Melissa McLean Montgomery

Thunder and lightning...not what was on the forecast this morning. Life can sure throw some stormy weather our way, its important to have an umbrella and a pair of boots and SEEK SHELTER when you need to!

These words were overheard during yoga class: inhale, om, root, plug, hinge, top, tree, cactus, mountain, butterfly, warrior, cat, cow, swan, chair, spread, child, flow, mindful, intention, toe, core, heart, lift, inhale, exhale, fire, dog, walk, accept, now, cobra, crow, inhale, om, savasana, namaste.

Why is it that music brings us together? How does music unite people and make all earthly cares go away? I think it's because when life takes everything from you, when everything seems to go wrong, upside down and topsy turvy, I can hear a song in a store, on the radio or on Youtube and I'll forget everything and get happy. When life takes everything from you, sometimes music is all you have left.

Holiday reminder: in this time of wretched and lovely excess, remember not to complain too loudly if your latte isn't hot enough, or if the person in the car in front of you signals left and then turns right. These are First World Problems. I first heard this expression a month ago from my neighbor, complaining that her Facebook privacy settings wouldn't behave . " I know, I know.....First World Problem!" she declared to me in an email. I immediately took to this expression and now when I'm feeling stressed, scared, or impatient in the lineup at Safeway, I remind my self I don't have to walk miles to get water and that I have a warm bed , a flush toilet and food in the fridge. Happy Holidays!

Parties are fun but they are a lot of work, especially if you are hosting. Lunch for 60 ain't easy. My feet are tired but my belly is full. And the leftovers, oh the leftovers!

My grandfather Gordon Spencer, fought in the First World War. He fought at Vimy Ridge. He was lucky to come back alive. He was blind for a year from mustard gas poisoning. Then he got his sight back. He had a weeping rash on his neck that never went away. My dad was born in 1931. My dad told me his dad never talked about the war. I wear a poppy every year for my Grandad. Because of him, I am here.

Dealing with the mentally insane/unstable/senile requires truckloads of patience. And I mean a big truck, not a small Datsun. Just when you think you're home free, quiet, time to get stuff done, they find their way to you to harass/harangue/annoy/test/try you yet again with the same questions they asked you earlier. It's OK, I'm sane, I can deal with it. I can't help it and neither can they.