3 years, 62 months, 47 days, 19 hours, 682 seconds

Once upon a time an ordinary acorn fell from a tree and caused a revolution. A natural, everyday occurance affected the lives of millions of people and hundreds of woodland animals. What was so special about this acorn that it has the distinction of such a huge ripple effect to the world around it? Exactly nothing. This acorn was undistinguished in every way; it was uneducated and ignorant to the world around it. The acorn did not choose to leave the tree; it had no idea where it was going. It was merely following the intricately planned sequence of nature.

Yes, the above illustration may be referring to a fairy tale. It is related here in this way to remind you of how pointless your efforts to control the uncontrollable are, how preposterous it is of you to think that your ideas are lofty enough to make a difference in the vast universe of science. Evolution may be the accepted theory in the scientific community, but who can stand up to the theory of truth? If mankind developed from protozoa and monkeys, why then do such organisms and animals exist? Why haven't they morphed and evolved? Absurdity it is for you to suggest over and over again that this complex system was put in place by an explosion! How many times have you seen dynamite explode and create a house?

Anyways, such silliness has become the norm, fortunately.

Announcement

I got a new job as a loan processor at Universal American Mortgage Company. I really like the job and all of the things that I am learning, and UAMC is a great place to work for. So far, the culture and people are very nice. It is an interesting change in careers, because now the customer that i speak with fears the end result and speaks with trepidation on all subjects remotely connected to the end result ( loan closure and fund disbursement); whereas previously, the customer did not care to talk about the details leading up to the end result (degree), because they were primarily concerned about attaining the end result as soon as possible. I have learned (just today) that I need to change my approach a little in order to not terrify the borrower unneccesarily.

try this one on for size

Never enough! this hideous mantra that started so long ago, again boldly proclaims her ineptness. Hands clenched in quivering fists, she paces her bedroom glaring at the mirror each time her teary, impovrished eyes caught sight of its reflection. how could i be so stupid to fall for this again? This question provides the answer to the mantra, she decides, yet she knows that it is not that simple.



there must be an answer. Her logical mind is searching for a single shread of logic, something that she can grasp hold of and steady her herself - if for only a brief exculpation.



desperate she reaches for the cabinet. it is not a gun she seeks. no, that would require courage, honesty, a clear admission of willpower. her reach is one of blurred spinelessness.



the liquid is warm as is hits her empty stomach, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. she sees again the mirrors' painting. this time it portrays a dishevelved, but smiling girl. the clenched fists have relaxed; the furrowed brow now a dejected wave. demented i must be, she thinks, to enjoy this. she knows that it will be much worse latter and there will be no smiling then, from anyone.

today i was reflective

it is so easy to get caught up in the mundane things in life that seem so important. today i took the time to extricate myself from these things for a bit respite. i took a stroll next to the 'lake' at tempe beach park and noticed the unusual green water, the warm breeze, and the fresh smell of the grass, trees, and fish. there was an elderly couple walking across the grass, stooped over and holding hands. they looked as if they would fall to the ground in their foot struck a stone or if the wind blew a bit harder. a couple of kids were playing under the overpass, trying to show off to anyone that might look their way, to prove that they alone are cool, fearless, and mature. then there was the lonesome soul, lounging under a tree, reading a book. this one i envyed. the trees were gorgeous and stood tall, graceful in the wind, and captivating. the clouds were wispy and puffy all at once; here today, gone tomorrow. it was a lovely break from the demanding world of me now. i hope to remove myself from its clutches again soon.

Very Important!

Our sister, Lupe Lean, is having a bit of financial difficulty and risks losing her house. She is a fighter, though, and is determined to stay afloat as long as possible. Her tactic? Enticing homemade tamales. For $10 you can buy a dozen, and there is no limit on how many you purchase. What a great opportunity for us to buy food and save a damsel in distress at the same time! Her email address is guadalupe91@cox.net and her phone number is (602) 870-7700. The following is a message from the original email that I received:



"Please include your phone number so she can call you if she needs to. Lupe has been in the valley for many years and lives on 12th St. and Northern. I believe she goes to a Spanish congregation but I have seen her attend Sunnyslope and Squaw Peak a few times. If you could help her out she would really appreciate it. Plus you get delicious tamales!"



That was written by Jayme. Please, if you are able, buy some tamales to support our sister. Let me know if you have any questions!



~theresa

pebbles

tedious tiny jumping bears

bubbles in a circle with the hair

snowcapped mountains everywhere

nancy wonders why

tall trees floating down the hallway

ice and lemons play jacks on the walk

swirlling breezes wipe off the roof

nancy wonders why

the squirrels nibble their pearls

the ants scream in anticipation

time wraps up its business

and nancy wonders why

the one, the only

I am the one and only. there is nobody i would rather be because I am the one and only and ya can't take that away from me. (remember that great 80s song?)



I have an idea. let's talk about english for a moment. When utilizing this language there are three (that we are going to talk about) ways to address a person. The first is first person, using I, me, or my. An example is "I wrote this song." The second is using he, she, it, and others not mentioned here due to sheer simplicity purposes. An example is, "He is the songwriter of those foul words."



The third and most important and least commonly used (hint, hint) is third person [are you picking up on the pattern?] Third person is substitutiting a proper noun in the place of a first person reference. It is not appropriate, and tends to be quite annoying, to consistantly speak of one's self in third person. For example, if my name was Jeremy, an inappropriate usage of third person would be, "Jeremy likes to write and listen to songs." Instead, it would be quite correct to substitute 'I' in the place of 'Jeremy.' For more wonderful english lessons please stay tuned.



***Beware! This post has been updated and may be different from the first time you read it.***



the editor would like to thank a certain JP for the tip about the third person rule. the editor would also like to thank a different certain JP for the inspiration to teach this exhilerating lesson, and this thanks is only offered if this lesson proves to be demonstrated.