We don’t do Black Friday at our house. I went once. That was enough to last a lifetime. I will not condemn the practice however because I know many that do. We have always used the day after Thanksgiving as a quiet day at home. We eat leftovers especially pies. We watch movies usually a marathon of some type. And we put up our Christmas decorations, at least our tree and my Santa collection.
This year the movie marathon was Shirley Temple movies. The DVD set included her early movies. She was between the ages of two and six. I hadn’t even realized that she had started as early as she did. She did many shorts. Some of them seemed one step up from silent movies.
I was unconvinced that they would keep my techno savvy group entertained. The children of the Spielberg /Pixar generation absorbed in a scratchy, hard to hear black and white production? Would they get the jokes? Would it move too slowly? Would the special effects be too obvious? Were we going to spend the day with the boredom complaints?
I needn’t have worried. We loved them!! Even my action thriller husband sat on the couch laughing out loud at the gags and joke stunts. The baby burlesque shorts were adorable. Staging a bunch of 2yr.olds in diapers to parody the adult world at that time was brilliant. They poked fun at politics, Hollywood, the night club life and more. In one, a baby Pres. Roosevelt kept looking for something throughout the short. At the end he was asked what he was looking for- his reply was “my sanity” To which the 2 yr. old Temple said, “It’s just around the corner!”
That joke required an explanation but it didn’t interfere at all with their enjoyment. As we watched, I could hear all the today’s nay sayers comments in my head. The fact is that these films could not be made today. I’m surprised they can still be sold. There were scenes with 2 & 3 yr. olds kissing, bare bums a few times, a little bit of Mae West style hip movements and toddlers in just diapers, shoes and hats. Oh,my!
My twelve year old daughter kept saying, “They are soooo cute!! Baby kissing is so cute, Mom! Why is it so cute?” My reply was that it is so innocent. I think that innocence was the reason we enjoyed the films so much. The stories were timeless, the acting simple, the stunts believable and the kissing innocent even the adult kissing. I can’t begin to explain how refreshed we felt. We had journeyed back in time to a place where simple innocence still existed. We returned all the better for it.
And let’s face it, a classic is a classic and Shirley Temple was, is and always will be a classic! That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving Reality
How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was the Thanksgiving every one dreams about! You know that dream where you wake up covered with sweat and screaming- that’s the one I had. It’s actually a little hard to believe but I swear this is what really happened.
This is the first year that I was doing Thanksgiving at my house in over five years. It is also the first year that I was committed to be cleaning at our local senior center. It is the second year that the center was giving a town Thanksgiving. I spent over 14 hours in 2 days getting carpets shampooed and everything spit polished. I had hoped to have all day Wednesday to do my house but that didn’t happen.
This is also the first year that our area was hit with a snow/ice storm before Thanksgiving. It was accompanied by record low temperatures in the single digits. Our entire area is restricted. You can’t travel on the highway if you don’t have chains.
It was late afternoon by the time I started my Thanksgiving prep. First, my husband informed me that my vacuum cleaner was dead! He had tried fixing it but he couldn’t. I walked in to see my beloved Dyson in pieces all over the dirty carpet. Deep breath- I was ok. We couldn’t get to town for a new one, any way. I could ignore the carpets.
I started with dinner and pies. I was trying to stick to our old tradition of every one’s favorite so I was making- lemon meringue, pumpkin, chocolate cream, coconut custard and banana cream. I had determined to do it all by scratch, cooking the fillings, etc. Everything was going just fine, a little hectic, but fine until the girls erupted in a major fight. I took a second to pour my pudding into its pie shell and my custard in its pie shell. Then I put the custard one in the oven, the pudding one in the fridge and went to deal with the fight.
I was back in the kitchen ready to put dinner in the oven when the timer for the pie went off. As I was pulling the coconut custard pie out of the oven, I saw the rubbery banana chunks on its top. Oh no, I set it down and ran to the fridge, yup, the coconut was in the pudding. Deep breath- I was ok.
The pumpkin pie was great. The lemon gelled perfectly I put in the cooked pie shell, left it on the stove and went to finish the meringue. Dinner was also ready so we sat down to eat. That was our little miracle- it was the first time no one was near the stove all night.
There was a loud explosion type sound. We looked towards the stove, it was on fire!! My husband had turned on the wrong burner to cook the giblets. The glass pie plate holding my lemon pie had exploded! Shards of glass were everywhere and the pie was on fire!!
Deep, deep breath- I was ok, sort of. We put out the fire and cleaned the mess up silently. I muttered something about going to bed and left all the other cooking mess there. I was very grateful that no one was hurt but I was done!
Next year -we are going to the town Thanksgiving! I heard it was a great success! That’s the view from my side of the street ,what’s yours?
This is the first year that I was doing Thanksgiving at my house in over five years. It is also the first year that I was committed to be cleaning at our local senior center. It is the second year that the center was giving a town Thanksgiving. I spent over 14 hours in 2 days getting carpets shampooed and everything spit polished. I had hoped to have all day Wednesday to do my house but that didn’t happen.
This is also the first year that our area was hit with a snow/ice storm before Thanksgiving. It was accompanied by record low temperatures in the single digits. Our entire area is restricted. You can’t travel on the highway if you don’t have chains.
It was late afternoon by the time I started my Thanksgiving prep. First, my husband informed me that my vacuum cleaner was dead! He had tried fixing it but he couldn’t. I walked in to see my beloved Dyson in pieces all over the dirty carpet. Deep breath- I was ok. We couldn’t get to town for a new one, any way. I could ignore the carpets.
I started with dinner and pies. I was trying to stick to our old tradition of every one’s favorite so I was making- lemon meringue, pumpkin, chocolate cream, coconut custard and banana cream. I had determined to do it all by scratch, cooking the fillings, etc. Everything was going just fine, a little hectic, but fine until the girls erupted in a major fight. I took a second to pour my pudding into its pie shell and my custard in its pie shell. Then I put the custard one in the oven, the pudding one in the fridge and went to deal with the fight.
I was back in the kitchen ready to put dinner in the oven when the timer for the pie went off. As I was pulling the coconut custard pie out of the oven, I saw the rubbery banana chunks on its top. Oh no, I set it down and ran to the fridge, yup, the coconut was in the pudding. Deep breath- I was ok.
The pumpkin pie was great. The lemon gelled perfectly I put in the cooked pie shell, left it on the stove and went to finish the meringue. Dinner was also ready so we sat down to eat. That was our little miracle- it was the first time no one was near the stove all night.
There was a loud explosion type sound. We looked towards the stove, it was on fire!! My husband had turned on the wrong burner to cook the giblets. The glass pie plate holding my lemon pie had exploded! Shards of glass were everywhere and the pie was on fire!!
Deep, deep breath- I was ok, sort of. We put out the fire and cleaned the mess up silently. I muttered something about going to bed and left all the other cooking mess there. I was very grateful that no one was hurt but I was done!
Next year -we are going to the town Thanksgiving! I heard it was a great success! That’s the view from my side of the street ,what’s yours?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving Blessing
I found this poem at our local senior center. I have no idea what the origin is so I apologize to the author but since tomorrow is Thanksgiving it seemed very appropriate.
Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards. I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned- the dark meat and white.
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with my anticipation.
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen and flung open the door.
I gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, some beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!
I crashed through the ceiling, floating up to the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees….
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please.
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ‘n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all- remember moderation in all things- also that heart attacks can be brought on by eating too many fatty foods at one time!
Remember also that having a “gratitude attitude” can affect your health in positive ways. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards. I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned- the dark meat and white.
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with my anticipation.
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen and flung open the door.
I gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, some beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!
I crashed through the ceiling, floating up to the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees….
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please.
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ‘n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all- remember moderation in all things- also that heart attacks can be brought on by eating too many fatty foods at one time!
Remember also that having a “gratitude attitude” can affect your health in positive ways. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Giving Thanks
I have a personal Thanksgiving tradition that I’ve been doing for a number of years now. Each year I send thank you cards to five people in my life that I have felt special gratitude for that year. I usually end each note with something like, “This Thanksgiving you are one of the blessings I feel grateful for.”
I’ve completed mine for this year but there are still five people that I would really like to give thanks to but because of the situations involved, I felt that they might be insulted. I decided that since none of them read my blog perhaps I could share my thanks here.
And although I often use humor to make my point, I want it understood that I am truly grateful to these people. This is NOT a joke!
1. My birth dad whom I have never known. First, thanks for giving me life. It’s been a roller coaster but I’ve held on for the ride so far. Also, thanks for staying out of my life. I don’t know what the exact circumstances were but I never had to be part of the “push me- pull you” tug of war that I’ve seen in so many children’s lives. Thank you.
2. Thanks to my children’s stepmother. Despite all the ugly involved, she took on the job and has stuck to it for 5 yrs. It has been through some of the worst circumstances but she has stayed. I know what that it takes to do that. Thank You.
3. To Dan who fired me from a job I thought and had been told I would have for a long, long time. I learned how many people in my small town cared about me. I had no idea the level of respect that Brent and I had created in this town until I was fired. And that respect came for the same reason I had lost the job- I stick to my standards. Thank you.
4. To my husband’s ex-wife for raising three terrific people that I love very much. Also, for whatever reasons, giving me a chance to have Brent in my life as friend, companion, work mate and lover. Living with him has been a choice experience. Thank you.
5. And finally, to my ex-husband, for giving me 8 of my children. But most of all, if I had not met and married him, I would have lost out on the biggest growth experiences of my life. Knowing and dealing with him have taught me more of life’s lessons than I could have learned in any other way. Thank you.
This Thanksgiving, these five people are some special blessings for which I am grateful. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
I’ve completed mine for this year but there are still five people that I would really like to give thanks to but because of the situations involved, I felt that they might be insulted. I decided that since none of them read my blog perhaps I could share my thanks here.
And although I often use humor to make my point, I want it understood that I am truly grateful to these people. This is NOT a joke!
1. My birth dad whom I have never known. First, thanks for giving me life. It’s been a roller coaster but I’ve held on for the ride so far. Also, thanks for staying out of my life. I don’t know what the exact circumstances were but I never had to be part of the “push me- pull you” tug of war that I’ve seen in so many children’s lives. Thank you.
2. Thanks to my children’s stepmother. Despite all the ugly involved, she took on the job and has stuck to it for 5 yrs. It has been through some of the worst circumstances but she has stayed. I know what that it takes to do that. Thank You.
3. To Dan who fired me from a job I thought and had been told I would have for a long, long time. I learned how many people in my small town cared about me. I had no idea the level of respect that Brent and I had created in this town until I was fired. And that respect came for the same reason I had lost the job- I stick to my standards. Thank you.
4. To my husband’s ex-wife for raising three terrific people that I love very much. Also, for whatever reasons, giving me a chance to have Brent in my life as friend, companion, work mate and lover. Living with him has been a choice experience. Thank you.
5. And finally, to my ex-husband, for giving me 8 of my children. But most of all, if I had not met and married him, I would have lost out on the biggest growth experiences of my life. Knowing and dealing with him have taught me more of life’s lessons than I could have learned in any other way. Thank you.
This Thanksgiving, these five people are some special blessings for which I am grateful. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Perfect Moments
I was just outside. It is night and just cold enough for me to see my breath. The almost full moon is high above surrounded by millions of stars. I was pushing the old wheelbarrow full of wood for the stove. I paused as I looked around our small farm- the winter’s wood supply split and stacked, garden spaces ready for springs plowing, dogs rolling in the leaves, and I thought, boy, it doesn’t get much better than this!
I call times like this- perfect moments. These are moments in life when we are so in the experience that time almost stands still so our mind can take a picture. It is a moment that imprints itself upon you. Nobody has a perfect life but everyone has perfect moments. They are different for all of us, as unique as we ourselves are.
I think that when we are able to see and enjoy these perfect moments our lives become fuller. Sometimes we have to slow down enough to notice. Sometimes we need to quit our bellyaching long enough to notice. Sometimes we need someone else to point them out.
A few weeks ago, I had four grandchildren sleep over at my house. They had been having a wonderful time. So had I. Than I mentioned the b-word (you know b-e-d). Within five minutes all four were crying and wanting to go home! I thought that was a perfect moment. Within 20 minutes they were all asleep. That, too, was a perfect moment!
Earlier today, I was the only car at an intersection to witness a policeman run a light that had just turned red. He saw me laughing and shaking my head. He had the decency to look sheepish and I had a perfect moment.
Other perfect moments in the past month have been: the ending to Toy Story 3, a phone call from a son, Thriller with my daughter-in-law, a rainstorm on our tin roof, an unexpected compliment, a good workout, sliding into a bed with new sheets, a message from a friend, my husband telling me that he would cook the turkey, playing ball with my grandsons, school lunch with my daughter, kittens venturing out of their room on tiny, toddling legs to find me, seeing old friends and homemade apple pie.
It’s kind of like counting your blessings but not really. Counting your blessings can be done after the fact but perfect moments are enjoyed as such while they are happening.
Anyway, that’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
I call times like this- perfect moments. These are moments in life when we are so in the experience that time almost stands still so our mind can take a picture. It is a moment that imprints itself upon you. Nobody has a perfect life but everyone has perfect moments. They are different for all of us, as unique as we ourselves are.
I think that when we are able to see and enjoy these perfect moments our lives become fuller. Sometimes we have to slow down enough to notice. Sometimes we need to quit our bellyaching long enough to notice. Sometimes we need someone else to point them out.
A few weeks ago, I had four grandchildren sleep over at my house. They had been having a wonderful time. So had I. Than I mentioned the b-word (you know b-e-d). Within five minutes all four were crying and wanting to go home! I thought that was a perfect moment. Within 20 minutes they were all asleep. That, too, was a perfect moment!
Earlier today, I was the only car at an intersection to witness a policeman run a light that had just turned red. He saw me laughing and shaking my head. He had the decency to look sheepish and I had a perfect moment.
Other perfect moments in the past month have been: the ending to Toy Story 3, a phone call from a son, Thriller with my daughter-in-law, a rainstorm on our tin roof, an unexpected compliment, a good workout, sliding into a bed with new sheets, a message from a friend, my husband telling me that he would cook the turkey, playing ball with my grandsons, school lunch with my daughter, kittens venturing out of their room on tiny, toddling legs to find me, seeing old friends and homemade apple pie.
It’s kind of like counting your blessings but not really. Counting your blessings can be done after the fact but perfect moments are enjoyed as such while they are happening.
Anyway, that’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Building Bridges
A few months after Brent and I were married, a new grandson joined our family. The following morning my truck driving husband was going to be driving through Missoula, Montana where they lived. As excited as he to meet our new little boy, I made all the necessary arrangements at home and began my drive through the night to meet him there.
I spent most of my trip pondering about our new blended family. Anyone who has been part of a blended family knows the thin ice that everyone gets to skate on as part of the new life experience created. It certainly gives new meaning to the saying, “All because two people fell in love!”
I’ve talked to some people who have strapped on the skates and they all agreed with my next statement. The adult children have a harder time adjusting than the younger children. I have been part discussions about why this is. Most of us find it a little ironic because the adult children brought strangers home, too. They expected them to be welcomed into the family, didn’t they?
Anyway, I’m driving, thinking and praying about my role in this new family. Who am I? How much should I do? Where is the line between reaching out and butting in? How do I establish relationships with people that I know and love already because of my relationship with their dad but also realize that to them I am a stranger? The questions and doubts crowded my mind and heart. How am I going to fill in the gap between us all?
Then, a peace flowed over me as a still, small voice spoke in my mind. It said, “Build bridges.” Huh? “Build bridges”. I came to understand that it wasn’t my job to fill in the gaps. All that I had power to do was start on my side of the chasm and start building.
I pictured scenes of bridge building filed in my head and came to another huge realization. Bridges are built from both sides and joined in the middle at the coming together place! Wow! I was only responsible for MY side of the bridge. I was being told that MY job was to start building. And no matter whether any building was going on across the way- I was to keep building. It WASN’T my job to worry about the other side being built. I was only to worry about MY side.
Since that night I have come to the understanding that this principle is true in all relationships!! I only have to build from my side and stop worrying about the other side! It’s not my responsibility! Some bridges are being built faster than others, some aren’t being built at all but I continue to work on my side building, shoring up, rebuilding when a storm has torn some down, etc.
This has been one of the major lessons in my life. I’m so grateful for the knowledge. I’ve needed it almost everyday since that night.
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
I spent most of my trip pondering about our new blended family. Anyone who has been part of a blended family knows the thin ice that everyone gets to skate on as part of the new life experience created. It certainly gives new meaning to the saying, “All because two people fell in love!”
I’ve talked to some people who have strapped on the skates and they all agreed with my next statement. The adult children have a harder time adjusting than the younger children. I have been part discussions about why this is. Most of us find it a little ironic because the adult children brought strangers home, too. They expected them to be welcomed into the family, didn’t they?
Anyway, I’m driving, thinking and praying about my role in this new family. Who am I? How much should I do? Where is the line between reaching out and butting in? How do I establish relationships with people that I know and love already because of my relationship with their dad but also realize that to them I am a stranger? The questions and doubts crowded my mind and heart. How am I going to fill in the gap between us all?
Then, a peace flowed over me as a still, small voice spoke in my mind. It said, “Build bridges.” Huh? “Build bridges”. I came to understand that it wasn’t my job to fill in the gaps. All that I had power to do was start on my side of the chasm and start building.
I pictured scenes of bridge building filed in my head and came to another huge realization. Bridges are built from both sides and joined in the middle at the coming together place! Wow! I was only responsible for MY side of the bridge. I was being told that MY job was to start building. And no matter whether any building was going on across the way- I was to keep building. It WASN’T my job to worry about the other side being built. I was only to worry about MY side.
Since that night I have come to the understanding that this principle is true in all relationships!! I only have to build from my side and stop worrying about the other side! It’s not my responsibility! Some bridges are being built faster than others, some aren’t being built at all but I continue to work on my side building, shoring up, rebuilding when a storm has torn some down, etc.
This has been one of the major lessons in my life. I’m so grateful for the knowledge. I’ve needed it almost everyday since that night.
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Short and Fat
I remember reading once about a woman who was asked, “What do you know today that you wished you knew years ago?”
I have never forgotten her reply, “I wish that I had known that the body which I hated in my 20’s was going to be the same body I longed for in my 50’s.” That had a huge impact on me. I was in my 30’s at the time and spending a lot of energy feeling bad about my looks. We do that to ourselves. I vowed then and there to stop letting my self image have so much control over me.
Now I am in my 50’s, I wish that I had the body I had in my 30’s but I also realize that in my 80’s I will probably be wishing I had the body I have right now. So I don’t beat myself up over it. Does that mean I won’t be working on the situation? No! It means that I won’t waste my time and energy stressing about it. Sometimes we can be so concerned about how we look that we let go of everything else and let it consume us. This can happen to us whether we are thin or fat or just in between.
I know people of all sizes that have let their weight and looks define who they are. Fat people who hide behind their size and let it stop them from enjoying the physical side of life. I know thin people who are obsessive about what they do or don’t eat and never enjoy any of it.
I try to be more concerned about my health than about my looks. I exercise to be healthy. I eat to be healthy. I have struggled to find that healthy balance in my life but I think I’m there. It feels good to be at a place where I can just accept myself where I am. Finding the healthy, happy medium is what we should all be doing.
Not too long ago I was at a place where a saleslady was trying to assess my size. I blurted out, “Honey, I’m short and fat- got any thing for that here?” She looked shocked.
But I think my favorite thing happened while I was at the zoo with one of my sons and his family. There was a sign explaining about camel’s humps. Apparently, the humps are not full of water as many believe. They are actually full of fat. A full humped camel can go up to 3 months without food. After I shared this info, I slapped my generous backside and stated, “I’m not fat- this is just food storage!!”
To which my son replied, “Gives a whole new meaning to the concept of years supply, doesn’t it?” Yes it does!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
I have never forgotten her reply, “I wish that I had known that the body which I hated in my 20’s was going to be the same body I longed for in my 50’s.” That had a huge impact on me. I was in my 30’s at the time and spending a lot of energy feeling bad about my looks. We do that to ourselves. I vowed then and there to stop letting my self image have so much control over me.
Now I am in my 50’s, I wish that I had the body I had in my 30’s but I also realize that in my 80’s I will probably be wishing I had the body I have right now. So I don’t beat myself up over it. Does that mean I won’t be working on the situation? No! It means that I won’t waste my time and energy stressing about it. Sometimes we can be so concerned about how we look that we let go of everything else and let it consume us. This can happen to us whether we are thin or fat or just in between.
I know people of all sizes that have let their weight and looks define who they are. Fat people who hide behind their size and let it stop them from enjoying the physical side of life. I know thin people who are obsessive about what they do or don’t eat and never enjoy any of it.
I try to be more concerned about my health than about my looks. I exercise to be healthy. I eat to be healthy. I have struggled to find that healthy balance in my life but I think I’m there. It feels good to be at a place where I can just accept myself where I am. Finding the healthy, happy medium is what we should all be doing.
Not too long ago I was at a place where a saleslady was trying to assess my size. I blurted out, “Honey, I’m short and fat- got any thing for that here?” She looked shocked.
But I think my favorite thing happened while I was at the zoo with one of my sons and his family. There was a sign explaining about camel’s humps. Apparently, the humps are not full of water as many believe. They are actually full of fat. A full humped camel can go up to 3 months without food. After I shared this info, I slapped my generous backside and stated, “I’m not fat- this is just food storage!!”
To which my son replied, “Gives a whole new meaning to the concept of years supply, doesn’t it?” Yes it does!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Making Lemonade
For years, my life’s motto has been the old saying- “When life hands you lemons -make lemonade”. I have made a lot of lemonade, let me tell you!! I also like some of the variations on this particular theme.
Such as the comedian who quips, “Why doesn’t life hand us some tequila and salt at the same time?” Or this from a card my sister sent me years ago- “Hang in there…sometimes life hands you lemons but then you can make lemonade. Of course, sometimes life pulls down your pants, runs a power sander across your naked butt, then pours lemon juice on your raw abraded buttocks…In that case, a cool citrus drink wouldn’t help but, darn it…you’ve got to hang in there anyway!”
It’s really just a way of declaring the fact that this journey we call life is going to be rough at times. No one who lives long enough can avoid it- things happen that we don’t like. Things happen that we hate. Things happen even when we are standing in the middle of the room screaming, “I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS!!!”
It seems to me that as we get older, we make some kind of peace with life’s lemons. We’ve seen them handed to everyone. We’ve seen ourselves and others survive the lemon toss. Instead of a “life sucks and then you die” attitude, we take on a “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” attitude. And we really come to know what the word “bittersweet” truly means.
But now that I’ve been in Oregon for 10 yrs., I’m thinking of adopting a new life slogan. The one I’m thinking about is more suitable to the “green” movement that is so popular in this state. It actually seems to be to be a little more appropriate to my own circumstances. Here it is- “Compost is just a pile of sh** that when mixed in with other stuff turns into something really good!”
So, I am trying to turn all the sh** in my life into something really good. I’m composting!!
At least for now- I just heard something this morning that I can see as being very appropriate in the future. “I just get up every day and do what my rice krispies tell me!”
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Such as the comedian who quips, “Why doesn’t life hand us some tequila and salt at the same time?” Or this from a card my sister sent me years ago- “Hang in there…sometimes life hands you lemons but then you can make lemonade. Of course, sometimes life pulls down your pants, runs a power sander across your naked butt, then pours lemon juice on your raw abraded buttocks…In that case, a cool citrus drink wouldn’t help but, darn it…you’ve got to hang in there anyway!”
It’s really just a way of declaring the fact that this journey we call life is going to be rough at times. No one who lives long enough can avoid it- things happen that we don’t like. Things happen that we hate. Things happen even when we are standing in the middle of the room screaming, “I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS!!!”
It seems to me that as we get older, we make some kind of peace with life’s lemons. We’ve seen them handed to everyone. We’ve seen ourselves and others survive the lemon toss. Instead of a “life sucks and then you die” attitude, we take on a “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” attitude. And we really come to know what the word “bittersweet” truly means.
But now that I’ve been in Oregon for 10 yrs., I’m thinking of adopting a new life slogan. The one I’m thinking about is more suitable to the “green” movement that is so popular in this state. It actually seems to be to be a little more appropriate to my own circumstances. Here it is- “Compost is just a pile of sh** that when mixed in with other stuff turns into something really good!”
So, I am trying to turn all the sh** in my life into something really good. I’m composting!!
At least for now- I just heard something this morning that I can see as being very appropriate in the future. “I just get up every day and do what my rice krispies tell me!”
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Traditions
We are rapidly approaching the holiday season. As a matter of fact, I think retailers have probably set a new record in the earliest Christmas displays ever! Remember when we would complain if the displays went up before Thanksgiving? Most stores have them up before Halloween this year!!! To me it takes the magic out of the Christmas season and makes it ordinary- like shopping for garbage bags.
Do you remember the opening song of “Fiddler on the Roof”? It is Tevye belting out “Traditions”. His belief is that traditions keep our lives in balance like the fiddler playing on the roof. I want to add my voice to his. Traditions DO keep our otherwise fluid, ever changing lives in balance. It hurts my heart that so many shared cultural traditions have been abandoned!! In my own disrupted family, I’ve seen the healing that sticking to traditions brings.
I would urge all reading this to get your old traditions out of the attic and shake off the dust. If you are a new family, create your own traditions. Your children will look forward to them every year. Once established you will find that they can act as an anchor during stormy periods, increase anticipation in calm times, and be a sure foundation during shaky moments.
Traditions can be big or small, holiday related or just for every day, apply to the whole family or to an individual, anything you want them to be. The key is the repetition that forms it into habit.
Growing up- Christmas meant my mother and grandmother cooking for what seemed like weeks. They made cookies, candies, and “tukie pie”. This was what we called a meat and potato pie that we ate Christmas and New Year’s eves. It meant midnight mass, new pj’s (to look good in the Christmas pictures, I think) and before dawn trips down the stairs. It meant staying up late to watch the television specials- Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and Bing Crosby.
Thanksgiving was a long road trip to my Aunt Katie’s. There were lots of food and lots of cousins. We always watched TV football games, the Macy’s parade and the pilgrim story told in a cartoon. It was always the same routine.
Christmas’s for my children have meant helping provide food and presents for others less fortunate, trips to Goodwill’s where they were let loose with a list of family members and ten dollars, helping to bake tons of cookies to deliver to neighbors, card signing (every family member including babies signed outgoing cards)and our Christmas Eve reading of “The Polar Express”, “The Gift of the Magi” and the scripture story of the birth of Jesus. There was usually a betting pool going on when Mom would start to cry.
Thanksgiving meant pies!! Each family member would make their favorite pie. Because there were so many of us, we each made two. It was also part of the tradition to eat pie for breakfast the next day.
One Christmas, my family was disintegrating, my oldest son was gone and I was tempted to let everything slide. It didn’t help that my husband refused to join our Christmas Eve which gave an out to the older kids. Tired of fighting I was going to let it go. My little ones brought me the books and said, “Pleeeease!” So I did.
The next day when we received our Christmas call from our son, we could hear the homesickness in his voice. He explained that the previous night he had shared our tradition with his roommate during the time he thought we would be sitting down to begin. Then with a bit of panic he asked if we had done the reading. Boy was I glad I had! At that moment I realized how right Tevye was. Traditions do keep us balanced like a fiddler on the roof.
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Do you remember the opening song of “Fiddler on the Roof”? It is Tevye belting out “Traditions”. His belief is that traditions keep our lives in balance like the fiddler playing on the roof. I want to add my voice to his. Traditions DO keep our otherwise fluid, ever changing lives in balance. It hurts my heart that so many shared cultural traditions have been abandoned!! In my own disrupted family, I’ve seen the healing that sticking to traditions brings.
I would urge all reading this to get your old traditions out of the attic and shake off the dust. If you are a new family, create your own traditions. Your children will look forward to them every year. Once established you will find that they can act as an anchor during stormy periods, increase anticipation in calm times, and be a sure foundation during shaky moments.
Traditions can be big or small, holiday related or just for every day, apply to the whole family or to an individual, anything you want them to be. The key is the repetition that forms it into habit.
Growing up- Christmas meant my mother and grandmother cooking for what seemed like weeks. They made cookies, candies, and “tukie pie”. This was what we called a meat and potato pie that we ate Christmas and New Year’s eves. It meant midnight mass, new pj’s (to look good in the Christmas pictures, I think) and before dawn trips down the stairs. It meant staying up late to watch the television specials- Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and Bing Crosby.
Thanksgiving was a long road trip to my Aunt Katie’s. There were lots of food and lots of cousins. We always watched TV football games, the Macy’s parade and the pilgrim story told in a cartoon. It was always the same routine.
Christmas’s for my children have meant helping provide food and presents for others less fortunate, trips to Goodwill’s where they were let loose with a list of family members and ten dollars, helping to bake tons of cookies to deliver to neighbors, card signing (every family member including babies signed outgoing cards)and our Christmas Eve reading of “The Polar Express”, “The Gift of the Magi” and the scripture story of the birth of Jesus. There was usually a betting pool going on when Mom would start to cry.
Thanksgiving meant pies!! Each family member would make their favorite pie. Because there were so many of us, we each made two. It was also part of the tradition to eat pie for breakfast the next day.
One Christmas, my family was disintegrating, my oldest son was gone and I was tempted to let everything slide. It didn’t help that my husband refused to join our Christmas Eve which gave an out to the older kids. Tired of fighting I was going to let it go. My little ones brought me the books and said, “Pleeeease!” So I did.
The next day when we received our Christmas call from our son, we could hear the homesickness in his voice. He explained that the previous night he had shared our tradition with his roommate during the time he thought we would be sitting down to begin. Then with a bit of panic he asked if we had done the reading. Boy was I glad I had! At that moment I realized how right Tevye was. Traditions do keep us balanced like a fiddler on the roof.
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Stupid Stunts
Recently while at a friends house I became interested in what was on the TV. They were having one of those countdown shows- you know the top twenty…. This one was about stupid stunts that people, (mostly men actually mostly boys) had done. Not only done but had also caught on tape!
I was laughing hysterically at some of these stunts! God bless my dear friend for allowing me to watch. I don’t think she was enjoying it quite as much as I but then she never had sons. She was finding it hard to believe that these boys could be so stupid. I, on the other hand found it very believable. I am the mother of five sons.
In my family, finding a wood tick was a treasure. The boys would run to our gas stove, turn it on and lay the tick close to the flame. Why, you ask, did they do this? Because somewhere along the way, it had been discovered that ticks pop when heated! Just like popcorn! The boys would be glued to the spot while waiting for the heat to do its thing and giggle crazily when it popped. It was extra fun if the tick was bloated and full of blood.
I have yet to find a boy or man for that matter who will not laugh his head off when seeing someone else get hit in the you know where place. It’s the weirdest thing. Go to the movies and every man will be cracking up at the classic ball between the legs stunt. But it’s not so funny when it happens to them! I don’t get it!
Get boys in groups of two or more and I think the collective testosterone fries brain cells. It at least seems to affect the “What will happen next?” part of their brains. It’s really true- they are incapable of thinking past the actual act that is being considered. The show I was watching proved it over and over again.
There was an incident in my family many years ago. We were living in a 100yr. old Victorian house that had needed much work. We only had one of its thirteen rooms completed at the time. It was the boy’s room. Imagine my dismay when while tucking them in their beds one night, I noticed about 10 small round holes in the plaster ceiling!
I asked what had caused the holes. They had been caused by the plunger. “WHAAT?” was my response. Apparently, they had been throwing the plunger at the ceiling to see if it would stick. Half the time it did. Half the time the wooden end of the plunger hit instead. Hence, the small round holes!
I was furious!! I can see that the game sounded like fun. I can see how cool it was when the plunger stuck to the ceiling. What I will never get is that after the first 2 or 3 holes were made, why didn’t it occur to one of them- oh, this might not be a good idea? It’s not rocket science!! But boys will be boys, fried brain cells and all!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
I was laughing hysterically at some of these stunts! God bless my dear friend for allowing me to watch. I don’t think she was enjoying it quite as much as I but then she never had sons. She was finding it hard to believe that these boys could be so stupid. I, on the other hand found it very believable. I am the mother of five sons.
In my family, finding a wood tick was a treasure. The boys would run to our gas stove, turn it on and lay the tick close to the flame. Why, you ask, did they do this? Because somewhere along the way, it had been discovered that ticks pop when heated! Just like popcorn! The boys would be glued to the spot while waiting for the heat to do its thing and giggle crazily when it popped. It was extra fun if the tick was bloated and full of blood.
I have yet to find a boy or man for that matter who will not laugh his head off when seeing someone else get hit in the you know where place. It’s the weirdest thing. Go to the movies and every man will be cracking up at the classic ball between the legs stunt. But it’s not so funny when it happens to them! I don’t get it!
Get boys in groups of two or more and I think the collective testosterone fries brain cells. It at least seems to affect the “What will happen next?” part of their brains. It’s really true- they are incapable of thinking past the actual act that is being considered. The show I was watching proved it over and over again.
There was an incident in my family many years ago. We were living in a 100yr. old Victorian house that had needed much work. We only had one of its thirteen rooms completed at the time. It was the boy’s room. Imagine my dismay when while tucking them in their beds one night, I noticed about 10 small round holes in the plaster ceiling!
I asked what had caused the holes. They had been caused by the plunger. “WHAAT?” was my response. Apparently, they had been throwing the plunger at the ceiling to see if it would stick. Half the time it did. Half the time the wooden end of the plunger hit instead. Hence, the small round holes!
I was furious!! I can see that the game sounded like fun. I can see how cool it was when the plunger stuck to the ceiling. What I will never get is that after the first 2 or 3 holes were made, why didn’t it occur to one of them- oh, this might not be a good idea? It’s not rocket science!! But boys will be boys, fried brain cells and all!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Elections
In the early 1930’s, my grandfather wrote a column for his small New England towns newspaper. It was called “The Easy Chair”. I feel it appropriate to share some of his words today:
“Election is over! The Easy Chair is proud of the people of the town, the State, the nation. As we see it, to vote is the thing. The United States of America will never be ruined because a large body of citizens vote for a man whom another large body of citizens consider the wrong man.
We wish we held the power to impress upon the mind of every voter in the town and in the state, the deep significance of that vote, the true importance of voting, the grave responsibility of the voter. Indifference, stagnation, lethargy is the spirit which will kill our form of government and not mistaken voting.”
Last week I urged you to vote. I hope that all my readers did. In going over the election stats all over the country, I noticed the “clean sweeps” but what stood out more to me were how very many of the elections were “neck and neck”. This was an election that in which whether a vote was cast or not could very well have made the difference in who came out the winner.
I have a feeling that the same will hold true in coming elections. As my grandfather expressed in November 1934- making the wrong choice will not have as much of an effect on our country as will making no choice at all.
I am reminded of that wee small boy in Whosville who thought his voice couldn’t possibly make a difference. Remember everyone making all the noise they could possibly make to save themselves from being dropped into boiling oil? No one but Horton could hear them until that wee small boy joined in!
I am also reminded of an old saying. It stated that “Indecision is a decision”. If you voted yesterday, kudos!! If you didn’t, in my book, you’ve lost your right to complain about the government for a whole year!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
“Election is over! The Easy Chair is proud of the people of the town, the State, the nation. As we see it, to vote is the thing. The United States of America will never be ruined because a large body of citizens vote for a man whom another large body of citizens consider the wrong man.
We wish we held the power to impress upon the mind of every voter in the town and in the state, the deep significance of that vote, the true importance of voting, the grave responsibility of the voter. Indifference, stagnation, lethargy is the spirit which will kill our form of government and not mistaken voting.”
Last week I urged you to vote. I hope that all my readers did. In going over the election stats all over the country, I noticed the “clean sweeps” but what stood out more to me were how very many of the elections were “neck and neck”. This was an election that in which whether a vote was cast or not could very well have made the difference in who came out the winner.
I have a feeling that the same will hold true in coming elections. As my grandfather expressed in November 1934- making the wrong choice will not have as much of an effect on our country as will making no choice at all.
I am reminded of that wee small boy in Whosville who thought his voice couldn’t possibly make a difference. Remember everyone making all the noise they could possibly make to save themselves from being dropped into boiling oil? No one but Horton could hear them until that wee small boy joined in!
I am also reminded of an old saying. It stated that “Indecision is a decision”. If you voted yesterday, kudos!! If you didn’t, in my book, you’ve lost your right to complain about the government for a whole year!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Monday, November 1, 2010
M-O-M
Years ago, one of my daughters gave me a winter headband for Christmas. She had painstakingly sewed on buttons spelling out M-O-M. She was concerned that I might be embarrassed to wear it. I assured her that I loved it and would indeed wear it. I have- all over the country.
Mom is my favorite name. It brings to those of us blessed to be called it many rich memories……..long pregnancies followed by what seemed like even longer births or for those of us who did not birth our children, even longer waiting times.
There were nights of no sleep that were forgotten with that first sleepy smile directed right at you. There were the constant demands that were accompanied by sloppy kisses, awkward hugs and lisped, “I wuv you’s”. Endless piles of laundry were ignored when the plea “play with me, mommy” was uttered.
With the name of Mom comes the magical power to kiss away boo-boos, mend broken hearts, and bring about world peace (at least in your little world). With that name comes the incredible privilege of being the first audience to see that oh, so, unique dance or song. You are the first to see the amazing feat of a 3ft. high lego tower or a living room wide block city. “Look at me, Mom!” echoes thru your home and can catch you at the most inconvenient moments. But you drop everything to comply.
You will see reams of paper develop into works of art that rival Picasso’s and your constant companion is the nagging fear of running out of refrigerator display space!
Then your children enter school. That first day of kindergarten is followed by that first day of high school. The days that seemed to be never ending at one point are now flying by! Why is it we only truly learn to appreciate things once they are gone?
The house is empty. The alone time you used to crave now threatens to overwhelm you. You try to remember who you were before. You try to reinvent who you are now. You try so hard to find yourself in the vast nothingness that surrounds you at times.
The voices of the past continue to haunt you occasionally at unexpected moments- like when you find a headband with buttons spelling out M-O-M. You realize that what you’ve gained has far outweighed what you might have given.
Then one day, you understand that God in his wisdom has it all worked out. I have found another name that I like just as well. If you promise NOT to tell my kids- I’ll tell you what it is. It’s Grandma!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
Mom is my favorite name. It brings to those of us blessed to be called it many rich memories……..long pregnancies followed by what seemed like even longer births or for those of us who did not birth our children, even longer waiting times.
There were nights of no sleep that were forgotten with that first sleepy smile directed right at you. There were the constant demands that were accompanied by sloppy kisses, awkward hugs and lisped, “I wuv you’s”. Endless piles of laundry were ignored when the plea “play with me, mommy” was uttered.
With the name of Mom comes the magical power to kiss away boo-boos, mend broken hearts, and bring about world peace (at least in your little world). With that name comes the incredible privilege of being the first audience to see that oh, so, unique dance or song. You are the first to see the amazing feat of a 3ft. high lego tower or a living room wide block city. “Look at me, Mom!” echoes thru your home and can catch you at the most inconvenient moments. But you drop everything to comply.
You will see reams of paper develop into works of art that rival Picasso’s and your constant companion is the nagging fear of running out of refrigerator display space!
Then your children enter school. That first day of kindergarten is followed by that first day of high school. The days that seemed to be never ending at one point are now flying by! Why is it we only truly learn to appreciate things once they are gone?
The house is empty. The alone time you used to crave now threatens to overwhelm you. You try to remember who you were before. You try to reinvent who you are now. You try so hard to find yourself in the vast nothingness that surrounds you at times.
The voices of the past continue to haunt you occasionally at unexpected moments- like when you find a headband with buttons spelling out M-O-M. You realize that what you’ve gained has far outweighed what you might have given.
Then one day, you understand that God in his wisdom has it all worked out. I have found another name that I like just as well. If you promise NOT to tell my kids- I’ll tell you what it is. It’s Grandma!!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
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