I'm still awaiting results of my blood work today, but at this moment, I feel like I'm going to start driving tomorrow and spend the weekend with Carlene before heading to the lacrosse games in Falls Church middle of next week. That's as far as I've planned at the moment, so here goes!
I'm up way later than I planned to be--as I had to watch Episode 4 of Call the Midwife.
I've also watched on PBS this week the first three episodes of Les Miserables on Masterpiece--a beautiful production.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019
The Night Before Leaving
The You Tube Universe is relatively new to me--what a great source of information and inspiration! Some You Tubers are experts with excellent camera work and sound quality, organized and clear explanations, and some are amateurs who, as the word suggests, "love what they do." While many of the professionals monetize their channels and get good stuff from people who make the products they mention, many others do it with no financial compensation--which speaks, in both cases, of the generosity of those who want to share what they've discovered.
I just learned last night, for example, that alcohol inks can only be used on non-porous surfaces: walls, glass, tiles, Yupo paper (a "paper" made of plastic), and the back side of most photo papers. I watched with fascination as one teacher made fractals with ink and drops of alcohol and I went out today to get a bottle of 91% alcohol and some freezer paper to practice on.
I'm also drawn to Gel printing--a form of mono printing using a gel plate--but so far, I've not quite gotten it right. I'll keep plugging along. I'm packing my plate and acrylic paints and brayer and will work on it in motels.
One of the mantras of You Tube Universe in this category is this: "It doesn't have to be perfect. Just play and have fun!"
That's exactly my philosophy about making things.
I just learned last night, for example, that alcohol inks can only be used on non-porous surfaces: walls, glass, tiles, Yupo paper (a "paper" made of plastic), and the back side of most photo papers. I watched with fascination as one teacher made fractals with ink and drops of alcohol and I went out today to get a bottle of 91% alcohol and some freezer paper to practice on.
I'm also drawn to Gel printing--a form of mono printing using a gel plate--but so far, I've not quite gotten it right. I'll keep plugging along. I'm packing my plate and acrylic paints and brayer and will work on it in motels.
One of the mantras of You Tube Universe in this category is this: "It doesn't have to be perfect. Just play and have fun!"
That's exactly my philosophy about making things.
Sunday, April 28, 2019
My car is washed, my bags are partially packed, so I'm on ready whenever I feel perkier--which I haven't been feeling this week.
I skipped the pooch parade and began packing, but gave out of energy. I began cleaning my house, same thing. So I'm just going to wait until my traveling energy returns....
That and a massage this afternoon at Spa D'Santi. A massage is usually a good remedy for anything that ails a person.
I skipped the pooch parade and began packing, but gave out of energy. I began cleaning my house, same thing. So I'm just going to wait until my traveling energy returns....
That and a massage this afternoon at Spa D'Santi. A massage is usually a good remedy for anything that ails a person.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Two Dog Stories and a Reminder of the Pooch Parade
Today I was driving down Basse Road following a red truck. In the back of the truck were two handsome dogs, one white, one brown.
The brown one stayed low in the bed of the truck, the white one stood high on the tool box, on all fours, even as the truck moved down Basse. He stood on all fours when the truck was moving, then sat down when the truck stopped, then back up when the light turned green--as if he needed to be on all fours for movement and rested when the truck paused in its forward movement.
I wouldn't call this the safest way to transport a dog, but it seemed to me that this pup had probably been riding like this all his life and his balancing skills were impressive!
Story #2 has no pictures because it all happened too fast to snap.
I was talking to a friend about dogs as I sat in my bed with the bedroom window open. I rarely talk about dogs on the phone, so this was truly a bit of synchronicity:
At the exact moment, I said "dogs," two white dogs with black spots ran across the deck outside my window, first one way, then back the other, prancing across my happy deck like animated illustrations for our conversation!
Because of the leash law in my neighborhood, you rarely see two dogs unleashed, and I never see dogs outside my bedroom window, never!
I figured it must be a sign--of something. I will await further illumination.
***
At the end of my street this morning, down by the pool, the annual Fiesta Pooch Parade begins, Alamo Heights' contribution to Fiesta. Hundreds of dogs and dog-lovers will be here early, some dogs in wagons, others prancing on their own four feet, dressed in Fiesta colors, and the spectator lap dogs will be plopped on their mistresses' fluffy Fiesta-skirted laps in rows of lawn chairs.
The brown one stayed low in the bed of the truck, the white one stood high on the tool box, on all fours, even as the truck moved down Basse. He stood on all fours when the truck was moving, then sat down when the truck stopped, then back up when the light turned green--as if he needed to be on all fours for movement and rested when the truck paused in its forward movement.
I wouldn't call this the safest way to transport a dog, but it seemed to me that this pup had probably been riding like this all his life and his balancing skills were impressive!
Story #2 has no pictures because it all happened too fast to snap.
I was talking to a friend about dogs as I sat in my bed with the bedroom window open. I rarely talk about dogs on the phone, so this was truly a bit of synchronicity:
At the exact moment, I said "dogs," two white dogs with black spots ran across the deck outside my window, first one way, then back the other, prancing across my happy deck like animated illustrations for our conversation!
Because of the leash law in my neighborhood, you rarely see two dogs unleashed, and I never see dogs outside my bedroom window, never!
I figured it must be a sign--of something. I will await further illumination.
***
At the end of my street this morning, down by the pool, the annual Fiesta Pooch Parade begins, Alamo Heights' contribution to Fiesta. Hundreds of dogs and dog-lovers will be here early, some dogs in wagons, others prancing on their own four feet, dressed in Fiesta colors, and the spectator lap dogs will be plopped on their mistresses' fluffy Fiesta-skirted laps in rows of lawn chairs.
Round Things
What shapes, colors, and arrangements are most appealing to you?
As I watch the weekly lesson from Wanderlust, I realized that my style of making things almost always focuses on circles. I also love grids of things--which Nellie does, too, and she attributes it in part to our growing up near farms and fields, like peach trees standing in neat grids in the red dirt of Georgia.
What we see when we're little imprints itself in our minds, though the connection is not always conscious.
Many years ago--say, 50, I remember taking white egg cartons and painting each little cell with a different color of paint.
Years later, I used muffin tins to arrange various seeds and candies.
And then I went through a period of taking photographs of round things--from Mexican pastries to sliced onions, then arranging them in grids.
So tonight's Wanderlust class piqued my interest, even though it falls under the class' category of Steampunk, which 'd planned to skip. Steampunk, per se, isn't my thing--but this class demonstrated something that is: a muffin tin painted all different colors and then used as a background for clay forms that she also taught us how to make.
I can hardly wait to copy this idea!
As I watch the weekly lesson from Wanderlust, I realized that my style of making things almost always focuses on circles. I also love grids of things--which Nellie does, too, and she attributes it in part to our growing up near farms and fields, like peach trees standing in neat grids in the red dirt of Georgia.
What we see when we're little imprints itself in our minds, though the connection is not always conscious.
Many years ago--say, 50, I remember taking white egg cartons and painting each little cell with a different color of paint.
Years later, I used muffin tins to arrange various seeds and candies.
And then I went through a period of taking photographs of round things--from Mexican pastries to sliced onions, then arranging them in grids.
So tonight's Wanderlust class piqued my interest, even though it falls under the class' category of Steampunk, which 'd planned to skip. Steampunk, per se, isn't my thing--but this class demonstrated something that is: a muffin tin painted all different colors and then used as a background for clay forms that she also taught us how to make.
I can hardly wait to copy this idea!
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Yesterday, I spent an hour with Apple tech support to resolve an iCloud problem.
As I wrote that sentence, it occurred me that a person forty years ago (like me) would say, "Whaaa-t? That sentence doesn't make sense."
Who could have imagined needing technical support with an apple? Or an iCloud with a problem?
But the nice woman on the phone gently and helpfully guided me to a solution.
Then I went to the Genius Bar at the Apple store at La Cantera to get a kink worked out on my iPhone Lifeprint printer--a wonderful birthday present that prints out lovely little photos right from your phone, perfect for incorporating into a travel journal or collage. Now my tiny printer is humming along and ready for travel.
While at La Cantera, I went to pick up my new prescription sunglasses and new lenses for my regular glssses. It's hard to write this morning because I'm either adjusting to the new lenses or they are off, necessitating a return trip to La Cantera later this afternoon.
I met Joy for yummy spinach enchiladas at El Chaparral in Helotes before picking up Elena, then Elena and I water-colored on her back porch until it was time to go to ballet and watch the recital rehearsal.
We did an experiment I'd learned about on You Tube:
Using concentrated water colors, you set up three cups: one of clear water, one with a half T. of salt, and one with five drops of Chlorox.
Then you put a brush ink each cup (a different brush for each) and make a wash of WATER on watercolor paper. While the wash is fresh, drop thick wet blobs of paint on each page and watch it bloom and spider differently depending on the chemistry of the water on the paper. Here it is if you'd like to try it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ewfn5Y8_Xs&list=LLh74O6Lelw9nOYlRAwhyhZw&index=14&t=352s
As I wrote that sentence, it occurred me that a person forty years ago (like me) would say, "Whaaa-t? That sentence doesn't make sense."
Who could have imagined needing technical support with an apple? Or an iCloud with a problem?
But the nice woman on the phone gently and helpfully guided me to a solution.
Then I went to the Genius Bar at the Apple store at La Cantera to get a kink worked out on my iPhone Lifeprint printer--a wonderful birthday present that prints out lovely little photos right from your phone, perfect for incorporating into a travel journal or collage. Now my tiny printer is humming along and ready for travel.
While at La Cantera, I went to pick up my new prescription sunglasses and new lenses for my regular glssses. It's hard to write this morning because I'm either adjusting to the new lenses or they are off, necessitating a return trip to La Cantera later this afternoon.
I met Joy for yummy spinach enchiladas at El Chaparral in Helotes before picking up Elena, then Elena and I water-colored on her back porch until it was time to go to ballet and watch the recital rehearsal.
We did an experiment I'd learned about on You Tube:
Using concentrated water colors, you set up three cups: one of clear water, one with a half T. of salt, and one with five drops of Chlorox.
Then you put a brush ink each cup (a different brush for each) and make a wash of WATER on watercolor paper. While the wash is fresh, drop thick wet blobs of paint on each page and watch it bloom and spider differently depending on the chemistry of the water on the paper. Here it is if you'd like to try it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ewfn5Y8_Xs&list=LLh74O6Lelw9nOYlRAwhyhZw&index=14&t=352s
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
In episode 2 of "Call The Midwife," an old woman is forced to leave her home--a flat filled with so much junk and filth that one could barely walk around. Besides, she has a nasty wound on her leg and is unable to care for herself.
As often happens in this series, one of the nurses takes her on beyond nursing and plans to organize her house so that she can stay.
The nurse befriends the grouchy Miss Millbrooks, and when she understands that it's going to take full-time care to keep the woman alive, she sits with her and helps her accept the inevitable move.
"I don't know if I can live in a place that's not my home."
"A woman of substance can make a life anywhere," the young nurse replies, "And you are a woman of substance."
Reluctantly, knowing that if she doesn't relent she will be dragged out by the police, Miss Millbrooks puts on clean clothes and a brave face and walks to the ambulance that will deliver her to the nursing home.
On the next day, the young nurse goes to visit Miss Millbrooks, and finds that she has died in her neat bed in her neat little room.
"Was it my fault?" she asks the oldest nurse in the house. "I hate to think of her dying alone."
The elder nurse responds, "She had friends all around her; she just hadn't had time yet to make their acquaintance."
In the second story in this episode, a young African family arrives in England, excited about becoming citizens and the upcoming birth of their second child.
The anemia discovered in the mother's pregnancy, and the pains experienced by her husband and son, reveals that the whole family has Sickle Cell disease.
"Should we go home?" the mother asks her husband.
"No," he says. "We will stay. Home is where your dreams are."
As often happens in this series, one of the nurses takes her on beyond nursing and plans to organize her house so that she can stay.
The nurse befriends the grouchy Miss Millbrooks, and when she understands that it's going to take full-time care to keep the woman alive, she sits with her and helps her accept the inevitable move.
"I don't know if I can live in a place that's not my home."
"A woman of substance can make a life anywhere," the young nurse replies, "And you are a woman of substance."
Reluctantly, knowing that if she doesn't relent she will be dragged out by the police, Miss Millbrooks puts on clean clothes and a brave face and walks to the ambulance that will deliver her to the nursing home.
On the next day, the young nurse goes to visit Miss Millbrooks, and finds that she has died in her neat bed in her neat little room.
"Was it my fault?" she asks the oldest nurse in the house. "I hate to think of her dying alone."
The elder nurse responds, "She had friends all around her; she just hadn't had time yet to make their acquaintance."
***
In the second story in this episode, a young African family arrives in England, excited about becoming citizens and the upcoming birth of their second child.
The anemia discovered in the mother's pregnancy, and the pains experienced by her husband and son, reveals that the whole family has Sickle Cell disease.
"Should we go home?" the mother asks her husband.
"No," he says. "We will stay. Home is where your dreams are."
***
This series always raises universal questions, and demonstrates how neighbors and professionals deal compassionately with each other. It's my weekly reminder of the power of kindness when times are hard.
Sunday, April 21, 2019
It's been a fun day! I returned to the Fiesta Arts fair to get my ring sized down (the one I bought yesterday) and wound up finding a couple of presents for upcoming family birthdays. With a pomegranate lemonade in hand, music playing, people all dressed up for Fiesta, it was a festive place to spend today!
Then I went to the 99-Cents store to pick up a few things for Kate which I delivered with two What-a-Catch sandwiches from Whataburger. She's doing amazingly well--took her first trip down the stairs to water plants and got her own paper from the yard.
In the parking lot of the 99 Cent Store on West Avenue, there were about 20 vendors selling cascarones and pinatas--a happy explosion of colors and confetti and people picking up huge bags of them.
My iCloud isn't talking to my computer this week, so I can't send pictures of Ophelia and Maria who sold me a small bag of cascarones. They've been doing eggs all year for the Big Easter sale. If you've never been to West Avenue on Easter, it's worth a look-see for sure next year.
Conversations with friends, a surprisingly tasty fish sandwich and presents ready to wrap--it's been a good Easter Sunday.
Then I went to the 99-Cents store to pick up a few things for Kate which I delivered with two What-a-Catch sandwiches from Whataburger. She's doing amazingly well--took her first trip down the stairs to water plants and got her own paper from the yard.
In the parking lot of the 99 Cent Store on West Avenue, there were about 20 vendors selling cascarones and pinatas--a happy explosion of colors and confetti and people picking up huge bags of them.
My iCloud isn't talking to my computer this week, so I can't send pictures of Ophelia and Maria who sold me a small bag of cascarones. They've been doing eggs all year for the Big Easter sale. If you've never been to West Avenue on Easter, it's worth a look-see for sure next year.
Conversations with friends, a surprisingly tasty fish sandwich and presents ready to wrap--it's been a good Easter Sunday.
"Be what you loved most about the people who are gone."
Today began with a conversation with my dear friend and kindred spirit, Chris, who lives in Kerrville. We met many years ago at a Story Circle writing conference and I thought, wisely, "I want her to be my friend!"
Her husband of many happy years, Ron, died this year, and she says she is choosing life and joy every day. Ron, a man known for his love of life, would have wanted that.
She gave me this quotation taped on her refrigerator: "Be what you loved most about the people who are gone."
I thought about my daddy, of course. As I grow older, I see him in my eyes in the mirror, and I often wonder, What would he do? What would he say?
We talked about how we can allow more space for the "unbidden and unconscious," and she said, "Wait, here it is, the poem that talks about that!"
William Ellery Channing's poem, "My Symphony," Chris' gift to me, mine to you:
Today began with a conversation with my dear friend and kindred spirit, Chris, who lives in Kerrville. We met many years ago at a Story Circle writing conference and I thought, wisely, "I want her to be my friend!"
Her husband of many happy years, Ron, died this year, and she says she is choosing life and joy every day. Ron, a man known for his love of life, would have wanted that.
She gave me this quotation taped on her refrigerator: "Be what you loved most about the people who are gone."
I thought about my daddy, of course. As I grow older, I see him in my eyes in the mirror, and I often wonder, What would he do? What would he say?
We talked about how we can allow more space for the "unbidden and unconscious," and she said, "Wait, here it is, the poem that talks about that!"
William Ellery Channing's poem, "My Symphony," Chris' gift to me, mine to you:
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Intentional and Intuitive
Every day I discover a new arts and crafts technique, a new glue with particular applications to paper and fabric, new paints and pencils. Why didn't they teach us the pleasure of play and making things in school?
Most of my favorite teachers at You Tube University are English. "Let's see what we have to hand," and "Let's have a play" are two phrases I hear a lot.
Kim Dellow's video tutorials are the flavor of the week. Yesterday she showed me, among other things, how to decorate a box with acrylic paint and I did step one before going to sleep at two in the morning.
She teaches a very fluid style of mark-making which is helping me loosen up. She talks about intentionality--having a plan or an idea--and also following your intuition stroke by stroke, letting one shape or line lead naturally to the next "without thinking about it so much."
Creative endeavors--from writing to photography to traveling--involve both.
When I travel, as I expect to do soon, I have three destinations in mind, but intuition will take over as I follow trails and backroads, one leading to the other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9tjRJAe-nk
Most of my favorite teachers at You Tube University are English. "Let's see what we have to hand," and "Let's have a play" are two phrases I hear a lot.
Kim Dellow's video tutorials are the flavor of the week. Yesterday she showed me, among other things, how to decorate a box with acrylic paint and I did step one before going to sleep at two in the morning.
She teaches a very fluid style of mark-making which is helping me loosen up. She talks about intentionality--having a plan or an idea--and also following your intuition stroke by stroke, letting one shape or line lead naturally to the next "without thinking about it so much."
Creative endeavors--from writing to photography to traveling--involve both.
When I travel, as I expect to do soon, I have three destinations in mind, but intuition will take over as I follow trails and backroads, one leading to the other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9tjRJAe-nk
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
It's been a quiet week on my street--except for a few minor tremors, no major quakes.
Yesterday the plan was to take Kate to the doctor, then leave her there, go get my annual x-ray, then pick her up. We needed to take her larger car because mine's too small for the scooter.
Her doctor kept her waiting for an hour or more, and when I got to my doctor's office (late because of a parking fiasco), turns out the orders hadn't been faxed in as promised, so I left without the x-ray, which necessitates juggling three other doctor's appointments (all in Stone Oak, all associated with CREST,)
Kate and I had both imagined that we'd be in and out and could make a tight schedule work, but where doctors are concerned, you can't plan on in and out.
She got good news--that she can walk without her boot and scooter in two weeks, not four more weeks as originally planned on. By the time I made it back to Kate (the parking fiasco making me late to my appointment and the no-show of the fax) I was an agitated mess.
As I was driving to her doctor's office, my phone rang seven times in a row, but since my phone wasn't on Blue Tooth and in the back seat somewhere, I couldn't answer it, and my mind was frenzied planning a wholesale change of doctors--rheumatologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, not downtown and not at Stone Oaks.
Meanwhile, my doctor called to inform me I had a UTI, and I went to pick up antibiotics--and now I wonder if the infection had made me way more jittery than normal.
Since I have three friends coming for a mini-retreat today, one from out of town and spending the night, I went for a massage at the Chinese place to calm myself down and then to Longhorns to get a steak, and both seemed to help.
Overall, it's been a packed and stressful week, and I've decided not to leave for my solo road trip for at least a week. No rush--that's one of the many advantages of driving over flying. At some point, after I catch up and check a few things off my to-do list, I'll get in the car and head out for an adventure!
Yesterday the plan was to take Kate to the doctor, then leave her there, go get my annual x-ray, then pick her up. We needed to take her larger car because mine's too small for the scooter.
Her doctor kept her waiting for an hour or more, and when I got to my doctor's office (late because of a parking fiasco), turns out the orders hadn't been faxed in as promised, so I left without the x-ray, which necessitates juggling three other doctor's appointments (all in Stone Oak, all associated with CREST,)
Kate and I had both imagined that we'd be in and out and could make a tight schedule work, but where doctors are concerned, you can't plan on in and out.
She got good news--that she can walk without her boot and scooter in two weeks, not four more weeks as originally planned on. By the time I made it back to Kate (the parking fiasco making me late to my appointment and the no-show of the fax) I was an agitated mess.
As I was driving to her doctor's office, my phone rang seven times in a row, but since my phone wasn't on Blue Tooth and in the back seat somewhere, I couldn't answer it, and my mind was frenzied planning a wholesale change of doctors--rheumatologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, not downtown and not at Stone Oaks.
Meanwhile, my doctor called to inform me I had a UTI, and I went to pick up antibiotics--and now I wonder if the infection had made me way more jittery than normal.
Since I have three friends coming for a mini-retreat today, one from out of town and spending the night, I went for a massage at the Chinese place to calm myself down and then to Longhorns to get a steak, and both seemed to help.
Overall, it's been a packed and stressful week, and I've decided not to leave for my solo road trip for at least a week. No rush--that's one of the many advantages of driving over flying. At some point, after I catch up and check a few things off my to-do list, I'll get in the car and head out for an adventure!
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
I always enjoy an excuse to walk around Market Square, so Jocelyn and I were tourists this morning, trying on Fiesta clothes and shopping for take home gifts.
After our nap, we went to get Elena--these two have really hit if off!
On the way back from Helotes, Elena and I gave Jocelyn a tour of Helotes, including a little shop from which Elena always gets to buy presents. This week, however, she's on time out (for some infraction of rules she prefers not to share): no presents, no screen time. Madeleine, the owner, however, doesn't know that--and she loves Elena. She gave her a present anyway--a ring of Fiesta hair flowers that lights up. It was such a sweet gesture, it made me teary for a minute.
Then we went to Nando's Mexico Linda and Jocelyn bought a few things, and I chose a couple of small pots. For the first he charged me $5, the second he said, "For you, nada!" which made me teary again.
I just love nice people!
After our nap, we went to get Elena--these two have really hit if off!
On the way back from Helotes, Elena and I gave Jocelyn a tour of Helotes, including a little shop from which Elena always gets to buy presents. This week, however, she's on time out (for some infraction of rules she prefers not to share): no presents, no screen time. Madeleine, the owner, however, doesn't know that--and she loves Elena. She gave her a present anyway--a ring of Fiesta hair flowers that lights up. It was such a sweet gesture, it made me teary for a minute.
Then we went to Nando's Mexico Linda and Jocelyn bought a few things, and I chose a couple of small pots. For the first he charged me $5, the second he said, "For you, nada!" which made me teary again.
I just love nice people!
Monday, April 8, 2019
A poem by Jeannette Encinias--sent to me by Jan
"How many years of beauty do I have left?
she asks me.
How many more do you want?
Here. Here is 34. Here is 50.
When you are 80 years old
and your beauty rises in ways
your cells cannot even imagine now
and your wild bones grow luminous and
ripe, having carried the weight
of a passionate life.
When your hair is aflame
with winter
and you have decades of
learning and leaving and loving
sewn into
the corners of your eyes
and your children come home
to find their own history
in your face.
When you know what it feels like to fail
ferociously
and have gained the
capacity
to rise and rise and rise again.
When you can make your tea
on a quiet and ridiculously lonely afternoon
and still have a song in your heart
Queen owl wings beating
beneath the cotton of your sweater.
Because your beauty began there
beneath the sweater and the skin,
remember?
This is when I will take you
into my arms and coo
YOU BRAVE AND GLORIOUS THING
you’ve come so far.
I see you.
Your beauty is breathtaking."
~ Jeannette Encinias
Wise Old Woman by Daniela Rosenhouse
Yesterday Jocelyn and I visited t the San Fernando Cathedral and two of the missions, San Jose and Conception. Beautiful both--and a pretty day, cool after last night's storm.
We were lucky to get in on a lecture by one of the docents at Mission Conception, and I learned a lot about the history of our 301-year-old city--identical in age, I discovered, to New Orleans. .
Before the heat sets in, this is an excellent time to visit the missions if you're so inclined--great places for people watching and photography.
I've been a bit slow-moving from eating a dessert Thursday night that didn't agree with my tummy, but we soldiered on and had a fun day!
We were lucky to get in on a lecture by one of the docents at Mission Conception, and I learned a lot about the history of our 301-year-old city--identical in age, I discovered, to New Orleans. .
Before the heat sets in, this is an excellent time to visit the missions if you're so inclined--great places for people watching and photography.
I've been a bit slow-moving from eating a dessert Thursday night that didn't agree with my tummy, but we soldiered on and had a fun day!
Sunday, April 7, 2019
"It ends where it always ends, in silence...."
When I watch Call the Midwife, I'm always struck by the kindness of women toward women. Every episode brings tears to see the way women take care of each other--not just in birthings but in all kinds of ways.
In 1963, abortion was still illegal in England, and women died and were maimed by back-alley terminations of unwanted pregnancies. If they survived, they risked arrest.
But in this series, the same good midwives who deliver babies look on these women with no judgment, only compassion. They do what they can to keep the women alive after botched attempts in seedy places leave them sick or bleeding or worse.
"Where does it end?" one midwife asks an elder one, who replies, "It ends where it always ends, in silence."
Now that the Sixties children delivered by the midwives of that era are past childbearing age themselves, the world has changed in many ways, some good, some less so. But regarding women's reproductive choices, it's a world less shrouded in secrets, shame, and silence, and I'm among those who hope it always stays that way.
When I watch Call the Midwife, I'm always struck by the kindness of women toward women. Every episode brings tears to see the way women take care of each other--not just in birthings but in all kinds of ways.
In 1963, abortion was still illegal in England, and women died and were maimed by back-alley terminations of unwanted pregnancies. If they survived, they risked arrest.
But in this series, the same good midwives who deliver babies look on these women with no judgment, only compassion. They do what they can to keep the women alive after botched attempts in seedy places leave them sick or bleeding or worse.
"Where does it end?" one midwife asks an elder one, who replies, "It ends where it always ends, in silence."
Now that the Sixties children delivered by the midwives of that era are past childbearing age themselves, the world has changed in many ways, some good, some less so. But regarding women's reproductive choices, it's a world less shrouded in secrets, shame, and silence, and I'm among those who hope it always stays that way.
Saturday, April 6, 2019
April 5th and 6th
Jocelyn and I are just popping in for a re-charge (AKA nap, for me) before continuing our pre-Fiesta Fiesta.
We had dinner on Will and Veronica's porch last night and Jocelyn and Elena proclaimed themselves "twins." Both animal lovers, both playful--they hit it right off.
Just a reminder, for San Antoniio folks who, like me, may have forgotten: the Pearl is the best place in the city to be on a Saturday morning. It's much expanded since my last visit, and we loved poking around and sampling foods and watching kids splash in the fountains and nice dogs sunning with their people on the grass.
We had dinner on Will and Veronica's porch last night and Jocelyn and Elena proclaimed themselves "twins." Both animal lovers, both playful--they hit it right off.
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| After dinner, all five us had the Glue Party. Here's Elena peeling her glue off. |
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| Elena with Aunt Jocelyn |
Just a reminder, for San Antoniio folks who, like me, may have forgotten: the Pearl is the best place in the city to be on a Saturday morning. It's much expanded since my last visit, and we loved poking around and sampling foods and watching kids splash in the fountains and nice dogs sunning with their people on the grass.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Thank you, Joy, for these photos of our Saturday reunion
Half the people were taking pictures, while the other half were posing. So this is about half the women who attended the 20-plus-year reunion on Saturday. For once, I wasn't taking pictures, so Joy, alas, isn't in the picture.
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British? Who Me?
Last time I met Becky at Commonwealth for brunch (great avocado toast, nice quiet atmosphere), it was the day of the Big Give, and I donated a bit to the people who feed 75 homeless people a day, and the man taking the money (and giving me a Fiesta pin in return, which I will--as tradition has it--pass on to Jocelyn in the Spirit of Fiesta) asked me, "Are you British?"
I told him no, but I do watch a fair amount of British telly.
And I do also watch a motley bunch of British artists showing me how to make things on You Tube, so hey ho, you do pick up a bit of British that way, I guess.
I was flattered by his comment. I used to get "You sound just like Rosalyn Carter!"--whom I also like but whom I didn't particularly want to sound just like.
But these videos by Dyan Reaveley and Mike Deakins and a few more--are so much fun to watch that I can look up and see it's midnight and I haven't done all the other things I intended to do.
I also watched a wonderful tutorial on Wanderlust showing how to make encaustics. (This one by Kasia Avery who's from Denmark but transplanted to England.) I took an actual in-person class in encaustics once, but honestly I prefer to learn these particular lessons online, at my own pace, in my own space, rewinding and taking screen shots to remind me of certain techniques. I now have quite a library of screen shots.
After spending a day with two good men, Edward and Evan, neither one British by any stretch, one doing my yard, the other my door and hanging of a couple of pegboards and mirrors, I needed a respite from dudes, even really nice ones, and spent the evening being inspired by one tattooed woman with purple hair and a few more.
One of my favorite techniques of the night (this for you, Nellie!) was filling water brushes with spray ink diluted with water and using these for watercoloring--which gives you super vivid colors.
Everything is tickety-boo at the moment, but I'm a bit snackered--in the British kind of way--so I'm going to call it a day. In fact, I'm going to call it quite a good day and expect another one tomorrow.
I told him no, but I do watch a fair amount of British telly.
And I do also watch a motley bunch of British artists showing me how to make things on You Tube, so hey ho, you do pick up a bit of British that way, I guess.
I was flattered by his comment. I used to get "You sound just like Rosalyn Carter!"--whom I also like but whom I didn't particularly want to sound just like.
But these videos by Dyan Reaveley and Mike Deakins and a few more--are so much fun to watch that I can look up and see it's midnight and I haven't done all the other things I intended to do.
I also watched a wonderful tutorial on Wanderlust showing how to make encaustics. (This one by Kasia Avery who's from Denmark but transplanted to England.) I took an actual in-person class in encaustics once, but honestly I prefer to learn these particular lessons online, at my own pace, in my own space, rewinding and taking screen shots to remind me of certain techniques. I now have quite a library of screen shots.
After spending a day with two good men, Edward and Evan, neither one British by any stretch, one doing my yard, the other my door and hanging of a couple of pegboards and mirrors, I needed a respite from dudes, even really nice ones, and spent the evening being inspired by one tattooed woman with purple hair and a few more.
One of my favorite techniques of the night (this for you, Nellie!) was filling water brushes with spray ink diluted with water and using these for watercoloring--which gives you super vivid colors.
Everything is tickety-boo at the moment, but I'm a bit snackered--in the British kind of way--so I'm going to call it a day. In fact, I'm going to call it quite a good day and expect another one tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
"Why You Love Mayor Pete"
By center-right political commentator, David Brooks:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/01/opinion/pete-buttigieg-2020.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_ty_20190402&nl=opinion-today&nl_art=4&nlid=61240191emc%3Dedit_ty_20190402&ref=headline&te=1
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/01/opinion/pete-buttigieg-2020.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_ty_20190402&nl=opinion-today&nl_art=4&nlid=61240191emc%3Dedit_ty_20190402&ref=headline&te=1
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