Deepest, Darkest

This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is "Deepest Darkest" . How cool is that? Oh, and how cool is the fact that I am getting mine in early rather than late! Nice!

Deepest, Darkest

What lies beneath the surface;
‘Neath the reaches of lights touch?
What treasures are we hiding,
So no one else can touch?

What wishes do we bury
Thinking no one else will care?
What secrets do we tuck away?
What heartaches do we bare?

Each person’s store is different,
The location, to them, unique.
And is often hidden somewhere
That is DEEP and DARK and BLEAK.

Thank you, Lord!

I have been witness to some major miracles for friends and family in my life, and though I have internalized my gratitude for all of God’s goodness, I feel that I need to shout it from the mountains, but the peaks of Blog-dom will have to suffice for now! I just really want the world to know how Great God is. You know, it isn’t just because of all the good things that have been happening to my friends/family, but it also for His wisdom in sometimes answering my prayers with a response that I may not like. I know there is always a reason for the way things happen, but I don’t always like the way things happen. Many times we never know why things happen the way they do, but once in a while we get a little glimpse of what would have happened if they had worked out the way we had hoped for.

Anyone who also read’s Gracey’s Space may remember the entries she had for her friend JT and his wife. I have been following their online journal, and it is so inspiring and such a blessing to see how God keeps taking care of things all along the way. Melanie still has a long road ahead of her, but she truly is a product of God’s grace!

A few weeks ago, I found out that my cousin Coby had been in a similar accident as JT and Melanie. He was the passenger and the rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to disentangle the truck from the pole that it had been wrapped around. The rescuers didn’t believe that Coby would even make it to the hospital alive, but he did, and he was out a week later. He has some major injuries to overcome, but God spared his life, and I know He has a plan for Coby that is beyond anything we can imagine.

I also have a friend from high school that I recently found out had a baby girl. I haven’t gotten the whole updated story to date, but she and her husband had been trying for more than 3 years to have a child and it didn’t look like it was in the cards due to some conditions that existed, but God stacked the deck and gave them a miracle of a little girl. Even though she had to be delivered two months prematurely and has had to have surgery and is in NICU, I believe that she is a miracle from the Lord, and I can promise you that her parents treasure her and know just how blessed they are to have her in their life.

There are so many more stories that I keep hearing, and I know that they aren’t occurring just for my benefit, but lemme tell you, they all have just increased my faith and trust in the Lord that He is doing amazing things and He knows what is best. I need that to lean on as I continue to pray for things in my life, and have to trust that He will answer those prayers according to His will and what He knows is best. I also have to count on Him for the strength to deal with the negative answers that I don’t want to hear…but the best part is, He is there for me for those times, as well!

To God be the Glory…GREAT things He hath done!!!!

Unexpected Surprises

This past weekend we had the opportunity to see the Good Year Blimp fly by our home several times. After a little detective work, we discovered that Good Year is sponsoring the NCAA Tournaments and some of the games were played at the HP Pavilion in San Jose which is only a few miles from our home. We also determined from past knowledge that the blimp was docking at the Livermore airport, and luckily for us, that put our home right under the it's flight path. On Saturday my hunny advised me of the game times and I got lucky enough to watch it on it's way to the arena. The pictures I took of it were a bit blurry (I don't have the best zoom and it was further east than anticipated), but just getting watch it hover on by was pretty cool.

My hunny got home from work and turned on the game, and when he told me that his team won, I returned outside to try to site the blimp on it's return trip. Luckily for us, it was a lot closer to the house, and I got a few better shots.

I know I'm kind of a dork for being so excited to see a blimp go by, but I still think they're cool. Talk about the blimp also sparked some stories from Dad about when he was in the military and working in the same hangar that blimps were housed in. It was pretty interesting to hear how he'd look up and only see shoe prints as people were walking around in the blimp performing maintenance to the balloon...how cool!

In The Kitchen...

This week's prompt for Sunday Scribblings is "In the Kitchen". There are so many ways that my brain wants to go with this one, but since it is Monday morning and I have a bunch of reports and work to do today, I went with the quick poem I thought of while I was thinking of which path to take. I hope you enjoy!!!

In The Kitchen…
-Kat Mosher

Above the fridge,
Below the sink,
Inside the Microwave
Which is on the blink.

Next to the stove
And in the drawer
Atop the counter
And on the floor,

In every cupboard,
Even the lights above
Every kitchen
Should be filled with love.

Dinner and a Movie

My hunny and I got to go on a really nice Date last night. We were going to go to Su's BBQ for Frank's first venture into Mongolian BBQ, unfortunately they didn't open until 5, and we got there at 4:30, so we went to La Paloma, a Mexican restaurant nearby, which was quite yummy. Luckily for us the service was quick, and we were able to make it to the 5:45 movie, only missing a few minutes of previews! Believe me, though we still saw plenty of previews! =-)

I am a huge Sandra Bullock fan, and being the considerate man that he is, My hunny agreed to go see her new movie "Premonition" with me. When it comes to movies, I am pretty easy to please. There has only been a couple movies that I have seen that I could honestly say I could do without having see. I really liked this movie, though. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it really gets ya thinking. I like movies that you have to follow along with, and this is one of those. Even after having seen it, I'm still thinking about it. I'm already looking forward to it coming out on DVD so I can watch it again and see what I missed the first time. (I'm strange like that).

My hunny liked it, too for the most part. It's definitely a thinker, though, and our biggest gripe, which doesn't matter anyway, was the slow beginning. All in all, though...Thumbs up from both of us.

The best part of the evening was just being able to spend time with my hunny. We don't get much "Alone" time, so I really look forward to our date nights.

Next movie night will likely be Zodiac in a week or two.

Welp, that is all for the moment...I have to rush off to a meeting! Have a great weekend everyone!

Recharging Station

She stood beside her truck, breathing deeply to soak in as much of the soothing affects of the ocean breeze as possible. She came to this place for many reasons, today to recharge and try to loosen the clutching grip that stress had on her life. Once again she was faced with the realization that she had to free herself from the shackles of darkness that invaded her life, and once again, she was at a loss for how to do so. She silently whined in her brain that the realization should be enough to force stress to release hold of her, but whining did nothing but add to the tightness enveloping her. She looked into the side-view mirror of the truck wondering how to begin the search for herself. Mocking in frustration as she pointed at her reflection “You’re right there”. Again silently complaining that the knowledge that she had to do something should be enough to fix what was wrong.

She walked along the sandy shore, still lost in thoughts and ponders, the grip of stress seaming to loosen, if only just slightly, still noticeably. She once again felt the magic of the sea air sink deep into her system empowering herself, blowing away the fog in her brain and helping her to focus. Life was simpler, troubles less intense and fantasy more possible while she stayed here.

Fully recharged, she regretfully turned away from her haven to return to reality which would begin sapping the clarity and comfort that she now felt. She had not solved the puzzle of how to release her stress or find herself, but she had filled her stores to the brim with the courage and encouragement she needed to get through the next period of her life, until she could come back to her magic place and recharge once again.

Sunday Scribbles - "Inspiration"

Inspiration

This is the prompt from this week's Sunday's Scribblings. I have decided to participate on the sly for a little while. I don't know how faithful I would be at it, as well, as I rarely visit a computer on Sundays, so my entries wouldn't be until later in the week. Anyway, here is my first attempt!

My inspiration for writing short stories, nearly always comes from a dream that I had at some point. It wasn't until after having written such a short story and having it read by someone close to me, that I was challenged to explain the process of my writing.

My stories are most often loosely based on a dream that I had, but the characters/players from that dream take on their own new lives as I begin writing about each of them. Even from the moment I settle on a name for that character, it begins morphing from what I dreamt about to what I imagine for my story.

My dreams are strange beings as well, as I'm certain many or most other people's dreams can be. Many times, though I may be the main player in the dreams, I am not necessarily myself. Most of the time, I do look quite different (shorter, taller, thinner, thicker, different hair color, etc...) from myself, but I am still dreaming from the first person's perspective, as if it were me. Oh, and many or most of the time, my dreams that become stories are not based on anything in my normal reality. The people that I love and know in my reality don't even exist in the realms of my story-dreams. This is not to mean that they don't mean enough to me to dream about, OR that I wish they weren't part of my reality. It just seems to be how my subconscious inspires me to write (or that is what I chose to believe).

Oh, and I do have many dreams that are based more in reality. All the normal players in my life are in my dreams and things are just as they are now, for the most part. (I still have dreams about being in high school...ugh!!!!).

In trying to explain how my writing process works, I have found, as usual, it is difficult for me to explain things about myself. You would think that for a writer at heart, descriptions would come quickly and easily...LOL...I seemed to have missed the activation of that part of my talent!

Basically I have come to the conclusion that I have a more active dream life than a number of people I know, or perhaps, a better memory of my dreams. I wouldn't trade that for the world, though (even the really intense/scary ones).

Miracles DO happen!!!

Saying “Hello” again to an old friend.

It must have been in my Senior year that I remembered a place I had been to a couple years before, when I had to take “Behind the Wheel” training to be able to get my Learner’s Permit. The instructor was a very nice man, and though I can’t remember what he looked like or much about the training, I did get one treasure from that course that will be dear to my heart for a lifetime. At the time, there was nothing significant about it. We were required to take a 15 min break halfway through the training each day, and for this break, he would direct me out to the tiny “nothing” town of Alviso, to what I came to know as the “Alviso Pier”, or what had once been the Alviso Pier, at least, but now was part of a Natural Wildlife Reservation. Basically, it was a little parking lot pretty much surrounded by reeds and weeds. The pier had once been used by fishermen to launch or dock their boats, back when the Bay came in that far inland, but it no longer reached the pier, and eventually the reeds took over and became home to many species of wildlife. For the three days of training, it simply was the parking lot we spent our 15 min breaks in.

Fastforwarding back to my Senior year =>=>=> Growing up in the church/school that I did, there were many times that I really just wanted to get away from it all. I wanted to find a place where I could go and just relax and just be me. I wanted to get away from the expectations that were imposed upon everyone who went to this particular church/school. I was in it 6 days a week. Sunday all day for church and Monday-Friday for school. Saturdays could have easily been eaten up there, as well, but my parents thought that there should be at least one day for family time (Bless them). The problem is, though, the Bay Area is not known for “wide open spaces”. We lived in a Condominium Complex (surrounded by other families that attended the same church, including several teachers from the school), so there was no where at home to run to for some peace and quiet. Then, towards the end of my Senior year, I remembered that pier that the driver instructor had taken me to, and determined to find it again.

Thankfully it wasn’t too difficult to find at all. The best part about it, NO one from the church/school seemed to know it existed (it was in Alviso, afterall…pretty much the “slums” of the area as far as most people were concerned). In addition to that, though, it really wasn’t ever busy. At the most, there may have been 3 or 4 other cars there whenever I’d drive out there for some quiet time.

Over the next few years, Alviso Pier became known as “My Pier”. Mom and Dad had an idea of where it was, but even they didn’t bug me out there. I could drive out there, roll the windows down and just enjoy the quiet. Yes, I had found a quiet space in the Bay Area. I wrote many poems and letters there, cried many, many tears, released hundreds of frustrations, and recharged my batteries more times than I can remember. Alviso Pier had become my best friend. It never judged, never whined, never demanded anything of me. It was always there for me, comforting me and accepting me with no expectations.

Even after life got so busy that I wasn’t able to go out to the pier very often, it ALWAYS welcomed me back, even for a quick drive through. Then, tragedy struck. I decided to take my hunny out to my pier, to show him my secret hidey place, and as we rounded the bend, my heart sunk. The entrance to the pier was boarded up, and there were cranes and heavy equipment all over. I was devastated. No more quick drives out for some fresh air and quiet. My best friend was being demolished and there was nothing I could do for it. My hunny patted my sholder and said he was sorry, and I know he was. I had told him just how much the pier meant to me, and he understood.

I drove away that day with a heavy heart, sorry for the loss of a friendship that could never be replaced.

Just last weekend, I had some free time and decided to go see what they had done to what had been “My Pier”. This time, as I rounded the corner, though, my heart did not sink, it jumped for joy. They hadn’t demolished my pier, after all! They had restored her. Well, not to a functioning Pier (the Bay still doesn’t come in there anymore), but to a nice park. There are now trails and picnic tables and the views are amazing. I sat out there for about an hour, just soaking up the karma that my best friend always had to offer. My best friend had been given a well deserved makeover.

My hunny and I went out Monday night for a few minutes (before it closed) just to walk around, but we’re planning to go back several times a week for walks along the trails, and eventually bike rides! I can’t tell you how happy my heart is that my best friend is back. And even though more people now know about her, its ok…she deserves to be appreciated by many.

Thank you “Alviso Pier” for all you have done for me over the years! =-)

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I would like to introduce to to the freshly made-over "Alviso Marina" (as she is now known)

Who knew all this beauty was out there? I sure didn't until Monday!

It's amazing what you can discover about your best friend that you never knew!

And its also amazing the gift's that your best friend gives you without your realizing it! I don't remember the bird at all, but it sure looks great in this picture!!!

The things we take for granted!!!

Every morning I go about my normal routine, always trusting that the things I need are going to be there and help me accomplish the goals I need to before I head out the door to face the day. On this particular morning, things were going well. It was Saturday, a nice leisurely day with the only planned outing being spending my Hunny's lunch hour with him.

The shower was delightful. No hurries, just relaxing peaceful moments to soak in the rejuvenating, clensing droplets of water as they cascade out of the showerhead. After completing my shower and dressing for the day, it was time for the normal hair drying routine. It was in those moments that I realized just how much I depended on my ever-faithful hair dryer buddy. I lifted the round brush to my hair and pressed the button for the dryer to turn on and tame my unruly naturally curly hair. Nothing! Not to worry, the "Reset Button" must need to be pressed. Nope...still nothing! Minor panic setting in! It's ok...we'll try the "Reset Button" once more...maybe I pressed it too lightly. NOoooooooooo! Not my hair dryer. It really had lived a long life. Nearly ten years of faithfully smoothing my hair, and now...now it was gone. No life, no final sputters of breath, just stillness.

With great sorrow I bade it farewell with a final "Thank you!"

In an attempt to do something with my unmanageable mane, I ventured into Mom and Dad's bathroom and borrowed Mom's hair dryer. It was a slightly different style, being quite a few years younger than mine had been, but I assure you, that youth did not bring talent. After 20 minutes of frustration, I finally came to a point of "That will have to do" and headed out to brighten my day by spending 60 minutes with my hunny.

We went out later that night to replace what was lost, but I assure, though the new one I got looks nearly the same, it still does not have the talent that my long lost buddy had.

So with a heavy heart, I bid you all to be greatful for even the little things in life, for you never know what you will soon discover that you currently take for granted!