Not a good day to be a DLH* kitty. (*Domestic Long Hair) Poor Simon is sprawled on the chair mat next to me and Billie has stashed herself in the darkest coolest corner she can find (and is quite annoyed that I won't let her take up residence in the fridge). Actually, Simon looks quite funny all splayed out on his back with his tongue sticking out (kinda like this, only on the floor)! But I don't think he'll see the humor, so I won't laugh at him.

Now, to the random firings...for some reason, I suddenly flashed on a memory of something that happened a few weeks ago. I was out one Saturday evening and was introduced to someone. I remember somewhere in the brief conversation talking about how it was rare for me to be out so late and how hard it is to get this old lady off the island on a weekend, etc.

...and now I'm thinking, Jesus Christ! Who was THAT person?!? That guy was introduced to me...but he certainly didn't meet me! Or is it the other way 'round? Well, the point is, I'm NOT an "old lady"! OK, so chronologically, I'm about to click over to the next age demographic, and there are some body parts that, well, let's just say some of the contents may have settled during shipping and some bits may be approaching their "enjoy by:" date. But it's all (still) good!

There is still a LOT of life left in me! And in some ways, I'm just beginning my life. My soul is still vibrant...even if *I've* had trouble seeing that lately, there are others who do see it and are very encouraging in terms drawing me out and allowing me to be, well, me. (Anyone who's known me for any length of time knows that I've spent a hell of a chunk of my life apologising--to my mother in particular--for being myself, so this is somewhat uncharted territory for me.) These are the people I need to listen to (as well as paying better attention to my own instincts)...not the psychic vampires and other people who are only capable of tearing others down, instead of building up their own lives.

Anyway, it's quite possible that I'll cross paths with that nice young man (oh geez, now that sounds like something an Old Lady would say!) again...and I'd probably just further embarrass myself by saying, "No, wait! That person you met before, it wasn't ME! I was possessed by the spirit of Old Bitter Woman!" I suppose the best way to "say" it is to just not be that old lady anymore.