Tag: friendship

Last Gasp.
Two-Bit Musings.

Last Gasp.

SnapDragon X.9 Comments

Oh, Winter. I do love you.

. . .

There’s something about the last gasp of winter that I absolutely adore.

Because even though it’s technically springtime–what with the equinox being over and all–we northeastern folks know that pretty much doesn’t mean shit. And while there are usually a handful of truly glorious, 70-degree days scattered throughout March, there’s always one last stretch of take-your-breath-away cold.

And even though I kind of hate it, I actually kind of love it.

It’s refreshing. It’s mysterious.

And it makes me nostalgic for the things that have been.

. . .

It’s no secret that I’m an old soul. In fact, I might just be the definition of one. I like to be in: in the house, in the car, in a piping-hot shower. I don’t need much to be happy, and this in itself makes me happy.

My college days were no different. I had a handful of friends, and kept them close. We passed the weekends watching movies on VHS tapes. We’d then talk each other into watching just one more, with the assurance that we eventually would get those papers written. And we did.

We worked our part-time jobs. We scheduled our classes for the fall. We dyed our hair and dreamed of The Great Beyond.

There was so much beauty in these moments: in the vulnerable act of being young.

I want to kiss my college self. I want to brush her hair behind her ear and tell her that she’s lovely. I want to tell her that everything–the things that matter, anyway–will be okay.

. . .

So now, when I feel these last days of winter, I smile. I pull my graying hair into an uncool topknot and slip out to Giant for baby formula and kitty litter.

I look at the naked trees, and wonder at all they’ve seen.

I crank Tori Amos and sing along in my very best soprano, the delicious harmony giving me pause.

I come back home, back inside, and the warmth somehow makes me shiver at the cold I’ve just endured.

For soon the trees will blossom, our open windows ushering in a gentle breeze. I’ll wander out in a tank top and sandals, wondering where time has gone.

. . .

How simple life can be.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, painter, and enthusiastic storybook-reader.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for Two-Bit Musings and more, yo.

On Friends.
Two-Bit Musings.

On Friends.

SnapDragon X.10 Comments
Feeling Fine, 2021.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved.

This past month or so has been filled with visits from those who were starting to feel like long-lost friends. (Pandemically speaking, that is.)

It truly has been joyous to see so many (vaccinated!) loved ones after at least eight(ish) months of diligent social isolation on our part.

And I’m not gonna lie: it was a little hard at first. A little. . . weird.

How do I talk to people other than Sweet Husband or Baby Snap?

We can actually eat at restaurants again?!

What the frick am I gonna wear?

And then, like strumming the G chord on an old guitar, things fell right back into place.

. . .

Friends.

Ahh.

I’ve had a bunch throughout my 34 years on this planet.

Many stayed only for a time; a few have graciously remained.

And when we’re together I’m reminded of what friendship really means:

Listening.

(I could probably just end the post here. But there are, of course, other things worth noting.)

(clears throat)

Friendship is:

listening; always giving the benefit of the doubt; being honest; being humble; not being afraid to sound stupid; nurturing; the sharing of secrets, recipes, and dreams; being bored together; laughing until one or more bodily functions kicks into gear; putting the other person first.

It’s a safe haven; a philosophical community; a shrug of the shoulders at her shortcomings.

A friend will drink with you; rub sunscreen on your back; drive an extraordinarily long way just to hang.

I am forever grateful to have these special humans in my life.

Looking forward to the next soirée, Dear Ones.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer and artist who lives in her native state of Pennsylvania.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for all kinds of goodies, yo.

When in Doubt.
Two-Bit Musings.

When in Doubt.

SnapDragon X.6 Comments
Stump Skills, 2021. Panama City Beach, Florida. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved, yo.

When in doubt:

-call

-order the Large

-ask the question everyone else is too afraid of

-bring a sweater

-smile

When in doubt:

-drink a glass of ice water

-play your favorite album as loud as can be

-wear comfortable shoes

-remind yourself of all you’ve survived

When in doubt:

-change the sheets

-send the birthday card

-trust your gut

-close your eyes for ten simple seconds

When in doubt:

-err on the side of humanity

-err on the side of compassion

-err on the side of unquestioning love

. . .

“You should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about.” –Willy Wonka

. . .

SnapDragon is a person residing on Planet Earth.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for tiny tidbits of whatever.

Another Shout-Out.
Two-Bit Musings.

Another Shout-Out.

SnapDragon X.19 Comments

I got another blogger award, yo.

(bites fist and blushes)

I found this image on the ever-handy Google, of course.

Sheryl, my dear blogger-friend, graciously nominated me. (Thanks, Sheryl!)

Be sure to check out her posts on Sheryl’s Light.

And so, it looks like I have a few questions to answer! On we go:

. . .

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Oo, tough one. I was fortunate to have many-a-laugh in my younger years, so it’s hard to pick. But my gut answer has to be Wildwood. As in, Wildwood, New Jersey. Our family vacationed there for a week every summer, and it was glorious. I can still hear the seagulls.

2. Why did you start blogging?

Simply put, I was having a rough go of things the Winter of 2019. I was also between jobs, so with my extra time I decided to do what I’ve always wanted to do: be a blogger. It started out as a journal, and has evolved into a community. Love it.

3. Who is your favorite actor?

Tom Hanks. No, wait. Leo Dicaprio. No wait, it’s gotta be both.

4. What is your favorite holiday?

To use my husband’s favorite term: Capitalistmas.

5. If you could go anywhere, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Japan. (Flights from The US seem to be exceptionally expensive.) Also, I’ve never been to Asia! And, I love sushi. (And by ‘sushi’, I mean rice and avocado (or cucumber) wrapped in seaweed.) Anyway, there’d be so much to see and experience! (RIP Anthony Bourdain.)

6. What is your favorite music?

Classic Rock, yo. The Beatles. Pink Floyd. Queen. (drops the mic)

7. What is your favorite food to eat?

Burritos, both of the breakfast- or brown rice-pinto bean-steamed veggie-variety. Any. time.

8. If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?

Switzerland. I’d stay for a year, and visit every tiny place on the map. (heart flutters at the thought)

9. What positives have come out of the coronavirus for you?

We have a baby. After 67 days in the NICU, he finally came home at the end of January. Having both Mommy and Daddy around 24/7, in the comfort of our own home, is a massive silver lining during this horrific pandemic.

10. What would you tell your teenage self in a letter?

Ahh, shit. Where to start? Okay, here goes: “Dear Teenaged Snap: No one knows what the hell they’re doing. Don’t be fooled by know-it-all adults; life is just a day-by-day obstacle course. Try your best to find a lemonade stand along the way.”

11. If you could turn back time, where would you go?

I’d go to The UK in 1971. I’d see Paul McCartney (Wings) perform live. And, you know, then probably pass out in happiness.

. . .

My Nominee:

I’m going to break the rules a bit and only nominate one blogger.

And that blogger is:

Bryan Wagner, of Visions of a People’s Dharma.

I find his posts very moving, as well as very calming.

Thanks for being in the community, Bryan!

. . .

Questions for Bryan:

1. Describe yourself in three words.

2. If you were an animal, which would you be? Why?

3. What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood?

4. What brings you peace?

5. Who are your influences?

6. Describe your morning routine.

7. What’s on your bookshelf?

8. Describe your favorite vacation.

9. Choose one: a backyard pool, or backyard garden?

10. What are your must-haves when grocery shopping?

11. How do you hope to be remembered?

. . .

Yay! Thanks for being here, friends.

Sending much love your way.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and fan of high-top sneakers.

Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more on Snippets of SnapDragon.

Sweet Morning.
Two-Bit Musings.

Sweet Morning.

SnapDragon X.11 Comments
Seconds Please, 2016. New Orleans. Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved.

Oh how I love the morning!

The sky is alight, breakfast is calling, and the whole day is stretched before me.

It’s like opening up a new tube of chapstick: those fresh, precise edges of beeswax are waiting.

. . .

I am trying my best to live more in the moment.

(You may have noticed a mindfulness-like theme in some of my recent posts.)

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve always been pretty good about enjoying things.

I’m so excited you’re here!

What do you think is going through that young bird’s mind?

Don’t you think extra sprinkles make the ice cream taste even better?

. . .But when I’m alone? Or when it’s time for bed?

I’m trapped in a prison of my thoughts, both in future and in past:

I hope I didn’t offend her. I would be heartbroken if I did.

What if we get sick?

Do people actually like me? Like, really like me? Or do they forget I exist until they see my posts?

On and on and on.

. . .

So, Dear Reader, I am trying.

I mean, really. It’s all anyone can do.

. . .

I will cross the bridge when I get to it.

When I get to it.

When I get to it.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer who enjoys the very first sip the most.

Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more (like Book Reviews and Desert Island Picks) on Snippets of SnapDragon.

Rebirth.
Rebirth.

Rebirth.

SnapDragon X.Leave a comment

SnapDragon rambles on about who she is and wants to be.

It’s Me, 2017. Ocean City, New Jersey.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

I love this photo.

It’s not “cool”. I’m not sporting perfect cat-eye makeup or designer lipgloss.

It’s simply a portrait of me, on a radiant summer’s day.

My albino-like complexion called for a visit to one of the three thousand boardwalk shops, to select a wide-brimmed hat that would hopefully shelter me from harm.

This six-dollar beauty did the trick.

And when I look at this photo, I am reminded of my best moments.

When I’m my truest self.

When I focus on what really matters in this life.

. . .

No one will remember the clothes I wore.

No one will remember if my eyebrows were plucked with precision or if my stress-induced acne was at its worst.

They will remember how I made them feel.

. . .

confident; intelligent; unique; important; creative; insightful; hilarious; wise; compassionate; mature; complex; valued

This is how I want to make others feel.

. . .

I am a teacher.

I accept you as you are.

We’re on the same team, no matter what.

Because really, I am you. And you are me.

Your stutter, your emotional baggage, your insecurities.

We’re all just human, and I love you for it.

. . .

I will remember the sounds of people laughing.

I will remember the delectable tastes of omelettes, cappuccinos, and baguettes.

I will remember the power of music, and feel it deep within my bones.

. . .

My best moments are when I remember who I am, and stroll confidently into the unknown.

. . .

I want to see the best in people. I want to be slow to anger, and quick to forgive.

I want to be remembered as an artist.

I want people to know me for my passion, my heart, my loyalty.

I want to be an undeniably faithful friend.

. . .

Let’s show our best selves, Dear Reader. ‘Cause it’s another day to get it right.