I didn't really realize I had so many good luck trinkets until I stopped and actually counted them all. Cleaning out my backpack, I saw a moon and stars painted ball that jingles when it moves and rolls around; a crystal my son gave me about 15 years ago for Mother's Day; and a sterling silver pendant with a mustard seed Robin gave me. These items are always with me. Always. I've just never really thought that much about it before, but I suppose I am superstitious if I carry these things for intended peace and harmony. But superstitious doesn't really seem to fit quite right. Do you know what I'm trying to say? Do I? heh heh...Seriously, though, they bring me much comfort, but is it as simple as that? I remember my Father always carried a buckeye in his pocket. Always.

**Edited to add: May 26 - Looking around my desk I see my favorite miniature sock monkey velcro-ed onto my monitor, and a sweet clay faerie I've had for 25 years!

Do you have charms, beads, amulets, good luck items you carry with you?

Tish of Fatshadow has been recognized by the SFWeekly as Best Blogger. Her eloquent voice speaks for so many people; I'm so glad she got this honor. Link

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Finale::Grande
   
2. Martial arts::Bruce Lee
   
3. Flirt::harmless
   
4. Energy::crisic
   
5. Flavor::of the month
   
6. Guess?::Who
   
7. Accomplishment::achievement
   
8. Prom::Dress
   
9. Diploma::Cap & Gown
   
10. Bloody::Mary,extra salt & hold the celery
    

via ~ Unconscious Mutterings

Peace
per meg via Shirl. Meg shows us how to write fancy text the easy way.

Good grief! It slapped me up the side of my head last month and I didn't even notice. The bird nest. I so so enthralled by the bird nest. Watching the Mother bird sit for days and days on that nest of eggs on my deck. Leaving her fresh water and bird food and looking for her each day. I felt nurturing in some sort of 'we're in this together' thing as I do with most mother animals.

Soon came the sound of baby birds chirping loudly, hungrily. How lovely that new life sound is and how fragile they must be. Chirp, chirp. "Feed me, feed me", they seemed to say. And then one day.... silence. The baby birds were nourished enough to leave on their own. Mother bird's job was through and all that's left behind now is an empty nest. I still came out and looked for them every day for a week. I knew the drill. But I still looked.

We can learn so much from the signs and signals when we listen to all that's around us. I tell everyone that. I didn't take my own advice this time.

Skyler is going for her first job interview this week. It's at a local convenience store with a Subway sandwich shop in it. The position is for a sandwich maker. At 15 years old, she can only work 20 hours a week. So we'll see what happens.

I'm so fortunate to have had her. My son was 14 when she was born, I was on marriage #2. My husband was 41 and never had any children, so it was like starting over in many ways. Or a second chance to right some wrongs. To be a straight, sober mother. An attentive, clear-headed mother.

She's on her way soon. To her own life that won't include me. In many ways it doesn't include me now. Can I fix you some scrambled eggs? Do you want me to hem that skirt? I know the drill. But I still hope my nest doesn't become empty too soon.

{friday funny}
Who said they don't grow on trees? (NSFW, obscene vegetable alert!)

...this will look like some of the pullquotes or subtitles we see in magazine layout...

Love the earth and sun and animals,
Despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks,
Stand up for the stupid and crazy,
Devote your income and labor to others...
And your very flesh shall be a great poem.
~Walt Whitman

Per Mandarin Design. Meg, I'm so glad you still have this active on your site. I've been meaning to take it for a spin after seeing how great it looks on your site and Shirl's.

Call Centre Confidential caught my eye and I found it well-written, smart and witty. Many people have worked at Call Centers before. I worked at nights as my 2nd job for sometime. The flexibility was quite attractive. But my very first job was at a Kentucky Fried Suicide, er Chicken when in high school.

Until I was fired for eating chicken on the job.

KFC: "Susan, are you aware of our policy about not eating chicken on the job?"

Me: "Yes, sir. I most certainly am."

KFC: "Your bulging pockets are greasy and my instinct tells me that you are holding."

Me: "Holding... sir?"

KFC: "Holding said chicken upon your person. To wit: Two KFC Original Recipe� chicken legs peaking out of your KFC apron pocket."

Me: Glancing down at my chicken-filled KFC apron pockets sheepishly. Busted. Big as hell.

KFC: "And, Susan...?"

Me: "I'll be clearing out my locker, sir."

Did you have a nice first job? Or do you still have nightmares about it? heh heh...
::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::{today's inspiration}
"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit."
~By Dawna Markova, Author of Open Mind.

I attended the Church of Theo this morning. Theo is giving a Mother's Day Sermon today and has posted it online.

Let me share with you the Mother's Day card from my daughter:

"I've never joined a cult.
I've never dated a known felon.
I've never stolen a police car.

Hold your head up high, Mom...Hold your head up high!"

Happy Mother's Day
xoxo
Skyler

And I couldn't be more proud, daughter. xoxo