I've Been Playing

I probably should have posted that I was taking a short blogging vacation. Sorry for the absence, but at least I left you something pretty to look at while I was gone.

I've been playing the last couple of weeks, in between working. First, my dear cousin Joan flew to the Keys for a few days and we logged some serious beach time along with a trip to Key West, a swim with dolphins at Dolphin Research Center, and lots of wonderful conversation.

This past weekend, I spent the night in Key West in a house filled with friends.

One should always make the time to hang out and have fun with the people we care about!

Since I last posted, so much has gone on in my world as well as the world at large, I can't seem to settle on only one topic for this post. So, I'm going to skate by with a couple of observations.

Rest in peace to all of the celebrities who passed in the last couple of weeks. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays. I can't help thinking that like many things, stardom is a matter of degrees. While people gather and leave tributes at MJ's estates and childhood home or Farrah's star on the Hollywood walk of fame, will anyone bring flowers to the supermarket and leave them on the floor by the Oxyclean in honor of Mr. Mays?

If I ever bump my head, or get hit in the head and feel even the slightest bit off, I'm going to the E.R. There are lessons to be learned from Natasha Richardson's seemingly little skiing fall and Billy Mays getting conked by some luggage on a recent flight. (If that's what they end up saying led to his death.) Clearly we need to take these things more seriously. Considering the number of concussions suffered during football season, it's a wonder more NFL pros haven't suffered similar complications.

While in Key West yesterday, our group decided to go to the "pirate store". I never knew that this is really a section inside the big adult toy/fantasy clothing store. There under one roof, you can find a tricorn hat, lacy baby doll ensemble, a replica saber, brush-on chocolate, and vibrators in an array of colors. I'm sure there are more than a few people who combine the products and come up with some truly creative, erotic pirate fantasies. I didn't investigate all corners of the store to see if there was a fetish department with a real cat o' nine tails.

I was greatly heartened to see numerous signs cautioning customers that intimate novelties cannot be returned.

Oh thank God! Not that I was shopping for a dildo, but I'm greatly relieved that if I was, I could be sure that it had not been used by someone else and then returned for a refund or store credit.

View

One night last week, I looked out the window at the view I see every day and physically gasped at its beauty. I've seen this scene thousands of times over 30 plus years, but on this evening it was magic.
I don't know what atmospheric illusion turned the sky and water almost identical shades of pure, breathtaking blue. I don't know why the wind died down at the same time so that the harbor was transformed into an endless, still, reflecting pool.
I only know that I wanted to capture the image and keep it with me forever.

Blame it on Bejeweled

I've neglected this blog. I'm sorry. I have all the good intentions, but, well, there, here's the thing . . .

Hi, my name is Mary and I'm an addict. It's a terrible disease. Eventually addiction steals quality time away from your life and loved ones. It sucks you in and consumes you until all you want to do is devote yourself to your addiction. It calls to you, lures you to its side with bright, glittering promise. "Play with me," it whispers in your head. "You know you want to. You think you can beat me. You're willing to try."

The ante always increases. You're never really satisfied. You keep going back, desperate to score. Higher and higher.

My dogs stare at me with pleading eyes. "Mommy, please. Don't do it. Play with us instead."

"One more time. One more minute," I promise. "That's all and then I'll stop. Just. Once. More."

I can't stand the disappointment in their little doggy eyes but the addiction has me in its thrall.

*deep breath*

I don't want to give it up. It's so much fun. I know I can beat it on my terms.

Yes. On my terms. I'll play but I won't let it take over. I can do this. Really.

Hi, my name is Mary. I'm addicted to Bejeweled Blitz.

(If you play, you know exactly what I'm talking about!)