So, There I Was

Having been in the cosmetic business, primarily with skin care, I did carry fragrances and learned much.
What appealed to my sense of smell was often different from that of others.  Then I learned that the body alters the smell.  What may smell good on one person is often different on another.  Best to use a drop on the wrist and get someone elses opinion about the fragrance. 
Some frangrances are repulsive to me.  Getting into an elevator with some woman who has splashed cologne on her body can be offensive.  One only needs a small bit.  A good fragrance, sparingly used, is the most appealing.  The smeller wants more.  Too much is just too much.

A body splash is not a cologne, Abe. it is much lighter, and it isn't literally splashed on, but applied very lightly, in a fine mist, just after a shower. It is a very delicate scent, nothing like a cologne or perfume.

Beautiful story, DK.
Wild spider lilies grow here along the road.  That is another story.  Thank you so much for the gift of your story.  I will never forget your kindness.
Love,
Betty

alj wrote:

A body splash is not a cologne, Abe.  it is much lighter, and it isn't literally splashed on, but applied very lightly, in a fine mist, just after a shower. It is a very delicate scent, nothing like a cologne or perfume.

I wasn't talking about a body splash and frankly don't know what it is.  I was referring to fragrances in general whether that be cologne, perfume or some other fragrance concoction.  Too much of any frangrance reminds me of people who splash on fragrance to override body oder.  Together they stink.

So, There I was... 
Thinking how simple, kind acts make my day better.  Not the really grand kind of kind acts, but little bitty ones...like my David noticing that the spider plant needs water, or the mail person placing a package by my gate (enclosed in a plastic bag to protect it form rain), lovely stuff like that.  Those little bitty kindness acts are so beautiful to me.  

Love, 
Betty

Cam't thin of anyone more deserving of them, Betty.

Annie

Me too.

So, There I was, 
glad that it is Christmas-time and that I am still here to smile my way through the throngs of people out to buy good stuff for those that they love.  I think that kind intentions have a smell of Christmas, a permeate kind of cheery air and a special kind of joyful noise that spews forth from their grumpy-looking physiognomy and occasionally breaks out in a smile or a kind remark to a perfect stranger.  
From where I sit, here in this lovely room that I call my 'office,' I can hear the four crows disputing who has had the most corn and needs to leave off and share, and I can see the creatures of the night coming to discover what is there for their supper.  My Jazzmin is under the desk and my David is on his way home.  The dinner of meatballs and gravy on rice smells wonderfully warm and welcoming.  The tree is alight and presents are wrapped and under it for those that we love.  
Life could not get much better.  
We are not rich in money, or possessions, but for the simple things that are all we need, we are grateful and happy.  
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Betty

So, There I Was,
Unfriended by David's sister because she thought that GWB was great and I said he was a war criminal.  I take unfriending like any one would.  a slap in the face.  After a day of being unfriended, I am over it.  I have better stuff to do than be unfriended by people I barely know. 
To me, there should be another category on Facebook....I beg to differ because you are an idiot....would work. Love, Betty.

I figure that people who unfriend weren't really friends in the first place.

Annie

A friend is someone with whom you can share your deepest thoughts and not be judged.

I find the "friending" in social media a sales gimmick today that might have started with friends in its early college days but has grown to a commercial place in modern times where "friends" are a measurement totally unrelated to caring about another human being.

Unfriending is sort of like hanging up the phone on someone before you say good-bye to make a point that their conversation isn't pleasing.

Because my life style has changed drastically in the last 40 years, I have lost many previous friends because their political views are so harsh, unwavering and self serving.  They basically drifted away from me.  They consider me a liberal socialist giving away the country to the indigent.  Those two points of view just don't mix well in any discussion.

Of course they don't see themselves as I do nor do I see myself as they see me.  That adds to the confusion, doesn't it?  It's no wonder conversations get convoluted and emotional leading to "hang-ups" or unfriending.

The most interesting conversations are those about religion, politics and other controversial subjects.  To not be able to discuss them with friends limits that friendship.  However, a friend pointed out to me we have different level friends and only share parts of ourselves according to the depth of the relationship.  That makes sense - maybe.

DK.  I hear you and agree for the most part.  Speaking one's mind or thoughts honestly is a risk even to close friends.  It seems that one is judged by what one says in posts as well as in direct contact. 
The problem with a post is that we are not able to express clearly how we came to the conclusion we have without much background info.  In direct conversation the opportunity for clarification is improved.  Knowing/assuming what the other person thinks may adjust how we present our argument.  That is especially true with religious and with some political subjects.  Many demand proof and expect you to produce it.  Sometimes our conclusions are based on years of exposure and experience. I find that relevant when there is discussion about the M.E. We find that with some subjects it is an exercise in futility knowing that whatever we say is doubted or simply not believed.  So why do we feel the need to convince another that what we believe is right/true?  When we offer an opinion we often know in advance that it will not be accepted, yet feel the need to express our views.  Perhaps to remain quiet implies that the other person’s views are valid and that we are in agreement.
It is frustrating talking with people who are known to oppose what we believe and no amount of argument or even proof will change their beliefs.  In that case, it is best to remain quiet or not respond.  There are times when it is good to be with people who share our views and enjoy their company.

It can be especially problematic when the "friend" is also family, as in Betty's case.  I've made a couple of posts recently about my brother, including a couple of photos of us taken around the same time, which show that our family resemblance was quite strong, physically, at least.  Philosophically, our perspectives were very different. And those differences were complicated by his insistence that his point-of-view was always the valid one.  Getting him to accept the reality that a perspective was simply that: one individual's perspective, proved impossible.  Everything was always all or nothing, right or wrong. and he could broach no opposition.  He couldn't simply let something lie, he had to keep pursuing it.  Differing opinions had to be put down, even ridiculed.  It was a control thing.  To have let go and let a difference just be was not something he could tolerate; he would just keep bringing it back up, forcing the issue until he got a response.  It's sad, because as time went on, we grew further and further apart, especially after our mother died.  

As a young man, he had been a lot of fun, and very charming, but the older he got, the angrier he got, until just being around him was a negative experience - one to be avoided.  He became, in a sense, his own worst enemy.  I still loved him; just couldn't spend much time with him.  Sad.

That is sad, Ann.  I have issues with my American family both from a religious and a political standpoint.  I would like to see them, but at the same time know that it can divide us rather than pull us together.  The only time when I felt close to my brothers and sister was at a funeral.  What we had in common was sorrow.  My contact with them is on FB and one of the reasons I continue with FB.

I listened to an NPR broadcast this morning about the Ukraine among well-respected newspaper reporters including one representing the Russian Press.  I found his part the most interesting.  I have heard the Western and Ukraine perspectives on the Ukraine but hearing the Russian one from a Russian reporter was quite enlightening.  His anger toward the West and the western press was evident in his tone for his responses.  I also sensed (perhaps wrongly) that the moderator cut him off to bring down his anger and not let him go off on a tangent.

He was quite certain that the the sanctions against Russia were simply going to hurt everyone, especially the U.S. in an economic recovery.  He also felt that the "self-determination" clauses of the international agreements applied to the Crimea that chose to be separated from the Ukraine and returned to Russia where it belonged.  He felt that Putin followed "the will of the people" and was being wrongly sanctioned.

The western press representative was quick to point out that Putin didn't want the Ukraine making agreements with the west and moved into the Crimea to put a stop to it.

Those very intelligent, well-read and informed newspaper reporters had quite a discussion with opposing perspectives on every aspect of the Ukraine/Russia/West situation.

Perhaps it was the language (Russian person speaking English) but the Russian reporter's remarks sounded more scripted and repetitive to me than the remarks by the other reporters.  Or was I adding my own bias to filter what I heard?

Communications are complicated things.  At least in writing we can think before we speak - sometimes.

I listen to CNN and also to German News.  They don't always agree, meaning their slant often differs.  It is difficult for a reporter to just report news.  That is in my opinion what a reporter should do.  Unfortunately many like to interpret the news and/or give their slant on it and that is common with the western media and a large part of the problem affecting public opinion.  Unbiased reporting is such a rare thing that when one hears an ubiased report, one may still be skeptical.  I saw much of that when in Beirut and am skeptical of news reports to this day. 
As for the Ukraine, the people in Western Europe are interested in the developments as it affects them economically.  The threat of war is also a consideration that must be avoided at all costs.

So, There I was, remembering last night dreams.  In one dream, I was able to leave the bed and float around the ceiling.  I have dreams like this often.  The nice ones are when I am outside and can 'fly high' so to speak.  I always love these dreams.  Sometimes I can float around into a house...in one room and into another.  The  furniture and décor is always old.  Old crocheted furniture scarves, dusty things that are all beautiful to me. 
When my David came home tonight, he walked around the property with his Jazzmine as I was cooking the stir fry chicken and broccoli. 
When he came in we had out evening hugging session.  The best part of my day.  I stepped back and sang, "I believe I can Fly.  I believe I can touch the sky..." 
He thought I was nuts, of course, not having had my last night dreams his very own self. 
Perhaps I am nuts, but I do love those flying dreams and the hugging sessions.
Love, Betty

It's been a while, but I loved the flying dreams, too They felt so free.

Dreams of discovery for me.  Places I know I have never been in my awake life.  All so unique and wonderful from the dirt on the floors to the carvings on the doors.  I wish you good flying dreams, my friend Anne.
Love,
Betty

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Thank you, Anne.  I imagine that those drinks are Honey Mead...my net adventure.  If I can, I will send you some for your special dinners.  It will be a while. 
Love,
Betty

Drinking "honey mead":

Just as I imagine it will be!
Love,
Betty

So, There I was.. thinking about the children refugee at the Arizona border.  I am disturbed (a mild term for what I really feel) that the people of this country that is (supposedly)  the greatest country on earth cannot assimilate a few children.  It is a political ball.  I have lost all respect for the Christians of this country and the republican party....
I never thought I would be shamed by my own country.
People think that Westborough Baptist is off the wall....it seems to me that they are not the only hate group of Christians spewing forth.

You should see the horrid stuff a "friend" of mine who is a good Christian sends to me that he forwards from his "Christian" friends.

My church is considered a "Christian" church, but I don't wish to be associated with the Christians that post on the Internet or those stopping buses of children or those advocating to take away the hard-earned rights of women.

I think those who follow the teachings of Christ really - to love - to care for the poor - to be accepting and non-judgmental - etc. etc. - I think they need to drop the word "Christian" from their description so they are not associated with those who are mean-spirited and bigots.