Things you can do when you bored or otherwise known as blogging is taking over my life.

I just found a curious little website called X365- Basically it's to write 40 words (no more, no less) every day for a year, about a different person who touched your life. But it can't be just anyone, it has to be someone you've actually met in person, AND someone whose name you still remember. Is this even possible. What if you suck at remembering names? I do. I have been know to walk up to people I have known for years and completely gaped on their names. You know and thinking about this- I'd have to possibly make up those names and pull up random experiences and "called them touching".

I mean- there was that woman in the neighborhood who used to give me cookies. I remember sitting in her living room on the patterned couch upholstered in some sort of fabric like velour where it was smooth one way and rough the other. My tiny feet on the thick blue shag carpet. Tassels tied back the long heavy beige curtains draping the front pane glass living room window. A film of dust meandered through a sunbeam. A plate on the lacquered table had chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk stood near by like a beloved companion. I remember all of those things (and embellish them with my 36 year old mind) and that it touched my little 4 year old heart to get free cookies but her name? Forget it.

But I am inspired to write about how people have "touched" my life by reading the delightful, insightful, ponderosa meanderings of Schmutzie who has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. Do go and take a look- but here's an example:

When I came over to play on Sundays, you apologized for your parents making me help clean and take part in the family nap, but I secretly loved it. It was quiet, equanimous, so different than my house. There was nothing quite like lying with all the others in silence.

Inspiring stuff. Makes me think of life in whimsical ways.

Side note- I just used the word ponderosa. I don't know why. The only association of have of that word is for Ponderosa Steakhouse in Edmonton. But thinking about Schmutzie's blog it rolled out of my mind like a tumbleweed on a windy prairie day and looking up the word, I think it's fitting. "Planted for timber and ornamental". (to self- Well done, Jill)

ponderosa |ˌpändəˈrōsə| (also ponderosa pine) noun a tall slender pine tree, the most widespread conifer of western North America, planted for timber and as an ornamental. • Pinus ponderosa, family Pinaceae.