From the Publishers of Smith Magazine.....

....more on the subject...."Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure" by Larry Smith.

Finding brilliance in so few words....

Those I Have Admired....And a Single Task...

Looking back at the myriad of women I have looked to for inspiration during my lifetime has brought me to one salient point. It is time to be finished with waiting to become someone other than myself. End of story.

Here then, were my heroes.....

Joan Marlowe, my dancing school teacher...no photo of Miss Joan, only memories...



The older girls in my Irish Dance classes...I strove to match their amazingly complicated steps....



Sister Miriam Joseph, 7Th grade teacher...incredibly beautiful, the epitome of smooth....no photo available....nor necessary....



Pattie Boyd, girlfriend of Beatle George Harrison, cool, lovely, George's girlfriend....no more need be said...



Betty Smith, author of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"...I tried to fashion stories as she did...



Joni Mitchell....sigh...was, and is, an enormous part of my overall psyche...I adore her and cherish how she is a constant in my heart and mind...



Mary Cassatt, artist, Impressionist, free spirit...while attending the Art Students League in Manhattan I once believed I might channel her talent on those most creative of days...



Joan Marlowe, Part Two...while teaching dance in the South Bronx, thought surely that I would perish if not able to follow in Joan's path of choreographing musicals...did not choreograph, nor did I perish....



Elizabeth Berg, fellow Chicagoan, novelist extraordinaire...she writes me....not about me...rather writes ME...



Amy Krouse Rosenthal, writer, astonishing thinker, "The Beckoning of Lovely" muse....she puts my thoughts, my words, on paper in ways I have not...



Lastly, Beatrice Potter, illustrator, writer, ultimately independent woman when independence seemed improbable..



So then, my list....much considered, much examined. Time to allow the list to take wings. Time to find inspiration within.

This years sole task begins.....

Learn More About Me: A 100-Item Bucket List

This is a called the bucket list. You review 100 items and put in italics the ones you’ve already achieved in life. Here then, with annotations, is my bucket list:

I HAVE…

1. Started my own blog – haven’t kept it up much lately, a case of the blahs has hit
2. Slept under the stars – camping in college
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World – Disney World yes, Disneyland no
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea – sort of, watched it at Fort Myers Beach, FL
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning – way too many times
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – I’m counting this one since I walked halfway up carrying Max as a baby
18. Grown my own vegetables – every year since living in Chicago
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight – as a kid with my sister
22. Hitchhiked – lots during my Hippie years, not smart
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill – now and then when I was working
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse – a few times
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – many times
31. Hit a home run – once as a kid, that I can remember
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community – Amish Acres, a lousy trip my family will NOT let me forget....ever
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied – I’m pretty much always satisfied about money
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David – saw the Pietà at the NY 1964 Worlds Fair, so I’m giving myself this one
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight – Jones Beach, NY
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted – again sort of – a street artist asked to do a study of me in charcoal in Central Park in the ‘60’s, sat for it, but didn’t get to keep it
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain – now and then
53. Played in the mud – at a music festival
54. Gone to a drive-in theater – not for a long time – most are now closed
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business – engineering business with Bill – closed after 17 years
58. Taken a martial arts class – in the South Bronx while working with Mother Teresa’s nuns, one of the volunteers taught a class there for free
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen – also in the South Bronx, Fort Apache to be exact
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason – from Bill of course
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma – routinely at Iona College
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check – during college, didn’t mean to though
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – my Teddy Bear Sammy, I tried to wash him in the washing machine years ago and he basically dissolved, I’m still sad about that
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - twice
71. Eaten caviar – once....never again
72. Pieced a quilt – when I was pregnant with Christopher, for his crib
73. Stood in Times Square – lots in the ‘60’s
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone – more than once, wrist, ankle, toe and finger
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle – once, fell off while rounding a curve, first and last ride
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – beautiful because I did it with Bill and my kids
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car - twice
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper – with an article about our homeschooling
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House - twice
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox – when I was little, still have a scar from it
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury – in NY, a trial about drunk driving
91. Met someone famous – just the other day…James Galway!!!! And Stevie Wonder when I was 12
92. Joined a book club – several times, did it for the cheap books
93. Lost a loved one – my mother, grandparents, friends, neighbors, too many to think about
94. Had a baby – four amazing, wonderful times – I wish there had been many more
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit – with W.T. Grants department store for my broken wrist when I was in 2nd grade…trial finally took place when I was in 5th grade
98. Owned a cell phone – yes, an iPhone thanks to Melissa
99. Been stung by a bee – for the first and only time last summer
100. Ridden an elephant – at the Bronx Zoo when I was little, my brother Jimmy shared the ride

Words To Consider.....

.....via late author Erma Bombeck....

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching TV - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

Our One Year Blogoversary....

No bells and whistles needed here. I was reminded last evening that today, Monday, June 2nd, 2008 marks one year since the creation of this, our blog. What began as a summer blog, has carried on through three, and now four, more seasons.

It is something I am glad that we have done. We have kept no counters, no numbers of hits, no scores of those who have stopped by to share our blog, we just don't need it.

This blog is for our family. It is our own chronicle of the everyday events that make up our lives together. I think we will go forward for another year, and see how we feel about it at years end. So far, it's been great fun.

An Amazing Gesture From Melissa.....

Recently, after dinner we were discussing our Internet pursuits. I said that I wished that I had a laptop to use in the living room or kitchen. I don't like feeling isolated while on the computer in my office when things are going on downstairs. I like being in the midst of our family life.

Little did I know that this innocent, offhanded comment would, within hours, lead to this.....


Melissa was at the front door bearing the above.....a laptop for me to use while away from my upstairs office. She said that she thought about what I had said after dinner, went home, packed up one of her laptops...including a new digital mouse...and presented it to me.

Shocked...I didn't know what to say...I still don't. Her gesture was wonderful, amazing and generous. Words truly fail. I have been enjoying using this great laptop in just about every room of the house.

That first day, Christopher and I were able to find a recipe for Orange Vinaigrette that I needed for dinner. Rather than run upstairs, do a Google search, print out the recipe, etc. I was able to gather the information when and where I needed it. It was just great.

So, I sit here, again without words, to say thank you my dear for this amazing treat. You are wonderful. Again, this is why I like having this blog....to capture, in print and in picture, moments such as this.

Hillary Copies & Combines Speeches, Passes Them Off as Her Own

Here's Bill's old speech from 1992......followed by Hillary's "heartfelt" speech from the debate last night.....



And here's John Edwards recent speech from December 12th......also followed by Hillary's "heartfelt" speech from last nights debate....



So, who's xeroxing speeches now Senator Clinton??????????????????

Question Everything.......A New Year Ahead....

I've thought endlessly about the coming year. I've thought about how I would change or improve what was 2007. I've thought about moments in the past that I would never repeat, and those I would give my all to repeat over and over again. Clearly, I think way too much.

I don't know what I really want going forward the next 365 days. I read of those planning vast number of goals, listing things they must do, posting can't live without adventures, and none seem to touch on what I am looking for this year.

The one true thing that makes sense to me is this....question everything. Nothing new there. I have been questioning everything around me for as long as I realized who I was as a person....seems as though that happened very early in my life. So I will continue questioning, trying to understand, hoping not to swim so strongly against the flow of life in general. I will not stop trying, I will, perhaps, try a little less...try not have things matter quite so much in the long run.

I have no goal or resolution chart made up. I'm just going to take each day with a bit more ease. Years ago, a friend carried in his wallet a bit of paper on which were written two simple words..."Walk Slowly"....I believe this might be my mantra for the year.

So to those I love, this is where I am heading for the coming year. I would like to feel, for some of the year, as content as I looked in this long ago photograph. Who knows where it all will end up.

Happy New Year All.

Leslie Harpold's Advent Calendars.....

In 2005, I found a magical web site, Leslie Harpold's Advent Calendar, a virtual Advent Calendar, I read each morning with delight.

Each day Leslie's site held small treasures of music, "Maybe This Christmas", folklore, What's a Wassail?, recipes, Sugarplum Recipe, games, Memory Game, and visual delights Paint the Sky.

I followed her her writings throughout the year, coming to greatly appreciate her talent as a writer Hoopla 500, and as an extraordinary person. I couldn't wait for Leslie's 2006 Advent Calendar to begin.

From December 1st through the 6th, 2006, I visited her Advent Calendar. Yet on December 7th no entry appeared. Checking again, and again..no entry.

Sunday night, December 10th,2006, the reason for the missing entries became clear. Leslie had died, alone in her bed, most likely on Friday evening, of bronchitis complications. Her mother finally found her on Sunday. She was barely 41.

A true sadness swept across the Internet. Many loved her, and cared about her. A private person, she enriched readers lives with joy, hope and happiness. I think she was a wonder.

So here, a year later, Advent is again upon us. I still look to Leslie's beautiful Christmas pages, knowing this year will bring no new entries, no comforting words. Yet, I look to them still.

Leslie's Advent Calendars from the years 2001 through 2005, still remain on the Internet. Most links continue to work, filled with thoughtfulness, joy and delight, just as Leslie planned.

Beginning tomorrow, December 1st, each morning I will open a door on these calendars. And I will think of Leslie, and of how she made me feel.

Advent Calendar 2001
Advent Calendar 2002
Advent Calendar 2003
Advent Calendar 2004
Advent Calendar 2005

Sharpening Pencils......

I sharpened the pencils in my office today.
I also took care of the pencils on the piano.

While in grade school, sharpening a pencil meant a chance to be out of your seat, moving around, walking up and down your classroom aisle with purpose. Taking that walk to the pencil sharpener was a chance to set something free, if only for a moment.

The memory is still empowering.

My friend Will sent me this photo....

I love this photograph, though it elicits a sense of longing, a sense of something missed. I grew up in New York apartments, where learning to ride a bike was not part of my life, nor the lives of those I knew.

In my late teens I attempted bike riding in Central Park, always feeling nervous, scared, unsure. I knew that I had missed the time in which to take on this new task without trepidation. I missed the chance for this to become a natural, simple and secure part of the things I do.

As Sir Ken Robinson says...I became afraid of being wrong.

I envy those who master this skill while young, while believing all is possible.

I think that riding a bicycle must feel a bit like flying....

A Meme to Complete, from Woof Nanny - Four Favorite Things

Four Favorite Colors -
*Sage Green
*Lilac
*Fire King Jadite Green
*Pale Yellow

Four Favorite Foods -
*Asparagus
*Sun-Dried Tomatoes
*Lobster Tails
*Tom Yum Soup from Gumrai Thai in Arlington Heights

Four Jobs I've Had -
*Second grade teacher - St. Joseph's Catholic School, New Rochelle, NY.
*Employment Manager - New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center, NY.
*Art Teacher - Yonkers, NY daycare center.
*Sales clerk - H.L. Green's (a five and ten)in Yonkers, NY.
I worked the notions counter during high school. Probably where I found my love of buttons and the like. Later worked the toy department register.

Four favorite tv shows -
*Gilmore Girls...never admitting that it is over.
*Lost
*The Office
*Psych

Favorite Children's Names That I Didn't Use -
*Lillie -after my Nana
*Sam - after Bill's uncle

Four Website I Visit Every Day -
*Arlington Heights Memorial Library
*Google Homepage...this has all of my blog links, which I then visit
*Google Mail
*ING Directterrific bank, to check my accounts

Four Movies I Would Watch Over and Over -
*George Washington Slept Here...great Jack Benny movie
*The Next Voice You Hear...James Whitmore & a young Nancy Regan
*Mr. Blanding's Builds His Dream House...what could be better than Cary Grant and Myrna Loy
*The Bad Seed...Patty McCormick at her best
*The Day the Earth Stood Still...I know that's five, couldn't decide on only four.

Four Places I Love To Be -
*Fort Myers Beach...Pink Shell prior to overkill renovation.
*Fort Myers Beach...Pink Shell prior to overkill renovation.
*Fort Myers Beach...Pink Shell prior to overkill renovation.
*Fort Myers Beach...Pink Shell prior to overkill renovation.

Thanks to Woof Nanny for giving me something to think about.

Playland, at Rye Beach, NY....long ago....

This is such a great photo, and no, it is not of me.

The photo is one taken from the Boardwalk at Playland, in Rye Beach, New York. If one place defined summer and carefree childhood, I believe Playland would be the one.

I don't always understand why one small segment of our past life captures our heart and mind, there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason why is should...but there it is.

Playland meant to me a sense of freedom, of pure and simple joy. Maybe it has to do with the water. Being near the water has always been like a tonic for me. It is a place where I feel most like me, most like who I like to be.

In the novel "Back When We Were Grownups" by Anne Tyler....

...the opening line describes, at select times, how I feel about the "me" of today. And it goes as such:

"Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person."

It is one of the most stunning, stark, honest, engrossing first lines I have ever read. When I first read it, I thought.."how did she know??" I have long said that I am in the midst of something as yet unidentified, something about change. I don't know what that something is yet. It's terrifying and unbearably exciting all at the same time. I can only wonder what is next for me.

And yes, all of this musing came about from seeing that peaceful photograph of the beach at Playland. Life is so very, very interesting.

I Am Marion's Daughter

Twenty years ago today, on a quiet Sunday morning, in the course of one solitary phone call, I changed from someones child to a motherless daughter.

I believe we were having waffles at the time.

On that morning my father called to tell me that my mother had died in her sleep. The news of her death meant that who we were together could never change. All possibilities for something different, something better, were simply gone.

I no longer mourn my mothers passing...it is something that now seems a part of the usual...the known. I did not seek her approval for how I lived my life, but I find myself wondering what she would think of how my life has turned out.

I wonder if she would like my children.

Synchronicity

I woke up this morning knowing that I have been pretending not to notice that our kitchen windows needed washing....badly.. I hate washing these windows. They are on my most hated jobs list.

The windows are old, and though there are only three windows in the bay, between the storm windows, the screens, the upper and lower sashes...there are 30 sides to clean, so I pretend not to notice the dirt. Today I stopped pretending and went to work.

As I began the first window, Bill walked into the kitchen armed with tools and screening to replace our much loved kitchen screen door. I hadn't a clue that this was his plan for the day, just as he had none about mine. So there we worked...together... yet separate in our own pursuits.

This so defines our lives together. Something keeps us together, yet separate since our very beginnings. It is what Carl Jung calls synchronicity...that strange but fascinating happenstance of events that are related but somehow but not easily explained. I suppose it is much like finishing each others sentences, thinking similar thoughts at a similar moment. I like that about us. I wonder how people live without it.

And so we worked.....one screen door like new....

And a kitchen bay window that lets the sun shine in once again....

Then...a quick run to Ace Hardware for supplies...with Bill in his element...doesn't he look happy??

A quick run to the eye doctor to adjust Max's new glasses...

Picked up a new cuttle bone for the birds at Petsmart...stopped to visit the Budgies while we were there...they are so, so pretty....

And a stop at Panera for TWO free loaves of bread. How great is that????