A mile in another's shoes...

Today is one of the tough days. There's a big weather shift moving through - I know this not because I've seen the forecast, but because I can hardly move. The shifting pressure is making every joint in my body ache, and my head feels like there's a 50 lb. bag of cement balanced on it.

I'm one of those folks that feels major weather shifts, thanks to crappy sinuses and arthritis throughout my joints. So today is a hard one. I've been up since 9am, intending to work on some jewelry pieces that are due, but all I want to do is curl up in a ball and try to get away from the pain. I ate something (I think) hours ago. There is lunch waiting for me in the kitchen, but I know that it has to be taken out, assembled, and heated. Frankly, that's a little more effort than I can put out right now. I haven't had anything to drink since 9am (that's when I think I ate - actually I drank a generic Slim-Fast shake and had some sort of energy water), but again - to go out to the kitchen and put water and ice in my mug is overwhelming.

Ask someone for help? Nope. First, because when I got up this morning, I had no idea it would turn into this kind of day. A weather shift can hit like a freight train, with very little warning. Second, because anyone except Vicki that I could call would have to see our house in all it's horror and mess, and I can't endure that. And I won't disturb Vicki at work.

So, can I get to the point? Really, this is not a massive pity party. Really. :-D

I remember getting SO frustrated with my mom, when I knew she'd sit in her chair for 8, 9, 10 hours without getting anything to eat or drink, and not call anyone who could help her. I also knew that there were lots of people from her church that would come over and help her in a heartbeat, so I couldn't understand why she would put herself through that...

And all of a sudden, I do understand. I know I need to eat. I know I need something to drink. But I just can't do anything about it. I understand Mom, all too well.

Do you know someone who suffers? Either with a long-term illness or something chronic? And do you get frustrated with them when you know they sit there and suffer, when you'd be SO willing to help them? All they had to do was ask? Take it from me - sometimes, they can't. It's just too hard. To call someone and admit how much they hurt, how weak they feel, how helpless it all seems - it's like pushing a boulder up the side of a house. To even have the energy to walk over and pick up the phone - it's just not there.

And, they feel like it's such a bother to everyone. I know of someone whose husband suffers from a chronic condition. She left him, because she was tired of him being sick all the time. That gives me nightmares. I feel like SUCH a burden to Vicki. So to ask for one more thing?

Reach out to those people you know that are suffering. Yes, it seems like such an act requires a LOT of time, and a LOT of investment, and can go on for a LONG time, and seems like something you just don't have time or energy to do. The surprising thing is that it really doesn't take that long, and it really doesn't take that much investment, but it can make the difference between hope and darkness. And just one small thing - a glass of water, a lunch heated, a steadying hand to get to the bathroom, can make a day become livable.

You'll never really understand what a little help can do, until you can't do something for yourself. Believe me - I know. :-D

RIP, Bernard Overton 1930-2008

Over the weekend, the whistle world lost one of the great geniuses of all time - Bernard Overton.

Called the Father of the Low Whistle, it was Bernard who really began the production of low whistles, and the whistles he made (as well as Colin Goldie, who learned from Bernard and earned the right to use the Overton name) are regarded as some of the best low whistles in the world.

In my own collection, there is one Bass Bb whistle that Bernard made, as well as a few made by Colin, and they are my "never leave home without them" instruments.

Thank you, Bernard - your work gave people like me a voice to sing with. You will be missed.

"I read the news today, Oh boy..."

I make it a habit to glance through the headlines on FoxNews.com daily to have at least a glimpse of what's going on in the world. Today is one of those days I wish I hadn't...

Robert Mugabe Militia Hacks, Burns Alive Opposition Leader's Wife

Obscenity Trial Suspended After Judge Posts Sex Images Online

Woman Unaware Of Pregnancy Gives Birth At Party

Polygamist convicted of torturing 19 kids

Teen Pleads Guilty To Plotting Massive School Massacre

Police Rescue Baby Amid Fatal Shooting In La. Home

The Marine Corps is expelling one Marine and disciplining another for their roles in a video showing a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

So, I'm thinking that I'll change my habit from reading the headlines each day to reading another source of news and information...

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
He will watch over your life;

The LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

It may not keep me up to date on world events, but it keeps me in touch with things that are much more important...

Yikes... where does the time go?...

Yesterday it was May, spring was barely here, my birthday was just past, and summer loomed brightly just ahead.

Turn around, blink, and it's June. Might hit the 90's this weekend, I'm playing at Festival Friday night, and folks are already talking about how the summer is going to fly by and it'll be winter before you know it.

Feels like we are just starting season 10 of Down Gilead Lane, but I'm actually finishing episode 12, the final episode of this season.

Couldn't somebody PLEASE throw out the anchor and slow this boat down? Guess that's not possible - it's up to me, and I lost my anchor years ago. So, grab the sides of the pink candy boat, watch the Oompa Loompas row, and fly down the chocolate river.

Here's hoping we all find some ways to slow down the summer and enjoy it. Go to the drive-in; walk the Meijer Gardens; take a bike ride to Rockford; go to Chicago and enjoy the lakeshore; sit in the backyard, in the screen house, with the rope lights, and read a book on a summer evening; go to Grand Haven and watch the sunset...

Whatever it takes, enjoy the summer. It'll snow before too long. :-D