Sophie's Story

   Last week C had to go to a meeting. I had the house to myself, well almost, because the cats were with me. I had found a book that I hadn't read for a long time. I got a glass of water, sat down on the couch and preceded to read.   I needed to clean the cat box, but I told myself I would after I finished the chapter. I was at a good spot and didn't want to stop just yet. I finished the chapter but then had to move onto the next. Things were getting exciting you see, I couldn't stop. Colby jumped onto my lap and made himself comfortable. I absentmindedly petted him as I continued to read.    There were dishes in the sink, but I could do them tomorrow morning. The main character of my book had run away from home. She wanted to play music, but her parents wouldn't let her. It was not considered to be work and also not womanly. I read about how she found a cave to live in and Impressed nine fire lizards. She made herself at home in the cave.   The book continued to

   One of my hobbies is to listen to speeches on You Tube. One of my favourite ones is Barack Obama's eulogy of the late Senator John McCain. Think what you may of Barack Obama, he is an excellent orator and his speeches well worth watching or reading.    As today is Memorial Day and since Senator MCCain was a veteran and well as a senator, I'd like to pick out some pieces of the eulogy that I think we should all apply to our lives today.    He started out by pointing out the many differences he and McCain had. They were from different generations, different types of families and different political parties. You could say that they were almost opposites of each other. He spoke of times when he and McCain would have private conversations in the Oval office. The discussed a range of topics like family and politics. They still disagreed on many things but as Obama said, "We laughed with each other. And we learned from each other."    What he said next, to me, is th

    Those of you who read this column may remember that I am working on a program called Personal Progress. It is a programs for preteen and teenage girls developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The purpose of this program is to teach certain spiritual and temporal values to young women. It's a good program for those of us past that point in our lives as well.     The program consists of eight values. Each value has six expereinces,things that teach about the value, and a project that puts that value into practice.     Right now I'm working on the value called Choice and Accountability. The purpose is to learn about making good choices and thinking about the results of choices made. The experiences all made sense as I worked through them. Then I came to the project. There are a list of possible projects that can be completed. If needed you can make up your own as long as it reflects the values and takes at least ten hours to complete.    One of the pr

   Those of you who have read this column regularly might remember my constant battle to keep my flip phone. I did not want a phone where I'd require a class to be able to use it. I also didn't want to become a "phone zombie", a person who walks around staring intently at the little screen in their hand. I wanted no part of the culture that relies on Google for everything and is scared to have to speak to a live human being.   Then the cell phone bill came. Our cell phone rates had been creeping up over the past few months. C decided it was time to investigate. He made phone calls. He waited on hold. he talked to several people and then came to a conclusion. I needed to get a smartphone. For some reason that I still cannot explain, our bill would go down once I had a smartphone.   We found an inexpensive refurbished phone and set it up. Since I am a terminal clutz, we got a screen protector and a case to prevent it from breaking when dropped. (because I would pro

     A few days ago, C asked me to look at something. It was a picture of me that he took on my birthday a few years ago. He told me that it was his favourite picture of me. I shook my head. My lips look weird and I had huge circles under my eyes. I asked him how it could be his favourite when it was not a good looking picture. He pointed out several good things. I pointed out several more flaws. We finally had to end the argument with an "agree to disagree" clause.    The fact is I hate having my picture taken. I always have. I have gone through great lengths to avoid having a picture taken of me. When my brother got married a long time ago I managed to stay out of every picture taken. I'm very proud of that fact. The only part of me that can be seen on those pictures is the top of my hat and the edge of my skirt. It took a lot of maneuvering and hiding behind taller people, but I did it.    Once the Small Town Toastmasters had a holiday party. Someone decided that

    I've found that one of the gifts of growing older (or having more experience with life) is that it really doesn't take much to make me happy anymore. Some may see that as weird and maybe it is. I choose to think of it as a blessing. I've had a few little pleasures come into my life this week that I'd like to share with you.   On Monday I decided that I was going to plant the packet of seeds that came with some honey I bought in Charleston. The company that produces the honey is also active in the preservation of honeybees. One of the things they do is give a packet of seeds away with each purchase. The seeds are a mix of various flowers that attract bees. Some of them are annuals and some perennials. I recognized the names of several of the flowers. I was pretty sure that some of the seeds would sprout even in my zone four garden. (Charleston is zone eight.)   I put on a pair of old jeans so that I could go and work in the garden. To my surprise and delight, the