Apol-ogy

"Summer vacation, you didn’t do right by me. You planned a romance that just hadn’t a chance, now we’re through. I'm back on the shelf and I'm blaming myself, but it's you. "

I’ve heard that we are given June roses for the December of our lives (extreme liberties taken with the referenced quote) - but, if you can’t even get outside to see the roses bloom, cause you’re sitting in a cubicle with poor lighting with little to no sound barriers, really the beauty of the Schizanthus pinnatus, or the radiance of the Centaurea cyanus and the intensity of the Tithoria rotundifolia, is not going to help in the winter, let alone get me through the next 90 minutes.

As I look back on my life I feel that there is someone, somewhere that owes me an apology. That’s right an apology. An apology for great summers lived with carefree abandon. Months of thoughtless bliss not marred with the black spot of production measures. Years lived with hope - buoyed up by the knowledge that there were at least 90 days of happiness to be savored.

The expectation was set, the pattern established, the freedoms enjoyed. As the responsibilities of adulthood come crashing down I am left to wonder, who is to blame! Where do I direct the rage that lies within my heart! The open road calls my name, yet I must not yield to its enticements. I am left a broken shell, yearning for the adventures of summer to fill the vacation void that gapes in my soul. Too dramatic?! Perhaps. But to convey the pain of this cubicle suburbia requires that I lay bare my misery.

I am so bored.

Summer vacation - you didn't do right by me
As they say in the song...you done me wrong.

Used to

I used to write essays when I was bored at work.
I thought they were funny, creative and informative.
I have tried to pick up my pen (aka keyboard) and find that kind of creativity again.
Its gone.
So while I look for it I am going to recycle some of my old ramblings here.
Cause I can.

Wrinkled Grapes

A truer statement has never been made.
Raisins ruin everything. Eve-ry-thing.

I have horrible memories of liquid engorged raisins in the oatmeal my mother made when I was a child.

Nightmares of the tainted pumpkin bread that even laboriously picking out the raisins could not save.

A truly embarrassing and gut wrenching adult experience with Raisin Bran that I have never shared with any one.

These are but a few of the reasons why I hate raisins.

When I saw the "Raisins Ruin Everything" shirt on shirt.woot a couple of months back I knew it was time to make a statement. I had no idea that statement would be so controversial.

During a trip to the local farmers market I purchased lunch from one of the food vendors. The server who brought my food to the window handed me the food, stopped, did a double take and said,
"Really?"

I did not know what she was talking about until she followed up with,
"Do you really hate raisins?"
Me:
"Well, yeah. They are really just gross wrinkled grapes."
Server: "Ohhh, that is so sad."
She shook her head slowly and turned away with a look of puzzlement on her face.

This is but one of the strange and confusing conversations I have had as a result of my shirt. And though it may not be popular my declaration of raisin animosity will continue. People need to know.

Archer Farms

I heart Archer Farms.

What is Archer Farms???

Archer Farms is the store brand of premium foods offered exclusively by the U.S. retailer Target. Archer Farms products can be found in all Target stores and many are available online at www.target.com. Many Archer Farms products, including their line of teas, are certified organic.

Yes, yes. Basically Archer Farms IS Target. I am okay with that because I also heart Target. Deeply. Passionately.
Heart it.

I knew that I was in like with Archer Farms, but my feelings were solidified when my local Target recently expanded to include a full grocery. Be still my heart.

I bought Smoked Salmon Archer Farms dip, Chicken Curry box meal and Caramel Cashew Trail mix all in one trip.
If I am being honest, it was the Caramel Cashew Trail mix that sealed the deal. A trail mix with NO RAISINS! Life is good. Life is very very good.