Queen Mab’s Muse
Reflections on “…The wonders of the human world”Worlds worst customer service…Bank of America
Is there anyone else out there who is struggling to get their banking done in a timely manner with Bank of America? I’ve never been so frustrated. Just wondering if anyone else finds the largest bank to be the biggest pain in the rear end when it comes to depositing checks and accessing funds…?
Advice for Life
Priceless and something to pass on to my daughter! Tim has inspired me to write to my daughter but I’ll quote him often as his advice to his son, Luke, was sheer poetry.
Happy Father’s Day
Q
In Honor of Tim Russert
I am so sad to hear of Tim Russert’s death! What a shock and loss of a “clear” (Brokah) true voice in the news industry. I looked forward to hearing Tim’s opinion on the political world confident that his words were not spin but real and honestly researched facts and positions.
When Russert spoke, I listened because what he had to say made sense and he offered original viewpoints that exuded indepth understanding of the subject matter and his distinct intelligence. His integrity and character showed in his obvious respect for people he interviewed giving everyone an opportunity to speak but allowing no one off the hook when discussing difficult topics. In politics, everything is difficult.
My condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. We have lost a truly monumental newsman - there is no one like Tim Russert. God Bless you Tim!
Who Needs This?
Check out the great undersea footage on bristolmarinesurvey.com! Visit and bring it close to you…the underwaterworld is facinating just look and see!
Part of the inspiration for Bristol Marine was the loss of a good friend’s husband in California who was a professional diver. Nothing takes the place of an actual person but using a machine in inclement conditions is common sense and doesn’t jeopardize the diver’s jobs but works in conjunction making the job safer, cutting time in the water, and getting to the job assigned with greater accuracy. Portable and profitable. What’s not to love? The start up business in a place where complaining is more acceptable than doing something about the situation is the answer I guess – please, prove me wrong!
Taxes in Maine might not be so difficult if everyone had a paycheck in line with the rest of the country. Energy costs are keeping up with inflation but the average person in Maine has to work three jobs just to meet those costs, if their lucky. Is that acceptable? Maine is like a person with low self esteem, willing to take the abuse because that’s the way it’s done and scared of success? What would you do with a weekend or evening off and little financial stress? Of course perhaps that’s a difficult task no matter where you are in the nation today. But what do I know I’m from away? Well, I know I’ve never worked so hard to get so little and frankly, I’m scared and very disappointed. So much potential – Maine should be more than a vacation land…it’s strong, independent, and resourceful – demand what you (Maine) deserve!
Q
“Count Your Blessings”
Ethically Bereft Business…
what a sad commentary. Our first year in Maine I was ecstatic about the beautiful world we’d moved to and the caring people we befriended. Maine is still a beauty but hasn’t provided enough business to keep us as a Maine only business. So this year we branched out worldwide and I’m completely speechless over the lack of ethics in the business world. Multibillion dollar companies evaluate your worth based on whether we bring them significant income before making the decision to pay our invoice without argument and on time. Each job literally determines whether our new business continues in operation so not living up to the contract puts us in jeopardy. (We own Bristol Marine Science and Survey – A service using remotely operated submersibles – bristolmarinesurvey.com)
Between a friend’s betrayal and the lack of ethics or just good business practices I’m completely disallusioned. We even managed to catch FedEx unaware and completely uninformed about our shipment and do they make amends? No! They put us in collections when we wouldn’t pay $8,000.00 more than the smaller company that delivered our shipment on time, to our doorstep (we had to take our shipment to the airport tarmac to send it out with FedEx), and for $8000 less. They promised a Friday delivery and didn’t know where it was on the following Sunday, it wasn’t located until Tuesday after doing our own sleuthing to find the package. Each day delayed cost our customer $25, 000.00. Apologies? Nah, just pay the bill pal…
Dormant Muse No More
It has been a while since I last wrote as Q on the muse but then I’ve been keeping my new website and blog going – dancestones.org and dancestones.wordpress.com – where stones of comfort have consumed my energy and attention. Since visiting Queen Mab’s Muse last many Maine stones have been sent around the country giving comfort to those struggling with loss or illness, those reaching out to friends, and others simply wishing to send their heart felt love to people they care deeply for…
I’ve changed my header to send a message of concern to all who visit my blog…in searching for a sign that what I was doing truly offered the help and support I wished to give I came across this large stone in a sideways cross position as if Jesus had left it that way signifying the ultimate sacrifice of love. Whether or not it was my “message” it made me feel my prayers were being spoken to and besides it makes a great story.
To all those searching to live their passion, don’t give up! Happy End of March, 2008!
All the $ and Beauty in the World…
…won’t fix my father’s health. How ironic that a man dedicated to daily workouts, cuisine lean and devoid of sugar or fat, and rigorous activity should be aflicted with an intestinal blockage. His recovery from the colon surgery, of course, was phenomenal because of his outstanding physical condition however the problem was more than a constricted bowel . Despite all the “clean” living and obsessive exercise, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Had he followed Katie Couric’s advice and had a regular colonoscopy, the cancer might have been detected much earlier preventing its spread to his liver. His invincible spirit instantly felled with his physical health. Dad’s greatest fear is that he won’t be able to work and to participate in life with clarity and energy.
Suddenly all that seemed important before is put into perspective.
Fleeting Beauty Discovered
Stepping into the kitchen late last night I discovered a wonderous sight, a male Luna Moth was clinging to our screen door and seemed to glow lit only by the back porch light. The luminesence of his bright green color, irmen fur coat surrounding his body, mauve legs, and delicate wings decorated with intricately designed eyespots took my breath away. I’m a bit of a nature ”luna – tic” anyway since I will get up in the wee hours of the morning (3:00am) and stare out at full moons, slivers of moon shimmering in winter forests, and clear warm nights of millions of stars regularly from my bathroom window. The Luna Moth was a new and unexpected sight for me leaving me in awe again and counting my blessings yet again for making this difficult trek east for a family life adventure.
Maine (Life) Discovery Continued
The morning is just stunning. Sun streaming through the windows, a light breeze feathering through the trees lush branches of green leaves, the early summer air clear and smelling of that green, a new day, new world, another chance to begin and live.
Buzz told me spring in Maine is spectacular and was made even more so after the barren winter. I couldn’t believe of such an impact because I thought winter in Maine was “stunning” and also a reawkening to what life could hold. But then came spring and all God’s glory is visible and renewed daily. A different bloom pops up week to week keeping the beauty constantly at the oohing and ahhing stage. I’ve been reduced to childlike responses and vocabulary because the gratitude I feel and joy is gutfelt euphoria.
I love Maine, my new life, my family and all those that inspired me to reach down, take control of who I was to be in the second half of my existence. When fifty comes in two years, who I have become will reflect the tough beauty that is this enigma, Maine.
“To thine ownself be true.” William Shakespeare
Thank you Buzz.
