The Big Fix!

Photo: daydreamer173 Photobucket.com


Everything I own is breaking. Well, not everything but a lot of items are--all at once. Let's see. First, the computer died at the end of April. Getting the new one up and running has been challenged by Internet connectivity problems. Even last night and this morning, I entered no less than three separate tech support companies, all fraught with the pitfalls in Dante's three worlds of the afterlife. Each encounter should be prefaced with "Abandon every hope all you who enter." After countless hours, I am again connected but for how long?


Last week the cars had issues. Saturday night the cable box died. B.B. the Dog killed it with her fur balls. Sunday, the air conditioner went down ...our first 103 degree day. Monday morning the washer quit spinning. Monday night as I walked across the laundry porch floor, I felt a ripple. Looking down I noticed the linoleum tiles were lifting and the floor was soaked around the water heater. This brings me up to last evening's crashing of cyberspace. I felt so alone.


The planet Mercury went into retrograde on May 7th. The effects of retrograde can be felt for weeks before, and after, the process is complete. A planet is considered to be retrograde when it appears to be moving backward through the zodiac. Frequently, planets in retrograde, mark a time of ever changing events. Past issues that are unresolved tend to surface. These Retro phases present us with a series of challenges over which we feel we have little, or no, conscious control.


The general aspects under Mercury's rule are perception, thinking, comprehending information, communication, business, education and transportation. When in retrograde, Mercury can stir up personal misunderstandings, errant communications, negotiations and deals, snafu's with phones, computers, cars and other modes of transportation. Usually these problems arise because a critical piece of information, or part, has failed. If possible, avoid making important decisions while Mercury is in retrograde as miscommunication and missing information, can obscure our decisions. As Mercury influences mental clarity and brain power, in retrograde, intellectually, we can be come duller.


This retrograde will end on May 31 but the effects may well last until mid-June. As I shared breakfast with the air conditioner repair man, walked out of the denizens of Hell with the support of some patient (female), and not so patient (male), techies, and prepare for the arrival of the washer repair man somewhere between the convenient hours of 8-5, I ponder these planetary influences. So far, nothing apocalyptic has occurred. Just lots of annoying glitches and repetitive breakdowns. The cable repair man brought out a new box. The cars just needed minor repairs and maintenance. The air conditioner only cost a C-note to repair. The hot water heater just needed the valve tightened. The laundry room floor needs to be dried and minor repairs completed. I am connected to the Internet--at least for the moment. And I am awaiting the diagnostics on the washer which, hopefully, will continue in the same pattern.


Retrogrades are exercises in patience, understanding and putting one foot in front of the other. The lesson is to experience those moments of frustration and then let them go. Just like breathing...first in then out. Here's to only two more weeks. I hope!

Photo: Ryeleah Photobucket.com