I still cannot believe JJ is gone. I had a hard time figuring out which song or video I wanted to post for you guys. I mean the man was a brilliant musician. I thought about posting Mama Don’t and then I came across this. It’s just simply JJ well, him and Leon Russell and I figured what better. The fact that he is playing guitar with a lit cigarette totally cracked me up. Hope you like it.
Three things the bring me joy
In other news: I tackled a cowboy this week. Hadn’t seen him in over a year and he surprised me by showing up at the stables. He’s married to my friend Jo and he’s been working out-of-town.
I have more girl in me than I sometimes admit and took off in a dead run the minute I saw him — Good thing he’s a cowboy or he’d have gotten knocked over.
My friends bring me joy as well.
Last week I was tired from being on the road for so long and was dealing with stolen car issues. (My car was found and returned to me in great condition) This week, it’s about peace, time at the lake and things that matter, like friends and family. This has been a great week you guys!
My hope for you for this weekend and the coming weeks is that you get to spend time with things that fill you up. I also leave you with a question:
When was the last time you were so happy to see someone you took off at a dead run? Or better yet, when was the last time you allowed yourself to be free enough to do that?
My husband is not my soul mate.
I LOVE this. I remember the whole “I kissed dating goodbye” era of our youth group days -I was a youth leader back then and I remember thinking, something was amiss- what a smart young woman– I watch too many people get all wrapped up in paralysis afraid to make a decision because it might not be “what God wants.” — Love is a CHOICE. Don’t get wrapped up in who you are going to marry as if that is the be all and end all of existence. LIVE YOUR LIFE.
It might seem odd that on this, our one-year anniversary, I am beginning a post with the declaration that my husband is not my soul mate. But he isn’t.
I wouldn’t want to imagine life without James. I enjoy being with him more than anyone else in this world. I love him more than I ever thought you could love someone, and I miss him whenever I am not with him. I wouldn’t want to married to anyone else other than James, which is good, because I plan on being married to him forever, and he has to let me die first.
But I reject the entire premise of soul mates.
Do you remember those awesome Evangelical 90’s/ early 2000’s where Jesus was kind of like our boyfriend and we all kissed dating good-bye because we just knew that God was going to bring us THE ONE and then life…
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Music Monday Flashback: Bonnie Tyler, Holding out for a hero
Raw oats; it’s what’s for breakfast
I’m back on my eating plan. My goal is to be 75% raw vegan. Say what you will I feel better when I eat this way. Left to my regular eating habits, I blow up like a dead fish, I’m in pain, and my blood pressure is out of control. Raw vegan gets rid of […]
Easy? No. Worth it? Yes!
Sane women do not cut 14 inches off their hair, purchase $600 worth of MAC makeup, pack a car and drive 15 hours in one day for a three-day comedy contest. Especially if they’ve got less than 50 hours of stage time as a stand up comic and one book of jokes under their belt. Fortunately for me, I’ve never been accused of being sane. Something tells me, I’d make Sally Field proud. (Think Punchline)
Upside: I’m so new to the comic stage that I didn’t know enough to be afraid of the headliners from Letterman or the Tonight Show (among other notable comics) who were judging this competition.
Downside: I’m so new to the stage that I freaked out when I saw the wall of light instead of an audience and totally crashed and burned the first night. I did so poorly in fact that one of the judges said “I see you more as an actress than a comic, maybe you should do that instead.” Thank you Simon Cowell. That would have crushed me three years ago. Not today.
The great thing about being a 47-year-old menopausal red-head — tell me I can’t do something and I hunker down, dig my heels deep into the soil and prove you wrong. It’s how I roll. Said judge also sat down with me at lunch after my second set and offered very productive feedback. I made a new friend and I’m thankful.
I also did better the second night and nailed it the third.
Courage gave me a gift I can never repay.
I received lessons and insights into who I am,
opportunities to grow and let go of the past,
and a chance to lay down lies and false perceptions and find truth.
Four other things I learned about myself last week:
1. I’m funny
2. I’m courageous
3. I can learn how to trust again.
4. I’m stinkin’ adorable in short hair.
Are You Sure?
“Ma’am, are you sure your car was stolen?”
In my brain: (Slaps wrist on forehead) – “What? Oh that’s right, I don’t own a car. I live in the middle of nowhere where our mass transit is so wonderful, I take the train to work.” — Wait… we don’t HAVE a train… Or a Bus.. Or any kind of mass transit, because I live in the middle of freakin NOWHERE.”
“yes, I’m sure my car was stolen.”
“Are you sure.”
Brain:”NO. I’m not sure. I’m delusional and I always fall down crying in the middle of my driveway while wearing a nighty just so I can meet intelligent men in uniform at 5 am. It’s how I pick up guys.”
“Is it possible it was repossessed?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
Brain: I’m gonna slap you stupid if you say that one more time!
“Yes, officer I am sure.”
“Sir.” –– He’s done talking to me and now wants to address my husband. “How much did you owe on the car?’
“We didn’t owe anything on the car.”
“Are you sure?”
“seriously?”
“Well it could have been repossessed.”
“No it couldn’t. We don’t owe anything on the car.”
“Why not?”
“Because car dealers don’t typically give out ten-year car loans.”
“When did you pay it off?”
“We never paid it off. We paid cash.”
“Are you sure? Nobody pays cash for cars.” — Translating to “you are now on the FBI watch list.” (send in the drones!)
Husband goes inside comes back with title showing we own the car outright.
“Oh, well it appears your car was stolen.”
YOU THINK? Give the man a prize!
You know the economy is bad when you can’t even file a theft report.
You think that’s bad. My insurance company did the same thing. “are you sure your car was stolen? Maybe it was just repossessed.”
SIGH. Here we go again.
UPDATE July 17 — my car was reported found at 6:00 pm. We picked it up — yay! It’s a mess, and out of gas and my electronics are all missing. BUT I have my car. The police officer said this is the first time in his career that he found a stolen car that was not damaged. How cool it that?
Resolve: Dare to be Powerful
A Dog and a Banjo
I haven’t touched my banjo in two months. Mainly because I’ve been playing my guitar and because I’ve been on the road. Heading back to lessons today — pretty sure my dog can play better than I at this point. Wonder if my teacher will notice?
Music Monday Flashback; Bon Jovi, Wanted Dead or Alive
Oh yeah.. while I may no long listen to many of the artists of my teen years, I do still listen to Bon Jovi.
Deana O'Hara - Speaker, Comedian, Writer 