Seven Up

First of all, I have to say that I hope the little guys on the juke box yelling about their need for coffee are not driving you crazy. I know that can be annoying. We had them before (remember?), and when they got on my nerves, I got rid of them. Well, they are back and they aren't on my nerves yet. They kind of make me laugh. They just sound so desperate. The way that one just pleads "Just pour me a little bit, would you?" ---it makes me smile.

I've told you before, I have a great appreciation for silliness.

Second---OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! IT'S SPRING!!!
It's here. I'm so excited. I mean, we've got sunshine and warmth and things growing and sprouting and longer days. It's all here. I just want to wrap my arms around spring's lovely neck and give it a great big hug. "Welcome back, Spring! I've been waiting for you---couldn't wait for you to get here!"

Third---The government of the United States of America: Big sigh.
It's just beyond words. And I'm so sick of words. I'm so sick of people always talking and doing nothing about it. So I don't want to add to that. I'm not going to rant if I'm not out making something happen. I'd like to get out and get in the way of those who are making things happen.....but at this season of my life, I can't. Not right now anyway.

Fourth---I failed to tell you on Sunday (perhaps those of you who are keeping score at home knew it anyway), but our lovely and wonderful Baby J turned 3 months old on Sunday, the 21st. And he is just growing and changing and getting to be so cuddly and sweet. He has found his voice and I love it when we get into these "deep conversations"---where he will answer back everything I say with coos and gurgles and various noises. Just precious. I am aware that with my first three, I was not always "in the moment." I didn't always stop and enjoy the tiny daily things that are, in themselves, the magical scenes that dreams are made of. Am I enjoying it more this time because I am older? Or because this appears to be the last baby for us? Whatever the reason, I am making a much more conscious effort to carpe the diem with this sweet baby boy.

Fifth---I am totally out of things to read with that little series I was obsessed with. I even went on-line and read that incomplete draft of Midnight Sun. And here's something I was thinking about this morning---it interests me that there are so many people eager to criticize this woman, this author, for things that I think are ....well, basically neither here nor there.

I have heard people say (and I think I have even said it myself) that her books are not literature. Okay. I know what we mean by that. They are simplistically written. Bubble gum, perhaps. Even while being totally absorbed in the books, there would be things about them, about the writing, that would kind of get on my nerves.
But you can't really say that they are not literature.
Well, you can say it, but that doesn't make it so.
They are literature.
And people want to make such a point of distancing themselves from this series. I can see if you say just across the board "no vampires for me," then fine, it's not for you. (Don't let me catch you reading Bram Stoker.) And for the record, I have always been a "no vampire" type of person myself. Just because it doesn't interest me. I'm not into science fiction or fantasy or thrillers. Even now, I'd say that. It doesn't interest me.
But this series did.

I just wrote and then deleted a whole tirade about
my thoughts on the Twilight series of books and what people
have to say about it.
I'm just not even going to get into it.
Here's what I will say: I enjoyed the books immensely.
If you want to read them, read them.
If you don't, don't.
It won't enhance your life if you do read them.
It won't kill you either.
And not reading them is not a practice
in the spiritual disciplines.
They are just stories....fiction....like any other book.
They are not The Book.
(The only one that really matters.)

Sixth---there is no sixth. I'm done. I'm off to feed that lovely baby and then whip out the history books for my little scholars. We need to get a bit more of our noses to the educational grindstone. I've been so lax this semester (especially since the big stink showed up). We need to do better, do more. We'll be doing stuff all summer if we don't get our act together.

Seventh---Looks like there might have been a sixth after all.