So long, well-loved furniture

Our friend Judy has lived with a terror in the form of a destructive dog for two years.

She's finally found a new home for the crazy canine, but she's been left with a house full of furniture that's been gnawed on or ripped open.

This weekend, we were able to come to the rescue by offering her some furniture. (And, no! We never offered to take that devil dog off her hands.)

Judy's buddy, Rick, loaded up the furniture in his truck to take home to Judy this morning. Truly a Perfect Moment. He was a little bemused, but were were thrilled. And Judy called to thank us, choked up some because this is just one more step in creating a calm and peaceful place to live.

The timing was perfect for us.

The chair, ottoman and coffee table we gave Judy this weekend were all from our early days together. They are worn. And we squeezed every bit of use out of them in the 14 years we've had them. But, we have no kids and no pets, so they must look like brand spanking new to the newly dog-free Judy.

It's such a simple thing that people do for each other all the time.  But it helped make our weekend perfect.  Thanks, Rick!   You're welcome, Judy!

Robin & Sue, Phoenix

Diana 'sure I can do that' the Handiwoman

Diana 'Sure I can do it' the Handiwoman, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

Woman power.  Well, woman with power tools.

We met Diana last year when we needed someone to help whip our house into shape before putting it on the market.

She's great.  She's is truly handy.  And she comes with a truck full of tools. And she welcomes help from the homeowner.  "If you help me get it done faster, it'll cost you less."

Today, Diana replaced an old dishwasher.  I helped a little, but mostly listened from my home office.

This is what I heard:

E.T., take this smelly old dishwasher away. 

"eeuuww. disgusting."

drill sounds ... "Ahhhh. I wondered if I'd ever use that tool."

"hopefully your new one is small enough.. oh, I see, I got it."

"ah, there we go."

"hmmm.. is there a hosey thing?"

"interesting" said this a lot.

"oh. that's not nearly long enough."

"hehehheheee heh heh."

whispers: "ok. so that might work."

"I don't even see a part that looks like that."

"Ok now. How do we do that?"

"Do you have any duct tape?"

"oh, hey, there you go. You'd be looking for that ... eventually."

"that's what I thought.  hhuuhh, okay."

"come on, gitinthere. ah, gotcha."

Well, the new dishwasher sure did gitinthere.  It's all set and the kitchen's back to normal.

And, we've come up with another job or two so Diana will return soon.  Ahhh, there we go.

If you're in the Phoenix area, call her - Diana Hanna, 480-612-2455. She's great. She's a bit of a MacGyver. And entertaining if you listen closely.

Robin, Phoenix

Sept. 11 - 12 years on. I'm still OK

sept. 11 12 years on, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

Wow. This 12th anniversary of the World Trade Center destruction snuck up on me.

I was walking to work this morning, a Friday-morning lift to my gait, and 'wham!' 

There it was. An event coming up on "September 11."
Oh, yeah, that date sounds familiar.   I'd forgotten all about it.

For years, I've dreaded the date as it approaches.  The 10th anniversary was killer: way too much. Way too many stories were revisited.

But this year, it seems, I was forgetting the significance of 9/11 .. or else I just haven't been carrying it so close to the skin as before.

But 'wham!' This sign, this morning, pushed sweat to my palms, snatched at my breath, spun me around to take a closer look.

Yep, Sept. 11 is coming. The employer panel they are advertising has nothing to do with Sept. 11, 2001.  But I don't think I'd have used the shadowy image of an airplane to draw a crowd to an event on that day.

Here's to a peaceful week and a fine Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013.   Each year gets a little better.


Robin, Phoenix

Reflections on a therapist's office

Therapist's office commentary, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

'y r u here'

This message is scratched into a table at an office where my weekly meditation group gathers. It's the office of a therapist.


The first few times I saw this, I didn't look too closely, but thought it said 'you are here.'

True, you are here. But it's not a 'Kilroy was here type of message.' It's much more profound.

'You. Are. You. Here.' is a great reflection on therapy. And a great message to carry daily.

I like to think the angry child, frustrated spouse, bored teen sitting in the waiting room was passing on a message of comfort to us all.

y r u here.

.... wherever you are.


UPDATE inspired by my friend Kate who said on Facebook: 'I thought it was a question... why are you here?"

Now that she says that, I remember thinking that also when I first saw this a few weeks ago.  But last night when I saw it again, my mind just stuck on the optimistic side.  I guess I hoped the carver had left a positive lesson for us all.  And besides, the grammarian in me just didn't see the invisible question mark!  


Robin, Phoenix

What's National Coming Out Day mean to someone who was never really In?

I've been Out so long.

I  have such a super strong network of friends, colleagues, fellow journalists, gay and straight alike.

And I have always had support and love from family.  My partner (my wife in Massachusetts) and I are very lucky, we know that.  But sometimes I forget that there are many lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered people who do not feel as safe and loved and supported as I feel.

National Coming Out Day is for them.  And maybe not in the way you'd think.

I share these words from Joshua Owen who posted them on his Tumblr: Joshua Owen.  He said it best.

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

On this day we need to remember that the meaning of National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is not about ‘outing’ someone or pressuring any one to disclose a deeper part of themselves to the world.

Today is a day to stand together as a unified force; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and our allies to reflect upon how far we have come and how far we need to continue.  So that those still not ready to disclose themselves see the world as a safe place to one day make that decision and stand with us. 

I am out and proud and here to listen if any of you ever need a safe place to share.

Robin, Tempe

A Saturday night full of friends and laughter

...  my kind of evening.

Robin, Tempe

Laundry, Facebook and friends

"My least loathsome household chore is emptying the dishwasher. How about you?"

That was the question that launched what seemed like a thousand Facebook responses.  
My friend Lori who was most likely procrastinating about a less-favored chore asked her friends and they sure did respond.  
I'll let you see for yourself.   
My comment (below) brought this Perfect Moment right back to me... in full living memory.  
It happened... oh, mmddpphhmmm years ago, but I can see that little lady tease me in the laundromat as if it had been yesterday. 

New Year's Schmoo-Year's: Be awesome always

New Year's Resolutions

Or things that might make me feel good this year if I remember to do them.

1. Exercise. Move. My metabolism is slow.. and slowing. I like sweets. Gotta move. Gotta get out.

2. Be more diligent about saving, investing. Remember, I like sweets. And living indoors.

3. Meditate. 2010 was my year to get into guided meditation. I can fly.

4. Read children's books. Even without kids in the house, who can't lighten the mood with a quick round of Dr. Seuss?

5. Call my mother. I am so lucky. 55 and still have both parents. And my mom so loves phone calls.

6. Laugh out loud every day. And if it's going to be at someone, make it at myself.

7. Patience. Count to 10. Take a moment. Let it go. Re-focus. Mini-meditation.

8. Never ever ever go to bed angry. (Do go to bed hungry.)

9. Think more. Share less. Or share in a more focused way. Engage. Don't add to the clutter.

10. Drink more water. This one I can do.


And who needs a day to kick all this off? Let's just try to be awesome ... always.

Robin, Tempe

It takes a village and my village has shown up

In my house, we've been dealing with some health issues this year. Nothing you really need details about, but enough to scare the pants off us every few months.

And let me tell ya, I'm not really good at reaching out for help, support, shoulders to lean on or even friends to hang out with me and play Yahtzee and eat M&Ms. But I'm getting better at it.

At the urging of several 'wise ones,' I have been learning to "lean in to the offers of help and support." I like that image. Leaning in. Kind of like leaning into a hug.

Today, I wanted a great big hug so I reached out in a way I just haven't done before. I sent emails, Facebook messages, Direct Messages on Twitter .. and even called one friend. "It takes a village," I told them, "to get me through this week." I asked directly for love, support, good thoughts, prayers. I. Asked. Directly. wow.

And, it all came rushing back to me. I have had such a river of love flowing to me from the four corners of the U.S. All day.

And my sweetie, who is undergoing some medical stuff tomorrow, is floating on a cushion of love and prayers.

It was perfect. I am so happy that I've been able to grow, learn, lean into the love.

We've still got a tough week ahead, but both of us are heading into it in a very positive way. Thanks to all the love. Thanks for all the love.

Robin, Tempe

A couple of fast friends

You ever just meet one of those people where you feel like you have known them forever? Well, that's what happened to me this week in p-town. I was introduced to Suede, an amazing jazz singer and felt we were like long lost sisters. She has a big laugh, a big personality and a big smile. You can't help but want to spend time around her.

And don't even get me started on her music. Last night I heard her sing for the first time, and was blown away. She has been described as a cross between Ella Fitzgerald and Bette Midler, with a little Rosie Clooney and a dash of Louis Armstrong! Damn! I have to agree after hearing her belt out Sisters!

She is an amazing talent, and now I am also proud to say an amazing friend!

Sue, Tempe

Perfect lunchtime .. in real life

Social media. You either 'get it' or you don't.

I have met many people over the last few years who I consider friends. ... people I have only communicated with via Twitter or Facebook.. and maybe occasionally on e-mail .. if we needed to get more wordy... or more private.

Some friends and family just don't get this. But it's true. Almost weekly, I have people on Twitter shoot me a request for help or offer of a suggestion.

This sort of comment is not uncommon: "@RobinJP, I remember you once offered to help, would you mind taking a look at my blog, my Web site, this article ... "

More often, comments come as a quick link to an article someone knows I'd find interesting or a response to something I've said. How else could I define friendship?

Lori, from Weebles Wobblog (which I always call Weebles Wobble of course), says it well. I have known Lori, aka @BestLight, for nearly two years.

Last Monday, we met IN REAL LIFE for lunch while I was in Denver to visit my mom.

What a sweet note Lori wrote after our visit. Perfect Moment Monday.

Lori is a sweetie. She juggles many blogs .. Weebles Wobblog is my favorite. She has written for Adoptive Families magazine and some newspapers and has recently been tapped as an expert on adoption issues for Examiner.com publications.

She 'gets it.'

I wish we could have lunch again this week. There's so much more to say.

Robin, Tempe

Spring training: the return of baseball, friends and mighty ducks

"Spring has sprung. The grass has riz. I wonder where the birdies is... The bird is on the wing. But that's absoid. The wing is on the bird."

The boids are here. At least the ducks have arrived. On their way north, these two ducks have stopped by to lounge around our swimming pool in Tempe, Arizona. It's a lovely 58 degrees this morning, with a 100% chance of precipitation.

On days like this in Arizona, locals often say, "Ye-up, this is why we live in Arizona." So true.



And, I guess this beautiful weather is what attracts the ducks. And attracts Spring Training, which began this week.

And Spring Training brings our friends, Jen and Holly .. a couple of cute birds from Atlanta for their regular spring visit. They love the Cubs who warm up for the season in nearby Mesa.



Ducks and friends and baseball.

Spring has definitely sprung. And brought with it a flock of Perfect Moments.


Robin, Tempe