Sally's Musings...

Summertime. The word conjures up images of clear, blue swimming pools, colorful flowers, and the sweet taste of fresh picked strawberries. Gone are the hectic school schedules, cold weather, and the need to be anywhere on time.

I remember carefree summer days when I was a kid. I loved laying outside on a blanket watching the clouds go by in the sky. One of my Beverly Cleary books was always nearby. I devoured her stories, especially the Ramona Quimby books. I loved exploring through cornfields, swimming and being incredibly lazy.

But what I most enjoyed was the languid, long afternoons that crept into evening coolness. Fireflies lit up the night and I'd run to catch them in my hands. I loved to examine them and then set them free. Watching them fly into the darkness, I'd know summertime had arrived.

Sally's Musings...

I snuggled up last night to watch one of my favorite movies, When Harry Met Sally. I loved this movie the moment I saw it. Although in 1989, the year it came out, I was sixteen and had only a vague understanding of adult romantic relationships.

Of course, the whole movie embodies the question if men and women can be friends without sex getting in the way. I'm fascinated by this thought. Are those lingering sexual thoughts always present in any male/female relationship? Is it possible to have a completely platonic friendship with a member of the opposite sex?

The other concept is the randomness in which people enter our lives. Who is this person? Why does he or she drive me crazy and fascinate me at the same time? Where did they come from and how did we find each other? Reinforces the thought of a higher power shaping our lives. We may not know it, but there's a plan for our lives. Just watch the pieces fall into place.

Sally's Musings...

Supposedly, the Rapture is going to occur tomorrow. At least according to some crackpot who also made the same prediction in 1988. Not sure I'd put much stock in his prediction reliability.

But some people do. People are selling their homes, emptying their bank accounts and buying billboard space to spread the word. I wonder what they're doing tonight? Indulging all their wants and desires, or keeping a candlelight vigil for the rapturous moment?

The thing that bothers me is nobody knows the day or time of the Rapture. Except God. And I don't think he's going to share it with anyone on Earth. So why would you turn your life upside down for the opinion of someone else? I'd like to hear what they think on May 22 when they're homeless and broke. I bet I can made a reliable prediction about that conversation.

Sally's Musings...

I watched a great Albert Brooks movie last week called My First Mister. From the title one would think it would be a tale of a young woman's first sexual experience. But it's a story about friendship in its purest form.

I laughed. I cried. This movie has lingering effects. It makes you think. And it makes you feel the strong emotions between these two characters in such simple ways. A hand squeeze. A look. It's been a long time since a movie moved me as much as this did. These characters are complete opposites on the outside, but similar hearts on the inside.

This is what friendship is about. Revealing your heart to someone else is an act of giving to that person. Sometimes it's not even something you want to do, but feel compelled to do so. And when you do, you get the greatest gift of all. A friend.

Sally's Musings...

I've come to the realization that I'm not like most people. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Doesn't matter anyway. It's simply a fact.

What most people find fun, I usually find boring. Sports games, parties, picnics, basically anything involving groups of people and inevitable social interaction conjures up feelings of boredom and avoidance in me. Am I antisocial? No. There's always the rare occasion that I dive into the social banter and find myself having fun at a party. At least for a short time. Then I'm ready to leave. I'd much rather be hanging at home reading a book or watching a movie.

I love going out to dinner and shopping or out to the movies. But that's usually with a couple of people. One or two close friends plus myself is the perfect group for me.

I think I may be too entertained by my own thoughts. Who knows what the reason is? But I've given up on trying to be a social butterfly. I'm more of a hermit crab.

Sally's Musings...

I was at the grocery store recently and wondered when people became so slow in their actions. Now, I'm not just talking about older people who may have a justifiable reason for slow movement. I'm talking about perfectly healthy looking people who move like Methuselah.

I'm looking for a can of Lysol and two women are in front of my targeted interest. Fine. They'll move soon, right? Apparently not. I see them debate the pros and cons of Floral Scent or Mountain Spring. Not verbally, just in their minds. I always get original scent. I see it. I grab it. I go. I'm just going to spray it in my dirty clothes hamper and the trash can. I really don't care if they small like a mountain spring. I just don't want them to smell. Period.

Wal-Mart is the mecca for slow walkers. I know you must pause to look at things when shopping. That is the point of shopping. But please don't block the entire aisle with your cart as you decide which Pantene shampoo is for you. Especially if you're bald because I don't think it will help you in any noticeable way.

My frustration stems from being slowed down by this "mosey along" mentality. I don't really care how slowly people move as long as I'm not behind them. Or next to them.

Maybe I need to shop at different stores.

Sally's Musings...

Do you remember the day you met someone special? Could be your husband, wife or a dear friend you hold close to your heart. The circumstances of your meeting aren't so important. The important part is you've met. Life will never be the same.

These special people bring a new dimension to your life. One that you may not have even been aware of before encountering them. You learn new things and grow as a person, even though there may be bumps along the way.

To love is to feel. To feel is to express. Through these expressions is how we share a part of ourselves with another.