Saturday, July 30, 2016

On Baby Bird Wings--Didn't Raise You Up

You know I love birds. Love! Here's a picture of me holding a little bird, giving it a kiss before setting it free. (I'm not squeezing it, although I look like I have a death grip on the poor little fella. I was gentle as can be. I swear on my bird brain.) Holding that little banded bird before it zipped off into the heavens was a dream come true. I adore our little feathered friends. So imagine how awful, sick-to-my-stomach that.....

....I killed a baby bird this week.

Actually, I might be more likely to be found guilty of second degree murder of a baby bird. I'm not sure.

I was peeking in the birdhouse in the front yard and the little baby bird was staring back at me, beak poked out of the birdhouse hole. I got really close. Really, really close. Ridiculously-what-are-you-doing close. I wanted to see what kind of bird it was. After I decided I didn't know (and, after getting yelled at by one of its parents), I stepped away and went back to gardening. I turned around to say something and....

....Dear god, is that the little baby bird on the ground??!! OMG! I dare not go closer... but, something was flopping around the ground, stirring up the dirt as it spun and flopped around. I was mortified. Is that the baby bird? Naw, that can't be the bird.... 
 

My brain had a complete, immediate 30 second conversation with itself:
ME:  OMG, OMG, OMG! Is that my bird? Do I go and put it back in the birdhouse? OMG!
BRAIN: No, leave it alone. You're not even sure that's the baby bird.
ME: But, the little bird isn't peeking out of the birdhouse anymore.
BRAIN: Go garden. Mind your own business. I'm not even sure that is a BIRD. Are you sure that's not the toad?
ME: Can't I just put it back in the birdhouse? It's not the toad!
BRAIN: Oh, for Pete's sake. It's not your baby bird.

I went to the back yard to get the lawn bag and bring it to the front. When I came back....

....the baby bird was gone! I looked around but there was no sign of the little feathered friend.
I soothed my soul by telling myself it must've been big enough to fly away.... or, it was our toad and it had hopped away.

The wife, who had been gone on her annual "Family Tour of the Cheddarlands" for the week, stomped on that theory the very first hour she was back:

"There's a dead baby bird in the front yard."

My heart was crushed. I was MORTIFIED. I was at least an accomplice to murder. I apologized profusely to the Universe, the bird's parents, the bird itself. In a sign of penance, I promised not to peek in any more birdhouses.

I also cleaned the bird bath, just for good measure.

As means of distracting myself from my murderous ways, I jumped on Book de la Face. That didn't help one iota; in fact, it made me feel that much worse. The political hate, the distorted hostility, the general loathing for those who support a specific candidate was more than my poor little bird-brain can handle.

Social media and 24 hour news has RUINED the presidential race. Destroyed. It doesn't matter if the facts posted are true or not--if it's on Facebook, it must be true--right?

Let's face it--during this presidential campaign, I won't be able to hide friends fast enough. I'm equal opportunity--it doesn't matter your political allegiance... if you are spewing hate or ridiculously tainted data, you're going behind the scenes until the inauguration. Hiding people will help me stay out of the stupidity. I don't want to leave Facebook because I love the funny pictures, the make-me-laugh videos, the silly memes, the keeping-me-in-the-loop posts. Hide, hide, hide.

This one-minute drawing is a reminder to me, from me: MUST.NOT.TALK.POLITICS. It will be very hard but I shall persevere. The quick sketch screams a reminder to rise above the hate and stupidity fueled by social media and biased news feeds. I may have to get duct tape to keep my mouth shut but I'll do what is necessary. Heck, I best use duct tape to hang the photo somewhere I can see it at all times.....

....maybe I should hang it on the bird house. I'll be too sullen to respond to political banter when oozing with grief and guilt.

RIP, little bird. Adios, postings of hate. I ask forgiveness and understanding. May we all rise up on baby bird wings.


Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Love Will Turn You Around

Last night, I wrote an entire blog... and, then decided not to post it. It wasn't funny, it didn't have a point (more than usual) and I felt I had already written the exact same thing sometime in the past year or two. (I'd hate to plagiarize myself. Take note, politicians.) The whole thing just seemed "off." Photos of kittens and puppies, rainbows and unicorns would have been better than that blog. Motivational quotes or tacky memes about love, unity and diversity would have rung truer. I've included the drawing I did before writing the blog. Who needs to write something when there is a sketch to be had?

The real issue? I was trying too hard. Usually blogging is second nature. Last night, I was forcing the issue. Nothing good can come from forcing an issue. It's like trying to force results when constipated. All you do is get hemorrhoids and feel more miserable than you did before trying to force the issue. I was trying too hard to not get sucked in to the nonsense on Facebook, in the news, at work, in the State, on the television. Maybe it was because the wife was out of town for the night and I had too much time on my hands. (I went for a walk, pruned a tree, wrote a non-posted blog and read a book. Tells you I was trying to look busy in an effort to stay positive.) I didn't feel "better" until I perused a bunch of old photos. By the end of the night, I was laughing and swimming in happy memories.

This morning, I am no more profound than I was last night but I feel better about it. A few happy posts on Facebook, some happy country music oozing from the Bose, reading a few fun texts from friends and coffee in my cup have put me right back where I need to be.

The best part about this morning? Thinking how the wife, my sister and my mother are going to see Kenny Rogers so very soon. In honor of this blessed event, I thought I'd share some texts from a few months back, as related to the upcoming Kenny concert. It's from the day the wife was buying the tickets. The texts are from my sister, my mom and the wife. These three are mighty funny and creative. Punny, I might say. How they worked in so many Kenny Rogers songs in such a short period of time is nothing short of creative genius. All I know is that I was trying to work and my phone kept chiming, alerting me of another song being sent. You may have to click on the photo to enjoy their genius. This isn't even the whole thread. Suffice it to say, I tried to work but couldn't stop laughing.

I've been to a bazillion concerts but not once to see Kenny, so this is a momentous event. This, as was Barry Manilow's, is Kenny's farewell tour. I hate all these farewell tours. I never know if it's a marketing ploy to get you to the concert lest you miss your final chance or it really is the final chance. I mean, Cher has had three farewell tours, so you never truly know. Kenny's been touring for almost four decades and he's 77 years old, so I guess he's earned the right to take a load off and enjoy a little rest and relaxation. He knows when to fold 'em, you could say. (You probably don't realize how many Kenny songs you know. Trust me, you know more than you think you do.)

It is fitting that the wife, my sister and mother were at the Barry Manilow concert.... we should be together for this farewell, too. It'll be nice to know so many songs with three other people who are well-versed in Kenny's song library. 

Kenny and his songs have the right idea. He fits right in with my effort to focus on the love, not the hate. Even his album titles suggest love is what it's all about: Share the Love. Love or Something Like It. Vote for Love. Love will turn you around.

Love of a good laugh turned me around this morning. May it turn you around as required.
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Thursday, July 14, 2016

Kidney #5

I've decided to stick with the happy, good news theme. The Addiverse strives to glow as a positive beacon in the darkness. Okay, that's way over the top. But, it's my blog and I'll be ridiculous if I want to.

This blog entry makes me smile... because it's true beyond compare and because it reinforces my belief in the goodness within the human race.

The wife's brother-in-law needed a new kidney. (Hang in there. This is a happy story. I promise you.) Why? Because his fourth kidney was failing and without one, he was looking at dialysis.... or worse, I suppose.

Yes, I said fourth kidney. See, "Neo-Renal-Man" (that's what I'll call him for this blog), was born with two kidneys that had no intention of working for any duration of time. Rat bastards. So, that's Kidney #1 and #2. He had a kidney transplant from his dad, way back when--which served as kidney #3. Once that little guy stopped working, his sister donated a kidney, which served as kidney #4.

Did you know they leave all the functioning and non-functioning kidneys in there? They do! So, at this point of the story, Neo-Renal-Man has four kidneys in him. I had no idea. He looks so.... two kidney-ish.

It's 2015. Unbeknownst to any us, Kidney #4 was no longer behaving. It was sputtering, limping along but it's days were numbered. NRM and his wife said nothing until things started to get ugly. Unless this guy could find a live donor, he'd be headed toward dialysis. It wasn't until Spring 2016 that any of us learned of this issue. We found out because they needed a live donor and his brother wasn't a match. As his blood type required a very specific donor, this meant the search would be a bit more complicated than for those with other blood types.

I think we can all agree that Facebook is both the scourge of the earth and an amazing tool, all at the same time. When Neo-Renal-Man's sister posted about her brother needing a kidney, the response was overwhelming. Friends, relatives and acquaintances responded to the call for a kidney. (For the record, the wife and I were both more than willing to give a kidney, but we're the wrong blood type.) Amazingly and most thankfully enough, there was a perfect match from someone in the area. Someone the sister had known in high school. Someone who had been trying to donate a kidney for a friend but wasn't a match. Someone in great health. Someone who was ready and willing.

Neo-Renal-Man was in business. He was ready for kidney #5.

This may not sound that incredible, but it is. This is a small town--there are less than 2000 people in the whole place and I think they may be counting pets and farm animals as part of the population.  So, to find a match so close to home is really something. The Universe works in mysterious ways.

Suffice it to say that the surgeries were complete successes. How do I know? Well, we went to a party with both of donor and recipient present. Neo-Renal-Man's family threw a party to beat the band. They celebrated the incredible generosity of the donor and the almost instantaneous improvement of the recipient. The guy looked amazing. We had no idea how sick he had been. His color was great, he had gained some weight, he was in good spirits. As for the donor....she too was at the party....

...and, she was wearing a bikini! 

Who the hell gives a kidney and then one month later can wear a bikini? This lady! Good for her!

Unbeknownst to me, the live donor's kidney is sucked out from the front....via the belly button. I'm telling ya, there was no way I would ever had guessed this lady had had any kind of surgery only a month before.

(Drawing: that is one ugly pen color. Why the company picked those colors, I do not know. I'm not a fan of mustard color. No offense to mustard. Anyway, here's a drawing of a dancing kidney, surrounded by sad, little non-functioning kidneys. The limerick follows below.)

To get the donated kidney into Neo-Renal-Man, they went in from the front, too. Who knew? (This was a great learning opportunity.) I thought a kidney would have to go in via the back. The donor may not have had a scar but he most certainly does. They opened him up and gave him a most beautiful, large, celebrated scar, from sternum to.... well, let's just say we couldn't see the ending of the scar. (I didn't want him to take his pants off or anything. I assume it stopped right by where his waist band sits. I didn't ask.)

How wonderful to be standing in front of a guy with five kidneys and three other people with only one kidney! Neo, his father, his sister and his new friend... standing in a row, posing for the camera. Beyond heart warming!


An acquaintance no longer an acquaintance. This woman was now part of the family and part of this guy. This guy was full of vim and vigor, thanks the work of her gift.  If that's not happy and positive, I don't know what is.

There were many moments of happy tears at this gathering. Lots of laughter. Lots of joy. Lots of kidneys!

I end with a tacky limerick:
A medical need did arrive
A kidney transplant--stay alive!
A donor did say
she'd give right away
Now, he's got kidneys of FIVE.

Congratulations, Neo-Renal-Man. God bless you, donor lady. Here's to the human spirit, oozing with compassion, love, and selflessness.
Here's to healthy kidneys and generous hearts.
Here's to wearing bikinis a month after major surgery.
Here's to five kidneys in one body.

There is much hope for the human race.
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Saturday, July 09, 2016

Feel the Love

There is so much ugliness in the world right now. So, I dedicate this blog to peace. Love. Unity. Joy.

Now, I'm not sticking my head in the sand nor am I saying I'm going to ignore all that is going on around us. I've just decided that peace and unity is much more important as part of my reality than another negative story from the ugliness in the world. Besides, it will take a whole lot of us thinking positive things to change the world, one ommmmm at a time.

Way back when, I was rather dismayed when 24 hour newcasts started. It was like I couldn't look away yet I didn't want to be hostage to daily pummeling of angst and hate. (Side note: Can you remember the days when television went "off air" and NOTHING was on in the wee hours? That you could only find the news at 5, 6 and 10 PM?) These days, I don't really watch the news--this as means of honoring my psyche, not out of ignorance. I try to watch the weather without getting sucked in stories of the ugly. It's one of the reasons I like "Sunday Morning" so much. It's informative, happy, inspirational, educational. I'll take that anyday over the sensationalized garbage the mega news channels spit upon us.

I find it unfortunate that social media has become a new platform for hateful, judgmental rhetoric. I just want to see pictures of dogs doing weird things, posts about new grandchildren, facts about poop (that's my contribution), read inspirational quotes. I don't want to "see" my friends being so nasty to each other, all in the name of whatever it is they name it. Social media tends to amplify the ugliness in the world--instantly and constantly.  Who needs that kind of silliness when there is world peace and love to be had? So, I do my best to scroll quickly past the hate and focus on things I love to see and read. I am slowly "hiding" people of which do not serve this purpose. I could easily delete or block them, but then they wouldn't have the opportunity to bask in the love and fun that I try to spew. If you wonder why I don't just deactivate my account, it's because I am not interested in giving up the happiness that is afforded by social media--I just have to focus on the positive, encouraging, humorous.

 It's no mistake that I had the word "namaste" tattooed on the inside of my left wrist many a year ago. I'm a visual person. I wanted a visual sign to remind me to see the good in everyone. I didn't get it because it's trendy or something other than what it was to me.  I needed a visual prompt that encouraged me to see the best in all.

There are times it doesn't work very well and I focus on the darkness instead of the light. In fact--I am embarrassed to admit--yesterday, I spent precious time thinking about someone I am not fond of at this moment. Um, why on earth would I do that? Sigh. Damn life lessons. So much to learn. Guess I'm not done "cooking" yet.

I encourage all to join me on this quest of raising the positive vibes of our planet. Mother Nature must be shaking in her boots, with people being so naughty while squatting on her lands. She needs all the help she can get. We are such a beautiful species. We would benefit by recognizing and honoring that in all. We need to get our happy on and keep it on.

It's time to feel and share the love. Thus, as is true on the path of Reiki...today, I will let go of anger and worry. I will give thanks for the overwhelming number of blessings in my life. I'll be honest and I'll be kind to every living thing. I'll think nice thoughts about that person who pissed me off yesterday....

.....Ooooh, that's gonna take some effort. Ommm, Ommmm, Ommmm, namaste, namaste, namaste, have a nice day, get out of the way, be happy today...... nice thoughts, nice thoughts, nice thoughts. There! I feel better already.

I'm getting my happy on. Feel the love.
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