This has never felt like home to me.

When I hear that statement I have to wonder what it is that actually generates the feeling of being home.  Is it family, or friends?  Is it as simple as familiarly? Could it be safety or comfort, or maybe a portion of each of these things?

Whenever we contemplate moving, we wonder if that new place will feel like home.  We buy a different house, fill it up with our stuff and meet the neighbors, but then what?  Suddenly we find we’ve been plopped down in a strange community, surrounded by different stores, odd gas stations – maybe even different languages spoken here and there.  What would ever make this feel like home?

Looking at the complex motivational factors that go into moving in the first place I’m reminded of an exit interview I had at one job.  They were curious as to why I was leaving and the person on the other side of the desk said,  “People are either drawn towards something or repelled from something.  Which are you?”   Taking the high road I chose to avoid saying the job stunk, and simply suggested greener pastures awaited.

I haven’t yet discovered the secret to the feeling of home.  I’ve had it on occasion, which suggests to me that it is a fluid thing and not so much a constant reality.  I know that doesn’t help much, but for now it’s all I have.

 

 

Ben Franklin

"If you would

not be forgotten

as soon as you are

dead and rotten,

either write things

worth reading,

or do things worth writing."

 

 

 

Suddenly I don't feel so bad about

my lame rhymes.

 



"At" is Superfluous

 

 

Even though I had purchased the potion it was another thing altogether to get myself to try it.
 

If the gypsy was right in what she said, not only would I be cured but I’d once again be able get the voices in my head to start using proper English.

Really, the way they talk is driving me nuts.

 

 

"Where are we going to meet at?"

 

 

 



Everything Happens for a Reason

…so this guy hands me his business card.

 

“Thanks”, says I, and we part company.

 

Some years later I’m cleaning out one of my desk drawers and what do I come across but this business card.  So long ago - I think to myself.

 

I wonder….

 

I guess all I can do is try it.  So I fold the card into thirds and tuck it under the table leg.

 

Yep.  That’ll do it.  

 

 

...a fine time to tell me.

 

 

 

 



Body of Evidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Yes, I've used this picture in other posts, but how often does a pic like this come along?)

 

 



The Awakening

 

I awoke to such grumblings, the likes I’ve never heard.  I, having taken so long to fall asleep, now startled and annoyed at such rudeness – what was this loud agitation? Surely not an earthquake and thunder has always kept its distance.

But here it is again – shaking my pipes and rattling my nerves. It had to be a man-made event for Mother Nature had long since gone to bed, freezing her ground and covering herself with a thick blanket of snow.  It could not possibly be her making such a racket, and not at this hour.

Was some intruder attempting to gain access?  If so, they need to work on their element of surprise.  It’s as if they were dragging a bag of clown shoes behind them.  And yet, somehow familiar – this sound, now that I am a little more awake. I know it from somewhere, but where?

Then, as if the overhead light had snapped on, it came to me.  I suddenly knew what it was, and just as quickly I knew that I was to blame, although my explanation might pacify a judge, my own stupidity was – at this very moment – handing down a very heavy fine.

In my haste to escape winter I had failed to clear the sprinklers of water.  I neglected to shut down the timer that was scheduled to keep my lawn lush and green, and now – in their attempt to simply do their job, they were trying to pump gallons upon gallons of water up through the frozen ground.

A laughable force against Mother Nature, for my pipes were splitting, sprinkler heads were bursting against the pressure and although I wouldn’t see it until summer, my wallet was suffering major leaks in all directions.

 

I might as well get up.  I'm wide awake now.