A Tribute to Ollie

He came into my life one day back in 1993...a little black kitty, in a crate, carried by a friend, whose husband had found him toodling down West Main Street in Salem.  A little homeless kitty, on a mission...who knows what or where.  It was love at first sight.  He was a hellion.  He got in to everything.  He tore up my plants; he chewed through my stereo wires and electrical cords; he shredded paper towels and toilet paper.  Everyday, I would slowly open my front door and cautiously peer through the house to see what craziness had occurred while I had been at work.  He was a joy, he was a hoot, he was never a dull moment...this little Ollie of mine.  Don't ask me why I named him "Ollie".  It just seemed to suit.  He was the perfect black cat, full of personality, and never knowing what crazy habit he would pick up next.  He was long and slender, and had a purr like no other.  He had no problem telling me he was happy.  He walked on a leash, rolled in his catnip, and enjoyed his life. He brought me so much joy and in the last several years, I knew that his time was coming to an end and I would have to let go.  I was prepared...but, I wasn't.  I held him until the very end.  I buried my head in his fur and cried like I had lost my best friend.  I had.  Over the rainbow bridge, my little friend...I am missing you, so very much.

Religious This and That

OK, I really have a bug up my butt this evening.  I got myself embroiled in this conversation, mostly with Lynchburgers regarding the kid at Timberlake Christian School - the one you saw on the news.  She's a tomboy with a short hair cut and likes to wear jeans.  The administration apparently decided she wasn't "Christian-like" or appropriately dressed as a female should be.  Well, I jumped all over that shit.  Just so you'll know,  Lynchburg is my hometown, so I feel like I'm allowed my discourse.  I've been gone from there for 27 years now, but I remember well the impact of the JF Regime.  No doubt, it is strong and unrelenting.

My gripe is that the so-called "Christian" sector seems to think they have the upper hand in dictating how the rest of the population should think.  But, hasn't that always been the case?  In reading all the posts on Facebook, I kept seeing the words, "I'm a Christian", references to the Bible, this quote, that quote, and what I was hearing was that, "I am superior, and my thinking trumps yours, because, I am this, or I am that.

No doubt, I will offend some of my friends with this post.  I am not saying one group is right or one is wrong, but superiority is not an issue here.  What is an issue is how we treat others, respect them, and honor their differences.

Honestly, I don't know if I am a Christian, and at this point I don't know that I want to be one, based on some of the crap I read tonight from some of those judgmental folks who called themselves "Christians".

I was fortunate to take a course in high school that explored the many diverse religions and  belief systems in our world.  I found that I embraced a little bit of this and little bit of that, but I didn't fit into one bracket.  I was a little Christian, a little Catholic, a little Jewish, a little Episcopalian, a little Muslim, somewhat New-Age,  a little agnostic, and sometimes, I didn't believe jack-crap!  What I did learn was that I was spiritual and I gained a knowledge and respect for other cultures and their beliefs.  I think it is called "tolerance" and "acceptance".  More of us should try it - it would help dissipate some of the anger in our society.
 
I hope that I never become so narrow-minded that I can't see someone else's point of view.  I don't have to agree with it, but just acknowledge it as being their reality, and not pass judgement.

This post may be completely paradoxical depending on your interpretation.  Oh well...it's my blog, so I can say what I want to.  

The Ruffino

As many of you know, I love wine.  I wouldn't consider myself an expert,  but I do have some nice wines in the wine rack.  There is one, in particular, from one of my past lives, that I have been saving for a special occasion.  It is one that I  shared with a significant other, some years ago.  It was a 1999 Ruffino Riservo Ducale Oro, Chianti.  When we parted in 2008, I took this bottle and it has been in my wine rack since.  I always said that I would save it for a very special occasion.  It has been 6 years since we parted; we have both lost touch and gone our separate ways.  There have been some special occasions, but none that I thought worthy of  my special wine.  I researched the wine and found that it was best enjoyed between 2007-2009.  Damn, I'm 5 years too late!  Will it be vinegar?

Tonight, I decided to open my Ruffino.  I let it breathe...and I apprehensively tasted.  While, it is still a fantastic wine, it would likely have been better a few years ago.  I guess my point is, that if we wait for that truly special occasion, the joy may not quite meet our expectations.  And maybe, those special occasions come without the fireworks and fanfare that we expect.  

So, we should celebrate the small accomplishments and the little joys, rather than waiting for the earth-shattering events.  Cheers!