Spectacular Spring

This Spring has been absolutely spectacular. Thanks to the hard work of my husband who has done the heavy lifting, or should I say heavy digging, this Spring has been a joy to behold.

This white lilac is a good example of one of many successes we have enjoyed this season. It has been a spectacular Spring, with a color pallet filled with every conceivable shade of green. A whole other pallet includes all the other colors. I don't know which is better, the pinks, purples, yellows, or those glorious greens.

Winter was long. It seemed as though it took so much time to get here, but it was worth the wait. With the trees fully leafed as well as shrubs and flowers blooming, I could not be more satisfied.

I was especially pleased to see this plant bloom. In only its second year, it was loaded with tall spikes of tiny perfect flowers.

Planting this particular plant was deliberate. It was planted to honor my late father. It was similar to a variety he planted so many years ago. I had little interest in gardening in those days, yet I do recall how enamored he was with his double white lilac. And, I never forgot its unmistakably sweet fragrance. I didn't hesitate when I saw this plant in a catalogue.

So Dad, this one's for you. I wish you were here to enjoy it with me.

Proud to watch as Obama exhibits leadership

As I watched President Barack Obama sign Health Care Reform into law, it was a poignant moment, not because of mere words -- what is in the new law or what isn't in it -- but because of what is behind it. Undoubtedly, this will prove that one-size-fits-all does not exist. And there will undoubtedly be negatives. Perhaps some people will fall through the cracks. But overall, I believe this will be a positive story for the majority of Americans.

Like so many issues, when the dust settles, the loudest critics will likely follow along eventually. As changes will take place. They will see that this has been a good thing, in subtle ways that they didn't even think possible. That is how it always happens.

It is a what we have sought for so long.

It is so rare to experience real leadership exhibited in this country. I have become so cynical over the last decade, that I began to believe that common sense just wasn't possible. But not only is it possible, it is happening.

That is a wonderous thing. Hope is a beautiful thing, as it changes our perspective. It gives us the ability to see through new eyes. A new perspective is always a good, refreshing change.

MySpace and Facebook, treasured communication tools

I just had a conversation with a friend on Facebook about the benefit of social media.

For me, MySpace and Facebook present an opportunity to "reach out and touch someone," just like the slogan in the 1980's for long distance phone giant AT&T. Ma Bell is still an important part of everyday life, but she has her competition today. Personally, I'd rather do my reaching out through cyberspace.

For my part, I enjoy how social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, all of which I use, has allowed me to connect to others in a way that not long ago wasn't even possible.

My family is small. Like many families, we aren't very good at keeping in-touch. We have even slacked off on that annual Christmas card exchange, once a time-honored tradition. Also, my husband and I have recently moved to another state, so we left behind many good friends and family.

Communication is so important. MySpace and Facebook have allowed me to link with cousins I haven't seen in years. I've re-connected with friends from our former neighborhood. I've even found some friends from high school that I haven't even thought about in years. Just seeing their names and an updated picture of them, brings me back to those carefree days of my youth. Memories long buried have come flooding back. I've begun regular communication with my brother who I rarely see.

My children have accounts, so we can supplement our phone conversations, with our on-line chats. I can see pictures of my grandkids readily, thanks to the advancement of digital photography and the ease of sharing. It is like being a part of their lives in a way that might not have been possible any other way.

I know there are drawbacks, but for me, social media has been a communication tool and a very positive experience.

Sugarland is music to stir the soul

,
originally uploaded by zephyrr95.

I cannot remember the last time I was moved by listening to 'new' music. Usually I just crank up the 'oldies,' the songs that hold special, even intimate memories for me. I love how music, especially songs from our 'prime,' conjures up thoughts and feelings in such a way to seemingly transport us back to another time.

Sex on Fire - Sugarland from Sugarland Music on Vimeo.

Right now, I am listening to the latest object of my musical affection -- Sugarland. I am so impressed with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. I think they are a talent beyond words. Their music, unlike so many things today, is simply 'real.'

I have gone back and forth in my affection for Country Music, but the longer I live and the more I hear other genres, the more I realize my heart belongs to Country. Perhaps that has something to do with my rather new-found affection for living in the Country. I was born a City Mouse, but I consider that just a geographic mixup by my parents.

High food prices

I can still remember my first full time job as a checkout clerk at a grocery store. I worked at National Tea Company. I remember what some of those prices were. Sometimes while stocking up on groceries today, I have a flashback of the prices and wonder whatever happened to them? A gallon of whole milk cost $1.29; a jar of baby food was $.19; and a loaf of bread was $.29.

Those were the days. Back then we had to do the math ourselves, counting out change to our customers. We were also taught that when making change, coins were placed into the customer's hand first, with paper money on top. Only then did we distribute the proper number of S & H green stamps. Remember those?

One of my pet peeves today is that such retail etiquette has disappeared. How many times have you had your change roll off the top of crinkled, unkempt dollar bills and onto the floor or under your car at a drive through?

But that little annoyance pales in comparison to how upsetting it is that the cost of food has risen so dramatically.

When my children were little, I really struggled. I carried a calculator and added costs as I went. I didn't want to be embarrassed at the checkout by having too little cash. Whatever happened to cash anyway? On the days that I forgot my calculator, I got by with estimating about $1 per food item, not counting meat. Today, that estimate falls far short. Practically nothing costs under $1.

So why does food cost so much more today? I suspect one of the reasons is all the advertising that is done. Commercials on television every few minutes has to be expensive.

I have an idea -- STOP! Advertising is annoying. It doesn't teach us anything. It only tries to coerce us into buying a particular item, much like a con game. Advertising has destroyed our national pasttime, television viewing. But it also infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Cut advertising and lower our food prices. That would make me really happy.

Need a laugh? Check this out!

Speaking of American Idol, who didn't enjoy the little diddy, Pants on the Ground"?

Check out the answer to "Pants on the Ground" by funny woman Wanda Sykes.

Another Arkansas American Idol?