A little visitor

A recent shot...

My mom really loves this picture. Just thought I'd post it for everyone. The little ant in the center of the shot was trying to find his way out of the tree. At least, that's what he appeared to be doing...

A few of my favorite things...

I saw a little kid riding on the lawn-mower with his dad yesterday. It made me smile and giggle, too, as I drove down the road. Reminds me of growing up and riding on the mower with my mom.

Getting mail from BJU: it's always addressed to MISS Jamie Shaw. None of this "Ms." ambiguity mess. I truly despise that term. Women go to great lengths today not to be identified according to their marital status. It makes me sad.


Sweet Tea... mmm: we don't have it at our house much because we try to choose "healthier options" (i.e. juice, milk, etc.). But I don't think it's just the actual tea that I love, it's all that it symbolizes-- the South!


Conversing with an audience. I love acting and especially entertaining an audience. I don't think, though, that acting is merely a performance. It's more like a dialogue with one's audience. Delivering a line or idea, pausing to allow the audience a response, then answering that response; all timed according to that night's specific audience. It's beautiful, and I love it!


Charleston: I absolutely adore that town. Even the things that most people would hate about it make me happy. When I'm driving down there from home, I can smell the marshes about 50 miles out. I love that smell! My hands get stickier because of the humidity as I drive on what has become a very straight/flat I-26, and I get excited because I'm almost there. I grew up in the upstate, but when I think of all that is South Carolina, I think of Charleston. And even though the tap water tastes funny, I still LOVE Charleston!

July 4th. I am a patriot! It's been instilled in me from the moment I was born, and no one will ever break me of it. I love seeing the colors flown respectfully and wearing red, white, and blue. I stand to say that America is still the greatest nation on earth, and I'm proud to be an American!

Magnolias and pearls: symbols of the South. One day, I hope to be a true Southern Belle.

There are others, but this post is getting way too long ;-) Thanks for listening!

Moments cannot be captured...

Recently, I was involved in a community theater play. One performance night, standing in the wings of the stage, I was awaiting my cue to enter. As I stood there (only feet from the stage and my fellow actors I remind you), one of our fairy performers walked up to me with a handful of sour cream and onion potatoe chips-- one headed for her mouth. Choking back the laughter that could surely be heard by the entire audience had I released it, I could hear a faint "crunch, crunch, crunch..." She held out a chip offering it me, but in that instant, all that I could wish for was a camera. A camera to capture that little moment of comedy. All at once, I realized that no camera would ever be able to capture such a moment. I love photography; it's quite a hobby of mine. However, my Canon could never have captured the setting, the sounds, the situation, the sheer irony. It is only my privilege to own such a memory. My lesson- cherish them: because, as likely demonstrated by this post, they cannot be captured or easily conveyed. Thanks Tiffy ;D

A Breath of Fresh Air

Last night there was an eleven year old on TV in one of the myriad game shows that air during prime time. I was so intrigued by the host's response to this little person. He told the kid that he was "a breath of fresh air" and had the little guy calling him "Uncle" before the end. But I got to thinking, he is so right. "A breath of fresh air"-- what a perfect metaphor. Children do not look with our eyes. Take it from me, if you ever need to break a fear of public speaking, start with an audience of kids. They couldn't care less about how eloquent you are or whether or not they can hear your voice shaking. No matter what, they love you for the time you give them. Now, they'll tell you things honestly-- "You can't sing," "You didn't do it right," etc. etc.-- but it doesn't matter to them. They still love you. It's so amazing! How quickly that all fades, making such an attitude a breath of fresh air for the rest of us.

81 Degree Sleigh Ride

Is it just me, or is it supposed to be cold in December?!?!? I got into my car yesterday and the thermometer in it said that it was 81 degrees outside! 81 DEGREES!!! It was the 10th of December for crying out loud. Now, I know that built-in car thermometers are not all that reliable; but for goodness sake, even if it's--I don't know--20 degrees off, it is STILL too hot outside for December. To top it all off, as soon as I started my car, the radio starts blasting "Jingle Bells". You know, "... Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open SLEIGH...". That's when it really hit me; I'm listening to Christmas music in 81 degree weather. It feels like summer when it's actually Christmastime--time for hot chocolate by the fireplace, snow, bundling up, caroling while freezing, and sleigh rides. Oh well, so much for the snowy white Christmas that I was hoping for.

Why the Lighter Side?

Time and again I come across the sheer comedies of life that God tosses our way. I felt uncomfortable posting these things on my "serious" blog. Hence, the creation of "On the Lighter Side". This is my fun blog. I don't necessarily expect anyone to read it (no one knows about it; if you're reading this, congratulations *streamers fly, airhorns commence*, you're most likely the first), but it's just for fun anyway. So, I hope it gives you a little laugh here and there.

Grace and peace to you.