Winter's hues soft, faint.
World living quietly, sighs
a gentle exhale.

Taking my tent down for a few days

I find myself, in the post holiday season, to be a bit at loose ends. Q and Erin left today to return to Oregon and I have writing and crocheting I would like to pay attention to 100%. So, I think I will fold my tent up for a few days and give myself a break. In the meantime . . .

Remember a few entries ago when I wrote about Don being stranded in Detroit airport for 30 hours? I found pictures from stockexchg and google to illustrate being stranded at the airport. Well, he's home safe and sound now and here are a few of HIS stranded at the airport pictures. These are HIS real deal.

What a mess!

Moment to Moment

Dear Friends

Thursday through Saturday afternoon found me totally alone. Except for the occasional phone call, I didn't talk to a soul. Crocheted. Shopped. Around the house stuff was taken care of. I was missing Don a lot.

He and Quanah called Friday afternoon after they pulled out of Fort Wayne. Q was driving the U-Haul. Don was driving Q's car (an unanticipated event as a towbar hadn't been reserved). This made for interesting communication possibilities. Quanah did not have a car charger for his cell phone. Don didn't HAVE a cell phone. It was raining, snow was coming in. I was pushing anxiety away, ruthlessly. Don followed Quanah and they worked out a series of signals to communicate problems, needs to pull over, etc. The idea of getting a set of walkie-talkies was a good one but they required charging before using. Since that wasn't possible, they relied on signals.

By the time they reached Oklahoma City, Saturday night they had gone through a bad storm and they decided to spend the night in OK City, get a good night's rest and than push on. Weather projections through the Texas Panhandle, NM, and AZ (along Interstate 40) were looking clear. Projected icy conditions for heading down to the panhandle and westward didn't happen. Thank you GOD.

Food shopping is finished (she thought hopefully) and tomorrow is preparation day. We are picking Erin up at Sacramento airport tonight so we will have three women in the house having fun in the kitchen. This will be a first for me. Another first is sharing cooking preparations for another household. Elaine suggested we make larger portions of food and trade, thereby reducing the cooking work overall.

How cool an idea is this?, I ask. So I'm making double batches of cranberry sauce and green bean casserole. Elaine is make double batches of yams and mashed potatoes. We'll trade off tomorrow afternoon or evening.

All I really need to do now is finish wrapping some gifts, pat myself on the back for not forgetting a card for Don this year, and get the turkey cleaned on Christmas Eve, all prepped to receive the dressing and get slipped into the oven Christmas morning.

I'm off for the airport now. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Merry Christmas to all of you. Have a wonderful and fun-filled holiday season.

Hugs

Annie

Christmas Hoopla

Beth has tagged me for Christmas Hoopla. Now that I’m finally in the Christmas spirit (see #12) I am taking a few minutes to actually do this.

Here are the golden rules:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas.

2. Please refer to it as a ‘hoopla’ and not the dreaded ‘m’-word…

3. You have to tag specific people when you’re done. No “if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged” stuff is allowed…then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you — but the more, the merrier to get this ‘hoopla’ circulating through the blogosphere.

4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it! Let’s involve as many people as possible!

5. Please give Andrea some link-love as the “Hoopla-Creator!

My 12 Facts of Christmas

1. I LOVE fruitcake!!! So does Don. Our kids think we are out of our minds. Go figure.

2. Snow at Christmas would be nice but I haven’t had a white Christmas in longer than I can remember so I guess it really doesn’t matter. In fact, having snow might be a bit disconcerting.

3. Christmas cards start early and get out late. I love getting cards after Christmas. They are like little smile making surprises.

4. It took forever to get a picture of Krista with Santa Claus. She did not like that furry faced fellow at all. Finally, when she was six, she sat with Santa but insisted that Quanah go with her. I treasure that picture.

5. Funny how I don’t remember when I realized that Santa didn’t really come down chimneys to visit us (and by extention, that he actually existed). I sometimes wish he WAS a reality.

6. Quanah was born nine days before Christmas. Shortly after we brought him home from the hospital, Don disappeared for several hours. When he got home, he arrived with a tree, ornaments and a manger, all things that we did not have. He went to the mall’s Hallmark store and bought them out. When the manager of the store saw what was going on, he dropped what he was doing and helped Don personally. Don spent $150 that afternoon on the manger and ornaments. Mind you, that is in 1979 dollars.

7. Five years later when Krista was born (a month before Christmas), Don went out and did the same thing, buying all the 1984 Baby’s First Christmas ornaments he could find.

8. Don does all the decorating. And I do mean all. The smartest thing I can do is get out of the way. Krista doesn’t let him get away with it though and she always manages to get into it too.

9. Don puts up Christmas lights, too. Even when Quanah was growing up, it was a dad thing.

10. We LOVE watching all of the movies, old and new that come around on TV every year.

11. I always say Merry Christmas. I object to generalized holiday greetings. And I especially object to merchants continuing their raid on our wallets and then call Christmas trees holiday trees (Hello Borders. Are you listening?) We would not be celebrating as we do, other traditions not withstanding, if we were not celebrating the birth of Christ.

12. It always takes me a while to get into the spirit of Christmas. Not really sure why but once I’m off work, which is usually 5-6 before Christmas, I suddenly start feeling a lessening of the weight of work and the space I need to enjoy Christmas opens wide.

Now I get to tag some others. I am going to tag- LeeAnne, Robyn, and Annie. I hope you will joy in the fun.

I Used to Hate Shopping

Holy tomoly, what a day. It's the first day of my break from work until classes are in session again January 2nd. The campus shuts down so I have free time to actually prepare for Christmas. I do very little Christmas prep other than on-line shopping prior to taking off from work because I really dislike being in crowds. And since most if not all of the people who populate our world work during the day, it's all about evening shopping. Sorry but, NOT FOR ME. So what is a girl to do?

Well, first off, she drives to the Gilroy Outlet stores just 2 hours over the hill from me. Off I went this morning with my baby brother, Dave. Yeah, I know. You've seen this picture of Dave before, but, it's such a nice picture, isn't it? Anyway --- Since I've never been much for shopping, outlet malls were never terribly close on my radar. However, today that changed and what follows can only be described as a conversion testimony. For those of you reading here and who understand the outlet mall mentality, you will totally understand.

Gilroy, California - for the uninitiated - is famous for two things; it's garlic and its attendant Garlic Festival and its outlet malls. There are no fewer than four and one more is in the building stages.

After driving through all four of them, scoping out the stores, we made a plan. Kitchen stores were first on the list. Dave cooks. NOT me. But while there I found a pretty serving set that I KNOW my sister-in-law will like very much. Dave accomplished his sole objective and it was now time for me to pick myself up from my swoon and start shopping.

As is no doubt apparent to any seasoned outlet mall shopper, there was no way I was going to get to all of my target stores. Also - I was with a man. Yes, not my hubby, but a guy nevertheless, and most men like to do what I call hit and run shopping. Mission accomplished and then go home. What Dave DIDN'T know is that THAT is pretty much my shopping M.O. as well. Basically, if I don't see anything that interests me right away, I leave. I'm totally not into finding that hidden gem because hidden gems, in my experience, are always found by someone else.

**HOWEVER**

Three stores after the kitchen objective had been accomplished, I was swooning again and making plans to head to Gilroy again - this time with my daughter. First stop was Crabtree & Evelyn. Dave circled the parking lot and I was out in under ten minutes with fabulous Summer Hill Hand Therapy. He was becoming a believer.

Next stop was the Bombay Company. For those of you who like Bombay Company and who do not know - they are going out of business. The on-line shopping site is already down. So here I was at not only an outlet store but a GOING OUT OF BUSINESS outlet store. The possibilities were endless but hauling space in Dave's SUV was NOT. However, he found a pretty side table

(some assembly required) . . . and

I found a beautiful mirrored cross

to add to my collection of crosses.

The last stop was the best. I regularly get Coldwater Creek catalogs. I ooh and ahh over the clothes but have never ordered from them. HOWEVER, guess where I found an outlet store? Uh huh. You got it. Not only did I immediately step on the express train to fashion heaven, but Dave found something for his wife. Here's what I found.

and

in pretty chocolate brown.

Too soon the day came to an end but I already have a plan. Dress Barn (where I always find what I need when I'm looking) has an outlet store there. So does Lane Bryant. So about that plan. Kris agrees that a January road trip is in order. No men allowed. Just us girls and lots of leisurely shopping that will definitely include a return trip to Coldwater Creek.

Stranded in Detroit

Isn't this a lovely rendering of a metro airport? Yeah, sure it is. So what's with the oddball question? Like we care. I sure wouldn't have.

HOWEVER . . .


That was before I had 30 hours of wondering where Don was in this pretty picture all buried under snow and bad weather. Yes indeed, Don was stranded in Detroit. More precisely, he was stranded at this little airport for 30 hours.

The adventure started innocently enough at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening at the Sacramento Airport. A 90 minute hop later, and he was changing planes at LAX. Then it was on to Detroit Metro for one last change for another 90 minute hop to the airport at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Terrible how quickly things can go wrong and then proceed to go from bad to worse. Don arrived in Detroit at 5:15 a.m. Sunday morning and was greeted by a flight cancellation. Over the next 30 hours, he was re-ticketed and cancelled 4 more times. His original arrival time of 10 a.m. Monday ended up at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.


The story in between will be something and since Don is really good at producing detailed trip reports, I'll leave that story to him (to be posted here later on after his return).

What I do know is that from start to finish, the carriers and airport did very little to assist people as they waited, and waited, and waited. The worst thing was that there weren't even announcements of gate changes when you finally DID get ticketed again. Off you would go to the appointed gate only to arrive and discover that it had been changed. Sure, the gate changes were noted on the boards but think about it. People are tired and stressed. Are they really looking? Often not. Then you finally get to the right gate and are greeted with another cancellation.

As it turned out though, there was one nice and spontaneous bit of help. Many of the passengers, after so many hours, took to sleeping in the seats in the gate areas and on the floor. Carrier personnel came out with blankets which was helpful.

But I have to question the entire disorganization of the event. It's winter in the Great Lakes and northeast. Weather is an issue. Crowds of people with nowhere to go are expected. It isn't a question of will there be delays, but, when will the delays happen. Why there isn't a plan in place to make assistance and comfort run more smoothly is beyond me.

By the time Don arrived in Fort Wayne, he was exhausted. Quanah greeted him with earmuffs, a watch cap, gloves and HOT Earl Gray tea. Soon he was warm inside and out. Lunch was in his immediate future and then bed for a well-earned sleep. Packing for moving starts tomorrow just a day behind schedule.

All photos from Google Images or Stock.xchang

San Francisco, There I Went

This past Saturday, I headed over to SF with my friend, Elaine. She likes to drive. I like to ride. It's the perfect blend. I pay for gas and parking and we are good to go.

Saturday's mission had been planned for several weeks. We went to SFMOMA (SF Museum of Modern Art) and the Cartoon Museum. Two exhibits waited to be enjoyed. The drive over could not have been easier -

No traffic
no accidents to slow things up
no weather

It was clear sailing all the way.

A Joseph Cornell exhibit was at the MOMA through early January. Cornell is an assemblage artist, producing boxes and building secret and mysterious worlds within these boxes. I picked up a JC book before going to the exhibit to familiarize myself with more of his work and along the way immersed myself in his life. I'm glad I did because I saw so many of his assemblages there that I had first met in the book.

Seeing them personally was such a rich experience. The pages of a book gives the viewer only a taste of what he did. To see them in a exhibit was a completely enriching experience. I kept on wanting to reach in and touch everything, even moving in close at one point to view the box more closely only to be stopped by the glass case. Ouch!

The Cartoon Museum had an Edward Gorey exhibit of his costume and set designs for the 1970's Broadway production of "Dracula." You know, the one with Frank Langella (be still my heart). It was terrific being able to see his designs in their various stages. It was also good being able to see this show separate from Gorey's more recognizable work many of you may be familiar with. It was like getting a peek into a very specific part of Gorey's world.

Elaine and I walked down Mission over a four block area. I had never seen so many museums packed into a few short blocks. All were specialized and rate further exploration, especially the African Diaspora Museum on Mission.

We passed Buena Vista Gardens with its beautiful fountains and setting for outdoor music and opera.

St Patrick's Catholic Church was across the street from the gardens. We visited it as our last stop before returning home. While there, enjoying the quiet and utter peace of the place, I was approached by one of the city's ubiquitous street people.

"Sorry - no purse with me."
"Is it at the Marriott's next door?"
"Sorry - no purse", I replied, stunned by this brazen question.

Moments later he and another homeless person started yelling at each other across the church, slashing a ragged tear into the peaceful fabric of the place.


The sad thing is that as I recall their yelling words, they didn't make any sense. It was like they weren't even seeing each other but rather they were seeing someone else and hearing other words in reply. Only a physical body was taking up space, each body the image of someone who wasn't really there.

Between museum visits, we hit Mel's Diner, enjoying good burgers and sublime onion rings, and way overpriced coke, no refills. Next time I'll ask. The place was packed from 11 a.m. when we first walked by to 3 p.m. at least, makig our final pass as we returned to the garage to pick up our car and head back home.

Deck the Halls, etc. etc.

This is just plain fabulous. ENJOY.

Crossing the Road

Today is Reading Day. The last day of classes was yesterday and finals start tomorrow. Driving into the parking lot this morning was a quiet experience. No cars! But there sure were plenty of road hazzards. Check out the locals and warm wishes for a wonderful day to all of you.

Thoughts on Turning Sixty - Part II

I ended Part I several days ago thinking about discerning need. Since then I've started to revise my thoughts on seeking daily opportunities, giving to large charities, and what is actually beneficial giving.

Frida and Biene have both shown me two ways, too very different but compatible paths to follow. Sometimes the way to accomplish good can seem so complicated even when one starts from the basic message of Christianity - Love one another. So many conflicting messages and needs and directions on how to accomplish this simple act. So many who take this simple message and twist it into something ugly. Whether it's emails from Nigeria, phone calls, legitimate looking mail, or panhandlers - there is a lot out there to twist and corrupt simple acts of charity.

For a while now, I've turned my back on organized charities with their huge overhead. I asked myself - how much of what I give actually accomplishes its goal. Certainly, I know that charitable acts on a global scale do need the infrastructure to make it happen. But there is a part of me that responds most strongly to direct action. Simply put, I like the action of

Point A (me) -----> Point B (the need)

Frida talked to me recently about development and the need for sustainable resources and creating foundations for people to eventually sustain themselves. What I learned is often this means showing that simple respect between men and women plus education for boys and girls, is all that is needed for people to build their own strong communities. But what I've also learned is that this simple truism isn't so simple to teach or to learn. If it were, well - how different our world would be.

So, what can I do on a larger scale? What can I do on a small scale? The ways are filled with possibilities but there is one thing, on a small scale, that I won't feel badly about saying no to anymore and here is where Biene's words came into play.

We were talking over lunch recently and I recounted the story of being out with a group of women last month when two young men approached us. There were five of us seated around and outdoor cafe table and my back was turned so I did not see their approach. When this guy spoke, it startled me then it clicked what was happening. Here we were being hit up be two young men who definitely were capable of doing more with their lives than begging and in a flash I was just plain pissed. While everyone else was quiet and motionless, I just felt that anger come to life and I basically told them - No, God bless you, and get lost.

They left and I instantly felt guilty. You know the old adage about angels knocking and there might be Jesus? It didn't help either that I got teased about what I had done. So it was very on my mind. Biene's feedback was concise and to the point. Thank God for this hardheaded and wise woman. Her input was simply this -

Think of stewardship.

You are given gifts that are yours to do with as you chose.

You are responsible for discerning how to best spend those gifts.

Our gifts are infinite in number but so are the people out there who need. Some needs - many needs - are real and true. Many more are not. It is up to us to discern genuine need and in doing so we will more truly be able to love one another and more accurately recognize when angels are knocking at our doors.

And so, I have some answers now that make sense.

1. If you want to help globally, work with the big organizations.

2. If you want to work within your own community, find a group of like-minded people.

3. If you want to satisfy the desire for direct action - well, keep your eyes and ears open.

4. And always. ALWAYS, remember that our gifts are ours to spend as we choose.

Christmas Traditions

Jill, over at Follow Your Bliss has invited us to share in our holiday traditions. After all of the sadness that has visited us for the past couple of months, this seemed like a wonderful way to start shedding some light around again.

We started purchasing Christmas mangers over 25 years ago. Our collection has depleted since the marriage of our son this past June but this is the perfect excuse to purchase more and start building our collection again. Here are a few that remain and remind us of the reason for the season.

My personal favorite - a small creche from Peru.

We also follow the tradition of either Krista or I going out with Don to pick up the Christmas tree. This year, since I was in San Francisco for the day (more to come about that soon), Krista went out with him. Don rarely goes alone. It just wouldn't be right. We always try to go to the same tree seller which, interestingly, happens to be at the local SaveMart grocery store. They have great trees and never cost over $20.00. Go figure considering the prices elsewhere. Here is one of our happy trees.

My favorite ornament.

We have few food traditions at our house. Chalk that up to me just not being terrible interested in kitchen activities. But actually, now that I think about it, this attitude may be undergoing a sea change. I've been searching cooking recipes and actually have ingredients on the counter set to use. If I actually do this, I'll have to memorialize it here so stay tuned.

However, on the subject of food tradition, Don DOES have one. About six years ago he started baking his grandmother's banana cake. Click here for the story. Considering he doesn't cook a lick, this is nothing short of miraculous. You just have to love this man. Family history means a lot to him and the love of tradition visits us every year now in the form of this delicious cake. But - other than that, well, thank God for Christmas goodies from the grocery store. And more thankfully, the kids didn't mind a bit.

Morning Sky V

The sky was on fire Friday morning as I stepped out the front door. This photo is completely unedited. The sky was truly this clear and fire golden color.

Morning Imges

Winter's children float .
Green bed of water supports
as cold rocks embrace .

Paying it forward with gratitude

Found this today. In light of the Christmas season, I wanted to set this as a reminder of all that we have. I am grateful but I also feel responsible. Pay it forward whenever you can.

We Gather Together

This weekend when we drove to Oregon for George's funeral, we also happened to be driving into what would be the worst storm to hit the Pacific Northwest in many years. While the coast was experiencing hurricane force winds, loss of electricity, communications, and tremendous flooding, we were experiencing rain, snow, and wind gusts that knocked our car around. It made driving a real challenge on our return home drive.

Saturday we woke to snow flurries. I had not seen snow in at least 15 years and these little motes of sparkling dust fascinated me. The snow remained light and wet, staying on the ground through the day. Erin said snow this time of year was unusual so of course, the snow was a gift from George.


If funeral attendance is a measure of one's impact in life, then George's impact was GREAT. Family, friends, and co-workers numbered in the low hundreds, perhaps 350 or more. Mass was short one communion minister so I had the unexpected privilege of offering communion. I had not anticipated how emotional it would be. Each person, as they came forward, wore a face etched with sadness as they struggled for control.



I was moved by George's mother's personal strength as she spoke of him at Mass's conclusion. It was gratifying to hear of George's own words to her of his readiness to move on. And most of all, I was comforted for his family that he had found a mission, that he fully expected to wield a great sword - to be a force against evil much like his namesake, St. George.



Erin's family home overlooks the rolling hills of a rural farming community. The still active cemetery was established in 1887. Unlike the clean and orderly lines of modern cemetery, George has been laid to rest in a place that is one with the roll of the earth and the elements.


The seasons sharply mark the life cycle of the area and echo in the cemetery itself. Winter snow covered rhododendrons, weathered headstones, and leafless trees. Barns and greenhouses hug its boundaries, present life rubbing up against past life.

We eventually left, each of us wrapped in our private thoughts. I loved the triplets, as I called the three winter barren trees, guardian soldiers of this resting place. But now, five days later, I see more than three trees. I see a Trinity - a gathering of the protective strength of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and I know that George is safe, preparing to wield his sword.

GATHERING

Gathering.
Young and old
to honor one gone
too young.

Young widow
surrounded.
Parents
surrounded.
Yet still three very alone people.

Shock still lives here, but -
Each ebbing of the sun
moving shock's cold reach
farther off.

Pain and anger.
Acceptance and reconciliation.
Each arrives in its turn
doing its work as
new life begins again.

Winter Haiku and One Deep Breath

Containers of our past

Winter's light blanket
Hillside sleeps beneath its weight
Past turns to future