Celebration

Last night, my patient, helpful, long-suffering husband and I worked through the uprushing dusk to string the first phase of Christmas lights on our house while our daughters held hands and danced in the grass.

We were invited to an astonishingly delicious dinner at our neighbors' house consisting of course after course of breads, dipping oils and vinegars, italian appetizers, grilled pannini, and homemade mac & cheese. To drink, our hostess made her favorite concoction of pink lemonade, vodka and beer. It's quite fizzy and light and it was a good thing that we only had to walk home.

Our neighbors gave our daughters gifts and said how lucky they feel to have us, a feeling that is deeply reciprocated.

This morning, I dropped off a couple of bags of snacks for my younger daughter's second grade class. Every few weeks, when her teacher runs low on supplies, I add boxes of cereal bars and tubs of cookies to my weekly shopping. It's not that hard, but the kids are so happy. I guess the ones whose parents don't send a snack along with them get really hungry before lunch.

When I carried in the bags today, the whole class said, "It's B's Mom (that's my name to them). Hi B's Mom. Yay, Snacks!!" And broke into a cheer and applause. Two or three girls rushed to hug me. I was the anti-hunger hero. I am so happy to be able to do things like that with my daughters and their classes.

My job consists of sitting in my own home and typing a grant proposal while listening to Christmas music and watching the sun spill through the trees in my back yard. (And burning water, don't forget that part.)

Today is my dear friend's 37th birthday and she never looked more beautiful or vivacious. I know her life is only going to get more wonderful from here. Happy Birthday, A!!

Another wonderful, talented friend and I had the best, hours-long conversation yesterday about writing, publishing and book ideas. What fun to be part of the planning/thinking process. I really can't wait to read what she's going to write next!

There's a lot of good stuff in my life every day. There just is. I'm so glad and grateful for that.



(Do you think "uprushing dusk" works as a description? Is uprushing even a word? I don't think so, but I like the sound of it all the same.)

Your Own Voice

It's Election Day !!!!

Consider what a blessing it is that you have the opportunity to vote. Freedom of the kind that we take as a matter of course should never be taken for granted.

Whatever your political views, I celebrate this occasion of having your opinion matter.

To Liberty and Hope, with prayers for those around the world who are not currently enjoying the same good fortune.

Maybe I’m Learning Why the Sea on the Tide

Originally posted 9-19-08 on Bliss

There's a lot to like in Roxy Music's More Than This. Of course, it reminds me of high school, but in a generalized, comforting way. Unlike so many nostalgic songs, it's not tied to any particular moments or associations for me.

Then there's the mellow sound, very flowing and relaxing.

But, best of all, thanks to my helpful friend Google, I now know what the actual words are saying. Instead of just humming general phonemes, I have meaning.

And I like those lyrics very much indeed, although I still only understand them in an organic way, like a poem, rather than in a concrete way. Which is all the better I think.

v

Thank You, Chris Erskine

This week I got around to something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time.

I emailed LA Times columnist Chris Erskine and thanked him for his column. I’ve been reading Erskine’s columns for years, laughing and sighing along with his spot-on observations of modern family life.

I just wanted to tell him that I appreciate his hard work.

And guess what? He emailed me back!! This modern communication stuff is a marvel of instant connection!

Even better – he offered to send me a copy of one of his books, Surviving Suburbia. (Check it out on Amazon here.)

It arrived yesterday. My birthday’s this week so I’m waiting to open it. It’s my first present.

One more time - Thanks, Chris Erskine!