Weblog 169
May 3, 2009~ 12:15am
"May! It's May! The lusty month of May...." as the song from 'Camelot' goes, and indeed there are blooms aplenty, opening and painting the landscape in soft pastels. The air is fresher. The sun so bright it hurts the eyes, and everything, everywhere, is finally hopping into SPRING!
And mighty happy about it! I had a lone, lost wild turkey hen pacing in my yard for the past week. And on the hillside behind the house, I could see an equally lone male turkey, meandering down through the sticks, and the bracken and bushes, looking for his nervous, lost love. LOL!! She stands about 3 ft. high, proud as the dickens-- but not too proud to accept an offering of broken up bread which she wolfed down, lickety split! It's the damnedest thing! A TURKEY! No......make that a turkey hanger-on. A 'pacer'. (Of course, I'm thrilled......and love these 'not-often-seen' surprises.)
Life just feels good sometimes. Friends help. Friends are the soft wings we nestle under, keeping close and feeling each other's heartbeat reactions to the world around us....
and what a warm feeling it is, too. I've often thought how lonely life would be without kindred spirits to share things with; how lost that would feel. How utterly vacant of joy- not to have those we depend on to help solve problems for us- who do what they can to enrich our experience of being alive.
Those little 'helper birds' who pick out the ticks and the irritations each day for us and with whom we live happily, in symbiotic ease, because one hand lovingly washes the other.
I thank whatever powers that be for those good souls who heighten my experience-- who pick me up when I'm down, dust me off-- and send me back into the game more self-aware.
This past week I've had the privilege of helping a friend get her remarkable novel online, and it's been one of the most dizzying experiences, being able to make such vivid writing available to whomever chooses to read it. (Yes-- there are times when the internet does what conventional publishing cannot: makes immediate what normally takes months or years to bring to fruition.)
There are books that change us. Books that dig deep into our cores and make a difference. Click below.
Deborah Rey's "Rachel Sarai's Vineyard" is a moving, harrowing account of a young girl, barely more than a toddler at the time of the 1940's Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. It's a story of courage-- sadism-- and probably the most complicated 'mother/daughter' relationship I've ever encountered. After an aborted effort to bring this book to light, which did happen at this time last year, it eventually failed due to legal wranglings.
Now it's available to all who want to read it-- because it's not about fame or gain or celebrity: it's simply about getting it out there and finding readership.
I think you'll agree Deborah's handling of sensitive topics is unique. And wrenching. It's a book certainly not meant for young readers, with subject matter as 'mature' as possible-- so be forewarned.
But for those who do not shy from the harshest realities life can dish out, or survivors of their own harrowing experiences-- or those either going through them or coming to terms with them, this book will be both balm and redemption-- as it was for its author.
Yes there is light at the end of the darkest tunnel-- and it resides in the deepest, most protected parts of us-- and yes, the truth will set us free-- and when we lift our lamps, others may perchance find us in the glow of its soft illumination. You will love this book. It's writing at its best.
*NOTE: This link is from last year. It is now 2010, and Deborah found a publisher. Her novel is no longer available online.
May 3, 2009~ 8:00pm
Not the actual bird, but I found this picture on the net, and it certainly could be her twin...
and I've now named her Hannah. It's an old-fashioned name. A soft-sounding sigh of a name, and she moves so gingerly, and delicately picks her way along, so it just seems to suit.
Hannah visited again today, but man o man, that little lady is gonna get herself run over, meandering down that back alley. I almost hit her myself as I came around the corner after spending the afternoon with my mother. Thank goodness I saw her out of the corner of my eye as I rounded the turn! Hannah!! ... WATCH YOURSELF! I don't want to see you flattened out there on the asphalt...it would break my heart.
(And yes, I promptly went in and lured her into the yard and out of the street by dropping pieces of bread.) Good Lord...what is to become of her wandering around like that in an urban setting?
The next bread slice broken up-- the water bowl filled, attracted every cardinal, wren and sparrow in the neighborhood....and Hannah? That girl was off strolling again, big round black eyes taking in the scenery. Sheesh!
May 6, 2009~ 6:00pm
I noticed with all the panic over Swine Flu's emergence in Mexico, the annual "Cinco De Mayo" was not given the usual 'hooplah' on the net....flu hangs over us like a pall (along with so many other godawful things.) Personally (and much, much less signficantly) -there has been some 'stuff' going on in my life that's made me gloomier than usual.
The bedroom ceiling is leaking in five different spots now-- not the usual 'one'. That seemed managable. (Translation:'ignorable')
Having just put out the cash to have my pine tree taken down (and yes, I'm convinced that still niggles at my mood...the loss of tree, not cash)- a new roof was something I hadn't planned on at the moment, but it now appears I have no choice. It's soaking my books! So today I called a roofing contractor to come give me an estimate.
The decision was tough though, and for two days I've been glum....really down and moping....sleeping a lot, but the rain kept coming.
So, having bitten the bullet and pushed through to the next phase, I do feel better. So much so....I wanted to share one of the little things that cheered me today- this fat GRACKLE
sent to me via email by my sweetie. He too has tasted the joy of sharing one's bread with the birds, and delighted telling me about it this morning.
Then he sent me 'FAT GRACKLE' so I could appreciate just how round and cute that bird was. Here's a snippet of our exchange:
The 'plump and saucy god' was the one got me grinning today. (Jeezus, I love birds. LOL!!!) They just make me feel good.
May 8, 2009~ 7:15am
No one could ever wonder why I love him. Email today:
"Mr. Grackle was back last night and he brought his lady and a stooge. xoxoxo"
LOL!!! See? He makes me laugh! And honestly, that's all the medicine we need.
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
"May! It's May! The lusty month of May...." as the song from 'Camelot' goes, and indeed there are blooms aplenty, opening and painting the landscape in soft pastels. The air is fresher. The sun so bright it hurts the eyes, and everything, everywhere, is finally hopping into SPRING!
And mighty happy about it! I had a lone, lost wild turkey hen pacing in my yard for the past week. And on the hillside behind the house, I could see an equally lone male turkey, meandering down through the sticks, and the bracken and bushes, looking for his nervous, lost love. LOL!! She stands about 3 ft. high, proud as the dickens-- but not too proud to accept an offering of broken up bread which she wolfed down, lickety split! It's the damnedest thing! A TURKEY! No......make that a turkey hanger-on. A 'pacer'. (Of course, I'm thrilled......and love these 'not-often-seen' surprises.)
Life just feels good sometimes. Friends help. Friends are the soft wings we nestle under, keeping close and feeling each other's heartbeat reactions to the world around us....
and what a warm feeling it is, too. I've often thought how lonely life would be without kindred spirits to share things with; how lost that would feel. How utterly vacant of joy- not to have those we depend on to help solve problems for us- who do what they can to enrich our experience of being alive.
Those little 'helper birds' who pick out the ticks and the irritations each day for us and with whom we live happily, in symbiotic ease, because one hand lovingly washes the other.
I thank whatever powers that be for those good souls who heighten my experience-- who pick me up when I'm down, dust me off-- and send me back into the game more self-aware.
This past week I've had the privilege of helping a friend get her remarkable novel online, and it's been one of the most dizzying experiences, being able to make such vivid writing available to whomever chooses to read it. (Yes-- there are times when the internet does what conventional publishing cannot: makes immediate what normally takes months or years to bring to fruition.)
There are books that change us. Books that dig deep into our cores and make a difference. Click below.
Deborah Rey's "Rachel Sarai's Vineyard" is a moving, harrowing account of a young girl, barely more than a toddler at the time of the 1940's Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. It's a story of courage-- sadism-- and probably the most complicated 'mother/daughter' relationship I've ever encountered. After an aborted effort to bring this book to light, which did happen at this time last year, it eventually failed due to legal wranglings.
Now it's available to all who want to read it-- because it's not about fame or gain or celebrity: it's simply about getting it out there and finding readership.
I think you'll agree Deborah's handling of sensitive topics is unique. And wrenching. It's a book certainly not meant for young readers, with subject matter as 'mature' as possible-- so be forewarned.
But for those who do not shy from the harshest realities life can dish out, or survivors of their own harrowing experiences-- or those either going through them or coming to terms with them, this book will be both balm and redemption-- as it was for its author.
Yes there is light at the end of the darkest tunnel-- and it resides in the deepest, most protected parts of us-- and yes, the truth will set us free-- and when we lift our lamps, others may perchance find us in the glow of its soft illumination. You will love this book. It's writing at its best.
*NOTE: This link is from last year. It is now 2010, and Deborah found a publisher. Her novel is no longer available online.
May 3, 2009~ 8:00pm
Not the actual bird, but I found this picture on the net, and it certainly could be her twin...
and I've now named her Hannah. It's an old-fashioned name. A soft-sounding sigh of a name, and she moves so gingerly, and delicately picks her way along, so it just seems to suit.
Hannah visited again today, but man o man, that little lady is gonna get herself run over, meandering down that back alley. I almost hit her myself as I came around the corner after spending the afternoon with my mother. Thank goodness I saw her out of the corner of my eye as I rounded the turn! Hannah!! ... WATCH YOURSELF! I don't want to see you flattened out there on the asphalt...it would break my heart.
(And yes, I promptly went in and lured her into the yard and out of the street by dropping pieces of bread.) Good Lord...what is to become of her wandering around like that in an urban setting?
The next bread slice broken up-- the water bowl filled, attracted every cardinal, wren and sparrow in the neighborhood....and Hannah? That girl was off strolling again, big round black eyes taking in the scenery. Sheesh!
May 6, 2009~ 6:00pm
I noticed with all the panic over Swine Flu's emergence in Mexico, the annual "Cinco De Mayo" was not given the usual 'hooplah' on the net....flu hangs over us like a pall (along with so many other godawful things.) Personally (and much, much less signficantly) -there has been some 'stuff' going on in my life that's made me gloomier than usual.
The bedroom ceiling is leaking in five different spots now-- not the usual 'one'. That seemed managable. (Translation:'ignorable')
Having just put out the cash to have my pine tree taken down (and yes, I'm convinced that still niggles at my mood...the loss of tree, not cash)- a new roof was something I hadn't planned on at the moment, but it now appears I have no choice. It's soaking my books! So today I called a roofing contractor to come give me an estimate.
The decision was tough though, and for two days I've been glum....really down and moping....sleeping a lot, but the rain kept coming.
So, having bitten the bullet and pushed through to the next phase, I do feel better. So much so....I wanted to share one of the little things that cheered me today- this fat GRACKLE
sent to me via email by my sweetie. He too has tasted the joy of sharing one's bread with the birds, and delighted telling me about it this morning.
Then he sent me 'FAT GRACKLE' so I could appreciate just how round and cute that bird was. Here's a snippet of our exchange:
Me: he's FAT AND BOLD!!! i love him. fierce little guy!
Wayne: He is indeed. A god. xoxo
Me: a plump and saucy god!
The 'plump and saucy god' was the one got me grinning today. (Jeezus, I love birds. LOL!!!) They just make me feel good.
May 8, 2009~ 7:15am
No one could ever wonder why I love him. Email today:
"Mr. Grackle was back last night and he brought his lady and a stooge. xoxoxo"
LOL!!! See? He makes me laugh! And honestly, that's all the medicine we need.
(Return To Weekly Archives)
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