Prepositional Posturing

I discovered a new word today, that appeared as a clue in The New Your Times Crossword Puzzle. The word is "whereat". I will swear, on a stack of dictionaries, that I have never written, spoken, or seen the word "whereat" in print, and because it is unfamiliar, I looked for a dictionary definition.
The word "whereat" means "at or toward which", or "in consequence of which".
I am familiar with the words "where" and "at". Often, I hear the question, "Where you at?", and it makes me cringe in grammar horror. Or, sometimes I hear another abhorrent favorite, "Where did you go to school at?"
So, the next time a well-meaning, but language challenged person asks me "Where you at?" , whereat I will consider making the reply, "I am right here, with my imaginary red pencil, correcting your terrible grammar."


Dear Lord. I am working at Self-Control. Really I am. But, I find it so hard to hold my tongue. Remind me who I am and whose I am.

"A rose by any other name........"

Every morning, we follow the same routine at our house. We sit at the kitchen table and drink our morning coffee. Scott reads the front section of the local newspaper, and I attempt to complete the New York Times Crossword, located in the other section. (Not too many years ago, there were many more than two sections, for us to read and share, but that's a whole other story.)
The NYT Crossword is located on the last page of the Sports-Classified-TV Guide-Comics Section. It's right next to or sometimes across the page from the "Pets For Sale" section. We don't have a dog, now, nor do I want one. However, that doesn't stop me from occasionally skimming over the breeds and prices of the dogs. (I'm deathly allergic to cats, so I never read about what's available in the feline columns.)
So, as I look down the page, I am often astounded to learn about, yet another, new puppy-mix. Today, it was a Pom Chi! (Pomeranian and Chihuahua) Yesterday it was a Chi Weenie! (Chihuahua and Dachshund) I've read about Morkies and Chorkies, and a whole lot of doodles. Golden Doodles, Peke-Doodles, and Labra Doodles. My colleague told me that these new mixes are called Designer Breeds. I call them MUTTS.
However, since when did Mutts command such high prices? Six hundred to two thousand dollars! I'm agog! Adoption at a local shelter seems so much more sensible. I'll be you can pick up a Poly-Wolly Doodle or a German Shep-orkie for a small donation.

Dear Loving God. You must be amazed at our crazy antics. How do you love us unconditionally?
You are awesome.

NOW, DARN IT. NOW!!!!

He said "Come on, come on." The elevator did not answer. She slammed her fist on the counter, and asked, "Are you going to help me, or what?" We called a cab, but he thinks it's taking to long to get here. She loudly commands, never stopping, as she rolls her walker down the hallway,  "Sign me up to go to the store, tomorrow."
Patience is a Virtue. Patience, in case you are wondering, is the fourth "gift of the Holy Spirit". Patience is rare. Unfortunately, I know of no one who possesses an overabundance of Patience. We all find it so hard to wait.
What is it that we really want? Instant gratification? The first place in line? A perfect world on our OWN time schedule? My way or the highway?
Those thoughts and desires are never going to happen, folks. So, relax. You cannot control the minds, lives or schedules of other people. Let it go. The sooner you learn that you are not in control, the better off you will be. Relax.
The one who gets to the end of life FIRST, is not the winner! Relax, slow down and become less demanding. Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride.

All knowing and all powerful Lord, We are not in control. We will never be in control. You are in control. The scriptures tell us "Wait" on you Lord. Show us how to have patience. Now.

"Leave a jacket in a bathroom stall, drop a contact down the sink."

This morning, when I arrived at my work space, I observed that someone had deposited a solitary earring, on my counter top. Finding something new at my desk, isn't unusual. Almost every morning, I am gifted with an assortment of lost articles.
Sometimes it is a coat or a sweater. Other times it has been caps, necklaces, hearing aids, rings, and even a shoe or two. It happens so often, nothing that I find, surprises me.
But it is a puzzle. What causes this to happen?
As I ponder the situation, I am reminded of that Blake Shelton classic, "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off". His lady, he sings, has a tendency to shed her clothing, when she goes out drinking "Margaritas with her girlfriends." Perhaps booze is a good explanation for a few, but unfortunately, not the most logical one for most of our residents.
We all forget things, as we age, and the Concierge Desk is a convenient place to leave the items that are found. I am happy to take your items. But, please, when and if you remember that you lost them...........come pick them up!

Dear Lord, remind us that we are fortunate to be aging. It's often hard to remember that fact. Growing old, gracefully, is difficult. Help us to more mindful or others, and less focused on ourselves and our issues. We rejoice in your constant love.

Do you remember?

Soon, Scott and I will be heading to a reunion with our high school classmates. We have one of these reunions every five years, and we've been to almost all of them. They are fun, well planned, and we never fail to have a great time.
Our early reunions were full of "I'M doing this....." and "MY salary is ......." and  "I LIVE IN ...." Then, along about the 20th year reunion, things changed. Now, years later, nobody seems to care, what any of us has done in recent years, we just want to talk about what life had been like in the 1960's and before. Many of us have been friends since kindergarten, so our memories are rich and varied.
Most of our remembrances are fond ones. I'm so glad we have them.  Unfortunately, many of the people, with whom I share my work life, have memory loss. I find that very sad. That loss of memories takes all kinds of forms. Sometimes, folks cannot remember what they had for breakfast, or if they have even eaten. Others cannot remember who they are or what they have been. Thankfully, it seems like the long-term (what has happened many months or years previously) memory stays with us much longer than the short term memory. I believe that is God's purposeful wisdom.
Never regret your memories. They are all, good and bad, a part of our life's journey. Never take them for granted. We are blessed with our remembrances.

Dear Lord, we are so thankful for our many blessings. Help us to enjoy life and to love one another, unconditionally. May we be more like you.