I Hope Not

At a lost for something to watch, I checked out my Netflix recommendations and clicked on Body of War. Let's just say that the documentary was not ideal viewing for Saturday. I should have taken a clue from the title, hunh?

Synopsis:

Young man sees President Bush stand on a pile of rubble, signs up for military, gets sent to Iraq and five days into deployment, gets shot in the spine. I have to say that I didn't think about other ramifications of being paralyzed -- like the meds. In addition to being on Coumadin and anti-depressants etc., the young man has problems regulating his body temperature and, when outside, has to wear a vest with ice packs in them.

Most memorable line: I look at people walking down the street and I get jealous.


* * *
Before I jetted off to Florida, I made a mad dash to the library. I went to pick up one book but came out with two and after reading several pages of both books, went with The Memory Keeper's Daughter.



This part made me think of Hazira:

Caroline did not like Leo March -- he was not likable -- but whatever animosity she held for him was complicated by compassion. (100)

I had the pleasure of going to two libraries while in Florida. *



Cool Temporary Library Card


Clearwater's Cool Main Library


Hazira waiting for me outside of Beach Library


In Ikea -- starting to think she likes this position

Ikea map because you're gonna need it

*Okay, I think that I might have Florida out of my system. On the other hand, I hope not...

The Body In The Sunset

I know that I'm not the first person to have vacation-related epiphanies but I saw the light about a few things. I love it when you have solid time to quiet the mind.

My suitcase weighed 28 pounds and I still took too much. What was I thinking when I packed so many socks and underwear? I wore half the clothes and read half the magazines; I took two and actually did read the second part of the first one and all of the second one on the return flight.

I didn't listen to my MP3 player entranced as I was by the seagulls and sound of the water.


To the lady who stopped her car to ask for directions -- the roundabout is not a good place for that. Having said that, my GPS is one purchase that I have never regretted. I hope that roundabout lady gets one soon.

And one of the biggest lessons learned was patience.

I tried so hard to get pictures of pelicans when I visited The Pier in St. Petersburg. I was completely fascinated by them and was thrilled when one dive bombed into the water and, later, one perched close enough to capture.

And that body in the sunset? I realized how hard I worked for it and, even though I'm not finished working on it, I'm proud. Please feel free to remind me of this feeling at a later date...

P.S. Laura, do you know the name of this tree???



The Fascinating Waterfowl