Too many opinions! Too few who want to hear them!

Everybody, I mean, everybody has an opinion, and usually it's negative. When did it become okay to spout what you feel all the time? Someone takes a nice vacation, and you've got a problem b/c the economy is shot and not everyone can take one. Somebody writes a human interest story and you're griping b/c a period is missing or b/c the links within the article are invalid. Give it a rest already. What happened to: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?" What ever happened to that little nugget, huh? Oh, and yeah, I get it--freedom of speech and expression and all that jazz. Yeah, yeah, save it. Some people only thrive when they are negative. Maybe it makes them feel empowered or something. Who knows. I just know that when a person posts pictures of their new baby nursery, filled with excitement and glee, and the negative comments start rolling in about their indifference or dislike of the wallpaper or color palette, something ain't right. It's a new little being come into the world, people. That's worth celebrating! Bask in that mother' or father's happiness. Who cares if you don't like the changing table.

I don't know--just keep it to yourself sometime. I know it's your right, but that doesn't mean it's "alright" to blast in cyberspace. Geez.

And yes, this, too, is an "opinion" I'm expressing about the notion of negative opinions. Isn't life ironic?

Ode to the Unspired...

For some reason or another in our lives come the dry spells or patches. Perhaps we've suffered a personal tragedy or setback. Perhaps inspiration has sought out another only to later return. Perhaps there are a million reasons why we are left uninspired to do anything. However, like the changing seasons, so, too, come the ebb and flow of things. What seemed a tideous effort to find inspiration would no longer be a toil. You will want to get out and do something like work in your yard or clean out your gutters or see people or read a new book. You'll feel that zest for life, for living, for renewal, and that's a good thing.

So, to all those of you feeling uninspired today, remember the tides do turn...

Why is Tasha Making Me Look Bad?

Don't you just hate those people who make you look bad without even trying? They are just going on about their lives, being inspired, but it only makes you take a good, long look at yourself. It makes you reflective and ask the questions--"What am I doing? What have I been doing with my own life?" After the reflection comes a bit of annoyance. You're now asking yourself: "Why is Tasha making me look bad?" Tasha is no one in particular or maybe she is. Maybe she represents all those people who are inadventently making you look bad by being so clever and witty and inventive and creative in their own lives while you are doing gawd-knows-what with your own. Well, newsflash--Tasha, take it some place else!

When that day comes when you're not looking so good, here's hoping someone doesn't come along and rub it in your face!

Disclaimer: This is all in good fun. I was inspired to be a bit naughty. I have no beefs or grips with anyone, least of all Tasha (whoever she is--wink, wink).

I wish...

I wish I had more time...

to be better at the things I'm good at
and good at the things I'm not able to do.

Ever feel that way?

M's Cafe

(From my poetry book, Wandering Places)

Single-level brownstone,
Flickering neon,
A shortage somewhere in the main line,
“That gives it character,” someone offers.
Gargantuan glass entry way for the
Larger-than-life night owls;
Big tippers, big spenders running up tabs
Into the next year, entitled to their own table,
Their names carved into the back of chairs;
Regulars, they have come to be known,
Receiving the special V.I.P. phone call
When some new act is in town.
It’s no exotico, but the music’s good.
Dimly lit booths are the perfect ambiance
For a sneaking glance or a lover’s dance.
Isn’t that what it’s all about--the romance?
Yeah, that’s exactly what it’s all about

—the romance…

A Trolley Ride...

I visited San Antonio, TX, a few years back and I took this great picture of a trolley. It gave me this great feeling of nostalgia, but I'm not sure why because I don't remember ever having ridden a trolley in my life or at least not having ridden one in years. There's just something about that trolley that makes me think of good things and simple pleasures. I think we all need to have those things in our lives that help us reflect on the good, especially with there being so much chaos in the world today. People are like that as well. We need to surround ourselves with people who lift us up and provide us with a great measure of support. And we need to find the things in our lives that inspire us, give us peace, keep us sane. For me, it's being creative. For you, it might be knitting or playing the oboe or chatting with friends.

We all should latch on to the "trolley moments" in life and cherish them...