"Turkey Day"...I spent it with very different birds

Today is traditionally a day for families to gather around a feast that features a large bird: the turkey. Instead of feasting on fowl, my husband and I spent our day with a very different kind of bird: the man-made variety. We visited the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles, VA. For our meals today, we had pretty typical fare: oatmeal for breakfast, Indian buffet for lunch, and Irish sports pub for dinner. I had no turkey, no mashed potatoes, no stuffing, and no pie. But this is a story of airplanes, not food.

I'd never been to this wonderful place called Udvar-Hazy. For anyone fascinated and enthused by things that fly, this is heaven-on-earth. It is chock full of every kind of flying machine imaginable from the early 1900s all the way through modern times, including space flight and rocketry. I saw my two favorite planes: the F-14 Tomcat and the A6 Intruder. (For the record, I was a fan of the F14 before "Top Gun" made it famous.)

A6 Intruder

As we wandered around the museum, I realized just how much I loved airplanes. I live near the airport and see (and hear) large jets flying over on a daily basis. I never get tired of seeing these flying beasts; I often run outside or to the window to see them fly over. Many years ago I lived near Dobbins Air Force Base and I loved seeing the F/A-18 Hornets and other big aircraft flying over my apartment. When I lived in Seattle, a co-worker invited me to watch the Blue Angles from his boat. It was beyond awesome. 

F-14 Tomcat

Some of my favorite toys as a child were my airplanes. I had die-cast fighter jet models, a very cool GI Joe Apache helicopter, a GI Joe F14, and one of my favorites...a Space Shuttle model. I still have my F14 die-cast model and I also have a commercial jetliner model. Why? They are just plain cool. I actually miss my Space Shuttle model; it was neat-o.

A WWII Fighter and The Enola Gay B29 Bomber

I am always a bit nervous when I take a flight somewhere, but at the same time, I get a thrill at the power of the jet as it races down the runway and thunders into the air...the ground falling away. Even mundane parts of the flight like making a turn before landing are fun. Of course I could always do without turbulence. I love to have a window seat behind the wings where I can see the flaps working at takeoff and landing. What can I say.....I'm a sucker for anything that is well engineered.

Speaking of well engineered, I was in absolute awe when I walked around the Space Shuttle Discovery. I literally stood there and soaked in the wonderful aircraft (spacecraft?). Discovery was actually in space; what an amazing achievement for humankind.  I've taken up astronomy lately, and I was standing there imagining what it must have been like to be outside Earth's atmosphere looking down on our beautiful blue-green globe. I am sad there will be no more Shuttle missions, but I know we will continue to explore space well into the future.

As the day wound down (I had totally lost track of time), I realized all the things I am thankful for: my family and friends; all the men and women who risked their lives flying these planes at home and abroad, in war and peace; living in such a great country;  the men and women who work at the museum so we can see all these great pieces of history. And I am also very thankful for human ingenuity and the human spirit. Happy Thanksgiving.

Halloween...it actually is like it used to be!

I sit here tonight handing out candy as I have done for many, many years. Not much has changed since I was a child, ringing doorbells and yelling "triiiiick ooor treeeeeat!". I get a kick out of everyone's costumes, kids and adults. Every year I also get the teenagers, some with decent costumes and some who don't bother. Some adults are annoyed by older kids participating in trick-or-treat, but I figure as long as you are under 18, you can share in the fun too. I never refuse to give anyone candy even if they are not dressed up. If you are bold enough to walk a neighborhood in any weather, ring a stranger's doorbell and ask for candy, I'll make it worth your while.

I've been carving a pumpkin (or two) for the past several years with varying degrees of success. Without the right tools, it can be tough to get a really detailed carving. I tend to use large, well sharpened knives to do the rough carving and purpose-made carving saws for more detailed areas. This year I had a rotten spot on my pumpkin, so I had to improvise. I gave him a snarl to work around the bad spot.

This year's pumpkin had a snarl giving him extra Halloween 'tude

One thing that always comes to mind while I wait for the doorbell to ring is how trick-or-treaters seem like popcorn. You get a ton during the early evening, then a few more bursts as the evening wears on and then suddenly you get no more "pops". This year I waited until 8:30 to blow out the pumpkin's candle and turn off my lights. I stood on my porch for a few minutes to make sure I didn't hear any more kids around the neighborhood. It was quiet and still, so I knew the festivities were done.

This is the one holiday my black cat can celebrate. He has been cooperative most years in hanging around the front door so the kids can see him. He gets his share of oooos and aaaaahhs. Truth be told, I think he enjoys the celebrity that being a black cat brings on this spooky holiday.

Neo enjoying a sunny day, dreaming of Halloween

Another Halloween has come to a close, and I am ready to go to sleep. I have just enough candy left over to treat myself for the next week or so. I take comfort in the tradition of Halloween in this modern, technology driven world. With that, I bid everyone a Happy Halloween, and before you know it, we'll be eating some turkey and dressing.

Back To School

It is that wonderful time of year again: back to school. Bus drivers are getting their dormant busses back in service, teachers are getting their lesson plans written, parents and kids are shopping for school supplies, and commuters are bracing for worse traffic. 

For the previous two summers, this time of year has passed uneventfully for me. This year is very different. I will be starting a brand new job on Monday, just as all the kids in my area are headed back to class. It brings to the forefront of my mind that tangible feeling of excitement and anticipation I had every fall when I started a new school year. This year, I may not have to buy #2 pencils, paper, or a new calculator, but I will be learning quite a bit as I settle into my new role. 

I am a little sad to give up my self-guided schedule and workload, but I wasn't making much headway earning a living wage as a writer and illustrator. My cats were thrilled to have me home with them (they took turns "managing" me), and I wonder who will be more upset about working outside the house every day: me or them. Maybe my new employer will let me bring them to the office if we have a "bring your child to work day". I can teach them all about careers in the IT field while they blink at me and drift off for another nap. Or maybe not.

In all seriousness, trading my time for a paycheck is something I wondered if I would ever do again. After leaving my last employer, I had real doubts if I'd ever go back into the IT field because my experience had been so stressful. I really wanted to make it as a writer and artist, but I discovered I was not good at marketing myself, or managing my time when left to my own devices. A big part of my problem was the fact that I didn't take my "work" seriously so I let everything and everyone interrupt me. I downplayed my work since I wasn't earning a six figure income (or even a four figure income!). 

In spite of the fact that I didn't "make it" as a self-employed individual, I am not bitter about my decision to go back to the 9-5 working world. The difference this time is I researched the company and I knew what I was getting into. I knew my past experience would be helpful and I could do real, productive, creative work. And I had to admit to myself that I did miss being a technical expert. I don't look at my decision as giving up on my self-employment; I look at this as an opportunity to expand my experience and have enough spare cash to invest in my writing or other business ideas. 

I still firmly believe the way to financial independence is through self-employment, but that path isn't for everyone. It isn't for me right now, but I know I can make a go of it again when the circumstances in my life are better aligned. In the meantime, I need to get my pen and paper ready to take notes from my new teammates, and I have to get the perfect outfit ready to wear. Now I have to hope I can get through all the traffic...

Weight Loss and Exercise...It Really Is Hard Work

If you watch TV at all, you are bombarded with commercials promising instant weight loss if you drink this shake, take this pill, or use this machine. Some claims are so unbelievable, they make me laugh. Really? I can take your fancy-space-age-tested-on-a-lab-mouse pills and eat ANYthing I want and STILL lose weight?! Wow! The weight will just drop off! (Gee, that sounds a little gruesome.) I hear these types of ads and the rational side of my brain thinks, "Hmmm, if a person can continue the bad habits that got them into being overweight in the first place, what kind of weird chemistry is this pill going to do to my system to trick it into shedding calories? That doesn't sound safe." The human body is a marvelous vessel (some might call it a temple). However, many of us treat it like it's disposable. I am guilty of this at times. I was always a skinny kid, and I was very active throughout my early life. Then "work" happened, and I became a little more sedentary in my late 20s and in my 30s. Something else very natural happened: my metabolism slowed down. All those adults who told me, "just wait 'til yer older...you'll gain weight!" They were right. 


I did manage to lose weight while going through my divorce a few years back. I slimmed down from a size 8 to a size 6 and I was thrilled. Sadly my habits (eating less and exercising often) didn't last. I became sedentary again and started eating more than I should have. I also went through several stressful periods that caused me to adopt poor eating habits. Now I'm back to a size 8/10/12 (that's another topic that irritates me: women's clothing sizes, but I'll tackle that another time). I am now facing a decision: put up with the weight I've gained (I am heavier now than I ever have been in my life) or DO something about it.


I've chosen to do something. That "something" involves getting back in the habit of exercising and being smarter about eating. I'm not going on some radical diet or joining some crazy exercise program. I am paying more attention to how much I eat and what I eat, but I am not eliminating anything from my diet. I am making a conscious effort to eat out less. I am also controlling my portion sizes and eating slower. These may not seem like big steps, but small changes are easier to digest (no pun intended). For my exercise, I've chosen running. I purchased a good pair of running shoes from a store that specializes in running. They watched me walk on a  treadmill so they could find the right shoe for how I move. So far I've not progressed very far, but I am still working on it. The salesman at the store recommended the Couch-to-5k program (plug that into your favorite search engine and you can read about it; there's also an app for it!). I've had to restart the program three times now, and I might have to start over again due to some tendon issues in my lower leg. But I refuse to give up. In the meantime I will stick to walking until I'm able to run again.


This goes to prove my point: losing weight (and keeping it off) isn't an overnight success. It takes real effort and a strong desire to push through life's obstacles. I've been working on it for months now, and I haven't lost any weight. Even sticking to an exercise routine without interruption over the past three weeks has not yielded measurable results. But then again, I didn't gain 30 pounds in a month; I certainly won't lose it in a month. If I can lose 10 pounds over the next three months, I will be happy. If I can get back down to a small size 8 or a large size 6 by the end of the year, I will be ecstatic. I figure my patience will be rewarded by new habits and weight loss that won't evaporate when I quit taking the pills or drop out of the trendy exercise program. I will have easy to follow eating and exercise habits that will be fun and painless to follow for many years to come. In the meantime, I refuse to beat myself up if I have a doughnut or miss a day of exercising. Weight loss for me is a marathon, not a sprint.

I Never Thought I'd Say This...

It is a gray, rainy day in NoVA, and I am happy to see it. Yes, yes, I know...I complained vehemently about being stuck in the Pacific NorthWet for 11 years with nasty gray rain. This time is very different. For the past two weeks, the Mid-Atlantic and other parts of the South and Mid-West have been trapped in the grips of deadly heat. We're not talking a little bit hot here; we're talking deadly heat that broke every record for days on end. We're talking about heat so powerful, it buckled pavement on many roads in the area. We're talking about heat so strong it caused an airplane to sink four inches into the tarmac at one of the local airports. We're talking about no rain for many parts of the country for quite some time. We're talking about the kind of heat that when you open your front door, it hits you like a blast furnace and sucks the air out of your lungs. 


People weren't enjoying the outdoors unless it was by a pool or fountain. You literally rushed from your house to your car then from car to store just so you didn't melt into a puddle on 130 degree pavement. Heat index values were well above 100 for several days and actual air temps were at or near 100 for days in a row. We kept all the shades drawn in our house and even put up blankets over the windows to keep out as much heat as possible. We lived in an air-conditioned cave for two weeks. Our tomato plants actually dropped underdeveloped fruit and quit producing blossoms. We watered every day, but the heat was just too oppressive. It burned up some of our flowers. Our gas grill showed a temp near 200 degrees even though it wasn't on! Yes, this was some nasty, hot, debilitating weather for sure.


Then something amazing happened. Thunderstorms came through with a cold front yesterday and the temperature went from 97 degrees to 78 degrees in the matter of an hour. Last night had a low temp of 70; the lowest in weeks. We got up this morning and we could open all the shades in the house. We no longer had to hide from the oppressive oven outside. And I've never been happier to see a gray, rainy day in a very long time. 


I'm sure the hot weather will return, but for now, I will enjoy the mid 80s. I'll also appreciate every drop of rain that falls.

Baby Bunnies - All Is Well

After posting the blog yesterday about my adventures doing yard work, I wanted to write a quick follow up. I went outside yesterday evening to grab some fresh herbs from our deck garden and happen to look over the railing. What did I see? Four tiny bunnies and momma bunny. I was so excited! I was moved to tears to see the little darlings happy and unharmed. I rushed back inside and grabbed the camera. When I came back out, the babies had dispersed and mom was eating grass near the deck. I grabbed a few quick shots as the little ones hopped around. Now that I know when they are active, I will try to get some better shots in the coming days. I think I also found their den, but I don't dare go sticking my hand into unknown holes in the yard; you never know what is hiding in them! But from the amount of brown fur around the entrance to the hole, odds are good that I found their hiding spot. Their secret is safe with me; the only dangers they are likely to face in my yard are from two house cats that aren't terribly good hunters and don't go outside very often. 


After this past week, I am glad to see Friday, and I am hoping for a quiet weekend. Who knows...maybe I'll even take some "National Geographic" quality photographs of wild bunnies.

Baby Bunny No 1

Baby Bunny No 2

Babies No 3 & 4 (or maybe 1 or 2? I can't tell)

Momma Bunny

And now back to our regularly scheduled program…

As promised, The Evening Mews returns, albeit a few days late. I have to report that I didn’t come up with an exact plan during my break. My general feeling was to write about cats, and nothing but cats (which seems fitting for a blog called Evening Mews). However, after further consideration (and consulting with my own cats), I feel that is too limiting. So I’ve made a decision to keep the blog as it is; a place for me to park my thoughts and my life’s happenings.

Today seems a fitting day to restart the blog since it has been a terribly eventful day so far. I woke up to ants in my bathroom. Not many, just a few here and there. I walked back into the bedroom and spotted an ant on the bed!! I hate ants; they don’t belong in my house. I killed all the ones I could find, still wondering where they were coming from and how many more were lurking. It gave me the heebie-jeebies. I threw on some clothes and proceeded to make breakfast so I could mow the lawn before the heat became unbearable.

Breakfast was uneventful, thankfully. I retrieved the weed-whacker and lawnmower from the garage and set up to mow the lawn so my neighbors wouldn’t call the HOA about my untidy grass. We rent, and the electric mower we use belongs with the house. I don’t get along too well with this mower since it has a habit of shorting out while mowing. The only resolution is to let go of the handle, then pull it again, hoping it will stay running for a few more seconds. It takes about three times as long to mow our tiny lawn thanks to this small glitch.

After cussing the mower repeatedly, I finally finish the front lawn. I proceed into the back yard, which looks like something from a prehistoric jungle movie (thankfully we have a 6 foot wooden fence). I use the weed whacker to tidy up around the porch railings. I move toward the air conditioner when all of a sudden I see SOMEthing move and hear this bloodcurdling squeal. I stop the weed whacker and realize I’ve just hit a poor, hapless baby bunny! OH MY GOD I’VE KILLED IT! Oh, wait, it is running away. I go after it to check it for injuries. It is having NONE of that. (I can imagine things from the poor bunny’s perspective – a giant who just wacked it is now trying to catch it. I’d run for my life too!) It manages to squeeze through the fence boards to safety. I am terribly shaken. I go back and retrieve the weed whacker and see no fur or blood. Whew, dodged a bullet! I finish up and then go back to mowing.

I’m still cussing and fighting with the mower as I move closer to the little shed in the corner of the yard. All of a sudden ANOTHER baby bunny comes flying out from under the mower (which was running, but spinning down thanks to the electrical short). WHAT THE HECK!!??  As I lift the mower to check for fur or blood, ONE MORE baby bunny runs out! *^&%$#!@%!!! I go over to where one of the bunnies is “hiding”. He is still alive. I go back to the mower and run my fingers along the blades; no fur and no blood. Dodged two more bullets. I bang on the shed to make sure no one else is going to run under the mower. Still shaken, I finally get done with mowing and weed whacking. I check outside the fence and don’t find the original bunny anywhere; I'm hopeful he is doing fine.

I manage to get the lawn equipment put away and go inside without further incident. I shower up and collapse on the bed, thankful I didn’t cause the death of innocent baby bunnies. If my cats or a hawk happen to eat them, I wouldn’t be bothered since that is nature at work. But the thought of running them over with a lawnmower or chopping them with a weed eater is too horrific to contemplate. I went out a little while ago and I see no bunnies, so I am hopeful all the little dears got to safety and are resting from their terrifying morning.  One thing is certain: I’ll be a lot more careful before I mow the back yard from now on!

We’ll be right back, after these (non)commercial messages...

The Evening Mews is less than a month old, but it will be taking a hiatus. I’ll be visiting family for a few days (with no access to the Interwebs), and taking time to arrange my wandering thoughts. Hopefully what will emerge will be an entertaining and informative blog that will have folks coming back for more.

The Evening Mews will return on Monday, June 25^th.  Until then, don’t lose heart just because the economy is still sluggish, wildfires are raging out west while the southeast floods from summer storms. And don’t think about the fact that jobs are still hard to find and your house has lost half its value over the past ten years. None of us can change the economy on our own, but we can look forward and prepare for what is ahead. Life goes in cycles so keep your chin up and love those close to you. Hug your spouse or mom or dad or cat or dog or horse or guinea pig. Listen to your favorite song or watch a funny movie. Eat ice cream or have a glass of wine. In the end, the sun will still rise in the east and the birds will still sing their beautiful song.

Miss Ixie sez "If all else fails, take a cat nap."

Being an Introvert

Many years ago I worked for a company that hired an outside consultant to help solve some personality conflicts between the employees. One of the crucial steps in this process was to identify everyone’s personality type using the Myers-Briggs testing. If you’ve ever had this done, you know exactly what I’m talking about. (Are you an ISFP? Maybe an ENFJ?) Eight years later, working for a different employer, I took the test again. I came up with the same results (I guess that’s good; I haven’t had a radical personality shift in the last 10 years). Without revealing my full type, I will say that I am a solid “I”. This means I land well into the Introvert zone. Does this mean I’m a mountain hermit with no social skills and I’m unable to deal with people? No. I like people and I get along well with a variety of folks.

So what does being an introvert mean? It has everything to do with how you get your energy from other people and how you process (and relay) information. Introverts are drained being around people. Extroverts, by comparison, get their energy from other people. I can certainly attest to this part of being an introvert. Even talking on the phone or sending emails drains me. When I’m in a group of people, say at a party, I usually focus on just a few people. Being in large crowds (at a show or at a parade for example) usually causes me to feel uncomfortable and I get tired quickly. By comparison, an extrovert will feel energized and excited after interacting with people.

As far as information processing goes, I do my best when I can concentrate on my work without constant interaction with other people. When I attend meetings, I generally listen and speak only when it is necessary. I process ideas in my head before ever opening my mouth. Extroverts will talk through an idea, sometimes to the point of repeating themselves. Get an introvert and an extrovert in the same meeting and you get a situation where the introvert wonders if the extrovert will ever be quiet and the extrovert wonders if the introvert has quit participating in the discussion. Without knowledge of personality types, this can lead to contention between people and slows progress on any project.

I saw this introvert/extrovert interaction at a few different places I worked, but one situation stands out in my mind. When I worked for a small material storage company in Atlanta, the owner was an extrovert. The CPA was an introvert. During meetings, they never seemed to agree. The owner would talk and talk and talk, but the CPA would say nothing (his body language, however, was very closed). He would start to say something but the meeting was already over; the owner’s attention was focused on the next project. After each meeting, they would end up confronting one another in their offices. She felt like he never listened to her and he felt slighted when his comments were ignored. Once the consultant came in and helped them realize their personality types, things were a bit smoother. After they learned how each personality type processed information, the owner was able to listen more and talk less, and the CPA was able to speak up more effectively so his ideas were heard and acknowledged.

This type of situation plays out in companies large and small. Being aware of your personality type is a big help when it comes to understanding how you process and interact with people, and how others do the same. If you haven’t heard of the Myers-Briggs test, read the book “Do What You Are” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger (get the latest edition; I read the 2001 edition and loved it, and the newer edition has great reviews). This will explain the different personality types and give the reader an idea for which jobs are best aligned with that type. It may also come in handy next time your boss is talking circles around you and you need to get your point across. 

Today’s Blog Is Cancelled Due To Vacationitis

I’m not only late posting today’s blog, but it has taken me all morning just to figure out what to write. I’m afraid I’ve come down with a case of vacationitis. It is all I can do just to get words onto “paper”.

Vacationitis is an affliction that tends to manifest itself right after you get back from a nice long vacation, and you realize you need to get back to “normal” life. When I still lived in Seattle, I would come down with severe vacationitis after coming back from visiting my family down South. I was only able to visit every other year, so when I did go, it was very hard to get back in the groove of things (I was in a funk for many days). It made me realize how much I missed “home” and my family.

More recently I came home from a weeklong trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I love the beach and the ocean, so this was a lot of fun for me. As a kid, my family often visited the beaches in Florida, but this was my first time visiting the Outer Banks. We stayed right on the beachfront, so I could walk in the sand and water anytime. It was soothing to hear the waves at night and see the sun rise in the morning. It was VERY hard to re-adjust to normal life after such a restful trip.

One of my favorite places to go when I was little was my Grandmother’s house in rural Alabama. She lives on five acres of stunningly beautiful land with a wide creek flowing by. Her house is equally beautiful and very peaceful. You can walk around the woods, or go canoeing, or just sit and listen to the symphony of wildlife. As a child, I used to cry going home because I loved being there so much.

Vacationitis can strike without warning and last for several days after returning from a trip. There is no known cure, but the best way to cope is slowly return to your normal routine, and start planning the next vacation. Indulging in a nice warm bath or a bowl of ice cream are also helpful ways to cope. For me, I’ll indulge in a Snickers Ice Cream Bar and get back to my writing so tomorrow’s blog will be on time.

Sunrise over Kill Devil Hills, NC

Simple Meal Idea for Saturday – Tarragon and Basil Tuna Salad

Today’s simple meal gives the tuna sandwich a light and fresh makeover. 

Preparation time:  about 15-20 minutes total.

Calories: 540-590 (per sandwich, depending on type of bread and amount of mayo used).

Here is what you will need:

• Two slices of bread
• Your favorite tuna (one 5oz pouch or a 5oz can will make 2 servings, a 2.5oz pouch will make 1 serving)
• Mayonnaise (2-3 Tablespoons to start)
• Pinch of salt
• Pepper (to taste, I start with 1/8 teaspoon)
• Chopped onion (about 1-2 tablespoons)
• Fresh tarragon (about 4-6 leaves)
• Fresh basil (1-2 small sized leaves)
• Parsley (2-3 leaves)
• Fresh lettuce (optional)
• Sliced tomato (optional)

Mince the basil, tarragon, and parsley until it is very fine. Add to the tuna and mix well. Add the mayo. Sprinkle the pinch of salt over the mixture. Add the pepper and onion. Mix everything together until it forms a smooth mixture. Add additional mayo if needed. Spread the mixture on the bread and top with lettuce and tomato.

For a heartier sandwich, use a bagel instead of bread.

This little meal goes great with a cold glass of iced tea or your favorite fizzy beverage. Enjoy your Saturday!

A Blog About Nothing

Today’s blog is all about nothing. I was sitting around one day wondering if I could write about nothing. It is easy to write about something. You can describe the color or texture or smell of something. But what about nothing? What does nothing smell like? Does it have a shape? I would guess not. It can’t have any shape, smell, texture, sound, or feel if it is nothing.

What exactly is nothing? How do you think about nothing? If you stare at a blank wall is that staring at nothing? I would say no, since what you are staring at has a color, texture, and is a solid object. I tried closing my eyes to focus on nothing. Then I lost my hold on nothing. Thoughts of something crept in again. Darn, this is harder than I imagined!

I tried to figure out how to describe nothing. It’s when you have something, but then it is gone, like when you run out of napkins. But you didn’t really run out; you just used them all up and now they are in the garbage or at the garbage dump. There was that time I stayed at a lodge way out in the country that didn’t have electricity. At night I opened my eyes and I literally saw nothing. Well, nothing but blackness. Does that mean I did see something? Is empty blackness something or is that a visual synonym for nothing?

Maybe I can use the empty glass example. If the glass is empty of all contents and is clean, does it contain nothing? Well, technically it contains air. So would the air around us be a good physical synonym for nothing?

Perhaps I can use sound examples. If you could ensconce yourself in a soundproof room, would you hear nothing? Sadly I would always hear something because I have tinnitus. I can never really hear nothing; that ringing is always there.

My husband tells me there is nothing between our cat’s ears. I’m sure he’s kidding because Neo should have a skull and a brain between his ears. Some days I do wonder though...that cat can be pretty clueless.

The vastness of space even has something in it. Actually there are lots of somethings in outer space.  A black hole might contain nothing, but I don’t know. I think it contains all the things it eats. But what happens to them? If they were converted to some sort of energy then they wouldn’t be nothing...they would be energy. Einstein said matter cannot be destroyed; it is converted to energy instead. I’m guessing that means there should always be a balance of something (matter) and energy. So can nothing exist?

I set out to write a blog all about nothing and it appears I’ve written about something as it relates to nothing. I guess the study of nothing will have to continue until I can figure out how to describe it.

Why Do Women Love Horses?

I’m not sure about all horse women, but for me, the horse craze started when I was a young girl. As far back as I can remember, I loved horses. I think I inherited it from my Mom; she always appreciated them. When I was a little girl, about 7 or so, I asked my Mom for a horse. It was an easy sell because she wanted one too. She took some riding lessons and found out about a horse for lease. From those humble beginnings, a life long passion for these beautiful animals was cemented.

So what is it about horses and women? For me, there is a feeling of power when riding a horse. I enjoy the feeling of controlling a sentient being that is much larger than I. But it isn’t a mean-spirited, domineering power. It is the power of partnership with another being. There is also a mutual feeling of trust that is established in this partnership. The horse trusts me to keep him out of danger and lead him on the right path. I trust that the horse will take my direction, but also pay attention to what is around him. Many years ago, I was riding my horse, Tequila Sunrise, and I was headed down the wrong trail. He suddenly stopped and stood still. This was out of character for him so I let down the reins and told him “take over”. He turned around and found the correct trail so we could get home.

Communication between horse and rider is usually silent, and relies heavily on touch. This connection between animal and human is connectivity like no other. When I used to ride my own horse, I rarely used a saddle. I felt closer to my horse riding bareback. With the use of the reins and my legs, I could guide my horse wherever I wanted him to go. Years later when I was taking English riding lessons, I used my reins gently, but used my legs and seat bones to communicate to my lesson horse to get her to halt, speed up, or slow down. Even when doing “groundwork” with my horse, I knew how to tell the horse what to do without trying to outmuscle him. When you learn to speak in a language the horse understands, they are very good listeners.

I don’t have a horse right now to ride, but I still get excited when I see one, even a statue of one. When I lived near Seattle, I volunteered for a year at a horse rescue and I loved it. I didn’t ride any of the rescue horses, but just being around them was soothing and peaceful for me. Being able to groom and share time with such a graceful being was always magical. Horses are a lot of work, but they’ve given me a lifetime of happiness.

A Single Shade of Gray

I was born and raised in the Deep South. I lived there until the late 90s when I moved to Seattle (that is a story unto itself). I spent a total of 11 years living in metro Seattle until a few years ago when I was able to move back to the east coast. Since coming back, I appreciate what I didn’t realize growing up: the sun makes a BIG difference in my life.

Every so often when I mention I used to live in Seattle, people tell me, “I thought Seattle was beautiful!” When I ask what time of year they visited, often the answer is “July” or “August”. Of course Seattle is beautiful in the summer. It only rains a few times a month and the air temperature is a lovely 70-80 degrees with low humidity. Only rarely does the mercury climb above 90. Most homes don’t have air conditioners; it isn’t needed.

Seattle has two seasons: Wet and Not Wet. After living there so long, I’ve come to refer to that area of the country as “The Pacific Northwet”. From late September to early June it rains, mists, or is cloudy 90% of the time. The total amount of measurable rainfall isn’t much more than Boston or Atlanta, but the difference is how the precipitation falls. On the east coast, rain comes in the form of thunderstorms in the summer and rain or snow the rest of the year. Between the storms are plenty of sunny days, even in the middle of winter.  In Seattle, there are rarely “frog choking” rains. Instead, it mists, fogs, and gently “showers” on you. Natives don’t bother with umbrellas. The last year I lived there, I heard on the news about a school district in metro-Seattle that actually cancelled school because it was SUNNY. I’m not kidding.

“Come on now, it can’t be THAT bad. What’s wrong with a little rain?” Imagine this: you wake up for the second straight week of flat, gray clouds and mist. The sun hasn’t been out for more than an hour in over a month. You are surviving on lots of coffee and standing near daylight bulbs. The sun comes up at 8:30am and sets at 4:00pm. You look at the week’s forecast and it shows nothing but clouds and showers. The high for the day is 48. The low is 42. Again. This is what I endured winter after winter when I lived there. To top it off, the last five years I lived there we had record floods, record wind storms, and a LOT of snow. It was enough to make me want to crawl in bed and hibernate for the rest of my days.

Before any permanent damage was done to my psyche, I moved to a small suburban town near NYC a couple of years ago. I arrived in early May, right when the really warm weather was making an appearance. One night, a few weeks after moving, my husband and I went out for dinner. When we walked out of the restaurant, I felt the most amazing thing: humidity. It was a warm, calming sensation like a hug from a favorite aunt. To make it even better, there were thunderheads developing on the horizon and a distant rumble rolling across the landscape. I just stood there soaking in this wonderful, familiar sensation. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed that sticky, cling-to-your-skin feeling of warm humidity and the sound of rumbling thunder. It felt like home.

These days I live near Washington DC and when we get a few days of rainy, gray weather, I have flashbacks to my Seattle existence. I get anxious and feel like I can’t work up motivation to be productive. I have to drink coffee just to get moving. Then the sun comes back out and all is right in my world again. 

Photography Swap

I recently made a decision to get out of the D-SLR market and buy into the 4/3 (mirrorless) camera system. I sold all my digital SLR gear and used the proceeds to invest in a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 with a 45-200 lens. So far, I have been extremely pleased with my decision.

I started shooting when I was about 11 or 12 with a 110 film camera (remember those?). I worked my way up to a Nikon 6006 SLR in the mid 90s. I started with negative film and later discovered the joys of slide film. I learned how to shoot pictures by reading the in-camera meter and using f-stops and shutter speed to get just the exposure and effect I wanted. Later I switched to digital. Now I use my iPhone to shoot candid pictures and my new 4/3 camera to shoot nature or vacation pictures. I also own a Canon D10 underwater camera and a Lumix DMC-TZ4 point and shoot.

When I purchased the Lumix G3, I did not buy the kit because many online reviews gave mediocre ratings to the included lens (the newer 14-42mm lens). Instead I purchased the body and a 45-200 lens (as a bonus, all my 52mm filters fit on the new lens). I’ve been shooting with the Lumix G3 for about a month and the only complaint so far is I haven’t been able to master manual focus (but I also haven’t read the entire manual). I’ve owned a Lumix DMC-TZ4 for three years, and I find the Lumix G3 very easy to use since the controls are not too different from the TZ4. I plan to purchase additional lenses, and I might also buy the flash if I start doing more indoor shooting.

I am very pleased about the quality of the photos and the sharpness of the 45-200 lens. The camera and lens are light enough to carry for hours, but it retains a good, solid heft when shooting (I don’t feel like I’m using a toy).

Pink wild roses

Painted turtle

For me the true test will be enlarging some of the raw shots from the Lumix G3 to see how sharp and clear the images are. With slide film, I can enlarge to 12x18 without much loss in quality or too much noise. If I can enlarge the images from the Lumix G3 to that size, I will be tickled pink. Stay tuned to see how it goes!   

Not Having Children Can Be A Good Thing

I am one of those women who decided not to have children. I actually enjoy children, but I never wanted my own. Every now and then I borrow other people’s children which reminds me I made the right choice.

From a very early age I had no desire to play with dollies or push a little baby stroller. Instead I ran around the yard with a football and played with scary-looking science fiction toys. As I got a bit older I enjoyed riding my horse, drawing, and writing. Still no desire for cute little babies or dolls (I’ve actually been terrified of manikins and dolls most of my life).

To this day I still look at people’s children think: “Why on earth would anyone voluntarily become a parent?” Despite this thought, I am thankful there are people up to the task, and I truly admire people who enjoy being parents. It is a tough job and often a thankless one. And barring any tragedy, it is a lifelong job.

Plenty of people told me I’d make a good mom. That may be so, but I have NO desire for it. I mean none. Zero. I think I make a much better aunt. Growing up I always enjoyed visiting my Aunt Cora. She never married AND never had any children. She focused on taking good care of those around her and cooking (she was an awesome cook). Holidays at her house were always a lot of fun. These days I have my own “inherited” children to spoil. I enjoy spending time with my husband’s niece, nephew, and grandsons. I color with them, run around the yard, play on the swings, and generally act like a big kid. I also impose discipline when necessary.

I once spent a weekend taking care of my neighbor’s daughters and their dogs. It certainly was NOT a boring weekend. We had one mini-crisis after another, but somehow I got through each issue with a good dose of patience and some laughter. (That weekend also reminded me why I don’t have dogs, but that is a story for another time.) I did it by myself, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for single parents.

For some women, their “clock” is ticking louder and louder as they get older. The desire to have children is strong and many act on that desire. For me, I have no clock. The thought of being pregnant terrifies me. I have no desire for babies and children. However, if you need someone to keep your children safe and entertained for an hour or a day, I’m your gal.

Simple Meal Idea for Saturday – Egg Mash on a Muffin

Every Saturday this summer I will be posting a simple meal idea. Today’s simple meal marries mashed egg with a toasted muffin. Cooking time:  about 20-25 minutes total. Calories: 280-310 (depending on how much butter is used).

Here is what you will need:

• Salt (start with less than 1/8 teaspoon and add as needed)
• Pepper (to taste…start with just a sprinkle)
• One hard-boiled egg (freshly boiled; you want a very warm egg so the butter melts)
• Butter (start with ½ Tablespoon and add as needed. I use Land-o-Lakes Olive Oil spread)
• One toasted English Muffin (toast right before you top it with the mashed egg)

Boil the egg according to your favorite recipe (Here is my formula: put egg into the pot straight from the fridge and cover with cold water. When the water reaches a steady boil, set a timer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain boiling water. Rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking and to enable you to peel the egg without singeing your fingers.)

Once the egg is peeled, place in a small bowl. Mash the egg gently with a fork to break it open. Add salt, pepper, and butter to slightly smushed egg. Now is a good time to pop the English Muffin into the toaster. Continue to mash the egg/butter/salt/pepper mix until the consistency is similar to egg salad. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed.

Spread a thin layer of butter on each side of the muffin (if desired). Pile on mashed egg mixture. It will be a bit crumbly so have a spoon or fork handy while eating to catch escapees.

This little meal goes great with a cup of coffee or cup of hot tea. Enjoy your Saturday!