Valentine's Day -- The Memory

I am not a romantic person by nature. Anything that I do which remotely resembles a romantic advance or moment comes with a lot of effort.

The other night, Chris gave me a huge compliment--one that I really appreciate, but ast the same time it also scares me! She indicated that our Valentines Day was probably the most romantic thing that I have ever done.

We decided that since she had been away the previous week, to forgo the overly expensive, but nice Valentine's Day dinner at a local restaurant and I would cook her favorite dinner.

Well, as it turned out, I really got into the whole idea of making this a special evening at home and since she was out doing her usual Monday evening time at Nicole and Mike's, I actually had the opportunity to "set" a mood before she got home.

And so, the picture is of the table set and ready as she walked through the door. The salad course on the plates and the wine in the glasses.  We chose a 1999 Parador Red wine, which is a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo that we found during our Napa Valley vacation last year.   It was fabulous.

The table was simple but elegant on Wedgwood china and our best silver. The dinner simple--baked salmon and vegetables with a cheese cake dessert accompanied by a brand port we have had for a few years.

The chef (me) had everything timed to begin upon Chris' arrival at the door. The candles were lit around the house, soft music was playing and once we were ready, the salmon was placed in the already preheated oven.  Coffee was also served as an after dinner drink.

We enjoyed a leisurely salad course as the salmon baked. Catching up on the events of the day and the past week all the while the stress fell from her shoulders and soon, before long, my wife once again emerged finally back at least for a moment, into our lives unencumbered by everything else clamoring for her attention. The salmon was perfectly seasoned with dill and lemon pepper and cooled to perfection. Most importantly, it was served still hot--fresh from the oven. The vegetable medley complimented the fish and the cheesecake was not too sweet, and so it complimented the Port and the rest of the dinner.

We savored the meal, the conversation, and the time together. The evening was perfect.  I'm not sure we will ever again be able to face the noise and bustle of restaurant Valentines Day.

Why did Chris' compliment scare me? I may have raised the bar too high and may never be able to do anything which can even compare to Monday night again, let alone exceed it.  I should have managed expectations better.

In Search of Springtime

I have to confess--I had to make a quick trip to the truck at about 10:30 yesterday morning and I almost didn't go back into work.

Yes--I was suddenly besieged by a terminal case of Spring Fever.

I haven't experinced temperatures as pleasant as those of yesterday since early November.

They were awesome and the sky was blue with puffy clouds.  It was cool--but not cold.

I didn't even wear an overcoat ot work this morning the 47 degree temperature was so pleasant.

I know there remains at least one more cold blast from the Arctic--but for yesterday and most of this week I will be searching for the new growth associated with Springtime and enjoying moderate teperatures celebrating the near end of an extremely cold and unpleasant winter.

For those of you up north--I'm sorry, but it is on its was there, too.

Stick with it.  Pretty soon we will all be cursing the need to mow the lawn.

Monday Musings - February 14, 2011

.
1. Happy Valentines Day--hope you didn't forget.

2. I went shopping the other night with my best girl. She sat patiently in the car while I went into the grocery store. Later, when we went to her favorite store, PetSmart, she was on her best behavior in the store helping me pick out her favorite treats. I even got her a new chew bone--which she approved of before I put it into the cart. It is amazing how things change when we are living on our own.

3. After a short break--family Sunday resumed yesterday. It met every expectation--but even better, I fired the grill up for the first time in 2011 and we had steak for dinner. The promise of 60 degree weather by the end of the week sure have me getting excited.

4. Egypt is celebrating--I hope the end result is better than what the people had before.

5. BTW--it is Baseball season. Spring Training has begun with the arrival of pitchers and catchers. it is time to transition the excitement of the off season dealing into a baseball season of excitement rather than disappointment. Do I have my expectations set to high? Probably, but that is what Spring Training is all about--30 teams all even in the race to win the World Series.

6. In the aftermath of the Super Bowl last week, I ran across this quote from the guy the trophy is named after: If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score? Vince Lombardi

7.  Hey, did you see that Boeing is making a new 747 variant? How can something 40-plus years old be new again? I'd like to find our because I am a fifty-something looking to be new again, too.

Moderating Temperatures

I could not believe the weather forecast for the week ahead when I saw it on TV last evening. It seems the tide has turned on the bitterly cold weather--at least for a bit.

While there still is a lot of snow remaining to melt, it should be gone by this time next week.

The weather is predicted to even provide us a 60 degree day on Friday. A sure sign that Spring is not so far off and that outside activities may once again resume.

Bring on the pool floaties. Well, maybe it is a bit premature for that kind of activity.

But 60 degrees--that is warm enough to lower the top on Cat and cruise the neighborhood--with the heat blasting of course.

I will not be sad to see the snow melt. There is a lot of yard work already piling up to restore the lawns and yard to their pre-winter condition. The season has not been kind. We have at least one tree which will be taking up residence at the recycling center very soon as the snow and ice broke its back, so to  speak.

But the thought of 60 degrees is almost as exciting as actually achieving the day. I may have to play hookie from work during the afternoon to enjoy the day to its fullest. I think the medical condition is termed, spring fever.

Eyes Closed Tight and Full Speed Ahead

The wreck that happened was obvious to everyone.

Full speed ahead and totally oblivious to the consequences. Not seeing the warning signs.

It can be almost as bad as the head-in-the-sand approach to life.
I know people who seem to attack life in a hair-of-fire approach and seem to get slapped down at every turn.

They don't pause to consider dodging the oncoming mess until they are mired deeply in it.

What are the warning signs of an impending crisis? It could be financial when the outlays at the end of the month exceed income and those extra expenses start making their way to the credit cards. It could be health related--when those aches and pains that used to be present when we roll out of bed now stay with us all day. Or the cough that has hung around for months. Or in school when the homework becomes and afterthought and the grades begin a gradual slide down the rating scale.

The signs are there. Open your eyes.  Take corrective action before life collides with you like and oncoming train.

The light at the end of the tunnel may be the oncoming train of life and with a bit of recognition, the siding may be the best place to go..

Walking Backward

So, kind of as a corollary to yesterday's post, I spent some time thinking about some of the people I know who seem to be walking backward through life.

Their entire focus is on what happened in the past--without ever really turning around to see what is in front of them.

These are some of the saddest people I know.

Why?

Because their focus on the past is usually recounting and reliving something bad that happened to them that they cannot get over. Some transgression caused by someone they loved, or some failure of their own.

They become consumed with their anguish and cannot turn around to see that tomorrow is where the possibilities are and that yesterday is hostory--and try as we might, we cannot rewrite what has happened. We can, however, change the future!

I've been to that place, I admit. And I can pity party with the best of them.  Ask Chris.

But it is so much better to turn around and face forward to deal with things you can affect rather than lamenting history.

Looking Forward

Sometimes I sit around looking backwards at the cool stuff that has happened. It is nice to have memories and pictures and trinkets of things I've done or places I've been.

But remembering the good times doesn't make them return.

I took a survey the other day--questions about what I like and what I like to do--those kinds of things and one question that I really enjoyed was: "What is your favorite day of the year?"

I could have answered in many different ways--Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Independence Day, the First Day of Summer and so on.

But I wrote: the first day of vacation. I love the start of the adventure. The beginning of something really different. The feeling that there is a lot ahead that I am about to do.

I want to look forward in expectation of something really cool and special. To an event unbounded by what I have done in the past. A change.

Of course the survey never asked what is the saddest day of the year? It is of course the day I go back to work after vacation. I spend all day thinking about what happened in the past and I get no enjoyment from today or what is going to happen in the future.

I like looking forward in anticipation.

Time, Toast, and Toes

It is funny--when I get to spend a week bacheloring it with my dog around the house; time seems to fly right by. I wish I could just sit and relax--but there seems to be laundry to do, cats to feed and litter boxes to freshen.

I noticed it yesterday morning as I was eating my toast. Makayla was there ,as usual, waiting for that last corner from each piece that I faithfully give her every day. I was writing a blog entry about my family and how we all rock. And then, I  realized that counters needed cleaning, dishes needed washing, and OMG, the laundry that I started three days ago was still in the dryer--fortunately it was mostly undergarments and towels. Chris will never notice the other items. Maybe. Not.

And as I began to get later for work--the dog food was low, her water was out, and Makalya needed her second walk of the morning. Sadly, she decided not to "give it up" very easily and so we were outside for what seemed like forever and the clock was ticking in what seemed like double time until she finally found the exactly perfect spot for her business.  Which I speedily scooped up and deposited in the trash.

Normally, I play racquetball on Tuesday mornings--but not this week, thankfully. It gives me a bit more time.

And then I thought about my toes--yes--toes. I normally love going barefoot around the house, but this winter we have been keeping the house so cold that the thought of going barefoot begins involuntary shivers throughout my body.

How I would love to have my toes dug into hot sand on a beach somewhere with the hot sun beating down on my bare lotion-covered back and the gentle sea breeze washing over me with the sweet, clean, smells of the ocean.

Daydreaming--not allowed!

Time to rush off to the office and forget about time, toast, and toes and get back to the grind of life and living in the medium-fast lane.

That's How We Roll: Family Dynamics

My family is very resilient.  I often forget this, but this past weekend I was reminded how quickly we can mobilize to respond to a crisis.

The scenario: Chris is already "deployed" to Buffalo, NY (yes, I know it is the middle of the winter and she is reporting the ever increasing snow fall being dumped on her). She is assisting family embroiled in a long-term health battle by providing assistance and comic relief. And then, Sunday--with no warning, we developed another crisis right here in Maryland. Somehow, I wound up in the role of first responder--but by the end of the day, when the situation had calmed, everyone had played a part in helping the situation. The immediate crisis has passed, but the long-term implications are still being explored.

And so--to my family.

Independent--yet connected.

Ready to help out at a moments notice--but also willing to allow everyone to have space.

Most important--caring.

And that is how we roll.

Monday Musings - February 7, 2011

1. The Super Bowl certainly was an exciting game. Congrats to the Packers and the Steelers for providing a hard fought, and generally well played game. Sadly, it may also be the last NFL Football game unless the looming work stoppage and lock-out can be averted.

2. Spring looms even closer. Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in less than two weeks!

3. Families are meant to be resilient. We have been doing the diving and conquering thing for a couple of days now with a stream of continuing crises.

4. When I woke up last Thursday, I had no idea that Chris would be in Buffalo by the end of the day--it is amazing how life can turn so quickly sometimes.

5. The weather forecasting rodent may have been correct--it sure has warmed up since Phil predicted an early spring.

6. The snow has almost melted from my yard in many places. I can see dead grass! Great. Gas up the mower, Spring is coming.

7.  It was so warm yesterday, I considered putting the top down on the convertible--then I checked the thermometer and found it was only 47 degrees. A bit cold for top-down driving. It just seemed nice by comparison.

8. Life is a journey--but sometimes I forget where the final destination is actually located. As I was singing yesterday in church, the last line of the bridge in Hillsong United's Hosanna really spoke to me, the line goes as follows:  

Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity.

9. There are still honorable and honest people in the world. I met a few yesterday during a family crisis. Look for the good in people and you will find it.