There's Always Something...

Snow...

One of the pictorial blogs I follow regularly is the one put out by the Boston Globe.

The photos are so darned real that they plunge me into wonderful nostalgia.

I've lived in several snow states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, Connecticut, and going way back, Massachusetts - in addition to some that had SOME snow. Lots of fond, snowy memories. Maybe mostly enjoyed around this time of year. 

The romance of it can often blot out the tedious and sometimes violent realities of things that happen in the snow. Watching the recent weather reports is a sobering experience.

We rather enjoy the sunny 60's of the Arizona Solstice. I'm perfectly willing to relish the joy of the Globe's squirrel frolicking in the morning snow - at a distance.

Merry Christmas, friends!

 

What Kids' Photos Reveal...

With the advent of cell phones that take pretty good photos, every youngster becomes a photographer.

For whatever reason, so many of these photos turn out to be pictures of kids acting dumb - sticking out their tongues, smiling through glaring teeth, hoisting beer bottles, hugging each other, etc.

Every once in a while one will come up with something genuinely interesting that they have observed and want to share their impressions of. Almost art, in other words. Something beyond themselves; more than self-absorbtion. 

When I see something like this, coming from the lens of one of their cameras, I must admit that I pause for a moment and experience a moment of thanksgiving and renewed hope in a generation that seems more wrapped up in themselves than in anything else. 

More than that, I look at that particular youngster with a new respect. There's more to him/her than I had thought. "Wow!", I think, "I want to know him/her better..."

Every generation of teens is quite naturally self-centered. Mine was. Yours was. Something of a painful necessity, I suppose. Still, when I see just a few separating themselves from the pack and seeing something good, true and beautiful beyond themselves, I am surprised and inspired.

On Grown Children...

Our eldest spent some time with us this week. Our kids are spread clear across the nation and we don't get to see them often. So when we do, it's a treat.

Bo has always been open and honest with us. Well, maybe not as a teenager. But as an adult he has been forthcoming and spontaneous in sharing his life with us. This is a beautiful thing. When one sits down with one's grown children and starts off like it was just yesterday when last we met, it is true family. There aren't any awkward gaps that need filling in due to secrecy, thoughtlessness or shutting loved ones out of everyday life. Life just has gone on; a continuum of days when we grew up together. Things change. Things develop. Things remain the same.

Aging parents love that! It gives the feeling that days spent helping kids become what they are were well worth it. Like salting away a few dollars in a savings account and watching them gradually grow into something significant enough to be both of real value and a source of happiness well into the future.

We had more fun! He showed us the miracles of the latest Palm Pre and Kindle. We toyed with our laptop computers together. He gave me a lovely antique cane and some Bose  headphones that he had gone beyond professionally (he's a musician) but that I never dreamed I would have anything to compare. We shared some great food and some excellent wine.

Best of all we caught up on stuff. Family gossip, professional and political happenings, memories of childhood, books read, ideas and plans shared. Lots of laughs. Some thoughtful sharing of soul matters. "The whole catastrophe", as Zorba so magnificently put it. But times like that don't happen in a vacuum. We've all paid our dues in staying in touch and keeping each other updated as to what was going on over the decades lived apart.

I would wish things like that for all families. Maybe one has to be well into the "declining years" to really appreciate what joy a family can be. Maybe not. Jo Ann and I are certainly appreciative. Life is a wonderful thing, a never-failing opportunity to love and be loved in return.

My 1st Tomatoes of the Season...

Brandywines, Carmellos, Red Pears, Honeybunch - to share their names. The Brandywines are heirloom tomatoes, brought stateside from Europe in the 1800s. They are the big, rather ugly, but extremely tasty ones. I raised them all in self-watering pots, Growboxes, from seed. The date of seeding was New Years Day.

We refer to them proudly as our "babies."

Very proud!

John Rutter - A gaelic blessing

For your peace-filled weekend...

In Honor of our First Lady...

...and a blessing upon her, her husband, Obama, and their two neat kids as they represent the rest of us abroad.

Irish Blessings Upon You, My Friends...

Lee Love shared this blessing today. So thoroughly delightful that I must lay it upon you.

Irish Blessing To You All!

May those who love you continue to love you.
 And may those that don't love you, Have a turn of heart.
And if they can't turn their hearts,
May they turn their ankles,
So you can see them limping when they come.

Amen!