My World & It's Full Of Books.
01 November 2024
Taking care of business.
27 October 2024
Many Memoria.
It's been quite the week in terms of memorials for people I liked and loved.
On my morning walk today I found a huge, very red leaf. Yes, it's as big as my face:
In past years I would press and dry it and send to my grandmother, who missed the autumn colours while living in Hawai'i and Florida. I am wistful that I cannot send this one to her.As I mentioned in the previous post, last Sunday was the memorial for an actor I knew:
It was a lovely celebration of his life, his creativity, the love he had for his children, and the theatre, and all of his friends. I was more on the periphery than many, but still welcome and glad I attended. I donated to Gideon's Feet in his honour.
Yesterday was the funeral for my honorary uncle, whom I referred to sometimes as my godfather, who was one of my mother's lifelong friends:
In his honour I donated to St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago. It was one of his most heartfelt interests, to ensure that people received quality medical care no matter what their financial status.
In the afternoon, in Honolulu, the celebration of the life of a friend's mother:
Yesterday I also learned of the funeral for my friend Jo, who lost her battle to cancer earlier this month. I met her in the SCA and we bonded over movie nights (her husband is a reviewer) and knitting and other crafts. This is one of the last photos of her, from July, before her doctors determined that her body didn't have the wherewithal for another assault on what she called "Voldemort":
It's been a week. Remember to say "I love you" often, and hug people when you can.
21 October 2024
There and There Again.
After getting home from the meetings in Nashville, I was home for the weekend then had to pack and leave on the Monday for department meetings at our headquarters in Irving. While in other times I might have stayed the intervening days, I chose to go home when the meetings ended on Wednesday evening and come back on Saturday.
The original reason for this second trip (and I'd hoped the work one would overlap, so I wouldn't have to travel twice, but it was not to be) is the Dallas Winds concert on Tuesday evening. When I came to the July 4th concert the friend who accompanied me expressed interest, and who am I to pass up the opportunity? Then I realized if I came on Saturday I could see a play, then the family announced a memorial service for an actor I knew and admired, held on Sunday. So it's a busy few days here, and I supposed it's good that I had the break at home.
During those days another friend died; she had pancreatic cancer and lost the battle. Her husband is devastated, even with the time to prepare; they'd agreed, no official memorial service. The same day that I heard about Jo, my (honorary) aunt/godmother advised that my (honorary) godfather/uncle had died. He was one of my mother's longest-term friends, and became a friend to my father when my parents married. My brother and I grew up with their children, and they looked after us a few times when our parents went out of town.
So, it's been an emotional few days, especially because I was at the meetings and so had to remain professional, give a presentation, etc.
On the up side, when I went to the show last night, a friend gave me a huge bag of scarves and mitts and hats she had made to donate to people in western North Carolina, who are recovering from Hurricane Helene. It's getting cold out there and these will be welcome. The friend with whom I am staying, who is also donating via a friend's daughter who is at school in WNC, gave me a scarf to include.
{Yes, my title is a takeoff on this book.}
14 October 2024
Adventures in Nashville
I went to a conference last weekend, and the beginning of this week. In addition to all the luncheons, meetings, continuing education sessions, and networking, I was able to go out and see some things.
Arriving on Saturday, I left my bags at the hotel and headed out to Celebrate Nashville! It was a very hot day and I forgot to take a hat, so part of the time I was huddling in shade with everybody else. I think a vendor was selling parasols because I saw a number of them in different colours. I didn't find those and because I didn't have a tote bag, I wasn't interested in buying much, but I did find soaps.
I watched some of the dance performances and listened to music and ate a number of things, plus got an iced lemonade:
Taiyaki - traditional custard and nontraditional cheese; a "spinach filled pita" from the balkan foods truck, an alfajor and the lemonade, not from the same stand. There were so many other things I wanted to try, but it was very hot which diminishes my appetite. And the lines for ice cream and italian ice were very long.
At the State Capitol, obligatory photo op. |
I am holding the turtle that is mascot of our walks. |
Of course a photo of me with the sufferagists. |
Items from my network's sponsor - and no, I am NOT sharing the duck! |
11 October 2024
Asking and granting.
(An essay I wrote ten years ago, and still find true in 5785.)
05 October 2024
In between.
Today in the Jewish calendar is Shabbat Shuvah, also known as "the Sabbath of return", also reminding us that we are in the midst of the season of repentance.
It is a time of introspection, and reflection, and asking and giving forgiveness for known and unknown faults and trespasses. Many people use it as a reset, to begin some new practice or way of living.
I saw an imagine, that I cannot now find, which said
Many pay attention to how they
live between
Rosh Hashonnah and Yom Kippur,
when they should pay attention
to how they live between
Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashonna.
That is something important to think about. I try to live well and considerately and appropriately all year, but it's not easy and I know I fail. Instead of wallowing in the failure, I try to learn, and do better. After all, we cannot change the past, but we have the power to change the future.