Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Luckenbach Moon by Hondo Crouch with Jerry Jeff Walker
The moon last night was so bright it reminded me of a Luckenbach Moon. My husband recited this poem, Luckenbach Moon for me when we were first married during our Holiday "Sing for Your Supper". (A Sing for Your Supper is that you provide an entertainment for the assembled guests, including yes, sing a song,or play an instrument, or tell a story or joke, or recite a poem prior to being fed. It's alot of fun and very much in the tradition of Charles Dickens.)
I love all poetry and I thank my husband for introducing me to the wonderful tradition of Cowboy Poets like Hondo Crouch. I sincerely hope you enjoy our full moon and the beauty of this spoken poem.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Blue Christmas
This Holiday season, more so than in the recent past, is tinged with sadness for me. I don't know if it's the fact that it's the twenty fourth anniversary of my brother's death at age 24, my perimenopausal hormones, or maybe now that my kids are bigger, I finally have time and space for these feelings. Probably all of the above is the right answer.
I was very moved by this post from Mel about "tertiary mourners". Tertiary mourners are essentially strangers, people in the blogosphere or acquaintances, who abide and support people they really don't know.
I am tertiary mourner and feel genuine caring and connection. To mourn alongside someone whether they are close in distance or relationship doesn't matter to me. I honor our common humanity, offering a hand, a small gesture of comfort in dark times, the "kindness of strangers" as Mr.Tennessee Williams put it. It is a privilege and honor I do not take lightly, but I give freely.
The first time I was a recipient of tertiary mourning was twenty four years ago when 35 of my college classmates signed a sympathy card for the death of my brother and mailed it to my home. My parents and I were incredibly moved, still are even after all this time.
Thank you, dear bloggy buddies who have been my tertiary mourners also. You are supportive of my losses and sadness. You give me a safe place to lay my burden.
I think tertiary mourners are the Greek Chorus of our tragedy, our comedy too.
I have made a decision this year that I am not going to repress my feelings of sadness or grief. I will give them the light and attention they deserve and are due.
Here are two poems about Death that bring me peace.
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
Death Is Nothing At All
by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918),
Canon of St.Paul´s Cathedral
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room,
I am I and you are you,
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used,
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow,
Laugh as we always laughed,
At the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant,
It is the same that it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind,
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near,
Just around the corner, all is well
I was very moved by this post from Mel about "tertiary mourners". Tertiary mourners are essentially strangers, people in the blogosphere or acquaintances, who abide and support people they really don't know.
I am tertiary mourner and feel genuine caring and connection. To mourn alongside someone whether they are close in distance or relationship doesn't matter to me. I honor our common humanity, offering a hand, a small gesture of comfort in dark times, the "kindness of strangers" as Mr.Tennessee Williams put it. It is a privilege and honor I do not take lightly, but I give freely.
The first time I was a recipient of tertiary mourning was twenty four years ago when 35 of my college classmates signed a sympathy card for the death of my brother and mailed it to my home. My parents and I were incredibly moved, still are even after all this time.
Thank you, dear bloggy buddies who have been my tertiary mourners also. You are supportive of my losses and sadness. You give me a safe place to lay my burden.
I think tertiary mourners are the Greek Chorus of our tragedy, our comedy too.
I have made a decision this year that I am not going to repress my feelings of sadness or grief. I will give them the light and attention they deserve and are due.
Here are two poems about Death that bring me peace.
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
Death Is Nothing At All
by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918),
Canon of St.Paul´s Cathedral
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room,
I am I and you are you,
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used,
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow,
Laugh as we always laughed,
At the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant,
It is the same that it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind,
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near,
Just around the corner, all is well
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Los Angeles Fire Academy
Our older son's soccer coach is an instructor at the Los Angeles City Fire Academy and we were lucky enough to get a tour of the facility.
Here is Drill Tower #1 where they practice and train.
The Training tower on the right can be filled with smoke, flame, and heat with the use of the "Burn Rooms" and smoke generators seen to the left. The tower is a warren of dark rooms, confusing under the best of conditions.
This is the view from the top of the Drill Tower East towards the Verdugo Mountains, part of the San Gabriel Range.
New Firefighters or "Rookies" were there training on the large ladder used for high rise fires.
This is the classroom which has signs about construction, roofing materials, and includes the sign "We Risk Alot to Save Alot".
We all got to take a ride on the firetruck, with the Siren and Lights On! Whoo Hoo!
The menfolk were thrilled to smash up the junk cars on the lot with sledge hammers.
My husband landed a beautiful shot on this poor unsuspecting car hood.
It's always been a dream to get to sit in the back of the Ladder Truck with the second steering wheel.
It was a wonderful day and I really appreciated our soccer coach who gives of himself so freely to both children and the community.
Here is Drill Tower #1 where they practice and train.
The Training tower on the right can be filled with smoke, flame, and heat with the use of the "Burn Rooms" and smoke generators seen to the left. The tower is a warren of dark rooms, confusing under the best of conditions.
This is the view from the top of the Drill Tower East towards the Verdugo Mountains, part of the San Gabriel Range.
New Firefighters or "Rookies" were there training on the large ladder used for high rise fires.
This is the classroom which has signs about construction, roofing materials, and includes the sign "We Risk Alot to Save Alot".
We all got to take a ride on the firetruck, with the Siren and Lights On! Whoo Hoo!
The menfolk were thrilled to smash up the junk cars on the lot with sledge hammers.
My husband landed a beautiful shot on this poor unsuspecting car hood.
It's always been a dream to get to sit in the back of the Ladder Truck with the second steering wheel.
It was a wonderful day and I really appreciated our soccer coach who gives of himself so freely to both children and the community.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Perfect Moment Monday
My Perfect Moment is short and sweet today, and it happened this fine Monday morning.
The boys leave for school at about the same time. This morning, they are all ready to go, it's time to say good bye before they walk/bike to school.
The three of us hugged together for not quite a minute and we relished the moment.
It doesn't get any better than this.
For more Perfect Moments, please visit a most Favorite blogger, Lori who is also an Inaugural recipient of the "Mother Teresa would be Proud" Award from another fav bloggerina, AntiBloggedy.
Thank you and I send you many moments to relish and cherish your loved ones.
The boys leave for school at about the same time. This morning, they are all ready to go, it's time to say good bye before they walk/bike to school.
The three of us hugged together for not quite a minute and we relished the moment.
It doesn't get any better than this.
For more Perfect Moments, please visit a most Favorite blogger, Lori who is also an Inaugural recipient of the "Mother Teresa would be Proud" Award from another fav bloggerina, AntiBloggedy.
Thank you and I send you many moments to relish and cherish your loved ones.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tagged/Random Meme
One of my most favorite bloggerinas Busted Babymaker tagged me for a Meme listing either weird or random facts about myself. Okay, I'm game, so here goes.
The attendent Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about you.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.
Random/Weird Facts:
- I think having a salt lamp in my office has increased my energy level.
- I first experienced Deja Vu when I was 9 years old.
- I wonder how much water is in Water globes, you know the kind you buy at souvenir shops and Snow globes with the glitter snow. Anybody else ponder this question or just me?
- I have telecommuted for almost 8 years. I use a 55 cm fitness ball as my office seating. It helps my posture and relieved my neck pain from being on the computer so much.
- I earned two black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido when I was 39 years old. My two favorite weapons to train with are the Nunchuks and War Fans. The Martial Arts are a cheap form of therapy that results in a great butt and more peaceful outlook.
- I drink 6 to 8 cups of herbal tea a day, my favorite is peppermint tea.
- I am compelled to look for a four leaf clover anytime I come across a patch of clover. I have never found one, but I am still looking.
Whew, that was hard work. Hmm, my taggeess are: (Disclaimer, optional of course, who am I to dictate a post topic?)
Mrs.Spit
Renee
Kalei
Kathy
Judy
Annie
Are You Kidding Me?
The attendent Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about you.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.
Random/Weird Facts:
- I think having a salt lamp in my office has increased my energy level.
- I first experienced Deja Vu when I was 9 years old.
- I wonder how much water is in Water globes, you know the kind you buy at souvenir shops and Snow globes with the glitter snow. Anybody else ponder this question or just me?
- I have telecommuted for almost 8 years. I use a 55 cm fitness ball as my office seating. It helps my posture and relieved my neck pain from being on the computer so much.
- I earned two black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido when I was 39 years old. My two favorite weapons to train with are the Nunchuks and War Fans. The Martial Arts are a cheap form of therapy that results in a great butt and more peaceful outlook.
- I drink 6 to 8 cups of herbal tea a day, my favorite is peppermint tea.
- I am compelled to look for a four leaf clover anytime I come across a patch of clover. I have never found one, but I am still looking.
Whew, that was hard work. Hmm, my taggeess are: (Disclaimer, optional of course, who am I to dictate a post topic?)
Mrs.Spit
Renee
Kalei
Kathy
Judy
Annie
Are You Kidding Me?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
"Let the center be your home"/Shiny New Etiquette Badge
Holiday Grab Bag
Hi, there and did you see it? Uh, Uh? My Shiny, BRAND Spanking New, Hot Off the Press, Etiquette Badge that says I can have tea with the Queen!!! I got me some Manners, oh, Yessirreee I do!! I got proof, now, how about that? All because I put pen to paper and wrote a letter, (mailed it too!). I'm so excited and want to Thank Our Inimitable Dear Mrs.Spit for this unique honor. If you care to join us, please drop by her place, typically on a Wednesday. All are most graciously welcome. It will be most delightful, I assure you!
I have been "tagged" by Annie and it involves a book, a most favorite thing. So here goes-
* Grab the book closest to you. Now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Write that sentence as your title.
* Copy these instructions.
* Tag 5 other friends to play.
* Don't go looking for your favorite book, or the coolest one you have - just grab the closest one.
The closest book is the one I just blogged about yesterday, "The Book of Secrets" by Deepak Chopra. The fifth sentence on page 56 in this book is "Let the center be your home". Pretty cool stuff, hey? No wonder the book takes so long to read, I have to meditate after every other page.
I invite my fellow readers to play along including:
Are you kidding me?
Silver G
Ashley
maniacal mommy
Renee
Disclaimer: All tags are optional. They can be a little bit too much like a chain letter for me to shackle my dear bloggers with that responsibility. However, this is a fun, easy tag.
Now that business is complete, I have reflected on the meaning of this 5th sentence, "Let the center be your home" and I would like to extend my heart (my center if you will) to the homes of Mr.&Mrs.Spit and Sara and her family today. Thank you.
Hi, there and did you see it? Uh, Uh? My Shiny, BRAND Spanking New, Hot Off the Press, Etiquette Badge that says I can have tea with the Queen!!! I got me some Manners, oh, Yessirreee I do!! I got proof, now, how about that? All because I put pen to paper and wrote a letter, (mailed it too!). I'm so excited and want to Thank Our Inimitable Dear Mrs.Spit for this unique honor. If you care to join us, please drop by her place, typically on a Wednesday. All are most graciously welcome. It will be most delightful, I assure you!
I have been "tagged" by Annie and it involves a book, a most favorite thing. So here goes-
* Grab the book closest to you. Now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Write that sentence as your title.
* Copy these instructions.
* Tag 5 other friends to play.
* Don't go looking for your favorite book, or the coolest one you have - just grab the closest one.
The closest book is the one I just blogged about yesterday, "The Book of Secrets" by Deepak Chopra. The fifth sentence on page 56 in this book is "Let the center be your home". Pretty cool stuff, hey? No wonder the book takes so long to read, I have to meditate after every other page.
I invite my fellow readers to play along including:
Are you kidding me?
Silver G
Ashley
maniacal mommy
Renee
Disclaimer: All tags are optional. They can be a little bit too much like a chain letter for me to shackle my dear bloggers with that responsibility. However, this is a fun, easy tag.
Now that business is complete, I have reflected on the meaning of this 5th sentence, "Let the center be your home" and I would like to extend my heart (my center if you will) to the homes of Mr.&Mrs.Spit and Sara and her family today. Thank you.
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