Computer Problems...

I've been having some problems with my computer. I'm not big on technical terms, but it freezes or locks up at the most inconvenient times. It's constantly telling me my network cable is unplugged when I know darn well it isn't. I can see the cable's in it's proper slot, nice and tight. It tells me I have new mail when I don't and vice versa. I've run virus ware, and spy ware, defragged it numerous times, all to no avail. Now I finally know what my problem is.

A gremlin has taken up residence in my computer. She's been here a while, I just didn't notice it. (Yes, girl gremlins exist. though they're quite rare. They prefer to be called gremmies.)This little gremmie is quite sneaky by nature. She usually appears and disappears when I least expect it. She's generally a creature of mischief. though sometimes helpful, and sometimes she can be very spiteful! I try not to make her angry (she hates bad jokes), as she tends to radiate bad luck when displeased.

She was quite satisfied with her living conditions until I had to give up eating cookies (she was happy eating the crumbs that sifted between the keys on the keyboard). It turns out she hates potato chips and pickle juice, so I'm trying to find something that she WILL like, that won't gum up my keyboard. Hopefully, she'll leave my computer alone then. Any advice on dealing with gremlins would be greatly appreciated!

An Easter Prayer

God, give us eyes to see

the beauty of the spring,

And to behold Your majesty

in every living thing.

And may we see in lacy leaves

and every budding flower

The Hand that rules the universe

with gentleness and power.

And may this Easter grandeur

that spring lavishly imparts

Awaken faded flowers of faith

lying dormant in our hearts.

Give us ears to hear, dear God,

the springtime song of birds

With messages more meaningful

than man's often empty words.

Telling harried human beings

who are lost in dark despair

'Be like us and do not worry

for God has you in His care.'

~Helen Steiner Rice~

To all my friends here, I wish you a joyous day, filled with blessings and love!

No News Is Good News?

Just when I had myself convinced that this was the case, and had started to relax, I found it just isn't true. Not in this case anyways.

I just got a call from my doctor. It wasn't good news, it was exactly what I was afraid of. But that's okay. I can handle it. I will handle it.

My first reaction was to cry. Next, I called my mom. Yes, I admit it, I'm a wimp. When trouble calls, I call my mom.

My second reaction was to get proactive. Get more information. Set up a 'battle plan', if you will. Get more information. (Yes, I know I'm repeating myself here, but I'm a firm believer in 'knowledge is power'.)

Deep inside, I still want to cry. I want to run away, pretend this isn't happening to me. But I also know that that wouldn't help anything, wouldn't change anything.

My greatest wish right now is that I lived closer to my family. I don't and that isn't likely to change any time soon. So I find myself here instead.

Moon Struck

Last night the sky was awesome. A nearly full moon glowed on a black velvet sky, inspiring me to write. My poor words can't come close to capturing the beauty of the night, but I've decided to share them anyways.


"Night Sounds"

The sounds of a quiet night
are anything but silent
there's a fountain whispering
in the pond below
the occasional truck
rumbling on the highway
a soft breeze
rustling through leaves
and the refrigerator humming.
I feel like I alone am awake
the daylight world
slumbers with the sun
as I wish upon the moon.


"Full Moon" (haiku)

oh beautiful moon
floating through a sea of night
lovely glowing pearl

Gene Pitney

I heard some sad news yesterday. One of my teen idols, Gene Pitney, died April 5 in a hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. He was on a tour of Britain, and at a concert just the night before, received a standing ovation. He was only 65.

Gene Pitney had numerous hit songs back in the '60's, including "Town Without Pity", "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "Only Love Can Break A Heart", "Every Breath I Take", and "24 Hours From Tulsa", just to name a few. I was surprised to learn that he wrote "He's a Rebel", performed by the Crystals, and "Hello Mary Lou" that I remember best performed by Ricky Nelson.

Another one of my heroes is gone. I'll never forget you, Gene Pitney. Your music will live in my heart forever.

"Town Without Pity"

(written by D. Tiomkin and N. Washington)

When you're young and so in love as we
And bewildered by the world we see
Why do people hurt us so
Only those in love would know
What a town without pity can do

If we stop to gaze upon a star
People talk about how bad we are
Ours is not an easy age
We're like tigers in a cage
What a town without pity can do

The young have problems, many problems
We need an understanding heart
Why don't they help us, try to help us
Before this clay and granite planet falls apart

Take these eager lips and hold me fast
I'm afraid this kind of joy can't last
How can we keep love alive
How can anything survive
When these little minds tear you in two
What a town without pity can do

How can we keep love alive
How can anything survive
When these little minds tear you in two
What a town without pity can do

No, it isn't very pretty
What a town without pity can do