Since You're Using That Pic Now...

I can't help but think of Bob Ross when I see that cartoon.

I Needed a Smile, This Worked

'Nuff Said

As Cliche’ As It Sounds...

...they really do grow up too fast. I was watching my sons last night, we weren’t doing anything extraordinary, just sitting in the front room with the television going and it struck me that they are no longer the cute, cuddly, adoring creatures I still see them as.

Justin is 18, about to graduate high school, and soon heading to boot camp in San Diego to become an official Marine. He is 6 feet tall, which for our family is barely tall enough, and sturdy as the ageless oak in the back yard. I remember so clearly how much he needed me when he was just a toddler - he was always easily entertained, but he always wanted me within sight. Today he is barely around, off doing what it is teenage boys do when away from their mothers.

Dylan is 15 and a freshman in high school, and testing me every step of the way. I’m told his personality is a mirror-image of mine, and yet I see him as so much stronger and focused than I could ever be. I love that he is actually taller than Justin, by an inch or so now, and he is willowy and lean like his father. He’s the blonde in the family, and I can hear him asking me “Mom, why is Justin all tan like Dad and I have to be white like you?” Yes, this one got my coloring along with my endless tact.

So I can’t cuddle with them. I crave the feeling of holding them in my arms, but at their age, it is just too weird for them. I am lucky that I get a nightly hug and kiss on the cheek before bedtime (mine, not theirs) and that they always tell me they love me before they walk out the door.

That is what keeps me going.

Just Call Him Slugger

Last night Justin hit a 3-run homer, and it was measured at 380 feet. That ball soared straight out center field, over the fence, the flag pole and a lovely flowering dogwood tree. It was beautiful, and he noncholantly jogged his way around the bases, as any "real" home run hitter is bound to do.

Now, for a bit of reference, I checked the Sports Illustrated website for the longest home runs hit in the major leagues last night. Check it out - of the top 25 listed, Justin would have placed at #9, tied with some guy I've never heard of. Impressive, eh?

Life is Good.

Reading, Writing & Movie Making

I’m reading Duma Key by Stephen King (for the second time), and after watching 1408 starring John Cusack I’ve been thinking about the perception of the author, his writings, and the way movies based on his books are almost always utter crap.

For the record, I absolutely L O V E the dark Mr. Cusack, and Mr. King ranks as one of my favorite novelists. But save a couple of lucky hits, most of the film adaptations of King’s novels really suck. It’s not for lack of trying, or bad acting (in many cases)...

My conclusion is thus...due to the genre - not horror, in my mind, but what I think of as "human atrocities and day-to-day oddities" it’s practically impossible to create a visual image of what the books say to you. Because he works on your mind, pulling you to a place he created, yet totally your own, each reader’s location is going to be different. You bring in a director who sees this location in his own way - and there’s not a chance in hell it will be where you went.

Disappointment abounds.

Will I stop watching the films? No way, I’m still enough of a sucker to hope someone, somewhere, will get it. And by get it, I mean, get it MY way. After all, It’s The Law.

Time To Let It Go Already

It's been a year now, but people just can't move one. Here's the deal: One year ago, I was overly involved with Yahoo 360, putting up silly posts, doing stupid tests, giving far too much time and energy to people who didn't deserve it. The love of my life and I hit a rough patch (not rough like dry elbows, rough like walking on broken glass - thanks Annie Lennox for the analogy). We made the decision to do our very best to salvage our relationship and try to move forward - and it's worked. We are closer and stronger than ever before.

The problem began when one of my "friends" decided she could not forgive me for forgiving him. She became way too upset about what had been done to me - almost as if she had been the one hurt. Another "friend", who was more centrally involved, turned to me for comfort for what she had done to betray me. Color me stupid, I actually tried to help this girl. And I listened and cried and consoled for as long as I possibly could.

Well, one year later, and the whinger is still playing the "poor me" game, and the angry hag is still mocking me. When will it end? I've gotten over it, why can't they? Is it so awful to see two people make the most of what they've been lucky enough to find in another and do anything to stay together? Or is it pure jealousy? I can't decide, and I don't even think about it anymore, but last night realized it's been about a year and it just got me to wondering what in the world is wrong with people. I'm thinking they both need some time on the couch and heavy medication.

Regardless, life is good.