I am grateful for friends!

In the past few weeks, I have been pushing myself to get up and work...to get up and feed the dog...to get up and find something to embrace. It hasn't been easy but there is always something or someone that crosses my path and reminds me of why I'm here...usually, it's friends. I posted this group/song a while back on Facebook before my surgery...while I was looking back, it hit me that this was the piece I wanted to post here.

Since I posted it on FB, so many things have happened. My mind is reeling with thoughts of all of the unexpected's that happened...like ending up in the hospital multiple times...and then being told I have skin cancer which took three times to get it all.... and I still can't wrap my mind around any of it. Today, I received a letter from a dear old friend. It was sent through snail mail...a delight from the old days. I was reminded of something that happened a long time ago that was lost deep within the basement in my mind. It was a good memory....which are few and far between for someone who has had so much damn trauma in her life. Don't get me wrong... I'm not a victim...I'm a survivor! Few of you know all of it which can be a gift and a curse.

What I like about this version of this song by this band is that they're doing it in memory of a friend. I'd love to do something like this for the loved ones I've lost recently....funny how I think of that after the fact...after their gone. I've been working, for the past few years, at remembering how important it is to let the people I love know that I love them while I'm still here...while their still here. I fall short so much of the time. There are so many people that I want to put their face in my hands and tell them how amazing they are and how they make my heart feel so good. I want to kiss their sweet little head and bless them for all of their days to come. And then, life happens and I forget to do that...and sometimes it's just too late and then they're gone...right before our eyes.

So, my message tonight is...don't wait until it's too late.

for all my friends....I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Raul Midon once again gives a message with his music. I thought this was a great piece of musical creativity for this week of giving thanks. I am fortunate to be spending the weekend with some dear friends of mine who have offered to help me with my grandmother's cabin. We will be playing and working and more playing. This place is on a beautiful river and the weather is perfect for a bonfire. I can't wait to hear the laughter in my family's home. I give thanks for the friends that light up my soul everyday.

Northern Exposure- Ed's gift to Ruth Ann

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uJx_Mg5HWk&feature=related (3 Min.s)

Here's another short clip from Northern Exposure. You may remember Ed (played by Darren Burrows), who worked in the shop with Ruth Anne( played by Peg Phillips) and longed to be a film maker. I loved both of these characters. I loved Ed for his simple tactless honesty and creativity. He was a soft spoken character that made me want to move closer to the TV to hear every word he was saying. Ruth Anne was a similar character in that way, but every now and then, she would surprise the audience in a elderly wise woman way. In this clip, Ed gives Ruth Anne a tiny piece of land, in view of the mountain for her birthday. His intention is to give her this spot for her grave. It's a humorous clip with a tender feel to it.

Enjoy!
Josie

Northern Exposure - We are here for each other.

Chris on the Radio:
Link is 1 min. and 59 sec.
Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF0VEq7N904


Today I picked a clip from Northern Exposure, a show that I wish was still running. I always loved what Chris had to say on the local radio station in the fictional town of Cicely Alaska. It was actually filmed in Rosalyn Washington and I had the good fortune to visit the town during that time. It was like walking into the twilight zone when I walked by the side of the building that the moose walks by in the opening of the show. Of course, we took photos and did the tourist thing with a flare.

When I walked in front of the radio window where the character of Chris did his show, I stopped...looked in and saw the set up...just like the show. What was missing? Well, Chris, played by John Corbett wasn't there. He made the KBHR station come alive with his presence. He read from many of the great thinkers and shared musings on the nature of life. He always gave me something to think about. I miss shows like that. There are a few for me, but this was one of my favorites. I think this clip, which is only 1 min. and 59 sec.s says it all for today.

We are all here for each other.
Have a fearless day,
Josie

Evening Porch Talk

Back to the porch, summer's waning, the tree is full and green with the ever occasional leaf falling. After a week away, I settled back into my porch talk with Rena, Jann and Scoutie. So here we are with the topics of the day.

I drove five hours today with many construction stops. I heard the memorial for 9/11 in every small Missouri town. So, when I got home, that was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

Flash Forward~~~ Two hours....
I'm sitting on the porch with Rena and Jann, watching the hummingbirds and laughing like we hadn't seen each other in months.

All of this on a day when I left my river and my cabin...I left my friends from years gone by... I left so much of my heart...and yet, I find that my heart continues to grow large enough for all of these friends and places.

One of our topics tonight on the porch was the color of Jann's Pillar's. She lives across the street and she has been sanding and prepping those things forever. She finally painted the Kilz on and now is ready for the color. Rena and I are challenging her to put up something bold...like brick red ( > ; You would have to see it.

Porch Talk...it's something that fills our inner reservoir.