I'm not setting myself up for failure any more by titling these "Friday" Letters. Yep, I'm late. Again.
So, during each morning's 'cone of silence' commute my brain practically explodes with blog ideas. I've taken to keeping index cards at the ready, but when evening arrives I've little-to-no initiative.
Suppose this falls into the science of biorhythms?
'Just curious. Have you a certain time of day set aside to blog ... when your 'spark plugs' get to buzzing?
* * *
Dear DH:
I really should be flattered that you wanted my opinion. But a toilet? Seriously?
You know home improvement emporiums aren't my thing, but I was astounded at the variety (and prices) of 'thrones.'
In the 'end', I don't care!
PS -
Thank you for installing the pot. Oh, and for prying me away from the pretty faucets aisle.
Dear Tree Doctor:
I'm mighty relieved to hear our ground water supply wasn't contaminated; that our little tree had plenty of moisture.
But you're telling us it died from sunburn?
I never heard of that before!
Dear Sarah,
Grandpa Tom and I were thrilled to learn you were about to begin your career at the hospital where you interned.
Who could have guessed, your mentor who 'practically promised' you that job failed to research the fine print ... that it was a Masters-level position, not a bachelors.
Nevertheless, I'm so proud of your resolve. Your optimism and innate compassion will get you far. I love you!
Dear Momma in Heaven,
Witnessing the recent hurricanes' devastation, I've felt helpless and heartsick. You've been heavy on my mind ... memories!
I'm so sorry we didn't take you more seriously. Each year you made it a point to attend the hurricane readiness seminar ... arriving early, so as to get a seat up front. You -- a poster child for hurricane readiness -- even purchased 'do-it-yourself' storm shutters from a door-to-door salesman. You always said, "When the hurricane comes...." Never "if."
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| DIL Lois and Mother at PassaGrille Beach |
Bittersweet. Only a few months after you passed away, Hurricane Charley swept across the Gulf coast ... destroying one of your Happiest Places on earth: Punta Gorda's Village Oyster Bar.
Troy later remarked, "Well, gram finally got her hurricane" ... as we enjoyed your favorite cocktail, the Godmother.
So, I consulted Google this morning and discovered the Oyster Bar is permanently closed. Almost seems fitting.
Dear News Anchors,
After 15 years I should be accustomed to your euphemisms. (I'm sorry, I still don't consider 110-degrees 'warm.') Still, I sat up straight last week when I heard you warn of an approaching cold front.
Never mind that in "Phoenix speak" that means highs in the 90's. I'll take it! ... and you gave me a good laugh.
(Thank you, Mr. God.)
... and thank you for visiting. Have a great week, everyone!
Hugs from Phoenix,
Myra
YOu are blessed with the 'cute witties', Imma thinking that should be a word phrase. Love it all, but mama's? The best. I always say it might not be tomorrow or next week, but if you live in Florida long enough you will be kissed or killed by a hurricane. Love the story about the Village Oyster Bar. Neat!
ReplyDeleteI have been back to NC a day now, and I miss FL already. But I have to wait about two weeks! ;-)
Aw ... thank you, Jack. Back in 2002 when I drove north, I never would have imagined I'd be missing Florida. Thank goodness for 'visitation rights'!
DeleteI would love to have a Godmother in memory of your mother. I love amaretto!! The hurricanes have been playing heavily on my mind here in tornado alley! They get so much warning but so many do not leave. I don't know what I would do. In my younger days I was so afraid of tornadoes that I would head to shelter at the first warning. Now I stand in the window and watch the clouds. Must have something to do with being closer to death anyway! Have a great week Myra. And write the letter whenever you wish!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you do!
DeleteI'm seriously in awe of your attitude regarding tornadoes. Frankly, I'm scared to pieces to enter that arena, but family trumps it all.
Hmmm...Godmother and amaretto. I need to look up that recipe! I don't have a set time to blog and many times an idea settles for a minute and is long gone when I finally sit down at the computer. Ha! Blaming it on old age!! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLOL ... ya, I resemble that remark. :)
DeleteWouldn't it be grand if we could program our thoughts into type?
These were great! It was nice to end the day with a giggle. A sunburned tree, huh? Do we now have to put sunscreen on our shrubbery? What is the recommended SPF??
ReplyDeleteHa ... only in Phoenix!
DeleteIn retrospect, I think the "Valley of the Sun" needs to come with a warning label for newcomers.
the oyster bar being closed is a touching tribute indeed. mother natures way of making a comment.
ReplyDeleteEven after all these years ... your comment just brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
DeleteI don't think I could have more than a sip of the Godmother, but it does sound like an interesting drink. Good for your mom for taking hurricanes seriously; I think there are people living in Florida that don't (like people who live in areas prone to wildfires, etc.).
ReplyDeleteWe had a tree in the front yard that I thought was dying. Asked our yard guy about it and found that particular tree starts life with some type of fungus that you basically have to cut out, but never be totally free of. So I get the sunburned thing. Only in Phoenix I believe.
I'm loving that my long range forecast says it can be in the high 80s by the end of this upcoming week. I'm okay with the heat, I just want the electric bills to be less.
betty
For sure on less expensive electric bills!!! Doesn't it make you wonder how folks coped before central a/c?
DeleteYour cold front is laughable for sure. For us, it would mean extreme heat. Can a person be hurricane ready? I know lots that thought they were but weren't. I would just run for woods and wait it out till it was ok to go back again. Nature is force unto it's self. Still and all thoughts of your mom is a good thing I'm thinking...reminders of good days. Congrats to the graduate and good news about the job. I do blog in the early morning. I cannot break the habit of rising early even though I no long work, so I blog instead. Hope you have a wonderful new week! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Actually, I should have edited my post about g'daughter Sarah -- she didn't get that job because it was a master's position. Nevertheless, she's going back to school to get it!
DeleteYour mother was a wise woman. I don't think people need to be paranoid about potential disasters, but it's important to be prepared. With Hurricane Maria now in the Caribbean, I'm concerned about what I read in this morning's newspaper. A number of people who evacuated before Irma hit their areas said they will never evacuate again, because it was "too much trouble."
ReplyDeleteA "cold wave," huh? With the temperatures you've been enduring this summer, ninety degrees might feel cold. After my hubby returned home from his tour in Vietnam, it took him a long time to handle moderate temperatures without shivering.
I hadn't thought of that ... you're so right about adapting to differing temperatures, climates.
DeleteBeing of a 'certain age' VietNam vets hold a very special place in my heart. Please, thank your hubby for his service.
This is a great post, Myra!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any particular "set" time to blog. I simply write when the spirit moves me and I always think my blog post is good. Until I reread it and realize it's crappy.
Death by sunburn??
Only in Arizona....... here in Tennessee it's death by rain...
I remember when I lived in Missouri and twenty houses in a row were leveled by the "wind". The news anchors said "We don't know if it was a tornado".
Thanks, Jon!
DeleteI near spit coffee out my nose at the news anchors' quote. Stupid wind.
I lovo these little letters.
ReplyDeleteI do write every night around 7 p.m. I writer whether I have an idea or not. I kind of do it out of spite :)
Yours has got to be the cutest reason to blog I've ever heard!
DeleteFirst I want to say, I love you Myra, you are in so many ways ME... we are so much alike in our personality and thoughts. I LOVE THIS POST and it is my most favorite you have ever done since I started following you.
ReplyDeleteI am like your Mother, and Charley was headed directly for Bradenton and did a right turn and hit your mothers restaurant. I AM ALWAYS prepared. I keep hurricane supplies YEAR ROUND... Irma was headed directly for us. she did a right turn and we got the EDGE only and that edge has ruined our city. many on day 10 with no power. we are fine.
OMG on the throne story, ROFL.. a few years ago, I had begged for a taller throne due to knee problems. we had a major plumbing problem with water inside the walls. I said for a few days I HEAR dripping in the walls, HE did not hear it, so it did not exist. when his bathroom wall was wet and falling out at the bottom we called a plumber. I took him to Home Depot and we DISCUSSED thrones until my head hurt. I won and got the tallest they had. our visit was similar to yours except I did care and made that fact known... keep the letters coming. MY cone of silence is each morning while doing/hair and face. for some reason my blogger brains kicks, I have a small tablet and pen and as it POPS I jot down most of what I think, because later it is GONE until I read my notes. NOTE: you must be careful to write clearly, since sometimes I can't read my on writing and the idea is lost
Well, second of all -- I love you, too! My day seems much brighter now... I don't feel quite so lonely.
ReplyDelete(Ya, I'm supposed to be starting my work day, but being there's no manager here to sign out my keys so I can get in my desk ....)
PS - Don't tell anyone, but after-the-fact, I'm realizing the new throne is shorter than I'd like. :)
Oh my gosh! I love all of this post so much but I need to do better and get here more often. I love the home improvement stores- lol but there isn't much I don't love really! I have gone on a Cabbage Patch doll hunt. Oh the hubby wonders where the dolls will fit into this already bulging home of ours! I love those tall toilets! Great for those of us past age 50 plus! Your letters, I need to start doing that! SO many memories, so much to say and I often get that "light foes on" moment in the middle of the night. I really need to use that time for sleeping! I wish sleep were my addiction but aside from dolls in general, Barbies and CPK and my truly terrible addiction to LuLaRoe, dang those leggings keep these legs toasty in the cold mornings we have been having! Plus the Disney print ones give Harrison something to chuckle about. Love you my friend. Keep up the writing, it is beautiful. XO HUGS
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your letters. Hope you are having a good week.
ReplyDelete