And Your Little Dog Too! ~ Early Morning Thoughts

One of my daily read favorite blogs is called "Don't MAKE Me Get My Flying Monkeys!" I have to admit that the very first time I saw the title, I had to repress an enormous urge to shout: "I'll get you and your little dog too!!!" As I have followed the blog over time, I have have found out just what a delightful person Laurie is and those connected to her as well.

Laurie ~ you have kept all of us so updated on your life, and then you began the series involving Dale and ALL that he has been going through in the hospital (to say nothing of your (1) hysterically (2) described (3) trip (4) - well, the drive (5) anyway - to get there). While convincing me all the more, that a hospital is not exactly the place to get well ... at least Dale has been surrounded by love, care, concern, hope and a decided lack of fear. (If anyone hasn't read it - now would be a good time to click on the link above ~ or the one -->RIGHT HERE<-- )

Now, you are faced with the wrenching problem of having to leave for a time.

As much as I hate to leave Dale in this condition, I have work duties that have to be taken care of. Making the decision to go is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I don't see any way out of it and it is breaking my heart.

I know just how difficult that decision has been and is for you. There is such a sense of feeling that you will not be there -- and not be there for Dale. However (comma) I want you to assure Dale:

I may not be physically present,
but my spirit remain.
My hope
is ringing
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.

I may not be physically present,
but my concern
and love remain.
That love
has seeped
into the walls
around
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.


I may not be physically present,
but my thoughts
and belief remain.
They will shine
from the corners above
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.

I may not be physically present,
but I will see you
at every turn,
I will see you
in a stranger's smile,
a word of greeting,
a moment of silence.
I will hear your voice
as I look out over
the valley,
as the cats play
terminator with
their cat pole,
and
as the wind comes across
my face
in the mornings.

No, I may not be
physically present ~
but I'll be (insert favorite "cuss" here)>)
if you're going to
be
rid
of
me ~ yet!
---wd

(An aside to Wolf:)

As you know, I play a character on World of Warcraft ... allow him to imbue your armor with +25 stamina, your chest plate with +16 Int, +5 Crit. I'm going to add +22 healing to your armbands and +16 healing to your ring of defense. Go forth young Warrior!!

--picture of the flying monkey was labeled as a Mattel toy. I'm sorry I don't know the date of manufacture.
--seeping light picture from www.theleggett.com/index.php?tag=art

A Small Parable ~ Early Evening Thoughts

He sat on the bank looking longingly at the water. The sky reflected on the moving surface created a continually changing pattern - sometimes calm, reflective and sometimes dark, foreboding. But always, the water seemed inviting and yet, challenging. He'd been warned that the water was dangerous. That it was deep, full of currents - riptides that would pull him under. However, as he looked he could almost hear music that the ripples and/or waves made as they pushed against the shore.

Then, as sometimes happens - a storm came up. There was tremendous wind, thunder and lighting. It should have been impossible to hear anything above the fury of the storm, but he was positive he could still hear the sound of the water against the shore.

As always, the storm finally faded away - and peace resumed again. The water looked as if it had never changed. The sound of the ripples against the shore line moved him to stand and move toward the edge.

"There's nothing in there for you." said a voice behind him. He turned to look. "Nothing in there but deep roiling currents that could take you and smash you against the rocks and crags. Leaving you broken and possibly dead."

"This kind of water is best left alone." said another voice. He moved his head to one side to see the speaker. "This kind of water offers nothing ...nothing but - well, they say it has poisonous properties that can eat away at the flesh. This kind of water supposedly has sharp microscopic animals that dig in and cause great pain."

He shook his head in disbelief. "Have either of you ever been in the water?" was his not so subtle challenge to the two speakers. He was met with silence. "I thought so," he finally said to them.

So, he turned back and watched the water under the setting sunlight. The rays of light skittered across the surface and seemed to dance before his eyes. Then he saw it. In the middle of the water was a small boat, and standing in that boat a solitary person. This person seemed to be looking directly at him. (If the truth be told, it was too far to be sure that's what the person was doing, but to him it seemed as if he was.)

With only a moments hesitation, he took the first step into the water. It was warm, pleasant without sharp creatures. He took another, then another. Finally the walking placed the water at his knees. He continued to move into the center of the water. He now was creating ripples that pushed toward the shore and toward the small boat in the center.

The water was now up to his waist and yet, all was peaceful. With his eye on the target, he moved further and further away from the shore. Suddenly he realized - the fear of what he didn't know had been keeping him back on shore. The advice of those on the shore could have kept him there and he would never had tried.

He was approaching the small boat and its occupant. The water was no higher than his waist. The depth and fear was nothing more then an illusion. He realized he could handle this. This was manageable and would provide many memories in the days to come.

---wd

Even A Seat Belt Won't Help ~

We've all seen some "extreme" sports, but these pictures capture The Hans Ray Adventure Team at one of their finest moments ... All pictures were taken by Victor Lucas *- and they are incredibly beautiful ... and if you suffer from problems with ledges (I have a friend with that) or a fear of heights, they may be a little disconcerting!







*edited 4:32pm to correct link