Melissa McLean Montgomery

Behold The ceiling above me looks like the sky. The line of air looks like the horizon. My sheet looks like a meadow of flowers.

I'm turning 50 on Tuesday. I thought by now I would have something pithy and profound to say but I don't. So I will revert to my love of lists and close with 50 things I have learned this 50 years I have lived on this planet. 1. It is vital to laugh every day. 2. Years from now all things that happened to you will be funny. Truly. 3. Drink 2 litres of water daily. 4. Always take time to rest. 5 Do what you love. 6. If you have to do what you hate, find a way to make it fun. 7. Find a few great friends. 8. Hang on to them. 9. Signal and shoulder check when turning. 10. Have pets. 11. Have a garden. 12. Do not go camping. 13. Do not do double shots of tequila and then smoke pot. 14. Do not eat expired cheese. 15. Do not run for the bus. 16. If it feels wrong, it probably is. 17. Apologise quickly when necessary. 18. Eat fresh food as much as you can. 19. Eat junk food once a month. 20. Don't be afraid to treat yourself. 21. Don`t be stingy; buy others g...

I lost my hat. I loaned it to my sister. She says she was wearing it when we picked her up. But it is not in the car. I remember distinctly seeing her red hair in the distance as my sweetie drove down the street to meet her. " There she is ! " I said to my sweetie. I remember her getting in the car. She was carrying my purple jacket that I left at the cafe. And a brown bag. She says she was wearing the hat. I don't think she was. I think she left it somewhere and has forgotten. But she was so definitive in her belief that she had it that I did not argue. Even though I still cannot find it. And I want desperately to argue: No you did not. I do not have it. It is not in my car. It is not in my sweetie's car. It is not in the house. It is not at the barn. IT IS GONE. Part of me does not care. I have lots of hats. As I approach 50, things become less and less important. Winning arguments and being right has become less important. On the other hand, I did lov...

Spring! Bringing new everything. Some old friends have popped up like reliable bulbs. New friends arrive like little seedlings. I love the friends I have. I also like making new ones. And of course some have to be shredded with my old winter coats that no longer fit.

Here we/I are again. 365 more chances to get it right. Insert sigh here. The Christmas decorations are away and I find myself picking/sorting through leftover lamb and opening the last of the gifts of dark chocolate. I save it til last I prefer milk chocolate. Lamb dinner aside I have a confession to make: I have been " Raw to 4 " for a year and love it! I recommend it for those struggling with health or budget issues. Have I mentioned that Sense and Sensibility is on TCM and I'm craving tea and shortbread?

Reading rock n' rollers tales of their debauchery and self discovery has made me realize I have much in common with them. Their names? Duff McKagan ( Guns n' Roses) and John Taylor ( Duran Duran ). Their books- It's so easy: and other lies, The Pleasure Groove. Who would have thought?

Am I pretty? beautiful? Can I take a good selfie? What is my best light? My best angle? Do I have too many wrinkles? freckles? Is my nose too big? Forehead too high? I have been told I have a perfect mouth. Twice. Am I smart? Am I talented? Am I funny? Am I nice? Does it matter? In the end, This is what I have.