Memories

  

I did write this yesterday, Monday, but didn’t manage to get the pictures scanned until today.

Light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories

Today, Monday, is Memorial Day – our Remembrance Day.  It’s the day we remember and honor all those that died while in the US Armed Forces. 

It was originally called Decoration Day – a day to honor those who died during the long and terrible Civil War.  And, for many years, it was observed on May 30.  However in 1971, it was officially designated a holiday on the last Monday in May.  Today at 3pm local time, everyone should stop for a few minutes to remember. 

My daughter, Denise is here visiting.  Yesterday we got up early and drove to the beach at Matagorda. 

Matagorda is a small (pop 300) town along the gulf coast.  The Colorado River flows into the gulf at Matagorda so you have River Houses on one side and Beach Houses on the other.  But, basically, it’s your dumpy little beach town.  The positives are that it is still pretty much ignored by the masses, the beaches are nice, parking is easy, it’s mostly families down to enjoy the water, and you can buy fresh fish, shrimp, crabs, and oysters off the boat. 

Watching all the kids playing reminded me so much of my daughters and grandchildren at those ages.  All children, no matter their age, play the same at the beach –

Here lately, I’ve been experiencing some changes which made me remember something my mother told me.  My parents were born in the early 1920’s.  They were part of the “GI Generation”.   

The GI Generation (or Greatest Generation) can be roughly defined as those who were born (1905-1927) too late to serve in World War I, but early enough to experience the Great Depression and serve in World War II and Korea as they came of age.  They grew into adulthood during the prosperous years of the 1950s and 1960s.

Now, I don’t know about YOUR mother, but there were certain things MY mother did not discuss like, sex, or changes your body makes as you grow older.  The most she ever told me about growing older body changes was this:

A friend of mine, sez she, told me that she was starting to lose her hair - - “down there”.  She was extremely worried about this hair loss situation she went to her doctor.  Doctor told her it was nothing to worry about, happened to some women as they got older.  Then, said friend, went to her mother and said – MOM!  Why did you never tell me this could happen???  I was so worried!  Her mother, a sedate 80-odd year old, replied “Well, dear, your father always preferred me shaved so I wouldn’t have known”.

At which point MY mother broke out in peals of laughter that her friends’ parents would do such a thing.  She ended the story with – So, you might lose your pubic hair as you grow older. 

This was the sum total of my education on growing older (I was maybe late 30’s at the time and that didn’t sound like such a terrible thing).  Okay, let me tell you as I approach 75, there’s a lot more to growing older than losing your pubic hair.  So, I’ve decided to start a list for my children as they come into their 50’s.  So far I only have a few genuine observations so please feel free to add any.

Hot flashes never completely go away.  Never.  They may no longer awaken you from a sound sleep in a drenching sweat, but they’re always there, just waiting to catch you unawares.  One minute you will be sitting quietly and the next the fire starts in your toes and reached your scalp in 3 seconds.  And, please note, the rising heat has nothing to do with whomever you’re sitting next to and/or what’s happening in your, as my grandmother called it, hoochapappy.  Just one minute you're comfortable; the next HOT.

Gas and/or bloating problems get worse as you get older.  (Or so says my DR.)  Honestly, I’m beginning to think “well that happens as you get older” is the new catch phrase for “I have absolutely no idea at all”. 

So, I used to be able to work outside in the heat and humidity for 6-8 house with only brief stops for water or whatever.  Now, about 2 hours (maybe 3 if it’s not above 85°) and I’m done.  And likely done for the whole day, possibly part of the evening!  It’s like my entire body and brain insist that I stop and stay stopped.

Your weight and general shape can change as you get older.  And, after a certain time, fighting it to try to keep the 40-something body becomes a very very hard battle.  Heavy sigh.  Clothes I have (worn a few years back) just don’t fit quite the same.

Okay, those are the only really annoying ones.  There are a few catastrophic ones but those are more the exception than the rule.  So right now, it’s a short list.

Saturday, Denise and I went to the movie.  We saw The Lost City which stars Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe (sorry, he still looks 12), and Brad Pitt in a cameo.  It’s really funny – as in laugh out loud until tears run down your face funny. 

Then, Monday we went to see Top Gun: Maverick.  It stars Tom Cruise, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer in a cameo and a number of excellent younger actors I’m not familiar with.  It’s good and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.  There’s just enough action, just enough sappy happy scenes, just enough romance.  Oh, I will also say, I had a couple of vertigo episodes while watching some of the flight scenes – they are spectacular, amazing, and just a bit scary.

There are only a few more days until my daughter must return to NM so I’m going to make the most of every minute!  

 

30 May 2022

Ooohoooo – Friday the 13th

  

So, what is today for you?  Staying in bed under the covers or out in the world.

Many people hold fast to the belief that Friday 13 brings bad luck.  No one knows exactly how this particular superstition started but for many Christians, it is associated with the Last Supper, which was attended by 13 guests and was held on Maundy Thursday.  Of course, the next day, now recognized as Good Friday, is acknowledged as the day Jesus was crucified.  Friday and 13.

The seating arrangement at the Last Supper is believed to have given rise to another longstanding superstition - that having 13 guests at a table is bad luck — specifically, it is courting death.

How Friday was chosen as the bad day is a little shakier.  Some have suggested that since Jesus was crucified on a Friday (maybe) it makes sense to assume Friday was the day Eve gave Adam the fateful apple from the Tree of Knowledge, as well as the day Cain killed his brother, Abel.  Shaky, but whatever works for you.

The other side of the coin says something very different. 

Many people consider the 13^th to be a day that celebrates the “Divine Feminine”.  You might want to use this day to celebrate magic, beauty, love, and all the things that make living worthwhile.  And, Friday is the day of the week that’s ruled by Venus — planet of romance and friendship.  So, the number 13 is connected to femininity and fertility; Friday is a day of romance and friendship……. is Friday the 13th *really* a day of misfortune?

I know I said outside work was done (okay, I lied, just a little).  This morning it was 68 degs at 7am.  So, I got out and did a few things in the little shade I have.  By 9.30 I was literally dripping wet and gave it up for the day.  Sometimes age catches up quickly.

The Star Jasmine has been beautiful and smells so good.  I got mine as a cutting taken from an abandoned house.  I rooted the cutting and it took off.  When I moved, I brought it with me.  It’s a vine that wants to grow up.  Mine is planted on an arch so it only grows about half way covering the arch and then just wants to continue up.  Down here I grow it in the ground.  Mostly, north of Dallas, you’d need to grow it in a container. 

My herb garden is doing very well.  I’ve planted yarrow, oregano, marjoram, sweet potato, Mexican mint marigold, sunflowers, borage, catnip, sun flowers, bronze fennel, sunflowers, lemon verbena, parsley, cilantro (which I’ve pretty much given away), Spanish lavender (which I don’t think I like too much so I’ll probably move it late in the fall), 2 types of basil, dill, and nasturtium.  Whew.

The monarch caterpillars have found my dill.  Ugh.  I won’t kill them because they are butterflies in the making but I have gone out and picked quite a bit of the dill and dried it for later use. 

Last night, without my realizing it, the Zigzag Cactus bloomed!

This is one of the orchid cacti and mine has 2 foot long branches.  It sits on my back porch where it gets the early morning sun.  The flowers only open at night, so this picture, which was taken this morning at 6am, show it’s starting to close.  I have another bud getting ready to bloom, so I’m watching it like a hawk!

Well, have a good day.  Myself, I chose to believe today is a good day for magic!

13 May 2022

Havin’ a Windy Heat Wave

  

Last Saturday was the annual Wharton Garden Club Plant Sale.  Members plant seeds, root, or (in some cases) buy plants and donate them to the sale.  I had rooted several plumerias, rose cactus (pereskia), and a few other things plus I had promised to work at the sale.  I got there early, helped with set up and stayed answering questions and such until it was over at 1pm.  Helped with clean-up and was done.

Now, for some odd reason, while the calendar says it’s May, here in my part of Texas, the controller of the weather says it’s August.  A very windy August (like pointing a hair dryer straight at your face on high) that is hot, humid, hot, windy, hot wind, humid, hot outside.  This means – the outdoor temps were

with wind.

By the time I got home at 2pm, I was past hot and well into melting.  I took a very cool shower and I swear, all the steam in the bathroom was a result of the water hitting my skin!!

The reason I mention this is – yard work is officially done until, the weather controller decides to cool things down – a lot. 

That said, about the most interesting thing I’ve been doing since, is a little crocheting, a few crafty things, and reading.  It’s been a while since I shared a story, so here’s one in case you're having hot windy days. 

Origin of the Wind
A Tale of the Blackfoot Nation
Edited by S.E. Schlosser

Napioa, who made the Earth, at one time had with him the wolf as his companion. 

He also had with him an owl, which he employed to look for things for him when it was dark. As he was travelling around, he saw a lodge in which were a man and a woman. In this lodge were two bags; one contained the winter and the other the summer. He told the owl to look in and see what there was inside the lodge, and when he looked he saw the two bags. Napioa said that he was going to place some months in each bag, and make the summer and winter of equal length. But he was unable to reach them because the woman stood guard over the bags with a long piece of ice in her hand.

Napioa was determined to gain possession of the summer and winter bags. He told the prairie chicken to steal the bags. It snuck into the lodge, got hold of the summer bag and ran out of the lodge. Furious at the theft, the man and woman gave chase.

Desperate to escape the man and woman, the prairie chicken hid in the long grass. The man and woman cut the long grass to get the bag. The frightened chicken clung close to the earth, but part of the extremity of its body was chopped off by the knives. During the struggle the bag burst with a very strong gust of air which became the world’s very first wind.

Sometime after this, Napioa, having burnt himself, was anxious for a wind to blow to cool himself. He went up to the top of a mountain and began making medicine, and the wind soon began to blow. It blew so hard that he had to hold on to the bushes, but they were torn up by the roots. At last he caught hold of a birch tree and firmly clung to it, so that by the force of the wind and his weight marks were forever left upon the bark of the tree.

 

12 May 2022

 

The days, they run past

  

I attend yoga classes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

Okay, so did you know:  There are some 28 different yoga styles.  Some have their emphasis on increasing flexibility, strength and focuses on your muscles (Yang).  Some target the deep connective tissues like fascia, ligaments, joints and bones (Yin).   

The class on Monday is more yang yoga, emphasizing flexibility and strength.  Wednesday and Thursday is yin yoga, focusing on core body strength and deep connective tissues. 

Honest to god – my mantra for both teachers/classes is

That that does not kill me, makes me stronger!

Frequently I think that surely, I’ve reached an age where I can just sit on the sofa and get fat and sassy.  Then I look outside at the yard and next thing I know, I’m out there doing yard stuff that requires me to carry heavy things, crawl around under the two porches weeding or planting, bending, balancing, and concentrating on stuff.  Guess I haven’t reached the fat and sassy age yet.

Don’t you wonder, sometimes who makes up the “this week is …..” or this day is ….?

So, this week is ----

Hurricane Preparedness Week

If you live near the coast, it’s time to prepare for a season of storms.

The years I lived in Galveston, I did all the things to prepare – had canned goods and water for a week, had batteries, flashlights, had lamp oil, had all my important papers in a single file, etc.  I don’t do those things any longer since I am 40-odd miles inland but I do watch for storms still.

International Clitoris Awareness Week

Alrightie – all I’ve got to say about that is – if you have one, you’re aware of it. 

National Root Canal Appreciation Week

Okay, a little weird.  Unfortunately, I’ve had several root canals because of an accident some time ago.  I guess I appreciate that the dentist made the pain stop and didn’t have to leave a gaping hole in my mouth but I did not appreciate the cost, discomfort or the fact that in addition to the root canal, I had to get crowns on each tooth!

Today is ----

Intergalactic Star Wars Day

May the Force Be With You!

International Respect for Chickens Day

Uhmmmm – okay, I planned on having beef stew today anyway so ….. Respecting Chickens by not having eggs for breakfast or chicken for lunch.

Finally, I finished a couple of books recently.

The Caves of Steel
Issac Asimov

A millennium into the future two advancements have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov's Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together. Like most people left behind on an over-populated Earth, New York City police detective Elijah (Life) Baley had little love for either the arrogant Spacers or their robotic companions. But when a prominent Spacer is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Baley is ordered to the Outer Worlds to help track down the killer. The relationship between Life and his Spacer superiors, who distrusted all Earthmen, was strained from the start. Then he learned that they had assigned him a partner: R. Daneel Olivaw. Worst of all was that the "R" stood for robot--and his positronic partner was made in the image and likeness of the murder victim!

This is not your usual murder mystery and several times throughout the book I thought, I think I’m done with this.  However, I persevered and . . . . it’s good.  If you decide to read it – be patient.

If I’d Killed Him When I Met Him
Sharyn McCrumb

For forensic anthropologist Elizabeth MacPherson, solving mysteries hardly seems the fun it used to be--even if she is the official private investigator for her brother Bill's fledgling Virginia law firm. Then Bill and his feminist firebrand partner, A. P. Hill, take on two complex cases that will require Elizabeth's special participation.  Eleanor Royden, a perfect lawyer's wife for twenty years, has shot her ex-husband and his beautiful late-model wife in cold blood. And Donna Jean Morgan finds herself married to a Bible-thumping bigamist who has the nerve to die in circumstances that implicate his wife.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth's forensic expertise, including her special knowledge of poisons, gives her the most challenging case of her career.  As questions of wife abuse and abandonment emerge in the court of public opinion, Elizabeth becomes a war correspondent in the battle of the sexes--a battle as old as the hills and unlikely to reach a truce any time soon.

Sharyn McCrumb has been one of my favorite writers for long years.  She wrote a series of Appalachian “ballad” novels which are excellent.  I highly recommend everyone of those.  She also wrote the Elizabeth MacPherson series.  Recently I came across one I hadn't ready and decided on it because of the title.  I can’t tell you how many times I thought those very words.  It’s good; a little funny, a little sad, a bit mysterious, and with an ok ending.

 

4 May 2022

Memories

  

Isn’t it odd how the memory works?  Yesterday was laundry day at my house.  My current dryer is a bit frustrating because it does not buzz or beep or make any noise when it’s finished.

And, while I’d like to say this is not a problem, sometimes I forget about it and things I want to get to immediately upon drying (hang up or fold up without a bazillion wrinkles) remain sitting quietly in the dryer for a couple hours.

So – what’s the ‘memory’ part?

I was sitting on the sofa, waiting on the dryer and lamenting that it doesn’t buzz and

When I was a very young girl, my mother had a Westinghouse dryer.  

When the cycle completed rather than beep or buzz, it played a tune.

The tune?  Well – “How Dry I Am” of course.  (And did you know – this is a real song written by Irving Berlin? It’s a long song and it’s about alcohol.)  

I remember asking about the song and my mother told me it was too naughty to repeat.  This, of course, stirred up my curiosity so later I asked my best friend.  She sang me the more common lyrics -

How dry I am.  How wet I’ll be,
if I don’t find a place to pee!

Now, I don’t know if the ‘naughty’ part was the fact that the song was about drinking alcohol or needing to pee.  (Know my mother, I lean toward the second option.)

What odd memory has popped up unlooked for in your head?

 2 May 2022

Beltane! May Day! Spring!

 

 

Bless, O threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, my children.
Bless everything within my dwelling and in my possession,
Bless the kine and crops, the flocks and corn,
From Samhain Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.

Be the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Be the Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protecting me in truth and honor.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing every thing and every one,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all,
I ask for your blessings on this day of fire.

Am Beannachadh Bealltain
From Carmina Gadelica
a book of poems and prayers that
folklorist Alexander Carmichael
collected from residents
in various areas of Scotland.

Borage

Yarrow

My herb garden

Officially, spring is here!  Those that live in the frozen northlands (and for us here, that’s anyplace north of Dallas), shouldn’t have to worry about more snow and ice (though, I’m not sure it applies to Montana as the nights are still in the mid-30’s).  So today go pick flowers for your home or to wear, dance around the Maypole, talk to and hug a tree, make fairy cakes.

My brother was here for a week recently.  He lives far away in the frozen northlands of Washington.

(Okay, he’s a little older than the above picture but not much.)  He was here for several reasons – to visit with my sister and I, to attend his mumble-mumble high school reunion, and to make arrangements to have a piece for furniture shipped to his home.  As always it was a good visit.  I don’t get to see (as in be able to touch) him as often as I’d like, but with the magic of ‘face time’, I do get to talk-see with him throughout the year.  We didn’t do too much interesting and exciting this visit.  He did build something for me though.  When this house was put in, we had to get a septic system installed (city does not extend sewer this far).  It looks something like this …

And, because of the location of various drains, etc, it was installed in the middle of the back yard.  Not very attractive.  Not much I could do with it.  So he built me a cap that covers a good part of it. And, gives me a place for plants.

Nice! 

And, that’s just about all I know so far today. 

Oh – one more thing - yesterday was my little sister’s birthday.  She’s mumble-mumble years old now.

THAT’S all I know.

 

1 May 2022