Announcement

On this last day of 2019, I have decided that I will not run for the presidency of the United States Of America.  I just wanted to put that out there, cause I thought at one time that someone asked me if I wanted to run. 

I wanted to announce to my 10 followers first so that you could be the first to know.  Please advise your friends that I will not accept any write-in votes either.  I do not wish to be president.  It is hard. 

And, I don't think people really agree with my politics.  Therefore, do not consider me.  The press interviews and attention would really aggravate my neighbors and family.  And I truly have not decided to whom to throw my support.

Thank you for not considering me. 

DN.

Time

Time.


It used to pass so slowly. I remember when I was twelve. I couldn't wait to grow up. My wife says I still haven't, even after 50 years. Ha.


When I was a kid, it seemed like it would take forever. At some time in the past 40 years, I heard a song. A Gordon Lightfoot. Went like this, "if you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon." And I always worried if I did... Faced tomorrow.

Well, after 50 years of tomorrows, I have. Faced it. I finished school. Got an education, got a job, got a career (two actually). Got a wife, got kids. 

And now, I find there does not seem to be enough time. Time to do what I want. Time to do what I need to do. Time to dream. Time for reflection. I guess that I realize. No time like the present. I realize. Realization, of all that I have. I am blessed. I guess somewhere along the line, I did grow up.

Wow. How did that happen? Oh, I know...

Time.

DN

Tragedy at the bird feeder.

Tragedy at the bird feeder.  Mom and Dad quail arrived yesterday morning with their covey of 8 to 10 chicks.  We have watched them grow for two months now.  We feed them every day.  It is nice to see them.  What a beautiful family.  

Yesterday...  

  

Yesterday morning, a neighbor told me. A hawk came out of the trees and snatched a chick. 

This afternoon, the dad came back.  He stood on a rock, scouting the security of the yard.  

Later, as I went to check the mail, I saw the mom and a few chicks cross the street.  Mom was looking back, as if wondering, where is…?  And, I thought to myself, did the chick have a name?  What name did Mom use?

Will she always look back for her chick,
wondering?  

David Normand
Aug. 7, 2019

Rembrances - shopping with kids

Mother’s day shopping (ca. 2005)

Today I took my son shopping for a Mother’s Day gift.
 I had offered to purchase a gift the other day when I was at the mall and my son was at school.

He said he couldn’t tell me what he wanted to get.
He said he saw it last week but could not remember it.
I said I would take him to get it tomorrow. 
Tomorrow is today. 

We went to the mall. 

We could not find the gift.

“What was it?” 
I don’t know.  It was purple. 
“Who wrote it?
I don’t know.
“What was it about?”
I don’t know.

Needless to say we bought something else.

DavidN.

Cancer is a horrible thing

Last year I wrote about a friend of the family.  She is close to my wife.  A work friend, a text friend, a dinner date friend.  I have met her on several occasions.  I'll admit, she is closer, and better known, to my wife than myself.  But I know her story.  

http://ponderingdave.blogspot.com/2018/11/reach-out.html

My wife gets a text over this past weekend that this friend's doctor has spoken.

"Go and do what  you have always wanted to do.  Now is the time."

My wife's friend replied as to what she always wanted to do.  "I want to live."


Cancer is a horrible thing.

DN.  July 28th, 2019.

An Elegy

The river seems a little low today,

The skies’ mood is grey.

Normally I'd be concerned,

But not my heart, not me, not today.

The snow is beginning to fall.

It will drive us all indoors.

Is introspection your gift to me?

Am I on your list of chores?

Say hello to me mum and dad (and my brother, too).

And say hello to yours.

I still miss them all these years

And I don’t understand the "what for’s?"

I know She comes for all of us,

The only thing that's sure.

But in the dash from here to there,

The life well-lived is the cure.

by David Normand