Hi there, come on in.  Good to see you, how was your day?  No, that's fine, just put it over there.  Can I get you something?  Sure, no problem.  Grab a seat, I think you might be able to find one on the sofa.  I'll be right back.  Sox, will you please get down - yes they love you but ... fine, then.  No, it's not OK, she's spoiled enough already!

It occurs to me that this may be my one month anniversary.  I think I've been bothering you good people for 30 days with nightly posts. Been around longer than that, but started this nightly improbable blog about that long ago.  Gosh.  I took a bit of time to reflect and have to say I'm so impressed.  I've heard from so many different folks, some have become regular friends, some have passed through with a thought or two.  Some of the thoughts have been remarkable.  Amazing.  Thoughtful, insightful, personal, loving and absolutely incredible.  Each and every one appreciated more than the participants can ever know.  I sincerely thank you all.

Before I continue to occupy my little nightly piece of TPMCafe space, I feel the need to ask something.  Please, be honest or the question has no worth.  I'm not asking for praise just as I usually don't ask for (or want) recommends.  Just what I always get from you great people; truth.  Straight up.

Should I stop this?

Hi there, come on in.  Not too many folks around, it's kinda late.  No, no!  I didn't mean it that way, you're always welcome.  You know that, don't you?  Grab a seat ... hey!  Yes, come in!  Out of your garden?  I have to admit I've been keeping an eye on it, not that I was in a hurry to share the bounty or anything.  Thank you so much.  It truly is a bountiful gift.  Yes, got 'em.  For these, you deserve a drink.  What can I get you?

Just me, hand me a beer and the Zinfandel.  Couple of cups ... thanks.  Yea, she made it, I saw her over by the stereo picking out a CD.  Aren't they beautiful?  He just brought them, fresh as summer air from the garden.  Maybe I'll do a big dinner thing tomorrow night.  Oh, you must be kidding.  No, a potluck dinner.  You know, everybody brings a dish.  Their favorite, the one they always secretly wanted to win the prize.  

There is something about creating a meal for someone.  Whether they are stranger or lover the thrill, the terror, the excitement and the anxiety prevail.  Same with a potluck dish.  It might be a church picnic or baby shower.  A garden party or birthday celebration.  Point is, if you have a favorite dish you want to show it off.  Almost as badly as you don't want to show it off.  Especially if it's a signature dish.  When you create something out of nothing, with no direction, you're free falling.  With food, it takes more imagination than ingredient to create something that will cause another to salivate.  Much like sex.  

Somebody needs to change the CD...hey!  Yes, you!  I don't know, just pick something.  It's really just a backdrop on the stage of conversation.  Sox, you're such a good girl.  Yes, I know.  Where are you ... OK then, be that way.  You never pay any attention to me once you  see them.  Look at you, on your back getting your belly scratched.  Shameful.

Sorry, lost my train of thought.  Potluck dinner tomorrow night.  Maybe not?  Too soon, yea, you're right.  I have to think of the right recipe.  Everybody else could probably use some time, too.  So let's find out what they think, turn the music down for a second.

Hey!  I'm thinking a potluck dinner in the next day or so.  No, we haven't.  A few people brought over some amazing stuff, but we haven't formally arranged one.  Anyway, if we can  talk about some guidelines ... ouch!  Pillows hurt!  Stop that, no it isn't ... That's her toy, don't throw that!  OK!  If you were really my friends you'd stop laughing at me.

No guidelines, apparently.  No rules.  We'll pick a day and do a potluck dinner.  Everybody brings something.  Appetizer, soup, salad, entree, side dish, garnish or dessert.

What's your favorite dish?

It's quiet tonight.  Even the air is still, seems to be waiting for something important.  I'm enjoying the peacefulness, the clarity of the silence.  The distance of the hour from the sun of the day leaves me here alone and yet content.  I'm sorry, Sox.  Not really alone.

No music on the stereo ... not ready for the intrusion of sound.  At least not man-made, the melody outside the open window is powerful enough.  Curled up on the sofa with the lights dim, hugging a pillow and sipping my favorite wine, my dog stretched out full length and snoring softly at my feet.  Indeed, just right.  An invitation to contemplate the day has been delivered, so I think I'll attend.  Maybe for just a moment, maybe forever.  Time is standing still, or resting gently with no need to stir.  Whichever it may be, I'm a part of it.  So, I'm blessed this evening. 

I believe we all get this chance to be a part of our own existence far more often than we recognize.  But we don't take the chance, perhaps due to fear of releasing ourselves to ourselves.  We have so much running through our minds while awake, and confusing dreams that muddle our sleep.  The most important person in our life is ignored, forgotten, unappreciated and undervalued.  It's not about ego.  It's about self - and taking the time every once in awhile to close your eyes, breathe deeply and smile.

An invitation to contemplate the day has been delivered.  Will you join me?

 

Hi there, come on in!  Thanks again for dropping by so late.  I was in a bit of a mood last night, wasn't I?  Yes, thanks.  Much, much better.  Grab a seat ... hmm, the sofa looks crowded but the ugly blue chair is empty!  Care for a drink?  No problem, be right back.

When did you sneak in?  Give me a hug, haven't seen you in awhile.  Hand me that bottle of wine - the Merlot.  Thank you.  Like that?  I've said before, if a clear plastic cup will work for soda, tea and beer it will work for wine.  Who has enough glasses for this crowd, or would be willing to wash them all?  Please, not this chick.  So, how's life treating you? 

I'm back!  Here you go, you're welcome.  Sox, move over, that pillow is mine.  Yes I know.  I love you too, sweetheart.  Now lay down ... not on my ...  oh, alright.  What's that on the stereo? Yea, I like it.  Soothing, smooth.  Suits the mood.  And not too loud, just loud enough to hang in the air and envelop the room.  Background whispers you feel before you hear them.  That's good music.

I had the best canteloupe today I've ever had.  Out of the neighbor's garden and an absolute gift.  At the perfection point, as I like to call it.  It was at the exact moment of ripeness when I cut that bad boy open - incredible sweetness.  He gave me some tomatoes and cucumbers the other day.  Huge!  Took a page out of my childhood (and that's one yellow and weathered page) and cut 'em up, got 'em drunk with vinegar then smothered 'em in pepper.  A little salt, too but the pepper is a must.  I don't even like black pepper that much but on cucumbers and tomatoes?  Devine.  It's mostly the apple cider vinager I love.  Almost killed me to wait 'til they got good and cold in the frig...  I've never had any luck growing "food stuff".  Not even herbs.  Well, not that I've given that much of a shot.  I love flowers.  Really?  You think so?  I suppose you're right, maybe that does make me shallow.  You're a mean, mean person.  Sox!  Bite this person immediately.  You're lucky she's sleeping or you'd be in big trouble!  What's so funny?     

Hi there, come on in.  Another long and active day, so let's chat.  That is, of course, if there's anything left in you.

Many of you have spent hours discussing, arguing, harrassing, debating ... thinking, caring, discovering, understanding.  As well as all points in between.  Tiny, tiny points.  Bits of information and opinion dissected like a frog in high school.  Eaten, chewed and spit up.  Tasted, swallowed and digested.  Necessary jewels of wisdom set in golden prongs of putrid vomit.  Or visa versa.  Your choice.  But isn't it always? 

What we fiercely defend and valiantly declare to take to our death without consideration leads to it.  Those who draw a line in the sand without seeing the sparkle of the phosphorous left behind go blind.  Disease spreads on the shoulders of ignorance that rest on the body of a decaying corpse once known as communication. 

I'm cynical tonight because I fear the overwhelming defense of perceived insult or degradation  leads to the suffocation of others.  Not accidentally, but with malice of forethought.  That scares the shit out of me.

What consoles me is the knowledge that many do not take the bait of banality.  Many decry such mediocre expressions of self worth as unjust and prejudicial.  Not just for themselves but for all.  That makes me proud.

So I ask you to think about it.  Look at it and decide once and for all.  Are you who you think you are?

Hello there, come on in.  No, she's over there, soaking up the love.  But give her time, she'll find you.  Sox can smell a friend a mile away.  Grab a seat on the sofa and save me one, OK?  I'll grab a glass of wine ... want one?  Sure!  Be right back.

Hand me that pillow please.  Thanks.  Much better now.  Whew, what a day it has been - definitely Monday.  How was yours?  Really?  Tell me about it, I've got nothing but time tonight until it turns on me and fights back.  But not for awhile.  Not in this moment.  Right now it's about us and sharing the memories of another day gone by - almost!  I'm just so pleased you felt like dropping in for a few.  Who called?  Is she OK?  Good, good.  He did what!  Man, you may have the craziest boss known to man.  How you put up with it is beyond me.  You are a patient soul - you prove it with the kids every day.

Hey, Sox.  Told you she'd show, she had to say she loves you.  She doesn't judge by our faces or our names.  Not by our skin color, faith or political affiliation.  Not by male or female (though she knows, she doesn't care), young or old, our flaws or our praises.  But she can feel if you're hurting.  I swear her eyes can cry with mine.

I wonder why human beings put so much emphasis on effect.  Why does the avatar we carry as a face create such furor?  The name we claim to represent us matter so much?  If we speak to others we expect them to hear us, and they expect the same in return.  When that is done with truthful motives we learn.  When the struggle of one we can never emulate touches us we grow.  When the view of one is foreign to another and yet understanding is even attempted, clarity of thought is achieved.

Sox gets it.  Reach out your hand and she'll give you her paw to playfully shake.  Or place her cheek in your palm and position her body close to yours.  It just depends on what you need.

Why can't people be dogs?

Hi there, come on in.  Yes, you have to say hello to her.  Sorry, but ya'll have spoiled her and there's nothing I can do about it now.  Live with the love!  Like you've got a choice ... Sox, stay down.  That's a rule - don't let her jump on you.  Or on the sofa.

Bit of a wet day, don't you think?  No, it really wasn't, they had forcast much worse.  That sunset tonight was inspiring!  Long, lingering clouds slicing through the colors and reflecting them all at once.  A sunset without clouds is powerful, but missing something.  A nuance, I guess.  Personality.  Honestly, I rounded a corner when I left Mom's and almost ran the car off the road due to sheer amazement.  A sudden break in the tree line and BOOM!  Glory.

That reminds me of the rainbow at the beach earlier!  I was working, gloomy about the weather and simply working in general.  The bands kept folding through, showers of heavy rain followed by a misty sunshine.  A guest came in and insisted I take a moment.  Many of you know that I cannot resist any opportunity of that kind.  We rounded the corner by the office and there it was.  It stretched from one pot of gold to another, encompassing the ocean.  Speechless, I was, believe it or not.  Others were watching, everyone stood completely still and silent for what seemed like just memories of time.  When asked my favorite color, the answer is always the rainbow.

Looking back over the day, it seems I rounded a corner or two.  And found beauty.  I'll have to do that more often, just have to keep an eye out for that bend in the average road.

Did you round a corner today?