Hi there, come on in. Just got here myself, heading into the kitchen to find something to munch on. And a much needed glass of wine - you? Sure! Grab a seat after you put some music on, your choice. Something fairly soft and mellow if you don't mind. What? Very observant of you! You can always tell my mood when the lights are dimmed and the candles are lit. Long evening, this one. Nothing wrong, really, just kept too busy trying to take care of people on vacation. The poor folks who have valiantly tried and failed to keep their spirits up while the rain poured down upon them. For the last three days. So, yes - I'm going to enjoy this glass of wine. My mood is low and slow tonight. How's yours?

Hi there, come on in. Still raining, much harder and stronger than last night. Just got in myself. Hand me that, you know where to find it when you leave later on. Find a seat, relax and listen to the rain, it's much more pleasant when it's singing than when it's angry. I had a tough ride home, did you notice the street flooding? Had a scary moment or two, but am here now with you and all is well. I've had old folks and old love on my mind. I've been lucky to meet many couples over the years who share a love that has lasted almost a lifetime. Three were on my mind tonight. The first is a sweet gentleman I've known for years through my other world, I cried for and with him when he lost his dear wife over ten years ago. He's in his late eighties now, they met when he was nine and she was seven. Another boy was picking on her and the rest was history. She was about the best West Virginia mountains cook I've ever known. When she died, he and his two sons published a small cookbook of her recipies. I consider the gift of mine a treasure. He recently had a stroke and is wheelchair bound - but the shrimp gumbo he made with pride and delivered to me tonight was straight from her kitchen. The second is a couple also in their eighties and still happily together. They have been married for sixty-nine years. He remembers every moment, she no longer does. Yet his smile lights up the room when he speaks of his "bride", and the long rides they take every Wednesday afternoon without fail. It doesn't matter, the destination. It's her hand in his that means the world. Hugging him goodbye is always one of the hardest joys I have. The third is a younger couple just now nearing eighty. She has been his world, and he hers, for just over sixty years. He spent some time with me tonight, just chatting, as we have been friends long enough. He was making plans to return in May and again next October. He apologized for possible cancellations, but thought it only fair. His dear lady has been struck with cancer of almost every form over the years and is failing. Smiling, he assured me that the doctors are wrong - all those pills she's taking are working wonders, even if they make her quite ill. Of course, he's still working as much as he can since those miracle pills are rather expensive. Even with insurance. Sometimes we forget the blessings in this world. Don't we?

Hi there, come on in. Yes, it's raining again. I'm always happy to see a gentle rain like this, I find it soothing to listen to it rustle through the trees and to feel it's calmness when it lowers to the ground. You're right! It's also wet, so get in here and give me your jacket. Join me in the kitchen! Not the slightest idea why, but I decided the only thing that mattered tonight - besides good friends - was my desire for deviled eggs.

I really despise peeling a freshly boiled egg because I'm lousy at it. The colored ones that are a week old and hiding in the springtime grass? No problem! I can rip off that shell in the dark with one hand while drunk. Yet the fresh ones slay me every time. For a deviled egg to be appropriate for viewing, the egg white should be smooth and shiny ... the perfect little boat for the yummy yellow treasure nestled inside it. It's just not right when there are big 'ole chunks missing. Especially when it's ripped in half. You know what I mean! That really thin side that barely holds up but when done right is a source of pride. Oh, sure, I've heard them all. Tricks of the trade that apparently has rejected me from their union. So here. There you go. Peel your little heart out until I hate you for your sheer artistry with the Shelled One.

I don't think you can do it. I'm just going to stand here, enjoy my Zin and laugh at you. Really? Is that right. Wanna bet?

Hi there, come on in.  What?  Thanks for asking, he's doing much better.  Yes, I can finally breathe again.  Come in, come in.  Grab yourself a seat and I'll get your usual.  Nice to know someone well enough to know their usual, don't you think?  Especially when that someone is you.  I'll be right back.

I've had some seriously negative things going on lately, mostly due to people I love having even more seriously negative things going on in their lives.  It flows together when love binds.  I've come to the distinct conclusion that negative is not a good thing.  Major downer, serious bummer.  Stop making fun of me, I'm trying to make a point here.  Hush. 

The ebb and flow of our lives depends on each of us being tuned in to each other.  One diverse tapestry that spins into an artistic community called humanity.  So why is it that our leaders seem to think it best to divide us?  Not all of them, I hasten to add.  But if there are even a few is that not too many?  Is not even one with the power to voice disunity and spread the lies of fear enough to do harm?

John McCain and Sarah Palin scare me enough to bring politics into my thread, which I am loathe to do.  There are some things too important to ignore.  What do you think?

Hi there, come on in.  Well, hello!  Great to see you, too.  Have you been all right?  I know, I know.  Tough times for all of us.  Find yourself a seat, we'll talk more after a few.  What may I get for you?  Name it, it's yours.  No problem.  Save me a spot close to you and I'll be right back.

These are indeed tough times.  In so many ways and for so many reasons - for so very many of us.  What to do, what to do.  It boggles the mind that as Americans we have the blessings and the bounty unbeknownst to a vast majority of the world population.  Yet we squander it daily and then vocally discredit it's worth upon the highest mountainside.  Then, just to be certain that we have made our global point, we proceed to shoot ourselves in the economic foot.  To top it off with whipped cream and a cherry?  A presidential election ripe with perceived racism, sexism, ageism - add your own 'ism' here ___.  Want to know what's really absurd?  We live in the United States of America and don't even give a damn anymore. 

It's a grand old flag, ain't it?