Full Circle

"On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux"
                                           From Le Petit Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupéry

I grew up hearing the melodic tones of French, France-French, flow eloquently and fluently from my mother's lips. She was never speaking directly to anyone, anyone present anyway, but (unbeknownst to her) I could sit there for hours listening to her sing-song conversation she was streaming while lost in thought, no doubt, about that day's lesson or a conversation with a colleague or what have you (again, I don't speak the language so I will never know the contents of her many conversations).

I remember seeing various Spanish and French literary works on our bookshelves (Candide, Cien años de soledad, just to name a few). One book in particular stood out- probably because I could recognize one of the words for its English equivalent, the other reason being the illustration depicting a small boy- who looked about my age when I first discovered the novel- featured on the cover page.

"The Little Prince" I remember my mother translating. "What's it about" I naturally inquired, to which I'm sure she gave her best, simpliest description of the philosophical, classical masterpiece. I of course have no idea what she said, but I do remember still not understanding the draw to the story, yet still wanting to know what happened to the little boy on an asteroid who looked like he was my age.

So here we are, some (many) years later and I am flipping through various blogs on social network sites when what do I find? An excerpt, randomly (auspiciously?) quoted (needlessly quoted) on one of the artsy pages (surprise).

Perhaps it's time to pick up a translated copy and join the on-going conversation whispered between authors of yore, their wise-ol' words resonating through the decades often landing on the deaf ears multiple generations (though occasionally, I am sure a few ears perk up and head the authors' caveats of love, life, politicians and power, and of course unexplainable magic that still lurks in the shadows of even the most modern of times).

Since I am at this age, probably (and hopefully) more than ever in need of clear and purposeful vision, learning to listen to my heart, as I am most certain my eyes will do me no good to navigate through this murky and uncertain stage in my life, I feel I can finally learn from this Little Prince the lessons that were lost on my young(er) self when I first stumbled upon this curious, playfully insightful character.

I am looking forward to the read.

Chasing Tail

Saw a bunny rabbit, equipped with a white-cotton tail, in a yard while walking my pup. A fire fly soon flickered near by the rabbit. Two of my favorite things to chase in the summer twilight were chillin' in the same yard at that exact. moment.

I could not have been happier to enjoy that pure moment.


So yea, I like to chase tail. (Shrugs.)

Getting Dirty...

I like to garden. I find it relaxing. I often tend to my tomato plants, rose, and other miscellaneous vegetation when I get home from work. Sometimes I water my water and replant pots while wearing my dress clothes (not my heels though, those come off immediately).

So yea, (shrugs) I like to get dirty.

Give Good Face

"She has such a great face. This is so editorial. I'm a fan."

A compliment I received on a photo taken at a recent group-shoot. Tell me why it took 20+ years before I get this type of a compliment? Where was this noise back in kindergarten-senior year of high school?? 

[Shakes head] Anyway, I had to comment on the comment.

Stick 'Em Up!

Took a gentleman caller (GC) to a friend's graduation party.  It's your typical family cook out: food, music, and grilling. There were a few little ones running about as little ones are want to do. One little boy had an orange, toy squirt gun.

The music hummed in the background as the conversation of partygoers drowned whatever work and life worries that may have been a soft murmur left over from the previous workday.  It was shaping up to be a good time, I hope, for all.

At one point while engaged in conversation with the host and her family, I -for the most part- had lost track of the GC. He wasn't not far, maybe within arms reach, but out of the corner of my eye I could see he was definitely acting funny.  As I understood, this was his first time at a celebration of this sort, a graduation party, but I couldn't chalk his odd behavior up to this detail...

While standing in place, he would sporadically lean back, throw his hands up in the air shoulder height with a surprised and worried look on his face.  At 6+ feet with a broad shoulders and an handsome mug to boot, he very much stood out of the present crowd of general suburbanites.  He did that move once, then twice, finally upon the third time I had to inquire about the peculiar distraction (solely out of curiosity, not at all out of embarrassment. If you 've been reading along, you all know I have no right to be embarrassed by others considering how much I dish out).

Like a child about to be wrongfully scolded, he defended his actions by pointing to the small boy with the orange squirt gun and protests, "He was sticking me up," to which, on cue, the little boy sure enough aims and almost fires if it weren't for the attentive parent on whose lap the youngin' was positioned. I chuckle and shake my head to adorable scene between two people in two very different stages of life. I joke that he should not let someone 20 years younger and 200lbs lighter push him around and continued my present conversation.  He graciously handles being the butt of a joke in a yard full of complete strangers, my self included for that time being.

Some time passes, seats around the outside table open up, and GC and I take advantage of the chance to sit under the canopy shade. GC grabs the attention of a curiously friendly aunt, leaving me open...vulnerable...unaware that I had been watched the entire time...

For I have unexpectedly entered the cross-hairs of the pint-sized, gun-toting vagrant from earlier.  I gasp, knowing it's too late, he's locked eyes on his target and all I can do is hope he aims away from my freshly flat-ironed hair.  I throw my hands up, trapped between other party goers. No way out. This is it. When just as he takes aim for the top of hair and begins to pull the trigger, the ever-still attentive parent swats the toy off target allowing the water to splash on a nearby cooler. There is no description for the feeling of relief I relish in that moment, only to have it cut short by a very well deserved, yet polite, "See?" by a smiling, and absolutely correct GC.

Mr. Impossible

Because Mr. Right is damn near impossible to find, why not just go big?

I would like a man who:

1) Will teach me how to drive stick (as in manual gear shift, perv)
2) Is not lactose intolerant (you have no idea how often I run into this roadblock.)
3) Knows how to do the ballet fish pose (and he may need to teach me how to do it)
4) Speaks at least one foreign language (ideally the same one I speak)
5) Is tall
6) Has his sh*t together
7) Does not have issues with his mother/father/family/coworkers/siblings/self/neighbor/etc.
8) Seriously, has his sh*t.       Together.
9) Is within my age range (+3yr, -1yr)
10) Has a nice body and a great face
11) Is single
12) Is not full of himself
13) Has a big vocabulary and knows how to use it (euphemism)
14) Is a cunning linguist (euphemism)
15) Isn't stupid (this attribute can come in many forms, and I am referring to all forms)
16) Is single, straight, and responsible (again, broad description. Requirement encompasses all interpretations)
17) Is happy
18) Is a good dancer AND likes to dance. Publicly. With me. 
19) Is healthy and athletic, and makes healthy lifestyle choices
20) Is religious (preferably mine or one compatible with mine)
21) No kids. Unless they're his and mine, and I have a fat rock on the right finger from him. Otherwise, I can't. I won't.
22) Isn't needy. (Like seriously, get off my nuts and get a hobby.)
23) Has a great sense of humor. He will think I'm hilarious as well as keep me ROTFLMOA
24) Likes me in high heels or house slippers
25) Thinks all my other girlfriends are great girls, but not his type (sorry, ladies)
26) Smells awesome, even after a workout
27) Has a great smile and nice eyes to match
28) Is parent friendly
29) Is gainfully employed.
30) Has a passion and pursues it
31) Is supportive and inspires me to be better
32) Will not put me down in front of his friends (because I will lay him out in front of those same friends)
33) Can cook
34) Will actually cook for me
35) Treats me well

Also he must have the other half of this golden amulet....


Cheers.

Well This Is Nice

I'm all nervous and giddy and jittery and excited and nervous (again) and I think this means I have a crush. . .huh. . . .

[grins]