I always have amazing brainy ideas of things to write at like 10:00 at night or just as I'm falling asleep or in the midst of my afternoon commute. Then I sit down to write something, and poof, it's gone.

I'm fascinated by AM radio. I like the financial advice programs, the regular kind of advice programs (when I could find them) the call in types of things that deal with bad customer service or any type of product or issue. I even found one once that dealt with all kinds of alien sightings and contacts. I generally stay away from the overtly religious ones, but can stomach some of that if the advice is good and sound. I don't like people getting attacked or belittled. Enough of that happens in real life, heck enough of it happened to that person already, which is likely part of why they are calling in! I used to listen to a powerline program in high school. I think it was for teens, and then of course there was Dr. Ruth while in college.

Do I better myself or learn from the questions and problems of others? I think so. I salute the brave ones who reveal their short-sightedness or ignorance and share it with the world so perhaps one more person won't make that same mistake.

We've all paid the stupid tax. It's human. Sharing it is what reminds us of that common bond we are all in search of. It's usually there, we just overlook it.

I seem to whine and prattle about really unimportant things while people all around struggle with just getting through the day. It's true, some sorrow has befallen my family and that of a co-worker of mine.

All I can think of to make a parable is how we all survive the winter. Or how the trees do. We hunker down, wear our warmest coats, grumble about scraping off the car, eat more, sleep more, try to exercise more, and look toward the smallest light. The days are getting longer. Only by a minute, but longer they are! Valentines abound. Seed catalogs help us plan for spring, or at least dream of it.

Our metabolism slows. We were meant to hibernate a bit. To slow down and rest. Electric lights have tricked us in ways that aren't always productive. Now we feel we need "dawn synthesizing lamps" to combat our Seasonal Affective Disorder. Maybe we need to embrace our inner bear a bit more.

Slowing down and taking time out is good. Being slow and warm is good. Maybe being more like a bear can help us bear what we need to.

I really enjoy the convenience and ease of wearing contact lenses.

Thing is, when something goes wonky, it feels like I'm getting stabbed in the eye. A zillion times. Over and over again.

I hate the expense of going in to the eye doc all over again when my chance to order more lenses has run out, too.

I only have two pair left.

What's it going to be, buttercup?

Someone's getting married! Ok, I knew she was getting married, but now it's to the planning stage.

I'm an organized person, and I enjoy helping people make lists and tackle tasks. I like finding things, and hunting for things online. I like brainstorming and coming up with ideas.

I do not, however, like wearing fancy dresses nor being the center of attention.

Better you than me, my friend!

Relationships, all relationships are hard. If you want them to flourish, they have to be treated like a growing thing. But families are even more challenging. Not to say that they aren't worth it, but everyone is moving in all divergent directions at once. There can be obstacles and weeds and bugs. One has to cut back the undergrowth to stumble along the rocky path. Sometimes, they fall apart, not seeming to want to be together, or not able to grow under the same conditions. Other times, they are a blessing of harmony, and one isn't quite sure how it happened. One must just catch the moment that surrounds and rest in that moment, being grateful for it and the ability to notice it. To suspend within it. Then it can be gone just as quickly. But I'm certain another one will come along.