Things my marriage has taught me:
1) The minute you get an interview for a good job, he will get orders to move to a new duty station.
2) There is a great deal to be said for the alone time available when the spouse is TDY. You learn to be independent, and if you're lucky, he isn't gone all that long.
3) Extra flight caps stored in the car are an absolute necessity. Especially if your man leaves his on airplanes all the time.
4) Any major appliance about to fail, or automotive or other household disaster that may be looming will wait until spouse is TDY to drop on your head.
5) Forget wondering where the missing socks go, where the heck do the missing forks end up? Seriously. I don't want to be standing in the way when they show back up. (We are down at least five forks from one set of flatware alone, and this one hasn't been involved in a PCS move, so we can't blame the packers.)
6) The true test of a marriage is its ability to withstand the riding of a tandem bicycle. Especially if he is a former road racer who likes to spin the pedals ALL the time. (Also bad if he takes revenge for being tickled by running over bumps and not warning you. If you are the stoker, on the rear seat, as I was, bumps will tend to launch you off the seat unless you know they're coming up...)
(Note, almost 30 years later, we ARE still married...)
7) Tolerance of one another's enthusiasms is a good policy. He doesn't say much about my Beauty and the Beast fandom, and I don't say much about his Bernadette Peters obsession. (Truth be told, I appreciate her work, too. She is one heck of a good singer and actress.)
8) Things you can do together are important. We both like to cook, we both sing. Sometimes, we even collaborate on recipes and we sing duets! (When he doesn't sing over me. He has a very powerful and dark Baritone, I am a lyric Soprano.)
9) Unfortunately, nagging doesn't work. Some things he will just have to learn from difficult experience. You are NOT his mother.
10) No matter how bad things seem, no matter how angry you may be, never go to sleep, or let him leave on a trip without telling him you love him. You never know. (And you do know you love him.) (At least, I know I love Matthew. He's still alive, isn't he?)
Things I have learned from my job:
1) Flexibility is necessary for growth. That rut you like being stuck in is not good for you or anybody else. Go with the flow, learn new ways of doing things.
2) People will respond well to being treated with kindness and given your whole attention. There will always be some cranky stinkers, but most people are glad to be pleasant if you are.
3) Young people today are not as bad as you may think. In fact, many of them are stellar individuals who have an excellent work ethic, and are kind and caring human beings, too.
4) You are only as "old" as your attitude. You can choose to dwell in the past and be left behind, or you can learn about new technology and fit right in with today's society. I choose to learn all I can about new technologies. Some of them have proven fun AND useful.
5) Library staffs run on chocolate. (It's true. Chocolate is absolutely necessary.)
Things I have learned from life in general:
1) You are never as skinny as you think you are. Always try the clothes on before you buy.
2) If you water the garden well, it will rain for three straight days shortly thereafter. If you DON'T water the garden, it will be hot and dry for three days straight. Your plants will all die.
3) A good haircut is worth what you pay for it. Ditto for color done in a salon.
4) You are never too old to put your favorite music on and dance like crazy around the house. It is good therapy, and makes you feel like a teenager again - at least for awhile.
5) Buy yourself flowers. Most of the time, nobody else is going to, and sometimes you need that beauty.
6) Find something you love to do, and put your whole heart into it. I sing. I love it when I can stand up and bring out a sound that rings clear and true.
7) If you were good at something that you have given up, try it again. You may actually find you are even better at it now.
8) Try new things. New foods, new ways of doing things, new authors, new activities, anything you haven't tried before. It keeps your spirit engaged, keeps you from becoming stale.
9) Yes, that "old lady" in the mirror is you. No, you do not look as bad as you think you do. Most people you see every day now do not know or do not remember how you looked at 22, so don't dwell on lost youth.
10) Tell ALL the people you love that you love them when you have the chance. Even if they are not family, tell them. If you love what they do, their sense of humor, their smile, the fact that they are always where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there, tell them you love them for it. There is no such thing as too much love. Everyone you appreciate deserves to know they are appreciated.
Those of you who actually read this blog, I do appreciate you. Those who also write, I appreciate you because I know how hard it can be to stare down a blank page. Those of you who have inspired me, and you know who you are, (ahem, Anne Lower, Michael M. Ornstein) I appreciate you and I love the fact that you share your talents with the world.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Poetry Collaborations
The other day I participated in a poetry collaboration of sorts that Michael M. Ornstein started on his feed. He invited any who wanted to do so to finish the poem. He then posted the results.
I am trying a similar thing on Twitter and on Face Book. I will give it until this evening, and then I will publish the link to this blog so any interested can read the poem that happens.
Here's what we have so far...
I started with:
Across the plains
Behind the rains
The air was humming
Something is coming...
Across the grasses
A heavy foot passes
Sets rabbits running
Something is coming
Towards the towns
Over the ground
Dusty and rumbling,
Something is coming.
Liz Vargas Hambly adds
Wind chimes knelling
Unearthly foretelling.
Apprehension summing
...something is coming.
I am trying a similar thing on Twitter and on Face Book. I will give it until this evening, and then I will publish the link to this blog so any interested can read the poem that happens.
Here's what we have so far...
I started with:
Across the plains
Behind the rains
The air was humming
Something is coming...
Across the grasses
A heavy foot passes
Sets rabbits running
Something is coming
Towards the towns
Over the ground
Dusty and rumbling,
Something is coming.
Liz Vargas Hambly adds
Wind chimes knelling
Unearthly foretelling.
Apprehension summing
...something is coming.
the sun starts to set
it will be a long night I bet
a slight drizzle begins
something is coming
As of now, this is all I have received for the poem. If anyone wants to add, please comment, or add it on Twitter (tag me - @ckarmi) or on Face Book, those of you who are my friends, just add a comment to the original post or message me.
As of now, this is all I have received for the poem. If anyone wants to add, please comment, or add it on Twitter (tag me - @ckarmi) or on Face Book, those of you who are my friends, just add a comment to the original post or message me.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Thursday Again
Thursday again, and what a difference a week makes. Matt had the procedure to correct his heart rhythm last Thursday, and today he had his follow up with the cardiologist. His checkup was very satisfactory. He is doing really well, the doctor is pleased at his attitude and his progress. This Thursday is a lot more upbeat than last Thursday.
Also, MY weight is down some more. I have been logging on LoseIt! again, and have gotten a FitBit. (Matt has one now, also.) I am amazed at how much walking I actually do that previous pedometers have not recorded. (Like all the numerous trips from one end of the house to the other putting stuff back where it goes, and going back for what I forgot, etc.) My blood pressure is doing lots better, will probably be low normal again once I get the rest of the weight off.
This is the long day for me at the library. I work until closing on Thursdays. Some Thursdays are truly crazy, others are more normal. My coworkers on Thursdays are a special bunch. We usually have fun in spite of what else goes on. It's my night to pick the music we listen to in the work area. Hope my coworkers are up for Rod Stewart and the Pogues. (The Pogues are Irish traditional music with a twist.) Our customers are always fun. Lots of cute kiddos yesterday afternoon. I got to give away a bunch of stickers.
It is hoped that poetry
Will present itself once again to me
To keep the skills sharp
To keep the tune in my heart's harp.
This Thursday at least will be more normal for me. To be at work nails down routine and gives me purpose. Those mountains of picture books are not going to sort themselves out. Someone has to do it. Not to mention the backlog of Inter Library Loans that need to go home or out to customers.
I have said in the past that I forsee my death as coming at the hands of an avalanche of children's picture books. In summer, this is not so far fetched as you might believe. Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate, and this is not even Summer yet.
As you can see, the majority of what is in the drop bins is children's books. The center photo is of a very dangerous book stack made by a colleague. This behavior almost always leads to the heartbreak of picking scattered books up off the floor. If you are my age, that is a very difficult punishment to bear, as the floor seems harder to get up from every time I get near it.
Our shelvers have my undying admiration. They routinely put things on very low shelves. This is backbreaking labor, and very painstaking, especially if you are working with non-fiction children's books which must be shelved in order in our modified Dewey system. The ordeal comes in that the books are very thin, there are literally thousands of them, and their cutter numbers wrap around the spine to the front of the book. When your eyes are as challenged as mine, shelving in children's non fiction is a job that takes forever. Thankfully, I don't often have to shelve. I spend most of my time checking in, answering phone calls, dealing with damaged items or missing pieces, booking meeting rooms, processing ILLs, and sorting checked in items for shelving. I also work the Customer Service Desk, where I have the opportunity to greet and work with our wonderful customers. Yes, most of them are pretty wonderful. There are a few stinkers, but that is true of any group of people anywhere. Most of our customers are friendly, polite, and patient. They like that they can recognize some of us outside the library, out around town, because we live here, too. They are our neighbors, and they know we'll do right by them.
Anyway, it's time I got done with this and got myself ready to go to work. Here's hoping I survive this Thursday at the library. I'm anxious to see how many steps the FitBit sees me taking in an eight hour work day. Yesterday's four hours wasn't typical, because I had 2 hours in a meeting, and 2 hours at the desk. Not my usual amount of walking, bending, lifting and stacking.
Also, MY weight is down some more. I have been logging on LoseIt! again, and have gotten a FitBit. (Matt has one now, also.) I am amazed at how much walking I actually do that previous pedometers have not recorded. (Like all the numerous trips from one end of the house to the other putting stuff back where it goes, and going back for what I forgot, etc.) My blood pressure is doing lots better, will probably be low normal again once I get the rest of the weight off.
This is the long day for me at the library. I work until closing on Thursdays. Some Thursdays are truly crazy, others are more normal. My coworkers on Thursdays are a special bunch. We usually have fun in spite of what else goes on. It's my night to pick the music we listen to in the work area. Hope my coworkers are up for Rod Stewart and the Pogues. (The Pogues are Irish traditional music with a twist.) Our customers are always fun. Lots of cute kiddos yesterday afternoon. I got to give away a bunch of stickers.
It is hoped that poetry
Will present itself once again to me
To keep the skills sharp
To keep the tune in my heart's harp.
This Thursday at least will be more normal for me. To be at work nails down routine and gives me purpose. Those mountains of picture books are not going to sort themselves out. Someone has to do it. Not to mention the backlog of Inter Library Loans that need to go home or out to customers.
I have said in the past that I forsee my death as coming at the hands of an avalanche of children's picture books. In summer, this is not so far fetched as you might believe. Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate, and this is not even Summer yet.
Anyway, it's time I got done with this and got myself ready to go to work. Here's hoping I survive this Thursday at the library. I'm anxious to see how many steps the FitBit sees me taking in an eight hour work day. Yesterday's four hours wasn't typical, because I had 2 hours in a meeting, and 2 hours at the desk. Not my usual amount of walking, bending, lifting and stacking.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Some More Poems - Written This Evening
Cast Upon The WatersBy C.K. Armistead
5/7/13
A word awing on the ether,
A thought carried thousands of miles.
Friendship given, if you're a believer
In the beauty of Cyberspace smiles.
Shared laughter resounds on the net
Appreciation of what others have found
The best friends you've never met
Always there when you need someone around.
A song heard faintly from a distance
An image to gladden the eye
Affinities formed in an instance
A shoulder upon which to cry.
Many hide behind a mask
But others' true hearts do shine
It might be too much to ask
But I consider those true friends of mine.
Songs In The Night
By C.K. Armistead
5/7/13 As sleep eluded
The snare of my eyes
I heard the sad song
Of a train passing by.
How mournful,
How lonely
That diesel horn blew
The only one awake
For all he knew.
The evensong
Of the robin
Has long since hushed
The rushing of traffic
Quiets too.
But the winsome song
Of the diesel train
Plays on
The whole night through.
Inside My Head
By Carolyn Kay Armistead 5/7/13
The far off call of the bagpipe
Haunting and drawing me on
The words of a half forgotten song
Ringing through the fog.
The sound and smell of the ocean
The whisper of the wind.
The crunch of leaves underfoot
The warmth of sun on my skin.
The incessant murmur of the freeway
Sounds of childhood come again.
Some days I still hear the cattle
The ones from the old dairy
Lowing and crying
As the truck carried them away
Before houses were built
On their pasture.
Or I hear the goats complaining
At being left out in the rain
As I walked by their pen
At University.
How long ago that's been.
Or the calls of the bulls
On the German farm
Where we were loved like family
Only there for four years,
But they are still in our hearts.
The song of that old train
Carrying freight south in the night
Both annoying and comforting
Familiar but not taken for granted
Like the love I find around me,
In places I'd least expect.
From near and far,
Ahead of and behind me
My heart caught in its net.
All this and endless words
Running through my head.
These have been written just as I sat here at the keyboard, over perhaps the last hour. They are not perfect, of course, but they are honest.
The pictures are just for fun.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Random Compositions Written Today
Today's Poem
C.K. Armistead, 5/6/13
(For Matthew, obviously.)
Don't you dare leave me
You have to stay
Don't you dare grieve me
My heart dies that way.
Why did you scare me?
You know I love you.
Why try to dare me
To put up with you?
You know I'm staying
I've been here so long
You know I'm not playing
I'm trying to be strong.
You've been beside me
Through loss and pain
Been there to guide me
Back through the rain.
We can't change it now
The way has been set
We made our vows
We've never broken them yet.
You must survive, Love,
Even if I do not,
You are the prize, Love
That my poor heart bought.
Time Traces
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Time is but a whisper,
A phantom on the wind.
You think it runs forever
But your share of it will end.
In youth it moves so slowly,
You think you've got all day.
With age it dawns abrubtly,
You've whiled it all away.
These fingers once so elegant,
Now knotted with age and bent
This jaw once firm and lovely
Now softened, hanging loosely
My eye once sharp and clear
Grows much cloudier every year
My beauty once a truth of me
Now gone with the youth of me.
But time leaves a gift in its wake
If we but look to find it
Experience profound to make
Our memories to bind it.
These hands so many things have done
This jaw set firm too many times
The love that through my years has run
Lost beauty far outshines.
Fickle Spring
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Ah, fickle Spring,
Though flowers do bloom
And birds do sing,
Though rabbits do ramble
And squirrels scramble bold,
Yet do you hide your warmth,
And pelt us with cold.
Cold your winds, again frae the North,
Fickle your favors to those on this Earth.
These were written in just the last little while,, as I sat here and stared at the page. Thanks to Michael M. Ornstein, who brought up poetry on Twitter today, and got me in a poetic state of mind.
C.K. Armistead, 5/6/13
(For Matthew, obviously.)
Don't you dare leave me
You have to stay
Don't you dare grieve me
My heart dies that way.
Why did you scare me?
You know I love you.
Why try to dare me
To put up with you?
You know I'm staying
I've been here so long
You know I'm not playing
I'm trying to be strong.
You've been beside me
Through loss and pain
Been there to guide me
Back through the rain.
We can't change it now
The way has been set
We made our vows
We've never broken them yet.
You must survive, Love,
Even if I do not,
You are the prize, Love
That my poor heart bought.
Time Traces
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Time is but a whisper,
A phantom on the wind.
You think it runs forever
But your share of it will end.
In youth it moves so slowly,
You think you've got all day.
With age it dawns abrubtly,
You've whiled it all away.
These fingers once so elegant,
Now knotted with age and bent
This jaw once firm and lovely
Now softened, hanging loosely
My eye once sharp and clear
Grows much cloudier every year
My beauty once a truth of me
Now gone with the youth of me.
But time leaves a gift in its wake
If we but look to find it
Experience profound to make
Our memories to bind it.
These hands so many things have done
This jaw set firm too many times
The love that through my years has run
Lost beauty far outshines.
Fickle Spring
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Ah, fickle Spring,
Though flowers do bloom
And birds do sing,
Though rabbits do ramble
And squirrels scramble bold,
Yet do you hide your warmth,
And pelt us with cold.
Cold your winds, again frae the North,
Fickle your favors to those on this Earth.
These were written in just the last little while,, as I sat here and stared at the page. Thanks to Michael M. Ornstein, who brought up poetry on Twitter today, and got me in a poetic state of mind.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Another Miscellaneous Saturday
Yes, this Saturday has also been a bit miscellaneous. I am very grateful to have had this Saturday. I will like it better when Matt is more rested and acclimated to the medications he has to take, so he can be busy, too. He has spent the day downloading and setting up LoseIt! to help him monitor his food and exercise, and he has a diabetes helper app to help him track the blood sugar. So far, everything seems to be going all right.
I went for my walk, and came home and did a few miscellaneous things that needed doing, and then mowed the lawns. When I was out front, I noticed how covered in blooms the one Simplicity pink rose by the front walk is. Thought you should see it.
Even before I went out to mow the lawn, I went looking for something in the side compartment of my desk. Big mistake. It made this lovely crapalanche for me to clean up. Fortunately, I eventually did have a chance to sort it all out (and throw out a bunch of crap). Below is the result of my efforts.
There is still the small matter of the phone cables that I need to get rid of. I don't think we'll ever need them again now that we have not only cell phones, but wireless handsets for the landline.
The cables over by the wall are always a mess. Too many extension cords because I have two printers in this room, and this computer will only talk to one of them. Fortunately, the laptop speaks to both.
I have also gotten all the laundry done. This happened before 10 pm. For some reason, this is a rare occurrence lately. Something usually happens to delay the laundry. Not today. All done and put away except the stuff that has to hang dry.
A little superstitious about what to wear tomorrow. I could wear what I was going to wear last Sunday, but maybe it's not a good idea. So much went wrong after that. Hm. I have to quit being so superstitious. Real problem with wearing it this week is that it is probably too cold to wear it. Last Sunday was lovely and sunny. It's cloudy and COLD out there tonight. Supposed to get up to 64 tomorrow, but that's the high, and usually shows up in the afternoon. Sunday morning is going to be chilly. Calls for something more substantial than the dress I had in mind. Oh well. This is Oklahoma in the spring.
I should also say a few words of thanks to all the friends who have reminded us of their care and concern this week. It feels good to know we are so well loved by friends both near and far. The words of support mean a lot. We know you will be on this journey with us, and knowing Matt, it may well lead to some really good tasting food that is actually good for you. Just this evening, I made an even healthier version of my chili. It tasted really good, was only 245 calories and 7 grams of fat per 1 cup serving. Sodium was 464mg, carbs 27g, and protein 20.2g. The sodium is acceptable for limited sodium diets when you consider processed foods and my usual recipe contain much more.
I hope we can modify other things to make them healthier, and we will be sharing our successful recipes, have no fear.
Time to call an end to this. My brain is still not completely back to normal after this wild and crazy week.
The cables over by the wall are always a mess. Too many extension cords because I have two printers in this room, and this computer will only talk to one of them. Fortunately, the laptop speaks to both.
I have also gotten all the laundry done. This happened before 10 pm. For some reason, this is a rare occurrence lately. Something usually happens to delay the laundry. Not today. All done and put away except the stuff that has to hang dry.
A little superstitious about what to wear tomorrow. I could wear what I was going to wear last Sunday, but maybe it's not a good idea. So much went wrong after that. Hm. I have to quit being so superstitious. Real problem with wearing it this week is that it is probably too cold to wear it. Last Sunday was lovely and sunny. It's cloudy and COLD out there tonight. Supposed to get up to 64 tomorrow, but that's the high, and usually shows up in the afternoon. Sunday morning is going to be chilly. Calls for something more substantial than the dress I had in mind. Oh well. This is Oklahoma in the spring.
I should also say a few words of thanks to all the friends who have reminded us of their care and concern this week. It feels good to know we are so well loved by friends both near and far. The words of support mean a lot. We know you will be on this journey with us, and knowing Matt, it may well lead to some really good tasting food that is actually good for you. Just this evening, I made an even healthier version of my chili. It tasted really good, was only 245 calories and 7 grams of fat per 1 cup serving. Sodium was 464mg, carbs 27g, and protein 20.2g. The sodium is acceptable for limited sodium diets when you consider processed foods and my usual recipe contain much more.
I hope we can modify other things to make them healthier, and we will be sharing our successful recipes, have no fear.
Time to call an end to this. My brain is still not completely back to normal after this wild and crazy week.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
An Adventure I Could Live Without
Or maybe I'll live better because of it...
Here I sit in a hospital room with my husband, waiting to see what the doctor has to say. Not a fun way to spend a Monday. Dear Husband evidently has high blood sugar in addition to a slight atrial flutter in his heart. Lord only knows what else they will find while they're at it.
Here I sit in a hospital room with my husband, waiting to see what the doctor has to say. Not a fun way to spend a Monday. Dear Husband evidently has high blood sugar in addition to a slight atrial flutter in his heart. Lord only knows what else they will find while they're at it.
Guess both of us are in for a change in diet, and he's going to have to start exercising again at some point. Personally, I think if he can just lose the weight that he needs to lose, a lot of his other problems will go away, or at least improve greatly. I have been struggling with trying to eat better and exercise more for the sake of maintaining my own health.
I am now home from the second day of sitting in a hospital room with my somewhat bored and resigned husband. He has accepted that the lifestyle changes we've been saying we OUGHT to make, are now MANDATORY. He is looking at this as a challenge to his considerable culinary skills. He is going to set out to develop diabetic and heart health friendly versions of some of our favorite foods. He is also going to be exploring new foods and new ways to prepare foods that will let us eat well within the restrictions he faces. (He has also demanded that I go and get all my numbers checked again, since it has been awhile.)
I know that I eat too many sweets, I also know that I could stand to lose about 20 pounds, but 35 would be even better. (That would put me back where I was in my 20s.) The real challenge for him is going to be exercise that he can safely do. Me, I walk about a mile and 3/4 every day. I also do free weights from time to time, and yoga once in a while. Guess I'll have to step it up.
Guess I should re-set my goals in my Lose It! app, and get busy. Already started today eating better and logging my food and exercise again. I have already lost four pounds from the last time I logged my weight.
At least this hospital we are dealing with is close to home, and is full of nice staff. Most of them are also very helpful and will answer what questions they can. We have a friend who works in another part of the hospital, which is nice, because we get to see her if she has a chance to stop up and say hi. Her daughter also works for the hospital, and she was up to see us also. One of the priests from the church stopped in today as well. Canon Susan was a stalwart support during our previous bout with a hospital when Matt had to have surgery on his spinal column. I realize now we've known her for about 18 years, ever since we got more involved at St. Paul's. Our church family was very supportive during that time, and I am sure they will be this time also. The fact that we will be developing healthier recipes will mean everyone at the cathedral will get healthier "After the 11" snacks when it's our turn from now on. Probably a very good thing.
Well, this is enough disjointed and tired ramblings from me. Time to crash and get up tomorrow and do it all again.
I am now home from the second day of sitting in a hospital room with my somewhat bored and resigned husband. He has accepted that the lifestyle changes we've been saying we OUGHT to make, are now MANDATORY. He is looking at this as a challenge to his considerable culinary skills. He is going to set out to develop diabetic and heart health friendly versions of some of our favorite foods. He is also going to be exploring new foods and new ways to prepare foods that will let us eat well within the restrictions he faces. (He has also demanded that I go and get all my numbers checked again, since it has been awhile.)
I know that I eat too many sweets, I also know that I could stand to lose about 20 pounds, but 35 would be even better. (That would put me back where I was in my 20s.) The real challenge for him is going to be exercise that he can safely do. Me, I walk about a mile and 3/4 every day. I also do free weights from time to time, and yoga once in a while. Guess I'll have to step it up.
Guess I should re-set my goals in my Lose It! app, and get busy. Already started today eating better and logging my food and exercise again. I have already lost four pounds from the last time I logged my weight.
At least this hospital we are dealing with is close to home, and is full of nice staff. Most of them are also very helpful and will answer what questions they can. We have a friend who works in another part of the hospital, which is nice, because we get to see her if she has a chance to stop up and say hi. Her daughter also works for the hospital, and she was up to see us also. One of the priests from the church stopped in today as well. Canon Susan was a stalwart support during our previous bout with a hospital when Matt had to have surgery on his spinal column. I realize now we've known her for about 18 years, ever since we got more involved at St. Paul's. Our church family was very supportive during that time, and I am sure they will be this time also. The fact that we will be developing healthier recipes will mean everyone at the cathedral will get healthier "After the 11" snacks when it's our turn from now on. Probably a very good thing.
Well, this is enough disjointed and tired ramblings from me. Time to crash and get up tomorrow and do it all again.
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