Nature Knows

Mother Nature Knows

that it is time for spring,

time for her to give birth to new life.

She sends up early babies, crocus and daffodil,

but father weather blows them back

with the cold wind of his breath,

saying not yet, not yet.

Mother nature labors

to bring forth the new beginning that is spring,

to release from her womb

buds and butterflies,

leaves and bird eggs

weeds and worms and willow.

But father climate blows his cold,

pacing across the atmosphere,

dropping snow.

Not now, he says.

And mother waits patiently, biding her time

knowing that he cannot hold her back for long.

She will birth the spring,

and once she gets a toehold, there is no holding her back.

Sun will reign down on her with warm encouragement

and she will push until

the season has arrived

in all its glory,

fully born

Life.

Fun Family Food

        V and Matt came for the weekend, to see Zanni's play, and also to cook a family feast.  When V and M cook a meal, they do not just cook a nice meal, they do a really fancy, complicated cooking adventure!  The advantage is that it is usually delicious, and unusual.  The disadvantage is that it takes a really long time!  It was all absolutely scrumptious.  The entire adventure, I do believe, involved the use of every bowl, knife, pot, pan, and utensil I own  (and I have quite a few!).

        For the family dinner,  they prepared stuffed pork chops.  The stuffing was made with spinach, mozzarella cheese, bacon, etc.  Then there was lobster and mushroom risotto.   Risotto requires  the absorption of a great deal of liquid.  Some of the "liquid" was made using the lobster shells for the stock, and also rehydrated porcini mushrooms.  I didn't see it happen (because we were at church), but somewhere along the way, they cooked a couple of lobster tails. There was roasted asparagus for a vegetable and a green salad.

    Then there was dessert, two kinds.  The first kind was cinnamon and sugar pastry sticks with two dipping sauces--one a lemon curd, and the other a chocolate and peanut butter mix (Gerry's favorite.)  These were made with philo dough, I believe.  The second dessert-- small custard and pastry cups!

 Following coffee and dessert, the younger folks  (V and M, Emma and Sadie) played a rousing game of hide and seek.   Matt is especially good at hiding.

It was a weekend of fun, food, family---the feast of stuff from which the best of life is made.

Tioughnioga River Anthology

The church we attend has an 'Arts Series',  five programs a year of musical or dramatic offerings.  Tonight we attended the Tioughnioga River Anthology.  Not only was it highly entertaining, but we also learned a great deal about the history of our fair city.

Tioughnioga Anthology is a variation of Spoon River Anthology, upon which it is modeled.  Our anthology was written by the very talented Bill Whiting.  We discovered some rather famous characters who hale from the general vicinity of Cortland.   There were far too  many to name here.  But I do remember a couple of them.  Gerry was fascinated to hear about Dr. Elmer Sperry being from Cortland.  His invention of the gyroscope was very significant for navigation, both air and sea.  John McGraw was a major league baseball player.  Francis Carpenter grew up on a nearby farm, and was most unsuited for that kind of work, being an aspiring artist.  Fortunately, he had a mentor and a friend who helped him achieve his goals, and he ended up doing many portraits of famous people, to include five U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln.  

                                                                                                              
There were ten actors, or readers, playing various parts.  Many were of more local fame:  Roswell,k Robert and Wilhemina Randall,  Amelia Bloomer.   There were a number of musical numbers, sung by individuals, or the cast, or the entire audience.  It was indeed a most enjoyable and entertaining evening, showcasing  many of the accomplished historical figures from the general area of the Tioughnioga River,  and also showingcasing the dramatic and musical talents of the cast, the director, and particularly the writer, the very distinguished late Mr. Whiting.

Westboro Madness

In reading about the death of Elizabeth Taylor,  I discovered that the Westboro Baptist 'church' plans to protest at her funeral.   I just read the Wikipedia summary of that organization, having no understanding of who they are or what they do or why.  The group should probably more accurately be called the 'phelps family followers'.  I'd rather not use capital letters and dignify anything about those folks.  The 'group's' members are largely members of one family, and their 'platform' is all about hate, homosexuality and protesting, particularly when there is fame involved and they can get media attention.

It is really hard for me to fathom what is going on in the minds of these people when I read their signs. (which I will not post on my blog).  But they are mostly all about who and what God hates. (as if they alone have the right to make that claim).

I also read that Elizabeth Taylor's funeral was going to be a private affair.  I believe it is surely possible to keep a funeral, or memorial service's location secret (as celebrities do with weddings).  That is what I hope happens in Taylor's case, or any other where the Westboro Phelps intend to show up and spew their hatred.

Given the recent Supreme Court ruling that Westboro people are protected by the first amendment,  I think the best possible way to deal with them is not to give them the attention they so long for.  How about employing the most effective strategy against their hate:  no camera time at all!

Competing

Last year I played doubles tennis in the Senior Games, a state level competition.   Both my partner and I have decided we are not going to repeat that experience this year.  And interestingly, we both had the same reason.  I so much enjoy playing women's doubles, or playing with Gerry, just for fun.   But the idea of competing with complete strangers is just too nerve-racking to really enjoy.  The truth is, I'd rather play for pleasure, than for victory.

The few times that Gerry and I played mixed doubles against formidable opponents, he gets so competitive, and wants to win, that it makes it hard for me to really enjoy, because I feel like I am holding him back from winning.

The truth is, I do have some physical limitations that make it unwise for me to really compete at an intense level, where I could badly hurt myself.

In reality, I suppose I was "competing" when I entered the Writing competition.  Winning that was perhaps my most gratifying competition in recent years.  But that was mostly about having one's talents recognized and affirmed by others.

I must admit, however, that quite a few shows that I watch on television are all about competing.  Dancing With the Stars.  American Idol.  The Biggest Loser.   So maybe the reality is that I don't mind watching competition;  I just don't want to do it!

The Wiz

  
The Wiz is described as a 'super soulful musical', and is a more contemporary, edgier version of the traditional The Wizard of Oz.  I read that it was the first Broadway production to have an all black cast!

 I know that I have seen it in the past, but do not recall exactly where.  Last night we attended granddaughter Zanni's high school version of the musical The Wiz.  It was clear that they all had a lot of fun preparing and producing the play.  There were a number of really good dance numbers involving most of the cast.

Zanni is red- head with green dress, center stage

     Zanni had the Aunt Em and Glinda roles.   I do not think I am being overly biased to say that Zandrea's singing was by far the best of the entire cast!  She has a really lovely voice, and did a fantastic job, despite having been sick most of the week!  She had at least three songs that were solos.  We were all very proud of her. (a number of the performers' voices were not at her caliber).

As Aunt Em

   The costumes were also quite impressive. There were a number of mature adults in the production, and my assumption is that they were either teachers or staff at the school.  The audience (who seemed to know them) enjoyed their over-the-top antics.

Zanni as Glinda the Good Witch

Michelle and Pedro attended last night as well.  Pedro gave our actor roses after the performance, which was a very thoughtful thing to do!   The rest of the family members are all going next weekend.

Zanni is about to finish tenth grade.  After her graduation in a couple of years,  we have a few years to wait before the next bunch are likely to be singing and dancing and performing.  They are currently 2 and 4.  Who knows what another dozen years may bring?  Maybe another Aunt Em and Glinda.  Ironically,  daughter V had those same roles in her high school version of the Wizard of Oz, some years ago!

Hansel and Gretel

Today I went grocery shopping in the super store.   I also got some non-grocery items, so I was in various parts of the store.   Away I went with my grocery cart, all over the store.  

Eventually,  I happened upon a store employee standing there in the aisle with a long push broom.  She looked at me and said,  "Do you have rice?"

I was mightily puzzled and answered,  "
"What do you mean?"

I looked down and there on the floor was a trail of rice,  emanating from my cart!   I had bought a bag of rice many aisles ago, (which obviously had a hole in it) and it had left a trail everywhere I had been.  I was mortified.

The employee said,  "We've been looking for you everywhere!"   I'm sure they had!   How many aisles and trails of rice they had to follow and sweep, I cannot imagine.  I was very apologetic indeed, and felt terrible for them, chasing my rice trails!

The two on the search both ended up where I was, relieved to find the culprit.  When I apologized, they just laughed saying,  "We were just afraid you would get to checkout and not have any rice!"   I gave them my  culprit bag, and went and got another, making sure there was no hole in the bag this time.

This surely reminded me of the Hansel and Gretel story, and laying
the bread trail.

Not that I did it on purpose!                                                                                          

Dilemma

We gather in the corner booth.

To go or not to go--that is my dilemma.

I gather monthly with a ladies lunch bunch.  Usually there are the same five or six of us. We get along quite well, and enjoy one another's company.   There are a couple of others on the email list who show up once or twice a year, perhaps.  There is one in particular who rarely comes, but around whom I am very uncomfortable.  There are various reasons for that,  but clearly, I would not be able to be myself and enjoy the lunch.  She has responded this time that she does plan to be present.

Several of us tried to get our convener to remove her from the list, but Convener would not, because they serve on various committees together,  and that would put her in an awkward position.

So that is my dilemma.  Should I let her presence keep me from attending the lunch?  There are two ways to think about that.  One--why should I let her spoil my fun?  OR-- If I already know how how miserable I will be in her presence, why drive two hours and spend the money?   At the moment, I am leaning toward option two. 

Ironically, our lunch discussion question for this month is:   Besides family and health,  what do you value most at this stage of your life?   For me, the answer definitely is:  friends!

Too bad.

Cross Purposes

About this time of year, Gerry and I are really at odds in our desires, as far as weather goes.  I am very much ready for spring to arrive, ready, anxious, waiting.  It's been a long, long winter with way too much snow.  I've had enough!! Spring is due.  

Gerry, on the other hand, has now completely internalized a 'skier identity',  having taken on the moniker of Geezer Skier.  He writes skiing commentary daily in his blog.  His vision of himself is as avid skier.  He will grieve when his skiing days are over for the year, which probably won't been too many days away.  He says skiing will go on until the end of the month.  I'll be amazed if that turns out to be true.  But as long as the slopes are open, he will be there.

I took a picture that I think illustrates the 'cross purposes' of our spring wishes.   It is still snowing a little at night, so all signs of snow have not yet departed.  And there are still big piles around, especially in parking lots.  But there are also some signs of spring on the horizon.

Both new life and and snow live side by side in this particular photograph.  Happily, it almost looks as if spring is winning!

Dinner Party

I hosted a lovely dinner party Saturday with two other couples besides us.  I made my best company recipes, used the good silver and crystal, and felt very happy and proud to 'show off' our lovely home.  They had not been here before.  I do love this house!

As I was preparing for the day, getting out the silver, I was very appreciative that I have my mother's silver.  Up until this particular stage of my life,  I've not been so appreciate of the silver,  but actually, before now,  I never really had the necessary accoutrements for a more formal dinner party.   Our lifestyle was much less formal for most of our marriage.    In fact, it was not until we moved into this house that I bought some crystal glasses, got a full twelve place set of dishes,  and brought out the good silver.  Now I really enjoy setting a lovely table and cooking a delicious meal.   I suppose it is only fitting that the 'finer things of life' should come with age.

While I do remember that my mother had the reputation of being a great cook, and certainly was for family dinners, try as I might,  I could not recall having company dinners at our house, the parsonage.   It could very well be that the constant demands of church dinners and meetings filled up all the time and having company dinners at home was not the thing.   Or it could simply be that I do not remember because as a child I was not present at them.

I especially enjoy current family dinners at our house, which happen on most special occasions, or holidays.  If everyone is present, then we now have twelve people to sit at the table, which about fills the room.  If we add others,  which I do hope we will,  we'll have to rearrange, reconfigure our eating area.

All the occupants are not yet present at the table.  There still needs to be children of V&M, and a significant other for Cilla.  I will look forward to welcoming all those!

The Temptation

One of the texts for today's sermon was taken from Genesis and the story of the temptation and the eating of the fruit.  Eve eats of the fruit, and she gives some to her husband and he eats it.

In my childhood and youth, growing up in the deep south, Genesis is taken literally, and in fact, Eve is blamed for all the evil in the world.  Therefore, the second chapter of Genesis always sets up a certain amount of anxiety in my soul.

No matter how familiar one might be with a certain story, sometimes you can hear or see or feel things a new way, when it is read once again.   This time, I laughed at the image of Eve eating the fruit and giving some to Adam, who then ate.  Every marriage is different, and roles differ depending upon the couple and their inclinations.  In our marriage, I am the cook who gives the food to her husband and he eats it.  He's grateful because he doesn't have to do it himself.  I envisioned Adam just automatically eating the food presented, because that's the way their relationship worked.  Perhaps he had other jobs---tending the gardens or naming the animals.  but he was not the one who decided what they would eat. The image in my head made me laugh because I thought:  Oh, how little things have changed!

I actually liked the preacher's "take" on this particular story.  He said that yielding to temptation is always about the breaking of relationship.  That could be breaking relationship with a spouse, or a friend;  in the case of Adam and Eve,  it was about breaking relationship with God.

It was a good sermon.  But no matter how many readings, or how many sermons I might hear on Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of Genesis, it will probably always be problematic for me, with elements that I cannot understand, or appreciate, or accept.  Namely, if in fact human beings are created with free will, then of course they will be "disobedient" because that is their design.  And inevitably, it will be necessary for them  to know the difference between good and evil, especially once they have left the garden-cocoon.

The truth is, I suppose, that I am most bothered by Chapter 3, verse 16, where it says Your husband shall rule over you.  This has been the source of so much abuse and violence against women over the course of history that it is hard for me to take lightly.   As long as one is dominant, and the other ruled over, relationship is broken to begin with.  Whatever else one might say about that model,  it certainly not the ideal one.

 

Toy Story

We had heard that Toy Story 3 was a super movie, so I ordered it on Netflix.  We watched it together and laughed out loud a lot.  During the whole movie, I kept thinking how creative, how very clever, how imaginative, how ingenious the whole thing was.
The sheer cleverness alone is enough to make one laugh!  How did they come up with all those wild toy-ideas?  I envisioned a dozen or so people sitting around a table brainstorming,  and laughing a lot.  Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead were especially outrageous!  

But beneath the constant humor and laughter,  the villains and heroes,  the drama and tension,  was a very touching human story about coming of age,  growing up,  separation, loss, and moving on.  From the toy side of the story,  it was about belonging, loyalty, and ultimately, survival.

I don't really remember anything about Toy Story 1 and 2, though I do think I saw Toy Story 1 a long time ago. As a rule, I'm not that "into" animated movies, so I could not have anticipated being so intrigued with this one!

I can see why it was nominated for an Oscar, because it certainly deserves it!   And what fun they must have had in the creative process!

Applause, applause!

Daughter's Art

I was having lunch today with daughter Michelle.  While in town, I stopped by Cilla's store to see her artwork on display.  Honestly, I had no idea what to expect!  I know that she is artistic, and that has expressed itself in various ways over the years, from pencil drawings in high school,  to marzipan art,  to wedding cakes,  to gingerbread houses, etc.

She was clearly excited to have her artwork put up for others to see.   All I really had heard was that she used old cabinet doors.  That did not give me much of a picture of what form her art actually took.   I was so surprised and delighted!

You can see that the frame is actually a cabinet door.  The hinge is still visible on the right side.  It makes a lovely frame.  I would comment that no doubt it is also far less costly than custom framing would be.  The mosaic pieces are, in fact, broken pieces of plates!   Cilla is not only artistic, but also resourceful!




There were a number of other pieces also quite interesting and unique.
Below, to the right is what I might call a "key collage"--constructed of padlocks, keys, and a door key plate.

I am going to include the "rock formation" picture as well, bottom left
I'm not entirely sure what the scene is,  but at first glance, I thought
it was probably water, a beach scene with a wave rolling up.  I hope I don't have it upside down.  I did rotate it a couple of times to try to get it right, but I'm not sure.  This is my best guess of how it is supposed to be.

In any case,  I am so proud of her.  She is a unique person,  with a huge personality, and also a huge talent.  Most of all, she is a very hard worker!

She immediately had offers to purchase the pieces.  I don't know what her intentions are there.    But it is clear to me that she could, if she chose, have a side hobby that could potentially be quite profitable.

Whatever they are, I hope all her dreams come true!

Way to go, Cilla!

Vision vs Revelation

We heard a sermon today that focused on the matter of vision being from God, and simply not something that we can "do".  The preacher said emphatically: "never have a committee to sit down and 'do visioning' because that is a contradiction in terms."   This was based on the text where Jesus goes to the mountaintop for the transfiguration experience.  Peter and James, who went with him, tried to explain it, turn it into a shrine, or a ritual. Her main point was that you simply cannot describe or explain a true vision.

Gerry and I had an interesting debriefing on the way home.  He pointed out that the example that the speaker gave from her own experience was more about revelation than vision.  I agree with him.

But I do agree with the preacher's statement that human beings cannot create a mountaintop experience,  make it happen,  fabricate it, or otherwise schedule or plan it.  In my experience in ministry,  I have seen that happen with certain groups, who work very hard at creating a 'mystical experience',  or a profound religious experience.  The problem I have with that is the methods used:  sleep deprivation,  isolation from the real world,  secrets,  taking away all timepieces, covering the windows so you don't know if it is night or day.   I can appreciate the desire to have a 'spiritual experience',  a moment of vision, a mystical moment.   I just do not happen to believe that it can be manufactured by humans, no matter how hard we might try.

On the other hand, I  believe that revelation is something we can desire, work on, and receive on a regular basis.  Revelation is about God showing Godself.    I believe that God desires to reveal God's word to us, God's wishes, God's plans.   When we make ourselves open to it,  through studying scripture and working with others within community, revelation can be a part of our lives of faith.

I believe that revelation is intended to be on-going.     Revelation 21 says as much:  Behold, I am making all things new.


Even us.

Geezer Luncheon

As the devoted wife, yesterday I attended the first annual "Geezer Luncheon" event.  A number of the "official board" [those who sit down at coffee hour] planned the event and did not really know how much of a turnout there would be.   I'd say there were about twice the number of folks there as expected.

Gerry, one of the presenters, explained that the dictionary describes a geezer as an older gentleman who is a bit eccentric.   And while the term, in other circles, may have some negative connotations, among the more senior skiers, it is a badge of honor.   In fact, some of them have had some pins made up that they wear on their coats saying: Tough Old Geezer Skier.  Gerry also pointed out the categories of geezer skiers ranging from aspiring 50+, apprentice 60+, bona fide 70+ and geezer supporter (spouses).  Next year I think they will have to add another category--emeritus for those over 90 (there is at least one!)  And the women will have to be recognized as "geezers" too, just for the skiing context, because they felt left out.

An award was presented to the founder, the guy who had the original idea, and a certificate was given to the Sainted Wife, who has put up with her most challenging husband, for 65 years.   A nice touch was the invitation to call out the names of the dearly departed skiers.

My guess is that the Geezer Luncheon will become a tradition there at the Resort, and hopefully continue long after the rest of us are dearly departed ourselves.

Page Turners

I am reading the trilogy of books by Stieg Larsson.   I can't remember the last time I have been so completely engrossed in a novel, on the edge of my chair, unable to put it down.  When I read the first book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, it was not immediately obvious to me that the girl Salander was the main character.  The plot was so complex and featured the character Blomvist, an investigative journalist.  There was a complicated murder mystery to be solved there, and Salander seemed to be just extraneous to the plot. I did not know until the end of the book,  that it was Salander whose story is key.

It was immediately obvious at the beginning of the second book,  The Girl Who Played With Fire, that Lisbeth Salander is the main character, and what a fascinating and unique heroine she is.   By the time I am getting toward the last quarter of that book,  I didn't really want it to be over.  I can see as I read more pages, that everything is not going to be resolved when I finish the second book.  It is driving me crazy!  I do not have the next in the series.   I look into the library possibility, and there is a long waiting list.  I look at the stores, and discover that the paperback has not yet been released. It is only available in hardcover.  Amazon has used copies, but with shipping it would cost as much as the hard copy.     I can't stand to finish the second book and not have the next one immediately accessible.  When I got within just a few pages of the ending,  I went to the store and bought the hard copy of the last in the series,  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.


I still do not know everything I need to know about our heroine.  And the ending really left the reader hanging.  I haven't started the third book yet,  but I will in a day or two.  They are all long books, and I feel like I haven't really been doing anything else.  Not that it matters.  I have been totally enthralled!  Can't remember when it was so much fun to curl up in a chair with a good book, being completely entertained!

What a tragedy that this author died too soon.   As a writer myself, I am enormously curious about how this story "got written".   It unfolds slowly over three books.  Did the author know the ending of the third book when  he started the first?.  Or did he simply write the first book and fall so much in love with Salander that he could not get enough of her?  That's my best guess.

But of course, that is a question that will never be answered.