Keeping it clean

I like a clean living environment - I just don't like the work involved to get it that way.

See? - I'll bet you thought (given the headline) that this posting would be about something entirely different. Well, it's not - this is a family blog.

At any rate, here I am with a full day - and a Monday no less, with almost no work to do. The sun is shining, Abby is out on the deck chewing on a huge marrow bone, and I'm surfing - checking out YouTube to see what everyone's talking about when they're panning the halftime performance at the Super Bowl yesterday - and in my deeper moments, checking out what's new at TED.

What I "should" be doing is some much needed chores. Earlier this morning I was in either the bedroom or the bathroom or the kitchen (more than likely all three) when I noticed certain things that really needed to be cleaned. I made a mental note to do that later today. Now is the time. But, it's an odd thing, isn't it - as I sit here I simply can't for the life of me remember what those things were that needed to be scrubbed, scoured or otherwise spruced up.

My next leap of logic takes me to the glorious place that says, "Well, if I can't remember then surely it couldn't have been that dire, disastrous or dirty.

Let the good times roll.

Small blessings

Sometimes the right thing to do is just to count and give thanks for the small blessings of everyday life. Today:

A foggy, misty hike up the Westwood Ridges - no view to be seen but mist - and dogs playing ecstatically - and good company - what could be better?

A nap after lunch under a feather and down blanket.

A hot bubble bath

A good book and utter peace as the daylight fades.

Really - it's a wonderful Sunday!

non-blogging

I have decided to take Saturday (today) off completely - well, except for laundry, but I actually like doing laundry - replenishing my drawers with neatly folded clean clothes (cleaned in biodegradable soap).

So I am not going to do anything constructive today - I am not even going to blog.

Consider this a non-blog.

The one thing I really do want to write about is Egypt and the Middle East. But perhaps not yet - I stand fast with the people.

Ok - that's it - that's my non-blog for the day.

American Idol

I confess - I really like American Idol (I hesitate to use the word "love" - I fear that may be taking my addiction a step too far.)

I like the happiness - rarely watch the dud auditions (I watch everything on YouTube so I can be very selective). I like to watch the joy, the happiness and the excitement. I like seeing people taking concrete steps toward their dreams.

I admit that I love (okay - like) Simon Cowell - I can't recall ever disagreeing with one of his assessments. That said, J Lo and Steven Tyler are good. And really, it's all about the people.

So - there it is - my confession - my time waster. And given the myriad ways I could waste time, it's not all that bad. Of course, I could also get profoundly philosophical about the entire notion of "wasting time" but I won't waste your valuable time by getting into it.

Support

I am blessed to be part of a group of strong, amazing, gorgeous, supportive women.

Speaking of support - one of my friends posted a definition (from Randy Revell, founder of Context, I believe) that resonates very strongly with me. How do I know that I have been effectively supported by my friends? If I get the results I say I want. Support is not empathy or sympathy or a shoulder to cry on - it's very possible that support doesn't even necessarily look like support at the time - but it is real and true support if it helps me obtain my goals.

I love my group of women - we have been together supporting each other for almost twenty years. And no, it hasn't always felt supportive. And yes, there were times when I wanted out of the group. I'm still here. What a blessing!

Egypt

It seems that Mubarak has now hired thugs to fight the protesters. My heart and thoughts are with them. Mubarak is afraid - very afraid.

I pray the protesters hold firm.

I know they will win. The collective heart of the world is with them. They cannot lose.

I feel helpless - I want to do so much more for them. But if the Law of Attraction is real (it is) then I know I am helping.

Watching the World

I have many thoughts as I watch the unfolding of events in the Middle East. I don't have the time to go into them all right now. However, here's one important thing: I am basing my thoughts, as much as I can, on facts - not opinions of media pundits who toe some sort of "media industry" (read big business) party line.

Journalism consists of reporting facts - attributing statements, digging, doing research - not spouting half-formed opinions that serve some other purpose. I tend to stick to Al Jazeera, Wikileaks, FAIR - and, of course, the number one American source of fair, honest news - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. (I wish I was joking about that last one but I'm not.)

Even Michael Moore puts out some good facts - check his Twitter feed.

The wonderful thing about this age with its social media, is that we can learn the truth - if we want to - or at least the facts. Truth and facts are not necessarily always the same thing.

Me? I'm with the people. I'm an idealist. I want ordinary people to win. I want every person to have freedom to vote, to determine their future. I want people to be free from hunger, to be free to have an unbiased education, to be able to speak and to question the status quo without fear, to have proper health care - to not be afraid of bullies....

I pray these are the things that will come to be in the Middle East.