Nov 22, 2011 |
Today’s weather warmed up with the sunshine, allowing the birds to come out of their cozy nests in search of the seed I’d placed for them. I saw my two scarce Cactus Wren leave the confines of their Joshua Tree and to my delight, two more were with them! My little family of birds is growing!
In keeping with this week’s post themes of Thanksgiving, I immediately thought “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” and that got me thinking.
That doesn’t really sound like I’m thankful for the birds in my bush. (Although I am). It sounds like I’m wanting more…
Well, realistically, who isn’t? But rather than spend all my efforts searching for more (two more in the bush), why not treasure the little bit that I already have (one in the hand)?
This Thanksgiving, I may not have much. But what I do have amounts to more than dreams. It’s real, tangible, heartfelt.
And the two in the bush? Well, that just leaves me something to strive for, and when necessary, enjoy from a distance.
Nov 21, 2011 |
I wasn’t sure what to write about today. It’s Thanksgiving week, and I’m thankful for so many things indeed!
I was looking through some old posts and photos for inspiration. There have been so many wonderful experiences in the past year, I thought I’d share some with you.
This first photo is my fireplace, with the first fire of the year. I love my fireplace. I love being a homeowner, and being able to host friends and give my daughter a comfortable place to grow and be. I love that during a summer storm, we sat and made s’mores right here in our house. I love the warmth the fireplace offers, and the decor. When we lived in an apartment for over 10 years, we didn’t have a fireplace, and we had one door and only three windows. I love being a homeowner. And I love my fireplace.
This next photo is from the first snowfall last winter. We don’t typically get a lot of snow, and it was so beautiful to wake up to this. It lasted all day, and into the next before the sun came out and melted it all away. I love that it covered the entire yard, and wasn’t just patchy. There’s a calm and silence that comes with quiet snow. I don’t know what it is, but the world seems to slow or even stop to enjoy the beauty.
We weren’t sure we could renew our Disneyland Passes last spring, but on what we thought would be our last day at the Parks, we were able to. I didn’t tell Hannah about it. For the last two years, our friends the Wright Family has taken us to the Parks in March. On that day, Baylee was going to purchase her own annual pass and we had a plan all set up. She talked Hannah into walking up to the ticket kiosk with her, and as they waited in line, she would tell Hannah, “You should ask your mom if you can renew your pass. Just ask her! Just do it!” We knew Hannah wouldn’t ask for such a thing without nudging, so Baylee kept at it.
Meanwhile, us moms (me and Stacie) were off to the side chatting. Stacie asked me a question that I can no longer remember. I held up my hand and told her, “Wait. Something really great’s about to happen.”
Then Hannah said, with no hope and a shrug, “Mom. Baylee says to ask if we can renew our passes today.” I simply said, “Sure.” We all laughed except Hannah, who took about 20 minutes to really process it. Even after we got the renewals and walked into the Park, she kept saying, “Wait. I don’t understand. What just happened?” It turned into one of our best trips to the Parks in a long time.
In April, we took our first ever Three-Generation Vacation. I treated my mom and daughter to a weekend at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. It’s a beautiful historical Inn, and has been the temporary home for several authors.
It was terribly cold and windy and even raining after the sun went done, but we were determined to eat at the Bella Trattoria. The problem was, it only offered outdoor seating and the wind kept blowing out the heating lanterns.
Nonetheless, we stuck it out. And I ate veal for the very first time in my life. I discovered… I like veal. I had always inherently been opposed to eating baby cow, but this was delicious. It was their veal lasagna. And of course, whenever I go somewhere new, if there’s an Italian dish on the menu, I can’t not try it. So I did. And I loved it. I loved it like I breathe, like the sky is blue, like I was born for that particular moment…
Until the tiramisu arrived. And then I was beyond satisfied. Especially because Con Te Partiro was playing over the sidewalk speakers. This was not the end to dinner. This was an experience. This was more than a memory. I may never eat there again. But I will never forget those flavors and aroma and atmosphere. It was heaven.
This is a view of Sunday morning outside our mini-suite. I woke up early and was transformed by the tranquil beauty and heritage of the building around us. It was so quiet, so peaceful and renewing. I want to live there forever.
Summer came and I got my first-ever BBQ. The exact same one my brother bought for himself a few weeks earlier and a few hundred miles away. We had fun laughing about that. This is my first-ever grilling experience: I roasted vegetables and grilled chicken.
The flames made me really nervous, but it turns out I can totally handle a grill. And that made me feel pretty confident.
The Three Generations again took a trip; this time to visit my big brother and his family in Las Vegas. I love driving, and my brother is so good at giving directions, so I had no problem finding their new home. We drove around the Hoover Dam, walked through a few casinos. But the most memorable moment (and what Hannah had been waiting for all weekend) was the Cokes Around the World tasting at World of Coca-Cola. They give you two trays with eight drinks each: the different flavors of Coke from everywhere. They were unique, they were flavorful, and some literally made us gag. It was a blast to share and taste and figure out who would like which one. We each had our own favorites. Surprisingly, mine was not from Italy. I don’t remember which one I liked best, but I do remember this fun experience.
My daughter took this last photo when I decorated for Christmas last year. I love nutcrackers. I mean, I love nutcrackers. Each year, I get at least one new one to add to my collection. Hannah doesn’t care for them. She really doesn’t care for them.
But she still managed to take this great picture and photoshop it for me. She’s really talented when it comes to art and photography. Someday she’ll be famous for it. Until then, here’s a sample of her work.
Well, those are my most favorite photo-memories for 2011.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a Good Turkey.
And Frankly, My Dear… That’s all she wrote!
Nov 20, 2011 |
SUNDAY STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS WRITING. I got this idea from several bloggers at BlogHer and NaBloPoMo. The idea is to set a timer for five minutes and just write everything that comes into your head, and make NO CORRECTIONS.
Well, I’m not going that far… but as I write this, it does seem more like thoughts jotted down than a coherent blog post. That’s because I have a few things on my mind that I can’t write about yet. Soon. But not yet.
So instead, you get my mundane, do-nothing report of the day.
I was up bright and early this morning, which is strange for it being a weekend. Usually I stay up late, and sleep in accordingly.
On Sundays we usually get up early enough for Church, but today Hannah was the one who slept in. That’s okay: it was really blustery and cold and I don’t do well going out in such weather.
So I’m kinda glad I didn’t have to get up and get out this morning.
But now I’ve missed Church and that makes me sad.
I made an early lunch and Mom came over. We ate this great white sauce with boiled eggs that is served over boiled potatoes. I haven’t made it in about a year, but it’s one of my favorite meals. I always add extra boiled eggs, because I love them so much. After lunch, I’m already almost out of sauce. And that makes me sad. Because, as I said, I love it so much.
The next three and half days I’m all about the Make-Do and leftovers. Because in four days, a 20-lb turkey is calling my name! I’m looking forward to this meal. Turkey is my most favorite meat.
The weather report is calling for a storm that should combine thunderstorms and snowflakes. We’re not supposed to see any real accumulation, but it will be in the air. I’m here to say, it’s true. I know it is.
How do I know? My ankle tells me so. And in 25 years, it’s never been wrong. I can’t explain it. It’s not swollen or tender to the touch. But within 24-48 hours of the first snowfall of the year, it hurts. There’s no other word for it. I’ll try to stand, and it won’t hold weight. I’ll try to walk, and instead I look like an old bent-over woman in need of a cane. And it started revolting against me yesterday. So I agree. By nightfall tonight, we’ll see flakes in the air. And I’ll be able to walk again.
I don’t mind. I like the snow. I like looking out my picture window and seeing the colored leaves fly off the trees in the neighborhood. I put out fresh peanuts and birdseed, and am watching one lone sparrow get his fill before nesting in for the duration of the storm.
Last night we had a bird try to get into our house. It’s a funny story, actually. Well, it’s funny if you ask me. A little traumatic if you ask Dot.
The backstory is that Hannah was enjoying a piece of chicken for dinner. Two of our cats were hoping she’d share and tag-teamed her. As she shushed one away, the other approached from the other side. But Hannah’s smart, and while I laughed at the whole sight, she managed to cower with her food and eat it all. She tossed the bone into the trash and we didn’t think anything of it.
A little while later I heard a noise in the kitchen and looked to see one of those same cats on her back haunches, grabbing the top of the door for the under-sink cabinet where we keep the trash. She walked backwards, pulling the door with her until it was fully opened. To make sure, while she was still holding onto the door, she peered around the corner. Satisfied that the opening was wide enough, she dropped down to all fours and began to walk into the cabinet. We called her and told her “No!” so she left.
It was maybe 15 minutes later when both those two cats were in the entry to the hall, with their backs to us. Suspiciously, I called, “Sparkles! What do you have?” and that cute, adorable little cat moved enough for me to see it was the chicken bone. Hannah cleaned it up and put it back into the trash.
Fast-forward ten minutes. And there’s Sparkles on the kitchen floor eating the same chicken bone. I told Hannah to wrap it in foil and go take it out to the trash. It was after 7:30 so it was solid dark outside. We have one meager porchlight, and the trashcans are on the other side of the driveway. So she left the inside door open for lighting as she went. I heard her come straight back through the gate, and then I heard, “Oh my gosh!” and a squeal. I waited a second, and heard it again. “Oh my gosh!” Squeal. And then, “Oh my gosh! MOM!”
I looked up from my computer work at the third squeal to see the shadow of a bird flying about. I went to the screen door, and this poor little bird kept trying to crash into our windows and doors. I turned the lights off, hoping it was just misdirected and would find its way back to the trees and its nest. But that seemed to irritate it more, so it crashed louder and stronger. Each time it latched onto the screen or window or wall for a few seconds, then frantically fluttered to another location, then came back. This went on for over two or three minutes!
Each time it crashed, I jumped and Dot squealed “Oh my gosh!” It was hilariously funny… or atleast, it is in hindsight. I kept telling her, “I can’t open the door! I can’t let you in!”
The bird perched like a moth above the door, and surely if I let Hannah back in, the bird would come with her. That would not bode well with our five felines and I could just imagine my freshly cleaned house being torn apart in a matter of seconds all in the name of the chase.
So I turned off the lights again and yelled a little. Poor Hannah. She was standing just outside the alcove. In the cold. In the dark. And this crazy bird, realizing he’s not getting in, decided to dive-bomb my daughter. Thankfully he missed, so she rushed to the door but in our startled state, couldn’t grab the door handle fast enough.
So there we are, both trying to grab the door handle and fighting each other to open the door. It seemed like forever but finally she was inside and we slammed the doors shut.
Needless to say, it took a while to settle down and stop the cats from pacing at the window and door.
And all I could think about was Alfred Hitchcock and how this is the beginning of a really good story. Too bad it’s already been told.
And with that, I’m settling in now to watch “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and some other Christmas movies while waiting for it to snow.
Whoever you are, wherever you are; may your week be filled with stories to share, food to fill, and love to last.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 20, 2011 |
[For the original article, click here.]
This was not only a fun post to write, but thoughtful. It really made me sit and think about the qualities I want, not only in a man, but in the people around me.
It’s definitely a checklist to follow. And truth be told, it was harder to finish than I anticipated. There are always those unconscious nudgings we’re not always aware of, and to make the conscious realization of what’s important can be difficult.
But definitely worth the try. Now I don’t have to question why I feel the way I do. I’m prepared to defend my checklist!
Nov 19, 2011 |
I originally had a post scheduled for today in which I uncharacteristically vented my woes of unemployment. But that’s a bandwagon I really don’t want to jump on.
I like to think of myself as an optimist, and as hard as life can be at times, it can always be worse. And I don’t like to dwell in the dregs.
So, I deleted my uncharacteristically woeful post and have decided, instead, to announce all the things I am incredibly thankful for. On Facebook, I’ve seen some friends post their “25 Days of Thanksgiving” since November 1st. While I haven’t posted anything, I’ve enjoyed seeing the variety of what people find to be thankful for.
Here’s my list. (I’ll try to stick to generals, because if I get specific, this list will never end.)
1. Books, especially the Bible, Louis L’Amour, Little Women, Sherlock Holmes, and mafia crime.
2. My family: birth, church, writing, and FPTO.
3. The ability to write, and family/friends/readers to write for.
4. My kitchen and all the goodies that it holds and creates.
5. My cats.
6. My house, yard, garage, patio, trees, and herb garden.
7. Church. The people I’ve met at church. The ministry they offer. The peace it gives me.
8. Unemployment benefits, some people don’t even have that much.
9. My car and the ability to drive.
10. Dreams, hope, and wishing. In other words, a future.
11. A balanced checkbook and bills that are paid.
12. Two turkeys (thanks, Laura!)
13. Our Second Family.
14. Health.
15. Our fireplace.
16. Living so close to my mom and being able to have coffee with her more often than not.
17. Impromptu visits from and to friends and family.
18. Recipes.
19. Bunco.
20. The internet, phones, television and digital/electronic media that make research and writing easier.
21. My 100-year old Encyclopedia Brittanica library and typewriter that remind me no matter what, I was born to write.
22. Living in America.
23. Music. To listen to, to rest with, to sing with.
24. Imagination and the ability to share it.
25. Inspiration. From God. From family and friends and the world.
What’s on your list?
