Sandwiched

My daughter often voices concerns about her teenage child driving around town and her retired parents motoring around the country. I explained that she's now a member of the sandwich generation, being smack dab in between youth and the golden years. Actually, the two aren't all that different---both groups are intent on having fun and avoiding responsibilities. Selfishness is a way of life for the very young and the very old. It's the middle of the sandwich that is required to worry and work. Oh, well, before they know it, they'll be the older generation and then the fun will begin!

Paradise Lost

Most snowbirds consider southern Arizona to be pretty darned close to Paradise. Unfortunately, we are now reconsidering this title, as a huge storm is in progress. The wind is whipping, rain is pouring, ditches are overflowing and the casinos are packed with bored seniors. According to the local TV station, the end is not yet in sight, as a tornado warning has just been issued! There are two positives related to this negative weather, however---rain doesn't need to be shovelled and the desert will bloom like crazy in a couple of months!

Taking Chances

There are times when you just need to put on your big girl panties and take a chance. After a messy divorce, contact with our grandson was nearly non-existent. Now that he's grown and on his second tour in Iraq, I've been worried sick about his safety. So I wrote my e-mail address on a Christmas card to his mother and asked her to keep me informed of his whereabouts. The least she could do is ignore me. Much to my surprise, she made contact through Facebook and now the whole family is communicating, including my grandson all the way from Iraq. There comes a time to let by-gones be by-gones!

Ashes to Ashes...

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust---well, a lot of souls are either coming or going because we're having one heck of a dust storm today. Sands are shifting, awnings are flapping and palm trees are bowing to the Almighty. Instead of a clear blue sky, we are confronted with dusty brown, but there is an upside to this dirty air---the sunset should be fabulous!

Influx

Christmas is over and now the fun has begun. Snowbirds are flocking to the southwest, avoiding the snow storms and freezing temps of home. The population of Yuma doubles during this time, so we are required to stand in line every place we go now. Needless to say, the DH isn't thrilled about it. Mexico seems to be the first stop on everybody's itinerary---cheap meds, cigarettes and alcohol being a powerful incentive. If you don't arrive early, the wait to go through customs can be hours. Patience is a virtue and some people need to be reminded of that!

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year. You've just spent 525,948.766 minutes of your life. How many minutes did you waste in anger, frustration, envy? Probably more than you'd like to admit. How many minutes were spent appreciating your blessings? Probably less than you'd like to admit. Resolutions are made every year on this day---mostly to lose weight, get more exercise, quit smoking. How about a resolution to have more compassion for the unfortunate people of the world or to be happy with what you have, rather than lusting after more? Life is a gift---enjoy it!