Fleur de Lisa

A blog.  Oh yes, right.  I remember now.   I haven’t been very wordy lately.  I think about a topic but then either I don’t get around to writing it down or I decide that it’s too personal or whatever.  But all of this surface-y crap that I’ve been writing lately seems rather disingenuous and unauthentic. It’s not the “real me” (more on that another day) and it’s not the reason I started this blog several years ago.

I’ve been thinking about words that  people use to describe their “plus one”… Significant other really bothers me.  Does that mean that everyone else is insignificant?  Also, it sounds so generic and sterile.  Partner sounds as if we’re practicing law together and isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy either.  Girlfriend makes me think that we’re in the 6th grade and we’re passing notes back and forth saying: Do you like me?  Check yes or no.  Wife?  Well, I’m not married, although I can now write the words “married” and “wedding” without breaking out in hives.  (Let’s just keep that between you and me for now.)  That unto itself says a hell of a lot.  But I digress.  Lover?  Well, that has a positive connotation to me as I take it as “one who loves” but I think that many people think of it in a more tawdry sense and therefore thinks that it sounds disposable.

I suppose it doesn’t really matter what word we choose to use because none of them can truly convey the full and complete meaning.  Words are all that we have but sometimes they fail.

Juliet:
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Courtesy of the incomparable Janet.

1. When will I have the answer to the question that’s been weighing on my mind?

2. Edward Sawtelle was the last good book I read or movie I saw or tv show I watched.

3. Everything has its beauty but not everyone can see that beauty.

4. A portobello burger, grilled veggies and a bottle of pinot  noir is what I had for dinner.

5. I’d like your honest answer.

6.Sitting on the “cocktail terrace” is where I want to be right now. (And that’s where I’m headed soon.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to cooking French food for dinner with my sweetie (I’m sure there will be French wine too), tomorrow my plans include sailing and Sunday, I want to read the Times and go to brunch!

I haven’t been much of a blogger lately, but I assure you I’m doing well and I’m alive and kicking.  More on all of that later.

If my ex was witty enough to create this, it could be by her.  For some reason the Q-tip in her ear always made her cough and somehow that irritated the hell out of me.  It’s like that old joke:

A man goes to a doctor’s office. He says, “Doctor, it hurts when I raise my arm over my head.”

The doctor replies, “Then don’t raise your arm over your head.”

Manic Monday #176

When and with whom was your first kiss? I think it was with my third-grade boyfriend, Paul.  It was utterly unremarkable as I remember nothing about it at all.  There’s an art to a really good kiss, and not one that many people seem to know.  However, in recent years I’m been fortunate enough to meet a few who not only know the art, but have perfected it.  I do love a good kiss!

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? I have a little card in my bathroom that says “Nothing happens by accident in God’s world” and every morning I read that as I’m getting ready for my day.  I just think that many times, we don’t know the reason as it’s happening and a few times, we will never know the reason at all.

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Welcome, and I told all of those far-right religious fanatics that I love you all.”

So I’ve been reading Julie and Julia in anticipation of the movie coming out in a few weeks.  I bought it Saturday afternoon and have pretty much plowed through the entire thing so far, it’s an easy read.  It helps that I simply adore Julia Child!  She had that joie de vivre that I find irresistable.

I’ve been a passable cook for a long time, but I never pushed myself much.  And then I went for about a year when I didn’t eat much, and really, what fun is cooking then?  In the past few months I’ve been not only eating, but eating exceptionally well (and I have the much-needed 10 pounds I’ve gained to show for it.)  Last night I tried my hand at Italian-style grilled chicken in which I had to butterfly a whole chicken.  Not a mean feat for someone who went for years not buying any meat with a bone in it.  Hell, I don’t think I cut my own meat on my dinner plate until I was 18 years old.  But I digress.  I was a bit nervous, but it came out great– Ian said it was one of the best chickens ever, and this coming from a beef man.  I’m getting my groove back.  It’s about damn time! Continue Reading »

I haven’t done one of these in a while, but I do love Post Secret. Some of my favorites this week:

This is incredibly sad to me, probably because I’ve seen so much prescription drug abuse over the years.

I wonder who or what I’ll be next? I’m excited to find out too.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four? I certainly hope so.

Courtesy of my dear chicky Janet

1. Pasta and fresh veggies with Parmesan makes a quick and easy dinner.

2. The Three Junes is the book I’m reading right now. (I’d like to pick up a copy of Julie and Julia this weekend – can’t wait for the movie!)

3. July brings back memories of homemade ice cream, swimming in Lake Michigan and summer camp.

4. The truth was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams then they won’t come true, but I think the opposite may be correct.

6. Sometimes I need to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to the farmer’s market and dinner, tomorrow my plans include perhaps a little Symphony on the Prairie and Sunday, I want to take the boy out for some bison!