I adore the color pink. This is a relatively new development. When I was a kid, well, and younger woman, I hated that color. I saw it as weak and pale and frail. I don't know what turned it around for me...but I love it now. I rarely wear it ( cause i wear almost only black ... long story ) I have been known to sport it on fingernails and toenails ( and parade costumes as well ) .... but I think whenever I re-do my guest bedroom I'm going to do it up in super girly pink. I mean why the hell not, I have a 30 year mortgage ... might as well have a silly room too.

My house has tons of color in it ( although with white walls, much to mary and dave's irritation) but for someone who wears such dark colors - i really do love bright and shiny and sparkly things in my house .... i think it's always so interesting to see someone's home and how it looks after you've known a person for a while and think you have an idea of who they are.

I for someone who is as silly and fun as i am ( humility was always lost on me) sometimes struggle with the perception that you can't be silly and smart. I know my circle of friends contains some of the silliest women on the planet. I know 3 of us who actually wear anklets that say "pornfruit" ... yes to church - then i for one, refuse to explain it and let people wonder....they are also each so very smart ... but they are also wise ...do you understand what i mean by wise? so i know silly and wise works ... hell i'm silly and smart and wise .... silly works for me, and sometimes when i say silly i mean acting on the little spark of joy we have .. that one that kids show when they throw their heads back and do that full on body laugh...i feel lucky to say that i do that laugh about 3 times a day ... it's the best ... i love that childlike joy ... i like the little things - things that are such small thing.. i still love the idea of having purple hair if that's what you want. Why can't i do that and still be serious in my job? I love that my goddaughters think i'm silly and funny.... that i let them get away with SO much - but they know i'd take a bullet for either one of them if i could save them....I love that my friends and i will go out in public and wear huge tiaras and when people ask why - we say because we're queens, that's what. and when small shrunken old women smile and wave - we take them slap off of our heads and let them wear them for a while to be silly - or just plain give them away ... I love that i have a sock monkey ( yes a sockmonkey ) sitting on my TV in the den in a sparkly sequined watermelon themed outfil ... AND that i have one to match ... or does she match me ... doesn't matter.

We have to use blue ink pens at work, would the world really fall apart if i used say .... purple ?

I guess i'm just noticing all the really terrible things in the world that are very very important. yesterday when i heard that more marines had been killed in Iraq - i looked around until i could see where they were from - because my mind went to my friend who has a marine son there. I also thought of my friend who is in training right now and ready to go over .... i thought about the homless people i drive by on my way to work.... and the things that are such nothings that people make into huge deals ... and that get's in the way of their joy.

so here's something ... pearls of wisdom from the Barenaked Ladies
"and if there's someone you can live without, then do so.
and if there's somone you can just shove out then do so."

I take this to mean, don't worry about the little stuff, the person who irritates you just because she isn't dead yet....the fact that you dropped the cake on the floor ( yea, that was me last night ), or that you wanted to sleep those extra 10 minutes .... take the time to go enjoy the pink ...( wow that sounded dirty - and i guess i could mean it that way too ... but you know where i'm going with this)

**ok - so champagene lady's comment reminded me of a song i've heard Patti LuPone ( who i ADORE!!!!!!!) sing recently ... these are the lyrics ....

(J.Young, N.Washington, V.Young)

[Recorded April 16, 1984, New York] by Frank Sinatra

Hey don't save your kisses - just pass 'em around

You'll find my reason - is logically sound

Who's gonna know that you past them around

A hundred years from today

And why crave a penthouse - that's fit for a queen

You're nearer heaven - on mamma Earth's green

If you had millions - what would they all mean

One hundred years from today

So laugh and sing - make love the thing

Be happy while you may

There's always one - beneath the sun

Who's bound to make you feel that way

The moon is shining - and that's a good sign

Cling to me closer - say you'll be mine

Remember baby we won't see it shine

A hundred years from today, a hundred years from today

i'm grateful. grateful for the color, the joy, the silly in my life.
i'm grateful for the HOT PINK.