October 9, 2012

Bouquets of Newly Sharpened Pencils

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"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." ~Joe Fox (You've Got Mail) 
Okay, I'm not in New York, but I always smile at that quote. (And watching Meg Ryan sniff a box of tape.) "Newly sharpened pencils." I wonder how you could actually make one of those and what it would look like. (Yup, I'm strange. I admit it.) However, Fall is here! Hallelujah! Yes, I do realize that fall has officially been around a few weeks already. Nevertheless here in California, we've been having lots and lots of heat. But this weekend it cooled down and I'm pretty sure the fall weather is here to stay. I love fall (and spring!). The cooler weather, the wonderful colors, the scrumptious food, what's not to like? I enjoy the summer weather that allows me to wear sandals, but usually it gets so hot that sandals don't make it better. But the fall......I can wear sandals yet still breath outside. The heat around here gets atrocious. But that's in the past! Fall is here!

The air is so crisp, I love driving with my windows down. (Not so much a fan of the loud music and car exhaust though. Ah, life in the city.) It makes me wish for home. Home being Virginia that is. I miss lots of things about VA, but the beautiful fall colors are definitely near the top of the list (my family being at the very top). Don't get me wrong, we do get trees changing color out here. In fact one of the streets I drive down every day on my way home from work has trees lining it that turn gorgeous colors this time of year. I've tried taking pictures, but alas have had no luck getting any good ones. (Maybe this year.) Still, the colors here are nothing in comparison to VA in the fall. My parents house is surrounded by woods, so just about every tree turns  and when you go outside you're awash in rainbows of color. Sigh, and now is just about the right time to see it in all its glory.

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“My heart is drumming in my chest so hard it aches, but it's the good kind of ache, like the feeling you get on the first real day of autumn, when the air is crisp and the leaves are all flaring at the edges and the wind smells just vaguely of smoke - like the end and the beginning of something all at once.” ~Lauren Oliver

Speaking of VA, that reminds me of the books I read last week. And that brings to mind a question I have. I was raised in VA (obviously) and it was pretty well ingrained in me to say 'yes ma'am' and 'yes sir' to people. It's just mannerly. I never thought about it much until I moved to CA and suddenly I'm getting yelled at by people. Not really yelled at I suppose, but certainly questioned about it. I'll give you an example to demonstrate what I mean. One day I was in the drive-through for Burger King. After the guy read my order back to me, I responded "Yes sir, thank you". And he piped up real quick and said, "I'm not a sir! Why are you calling me sir?" Now he didn't seem upset, but he was serious. I kind of hesitated and when I got up to the window he mentioned it again. I forget how I responded exactly, but I did apologize in case I'd really offended him. But what in the world was I supposed to do? It just slipped out, out of habit, and there I was. So I need some advice, if 'ma'am' and 'sir' are so offensive, what should I use instead? Do I just not use anything? That's probably what most people will say, but that feels awkward to me. No idea why really, it just does. Has anybody else experienced any such thing? Any advice for this gal? I surely don't want to offend someone.

My "southern speak" is pretty noticeable evidently. I get questioned A LOT about where I'm from. On the phone, in the store, people remark on it all the time. (Well, perhaps not ALL the time, but really often nonetheless!) Of course my friends all say "Don't lose it, Kara! We like it!" But let me tell you one thing, when it comes to my southern accent, I have absolutely positively no control over what it sounds like! Whatever and however it comes out is just how it is. Truthfully, I really don't mind the comments. Makes for great conversation starters, and I can always use more of those! :) I just have to laugh at all the questions I get. I mean, you know you've got a serious accent if someone on the phone (who has a deep south accent themselves) asks you where you grew up.

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So I hope you're all out and about enjoying this glorious autumn weather! (That's assuming your weather is glorious. I sincerely hope it is.) I haven't spent tons of time outside, but I don't complain about going out to the warehouse at work now. During the hot summer months, it's like an oven in there. And you have to go through it to get to the lunch room, so I'm really thankful it's cooled down. Now I'm off to continue my book. (It should really help me cool down as it takes place during a terrible bad winter snowstorm. I'll probably shiver under my covers tonight.) Review hopefully coming soon!

{And don't forget to let me know your advice on what I should call people instead of ma'am and sir! I could really use the help.}

Toodle-loo kangaroos! Hoppy reading!

2 comments:

  1. This is the first I have even come across your blog lady. I loved it. Fall being my favorite season too and wish God would have created the world with longer falls, a little less humid summers,,,, not complaining here, just being honest!
    As far as saying yes sir ect. I am sometimes afraid to say it, incase a sir is really a woman. ha sometimes it is hard to tell them apart. And if someone is younger than I am, I prob. should say Miss. I have not had anyone say anything, but I sometimes think there are some who have never heard these terms. Not sure why it would offend anyone. I love hearing it. Reminds me of times of old, when the whole world seemed to be more polite. I love it when older men tip their hats to me. Prob. has happened only 2 times or so, and I felt like a "million"!
    I guess you can just say, YES, Thank you. You can still get that politeness thrown in!:-) Enjoyed your post! God bless your Fall, I sure am. I am ready to head to someplace like Vermont or somewhere! In my dreams! Love you and prayers sweet one!

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  2. Gail-Thanks for dropping by! And for your kind comments. It's been a fun little adventure so far. Hope it continues that way. :)

    Yes! Exactly! I love hearing it too! (And I love the fact that some older men have tipped their hat to you. That would make me feel like a million also!) I like when other people hold doors for me and smile and say hello as we pass one another. I've always viewed it as a polite and friendly thing, and certainly a wonderful thing. I'll just continue trying to be as friendly as possible. :)

    It would be so fun to head somewhere in the northeast where I hear the fall leaves are spectacular. I will dream of such things myself. Love you whole bunches. (sending you a hug via the internet) :)

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Thank you so much for visiting my little corner of the internet! :)

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