grey foggy morning
leaves falling gently from trees
we stalk a squirrel
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
happy new year one and all
right now it's the Barbra Streisand retrospective on the Kennedy Center Honors...very nicely done.
today my car is registered for the coming year, late. another piece that got lost. new motto: bill comes in, pay it now. on the way home i drove next to a subaru wrx, electric blue with the ridiculous tall spoiler on the back. nice color. i'd love to have that. barring blue, maybe 2009 is the year that my silver forester gets flames, purple and black.
this is the car that Linda helped choose for me. it fits me perfectly. i had been driving a tan chevy blazer in 1999. it was too big, got lousy mileage and was getting older. so i sat in a subaru. one thing i still like about it are the windows all around, like an old-time station wagon. it feels safer, being able to see without a blind spot. not sure i could transition to a sedan. i still don't have many miles because all of our long-distance trips were in Linda's Hyundai...more comfy and a joy to drive. it handles so well on the freeway. so wherever i go, driving, i'm surrounded by Linda.
tonight more demonstrations in SF. it's always so difficult and yet so clear: if Hamas stops firing rockets, Israel will have no cause to retaliate. two people i know are on their way to Israel, i think. we'll keep them in our thoughts.
moving forward regarding garden revitalization. it will be a long process but worth it. met a new horticulturist this morning. good impression. i think it's going to work out well.
so tomorrow is the last day of 2008. it has been a difficult year for many of us who had Linda in our lives. we have made it through a lot of "firsts" already, and there are more to come between now and April. i bought myself an early birthday present, a print of a purple butterfly from Heron Dance. i know there are no walls on which to put it, but i'll find a place, probably in the bedroom.
tomorrow night will be the traditional party with nursery school parents, and then over to Jeff and Razmik's for their bash, complete with the upside-down Christmas tree full of fabulous ornaments, and delicious desserts.
so, with high hopes for the coming year. it's got to get better. wonder where i can watch Obama's inauguration. planning for the future. one foot in front of the other. that's the journey.
today my car is registered for the coming year, late. another piece that got lost. new motto: bill comes in, pay it now. on the way home i drove next to a subaru wrx, electric blue with the ridiculous tall spoiler on the back. nice color. i'd love to have that. barring blue, maybe 2009 is the year that my silver forester gets flames, purple and black.
this is the car that Linda helped choose for me. it fits me perfectly. i had been driving a tan chevy blazer in 1999. it was too big, got lousy mileage and was getting older. so i sat in a subaru. one thing i still like about it are the windows all around, like an old-time station wagon. it feels safer, being able to see without a blind spot. not sure i could transition to a sedan. i still don't have many miles because all of our long-distance trips were in Linda's Hyundai...more comfy and a joy to drive. it handles so well on the freeway. so wherever i go, driving, i'm surrounded by Linda.
tonight more demonstrations in SF. it's always so difficult and yet so clear: if Hamas stops firing rockets, Israel will have no cause to retaliate. two people i know are on their way to Israel, i think. we'll keep them in our thoughts.
moving forward regarding garden revitalization. it will be a long process but worth it. met a new horticulturist this morning. good impression. i think it's going to work out well.
so tomorrow is the last day of 2008. it has been a difficult year for many of us who had Linda in our lives. we have made it through a lot of "firsts" already, and there are more to come between now and April. i bought myself an early birthday present, a print of a purple butterfly from Heron Dance. i know there are no walls on which to put it, but i'll find a place, probably in the bedroom.
tomorrow night will be the traditional party with nursery school parents, and then over to Jeff and Razmik's for their bash, complete with the upside-down Christmas tree full of fabulous ornaments, and delicious desserts.
so, with high hopes for the coming year. it's got to get better. wonder where i can watch Obama's inauguration. planning for the future. one foot in front of the other. that's the journey.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
end of chanukah, hats, and more
tonight was the last night of chanukah. may the lights shine brightly in these dark days, dark in so many ways, and into the coming year. i didn't actually light the chanukiyah. nor did we last night. went to see Kinsey Sicks (appropriately funny and gross) in San Francisco last night. on the way home i waded through a police sobriety/license stop. took probably almost half an hour extra. good thing there was nice music in the cd player.
i was moving a black hat to sit down to type, one of Linda's large collection of newsboy caps (6 panels, small brim), that i had taken to santa monica, hoping to convince my father to try a new one. this one came home. i put it on. hats do keep heads warm. and also cover hair that is looking a bit long and shaggy. i think i may wear this hat tomorrow.
Barack Obama is all over the place. on 60 minutes with a historical look. on a friend's blog, his tribute to neighbor Rabbi Arnold Wolf. it's a bit long but a wonderful reminder that we will have a literate, compassionate president in not much more than 3 weeks. wow.
"Letter from President-Elect Barack Obama
Funeral of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf
December 26, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, who was not just our neighbor, but a dear friend to Michelle and me. We are joined in this time of grief by the entire Hyde Park community, the American Jewish Community, and all those who shared Rabbi Wolf's passion for learning and profound commitment to serving others. Today we bid farewell to a titan of moral strength and a champion of social justice.
Rabbi Wolf always remained true to the meaning of being a rabbi: he was a teacher. He took great pleasure in delving into Judaism's ancient texts, drawing out lessons about right and wrong, and inspiring young people to engage the world and strive to improve it. He transformed the historic tradition into a catalyst for Tikkun Olam - the sacred pursuit of repairing a broken world in our own time. He taught us by example that we must pray not just with words, but with deeds - and that we must truly live the meaning of "love thy neighbor as thyself."
In the great Rabbinical tradition, Rabbi Wolf was passionate and provoc ative in this work - and my conversations with him were always lively. You knew that if he disagreed with you, he would let you know in no uncertain terms - especially if he thought you were overlooking the moral dimensions of an issue, or rationalizing your own failure to live up to the highest moral principles. But he did it with kindness, and often with a smile or a laugh to let you know that even though you were just plain wrong, and had no idea what you were talking about, he still loved you.
Rabbi Wolf's commitment to justice started early in life. As a young rabbi serving at a turbulent time for our nation, he was determined to fight discrimination of any kind, and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement alongside Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel helped strengthen the bonds between the Jewish and African-American communities.
Rabbi Wolf embarked on an historic experiment with the founding of Congregation Solel on Chicago's North Shore. Solel, which means "trailblazer," describes him well. He was proud to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an honored guest speaker. He was among the first to introduce to Chicago the writings of Elie Wiesel and Holocaust studies. And he never shied away from controversy or challenge when he saw an opportunity to advance the cause of freedom.
Throughout Chicago and in Jewish homes and classrooms across our country, Rabbi Wolf's name is synonymous with service, social action, and the possibility of change. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, an engaging teacher, a kindhearted shepherd for the K.A.M. Isaiah community, and a tireless advocate of peace for the United States, Israel and the world.
And I will always be personally grateful for the support he showed me as I embarked on my own journey. In a piece Rabbi Wolf wrote on my behalf months ago, he wrote that he was proud to be my neighbor and that he hoped to someday visit me in the White House. In the end, however, the honor was all mine. And while he may not have lived to pay that visit to the Oval Office, I hope that his spirit of love, his love of learning, and his deep dedication to serving others will live on in the work I do each day. May his memory be a blessing and a comfort to us all and an inspiration for the generations to come."
my friend a retired episcopal priest in maryland sent me the link to this amazing youtube video, from Bjorn Borg's Love for All new site. amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPSfjReeC_k
ok that's enough for today.
short week.
"see you next year!"
remember when you'd say that as a kid? and laugh!!
i was moving a black hat to sit down to type, one of Linda's large collection of newsboy caps (6 panels, small brim), that i had taken to santa monica, hoping to convince my father to try a new one. this one came home. i put it on. hats do keep heads warm. and also cover hair that is looking a bit long and shaggy. i think i may wear this hat tomorrow.
Barack Obama is all over the place. on 60 minutes with a historical look. on a friend's blog, his tribute to neighbor Rabbi Arnold Wolf. it's a bit long but a wonderful reminder that we will have a literate, compassionate president in not much more than 3 weeks. wow.
"Letter from President-Elect Barack Obama
Funeral of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf
December 26, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, who was not just our neighbor, but a dear friend to Michelle and me. We are joined in this time of grief by the entire Hyde Park community, the American Jewish Community, and all those who shared Rabbi Wolf's passion for learning and profound commitment to serving others. Today we bid farewell to a titan of moral strength and a champion of social justice.
Rabbi Wolf always remained true to the meaning of being a rabbi: he was a teacher. He took great pleasure in delving into Judaism's ancient texts, drawing out lessons about right and wrong, and inspiring young people to engage the world and strive to improve it. He transformed the historic tradition into a catalyst for Tikkun Olam - the sacred pursuit of repairing a broken world in our own time. He taught us by example that we must pray not just with words, but with deeds - and that we must truly live the meaning of "love thy neighbor as thyself."
In the great Rabbinical tradition, Rabbi Wolf was passionate and provoc ative in this work - and my conversations with him were always lively. You knew that if he disagreed with you, he would let you know in no uncertain terms - especially if he thought you were overlooking the moral dimensions of an issue, or rationalizing your own failure to live up to the highest moral principles. But he did it with kindness, and often with a smile or a laugh to let you know that even though you were just plain wrong, and had no idea what you were talking about, he still loved you.
Rabbi Wolf's commitment to justice started early in life. As a young rabbi serving at a turbulent time for our nation, he was determined to fight discrimination of any kind, and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement alongside Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel helped strengthen the bonds between the Jewish and African-American communities.
Rabbi Wolf embarked on an historic experiment with the founding of Congregation Solel on Chicago's North Shore. Solel, which means "trailblazer," describes him well. He was proud to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an honored guest speaker. He was among the first to introduce to Chicago the writings of Elie Wiesel and Holocaust studies. And he never shied away from controversy or challenge when he saw an opportunity to advance the cause of freedom.
Throughout Chicago and in Jewish homes and classrooms across our country, Rabbi Wolf's name is synonymous with service, social action, and the possibility of change. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, an engaging teacher, a kindhearted shepherd for the K.A.M. Isaiah community, and a tireless advocate of peace for the United States, Israel and the world.
And I will always be personally grateful for the support he showed me as I embarked on my own journey. In a piece Rabbi Wolf wrote on my behalf months ago, he wrote that he was proud to be my neighbor and that he hoped to someday visit me in the White House. In the end, however, the honor was all mine. And while he may not have lived to pay that visit to the Oval Office, I hope that his spirit of love, his love of learning, and his deep dedication to serving others will live on in the work I do each day. May his memory be a blessing and a comfort to us all and an inspiration for the generations to come."
my friend a retired episcopal priest in maryland sent me the link to this amazing youtube video, from Bjorn Borg's Love for All new site. amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPSfjReeC_k
ok that's enough for today.
short week.
"see you next year!"
remember when you'd say that as a kid? and laugh!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Chanukah night 4
today was a short day at work and then up to my co-worker's mom's house for dinner and Chanukah. a nice traditional setting...lots of kids, families all bring their chanukiyot and light together. lots of yummy food. i left before the onslaught of gift opening commenced. it was a unique experience for me.
yesterday was chanukah at the home of neighbors, members of the synagogue. excellent latkes, turkey, matzo ball soup (i got a to-go container which was yummy lunch), snacks, etc. gift last night was homemade olive oil with lemon blush. for dunking and salads only. we are warned. tonight's gifts from Marcy: a box of cherry cordial candies (we had been talking about them in the office) and several cards of the kind of clip you can poke into the walls of an office cubicle and hang things. i had been borrowing some and now can return them. i gave her a bag of yummy fresh brussels sprouts, a bar of goat milk and honey soap, and a handknit poncho in brown and some sparkly yarns. non-traditional gifts. it's what makes the holiday fun.
the weekend is shaping up. tomorrow, j will come help do some work around the house. then movie and chinese dinner. even tho friday is technically a day off, i will be getting ready for the chanukah party after services. keeping perhaps a bit too busy? important and useful. don't forget the 30 dozen jelly filled donut holes, to be picked up at noon.
i took ketzl out when i got home. it was cold and windy. there is a cat out there who looks like a longhaired cousin of his. same grey color, same general markings. but shaggy. i avoid having a direct confrontation. tonight he came running out of the house when erev xmas visitors were leaving. one couple got into a monster truck with the most beautiful flames. it was really lifted, lots of lights and flames. wow. i'm so jealous. every year i think about getting it done. perhaps for my birthday. but get dissuaded. maybe 2009 will be "the year" ...
yesterday was chanukah at the home of neighbors, members of the synagogue. excellent latkes, turkey, matzo ball soup (i got a to-go container which was yummy lunch), snacks, etc. gift last night was homemade olive oil with lemon blush. for dunking and salads only. we are warned. tonight's gifts from Marcy: a box of cherry cordial candies (we had been talking about them in the office) and several cards of the kind of clip you can poke into the walls of an office cubicle and hang things. i had been borrowing some and now can return them. i gave her a bag of yummy fresh brussels sprouts, a bar of goat milk and honey soap, and a handknit poncho in brown and some sparkly yarns. non-traditional gifts. it's what makes the holiday fun.
the weekend is shaping up. tomorrow, j will come help do some work around the house. then movie and chinese dinner. even tho friday is technically a day off, i will be getting ready for the chanukah party after services. keeping perhaps a bit too busy? important and useful. don't forget the 30 dozen jelly filled donut holes, to be picked up at noon.
i took ketzl out when i got home. it was cold and windy. there is a cat out there who looks like a longhaired cousin of his. same grey color, same general markings. but shaggy. i avoid having a direct confrontation. tonight he came running out of the house when erev xmas visitors were leaving. one couple got into a monster truck with the most beautiful flames. it was really lifted, lots of lights and flames. wow. i'm so jealous. every year i think about getting it done. perhaps for my birthday. but get dissuaded. maybe 2009 will be "the year" ...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
wonderful evening
the latkes were wonderful
bbq'd tri-tip was yummy.
salad with dried cranberries etc
fizzy pomegranate to drink
and desserts: cappuccino mousse and mango mousse.
totally wow.
hanukkah candles and birthday candle.
it was wonderful for the 3 of us to be together.
and the food was great.
the new WMF peeler is phenomenal.
and ketzl likes the new treats i got at pet food express (i got 4 different kinds)...wow what great stuff they have. but the harness is too small. i'll need to exchange it.
plans were made for movie and chinese on thursday.
daniel only has monday to work. jeremy has monday/tuesday. i have mon-midday weds. quick week will be just fine.
bbq'd tri-tip was yummy.
salad with dried cranberries etc
fizzy pomegranate to drink
and desserts: cappuccino mousse and mango mousse.
totally wow.
hanukkah candles and birthday candle.
it was wonderful for the 3 of us to be together.
and the food was great.
the new WMF peeler is phenomenal.
and ketzl likes the new treats i got at pet food express (i got 4 different kinds)...wow what great stuff they have. but the harness is too small. i'll need to exchange it.
plans were made for movie and chinese on thursday.
daniel only has monday to work. jeremy has monday/tuesday. i have mon-midday weds. quick week will be just fine.
happy birthday Jeremy, happy hanukkah etc.
tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and we will celebrate Jeremy's birthday as well (candle in a latke?). i am embarrassed to admit that i didn't call him on Friday, the actual day. it was crazy at work, but that's no excuse. fortunately it wasn't someone in Linda's family (for whom birthdays have much more significance).
latkes have various incarnations. my mother did the minimalist approach: potato, egg and salt. Linda maintained that without onion, it wasn't a true latke. Aud points out that it needs a bit of matzo meal to hold things together. topped with either sour cream or applesauce. yum.
it's been somewhat cold here, and all the leaves have now fallen off the peach and nectarine trees. the shapely ones on the apricot tree have all turned golden and are falling gently. i am nursing the last of the neighbor's persimmons which hang in my backyard (and which i pick with their permission). i got a few more at the farmers market yesterday.
this year's Hanukkah presents consist of donations to organizations that feel important to me: supporting families of prisoners (Friends Outside), food bank, microfinance loans to women (FINCA), mosquito nets and solar cookers for Darfur refugees, PanCAN, Hospice of the Valley. for the most part, my family does not need more "things."
everyone is feeling the pinch. just read that Shakespeare Santa Cruz is having trouble. so is Youth Science Institute. American Musical Theatre of San Jose closed shop. all around organizations are struggling, and then Madoff pulls his tricks. is it possible that he really believes he was doing something good? that he was not stealing? and the IL governor i think believes he did nothing wrong.
i rummaged in the drawers in the dining room and found candles, a hanukkiyah (the official name for the menora used at hanukkah) and even a birthday banner. there are a LOT of candles. the gentle scent that wafted up on opening the drawer was really nice. waxen. (one of Linda's key words used in guessing words in Jotto) since Ketzl, there are fewer candles burned in the house. even the memorial candle is a plug-in.
it's nice to have a day fully at home. first load of laundry in. sorting papers. doing dishes. it will be nice to have even more days next week. looking forward also to a trip to SF next Saturday to eat more latkes (!) with Linda F and her sister and then to see Kinsey Sicks, the world's first dragapella quartet, doing their holiday show, Oy Vey in a Manger (two of the singers are Jewish). they are amazing singers and the blend is fantastic, and it will be good to laugh a lot.
and yet it is hard. here i am, another first. first Chanukah without Linda. just when i thought that things were moving along, and that the holiday season wasn't going to be too difficult. hmmmm. watching the snow falling on the Seahawks/Jets game. going to dinner and a play last night with Nath. as Cindy from the support group said, you just don't know when a wave of sadness will sweep over and bring on tears. one woman invited us to her house on Christmas Day. i think i may take her up on that, and see if anyone wants to go to a movie. and then there is always Chinese food (the traditional way Jews spend the day).
ok...things are mostly packed. i'll stop by Christine's to drop off her veggies, etc., run by Costco to see how long the gas lines are. a few more errands and then it's latke time.
latkes have various incarnations. my mother did the minimalist approach: potato, egg and salt. Linda maintained that without onion, it wasn't a true latke. Aud points out that it needs a bit of matzo meal to hold things together. topped with either sour cream or applesauce. yum.
it's been somewhat cold here, and all the leaves have now fallen off the peach and nectarine trees. the shapely ones on the apricot tree have all turned golden and are falling gently. i am nursing the last of the neighbor's persimmons which hang in my backyard (and which i pick with their permission). i got a few more at the farmers market yesterday.
this year's Hanukkah presents consist of donations to organizations that feel important to me: supporting families of prisoners (Friends Outside), food bank, microfinance loans to women (FINCA), mosquito nets and solar cookers for Darfur refugees, PanCAN, Hospice of the Valley. for the most part, my family does not need more "things."
everyone is feeling the pinch. just read that Shakespeare Santa Cruz is having trouble. so is Youth Science Institute. American Musical Theatre of San Jose closed shop. all around organizations are struggling, and then Madoff pulls his tricks. is it possible that he really believes he was doing something good? that he was not stealing? and the IL governor i think believes he did nothing wrong.
i rummaged in the drawers in the dining room and found candles, a hanukkiyah (the official name for the menora used at hanukkah) and even a birthday banner. there are a LOT of candles. the gentle scent that wafted up on opening the drawer was really nice. waxen. (one of Linda's key words used in guessing words in Jotto) since Ketzl, there are fewer candles burned in the house. even the memorial candle is a plug-in.
it's nice to have a day fully at home. first load of laundry in. sorting papers. doing dishes. it will be nice to have even more days next week. looking forward also to a trip to SF next Saturday to eat more latkes (!) with Linda F and her sister and then to see Kinsey Sicks, the world's first dragapella quartet, doing their holiday show, Oy Vey in a Manger (two of the singers are Jewish). they are amazing singers and the blend is fantastic, and it will be good to laugh a lot.
and yet it is hard. here i am, another first. first Chanukah without Linda. just when i thought that things were moving along, and that the holiday season wasn't going to be too difficult. hmmmm. watching the snow falling on the Seahawks/Jets game. going to dinner and a play last night with Nath. as Cindy from the support group said, you just don't know when a wave of sadness will sweep over and bring on tears. one woman invited us to her house on Christmas Day. i think i may take her up on that, and see if anyone wants to go to a movie. and then there is always Chinese food (the traditional way Jews spend the day).
ok...things are mostly packed. i'll stop by Christine's to drop off her veggies, etc., run by Costco to see how long the gas lines are. a few more errands and then it's latke time.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
some things work, others don't
the strange glitch with the bathroom window alarm contact not connecting in the closed position has been spontaneously fixed. i'm glad. now it's so cold i don't want to leave the window open even during the day, especially when it's raining. but now the dishwasher latch is not working well. what is the life expectancy of a dishwasher?
so garbage is out. i waited long enough and missed the rain. i think the pending rain is helping keep the temperature from dropping too low. a bit of relief. it was 38 degrees this morning when christine and i went out for our walk.
ketzl and i went out for a decent walk tonight while i talked with paula and carolyn.
so much strange stuff. obama choosing rick warren for the invocation. madoff being a complete thief and stealing billions.
so garbage is out. i waited long enough and missed the rain. i think the pending rain is helping keep the temperature from dropping too low. a bit of relief. it was 38 degrees this morning when christine and i went out for our walk.
ketzl and i went out for a decent walk tonight while i talked with paula and carolyn.
so much strange stuff. obama choosing rick warren for the invocation. madoff being a complete thief and stealing billions.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
more snow, more "cold"
supposedly down to 28 tonight in this area.
last night there were weird things with the computer: caps lock that i couldn't get out of for a while.
ketzl got two walks tonight. once before dinner with Jeff and Razmik, Charlie and Christine (Merit Cafe, excellent vegetarian food with three vegan desserts!!), and once after. the boys gave ketzl a crinkly tunnel. we'll see if he likes it. then we went to their house to see the new upsidedown christmas tree. with lights. very interesting. looks good.
clear crisp starry sky on the 2nd walk. orion's belt clearly visible. scarf around the face really helped.
just saw that Netflix unlimited is now 9 bucks a month. wow. that is pretty tempting.
chanukah is approaching. tonight was the preschool potluck. organized chaos. put a few tix into the raffle bags. we'll see tomorrow if i won anything. sunday is officially first night. jeremy and daniel and i will do something together. our traditional is a meal of just latkes. amazing how many pounds of potatoes one can eat topped with applesauce and sour cream. next weds my coworker marcy has invited me and charles our 91 yr old office volunteer to her mom's house. that will be a real trip. i've heard a lot of stories, but have only met a few of them.
tickets in the coat pocket: Jersey Boys from December 2006. Pippin (by Stephen Schwartz) at Foothill College, 2007 i think. Keep Not Silent, an israeli film about lesbians ...that was very powerful. hey, the date just changed on the calendar. cool.
i went to the "post office" at Leiter's Pharmacy today to mail a microwavable neck wrap to my father, a couple of cards. box to Pat goes tomorrow. almost forgot the swiss chocolate! i have a hard time there. that's the place that handles all of Hospice's prescriptions. and where Jeremy took all the leftover pills that were not narcotics. strange to be there.
almost ready to publish the LindAlphabet.
got from Jackie her words from May 18. a refined version. thx so much.
ok now i'm hearing the temperatures back east and in the midwest.
so we really are wimps.
last night there were weird things with the computer: caps lock that i couldn't get out of for a while.
ketzl got two walks tonight. once before dinner with Jeff and Razmik, Charlie and Christine (Merit Cafe, excellent vegetarian food with three vegan desserts!!), and once after. the boys gave ketzl a crinkly tunnel. we'll see if he likes it. then we went to their house to see the new upsidedown christmas tree. with lights. very interesting. looks good.
clear crisp starry sky on the 2nd walk. orion's belt clearly visible. scarf around the face really helped.
just saw that Netflix unlimited is now 9 bucks a month. wow. that is pretty tempting.
chanukah is approaching. tonight was the preschool potluck. organized chaos. put a few tix into the raffle bags. we'll see tomorrow if i won anything. sunday is officially first night. jeremy and daniel and i will do something together. our traditional is a meal of just latkes. amazing how many pounds of potatoes one can eat topped with applesauce and sour cream. next weds my coworker marcy has invited me and charles our 91 yr old office volunteer to her mom's house. that will be a real trip. i've heard a lot of stories, but have only met a few of them.
tickets in the coat pocket: Jersey Boys from December 2006. Pippin (by Stephen Schwartz) at Foothill College, 2007 i think. Keep Not Silent, an israeli film about lesbians ...that was very powerful. hey, the date just changed on the calendar. cool.
i went to the "post office" at Leiter's Pharmacy today to mail a microwavable neck wrap to my father, a couple of cards. box to Pat goes tomorrow. almost forgot the swiss chocolate! i have a hard time there. that's the place that handles all of Hospice's prescriptions. and where Jeremy took all the leftover pills that were not narcotics. strange to be there.
almost ready to publish the LindAlphabet.
got from Jackie her words from May 18. a refined version. thx so much.
ok now i'm hearing the temperatures back east and in the midwest.
so we really are wimps.
Monday, December 15, 2008
snow in northern california!! woo hoo!!
we're not used to it but it sure is pretty on tv.
2100 ft level on skyline blvd. wow. more on mt. hamilton. lots. 26 degrees now. more snow expected in the next day.
tonight i was more prepared when i got home, cuz i knew ketzl would want to go for a real walk. this time i wore my heavy coat and it was good ... temp was about 44 degrees at 8:30 pm. then as i was on the phone with my sister, and we were pretty far down the street toward mabury rd, it started to rain. we RAN home. because he is deaf, ketzl doesn't mind the hairdryer which was the most efficient way to get him dry. and fluffy.
eclectic is the adjective jackie used for my dinner: steamed red chard, with lemon and butter, peanut butter on toast, and now half a persimmon. yum. balanced. vitamins. protein. yum. chard always reminds me of the dinner linda and i shared and chard appeared on the bill. we said no one had chard. sent the bill back for recalculating. came back again. chard. what? turns out it was the chard-onnay i had to drink. ha ha.
tonight was the last night of group before the break. holiday time is varying forms of difficult for different people. we got a list of phone numbers. i think most people will return in january.
new things today: i will now have 3 written vehicles. this blog. "letters to linda." and i think i will add a personal journal. for some interior discussions, homework from group. also i have decided to break things down into really really small manageable chunks so piles etc. are not so overwhelming. off to do the left side of the kitchen counter.
bed heater is on. ketzl will come along i'm sure. good cat.
2100 ft level on skyline blvd. wow. more on mt. hamilton. lots. 26 degrees now. more snow expected in the next day.
tonight i was more prepared when i got home, cuz i knew ketzl would want to go for a real walk. this time i wore my heavy coat and it was good ... temp was about 44 degrees at 8:30 pm. then as i was on the phone with my sister, and we were pretty far down the street toward mabury rd, it started to rain. we RAN home. because he is deaf, ketzl doesn't mind the hairdryer which was the most efficient way to get him dry. and fluffy.
eclectic is the adjective jackie used for my dinner: steamed red chard, with lemon and butter, peanut butter on toast, and now half a persimmon. yum. balanced. vitamins. protein. yum. chard always reminds me of the dinner linda and i shared and chard appeared on the bill. we said no one had chard. sent the bill back for recalculating. came back again. chard. what? turns out it was the chard-onnay i had to drink. ha ha.
tonight was the last night of group before the break. holiday time is varying forms of difficult for different people. we got a list of phone numbers. i think most people will return in january.
new things today: i will now have 3 written vehicles. this blog. "letters to linda." and i think i will add a personal journal. for some interior discussions, homework from group. also i have decided to break things down into really really small manageable chunks so piles etc. are not so overwhelming. off to do the left side of the kitchen counter.
bed heater is on. ketzl will come along i'm sure. good cat.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
ur-mazing, i didn't get kicked off!
writing from Santa Monica on an old iMac with dialup modem. yeah, those things still exist.
and as i promised myself and Adam and Adam made me promise to Daniel etc etc
i went to the OCEAN THIS MORNING!!!! fabulous. wonderful smell. wonderful ozone. wonderful sounds. there was a slight drizzle but i had a hood. then later after the rain stopped, it got SO INCREDIBLY WINDY...phew. cold but more windy. so many palm fronds fell from the trees. all over sidewalks and streets. gonna need a major cleanup on monday, that's for sure.
today was a day like many other days. the year is slipping away.
breakfast, walk, nap, lunch, rest, TV, paper. Bea the yoga teacher came and when one of us is down (elinor or me) we take a class alongside. felt really nice. she is very sweet and really likes jack.
tissue alert maybe...
today is in fact december 13. 8 months have passed. that is two-thirds of a year. and i realize that there are days that pass when i don't cry. today is not one of them, however. how can it be, two-thirds of a year already? so much is still so recent. and so far away. that scares me too. not sure if i recorded here that i found linda's voice on the outgoing message on her cell phone which is now mine. that was really eerie but reassuring. note to everyone: make tapes. made videos. record sounds and sights like we didn't do. silly us. big mistake. get the history down in ways that others can read/hear/see it later. technology is available. use it. at the airport in sj i saw the acer microcomputer. that's probably what linda would have wanted to end up with. add that to the list of things i'm sorry i didn't push for between october and april.
according to the counter at the blog log-in, this is the 200th post. milestone. feels like i should celebrate or something but i'm not feeling very celebratory at the moment. linda f. made it through one year. she's always one step ahead of me. and now instead of linda, linda and deb, it will be linda, deb and deb going out to see Kinsey Sicks later this month. we all need some ridiculous hilarity, not to mention fabulous a cappella, in our lives.
good connections get reinforced. people do get better when they are ill or injured. friends stay by your side when you need them. that's the up-side. so for today, i will try to emphasize the positive and hope for clear skies tomorrow.
and as i promised myself and Adam and Adam made me promise to Daniel etc etc
i went to the OCEAN THIS MORNING!!!! fabulous. wonderful smell. wonderful ozone. wonderful sounds. there was a slight drizzle but i had a hood. then later after the rain stopped, it got SO INCREDIBLY WINDY...phew. cold but more windy. so many palm fronds fell from the trees. all over sidewalks and streets. gonna need a major cleanup on monday, that's for sure.
today was a day like many other days. the year is slipping away.
breakfast, walk, nap, lunch, rest, TV, paper. Bea the yoga teacher came and when one of us is down (elinor or me) we take a class alongside. felt really nice. she is very sweet and really likes jack.
tissue alert maybe...
today is in fact december 13. 8 months have passed. that is two-thirds of a year. and i realize that there are days that pass when i don't cry. today is not one of them, however. how can it be, two-thirds of a year already? so much is still so recent. and so far away. that scares me too. not sure if i recorded here that i found linda's voice on the outgoing message on her cell phone which is now mine. that was really eerie but reassuring. note to everyone: make tapes. made videos. record sounds and sights like we didn't do. silly us. big mistake. get the history down in ways that others can read/hear/see it later. technology is available. use it. at the airport in sj i saw the acer microcomputer. that's probably what linda would have wanted to end up with. add that to the list of things i'm sorry i didn't push for between october and april.
according to the counter at the blog log-in, this is the 200th post. milestone. feels like i should celebrate or something but i'm not feeling very celebratory at the moment. linda f. made it through one year. she's always one step ahead of me. and now instead of linda, linda and deb, it will be linda, deb and deb going out to see Kinsey Sicks later this month. we all need some ridiculous hilarity, not to mention fabulous a cappella, in our lives.
good connections get reinforced. people do get better when they are ill or injured. friends stay by your side when you need them. that's the up-side. so for today, i will try to emphasize the positive and hope for clear skies tomorrow.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
off to LA again
and this time I WILL GET TO THE OCEAN! elinor has not yet returned to enough health to be able to travel. and i already had my tickets.
i really miss red grapefruit. not supposed to have them while on my statin cholesterol drug. i think it only interferes. so i'm gonna have to get a grapefruit. juicy and yummy i hope.
tonight is garbage night and it is cold (yes i know, by california standards) out. fortunately there is not much to take out (as usual). i need to stop buying at the farmers markets. i don't eat enough to warrant keeping veggies in the house.
it was not too cold when i first got home so i took ketzl for a nice long walk. he really likes it out there.
tonight was the first smell of potato latkes being cooked in the temple kitchen for the sisterhood meeting. i could swear the scent lingered on my clothes and i smelled them when i got into my car. wow. sunday when i get home there is an early latke party at Fran's. first night of chanukah is Dec 21.
omg i'm watching private practice which is set in southern california. and there was just a scene with two doctors sitting on a bench on the promenade which is the park across the street (somewhere) from my father's condo on Ocean Avenue!! wow. like the last few seconds in "Knocked Up," which Linda saw immediately. then it was actually his building too.
ok off to finish packing and garbage and then to bed. i am trusting that the computer in LA won't let me post again. more on Sunday night.
i really miss red grapefruit. not supposed to have them while on my statin cholesterol drug. i think it only interferes. so i'm gonna have to get a grapefruit. juicy and yummy i hope.
tonight is garbage night and it is cold (yes i know, by california standards) out. fortunately there is not much to take out (as usual). i need to stop buying at the farmers markets. i don't eat enough to warrant keeping veggies in the house.
it was not too cold when i first got home so i took ketzl for a nice long walk. he really likes it out there.
tonight was the first smell of potato latkes being cooked in the temple kitchen for the sisterhood meeting. i could swear the scent lingered on my clothes and i smelled them when i got into my car. wow. sunday when i get home there is an early latke party at Fran's. first night of chanukah is Dec 21.
omg i'm watching private practice which is set in southern california. and there was just a scene with two doctors sitting on a bench on the promenade which is the park across the street (somewhere) from my father's condo on Ocean Avenue!! wow. like the last few seconds in "Knocked Up," which Linda saw immediately. then it was actually his building too.
ok off to finish packing and garbage and then to bed. i am trusting that the computer in LA won't let me post again. more on Sunday night.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
doubles and halves
i guess i could double the time i leave sheets on the bed if i slept first on one side, and then on the other. didn't happen this time. but i did change the sheets tonight. i know i use less than half the food, water, gas, electricity than when linda was alive. some things are doubled: we are on the same mailing lists and i need to get it reduced to one.
this afternoon i had lunch with Rabbi Leslie Alexander at the JCC. then i grabbed a short head, neck and shoulder massage in the lobby. that was really nice. several people said i looked more relaxed afterwards. remember to drink lots of water to flush the toxins out.
tonight i ate with the high school students (thanks, Paula and Suellen, for letting me eat with you). i realize that's why i don't eat real meals except when i go out with other people. it's just easier to grab something. that's why i got some protein powder for either morning or evening snacks. keep the protein up.
ketzl is still enjoying being outside. i'm not up to walking tonight cuz it is too brisk for me and i'm trying to protect my throat. so far i've done OK in fending off illness courtesy of echinacea and zinc and vitamin c. basic stuff.
still bogging down in papers. sometimes it is very discouraging. most times in fact.
for gift giving this year, i've decided to make donations to several important (to me) charities, which are really hurting this year. like the local food bank. FINCA (microfinance in africa and other places). Hospice of the Valley. then tell people what i've done and they can "choose" which was theirs. gas is $1.69 on the street. amazing. things are melting down all around us.
hopefully elinor and jeremy are better. last time we spoke they were not back to full strength, either of them.
flipping thru tv channels, i found "Jews: story of survival" and remember that "Lights!" a musical hanukkah show is on next. nice way to end an evening (and half a persimmon).
this afternoon i had lunch with Rabbi Leslie Alexander at the JCC. then i grabbed a short head, neck and shoulder massage in the lobby. that was really nice. several people said i looked more relaxed afterwards. remember to drink lots of water to flush the toxins out.
tonight i ate with the high school students (thanks, Paula and Suellen, for letting me eat with you). i realize that's why i don't eat real meals except when i go out with other people. it's just easier to grab something. that's why i got some protein powder for either morning or evening snacks. keep the protein up.
ketzl is still enjoying being outside. i'm not up to walking tonight cuz it is too brisk for me and i'm trying to protect my throat. so far i've done OK in fending off illness courtesy of echinacea and zinc and vitamin c. basic stuff.
still bogging down in papers. sometimes it is very discouraging. most times in fact.
for gift giving this year, i've decided to make donations to several important (to me) charities, which are really hurting this year. like the local food bank. FINCA (microfinance in africa and other places). Hospice of the Valley. then tell people what i've done and they can "choose" which was theirs. gas is $1.69 on the street. amazing. things are melting down all around us.
hopefully elinor and jeremy are better. last time we spoke they were not back to full strength, either of them.
flipping thru tv channels, i found "Jews: story of survival" and remember that "Lights!" a musical hanukkah show is on next. nice way to end an evening (and half a persimmon).
Sunday, December 7, 2008
milestones
nearing 200 entries on this blog. a week from saturday will be 8 months since Linda died. yikes. well, 8 months x 30 days = 240 possible days to write. i know there have been many days missing (it's OK) and some days with more than one (OK too).
on the plane back from LA i finished my first crossword puzzle in 7 months. ok, so it was the easy one in the inflight magazine. it still counts. on the way down, daniel and i did the puzzle on finding singers who have 5 letters in both names. on the way back i did other puzzles. flying with daniel is far better than flying alone, for many reasons.
i wore linda's favorite winter scarf: basically black with reddish/purplish paisley edges. it is nice and warm.
ketzl had a strawberry before bedtime tonite. cantaloupes are hard to come by these days. he has a funny tickle spot. if i scratch the back of his neck in a certain place, he does automatic licking of his chest. right now we're in bed (well i'm in, he's on top of the covers) and he wanted me to scratch him. now that i'm done with that, he's got his head on my knee and is settling down. what a cat!
tomorrow will be an early morning.
on the plane back from LA i finished my first crossword puzzle in 7 months. ok, so it was the easy one in the inflight magazine. it still counts. on the way down, daniel and i did the puzzle on finding singers who have 5 letters in both names. on the way back i did other puzzles. flying with daniel is far better than flying alone, for many reasons.
i wore linda's favorite winter scarf: basically black with reddish/purplish paisley edges. it is nice and warm.
ketzl had a strawberry before bedtime tonite. cantaloupes are hard to come by these days. he has a funny tickle spot. if i scratch the back of his neck in a certain place, he does automatic licking of his chest. right now we're in bed (well i'm in, he's on top of the covers) and he wanted me to scratch him. now that i'm done with that, he's got his head on my knee and is settling down. what a cat!
tomorrow will be an early morning.
strange and interesting things...
this morning i received the STRANGEST (not just strange) phone call. on the home phone, someone asking for Linda Klein. because she was listed as a contact for a high-rise building on Tisch. it was the fire department. i said she was a contact many years ago for security but not now. i tried *69 to see if i could find out who was calling, and it went to the fast busy, implying it's a blocked number. that made sense if it really was the fire department. then i called the alarm company that would have been the only connection i could figure, but they don't have any accounts on Tisch. really really really weird.
off to the farmers market. i think ketzl has enjoyed being out all morning as the only thing we did yesterday was the 11 PM walk. got up ridiculously early and picked Daniel up (then Noah's/Peet's) and to the airport to go to Santa Monica for my father's/his grandfather's 91st birthday. both elinor and jeremy are sick as dogs so no travel for them. the party was fun: mostly people in the building (who decided why wait for a birthday to get together, so they will be doing teas more often, which is nice), Bea Yoga, cousin Michal and her younger daughter Lula. it was nice and low key. yummy food. after people left, there was such an incredible sunset. we took a lot of pictures, even going out onto the deck. spectacular colors and clouds, reflecting off the water. really wonderful views. Anita baked 2 cinnamon breads from my mother's recipe. turned out great! there was still a lot of food left over. but the table looked nice and we brought down some new birthday decorations which was fun (including the banner on the front door of the apartment). it was very different from last year. there has been a very steep decline in verbal abilities. sad, disconcerting, awful. depends on what kinds of adjectives you want to throw at it.
so last weekend i bought the toaster oven and washing machine (which is in and working well). yesterday i ordered the recliner with lift assist. to be delivered thursday. all in all making things comfortable and functional. that's the goal.
tonight i'm going to a holiday party.
hope to get a lot done around here (papers, change the sheets, vacuum, etc.) before i leave. more on the strange phone call as information is obtained.
off to the farmers market. i think ketzl has enjoyed being out all morning as the only thing we did yesterday was the 11 PM walk. got up ridiculously early and picked Daniel up (then Noah's/Peet's) and to the airport to go to Santa Monica for my father's/his grandfather's 91st birthday. both elinor and jeremy are sick as dogs so no travel for them. the party was fun: mostly people in the building (who decided why wait for a birthday to get together, so they will be doing teas more often, which is nice), Bea Yoga, cousin Michal and her younger daughter Lula. it was nice and low key. yummy food. after people left, there was such an incredible sunset. we took a lot of pictures, even going out onto the deck. spectacular colors and clouds, reflecting off the water. really wonderful views. Anita baked 2 cinnamon breads from my mother's recipe. turned out great! there was still a lot of food left over. but the table looked nice and we brought down some new birthday decorations which was fun (including the banner on the front door of the apartment). it was very different from last year. there has been a very steep decline in verbal abilities. sad, disconcerting, awful. depends on what kinds of adjectives you want to throw at it.
so last weekend i bought the toaster oven and washing machine (which is in and working well). yesterday i ordered the recliner with lift assist. to be delivered thursday. all in all making things comfortable and functional. that's the goal.
tonight i'm going to a holiday party.
hope to get a lot done around here (papers, change the sheets, vacuum, etc.) before i leave. more on the strange phone call as information is obtained.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
it was a cold and foggy night
cold and foggy walk
i'm learning to be patient
ketzl sets the pace
and the cell phone saga gets raveled. its not the charger as i had thought. it must be the battery in my phone. but the batteries do not switch. so i'm charging the battery in what was linda's phone and then tomorrow i will switch the sim chip into the phone with the charged battery and it will become me. depending on whether or not my numbers were saved to the chip or the phone memory. it's all confusing. but makes the decision re phones less urgent.
ok so in california we are weenies. it was 46 degrees this morning and it was cold. glad my car has the heated seats, or as Adam and Livi call them, tush warmers.
it was almost a year since the sliding window above the shower was closed. i did it last night but had to stand on a stool to do it. something that was so easy for Linda, a foot taller than i am (or there abouts). she would close it to shower, open it to let fresh air in. i don't have that luxury. i'm not going to bring the stool in all the time. and i miss showering together, the do-si-do as we moved around each other to access shampoo etc on the back shelf. her head right up against the water coming out of the shower.
ketzl is in wildman mode. and the new tree is completely sturdy. rock solid. i totally recommend seventh heaven.
if you have not yet seen "Prop 8: The Musical" with Margaret Cho, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, and more... it is really funny. here's what purports to be a link:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones Funny or Die videos. it is a riot. goes to the heart of the matter. some day i will know how to actually put a real link in. or you can search for prop 8 the musical video on google. whatever.
the alphabet is coming along nicely. more submissions always welcome.
i'm learning to be patient
ketzl sets the pace
and the cell phone saga gets raveled. its not the charger as i had thought. it must be the battery in my phone. but the batteries do not switch. so i'm charging the battery in what was linda's phone and then tomorrow i will switch the sim chip into the phone with the charged battery and it will become me. depending on whether or not my numbers were saved to the chip or the phone memory. it's all confusing. but makes the decision re phones less urgent.
ok so in california we are weenies. it was 46 degrees this morning and it was cold. glad my car has the heated seats, or as Adam and Livi call them, tush warmers.
it was almost a year since the sliding window above the shower was closed. i did it last night but had to stand on a stool to do it. something that was so easy for Linda, a foot taller than i am (or there abouts). she would close it to shower, open it to let fresh air in. i don't have that luxury. i'm not going to bring the stool in all the time. and i miss showering together, the do-si-do as we moved around each other to access shampoo etc on the back shelf. her head right up against the water coming out of the shower.
ketzl is in wildman mode. and the new tree is completely sturdy. rock solid. i totally recommend seventh heaven.
if you have not yet seen "Prop 8: The Musical" with Margaret Cho, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, and more... it is really funny. here's what purports to be a link:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones Funny or Die videos. it is a riot. goes to the heart of the matter. some day i will know how to actually put a real link in. or you can search for prop 8 the musical video on google. whatever.
the alphabet is coming along nicely. more submissions always welcome.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
ketzl doesn't mind the cold, and other tuesday musings
i was gone all day so when i got home and ketzl wanted to go for a "walk," i decided i felt guilty enough to take him out. i tried doing a zen walk...really letting him set the pace and location. if he wanted to stop, i would stop. it worked. mostly. but it was cold (for NoCalif) out and even tho i had my heavy (for NoCalif) coat on, my nose was cold. after about half an hour, we came home and he got his tuna and red pepper for dinner.
the play tonight, "Around the World in 80 Days" at the SJ Rep was totally delightful. well paced, pretty physical, excellent timing, great camaraderie among the 5 cast members. a lot of fun. the nice thing about going to the theater and being totally entertained. it was temple night at the theater...i saw at least 10 people i know.
the LindAlphabet is coming along nicely. when the computer kept crashing, i did some work here on the laptop to combine what i had so far. how could i forget a few letters tho??? like A for airflow (queen of). J for jazz. B for Brazilian music.
got an email about the Hanukkah special on PBS called "Lights" (playing on Weds Dec 10 here in Northern California at 7:30 and 10:30 PM)...produced by Craig Taubman. lots of great entertainment. check your local PBS calendar for when it will be playing in your area.
getting things straightened out with the phones. i hope i can find a recharger soon. and a small hdtv for the bedroom to replace the 5 inch one on the armoire. still so many details.
the play tonight, "Around the World in 80 Days" at the SJ Rep was totally delightful. well paced, pretty physical, excellent timing, great camaraderie among the 5 cast members. a lot of fun. the nice thing about going to the theater and being totally entertained. it was temple night at the theater...i saw at least 10 people i know.
the LindAlphabet is coming along nicely. when the computer kept crashing, i did some work here on the laptop to combine what i had so far. how could i forget a few letters tho??? like A for airflow (queen of). J for jazz. B for Brazilian music.
got an email about the Hanukkah special on PBS called "Lights" (playing on Weds Dec 10 here in Northern California at 7:30 and 10:30 PM)...produced by Craig Taubman. lots of great entertainment. check your local PBS calendar for when it will be playing in your area.
getting things straightened out with the phones. i hope i can find a recharger soon. and a small hdtv for the bedroom to replace the 5 inch one on the armoire. still so many details.
Monday, December 1, 2008
thanksgiving 2007 recap
when in santa monica, Adam remembered fondly last year's thanksgiving. herewith an excerpt from Linda's blog 11/28/07:
One of the main accomplishments was the building of a shed in the back yard...on a cement pad that was designed for a shed. Got the largest that would fit comfortably (4x6) and it is holding Adam's things, some of which he had brought up earlier, and a lot from this trip (papers, books, things that need a temporary home)....
Thanksgiving dinner was yummy. Linda made the turkey, David did most of the side dishes. Daniel and Jeremy (my 2 sons) came for dinner and we all chowed down. There are leftovers. Of course.
Nath Brophy came over (was it Thursday night? or Friday?) with a delicious cranberry pear pie that she had made. Really tasty. We want the recipe. Undersweetened, as promised and wonderful. We hope she made it back home in time to drive to the airport for a long weekend in Manhattan. It was pretty close timing.
Livi flew up yesterday morning. Brought fabulous bagels with. Daphne our arborist came to do the first dormant spray and ate a full turkey plate before working. Her timing was just right, and she took home some pie and coffeecake.
wow, Adam. good memory. good memories too. i had no clue. it's been a long year.
one drawback of not being with family for the holiday is that i/we missed out on sharing together a memory of Linda, maybe especially for the holiday, maybe more generic. i wonder if anyone else did that. if i were to have said something, it would be something like this: i remember how much Linda loved to cook and share meals with family and friends. i remember the first thanksgiving at the house on Tamiami Trail in Akron, just the two of us, my first introduction to the family's traditional cranberry relish. family was so important to Linda. may we celebrate Linda by continuing to cherish family, whether connected by blood or by choice.
tonight at the group Vicki (the facilitator) distributed a few handouts. one was things we will always want to remember and other things we need to remember to forget. important to know. next week i will bring the photo of Linda that i keep at my desk (purple frame, big smile) and the handout from the memorial service to share.
and two small readings, one of which i share here:
We walk innocently into our griefs, and they carry us wherever we have to go in order to learn, to find meaning, to reach some kind of peaceful acceptance. We cannot control them; we ride them like a runaway horse. Our job is to stay on until the horse calms down and we are allowed to talk awhile, to retake the reins. (Christina Baldwin, One to One, 1991.)
unfortunately, the cloud cover tonight made it impossible to see the lovely closeness of the crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter in the early evening sky. thanks Jay for pointing me to the information. maybe tomorrow.
One of the main accomplishments was the building of a shed in the back yard...on a cement pad that was designed for a shed. Got the largest that would fit comfortably (4x6) and it is holding Adam's things, some of which he had brought up earlier, and a lot from this trip (papers, books, things that need a temporary home)....
Thanksgiving dinner was yummy. Linda made the turkey, David did most of the side dishes. Daniel and Jeremy (my 2 sons) came for dinner and we all chowed down. There are leftovers. Of course.
Nath Brophy came over (was it Thursday night? or Friday?) with a delicious cranberry pear pie that she had made. Really tasty. We want the recipe. Undersweetened, as promised and wonderful. We hope she made it back home in time to drive to the airport for a long weekend in Manhattan. It was pretty close timing.
Livi flew up yesterday morning. Brought fabulous bagels with. Daphne our arborist came to do the first dormant spray and ate a full turkey plate before working. Her timing was just right, and she took home some pie and coffeecake.
wow, Adam. good memory. good memories too. i had no clue. it's been a long year.
one drawback of not being with family for the holiday is that i/we missed out on sharing together a memory of Linda, maybe especially for the holiday, maybe more generic. i wonder if anyone else did that. if i were to have said something, it would be something like this: i remember how much Linda loved to cook and share meals with family and friends. i remember the first thanksgiving at the house on Tamiami Trail in Akron, just the two of us, my first introduction to the family's traditional cranberry relish. family was so important to Linda. may we celebrate Linda by continuing to cherish family, whether connected by blood or by choice.
tonight at the group Vicki (the facilitator) distributed a few handouts. one was things we will always want to remember and other things we need to remember to forget. important to know. next week i will bring the photo of Linda that i keep at my desk (purple frame, big smile) and the handout from the memorial service to share.
and two small readings, one of which i share here:
We walk innocently into our griefs, and they carry us wherever we have to go in order to learn, to find meaning, to reach some kind of peaceful acceptance. We cannot control them; we ride them like a runaway horse. Our job is to stay on until the horse calms down and we are allowed to talk awhile, to retake the reins. (Christina Baldwin, One to One, 1991.)
unfortunately, the cloud cover tonight made it impossible to see the lovely closeness of the crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter in the early evening sky. thanks Jay for pointing me to the information. maybe tomorrow.
a monday of hope
i am watching President-Elect Obama introducing his national security team on television this morning. not only did we hear the correct pronunciation of nuclear for the first time in a while, but the breadth of experience and wonderful seriousness of all his nominees also impressed me. while we are in pretty scary times, i am so happy to be reassured on a regular basis that we are moving forward.
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