Sunday, December 27, 2009
For One More Day
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas to All
It's close to time for the after-Christmas quiet to descend. It's been a hectic day, full of noise, laughter, tears and food. We're all tired and each looking for a way to wind down after the day's excitement. Christmas stories have been read, at is hoped that little eyes will soon close for the night. And it's time to reflect on what kind of Christmas we had. At our house we had much to be grateful for: a bit of healing for Rosanne, some fun evenings with Scott, a couple of chuckling phone calls with Mike, a Christmas dinner like we haven't had in a few years.
The year past has not been an easy one, for more reasons than any of us want to recount. We've had Christmases in the past where we've had sorrow, disappointment, or worry to overcome, but this year has kind of topped them all. But we're strong and not a family to be brought down by life. I love you all, and am grateful for all you give us. Echoing Scott's New Year's wish, here's to 2010!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Crossroads
Emotions are running pretty high, and they run the gamut: happiness to dread. It's so hard to hope when hopes have been dashed so many times. I was talking to someone yesterday, trying to explain how I felt. I miss the funny, playful Matt of about third or fourth grade. He has the capability to love, he showed it then. I'm so sorry for the turn his life has taken. We tried so hard to guide him in the right direction, but couldn't save him from his own decisions.
I guess it's safe to put my wish out there among you, those whom I love and who love me best: my Christmas wish for Matt is to find a peaceful, productive life, surrounded by his family. He says he's changed and I hope he has, especially for his sake. So the next few days are a crossroads for him and for us. He can do the work he needs to do to achieve the life he says he wants. Or he won't. Send prayers and good thoughts our way.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
No Complaints
I love you all and hope you can have days like this too.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Homesick
And then on the ride to work I listened to a CD that only made the feeling stronger. It was the first Celtic Woman CD, not one that I usually warm too. But there's a whistle/fiddle piece near the end that lightened my heart and made me yearn for dark pubs and good music.
And that's why you get a picture of the Brazen Head, reportedly the oldest pub in Dublin. We never expected it to be anything but touristy, and it is that, but still with the feeling that it's a local. The music was wonderful and the atmosphere magical. Wish we could all be there together.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Is It Fall Yet?
So why is it still so hot? I want to wear cardigans and clothes with sleeves to work. I want it to be cold at night. I guess at the moment I just want to live in Washington or Ohio!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Family Dinner
Tonight was one of those nights that will be a watershed night for us - we had a family dinner. No filling plates at the counter and sitting down piecemeal to eat. The table was set. The food was placed on the table. Everyone was served and we all finished at the same time. Not a big deal, you say? Well, it is in this house. We've been hoping for it. We've been working toward it. We've had to argue with Rosanne who thinks the whole thing is too much trouble. We did it. And we had a nice dinner. And the kids ate; Christian even had seconds. I had to make sure I would remember this moment in years to come. Just in case it was because of the food, I'll include the link (Denny will want it). So celebrate with us; we're almost a normal family!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_lasagn/
P.S. I don't know that this is the world's best lasagna; it's not Mom's. But it's easy and it's good.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Controlled Chaos
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Memories of Washington
- James playing soccer
- Allie making me feel like she wanted to spend time with me, even though she's 13
- Meeting Denny again and spending a lot of time just chatting
- Shedding some tears and then some laughter with my brothers over days gone by
- Listening to Mike and Scott play guitar, even if it was for only one evening
- Riding the ferry with Gil, Jenny and James
- Listening to James complain that he wanted to go home, until we reached Fort Casey and he decided he couldn't possibly leave yet
- Lunch with Mike and Scott in the Pike Place Market, looking out over the Sound
- Getting to know more about Denny and finding out we really are kindred spirits
- "Theme Day Meals" - Mexican day, Hamburger day, Grease day (my innards are still protesting)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Knitting Update
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Uncle Larry
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Solvang Report
For those who have experienced Solvang, much of it has not changed. Food is the same - Danish sausages, meatballs, pastries and cookies. We ate at The Little Mermaid to fulfill one of Rosanne's childhood desires and the food was pretty darn good. The main shops are the same so we didn't find a lot that we had to buy. The kids got to experience the grab-all-kinds-of-candy-out-of-barrels-and-pay-too-much-for-it-store. And we hit every toy store in town. What has changed is the number of wine tasting locations in town; I'd estimate 15 to 20. The atmosphere is definitely more "wine country," which makes sense as the vineyards are proliferating.
We then headed back to Solvang for lunch before the return trip. Eating is our favorite Solvang activity. On Saturday we'd eaten Danish meatballs - wonderful and not at all like Swedish meatballs. Sunday it was sausages - bratwurst and knockwurst. It all came with red cabbage and satisfactory amounts of potatoes. I bought a loaf of limpa bread, thinking it was the bread we always had in smorgasbords, but it's more like rye. Any ideas about what bread I was looking for? All in all, we had a good time. Our drive home took six hours, so that part wasn't so pleasant.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
In Praise of Patsy's
There are times when all you need is your Irish pub. Last night was one of those times. So we headed to Patys' Irish Pub in Laguna Niguel. Was it perfect? Almost. The service was very slow - the Irish are never in a hurry. I think the man who served us is the same man in the picture above, albeit a little older. He brought the little kids Shirley Temples and turned one of the tvs to the Cartoon Network. Jim and I each ordered a Guinness, and at about the time Jim was getting ready to reorder, our friend placed another full glass in front of him saying, "This was a mistake, so you should drink it." I came home feeling satisfied; I couldn't make it to Ireland but this helped a lot. The kids got squirmy and no one cared but their mom. The ladies sitting next to us smiled at the kids from time to time. And when we were finally able to pay the bill (no charge for Jim's second Guinness or the refills on the Shirley Temples), our proprietor complimented us on how well the kiddies behaved. A nice evening, and we'll gladly do it again for anyone who wants to come visit. Hint, hint.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Dad
Saturday, July 25, 2009
James Patterson
Friday, July 24, 2009
You Gotta Read.....!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Playhouse
Friday, July 10, 2009
I'm probably breaking all sorts of protocol here, but I got an email from Janet Dugan today which she had received from a friend whose cousin just got back from a trip to Ireland. It made me soooo homesick and I thought you all would enjoy it. So, thank you, Randy, whoever you are. And now the rest of you have to believe our leprechaun story!!
...all my planes remained in the air, coming down only when they were supposed to; the Guinness ran fair and plentiful but didn't cause me to make too much a fool of /'meself/'; I fell in love with Ireland... as well as with several Irish lasses, none of whom...sadly... asked me to remain behind; I found they do actually eat Irish Stew and Shepard's Pie and that each taste much better in Eire-land...accompanied by a pint of Guinness; and it surprised me that there was a real castle 'round nearly every corner and that there was a pub [or two] on every corner!
The countryside is even more beautiful than the glimpses one gets of it in books and movies... the word that comes to mind is 'sweet' and when combined with Ireland's turbulant history, it brings a tightness to ones chest and throat as well as tears to the eyes. There's less than 5 million people on the entire isle... fewer than reside in the greater Houston area... and in spite of their recession, failing economy, and near half million unemployed [Gee, thank you, Michael for closing down the Dell offices in Dublin], I haven't met a more up-beat and future-looking people anywhere.
My guided day-trip to [London]Derry in Northern Ireland brought well home their 'troubles' and a better historical understanding of just what it is all about... along with where the feelings lie today... there's still unrest even though progress has been made and is being made, but I'm not sure anyone sees a real end to it all, though an "end" through a joint interest in improving the economy is being realized right now. But their basic differences today remain and lie well beyond simply religion. To say it's only about religion would be the same as saying that our civil war was only about slavery.
Oh, and it does seem to be true that a flair for music must run in every Irishman's veins, for I heard music everywhere and coming from the most unlikely of people. Sure, and didn't I kiss the Blarney stone? Well, of course, I did! 100 steps to the top of Blarney castle [built in 1210 a.d.] winding my way up and through a narrow solid-stone stairway [claustrophobic tunnel actually!] to the top battlement of the main tower only to be lowered backwards down to kiss the stone... which they do not wipe clean between 'kissers'!! But I had to do it.
And, once, just outside a pub door, I think I caught a glimpse of, from the corner of me eye, a wee little cobbler-fellow dressed in a suit of green with a red vest, wide belt, and pointed shoes, but I'm not for sure for they say there really are no Leprechauns in Ireland and that it's the Guinness that may have overtaken me eyesight... well, I know what I saw, so that's my story and I'm a-stickin' to it! :)
I recommend a trip to Ireland for anyone. Well worth the time and expense and if you have antecedents from there, well, so much the better, for it will add a personal dimension to your trip that will cause the isle to really reach out and grab your heartstrings.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Three Alarm Thursday
People are so strange, though. It just wasn't real to most of them. I don't understand the elderly couple who come in every morning and race everyone else to the newspapers so they can read them first and don't think they need to leave the building when the alarm is blaring. I don't understand people who don't want to leave their computer sessions just because the alarm is blaring. They all didn't know there wasn't a fire. Oh, well. Made the day interesting.
Nothing else really going on. James had his tonsils and adenoids removed today, also his ears drained, I think. Jennie says he's whiny, but okay. Wants real food and is cuddling with his dad. Hope you all had a good day.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Ahh, Mondays & Michael Jackson
Today has been only slightly more productive. Much to my shame, I found myself caught up in the Michael Jackson circus taking place today. It started when I was listening to KFI on the radio on my way to Target. Bill Handel is really good at poking sarcastic fun and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his description of what was going on. By the time I got home I had to see the gold-plated coffin and the crowds that had to be coaxed in off the street for myself. I wonder if all of this was really necessary. I think it would have been more dignified if the family had just had a quiet family/friend service rather than carting that poor man's body around the city of Los Angeles. Did the fans really need this? I don't think so - they just wanted to be part of the circus, the last performance. I can't say I had a lot of regard for Michael Jackson, but the media attention hasn't done anything to improve my opinion of him. The one celebrity that did "speak to me" was Brooke Shields, talking about how the two of them exchanged stories and formed a bond over being child stars together. Was it that childhood stardom that sowed the seeds of perversity and tragic unhappiness in Michael Jackson? From the looks of it, I'd say his family is still doing it to him.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Book Review - The Walking People
Happy Fourth of July
Our July 4th was great - a little time to pull the house in order, some time to unwind, and then to Great Grandma's for fireworks. The little guys have missed going up there so much. And we haven't had "street" fireworks in years. Christian loved every minute of it; Mackenzie had had enough pretty quickly. She made us cover her ears for her the whole time and I finally just took her into the house to watch tv with Great Grandpa. But it was great, and it made me miss the old days of sitting in the street for fireworks. Nothing will ever be so simple again, but then I guess it was simple for us because we only had the fun, not the work.
I'll be back to blogging soon.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Morning Chuckle
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Stop and Smell the Roses (or Hydrangeas, as the Case May Be)
This last weekend was great, weather-wise, and it was the perfect opportunity to drag the kids outdoors and get some major work done in the yard. We cleaned the hill, we planted roses and strawberries, and one of us stopped to enjoy the flowers! Life wasn't perfect, but we found plenty of opportunity to laugh, play, and appreciate the time we had together. So my goal is to pull myself out of the pity party a little more often, just in case I miss something really fun.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thank You Ed
We love you, Ed, and I for one can't imagine what life would be like without you. I hope your birthday was wonderful.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
News Story From the Past
The article's pretty yellowed and fragile, so I thought I'd just duplicate it here for you guys to read, if you're interested. There's no date on the article. Hopefully, I'm not breaking any copyright laws.
Frozen-Pie Worker Testifies on Freeze
A frozen-pie plant worker told the Senate Rackets Committee today that Nathan W. Shefferman's labor-relations firm helped freeze one union out of a food factory and then helped another get a "very poor contract."
The witness, Gary Long, testified that the Morton Packing Co. secretly ordered him to form a "spontaneous" committee of workers to prevent the CIO United Packinghouse Workers from organizing its Webster City, Iowa, plant in 1955.
But later, he said, the company cooperated with the Bakery Workers Union in recruiting members and signing a three-year contract which gave a raise of only five cents an hour.
A Packinghouse Workers official said his union wanted rasies of 2 to 46 cents an hour for the Morton workers.
Cooperation
Mr. Long said one employee of Sherman's firm, Labor Relations Associates, worked with him to fight the Packinghouse Workers and another later signed up members for the bakery workers.
Before Mr. Long testified, attorneys for the frozen-food firm - now a division of Continental Baking Co. - tried to put the case on ice, claiming the testimony would prejudice their defense against National Labor Relations Board charges filed against the firm by the Packinghouse Workers.
The committee refused. Chairman John L. McClellan (D., Ark.) said the group tried not to interfere with criminal trials but could not defer its work for the outcome of a civil action.
Beginning
The Morton case was the opening gun in an investigation of Mr. Shefferman, 70-year-old Chicago labor relations counselor to some 300 firms across the nation.
Sen. McClellan said, Mr. Shefferman's firm was "apparently dedicated to the proposition that no employer need deal with a labor union unfriendly to their interests."
The chairman said the Taft-Harley Act put restrictions on management as well as labor, and the committee would investigate whether there has been "a deliberate and calculated effort to circumvent and defeat these provisions on behalf of management." (UP)
byline: Washington's sprightliest society columnist - Evelyn Peyton Gordon in The News.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
One of My Favorite Blogs
I hope so much that this link works. I've been pretty "homesick" for Ireland lately, and this lady's writing can feed my soul. Feel free to skip the parts about knitting.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Another Movie Review
Sunday night we watched "Frost/Nixon." I wasn't sure what to expect really, but I found it fascinating. I would say our family is not traditionally impressed with Richard Nixon; I remember Grandpa Long being very vocal about him. The Watergate incident has always been fascinating to me - the twists and turns, the secrecy, the apparent inability of Nixon to be honest and to recognize when it was time to give up the pretence. I have watched "All the President's Men" again and again, always finding something new in it.
I had no background on the Frost/Nixon interviews. I remembered David Frost as a tv personality, but didn't really get that he wasn't a serious newsman, so that part of the story was interesting. But I really appreciated the portrayal of Nixon's personality. Much of what I saw supported by gut instinct about the man, but there were a couple of surprises, too, and the unfolding of the story was interesting to watch.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Doldrums, The Reader
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Book Site
http://www.goodreads.com/
If you haven't seen it before, it's a site where you can list books you've read, want to read, want to forget, etc. There's book recommendation capabilities, networking stuff; in many ways it's like Librarything (http://www.librarything.com/), just a little newer. I signed up to try it out and I think it will be fun. If my house can't be organized, at least my reading list will be. And I think I'll go back to Librarything, too; they have a couple of programs where you can get free books to review.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Old TV Shows
But "Dark Shadows" hasn't been my only foray into television history. We watched the entire first four seasons of "The Sopranos" on dvd, and we faithfully watched all of "Ballykissangel" through Netflix. I tried to watch "Leave It to Beaver," but somehow it didn't live up to the memories.
What tv shows would you like to watch ad infinitum? Which ones have you watched, and with what success? "Fess up, you guys.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Our Gift
Country Music
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wrapping Up the Week
My mind has been troubled about Matt. There is so much guilt wrapped up in the feelings I have about him. I know my loving family will all respond by saying we've done the best we could, but the wall I've built around my heart to keep myself safe from him seems like a pretty ugly thing and is sometimes hard to live with. So prayers are requested and I'll leave the subject there.
Now, off to dinner!
Monday, March 30, 2009
March Pleasures
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thirty-Eight Years and Counting
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What's Important
Life will be as hectic as you allow it to be, and hectic does not always mean stressful. I wouldn't give up helping put the kids to bed for anything. On Monday nights, I'm really tired and grouchy. I don't want to make Christian brush his teeth, but it sure warms my heart when he wants me to put him to bed. It won't always be so.
So despite my complaints, my life is much as I want it to be, I guess. We aren't at the place where we can comfortably go away for a weekend, but we can push a little harder to get away for little bits of time. And then to come back, to where we are needed and loved.
Sorry if this is a little sappy; probably the wine talking.
Monday, March 16, 2009
TBR
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Irish Soda Bread
This year was the first year I made Irish soda bread for the party. I've made it just for having, but never for the party. My recipe has golden reisins and caraway seeds - a luscious treat, especially with Irish butter and a cup of hot tea. Think I better make some more for Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Brothers, Part 2
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Puddle Jump
Friday, March 6, 2009
Gregor Demarkian
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Spring's A-Comin'
Yesterday we were promised rain (a promise not fulfilled) and I decided it would be a good time to get some new plants in. So off to the nursery. I came home with pansies for some of the hanging pots and some plants I'd never heard of for the fountain garden. The two new ones are at the front - a lily-of-the-valley shrub and some purple spready stuff in the pot behind the cat crossing sign. I love new plantings.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
This & That
There've been no grand ideas for blogging - not much going on in my head that anyone would want to read. I'm not reading as much as usual, knitting has kind of hit a rut, life seems a little dull. I've been thinking I need a few changes - a new hobby, a class, I don't know what yet. We spent the evening sharing wine and "whine" (kid problems are universal) with some neighbors and I realized just how insulated we keep ourselves here. Not a healthy thing, I think, so I'll have to think on it. Today I started a Facebook Page - will it be fun?
It's been great having Scott here to visit. We've shared laughter and tears and I hope it's been as healing for him as it has been for me. Beck will be part of our lives forever and we won't stop missing her. Jim found a picture of her today that I hadn't seen before.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Happy Birthday, Dad
Monday, February 16, 2009
Disneyland - Who Needs It?
We really needed to get out of here this weekend, but where to go? The mall - no, shopping wasn't the answer. We needed someplace where the kids could move around and get some energy out there. So we look on the Internet; Legoland was about $45 per adult; Knotts Berry Farm, around the same. Disneyland was going to cost over $300 just to walk in the gate. Not a good option at this point.
Actually, is it a good idea at any point? I've always loved Disneyland and it's never been cheap. But we justified spending the money once or twice a year. And we've had passes when they were about $150; three visits more than paid for it and there was a time when I really needed a place to take the kids when Dad was working out of town. But today's prices are ridiculous. It really bothers me that we'll have to make major plans and save as if we're going on vacation to pay for our family to go again. In these times, how are families managing to do it?
Anyway, we go online to find out about the Santa Ana Zoo. We spent less than $100 for six of us to have lunch out, pay for entrance to the zoo, ride the train and the carousel, and buy souveniers. And as you can see in the pictures, a good time was had by all.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day - A Retrospective
Valentine's Day has never been a huge event at our house (Jim may not entirely agree with that). Mostly, we can take it or leave it, especially in recent years. This year we spent the day with the kids at the zoo and had a pretty good day. But today if felt important that we make it a special day because of what happened two years ago on February 14th.
On this day in 2007 Jim and I were in Dublin, I think on the third day of our trip. Our day started with a tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral and then we visited Marsh's Library. We walked to the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church where the remains of St. Valentine are enshrined. We hunted down Burdock's Fish and Chips, said to be the best in Dublin and unbeknownst to us, right around the corner from our hotel. After lunch was Merrion Square and the Natural History Museum. At dinner we ate real boxty for the first time, then finished with music and drinks at the Brazen Head Pub (which Mike and Scott both HAVE to experience).
It wasn't until two days later that we found out that while we enjoying our last day in Dublin, our daughter and her children were being thrown out of her house in Nebraska, and friends and family here at home were frantically trying to get them to California. I'm not going to bore you with the details. The reason I couldn't stop thinking about this today is that there is a cold lump of hatred in my heart that bursts into flame every time that man or that day is mentioned or even flits across my mind. I've never felt this for someone before, and it's not a feeling I'm proud of. But I'm not letting it go, either. No one deserves to be treated the way they were.
So spending today with family in the sunshine and having a good time was a positive thing. There was plenty of love going on there.
Sorry for the rant.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Crazy Night
Do you ever watch that show "Jon & Kate Plus Eight"? I've only watched it once, and they had a family tv night where they all sat down to watch a nature video. Only problem was, Mom kept naming the animals on the show after her kids, so when the lion came out and ate the monkey, all hell broke loose in the tv room. Should have known better.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chicken Fried Steak
I officially give up. Mike and Scott, you must be right; the perfect chicken fried steak is a figment of my imagination, a deceitful memory from our childhood . I have ruined my last piece of round steak; when recipes with enticing photos such as this one appear on the Internet or in cookbooks, I will recognize them for Photoshopped illusions they are.
But I don't let go of this dream easily. I will probably still be tempted by menus in Midwest diners - after all, they have better meat, right? Don't disillusion me.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
LA Car Chase
We gave up on the weather and went to sleep. This morning, nothing in the news about what happened. It was important last night, but apparently not this morning. Then I looked the story up on the Internet. The poor man committed suicide, according to the news report because he was losing his business. And of course that isn't newsworthy.
I'm appalled that I was caught up, however unintentionally, in a man's tragedy, really only valued as entertainment. I will never allow myself to watch such a spectacle again. That poor man, dealing with his fear and misery under the watchful eyes of probably tens of thousands of people.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Irish Skies
We never let the weather stop us when we're in Ireland; during one trip we spent a day driving in gale force winds just because it didn't occur to us to stop. I always look damp and windswept in our vacation pictures - and it isn't always just because I have crazy hair. Why worry about getting damp when there's sure to be a cozy tea room or pub to warm up in. You can always find a spot by a warm fire and usually someone to chat with. And rainy weather has brought us many glorious rainbows in Ireland. Once we were at the top of a small hill in the West of Ireland and suddenly found ourselves fully encircled by a rainbow. All we could do was to stop the car, get out and revel in the experience. One of our truly magical moments.
As we feared, it rained yesterday, and the guys were in danger of missing their drag races. But the sun was out long enough for them to hold some of the races and they had a good time. We played indoors with the little kids, ate home-made potato soup, then went in quest of rain boots, which we did not find. But we found some online and we'll be better prepared for the next rainy day.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Rainy Night
Tonight we're listening to the rain that's been promised in the last few days. I always love rain, but I'm afraid this rain means Jim won't be able to go to the drag races tomorrow. Nevertheless, the lawns and the plants are getting a good soaking. My lilac and forsythia bushes are starting to bud and there are new leaves on the apple tree. Maybe the rain will bypass Pomona and they'll be able to go after all.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Birthday to Me!
And I finished a sock! And it fits! Since I don't have my camera, I'll take a picture when they're both done!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
To My Grandmother
I have not always been fair to my grandmother. She has been gone some years now, so maybe memory has softened some of the rough edges. She was a determined lady and was pretty good at getting people to do what she wanted them to do. Unlike my mother's mother, she wasn't good at giving hugs and generally making a child feel loved. But she did love us, and now I can see the ways in which she expressed it. The signs were there but being kids, we didn't always recognize them. Like most people, I suppose she was shaped by her dreams and desires, and as the oldest of eight children, she probably had to make those things happen for herself. She was a fighter. She put herself through school to become an RN. In a time when diabetes was a killing disease, she managed to live well into old age. When her only child died as a young man, she dealt with her grief and didn't let it rule her. She lived on her own until the very end of her life and stayed active with her church, family and friends.
Many things were important to her. Her family. Her Norwegian heritage. Her faith. And although we didn't always appreciate the way she shared these things with us, her sharing was a way of showing her love. And today I felt love as I celebrated my Norwegian family ties with as much joy as I do my Irish ties. I think I'll be making aebleskiver more often.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
This 'n That
I have turned the heel on my sock and it's going well. I think it's going to be way too big, but that's okay too. I'll do the second sock and hold them up with rubber bands if I have to. My friend Alicia told me about a new yarn shop in San Clemente so I went to visit on my lunch hour. it's very small and the yarns are expensive, but they have workshops and I think I'll go back to find out about them.
My brother Scott has some time to kill since he broke his wrist and will be off work for a while, so he started back in on his genealogy. I really envy his ability to sniff out all the little details that are near and dear to a genealogist's heart.
Like I said, odds and ends. I've been working tons of extra hours so my brain's a little fried.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Perfect Pint of Guinness
One perfect pint was drunk in The Plough, across the street from the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, listening to the crowd sing along to "Song for Ireland."
Another perfect pint was drunk in a restaurant with a group of friends we had just met that day, eating, laughing, and finally becoming silent as one of our party told a story.
The night we went to Matt Malloy's in Westport was also a night of the perfect pint; we sat with a couple down from Derry, Anne Marie and her cousin Tom. We laughed and drank; Anne Marie told our fortunes. When we followed them out the door at the end of that evening, they had disappeared just as good leprechauns should do.
A rainy night in Ballyvaughan saw our family in O'Neill's, waiting for our friends Ron and Lisa to arrive. Our Becky started chatting up the locals, making the rounds with her digital camera. The pictures from that night are filled with laughter, delight and love.
The perfect pint might come from a bottle on a hot afternoon or from a tap in our own "local," but the truth is, what makes it perfect is the place and people surrounding it.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Irish Memories
The other day, I was talking to a patron in the library who read two books on my recommendation: Round Ireland With a Fridge (Tony Hawks) and Pint-Sized Ireland (Evan McHugh). Her comment was that she found the first one funny, but wasn't too sure about the second; it seemed like they were so much alike. This caused me to think about why I liked them both so much. The bottom line was that each spoke to me by evoking memories of a different kind. The first book reminded me of our encounters with people in Ireland. Just as the author found that news of his journey traveled ahead of him. It seemed that everywhere he turned, there were people who were enjoying the novelty of his challenge and were eager to help him along, be a part of it.
Two memories that come to my mind come from two separate trips. During our first trip, we went to the town from which my forebears came (Castlelyons, County Cork). In the middle of the town were the remains of a castle, but no matter how we tried, we couldn't find a way to get near it. At last we went to the office of a truck repair yard adjacent to the castle - we could see a gate from their yard into the field where we wanted to go. Well, the men in the office were immediately intrigued - of course we could go through (but why did we want to?). We had famiy nearby? Out came the phone book to see if we recognized any names, they gave us directions to the "old" cemetery. These people could not have been more interested or forthcoming with advice. It was a very satisfying acceptance.
The second memory is of the beginning of a very special friendship. On our second trip, Jim sent out a general e-mail to his Sprite/Bugeye group on the Internet outlining our plans to be in Ireland. One of his Internet "buddies" got in touch and arranged to meet us one night for dinner. Ron and his family drove half the length of the country to meet us that night; they arranged a B&B for us, then entertained us with dinner and a visit to a nearby pub, owned by family. It was one of the most wonderful evenings we've ever had, arranged by almost complete strangers. Our friendship with Ron continues and it all started because he put himself out to make us feel welcome.
It didn't surprise me at all to read about complete strangers going out of their way to help Tony Hawks - the strange guy who traveled Ireland accompanied by a refrigerator; I'd say it was right up their alley and I wouldn't have expected any less.
I'll write later about the perfect pint of Guinness.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day, Red Sock
And now on to the important stuff - I've knitted about three inches on my first sock. If I hadn't left the camera at Mom's, I'd post a picture just to remind myself of the euphoria I'm feeling over this sock. I'm knitting on size 8 needles and the yarn is a red Wool-Ease with flecks of color, kind of tweedy. I hope I can do this; I'm sure enjoying the trying!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Book Review - The Private Patient
Monday, January 12, 2009
Future Teacher of America
Mackenzie has been making quite a mess in the family room over the last few days, and yesterday I finally had the time to watch was she was doing. As evident in the picture, she's reading to her students. I really got the message when she noticed that I was reading and told me that she "wanted the book closed." It was time for me to pay attention.
Mackenzie has grown up so quickly in the last few months. I guess being almost three and going to preschool will do it. She has such a strong, independent personality; it's often very amusing to just sit back and watcher her interact with her world.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Book Review
was really interesting. The book moves back in forth from the past to the present, in many cases describing the same event from both perspectives. The transsexual theme was present throughout, but was presented in such a way as the reader felt comfortable with the author in either case.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Brothers
The sad events of the last month+ have caused me to think a lot about my family. Particularly about the family into which I was born. Particularly about the brothers with which I was blessed (or cursed). The three of us experienced various degrees of closeness while we grew up. Poor Scott came along seven years after Mike and I had "bonded," and we didn't make it easy for him to catch up. We have created and shared family jokes. I think we all have a fondness for old family traditions. Mike and Scott share a passion for music and a talent for playing it. Scott has become the family storyteller, and he does it with such wit and accuracy that the rest of us can never argue about how it really was. I fear that I am the "manager" in the crowd, always the bossy big sister.
Now we have now been scattered nearly across the United States, so our times together are few and far between. We exchange weekly e-mails to let each other know what's going on. We exchange cards at birthdays and presents at Christmas. Four years ago we shared (along with our mom and spouses) a magical vacation. And now we share sorrow at the loss of Scott's beloved.
When times have been tough in my own household, both brothers have called or emailed to give me a chance to share. They both start their phone calls the same way: Hey, Kath. How's it going? And they really want to know.
Scott, we love you and will be here to shoulder whatever we can.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Our Beloved Becky
Monday, January 5, 2009
Icicles
I wish my digital camera was working, because I'd love to include a picture of our fountain this morning. The water in the bottom basin had frozen into a little icy pond and there were icicles hanging from the upper bowl. Here in Southern California. It was enough of an event that Jim called me out of bed to see it. The temperature in the backyard (according to John Deere) was 23 degrees at 7:30 a.m.
It was back to work today. Mother has gone to Ohio to be with my brother. Her email says my sister-in-law might be slightly better. We'll just keep praying.
With my Christmas knitting completed, I've started a baby sweater done in a basketweave pattern (a free pattern from the Internet). I'm using a bright yellow yarn from the stash my mother passed on to me. It's a Bernat yarn from many years ago. It's acrylic, but it's soft, pretty and free. I still have the sleeves to finish on my Minimalist Cardigan, but they're about a third of the way done. I'm knitting them both at the same time with the hope that I'll feel like I'm making quicker progress.
Finished both of my current books and am starting I'm Looking Through You by Jennifer Boylan. Death Walked In was okay, but it seemed to drag to its conclusion. I slipped in another book, Knitting, without even listing it. I liked the way the characters interacted in that one, but there were a couple of points I wanted straightened out: who was the hospital cleaner and who took Maggie's bags? Oh, well.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sunday
So we needed to get out of the house. The whole gang went to the swap meet to spend a little money. Came home with "Sham-Wows" and got to try them out on a very dirty outdoor table. We also came home with a bag of kettle corn and the kids got to play on giant slides. Then I trimmed roses while the rest of them played rowdy ball games in the back yard. Lots of running and laughing. All in all, it could have been a much worse day. Tomorrow we're all back to our normal routines, which should make the days easier.
I continue to pray.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Beginnings
My sister-in-law has been in the hospital since Christmas night. It's hard to be so far away from my brother as he waits and hopes she'll get better. Two emails a day tell us whether or not there's been any progress and he is becoming discouraged. She is still a young woman and I can't help but feel that every day that she does not get worse brings her closer to being well, and I pray I'm right.
Last night was the first night we were able to stay away from home by ourselves since almost two years ago when Rosanne and her babies came back to us. It wasn't easy to leave, and things didn't go perfectly, but they managed without us and it felt so good to be away. It was a huge step!!
This evening the little ones are finally asleep and I'm going to knit and watch "The Duchess," all by myself. What luxury! Tomorrow begins the purging of household messes that I always feel compelled to start after Christmas. A good way to start the year.