ecumenism on the front porch

So my husband, a.k.a. Gladys Kravitz, and I sit on the porch in the afternoon and watch birds. Pathetic, I know, but hey, it’s rather relaxing and once I got past the whole cliche/mockery of what our lives has become,  it’s turned out to be a rather relaxing and enjoyable part of my day. In fact, so much so that this evening we put rings on crucifixes for that crazy bunch over at Rosary Army and The Catholics Next Door until the natural light gave out. Note: piece work a terrible way to make a living.

Anyway, I digress. This is about the birds. The ecumenical ones.

It turns out that my hubby made a little island in the front yard, and put a bird bath and a feeder in it. That is what occupies our evenings when Gladys isn’t spying on the neighbors and delivering world-altering news like, “Lamar just went out to get the paper.”

Anyway, the birds. There are tons of them! It’s quite lovely to watch. At first, they would come to the bird bath, but totally ignore the feeder. Except for the squirrels, who perch near the stand and try to figure out how to get to it: fail! We’ve seen all kinds of pretty birds. Now that they’ve figured out that there’s food, everyone comes to eat. We were particularly taken with a male and female couple of cardinals. The female seemed afraid of the feeder, and would perch near it, but not terribly close. The male would get some food  and take it to her! It was amazing!  I’ll let you draw the metaphor for marriage on your own.

Back to ecumenism. Every kind of bird comes to the bath and feeder and shares in the available resources. It’s pretty amazing. I didn’t think they would coexist like that, but they sure do. Of course, some are a little more righteous than others, and then there’s the problem of the Blue Jays. They are pricks. But all in all, we could learn a few lessons from the natural world.

It reminds me of one of my favorite bible verses: Matthew 6:25-34.

I feel like a fruit basket.

I know, some of you think I’m a fruitcake. Others think I’m a basket case. Some days I’m both, but today, I totally smell like a fruit basket.

I bathed with grapefruit mint shower gel, shampooed with strawberries and cream, followed by green apple conditioner. Then I shaved my legs with mango pomegranate gel. If that wasn’t enough, I used almond cherry moisturizer.

Weird? Maybe. In a wild Dave Ramsey moment I decided to use all my unfinished shower products before buying anything new. I didn’t anticipate fruit salad.

I feel silky soft, but the dog keeps trying to lick me.

well, it’s done

Vicky had to report at 5 o’clock today to begin the transition to Basic Training. She ran inside, checked in, and then ran right back out so we could go to dinner together, along with her closest friend, Meredith.  We had a pleasant dinner, and then dropped her off for good. Oh. I have no words.

Too soon! Too soon! Even though we’ve had months to prepare. It seems like only yesterday she was taking her first steps, and now she has finally taken her own steps into total independence.  I think she was torn between throwing up or cartwheels. Maybe both. Especially if she was doing the cartwheels first. I know which one I’m going to do. Hint: I’m in no shape for cartwheels.

I watched her as she was giving her things one final pass.  She tucked her St. Michael medal in her shirt, and packed the olive drab twine rosary in the new digital camo back pack.  That’s all she takes with her–that, and a couple of changes of clothes. And a piece of my heart.

Anyway, here I sit. Contemplating boxes of memories that she’s packed up. Piles of clothes to be taken to St. Vincent de Paul.  Mementos left behind. I’ll get to them. Just not yet.

random gem to ponder

At the feast of ego
Everyone leaves hungry.

–Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea, Tucson , AZ

Bego’s Examination Axiom

Given a classroom of 28 students, 2 hours, and an essay exam, one person will finish in under 30 minutes, over 90% will finish within 90 minutes, and 2 will drag out their misery and mine, right up until I call for the papers, whereupon one will sigh and turn it in, and the other will disregard me and keep writing. I like that one. I pick up my things and leave. Without the exam.

I am giddy with joy, in the nerdiest kind of way

I went to see Star Trek for Mother’s Day. Here’s the big observation–everyone else in the theater was middle-aged, balding or graying, and paunchy-looking. Well, not all of us. I looked hot. Remember the middle age thing? Yeah, I was hot, as in hot flash.

Anyway, during the ridiculously long trailers and other advertisemnts taking up all my time, Vicky and I were noting the demographics in the theater. There were a lot of folks my age who had grown up with Star Trek, and then there were our kids, who either went as some weird bonding exprience, or were truly interested in Trek. I’m not sure which. Here’s the thing–it was a Trek movie that was true to Trek (sorry for the alliteration) but engaged the younger generation. It was spectacular. I loved it.

JJ Abrams is my new hero. We finally got some Star Trek that delivered. In a big way. LOL. The special effects were spectacular. There was actually a decent plot, although the time travel/alternate reality tends to get a bit old in sci-fi (still, Spock manages to address that in an amusing way at the end). There were liberties with the story line that were a bit out there, but I suppose it was resolved with the excuse that it was an alternate reality, but still–. I can totally see how a purist would be annoyed, and yet, as far as the story goes, I get it.

Things I could have done without–um, besides changing some history? Nothing. I liked it.

Things that were very well done for this Trekkie:

The characters were believable. Kirk behaved like Kirk. Spock behaved like Spock. Sulu was terrific. Chekov stole the show on the bridge. Scotty was fantastic. Uhura, who had been my favorite as a kid (I used to shove my brother’s crib spring in my ear and pretend to be on the bridge) came through very well, too, although Nichelle Nichols had a whole lot more sensuality. And in a final nod, the actor who played Sarek was wonderful.

I appreciate the nods to the canon. The references to the characters’ quirks in the series were awesome. Sulu fencing was particularly amusing. McCoy was brilliant.

The final scene on the bridge was reminiscent of the show, and the actors seemed to get it right. Kirk, especially, was Kirk without being campy. A feat even Shatner rarely pulled off.

Nicely done.

there is always hope. even when it doesn’t look that way.

Pop comes through again.

Happy Mother’s Day!

My favorite mom in the whole universe. This is a classic pose. Note that she has been collecting wrapping paper and such after my niece, Luly, opened some gifts. My favorite part, of course, is her extreme surprise over something. My mother, if anything else, is the most expressive person I know.

I love you Mami!!!