"Romance" Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived  on the Cosmic island  Garden Island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is a weekly columnist in the local
newspaper (The Garden Island News) and is a published author
of the Novella "The Scam." Order your copies below.
www.bettejodux.com

Romance

Romance is such a pretty word, don't you think?

A pretty idea. Almost lost in the 21st century. Where did it go?

I think it's another of those wonderful healthy human traits. We can all indulge in a romantic spirit or sentiment, in a romantic aura. Don't you just love 'aura' ? To indulge in fanciful stories or day dreams? I think there's a time for that. I think we should all make time for that.

We don't have to go overboard or get lost in romantic pastimes, but to prop yourself in the shade of a comforting tree and find romance in every moment is good for everything that ails you. Birds, I think, are filled with romance. A friend of mind said, "Birds are pure spirits." I like that, too, and I must remind Duke, my favorite Macaw, when he starts to swear-I didn't teach him-or turn the air blue, green and purple with screeches to which this entire valley is subject.

I love Duke, he is pure spirit, but he has a Mephistophelean streak as broad as all outdoors. Maybe he envies the sweet romantic bird twitters that ring through the trees in my jungle. But, isn't it true? We could not enjoy romance if we didn't have reckless twaddle as balance. Everything must balance.

Balance romantic strawberry shortcake with stewed prunes lying limp in a bowl. Yuck.

I'm not great on romantic novels-they're a little too sweets for my taste-but tales of heroes and heroines and 'extraordinary or mysterious' events can be considered romantic, too. Remember Gone with the Wind and Wuthering Heights? Who in the world could ever forget Heathcliff?

I can remember when war films were not romantic. I remember fondly Romancing the Stone. Jane Wilder was a romance novelist. Such a fun wonderful romantic adventure.

Think of romantic textures. Velvet vs tweed. Silk robes vs Turkish cotton. Hats to be worn at Ascot opening day by beautiful women vs baseball caps slopped backwards.

Shalimar vs sweaty briefs.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair vs Madonna and chorus in ugly underwear.

Equestriennes on gorgeous steeds vs whatevers on bikes. No prejudice or intolerance intended.

I think we really need to bring back romance. Grab it by the collar. Haul it in like a trout on a line.

Voluptuate-I think I invented that word-in serious pleasant pastimes. Eat lots'a M & M's. Drink lots'a ice Chardonnay mit crackers and cheese. Unrestrained pleasure: climb a tree. Sit astride a strong limb. Grand soirees out in the carport with your neighbors and kids and dogs. Cheat and eat a hot dog in a hot dog bun slavered with mustard. And catsup.

Go back to writing with pencil and long yellow legal instead of swearing-hear Duke hear-at screwball computers with attitudes. Mine hates it when I make up words.

I gotta go. My mind is bending. Romantically. I'm getting carried away.

P.S.
Great short one minute video of a dog greiving adfter his human passes on;
http://blog.petflow.com/this-dogs-human-passed-away-what-happened-next-is-unbelievable/

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