College and Crosswords

Sometimes I wonder if I learned enough in college...

I love crossword puzzles.

The mere fact that I can usually only answer about 15% of the questions fuels me to want to complete them even more. This morning I was thrilled to find that someone had left a weekend newspaper on my desk - obviously intended for the trash - and the crossword puzzle was one fresh, blank page, longing to be filled. Yet as I settled in to this comfy leather chair that has become my new home from 8:00-5:00, I found that my mind couldn't focus any further than 3 Across. What was my problem? I can get these answers! I furiously told myself... I can pull these words out of my head... especially with this undergraduate degree!

Nothing. Not even one answer. The page sits empty still, and it's 4:33 p.m.

Hrrmmm.

The verdict I have come up with is that something is clouding my mind... most likely this dynamic and ever-changing shoulder bag of emotions that I insist on carrying with me at all times of day. Since my last entry, I have flown across the country, participated in a close friend's wedding, laughed, received sad news, cried, changed time zones, rode in a horse-drawn carriage, and reunited with an old friend. I have been joyful and tearful, excited and fearful, quiet and content. When I arrived this morning, each of these feelings hit my heart as my comfy chair provoked me to contemplate my weekend. And each emotion still remains as I close the day, as if a piece of my heart were designated specifically for each one. And all these things kept me from thinking straight this morning? :) Maybe I was just sleepy.

It's amazing what introspection can take place when one attempts to complete a crossword puzzle...

True to my roots

I think that if at any time, someone gave me a package of Ritz crackers and a container of chilled Port Wine cheese spread, I could finish the entirety of both in one sitting. If it came down to the choice of eating one single entity for the rest of my days, I would choose the aforementioned Ritz crackers and cheese spread. A close rival would be macaroni and cheese, but the first combo may win because of the convenience of eating the cracker with cheese or without. The difficulty of separating the cheese from the macaroni once it's mixed earns Mr. Mac the title of runner up in this culinary contest.

Last night I ate 3/4 of a package of Ritz and 1/4 of the container of cheese for dinner. (And that's because it was the end of my supply... (given an unlimited quantity, I could have done better.)).

Looks like I really am true to my roots, a cheesehead at heart.

So, the thrill of making my own meals has come to a swift end. Yet the worth of the peanut butter and banana toast has yet to fade... I'm looking forward to my dinner!

It's days like today that just make me want to write... (and this first post isn't exactly the creme de la creme of my writing repertoire, just to let you know...) It's slow at work, and the perfect June 73 degree sunshine has turned to a slanted, beating rain, drenching the pedestrians walking by my window and surely forcing them to long for cover.

As the storm lets up, it seems there is a pause in the day, a bit of light to dry the soggy earth and streets, a break between afternoon and evening, the sun's final farewell.

And mine the same, as it is 5:00.

Until the words begin again...