Last month, I pondered on the status of my relationship with The Boy. Last night was our planned evening in DC and we basically slept and had dinner and then slept.
Tomorrow is the 7th Anniversary of 9/11.
I haven’t forgotten the day in any way, however, I had forgotten…that it was so close.
This morning as I was struggling with a sipping a cup of coffee and comprehending the newspaper, it hit me. That’s why I have been so incredibly blue - this unexplained artifically inflated sadness. Trust me, I was getting tired of my emotional self. (more…)
Edited by the light of day 09/10/08 …much too morose, so please forgive me. I had promised myself that I would speak my mind if I was going to blog and I have been. I need to remember that sometimes, diarrhea of the mouth/hands/keyboard isn’t always the best way to attract or keep readers. I hope my friends, however, will totally understand I’m just a little…..blue this week….
Original post is not deleted, it is, however, tucked away so that you will have to CLICK if you want some Wine. Sorry, but the cheese plate is sold out today. Promise to pick up more cheese soon….
Love,
Paula
I bought limes today at the grocery store just for the pure purpose of putting them into a rum and coke, but then I failed to buy coke. Actually, I failed to buy either Coke Zero or Tab, my preferred soda these days if I am going to drink rum, because part way through the grocery store, I changed my mind. I can put the limes into my water. I am good at having a cocktail, rarely over-indulge, and have a cocktail to relax and not escape. Though similar in theory, they are different in actualities.
Tags: Pyrate Rum, StressThis has been, basically, a brutal week that followed a week from hell. After waking up with a shooting - nauseating - pain in my shoulder, I broke down and scheduled a massage. VERY fortunately, the hotel provides a service that comes TO the hotel - so you are in your own space. I’ve never done it before and it was a bit more expensive than going somewhere, but most places close early in the day - this was scheduled for 6:30!
When I got back to the hotel, though, I remembered that there was a Farmer’s Market. It’s called the Penn Quarter FreshFarm Market and it’s every Thursday from 3 PM to 7 PM - just right for all those folks coming in from work. I got dinner there. I bought a tomato and some peaches. The Bread Ovens at Quail Creek Farm was there and I got a piece of quiche for dinner, a molasses cookie for dessert, and some zucchini bread for breakfast tomorrow.
I also bought some cheese. There were several dairy places there - but one had only half-pounds of cheese (way too much). Another, Chappel’s Country Creamery, sold cheese by the ounce! Now, THAT was what I needed. I bought an ounce of Garlic Chive Cheddar and an ounce of Cave Aged Cheddar. That was my after-massage snack: cheese with some french bread from room service.
I am not so fond of Goat cheese, of which they had none, but they did have Sheep cheese, which I’ve been told is similar to Goat cheese in strength. Thing is, the Sheep Cheese lady was stuck-up - like her stinky cheese was stinkier and better than anything else there. On attitude alone, I wouldn’t buy Sheep Cheese.
the Cow Cheese People were all very nice. Not at all like the Sheep people. Oh, by the way, the “Free Range Pork” people were really nice, too, even though I didn’t buy anything there, just said hello. Maybe pigs and cows are happy animals and fun to be around. though…how happy can the pigs be? Hmmm….
My massage was much needed and I loved the therapist. He told me I was one solid mass of tightness. But he also told me I had an amazing aura…
Time for bed. Sweet Dreams.
Tags: Penn Quarter, Washington DCI am leaving DC tomorrow to go back home to Dallas - at least for the weekend. From the outside, I am sure that I seem like a spoiled brat.
work is kicking my ass. I want to be in my writing groove again. please?
Since I was in the feeling nothing mode, I decided I really needed to get out of the hotel. I had planned to go to the Cemetery, but first wanted to get flowers, but then I got distracted - or, well, my Muse distracted me.
Actually, I typically get flowers at CostCo when I am going ot go to the Cemetary because (a) they are inexpensive and (b) they are usually lovely. But being a holiday, CostCo is closed. And, CVS didn’t have any. As I walked of CVS, which is a block behind my hotel, I realized that the National Archives (and the Metro Stop) were just as close as the Metro Stop on the other side of the hotel.
Only 4 blocks away is the Navy Memorial and another block over is the National Archives. I was going to go on through to the Metro, but as I passed, I realized that the Navy Band was setting up for a concert there at the Navy Memorial. I paused…explored a bit…took photos for a group of tourists….
The Navy Memorial is a large fountain with bronze plaques around it depicting different scenes from Navy Life. I stood a moment to take it all in and realized that something was off: the smell. It was the fresh scent of chlorine and while I understand the need for the chlorine, it seems like the Navy Memorial should smell like Salt Water….
I knew that my muse was speaking to me. I could feel him around me and took my time walking through the memorial and then I crossed teh street to enter the National Archives. It has been way too long - six months or more - since I have visited the Rotunda and the documents that are there: Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Constituion and The Declaration of Independence… I also spent some time walking through the exhibit about the National Archives - and what it contains….and ended at the gift shop, where I got a headstart on my Christmas Shopping.
I never made it to the Cemetary, but that’s ok as I know my muse understands - he’s the one that led me to the Navy Memorial instead. I need to remember to listen to him more often.
Sweet Dreams.
Tags: Muse, National Archives, Navy Memorial, Washington DCI am having a day where I am feeling nothing in some ways. I am typically passionate - with a zest for love and life and adventure, but today, I am desiring low-key and also have a list of “things” I need to do.
I wonder where the balance is? I think part of it is I am in desperate need of a vacation - not to a place, but away from everything. I mean, I am here in DC for the weekend and in years past, I would have gone out and about, but though I went to one of the Art museums yesterday, I am not in the mood to fight the crowds today. I do have a hair appointment later and need to get my nails done, and I’m considering moving the appointment up a bit and heading on to the mall. Maybe after that, I will feel like doing something?
I also want to write, but in this frame of mind where I am feeling nothing, it’s hard. I sat down to get soem things caught up but by the time I got caught up on thigns that needed to be updated, I am too disgusted with myself to sit and write.
I wonder where my muse is. I can feel him, but his voice isn’t clear….
Since I ended up staying in DC over the weekend, I found the pull to go back to Mass quite strong. Now, I wasn’t as thrilled with the homily of the young priest as I had been the previous visit, but that is the thing about visiting any church - even a Catholic Church where the readings are set. I liked the 2nd reading, actually - it’s one I can take to heart, however, I didn’t like the interpretation of the Priests.
Romans 12, Verse 2: Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
I am a big believer that we don’t have to conform. In fact, I believe that within your mind is where you have to find the comfort in your life - and get to the space you need. I think that God gives us free will and that finding what the “will of God is” is about being satisfied with where you are in life and what you want from your life. That is free will. That is the will of God. Who wants to be a sheep that only conforms to what society thinks is the right way to behave? Sure, I think we need to know the rules of polite society, but to be satisfied, you have to know when the rules work for you and when they don’t.
By the way, the priests interpretation was that God’s will is found through the Church. I have a feeling that Paul would disagree with the priest and, like me, cling to the words “renewing of your mind” just like I did. For some people, I think always following the rules and never stepping outside of that box is the only way to truly find comfort. For some of us, though, we don’t find comfort until we explore the ways society makes us uncomfortable and find our own path.
Though I am more spiritual than religious, my prayers typically follow the same vein: forgive me of my sins, take care of those I love, and help me find peace within my own heart. I did get what I wanted from Mass, though, which was those peaceful moments, so unlike the rest of my week when it comes to work…..
By the way, I snapped this photo this morning as the sun gazed down. This is St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Washington DC. It’s a beautiful day here in DC. I feel very blessed.