racing through my tired brain, the slow painful movement of traffic can only mean one thing, "stumble, stumble, crawl, crawl!" Aye Mate, ye's a tad off your rocker, ain't that the truth!

It has been a warm winter, snow birds and tourists have flocked to this tropical paradise in droves. We have welcomed them with opened arms, they are the mainstay of this economy. It is moments like this, my weary mind in a frenzied state of TGIF (clarification: my work week Friday), I want to drive like the wind. My love of late afternoon tropical setting sun, warm breezes rustling the majestic palms and swaying Spanish moss laden cypress trees, is now being invaded by a death star burning oil as well as my lungs,(that would be the dingy blue Geo), Yellowbeard's identical twin (blood red car on the right) and let us not forget, Sonny crooning to Cher.

In the distance, I am now able to see the flashing lights of a law enforcement vehicle. Could be a state trooper or a county sheriff, regardless they both give tickets, often. Trust me on this one, the voice of experience knows all too well the sick minds of the "County Mounties!". bored beyond belief, tired a sitting in traffic, not being able to reach my CD carrier, horrible tunes on the radio, I begin talking to the air, "wonder if this is a bad accident?" It is then I decide to call 511. If for no other reason than to occupy my mind. "Thankyou for dialing 511,please say or press one for menu options." Naturally I say one. What comes next is NOT a menu option. Hola(hello), por favor and a number of other Spanish directions are penetrating my brain. Hmm, must of said something other than one. During that fifteen second Spanish language spiel and with limited Spanish comprehension skills, I could of sworn I heard the word queso(cheese), but then again it might be the hunger pains now ravishing my body or the effects of the death star belching and puffing its toxic fumes, even Yellowbeard is beginning to look normal. He can't be all that bad, looks like he's sucking down a Dunkin Donut's iced coffee, lucky bastard!

As the flashing lights get closer,traffic once again seems to be moving, this time for real. I see no accident nor the remnants of one. Instead, one puffy,proud as a peacock sheriff, aiming a radar gun into the oncoming traffic is spoiling my much needed tension release easy drive home, now that really ticks me off. Yet there is some consolation, the tag team of troopers is now in the process of pulling over the disease ridden death star, also known as the dingy blue Geo. Half expecting to see the trooper emerge from his vehicle with a gas mask (he is going to need one), I am pleased to hear a number of frustrated drivers honking their horns and thrusting their thumbs up sign as they applaud the troopers choice. Much like a pack of wolves in the midst of a hunt, they have culled the herd, preying on the weakest and are now going in for the kill! Even the scraggy beard, dirty blond neighbor a.k.a Yellowbeard, seems delighted. Stumble, stumble, crawl, crawl is now a distant memory. Windows opened, radio blaring(Adele filling the airwaves), life is good, the world alright and TGIF!

Orange Blossom Oblivion!

Although the official Spring season not arriving until March 20th this year, the weather this past week, absolutely gorgeous.  Nights just cool enough, a sweater necessary to ward off the chill, perhaps a warming fire pit as well, would do the job.  But it is the season of the senses here in Florida, one can get a natural high from the scent of the orange blossoms, even more pungent in the dark coolness of the Florida nights.  Breathe in, breathe out, close your eyes and dazzle your senses, amazing the effects of the sweet orange blossoms.

Daytime, an additional delight as butterflies and hummingbirds join the masses of bees, all hurriedly darting back and forth from flower to flower.  The gardenias, sending the senses into a sweet delirium, making outside chores and lazy afternoon lounging, a delight.  Many of our northern friends not quite understanding the reasons we anxiously await the arrival of Spring here in this tropical paradise.  They question us with that "deer in the headlights" look, "isn't it always green and flowery in Florida?"  Truth be known, no.  Although there is always something growing, cool weather flowers helping to make the brown landscapes and barren trees more tolerable, it is basically a time for Mother Nature to take a much needed vacation.  Obviously, this year, she must have shortened her vacation, the winter season much milder than the previous three or four.  Perhaps her plans for a summer vacation have come into play instead.  Old timers saying, "Yep, mild winter, could be a brutal summer!"  Forever an optimist, maybe Mother Nature is taking a vacation at Disney World this summer and not conjuring up a brutal hurricane season or rains of monsoon like proportions!  Hey she needs a bit of time off too!

The reason for the season and the true meaning of Equinox is "equal night."  It is the time when all the world has equal hours of sunlight and nighttime, the sun being positioned directly over the equator.
For our earlier ancestors, it meant a time their foods would be restored.  I am sure it is no coincidence the Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly towards the rising sun on the day of the Vernal Equinox.  But then, was it just the Egyptians that built these wonders of the world.  Earlier drawings show a people with elongated shaped heads and necks.  Warp speed to the future, I do believe I saw creatures with the same features in "Star Wars" or was it "Lost in Space?"  Regardless, basking in sunlight, soaking up the sights and sounds of a Florida springtime, I am sounding more and more like I am ascending (a high) into Orange Blossom Oblivion!

A Rainy Day Thought

Daylight savings time, usually associated with Spring, more hours of being awake, the world renewed, we think all things new and rejuvenated. Here in Florida, the winter months of less sunlight hours only seems to accentuate the additional time in which to view the beauty of this tropical paradise. As with most springtime seasons, the world of "sleeping beauty", Mother nature herself, has opened her delicate eyes, reaching towards the heavens as the rays of warmth radiate forth. She stretches her delicate appendages as grasses turn to emerald green, the redbuds swollen, burst forth and the vivid colors almost seems to splash the earth with a rainbow of colors. Yes, the sights and scents remind us of the beauty that surround us and dazzle every delicate breathe we take. There is nothing more heavenly than the scent of the orange blossoms and gardenias. The delicate sweetness these gorgeous blossoms produce, send honey bees and intricately colored butterflies into a frenzy.

Today's springtime shower, washing away all the remmnants of the yellowish lime green pollen that has coated any and all available surfaces, once again the fresh and new world, is spotless. After a dry warmer winter than normal, the young tender shoots and swollen buds soaking up, almost gulping the refreshing moisture that the ominous storm clouds have produced. A brisk walk in the spring shower, fueled by the southwesterly winds is very invigorating. An umbrella from the heavier downpour is all one needs to enjoy watching the creatures play in the quickly rising pools and swift running streams, instantly created by the over abundance of water on the dry harden grounds. The winds of spring have begun to clean the preserve of the dry rotted mulch left from the leaf drop of the previous autumn season. We can now see the chipmunks, squirrels and little mice emerge, but then so can our favorite hunters, the owls and the osprey. A fine and delicate balance our friend Mother Nature has created, survival of the fittest or at least the fastest!

A good day to sit on the porch, perhaps reading a favorite book or just writing about a bunch of little nothings that we always take for granted. Looking at a rather large Sunday newspaper with its weekly magazine, a small comment catches my eye, Springtime in Paris! Now that fuels the thought process. The trees that line the banks of the Siene must be swollen by now, the blossoms waiting to burst forth. The ornate architecture of each building waiting to be decorated with the multitudes of window boxes, blossoms spilling forth, adding color to the dark and gothic structures that stand guard protesting the secrets of the City of Lights.

Perhaps it is just the spring season that brings this endless amount of energy, but then a certains someone reminds me that is pretty much me, everyday! Perhaps it's just the need to pack so much into my daily life that produces this energy, for sure is not sugar consumption! A walk in the rain, a walk in the sunlight, both produce the same invigorating feelings. I am reminded of a conversation with a friend who has a physical disability, "what I used to take for granted, I now hold closest to my heart. Good, bad or indifferent, rain is rain, but a walk whether in the sunlight, rain or alone, I long for a walk, a long walk!"

Friendship...At a Cost

"Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find," a quote from the master, William Shakespeare. The relationships we build must be nurtured, their very survival dependent upon a rock solid foundation.  Without trust, neither friendship nor marriage survives.  But the question always remains; once that trust is compromised can any relationship survive?  Perhaps, depending on the  individuals involved. Wondering what provoked this train of thought, all you have to do is look and listen to the media. As with most "news worthy releases," its all about money, always is. We as a people love controversy, exploitation of other's misfortunes, whether created by the individual or just plain old fashioned gossip and a need to have the "scoop" on someone.  While we bask in the glory of "breaking the story," we fail to realize nor care that blood has been drawn.  For what reason the sharp edge sword rears its ugly head truly baffles me.

Case in point, Tiger Woods.  He was wrong, admittedly so, yet there have been others too numerous to count or remember that have committed the same misdeeds, but then he was the games' savior. Tiger has paid the price, he continues to do so, sadly only a few of his friends speaking out in his defense.  The game needs Tiger just as he needs the game.  During the span of this young man's career, he has been befriended by those whom he thought he could trust, sadly for the love of money, jealousy or wanting to break the story, a man he counted on and confided in, now rears his ugly head.

Just as the publics' thirst for more Tiger stories of infidelities, illegitimate off-springs, wild rough sex encounters and the like have begun to wane, his former swing coach Hank Haney announces a tell all book about his Tiger years, will be released a week before the Masters.  Poor taste on Mr. Haney's part, great marketing perhaps, but poor taste.  Did his fame come from being a great swing coach or was it because he coached one of the greatest golfers of all time?  His face and name no longer in the forefront, his decision to be hurtful should once again fill his bank accounts, so much for friendship. Advertisers and investors thrilled, the audience will triple but questions must be asked, why will they watch?  Will Tiger falter and those who desire the game of golf be returned to the elite few, finally have their way? Will they watch, encouraging him or will they pray he humiliates himself? 

As with all rich and famous, we love and envy them, we embrace their lives, placing them on the highest pedestal, we forget they are human just as are we!  Aside from all their money, we want them to be role models, we want our children to "grow up and be just like them." We forget, we are our childrens' role models. We throw slurs, we propagate rumors, we bask in the glory of "breaking the story" and we place the blame for society's misdeeds on anyone other than ourselves.