Wild

The recent death of a woman who devoted her working hours to a huge whale brought to mind that animals are wild animals and there is no taming them. They may put up with us for a short while but return to their natural 'self' when they have had enough. Doesn't that remind us of ourselves? When we go against our 'grain' we revert back to who and what we are. So today there is no taming me, I've gained back the hour I lost as we celebrate daylight savings time. An hour does make a difference both in the 'springing ahead' and 'falling back'' . . . just when I get used to the 'change' and find I like it, then I have to get used to it all over again and in a day or two I'll like this changes as well. Now if the sunshine will come out and stay, I promise not to do anymore griping. If the sprinkles remain then that is a 'horse of another color' and I will be wondering what to do with that extra hour of what should be spring days of hope and sunlight. There is lots to do but it is the 'get up and go' that needs prodding and that could take an hour.

So today . . . be of good cheer. Make use of that extra hour and go out the door. Don't bother with the new movies, I hear they are not really worth the price of the ticket. Maybe a day of rest might do the trick and use that extra hour for something you want to do. Just be sure to take good care of you and find reasons to smile. Aha, back to bed . . . I knew someone would think of that . . . Have a good snooze! Remember time flies and you will have to give up that hour as soon as fall arrives . . . well, that is a way off (smile); just remember to take one day as it comes and enjoy it to the fullest. Ciao!

Beauty and Honor

A winter picture taken at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during one of the intense storms that hit the eastern coast of the United States. Friends living back there said it was on of the worst winters they had ever seen in many a year and although they like to walk in the snow, it lasted much too long. The guards at the tomb withstood the onslaught of the bad weather and didn't complain a bit. They have a job to do and they do it willingly and with honor.

I loved the picture of Alaska taken byElise Tomlinson who owns a photography studio in Juneau. She wrote an assay about living in Alaska that is one of the best I've ever read. It made one want to pack up and move up there. It is a big rugged for me who has never been an outdoor person. Camping for me held no magic as I was afraid of the dark, hated creepy crawlers and any noise that sounded feral was enough to keep me far away from rugged territory. I am a couch potato and have not improved with age. My idea of an ideal vacation is a trip, to anywhere with a clean hotel room, a hot tub, a swimming pool, a few gaming machines would not hurt my feelings, and a four star restaurant with a broiled salmon dinner and a glass of wine. So you can see I am not a true outdoor person at all, but the world needs all kinds and 'my kind' seem to fit in anywhere.

So today think about a trip to Alaska to see all of its beauty and partake in some of the wonder and awe. You would meet with friendly strangers and you would enjoy salmon cooked over alder wood and the ladies band might play a tune or two for you. Or . . . you could sign up for a trip to someplace you have always wanted to see and, if the price is right, go first cabin and enjoy yourselves. It doesn't hurt to dream, even a little bit. Make your today a good one, oh by the way, the travel channel is pretty good if you are relegated to the couch these days. Enjoy!

Wooden Art

Another 'Wow' as we see the results of an artist who works with wood, but who would ever expect to see a working automobile made out of wood . . . and isn't it beautiful. There were no captions, nor accolades to the artist, wonder why some automobile company hasn't snapped him up. Art in its varied forms is fascinating. It looks like some have come along way from finger painting or making circles and lines on paper. No matter where we look there is evidence of someone person's ability to see and feel the hidden beauty within. Now that excites me as each of us has a hidden talent and beauty within. Most of us hide under a bushel and that is a shame because we do have something to offer our fellowman even if only a hand of friendship. There are a lot of lonely people in our world, some by preference, some because of no fault of their own who try to reach out but are ignored by those who refuse to look past their own comfort zone. We all have fears but we shouldn't hold ourselves up from living because of the 'what-ifs' of life.

So today go out there and beat down the what ifs. Do some one thing that makes you feel strong and even a bit superior; hold out the hand of friendship to a brand new person who may become one of your very best friends. Make today a busy one if you are living with rain and wind and grayness; winter is like that - - - no rest for the weary, as the old folks used to say. So go about your business with a smile on your face and make today your day for a bit of fun and a lot of laughter.

Special Art

Tuscon Airbase - - - A landing in Amsterdam

Rainbow contrails

Wing vortex in clouds.

Isn't it wonderful that we do not have to look far to see beauty made from the flight of a plane?
The sky is like a huge palette filled with the natural power of color and design waiting for an artist to come by and stir up the hidden colors waiting for a storm, or even a plane to show us what is there. Our skies are filled with stories of all kinds, from the calmness of a summer sky when the breeze blows the clouds across in a line reminiscent of a ballet troupe ready to put on a show just for us. It could be a flock of birds, especially the seagulls who love to ride the winds and glide about as they lift and drop in the vortex of the winds. They seem to be fighting for their space in the sky but when you look closely they are just enjoying the drifting and roller coaster ride they are on. How lucky we are to see the thunder heads roll in and the billowy white clouds filling our skies with pictures to stir our imaginations. A free show. All we have to do is look up, stop, relax and find pleasure and laughter as we paint our own pictures in the sky.

So today when you are out and about look for a cloud or two. According to the newscasters this morning most of us are going to have a day of wind and rain, but know behind those clouds of gray there is a blue sky waiting for clearance and the take off of some wondrous pictures for us to see. Be patient, be kind and make today a good one. Hugs to all . . . rain, rain go away, come again another day . . .

Where is the Scotch Tape?

A new form of art? I gather, someone is very clever to come up with these artistic endeavors. What will be thought of next? People are clever and imaginative and skilled in the arts and it never ceases to amaze me the different types of art they come up with. I have used scotch tape for years and the best I could do was to get it wrapped around my fingers just as I was trying to put the finishing touches on a package or a present. It always seem to stick to my fingers like glue. To be able to use it to make figures would never enter my mind so I have to 'doff my hat' to the artist who was brilliant enough to come up with this clever idea. There were other pictures with headless people dressed, leaning against a building or a wall but I didn't think they had the appeal that the ones in the pictures here.

So today if you have nothing on your calendar and you are looking for something to do, get out your scotch tape and see what you can come up with. Let me know if I have to stop by with scissors in hand . . . I'll be there. Make today special, just like you!

A short story

Socotra Island off of the coast of Africa.

Strange and Different, as the caption of this piece called it a 'jewel of bio diversity'. If you have a mind to see more of this exotic and different island where they travel by camel, go to www.jeroprieto.com for the U-Tube film on it.

The trees in the picture reminded me of the umbrella trees that were in the front of our house when I was a child. When I wrote my very first story, which I called "Windows", the first chapter was called Kitchen Windows and I wrote:

"How often have you looked out of your kitchen window? What do you see? I know I have looked out of many kitchen windows in my life time, maybe I could say a million times. What did I see? UM . . . well, I would have to say it would depend on what kitchen window and the time of day and year. I do know I always saw something interesting. I remember a kitchen window overlooking a back yard, so beautiful, it was the talk of the neighborhood. The gentle man who lived there had a very special gift for taking care of his garden with such love and care that it brought joy to many people.

His yard was a small city lot, 60x100, not very big but more than adequate for his needs. He measured out his flower beds, planted hedges all-around separating his yard from his neighbors and every Saturday morning he was out there with his hedge trimmers making sure that they were neat and tidy.

In the center of the yard were rows of hedges creating a path that lead to an open field with its many wild flowers, a pond with lily pads and toads that croaked loudly on a summer night. There was even a deep culvert covered by iron grating that attracted the children playing in the field. They had such vivid imaginations that they could see old "king-kong" hovering around down there and would be so scared they would run home as fast as their legs could get them there.

From the kitchen window you could see a plum tree, with its wood slatted bench surround the tree trunk where you could sit and gaze at the beautiful pink rose climbers covering the side of a small play house. This little shed used to be a chicken coop and the gentle man fixed it up with two windows that could be pulled up inside and attached to a hook in the ceiling. The door was a dutch door and often the top opened to let in the fresh air and sunshine. The children played by the hour and used the purple thistles and lily pads from the field to make paper doll furniture.

Next to the plum tree was a grape arbor, a lovely retreat with a hammock and a swing Radishes grew in rows behind the arbor and you could pick one up, wash it under the hose and eat and enjoy the peppery bite of it. The Greek neighbors would come over to pick the tender grape leaves for making their special dish called Dolmani. They often shared the dish with this man and his family. At Easter they would send over beautiful braided bread with colorful eggs bedded within the braid. Sometimes they would have a summer wedding and the children would look over the hedges to watch the dancers as the twirled and held handkerchiefs in the air. They would give the children pastel colored almonds wrapped in mesh and tied with lovely ribbons.

The flower bed were planted win zinnias, petunias, four-o-clocks, holly hocks, lupine and lovely bushes of snow ball flowers and bleeding hearts. This gentle man would make up bouquets for the church altars and give away flowers to all of his neighbors. The flowers bring back a memory so dear and so funny. The children would take their mother's prize possession, a statue of the Holy Family and bring it over to the grape arbor they would set up an altar and take turns crowning the Blessed Virgin. This was a traditional event at church during the month of May. The nuns picked certain children for this honor and these children knew their chances of being chosen were so slim they decided to have their procession. Sometimes they would get the statue back in its place but one day the mother heard some singing and being curious she went to investigate only to see her statue sitting on a makeshift altar, surrounded by beautiful flowers and when she saw the children's shining faces her anger left and her pride shone in the tears that came to her eyes, and she joined in the singing.

The garage was to the left of the grape arbor. The children used the big work bench as a stage and would put on skits and they would charge the neighborhood children a penny to come and be entertained. Sometimes they would make ten cents and walk over to the small candy store where they could stand on a wooden bench and pick out their favorite candy. It could be a "Mary Jane", a stream of paper with colored dots of candy, or "root beer barrels" that would last most of the day.

On the first day of May the Jewish sisters would gather the neighborhood children for a parade to a local park. The children would be all dressed in crepe paper costumes and there would be a king and a queen to lead the parade. The carts would be all dressed in crepe paper streamers and the lunches packed in the carts. How the children loved this day.

The kitchen window, as you can see, brings back a myriad of memories of a very young child playing away the summer days. Even in winter this window offered solace as you could look out and see that everything in the gardens was asleep; the branches of the trees bare and until spring thaw snow would cover the yard like a blanket, and all would be peaceful and serene.

The window is still there after sixty nine years. The tall wonderful gentle man with his moustache and gnarled fingers, characterizing the earth he worked in, has gone on to his reward but left a legacy of love. You can go back in memory, look out of this kitchen window and see the curtains swaying in the breeze, little animals scurrying and busy insects flying in their array while this special man worked his yard, and in your imagination you could watch him or join him and feel the love all over again."

So today, look out your kitchen window and see the sights that are waiting for you to enjoy. Maybe, if you are lucky, it will bring back memories of younger days when you were carefree and enjoyed lazy summer days. I hope so, it is so good for the mind, the body and soul. Make it a good one.

An Anniversary Brings Musing

Come August we will be celebrating the ending of World War II, so stories and pictures are beginning to come through on the computers. I have read several that brought back a memory or two. It is hard to believe that the crew of this B-17 survived, but they did. They came in on a 'Wing and a Prayer' and it was one more story about the heroism of our fighting men.

There have been short 'movie' clips on U-Tube showing some of the pictures from the different battle fields which refresh our memories of the sacrifice thousands of men and women made in the name of Freedom. Sixty five years gone before a monument was erected in their honor. Sometimes we are very slow about showing our thanks. Since then we have continued to be involved in one war or another, more sophisticated weapons, more fancy ships and planes, but right now we have our men and women fighting hand to hand combat in one more 'lost' war. A civil disobedience that needs attention from those in power to change the life style of those in 'serfdom' and we cannot do it for them. What country will have leaders who will put forth the ten commandments and have them followed? Is it that simple? Yes . . . it is. If each and everyone followed the rules of the road what a life we would all have . . . peace, coexistence with our fellow man, honesty, and love . . . all because we are our brother's keepers. I think I remember the commandments.

1. I am the Lord they good, thou shalt not have strange gods before me.

2. Do not take the name of thy Lord, Thy God, in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.

4. Honor they father and thy mother.

5. Thy shalt not tell lies

6. Thy shalt not commit adultery

7. Thy shalt not steal

8. Thy shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor

9. Thy shalt not covet thy neighbor wife

10. Thy shalt not covet thy neighbors goods.

How's that for remembering my catechism days in parochial school some seventy three years ago. Did I remember to follow these rules . . . sad to say I did not. Some where in time I managed to break each one in all of the ways the nuns told us we could. They were not giving us permission. . . they were saying loud and clear to mark our brains with each commandment and live our lives accordingly. BUT they forgot all about living life with all of its temptations, and they forgot to tell us that we needed moral courage to live our lives according to these commandments. Have we paid for our crimes? Oh my yes, a dozen times over and over. Have we learned a lot about living our lives? Oh my yes, but we failed to listen to our inner voice that always knew which road we should follow. The young do not listen because they are too busy living and some have never even heard of the commandments. Maybe instead of tearing them down, our leaders should blow them up in living color and have them painted on every wall so the young ones have a chance to grow into 'moral' men and women and live in a peaceful world. I am sad to say, I do not think this will ever happen because it is so much easier to follow the 'easy path', you know the one, the road of good intentions!

So, today get your work done with pride. Walk outside for lunchtime and take time to smell the flowers that are beginning to bloom . . . forsythia bushes in bright yellows . . . piracanta berries in bright reds..... huge pink rhodys for spring are showing, and the buds on the trees will soon shower us with their leaves; new beginnings, so lets make good use of them. Make today a good one knowing what you put into it is what you will get out of it . . . no more, no less. You make the choices. Did I just hear one of my children mention lecture sixteen? Um . . . must be my imagination.