01/14/2018 – J-Dub's Grin and Bear It

(Jan. 14/18) “I Can Feel It Combing In The Hair Tonight”

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-DubLeave a comment

🎼 I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life. Hold on. 🎼. Read between the lines. So good!!! Truly is a wordsmith genius.

I Will Wry-se Up

Well, hello, Wonderfuls!

Heeeere’s Context!!!

This feel-good (like having your hair brushed) post was inspired by a conversation I had with my funny, sensitive, bright, and resilient friend, “J-Dub”.

(You can find her at https://jilywily.wordpress.com/)

In response to my last post, she and I deep-end our bond by discussing our tendency to invalidate our triumph-over-challenges because, in hindsight, they can look so small…and because countless others have it so much worse.

And we confided that, without reminding ourselves to make self-compassion paramount, we are vulnerable to feeling like a self-indulgent whiners/weaklings.

But, here’s another take…

If uber-gifted/successful celebs such as Britney Spears can lose it, and Drew Barrymore can fall victim to addiction (to name but two snow flakes in a blizzard of talented people)—

and, they can find/fight their way back—

it makes sense that it’s not fair to make comparisons…

For, pain is pain and—while privilege…

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#JusJoJan for 1/14/18 – Ultimatum

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-Dub8 Comments

Prompt: Ultimatum

Suggested by: https://traveltinerary.com/ Take a look at her blog. Travel the world for less. Someone is having a milestone birthday in June and I think a trip is in order. Need to start planning now!

Ok, ultimatum is another juicy one. So many directions to go. Not even sure where to begin. Other than to say that over time I have come to learn that ultimatums rarely work. And if they do, they are usually not long lasting. And if they happen to be long lasting, they are typically not what one bargained for.

I mean c’mon, it is basically like saying do this or else. Or else what? One better be prepared to follow through with the what else. Can people really reach a resolution when having to resort to threats to get one’s way?

Tammy: If you are not serious about me then we need to break up.

Scott: You know I luv ya baby.

Tammy: Johnny asked me out and I am going to go out with him. We’re done. Six years, I have waited for you. College was an excuse, you graduated. Finding a job, you have one. I am getting too old for this. We are not in high school anymore.

Scott: What can I do to make you stay?

Tammy: You really have to ask? Good-bye Scott.

Scott (on bended knee): Will you marry me?

And then two kids and seven years later, they signed divorce papers.

#FlashFiction

To be clear: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Rules and Ping Back – Join us here every day in January

As always, more to come.

Remembering ~ The Dash

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-Dub5 Comments

I wrote this on FB, pre-blog – two years ago to the day. The feelings are still the same. Deep, to my core. The day is as beautiful as it was two years ago. The weatherman says Tuesday will be a bear. But now is lovely and the best time to share again.

Remembering the dash: My brother. January 14, 1961-July 19, 1999. Rest in Peace.

At his service when the Deacon asked if anyone wanted to say anything, I couldn’t. It was too raw. I always regretted not speaking at his service. Yes, he was troubled but I remembered good times, the best of times and that was the time to talk about them.

I wish I had shared that he walked me to my classroom every day in first grade because I was scared after a traumatic bus ride to Gevers Hall with nuns the year before (that is a funny story for another time). I vividly remember his friends teasing him but he walked me to the door despite that … EVERY single morning. When my thermos broke and there were shards of glass in my drink and he saw me crying because I was uber sensitive and stuff like that made me cry, he gave me the milk off his lunch tray going without.

What a beautiful day it was today! A wonderful day to remember what would have been his 55th birthday. I feel a mixture of both happy & sad. Days like this make me realize what’s important. Pay It Forward. Love your fellow humans. Life is short so make the most of each and every moment while you still can.

J-Dub’s Review of Strange Weather: Four Short Novels by Joe Hill

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-Dub3 Comments

To continue from here … As Talented As His Daddy

I finished up Snapshot and give it two thumbs up. I won’t be posing for pictures anytime soon. I want to keep what little brains cells I have thank you very much.

Moved right into the next short novel: Loaded. I assumed loaded would be as in fully loaded, rockstar drunk off your ass loaded but I’d be wrong. Loaded as in GUN. I will not go into the debate. Read the story for yourself. Fiction with a ring of truth. Is that the same as fiction that rings true OR fiction that has a kernel of truth with the remainder being made-up? Better yet, educate yourself and draw your own conclusions.

After that Aloft. No, not the hotel chain. Aloft as in up in the air. Very good short novel and good character development. Pure-D fantasy after the skydive occurs. Junicorns and cloud lovers. The big EYE in the sky. I was transported to another world and the reprieve from my own was stellar.

Ending with Rain. Not you garden variety rain but nails from the sky rain caused by … anyone’s guess. What kind of manipulation? Part global warming, part vendetta. Social commentary thrown in for color. Outcast, lonely, unlikely heroes. More writing in accents. Cult. End of the world … as we know it. Intrigue until the end.

I did not get my email reminder … this library book is due in three days. I will pay my fine and not complain. The late fee is worth it! Well, kind of.

I may inquire into email status as that reminder is all I have – no more old school cards that are stamped in ink. No way to see who else read the book before me. Sometimes I wish everything didn’t have to change but that … that is a blog for another day.

I stand by my original review, Joe Hill is as talented as his daddy. I highly recommend: 4.83 out of 5 stars.

SongLyricSunday 1-14-18 Natural Disasters

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-DubLeave a comment

This right here! For your listening pleasure. Bittersweetness from Sweet Baby James. Thank you chosingmyperspective for sharing.

chosenperspectives

First song that came to mind so I’m going with it…..

Dedicated to one of my very best friends in high school, a talented musician.

I wrote this last year for his obituary guest page.

“Jerry was my best friend in high school. We covered many deep subjects in many long conversations throughout our time at Natchez High. And we sang together, both of us tenors, in a choir, as well as in the “Duzin Cuzins”, a folk singing group. As happens, somehow time sped by but we were reunited at our 40th high school reunion. He was still Jerry…sweet, funny, talented and ethical to a degree few ever reach.
I weep for his much loved family, and wish I could be there to celebrate his life.”

Jerry would have passionately agreed with Helen’s childhood, end-of-the-world story.

This song always brought tears to my eyes during the long stretch Jerry…

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For 1/14/18

Published on 01/14/2018 by J-Dub7 Comments

Rules and Ping Back to Song Lyric Sunday 1/14/18.

Today’s prompt natural disasters.

My very first thought was Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane. And while I love the Scorpions … especially Klaus with his outstanding vocals, Rock You Like A Hurricane is my least favorite of their songs.

I also prefer to show a softer side. After Harvey Danger Flagpole Sitta on my 1/7/18 entry, I needed to see some lightness. In the darkness of a natural disaster? C’mon J-Dub. Think!

Hmmmm. While not likely very original, here is my entry of Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks Landslide.