Delightful Mothers

As I mentioned on FB this weekend, I was fortunate to have two wonderful mothers. One, my birth mother and the mother of my childhood. The other, my step-mother and the mother of my adult life. Both were warm, loving, determined and funny. They both had subtle, dry senses of humor that are part of my special memories of them. So - here are two stories.

I must have been about 3, no more than 4, and I was playing in the backyard. My mother was at the kitchen sink and could look out the window and see me playing and that I was safe and happy. All of a sudden I came screaming and frightened, truly frightened, running into the house. "Mama, there's a wolf in the yard!!" Being aware of the totally empty yard, my mother looked at me and quietly said, "Well, invite him into lunch." Immediately the energy shifted. Having always been dramatic, I turned on my heel, flung open the screen door, bowed deeply and said "Mr. Wolf, please, come in to lunch." Looking back at my mother, our eyes met and she smiled and I laughed and I had learned something about the wisdom of play.

Fast forward many years. I now had a step-family and the youngest was a man about a month older than I was. We both had dark hair and greyed at about the same rate.  One weekend, I went to Dallas to visit my parents and as it was in our family, I attended church with them. The next weekend, this step-brother went to Dallas to visit our parents and as it was in our family, he attended church with them. The next weekend, a woman who was new to the church, commented to my step-mother, how much he and I looked alike. She smiled and said, "That's true. I think it must be because he is only a month older than she is." The woman smiled, nodded, walked away and ~ stopped. She shook her head and kept going. Mama Bear and I got a good laugh out of it later and I had learned something about not saying any more than was necessary in the moment.

"The American Spirit"

This last week we attended our Chinese daughter-in-law's US citizenship ceremony. I wanted to give her something to honor this auspicious (really big deal) occasion and I thought I would give her a little pocket-size copy of the Declaration and Constitution. When I went looking for that (which I got for her), I discovered David McCullough's "The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For".

I love McCullough's writing and have read a number of his books including 1776 and John Adams. This book is a compilation of his speeches from 1994 through the present at college graduations, anniversaries of important American institutions, and times when history was important to relate. His words speak to us today as surely as they did when he spoke. He is pithy, humorous and eloquent. He doesn't use long words. He simply puts words together in articulate and impressive ways that bring alive the players from the past so that we can understand ourselves better today.

He writes so well that once I started reading, I decided my 11-year-old granddaughter could read it too. Her mother had expressed and interest and so they received a copy. My best friend teaches government so I sent her a copy. I think a number of other people will receive copies because today we all need the hope for the future that the past can offer.

It is available on Kindle, in hard copy, and probably at your local library. I strongly suggest your reading it. Speeches are short and easy to read and they come with wonderful old pictures. David McCullough is the premiere historian of our times and his words are a blessing today.

Holy Week Humor

I'm not at all sure where I am going with these thoughts, and they make me smile so here they are.

Many of my pastor friends, from several denominations, have posted really wonderful deep reflections on the meaning of Holy Week and especially Good Friday on FaceBook. There have been pictures of lovely poignant altar settings and even videos allowing people who can't get to church a way to attend a Good Friday service. I have participated with my church in VA in a prayer vigil over the course of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. For Christians, it is a time of personal and communal grounding in our faith.

On the other hand, some of these same pastors and active church people have posted delightful, down right funny cartoons and memes focused around the events of this week giving the seriousness of the occasion an ironic, humorous, sometimes even modern political twist.

I find both of these perspectives refreshing and helpful. I guess I believe that if we cannot laugh at that which moves us the most, then we have lost our sense of the spiritual. Jesus certainly had a sense of humor and I think it is important that we keep ours even in the face of our most profound beliefs. If you can laugh at what you hold dearest, then I am more likely to take your declaration of faith more seriously. Blessings to all of you ~ whatever your belief and whatever makes you smile.

Fun Addition to AirBnB Rooms

When we decided to post our two guest rooms on AirBnB, daughter Meredith asked if there were any signs we wanted to put in the rooms. Actually there were. I wanted to remind people to take their chargers because over the years friends and family had left us with chargers to return to them. And I had decided to put books in the rooms that I was willing to donate if someone was reading them and wanted to continue. I needed a sign to say that. Meredith said that anything looked better in cross stitch than handwritten or printed on a computer. Ergo - Here are the signs Meredith created for us. People like them and have commented on them - a couple even glad to be reminded as they walked out the door.

Book shelf in the blue room.

Next to the door as guests exit the blue room.

Book shelf in the purple room. 

Next to the door as guests exit the purple room.

Are you able to tell that the blue room signs are in blue,

the purple in purple. 

Meredith said her name was not to appear on the sign so I placed it on the back just so

we would all know whose lovely work this is.

Finally ~ the one in the library so these books will stay with the house.

Red because I like red!

Thank you So Much, Meredith.

Back of the Modem

My friend Mary is very creative with the names of yoga moves as she records some of her more spectacular falls around the house. I am not that creative and today I discovered a new exercise for sciatica and back pain. It is called The Back of the Modem.

It includes deep knee bends to sit on the stool to get low enough to reach the Back of the Modem. Then you get up, ignoring the creaks in your knees. Walk down a flight of stairs. Walk back up two flights of stairs. (Repeat several times). Get on your knees, turn modem around and plug in phone cord only to find after this two hour exercise routine that there is still no dial tone on the phone. Getting up from your knees requires a move similar to downward dog. Breathe. Be grateful for the arrival of the phone technician tomorrow afternoon. Pray he has younger knees. Phew.

And then, much to your amazement, discover your legs and back are feeling better!!

Whose Mother?

I had an interesting experience in the grocery store today. The check-out clerk, a woman I had never seen before, called me mother - twice!

I'm not sure what to say beyond that. I wasn't really offended and I certainly didn't like it. To start with, of course, I am not her mother. I was so startled by it that I had no words in response. If a man had called me "honey" or "darling", I would have responded. I learned to deflect those titles a long time ago.

If she had called me "honey" or "darling", I might have known what to say or even how to look at her. But "mother"??? I was stunned and then when it happened a second time, I really wondered. I know I am old, grey hair, a bit of limp because the sciatica hasn't completely cleared yet, but there really are only two people (maybe 4 if you count their spouses) who can call me that legitimately. If children want to call me something other than Susan, I go with my grandmother name, Mama Susan. That is fine with me. But somehow this threw me. And with all the problems in the world, this is a silly little one that is just an irritation and obviously enough of one that I needed to write about it in order to clear my space. Thanks for listening.

Siberian Winter

When I was a little girl "Peter and the Wolf" was very popular both as a story and as music. My first appearance on stage was as Peter when I was 5. I was hooked. That however is a different story.

Today's story is about pictures that accompanied the record or book. 

The trees in our back yard look like the trees in those drawings, heavy snow hanging on pine branches, grey skies, and lots of Siberian snow for Peter to tramp through in search of the wolf. 

What makes this particular photo so impressive is that at 9 yesterday morning these trees were bare. By 4 yesterday afternoon the build up had begun and this morning they are loaded. I won't be too surprised to see a boy with bird making his way through the trees in search of his duck and the wolf. More likely it will be a cross-country skier or snowshoer enjoying the fresh powder. 

The Naked Archeologist

I'm recommending The Naked Archeologist on Amazon Prime. The show's premise is that Biblical archeology (defined I think as that done in and around Jerusalem and other sites in Israel) can confirm the truth of Biblical stories like the destruction of the Temple, the end to the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians, and other historical references. There is also much discussion of why professional archeologists discredit finds by amateurs. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, found by a Bedouin shepherd following his goat, were disparaged for ten years as being fake.

I am finding this series fascinating. The science is discussed in a way that is understandable. The artifacts are amazing. Some of the finds are from two to three thousand years ago.

If you have Amazon Prime and are interested in ancient history, give this series a try.

More (and more) Snow

Just a few pictures to let you know what my morning has included.

One thing we didn't plan for when starting our AirBnB was who was 

going to shovel when it snowed and Dean was out of town!!! 

He has only been gone since Friday morning and will be home tonight

and I feel like it has been forever. I now have numbers of some folks who

might come in such a situation. This is a case of hind sight being 20/20.

Path from garage to parking lot. The last quarter was dug by a man

with a delightful English accent who was walking past with his shovel.

Thank you, David! I love you. 

Oso's path that I refused to clear this morning instead digging

him steps out the other door. These walls are now so tall that

they scare me and I don't want either one of us flattened.

Yep - taller than I am.

Icicles out the back window.

They are pretty. 

It Just Keeps Coming

Snow - and it keeps coming and getting deeper.

Although cold, I keep saying, "but not like Minnesota."

Oso is not sure what happened to his path. Yes, it is still there

but unshoveled, the snow reaches his tummy. 

"Do I really have to do this, mom?" 

Yes, honey, you do. And he did. Twice now he has run to the end of the path,

found a clear spot, done what had to be done and raced back inside. He

loves to play in the snow. Taking care of business is another matter, especially

when the wind is blowing. 

Update Agatha Christie?

I don't think so!

OK, I know that in lots of the movie or TV adaptations of Agatha Christie mysteries slight and subtle changes have been made to engage a modern audience a little more fully. I live with that.

But this? No. A three part series of The A B C Murders was on Amazon Prime last night.

It had a good cast: Rupert Grint who has matured into older roles since his Harry Potter days. John Malkovich as Poirot was the wrong casting of a good actor in a good role that was entirely wrong for him. He just wasn't Poirot.

They tried to make Poirot into someone he is not. Were they trying to add mystery to the mystery? I don't know. To give him a history beyond a Belgium detective who fled his country during WWI is just not Christie and gives the story a weird turn.

The basic plot line was the same but they tried to ~ what? ~ modernize it? to make it more interesting to today's audience? Throw in a touch of sadomasochism? OK. And it's just not Christie.

I guess I am spoiled. I have read the books over and over. I have the dvd's and watch over and over the David Suchet Poirots (and the Joan Hickson Miss Marples). I know these stories. I know these characters. I like them the way they are. Don't mess with the Queen of Crime Writers.

And for goodness sake, if you are going to mess with the story line, at least make it interesting and worth watching instead of dull and slow and boring. Sigh.

A Silent Time

Several of my FB friends have posted today about silence and that is exactly what we have had in our house today. In a split second we went from a house filled with squeals and laughter and loud voices to Silence. 

Now I have always appreciated silence and all it can mean and be whether while meditating or just being. I also love and appreciate my grandchildren. So today was a day of mixed blessings. 

I miss the little ones: the laughter, even the tears, the demands, the initiative and the pleasure in plans that still pop from Mama Susan’s head (thank goodness) spontaneously in response to a moment’s need. 

And ~ I am very grateful for the silence. Even the gentle drumming of the rain changed to snow which falls silently and no thought of the disturbance it might be creating later. 

In the silence I have read. I have written. I have played games. I have sat and watched the snow and the fire whose crackle was sometimes the only sound in the house. I have been still, hardly aware of my own heart beat as I have lived into the Silence. 

Blessings abound whether in sparkling noise or in blessed silence. 

Reflections on Turning 76

So today I begin the last quarter of my first century. 

I put it that way on purpose because even though thoughts of my own mortality have been prominent over the last day or so, I have every intention of living for a while longer and possibly even seeing the first days of my second century. Who knows? I have a rich and long genetic history plus I am healthy and active and I eat well. And I love life. 

I am not afraid of death as long as it comes gently and without a lot of pain. My faith tells me there is Light and Love on the other side and I will enjoy whatever continuation my journey takes. What I will miss is life here and now. 

I love my family and want lots more time with them to attend graduations and weddings and soccer games and theatre performances; family dinners and special conversations; hugs and tears and laughter and fun.

I love the beach and because I live in the mountains, I need plenty of time to make it to the beach and enjoy the sun and sand and warm salt water. And because I live in the mountains, I need plenty of time to snowshoe and hike and enjoy the tiny wildlife that inhabit the area right off my deck in the summer. 

I am a business woman for the first time in my life. Our AirBnB experiment is going really well and we are meeting extraordinary people from all over the world. It really is a delight to be hosting in this way. 

I’m a reader - yes, mostly of cozy mysteries but also of history and theology  and other genres that catch my fancy. There are so many books and so little time as they say. I love to read and plan on doing so for a long while. 

And so it goes - life lived to its fullest. Sunrises and sunsets. Water and hills and mountains and trees. Family and friends and delightful people who come to stay and leave again. Clean sheets, indoor plumbing, anesthetics. And food ~ 

Chocolate: what a good way to celebrate this birthday. A delicious cookie from a friend last night. Cupcakes from a meeting I attended today. My grandson’s pudding (with whipped cream and a cherry on top) for dessert tonight. Fondue tomorrow night at another celebratory dinner with family. 

I am a very fortunate and blessed human being, grateful to be continuing this journey around the sun. Blessings to you too, my friends, as your journeys continue at whatever stage and age you are!

We Had a Moon!!

I admit to being envious of all my friends who had clear skies and posted pictures of the blood red moon and the eclipse night before last. We had heavy clouds and snow. Last night we had the moon.

Oh it was wasn't blood red, and it was clear and bright and white. And large - so large as it hung low in the sky.

The forest is lovely under a full moon. It reminds me of Clement Moore's Christmas poem: the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of mid-day to objects below.

Shadows are stark and deep and just outside them the snow glistens. The world becomes a study in black and white. There is no other view like it. Snow hangs heavy on pine branches while deep within there is no green, only the black contrasting shadows cast by the moon.

Maybe I didn't get to see the eclipse or take a picture of a blood red moon, and I did get to see the  miracle of a full moon on freshly fallen snow and in my soul, if not physically, danced in the Light.

Navigating the DMV

In California if you are over 70 you have to take a written test to renew your driver’s license every 5 years. So off I went yesterday to take the test. I passed. License renewed. No problem. There were some things I noticed, however, that make me ponder. 

Yes, I had to take the test and I also had to fill out an application to take the test! oops. First I clicked on the wrong side of the screen so that took a while to adjust and get me started on actually filling out the form. Most of the questions are standard: name, age, height, weight.  

But let’s think about these for a moment: hair color ~ I have now gone from black to grey so no problem. They do have a place to check “other” and I guess that’s where my daughters and lots of young people would check and fill in neon green, purple, or electric pink. I’m not sure hair color is a solid identifier these days. 

Eye color: my color is there ~ hazel. Hmmm - what color is hazel? As far as I know eye color is the only place we use the word hazel for a color. I think I will paint the wall hazel. Nope. Doesn’t work. Other than eye color, I can only think of two other places the word is used: hazel nut and Hazel, a maid from an ancient cartoon and tv show. I have nice eyes. Evidently if the light is bright and my pupils very small, you can see gold around them ~ so nice eyes with an odd or unique color. 

Of course then I think of my college friend with the classic Irish look: red hair, pale skin and beautiful green eyes. Wow, she had amazing green eyes ~ and then I discovered she wore colored contacts. 

And finally there was the interesting question: have you ever applied for a license under a different name? Well, yes, when I was 16, 60 years ago! And that’s what they meant and wanted. Made me glad I hadn’t changed my name when I got married a second time. 

All in all it took me a lot longer to navigate the application than the test. In five years, I think I will fill out the application on line before I go.