Ten Word Tuesday

Thinking of Japan's people, almost constantly; wishing peace and security.


Dear Japan (親愛なる日本) from Matthew Brown on Vimeo.

Friday night grateful moment

repare yourself for a dose of nostalgia, Sher-style. Seth and I are in Kelowna visiting my aunt and grandma for the weekend, and there is nothing like driving the highway between the border and Kelowna to really get me thinking about my childhood... yesterday was no exception.

This week my gratefulness has a twinge of sentimental...

I'm grateful I grew up in such a beautiful valley. The first few years I was away from the Okanagan Valley, I was transfixed by the sunsets on the Palouse in Washington State, and thoroughly enjoyed the smaller hills and rolling landscape around me. I guess it's one of those "grass is greener" moments, but coming back to the valley now and seeing the lake, surrounded by real mountains, it just takes my breath away. Especially with the snow on the mountains, still. (I know, me with the snow already. Whatever.)

That's the "old" floating bridge of my childhood... it's since been replaced with a newer, multi-lane model.

I am thankful for such happy memories of my childhood. I have so many wonderful memories of family Friday night suppers, a pot of soup or haystacks, something freshly baked from the oven for dessert, laughter and relaxation. That quote I shared yesterday about a warm stove and a mom? That resonates with me very deeply. I had a brother who stood up for me against any school yard meany, parents who supported me through even some pretty foolish nonsense, and acres and acres to roam if I needed a little space to stretch my legs and my mind. I was very blessed.

Coming back into the valley also brings up memories of my elementary and middle school years... I shared a particularly humorous (to me) story with Seth yesterday of a pool party that we had in the 8th grade and how I don't remember a parent present (that would irk me now, as a parent. I'm pretty sure there must have been one, somewhere, I just don't remember it...) and someone had rented a Cheech & Chong movie... one kid called their parents (not quite sure why, much of this is somewhat hazy, but I think there was a general unease among most of the kids with the stoner aspect of the movie) who then called other parents and before you know it there was a mass exodus of kids whose parents showed up (which I believe mine did). Rumor had it that the elite few who stayed behind watched An Officer and a Gentleman, which of course further solidified their cooler-than-cool quotient with the class... I hadn't thought about that in about 30 years.

I am thankful that my son still enjoys going on road trips with me, and especially to come see Great Grandma. She's tired, and we wear her out easily, so we dip in and out to see her, but it means a great deal to me that he comes with me, and has a sense of the generations that have come before him. It took me a great many years to appreciate that in my grandparents... so I'm glad he gets it sooner than I did!

I'm grateful for music, which makes the miles go by quite quickly. We are quiet eclectic, the two of us on the road... yesterday we listened to everything from Two Door Cinema, Ratatat and Flashbulb (Seth's iPod) to the soundtrack from Fame, Alphaville, Bitter:Sweet and Double (my mix). Yes, Double. 1980s! The video below just makes me smile, remembering.



In a related note on music, I am grateful for my love of hymns. Grandma was telling Seth and I last night about singing to herself each night before bed, and I thought to myself, I could totally see doing that at 92! Mix in a little Sound of Music singalong, maybe a bit of Abba, cut to some Rock of Ages or In The Garden, and that's me in the nursing home...

I'm grateful for a bunch of long-gened grandparents. The stamina of these people is amazing! The Goerlitz grandparents passed away at 90 (Charlotte) and 95 (Frank). Grandpa Kandt (Bert) passed away at 86, just about 87... and Grandma Kandt (Opal) is still going at 92. I'm very lucky to have had them all present in my life, but especially poor Grandma Kandt, who gets all the attention of being the last living grandparent!

I'm grateful for my aunt Bobbi, who houses us so generously when we visit. And feeds us too! The minestrone upon arrival, haystacks tonight... you don't get that at the Manteo. I'm just sayin'.

I'm grateful for our little traditions on these trips, from Scandia Golf and Games (mini jungle golf in the dark, essentially) to Tim Horton's TimBits to White Spot to raiding Save-On Foods for Canadian/European chocolate bars... and my little side trips to Art Knapp's... hmmm. How many of those are food-related? Just a part of our heritage, I guess...

Another, newer, tradition that I'm grateful for is the Bi-Annual Meetup of the Hollandaise Sisters. Tomorrow morning I get to have breakfast with my friend, Lisa, who lives in Kelowna... we went to elementary school together, but the two years between our classes meant that of course we weren't really friends... that was just too big a difference at that age, I guess. But with the arrival of Facebook and the rather lovely surprise that we have more than a few things in common, we have gotten together on my recent trips to Grandma's and enjoyed a breakfast catch-up (hence the hollandaise reference, one of the things we have in common!) on each other's lives. One of those lovely and unexpected joys in life, definitely.

I'm grateful for the technology that helps us retain memories. Grandma and I went through a memory book/photo album of their 60th anniversary today, while watching a DVD of their 50th anniversary... so fun to see all the great '90s haircuts and massive eye glasses, listening to the laughing of the aunties on the recording... my mom and her sisters have the best laughs. I remember so many times as a child, just enjoying being around the four of them and listening to the rising and falling of the laughter, that funny lilt and sigh they would do when they'd all been laughing for too long. I love that memory so much.

I'm grateful for time. For the ability to travel and come back to this valley, for time to have matured enough to appreciate things I used to take for granted, for time with Seth to share with him what I find important in this world. All of it.

Wishing you good memories and a lovely weekend. Peace.

Picture sources: here, here and here.

Thursday 13: Quotes on my mind

uotes are a favorite of mine; an inheritance, if you will, from my parents... I am always culling and collecting quotes that appeal to me. I like to tuck them away to fiddle with in my calligraphy practice, or post here, or share with friends in a more personal way as needed... we all need encouragement, direction and reminders at different times, and sometimes knowing someone else thought a specific phrase or sentence  at another, maybe distant, time can be helpful.

Here are 13 quotes I've made note of lately, that speak to me especially:

In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.
-Barbara Costikyan

Believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Believe that you might be that light for someone else.
-Kobi Yamada

Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that are forever blowing through one’s mind.
-Mark Twain

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
-Helen Keller

We are mirrors whose brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.
-C. S. Lewis

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
-Ruth Ann Schabacker

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.
-Henry David Thoreau

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.
-Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

If you can't be a poet, be the poem.
-David Carradine

It is not hard for the Lord to turn night into day. He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the skies. Let us be of good cheer. It is better farther on. Let us sing hallelujah in anticipation.
-C. H. Spurgeon

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
-Jane Austen (I can see an embroidery sampler out of that one, don't you think?)

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
-George Sand

And my all-time recent favorite, sure to make it's way to the my Top 100 of all time (as I know this to be true):
Given total freedom the work is likely to sprawl.
-T. S. Eliot

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Thursday. For more Thursday 13 participants, go here.

Mid-week inspiration: There is this

Ten Word Tuesday

I'm amazed how frequently I must be reminded: choose joy.

Weekend info-gathering roundup #6

t's been awhile since I've posted a "reading round-up"... while some of these were found over the weekend, others revealed themselves at random internet roaming moments... This weekend wasn't a big online weekend... Unfortunately/fortunately (depending on my mood at any given moment) the weather beckoned, the yard shouted of neglect, and I acquiesced, at least a bit... Sunshine is a wonderful thing, though, and I was amazed at the invigoration of the breeze, the sun, the doggies...

I love a colorful plate of food, and read an interesting post on tastespotting's blog about eating a different color each week of March. That may be a bit more extreme than I'm inclined toward--how about a lot of color at EVERY meal? All the time? But what a great idea, and a beautiful graphic to illustrate the point.

And in keeping with color coordination... I think this video is a lot of fun:


I think this is an interesting take on the decreasing price of Kindles... as a longstanding Amazon Prime member, I'm wholeheartedly in favor of his theory that a Kindle will be tossed in with a Prime membership, maybe by the end of the year. Sweet.

Here's an interesting thought, one that kinda resonates with this sometimes vegetarian: Bacon as a gateway meat. Funny, and maybe a bit true?

Happily, we make our way through most days meat-free. I found a wonderful post with lots of good inspiration at Food52 that motivates toward that end... the question is, what to make first? There's the butternut squash salad... or the ricotta and chive gnocchi... or the tomato rice or the saag paneer... uh-oh, hungry!

Love these felty flowers? Me too. Here's the DIY on those lovelies.

Other flowers I have "picked" on my online travels... these sweet roses on a pillow:

And lovely crochet flowers too:

I must be dreaming of spring, right?

And in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss this past week, check out these green eggs and ham. What a hoot.

If you haven't heard of the Khan Academy, do click on over and read about this really radical approach to education and how it's changing learning across the globe. Pretty cool. Maybe I could get a grasp on those math concepts even at this late date?

I have recently been fiddling around with a ceramic cone for my one cuppa coffee each morning... it's taken a bit of work to get it "just so," and this piece helped me get it right.

Ran across a great tumblr site called Doodle Everyday. Check out these fabulous doodles below... I wish I doodled like that... I'm still stuck in stars and hashtags and cubes in perspective and hearts... you get my drift.

Hope your weekend was lovely and there was a bit of sunshine, wherever you were. And that the week ahead brings you the right mixture of challenges and triumphs!

Friday night grateful moment

hankful, so thankful...

For the springing weather. If we can't have snow (which it appears we cannot), let's just spring forward, shall we? The longer days, the sunshine, the warmer temps... all good.

For an appreciation for all kinds of food, from somewhat complicated to an apple eaten off the core.

For getting a few things accomplished that I've been procrastinating about... Hello, landfill. Hello, recycling center. Goodbye, rubbish! I guess mostly I'm thankful that self-guilt still accomplishes something with me. Don't let anyone tell you guilt is all bad. It's not.

For the flow of ink from a really nice pen. Experimenting with new calligraphy nibs makes me happy!

For my iPad. I haven't fallen out of love with it yet and don't anticipate that happening any time soon. And no, I don't feel the need to run out for the latest version, which came out this week. I will be happy with my happy pad and my flat-rate data plan for the foreseeable future, thank you very much.

For my boy and his texts and calls. (Even if it means he needs me to bring his fancy-schmancy calculator to him...)

For a meal with a friend that felt like summer (except for the actual weather). I can't wait until it actually IS summer and the basil and arugula and tomatoes are from the garden and taste like happiness. Yum.

Oh, that was yummy crostoni at Serafina...

For the anticipation of the greening and leafing of the yard. It's really looking tired and sad right now, but in a few weeks I know that the sunshine and rain will have worked their magic and we'll be in a whole 'nother place.

For Hulu+. I can get my Parenthood fix and relive the shallowness of Lipstick Jungle, all in one place.

For my husband, who makes me laugh. I love that about us.

For tulips. Now there's a sign of spring! Even if they are only in the grocery stores currently, and not in the flower beds...

For a functioning computer. I certainly don't take that for granted. Everything is better when you're not crashing and freezing every few hours... minutes...

For a weekend... to regroup, chat to my heart's content with husband, catch up on Netflix, worship, nap, clean my office, nap, make a big old breakfast or two, bake some bread (and maybe some cinnamon rolls?), nap, crochet, scan some pictures, download some music (yes, I'm way overdue to repay my musical debts to my musical sisters) and nap.

Oh, glorious weekend! Thank you for arriving, just when we needed you. Wishing you and yours the best kind of weekend: the one where you get to do what you want, when you want, with whom you wish.

Thursday 13: Daybook musings...

or this lovely Thursday...

Outside my window... it is really looking like spring this morning. Blue skies with a few clouds, and birds chirping. Seems like a quick switch this week, I hope it continues in the general direction of warmth.

I am thinking... that I have a list of things to do today, and I had better get crackin'.

I am thankful for... a safe, quick trip to Seattle yesterday, and for good meetings and a lovely dinner with a friend.

From the kitchen... we are currently living off leftovers... I might need to get a few groceries so we can eat something new (and tasty) this weekend!

I am wearing... black corduroys and a khaki top. Need to start thinking a bit more spring-like in the wardrobe department... I've been black and brown and gray for months... time to infuse a bit of color!

I am creating... still working on my granny squares. Loving the color... going to have a little crafty session with a friend this morning at her studio. Oh joy.

I am going... to take Seth and go see my Grandma! There are these three wildly unexpected days off school next week. Conferences. I know, I could check the school calendar occasionally. I'm pretty sure they aren't "wildly unexpected" to everyone. Just me! So, we'll take advantage of a couple of those days and make the trek north. Very happy to be able to do taht.

I am reading... Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith, by Shane Hipps, just started... Seems like it's a bit of a let's-bash-technology kind of book, but maybe I'm jumping the gun... I'll keep you posted. It obviously spoke to me enough in concept that I downloaded it...

I am hoping... to be able to articulate myself later today. I have a meeting where I need to bring a fairly unformed idea forward and get some feedback. Wish me luck.

I am hearing... dogs barking.

Around the house... things are feeling good... other than the sunshine streaming through those dirty windows! I may need to do something about those this weekend...

One of my favorite things... is talking. Ha.

A few plans for the rest of the week... well, it's almost over, so I'll tell weekend plans. Nothing. Zippo. Zilch. And very much looking forward to all of that nothing, definitely. (Maybe a little window cleaning?)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... of an amazing sandwich and polenta fries that I shared with a friend in Seattle yesterday. It was heavenly. The whole meal was lovely... we ate a lot and talked a lot; nice to catch up, Kari!

The daybook concept can be found here.

There are some fun blogs over at Thursday 13, check them out!

Mid-week inspiration: A huge silence

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the world can teach us
as when everything seems dead
but later proves to be alive.
–Pablo Neruda

Ten Word Tuesday

I can't fathom this loss, a year later. Beyond words.