Gert at 102, The View

Gert passed away on Saturday. She was 102, almost 103 years old. Can you imagine? She lived a full active life for just over a century!! I met Gert at 'The Hallmark', in New York City, where Mom lived for 8 of her 9 last years. I can count in my head how many wonderful friends of Mom's, and mine, were lost over that time. But, this is about Gert and this is my favorite story about her. 

Two Springs ago, when Mom was so ill with pneumonia and congestive heart failure, I was in the City for over a week running back and forth to the hospital. I was staying in Mom's apartment downtown. The Hallmark is all the way downtown, and NYU, where Mom was in the hospital is on the East Side. There is just no easy way to get there, and back via public transportation, and I was tired. So, in the evening, when I would come back from the hospital, I would go into the Library in the building, which also houses 2 computers, check my e-mail, catch up on all the on-line 'stuff', clear my head. That Spring, there was only 1 computer. Most of those nights, I would find Gert, sitting at the computer, playing 'Spider'. She could not hear well, and she was so fixed on killing the competition, that she did not know I was there. I would sit and watch her for 20 or 30 minutes. At some point, I would gently tap her on the shoulder, and she would 'come back' from the land of solitaire. I would help her gather her things, she would always ask, 'How is Mother, please send her my regards.' We would chit chat about the day, the weather. But here is what she did. One night in particular, I must have been rather bedraggled, and she stood very close, took my face in those wise hands and said, 'Remember, you must take care of yourself too.' Maybe it was the sparkle in her eye, or the gentle touch, but I can still see her, feel her. It was a moment, but I will never forget.

So, here's to you Gert, show them how it's done!!!

Wordless Wednesday

After the rain

After the rain

 Morning clouds/sky before the rain...

The Horse Sculpture

The horse sculpture

Beautiful horses

At the corner

Driving to the bank...

Morning view...

Clouds rolling in later in the afternoon..

Today was one of those days. Everywhere I turned, the sky just took my breath away. I might sound as if I am repeating myself, but it is worth noting over and over again that the Colorado skies really are breathtaking. I did the same thing with the ocean, didn't I?? Just a normal day of errands, and I had, to stop. I stopped at the corner, as I made the turn from our house. I stopped as I left our sub-division. I stopped as I drove to the bank. I had the red light long enough to get a pic of the 'horse sculpture'. I love this sculpture of the 5 horses, captured in the breeze, perched on a hill, with the mountains in the background. Stunning!! We have been here for over a year now and this was the first chance I had, where there were no cars going by, (a very busy intersection) the sky was gorgeous, and in a split second, I got it! The mountains looked like there was a spotlight hovering over the snow caps all day. Very dramatic. I had to stop.We are expecting some much needed rain over the next couple of days, and the clouds have rolled in. You can see the progression with the day. Major photo op. Really glad I took the time to stop, even just for a simple 'snap'; gotcha!!!

Words for Wednesday...

Seriously....

Wordless Wednesday

62 degrees East

152 degrees South

248 degrees North

6:07 AM Wednesday

Richie Havens...Follow

Let the river rock you like a cradle
Climb to the treetops, child, if you’re able
Let your hands tie a knot across the table.
Come and touch the things you cannot feel.
And close your fingertips and fly where I can’t hold you
Let the sun-rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you
And maybe you can sing to me the words I just told you,
If all the things you feel ain’t what they seem.
And don’t mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream.

The mocking bird sings each different song
Each song has wings - they won’t stay long.
Do those who hear think he's doing wrong?
While the church bell tolls its one-note song
And the school bell is tinkling to the throng.
Come here where your ears cannot hear.
And close your eyes, child, and listen to what I’ll tell you
Follow in the darkest night the sounds that may impel you
And the song that I am singing may disturb or serve to quell you
If all the sounds you hear ain’t what they seem,
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream.

The rising smell of fresh-cut grass,
Smothered cities choke and yell with fuming gas;
I hold some grapes up to the sun
And their flavour breaks upon my tongue.
With eager tongues we taste our strife
And fill our lungs with seas of life.
Come taste and smell the waters of our time.
And close your lips, child, so softly I might kiss you,
Let your flower perfume out and let the winds caress you.
As I walk on through the garden, I am hoping I don’t miss you
If all the things you taste ain’t what they seem,
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream.

The sun and moon both are right,
And we’ll see them soon through days of night
But now silver leaves on mirrors bring delight.
And the colours of your eyes are fiery bright,
While darkness blinds the skies with all its light.
Come see where your eyes cannot see.
And close your eyes, child, and look at what I’ll show you;
Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes blow you,
Then maybe, when we meet, suddenly I will know you.
If all the things you see ain't what they seem,
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream .
And you can follow; And you can follow; follow…

You Know What This Means...

Great burlap coffee bean bags, full of 'fresh' compost...thank you Whole Foods!

50 lb. bags of Whole Foods own compost!

Raised garden beds, after the long Winter...

Last years garden yielded so much in joy, and herbs, and color and the wonderful hum of bees...looking forward!

Well, this week was riveting to say the least. Edward made his way to Boston on Thursday, and much to his surprise, wound up on lock-down with the rest of the City on Friday. The stories of healing and heartbreak keep rolling in all in the same breath. Sweet Caroline. I have stopped watching for now. Edward flies back in tomorrow night.

Last year, I 'happened upon' a 50 pound bag of compost, a gift from Whole Foods and my garden was happy happy happy. I was not going to miss that opportunity again! Following the Colorado Springs Whole Foods on Facebook, I saw that yesterday was the day! Jimmy high tailed it over there, and we picked up 3 bags of, might I add, free, compost of their own making. So, you know what this means, this is a great sign, a hopeful moment, that re-planting is in the air, that I can start playing in the dirt once again. Planning a new garden is always exciting and this year is no different. I am wondering if the earth worms I bought lived through the winter, do they need to be replaced. Maybe I'll go digging later and see if I can spot any. Will the Greek Oregano actually come back, will the Honeysuckle bush start to sprout? They should. The work will be easier, as we will not be building the raised garden beds, although I did enjoy the process. I did discover that you can go to Home Depot or Lowe's and purchase wood pallets for about $15, and they are multi-purpose, multi-functional, already nailed together pieces of wood. I might make a potting table with 1 or 2 of them. We'll see. In the meantime yesterday was a start, a joyful, hopeful moment, exactly as Spring should be!

The Comfort Dogs...

 Edward is heading to Boston tomorrow for a long weekend, long planned, long looking forward to spending some time w/ his college friends. I think that right now Boston is probably one of the safest cities given the horrific events at the Marathon. For me, I am just now starting to feel this latest nightmare. I have sat, w/out emotion for hours in front of the TV, watching Anderson Cooper and the 'group' @ CNN, I have watched the World News, I have looked @ the photos over and over, I am reading the stories of Jeff Bauman Jr., who lost both of his legs below the knee, the heartbreaking glimpse into the short life of Martin Richard. I am listening to the doctors and nurses who treated the gravely injured men women and children, experiencing trauma themselves @ the sight of the extensive casualties they have so brilliantly treated. I am hearing brave the stories of heroism over and over and over again. I am just starting to feel. I am so grateful that my Family and Friends back East are all safe. Life is so fragile.

This morning on MSN, I saw the 'smiling' face of a beautiful Golden retriever, a comfort dog. One of the many dogs being 'dispatched' to Boston to help the families of those injured, to help the doctors and nurses who are themselves in need of comfort, to help anyone who needs some cheering up.  Two of the dogs, Addy and Maggie are coming directly from Newton, and will be doing what they are trained to do w/ their uncanny ability to discern 'sadness'. So, today, I am feeling. I am feeling sad, but honestly just the sight of the comfort dogs helped me...maybe I'll run into a Golden as the day goes. Hey you never know what the day will bring.

So here is to all the heroes, to all of the first responders, to all of the gravely injured (may they heal and live full lives), to those who lost their lives (we pray unyielding, unceasing comfort for their Families), to those who saved so many, to the dispatched comfort dogs, to Edward having a safe trip to Boston.

Wordless Wednesday

Griddled croissant with chive cream cheese, Smoked Salmon, and onions!

From my Pinterest board, 'Food Glorious Food #2'.

The Pieta

Michelangelo carved 'The Pieta' when he was just 24 years old, and it is the only piece of sculpture he ever signed. The sheer beauty of its lines and expression leaves a lasting impression on everyone. Hopefully, one day, I too, will see this masterpiece in person!

With this magnificent sculpture, Michelangelo has given us a highly spiritual view of human suffering. Artists before and after Michelangelo always depicted, his mother, Mary, with the dead Jesus in her arms as grief stricken, almost on the verge of desperation. (And really, who can blame her, or the artists, for depicting Mary in such a state after what she just witnessed).  Michelangelo, on the other hand, created a highly supernatural feel.

As Mary holds her sons' lifeless body on her lap, her face glows with sweetness, serenity and majestic acceptance of immense sorrow, combined with her faith in the Redeemer. It seems almost as if Jesus is about to reawaken from a tranquil sleep, and that after so much excruciating suffering, the rose of resurrection is about to bloom!

Happy Easter to All who celebrate!

Happy Passover!

Jewish Family at the Seder table

The youngest child asking the 4 questions, starting with, 'Why is this night different from all other nights?', as the Father  eats in a reclining position.

 The Haggadah (Hebrew, meaning, 'the telling'), the great book of freedom, tells the story of the Exodus of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. One of Judaism's most popular works of literature, it has been used during the Seder meal of the holiday of Passover, or Pesach, for over 1000 years!

Jewish artists first began illustrating the Haggadah during the Middle Ages. The Sarajevo Haggadah of the 14th Century is a well known example. A vibrant tradition still observed today.

One of the most beautiful and moving of all illustrated Haggodot is the beloved Haggadah of Arthur Szyk (1894-1951). Drawn and first published during the rise of Hitler, the Szyk Haggadah is a triumphant and enduring work of hope and courage, the supreme expression of one artists love for his people and his heritage.

To my Family and Friends, a sweet sweet Passover for All!!!
'Next year in Jerusalem'

Spring!!!!

 Ranunculus

'It is said that springs of sweet, fresh water pool up amid the saltiness of the oceans, that the fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest most rugged mountain passes, and that the most magnificent psalms arose from the most profound agonies of the soul.

May it continue to be!'

Streams in the Desert, March 20

The promise of Spring....

Morning Skies...

I am not usually up w/ the sun. Not a 'morning person'. I am certain that I have missed some breathtaking, jaw dropping gorgeous sunrises, however, the mornings here, yet and still, remain quite beautiful. As the skies are photo worthy on many days at every turn, at every glance, I find I need to pick and choose, or I would not get anything done, except take pics of the ever changing sky. These few pics are from this past week alone...in the morning!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Wordless Wednesday

 Van Gogh’s Starry Night detail

Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889

Impressions...

 Bird impression on window...

 Clear in the afternoon sun

 Looks like an owl!!

 Using the sky as a backdrop..

It was a couple of weeks ago. I heard the thud. Even w/out ever having heard this sound (other than in the movies or on TV), I knew exactly what it was. A bird had flown into, or was blown into one of the large windows of the house. I completely forgot about it until yesterday. The sun is now higher in the sky w/ Spring on the horizon, and we are getting direct sunlight around 3:30-4:30ish. Great beams of sunshine! Edward noticed it. That bird who had made such a familiar sound, even though I never heard it 'for real', left his/her mark in great detail on the window he/she slammed into. The afternoon light picked it up, clear as a bell. Edward said that there was a technical term for the 'impression', called 'volumetric lighting'. Volumetric lighting is a technique used in 3D computer graphics to add lighting effects to a rendered scene. It allows the viewer to see beams of light shining through the environment; seeing sunbeams streaming through an open window is an example of volumetric lighting, also known as crepuscular rays. The term seems to have been introduced from cinematography and is now widely applied to 3D modelling and rendering. However, in this case, the beams of light are for real, as is the bird....we hope that the bird is okay after leaving such an impression!

The bottom pic is from this AM, as weather has been so much of everybody's discussion. We are expecting a snow storm tomorrow, hence, the clouds today.