Month: December 2018

31 December …

 

Well … did you all have a nice holiday?  Hannakuh?  Yule?  Christmas?

I tried to get back to sending cards (which I hadn’t done in years), but didn’t get around to many.  So here you go …

Here we started the 25th with crepes made on order by Tyler followed by gifts …. and with a six-year-old in the house you can guess what that was like.

John and Michael had to leave before dinner to spend time with Michael’s family in Sacramento (a four hour drive).

The rest of the day was chaotic but more quiet.  I don’t know why things quieted since neither John nor Michael are noisy.  I spent the time knitting and reading.  And watched Miss Peregrin and her Peculiar Children with the family.  I had read the book some time ago.  The movie didn’t follow the book but went its own way with the basic story and while it wasn’t the same, it was interesting.

Since then, and even before, days have been interesting.

The wednesday before Christmas, shortly after noon, the Blue Star Gas and Propane truck pulled into the yard.  It surprised me … a lot.  I hadn’t ordered any propane.  George used to have the tank taken care of in August and that’s when I ordered and got the supply for 2019.

Mark was at home and went out to see what was going on.

Bill, the delivery man said he knew George was gone and wasn’t sure whether or not I was alone, so he decided to come add a hundred gallons to the tank, just to make sure I got through the winter okay.  He wanted to get it done while he was still sure he could get out here. And he will charge me for only sixty-five gallons.  He called it a “senior” discount.

I guess being a widow and nearly 90 brings out the protector in folks.

Thursday the 20th I went for a bone scan.  I have osteopenia (bone loss, which is why I’m getting shorter), arthritis (which both parents and three grandparents all had), but no osteoporosis … so I don’t have to worry about unexpected fractures (i.e. breaking a hip and falling as opposed to falling and breaking a hip).

I got home TIRED and found that both Kamille and Paul were on the sick list.  My planned attendance at the Taize service in town was cancelled and I went to bed.

Friday morning I woke up to do breakfast (having slept the clock around and feeling much rested) and found that no two clocks in the house had the same time and the clock in my room had eschewed the Westminster music and was making up new tunes to chime.  Kamille was better and went to work.  Mark had to be at the fire house early (they are interviewing a candidate for live-in).  Paul was running a fever so he stayed home.  I was on duty until Mark got home.  I then went to a physical therapy appointment (my back is showing our age), followed by shopping and the library before getting home to do dinner.  Another full day.

Saturday wasn’t much except I was struck by the look of the birch trees.  May not seem much to anyone else, but they awed me.

Then came sunday the 23rd …

Mark and Kamille left for church.  Paul stayed with me because he had a head cold.  I had planned to shower (we still have only one shower in the house) but just as shower time neared, Paul’s cold turned into a sore throat which led to an incipient ear infection with pain.

So I prepared garlic oil for the ear (antibacterial) and gave him a children’s aspirin.  The warm, smelly oil helped, but he wanted his mama.  The rest of the day centered around keeping Paul as comfortable as possible with the possibility of a trip to the doctor in the morning.

Monday morning when I went down to start the fire, there was Paul … feeling fine and excited about it being the day before Christmas.  The rest of the day was rain mixed with snow.  It was also disjointed with rearranging furniture and baking cookies.  We ended the day at the candle light service at St. Barnabas.

I’ve told you about the 25th.

It’s been a bit of a blur since then.

~~~

This past year I took you with me as I learned about Vincent VanGogh.  What a trip … at least for me.

I spent time one day watching “Loving Vincent”, the movie done all in paintings.  If you haven’t heard about it … they filmed the movie, then gave each frame to an artist who rendered that frame into a painting.  Over a hundred artists were involved.  Most of the film is done in VanGogh’s style.  The exceptions are the flashbacks which are done in black and white photo style.

I learned a lot about VanGogh … about his death … and about his relationship with Theo (who was dying of syphilis).  The title of the film is taken from the way he signed his letters to Theo … something along the line of “from your loving Vincent”.

And I cried at the end when the credits were backed by a song …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk

But then I seem to cry more easily these days than I used to.
~~~

Weather is winterlike without any snow remaining on the ground.  Temperatures have been around freezing.  Great reason to stay indoors.

~~~

Today is the last day of 2018.

It hasn’t been one of my best years, but then I can think of several aphorisms which apply.  Maybe this is one …

If I had not sat in darkness, I would not have seen the light.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­  I’ve seen better days, but I’ve also seen worse.  I don’t have everything that I want, but I do have all I need.  I woke up with some aches and pains, but I woke up.  My life may not be perfect, but I am blessed.

So … ‘til later when I will make my best effort to get back on track …  

 

 

19 December …

 

It’s been a quiet week … with exception of Saturday. 

Before I left for the opera last saturday, I checked the Met’s website and people were checking in for the HD showing … from all over the globe.  What a blast.  One audience worldwide.

Neera and I left home a little after 0800.  We arrived at Punky’s in time for a QUICK breakfast (we told them we were late and going to the opera and they rushed our meal).  

We got to our seats just in time.

It was a four hour opera, so full and intense that when it was done we were washed out … through the wringer …

Choose your own metaphor.

The leads were excellent.  So dramatic.  But the star was the baritone who sang Alfredo’s father.  Such a voice and such an actor.  He received two “by-himself” curtain calls.  I’ll be watching for him in the future.

This was a special performance.  It was the premier of the new staging and the Met introduced a new Musical Director who also conducted the opera.  The new Maestro was involved in a couple of asides that made his performance stand out.

First was as he took the podium at the beginning of Act two.  He picked up the baton which immediately flew out of his hand and had to be retrieved from the violin section. 

Second was that following the cast curtain calls, when the Diva calls the Maestro up onto the stage for a bow, he called the ENTIRE orchestra onto the stage.

This was a debut that will not soon be forgotten.

Next HD trip will be in February to see “Carmen”.

~~~
The radio club is in transition.  The “Elmer”s are dying off or no longer traveling so far, especially after dark.

No one signed up to bring food and/or attend the holiday potluck, so it was cancelled.

I will not be running for re-election.  I thought about it and decided that since it seemed not quite right that another member, younger than I am, was trying so hard to hold onto an office for which they were no longer qualified, maybe that applied to me as well.  So I am stepping down.  I will still be available to do a station at any event in which the club is involved, but I will no longer be responsible for meetings or other arrangements.

Time for the younger hams to take charge.

~~~

Weather is WET.  We had been having a few showers, then Saturday the rain set in.

Our weather comes over Mt Eddy from the Scott Valley and by Saturday afternoon/evening it was rain-Rain-RAIN… and it continues.

No snow … at least not so far.  But plenty of cold.  Here’s a shot of the windshield as I went out to open the chickens this morning.

~~~
I told you we lost our rooster when he learned how to fly over the 7 or 8 foot fence.  I think I told you we were gifted a new rooster from some folks in town who had to get rid of him because of city noise ordinances. Mark thinks he is an Americana breed. 

He is NOISY and beautiful.His colouring is gaudy and his vocal range is high.  That made me think of Juan Diego Flórez, the tenor, who sings parts calling for extravagant costumes. Hence the rooster is now named Juan Diego.

The other interesting fact about Juan Diego, the rooster, is that he is a “Cock-a-doo” singer.   Apparently he has no “Doodle”.

And speaking of chickens reminded me of a poem I wrote several years ago.

 

SACRED CHICKENS

 

I heard a tale of sacred chickens

And I laughed.

Sacred chickens?

It’s a joke, right?

 

However . . .

Life reached a point

Where chickens are an apt metaphor.

Laying an egg may be a matter of will.

Scratching the earth may be necessary

To differentiate the dirt

And expose the bugs.

Pecking order may foster security

As well as inspire ambition.

 

And cocks certainly have their place.

 

Sacred chickens?

Why not?

~~~

A month or so ago, I remarked on the idea of a crack or space being the place where light comes through.  I had read it in a mystery by Louise Penny.  I had not come across that thought before and was intrigued.

I am now reading another mystery by Ms. Penny and there in the Acknowledgments was the quote from lyrics by Leonard Cohen …

“Ring the bells that still can ring.

Forget your perfect offering.

There’s a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.”

So now I’ve caught up with all of you who already knew where the thought started.

However, the concept has stayed with me. 

A few days ago I was unable to avoid the news out of DC and my reaction was “What a mess.  It’s really broken.”  That led to “It seems to be cracking apart.” which in turn led to “Maybe it is time for some light to get in.”

As a result of that line of thought, some anxiety was relieved.

Thank you Mr. Cohen … wherever you are.

And thank you Louise Penny for the introduction and the following thought that “… things are strongest where they’re broken.”

~~~

Another thought about weather.

A few years ago there was a rather large avalanche on the northwest side of the Mountain.  As I was going into town one day last week the scar was very clear.  Here’s the distance picture …

and here’s her close-up … 

showing six distinct paths.

~~~

Finally a thought for under the holiday tree …

 

Things don’t make us happy. Happiness and pleasure comes from focusing on what we have. If you don’t appreciate what you have, you won’t appreciate what you get.

 

So … ‘til next week …  I wish a Happy Holiday Season to ALL !!!

 

 12 December … 

 

When we were in Dollar Tree last month, Paul came across a collection of holiday earrings which he said his mother would like.  Some were four pair to a card and some two pair to a card.  And one, star flakes which light up, were only one pair to a card.  We bought one each and I kept two pair for myself.  The others we cut into single cards and he has been giving them to his mother (spaced a day or so apart) at breakfast.

There are snowmen, tree ornaments (one set of red balls and one of green), angels, stars, Santa heads, snowmen, and wreaths.

He was right … she seems to be liking them.

The last pair will be delivered the last day of school before holiday break.

~~~

The art show last week was interesting.  It was centered around “Loss”.  Three of the “kids” had entries in the show … John had a triptych of lost shoe photographs, Mike had an oil painting of a man sitting on the curb at the edge of a road (lost self?), and Tyler had an “illustrated” deer skull titled “Finding Beauty in Death”. 

I didn’t get pictures.

I’ve been to art museums, but I’d never been to an art show in an art gallery before.  

There were some grabbing entries, some real schlock, and everything in between.

The most fun was observing the people (although there were too many people for the size of the gallery imho).  They ranged from those showing work … to relatives and friends of those showing work … to those who had been afraid to show work … to those really wanting to see what was shown … to those there to be seen … to those interested in making contacts … to those who wondered where they were and how they got there.  I’d guess most every “show” is similarly attended.

Maybe I’ll go back to look when there are few or no people.

~~~

My second meeting as a Board member of the Hammond Landowners Association was last night.  I spent most of the meeting listening and getting a feel for the members.

Membership on the Board seems to be pretty well balanced between the sections of the Ranch so everyone is represented.  And watching and listening to the individuals was fascinating.  One has a lisp which gets accentuated when they are upset with an idea or an action.  One is quiet until the subject is one in which they are interested and then they become very vocal.  One is soft-spoken but worth hearing.  One is VERY dedicated to one issue almost to the point of obsession.  One likes the wine and says little.  One is loud and dominates most issues.  One wants to help everyone.  And then there is me.

I spoke out twice … once when I was asked a direct question about past happenings.  The other to ask why they kept saying to put “it” on the website when the website is not well done and few people look at it.

Two people recently resigned (I’m still not sure of those dynamics) and it turns out one of them was doing an excessive amount of work on HLA projects etc.  It will be interesting to see how all those roles are filled.

~~~

Weather turned warmer and the wet was rain rather than snow.  A couple of weeks  remain before the big day, so a White Christmas is still a possibility.

Prediction is “warmer and wetter” at least for the next few days. 

Oh well …

~~~

This coming Saturday is my second opera attendance for this season.  Neera and I will be seeing “La Traviata” … but then I’ve rambled on about that opera and the tenor already.  The thing that made me think about it right now is that I was watching the ticket website so I would be sure to get tickets and I almost missed it.  Last friday night, when I went to bed about 2100, tickets weren’t yet posted for sale.  When I checked the next morning at 0600 there were less than two dozen seats available other than those in the very first row and those reserved for wheelchairs.  I was able to reserve two seats in the last row slightly off to the right.  Fortunately, at those HD shows, there aren’t many “bad” seats and, (as I have probably said before) for the price, seeing the opera this way is vastly superior to being at the Met unless you are there for the in-person experience. 

By noon yesterday there were only two seats left and they were singles.

We want to see “Carmen” in February and there will be four of us.  Since that opera is so well-known, I think I’ll have to just keep checking every half hour or so beginning at 2100 the 25^th of January to make sure we get seats for the show on the 2nd of February.

I want to take Mark to see “Die Valkyre” on his birthday in March so knowing what time to get on the site for tickets will be essential.

~~~

To end the week …

Life would appear to consist of many doors…

 

… I guess the key is … doing the right thing, everything’s fine; doing the wrong thing, everything’s messy.    … author unknown

 

So … ‘til next week …

 

 

 

5 December …

 

Weather has been rain, followed by rain, followed last Saturday-Sunday early morning by about two inches of snow.This was the view out my northside bathroom window (the funny looking, star like thing on the left is the radio antennae for the house) …

and out the southside front door (lilac to the left, birch to the right).

Wonderland …

There was one afternoon last week when the weather was very interesting.  There was snow to the south of us on Upper Red Fir Loop (elevation ~5,000′) and to the north of us on Dale Creek Road (elevation~4,000′) while here at ~4,200’ we were having light snow mixed in rain which was not sticking on the ground. 

We still have traces and the cold is getting to the vehicles.  The Mitsu doesn’t want to start in the morning without a shot of QuikStart and this morning Kamille’s pick-up won’t start at all.  With four vehicles, everyone’s needs are covered, but Mark has some outdoor work waiting in order to get them all in usable order again.

~~~

Had my appointment for my annual health check-up yesterday.  All is as it has been … within normal guidelines.

Doctor said he had no suggestions since I seem to have been doing things to keep me okay for quite a long time.

~~~

Almost time for the next HD opera … “La Traviata”.  Neera and I will be going to Medford again.  I am looking forward to seeing it.  Juan Diego Flores will be singing Alfredo.  He has been a favorite of George’s and mine since we first saw him on the Classic Arts Showcase.

One story I remember about him is that one time he was on stage (I don’t remember if I ever knew what opera or where … but it doesn’t really matter to the story) when word came that his wife, who was in labor, was near to delivering.  So during the intermission he went racing to the hospital, was there when the baby arrived, and made it back to the theatre in time to finish the opera. 

I like that kind of a man, and this case he sings nice too.

~~~

There is an art gallery in Dunsmuir which is holding a show of works related to lost objects this coming Saturday.  John, Mike, and Tyler will all have pieces on display.  I assume John’s will be a photograph, Mike’s a painting, and Tyler mentioned a sculpture/construction. 

I will be going with Tyler … after all, those three are incentive enough, but the thought of free food and drink is also enticing.

Photos (if possible) next week.

~~~

I saw an “Advent Calendar of Kindness” posted on Facebook last week and it seemed like a good idea.  I printed it out and am doing okay so far. 

I’ve given a stranger a compliment, let someone in front of me in the grocery checkout line, did something nice for myself (and believe it or not, that was a hard one), smiled at a stranger, and this morning I slipped an ILY note into Paul’s lunch box. 

Interesting how all that makes me feel happier.

~~~

A follow-up on the Find-a-Grave situation I spoke about last week …

The administrators of Find-a-Grave posted this … “We ask that those who index and memorialize the deceased from newspapers and other 3rd party accounts respond generously to the family of the deceased.”

However, they will not delete a site even if asked by a surviving close family member.  That is left up to the one who made the original post.  It would seem if that person were honestly acting in “love”, not just obituary surfing, and knew the closest living relative wanted a site removed, they would do so.

The two to which I object are still up.

 So much for “… respond generously to the family of the deceased.”

~~~

I came across this word while learning the introductory and ending phrases for taiko.  

wabi-sabi (侘寂) –  Natural patterns are merely pretty, but in understanding their context as transient items that highlight our own awareness of impermanence and death, they become profound.  The pure acceptance of a fleeting beauty is an inspiration. While the appreciation may be tinged with melancholy, its only lesson is to enjoy the moments as they come, without expectations.

 Can you tell I’m still in deep communication with my mirror?

So … ‘til next week …