Just for Anne...

So, I get this sad little e-mail from Fan Anne who is worried that I have lost my marbles, and wants to know why in the heck I've not written anything, so this is for her.

Little Life Lessons I've Learned Recently

1) Simple (and cheap) solutions to nasty problems make me happy. Case in point: I wore out my walking shoes, so I bought a new pair that were fancy and pricey. Wore them about three times, and the backs and sides of both my feet were literally bloody with blisters both popped and intact. I spent the next week or so doing everything I could to cover them, pad them, coddle them, chemically toughen them up, and although I was eventually able to wear my old shoes without tremendous pain and continue my walking, I was still bummed I couldn't use my fancy expensive shoes. (Strong Scots-Presby roots here, folks.)

Well, my friend Q sent me a link to a brand of socks I'd never heard of before, and the link sent me to REI Outlet Store where they had a handful of factory seconds of WrightSocks, and I ordered four pair for the unbelievable price of about $3 a pair.

These things have CHANGED MY LIFE. Simple idea -- double layered socks -- one layer hugs your foot, the outer layer is slippery and therefore friction (the blister causer) just doesn't happen.

I am now happily prancing all through McGehee Estates every morning for at least an hour every weekday morning, and about double that on Saturdays.

2) Life changes on a dime. One of the most engaging young people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing was killed in a car accident last weekend. It was just one of those stupid things that we've all done a thousand times that caused it (or so I've heard), and we get away with it all the time, but Harry didn't. A light went out on Friday, August 22, and he will be missed, but he will never be forgotten.

3) Never, ever give up on a person. So this one I've known -- and believed -- for a long time, and when my son and his wife found the house of their dreams this week -- and (crossin' our fingers 'til it's all on the dotted line) got the contract signed and a closing date set, it was nice to be reminded of this.

4) There can be too much of a good thing. We needed rain. We got plenty. Now we're gonna get more. My grass is nearly 2 feet high, and can't be mowed because the yard is a swamp. Really, rain, go on 'round us next time, please.

5) People are paying attention. Reference the dedication that opens this post. ;-)

6) The Olympics are more fun when the media doesn't dig too deeply. I love the fluff stories -- hated every story that talked about the bad judging, the recalcitrant athletes, the Chinese government's iron fist and concerted efforts to whitewash how things are among their citizenry.

Well, that'll just have to do for now, Anne -- I've got lots to do the next few days -- prepare a Sunday School lesson for my Favorite Class.... entertain friends from New Jersey.... dodge my mother-in-law who has unexpectedly decided to come to town this weekend.... and paint my toenails.