christmas

Christmas consisted of opening gifts, reading letters to one another, candy and music.  Then we played a multi-family baseball game, kids vs. adults.  This was what the kids wanted.  Everyone in our family played.  At one point I was asked to pitch.  The good news is no one could hit my pitches.  The bad news is I threw them to the right of the right handed batters, on the opposite side of the plate.  I think I pitched to three batters before I got yanked.  I did get a couple of good hits.  It had been, oh twenty years since I played. After the game we went home and relaxed.  Then I cooked our traditional dinner -- roasted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce.  And cookies for dessert.    

christmas eve

On Christmas eve I made squash soup, salad and vegetables for dinner.  The day was kind of chaotic, with all the amplified music and last minute gift wrapping and emotions.  I felt homesick this year and called my parents to say hello.  That really cheered me up.  My mom always made holidays so special when we were kids, and sometimes I really miss those days, going to my grandparents, making hard candy, singing songs around the piano, making wreaths from ground pine, playing touch football in the snow with my brothers and sister.  After a few tears and a hug from Gary I felt better.  Then Shawn and I made cookies.   Soon the girls joined in, which I figured would happen.  I had been planning to do this all week and it was time.  After dinner we decorated our tree, listening to Christmas music.  It was the perfect ending to the holiday rush.  And soon I will tell you about Christmas day.  

i wuv 'em

When the kids were born I distinctively remember how much love and support they got from our relatives, especially compared to how people who didn't know them treated them.  It was natural, of course.  But I remember thinking that this would be the foundation on which to build their hearts.  They would know where they came from, they would face life with strength and wisdom, feeling that there were many people who deeply loved them, just because they were worthy of this.

Since the kids were young we have found friends who treat them the same way.
Friends who are like family.

For that I am so very grateful.

it's unbelievable to me

How blessed I am to have the friends I have.  It was wonderful to have two of them visit recently from the east coast.  To share meals, relax on the beach, play music together.  There is a magic that happens when good friends stay with us. We tap into a different rhythm.  We do and see things that we don't normally do, in showing people the magical place that we live.

With these guys, we slowed down.

And it was great.      

corner view~view on my street

These days no matter which way we look, whether out the front door or the back door, we see skies like this.
Lately my street looks very open and optimistic, fresh with cooling rain and possibility.

san diego, final post

Decisions.
We make them based on comparing contrasting options.
Too big, too small, too urban, too quiet.
All the while balancing it all, sometimes like a juggling clown, we throw the balls in the air, over and over, until all we see is a blur of moving spheres.
And then, in a moment, it all becomes clear.

And we know just what to do.
The trick is to wait for the clarity.

more san diego

In retrospect the joyous times in our lives are so easily recalled.  One week in San Diego in an oceanfront hotel with my parents.  Two college visits, the first ones ever for our oldest girl.  Made special because my parents came along.  A televised football game with my father.  I predicted the turn of events in which his team won.  Suddenly I was his good luck charm.  The sparkling blue tile to match the sea. Images of rows of bikes, orderly, juxtaposed with seals, more haphazard, but no less beautiful.  Everywhere there is beauty.