Celebrations Galore- November Blessings

The world has had one disaster after another recently, and has yet to recover. It can be overwhelming: a lot of information, a lot of emotions, a lot of worries, a lot... Estimates of the death toll in Pakistan's quake are now topping 73,000- something hard to comprehend. How does one maintain compassion and sanity in the face of relentless bad news? Just how many millions might bird flu kill? That is a double yikes... What path is this world on now? Same path as always, just farther along. It will be okay- what will be will be, and we will adjust, move on. For support, for meaning, we have the same thing we've always had- each other. Take care of yourself, and each other. For what it's worth.

What in the world is that all about? She titles her page "Celebrations Galore- November Blessings" and then launches into the gloom! Okay, okay... how am I supposed to keep my mind on one subject? It's not easy being me you know. I started thinking about how November holds both Jay's birthday and my own, plus Thanksgiving, AND I get Veteran's Day off- that is also a good thing. Thus, the title for this page.

Then, as you can guess from the page's first item, my mind went elsewhere and the hoped-for coherency for my November page began to crumble... just as I now go on and on about almost nothing.

For amends I offer a chuckle or two- click on the two pictures here and see if I succeed.

When I hear somebody sigh that "Life is hard," I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?"- Sidney J. Harris

THE BEGINNING OF SPEECH

That child I was came to me
once,
a strange face.
He said nothing. We walked,
each of us staring at the other in silence, our steps
a strange river running in between.

We were brought together by good manners
and these sheets now flying in the wind,
and we split.
A forest written by the earth,
watered by the seasons' change.

Child who once was, come forth!
What brings us together now,
and what do we have to say?
-- Adonis (Translated from the Arabic, by Khaled Mattawa)

During my work commute, it is not an unusual for me to see a truck barreling down upon me at high speed or riding my rear end in what I can only surmise is the driver's idea of what being manly is all about- intimidation and aggression maybe?

Given the very "macho" image big trucks carry in our society, it is always such a surprise to me to see the Dodge Ram's emblem- what an odd choice, so odd to choose a uterus for the emblem on such a supposedly masculine vehicle. I mentioned this at work and it seemed to be a new idea- doesn't everyone see a uterus on the Dodge Ram?

I did an internet search and found that Jay and I are not alone- click the Dodge logo picture to the right to see. Anyhow, now you will think of a uterus when you see these trucks in your rearview mirror. Enjoy!

"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."- Cullen Hightower

Finally, the promised Halloween Party pics from last Saturday...

Click on the picture of our lovely and gracious hostess, the marvelous Barbara.


"May you live all the days of your life."- Jonathan Swift

Last weekend Jay and I went to see the movie Good Night, And Good Luck down in Seattle before going to Barbara's Halloween party. It seemed to be a mostly older crowd, despite some younger folks there to view a movie about the history of our country.

Many in the crowd seemed to know the story well, nodding often and chuckling occasionally. It was interesting to look back at the time in our history when simply holding a different opinion could open one up to accusations of not being a true American, to censure, loss of employment and even loss of liberty. In fact, one did not even have to have a different opinion, one simply could be suspected of holding different beliefs, or suspected of being the child or spouse or ex-spouse of someone with different ideas. It was the time, long after it was written and long after our country was founded, when the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance. I have over the last few years gotten widely circulated e-mails from people containing ill-conceived ideas about patriotism, reminiscent of the McCarthy era, including hysterical responses to suggestions of returning the Pledge to its original content... It is a sad commentary on the lack of time spent on critical thinking by the general public.

Anyhow, we liked the movie; it is pretty well done. The historical footage is great- a glimpse at the progress we have made. Clooney as a child watched his father do newcasts- he knew this story from childhood and chose to make the movie now. Similarities in the movie to events of our day are interesting to some people, and make others defensive. It is only human to learn lessons imperfectly the first time around, but it is not only foolish but perilous to pretend that past lessons hold no meaning for our enlightened times.

"We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men- not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular."- Edward R. Murrow

It was an exhausting week at work, seeming long and stretching on forever even though I had Friday off- Washington always celebrates my birthday by giving state employees the day before (November 11th) off to prepare for festivities. Despite the fatigue, Jay and I set off for the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon Thursday evening to see a concert that was well worth the effort.

Ginny Reilly and David Maloney, Reilly & Maloney, sang together their own blend of folk music in the '70s and '80s, calling it quits around 1990 to get on with family and life. In 2000 they joined together again for a gig and rediscovered that singing together was a gas. I had never seen the duo before; their music was all new to me, and very enjoyable. The recent picture of them at the left links to a lovely song by Ginny about a woman who nurtured her as a child and who has now passed away. The picture of the duo in 1974 links to an amusing and political bovine gas song of David's.

David is also a kindergarten teacher and has written quite a collection of children's songs, one called I'm glad I'm a Kid. He said that he sings songs to his class before recess and one day had sung this particular song. Out on the playground a little girl told him she indeed was glad to be a kid and he smiled at her. Then she asked, "Do you know why?" He had to answer, "No." "Because you don't have to worry about dying quick."

Hmmm, yes. One of many anecdotes told during the concert. A very good start to the weekend...

... sparrow, your message is clear: it is not too late for my singing.- Tess Gallagher

If the first one was zero...
The 52nd November 12th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!

... in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.- Ps. 139:16

I have been busy... We went to the concert Thursday, then spent a day going to a used bookstore, checking out stuff in Bellingham, and going out to eat. Saturday was my birthday and we spent a lazy morning and early afternoon, then made it out to eat and to a movie- then out for dessert... yum.

We saw a movie about the cultural revolution in China, starting in 1971, titled "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress". It was about a couple of 19 year old boys from the city sent to a remote village for re-education and the effect they had on one young village girl- expanding her ideas and world by teaching her to read with great literature- literature the possession of which was very, very dangerous. Interesting times, interesting ideas. Well worth seeing.

It was a great birthday weekend, I had a very good time. It is interesting to note how many times I mentioned eating here in this item... thank you for the great birthday wishes and presents!

"It is not in giving life but in risking life that man is raised above the animal; that is why superiority has been accorded in humanity not to the sex that brings forth but to that which kills."- Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex (1950)

I wrote last month about remodeling our bedroom closet space and how amazing it is that Jay and I continue to have so very many projects for our teeny, tiny house.

Jay worked very hard and we finished the closet project, moving on to ripping out the old carpet and putting in new laminate- more about that later!

I am continuing to document more than most people care about... but, still, click on the picture here at the left to see our remodeling photos.


"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else."- James M. Barrie

Cheney said 11/16/05 that Democrats who say they were misled by the administration are "making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war". The criticism, Cheney said, threatens to undermine the morale of U.S. troops while "a few opportunists are suggesting they were sent into battle for a lie."

Very interesting. I remember back in February 2003 watching the drama unfold, and marveling that people were willing to pretend and go along with the Bush administration. It was clear to me then simply by looking at his expressions, his face. Bush looked like every other person I had ever interviewed that was lying. I continue to marvel. How is it that this is news? We all knew even back then that this was a war with hidden motivations. The picture at right links to an excerpt from my page February 2003.

Nelson Mandela has said he worries about Cheney serving in the vice presidency because, "He opposed the decision to release me from prison." On ABC's "This Week", Cheney defended his 1986 vote against a resolution that called for U.S. recognition of the African National Congress in South Africa, freedom for the organization's then-imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela and negotiations with the black majority. "The ANC was then viewed as a terrorist organization, it was a step that we simply weren't prepared to take." Do think that maybe some people are always a bit, or more than a bit, off in their judgments about what actions would be right or just to take?

More comments from our holy administration:
"Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war."- Donald Rumsfeld
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful...They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."- George W. Bush, remarks at the signing of The Defense Appropriations Act 8/5/04

The elections earlier this month were interesting. We were listening to reports of returns and it was mentioned that Virginia Governor Warner has an approval rating of 80%. Jay remarked President Bush would kill for that, but reflected, "Wait, that didn't work."

Okay, enough from the rabid liberal- some say I can't help it, I'm a social worker after all.

I have been going to a great chiropractor just up our lane, on the main road, for a while now. I was there recently and commented on my fears of flooding, being so close to the river's dikes. Dr. Wells said something like "Ah, yes", and went on to remark that we often have fears that don't represent what is actually the most dangerous to us in our environment. "The most dangerous thing I regularly do is pull out onto Memorial Highway." Yes, this is all too true. Context and perspective are everything, still.

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official...
- Theodore Roosevelt

So I took today, the day before Thanksgiving, off and made pies, among other things.

Jay and I had an appointment at our local Safeway grocery store late in the afternoon- to get our flu shots. I had called my doctor's office but they had no flu vaccine and suggested I call around to drug stores... Weird. Anyhow, we made it there on time, filled out papers and then waited. We waited over a half hour and were about ready to leave, but then the pharmacist got to us, mentioning that we were getting his last two doses. Wow! Good thing we hadn't left. The pharmacist said he had a hard time getting the vaccine, but was able to get enough to covered the appointments they had already scheduled. Damn, I feel secure in this homeland.

Someone I knew from work came by and was able to offer words of encouragement while watching us get injected. I told him we were just glad to get the flu shots, because we were going to eat poultry tomorrow... :)
Click for more info on safe turkey.

God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.- Voltaire, 1694-1778

Kira came up today to have Thanksgiving dinner with Jay and I. We feasted on the usual suspects (turkey,stuffing, potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, mandarin oranges and pumkin pie with whipped cream) and the company of each other.

Even though I have seen Kira on and off all year, it was the first time she had been up to our house since last Christmas (about an hour's drive from her house). She had positive comments about our handiwork- the front porch cedar step, the bathroom, the new closet, the bedroom floor, the bed, the kitchen cupboards- all completed since her last visit. Wow, guess we are busy...

It is always wonderful seeing her. Kira, as you can see, is very beautiful, and talking to her makes me proud. She is grounded and mature. She is a kind person. She is smart. She is my daughter.

I love both of my daughters, and miss Carrie very much. I believe that some day Carrie will forgive me and return to my presence in this life. I remember when my girls were born and how I wanted so very, very much for them. I still do, but my impact on their beings has now evolved and become less direct in present time, while the power of the past remains, looming larger than I had imagined. So many hopes came, and went, and life was and is. I did not realize I would get to this place, thinking I was on the road to somewhere else. This life is a strange one.

And so today I am once again thankful for my many blessings, thankful for today and for being alive and well. Mostly though, I am thankful for the love I have found and the connection to others that gives meaning and shape to living.

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou 'canst not then be false to any man.- William Shakespeare

A while back, Jay met a young fellow at the Copy & Print Store who was in high school and already a very serious magician. In the local paper Jay noticed that the young man, now a senior, was putting on performances this weekend at the community college. Since it is his birthday this Monday, Jay chose to go to the show as part of his birthday celebrations.

We went to a performance today, on Saturday- it was very impressive. The young man, Brian Ledbetter, is not only quite good, but also obviously very dedicated and poised. The crowd was small, maybe 25 people in all, for the 2 PM show, and so we got ring-side seats and I got to go up on stage.

Jay and I both thought we were seeing a performer we would some day brag about seeing before he was famous...

Everything you can imagine is real.- Picasso

My work partner, Mary Bradley, gave me a very, very long book to read some time ago and I finally finished it in time to give back to her before her last day of work- she retires 11/30/05.

Mary and her husband Ike have done a lot of exotic travel- the Amazon, Machu Picchu, Africa, China, the Galapagos Islands... I think they have been married 6 years- you just never, ever know what life will bring, she says. The book was one her and Ike both enjoyed, called "Dark Star Safari". The author, Paul Theroux, lived and taught in Africa in the 1960s and wrote the book about his return travels there three years ago.

Paul's observations were very interesting because he was able to compare this experiences to those in his past. He spoke many of the languages he ran across as he traveled from one end of Africa to the other by minivan, train, bus and other odd conveyances that were often scary and always dirty and crowded. He observed that a lot had changed, mostly for the worse, and opined about what he saw. The political chaos and corruption, poverty, and filth were disheartening. His observations about how much, if not all, of the charity work there served only to retain the status quo and make things worse were quite poignant.

"Africa is materially more decrepit than it was when I first knew it," he writes, "hungrier, poorer, less educated, more pessimistic, more corrupt, and you can’t tell the politicians from the witch doctors. Not that Africa is one place. It is an assortment of motley republics and seedy chiefdoms. I got sick, I got stranded, but I was never bored. In fact, my trip was a delight and a revelation." Anyhow, an interesting read.

Life deals more rigorously with some than others.- Lewis F. Presnall

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