Tag: nablopomo

Flying Monkeys

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Does anyone remember that old saying, “Don’t make me call my flying monkeys!” ? Yeah, it’s been that kind of week. My husband is out-of-town and someone told the appliances, the dogs, and my hormones. If something isn’t breaking and I’m not hot flashing in the middle of the night, the dogs are waking me up at 3 am to tell me he isn’t home and we need to search for him NOW. Isn’t that nice of them.

I’m so sleep deprived that it’s quickly becoming one of those people are still alive because I couldn’t afford a hit man kind of weeks. Really and truly. Kinda.

From a medical perspective, I’m really not sure what my favorite part of the week was, getting the girls squished or having the angiogram. Actually I already know — the angiogram has better drugs. Even without the caffeine and nicotine, it still took three doses of  whatever it was they use plus one does of nitroglycerin to get my heart rate to 50. I only started at 70. I blacked out at some point which was entirely pleasant really. The feeling like I just wet myself sensation that comes from the dye – was not pleasant however. Such is life.

Why all the unpleasantries? Because I had an unplanned hysterectomy last year. I’d known about the mass for a while, but it wasn’t a good time — any mom’s out there know how that is? It’s never a good time for mom to go down. So I decided to deal with it later. Later turned out to be Easter Sunday when my husband rushed me to the hospital. (The mass was benign btw)

I missed out on a really awesome U2 concert because of that side trip. SO… I promised to take better care of myself going forward. I’m doing a good job actually — and while it seems like I’m going through a lot of tests right now, they are for my own good.

And that in a nutshell is why I haven’t posted this week. That plus I’m in charge of decorating for a fall fest at church on Saturday and I’ve been creating center pieces to my heart’s content this week.

I’ll be back on Monday – and in the mean time I think I will break out my Flying Monkey — it’s not the best Merlot in the world, but it works.

Have a great weekend you guys.

Return: If I don’t return, it’s because he’s killed me

Deana4 Comments

People often ask me what the secret is to being married for 21 years.

Is it trust?

Committment?

Love?

Nah — I don’t have life insurance. He can’t afford to kill me.

That’s what I tell people anyway.

This really nice broker has been making house calls to my home for two years in hopes of securing our investment accounts. He’s with a reputable company — had great things to say about bonds, IRA’s and China. He’s a follower of Dave Ramsey – he has to be good.

I, wanting to take a more proactive role in our investments — strongly encouraged my dear sweet hubs to meet with him.

We met him and we invested.

We lost $2,500 in 30 days.

Just when I thought I’d gotten through with my skin, I receive a phone call from a new guy telling me our agent has left the company — and he wants to meet with us to discuss our portfolio.

I asked him to call back Wednesday when my husband was home to introduce himself.

So much for trust.

And living.

And handling our long term investments ever again –

you can say forgettaboutit.

If he takes out an insurance policy? I’m screwed.

 

Ooh They Come in Pink!

Deana1 Comment

Status on Facebook: So I’m shopping at Bass Pro with my wife and I’m talking to this guy about 7.1:1 vs. 6.4:1 reel ratios, 7 baring vs. 9, magnetic brake vs. Pin braking system…..you know, the usual stuff. Then we hear a voice behind us “Ooh! They come in pink”! My wife is now the proud owner of a Zebco rod/reel combo. Humbling really…..(Jeff O’Hara )

Not only do I have a pink rod and reel, I have pink line, pink bait, and a pink hat. I’m ready to fish. All I need to do now is remember where I put that fishing licence we got last May. Why pink you ask? Easy, 1. It’s my favorite color. 2. I live with three guys (1 husband, 2 sons) Pink is the only color I know they won’t “borrow.”

Finding Morgaine

Deana2 Comments

 He used to call me his “red haired goddess.” Not in a pagenistic, worshipful sense. Or maybe it was, I’m not sure. Rather he did so in a way that encourages a young woman – naive to the world and to men –  to come to know herself as more than a child and more than a victim of fate.

He saw something in me that was beyond my years, and far beyond my knowing and sought to introduce me to this woman I could become. Through him I discovered the soulful music of Coco Taylor, B. B. King, Buddy Guy,  zydeco, and more.   I learned lab rats ruled the earth, that Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (Tom Robbins), and that I have more inside of me than I ever dreamed possible.

The Mists of Avalon was his gift to me before moving away.

Written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and published in 1983, this is no ordinary telling of Arthurian legend. It is not for the faint of heart as it is often criticized for its strong pro-feminist, anti-christian themes. I do however find great insight into her interpretation of Gwenhwyhar’s forbidden love for Sir Lancelot and how the guilt drives her to becoming a fundamental religious zealot. The truth behind Merlin, and their love for all that is sacred is touching to say the least.

This legend of King Arthur is told through the eyes and lives of the women who made him the man he was.  Isaac Asimov calls it “the best retelling of the Arthurian Saga I have ever read.” I would have to agree with him.

In most Arthurian legends, Morgaine (Morgan La Fey: Queen of the Fairies), is often portrayed as a bitter and evil witch. This telling of the legend places Morgaine as the narrator and main protagonist. She is a strong woman with amazing gifts  in a time of great political upheaval and religious change. She is Avalon’s protector.

If I could only meet one magical creature from the past, it would be Morgaine. I would ask her how she over came her hopelessness at the loss of what was (the world she knew where women were revered and respected), a loss that is foreshadowed in her own childhood as she is pushed aside over the birth of a son –  and yet finds strength to continue in her call to protect and serve, and come to peace in her now misogynistic world.

It’s been a long time since I’ve traveled those pages. Perhaps this fall at the lake would be a good time to be reintroduced to an old friend and look once again behind the mist. Who knows what magic I’ll find within.

If you could meet one magical creature, who would it be and why?

This post is written by Deana O’Hara for Redemption’s Heart. All Rights Reserved. September 1, 2011

National Blog Posting Month on BlogHer

DeanaLeave a comment

I’d promised myself  months ago that I’d become a better writer.

Writers write and yet, I don’t always.

I challenged myself to live out my story in such a way, that I’d have a story worth writing.

Read.

Listen.

Paint.

Pray.

Live.

Write.

Repeat.

Do I even have it in me or have I bored you now with

my questions,

my longings,

my fears?

September’s challenge on BlogHer is “RETURN.”

 Returning — or turning again — is about reflection, about going backwards, about revisiting a spot or memory. Sometimes people think that it can be a negative thing to live too much in the past, drowning in nostalgia. But a lot can be learned by mentally returning to a moment, replaying what happened in your mind, especially if lessons are learned in the process.

And so, for one month, I promise to write every day – including weekends.

And you my readers, get to return with me.

Are you ready?

Am I ready?

Father Time will be our travel companion.

Let the journey begin.