part of the reason i love blogs (and blogging) is the old fashioned, standing at the fence type talking it hearkens back to. long before there were blogs, cell phones, texting, twittering, and all the electronica that seems to eat up our lives - there was standing at the fence chatting - taking a pie to the neighbor's house visiting - listening on the party line curiosity - dancing at the grange hall saturday nights and the sunday dinner catch up.
i would fancy all of you coming over for a glass of ice tea on the porch, bringing a dish for sunday dinner, or sitting up playing cards until all hours of the night. that's just the kinda girl that i am. but, miles separate us. duties, obligations, other things pull at us and sometimes unravel us. but i'm always happy when you come back around.
i'm not scared to admit that life has been tough the past few years - mom being sick and then passing away. me being laid off and moving back home. but, in all of that there have been very beautiful things. i've reconnected with a part of myself that i had forgotten - the homemaker, the cook, the aunt, the sister. not that i didn't feel that way before but there is an intensity to it now.
and as i sit and look outside this large paned glass window, life is laid out before me. a woodpecker sits sunning in the chinaberry tree, bees flit in front of the window and the sun is filtering through the leaves as they blow in the wind. just when i think life sucks, i find the strength to cling onto it like the last rock before the cliff. it's not easy - there are days i really hate myelf - which is foolish because if i truly controlled my life (as i'm wont to try to convince myself that i do) i would never push along to this point. so, the truth (to me) is that the illusion of control is so very faint really. we're not in control - we try to make ourselves drive the bus - but, it's rolling along quite well without any brakes most times. the best we can do is grab hold of the steering now and again.
and ... enjoy the happy times when they come along. that's the gift.
i'll bring the fried chicken or the blackberry pie (or both..and both old family recipes..) and you make the sweet tea and we'll sit on the porch and talk all day!
ReplyDelete..here's to enjoying each and every moment..
xo
I make mean banana pudding.
ReplyDeleteI love this post.
I am glad you get to experience things with a different intensity. Enjoy as much as you can, You are never alone dear friend. Take care.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post.
ReplyDeleteI used to love playing cards for hours and hours with my family. But now we've grown up (some of us) and have so many things to do. Playing cards and laughing tons just doesn't seem at the top of the list.
i've been doing a lot of staying up late playing cards this week.
ReplyDeletei always feel like all of us in this blogging community are sitting in someone's very cosy kitchen, chatting away over cups of tea. very cosy.
This just put a big smile on my face today. I love to visit blogs and see what's going on in the neighborhood. I feel like each day is filled with more beauty and warmth. My blog friends teach me much, make me laugh and keep me inspired. You blog does it all for me :)
ReplyDeleteyes that is what goes on when we are at work...and the parts that we forget coming to the surface is so inspiring! I have had that happen in many ways in the past year or so as well..ps I am a control nut too...sigh and it does not work well.
ReplyDeleteBless you for sharing yourself so freely with us. I needed a little reminder about not trying to drive my own bus today. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your job hunt!
V
I love this !!
ReplyDelete"no brakes" are often felt around here, so I am often seen with my hair blowing in the wind while I'm shouting, "here I come...watch out" all while loving the little things along the way !!
but I think you already knew that about me :)
this is so true. control is desired by most, but is generally pretty much an illusion at best. we all have to try and make things go the way we want them to, but get around it when it doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing & gift to see the beauty & good!!
ReplyDeletexo
What a great post! Know just what you mean about going with the flow. I was just talking about that with a friend - I have a tendency to put my foot on the break pedal when my life moves really fast even when it's in a good way! That's what I'm practicing: enjoying the ride and just allowing it all to happen! Here's to enjoying the moments of life!! Hugs, Silke
ReplyDeleteP.S. We live in a neighborhood where pieces of pie are passed back and forth and life is discussed on the front lawns - love it!
P.P.S And, YES, I've had cupcakes from Back in the Day! Yummy!!
i really enjoyed your post, you described the things in such a good way i can`t even add anything. :)
ReplyDeletelove, nath
Up late playing cards! LOVE it! Your words are so true... I love the part about life being like a bus and the best we can do is grab the wheel every now and then.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible that in your life changes, ups and downs, you reconnected with parts of yourself you hadn't been seeing before.
Great metaphor. Perfect and simple.
ReplyDeleteLet's lean over the fence and ignore the laundry.
It is sad when obligations get in the way of true enjoyment of life.
ReplyDelete"enjoy the happy times when they come along. that's the gift. "......well said!
ReplyDeleteThere's something so wonderful about you Char when you can appreciate each and every day and see the good in life. I hope you enjoy today as much as you'll enjoy tomorrow...
ReplyDeletehi you.
ReplyDeletei couldn't have picked a better day to make a trek over to visit my friend char who i've been away from waaaaaaayyyyyy too long! yes, blogs have become for me a sort of replacement for the water cooler chatter that i used to enjoy in the work place. unfortunately, even that has gone by the wayside for me with everything that is going on. gosh i miss my daily visits. i've taken some time here and there when my computer seems a little bit faster than other times to go see some of my regulars. i have not yet gotten over here until tonight. but i think about each and every time you leave me a comment and let me know you are still interested in my lil ol life. i'm glad you have this place, this porch for us to come hang out. it's a true pleasure, especially one of such a pure southern bell as yourself.
i've got myself some catching up to do here. so i better quit writing. :)
great post, miss char. it's nice to "see" you again.
I love your blog so much Char, it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy and just "at home". I would love to be on that front porch with you, but I'll have to bring the wine, you know I struggle with cooking!!!
ReplyDeleteand enjoy the happy times. That's the gift.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, my friend. You are right. I wish you many more happy times. Soon.
You are, hands down, a southern belle I'm always a sucker for, Char. That, and I may be the last person on earth to never have had a cell phone!
ReplyDeleteWise insightful words Char. Let's sit on the swing awhile and listen to the crickets together.
ReplyDeleteI could go for more simpler times. Sitting on the front porch sipping ice tea and hanging out with good friends and family. I think we all could.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Thursday!
Cindy
I make the best lemon tarts...please have some mints ready for my tea as well dear...
ReplyDeletethe truth, every word of it.
ReplyDeletereally, really beautiful thoughts and a lovely reminder on a day when things feel a bit like they're standing still...
ReplyDeletexox,
/j
Hate yourself....lady, not possible. Love yourself because you are one top, fantasmical person.
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful. I can tell by your writing and your comments. You make so many people's day.
x
PS - I will bring a pavlova and some kangaroo steaks. Very Australian. Although I have never eaten Kangaroo. I have a problem with people eating our national emblem!!
I whole heartedly agree....glad that you can still see, enjoy and respect the small things in life. I'll get my dish ready and be right over...even if its only pretend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments on my blog and flickr!
It is such a gift. Your words touched me today. It's life n'est pas?
ReplyDeleteYou know what I like about you? You are not "woe is me", even though life comes crashing down. I wouldn't come here if you were. I can't handle that.
ReplyDeleteYou are many things but most of all, you are reslilient.
I am here, with my cup of tea and 2 sugar cookies. One for you and one for me. I am here.
What a lovely sentiment, and so true. You can't control the ride, so you might as well enjoy it, although it can be hard letting go sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, thought provoking post Char...I would love to sit on your porch and chat for hours...cards or not...
ReplyDeleteI have found that those times in my life when I was NOT trying to steer the bus turned out the best:)
Oh hon, you may not be controlling the bus, but you sure are riding with poise and grace...
ReplyDeleteI love that you are able to see the beauty around you when others might see only the bumps in the road.
And I would love to come sit and share a glass of iced tea. I'll bring some cookies. :)
You put my thought into words. I'll join you for that glass of sweet tea!
ReplyDeletei want to come for tea and talk at your house...
ReplyDeletesigh
You're so right! We aren't in control, even when things are going right and we are under the false assumption that we are in control. We can be crossing the street and get hit by a car driven by someone texting, etc. You get the point. Enjoy the small everyday things. Blogging brings that perspective to you, as it is your life's journal. Good thoughts you provoke!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
what a wonderful heartfelt post. loved it.
ReplyDeleteit's what i love about the blogging too - friendly neighbors to sit and have a chat with. i'm glad you are seeing and finding that old self that you may have thought you lost. you're playing an important roll now as an aunty , sounds like your brother needed you too.
perfectly said.
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to find a new blog to love - and then to find a particular post that just speaks to you just so... You have a wonderful way with words, and although I find that blogging is a bit of a strange world (it's a little like journal writing, but public, which I find somewhat uncomfortable), you capture what it is that keeps me coming back: there's a certain neighborliness to it, like stopping by a neighbor's house to say hello, like you say... So glad to have found my way over to your fence this morning...
ReplyDelete-maria