Three Little Words

bRING in the NEW YEAR!  Things are lookin’ up!  My hair is slowly growing back from its first foray into the commercial world of pay for “shock and awe” style cut I received almost a month ago, by a stranger.  My new/used motorcycle has remained “together” and in tact at this point, even though my friend Stuart talked me into a ride a few days ago at a questionable temperature (there is always a wind chill on a motorcycle!).  And Tuck is alive and well and has become my shadow, which I have thoroughly enjoyed...and he is not afraid to leave the house anymore.

And since starting a new year is all about tooting horns and celebrating, I am going to toot my own horn to celebrate some changes I’ve recognized in me.  Before I do so though, I have to plug Miki as the ultimate catalyst in these changes in me over these last months of her journey.  For me, I could not have participated in her story without having been changed for good (as the lyrics in the song go).  To that end, I miss her deeply, as most of us continue to do, but daily I give her thanks for her hand in my continuing evolution to be a better partner, friend, and person.  Here are some observations, events, and hopes from moi.

I recently held a memorial service for my entire stable of underwear that must have been at least 20+ years old. I know…Too Much Information!  Get over it, it’s a landmark decision on my part to let them go and I want to share it, as I replaced them with a whole new assortment of dark colors…that’s right…colors…not just white…colors.  I figure since they are darker, they will last longer, because the signs of wear won’t be as obvious due to the darkness.  Miki was all about diversity anyway.

Another first for me, since I declared in a previous blog that I was ready to be “open” and make myself available for new experiences, happened New Year’s Eve.  I was invited to a friends home, who was invited to a friends place a couple of houses down, where we played a game I had never played before and more importantly, I ate things I’d never even given a second consideration to putting in my mouth.  First (and this one was actually the day before New Years), a salad that had cucumbers, peppers, and mushrooms in its mix…and it was okay!  All of those items have been on the vegetable no-fly list since my inception.  Excuse me while I tug on my big boy pants!  Secondly, I willingly went after an artichoke dip that tasted okay!  I didn’t pound it down, but I did have seconds and I have never actively sought out an artichoke in any form before.  Thirdly, guacamole dip, with an after bite…and it was a multi-dip experience (not double dippin’, I do have couth at some level).  Finally, I am not watching nearly as much TV as I used to.  There is just other stuff to keep my idle hands busy and off the remote.  What is with me?

I am dealing with the silence by not letting it be silent.  My iPod and CD’s have discovered their purpose and twerking while washing the dishes is quite the distraction (not really, but conjures up a good picture).  I’ve enjoyed seeing others get joy from Miki’s clothes, as they dwindle in number.  And I am enjoying reestablishing and starting new relationships with people that have been away and have come back and with those that have been right under my nose.

One speech habit that seems to be hanging on and hard to shake is the use of our, us, and we.  Those three little words can bring Miki back faster than beans through a cowboy.  Sometimes I correct it and sometimes I don’t.  Each day, the clarity that seems to have been diluted in the recent past, seems to be working towards full concentration again.

My Zen from Home:  When it is this cold for extended periods of time and the pond in the park behind our house freezes over, the Canada Geese that frequent it, bring a whole new level of entertainment to us.  The water landings when the temperature is above freezing are not nearly as humorous as the icy landing zones when the temperature dips.  Some are graceful, some not so much.  I guess we shouldn’t talk, since we can’t fly or land either way. (There are those little words again)  I guess in general, we are all doing the best we can with what we have.  

Here's to a Happier New Year!
Peace Out!
Namaste!