What Heaven will Look Like

Do you ever wonder what Heaven will look like? I'm sure it will look different for all of us, but this weekend I was reminded of what it will look like for me. My Mom and I took a trip to Ohio and saw some of the most beautiful places on earth. Most of you know of my admiration for farmland, and pictured above you see the most beautiful wheat field that we saw this weekend.

My Uncle Harold also took me on a golf cart ride around what was my Grandpa Jackson's farm. When I was young (pre-teenager years), that was about my favorite place to go in the whole world. My cousin Michelle and I would tromp around the fields and woods exploring every inch of the land. I would wake up early, just to go out with my Grandpa to feed whatever lived in the barn at the time. And if somebody didn't wake me up, I'll tell you I was mad about it.

So, for me, Heaven will have a lot of farm land. Wheat, corn, beans, you name it. There will be a big barn that smells just like my Grandpa's barn. My Dad will be there to give me a big hug, just a little tighter than the one I got from my Uncle Bub on Saturday. And my Grandpa Jackson will be singing to me.

Hey Baby, I've got a time machine in my basement...

I had car trouble this morning. And, I’ll let you know that I sort of expected it. Lately, Bruce II (my 4Runner) has been a little down, a little slow to start, not really himself. Last month I took him to the Goodyear for service (I’ve been going to the Goodyear on Delaware for many years). They put in new spark plugs and did the oil change, checking of the fluids, alignment, etc., so I thought we were in good shape.

The past few days, we’ve had a sluggish start to the car, but really it’s been about 106 degrees out, I’m a little sluggish too. And today, Bruce did not want to start. He was begging to go to the Goodyear.

The good thing about the Goodyear is that they drive you to work when you drop off in the morning. So, the guy who has been working on my car for the last several years drove me to work this morning, as he has for the past few years. There is always interesting conversation in the car. This morning’s topic started with Fun Facts about Indiana. But the trip from Delaware/10th to South Harding can sometimes be long, so on the conversation strays.

A few years ago, the conversation strayed to a point where I found out that my mechanic believes in time travel. Yes, you read that correctly. My friends at work insisted that he was trying to flirt with me, and I am never aware when that is happening. But, I can tell you that, “Hey Baby, I’ve got a time machine in my basement” is not the line that is going to impress me. This guy does an Internet radio broadcast every week with guests that speak of the time travel and conspiracy theories that have entertained me on several rides to work. Let me know if you’d like the link.

I know, I know, I know!!

I know I've promised to write, and not followed through. I'm certainly hoping my reader will forgive me. I don't know where time has gone. Lately, I've had this weird feeling that the summer is almost over. And I promise, this blog entry is the last time I will mention it.

You see, not too many years ago, when I lived a different sort of life in Bloomington, Indiana, my whole work/life schedule was way different than it is now. I worked in this alternate universe where time was measured in semesters. You worked really hard while school was in session, and then when the summer came you enjoyed your town. You could get into your favorite restaurants, take a swim at the outdoor pool, actually have space to work out at the SRSC, and walk your weiner dog across campus in peace. The town moves at a slower pace in the summer.

But...the one thing that drove me crazy back then, was a Country Time Lemonade commercial that talked about the end of summer, and they always started showing it on June 21. Just like December 21 can make me happy because the sun starts being out longer every day, June 21 is the day when the sun goes down just a little bit earlier each night. But when that commercial started playing, it always said "Summer is almost over..."

Now, I don't live at the university pace, but lately "normal" hasn't been normal. What happened to this year? Wasn't it just Christmas? I guess I've been busy this year, and lately, I feel like I need to plan for one of those "hang out days" where Trev and I pack a lunch and go to the park and just do whatever. But if you have to plan for it...it's just not the same.

Pretty soon, the end of summer vacation will be here and then it will be back to school. I am looking forward to fall weather though. That will be nice.

20/20 Vision...but only in one eye

Mom's surgery went well today. She had cataract surgery on her right eye, and has come home with the word "yes" written in Sharpie above her right eyebrow. I'm not sure she is aware of that yet, and not sure how she'll react to it tomorrow when she looks in the mirror. I may need to get a picture (insert smiley face here).

Eye surgery on TV is much quicker than the real version at Witham Hospital. What they don't show you on TV is the 4 hours of prep work and eye numbing drops that are put in every 30 minutes or so. It is also different than dog eye surgery. My dog Rocky had eye surgery and his was very quick. He was my big, tough boy who did many a surgery without anesthesia. He couldn't have it because of his heart problems. So, even Rocky's surgery was pretty fast.

The good news is that Mom is 20/20 now, but only in the one eye. Maybe I could sign up for this surgery and dump the glasses. Wouldn't that be great? Mom is thinking she'll be able to drive tomorrow, but I'm not sure. How will she do it. With one good eye and one bad eye, her vision will be messed up if she wears glasses, or if she doesn't wear glasses. We'll talk to the doctor again tomorrow and see what he says.

A lot of good can come from a long drive in a Toyota

I haven't been myself the last couple of weeks. I don't know exactly where it all started, but it's better now. I took a drive. I used to drive a lot when I needed some time to think and figure things out. With the open road and some music playing, I can tend to be able to resolve things. And, the good news is that I seem to be getting better at it.

I remember one drive from New York to Marysville, Ohio playing one cassette tape over and over. I was leaving camp with a lot of things unfinished, and did not want to go. I started the trip in tears, but 12 hours later, I was better. I think I was 25 at the time. Later on when I lived in Bloomington, I drove the 37 or 67 route between Bloomington and Indy a lot. Sometimes at weird hours of the night, but always with some music playing. The loop around Lake Monroe was good too, just watch out for the boat ramp on the south side of the lake. It is easy to miss in the dark and you might just drive into the lake!

Lucky for me, tonight I figured out what was up in about 30 minutes. And, I didn't even play my Taylor Swift CD to the point of having to give it away. Bonus!

I think I've been trying to figure out what happened to the 23 year old me. I feel like I was taller then. I know I had better hair. I think I was always funny. But what happened to all the things that I had planned? What were my expectations then and did I live up to them? And then somewhere south of Martinsville I realized that the dreams of a 23 year old didn't come true, but the life I have right now is pretty darn excellent. The 45 year old me is a lot better than the 23 year old ever dreamed.