"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." - A.J. Liebling

OK, this could get me in trouble on so many levels (and at this point my sons are saying, "Just don't go there, dad") but as I sat in Starbucks this morning working on stuff for this teaching gig (ugh) I noticed a wide variety of women come and go. Yes, men were in and out, too, but for the most part they're pretty bland. As a group not much distinguishes us from one another. We mostly wear blue jeans or business casual (neckties are almost unheard of west of 7th Ave.), get our coffee, and either sit at a table and work or head back out the door to the next task.

Women...
Yes, there are the obvious differences in age and size, but what struck me this morning was the difference in attire. I don't pay a lot of attention to the way people dress, and that sometimes creates a problem. For example, I've been asked by prospective visitors to Pathway how the women dress and I honestly can't answer. I couldn't tell you what Pam wore last Sunday, or any Sunday before that, never mind what some other female wore. (The guys are in blue jeans or business casual, with nary a necktie in sight.) But sometimes what a woman is wearing catches my attention and leaves me scratching my head.

What is it with sequins? On jeans, on purses, on shoes.... Why?? And initials. C's, and K's, and J's, and S's. It's like a secret code that only the initiated know and use to communicate with each other. (I suspect to say, "I spent a lot of money on this.") Why would any female wear 4" spike heals at any time of day, never mind at 10 a.m.? I don't care how tall and thin she is, it just makes no sense.
You know what I think when I see a woman all fancied up with baubles, bangles and clearly expensive attire?
Her poor husband.
The time, money, closet space, focus....

Thank you, Lord, for a simple, appropriately attired woman who always dresses in a way I don't notice. The definition of low maintenance.

I'm feeling a little slammed. OK, a lot slammed. Sometimes you bite off more than you can chew and sometimes it's crammed in your mouth. Yeah, I suppose I could have kept my mouth closed, and perhaps should have. But at this point I'm in, and bailing, while an option, would create problems for me and others.

I'm not a big fan of little dogs. I am pretty fond of my wife. Which is why she came home to a surprise. She's said a couple of times lately that she really misses having a dog,so this as-yet-to-be-named guy is the newest member of our household. He's a rescue dog that seems to be part Chihuahua and maybe some miniature pincher, has a really good disposition, responds quickly to direction, and loves to be loved.
Yeah, my work here is done.

Note! We've been married over 43 years. At least four decades ago we ditched any quid pro quo dynamic to our relationship. I got her this dog because she wanted one and I like giving her what she wants. This has no connection to anything that has come before or comes after.