Thursday Thirteen: Good Grief!

I am having trouble downloading pictures to Blogger. I tell you this because I intended this post to be a Thursday Thirteen, which is long overdue. But since blogger refuses to budge, this will instead be a Friday Four, with extra commentary thrown in.
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1. Thank you all for the comments and emails I received about my post on grief. It's not likely any of us are going to live and die without experiencing it at some time. Myself, I know for me it's better that I feel than not feel. And better that I love than not love. End of story.

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2. This is the bumper sticker on the back of my car. As soon as I put it on, I thought to myself, "My daughter Jessica is going to say that is ridiculous." When I saw her a few weeks later, she looked at me and said, "Mom, that is ridiculous."

. 3. It's been one year since I started my work as a Psychotherapist in one of the poorest cities in America, my clients very poor adults and children both. Sometimes I look around to gauge whether I am safe or not, but mostly I find that I'm very comfortable in the neighborhoods I frequent. I see people mostly in their homes or their schools, and I've learned so much. I'm a counselor but not a therapist by training and experience, but I'm finding I'm pretty good at it. It helps to care and go from there.

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4. This is one of JB's watering cans. She starts with plain plastic cans and designs and decoupages each one. She does this in her Magic Cottage.

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5. I've now lost 42 pounds. When I lose another 15 or so, it'll be time for a new wardrobe and a new image. I want to be kj babe. Age has nothing to do with it.

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6. I find that I've become more sexual and more sensual as I get older. Anybody else want to talk about that?

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7. Stella no longer acts like a nervous abused dog. She is happy and healthy. Her life is joyful because of walks, cookies, and chicken. I wish it were that simple for me most of the time.

8. Where I live, black bears occasionally meander into our neighborhood and yards. The woman across the street was in her yard with her dog two summers ago, late at night, and saw a huge man in a fur coat standing 30 feet from her. Oooops--not a man! She knew enough to take small slow steps backwards until she could reach her front door. Fortunately her dog was on a leash. I don't live in a rural area, but I kind of like keeping an eye out for bears every once in a while.

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9. This is the house I grew up in and lived in until I got married at twenty-two. My father and grandfather built it themselves and my parents lived in it for 63 years, until my father died. My mother stayed another ten years until she fell in the front yard and broke her hip. She now lives ten minutes from me in a wonderful rest home and I like that.

10. I don't know why I am so partial to Renee and her blog, but in less than two months I'm crazy about this woman. She is a special human being and it's not just because of her courage. She has spunk and wit, leaves great comments, is kind to everyone, and is thoughtfully compassionate and insightful about all kinds of things. Plus she's passionate and she's singlehandedly made 'fuck' a respectable blog word!

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11. I've made some true-blue forever friends on the blogs. I would never have believed it possible. When I hear the terms "global economy" and "international community," I think of my blog friends from all over the world.

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12. I have started a second book but it's coming slowly. And I want to get back to the finished first draft of the book on career choice. I'm also back to writing poems that rhyme (it's about time. And a good sign. I think it's fine.) How come I work part time and seem to have so little time? I'll never understand that. When I was a single mother with a 50-plus hour a week job, I seemed to fit more in. Hmmmm.

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13. Well, I made it to Thursday Thirteen, even though there are only Friday Four photos. I'll end with the following advice: Ride the horse in the direction she's going.

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Love kj