During a major blackout – over 500 homes in my vicinity lost power at dusk and the DWP had no idea why and could only estimate that the power would (hopefully) be back on around 4 in the morning – I realized one thing:  I watch waaaaaaay too many crime dramas.  Yes, the standard season of Criminal Minds and CSI is over, but all the new “summer” shows have stared – I particularly enjoyed The Glades and Rizolli and Isles.  My goal, however, is to throw in some fun and fluff to counterbalance it all.  Do you have any idea how many people have been murdered on those shows during rolling blackouts?  Well, too many to even begin the conversation.  So, do you have any shows to recommend a la Modern Family – my favorite non-crime show on the air?

The other day I was listening to a friend complain about her life.  “Why me?” she kept saying.  Over and over and over.  In regards to her career, “I get so close and then it falls apart.”  In regards to her kids, “Why couldn’t I have the easy kids?”   In regards to her husband and friends and finances and car and on and on, “Why me!?!”

After listening and recognizing much of my own life in her rant, I had a moment of truth, “Why not you?”  The silence was deafening.  I was quiet because I was reflecting on my own life and why shouldn’t my life be the way it is?  She was quiet, I believe, because she was trying hard not to bite my head off.  I can hear her now with someone new, “I was talking to a friend who was sooo unsupportive.  Why me?”

What she may never realize is that I was being truly supportive, opening up a conversation that she may not be able to have with anyone else.  A two-way conversation about the reality of today.  Her reality.  My reality.  Why not you?  Why not me?

This question also pertains to all the good in life.  Like the random day last week when I came home from my early morning trail run and my son had made me chocolate dipped strawberries, a bowl of Cheerios, and my favorite tea.   All because he thinks I am the best mom in the world.  Why not me?

When life does not seem to be going your way, perhaps it’s best to change your perspective as opposed to your direction.

What is behind your fridge?  Evidently, behind mine is a patchwork wall still sporting wall paper from the 1960s.

Why didn’t the manufacturers of standard interior doors co-ordinate with the manufacturers of refrigerators so that we consumers would not have to remove doors and handles from both to bring new appliances into and our of our homes?

Seriously, why would a new fridge have a standard (read – thick that sticks out) 3-prong plug, while a 15-year old fridge has a flush-mount (read – lays flat against the wall) plug?

Why, oh why, does each new appliance need an adaptor to fit the piping/plumbing of the old one?  Haven’t they seen how many adaptors come with iPod players? It’s inspirational.

My new fridge is sitting empty, unplugged in my kitchen while my frozen food sits in a cooler.  Why?  Because if you have to tip the refigerator to get it into your house (uh, see the door issue above), then it must stand upright, unplugged for 6 to 8 hours to allow the Freon to settle, or so I am told.  Soggy pizza, anyone?  Oh, and if you get thirsty, I don’t have filtered water, so BYO.

Is it really the best policy?

Physical pain or Emotional pain?

Other than the obvious reasoning that many are taught to look to heaven in the skies, why are we not taught to just stand, sit or lay, knowing and acknowledging that God is not separate or away from us at all, but rather, is always with us, next to us, holding us, and carrying us if necessary?