'Genius in Wonderland'

Once upon a time . . .

2018-07-23T22:13:00.002-05:00

Almost a decade after her parents financed an explorer's voyage across the ocean blue, Catherine, the 16-year-old daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, married 15-year-old Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne. Before those darling teenagers had been married half a year, they found themselves in a castle in Wales and very ill with "a malign vapour which proceeded from the air," which was code for "we don't really know; but it may have been the sweating sickness, tuberculosis, influenza, the plague, or even a genetic condition." The Princess of Wales recovered from her illness and went from blushing bride to mourning widow. Her father-in-law, King Henry VII, did not want to return her dowry to Spain. Instead, he kept Catherine in England while he and his entourage began brainstorming solutions.

After his wife, Elizabeth of York (-- not to be confused with Elizabeth Montgomery who played the wife of actor Dick York on "Bewitched") died the following year, rumor has it that Henry VII considered marrying the Spanish teen; but her Papa sent a NSFW missive across the miles squelching that ideas. That left only Henry Tudor, Arthur's little brother, as a viable option. The deal was sealed (literally, there were several seals on the betrothal document). The plan was for the marriage to take place when Henry turned 15 (June 28, 1506). In 1504, a papal dispensation was granted and there would have been great joy, except Isabella I died. Without Castile, Ferdinand II and his daughter fell several rungs down the social ladder. Henry VII decided that there were better potential wives for the younger Henry to consider. Henry's 15th, 16th, and 17th birthdays went by and still no wedding. Catherine remained stuck in England, with no option other than to wait for her fate to be decided.

Then, seven years after becoming a widow, Catherine was being fitted for a new wedding gown; one fit for a Queen. As luck would have it, Henry had recently ascended to the throne after tuberculosis claimed Henry VII's life. He agreed to honor his betrothal and marry the 23-year-old former Princess of Wales. A couple of weeks after the June wedding came the coronation ceremony. Before the month ended, Henry VIII celebrated his 18th birthday. June of 1509 was a busy month for the young king and queen.

I could tell you that their lives would only get better and the royal couple would live happily ever after. Unfortunately, in the 16th century, being royal was no fairy tale. I wonder if we'll see a happier Queen Catherine in the 21st.

And Then What Happened? . . . Laughter Ensued

2018-07-05T22:55:00.001-05:00

Not really. There were some light chuckles and perhaps a smirk or two. I found it funnier than anyone else . . . which is to be expected . . . as I am the one who said it. In the middle of a room filled with friends and family I enthusiastically shouted, "Brilliant. England won." Then, my brain caught up with my enthusiasm, and I sheepishly said, "I guess that isn't really why we're celebrating today. It being the Fourth of July and all."

Shortly thereafter, we enjoyed some man-made fireworks; quickly followed by God's fireworks. The storms blew in far more quickly than the spectators would have liked. Luckily for us, we were observing from the back deck. The wind and the rain forced us indoors. Then the wind and the rain forced all of the deck chairs off of the deck.

Here is a tidbit of historical fact that you may or may not find interesting:

John Adams, yes, that John Adams ("The Adams Administration" for you Hamilton fans) did not believe in celebrating on July 4th. He believed our country's independence day was actually July 2, 1776. The Continental Congress unanimously voted for independence that day. Of course, Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson, the governor of Virginia while in his early 30s, and the first Secretary of State) supported the idea that it should be on July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence (that he wrote) was signed. They were adversaries for years. Things changed when the country was again at war with England (War of 1812, which ended on Christmas Eve in 1814, though mail was slow then, which is why Colonel Jackson and his troops won the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815. That's a completely different story. I am getting sidetracked. Sorry. Not sorry.) Where was I? Oh yes, I remember. . . . Friends again, TJ and John-boy became dedicated pen pals for the rest of their lives.

Which leads us to one of the most amazing coincidences in American history . . .

On July 4, 1826, fifty years to the day, after signing the Declaration of Independence; John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.

But wait, there's more . . . if the rumors are true . . . John's dying words were, "Thomas Jefferson survives." A comforting thought . . . though, completely false. Thomas Jefferson had died hours earlier.

Happy birthday week, America.

Yes, Sir . . . I'll Have Another

2016-05-17T22:20:00.001-05:00

It is no secret that I detest watching the news. I don’t enjoy the focus on violence and video imagery that “could be disturbing to some viewers”. I also don’t enjoy being spoon-fed hype and exaggeration in the name of ratings. Pretty faces on television telling me what should be important to me is patronizing at best. If I want to know what is going on in the world, I will listen to it on NPR or seek it out in the format I love best: the written word.

Don’t misunderstand. I know that bias exists everywhere. I am not functioning with the illusion that “written” equates to “fair and balanced”. It definitely does not. Still, it is preferable to read tragedy in black and white, rather than watch talking heads with ear buds and teleprompters dictating their every word. I admit that I used to enjoy the investigatory news shows, like Dateline – but, as the tagline says, “Dateline – don’t watch alone!”. I have yet to find anyone who will watch it with me., so I am no longer in their demographic. Someday . . .

The primary issue with being forced to seek out my own news sources is that there are so many news sources. I am a fan of the Wall Street Journal – at elast I was until they stopped delivering the physical paper to me (another story for another day) I love getting a snapshot of the news from USA Today. Besides those two daily papers, I am forced to rely on diving down the rabbit hole better known as the internet. At least I was, until recently.

I have no doubt that I am behind the majority of the Western World in my discovery of the amazing app called “Flipboard”. With an icon that resembles a Stealth Bomber (or a Tetris® piece), Flipboard presents news that matters to me at my fingertips every single moment of the day. I choose the topics, I flip through the articles, and I get to arrange everything with the swipe of a finger. I can remove what doesn’t interest me and save what does. Sharing an article with friends or Twitter followers takes seconds. I can even create my own “magazines” by organizing and consolidating articles.

Per Wikipedia, “Flipboard is a social-network aggregation, magazine-format mobile app localized in more than 20 languages. The software collects content from social media and other websites, presents it in magazine format, and allows users to "flip" through their social-networking feeds and feeds from websites that have partnered with the company.”

Based on different reviews, etc, I have also learned that the tablet experience for Flipboard is even better than the phone experience. I am looking forward to discovering whether this is true with my Surface 3.

Courtesy of Flipboard, here are three “fun facts” I have discovered over the past few days:

1. Acetaminophen reduces pain AND empathy
2. Los Angeles weather women should wear sweaters on the air
3. It's a bad idea to lock my phone with a fingerprint

Peace out.

Quiet Saturday Night

2015-04-04T21:28:00.001-05:00

I'm in Lincoln, chilling at the hospital with my little sis and her new baby girl. So now my best little buddy has a baby sister to love. It's been a beautiful couple of days.

Tonight, we're having a sleepover at the hospital. Since Little Buddy and his daddy are sleeping at home, it's only fair that someone stays to keep his mommy company, too.

Friday Night Excitement

2015-03-20T21:02:00.001-05:00

I cannot imagine anything that could top this Friday night fun I am having. My best little buddy and I just ate green cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Now we are cuddled up with Capt. Roger Wilco (a build a bear) and Elizabeth (a naughty dog), watching a very exciting film, "Mr. Peabody and Sherman". It is a new favorite.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday night with someone you love too.

Practically perfect

2015-03-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

I could have sworn I wrote something here. Where did it go?

I deserved this

2015-03-15T22:33:00.001-05:00

This morning I received a text message that said this:

" Good morning! 'I noticed you're slipping a little on your writing, missing a day here and there.' - Your Conscience "

Tis true. I have been slipping. I have no excuse. I haven't done my taxes yet. No excuse for that procrastination either. To make it up to you, I want you to watch this cool video that I filmed at the Jason Mraz show last Tuesday Night! Inspired by a trip to Antarctica: http://youtu.be /zWHqyGEpMq4

Clueless

2015-03-11T22:23:00.001-05:00

I do not understand how two people share the same experience, yet walk away with completely different perceptions.

I guess this is why my professional life now includes a prescribed course of "Emotional Intelligence" training.

March of the Penguins

2015-03-09T21:38:00.001-05:00

All day I have been writing the date with February instead of March. I blame daylight savings time.

My two year old nephew went up to a little boy crying at day care and said, "It's okay, buddy. Come on I'm gonna fu#k you up." To which my sister turned back around and yelled "Funk... Funk... Uptown Funk" The other adults were smiling and laughing. Nephew smiled and started dancing next to the little boy to cheer him up. Thank you, Bruno Mars.

I need to file my taxes. Maybe I will do that on Wednesday. Tomorrow, I get to go to the Jason Mraz show at the Orpheum. Looking forward to the evening.

Almost bedtime... More shenanigans will occur tomorrow.

No more 16year olds

2015-03-05T21:26:00.001-06:00

The twins turned 17 today. Happy birthday.

15 minutes

2015-03-04T22:01:00.001-06:00

Last night was a poor sleep night. It made me cranky.

How in the world did I survive decades without adequate sleep?

I read two interesting articles today. One was about using Modified T Cell therapy to cure leukemia and the other was about doctors using the measles virus to eradicate cancerous tumors.

Therein lies the answer to all those people who ask how a loving God would choose to allow diseases like measles, small pox, rabies, and HIV inhabit the earth. Every living organism has its own purpose. No one life will destroy all others.

Evolution truly is a miraculous process. Darwin may have received some divine intervention.

Day 14

2015-03-03T22:00:00.001-06:00

In two days, the twins will be 17. Where has the time gone? Sometimes it feels like No time has passed since I was 17. I can close my eyes right now and imagine with HD clarity, me sitting on the couch with David Kennedy at my 17th birthday party.

On that day, I was so sure of my life path. I was going to change the world. Achieving greatness was my destiny. Funny creatures, we humans. I am not where I thought I'd be. I'm not doing anything I thought I'd be doing.

I look at my life and I see so many mistakes and so many lessons learned. I see joy and love and hidden gems not yet revealed. I have read thousands of books and written tens of thousands of words. I have wiped away an ocean of tears and laughed until I couldn't breathe.

As the twins turn 17, I fervently hope that they make great strides to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves and still embrace whatever life throws at them unexpectedly.

Sometimes the unexpected moments are the best ones.

Lucky #13

2015-03-02T21:59:00.001-06:00

Where does the time go?

The one issue I have with my new sleep success is that I don't Have nearly as many hours in the day to get things done.

I need to modify my schedule . . .

Not so dirty dozen

2015-03-01T22:41:00.001-06:00

The adventures of Rick and the gang trumped me writing anything of substance tonight. If my bedtime could be later on Sundays, you could have had something better to read than this.

I'm thinking of taking a road trip soon. I cannot take another month without seeing the twins, my DBFF, my bestie SWU, & the rest of my Texas family. If anyone is interested in having a house guest, let me know.

Fun times are ahead.

On a Scale of 1 - 5, I'll give it an 11

2015-02-28T22:08:00.001-06:00

In July 2014, I went to a movie with Girl Twin. We saw something scary, though I have forgotten the title. While watching the film, I peeled all my fake fingernails off, and damaged my thumbnail in the process. It hurt for days. But, I decided then and there that would stop biting my nails. And I did; for a few months. My new nails grew back brittle and weak. Each time one broke, I would have to glue a fake fingernail over it to prevent me from biting again.

Fast forward to the month of February 2015. My nails are the longest they have been in years. They are finally healthy -- for the most part. I paint them to prevent me from biting. The issue now is that when the paint on one nail chips, I find myself peeling the nail polish off all of them. Clearly, it is an OCD issue; probably the same one that makes me want to bite them. I don't mind the temptation. It serves as a reminder that I can still earn the "W", even when the outcome isn't perfect.

That is a lesson I wish I would have learned 20 years ago. I suppose there are a lot of things we wish we had done, seen, avoided, etc. over the years. There's still time.

Almost missed it

2015-02-27T23:54:00.001-06:00

My timing is off tonight. I realized that I hadn't written what I had intended and now it's almost midnight. So... Here's the deal. Tomorrow, I will write something that will require twice the effort. And tonight, I will just say that I am missing my Texas peeps more than usual. I'm not sure if it is because y'all got to play in the snow or if it has just been too long since I've visited; either way, know that you are loved.

Sweet dreams.

Day Nine

2015-02-26T22:02:00.000-06:00

Recently, someone I know referred to sleep as "one of life's simple pleasures". Pleasurable as sleep can be, it is far from simple. Even now, with a relatively stable sleep cycle, I have to dot every "t" and cross every "i" . . . wait, strike that; reverse it. My sleep will never be simple; its complexity ensures I will never take it for granted. I am okay with that fact.

What I am not okay with is forgetting that a Groupon is expiring. Bloody hell. I had every intention of ordering this wooden photograph puzzle with a picture of me and little buddy. I was going to give it to him for St Patrick's Day. Now if I want the puzzle, I have to pay full price. Sure, I can use the amount I paid for the Groupon towards the puzzle -- but, then I am paying full price PLUS shipping. If I wanted to pay full price and shipping, I would not have purchased the damn Groupon. I don't know how this happens. I look at the dates, I tell myself I have a deadline, and still, I end up doing them at the last minute OR missing them by a day.

From this moment forward, I vow to not allow another Groupon to expire unused. The next one expires on March 18, 2015. That gives me twenty days to . . . attend 10 classes. Looks like someone is starting Yoga on Saturday!

It seemed like a good idea at the time. I thought it would help me relax.

G'night.

Freedom

2015-02-25T22:07:00.003-06:00

Tonight, I have freshly laundered sheets and a bed practically to myself. Yes, it is true that Grace is perched on her stack of pillows, and Elizabeth is wrapped in her own clean sheet at the bottom of the bed; however, I have 7/8 of the bed to myself. Unlike the guests we have had, these two creatures mind their own business and know not to walk on me while I am sleeping. It is heavenly.

My humidifier is running on high, so no chapped lips in the morning --which makes me very happy . . . . even if there will be snow on the ground. This whole winter thing is getting out of hand. Though they say "If March comes in like a lion, it leaves like a lamb." I could use a little lamb-like Spring.

I am looking forward to Thursday and all the fun and excitement of an icy drive into work. It is a good thing I leave so early in the morning - fewer cars to avoid. With that thought in mind, I am logging off and shutting down for the night.

Be excellent to one another . . . and party on, dudes!

Day Seven

2015-02-24T22:28:00.001-06:00

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. - Genesis 2:3 KJV

Even religion recognizes the need for rest. Think back to the night I asked you what price you would pay for a good night's sleep. Did an answer even cross your mind before you closed your eyes and drifted to sleep? Probably not; it was a rhetorical question.

I painted my nails twice tonight. The first time,I didn't wait long enough between coats. Removed the polish and tried again. The second time, I had to corral an unruly pup when I was in the middle of a second coat. Removed the polish and did not try again. Tonight is my last night of dog sitting - so instead of worrying about my nails, I decided to give in to the chaos.

It was the right decision. I now have three dogs that are sleeping soundly and one that is almost ready to hunker down for the night. Even Princess Grace is ready for sleepy time.

Good night, moon.

Day Six

2015-02-23T22:20:00.001-06:00

I read my first Dean Koontz book when I was in middle school. I instantly fell in love with his ability to write about evil without destroying hope.

In the years since that trip through The Funhouse, I have relished each and every moment spent inside the pages of his books. Everything he has published can be found here. I have read them all. I lived the stories with the characters. Their journeys became mine.

I want to write like that. I want to write something that allows the reader to suspend all disbelief and become a part of the story . . . and when the final page is read, I want the reader to close the book and feel as if he's saying goodbye to a friend. --

Until tomorrow.

Day Five

2015-02-22T23:48:00.001-06:00

I love watching the Academy Awards. It is the only Award show that I believe deserves a party. Luckily for me, I have a friend that not only shares my love for the Oscars, but is willing to throw a party to watch the incredibly long live production. As with most themed parties, this one encourages a costume; think 2014-ish movie inspiration or character.

My date, Mr. Renaissance, was willing to play along. He was an incredibly realistic Nick Dunne from Gone Girl; while I attempted to resemble Det. Rhonda Boney of the same film. We didn't win best costumes, but we definitely get A+ for effort. Yay for participation and enthusiasm!!

Unfortunately, my laptop is about to die, and I am awake well past my bedtime. I promise to write something better tomorrow. Until then, be well.

Day Four

2015-02-21T22:33:00.005-06:00

Did you happen to look at the sky tonight around dusk? If you did, then you were able to witness a very heavenly romance; Mars and Venus were close enough in the night sky to almost kiss . . .while the Cheshire Cat smiled a few degrees above them.

I woke up early this morning to bake scones. They turned out amazing. I don't like buying scones from most bakeries because they are over handled. Usually, the dough is compressed into smooth shapes -- not the spiky blobs they are supposed to be. My scones were airy and crumbly when I broke them open. I probably didn't need to add butterscotch and chocolate chips. They were far sweeter than I intended. Later in the week, I may make some Asiago cheese scones.

Tomorrow, however, I will be making Red Carpet Cupcakes for the Oscars Party I am attending. I am looking forward to the event. My friend throws it every year. It's a potluck; so there will be plenty of food and beverages to consume while we watch. I haven't seen all of the movies nominated; but I still enjoy the suspense when they open the envelope and pause . . .

Day Three

2015-02-20T23:57:00.000-06:00

We've all heard the saying, "You can sleep when you're dead." Anyone who says that with conviction must be getting enough sleep.

Most of the people I come across want more sleep. Think back to the last time you had a terrible night's sleep. Maybe you were up all night with a new baby. Perhaps you were up late working to meet a deadline . . . or pulling an all-nighter with a special someone. The why is not important; the fallout is our focus. How do you feel after one night with little to no sleep?

PRETTY DARN AWFUL!

What happens when you have to repeat that cycle for days, weeks, months, or years? At what point will a body force itself into sleep mode? I don't know the definitive answer; only that it's a lot longer than whatever number is in your head. Sleep deprivation is torture. Anyone who has ever gone without adequate sleep for an extended period of time can attest to this fact.

I want to write more . . . but, I cannot. My bedtime tonight is 00:00 and I am cutting it close.

Let me leave you with a question to ponder:

What price would you be willing to pay for a good night's sleep? I know my answer; it is more than I had ever imagined.

Sweet dreams!! More tomorrow.

Day Two

2015-02-19T23:21:00.002-06:00

I am not alone.

Within 15 feet of me are five living and breathing creatures; four of which are actually within arm's reach. I have one little Shih Tzu resting her head on my left arm as I type. There is an extremely bitchy cat flicking me with her tail. The other Shih Tzu is looking back and forth between me and the cat -- neither of us are in the mood to play with him right now. Of course, Ebie is lying at the bottom of the bed, wrapped in a blanket cocoon, and snuggled up against my left leg. The five of us will spend the next 8 or so hours on this very comfortable, full size bed.

Wait a second, I mentioned five creatures . . . whom have I forgotten?

Gustaph Schmurr . . . the sweetest, quietest, most well-behaved creature ever to reside in this home. That's right, folks, Gustaph is my baby sister's beloved St. Bernard. While Lulu and my brother-in-law are building their dream home on one of the Hawaiian islands, I get to hang out with Gustaph..

Day One

2015-02-18T22:06:00.001-06:00

It's Ash Wednesday.

There are five minutes between now and the beginning of my bedtime ritual. That means five minutes to think and ponder and write whatever comes to my mind before I become a slave to my sleep. I have spent decades wondering why sleep evaded me when I desperately needed it . . . only to envelop me when I wanted to stay awake for more important ventures. Not anymore.

Now, I have a regular sleep schedule; it runs with the precision of a British bank in Edwardian England. I will tell you all about it tomorrow. Cross my heart; not a pie crust promise.