Author: Maria Lee

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Thanksgiving – A Holiday or Daily Occurrence??

T – Turkey
H – Ham
A – Asparagus
N – Nuts
K – Kale
S – Stuffing
G – Giblets
I – Iceberg lettuce
V – Vichyssoise
I – Indigestion
N –New Potatoes
G – Gravy

Thoughts of the annual holiday, but shouldn’t it be a daily holiday. Thanksgiving is a holiday, usually remembered for the food, but a day to reflect on what has been accomplished the past year. Shouldn’t we do this every day? Remember our accomplishments and failures.
The world has become a place of indecision, complaining and idleness. Why? Not sure but I feel that one person at a time can change the earth to a positive and valuable place. How, that is sort of easy but it will take some commitment on your part and in the process, maybe you will enlighten someone to do the same, and so on and so on.

Am I looking through rose-colored glasses? Maybe – why not? If I see the world in a different light perhaps I can make a difference, one moment at a time. So let’s see how uncomplicated it could be:

T – Time – take some for yourself, do it daily just to close out the busy and loud distractions in life just for the moment. This will help you relax and make the rest of the day a little easier to cope with.

H – Help – everyone needs it, even you. If you need help, ask! If someone asks, make it a priority to listen to the request and then help – it really isn’t that hard. And if you can’t help, find some who can.

A – Advice – be careful when you give it. If someone asks, think before you answer. Make sure what opinion you give, you follow. That is why they asked. PS – only give advice when ask, do not meddle, it is really tacky.

N – Nice – being nice is not really that hard but it seems to be something that has gone away. When talking with anyone, including family, being nice shows that you care and you feel that the person you are facing is important and needs to be treated that way. Remember – what goes around comes around.

K – Kindness – need I say more. A little kindness goes a long way. They will remember how you behaved towards them and will do the same.

S – Stability – I know, I know the world is in flux, but you can make your garden stable by being consistent. Make sure what you do on a daily basis with family and friends remain the same from day-to-day. Just because you feel out of sorts, you don’t need to let them know or make them uneasy. They need the stability too.

G – Genuine – be the ‘real McCoy’. You are you; do not try to be something/someone else. We are individuals so be an individual. That is what make you – you. Some people may not like it but be genuine with yourself and in time you may win the naysayers over.

I – Ideas – they are in your head, listen to them. Do you want to do something whacky – why not try it? If you fail (and that may happen), you will not be lamenting that fact years later that you didn’t try. There will be people that will tell you are nuts, but it is your idea, not theirs – maybe they are feeling jealous and want you to quit so they don’t feel alone. Maybe you should ask them what they want to do and help them achieve it. It is more fun helping someone; you get that warm cuddly feeling that will make your day.

V – Validate – let someone know when they accomplished their goal or even yourself. Everyone needs some sort of gratification. It proves that anything can be done.

I – Impression – what is yours? Do people see you the way you want them to? Do you like yourself? Remember – first impression only happen once – make it GREAT.

N – Network – if you want to succeed in anything, you need to network. Go out and meet people, friends, family and the world. You cannot get that job, find the ideal location, or meet that special person if you don’t network in one way or another. Church socials, charity events, bazaars, or work – walk up to that person you don’t know and introduce yourself and see what happens. Everything is virtual now but time will come when we can meet in person but networking is still the same. Remember – first impressions.

G – Growth – I feel that if you follow one, two or all of the THANKSGIVING items, you will grow. You can’t help it. By doing just one, you are setting yourself up personal gratification and in the process who know what can happen.

I have started the T (Time) and am working on H (Help) and N (Nice). One or two at a time and then, who knows, I may get followers, who get followers –

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100 Miles in 100 Days

The headline read “100 Miles in 100 Days”. I knew I had to try as I had started walking daily for my health, and you also got a t-shirt. Who does not like free shirts?

The object was for people to come visit and explore Ridgefield WA and the Wildlife Refuge Center. I did not drive to Ridgefield but stayed in my neighborhood and used the early morning before the heat took over. It was awesome. I met so many people, saw animal life and just experienced the wonders of the world.

The first few days were just before the sun made an entrance, but the crows let me know that I was intruding into their time, quite loudly in fact. They could be just downright obnoxious before they figured out, I was going to be there every day, so just shut the beak up (and I told them that quite a few times). In the beginning, the other objectionable birds were the parents trying to organize a new home and ready the place for the babies. Their dive-bombing became hazardous at times. But we eventually came to terms after a couple of discussions. There was the owl that greeted me each day; I am still not sure if he was saying ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Night’, at least he cared. My favorites were the deer as I watched the little fawns learned to prance, loose their freckles, and become beautiful members of the Mother Nature Family. There was a moment that I wished I had had my phone with me as one morning there made the perfect picture. Mom sitting in the shadow of a tree, Dad standing over her and on watch for whatever, (possibly me) and the little one (with ears bigger than his head) playing in the field. A Bambi moment and me with no camera.

There was also Murphy and his owner, a walker from down the block who did three miles every day. Never got her name but there was always a “Good Morning” or a comment on the weather. The runner, who I could spot down the street because of the day-glow vest, that said hi when we passed. Or the neighbor who was also walking for his health. Other people like me who found that the outdoors is a great place to see the world.

As I walked the last few days in the security of my home, doing circuits around the house; I could not help but think about the ‘friends’ I had made and what the air was doing to them. So, I watched through the windows and noticed the birds were not flying but using the water in the pan I had set up. In fact, the only flying birds were the hummingbirds to get food from the feeders outside the windows.

As I have not heard the owl, not sure of his outcome. The rabbits have come out from under the bushes to get the food but still prefer to hide. As for the deer, yesterday is the first time I have seen them since the apocalypse setting, we had for a week. Mother Nature will prevail but at what cost.

Thank you for the incentive with the ‘100 Miles in 100 Days’. My total was 279.03, a few days with only one mile but some over four miles. I now know I can do and that makes this seventy-year-old lady quite happy. It will keep me going for another 100 days.

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Still the Wallflower

Given awards can be a good thing unless the one being received is just to placate the receiver.

The setting is a 15-year family reunion, and everyone is being recognized for their accomplishments.

The last award is for Maria and the plaque reads – Still the Wallflower”

Thank you, my dear family for bestowing me the “Still the Wallflower” award.

Over the years at family functions, I do tend to blend in with the background. I found it was easier than trying to compete with members who come to primp and crow.

As you all know (and have heard at least five times today), Kenny was Captain and quarterback of the football team, no matter which school he was attending (all five of them). Everyone always talks about the games and his skills. Not sure it helps now that he is a car salesman.

Elizabeth, with her blue eyes and blonde hair, who became known as the model who traveled and “met” everyone. At each reunion, she must update us all on her circle of friends, the stars she has met and where she has traveled. It sounds like an exciting life, but two failed marriages are not something I would boast about.

What about Grandma Flo, why doesn’t she get an award? The oldest family member here or something more appropriate “The Matriarch of the Karan Klan”. She has memories for over eighty years, and you put her in a chair in the back of the room with the kids. I spent the day with her and learned a lot about our family (not sure if some should have been told) and helped her with the babies (you know that free daycare). Did you have any idea that she was a nurse in World War II while Grandpa was fighting in India for us to do what we can do today? Do you even want to know?

There are always the babies, the newest additions to these great family events. They need to be cuddled, pinching of the cheeks, hugged and the center of attention, at least until the diapers need to be changed, bottles emptied and finally, and I do mean finally, nap time.

Me, I did things in the background, sent the invitations, organized the food, games, cleanup, in general, made the event work while the rest of you boasted on your accomplishments and drank.

So, I gladly accept the “Still the Wallflower” award and thank you for finally noticing that I am here and a part of the family.

Can I have a glass of wine, please?

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Memories Are Alive

The room is filled with objects
But not just ordinary things –
Lace from a dress worn years ago
Pressed flowers from that boy, no longer here
A cracked and faded bowl with hand-prints
Pictures, so many, of people and places
Books, some read, some waiting to be.
Pieces of past, parts of her history
Yes, she is in the room.
Don’t you see her? Surrounded by friends
Are you a listener or a gawker?
Do you talk to her or at her?
Do you even know her?
Think of the past she can bring alive.
The memories that can be shared
Do you want to know how she grew up?
Or do you just scoff at her stories?
Do you ask why this or that happen and when?
Or do you just talk about things without involving her?
Everyone has memories but hers are fading
So stop and ask questions
Her memories are alive and will be yours for tomorrow.

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The Call

‘Tomorrow, You’re Only A Day Away’ – words sung by a little girl who wishes for a better time.

We all wish for a better tomorrow but I have a question – How many of you have had an important call to make but keep putting it off until tomorrow?

Let me tell you a story to explain my thoughts on this.

About thirty years ago, my immediate family moved from Colorado to Washington, leaving family all other family there in four seasons Colorado.  In the first few months, there were lots of calls ‘home’, to get caught up on lives and to place orders for items I couldn’t find here.  After a while, the calls became less frequent, then only birthdays and holidays.  As lives became busier, even these calls were missed – I’ll do it tomorrow.  But that didn’t always happen.

But one afternoon about 20 years ago (it doesn’t seem that long ago) I received ‘The Call’.  My Dad was seriously ill and decisions had to be made.  As I held the phone and waited for the Doctor to verify something, my memories went places I had forgotten about.  My Dad, My Hero, was in serious condition and I had put off that call.  The person in my life who was always there for me, to call when I needed just to talk. He was the barrier when my Mother came unglued – he knew how to calm her down and wrap his arms around me to keep me safe.

I was his first child and we had a special bond and because of this we did things together.  To this day, I have a unique space in my mind and heart that includes only him and our adventures.

 While listening to ‘Muzac’ as I waited on hold for the doctor a couple adventures that stay at the top and keep creeping into my being at unexpected times did so now.  A road trip to New York to meet his family and touch base with my Moms who were in the area.  You need to imagine, two adults and 2 girls (ages of 7 and 10) in one Ford station wagon pulling a camper.  Let’s just say some of the days were really long.  To keep us entertained, we played ‘slug bug’ and I bruise easily.  Also reading the signs

IF YOU   DON’T KNOW
WHOSE SIGNS
THESE ARE
YOU CAN’T HAVE
DRIVEN VERY FAR
Burma Shave.

Competition was loud and fierce and I remember hearing my Mom and then my Dad reminding us to quiet down ‘or else’.  We had an awesome time at his family home in Sayville, NY and great stop at Old Faithful to which is verified in an ad for Enco Oil.  My Dad is pictured in the ad sitting on a log viewing the hot spout.  Now that is priceless for so many reasons.

The second is an afternoon with just us.  He worked at an ice plant moving ice blocks for delivery and the money was used just for entertainment.  That day was a double header with the Denver Bears.  We had box seats behind home base and I still have a signed album by Rex Allen (yes country even then), who was the entertainment between games.  I caught (well he caught as I didn’t see it coming) a foul ball.  Have no idea what happened to the ball but the memory is still there.

And now the girls had choices to make, phone calls back and forth for about two weeks until it was decided to bring my Dad here to Vancouver and to spend his last years with my family as between the three of us, Rusty, my husband, Geoff, my son and myself, we could be around all day to make sure he would never be alone. The years promised turned into only two weeks. It was a long two weeks but a period where I learned that calls are important.

I still wonder if I had called at Christmas when he started feeling bad, could I have talked him into going to the doctor sooner?  If I had called could l have convinced him to move out here sooner?  Could I have moved back to Colorado and taken care of him there?

A lot of what ifs but the point I wish to make, all I really needed to do was pick up the phone, dial and just talk.   

Tomorrow, You’re Only A Day Away’ – it is not a day away, it is now – make that call.

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OUR HEROES

They came when called
They never hesitated
Their number was called
And
They stepped forward because
-They cared about their country
– They loved their family
– They knew it was right.
Who are They?
Fathers -Army
Mothers – Air Force
Sons – Marines
Daughters – Navy
Sisters – EMT
Brothers – Fireman
Your next-door neighbors – Coast Guard
Your best Friends – Police
Individuals who stepped up
Individual who said “Yes”
Why are they special?
They had the determination
They had the understanding
They had the courage
To stand up for their beliefs
They had the courage
To say, “I WILL”
And to those individuals
We Say
Thank you for your willingness to help
Thank you for being there when needed
Thank you for your courage to do what was right!

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Welcome to Maria’s Missive

My name is Maria Lee and I like to write; to put down on paper (or the computer screen) my thoughts, ideas, comments, and stories that touch me and my soul.    My favorite form of communication is poetry and telling stories.  This blog will have both.  The poetry may have been written years ago and just now.  The prose will be speeches for Toastmasters, thoughts on the world today or just memories from whenever.

I am going to try and post something new (at least for the audience) each week and you will be able to leave comments.  I am asking that you post intelligently not offensively; constructive comments will be appreciated but negative bashing will not work.

By the way, if you are wondering why a picture of Pegasus – if horses can fly so can I with my words.  Touch people and let them know that they are not alone.

Enjoy!!!