newbuzz...I painted my finger nails hot pink because the color makes me happy. The recent 90 degree weather prompted me to paint my toenails so I can wear sandals to work. I was planning on going out for a pedicure, but changed my mind when I saw the $35.00 price tag. Instead, I opted for some foot scrub, lotion, and a bottle of nail polish for a grand total under $10.00. I went home and soaked and scrubbed my feet and applied the hot pink nail polish. With my feet looking so lovely, there really was no reason to leave my fingernails colorless. Now that my fingernails match my toenails, I feel quite snappy and ladylike. I remember my grandpa saying that girls who wear nail polish are girls who never do dishes. I am not sure if that was a compliment or a put down, but while I have hot pink fingernails, I feel pampered and rich. I leave the dishes alone and go for a walk instead.

newbuzz...If you have bifocals, you should wear them all the time. This is a lesson I learned recently after making an embarrassing graduation gaffe. It is high school graduation season in my community and families customarily have large parties and open houses to celebrate. Friends and family are expected to bring a gift and it is usually money placed in a card. Last year I bought a pack of several cards and used a couple of them. I knew they were left over and pulled them out again for this year. I had a party to attend and quickly signed a card, tucked a bill into the envelope, sealed it, and gave it to the graduate. The next week, I had another party to attend. This time, I had my glasses on as I picked up the card for my signature and the money. Wow, what a surprise I got as I read the front of the card! Not only did it say, "Congratulations Graduate," but there in each of the colorful balloons, it also said, "2008". I did not have time to get another card, and quickly made the choice to use the outdated card again. I explained that I have gone green and this is a way to reduce my carbon footprint, but I threw out the rest of the cards.

newbuzz....It turns out that I am a big fan of the color yellow and that surprises me. Just a few short years ago, my entire house was painted eggshell. I had neutral furniture and draperies as well. This blank slate left much room for my imagination to fill with plants, pets, pictures of loved ones, books, collections of things, and other stuff. During the years I spent raising the kids, I also nearly raised the roof of our house with all the fun stuff I found on sale. It was great, I loved having the kids around with all their things and seeing my own identity all around me as well. Then, as the kids began to leave the nest, so too did my desire to have all the stuff. My tolerance for messes and unfinished projects flew the coop as well. In one fell swoop, I changed my decor from circa Aunt Bea (Mayberry) to Martha Stewart. Out went the teacup collection, the mismatched knick knacks, the fish aquariums, and the many potted plants. Now the walls are painted bold, on-trend colors and each room has a theme. Everything has a place and everything is in its place. If it doesn't match I don't need it. If I don't need it, I don't buy it. I like the new orderliness. It makes me feel in control and relaxed. I also like my new "study", formerly known as my daughter's bedroom. The walls are bright, egg-yolk yellow. It is a bright room full of energy. Now I carry my identity with me, and have less need for external validation. I think this is the wisdom that comes with middle age. I am okay with living a simpler life. Having less stuff and avoiding the purchase of new stuff is leaving me with more resources for self exploration and growth. I do occasionally lapse back into my old self; the one who wants to have cool stuff. And I do occasionally buy unneeded stuff. But when I look around and start to see more of Aunt Bea than Martha Stewart, I know it is time to reign it in and have a garage sale.

newbuzz...Everyone is talking about the rain. "I love it." " I hate it." "We need it." "At least it is not snowing." I have made each of these statements more than once today. I love the rain because of the rhythmic patter it makes on the roof and the way the sound relaxes me. I hate the rain because it gets my hair and make up wet, leaving me feeling like a soggy noodle. We need the rain now so we can feast on fresh garden vegetables later in August. It could be snowing and I am very glad that it is not. Now that it is evening and the sun has set, I can appreciate the rain and the reprieve from the lively chores of summer. For tonight, I did not have to pull weeds, take the dogs for a walk, fill the bird feeders, move the sprinkler around or even go to the grocery store. In fact, the rain gave me an excuse to sit quietly and work on my cross stitch. Not long ago I was wishing for nice weather to do all my outdoor activities. But I am a complicated human being, and like many before me, I desire what I do not have. Doing nothing is a treat when there is something to be done. Doing something is a treat when there is nothing to do. I could have done nothing on a sunny day, but it feels better when I have the rain on my side.

newbuzz...The T.V. anchor had his Malti-Poo puppy on the news desk for all to admire. Her name was Belle and she was one and a half pounds of white fluff with black eyes and a black nose. The female anchor was apologizing for the baby-talk that spilled from her mouth in the presence of the puppy. So why does the presence of babies elicit baby-talk from most people? I think it is because deep down we all remember and long for the simpler days of our own youth when we wore our emotions on our sleeves and nothing had to make sense. Adults burst into baby-talk as a joyful response to innocence and a desire to connect with it. As we babble and coo, we become more vulnerable to match the status of the baby we adore. As we become vulnerable, the baby gains status. As the baby gains status, we become equal to the baby. It is a perfect combination.
Baby + Babbling Adult = Two joyful souls

newbuzz...We must all do our part to save the earth. In that spirit, I have dedicated my patio pots to vegetables this year as well as flowers. I have tomatoes, green bell peppers, lettuce, radishes, and herbs. In one large, aromatic pot I have placed flat leaf parsley, curled parsley, oregano, basil, and chives. It is already producing tasty greenery to spice my spaghetti sauce. We are also enjoying fresh lettuce salads. The radishes will be ready soon and I will continue to replant them as needed throughout the season. I am looking forward to later in the summer when I will be able to harvest fresh tomatoes and bell peppers for a 100% homegrown spaghetti sauce. By that time, the flower pots will be drawing flocks of hummingbirds and butterflies. Supper on the patio is sure to be an organic extravaganza.

newbuzz...I am watching a lovely old Disney move...The Biscuit Eater. It is a heartwarming story about a couple of boys and the bird dog they are attempting to show. The boys have blind faith in their unproven dog and his ability to win the Grand National Championship. Their only obstacle is the stubborn father of one of them who does not want them to try. He has cast the dog aside, and the boys have trained the dog on their own. On and on the story goes, and you can guess the ending. What I am finding particularly valuable is the poignant lesson in trust and faith. The boys believe in the dog's ability, and as a result, the dog lives up to their expectations. I know there have been many instances in my life where I have lived up to the expectations of others, whether good or bad. I have also lived up or down to my own expectations. People are much like faithful dogs in that respect. Both want to please others. Upon reflection, I have decided to put my expectations of myself and others on a very long leash that can be undone at a moment's notice.

newbuzz...People in my community are very anxious about the economy. Many folks have lost their jobs, and many others are worried about losing their jobs. I am not immune to the negativity but I try to keep it in perspective. We are still in America after all. We still have more opportunity here than most people in the world will enjoy. But, with the blatant encouragement of the mass media, many Americans have lived beyond their means for the last couple of decades. Now it is time to tighten our money belts. Some people will be forced to downsize and change their lifestyles drastically. This will be difficult but not impossible. With fewer things to keep track of, Americans will be able to focus more on our people and our environment. As we look around at others who are in need, we will learn to share. I believe that now is the time to take stock of our own positions in life and to make changes in our habits. We do not gain anything with worry, and we cannot be complacent. We must remember that we are the government and we must be involved in the decisions of our politicians and lawmakers.