So, I have to go to Kaiser twice a week now for a few months.  I usually go in the mornings so I don't have to worry about it the rest of the day.  Today, however, was a particularly interesting day.   These are stupid things that I saw, all before 9:00am:

     *  Okay, I am sure I have mentioned this before and it may not be as stupid as it is just gross!!  Kaiser, my medical center, has a farmers market.  This just grosses me out.  Like I am going to buy pears that have been manhandled by people with the flu or with conjunctivitis or even things much, much worse.  **Shudders**  

     *  While sitting in the waiting room, a woman, I would say about my age, was waiting there when I walked in.  I sat down and took my knitting out of my purse (Aside note here....I don't think I am going to finish all those Christmas socks!!) and then I looked up to assess the room.  Again, I am not sure if this is as stupid as it is ingenious(!), the woman had a red Sharpie out and she was "highlighting" what appeared to be all of her gray hairs!!  Not only was she covering up the gray, but she was getting a bit of a red tint!  Bored or merely genius?!?  Your call.

     *  Again at Kaiser (there might be a theme here....), it was 45 degrees Fahrenheit this morning, there was this man, walking around with a T-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.   Yes, I know this is Cali, but I also am smart enough to know 45 degree is @#$%^&*( cold!!!

     *  While driving home, there was an ambulance coming up from behind.  Now, I realize it has been years and years since driver's ed, but I am almost positive that the rule is still to move over to the right and let the ambulance (fire truck, policeman, etc.) pass.  The car beside me, not only did not pull over and stop or even slow down, he took advantage (we call these people advantage takers (!), I know, brilliant!) of the lights being green and closely followed the ambulance, going through all the green lights! I am not positive, but I think both acts may be against the law!

     *  There was this couple crossing the street at a very busy intersection, they clearly had the red, do not walk, sign indicating....obviously, DO NOT WALK!  They walked!  Our light turned green, but we could not go because there were people in the crosswalk.  The man, like if this made it better or really mattered at all, put his hand up and waved and smiled and nodded apologetically. 

     *  Texting while driving....wait a second...that was me!! Nevermind!

I thought there was another one, but it escapes me at this time.  I may remember it, I may not.

I love the fall with the leaves falling, things dying waiting for the warmth of spring to wake them up, and with the possibility of seeing my family in a few weeks.  What a beautiful time of the year.  I don't know if it is just me or what, but I have seen an awful lot of red leaves this year.  It just seems in the past, they go from green to yellow to dead, sometimes, perhaps, a gold or red color thrown in.  But this year, there are like whole trees just red, red, red....hang on, let me show you an example...

These are the trees in my backyard.  The one is entirely red while the other two are a mixture of the red and yellow.  I don't know, maybe it is just me, but I don't recall this many red leaves in the past. I find it rather pretty. 

Wow!! It just occurred to me that I was talking about something, I took a picture of this thing, and I posted it all within like 4 minutes.  I am positive that 20+ years ago while a younger woman, I would never even thought all of that possible!  Sorry....that just amazed me for a minute.

Alrightly then.  I guess that is all of the knowledge I can share today! 

XOXO

I would walk all the way to Heaven and bring you back again.

I think of you often
and make no outward show,
but what it means to lose you,
no one will ever know.
You wished no one farewell,
not even said good-bye,
you were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
You are not forgotten
nor will you ever be,
as long as life and memories last,
I will remember thee.
To some you may be forgotten,
to others a part of the past,
but to me who loved you dearly,
your memories will always last.
Nothing can be more beautiful
than the memories I have of you.
To me, you were someone special,
God must have thought so too!
If tears could build a staircase
and memories a lane,
I would walk all the way to Heaven,
and bring you back again.
-Anon.

It is the start of a new holiday season and I only think of my Daddy and how much I miss him.  I miss his calls and the way he would say, "Hey, hey Velvet..." in that southern drawl of his. No one really knows the amount of tears that I have shed and continue to cry over him.  My aunt told me that the first year was the hardest; well, the second is not very much better. There are so many things going on in my life that I wish I could just call him up and tell him.  There are things that I am sure only he would understand.  He would not be happy or proud of me, of this I am sure, but he would be understanding and love without condition.  He would give his advice without judgement.  He would offer his shoulder for my tears.  He would lead and guide me without really knowing he was.  

Daddy, I miss you.  I wish every day you were here so I could tell you that I love you.  I long for one more minute to be with you, just so I was sure you knew that I have always loved you.  I hate thinking that there may have been a doubt because I did not say it that much.  I hope you knew.  I am making socks for the whole family for Christmas Eve and I think about the socks I would have made him.  I can see him rolling his eyes at me, making fun of my socks, but putting them on and wearing them proudly.  Not a single day goes by, that I don't think about him.  Not a single day goes by that I don't feel him with me.  That one thought brings me much comfort...he may not be with me physically, but I feel him watching over me.  I feel him in my heart. For that, I am thankful.  

XOXO