Earthquakes? Hurricanes? What??

Today, at work, we were discussing this possibly impending Hurrican Irene, that is at this moment anyway, heading right for us here in Wilmington.  I mentioned that while not wishing for either one of them, if I had to endure one or the other I would prefer an earthquake.  Earthquakes - and as a former Californian, I've been through many - are relatively fast, usually over before you're quite sure that it's even an earthquake.  I realize that in many parts of the world earthquakes can be completely devastating, and I'm not making light of that, but there is something to be said for getting it over with quickly.  A hurricane - and in the 20 years I've been in NC, I've seen plenty of those, too - on the other hand, takes it sweet ass time coming around, making everyone uneasy, questioning "is it coming?" and "will it miss us?" Once it gets here it takes it's time leaving. Twelve to 24 hours later it disappears, leaving behind 20 or so inches of rain, which floods even the houses that are higher than  the flood plain (mine), trees uprooted or many branches lighter than before (and many of those have gone through someone's roof or window, or fallen on their cars), and yards a mess.  The roads are unpassable for days until the crews come and chain saw thru all the debris in the street, which stays on the side of the road, 6 or 8 feet high, for weeks.  And no power.  Usually for several days, maybe a week.  And it's incredibly hot after a hurricane, but there's no AC. I once told my sister, when she called to check and see if we were alright, that the only danger we were in was dying of boredom.

Any way - in the words of Ellen Degeneres: "my point - and I do have one!" - so I mentioned at work that I'd rather endure an earthquake than another hurricane, and guess what?  We had an earthquake!  No more than 10 minutes after I said that. Looks like we're still getting the earthquake, though.  Humph...

*The quake was centered in Virginia, so we only got a tiny little shudder.  Kind of like when a big truck goes by and makes the ground shake a little.  But to hear people in Wilmington tell it - we all almost died from the buildings falling all around us.  And they'd all still rather have a hurricane.

**I really do hope no one in VA - or anywhere else - was injured or suffered any loss from the quake today or from Irene.

You asked for it...

Someone has asked me to post pictures of two of the things I accomplished while I was unemployed, so here they are:

I painted the front door!  The minute I finished, I thought to myself "why the hell didn't I do this sooner?"  I LOVE it.  And I know why I didn't do it sooner. Because we've talked about replacing this door a million times.  But you know what?  It might be forever before we get around to doing that (we do, after all, have a "to-do" list a mile long and replacing the door was towards the bottom of the list).  So I thought why live with a door color I hate while waiting? So I changed it.  And I love it. Yay.

From the outside, obviously.  Looks so good with the light grey siding.

If I'm at home the door is usually open (there's a glass storm door), and I LOVE the way it looks on the inside, too.  Green is my favorite color and there is at least a bit of it in every room, so the door fits right in!

Oooohhh...bad photo.  Sorry! I also made some slipcovers for the living room chairs.  It's an off-white linen and I was pretty happy with how they came out.  If only the (black and tan) cat didn't like them so much!  But they're washable. 

Had a great weekend, full of bike rides, yoga classes and brunch with a dear friend I haven't seen in weeks.  I hope yours was wonderful as well.  There are a few other things I might get to next week.  My new work schedule being what it is, I'll probably only be able to post on weekends now.  Til then - have a happy week!

Hey!*

*FYI - "Hey!" is how we say hello in this part of the country!



You may have noticed I've been gone for a while.  A really long while this time.  I've given some thought to just not writing a blog anymore.  I guess we all (or nearly all) think about just stopping after a while.  Honestly, what's left to say? I originally started doing this for two reasons: I found that a lot of bloggers didn't respond to my comments and someone mentioned that it was because I didn't have a blog myself.  I don't know if that's true or not, but after having a blog I always got responses, so who knows? It gave me a way to become "friends" with those bloggers whose voices and outlook I found entertaining and could relate to, and I've really enjoyed that aspect of blogging.  But mostly, I started it to enable my family, all of whom are 3,000 miles away, to see what was going on in my little corner of the world.  To be honest, after the initial few posts, I'm not sure any of them even read the blog! So...I don't know what will happen.  I do know I didn't want anyone who did read the blog to wonder "what the hell ever happened to her?"

So here's a quick update:

In my last post I mentioned that I'd lost my job.  Oddly, I really didn't worry.  From the moment it happened I knew it was just as it was supposed to be and that I would be okay.  I heard someone else describe it as a "feeling of just floating along" and I thought that's a perfect description of how I felt.  Like I was floating in a pool.  I had to exert enough energy to not flounder and drown, but I was perfectly capable of staying afloat with just a minimal amount of work. It wasn't scary.  Mostly it was pleasant and that sort of quiet you get when your ears are underwater, inside my head. Lots of friends offered help and leads and love. I spent an hour or two each day looking for work, sending out resumes, etc., and the the rest of the day was mine.  I got so much accomplished, although that wasn't even my goal.  It just happened. For maybe the first time in my life I really just went with the flow and trusted. I felt incredible. Incredibly happy, too.

Peace.

And then...three weeks later, I was offered a job. Although it isn't my dream job, it will pay the bills.  It is with another movie-related company, and those are inherently tenuous.  And while I can appreciate the yogic message - everything in life is tenuous, everything changes, try not to become attached to the idea that your life will ever stay the same, etc. - I do hope to retire one day, and I'll need a bit more security in the next 10 years in order to achieve that.  Even yogis are allowed to do some basic planning for life!  I love the woman I work for and the other women I work with - we are a fun group.  I will argue with anyone who says working with, or for, another woman isn't just as, or more, enjoyable than working with, or for, a man!  This is my third job working with all women and I've always liked those jobs the best of any I've ever had. I enjoy the work I'm doing, but I'll continue to keep my eyes open and see what happens.  I stay very busy with this job, which is another reason I'm considering giving up the blog.  I might feel differently come winter, but right now, I get home from a long day at work and if I don't have a yoga class to go to,  all I want to do is go out in my garden and enjoy a glass of wine while listening to a little Lyle Lovitt (and his Large Band!) or maybe some jazz and see/smell/taste/feel all of this:

One day's harvest - 42 tomatoes.  Thank you compost!

And a gratuitous photo of Jack!  That's how his eyes actually look now that he's blind.  Freaks some people out.  He still hasn't figured out he's handicapped, though. What a love.

I haven't missed reading any of your blogs, although I have little time to comment these days.  I don't know where we'll go from here.  Maybe nowhere. Then again, in the words of Buzz Lightyear, maybe to infinity and beyond.  Hahaha...I crack myself up sometimes.