oldmainer

The first thing I do in the morning when I open my eyes is look at the clock. And I see it, because I am looking for a specific thing, and my clock provides it. However, after that, I am on my own. What I see is what I look at, but what I look at is not always what I see. It is a fact, I think, that if ten people look at the same thing, they will see ten different things. Each somewhat similar, but also, each independent of each other.

Throughout every day, we see things. Actually, we see everything that comes into our purview, and, of course, believe that what we are seeing is the real thing. It is our reality. And of course, to each of us, it is. And it is no different for each of you. But, I think, that is as it should be. What concerns me and is all the things you and I look at but never see.

Vision is fleeting. What is there right now is gone in a heartbeat, perhaps not to a camera, but to the eye. Not surprising. The camera is focusing on a specific thing. We however, are simply scanning the scope of our vision. We are not concentrating on the unexpected, the spontaneous moment, only the pedestrian, everyday things that anchor our life. Our whole focus is accepting what is in front of us, that being the normal. That which we expect to see.

So it is that we miss a lot of what life has to offer. I have a neighbor that loves to engage me in conversation whenever he see’s me. However, he is prone to be so engrossed in his personal thoughts, he doesn’t see me walking by. This is a person that spends hours painting what he see’s, when he misses so much of what surrounds him.

I am reminded of the old phrase “what you see is what you get”. I prefer to think of life as “what you don’t see is what you lose”. If you move outside of yourself and really look at what you see, you may find a new perspective of where you are and what you have been given. Look, see, love.

“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”

She sits by herself at the table
A stranger in a scene she knows well
Just another night of lonesome
In a honky-tonk and cheap motel

She listens to the songs he is playing
Knows every note, every word
She watches the crowd embrace him
As she did the first time she heard

His golden voice and his music
The smile that she thought was just hers
The time that she first got to meet him.
And what their desires were

She cherishes all of those memories
When he asked if she’d wear his ring
When their evenings were still magic
The excitement their passion would bring

However the years have lengthened
Like the nights he doesn’t come home
The hours she waits in the motel
Knowing his love has to roam

So tonight like so many others
Her heartache again has begun
Knowing he will not join her
Tonight she will not be the one

She stares at the ring on her finger
A symbol of where it began
Back when he told her he loved her
Back when she thought him her man

Yet still she sits in his shadow
While her dreams become undone
And although her heart is breaking
She waits at her table for one.

Yesterday as
It used to be
Even today is
Staring at me

I grasp the value
Of the past
It was a time
Not meant to last

I found comfort
In life then
Love thy neighbor”
Love thy friend

Where did it go

Friends back then
Were folks you knew
Relations kindled
Friendships grew

We were united
Bound by pride
For love of country
Many died

But that was then
And this is now
It doesn’t matter
Now somehow

Where did it go

Life goes on
Without a thought
Of those who died
Of those who fought

With nothing learned
The past debased
History spurned
That time erased

Where did it go

“Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow”
Albert Einstein

Hello again everyone. It’s me, Kramer. I know, I know, it has been a while since we have shared some time together. Actually, it has been over a year. I kind of moved on to other endeavors. You know, traveling with Bob, welcoming guests to our home, and of course, engaging new admirers on our daily walks.

I can’t say I haven’t missed you however. I have always enjoyed your likes and comments. So I’m glad that Bob asked me a few days ago if I ever planned to write again. He apparently has had some questions about what happened to Kramer’s Korner. I have been asking myself the same question. I guess, like most things, time and other interests have drawn me away from the literary world.

I’m a little older now. Actually, believe it or not, I just turned 4 this month. Well, that’s 4 in your years but, most would say I am now 28. However, that would be based on a formula from the 50’s when a humans average life expectancy was 70 years and a dogs was 10. Today there is a new, more calculated criteria for estimating age, based on the average weights of collective breeds. Basically, all dogs age 15 people years in their first year, and most age another 9 years in their second year. After that, my category (15-20 lbs) will continue to age at about 4 people years per puppy year. So, my fine friends, it appears that I just turned 32. Well old enough to pursue my own interests.

First, let me say Sophie and I are doing extremely well, as I suspect you can see from the picture. She is doing great for a 13 year old, but is still pretty laid back and prefers her privacy while I, on the other hand, love to get out there, and, weather permitting, I have. Bob has been responsive to my desire to go with him, everywhere! If the weather is not too cold or hot, I am his co-pilot. Given our current season, my trips are usually to the bank, the dump, or the grocery store. However, if we have a warmer day, he will take me with him to the pub. I can’t go in, but I would rather be with him in the car then be home waiting for him to come back. He bought a thermometer that registers the temperature in the car and he will come out frequently to make sure I am not cold.

This fall, one of my favorite people came to visit me (and him I guess). That would be his sister in law Angie. I met her on a previous visit and, I’m embarrassed to admit, although I didn’t actually throw myself at her, (well not totally) I was smitten.

While she was here, we took a day trip to Kennebunk and Kennebunkport where I got to walk on leash and mingle with the tourists. We also went to visits Bob’s cousin up country (the one with Bella, the Shiatsu that kind of likes me).

We also went to L.L.Bean (dogs allowed) to buy me a warmer coat. While there, Bob and I sat on a bench in the ladies department while Angie did some shopping. Wow, I have never had so much attention from the ladies. I would go back there again in a heartbeat. Bob said he wishes he could have adopted me in his 20’s. I don’t know what that means exactly, but I guess he has his reasons.

Well, I guess I will leave it at this. It is so good to connect again and I hope this finds you all well. I don’t know when I will be able to write again due to my current obligations, but know that you are always in my thoughts. And remember, there are a lot of Kramer’s out there that have not found their forever homes yet. If you can adopt or foster, or even volunteer to support them, you have won my heart.

Regards
Your favorite Peke
Kramer

Recently, I was standing in the speed checkout line at our local chain grocer (14 items of less) behind a lady that had a cart full of items well in excess of the criteria. She had told a couple in the next aisle that I assume had advised her that she was in the speed checkout that she was “in here every day and the check out clerk liked her, while laughing nervously. I was not a happy camper so I felt obligated to mention that it was not the check out clerk she should be concerned about, but instead the six people behind me who also clearly were not amused. She said “I don’t have that many items”. So I started counting aloud. 24 25 etc. She tried ignoring me by laughing and trying to engage the checker in conversation.

It occurred to me that I had been standing in lines all my life. It is mandatory. There is not a bank, or a supermarket, or doctor, that does not provide me with an opportunity to stand in line. I guess, over the years I have become programmed to accept that, even though I am a professional at picking the slowest moving line. But, even that doesn’t upset me. I only have to think about what I am in such a hurry to proceed to, and the answer usually is, nothing. I in fact have on several occasions, invited the person in line behind me to check out first if I see they have less items then I do.

No, it is not the length of the line that upsets me. It is the people that have such a disregard for others that makes me angry. Normally, like those behind me, I will refrain from saying anything. Grin and bare it. I’ve done it all my life. But now that I am older, maybe I’m getting cranky as well. I resent the fact that people have so little regard for each other. The other night, at the pub, there was a line of people waiting to be served, myself being one of them. While waiting, two friends of the people in line in front of me, entered the pub and joined them in line. None of us said anything to them. We just accepted it.

I understand that I live in a different environment today. A casual comment can be received as a threat. An opinion can become a challenge. The day of common courtesy is dead and buried. Any attempt at voicing an opinion is sure to offend someone. So, I am selective in my criticism, as are so many others.

Therefore, I guess I will continue to suck it up when the transgressions are minimal. But, I’m afraid I cannot always stay silent, even without the support of those similarly inconvienced. I wonder how many of them saw me as the problem.

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting“

Joyce Meyer