12/01/2021

"Hi, I finished my free trial of

adulthood and I'm no longer

interested, so I would like to

cancel my subscription. Is 

there a manager I can speak to?"

Adulthood.jpg

December finally arriving at

o' dark thirty . . . and I can

really feel my inner child

kicking and screaming to get 

out! Methinks I may actually 

accommodate her!

What shall I do first? I should

probably begin by having ice

cream for breakfast . . . in bed

of course! I'd watch cartoons,

but the only other parent in 

the house won't let me have 

a TV!!!

Think I'll go play with pressie

fixings. There's pretty paper,

ribbons and bows, stickie tape

and scissors . . . although I'm

not sure that old guy upstairs

will let me play with scissors.

He's sooooo protective!

Maybe, if he's in a good mood,

he'll take me shopping. I just

love buying gifts for everyone.

Perhaps, he'll treat me to an

icecream cone . . . 

God, I so hope that's coming

from my child within and not

some middle age pregnancy!

its holiday cheer

daddy daddy lets go shop

heres my allowance

11/30/2021

Sooooo in love with December

and it's only just a few hours 

away . . . 

Me thinks 'tis no matter whether

one observes Hanukkah, Yule, 

Christmas, or the entire season.

Just celebrate the joy!

 

This morning, we looked outside

and there was the first Christmas

package on the doorstep. Thought 

it was something I had ordered or 

I wouldn't have opened it.

An absolute gorgeous essential oil

humidifier. Wow! I had whispered

in my daughter's ear that I wanted 

something like this and she did the 

entire Santa bit!

Posting my Yule postcards on the 

morrow . . . always a first step in

celebratory mode for me . . . and

I have wrapping paper calling my

name!

high expectations

so love me the holidays

what tomorrow brings

11/29/2021

Times were when I liked to

decorate the entire house for the

holidays . . . Alas, 'tis not to be! 

Being somewhere around a 100

years old, I have the decorating 

down to the dining room table

and the mantel. Still, it's fun!

Perusing and ordering tablecloths 

from mail order as I hate to shop, 

awaiting their arrival . . . and once

here, the decorating begins.

Dragging the holiday cheer, out 

of a very dark closet, I begin to 

play in the sand box, as it were.

Some items are a bit of old hat;

others are much loved mementos. 

Mix and match, place and move

until everything works . . . wow!

Just WOW!

I like to give myself the last three

days of November for decorating.

It's rather like prepping and giving

birth to December. I love awaking

on that day, as excited as the child

within can be, looking around at

the room and feeling that holiday

excitement.

So love lighting a few candles,

putting on that old holiday music,

sitting on the floor and wrapping

my simple, little Yule gifts. 'Tis

well-pleased I am, to find my 

inner kid alive and well!

reds and greens ahoy

announcing fave holidays

come lets make mischief  

11/28/2021

December is nigh onto upon us,

which means all sorts of Yule prep

in my case and x-mas prep in yours.

I've confessed, many a time, to

barely enduring winter, but the

seasonal holidays are an entirely

different matter.

Cards to send, packages to mail,

gifts to wrap, tree to put up, table 

to decorate, and holiday cheer to

acquire . . .

I do love the entire premise of the

December holidays. You'll weep;

I asked the internet, "What is the

essential essence of Christmas?"

The answer? A complete list of

movies to watch. Dear God in

heaven . . .

At my end of Kingdom Come,

think I'll decorate the table and

put up my little tree. There are

stockings to be hung and lights

to deal with, along with actually

finding mistletoe. Alas, no could

do find it last year!

give us a kiss miss

standing under mistletoe

demands attention

11/27/2021 - Thanksgiving V

After following the wagon train

west for a few days, my mind 

has wandered down Vocabulary 

Lane once again.

I expected to speak of right

rather than left, farms instead  

of cities, animals not pets and

provisions for understanding

food.

'Twas not to be! Virtually, same

lingo, but having said that, some-

thing felt different. Just couldn't

put my finger on it.

Part of it had to do with the arrival 

of a long awaited holiday, the

looking forward to seeing fam up

close and enjoying the weight gain

of the TG banquet.

Then, I got to thinking that perhaps

what I was feeling had more to do 

with older vs younger, working hard 

and fast as opposed to a much calmer

approach. Maybe even, needing to 

go to bed earlier than the family

proper.

Caught 'tween the pain of saying

goodbye and those joyous feelings 

of going home, my heart actually

physically hurt.

So, I bid my sweet, sweet family, 

"So long,farewell, auf wiedersehen,

good bye," adieu and shed those

tears painfully held back.

vocab aint for moi

still trying some on for size

call it what it is

11/26/2021 - Thanksgiving IV

Plan for weeks, make lists,

track down recipes, buy food,

send invites, cook for days,

finally sit down to the banquet . . . 

and in a blink of the eye, it's 

over?! 

Methinks part of the joy is to

look back, remember who said

what, which dishes were so fab

that seconds seemed only right

and hope to house the memories

of the day for weeks to come.

Thanksgiving actually defines

the term afterglow for me. I

feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

So wish I could hold onto that

feeling to warm the cockles of

my soul in the upcoming winter

months!

Sooooo feeling the gratitude . . .

my family and friends, that

sweet little cabin to go home to,

and all those joys of daily living.

Pray I never forget, never ever

forget . . .

not for just a day

loving me my family

gratitude abounds

11/25/2021 – Thanksgiving III

In thinking about it, I find I am

truly grateful to Mother Nature.

I imagine it has something to do 

with how I was reared . . .

All through my childhood, my

parents took us on rides . . .

rides through the mountains, 

hills, and valleys. We had picnics 

by lakes and waded in shallow 

streams.

Full moons, rainbows, small whirl

winds, the odd sprinkle of rain . . .

all celebrated. By day, bird nests 

with  their precious cargo of eggs,

and by night, lightening bugs all

aglow . . . pure magic!

Of course I developed a rock fetish,

why wouldn't I? Nature walks

meant all my pockets and both hands 

full. Sometimes, I would even put 

them in my upturned blouse.

So loved picking wild flowers. In

water, pressed or dried . . . always

beautiful. In time, I learned to 

mash the petals to make a kind 

of paint or dye. So much fun to

experiment!

everywhere i look

so loving me my mother

breath taking beauty

11/24/2021 – Thanksgiving II

I know every holiday deserves its 

day in the sun. I get it, I really do!

Still, I see Christmas everywhere 

I look! All the stores, Amazon, 

Facebook . . . even some of my 

friends are already putting up trees.

I can't help but wonder what it's

all about. Maybe it's that our child

within waits the entire year for

Christmas to come around again.

It takes ever so long, and once

November rolls around, we just

can't wait any longer!

But in thinking about it, I realize

Thanksgiving is truly important.

It's that one holiday which reminds

us to set ourselves aside and think

about all those misplaced reasons

for which we have to be thankful.

Family and friends, obviously! 

But, not to forget the food we put 

on the table, nor the clothes on 

our backs and the jobs that provide 

them. 

The fact that that we haven't

experienced forest fires as so many

have. Floods have not come our

way and my heart so goes out to

those who have suffered. 

All we have to do is look around

the world to appreciate just how

blest we have been. So, let's

celebrate Thanksgiving, remember

all those wondrous things for which

we have to be thankful. And may

we please, oh please, help others

who have suffered so much.

take a look around

remembering we are blest

thankfulness matters

11/23/2021 – Thanksgiving I

Methinks the absolute best thing

about Thanksgiving is seeing our

families!

We tend to live so far apart in this

incredibly amazing world of ours.

Christmas often brings the gift of

harsh weather, but Thanksgiving

provides a time when we can

safely gather.

'Tis the best part of Fall . . . the

entire TG weekend. We catch up,

tell tales out of school, make

future plans, eat amazing food, 

and sometimes, even go shopping.

I find that Thanksgiving serves 

as a reminder of all those things

for which I wish to express my

gratitude. First and foremost . . .

my family. 

There is nothing like family in 

the entire world. No matter our

differences, albeit philosophy,

religion, politics. Obviously, 

our different experiences have

shaped us and led us in different

directions. Still I find within the

familial circle, the love shared 

dissipates any and all animosity

created by our differences. 

I actually enjoy hearing my

adult children share their own

experiences that have led them

to the point in which they find

themselves. Both interesting

and entertaining, although 

sometimes sad.

One thing I would like to take

a peek at, would be the actual

historical beginnings of this

familial holiday. Studied in 

our youth, needing a brush up.

so thankful for you

loving family of mine

ever in my heart

11/22/2021

Does anyone remember,

The Wizzard of Oz? "We're

off to see the Wizard . . . "

Methinks I need one! Not

been up on the wisdom 

wagon any time of late! 

Call in the Wizard, any 

wizard, and hurry!

Don't know if it has to do

with being nigh onto a 100

years old, that phenomenal

eclipse of late, or just me.

But, I seem to be making

the craziest calls on even

the simplest things!

Buy two of the same items

and find out when I get

home that I already have

them! Pull in to gas up and

the tank is nigh onto full!

Get a lotto ticket when the

big one has just been won

instead of going for the

jackpot! 

Frankly, I don't even want

to talk about the big baddies!

One can only share so much!

So, what to do?!

Realize that big bad winter

is truly coming on . . . get

ready for SADS!!! Know

that sitting outdoors will

happen only a precious few

more times?! Send out the

elves to purchase those

much needed x-mas pressies

for the grandkids!

Sooooo pray I'll be ready . . .

so many requests

cant help but wonder whats up

off to see the mage

11/21/2021

I appropriated a day . . .  

I'm feeling ever so naughty!

Did not wash a dish, cook a

meal, move a broom, shake 

a rug . . . like I said, naughty!

We spent the day abed, watched

movies for hours, even had the

odd snack. Wasn't totally naughty

though, just had water! Color me

saint!!!

I would have to admit, one of

the things I love about being

retired is being able to do those

zany things that appeal.

We had so much fun that I can

hardly wait for another such day.

A blackout maybe? A trip up an

unpaved road in the mountains?

A camping weekend in a little

town . . .

 . . . all I know is I want another

day like today!

tis a pretty day

feel a caper coming on

hey lets misbehave

11/20/2021

I feel bereft somehow . . .

So much time spent in awaiting

this phenomenal eclipse and it's

all over. It was such an amazing 

experience! One of those times 

and places you know you will 

never get to visit again.

In the days prior to the eclipse,

I felt physically jittery, a sense

of unease, almost a negative

reaction to high expectations.

Now only a day later, and those

feelings of anxiety have bid me

adieu . . . Funny how we are so

affected by all those things that

surround us. 

I can't help but wonder if there

is anything similar in kind to

look forward to. I do have on 

my Thanksgiving calendar that

Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will 

be lined up just after sunset.

I'll be keeping an eye out, one

way or another . . . And, I do

love the new moon upcoming

on the 4th. Always gives me that

fab feeling of new beginnings.

adore mother earth

but so love me father sky

illuminating 

11/19/2021

Sans paroles . . .

 . . . Never in my lifetime have 

I experienced anything like this 

amazing eclipse!

We planned for it, took naps in

the afternoon so we could stay

up. Even as I nodded off, my

guy would elbow me in the ribs

and say it was time for another

look-see.

Living in a forest of the tallest

trees imaginable, we had to 

wait until the moon was high

in order to see anything. Our

friend and neighbor kept us

up on celestial activity via

photography until Miss Luna

was a la ready.

We ran out, and I say ran out

as it was only 20 degrees, 

'bout every half hour during

the actual eclipse. Our Lunar

Lady was absolutely exquisite

each and every time.

Words being bandied about

using phrases such as hundreds

and hundreds of years, make

me feel even more grateful for 

being able to appreciate this

incredible event. We are ever

so blest . . .

miss luna pray come

awaiting your curtain call

madam take a bow

11/18/2021

"Words without actions is like the

sun without warmth." ~j. ironwood 

I so enjoy the author J. Ironwood. 

In reading his work for several 

years now, I find much wisdom 

therein. Me thinks 'tis a good idea

to pay attention!

I am indeed, a woman of words. I

love words! I use them; I write them.

I like the taste of them in my soul. I

enjoy the nuances of each and every

one. Absolutely delicious! Delightful!

And, so love me those sweet nothings  

in my ear . . . but loathe, hate, despise, 

detest, fighting words!

That sorrowful side of words . . . 

that negative aspect. Fights are started 

in homes, at schools,  in bars . . . all 

down to words. Hell, wars can be 

started with just the right words. 

Still, the actions that spring from 

words are the most priceless. I

aspire to actually listen when

someone confides in me. I long to

act rather than just speak. Even as

an elder, there are simple things 

I can still do to help.

words name of the game

pray be careful what you say

words make or break you

11/17/2021

Me thinks perhaps my sin is 

pondering wayyyyy too much . . .

 . . . and 'tis not likely to change

that much, what with being about

a hundred years old and all . . .

Today, pondering what tomorrow

will bring  . . .

"Earth's penumbra will start covering 

the moon around 11:02 pm Thursday.

At 12:18 am on Friday morning, the 

partial lunar eclipse will begin. The 

maximum lunar eclipse will take place 

at 2:02 am, with the partial eclipse 

ending at 3:47 am and the penumbral 

eclipse ending at 5:03 am."

My child within is all a dither. I find

myself dancing for joy at the mere

thought of being gifted this experience

in my lifetime; and, let me assure you

that dancing at my age takes its toll.

So, where to being? What to wish for?

Do I resume dancing? Meditate? Pray?

I wish to revel in this experience, yet

I also want to honor it in the most

auspicious way possible.

I'll be pondering, just as I confessed!

anxiously await

lunar lady come to me

tell me your secrets

11/16/2021

Been pondering that amazing 

word friend of late . . .

There are so many levels and so

much vocabulary to describe it.

I've actually found that Spanish

serves even better descriptives.

When we were children, we all

had what we would have called

our best friend and everyone

else would be just friends. As

adults, we probably use the term

friend and let it go at that.

I'm one to use a spinoff, bestie 

as a term of endearment. Love it!

Me thinks most adults are less

effusive and would find me

amusing.

In Spanish, we use compañero 

de trabajo (coworker) as another 

descriptive for friend. Conocido

(acquaintance) would indicate 

someone known, but not a friend.

One way or another, so glad we're

friends or even acquaintances,

ever so much better than enemies.

loving me my friends

are you a bestie a pal

lets enjoy friendship

11/15/2021

I find myself thinking about my

students and missing them of late.

I've been ever so blest in teaching,

both in Mexico and US. In thinking

about it; different cultures, different

languages . . . still, same students.

Having taught for just over 40 years,

I always have en eye out for interesting

topics to share with my kids. I found

that journaling increased language

learning, hence the search for ideas.

Their journey to the states and the

circumstances surrounding that

parental decision, finding lodging,

jobs to support hearth and home . . .

all intense things to write about. I

can only imagine how both painful

and amusing these memories must

have been for them.

In looking at my own life and the

memories housed therein, I can't

help but wonder if these musings

are good or ill for the soul. Both

probably.

Still, insisting that my students

write daily, rather makes me think

I damn well better follow suit!

parchment pen and ink 

mysteries to be conveyed

put mind to paper

11/14/2021

"I've never seen a moon in the sky 

that, if it didn't take my breath away,

at least misplaced it for a moment."

~Colin Farrell

Last night, lightly sleeping, I heard

my guy waking me. "Hey ld, come

down and see the moon; it's amazing."

Oh my God, he was sooooo right! I

simply sat on the stairs and breathed

her in for a long while . . .

What is it about the moon, anyway?

Me thinks 'tis pure magic! Does it

matter if it's new? Full? Half way in

between? Hell no!

For as long as I can remember, I've 

revered the moon. It simply cannot  

be helped. A certain mystique seems

to surround our lunar lady. She takes 

my breath away . . .

I find my inner child telling Miss Luna

my darkest secrets, making her my

confidant, sobbing as she holds me in

her radiant emanations. Not sure I

could do this ever so demanding life

without her. Pray, I never have to!

moonbeams in my gloom

lunar lady come to me

so need you tonight

11/13/2021

Me thinks communication is the

name of the game . . .

Being nigh onto a hundred years

old, I can still remember snail

mail, telegrams, greeting cards . . .

all before the age of e-mail.

But here and now, I will confess

that one of my fave modes of 

staying in touch, would be the 

infamous postcard.

It's ever so much fun collecting

them on trips, buying them at the

post office, ordering them on the

internet. Best of all for me though, 

is making them myself.

I like to collect cards, old and new, 

along with certain kinds of special

papers, to create postcards. I'm 

not particularly adept at any kind

of hobby, but so love me some

postcards.

And best of all, one of my most

prized treasures, would be my 

grandma's postcards from around

the turn of the century.

They are precious beyond belief.

The stamps are most wondrous.

The handwriting is ever so sweet;

the messages, priceless. What a 

thing to pass down, generation to 

generation.

Sooooo, send me a postcard if 

you like . . .

who will i hear from

pray send me a card or two

best love notes ever

11/12/2021

Me thinks 'tis a rare man who

indulges his woman in the most

interesting of activities . . .

So love me some eating in bed.

It's incredibly fun to have a movie

fest on a given afternoon. Much

enjoy hitting a pub (never a bar) 

from time to time. The odd trip,

a drive up through the mountains, 

luxurious picnics . . . I love it all!

I absolutely must both credit my

guy and thank him for indulging 

me in my somewhat silly notions.

I find these bits and pieces add 

sweet spice to our lives.

If I could give any advice to 

the marrieds, both young and 

old, 'twould be to salt and pepper

their relationships with small

surprises, out of the ordinary

activities, and whatever comes

to mind outside the box. 

And frankly, not a bad idea to

amuse oneself as well . . .

playing with notions

so love me small bits of fun

surprises are us

11/11/2021

"What if our religion was each 

other. If our practice was our life.

If prayer, our words. What if the 

temple was the earth. If forests 

were our church. If holy water--

the rivers, lakes, and ocean. What 

if meditation was our relationships.

If the teacher was life. If wisdom 

was self-knowledge. If love was the

center of our being." ~Ganga White

Yoga Master Ganga White, offers 

us food for thought with the above 

words. I will ponder them at length.

The older I get, the more accepting

I am of others' beliefs. It matters, 

doesn't it?! It's important that we 

all have the freedom to believe as 

we are so moved. And frankly, 

what would make it right for me  

to repudiate someone else's beliefs? 

Again, food for thought.

In my dotage, have to admit I much

enjoy pondering these issues. I still

have a long way to go obviously, but 

I hope to be invited to the other side 

with even more understanding and 

acceptance under my belt!

pondering my doubts

pray open my heart and eyes

need to understand

11/10/2021

Having trouble with blanket

statements of late . . . the terms

'all' and 'always' being a bit of 

a clue!

"All men are assholes. Women 

are such meddlers. Mothers-in-

law hate their children's spouses. 

The kids of today are so spoiled. 

Grandmothers overindulge their

grandkids."

These statements simply cannot 

all be true. We know there is both

good and bad in every category . . . 

and somewhere in between as 

well.

There are phenomenal people 

who have made mistakes. There 

are rather wretched citizens that

from time to time do something

unexpectedly wonderful. And

we all have done various of both.

Where are the answers? What

solutions entice? And, how can

we each be of help?

It occurs to me that acceptance

may be the answer. Worry about

our own actions rather than those

of others. Trust that the Universe

is unfolding just as it should . . .

and ever and always help all of

those that we can . . . 

 . . . and let's lose the blanket

statements already!!!

believe in the good

we will always have that bad

lets focus on right

11/09/2021

Broken? So what . . .

We all are to some extent. 

It might be depression, the

onset of winter. It could be

that painful apathy in a

long-term relationship. 

Some are out of shekels and 

need the money. Owe bills all 

over town. Can't sleep at night

with bill collectors on the mind.

I struggle with winter; you may 

have issues with the heat in 

summer. One way or another it's

always something.

Been there, done that . . .

Let's just get on with it!

Having said that, it's simply not

that easy. Depression needs to

be dealt with and relationships

decided about. Money has to be

found to pay those pesky bills

and surviving winter SADS or 

summer heat are real!

So, how to cope? For some, it

will be their faith. Others feel

they just need to buckle down

and deal with it. Still, there are

those who trust in miracles.

One way or another, we seem

to get through.

I think it's probably a good idea

to remind ourselves that every

single soul on the planet is

going through something. We

are not alone in our dealings

with misfortune. 

I pray we each find a way of

coping with whatever difficulty

we've been dealt! Perhaps, the

coping itself will bring relief.

trying to survive

tis hell in a handbasket 

wheres glinda the good

11/08/2021

So interesting the things that

couples do together and don't

do together . . .

Trips, mini vays, eating out

watching movies . . . all fun

things that are enjoyed by

couples all over the planet.

Still, there are things that we

all enjoy doing on our own. I

know a lot of women like to

shop on their own. A couple 

of gals get a kick out of eating

lunch out. I even know there

are those who run and exercise

on their own; heaven forbid!!

I'm thinking this is healthy,

perhaps even the way things

ought to be. But, what to do

to make certain we're both

taking care of our marriages

and ourselves?!

Me thinks 'tis a good idea to

keep watch on our intentions,

our needs. It matters! Ask the

difficult questions already!

Am I more interested in me or

in my relationship? Or, am I

certain I'm taking care of both?

Do I remember that a marriage

is an investment and it matters?

Am I remembering to be kind

to me as well as my better half?

Good stuff to be reminded of.

Think I'll take it to heart. Here's

hoping I take my own advice!

are you listening

some good things to think about

pray make the right calls

11/07/2021

Birthdays ahoy . . .

Funny how grandparents get 

such a kick out of attending 

their grandkids' b-day parties. 

In thinking about it, it occurs 

to me that witnessing the joy 

of children is so refreshing.

That kind of innocence . . .

priceless!

Might be a lesson here . . .

I've never been just quite sure 

where that sweet innocence 

comes from. It occurs to me

that it could be their lack of

experience in the real world.

So, my question would be . . .

"How could we oldsters 

possibly get back some of that 

innocence we lost so long ago?" 

Me thinks it might be the key 

to some of that misplaced 

childish joy.

Answers? Look on the bright

side? Strive to be positive?

Hang out with the little ones?

Know this! I'll be pondering!

who holds the answer

what is the price to be paid

joy at any cost

11/06/2021

"When you're deeply sensitive,

love is ecstasy. Music is godlike.

Heartache is a wide, somatic 

wound. Visual natural beauty 

is jewel-drenched, wild bliss.

Tension and conflict are muscle 

tightening and toxic, straight 

down to the cells."

~Victoria Erickson

Love some of Victoria Erickson's

insightful ramblings . . . words to

live by; make no mistake! Alas . . .

I've had some rather different 

life experiences from being 

deeply sensitive. I would argue 

that the other side of love is 

heartbreak, but music does save 

the day!

Mother Nature, on the other hand, 

is one of the greatest loves of my 

life. Me thinks she's responsible

for all of it . . .  both the love and 

the music . . . along with her 

amazing, glorious self!

How I wish we honored her, took

care of her, and kept our damn

trash off her magnificent arenas!

When are we ever going to grow 

up and get a clue?! We've destroyed

the entire planet, used up precious

resources, and overpopulated to our 

hearts' content! Not really sure we

actually deserve any more chances.

so wish i could help

pray give us another chance

feeling your sorrow

11/05/2021

I dreamt I found us in England, 

much enjoying most wondrous 

and well deserved travels. 

We ambled along river banks,

enjoyed store fronts, and most

especially, the teas! It was

almost a mission, having tea

each day in a different venue.

I so longed to serve my own.

Somewhat by accident, we ran

into some old friends, Wes and

Heather . . . incredible! Clearly,

I needed to invite them to tea.

We were staying in an ancient, 

three-story mansion, currently 

being use as an inn. I explained

to the majordomo exactly what

I wished to do and obtained

permission.

I swear, I scrounged the entire

palace, searching for the exact

pieces I wanted. Lace and linens,

embroidered napkins, old silver

serving dishes . . . I ordered the

goodies and we were set.

Our guests were sweet and even

took us on a most harrowing 

drive afterwards . . . other side

of the road and all that. Still,

rather than worrying about being

killed, I was concerned about

getting all those tea pieces back 

to their right spots by curfew. 

Go figure!

Can't help but wonder if Wes

and Heather enjoyed the tea as

much as I did?!

wonder and wonder

will i ever go again

so miss my travels

11/04/2021

So excited . . . we're off to see

the wizard; I mean the kids!

I do seem to enjoy doing things

by the month and November is 

indeed all about Thanksgiving. 

Above and beyond all else, our 

children are the most special of

all to us!

So fun . . . we get to enjoy our

youngest; birthday ahoy! I find

it rather amazing to watch the

children, young with their entire

lives ahead of them . . . and here

we are about a hundred years old

and well on our way out!

Seeing family is not only a miracle,

but it's rather a panoramic view of

life as we know it . . . We are the

elders; parents, slash grandparents.

Our children follow, with children

of their own . . . our grands, as I

like to call them. Three generations!

Looking at this amazing picture book

in front of me, I find myself wayyyyy

beyond thankful; I feel ever so blest.

blest beyond belief

adore our little rascals 

so love all of you

11/03/2021

It's hard to say goodbye . . .

Seems that the entire month

of October has been about

getting ready for the ancestors,

for our beloved dead.

And all of a sudden, although

not quite so suddenly, it's time

to take down the altar, wipe

our tears away and bid our loved 

ones adieu.

In a way, it's both painful and

a relief. One simply cannot live 

forever on the street of the dead.

Transition time . . . greeting that

special day of Thanksgiving and

all that goes with . . .

House to clean, calls to make,

invites to prepare and send, a

meal to plan and thanks to be

given.

This does rather distract from

the sorrow of recent days, as

well as giving something to

look forward to.

I love seeing my children in

their adult roles of hosts, cooks,

entertainers. It always wows me.

I will be taking along the odd 

contribution to the meal, but

this time around, I'm a guest

rather than the mom. Feels a

bit odd, make no mistake!

so looking forward

leaving my sorrow behind

a kind of balance

11/02/2021 - Día de los Muertos

In spite of the many names we

use to honor today, it's all about

those adults we've lost in our

lives.

That wondrous altar we've used

during the month of October to

honor our dead, stands at the

ready for today. By now, we've

added those precious photographs

of our lost ancestors and perhaps

other loved ones lost to us.

The 31st, we paraded through the

streets dressed as the dead. The 

1st, we honored the loss of those 

precious souls dearest to our hearts,

our children. Today, finally meeting

at the familial altar, the storytelling

begins.

Perhaps, we have beer or wine 

to sip. A few snacks to munch 

on as we tell tales out of school.

Bits of cloth to dry our tears . . .

Let the stories begin!

Me thinks the reminiscence tends

to be somewhat the same year

after year. Some details may be

added and others dismissed, but

we do know and recognize our

stories.

We chuckle at Tío Pepe's antics

at parties, the fine cuisine of mi

abuela Clemen, the jokes la

cuñada used to so badly tell, and

on and on. As we embrace the

memories, tears may begin to

fall 'midst the laughter, but one

and all, precious beyond belief.

I find, just in the telling, that my

heart already pains me. I feel that

lump in my throat and tears nigh

onto brimming over . . .

dios me ayude

le ruego me consuele

dolor me puede 

11/01/2021 - Día de los Angelitos

Today, in those wondrous Latin

American countries where we

celebrate the three Días de los

Muertos, we honor the precious

children we have lost.

At the familial altar, photographs

our lost family members and 

ancestors are moved closer to the 

rear of the altar. Near the front, 

we place pictures of our sweet,

dear children, lost to us.

We often use toy kiddy plates 

and cups to put out their favorite 

foods and beverages. Small toys

little cars and dolls are also placed 

amongst the pictures.

We have honored our ancestors

and loved ones, but naught can

compare to the enduring pain

and sorrow of losing our little

ones. Those tears, copiously

falling at the altar, are precious

to the gods.

Oh, to hold our babes close to

our hearts, just once more . . .

niño chiquito

ay como te extraño

anlloro verte