The Lights of Home

The days are shorter now here in Alaska, that means I walk in the dark at 6:00 in the morning. The months of September and October are particularly dark as there is no snow to reflect streetlight, starlight, or moonlight. I’m not afraid to walk in the dark. By that time of the morning, the late night street haunters are usually asleep where ever it is they sleep, traffic is minimal, and the only other scary things that might be out there are moose. I have learned if I don’t panic and keep walking, they usually take a look at me and my doggy companion and keep eating. It’s when I sneak up on them because I don’t see them as they blend into the darkness of trees and houses that we both get a fright!

The other day as I turned the last corner of my walk, a little chilled, a little tired and very hungry, I saw the welcome sight of home. The tall windows across the front of my house were lit by my reading light in my favorite corner, the glowing chandler in the dining room formed the familiar silhouette of my husband as he stood, cereal bowl in hand, eating his trusty Cheerios. As there was no other movement, I anticipated the usual wake-up call for my teenagers and the irritation that comes with oversleeping. Nevertheless, I knew from experience of many mornings that the coffee would be hot, the welcome warm, and all things familiar and loved were right there on the other side of those lighted windows. I paused to savor the moment, even though the morning would be rushed, said a grateful prayer of thanksgiving, and thought, “Who am I to deserve such riches?”

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His people… For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100 (NLT)

Eye, Tooth, Arm and Leg

I'm thinking "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" was misquoted. I believe it should be, "An eye for an eye and an arm and a leg for a tooth!"

I had my teeth cleaned and the dentist told me I had a little cavity that needed filling. "Great," I say, "It doesn't hurt at all! Let's do it!" So the day before my appointment to have it filled, I'm eating a nice soft piece of bread and you guessed it, the back half of my tooth drops off! I go in and the dental assistant assures me it's not so bad. We can still fill it. Then comes "Dr. X" with his handy dandy tooth drill! Yikes!!!, "Yes, of course that hurts! You're drilling my tooth!" I yell. He proceeds to tell me he's given me enough Novocaine to drop a horse (not his exact words, but close). Well, to make a long procedure short, he tells me I have two choices: 1. pull the stinkin' tooth, or 2. get a root canal and crown. Of course I'm remembering all the pain and suffering I went through with braces and I dread having that lovely evenness in my mouth disturbed, so I say root canal without hesitation. I go to the front desk, they make me an appointment, tell me it will be $950.00 for the root canal and then we'll talk about the crown (I've heard vicious rumors that it could be as much as $1200.00)! When I have sufficiently recovered I point at my tooth and say, "I don't need a crown crown, just a little one for my little tooth..." The receptionist did not think that was one bite, ummm, bit funny! ARGH!!!! I should have said "pull the sucker!"

Okay, maybe I took the quote out of context, but the truth remains, it is an arm and a leg for a tooth.