Pulling Your Own Strings

Years ago I read a book by the pre-eminent

psychologist, Dr. Wayne Dyer, given me by

my brother who had observed my abusive

marriage. The book set me free!

Dyer not only identified manipulative,

controlling personalities, there was actually

a section with dialogue and when many of

the lines I recognized as direct quotes from

my (soon to be) ex-husband’s mouth, my

love bubble was burst forevermore.

I have ever since been able to discern when

someone is trying to manipulate me with

language and I avoid those types like the

Plague.

Someone from my past who I used think was

a good friend, has been calling  and the

conversations have not been pleasant for me,

because every other word out of her mouth hits

me like bricks and stones. She does not seem

to be conscious of her impact at all, so even

when I try to beg off nicely, she goes for the

throat even more zealously.

Last night she accused me of being jealous

of her, which to me sounded flat out insane.

In no way would I ever want to be controlling

or manipulative like she is!

She complained that she could not find a

boyfriend, “ I don’t get it. I’m pretty.”

Pretty poison, I thought. It is not safe to be

honest with her because when I have tried,

I’ve gotten an argument and she gets aggressive

and unpleasant really fast.

I do not truly have time (I am at a transitional

point in my life) however, in her case particularly,

I have no inclination to reprise a friendship that

was over a decade ago, especially when her

toxicity is so upfront and apparent.

She had little time for me while she was in a

Live-in lover situation. Now that he’s gone (because

he probably had enough) she has been blood-hounding

me. Does anybody out there have a problem such

as this? I suggest you read Dr. Dyer’s book. It saved

me. I think I may have to re-read it. I do not think

I am a bad friend. I believe some people are difficult

and if I am not related to them or do not work for

them, I do not feel I need to deal with them.

I hope she meant it when she said she would not

bother me again and that if I wanted her friendship,

she would wait for me to call. Really? That line

sounds all too familiar. Only time will tell…

Raintreepoet, reporting.

Yeah and Hooray! Its National Peanut Butter Day!

I picked up a hand of bananas

at the grocery for my smoothies

Usually I cut them in half,

freeze them and leave one

banana out to enjoy whole

This morning when I got up

I decided to have one of my

favorite weekend breakfasts:

Toasted English muffin halves

with peanut butter, honey &

sliced bananas on top

Then it happened, while I was

making coffee, the newscaster

announced: It’s National Peanut

Butter Day!

Suddenly my heart swelled with

happiness as I thought:

I am psychic! And I love peanut

butter, too! O, the joy!

The newsman went on to announce

that peanut butter is cholesterol-free

Who knew?

Now, I am smiling from ear to ear

My mother raised no fools (well, maybe

a couple, but not me!)

I take a whole wheat English muffin

from my freezer, pop it in the micro-wave

to thaw-then into the toaster to toast

to a medium crispy brown

I get out my refrigerated, fresh ground

peanut butter (the machine at WinCo

grinds it from whole peanuts, while you

wait) I slather peanut butter on the

toasted English muffin halves,

Then I swirl the organic honey (spigotted

right from the hive, at WinCo, too)

And finally I slice the peeled banana and

top it off, making appreciative little groans

 As I enjoy the tasty treat, I know my dear

RN mother is smiling down because

I followed to the letter her nutrition

advice

I smile, contentedly as I munch,

feeling every bit ten again…

Raintreepoet, reporting 

A Woman Named Carol- In Memory of Carol Biggs, 1937-2015

          
                  

She showed up on the Fourth of July,

almost a decade ago                                                                         

It was a barbecue at my daughter’s house

and from the moment of introduction,

Carol’s sweetness and open heart drew me in

Carol had lived a life of adventure; she

served her country and

she had stories to tell-

Fiercely independent, despite

being an amputee. She knew            

how to be a friend, how to

swap stories like many of her

generation and all the generations

before knew how to do

Carol rented a room in my

daughter’s house

She lived a quiet life and

read constantly-Her room

was lined with books

Carol was genuine, plain spoken

and wise

Carol mattered, she was a sweet,

kind human being and

she will be missed

They are having a memorial for Carol

on Saturday

I am going to take brownies,

because people need chocolate

when they are sad

Carol and I once had that

conversation, so I know

she would appreciate the gesture-

Good-bye, Carol!

I won’t soon forget your laughter

or your smile-I bet that there are books

and chocolate in your Heaven!