Mad Women

We don't typically watch much television around here -- there is no cable television or satellite connection; any shows we select are either on DVD or available streaming online.  We still try to keep an eye on what shows are most popular, though, so that we can try them out when the occasion arises and see what the fuss is about.  Beloved Husband has slowly worked his way through the show, Breaking Bad, and has now started upon Mad Men.  Herself is busy with other activities, but cannot help but overhear the dialog from the first episode of Mad Men.

We understand that the show is set in a particular time period when interactions between men and women in the work force were different than how they are now. Still:  the blatant sexism.  So. Very. Uncomfortable.

Herself is pleased -- and relieved -- never to have encountered anything other than egalitarian behavior in her professional career. Sometimes it's surprising to think that relatively recently, things were very different -- and that perhaps in some situations, that kind of disparate treatment still occurs. Herself cannot imagine how to handle sexist or suggestive or inappropriate commentary in the workplace (other than with perhaps a withering stare).  With a bit of luck, she never will have to do so.

Grace

Thankful am I, always, for the gift of friendship.  

A friend is more than a therapist or confessor, even though a friend can sometimes heal us and offer us God's forgiveness. A friend is that other person with whom we can share our solitude, our silence, and our prayer. A friend is that other person with whom we can look at a tree and say, "Isn't that beautiful," or sit on the beach and silently watch the sun disappear under the horizon. With a friend we don't have to say or do something special. With a friend we can be still and know that God is there with both of us. ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Crumpet

We have been watching Sherlock. It's quite an enjoyable show. While discussing the series with a friend, we looked up actor Benedict Cumberbatch  and were quite amused to find that he is occasionally known as "the thinking woman's crumpet."  While he's not Herself's particular cup of tea physical-wise, his apparent intelligence and good humor do render him appealing. We think we'll investigate his other works when we're done with Sherlock.

To The Future

Our wishes for you:

Joy and health; all the little successes; dreams come true; lucky finds and blessed moments and and happiness, always.

Happy birthday, Beloved Husband.

Emeli

Today's earworm:  Next to me, by Emeli Sandé.  She's a lovely young woman with a beautiful voice.  We wish for you, all that she sings that she has found:

When the skies are grey and all the doors are closing
And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe
When all I need's a hand to stop the tears from falling
I will find him, I’ll find him next to me

You can also try some of her other songs, such as Daddy, Clown, or My Kind Of Love; or a beautifully rendered traditional hymn, Abide With Me; or perhaps, if you'd like, her whole concert at the Royal Albert hall.  

I hope you enjoy.

A Bit Of Life

This past weekend, we went hiking in the desert of the nearby state park.  It was a beautiful day despite a fairly significant breeze, with sun and a bit of clouds and plenty of warmth.  The trail was a tiny bit steep here and there, but was still pleasant.  There were fossils in the rocks that we passed, and the beginnings of buddings of some of the desert plants.  Wee barrel cacti dotted the landscape. There were anthills quietly and steadily growing here and there.  It was good.

At the top of one hill, there was a bench for resting.  As she sat, Herself spotted a couple of butterflies flitting about:  two white ghostly shapes dancing on the breeze, circling one another, investigating this spot and that.  She was reminded of the tales of butterflies being a sign from departed souls -- a visitation of loved ones gone ahead -- and she thought of Daisy and Thorbert.  

Earlier that morning as she lay in bed, Herself thought she heard a noise outside of the bedroom door.  It was very reminiscent of the quiet shuffling noises of one of the dogs waiting for the door to be opened; that was a noise she had heard many times over the years.  It could not be Tiny Dog, though, for she has a louder strategy for asking to be let into the room. 

Strange.

She waited, and heard it again.  And so she got up, and after hesitating with her hand on the doorknob for a moment, opened the door.  She looked down.  No one was there.  

She quietly spoke aloud:  "Come on in."  She waited patiently a few moments, just in case. And then she closed the door.

She does not believe. Yet, if there is at all a chance that either Daisy or Thorbert might visit somehow, she wants to be sure that they know she remembers and loves them. 

Quiet Day

Yesterday was Offspring the Second's birthday.  He is a reserved individual who thoroughly dislikes fanfare, particularly when it concerns himself -- and so, we respected his wishes not to have a celebration.  Nevertheless, we did get him a small gift and made him a cake.  He is one of our favorite people, and we cannot help but enjoy the fact that he has graced this Universe with another year of his presence.

Happy birthday, introspective, witty, and marvelous Offspring the Second.

The homemade ice cream cake - a homely, though heartfelt, confection.