There is a house, down the hill from where we are, that’s lit up every year. It’s pretty spectacular really. The owner starts working on it the beginning of November and has it up and running, all lit up and lovely, the day after Thanksgiving. I was driving by last night, slowly, on my way home from work, and snapped this photo in motion as I went by. Merry Christmas everyone.
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All posts for the month November, 2006
It’s November, and snowing. Or, should I say… it snowed. Though it sometimes makes it more difficult to make my way to work on time, I do love the look of it. Quiet. Soft. Still. Beautiful. It puts a hush over the world for a bit. Makes us slow down. A little reminder from nature that we need to stop once in awhile, look around, and appreciate nature as art.
Oops! It has been recently pointed out to me (thanks Charles) that I had The Sixth Sense on my list twice. Once as The Sixth Sense and once as Sixth Sense. I have corrected this little blunder by taking off Sixth Sense and adding V for Vendetta. If anyone else has noticed a similar faux pas, please be so kind as to let me know.
Rock
On the bottom of feet
Stone
Time stands still
Sand
Like snow in May
Pebbles
And Bam Bam
Salt
For the Margarita or in the wound
Mountains
Like the hourglass of time
Boulders
In Colorado
Hard
As a head or hat
Glaciers
Brrrr… it’s cold
… and a mime
thank you… just send money…
This poem brought to you by the streaming consciousness of Karen and myself… we’ve made ourselves laugh, how about you?
We were doing some word association and it ended up here, in long haiku form (I made that up, of course… is there really such a thing as a long haiku?… nah… )
We just got back from taking our nephew to the airport for his trip back to San Jose. What a great young man Charles is. We had so much fun with him. Talk about a great guy. He is fun, intelligent, and self-possessed. A good description comes from someone who was at my family Thanksgiving gathering. She said, after having the chance to talk with him for a bit, that she didn’t know any other kid his age who could hold his own so well in a long conversation with adults. She described him as mature, intelligent, and knowledgeable about so many things. All of that is so true about him. Plus, he fit right in. Can you tell we really enjoyed having him hang with us for a few days? Charles… you can come and visit with us anytime. We loved having you over.
So, yesterday… we went and spent some time wandering around Saturday Market, a local Portland outdoor market that’s been around for 30 plus years… definitely a must see for visitors. We love doing our Christmas shopping there and this year was no exception, only this year we got to show it off to Charles. I think he liked it. At least, it looked like he did when he was dancing in the street next to the accordian man. Plus, we had enormous elephant ears. Tasty. Afterwards we headed to Mississippi Pizza for a slice and a soda and then we hit Muddy’s coffee for some coffee and hot chocolate. After hanging at Muddy’s for a bit drinking our beverages, perusing the paper, and watching Charles do all the puzzles in the paper, we headed toward Vancouver and Cinetopia. It’s a funky newish theather that’s supposed to make movie going more of an exprience. Like their commercial says, they have leather seats with more room, food delivery from the onsight restaurant to your chair up to ten mintues before the show, chocolate cake, and a gourmet butter bar to spice up your popcorn. We didn’t sample any food off the menu, the chocolate cake, or the butter bar, but Charles got a hot dog and a small popcorn, and he seemed pleased. All I know is that my butt didn’t hurt after sitting through the two hours and approximately 20 minutes of Deja Vu. That could’ve been two things… one, the movie was well paced and stayed interesting, and two, those seats really were comfy.
What a nice day yesterday was, and what great company to enjoy it with. Today, we just hung around the house before going to the airport. Very mellow. Just like the last 4 days have been… easy and relaxed. Something for which, on this weekend of thanksgiving, I am very very thankful.
How vast those Orbs must be, and how inconsiderable this Earth, the Theatre upon which all our mighty Designs, all our Navigations, and all our Wars are transacted, is when compared to them. A very fit consideration, and matter of Reflection, for those Kings and Princes who sacrifice the Lives of so many People, only to flatter their Ambition in being Masters of some pitiful corner of this small Spot. – Christiaan Huygens, (1629 *1695)
So, our nephew, Charles, is here visiting with us over the Thanksgiving holiday. He’s a terrific kid, though he’s 17 and would probably rather be called a young man rather than a kid. We’ve had so much fun with him. From Thanksgiving dinner with my family where he fit in and interacted like a champion, to a trip on the streetcar, a visit to Powell’s City of Books, and the viewing of several movies, both at home and in a theater. He’s a most excellent companion.
Today we’re headed to Saturday Market, for a little bit of Christmas shopping and people watching, followed by a movie at Cinetopia up in Vancouver. It’s supposed to be the latest hippest place to movie watch, so we’re excited about going. Plus, the sky is blue and it’s not raining today… a total plus.
It’s been a great few days visit with him so far, and wait… lucky us, there’s more….
This year Thanksgiving was spent with old family and new. It’s one of the beautiful things that happens when parents marry. Not only did we get to celebrate with brothers, sisters, and nephews we’ve celebrated with year after year, but we also got to hang out, get to know, and enjoy new family. We’ve started new traditions. And in this, we are very lucky. For this, I am very thankful.
It’s been a full year. Not just for us, which it seems always to be, but also for my mom, who has had a year of finding love, entering a new family, and joining together two lives and two households that were very full, even before they met. I have to say, that the next best thing to my finding Karen and this love I am amazed by and grateful for every day, is my mom finding love, being in love, and being so very happy.
If you’ve read this blog at all over time, you know what deep affection and admiration I have for my mom. As I’ve said before, growing up, she’s been the best person I’ve known, and she continues to be. How lucky it is I get to say that about the person who brought me into the world and showed me how to navigate it. I find it difficult to fully articulate the pride I feel in being her kid, the honor it’s been and continues to be. But, all that said, sort of, and all that aside, she’s a great human being, one who’s given so much of who she is to the lives of the people around her. She is a genuine soul. Truly herself with everyone lucky enough to meet her. It’s rare, as she is. And knowing she’s so happy, knowing she’s met this wonderful man with a terrific family of his own, knowing she’s making a wonderful, new, adventure of a life with him, it’s enough to make me cry with happiness for her. He, and his family, have been a blessing for her. She’s so enjoyed meeting them, being around them, falling in love with them, and bringing all of us together.
Life is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? Tragedy and deep sorrow one moment, happiness, and the glow of beginnings the next. It’s a ride. And this Thanksgiving, besides the great food, and the outstanding family, I’m thankful for that. For the ride, the adventure, and the knowledge that I’m paying attention to it. As my Mom, through example, has always taught me. Every single day… life is beautiful.
I was looking around the net this morning and came across this quote, which I loved….
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
- Mark Twain
I was looking around today… leaves blown down and scattered, bare branches, and flowers gone. I love the fall and the change it brings, but at times I miss the color and newness of spring.
Rain Kissed
A Bit of Red and YellowWhew… we are travellin’ maniacs. I swear. Well, only sometimes… when I’m really mad. Otherwise… this has been an amazing month for travel arrangements. We will be off travelling in Dec., Jan. and Feb. Two of those trips to St. Louis and one to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and a cruise to places in South America. We just today printed off our new itinerary/receipt for our cruise, and my itinerary/receipt for the flight in January to St. Louis. Go go go! That’s us. I’m tired just thinking about it, and excited too.
Now it’s time to get my head out of the travellin’ clouds and back here on earth, where left over spaghetti and salad wait to be warmed and made. Tasty!
A short explanation of the “music with soul” moniker. These, as well as the songs in the previous post, all create their own little emotional environment. Each has it’s own definitive personality. Hence the with soul title. I coud’ve just as easily called them songs with substance…
Another older imix I’d made… more music… it’s never a bad thing!
Thanks to some info from the following site – www.tuaw.com – I was able to figure out how to post my imix to my blog. The arrows on the right will take you to itunes and the songs, if you already have itunes. It’s a much easier way to get the music than I’d previously tried to convey. Enjoy!
First, Saturday Market for a bit of gift buying. Followed by a visit to a great record store, Everyday Music… also to buy a couple of gifts. After that we hit Pastini for some great spaghetti carbonara, tortellini gorgonzola, caprese salad, and coffee. Tasty. Lastly we skipped over the hills (the west hills) and through the woods to Costco for, you guessed it, a couple of gifts, and some coffee beans. Gotta have the java. It was a very nice day, and we are way ahead on the Christmas gift buying. Yeah! We’re liking the feeling of not having to rush. That, my friends, is true Christmas joy.
Here I sit, laptop in hand, perched on the sectional in front of the TV. It’s raining outside, has been all day, and it’s the time of day when the light starts to fade. The movie, “The Mummy”, just came on. I love this movie. Not sure why, other than it’s just a great romp with some cool special effects… nice and mindless with a little romance, and a lotta action. A great movie for a rainy afternoon.
I must confess, I’m still in my pajamas. I’m lucky today… it’s a free day off. An extra day added on to the weekend. And, really, I should thank all of those veteran’s out there… the reason I’ve been afforded this casual and relaxed day. I do, especially since Bill’s death, think of all the men and women who have fought and are fighting. Bill was so proud of his service, even though it changed him forever physically. He talked with pride about his time in the army before and during WWII and about the men who he made friends with while there. And even though it did change him, he wouldn’t have changed his service. Which, given his sacrifice, I admire very much. So… today is a day to remember and celebrate veterans, a day to think of their unbelieveable courage, honor, and sacrifice. But for me, it’s really a day to think of Bill and be very proud of the man and the veteran he was.
Here I am, once again, at PDX waiting for Karen’s plane to get in. Yes, she had to fly again this week. California this time instead of Milwaukee (her trip last week), which at least is in the same time zone.
I love airports, especially when I’m here to pick Karen up. I also love them when we are arriving and leaving together. It’s a fascinating place. I always wonder, who are these people and where are they all going. People living their lives… on business trips and vacations; visiting family or taking a weekend away; waiting to pick up friends or family. It’s a great little microcosm of the world. So many planes going to and coming from so many different and varied destinations. It all makes a person feel small, yet part of the larger world. I love it. And… they have Panda Express and free WiFi. What else is there in life?
Only about 40 minutes to my honey’s arrival. Yeah! It’s our 43rd month anniversary today. LOL Yeah, we still say happy anniversary every month, though the monthly gifts have, for the most part, stopped. I get a gift this month though… she’s coming home to me.
Who could’ve imagined… not only the House, but the Senate. Call me giddy. I am hopeful once more. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens now, don’t ya think?
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
~ e.e. cummings
We went to see “The Departed” this past weekend. I’d been cramped up in the house enough and wanted to get out, so we did. What can I say about this movie? It was ruthless, savage, stunning, extremely well acted, and it kept me involved in the story the entire way. This is a movie that never lets up. It keeps you spinning from the beginning and never compromises. Jack Nicholson plays a crazy guy like nobody’s business. He has it down, and we totally believe. The others… Dicaprio, Damon, Wahlberg, Sheen, and Baldwin, are excellent as well. As is the girl in the midst of all this testosterone, Vera Farmiga. As I said, this film is ruthless. Martin Scorsese knows his business and had laser like clarity about this story and the characters in it. Yes, there’s a lot of blood, a lot of killing… but hey, it’s about the mob so that’s all to be expected. What wasn’t expected was the shocker ending, or how much I found myself rooting for a happy tied-with-a-bow ending. I knew it was going to end bloody, I just had no idea. I won’t say more, because that might spoil it, but trust me, you’ll be saying outloud, like me and so many others in the theater did when I saw it, oh man… geez… oh man. Trust me, you will. And also trust me on this… if you love good film making and star solidifying performances, you’ll love this movie. It’s hard to watch at times and, at the same time, hard to take your eyes from.
I’m sitting here at my desk, looking outside, watching the Columbia River rise. OK, maybe it’s not going up that fast, but it’s going up. It’s been raining for what seems like days now, and it’s been raining hard. I guess that’s Oregon for ya. I don’t mind it at all really. In fact, I love this time of year. Leaves falling, rain pouring down, and usually a bit chilly in the evenings. Though right now the chill has gone out of the air and it’s 63 degrees outside. We could break our record high today. It seems a bit wrong, being so warm and all, and I can’t wait until it gets a tad colder out. Ah well… the warm doesn’t stop the rain. Last night on the news there were stories of flooding streets, mud slides, and warnings about flooding rivers. It’s Oregon in the fall… the time when those web feet come in handy.
One of my younger sisters just sent a comment on my 100 favorite movies post querying the fact that I’d left “the Abyss” off my list. She couldn’t believe it, and neither can I. It’s one of my all time favorites and was on the original draft for that post (I’m not sure where it went when I actually posted). So, I’m adding it (you’ll find it at #62) and taking off Jacob’s Ladder (which was, you guessed it, #62). Jacob’s Ladder is a movie I like, because it’s pretty unique, but compared with others on the list… let’s just say… it had to go. I’m already 15 over the 100 movie limit… I didn’t want to push it and go to 16. Thanks Con, you know me, and caught one heck of an oversight!
Trying this posting remotely thing. what can I say… I’m home, I don’t feel good, and I’ve been sitting here all day. Oh, and I love the following quote, so I thought I’d include it.
Stop this day and night with me, and you shall possess the origin of all poems; You shall possess the good of the earth and sun(there are millions of suns left); You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books;You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me: You shall listen to all sides, and filter them from yourself.
~Walt Whitman
Wow, it’s only 1:15 and what a day it’s been already. It started, actually, last night. We were watching TV when I looked over and realized there was water dripping down under the fairly new heater we’d had installed earlier in the year. So, Karen called the electrician (since we’d had a similar problem last year out in our shop with water dripping down under the breaker box). She left a message. Cut to this morning, 6:33 to be exact. The phone rings, not waking me because I’ve been awake a lot of the night (I’m a tad under the weather), but waking Karen. It’s the electrician and he says, your power into the house would be coming in right over the breaker, it’s dripping down from somewhere else, that’s not a job for an electrician. We are like… Oooookkaaaay… and go back to sleep, or try to anyway. Later, we go outside and look at where the power is coming into the house, and yes, you guessed it, it’s right over where the heater is. So we call him back and leave a message saying that yes, the pole is right there and that we’d had this similar problem in the shop last year. All we need is for someone to come out and re-seal around that pole on the roof. We leave a message and don’t know if they get it or not. Not much time goes by, though it’s enough for me to let my work compadres know this cold has gotten the better of me and I’m staying home today, and for Karen to complete most of a meeting on the phone, when… bam… the power goes out cutting Karen right off her meeting and off her computer. We look at each other and worry it’s out because of the drip, but we don’t panic. Instead we call our neighbor and find out that yes, their power is out too, so we decide it’s not the drip and we try to call the power company. Their line was busy, which doesn’t surprise us knowing we’re not the only house that’s out. At this point Karen gets ready to leave for her office, only she’s worried about me having to sit here in the dark on top of the fact that I don’t feel well at all. I tell her… no problem, you go in, I will just get a book, wrap up in a blanket, and sit by the window, or I’ll nap. Either way, I’ll be fine. So, she leaves. About an hour later, just about the time I’m ready to go to sleep and take a little nap, everything clicks and the power goes on just as the phone starts ringing. We’d plugged in the standard phone when the power went out so I have no idea who’s calling and am a bit out of it anyway. I answer. It’s someone Karen works with and I have to say, oh, I’m just here waiting for the power guy to get here…. yeah, that’s right. I wonder if I was convincing. Probably not. I call Karen and explain what I’d said to her co-worker. After, I decide to microwave some cold coffee, now that I can because the power is on, and settle back into the big chair. I do this, sit down, and then realize… someone is here. It’s the electrician. He hasn’t seen me yet, which is a good thing. I hear him put the ladder up as I go back into the bedroom to put on something besides pajamas, in case I have to talk to him, and by the time I’m done he’s taken the ladder down and is starting up his truck. I’m guessing he was here all of 5-10 minutes. I go outside to see if he’s re-sealed the power pole and yes, he has. At least, I think that’s what all that new goo is all over the bottom of it. Ok, so, he leaves and I never talked to him. I got dressed for nothing. I come back insdie and head back into the bedroom to put my pajamas back on, because who wants to wear jeans when one is feeling under the weather. I get them back on, call Karen and leave a message letting her know the electrician was here and we now have new goo on the roof pole. Then I settle back down in the big chair. Suddenly I realize there’s movement behind me. I can’t see it, just sense it. I turn around and geez, right there by one of the windows, close enough to touch if there was no window, is a deer. It’s eating what’s left of the rose buds. I get up carefully and go in to get the camera and am able to get a couple of shots of them, there are actually two, when suddenly one squats to pee. Yep, right there in our yard. I had to laugh… it seemed fitting, somehow, for how the day had gone to that point. It’s now almost 2:00. I’m back in the big chair, the power is on, the electrician and the deer have come and gone, and it’s quiet. Maybe I should take advantage of this moment and get something to eat… you know, before the fridge blows up or something. bah ha ha ha!!!
