Bon Voyage to drama, drugs, drinks

Welcome to bright lights
I watched this documentary last night, just released by HBO.  It was sad, surreal, joyful at times while uppermost insightful on these two talented ladies who were people just like us with their grace, goodness and goofiness.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be Todd Fisher and the rest of the family to watch, after privately laying to rest this dynamic duo.  I say dynamic now because I would not have known much about either lady other than what most of us know: the Princess Leia character dearly loved by Star Wars fans and Carrie Fisher:  I didn't write it down but there was a profound quote by Carrie in the documentary to the humble effect that she was merely the vessel with which the character was entrusted to. She took the responsibility seriously yet it didn't define her.

I learned a lot more about Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds than I ever had before.  I suppose that is often the purpose or outcome to a documentary:  to inform us, to peak inside the private world of mother and daughter.  To this end, we saw the people behind the personas: loving, caring and whimsical.  

Now it makes sense when it was reported that Debbie Reynolds' last words were along the lines of "I'm going to be with Carrie now".  One can't help but feel saddened that the world is left without a mother and daughter who truly were devoted to each other, relied on each other so much.    The viewer can't help but marvel at the strength and humor they leaned on each other so much for.  

Impeccable timing is everything but in this instance it is surreal.  How uncanny that the HBO documentary released January 7, immediately after the duo were laid to rest.  

After watching this, I understand why the two would leave together at the same time.  Ironically, most of us would recognize them as singular personas, each talent bright on their own, yet privately, their love for each other so transparently glimpsed, thankfully, by the dedication of Fisher Stevens.

I suppose a lot of people knew more about their unique contributions than I did.  I appreciated knowing more about them.  To be so lucky in family in so many ways.  Drawn together by heartbreaking media bonanzas.  

Many of us weren't around during the scandal in 1958 when Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher betrayed friendship and marriage vows together.  Such is the makings of a legendary Hollywood screenplay.  It was almost painful to see and listen to the memories replayed by all those hurt.

I sure hope that a resurgence of Todd Fisher's dream of creating a "Debbie Reynolds Museum" as a tribute to her passion of collecting Hollywood memorabilia.  How wistful to watch when Debbie had to part ways with some of her fondest treasures.

 Despite the drama, I came away with a deep appreciation for the meaning of family.  Even though it seemed obvious the great love between the mother and daughter pair, it was obvious how Todd was an adored member of this nucleus of strength and love.

Making champagne out of vinegar

My husband and I suddenly had it dawn on us that we are truly empty nesters ... EUREKA!  

The first dawning was Thanksgiving.  It was peaceful and quiet.  Almost too quiet.  We're used to all four kids and boyfriends and orphans join us for Thanksgiving (last weekend for Canadians).  My son wasn't there to claim ownership of the almighty drumstick.  There was no circle of thankfulness that has been a tradition that I have tried to enforce.  That is when we go around the table and everyone speaks to what they are thankful for.  

Typically, the "Thanksgiving Story" is told by me of when I was a single mom, as usual trying to do several things at once.  I had prepared the stuffing for the bird, and had it all ready to assemble.  I also had a deadline to get my youngest to the outdoor soccer field for tryouts for the upcoming indoor season.  There never seemed to be enough time or alternatively, I was juggling priorities.  I ran up and had a shower before I was going to get the turkey stuffed and prep'd before we headed out.  The bread cubes were all ready, celery and onions diced for mixing.  All it needed was the crowning by spices.

When I came downstairs to do the final stuffing, the kids were still around, and giggling amongst themselves.  Well, they had a field day!  Someone thought it would be a good idea to "help" spice the turkey stuffing.

To my dismay, when I went to mix the stuffing I couldn't help but notice a lot of colorful contributions added.  The kids had raided the spice cupboard adding cupcake colorful sprinkles and candies in the dressing.  Oh horror was me.  I was beyond stressed by this because they had soaked into the breadcrumbs casting a colorful rainbow of tint throughout.

As a single mom trying to hang on to normal family traditions was ruined because the stuffing was sweetened beyond recognition.  I was upset, a cross between anger and angst.  

I needed to get out the door and get Kelsey to her soccer field and running out of time.  I had no more ingredients left for the stuffing.  So I just put the turkey in the oven, trying to "make champagne out of vinegar" (one of my favorite attitude adjustments when things are not the best circumstances).

Not to be outdone by the mischievous crew, I put a third of the stuffing into a baking dish and threw it in the oven, despondent over the missing aroma of turkey roasting with the wonderful smell of the typical spices mixed with turkey.

When we sat down for dinner, I gave each one of the kids a heaping spoonful of their stuffing creation and told them that since they had put an effort into making it, they were going to try it.  

I like to say that I don't get mad, I get even.  This was a perfect example.  This is when they fessed up and told me that along with the candy sprinkles they had added Pepto Bismal, aspirin, and Tums into their creation.  I was horrified that I could be poisoning the kids with the added ingredients if I forced them to take a mouthful.

I tell the story over fits of giggles every year.  To the dismay of the family, because it is just too priceless not to reminisce for the past 10 years and counting.  It is more with fondness at their banding together to play a trick on mom I most enjoy.

Perils of entrepreneurship  

You may find this HILARIOUS (I hope).  I signed up with a dating site called  Elite Partner . com because the owner/principle is a former colleague of mine from HP.  

Back then, he worked on behalf of our enterprise clients internally, while i was the product manager and project manager for server builds, ensuring security, apps, and such were assembled.  

It was a time of legends.  I worked with pretty amazing people who were beyond merely talented and most bordered on genius.  Some really superb people.  It was really interesting.  I loved it.  It was unfortunate that saving money at all costs meant offshoring more and more North American jobs.  

Do you find it ridiculous that I signed on to a dating site, me happily married, in order to do a proposal for Elite to launch their social media program and write their blog.  I did go to check on it and, yes, the owner had popped on to see if I had signed up as I said I would.  He would have been surprised if I had not because that was what he liked most about working with me.  We were both under a lot of pressure, driven by technology which was hard enough keeping up with personal technology.  I have a pet peeve of those that over promise or under deliver.

Well I DO have other PET PEEVES:

Clipping nails:  that is as personal a thing as plucking eyebrows, popping zits and similarly are all intended at one's own discretion in their own private moments.  Like scraping the inside of your nose because it feels crusty and it looks like a pick.  There are just some things only meant to be done in private.

Chewing gum:  I have rarely, mostly never met anyone who chews gum with any elegance or class.  Mostly everyone I see chewing gum looks like they are battling the gum or attacking it.  I suppose if you just wanna zone out and not talk, and you are alone.  Have'at'er.  You have the freedom to decide what to do with your free time.  Me, I like to spend time on iTunes, listening to my music channels or their choices for me.  I joined up for iCOULD more cohesively and liking that a lot. 

BROKEN PROMISES are a toughie and I think most people agree with me.  Very few people enjoy being on the broken end of a promise. 

AND OTHER THINGS that matter...

I am a somewhat chatty, gregarious, outgoing person.  At 5 ft, I always say (after my favorite: "when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping") that "what I lack in stature, I make up in ATTITUDE".   I would say I am a very the "glass is half full, and start looking where the other half went to" kind of a person.

I'd rather distract someone and steer them away from anger, bitterness, whining, bragging to talk about me.  That is enough to aggravate them to forget what they may have been complaining or talking down someone else about.

I haven't been blogging here as much because I've been "distracted writing".  Not while driving, of course.  There could be a fine for that in Alberta, specifically Calgary, where I live.  I have to say that the media is pretty quiet about this.  Is it because it isn't policed very much, difficult to police or hardly anyone care enough to ask? 

Many are likely similar to me.  I rarely watch "reality TV".  So much why due to the fact that I can pick out the actors paid to act like they're contestants when they're really playing a part.  Quite brilliant if you ask me.  Why go to numerous dissapointing auditions when you can just pick one character, that could be like your alter ego, and act that part for reality TV.  Kinda like that Chumly character on "PAWN STARS". 

I just watched last night, one of the latest NETFLIX productions about Mascots competing at a world event.  What a riot of a plot.  Same idea as this, really.  The portrayers are being MASCOTS.  As in the people under the costume as well as the performance art as a mascot.  You could almost feel yourself want to clap along with the show's audience, so much like REAL PEOPLE that it feels like you're invading into someone's personal home video. 

The reality TV of all time is going on right now.  This US Presidential Elections is going to go down as the greatest political fight of all time.  Just think of the stakes:  the United States of America may actually vote for their very first woman President.   I wrote about this a couple of months ago .... more about the opportunity to have its first female President may end up being too difficult to resist. 

Pilary Clinton

Hilary Clinton, or Pilary as I like to call her (from "Pi" in Pinochio combined with "lary" taken from her first name). The first of its kind was back in (I'm going to go looking and fast checking on this) the 1990s I think with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.  Was it Bennifer?  Can't quite remember exactly.  Recently, we were reminded about Bradgelina. 

Mein Trump

Then there is Trump.  Who's biggest celebrity fan must be  Cosby.  I'm guessing that Cosby has made donations to the Trump Camp merely as a token of appreciation for distracting media and audiences away from his never-ending women disgrace and accusers.    Cosby is now looking to head up the chapter of "I'm not as bad as him".  A chapter dedicated to adding membership like a veteran's club of disgraced men of yesteryears.   Does anyone really care anymore that Russell Brandt seems to have some issues.  I can't say I've paid any attention of late, but there seemed to be some sort of fascination of bedding any female worth his plight.  Even wedding one who would refuse to be seduced until she had a ring on it which said "I do". 

I really don't know who the American people are going to choose.  Honestly, if it were me, I'd be jumping into super bionic mode to be able to vote (an 80s term for you young'uns as in BIONIC MAN from the "Six Million Dollar Man").  

The 80s had one of the greatest decades of breaking out super star legends, in my opinion.  The ideas that began in the 80s have built a foundation for audiences and fans to this day with reincarnations of everything 80s:  music, fashion, TV shows, cult scene.

I remember.  Wasn't it the guy that was the BIONIC MAN, Lee Majors, married to the biggest sex symbol of that era, and in a dead heat with Marilyn Monroe for sex symbol and iconic as Diana, mother of William and Harry.  Farrah Fawcett was her name.   I'm not sure if she was the biggest PIN UP of all time?  But I'm sure it would be a close runner up to that one of Greta Gable or the movie siren of the 40s bought by GIs fighting the world over in WWII.  I'll have to get that name and image for insertion here too.

Mindfulness

It really feels like the empty nesting has hit us with full force.  I guess like after any traumatic events, it takes a while to get over them (in our case blending 4 kids together as they were just hitting their teens, 3 of them girls born 3, 2 and 2 years between each of them.)  I'm writing in circles.  Well, it is intuitive and mindful of the mom 

Mindfulness.  This craze has not even hit magnetic gigantic proportions yet.  I predicted in my optioneerJM blogspot a year ago April 2015, that there were really good reasons why Adult Coloring Books were a brilliant idea.   I researched the benefits and started doing it.  It really had a way of calming me, relaxing me.  You are not chilling out truly unless you are coloring in an adult coloring book.  Sitting back with headphones on listening to music doesn't come close to the europhoria of coloring.  It is like formal, authentic permission was given to do one of your most favorite activities you had as a child:  coloring.

 It really wasn't a gender biased thing either.  It was perfectly acceptable for elementary aged boys and girls to like coloring.  The boys ended up still having their sports in there while girls were shoppers-in-training with Barbies.  Barbies taught girls of my age that one pair of shoes was never going to be enough, with mininimum requirements of one in every color, heels of every height, wedge, spike, stilletto with a purse to match and jewellery to accessorize with.  And the plain black or navy Channel-esk suit was ever enough.  Unless, of course, your accessories were vast and all real or really good costume jewellery.

I remember back in the early 2000s when I was researching to launch a National magazine for an airline in Canada.  I recognized then, the franchise that Oprah was making with launching her own magazine:  O!   Its popularity in print was solidified by Winfrey's golden touch.  Making  it about beautifying the outer body, while purify the inner soul.  Back at the time, VOGUE, PEOPLE and the NEW YORKER were reigning in media vibe. 

Today is replaced by the moment is now.  As in mindfulness is the next big springboard to capture the major population.  Reduce your stress, eliminate your anxiety, calm yourself the hell down awareness can be found in MINDFULNESS.  It really only is about being aware of the present moment.  Right now.  With practice and discipline combined with obedience training, one can become mindful.    No longer a slave of yesterday's disappointments or yearnings.  As in letting go, get over it are no longer needed to be heard.  You just stop dwelling on yesterday or yester years.  No longer yearning.

Tomorrow isn't here yet.  Mindfulness has the ability to train your patience.  This would be the most excrutiating exercise for those with anxiety, depression or stifled fears about tomorrow.  With mindfulness, you are centered, balanced with a full stake in the present.  A steady hand, a graceful pose.  You stay here.  Take time to smell the roses:  take a sniff of the air with the freshly cut lawn, or check which flowers actually have scent.  You dismiss buying anything that doesn't have any.  If you are in a mindful state, you can only think about how it smells now.  You are not allowed to remember when or in what surrounding you were when you first were given a rose, from a former boyfriend, a floral bouquet as a bride or a bridesmaid.  Nor are you allowed to jump to tomorrow to think how you will investigate where to buy the most fragrant roses or flowers because that is invading the space or bursting the bubble of the now parameters.    Mindfulness boundaries are clearly defined and boxed in between before and tomorrow.

I did begin to say that I have been distracted.  I set up a couple of more Blogs so it defintely thins my writing out on here.  I apologize for that.  The good part is I can experiment and find what I like writing about without breaking into this theme or the business-Y theme of optioneerJM blog (link on right).    I've discovered an interest in finding really good poems and have tailored The Publisher blog more on that side.  That is more a creative outlet than anything because I am not writing the poetry, I'm merely humbly sharing the very great ones.  Then enjoying the find of a great image, art piece or photograph that seems to resonate with the poem.  My interpretation of it at least.

I did miss writing on this one.  I am more about just letting go and enjoying the sphere of writing, not worrying about the focus or trying to analyze any self-discovery.  A journaling of sorts on a massive scale when you think about just putting it out there and see if anyone reads. 

I'm actually learning to embrace the present moment in writing.  Actually it is quite freeing.  In a mindfulness-sort-of-way I'm writing what I'm thinking about now.  Less and less on reminincing of yesterday.  Although a blip on the radar will always emerge, as did earlier even in this blog when some of the 80s coolness is rebounding again.  A marriage of what was cool back then is adopted as even tres cooler now.  More apparent with Millennial generation.

A lot of restraint and discipline I need help focus with is NOW.    It is a really nasty habit to break if you are trying to hang on, be still attached of things that were long enough that they are only relevant to you.  Not interesting to anyone other than you.    To be a better writer, if you are teaching or informing people of something that, unless a historical or bio, is only interesting to you.

As a parent you watch your kids glide from one area of awareness to quite a different one.  What was once a fascination with them when you shared a memory or a cool childhood event they were rapt with attention (more likely because it was past their bedtime and they thought they were masterful distractors or potential politicians).  To now, it is me me me and mine ..... and they don't even fart or burp anymore like they used to drive me crazy and see if they could get a passionate angry reaction from.

I can't abide by disrespect and poor manners.  I'm growing into my Mz Mannerz persona who is wrestling with the Grammar Queendom.    You, as a reader, get to follow along.  As long as you turn on and tune in.  Should be fun. 

The nice part of being in the now.  I am writing this for me now.  Not worried necessarily if I had any readers yesterday or a building audience tomorrow.  I can't change that right at the present time.  I can only control what I am writing right now.  So, it is good enough for now.  It doesn't matter if it will be good enough for tomorrow or if readers from the past will return or if it will do better than my few pageviews blog.  Pretty impressive, not out of this world by any means. 

I don't mind being responsible for cultivating the best, niceful, peaceful "REMEMBERS WHENs" of tomorrow.  I can't even sway the outcome or force the present moment to be any different.  I'm content where I am at this very present moment.  Forcing myself to focus on this the weekend, ignore any anxiety or worries about work next week or whatever else pops up bigger or smaller than what I can imagine.

I have a lot to learn about MINDFULNESS and that is okay.  I like to become a student of a topic that I am intrigued by.  Reading and understanding it so that I can slam the door on any regrets or great memories ... nor jumping or fast forwarding ahead to what tomorrow brings ..... steering perhaps but not quite in total control of.  That's ok.  The weight of the befores and the pressure of the tomorrows are a big burden to lift.  But once let go, the possibilities are really truly amazing and endless.  I can only imagine that now.

A double standard ?

The New York Times (credit)

I tend to skim across The New York Times stories that both the publishers and Google place upon my path as a customized choice of reading.  As I've meandered before, the more I click, scroll and share (retweet, share, like, comment, post, pin ...... ) the more juice I give Google and now it appears articles that are more likely to entice me to click, read more.  Very few insight me to want to comment and go even farther by blogging around it.  

Today, I did such a thing and clicked on this article tossed onto my path.  They wouldn't know that I was just hopping on for a quick look at something, and only spend five minutes at most.  

Most likely, family dynamics is top of mind with the wedding of my stepdaughter last weekend.  We talk about blended families, as if it is normal or not unusual, but until you are in the throws of unique coincidence that everything does pan out without less drama than the movie makers, writers or media want to let on.  We can have a huge event with everyone on their best behaviour and manners prevail.  What one would think should give comedic plots can actually be drama free and calm.  People relaxed, wary of the "others" but committed to keep the affair congenial so that the bride and groom are able to have a memorable occasions.

It is kinda nice that the drama is left to the screenwriters and authors to drum up in escaping for a the relief of comedy, spelled by belly jiggling laughter, and enrapture by dramatic tragedies and dysfunction of those on the screen or on the page (or screen).  

This article by The New York Times bid my read merely by its headline:  "Why Men Want to Marry Melanias and raise daughters like Ivanka".  It is an excellent read.  It is thought provoking and at its center distinguishes the traditional values so many are debating these days with all the violence and the public displays because of politics reinforced daily, if not hourly, or more, is bringing to the forefront the difference in values.  What I liked especially is how divorce, second marriages and blended families measure up with long-held marriage, defined in years, still with only one single child to be concerned with are so different.

What is the difference between a philandering man and a woman who lets her man get away with philandering I ask?  It's pretty hard to pick sides isn't it?  One isn't better than the other.

One showcases that despite the shortcomings of the parents, or father's infidelity can the kids, as byproducts, still end up firmly grounded, successful and looked up to by peers, elders alike.  I like to think my own kids demonstrate that they can actually end up as survivors and strong in their convictions and firmly planted and aligned to their own desires and goals.  It's like showing others that even if the parents' vows have been broken, the children were made and raised with love, understanding and support.

The article does have a very  interesting perspective to me personally.  I wonder how many of my followers agree?  Whether female or male, weigh in your thoughts please:  are you pro traditional values in your own home and marriages and pro climb and achievements for your daughter or daughters?  

I could blog on and on about this heavy topic that is being played out dramatically by the differences in the two campaigns:  Clinton versus Trump.  I start to meander as to whether Americans may vote according to values rather than any political rhetoric.  From the sounds of this article, Americans (Republicans or Democrats or Independents) forgive Trump's past digressions because of the great job he's done with having such awe inspiring offspring.  I'd hazard a guess, without any profound research undertaken, that children of a first marriage fair much better than the 2nd or 3rd marriages.  Tiffany Trump was merely okay comparatively speaking.  If she were a character in a book or screenplay she'd be the rebellious one who acts out her own insecurities by being louder, out there, fast lifestyle and notoriety born from being overshadowed by siblings and even parents that are amounting to some pretty hefty reputations.  To avoid pity, they take on a rock star lifestyle (that the media portrays, but not the real true lifestyle that I believe most rockstars lead:  normal, peaceful, loving lives and home that is achieved after a lot of roller coaster rides and growing up).

This article got me thinking and took a life of its own.  I wonder what others' perception of the article's accuracy is.  

No doubt, our world is evolving and our principles and values take a bumpy ride at times, for sure.

In pursuit of excellence

Is the bar too high?

Do you often compare yourself to others::  beauty, looks, success, wealth, home, car, job?  Ahem, or career.

First, let me apologize because I was trying to sideswipe you to continue as if there hasn't been a few weeks since the last time I blogged.


Do we strive too far?

There comes a certain point in your life when you are at an event, more likely social, more alarming family ::.... and you just POP in your head!  Just like that with the zippy exclamation point (don't overdue it with multiples::.... that screams desperate for attention ....:: so you tend to ignore it or stop reading right there).

I found myself at my stepdaughter's wedding, as the "evil stepmother" I told everyone I was.  That was to downplay no input and my manners meter on high alert.   It became a time that because of my non role yet close observer of the past 12 years of the bride's life.

Try facing off two mother grizzly bears, it may not be pretty.  But manners prevailed and we treated each other with one acknowledgement and handshake (no hug and definitely no kiss to signify how genuine our gestures were).

Thankfully I'm no "other woman".   I came from picking up the pieces of a divorce and trying to make sure her kids were glued together.   I'm not even going to give it any respect and avoid saying that I'm the victim.  Because I was the woman in the marriage, the career magnifico, mom superior superwoman, and likely lastly wife.

At such a juncture in time and after 12 years, it would be misleading to not say that there was curiosity out there.  I mean, the "other woman" had had the chance to be involved this duo were, instead deciding to leap outta the picture to avoid the scandal that even not that many years ago would have been frowned upon.

So who was this mother and former wife?  I guess I wanted to see for myself and do what we do best we women, compare myself to this woman.  How pathetic when you think about it because I could not believe anyone would give up the chance to be married and committed to Rob for the awesome, thoughtful teddy bear he is.

I then decided to be less traditional::.... compare myself to the ex-wife, mother whom I played Head Coach for daughter ::..... most women wouldn't admit to it, be it they are the wrongee or the wrong doer, that they compare themselves to the other woman.  There are a lot of ridiculous benchmarks that just POP out there again.

• Looks
• Grooming
• Manners
• Poise
• Success
• Beauty
• Clothes
• Accessories
• Jewellery
• Shoes (did they match the purse?)
• Any scarf, nail manicure, pedicure, evidence of formal fix er up
• Body size, body shape, curvy, skinny, plump, thin
• Make up, eyebrow shape and whether it needs plucking
• Hair color, health, fried or gleaming?
• Teeth white, whitener, straightened by braces or hidden behind veneers
• Her kid(s) all of the above times however many kids
• Work, stay-at-home mom, work-at-home mom, job, status, organization

I sorta apologize ::.... I got on a roll.  But the amazing part is that we can compute all of this information and filter it all to arrive at warning: "Threat" or "Possible Aly" ..... all under a minute.  The masters can talk while taking it all in and processing it all under the world's largest microprocessor:  the woman's mind.

I started my inventory differently.  I guess I wanted to be a bit unbiased and objective when I was comparing her now husband to my husband, her ex-husband.  (Yeah, I know, talking and writing like a woman who is processing information and spewing it out faster than any satellite network (aka faster than the largest telecommunications networks data).  Amazing eh?

I have to admit, I didn't think of it until only a couple of days ago:  Sunday.  The day after the wedding.  We women like to take in information, process it, exume it, but of all store information for later use so we can pull it out and extrapolate it, examine it, research it if need be, so that we have dissected it into the smallest of topics.  Then we speak to our mother, sister, brother, aunt, father, sister's best friend, brothers girlfriend, uncle, friend, acquaintances or therapy session.

I came out the lucky one.  My husband is awesome and he loves his family immensely.  That exuded from him in fumes, so light and almost vaporless.  I won't go on the scorn at her or ask her to give her head a shake.  Her new husband is a shell and only one quarter as interesting as my husband.  And that just about covers every area you can imagine, and the one you thought it implied.

I'll have to make up for being MIA the past few weeks by writing a little be more over the coming weeks.

Be healthy, be happy, and be hypercritical ...........:: LOL, checking to see if you're still with me ............::

YOU can be anything!

You better believe me
This is very true.  
If you don't believe me,
ask my daughters about 
my son Kyle.

Prouder than the biggest lioness
Everyday he inspires me
by setting the example on 
how to be the better person
or the best version of yourself.

As a mother, it goes back to that
9 month relationship with that
baby in your womb.

Falling in love
When do you start talking to it?
How did you feel from 
the movements?

A womb
A gentle glide,
maybe back and forth.
Watch out for somersaults
because they can be the worse.

Motherhood childhood
If you are the mother of a child
you can probably understand and relate
if you are a child of a mother
there are many things to learn from her.
She didn't go to school for the job,
she wasn't told what it would entail, the
highs, the lows, the championships, the falls.
She knows it all
Yet she still is your biggest fan
single loudest cheerleader
Instant defender, protector, teacher, scolder, nagger.

Now
When was the time
when you stopped listening
and just started doing?
Somewhere between adolescence and
motherhood afterhood.  


Is faith belief?
When did you start losing faith?
When faith has been steering you all along.
Not in the way that you'd design it
or be all glitzy and for show.


Inner committee
Is it because you stopped believing
your own press?
Or do you believe that old press
was a mistake?

Know
Where you lose some of that inner glow
where enthusiasm and ideas blow
knocking anyone over in its path, 
or the fury if it didn't pass

Stop
The kick in the pants
self discovery talk
Was that with self or
glorious being?
An angel guide  on eagle wings,
takes you away from that place.

Glow
Maybe it is an inner mantra
that at first seems quiet
reflective
observant
learning
feeling
the
flow.

Flow
Ebbing towards a much calmer sea
from the beach
or the breaches of my mind.

Release
optimism, gratitude, creativity tide.
Allowing your instincts 
to be your guide.

Wisdom and growth
Maybe with more wisdom
grows the appreciation of the great things
that happen behind the spotlight
of a social media glow.

Gratitude is
creating an appreciation
like never before.
For the very best things 
that you can enjoy.
For free, out there, helpful, 
creative and pure.

Love of a dove
Spread those wisdom wings
and wrap those so dear
whom you love
with all your soul
like a beautiful dove.


Far reaching
High outtabounds
limitless, boundless
energy abounds.
Through the coming
of one
with your soul.

Awakening
Beginning to uncover
the real you.
Who was likely covered,
burdened, trodden so the
spirit may have fallen low.

Singing to others
by writing, tweeting, posting hello
to those who help make her grow.
Surrounded by talented by three
thousand times the speed of sound.

Faceless
Her audience, her readers and growing fans
don't quite know what to make of this
lady so grand.
With style, with grace,
with wisdom to share.

Ageless
Because of her age,
merely a number,
but because of it 
gathers many asunder.

Beauty
For beauty wherever and whatever form
is in tuned with the beat of what most want to feel
A champion for others, 
finding inspirational
clauses.

Beacon of light
To inspire, lighten a spirit, lift a mood.
To restore optimism to others
is a duty born
To stomp out hate, violence and/or fear.
To return to the important
things to hold dear.

Wisdom
Not money, not wealth, not even fame.
Can drown out the inspiration
many will claim.
As their right, their worth, and
wisdom reborn.

Fly
Let's spread our wings 
and let those gifts soar.
We can make a safer,
even more beautiful world.
We reach out beginning with one
and grow in affection and support.

Dream
among dreamers
because they eventually
become visionaries.
The ones that are 
easily discounted.

Ascend
Yet rise above the clamour and noise
where radios and televisions on mute or off.
The people's choices emerge,
sending messages out as a blurb.

Narrate
Telling a story
of grow and learning.
To instigate allegiance
to this yearning.

Unite
Of gathering
the still
yet like minded.
Forming a voice
that cannot be contended.

Fire and heat
The thermometer and furnaces
of hate, racial bias, violence and corruption
are burning bright
with heat to those who draw too near.

Taking steps
while they're stepping back
from the dreaded topics
of poverty and despair.
Like turning one's head
at a roadside wreckage.

Look
How can we be mere
onlookers?
Luckily, there are others 
who make us look and reconsider
our role in humanity, our planet, 
our young and our elders.


One thing I know as a mother is how gifted my son Kyle is with people.  Over 27 years, I have wondered how can I capture the ingredients and sell it for a whole lot of people who need to have a better attitude on life.  Be more thankful.  Appreciate others more.  Judge less.  

His sister called me to tell me the coolest thing.  It reminded me of a phenomena that is uniquely Kyle:  once you meet him, you can never possibly forget him.  Apparently, still so.

This sis of his called to say she applied to this hipster hangout for the trendiest of youngest group of Millennial explosion (22 or something close to that).
They instantly hired her on the spot, without not even 1/2 of a 1/2 of a percent of Bernie Saunders math, pause.  She was merely told, if you're the sister of Kyle, you are on our team without hesitation.

How's Kyle?
I forgot how often after school, or in summer months, I would meet some of his teachers, in the community, grocery shopping, doing stuff.  It wasn't uncommon for someone to walk up to me to ask me how Kyle was doing?

With an imaginative soul.
Can you imagine that?  It was amazing, yet as you drift along in this tide, you don't get a chance to really stop and take in that it is probably even a bigger and more unique gift than any politician could commit more than a decade in learning how to smile at people just right, giggle, chuckle or full body laugh.  

Kyle
just has it.
The "it"
YES, that IT
the thing we
all want

To be liked,
for being a really good person.
To be loved,
because he makes us want to be better.

We watch, we learn
He shows us that it isn't 
the toughest, the richest, the most obvious
who are the most talented.
It is usually someone who is gifted.  
Sometimes, even more less, 
discovered as a true treasure 
for our world.  

Lighting the way
Like a Nelson Mandela, 
not merely an Oprah Winfrey.  
The difference is obvious.
One dwells in the limelight
while the other is far away
from the spotlight.
A legacy of our times.
Like the Dali Lama who is still among us.
Or for some like me, fairly unknown, yet mysterious.

A lot of little somethings
So maybe that is something
worth delving into.
What makes one person so great
that others remember

Intention
Who wants that chance
to be the best of who they are NOT
diving deep into the talent
yet undiscovered.

Commitment
With quiet humility and dedication
one can only hope to make a dent.
Help one person out of despair.
Failing hope.
Growing disbelief.
Not looking back because
the wreckage is in front of them.

Inspire
How do you repair, restore faith,
uncover talent?
By cheerleading the unheard,
the unfamous, 
not infamous.

Explore
Exploring lands and cultures
without touching new soil.
That's what in front of us,
if you just focus on the most
beautiful, peaceful and hopeful
images, readings, teachings
stirring within new belief.

Believe
in yourself
in what you are capable
of doing.
Not yesterday, NOW.
Not tomorrow, NOW.

Images are all courtesy of Google from a GOOGLE SEARCH.  I would like to thank all the creators and give them tribute as one, easily found.

The tribute to Harry Potter is by design for two reasons:

1) The main character in "Goldfinch" the book that I am heavily engrossed in right now, is nicknamed "Potter" by his best friend.

2) There is a lot of excitement surrounding the release of yet another Harry Potter, to international instant acclaim, by J.K. Rowling:  a true inspiration for women everyWHERE as this century's #bestofeverything #womenofinspiration