Smell The Honeysuckle!

Between the ages of 2 and 6 I lived in Maryland. I had the best time. Riding bikes outside, forgetting how to use the breaks, flipping over guardrails, calling my mom from some lady’s house that didn’t speak English, you know the average childhood antics. Good times, good times.

Another good time was going to the library. For a family with five kids, a free library card from Howard County was just the ticket for most summer afternoons when we were bouncing off the walls. We would go, spend some time out of the house and pick out some books. When we would walk out to the car, my mom would most often say, “Smell the honeysuckle.” She wouldn’t just say it though; she would exclaim it refreshingly as though she had just received a present she had always wanted. When we were little and had no idea what things lived in bushes or peed on them, we would suck out the nectar. I do not do that anymore, but I do still on occasion, smell the honeysuckle.

There has been a recent rash of such occasions. On 222 going toward Kutztown there are bushes along the highway. There is honeysuckle there. And when I am driving down the hill and singing at the top of my lungs, I get hit with the unmistakable fragrance and have no choice, but to smell the honeysuckle. I think it is funny how so many years later I still feel like a little kid when I smell it. Sweet and flowery with a hint of savory, what’s not to love? Just kidding about the savory part, but some people will get a kick out of that, Janelle and Jen I’m sure, will remember the reference.

In any case, as long as I live I hope to equate that smell with a fun summer afternoon at the library and the admonition of my mother to be thankful and always surprised at the sweet unexpected blessing of honeysuckle.

Channel Surfing Gone Awry

The other day I was flipping through the channels to see if anything was worth watching. As I flipped through I saw a promo or a clip of yet another reality relationship game show. It was for Paris Hilton’s BFF. There are so many things about this that makes me sad. Firstly, there is no solace known to man at this time that is completely void of Paris Hilton. Why? I have no idea. She is this decade’s version of Kato Kaelin and Jenny Jones. They are everywhere, say nothing of importance, and they have celebrity status. That word means nothing anymore.

Perhaps even more disturbing than she are those who are competing to be her BFF. You are on a game show to be friends with a girl who publicly trashed her true life, long time, best friend, and you want to be the replacement? There are other ways to get into show business.

I am not sure if the producers were aware, but the last F is supposed to be forever. The notion of having a sequel to a”forever” is fundamentally unacceptable. Where is the first winner of the forever friend position? No one knows and this year, no one cares.

Needless to say I did not watch. I think I probably watched travel shows or even PCN tours learning how they make reproduction furniture in Lititz. That is interesting, not socialite speech peppered with blackberry abbreviations.

IDK, maybe I am more upset with the fact that a show like that is on the air and they took away Pushing Daisies or that I’m hardly ever home to watch 30 Rock.! Truthfully I’ve never forgiven the networks for pulling American Dreams back in 2005 and as sure as all get out, I will never forgive them for ending Family Ties! Alex could be president by now dealing with his opposing parents as lobbyist for clean air initiatives, while Jennifer becomes the first platinum blonde Supreme Court justice, Mallory designs fashion wear for the space program, and Andy lives in a van in the dessert of Utah studying newts.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. I only wish these inane game shows would disappear. Oh, and I also wish for world peace.

Vacation Observation

Last week I was on my summer vacation. I was with the family and we did a lot of fun things. I was able to explore the community where we stayed and it was just beautiful. There were houses surrounding the lake, playgrounds, camp sites, beaches, pools, and wild deer so tame you could get within two feet of them. It seems impossible it is all over. I’ve spent so much time looking forward to it and it goes by so quickly.

In some ways I am glad to be back and getting into “normal” life again. For one thing, the temptation of copious amount of sweets will be no more. And I have plans to visit soon with a few friends I haven’t seen in quite some time.

I wanted to share something I observed while at the pool one day. Thursday we decided to go to the pool. Earlier in the week we had gone to the lake and even though it is beautiful and the beach was nice, I do not like swimming in the lake. Give me chlorine so strong it could kill a legion of aquatic wild life and I am a happy girl.

The fact that we had agreed on the pool made me happy to be able to swim. I will never be an Olympic swimmer, I don’t really know how to swim, but I move my arms and my legs and I stay afloat and get to where I want to go, to me, that is all I need. And no, it is not a dog paddle.

This is probably the first time since I was ten I did not imagine a shark coming to get me as I swam. Yes I realize sharks do not live in pools. However, after seeing a James Bond movie when I was young where an evil maniac releases a shark into a pool where 007 was swimming, I have envisioned this scene while swimming in pools. Fear is not always rational, so back up off me.

It was a good time with sisters and nieces as the boys were out fishing. Mom and Nana were even there on the lawn chairs in the shade, just enjoying the day.

I got out of the pool to get ready to leave and sat on my towel to people watch. I was next to my mother in her chair and we both saw the same thing. A man who looked to be in his seventies came walking up to the deep end. He was walking slowly, using a cane as he went. I watched him because I was a bit concerned for his safety. He was dressed for swimming, but still, it can be slippery near a pool and I just was hoping he would not fall around the edge of the pool. After what seemed to be forever, he got near enough and with one fluid and uncharacteristic swift motion he pushed his cane to the side and pushed off the ground to launch into the pool for a swim.

I turned to Mom and asked if she had seen what I saw. She said yes. I said that is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. That would be a way better commercial for Nestea than anything I’ve ever seen them come up with for an idea.

There are so many areas of life where I could apply this word picture. I should not be afraid of change, I should not hold on to things I think will help me but only make the transition awkward. I should never act as though I’m old although the time will come I am sure when I will not be able to move as I once could. That is just the beginning of all the things. I’m sure you have some of your own. I’m just sad for you that you were not there to see it.

Next time you are in an opportunity to people watch. Look for the little kids and the elderly. In my experience, they have taught me much more than the middle aged crowd. Perhaps I am too close to the middle age bracket I cannot fully appreciate it at this time. But who knows, some day I may be creeping toward the edge of a pool wondering why young people have become so voyeuristic.