"Best to Stay Prayed Up"

I was at the "Y" this afternoon doing "my thing" on the semi-recumbent elliptical machine.  That's first and then into the pool.  Anyway, there was a lady on the next machine that I had not seen before.  Usually there is little or no talking while work is going on in the machine room.  But she started up a conversation.  The TV screens in front of both of us were showing reports from the Weather Channel on the Oklahoma tornadoes.  We were in agreement that it was a terrible disaster and it was a blessing that there were so few people hurt or killed.  Still too many, but it could have been worse.  Then the conversation turned to how lucky we were and how blessed and she said something that has stayed on my mind.  Something very true.  She said you can be here one minute and gone the next.  I know this very well.  And then she said "and that's why you should always stay prayed up".

Amen to that, sister!  Stay safe!

Hey, All!

I hope all the ladies had a nice Mothers Day!

Golfer and I got to do our first babysitting with CutieGirl yesterday.  She was so good and so cute!  This was the first introduction to our furry kids and they didn't quite know what to think of her.  But everyone was well behaved and got along.  I expected no less.  This is Angus and Cinder checking her out and wondering what she is!  You can see the furry kids are definitely bigger than her right now.

Golfer returned from his golf trip and has been catching up on things.  He had a good time and the weather cooperated.

We've been having what seems like a lot of rain here.  Everything is green and growing.  Some of our azaleas are done blooming and others haven't even started.  The hydrangeas have buds!  It was hot for a couple days and then cooled off and the heat is turned on again!  And on the news this morning they were suggesting if you had young plants in your garden to cover them up the next two nights.  Geez!  it's May already!

So life is good.  Stay safe!

The Truth in Fiction

I like to read.  I also like to watch movies.  I have to admit that among some of my female friends, it is considered odd that I do not care for the traditional "chick" movies or books.  I like a good shoot 'em up, and science fiction.  Do not ask me to read or sit and watch a sob story or some touchy feely thing.  The last "chick" movie I truly enjoyed was "Steel Magnolias".  And it was full of strong willed women doing good.

Golfer and I have been Star Trek and Star Wars fans since the beginning.  I can't wait for the new Star Trek movie to come out to see what is next in the alternate Trek universe.  (FYI -this morning I heard that Chris Pine - aka the new Capt. Kirk - is also going to be the new Jack Ryan!)  In Star Trek stories, beings of all races, nationalities, colors, and origins work together for the common good.  Isn't this better than hearing about idiots just driving by and shooting each other on a whim?

But, back to my main thought here... there is truth in fiction.  Because I read and watch what I do, I get a glimpse of possible futures.  And since I choose to try to be a happy, content person, I often avoid watching the news.  Let's be honest, isn't it just darn depressing a lot of the time?  I'm sitting around with my head in the sand.  I read the paper and do listen to the news, but I don't want to dwell on it constantly.   My heart goes out to those affected by the bombings and shootings and other disasters and if there was something I could personally do, I would surely try. 

I have often thought that the public is often just clueless about their surroundings and what is going on.    But then I was raised by a  mother who was a people watcher.  Some of that rubbed off, or was hereditary or something.   Please people, let's all be more observant.  The new U.S. motto is "see something, say something".  The difficult part might be finding someone to say it to, but make the effort.  A former pastor always said, "it is better to be told something more than once than not at all".

In the aftermath and investigation of the Boston bombings, the authorities pieced together pictures from  cell phones and private cameras.  They also used the security cameras from streets and businesses.  You know, the ones that some folks still say are just fake boxes.  And others rant against for invasion of privacy.   Golfer and I watch "Person of Interest".  I think it is a great show.  If you are not familiar, the main characters are given information on someone who is either going to be the cause or the victim.  The computer spews out information and causes the cameras to track the person.  The main characters then stop or rescue.   This show is presumably fiction.  But is it?  When you consider Boston, I think there is more truth there.

Is this an infringement of privacy?  Maybe.  But if you are trying to live a good life and doing what is right, what do you have to hide? 

I am a fan of J.D. Robb's  (Nora Roberts' pen name) "In Death" mystery series.  I have read all of the books and am waiting for the next to be published later this year.  The main character is a detective in the New York City of the future.  Cars fly, guns with bullets are illegal, but the police all have stunners.  And wrist communicators!  Besides the wonderful characters and the fun glimpses of a possible future society, there are frequent mentions of future gadgets.  In one of the latest books, clues to the murder were found on memory cubes.  Guess what I saw an email ad for!  A memory cube!  Leave yourself or someone else a recorded message or reminder.  The thing looks like a thick pad of post-it notes, but it's a mini recorder.  Did someone read the book and develop one, or did Nora Roberts know someone and get advance info? 

This is probably enough of my rambling.  In short, I think there are infinite possibilities in our world.

Keep your eyes open and stay safe!