With a Little Help from My Friends…

What would you do if I sang out of tune,

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song

And I'll try not to sing out of key...

We all need friends. Most of us have some, if not many. And really, it’s not how many friends you have, but the kind of friends you keep that make you happy or not. We make friends, lose friends and hold on to some in our lives for many years. And there are still others yet to be met.

There’s something to that saying, “It takes all kinds.” I think the different friends, (sometimes acquaintance is a better word), I have, all help bring out a special part of me. I have friends that don’t criticize when I sing out of tune. I have friends that would leave the room at the thought of me singing. I have friends I joke with. I have friends that I could only be serious with and others with whom I wouldn’t share a thing. I have friends I can get silly and giggle with, never feeling self conscious. I have friends I can drink with and others that I’d never even consider in that sphere. I hear one friend's problems and give her advice then turn around and listen to another advising me. I’m polite and serious with some and loud and raunchy with others. I’ve grown closer to some and sometimes, sadly, drifted away from others. I have friends I can call or text anytime and others whose numbers I don’t even have. I have friends who take me at my word and others who think nothing of using my words against me. I have friends who make me sad and some who make me glad. I have friends who make me mad. I even have some who can make me bad! I have those who think they know me and some who only knew me when. The important thing is I have friends, even when I think there is nobody around that cares.

I read something in an email the other day about all the kinds of friends people have. In fact that’s what inspired this post to some extent. The message also said Dr. Oz calls friends Vitamin F (for friends) and counts the benefits of friends adding to our overall health and well being. I thought that was kind of cool until I googled Vitamin F and found out it that it’s really essential fatty acids. Somehow I doubt that my friends would want me calling them essential fatty acids! But with essential being the key word, I can see how the two could be compared.

Life is about experiencing people, from all walks. I’m realizing that I need to appreciate the people in my life and take nobody for granted. Those are the people who care about me. And on the days when I think it just doesn’t matter anymore I’ll think about a friend and it will all be okay.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends...

Knitting? I almost always have some with me. I really like to start things. Finishing? I think this picture sums it up!

No, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends...

In Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston…

or in San Antone…

It’s doesn’t matter where, but this time, Dallas it is. I’ll be there for a few days for a conference. This trip has added benefits in the fact that my friends from across the state will be there. I can contact any of them by email, telephone or text, but we don’t get to meet in person often, so we take advantage of the opportunity when we can.

Education Service Center Regions in Texas

We’ll, laugh, joke and learn from each other. We started as a group of strangers and we’ve become a group of friends. These are the people I depend on when I have a problem in the program I work with. I have no qualms asking dumb questions. Sometimes I get dumb answers in return but most of the time I get new ideas, new information and new perspectives or find the answer that was in front of me the whole time.

It’s not often a group forms the dynamics we have, especially with the distance involved, and it is a real pleasure. I’ll be surrounded with support and encouragement. I’ll bring it back with me and hope it can last until the next time we meet in person.

In Beaumont, Lubbock or Austin. Or in El Paso…

In Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston. Or in Abilene…

I tried something new the other day. I just happened to see an advertisement for a crocheted bead bracelet class. It was my week off from work so I made arrangements to go. When I went in to register and got a look at the bracelet, it wasn’t what I had thought. In fact, it looked really simple to put together. And it was. I had to string the beads that were in the kit before I got there and bring a crochet hook.

Beads strung on cord

There was no pattern. Instead we got spoken instructions. I didn’t mind that but some of the finishing techniques were new to me and I’d have liked a written copy or a picture or something to make sure I can do it should I try another one. The crochet part was simple. It was chain for about four and a half inches with a bead in each chain. Then there were three single chains, without beads, and another section of four and a half inches with beads. This continued until the cord ran out.

Crochet bead chain

Putting it together wasn’t all that hard either. What I found out is that I can’t see! I really couldn’t see the ring to open it or to put it on the beads. I couldn’t see to add the charms. I didn’t even know I couldn’t see what I couldn’t see! I got a little help from the instructor on that part.

Charms might not have been exactly where I wanted but since I couldn't see...

The end product didn’t look bad at all! I enjoyed the class and hope I can participate in more. Maybe my next class should be one of those eyeglass holder necklaces, with some new glasses attached!

Finished product!

The arm isn't so great but the bracelet is!

I hope I can meet with my peeps again soon. Anywhere.

In Wichita Falls or Waco or San Angelo…

Somewhere round about Fort Worth Dallas or Houston or ol' El Paso…

Mother’s Little Helper

What a drag it is getting old…

Mother needs something today to calm her down.

And though she's not really ill,

There's a little yellow pill…

As I was searching through my purse for something for a headache, my friend leaned over and pointed to a purple pill in the bunch and asked if it was for the stomach. I replied yes, it was, and she grinned and said she took that one too. Next she identified a pink and white capsule, then a round yellow pill. She pulled out her bottle and pointed out an oblong yellow pill and a small round pink pill and explained what they were. Finally, one of us came across a large, white, round pill. That was the headache relief!

I have been fortunate and never had to take much medicine. Now it seems that every time I turn around I think I need something else! I’m not sick and not unhealthy. Most things I seek are not prescription medications. Why bother? There are aches that weren’t there before, and pains that weren’t there before and stress that wasn’t there before. Getting old is rough!

Over Medicated Cartoon by Chato Stewart

I’m not the only one. Now, whatever is wrong, medication seems to be the answer. Unhappy? Take a pill. Can’t sleep? Take a pill. Tired? Take a pill! Maybe overmedicated is what is wrong. Because today there seems to be a pill for everything, I’ll go find a chill pill and make it through another day. That will have to do until they put wine in the break-room!

Chill Pill!

She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper,

And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day…

What do you do to relax? Playing with my yarn helps me relax. I knit or crochet just to do it. I like the repetition. That’s relaxing. I like the variety of texture and color. I like seeing the yarn turning from a single string into something. I like the idea that it’s not permanent. I can rip it out if I don’t like it. I can turn it into another project altogether.

This is just part of it!

It’s too hot where I live to really use what I make. But I just keep making. What is the limit? How much yarn is enough? How many scarves and shawls and blankets and sweaters can one person have?

Doctor please, some more of these!

Outside the door, she took four more…

What a drag it is getting old…

Only In America

Dreaming in red, white and blue…

Only in America.

Where we dream as big as we want to.

We all get a chance,

Everybody gets to dance.

Only in America…

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved, setting 13 colonies on the way to becoming an independent nation. Independence Day is the national day of the United States of America. We celebrate July 4 with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games and family. But without the freedom we have being American citizens, this wouldn’t happen.

Happy Birthday America!

When you are getting ready for your picnic and fireworks, think about what Independence Day really means. Think about your freedom and all you are able to do. Then think about the cost associated with it. Think about the people that have made the ultimate sacrifice. And be thankful you’re an American.

One kid dreams of fame and fortune.

One kid helps pay the rent.

One could end up going to prison.

One just might be president.

Yeah, only in America.

Where we dream in red, white and blue.

Yeah, we dream as big as we want to