Do you have a junk drawer? More than one?
I have several, and while I’m not proud of them, I find them pretty handy sometimes. I can say that because I can lay my hands on something I need, but it’s more likely I’m too lazy to organize it.
I got to thinking how the items in those drawers are remarkably different from one another, yet they serve a purpose. Well, most of them do, and the doo-dads fit together in their own chaos.
I’m like that. There’s a lot of time around my house to self-reflect. When I took stock the other day of what makes me “me”, I realized I’m quite odd.
Things I enjoy include scary movies and books, true-crime shows (Dateline, 20/20, 48 Hours and others), science fiction, mysteries, and idiotic sitcoms that I’ve seen dozens of times.
I love dogs and cats, and I live vicariously through their videos. I love the dog next door even though I’ve never met her in person. I can’t have a pet, and at my age I will never be able to, yet I shudder to think what would happen if someone put a kitten or puppy in my arms. I’d be on the Chewy website ordering everything for them, even though I can’t afford it. I just love animals, period.
Things I can do without are romance books and movies, reality shows (you know, where we are supposed to watch a bunch of people live their lives in front of us – I find those cringe-worthy. There are all kinds of reality programs, and not a one of them appeals to me. Another TV ditty I can do without are the intimate commercials. I can’t get to the remote’s mute button fast enough. I can only imagine how much more we’ll be exposed to in coming years.
Still, I am close friends with those who have different tastes. We’re all different, and thank God for that. It makes for the most interesting conversations, and I love that.
Back when we lived in Tucson, I was able to find a writers group after a long search. Trouble was, they were a romance writers group but I had to be approved to join. I got in.
We met at the leader’s house at around 9 p.m. and we critiqued each other’s work until after midnight. I wasn’t allowed to read my work until the end of the evening because I was the only one who didn’t write romance. I wrote horror. I do have to say that one of my favorite memories of the group was when we rented Dirty Dancing and gathered in the living room. We spread out on the floor, drinking wine coolers, and watched an unforgettable show.
Yes, that was romance, but did you listen to the music?
And that’s another thing. I love country music and Christian music. I’m not an instrumental kind of girl, and most of my knowledge of classical music comes from Bugs Bunny cartoons. I’ve been able to answer a few Jeopardy! questions because of that.
Some folks also find it strange that I have favorite holidays that don’t seem to go together. Those include Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. More than a few of us like-minded people are often criticized for loving that combination of holidays.
You know, kind of like a junk drawer of life. This love of the odd may seem chaotic to those who don’t know me, but those who do love me anyway. No criticism, just acceptance. Beautiful.
