Slice of Lime-A Quiet Spot

Yesterday was not a good day around here. The last few days have brought more frustrations and unwelcome news. I'll spare all the details. I'm just not in the mood and I'd probably wind up saying some very nasty things. Among all the other crap, yesterday I found out I didn't get the job. I had a lovely little pity party for myself. There was crying and a refusal to be consoled. I bet you're sorry you missed it. I was asked what the next step is and I said there is none because every time I take one forward lately I get knocked back six steps. I loose less ground by refusing to advance. Really, it was my finest hour. Later my cousin called and listened to me cry the blues. After that she told me to rehydrate and take a walk. Those seemed like manageable steps so I took them.

I'm told some folks are ocean people and some are mountain people. Personally, I rather like the parts of the California coast where ocean and mountains met, best of both worlds and all. But I grew up escaping to the low mountains of the East Coast and I still find comfort in them. A forest cut by running water is about perfect to me. The ocean and the plains have their own magic but they don't comfort me when I feel beaten. They make me feel exposed. The forest lets me slip away quietly among the trees to find a quiet spot where I can hide for a bit.

I went to the woods because trees are good listeners too. They don't judge you. Somehow even the ones that tower over you don't make you feel small in a shameful sort of way. They spread out their branches as if to shield you from too hot sun or too heavy rain. They whisper softly. I didn't go planning anything other than to wander a while and sit but there was solace and wisdom there. I thought it would be better to share that than to continue my whining. I pulled out my camera phone to do so, so excuse the poor picture quality.

The quiet spot. Well, ok, the water just drowns out the nearby highway noises. Good enough for me.

I can think. No interruptions. No demands. Just sit and listen and think. Wallow a little if needed. I told you, trees don't judge.

The old hemlocks suggest it's time to stand. Here's a hand. Get up now. Walk among my friends. It's been a while since we had a visitor. We're glad you came.

But I've fallen and I can't get up.

Holler for help if you have to.


Sometimes you'll grow crooked before you grow straight but you do what you must to get the water and light you need to live.


Your support system might look at bit odd to others but if it keeps you standing that's the important part.


It would be nice to have someone to walk with you on the trail but they won't always be either patient enough or energetic enough to go at your pace. Sometimes you have to walk by yourself.

Eventually, you'll have to make some choices.


You can't sit in one spot forever unless you want a moss covered butt.

Even Salmon Get Rewarded After Swimming Upstream

Ever have a day that feels like Andy DuFresne's...only you feel like you're crawling upstream toward the prison instead of escaping to freedom?

Well, to quote a different character (John Coffey) who was just trying to make things better in another prison movie (The Green Mile),
"Awful tired, boss. Dog tired."

You Might Think...

...spending 6 weeks in New Orleans' lower 9th ward working among people who have lost everything and who are still fighting for some pretty basic things 3 years later would create a deep sense of gratitude for what one has and less of a sense of entitlement. You might think that, but you'd be wrong. You might think someone who spent that kind of time doing that kind of work would come back more inclined to make requests rather than demands. You'd be wrong. You might even think said individual would return home and perhaps be more encouraging toward her sister when her sister exhibits personal growth. You'd be wrong.

You might think when this 17 year old girl comes back and complains bitterly about small inconveniences, demands immediate gratification, snaps at anyone who does not capitulate, berates the sister who has gone out of her way to be welcoming, and dares to suggest it is everyone else's fault when she is called to account for her bad attitude that the mother would want to backhand her into next week. You'd be right.