Like Sands Through The Hourglass

These are the days of my life...


With my mid-life birthday, FAST approaching, I seem to be aging gracefully, yet begrudgingly. I never thought I would say that, but I think I just did. Begrudgingly, I find a new line on my face or a new sun spot from a terrific Caribbean vacation which is just wrinkle in my time that only serves to gives away my biological age.

Do I feel old?

No, never. I still posses a child-like optimism that I hope I never loose, it being one of my favorite qualities. It is that hope and wonder that gets me through the tougher times, mixed with that sparkle of defiance that makes me who I am. A VERY wise man once told me, "You dance on the knives's edge, Candace. I like that about you." I like you too, and I guess a sexy tango on the edge of a butcher's knife isn't a bad way to go through life. I believe that anything is possible, and you'll never know unless you try. "The determination of a bulldog, she's got," my dad says because I never give up. Why should I? I was taught to reach for the stars because if I don't someone else will.

Yet I somehow find myself more content and happier than I have ever been. Older than dirt, and somewhat at peace with who I have become. Is this the maturity that we all strive for, or am I just too old to give a good rat's ass? My family are just about the only thing that matters to me and I have resigned myself to the fact that at my age, my children have comprised my greatest body of work. My PHD in parenting, so to speak, a Doctorate in child rearing for the world to see. And that's good enough for me, as I'm proud of who they are. I'm not done just yet. There are still a few more years left to teach the lessons I so badly blundered. To be there to pick up the pieces, if the need be. To be the bus driver and point out the sites along the way.

Then, it will be my turn. Right? The question is; will I be too old by then to fulfill my life's expectations?

Who really knows? Wisdom has a funny way of making it's presence known when you least expect it. Can I make my mark on the world after 40 and fulfill my career dreams?

Maybe. Only time will tell.
But so far, it's been a hell of a ride trying.

Hippie Lettuce

Some people are just hippies.

It's a fact, and it's quite possible that being a hippie is as much about "hippie-ism" being a lifestyle choice, as it is an innate personality characteristic. Some people are pure Bohemian's at heart and the free-spirited hippie speaks to their soul. And if the hippie is in your soul, then the hippie lettuce can't be too far behind. The two go hand in hand. Like the Urban Dictionary says, "weed to hippies is as like lettuce to health conscious, blue blooded, tax paying Americans. Consumed daily it keeps your system clean."

So why should we crucify Willie Nelson for being a hippie?

77 year old international country star, Willie Nelson was arrested on Friday when 6 ounces of marijuana was found on his tour bus and Nelson could face up to six months in jail. Are you kidding me??? Tell me that 6 ounces of Hippie Lettuce on a tour bus full of geriatric, aging musicians is a direct threat to our public safety. And six ounces? That was most definitely Willie's personal stash, of that I can be sure. Heck, here in MA in our up-tight, Puritanical society, if you get caught with an ounce or less it is punishable by a civil fine of $100.00. I'm sure Willie had no intent to distribute that six ounces. It's not like they were roaming the highways looking for middle schools to stop at and sell joints to the kiddies.

For God's sake, leave the man alone and let him just be the hippie he has always been. Sure it's illegal to be in possession of marijuana in most places in our country, but do we enforce this issue on a 77 year old, who is carrying a minimal amount of contraband on his tour bus? Is this really a battle we want to choose? I would bet that Wille is an old dog who's not interested in learning any new tricks and was just as happy to pay his $2500.00 fine and be on his way. Besides, Willie has never made it a secret that he "dallies" in the Hippie Lettuce. That's like DEA agents waiting out on the open road to stop a Snoop Dog tour bus. That's pay dirt, for sure.

Suffice it to say that sending Wille to jail for 180 days and making him "cook and clean like everybody else", in my opinion, is a waste of time and tax payers money. I think Wille and the boys on the bus should have been given a strict warning, his personal stash of six ounces confiscated, and sent on their way. I think the arrest was ridiculous for a 77 year-old international superstar or any other 77 year-old. I'm sure there are proponents of the legalization of marijuana who would agree with me. And I'm sure there are opponents of the legalization of marijuana who would be calling for my head right about now.

My point is that hippie's will always be hippie's, and the hippie lettuce will always be part of the culture. But crucify Wille cuz he's holding?

Must have been a slow week at the police station.

Black Friday

So today is Black Friday and as a retailer in this great country we live in I'm hoping today is much like the picture above at The Candy Bar. Odds are that it won't be like that picture above because I'm not offering any give-aways, and by that I mean, I'm not giving away merchandise for redonk deals.

I am, however, offering 25% off B.Kamins Skin care when you buy 3 or more B. Kamins products during the month of November. Gotta give the people something, right? I'm hoping that you will all take advantage of Small Business Saturday which is tomorrow. American Express has offered to give back a $25.00 credit to every card member who shops locally on Saturday. My only problem is that I don't take American Express in my store, but I still appreciate the media spotlight on local, small businesses like mine who help our economy to keep going.

So, if you are out over the weekend, stuffing some stockings instead of your face, think small and local, and come on down to The Candy Bar. We will take good care of you and your needs and if you don't want to go out and brave the crowds, give me a call at the store and I will ship anything you buy free of shipping charges.

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend and Merry holiday shopping to you all.

Happy ThanksGLiving

Bullets for a Thanksgiving edition of the Daily Dandy and not all Glee......spread around just like side dishes on your plate.

• So here's what you missed on Glee.....Glee clubbers at McKinnley tackled some seriously relevant and topical teen issues last night. Bullying and gay bashing were addressed in McKinnley school principal Sue Sylvester's office, where she took a staunch "no tolerance" policy and expelled the bullying student. But not before she bashed gay student Kurt by calling him "Lady". After Kurt protested, she softened her gay bashing by dubbing him with a more tame, "Porcelain".

• Kurt's dad and Finn's mom got married and the glee club was the band. A righteous ceremony production ensued and Finn serenaded his family and new brother Glee style, with "Just The Way You Are." Everybody danced and a few tears of joy were shed.

• I bet you though I was gonna say that "Just The Way You Are" was my download pick of the night, but you are wrong. Did you see Mr. Shue doing his Buble impression during "Sway with Me?" Dead sexy...I'm downloading that one pronto.

• Baby won the Silver Ball trophy. Dancing With The Stars newly crowned champion, Jennifer Grey took home the coveted prize and nobody shot out their TV and held a standoff with police!!

• I'm not cooking tomorrow and I'm not happy about it. My family will be celebrating at a club. The nice thing is that we will all be together and no one has to do any dishes, but Thanskgiving is about being at HOME with your family and unbuttoning your belt buckle just a tad while putting your feet up on the couch. My kids are pissed, so I bought a turkey and I will cook it tonite so we can have leftovers. Besides, My Tommy is playing tomorrow and I'd rather be in front of the TV instead of in front of the stove. For that, I am thankful.

• Come to think of it, there are so many things and reasons I am thankful this year. What are you thankful for?

• I'm also thankful to be part of this blogger community. I wish you and all of yours a healthy, happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Peace.

Tremendous Tuesday

A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house.

'Talking Dog for Sale'

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says, "So what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young...I wanted to help the government so I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping."

"I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals."

"I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired." The guy was amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the guy says.

"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?

"Because he's a liar. He never did any of that shit."

What Would Bambi Do?

So recently, it has come to my attention that My Guy reads my blog more than I thought he did. What I thought was that he rarely or never reads it so I was mistaken. Last week he told me he had a topic for my blog, which I thought was great because as you all know, there are days we all search for inspiration for blog topics. Anyhow, he went on to give me his idea, which is really more of a debate, and I immediately dismissed him, with my quick rhetoric and a definitive answer. He, of course had an intelligent rebuttal and a spirited debate ensued. I, clearly for the one side, he for the other.

The next day, over dinner he said, "I see you didn't take my advice and post my blog topic." Oh, so you've been reading my blog, I thought. Interesting. I told him that although I thought the debate was pretty cut and dry on the PRO for my side, I agreed that I would give him my forum to house his debate today.

So here goes: And please don't hold back bloggers. Let's show the real world how articulate and convincing us bloggers can be. (and immature and crude and funny too)

What's the difference between the Harvard professor, up in a tree stand killing innocent animals in the wild, and what Michael Vick did with the dogs? Why is one socially acceptable and one is criminal?

I will monitor all responses and post my stance on this issue later today.
Make me proud, peeps.

Caption Creature

Please someone caption this hot mess so we can all justify the giggle and a chuckle.

Here's hoping the weekend does not get lost between the crack....s. hee hee!

Happy weekend bloggers!