Conversationalists

I like listening or taking part in conversations.  There are several different kinds of conversations and conversationalists.  You have to listen closely to distinguish between them.  I'll do my best to give you a little run down on them.  Next time you're in a conversation, listen...and smile.

The Know It All:   This particular conversation/conversationalist is the epitome of annoying.  No matter who is talking, the "Know It All", literally ...knows it all.   Just ask them, they'll tell you.  They'll let you know is short order that they can do everything (and have) done everything from A to Z.  They'll tell you how they built their own build their own houses out of lumber they've harvested from the land with their very own hands.

The Weather Chanel:  This one always amuses me.  No matter what the conversation is at hand, there is always someone in the conversation that will turn it towards the subject of weather.  "How much rain did we get last night?" or "The wind is supposed to come up today," can be heard when the subject wasn't even close to being that of weather.

It's All About Me:  Not to be confused the Know It All. The All About Me strategically turns the conversation in their direction with the quickest of ease.  This person likes to be the center of attention and shines in the spotlight.   They do not listen nor do they care.  Their only reason for being in the conversation is find the precise moment where they can turn it in their direction and let the world know how great and wonderful they are. They either thought of it, or did it, or was the inspiration behind someone else's act.  They ARE better than the average joe.  Just ask them.  (Often associated with Type A personalities).

Judge and Jury:  This one makes me mad as hell.  No matter what the situation or the person involved in it, the "Judge and Jury" already has the person tried, crucified and buried.  They do not care of the details, they do not care of the backstory or history and they do not want to know.   Guilty - without possibility of parole. 

Gossip:  This type of person works well with the Judge and Jury.   The "Gossip" takes a tidbit of information - be it true or not - and puts it in to a conversation...most often with the Judge and Jury.  "I heard that 'so and so' lost their job because they were drinking on the job."  Well now...that's ALL that is needed for the Judge and Jury to hang the individual from the oak tree.  The Gossip and Judge/Jury feed off each other.  While the Gossip is quick to divulge half truths, they are hesitant in handing out a verdict.  They leave that for the Judge and Jury to do.  

The "Whatever You Say";   This person doesn't have an independent thought of their own.  In conversations they agree to everything that is said....positive or negative...sometimes in the same conversation.  I often need a tablet and pen when I'm in conversation with this type of person.  It's difficult to keep track of where they stand on any particular situation.  They agree with everyone.

The Complainer:  This one zaps the energy right out of me.  No matter what it is, it's never right.   A person could hand them a brick of gold, and the gold wouldn't be shiny enough.  They find fault with every thing and every one. 

The Sickie:  The day starts and ends with this person giving you a run down of their medical history.  Their throat hurts, their back hurts, their feet are on fire.  They have an arsenal of over the counter medications in their purse or desk drawer just so they can function on an hour to hour basis. 

I've been privileged to have engaged conversation with each of these individuals off and on over the last 30 years.  They never cease to amaze me.  

Now that I've given my take on them, perhaps you can tell me where I fit in?  LOL

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Memorial Day 2013 - A day of remembrance to those that no longer walk this earth with us. 

Those that have served our country have  given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives - to defend and protect the personal freedoms we enjoy every day.  They were as fierce and dedicated to their country as they were to their family.  They are the epitome of the word hero.

It is also a time to remember those in our families that are no longer with us. Those who touched our lives so deeply and profoundly; some for a short time, some for a lifetime. Those who live on in our hearts and memories, now and forever.

We honor them  through laughter, tears and precious memories.

They may be gone, but certainly not forgotten. 

Gone, But Not Forgotten - Marilyn Ferguson

Gone, but not forgotten
This pain, I cannot hide
In memory, I see you
A million tears, I've cried.

 

The tender thoughts you left me
Come to my memory
Your loving smile, so precious
Will always be with me.

 

You visit me in summer
When flowers are in bloom
Upon a ray of sunshine
A star-lit night in June.

 

When winds are gently blowing
Across a cloudless sky
Within a rolling meadow
Where horse and cattle lie.

 

I see you in the treetops
As summer comes to be
In shadows, you do linger
A soul so young and free.

 

I see you in the garden
Your scent does fill the air
Just like a precious flower
A rose, so ever fair.

 

On country roads, I find you
Along the wooded lane
Within the distant thunder
I see you in the rain.

 

In early hush of morning
You come without a sound
Upon a blazing sunset
Your memory can be found.

 

Like sprigs of morning glory
Upon the vine, they grow
With branches reaching outward
Into my heart, you go.

 

Just like a special angel
God wrapped you in His care
And took you off to heaven
To live with Him, up there.

Checking In

Hey...just me, checking in.  I don't know where the time goes, but its definitely going fast these days.  The end of May is upon us.  Crazy.  This weekend is filled with graduation parties and ceremonies celebrating those that have died in service to this country.  To some people, it's all about the three day weekend.   

My weekend started Friday night by getting together with my brother Terry and sisters and heading down to Ypsilanti to plant flowers at my parents and grandparents gravesite. It was cold, windy and rainy but we went anyway.  With all of us pitching in, it didn't take us very long at all to accomplish the task.  We even had our traditional "toast" to Mom and Dad while we were there.  That always brings a tear to my eye. 

Terry went home but the rest of us headed to IDK to meet up with my nieces Shelly and Lori.  It was Lori's 42nd birthday as well so her family - daughters Abby, Emily and husband  Jason - were there also.   What a fun night!   Some people find going to cemeteries a very  somber affair, and it is.  But when the Schulz's are there, it's a celebration of the life that my parents lived and loved. 

Tom, Ella and I went to the Schutt gravesites on Saturday.  A bit of a difference in attitude.  The Schutts are very stoic people on a good day...but Saturday was even more so.  Ella was in rare form.  She was in a real down mood; everything was very negative and portrayed the air of doom and gloom.  Tom was affected by it.  He doesn't talk a lot anyways but Saturday he spoke even less than normal.  He could at least bail out and go home to do field work for our neighbor.  I still had to take Ella grocery shopping and out for lunch.   It was a loooonnnnng couple of hours.  lol    Needless to say, when I got home I turned on Sirus 80's on 8, cranked it up and started cleaning!   I used all that frustration and took it out on my house.  Boy did I get a LOT accomplished yesterday!  :)  So much so that when I finally had a chance to sit down and relax around 9:30pm, I had a glass of wine...which quickly turned in to four!  Hey!! I deserved it!  AND...AND....there is still some left in the bottle, so cut me some slack, k??!!  :)

Today I had coffee with my friend Becky.  She's one of three great friends I have.  I don't get to see her often enough, although we do talk as often as our schedules allow.  It's graduation in town today.  I had several to go to...however, I forgot the announcements and cards at home on the counter.  (You can keep those comments about age and forgetfulness to yourselves!).

So what's on tap for the rest of the weekend?  Not a dang thing.  Tomorrow is a wing it kind of day.  I'll wake up, drink some coffee and figure it out as the day progresses.  I may go to the gym, read a book, watch a movie or take a nap.  What I won't do is slave away doing housework. 

The Runner

I had the opportunity to ride with a good friend on Friday to go to Fargo and experience the electric energy of The Fargo Marathon.

Although the full marathon wasn't until Saturday, I got to experience the expo and 5K.  It was A. Maz.Ing!!!!

The energy in the Fargodome was positively humming.  There were people everywhere.  Short people, tall people, heavy people, barely there people, old people, young people and really young people, people in costumes, lycra, sweat pants, shorts, t-shirts, sports bras, and every other imaginable article of clothing associated with running. 

My friend had experienced this all before so knew what to expect.   I, on the other hand, had not.  Everywhere I turned, there was something to see. I looked like an owl, craning my neck in all directions so I could see everything.   The expo had all things related to running; health supplements, advertisements on upcoming runs and challenges, sports medicine information, clothing, running accessories, fundraisers, etc.

When it was time to head outside to watch them line up for the 5K, I was in awe.   There were 8,500 people with their bibs on, standing patiently at the line waiting for the start.   The line ran several blocks back and I swear it took at least 5-7 minutes for ALL of the runners to get across the starting line.   And that was just the runners!  There was a separate starting line for the walkers too.  They couldn't start until the runners had all crossed the starting line.  

We stood right at the corner where they turned to come back in to the finish line.   To see the look in their eyes - the focus - on the finish took my breath away.  I turned to my friend and said, "Wow." 

There was this little girl...couldn't have been much more than 10..running her heart out right alongside a man in his 20's as they headed to the finish line.  They were in the top 10 finishers.   And what got me was all the different running strides...long, short, shuffles, glides.  Some ran with music but most didn't.  That interested me because I run with music and can't imagine NOT running without it.

I'm on the injured reserve list because of my  knee/leg.  I haven't run since September.  I recently made the comment that I want to run again if only to go for a leisurely run whenever I want to.  But I have to admit, my running mojo has been waning. 

Not after Friday.  I got caught up in it.  How could I not? 

I haven't run in 8 months....but I am still a runner. 

What is a runner?  "Someone who puts one foot in front of the other at a pace that is faster than a walk." 

What is a racer?  Crazy.   

Call me crazy.