Weblog 320

April 1, 2012~ 12:00 am
It's been a blessedly calm week. A true gift of equanimity and balance. Saturday evening was spent with Holly and Gary and the kids, with lots of clowning about April Fool jokes-- some from the past, some merely ideas for the future, but plenty of laughing.

It seems in their household much is made of pranks on April 1st each year.



My daughter has been known to put icing and sprinkles over SPONGES (which one of the dogs dug out of the garbage and ATE, only to become 'bound up'... LOL!) and Kay and Bill have gotten out of bed at three in the morning to rearrange the living room furniture.

Grand hijinx, all of it. And I loved hearing about it.

On Friday evening, Wayne and I watched a documentary called



(I'd had it on my Netflix list forever, and it showed only "availability, unknown") BUT! -Wayne had ordered a book from the library called "The Etiquette Of Freedom"- conversations between the novelist/poet Jim Harrison and the beat poet, Gary Snyder, and wouldn't you know it? The DVD was tucked into a pocket on the inside of the back cover! We were thrilled! Oh my.... just watching those two GIANTS of letters walking the rolling foot hills of San Simeon



talking about nature and our relationship to it with all its creatures, was such a joy! The terrain was magnificently VAST and gorgeous. Great smooth hills of tumbling green, mist-encircled trees in the morning



the mystical relationship of man and beast to all creation-- the nature of grief and a deeper understanding of being alive, was thrilling and healing to both of us. If you've admired these two writers, seeing this documentary will be one of the most rewarding experiences you're likely to engage in. Wayne has always loved Snyder, and while I've appreciated his advocacy of conservation as well as being known as one of the seminal 'beats' from the late 50's, early 60's



I had never- until Friday evening -while HEARING him read his works aloud



been enthralled by the depth of his words or able to hear their particular music. (He looks, at 80 years of age, much like John Carradine to me. Sounds like him too.) He doesn't talk so much as he teaches... constantly.

It was apparent- to both of us -that Jim Harrison deeply, deeply admires this poet.



We all have our 'heroes' and I think for Harrison, Snyder is 'it', and it was so charming to observe. (As I've ever been in awe of Jim Harrison. We each have Plato-type teacher/archetypes- those whose words sink so deeply into the soul they leave an impression that alters experience forever.)

These two old friends made my heart sing, watching as they chatted and walked together, dogs often with them



being as much in love with life as any two sages you'll ever see together. What an experience!

It was the perfect film to end this work week. Happy April Fool's Day everyone... and keep your guard up. Someone is sure to pull a prank on you, so the next time you're told 'Oh my! There's s SPIDER on your back!' or 'Gee... isn't that tire of yours going a little flat?' -it's probably just a joke (hopefully)- so think some up yourself. (This one day...... as Bill says..... 'we get a pass' to pull some silly tricks, so DON'T MISS OUT! LOL!)




April 1, 2012~ 8:30 pm
Last night I went up to bed and instead of immediately diving into my book, I watched an old VHS tape of mine called



"Shadowlands"- the BBC version of the late-life love story of C.S. Lewis and an American divorcee with two young boys. I haven't watched in in years, but just like the Camelot movie I'd watched recently, its effect was visceral and deep. Joss Ackland and Claire Bloom are perfect in their roles. How sensitively Ackland was able to play the awkwardness and the unaccustomed sweep of emotions when one is caught up in love- especially for a confirmed bachelor who is emotionally tightly wrapped. Yes... the movie made me cry, but it was a good cry.

I was so pleased to find a photo online this evening of the actual Lewis and Joy Gresham. Goodness, what a treasure!



How wonderful they look together, and I was amazed to see that Lewis smoked. (I guess nearly everyone did in those days.)

The heart-wrenching part of the story was the discovery that C.S. Lewis had himself lost his mother at just the age of Joy's sons, a wound that probably led to much of his literature written for children and his wanting magic so very badly-- only to find in his later years, he was to usher those boys through their own Shadowlands of loss when their mother passes away of cancer. Racked with pain, Lewis discovers the depths and salvation of human love as well as resurrection after staggering loss, his faith still intact- having fought a another personal battle with Screwtape the demon for a second time in his life. This movie is a gem. A true gem.

And today I had dinner with mum andI brought an Easter card and a Lindt chocolate bunny




for each of the girls at Table 6. It takes so little to make them happy and it was such joy for me. They're a great group of ladies. They brighten every Sunday afternoon, walkers, creaky joints...... and laughter. We have laughter at Table 6.




April 4, 2012~ 7:00 pm
I had the most wonderful, unexpected bouquet handed to me on Sunday, and I wanted to share a picture before the posies droop. They just light up the room.



AREN'T THEY GREAT? It seems our local 'Trader Joes' has come up with a truly thoughtful practice when it comes to flowers that are 'still good', but not 'just picked' and therefore cannot be sold once past their peak. Each Friday, they bring MOUNTAINS of floral bouquets to mum's personal care home- to be gathered up by the residents for their rooms and the staff to take home as well.

I was in the activity room talking to their pet cockatiel on Sunday evening when their pastor walked up and handed me that bouquet with a big smile on his face. (He'd offered it to one of the residents, but she declined. She's like mum...."Oh no. Too much to take care of." LOL!) But I LOVE THEM! They're long-stemmed beauties that even came with a packet of 'food' to put in the water to keep them looking their best.

Honestly, it's been 4 days now, and they still look terrific. (Actually, they look BETTER today since they've been fed a few days).... so thank you, Pastor John Reynolds. You added great SPLOTCHES of color to my pre-Easter week!





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