Sending Out My Love...

     I was reading today about an old school friend, who is losing his brother to cancer. It reminded me that we never really know how long we will have on this earth. No matter what it is never as long as we think it is.

    In away a terrible disease maybe a blessing in disguise. It gives us the kick in the pants we need to talk and make our peace with each other. To tell the person how much we love them and reminisce about all the good times.

   When we lose them suddenly, everything we wanted to say remains unsaid. We wind up carrying around the guilt that we never really found the time for that phone call, to drop that card in the mail or even to email them.

   You know it is so easy to forget to let those you love the most know about it. We find it really easy to say I love that song...I love that book... OMG I loved him/her in that. We find it so easy to express our love for inanimate items, shows, stars, food, animals, you name it we LOVE it.

   But when it comes to those really close to us....we don't say the words. I guess we automatically assume since we know it … they know it.

   But do they?

   Think about it. Do you know for sure what is in the minds of your brother, sister, mother, father, or child? Do you know for sure without a single doubt your husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend loves you? How about the cousin, Aunt, Uncle or Grandparent you haven't seen or spoken with in over a year?

   How about your best friend of all times, the one you argued with the last time you spoke to them? You don't even remember what the argument was about now. Oh, but surely they know you didn't mean it when you said .... But do they really.

   I don't know about you but my ESP is on the fritz. I don't even know what I'm thinking half the time. I also know how easy it is to say the wrong thing and not even realize it. I may not be limber enough to kick like the Radio City Rockettes, but I can get my foot in my mouth without even trying.  

Image via Wikipedia

    So I would like to take this time to say to all my family far and wide, and all my friends.

I LOVE YOU, MORE THAN I CAN EVER SAY!!!!

   I think about you often. A lot more often than I let you know, and I am sorry for that. I will try to do better, but life has away of getting in the way. And days have a way of running together. Just remember that if I hurt your feelings or said something you didn't like, I really didn't mean it. It was just foot in mouth disease, and I am sorry. I would never intentionally say anything to hurt you.

   Now if you will excuss me I need to facebook, twitter, email and call some very important people in my life. Dang...it's too late to call now but I can at least do the rest.

   How about you?

   And before I forget to all those who are following and reading this blog....

THANK YOU. I REALLY APRECIATE ALL OF YOU.

   I just wanted you know that now.


   Oh and for those who may not know who the Radio City Rockettes are, check this out....

What a View...#fridayflash

What a View...

   What a view. I can see for miles from up here. I have never really appreciated this view, never really looked at it. I was always too busy to take the time. It's only by accident that I am enjoying it now.

   I can see the deep navigation channel from here.  The water changes from the light blue of the shallows to a deep navy. Those small islands look like bright green paint spatters.

   Over there you can see the chemical storage tanks. Hey some of them do they do have floating roofs, would you look at that.

   In this direction you can see the skyline of downtown. Boy that sure has grown since I first moved here. Just look at all that traffic. I sure am glad I don't have to drive in that.

   I always knew there were a lot of ships on these waterways, but I never realized the variety. The big cargo ships, loaded with shipping boxes that look like a child's building blocks. The flat barges with everything from machinery to piles of ore or dirt or what ever that is. Boy would my kids like to climb those hills.

   There goes a tour boat. Man they do they keep that thing clean, the sun reflecting off that white can blind you. I can barely make out all the people waving at me. Might as well wave back, Hi.

   And of course, all the tug boats are running around trying to heard everything in their way. Kinda like that new blue heeler puppy we got that herds everything with legs no matter what the size.

   There's the Coast guard cutters. The authority of the waves. I have a lot of respect for those men and women. They are out there everyday risking their lives and limbs to keep us safe.

   Ah, here comes the fire boat. Would you look at those water guns. Man I would love to get my hands on one of those. I could think of a couple of people I would like to soak. Looks like they got a big latter for rescues too.

   Yeah the view up here is great. But, since I had 4 cups of coffee this morning I sure hope they hurry and get me untangled from this damn crane.

©2011 Pamela Jo

Houston Ship Channel

Happy Birthday ME...

   No it is NOT my birthday. It is my baby sisters. I will be nice and not say which birthday it is...She knows where I live and can out run me.

   When she was born, my mother told me and my brothers we would have to help her learn to spell her name. So when we called her we would spell it out. That quickly got shortened to just the first to letters, and she became M.E.

   Well for my baby brother's birthday I threw a virtual party...so...

HAPPY SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY, SIS!!!!

Here is the cake. Go ahead and blow out the candles....

Have a glass of wine....

I had a sushi bar set up for you...

And I brought in some of your favorite musicians...

What a concert... Loved it...



Dedicated to your modeling...remember the hair show...




Just for the fun of it....

Road trips from College to the dance hall...

Vince is always right....


And one more from Bon Jovi. This is from me to you...

As you can tell my sister loves good music of all kinds.

Happy Birthday Sis... Enjoy your day...

Happy Father's Day to all you Daddies...

Image by Jim, the Photographer via Flickr

   I would like to wish all the Dads of the world a Happy Father's Day. I am not sure if it is celibrated around the world or on the same day, but it doesn't matter. The Fathers of the world deserve praise everyday of the year. With out you we would not be here.


   I would like to wish an extra special Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies out there, after all it takes someone special to be a Daddy.

   A Daddy is the person who raises you to be who you are, even if he isn't you biological father. He wipes your tears, teaches you to ride a bike, how to fish, and how to drive (though I will never know how he could hold his breath that long).

   It's your Daddy who chases away the monster's under your bed and out of the closet. Daddy is the one to squash the big icky bug that chased you. He is the one who makes the best hamburgers and bar-b-q.

   He is also the one who taught you right from wrong, even when it hurt him as much as you. He is the one you never wanted to disappoint. The one you want to live up to.

   Yes, just about every man can be a Father, but there are a special few who can be a Daddy.

 

This Picture of my Daddy was taken by my Sister.

 

One year today...

   Oh goodness.... I started this blog one year ago today. Can you believe it? I made my first anniversary.

This calls for a celebration!!!

   During the past year I have met so many interesting people on line, Mothers, Fathers, daughters and sons, city dwellers and country people, photographers, musicians, actors, directors, and of course authors. Lots and lots of authors.

   I have been able to travel and learn about the world, through the eyes of those who live there. I have seen so many wonderful places and things, through the lenses of some really amazing photographers. (India...Coffee Rings Everywhere and Australia....Publish or Parish, just to name 2 of many)

   I have been entertained daily with the humor, and the insightful stories of great story tellers. (I never realize how many people out there spent their days thinking up ways murder someone and getting paid for it, instead of arrested.) I have also discovered that Death loves peanuts and drives a Harley.

I wonder if it is this fire bike???

   I have learned I am not alone in this big old world. There are others out there just as crazy as I am. (What a relief. I will know a lot of people when they finally lock me away.)


   To all of you out there who take the time to read about little old me. (Humbly bows head) Thank You.  I don't know what I would do without you to keep me sane...ish.

   If you would like to read my very first post, you will find it here.


   (I wonder if I could knock off the IRS and call it research....)

Mermaid or Whale...

   I got an email from a friend who passed along this story. After I read it I knew I would have to pass it along. Take a moment to read this, then decide.

Would you want to be a mermaid ...




Or a whale....





        Recently, in a large city in Australia ,
        a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in 
        the window of a gym.
        It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
        
        A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not 
        match those of the woman on the poster,
        responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
        
                         
        To Whom It May Concern,
        Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins,
        sea lions, curious humans.)
        They have an active sex life,
        get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. 
        They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing
        themselves with shrimp.
        They play and swim in the seas,
        seeing wonderful places like Patagonia ,
        the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia .
        Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs.      
        They are incredible creatures
        and virtually have no predators
        other than humans.
        They are loved, protected and admired
        by almost everyone in the world.
        
        Mermaids don't exist.
        If they did exist,
        they would be lining up outside the offices
        of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity 
        crisis. Fish or human?
        They don't have a sex life
        because they kill men who get close to them, 
        not to mention how could they have sex?
        Just look at them ... where is IT?
        Therefore, they don't have kids either.
        Not to mention,
        who wants to get close to a girl who smells
        like a fish store?
        
        
        The choice is perfectly clear to me:

        I want to be a whale.
        
        P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads
        the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, 
        but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids,
        a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, 
        and a piece of chocolate with my friends. 
        
        With time, we gain weight
        because we accumulate so much information and wisdom
        in our heads that when there is no more room,
        it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.
        So we aren't heavy,
        we are enormously cultured,
        educated and happy.
        Beginning today,
        when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, 
        ¨Good grief, look how smart I am!¨

Image via Wikipedia

When was the last time you saw a mermaid leap for joy???

   She makes a good argument, but she had me at chocolate and ice cream. Let's see you get to travel, see exotic places and marine life. Have lots of friends and not have to worry about your diet....
   
    I want to be a whale. How about you?


   

What a Dad...

   I saw an article in the Houston Chronicle about the "Wave at The Bus" Dad. If you haven't seen this check it out.

   This dad gets up everyday of the school year and waves his teenager off to school on the bus. Sounds sweet doesn't it....Well... He waves every morning in a different costume. Yes, you read that right...costume. The Little Mermaid, a Pirate, a blushing BRIDE..(yes, he wore a real wedding dress.) just to name a few.

   This dad and the whole family have been written up in numerous papers. Is it embarrassing to his son... of course, that's the whole point. But the kid has a great attitude about it too.

   All I have to say is....

"Way to go Dale. I wish there was someone like you in my neighborhood. If there was I think I would become a morning person just to see you wave."


  Check out their website for the pictures. Since I didn't have permission to post one yet, I didn't.
But you have to see these costumes.  Click here for Wave at the Bus.




In honor of Dale's White Wedding Wave...

Related articles

• Most Embarrassing Dad Ever in 170 Costumes (abcnews.go.com)
• Embarrassing Dad Waves at Son's Bus in 170 Costumes (newser.com)
• Dad sends teen off on the school bus with a wave a day (timesunion.com)

Laura Eno has done it again....

   Well that busy bee writer, Laura Eno, has done it again.

   Yep, she has another book out. Today is the release of "Tempest Child" her latest Young Adult romantic fiction. Check out her release party on facebook.

   Check out this cover....

Here is the blurb on the back cover....

As future Queen and Guardian of the Elements, Princess Skylather'cha'eab thought her worst nightmare was the impending find-a-husband party until events take an ominous turn. Now she must put her life at risk to save her Kingdom.

Armed with only a staff, a bow, and her wits, Skyla's world is turned upside-down when she enters the Crossroads and encounters the beast she's destined to kill. Does she have the courage to sort truth from lie, or will she die not knowing who betrayed her?




   If you would like to read the first chapter you can check it out by just clicking here.


  Tempest Child is avalible in paperback and kindle versions at amazon. com.  Smashwords is also carring it in various e-formates. Go get your copy today.











HEY I SAID NOW....GO!!! 
They are going fast you don't want to be left out, do you?

Let's all do the Carlton...

   To help you out with your Back to Work Blues, I thought I would post this as a public service...

 I saw this t-shirt....

 and it reminded me of this....



You just can't help but laugh when you watch the Carlton dance from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".

You can find the above T-shirt at Donkey Tees. Thanks to Laugh Quotes for showing me the site.


Oh and for all of you who don't know what the sit-com "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", it also stared this guy....

Image via Wikipedia

Will Smith

Forget the back, poor me...

   You know the old joke about your back goes out more than you do....

    Well, my back decided to go out today, and hasn't gotten back yet... or at least not in a correct UN-painful position. But then it could be that it just pissed the muscles off by going out without them.
   What ever the cause, the rest of me is left to suffer the consequences. That means it is really hard to sit for long or stand or squat.

   What even worse … I know how to pick things up and bend and everything to prevent this from happening.  I was a pain therapist. I taught people how to take care of their backs. Okay I lectured most of them, but hey they wouldn't listen.... just like me.
   I told them over and over "do as I say....NOT as I do".

   Oh well I guess I will head to the bed with an ice pack and pout because once again my back went out without me.

Oh well, the upside of this is no housework...

I use to have this book... It has some great exercises in it 
for back pain as well as the correct posture to prevent it.