Saturday, July 22, 2006

Mark-A-Wish Foundation

Ruler-of-the-Roost mentioned to me today that it was a shame the joy that is living with him couldn't be shared round the world. He went on to comment that while I reap all the benefits of his tireless giving, so many must do without. A tragedy indeed. Henceforth, his philanthropic efforts will be directed beyond the blessed here at ky coop cast.

Mark-A-Wish Eligibility
Any female who has reached the age of 18 and is under the age of 100 at the time of referral, who believes herself to be in desperate need or deserving, is potentially eligible for a wish.

Mission
"I grant the wishes of my wife and others to enrich their life experience with hope, strength, and joy."

Since 1994, the Mark-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of his wife and children with his wish-granting work. The foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Mark-A-Wish experience has on women, children, families, and fried chicken.

Wish requests may be submitted in writing to Ruler-of-the-Roost who does retain first right of refusal... assuming anyone out there has a wish they want him to fulfill.

Friday, July 21, 2006

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
'Life that shall send A challenge to its end, And when it comes, say, 'Welcome, friend.''

WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST
I Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

II Life is real—life is earnest—
And the grave is not its goal:
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

III Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destin'd end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

IV Art is long, and time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

V In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

VI
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act—act in the glorious Present!
Heart within, and God o'er head!

VII
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footsteps on the sands of time.

VIII
Footsteps, that, perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwreck'd brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

IX
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Detox and the Sex Goddess

We're on day five of Operation California Detox which includes endless inquiries by my three children wanting to know what we're doing today for fun. After I explain the plan for the day which may or may not include swimming at the pool, renting their favorite movie or playing outside, I'm blasted by a chorus of cries and complaints.

"I wish we never moved here." "California is much more fun than this stinkin place." "I'll just live at Grandma's and Boppa's by myself - you can give them money." "I'm bored."

I expected this. After 27 days of pure, uninterrupted fun and entertainment, they don't know what to do with themselves. We did have a great time and for once in my life, I wasn't ready to leave. It was so good to be with everybody and watch my kids enjoy themselves so much. I was sad to leave too.

Mark was ready for all of us to be home. He was getting bored and couldn't wait for me to walk in to the spotless house completely stocked with groceries and exclaim (again) what an amazing man he is. So, I get it. I tell him how appreciative I am, what a great job he did, wow, I can't believe how perfect everything is, blah blah blah.

The next thing I do is check email and note that Amazon.com has sent a shipment confirmation for a book he had ordered. Yes, "227 Ways to Unleash the Sex Goddess Within" is on its way to my door. Perfect. Now in addition to unpacking, washing and putting away the nine bags of luggage I brought back, and dealing with my kids' post-California depression, I can learn how to create my sensual garden.

I mention my "find" to Mark and he's again thinking all thanks and praise are headed in his direction. How thoughtful he's been, a gift for me. I should be applauded for not having an immediate vocal, emotional response. I decide in the moment, that I'll just address this later.

So the book arrives. I leave it on the counter and the Giver of all Gifts walks in from work and looks through the book. "This is not what I expected at all." (Imagine my face with the biggest "puh-leese" look on it.) So he's telling me that he miss-understood the title and thought in fact it was the male counterpart to the author's other literary work of art entitled "203 Ways to Drive a Man Wild in Bed" (Which we have because my sister received it for her bachelorette party and decided to pass it on.)

This from my husband, who has an incredible amount of responsibility and accountability in his job and who I have always considered to be very intelligent.

That's his story and he's stickin to it.