So, you’ve tried yoga, calming tea, the 12-step program, and perhaps a small affair. Did it work? Of course not. If you look backwards into the murky past, you can feel the nudge of better times. Times of slow summer days as you made forts in the empty lots of the neighborhood. Times where you could lie in the grass and spin a universe in your head full of heroic deeds as performed by plastic army men, who worshipped winsome damsels born from dandelion blossoms. Times where every part of you merely wanted to be the best on your block at kickball — and, maybe even more importantly, make that dark-haired, dark-eyed girl glance at you with bubbling laughter.
But now you are a SERIOUS man or woman. You have serious responsibilities with a serious job, a serious spouse, and serious children, who, seriously, need to get into a great college, or at least you need to enroll them in that kindergarten where trigonometry is a prerequisite. In your neighborhood, there is no time for whimsy because “tick-tock” you’re running out of time. Yup, that’s death knocking — you need to pick up the pace. Faster. Faster. Faster. Ahhhhhhh . . . .
Perhaps all this running from whimsy is not the answer. Perhaps we should be drifting towards whimsy. That is what this writing is about — getting out of your serious head for a moment, feeling foot-loose and free, and smiling. I am a former criminal prosecutor of 30 years — which has absolutely nothing to do with this blog. I’m also a former janitor, baker, construction worker, and foot-long hot dog seller. They also have nothing to do with this blog. However, I formerly directed the epic adventures of Marky Maypo — the plastic doll that I obtained through saving cereal boxtops in the early 1960’s — that has everything to do with this blog.
Lovely that you are writing again.
sign me up
I’ve missed you!
We’ve missed your writings. Thanks for sharing with us again.
Can’t wait to see where this goes! How about a coffee?
I love it. It will be great to hear your musing traveling around Iowa. But remember the “making it up” quotient goes down when you are closer to home.
I think I just put my comment in the wrong place. What I was saying is this is just great. You are a great writer and I am so behind you taking this plunge. Much Love, Marla
So glad you are sharing your sights and insights again! Thanks Joe.
So you now are going to write about “your” small things . . . Freud would love this . . . sign me up!
Yahoo! The “Joe Blog”! I am so psyched that you are up and running. Look Out Deepak Chopra and Oprah…..Joe is about to take your demographic! Mary Pat
Joe: I love your e-mails. They give me a new lease on life! Whoopee!
sign me up! I need a laugh!
Hi Joe! This is soooooooooooooo cool. thank you for inviting me to join.
I actually thought someone left roses at my door and you were notifying me that a florist had delivered them!
Like a rose opens to another wonder, I will anticipate opening your essays to something new each time!
Congrats on the launch of your blog! So excited about it!
Indeed! I missed you! Connie
I’m ready for the ride!
I’m so excited to be invited. I have missed you and your writing!
I’m delighted you are continuing to share your reflections and ponder the small even though the notion of “travel” may temporarily be more of an exploration of the familiar. That’s sometimes the best travel. And thanks to Mary Pat for allowing me to share in your posts.
Yipee! That is what has been missing in my life is a little cup ‘o Joe everyday. Can’t wait to hear from you again.
Joe-I absolutely love this posting. We all need to be reminded of the small things, of the need for whimsy in our lives, the need to step off the super fast track (guilty as charged). I feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing experience that is the launch of Joesneighborhood. Thank you so much for bringing this to your faithful fans!
A small affair?! Say it ain’t so, Joe!