ONE PERSON'S POOP IS ANOTHER PERSON'S POETRY

Last night I attended a "Writing Show". The topic was writing fiction for Young Adults. I hadn't been to one of these events in over a year, but this topic interested me, so I decided to go. For days the weatherman has predicted rain - and not a single drop has fallen. So - yesterday's prediction was the same - except that the heaven's actually opened just about the time I was leaving the house. Fortunately, every time I had to get out of the car - the rain stopped...but I was enveloped in a blanket of humidity so thick it was difficult to breathe. And - it was DEATH to my hair. A slow death, actually. As I was sitting inside, listening to the speakers, I could feel my hair slowly falling, getting flatter and flatter - and my bangs stretching longer and longer until they rested uncomfortably on my eyelashes. I've seen women whose hair is deliberately in their eyes, and I don't know how they stand it! Plus - humidity and hair spray makes for a sticky mess.

The speakers were not stellar - I really didn't learn anything new...but I did enjoy going, and had an interesting conversation with the woman next to me, especially during the parts of the program when we couldn't hear. (screwy sound system) It is always nice to meet new people. I think we might get together again sometime over coffee or something.

It was really crowded. Mostly because one of the speakers was a middle school teacher and she was offering her students extra credit if they attended. I was seated behind four squirming preteens who were busy texting each other. Guess they weren't learning anything new either!

One writer said that she had an idea for her next book: The Haiku of Poo...not "Pooh" as in Winnie the Pooh...but poo as in poop. I certainly won't be rushing out to buy that one - but it did serve one purpose. I realized that maybe my ideas aren't crazy after all. In my opinion - nothing could be dumber than poetry about poop!

IF YOU SEE A DEAD BODY...

Last night I watched the latest episode of the new police drama, "Southland." I really like this show - actually, I am a sucker for all the crime drama shows on TV. In this episode, however, I saw something that disturbed me. It was a scene in which three or four middle-school-aged kids came upon a naked woman's dead body in an alley. They threw rocks at it and took videos of themselves kicking the body and laughing. At first, I tried to tell myself that this would never happen, but the more I thought about it, I knew that it was completely realistic. Later that evening on Nightline, there was a story about a teenager who set his house on fire and murdered his parents. And - Dateline was advertising a story about another young man who murdered his mother for no apparent reason. Dear God.

Earlier yesterday, I caught an interview with Lenore Skenazy - the woman who let her nine year old son ride the subway by himself, and has now written a book entitled, "Free Range Kids - Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts With Worry." (A ridiculously long title for a book!)

I started thinking about what it was like when I was growing up. Yes - I roamed the neighborhood, stayed out past dark playing...I didn't know anyone who was ADD or ADHD...no autism...and I certainly didn't know anyone who would throw rocks at a dead body for fun!

So - what's happened??? It is certainly a different world. I have no idea what is causing the ADD/Autism. Could be immunization...could be additives in our food...could be a lot of things. As for the violence and desensitization of our children I can find easy answers by blaming violent video games, movies and TV - but I think there is more to it. We make sure our children have an education - we fill them with facts and skills - but no one seems to be teaching them character. No one is teaching our kids the value of life.

I don't remember adults giving me "character" lessons - or sitting me down and lecturing me about how important life is - but I think I was taught these things through community...through church. I have to add that the church of my youth seemed a more gentle and kind variety than the ones I know now. And, my school teachers were excellent examples of character. We had boundaries then - and a no-brainer kind of respect for other people. We talked and communicated face to face - not filtered through a computer screen or abbreviated conversations via text messaging.

I realize that it is impossible to return to the good old days - and I wouldn't want to, anyway. But there must be a way to reclaim integrity and character in our lives. I still think teachers are a vital part of this - but they have been so limited in what they can offer our children. They are constrained by the fear of being sued - and their salaries are abysmal. You have to be Mother Teresa these days to want to be a teacher!

Anyway - I have no real answers here - just lots of questions. And, I can't get that scene out of my mind.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was my birthday. 55. Someone sent me a message asking "Where have the years gone?" Good question. I don't feel 55. Oh - sure, my body feels it. But inside - the real me - doesn't feel 55. I remember my mother seemed so old at 55 - and she acted that way. Perhaps it was simply a different era then. I remember she wore muted colors and was so reserved. Not me. I LOVE bright colors and am happy to own a fabulously wild collection of Reebok Hi-top sneakers. Makes me feel good to dress "happy". At least, that is how I think about it.

I am still growing and learning something new every day - and life seems to be more interesting the older I get. Maybe it's that I don't take things so much for granted and so I see life with more appreciative eyes. I'm not locked into any rigid beliefs - and feel more courageous to try new things than I did when I was younger. I don't feel hampered by outside opinions as much as I used to. That's a move in the right direction, I think.

I'm not so hard on myself. I've learned to be quick to forgive - others and myself. I try not to look back at my mistakes, and not place too much energy in tomorrow. Today is enough for me - and I try to be aware of my blessings on a daily basis. There are a lot of them. Actually, I have discovered that the things I value most at this point in life were not even on my radar when I was younger. The person I thought I wanted to be at 21 is nothing like the person I am at 55. I like the older version so much better.

So - to answer the question "Where did the years go?", I would have to say that perhaps a lot of them passed without me paying attention. Maybe life's circumstances were leading me along. But now, I am aware - I am more accepting of what happens each day - and I feel blessed and happy to have each new day before me.

I would highly recommend age 55 and I hope I have even more praise for age 56. Besides, the alternative to growing older sucks!

INNER HARBOR

I am back from a mini-vacation to Baltimore. It was a little spur-the-moment -but very much needed and enjoyed. We went to the Inner Harbor. Our hotel (Hyatt) was right on the harbor - with a lovely view. That was wonderful during the evening - but as soon as the sun came up - it was an OVEN in the room!!! Of course we enjoyed the little shops and fun restaurants - but our favorite day was spend in good old Barnes and Noble! I have to defend myself, though - it was a really nice - really big - Barnes and Noble. Some refurbished factory or station of some kind with wood floors and such an open feeling. Also we had fun at the Aquarium. I love going to the aquarium to see all the bizarre creatures of the sea. It is beyond me how anyone could doubt the presence of intelligent design. Such vibrant colors and patterns on little things that float around in the darkness of the sea. Wow. Loved watching the huge rays float along - even liked the sharks.

So am now refreshed and rested. On with life!