Hi ladies! Surgery went well according to doc. Did have to take two of her teeth. She's in recovery. Waiting for a room to be cleaned so she can check in. I will see her then. Thanks for your good wishes. Will update more later!
We were out all evening until late, tending two of our little grands, while Mom and Dad had a meeting at grandson's new school. The littles were so sweet and what fun!!
So I am only now reading that all went well for Shirlee! O frabjous day! Callooh Callay!! 😃👍 Thank you warmly, Brenda! 💜 I guess Shirlee was right and I am so very glad that she is "a tough bird" after all...! 😉 Go Shirlee! 💖 Nice to be on this side of it. Sad for your loss of teeth.😿 Hopefully not in strategically necessary locations. Rest and behave. 😘
From Brenda. Thanks for the well wishes! With Shirlee now, she says to not let the orange one do anything stupid in the next few days. Oh wait---that's impossible! She is feeling better, just getting meds and bodily functions straightened out, Love to all.
Hi ladies. 2:30pm. The doc says we can spring her free from the hospital. Will take several hours for paperwork to go thru. Then back to my house to recoup. More updates tomorrow! Love. Brenda
Wow! Wonderful news, Brenda!! It was good to hear Shirlee's voice through your post. Tell her we're holding down the fort until she's back in the saddle. 🐎 Sounds like all is going very well. I'll be glad to hear you are both snuggled in at your house 💖 and out of the weather down there! I hear it's been rather intense across NC today 💨⛈ including large hail south of Raleigh. Yowser!
Thank you all for your good wishes . We came to Brenda's last evening after the paper work was finished. Met the good surgeon who did the work as we were leaving and got a hug ...I think he was surprised and pleased that the process went so quickly. Wake Forest is much more patient friendly than M. D. Anderson in Houston.... I am now just very tired and some waning pain....
"Given Irma’s well-developed core and emerging annular structure, I expect that this modest wind shear will not keep Irma from intensifying. Beginning on Sunday, Irma will encounter warmer SSTs, with a major increase in total heat content, and on Monday, mid-level relative humidity will start to rise. These favorable conditions for development should allow Irma to strengthen. If the storm can develop upper-level outflow channels to both the north and the south, intensification into a high-end Category 4 storm or stronger may occur, late in the week." ~ Dr. Jeff Masters, cofounder of Weather Underground
In the midst of watching Hurricane Irma closely (as it is grazing dangerously close to the Lesser Antilles and SW USA), Weather Underground is nonetheless featuring the western fires this morning.
Here in Vermont today we are experiencing the last vestiges of Harvey, with constant rain, some wind and cooler temps. The cool will be quickly followed by tropical air, but only to the tune of 77-79F, which is easy by OUR standards and must seem positively chilly to folks in California.
For many decades, the woman who inspired the Rosie the Riveter poster was misidentified as Geraldine Hoff Doyle. However, Naomi Parker-Fraley is the REAL Rosie, and this wasn't known until last year when she turned 95.
Thanks for the news .....Winston-Salem is about thirty miles west of Greensboro.....gets even hillier as it heads toward the mountains. Lovely drive. The hospital is a very large full service hospital...not just a cancer center as is MD Anderson in Houston.
Doing fine, well cared for ..plus Brenda and her house are fun to be in and around.!
Oh, an not to worry about the teeth..they were the two back molars on the side of the cancer.
Thanks for the news .....Winston-Salem is about thirty miles west of Greensboro.....gets even hillier as it heads toward the mountains. Lovely drive. The hospital is a very large full service hospital...not just a cancer center as is MD Anderson in Houston.
Doing fine, well cared for ..plus Brenda and her house are fun to be in and around.!
Oh, an not to worry about the teeth..they were the two back molars on the side of the cancer.
Not sure why this last one posted twice....sorry about that. I am still at Brenda's ....a little better every day. Trump's latest nasty move with the DACA kids is one of his nastiest moves. Time now for another nap!
HI Friends, A hazy hazy, cloudy day. There are more than 70 fires burning in the West: California, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, etc. We're getting that smoke here.
Glad you are healing, Shirlee.
I wonder if humanity isn't trying replicate the demise of the dinosaurs. Nuclear weapons??? Attacking people in Myranmar (I thought Buddhists were supposed to be peaceful, to live by "Do No Harm.")
And Trump, like a 2 year old in a tantrum, smashing, throwing food, anything to get attention.
In the wee s'mas, just before sleeping, I noticed a post on Facebook by Abbey of the Arts. (If you're on FB, look for their page. It's a treasure trove!) It was regarding an upcoming class called Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist. http://abbeyofthearts.com/programs/online-classes/wotm-pota/
I began reading the course description and before I had quite finished reading that, I registered for it. That may sound impulsive but it was truly more the answer to a whispered, fervent prayer. The fee comes from donations from the seekers I sit with, which seems fitting. I have so longed for a way to ignite the smoldering fire of desire I have for painting and writing. Always I shunt it aside saying I will get to that when life is perfect. It was slowly strangling my prayers. Reading of the course was as though someone had poured a full measure into my lap and flowing over.
I had to make the decision quickly because the class started, well, yesterday! I won't even have the related book in hand until Thursday. But no matter. Since letting go of too many shoulds is part of why I need this, I feel at peace about being late to the party and having to catch up over time.
There are more than 40 people in the class (though one had to drop out due to her home and life flooding in Houston), and people begin by doing some sort of introduction. It was so good to find several other spiritual directors and others who are well along in the spiritual journey. It won't simply be a class of beginners. This is significant because we are welcomed to dialogue (though not give advice) along the way.
A big chunk from the article: "White House aides talk in whispers about Trump’s temper tantrums that have become routine. He unleashes strings of obscenities, threatens to fire everyone and too often issues more ominous threats that include violence.
“He yells at people, saying he will ‘kick their ass’ or even kill them,” says one, who said she fears for her safety if her name is used. “I think our president is insane!”
A media report that questions one of Trump’s actions can bring on a shouting attack against anyone nearby. Trump, she says, reduces staff members to tears and says some have quit because they can no longer stand being around him.
Secret Service agents joke that they should use the label “Madman” to identify Trump in radio conversations. Others joke about jumping in front of the president to “take a bullet” to protect him. “I might be taking a bullet fired from a fellow agent.”
Trump, they say, threatens to fire all of his secret service detail and replace them with “bodyguards I know and trust.”
That causes the agents to shake their heads because Trump has, in the past, hired personal guards with violent criminal records.
“The president has no sense of duty, not understanding of what it takes to be the leader of a nation,” says a former aide. “To him, the only things that matter are serving his ego and fattening his wallet.”
Marine general John Kelly, brought in to try to bring the chaotic White House under control and who has been publicly humiliated by Trump in front of other staff members, says he remembers fondly his days as a Jarhead grunt in battle.
That, he says, “was better than working for Trump.”
Pat, there is a difference between Buddhism and certain Buddhists, just as there is too often a difference between Christianity and certain Christians, and between Islam and certain Muslims. It isn't the religion that is at fault, it's people distorting the religion.
Thanks for the reminder, Listener. Yes, of course, people are people and that doesn't make the religion at fault. I read somewhere that most if not all religions espouse peace, compassion, kindness, and justice. When will humanity realize that hostility, oppression, cruelty, and violence just bring suffering, distrust, fear, and aggression?
I'm glad for your class in creativity. Yes, we all have had many many shoulds, oughts, and musts in our lives, and I think that does make us anxious and shuts off creativity. Glad for you. I recall you writing about painting several years ago. Good luck to you.
OOOOHHH, Trump is scarier than ever. What on earth can we do with this disaster?
The air is supposed to begin clearing in the next several days. It's been unhealthy to be outside.
I just read this comment on one of Bernie's posts on Facebook. It sums things up quite well, doesn't it?
Ray Behar: If anyone follows (or defends) a president who is, a full out sociopath, a fascist, amoral, a greedy, deceptive, vulgar, racist, a treasonous racketeer, and misogynous, they are aiding and abetting and are part of it. And Republican leaders are complicit if they don’t stop enabling him. Resist. Persist. Clean out.
Awww, if you can spare a prayer, please tuck my dear friend Nelly in. She is in her 80's and three of her sons live on the southern tip of Florida, two on the Atlantic side and one on the Gulf side. She's pretty concerned about them with Irma approaching, and tomorrow she's to have cataract surgery. All this and last month her seemingly happy and healthy daughter-in-law died in her sleep for no apparent reason. (I'm guessing an aneurysm burst.) That woman so very much deserves a break and some gentleness. Thanks!
My heart is heavy. So much devastation in the Caribbean. I just learned that a friend's son lost his winter home in St. Bart's, and his summer home is in ... Miami. This is the friend we held in prayer as she had cataract surgery...which went wonderfully well~!!
And now, another friend to ask a prayer for. My dearest friend in all the world has already survived breast cancer and a bilateral mastectomy. Today, at 64, she learned that her gallbladder is much enlarged and misshapen and there are lymph nodes involved. Tests are underway, so it will be a week before we know much more. But being BRCA positive, she is much at risk for gallbladder cancer. It's a rare cancer, but the doctor did say "this is not the garden variety gallbladder problem." 5yr survival rates are very low. My heart hurts.
Thanks for being here. I am so grateful for the oasis these friendship are!! ✨💖✨
I'm so sorry, Listener, for your friend and your friend's son. So much tragedy.
I have four friends who have cancer, and I pray for them everyday as I do Shirlee. I'll add yours to my list. These are extreme times and we need each other and prayers.
You dear women are the best sort of people. Truly. I am one who attends the needs and spiritual struggles of so many people, and it's unusual for me to have a circle where I can speak so freely and openly. My peer group of guides is this as well, but we are only together 7 times per year.
Did I already share this? I don't see it on this thread.
Grandad: "Grammie is going to have a birthday. We should get her a cake." Grandson (age 4): "With trains on it!" Grandad: "Would you like trains on your birthday cake?" Grandson: "Yeah!" Grandad: "What do you think Grammie would like on her birthday cake?" Grandson (thoughtfully): "Probably unicorns."
Well, that clinched it! I decided I would have a cake after all (I greatly prefer just ice cream) and it must have a Unicorn theme! LOL! So I ordered a Schleich unicorn and some soft unicorn headbands for the grands. Today the package arrived and they'd sent the wrong Schleich unicorn! This one is all white, but the once I chose had delicate and beautiful flowers on its hindquarters. I called a local toy store and they said they had one with floral pattern. Judging by the price and description, it sounded like my second favourite, but I had them hold it and Bill picked it up after work. Wonderfully, it is the very one I wanted!!
Plus, Grandson came here with his Mom today and I got to tell him his idea is what we're doing. Sadly, his parents are taking him and his sister to NH for the weekend, so I won't get to see the little Unicorn Man on my birthday after all. Maybe next week.
Happy Birthday , Listener...and thank you always for your informative and often funny posts and links.
Brenda and I are keeping tabs on close relatives in both Texas and Florida. So far, so good .....this is my youngest sister and she pretty much grew ap a Texan..and knows the basics of dealing with these monster storms.
If you note the posting date on this [September 13, 1917] , you might not be surprised to learn I've been at the previous thread for the last nine days. Talking to myself. And worrying.
I have NO idea why blogger decided to publish this.
Shirlee, I am delighted you are alive. I was pretty sure you weren't. I hate blogger.
I have to tell you, as one who has followed weather blogs for years, including the tropical weather blog that is all about hurricanes, the fact that Irma went from Cat 4 back up to Cat 5 WHILE the eye is grating the very tall mountains of Cuba is just plain freaking scary and weird! Mountains usually shred hurricanes! HOW could one get stronger over them??!! WOW!!
Turns out my friend in Port Orange, Florida (Atlantic coast) and her diabetic husband have decided not to evacuate after all...!! They live in a mobile home and she tells me they will spend the worst of the storm at a friend's house. I hope they have something to go back to. Yikes!
Oh, Puddle ..I am very much alive...a little better each day. Not a lot of energy yet. My right jaw feels as though someone took a whack at it....still on soft or semi-soft food and can only brush my teeth on the opposite side...outside only...lots swishing and rinsing happening.
I was on the right thread--this one should NOT be published yet. I don't check the front page unless a new one's due. And this one isn't due for several days.
Can't begin to tell you how relieved I am!
On other accounts, too--kiddle was in a beltway accident when his uber changing too many lanes for a left exit was clipped by an 18 wheeler. His uber ended up nested next to the guard rail he thought he might be impaled on, so all's good. And uber gave him his money back. Nice lady witness stopped, and called 911, and neither ambulance had to take anyone away. Still feeling his bumps and bruises.
Request for the future: if you notice a new post dated in the future, and the current thread is under fifty comments, please come back to the old thread and let me know.
Finally, I have a little articulation about Hillary's book and the pundits commentaries:
What the author and the commentators seem to miss is that I would not have voted for HRC or DT even if Bernie hadn't run at all. Just wasn't going to happen. I'm not a Democrat and I don't owe my vote to anyone; it's my right to vote as I see appropriate. I did not want a Clinton dynasty and I'm not willing to hold my nose at the polls anymore. Give us a candidate we can truly get behind and watch this nation soar! Stop complaining about Bernie's platform. He's a visionary and the truth is that many things he pushes for have made strides this year. Ironically, the person who won the Electoral College and the person who won the popular vote can't seem to let go of their election results; while only the person who lost is getting out there every day, working hard for We the People, offering an upbeat message that can take our nation forward!
My son occasionally drives as an Uber driver, to make ends meet, so I was imagining that accident from both the view you have of your son as the passenger and my imagination running wild about my son as a driver. That driver may have messed up his personal car into the bargain.
I'm so glad it was (as my guys say after a sailing race) that "nobody died and all the injuries were minor." 💜 =Whew!=
Still at Brenda s.I think the plan is to stay here until after Post-op doc visit in mid /late September. Everyday a little better--always surprised though that when I swallow I have a sore throat! Oh, yeah..doc was in there with his tools.
Daughter Dana sent me a couple of great audio books. One of them is The Great Redeemer...an autobiography of Pope Francis. I am neither Catholic nor particularly religious ...but I find him fascinating. When have we had a Pope who publicly showed his love for babies and children ?
Well, I don't know as I'm behaving, but I did plant some beautiful Echinacea today. I'd never seen this variety before. Instead of purple it's yellow and red! It looks wonderful, and seems to be calling to the trees to change to Autumn splendor. We have maybe 3-5% colour now. Beautiful! Yet it still feels like Summer, as Irma is pushing 80's our way for the week.
Nope. No wind, or rain, for that matter. It's just the last week before my birthday, spent once in a Dallas hospital ICU with Edwin. A week relived every year in love and pain.
The first week we were there, he had a band on his forehead which measured brain waves, and showed them on a monitor beyond his head. You could seem him waking, sleeping, alert/interested. The second week, they took it away, despite my pleasing, because insurance no longer paid.
For some reason, this year the days of the week/numbers are a match, so it feels especially strong. So much for the "relief" of the ten year marker.
And the big news is... Taaa, ta ta ta, ta ta, taaaaaaaaaaaaa!! (a little fanfare here)...
I received this message from Bernie's health aide today!!!
"Hope you are well and Happy Thursday! Michaela and I are pleased to let you know that Senator Sanders is signing on! Thank you for your advocacy and patience, and please keep us abreast about ways to continue to work together. Many thanks and be well."
He is signing on to the National Nurse Act of 2017!! Whoo hoo!
Ah, puddle. I remember. 🌿💜❤️💛💙🌿 Sending you love as you experience Love's ache. Fidelity, Memory, Desire, Love. What a true Love you remain. ❤️
Do you know what I learned this year? I learned what Eastern Orthodox congregations do on Easter Sunday. They go, en masse, into graveyards and sing Resurrection hymns. Isn't that compelling?
One of the things I will be doing on your birthday, puddle, is visiting our niece whose 16 year old daughter was struck by a car last September and died. Mama is going to take me over to Jillian's grave. After Jillian's funeral, I asked the priest for a copy of his wonderful homily and he obliged. I sent a copy of it to Mama, knowing she was too much in pain to have heard it that day. Later she told me that she took a quote from it and had it engraved on the back of Jillian's gravestone. So, it reads, "Those whom God loves never cease to exist." ♥
My thoughts for you this week, Puddle. I remember the heartbreak you suffered when Edwin died. I can't help but feel those we've loved are always with us, they are part of our souls. I hope your birthday is kind and pleasant.
Listener, your compassion and care for others is exemplary. Thank you for keeping us informed. You are an inspiration.
Shirleee, glad each day is healing. Again, so glad to be in the conversation loop.
Barb, long time no hear. Hope all is well.
Jo, you will always be part of us here. I hope your life is good and there is joy.
As for me, I'm getting ready for winter in the mountains. Our highway will be closed again from Oct. 2 until Memorial Day. We can use it with permits from 6:30 AM to 8 AM and 4 PM until 7 PM. Still that makes for another hour and a half trip on the way home if the times don't synchronize. Also, the group of 8 poets who meet at the Daz Bog coffee house is publishing our first book: Mountains, Myths and Memories. I received the proof copy a few days ago and contributed finding some proof errors. I gave my copy to our instructor of "Practically Perfect Poems" at the Estes Park Senior Center. It's been a rich and stimulating class. Next week is the last session. I'll try selling some of the anthologies at the Big Thompson Craft Fair on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Other than that, daily things to do and still low energy. The weather continues hot and dry here. I watch news less and less. I just can't stomach the Republicans and Trump and his cronies. It feels like a nightmare episode on some bizarre TV series.
Fog everywhere, trees faintly outline in mist, mountains missing. We had lightning, thunder, lots of rain last night. So needed.
If your question, Brenda, is about the highway being closed in Colorado, it's because of the 2013 floods. They are reconstructing much of Highway 34. It was closed last year except for permitted drivers at certain house. It was opened this summer for tourism and business, though they continue to work on it. Again, from October to Memorial Day, it will be closed as it was last year. Grumble, grumble.
Today is my birthday and I have the gift of a whole day to myself, no obligations, no running around, no requirements. Yea! A smile here.
Thank you for the Happy Wishes. A smile here. Yes, birthdays are a gift. I've enjoyed the quiet. I talked to my sons, my sister, my best friend from high school. It was a telephone party.
Happy Birthday to you coming up, Puddle. I believe it's a couple of days from today.
While hunting for something else, I tripped across this, written all those years ago, puddle.
Remembering An Early Moment for puddle and Fezziwig
Once though distant at the time out of time two voices saw beneath the tentative and thrilling hopes of something so familiar yet unrealised birthing forth into cyberspace tumbling like children on a winter’s hill laughing breathless from the sheer joy of discovering so late in the day and so beyond expectation, the deep and kindred mirror of the same uplifted heart.
Oh, your poem beautiful and so true, Listener. And thank you for the great graphics. I just watched the first episode of Ken Burns' Vietnam, and 18 hour series on PBS. It played three times tonight and the last is on now. The history going all the way back to 1858 is interesting and the variety of viewpoints. It's not in any way celebrating victories; in fact, it's examining how something could have been so wrong, so tragic, and destructive. I think it was pivotal for our generation in distrust of government, opposition to war, and a sense that we had very little say in our government.
Post Happpy Birthdays to Pat and Puddle! Still recouping at Brenda's......I had her re-schedule the post op visit until next week ..cheek doing fine, digestive system acting up...nothing serious..fairly frequent for me..always has been.
There is the most wonderful old white oak tree just between her house and the neighbors ...but really on his property...and he is quite good about cleaning up the debris.
I made it there and back again. I spent about 6 hours on the road today, but the Peer meeting of spiritual guides was good, and the visit to Jillian's grave highly worthwhile. Our niece took me there and with us came our 12 year old grandnephew, who witnessed the terrible accident that took his sister's life. He is clearly in great pain these two weeks, reliving too much of what happened, and all the while living with the result. After our visit, he had a visit with his therapist and his Mom's turn just after. They are "doing the work." There are some sweet things too. Last Christmas Jillian's whole family (including close aunties and uncles) gathered at her grave and sang silly Christmas songs. Her cemetery is wonderful about allowing the little things that people bring there to remain at the grave. I would say that EVERY grave in the cemetery had flowers, many had flags. But Jillian's grave was extra special. They said that nearly every time they go to the grave (several times a week), there is something new that someone left there. Today's grouping included four solar angels so there is light at night, a wooden horse, R2D2, leaves, several ceramic angels, sticks forming the word "LOVE", and so much more. As expected, yet wonderful to see first hand, the back of the gravestone bore the words: "Those whom God has loved, never cease to exist." And here's a sweet little story. Last Autumn, Jillian's youngest brother (the one who witnessed her death) was standing by her grave and said he was sad because Jillian always played in the leaves with him. At which moment a leaf fell in front of him. As he bent to pick it up another landed on his hand. He laughed (perhaps the first time since her death) and as he did a whole stream of leaves rained own around him. Very sweet. I am so glad I went. And the next time I am passing nearby, I will stop and leave a little something at her grave, to sweeten that dear boy's next visit and get him though one more day. 💜
Beautiful, stirring, thank you, Listener. We are right there with you. The intimations, the mysteries that accompany us as we make our way through this life, of immortality, of goodness, of love ever lasting.
The second episode of Ken Burns' Vietnam was on tonight. I'll check every night. It's an 18 hour documentary.
Ohhh myyy, what a day it be. DT mouthin' off at de UN, Mexico seized with a 7.1 earrrthquake, and Jose and Marrrria messing' up the waters! It be enough ta make a pirate spit and draw sword!
Speaking of Vietnam. I saw a clip on PBS about Rebecca Rusch, whose father left for Vietnam when she was 3 years old. He died when his plane was shot down over Laos, as he was on a bombing run. She returned to Laos recently, and bicycled 1200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to where her father's plane went down. She met a man who witnessed the crash, and witnessed his father bury her father. She was able to take home fragments of his plane. She was also able to really connect with the people there and was amazed that they received her so warmly. She was surprised how much still remains there of the 250 million bombs we dropped, from fragments (some made into spoons) to large shell covers (now fashioned into boats!) to huge craters and pockmarks all across their landscape (even now). The last letter her father sent home told of how he did not like what he was having to do. He could not see at all how it was a good thing to be doing. His letter ends with two words to his daughters: Be Good. Rebecca is now working with the village people of Laos to take pieces of the broken bombs and fashion them into jewelry (such as a silver colored bracelet) bearing the words "Be Good" in her fathers's handwriting, and the Laos translation in her own handwriting. This helps to diversify their income as well as contributes money to a group that is trying to find and deactivate the 80 million unexploded bombs still littering Laos. ( !!! ) Isn't that brilliant? To see more about it, here are two links:
So sorry to have missed your Birthday, Pat ♡♡♡♡. Hope it was a great one! I've not been on the computer all that much lately. a few minutes each day is about it, but enough to have caught Puddle's Birthday ♡♡♡♡. So much bad news coming from this administration that it is hard to watch.
Love to all you ladies, you're in my thoughts so often. '
I'm taking a 12 week class titled "Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist" online. The one drawback is that the place we upload our class work seems to have formatting issues. No matter how I go about entering my writing, there are weird line breaks and extra spaces. I redid mine 9 times today and it still wasn't right, but it was at least coherent at that point. Otherwise, though, the class is quite interesting and useful.
My victory of the day was contacting 5 catalogue places that have begun sending catalogues to our Youngest at our address, even though he fledged 17 years ago! Ha! Now that I see how easy it is to get off catalogue lists, I plan to whittle down the crop I get to just a few! Whoo hoo!
92 comments:
Mueller is First!
Mueller Teams Up with New York Attorney General
https://politicalwire.com/2017/08/30/mueller-teams-new-york-attorney-general/
Oooooooooo, this really is good news. I do hope the Mueller investigation will soon be ready for prime time!
✨🏩💖✨ Medical Mercies, Shirlee! 🙏 Prayers ensuing! ✨💖🏩✨
💖💖💖 And thank you from all of us, Brenda!! 💖💖💖
💖 Jo says hallo!! 💖
It's just her medical struggles with eyes and hands that keep her from posting. But she misses everyone!
I am having lunch with Jo next Tuesday, so leave your message for her here and I'll make sure she gets them. 📬
Meanwhile, eager to hear good news about 💜Shirlee 💜 from 💗Brenda💗.
Hi ladies! Surgery went well according to doc. Did have to take two of her teeth. She's in recovery. Waiting for a room to be cleaned so she can check in. I will see her then. Thanks for your good wishes. Will update more later!
Thank you, Brenda. We're all thinking of her and glad that surgery went well.
Hi Listener, tell Jo hello from me and a hug. She is missed.
Also, thanks for the links.
Warm and rainy here today. Thoughts and love to everyone.
We were out all evening until late, tending two of our little grands, while Mom and Dad had a meeting at grandson's new school. The littles were so sweet and what fun!!
So I am only now reading that all went well for Shirlee! O frabjous day! Callooh Callay!! 😃👍 Thank you warmly, Brenda! 💜 I guess Shirlee was right and I am so very glad that she is "a tough bird" after all...! 😉 Go Shirlee! 💖 Nice to be on this side of it. Sad for your loss of teeth.😿 Hopefully not in strategically necessary locations. Rest and behave. 😘
From Brenda. Thanks for the well wishes! With Shirlee now, she says to not let the orange one do anything stupid in the next few days. Oh wait---that's impossible! She is feeling better, just getting meds and bodily functions straightened out, Love to all.
Hi ladies. 2:30pm. The doc says we can spring her free from the hospital. Will take several hours for paperwork to go thru. Then back to my house to recoup. More updates tomorrow! Love. Brenda
Thanks for the update, Brenda.
So glad that everything went well.
Warm hazy day here. Hello to everyone.
Wow! Wonderful news, Brenda!! It was good to hear Shirlee's voice through your post. Tell her we're holding down the fort until she's back in the saddle. 🐎 Sounds like all is going very well. I'll be glad to hear you are both snuggled in at your house 💖 and out of the weather down there! I hear it's been rather intense across NC today 💨⛈ including large hail south of Raleigh. Yowser!
Thank you all for your good wishes . We came to Brenda's last evening
after the paper work was finished. Met the good surgeon who did the work
as we were leaving and got a hug ...I think he was surprised and pleased
that the process went so quickly. Wake Forest is much more patient
friendly than M. D. Anderson in Houston.... I am now just very tired and
some waning pain....
Love to all
Three cheers for you and a hug.
What excellent news, Shirlee!! 😃👍
Huzzah! 💜 Huzzah!! 💛💛Huzzah!!! 💗💗💗
I do hope that bit of pain wanes swiftly. Where is Wake Forest?
^ I ask, Shirlee, because it sounds very much like a place near Raleigh. Is that possible?
My son and family lived in Raleigh for some years while he was working on his PhD. If that's the same place, I've been there! 🙂
Keep Watch...
"Given Irma’s well-developed core and emerging annular structure, I expect that this modest wind shear will not keep Irma from intensifying. Beginning on Sunday, Irma will encounter warmer SSTs, with a major increase in total heat content, and on Monday, mid-level relative humidity will start to rise. These favorable conditions for development should allow Irma to strengthen. If the storm can develop upper-level outflow channels to both the north and the south, intensification into a high-end Category 4 storm or stronger may occur, late in the week." ~ Dr. Jeff Masters, cofounder of Weather Underground
In the midst of watching Hurricane Irma closely (as it is grazing dangerously close to the Lesser Antilles and SW USA), Weather Underground is nonetheless featuring the western fires this morning.
Heat, Smoke, and Fire Assault Western States: All-Time Record Heat in California
https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/heat-smoke-and-fire-assault-western-states-all-time-record-heat-california
Here in Vermont today we are experiencing the last vestiges of Harvey, with constant rain, some wind and cooler temps. The cool will be quickly followed by tropical air, but only to the tune of 77-79F, which is easy by OUR standards and must seem positively chilly to folks in California.
And in the Never Too Late department:
For many decades, the woman who inspired the Rosie the Riveter poster was misidentified as Geraldine Hoff Doyle. However, Naomi Parker-Fraley is the REAL Rosie, and this wasn't known until last year when she turned 95.
http://people.com/celebrity/rosie-the-riveter-meet-the-woman-who-inspired-the-iconic-poster/
Thanks for the news .....Winston-Salem is about thirty miles
west of Greensboro.....gets even hillier as it heads toward the
mountains. Lovely drive. The hospital is a very large full
service hospital...not just a cancer center as is MD Anderson
in Houston.
Doing fine, well cared for ..plus Brenda and her house are fun
to be in and around.!
Oh, an not to worry about the teeth..they were the two back
molars on the side of the cancer.
You all behave! Love. To all.
Thanks for the news .....Winston-Salem is about thirty miles
west of Greensboro.....gets even hillier as it heads toward the
mountains. Lovely drive. The hospital is a very large full
service hospital...not just a cancer center as is MD Anderson
in Houston.
Doing fine, well cared for ..plus Brenda and her house are fun
to be in and around.!
Oh, an not to worry about the teeth..they were the two back
molars on the side of the cancer.
You all behave! Love. To all.
Not sure why this last one posted twice....sorry about that.
I am still at Brenda's ....a little better every day.
Trump's latest nasty move with the DACA kids is one of his nastiest moves.
Time now for another nap!
HI Friends,
A hazy hazy, cloudy day. There are more than 70 fires burning in the West: California, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, etc. We're getting that smoke here.
Glad you are healing, Shirlee.
I wonder if humanity isn't trying replicate the demise of the dinosaurs. Nuclear weapons??? Attacking people in Myranmar (I thought Buddhists were supposed to be peaceful, to live by "Do No Harm.")
And Trump, like a 2 year old in a tantrum, smashing, throwing food, anything to get attention.
Whew!
And so, we carry on.
In the wee s'mas, just before sleeping, I noticed a post on Facebook by Abbey of the Arts. (If you're on FB, look for their page. It's a treasure trove!) It was regarding an upcoming class called Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist.
http://abbeyofthearts.com/programs/online-classes/wotm-pota/
I began reading the course description and before I had quite finished reading that, I registered for it. That may sound impulsive but it was truly more the answer to a whispered, fervent prayer. The fee comes from donations from the seekers I sit with, which seems fitting. I have so longed for a way to ignite the smoldering fire of desire I have for painting and writing. Always I shunt it aside saying I will get to that when life is perfect. It was slowly strangling my prayers. Reading of the course was as though someone had poured a full measure into my lap and flowing over.
I had to make the decision quickly because the class started, well, yesterday! I won't even have the related book in hand until Thursday. But no matter. Since letting go of too many shoulds is part of why I need this, I feel at peace about being late to the party and having to catch up over time.
There are more than 40 people in the class (though one had to drop out due to her home and life flooding in Houston), and people begin by doing some sort of introduction. It was so good to find several other spiritual directors and others who are well along in the spiritual journey. It won't simply be a class of beginners. This is significant because we are welcomed to dialogue (though not give advice) along the way.
Peacefully Excited!
Susan at the HEP Blog posted this, and it seems to fit with Pat's sentiments above. See what you think:
https://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/67912
A big chunk from the article: "White House aides talk in whispers about Trump’s temper tantrums that have become routine. He unleashes strings of obscenities, threatens to fire everyone and too often issues more ominous threats that include violence.
“He yells at people, saying he will ‘kick their ass’ or even kill them,” says one, who said she fears for her safety if her name is used. “I think our president is insane!”
A media report that questions one of Trump’s actions can bring on a shouting attack against anyone nearby. Trump, she says, reduces staff members to tears and says some have quit because they can no longer stand being around him.
Secret Service agents joke that they should use the label “Madman” to identify Trump in radio conversations. Others joke about jumping in front of the president to “take a bullet” to protect him. “I might be taking a bullet fired from a fellow agent.”
Trump, they say, threatens to fire all of his secret service detail and replace them with “bodyguards I know and trust.”
That causes the agents to shake their heads because Trump has, in the past, hired personal guards with violent criminal records.
“The president has no sense of duty, not understanding of what it takes to be the leader of a nation,” says a former aide. “To him, the only things that matter are serving his ego and fattening his wallet.”
Marine general John Kelly, brought in to try to bring the chaotic White House under control and who has been publicly humiliated by Trump in front of other staff members, says he remembers fondly his days as a Jarhead grunt in battle.
That, he says, “was better than working for Trump.”
_______________________________________________________
Copyright © 2017 Capitol Hill Blue
Pat, there is a difference between Buddhism and certain Buddhists, just as there is too often a difference between Christianity and certain Christians, and between Islam and certain Muslims. It isn't the religion that is at fault, it's people distorting the religion.
This BBC article explains it so well. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22356306
Good Morning,
Thanks for the reminder, Listener. Yes, of course, people are people and that doesn't make the religion at fault. I read somewhere that most if not all religions espouse peace, compassion, kindness, and justice. When will humanity realize that hostility, oppression, cruelty, and violence just bring suffering, distrust, fear, and aggression?
I'm glad for your class in creativity. Yes, we all have had many many shoulds, oughts, and musts in our lives, and I think that does make us anxious and shuts off creativity. Glad for you. I recall you writing about painting several years ago. Good luck to you.
OOOOHHH, Trump is scarier than ever. What on earth can we do with this disaster?
The air is supposed to begin clearing in the next several days. It's been unhealthy to be outside.
I hope you day is good today, Friends.
I just read this comment on one of Bernie's posts on Facebook. It sums things up quite well, doesn't it?
Ray Behar: If anyone follows (or defends) a president who is, a full out sociopath, a fascist, amoral, a greedy, deceptive, vulgar, racist, a treasonous racketeer, and misogynous, they are aiding and abetting and are part of it. And Republican leaders are complicit if they don’t stop enabling him. Resist. Persist. Clean out.
Awww, if you can spare a prayer, please tuck my dear friend Nelly in. She is in her 80's and three of her sons live on the southern tip of Florida, two on the Atlantic side and one on the Gulf side. She's pretty concerned about them with Irma approaching, and tomorrow she's to have cataract surgery. All this and last month her seemingly happy and healthy daughter-in-law died in her sleep for no apparent reason. (I'm guessing an aneurysm burst.) That woman so very much deserves a break and some gentleness. Thanks!
A prayer on the way.
Thank-you, Pat! 💖
I just heard that they had to reroute the Pope's plane today because of Hurricane Irma. That's one hell of a storm.
My heart is heavy. So much devastation in the Caribbean. I just learned that a friend's son lost his winter home in St. Bart's, and his summer home is in ... Miami. This is the friend we held in prayer as she had cataract surgery...which went wonderfully well~!!
And now, another friend to ask a prayer for. My dearest friend in all the world has already survived breast cancer and a bilateral mastectomy. Today, at 64, she learned that her gallbladder is much enlarged and misshapen and there are lymph nodes involved. Tests are underway, so it will be a week before we know much more. But being BRCA positive, she is much at risk for gallbladder cancer. It's a rare cancer, but the doctor did say "this is not the garden variety gallbladder problem." 5yr survival rates are very low. My heart hurts.
Thanks for being here. I am so grateful for the oasis these friendship are!! ✨💖✨
*friendships
I'm so sorry, Listener, for your friend and your friend's son. So much tragedy.
I have four friends who have cancer, and I pray for them everyday as I do Shirlee. I'll add yours to my list. These are extreme times and we need each other and prayers.
Listener...I am so sorry to hear of your dear friend's cancer...there are miracles even with cancer.
Much love.
You dear women are the best sort of people. Truly. I am one who attends the needs and spiritual struggles of so many people, and it's unusual for me to have a circle where I can speak so freely and openly. My peer group of guides is this as well, but we are only together 7 times per year.
Jo and I decided to postpone our lunch as it was pouring rain today and that makes her all the more achy. We'll pick a sunny day soon.
Did I already share this? I don't see it on this thread.
Grandad: "Grammie is going to have a birthday. We should get her a cake."
Grandson (age 4): "With trains on it!"
Grandad: "Would you like trains on your birthday cake?"
Grandson: "Yeah!"
Grandad: "What do you think Grammie would like on her birthday cake?"
Grandson (thoughtfully): "Probably unicorns."
Well, that clinched it! I decided I would have a cake after all (I greatly prefer just ice cream) and it must have a Unicorn theme! LOL! So I ordered a Schleich unicorn and some soft unicorn headbands for the grands. Today the package arrived and they'd sent the wrong Schleich unicorn! This one is all white, but the once I chose had delicate and beautiful flowers on its hindquarters. I called a local toy store and they said they had one with floral pattern. Judging by the price and description, it sounded like my second favourite, but I had them hold it and Bill picked it up after work. Wonderfully, it is the very one I wanted!!
Plus, Grandson came here with his Mom today and I got to tell him his idea is what we're doing. Sadly, his parents are taking him and his sister to NH for the weekend, so I won't get to see the little Unicorn Man on my birthday after all. Maybe next week.
At least the cake will be chocolate! :-)
Happy Birthday coming up, Listener. It's a delight to hear your stories.
Happy Birthday , Listener...and thank you always for your informative
and often funny posts and links.
Brenda and I are keeping tabs on close relatives in both Texas and Florida.
So far, so good .....this is my youngest sister and she pretty much grew ap
a Texan..and knows the basics of dealing with these monster storms.
Love to all
If you note the posting date on this [September 13, 1917] , you might not be surprised to learn I've been at the previous thread for the last nine days. Talking to myself. And worrying.
I have NO idea why blogger decided to publish this.
Shirlee, I am delighted you are alive. I was pretty sure you weren't. I hate blogger.
I have to tell you, as one who has followed weather blogs for years, including the tropical weather blog that is all about hurricanes, the fact that Irma went from Cat 4 back up to Cat 5 WHILE the eye is grating the very tall mountains of Cuba is just plain freaking scary and weird! Mountains usually shred hurricanes! HOW could one get stronger over them??!! WOW!!
Ooooohhhhhh puddle!!! 😯 You poor darling sitting over there all alone worrying about us!! 😘 I'm glad you finally found us!!!
Take some time to read and catch up and let us all give you some Welcome Back HUGS here!! ✨💖✨
Turns out my friend in Port Orange, Florida (Atlantic coast) and her diabetic husband have decided not to evacuate after all...!! They live in a mobile home and she tells me they will spend the worst of the storm at a friend's house. I hope they have something to go back to. Yikes!
Wait, wait...
It turns to that where Irma made brief landfall on Cuba it is a very low-lying, marshy area of the coast. Okay.
Oh, Puddle ..I am very much alive...a little better each day. Not a lot of energy yet.
My right jaw feels as though someone took a whack at it....still on soft or semi-soft
food and can only brush my teeth on the opposite side...outside only...lots swishing
and rinsing happening.
Hope you stay on the right thread now!
I was on the right thread--this one should NOT be published yet. I don't check the front page unless a new one's due. And this one isn't due for several days.
Can't begin to tell you how relieved I am!
On other accounts, too--kiddle was in a beltway accident when his uber changing too many lanes for a left exit was clipped by an 18 wheeler. His uber ended up nested next to the guard rail he thought he might be impaled on, so all's good. And uber gave him his money back. Nice lady witness stopped, and called 911, and neither ambulance had to take anyone away. Still feeling his bumps and bruises.
Request for the future: if you notice a new post dated in the future, and the current thread is under fifty comments, please come back to the old thread and let me know.
Finally, I have a little articulation about Hillary's book and the pundits commentaries:
What the author and the commentators seem to miss is that I would not have voted for HRC or DT even if Bernie hadn't run at all. Just wasn't going to happen. I'm not a Democrat and I don't owe my vote to anyone; it's my right to vote as I see appropriate. I did not want a Clinton dynasty and I'm not willing to hold my nose at the polls anymore. Give us a candidate we can truly get behind and watch this nation soar! Stop complaining about Bernie's platform. He's a visionary and the truth is that many things he pushes for have made strides this year. Ironically, the person who won the Electoral College and the person who won the popular vote can't seem to let go of their election results; while only the person who lost is getting out there every day, working hard for We the People, offering an upbeat message that can take our nation forward!
Wil do, puddle. I never even noticed until I read your most recent message above that the post out front had a date on it!!!!
And your son!!! Ohhhh myyyyy!!! Soooooo scary!!!
My son occasionally drives as an Uber driver, to make ends meet, so I was imagining that accident from both the view you have of your son as the passenger and my imagination running wild about my son as a driver. That driver may have messed up his personal car into the bargain.
I'm so glad it was (as my guys say after a sailing race) that "nobody died and all the injuries were minor." 💜 =Whew!=
Reading back...."It turns to" should read "It turns out."
Most happiest of HAPPIES, listener!! And then some more.
Thank you, puddle!! It was a sweet weekend. 💝👑🌻
Still at Brenda s.I think the plan is to stay here until after
Post-op doc visit in mid /late September. Everyday a little
better--always surprised though that when I swallow I have
a sore throat! Oh, yeah..doc was in there with his tools.
Daughter Dana sent me a couple of great audio books.
One of them is The Great Redeemer...an autobiography
of Pope Francis. I am neither Catholic nor particularly
religious ...but I find him fascinating. When have we had
a Pope who publicly showed his love for babies and children ?
Everyone behaving....blog news gladly received!
Love to all.
Well, I don't know as I'm behaving, but I did plant some beautiful Echinacea today. I'd never seen this variety before. Instead of purple it's yellow and red! It looks wonderful, and seems to be calling to the trees to change to Autumn splendor. We have maybe 3-5% colour now. Beautiful! Yet it still feels like Summer, as Irma is pushing 80's our way for the week.
Stephen Colbert interview on Witness
(I hope you can see this, puddle!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF5tudIqN7w
Here is, at least, an article about it and a clip:
https://sojo.net/articles/watch-stephen-colbert-why-hes-christian
OK, now I am officially worried. Has anyone heard from Puddle? I know some
Irma winds were due to go through West Virginia......
All,OK here...al little more energy every day...guess. I will live!
Love to all
Nope. No wind, or rain, for that matter. It's just the last week before my birthday, spent once in a Dallas hospital ICU with Edwin. A week relived every year in love and pain.
The first week we were there, he had a band on his forehead which measured brain waves, and showed them on a monitor beyond his head. You could seem him waking, sleeping, alert/interested. The second week, they took it away, despite my pleasing, because insurance no longer paid.
For some reason, this year the days of the week/numbers are a match, so it feels especially strong. So much for the "relief" of the ten year marker.
pleasing should be *pleading*
And the big news is... Taaa, ta ta ta, ta ta, taaaaaaaaaaaaa!! (a little fanfare here)...
I received this message from Bernie's health aide today!!!
"Hope you are well and Happy Thursday!
Michaela and I are pleased to let you know that Senator Sanders is signing on!
Thank you for your advocacy and patience, and please keep us abreast about ways to continue to work together.
Many thanks and be well."
He is signing on to the National Nurse Act of 2017!!
Whoo hoo!
Ah, puddle. I remember. 🌿💜❤️💛💙🌿
Sending you love as you experience Love's ache. Fidelity, Memory, Desire, Love.
What a true Love you remain. ❤️
Do you know what I learned this year? I learned what Eastern Orthodox congregations do on Easter Sunday. They go, en masse, into graveyards and sing Resurrection hymns. Isn't that compelling?
One of the things I will be doing on your birthday, puddle, is visiting our niece whose 16 year old daughter was struck by a car last September and died. Mama is going to take me over to Jillian's grave. After Jillian's funeral, I asked the priest for a copy of his wonderful homily and he obliged. I sent a copy of it to Mama, knowing she was too much in pain to have heard it that day. Later she told me that she took a quote from it and had it engraved on the back of Jillian's gravestone. So, it reads, "Those whom God loves never cease to exist." ♥
Hi Shirlee, Puddle, Listener, Barb, and Jo,
My thoughts for you this week, Puddle. I remember the heartbreak you suffered when Edwin died. I can't help but feel those we've loved are always with us, they are part of our souls. I hope your birthday is kind and pleasant.
Listener, your compassion and care for others is exemplary. Thank you for keeping us informed. You are an inspiration.
Shirleee, glad each day is healing. Again, so glad to be in the conversation loop.
Barb, long time no hear. Hope all is well.
Jo, you will always be part of us here. I hope your life is good and there is joy.
As for me, I'm getting ready for winter in the mountains. Our highway will be closed again from Oct. 2 until Memorial Day. We can use it with permits from 6:30 AM to 8 AM and 4 PM until 7 PM. Still that makes for another hour and a half trip on the way home if the times don't synchronize. Also, the group of 8 poets who meet at the Daz Bog coffee house is publishing our first book: Mountains, Myths and Memories. I received the proof copy a few days ago and contributed finding some proof errors. I gave my copy to our instructor of "Practically Perfect Poems" at the Estes Park Senior Center. It's been a rich and stimulating class. Next week is the last session. I'll try selling some of the anthologies at the Big Thompson Craft Fair on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Other than that, daily things to do and still low energy. The weather continues hot and dry here. I watch news less and less. I just can't stomach the Republicans and Trump and his cronies. It feels like a nightmare episode on some bizarre TV series.
Take care, friends.
Curios Brenda wants to know about the time limitations
Of driving in the mountains. I am guessing it leaves the
roads free for snow plows etc.
Thinking of you, Puddle.....
Love to all
If I recall correctly, they're working on the road/s. Too many touristas to do it in the summer.
Good Morning,
Fog everywhere, trees faintly outline in mist, mountains missing. We had lightning, thunder, lots of rain last night. So needed.
If your question, Brenda, is about the highway being closed in Colorado, it's because of the 2013 floods. They are reconstructing much of Highway 34. It was closed last year except for permitted drivers at certain house. It was opened this summer for tourism and business, though they continue to work on it. Again, from October to Memorial Day, it will be closed as it was last year. Grumble, grumble.
Today is my birthday and I have the gift of a whole day to myself, no obligations, no running around, no requirements. Yea! A smile here.
corrections: outline should be outlined, and house should be hours. I should have proofed my message. Oh well.
Happy Birthday to you Pat!!! I can't do the happy graphcs that Listener does...
but wishing you the VERY best!!! Birthdays are Special.no matter what.
Love you all..
Pat, most happy birthday!!! And wonderful about the peace and no obligations!
Kinda liked the idear of the road only being open to a certain house, lol!
Pat
Thanks for the explanation about the roads, I wasn't thinking repairs I was thinking cold wintery weather! Makes sense.
Hope everyone is well.
Talk to you soon.
Love,
Brenda
Thank you for the Happy Wishes. A smile here. Yes, birthdays are a gift. I've enjoyed the quiet. I talked to my sons, my sister, my best friend from high school. It was a telephone party.
Happy Birthday to you coming up, Puddle. I believe it's a couple of days from today.
🌟 🎉💗 🌿 🍁 🍰 🍦 🎀 HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!! 🎀 🍦 🍰 🍁 🌿 💗 🌟💐
🎉 ✨ 💖 ✨ 🎂 🍧 🎏 HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUDDLE!! 🎏 🍧 🎂 ✨ 💖 ✨ 🌿
. . . . . ☆ .☆. ☆ . ☆. ☆. ☆. ☆ . , ☆. ☆. ☆
. . . . . || . . || . .|| . . || . . || . || . . || . . || . .|| . || . . .
. . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |♡♡♡♡HAPPY ♡♡ BIRTHDAY♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ PAT! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌ |
(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
. . . . . . ☆ .☆. ☆ . ☆. ☆. ☆. ☆ . , ☆. ☆. ☆
. . . . . . || . . || . .|| . . || . . || . || . . || . . || . .|| . || . . .
. . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |♡♡♡♡HAPPY ♡♡ BIRTHDAY♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡ PUDDLE! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧|
. . . |✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌☯✌ |
(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
I actually saved that last graphic last year on Pat's birthday! 😃 That was fun to find!!
While hunting for something else, I tripped across this, written all those years ago, puddle.
Remembering An Early Moment
for puddle and Fezziwig
Once though distant at the time
out of time two voices saw beneath
the tentative and thrilling hopes of
something so familiar yet unrealised
birthing forth into cyberspace
tumbling like children on a
winter’s hill laughing breathless
from the sheer joy of discovering
so late in the day and so beyond
expectation, the deep and kindred
mirror of the same uplifted heart.
~ listener
Oh, your poem beautiful and so true, Listener. And thank you for the great graphics.
I just watched the first episode of Ken Burns' Vietnam, and 18 hour series on PBS. It played three times tonight and the last is on now. The history going all the way back to 1858 is interesting and the variety of viewpoints. It's not in any way celebrating victories; in fact, it's examining how something could have been so wrong, so tragic, and destructive. I think it was pivotal for our generation in distrust of government, opposition to war, and a sense that we had very little say in our government.
Night friends.
Happy Birthday, Puddle. A hug your way.
Post Happpy Birthdays to Pat and Puddle!
Still recouping at Brenda's......I had her re-schedule
the post op visit until next week ..cheek doing fine,
digestive system acting up...nothing serious..fairly
frequent for me..always has been.
There is the most wonderful old white oak tree just
between her house and the neighbors ...but really on
his property...and he is quite good about cleaning up
the debris.
Love to all
Love to all
I made it there and back again. I spent about 6 hours on the road today, but the Peer meeting of spiritual guides was good, and the visit to Jillian's grave highly worthwhile. Our niece took me there and with us came our 12 year old grandnephew, who witnessed the terrible accident that took his sister's life. He is clearly in great pain these two weeks, reliving too much of what happened, and all the while living with the result. After our visit, he had a visit with his therapist and his Mom's turn just after. They are "doing the work." There are some sweet things too. Last Christmas Jillian's whole family (including close aunties and uncles) gathered at her grave and sang silly Christmas songs. Her cemetery is wonderful about allowing the little things that people bring there to remain at the grave. I would say that EVERY grave in the cemetery had flowers, many had flags. But Jillian's grave was extra special. They said that nearly every time they go to the grave (several times a week), there is something new that someone left there. Today's grouping included four solar angels so there is light at night, a wooden horse, R2D2, leaves, several ceramic angels, sticks forming the word "LOVE", and so much more. As expected, yet wonderful to see first hand, the back of the gravestone bore the words: "Those whom God has loved, never cease to exist." And here's a sweet little story. Last Autumn, Jillian's youngest brother (the one who witnessed her death) was standing by her grave and said he was sad because Jillian always played in the leaves with him. At which moment a leaf fell in front of him. As he bent to pick it up another landed on his hand. He laughed (perhaps the first time since her death) and as he did a whole stream of leaves rained own around him. Very sweet. I am so glad I went. And the next time I am passing nearby, I will stop and leave a little something at her grave, to sweeten that dear boy's next visit and get him though one more day. 💜
though = through
Beautiful, stirring, thank you, Listener. We are right there with you.
The intimations, the mysteries that accompany us as we make our way through this life, of immortality, of goodness, of love ever lasting.
The second episode of Ken Burns' Vietnam was on tonight. I'll check every night. It's an 18 hour documentary.
Good to hear from you, Shirlee.
Love to all of us.
Ohhh myyy, what a day it be. DT mouthin' off at de UN, Mexico seized with a 7.1 earrrthquake, and Jose and Marrrria messing' up the waters! It be enough ta make a pirate spit and draw sword!
Shirlee 💜
Speaking of Vietnam. I saw a clip on PBS about Rebecca Rusch, whose father left for Vietnam when she was 3 years old. He died when his plane was shot down over Laos, as he was on a bombing run. She returned to Laos recently, and bicycled 1200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to where her father's plane went down. She met a man who witnessed the crash, and witnessed his father bury her father. She was able to take home fragments of his plane. She was also able to really connect with the people there and was amazed that they received her so warmly. She was surprised how much still remains there of the 250 million bombs we dropped, from fragments (some made into spoons) to large shell covers (now fashioned into boats!) to huge craters and pockmarks all across their landscape (even now). The last letter her father sent home told of how he did not like what he was having to do. He could not see at all how it was a good thing to be doing. His letter ends with two words to his daughters: Be Good. Rebecca is now working with the village people of Laos to take pieces of the broken bombs and fashion them into jewelry (such as a silver colored bracelet) bearing the words "Be Good" in her fathers's handwriting, and the Laos translation in her own handwriting. This helps to diversify their income as well as contributes money to a group that is trying to find and deactivate the 80 million unexploded bombs still littering Laos. ( !!! ) Isn't that brilliant? To see more about it, here are two links:
Story: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/blood-road-film-rebecca-rusch-announcement
Website: https://shop.article22.com/products/rebecca-rusch-bangle
Sorry for my two false starts above. Third time was the charm. ;-)
Thanks all for the loving b-day wishes, and cakes! xox
So sorry to have missed your Birthday, Pat ♡♡♡♡. Hope it was a great one! I've not been on the computer all that much lately. a few minutes each day is about it, but enough to have caught Puddle's Birthday ♡♡♡♡. So much bad news coming from this administration that it is hard to watch.
Love to all you ladies, you're in my thoughts so often. '
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
{{{ 💝 Barb! 💝 }}} Sweet to see you here!!
I'm taking a 12 week class titled "Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist" online. The one drawback is that the place we upload our class work seems to have formatting issues. No matter how I go about entering my writing, there are weird line breaks and extra spaces. I redid mine 9 times today and it still wasn't right, but it was at least coherent at that point. Otherwise, though, the class is quite interesting and useful.
My victory of the day was contacting 5 catalogue places that have begun sending catalogues to our Youngest at our address, even though he fledged 17 years ago! Ha! Now that I see how easy it is to get off catalogue lists, I plan to whittle down the crop I get to just a few! Whoo hoo!
New thread!!
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