Working on it

These vividly colored backpacks were a joy to behold outside my grandson's CA fifth grade classroom. In my day we carried a dull and practical plaid bookbags with a leather strap







3 Beautiful Things
1. First message on my cell phone this morning was a quick text - "arrived London safely. Love."
I can picture my son hurrying down the jetway at Heathrow, Blackberry in hand, tapping out messages to his wife, kids, parents, and others who were waiting for word. I love technology. I am sold on texting. Communication is everything.

2. Early morning coffee with Jim at Einstein's.


Well, that's two - one more to go. I am looking for the good, the beautiful, the up-lifting.

3. That's a nice #3 Granny Sue left on the "comments" - appreciate it.

3a. And - its a beautiful and heart warming thing when your daughter will take the time to listen and talk you through a bout of writer's block on a new story. Ran down my cell phone battery.




Loose Ends
That about sums it up.

More than a dozen years ago I took a free-form knitting class taught by a woman named Marcia. She was a knitting free spirit. Forget patterns, just hand her needles, a basket of yarn ends and let her loose. Color sketching with strings of color and texture. I love it.
I am very grateful to Marcia for showing me it does not have to be exactly "by the book."
Ofcourse there is a down-side. Thanks to Marcia's inspiration I have drawers filled with single balls of color or texture and a vast and vivid collection of yarn ends. All in my closets.

Now tell me, can you just toss those possibilities aside?

Remembering - "Big" Al Carter - Artist

Every morning when I pick up the Washington Post I turn to the obituaries first. And sometimes, like today, I wish I hadn't.

I had not heard that Big Al Carter died in December until I read the article this morning.

April 24 to May 17, 2008 Al had an exhibition at Tweed Museum at the Univ. of MN. This is a quote from the catalog:
Big Al Carter’s paintings are larger than life in size and power and scope – an equal to the artist’s personality and to his reputation as a painter’s painter and to his career as a distinguished teacher and mentor to young artists.








Howdy Doody - from that show.



Al Carter loved to paint. He lived to make art. And when he was in the classroom he transferred that sense of commitment to his students and he inspired them to do exciting work.

When I was President of the Maryland College of Art and Design, a small local art college, I called Al and asked if he would teach a painting class at the college. Our students had heart but they needed inspiration. He came. The students loved him and he set the challenges they needed.

Al was big - 6"3" over 350 lbs. He was a giant of a man with a talent that matched his size.

Meet Al in the classroom through this article by Mary Battiata from the Washinton Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/AR2006051701557.html

He will be remembered and he will be missed.

3 Beautiful Things

3 Beautiful Things

1. Patty's Gettysburg Blog
Seeing that Patty had stopped by my blog this morning reminded me that I wanted to check out her blog about her trip to Gettysburg. Its a great read. And inspires me to re-visit many of the places we have not been toin a long time. Don't miss reading her report on her visit to the Orphanage. It will raise a few goose bumps.

2. Girl Scout Cookie Time.
Two neighbor girls stopped by to sell Girl Schout cookies. Something very comforting about that. I remember when I walked door to door to sell them. At that time we only had the trefoils. Now its choices, choices, choices. But I know what I want - chocolate mint.

3. Cousins Expected.
My cousin Jim called saying that he and his wife Pam will be coming up from NC next week to "grand-parent" his daughter's adorable little girl while Mom works a political job which requires her to be near the Inauguration. Playing it smart they are going to slip into town ahead of the crowds before all roads are clogged. A visit with them is always great news for us.

I Can't Stop Myself, Shingles, Mess

My To Do list is over flowing and I have deadlines to meet but I stopped all that and began cutting out squares for my quilt.

And it feels good.

I am not planning it as an "art piece". I don't want that kind of pressure. I want to play, to use my hands, to forget about everything else.

Maybe tomorrow I will make a couple of bobbins and try sewing a few squares together.

I am still hoping for snow.

SHINGLES REPORT
Things are improving on the shingles front. I still have rash and surprising nerve twinges in my arm but daily its better.

MESS
We are living in a mess. We have had to empty all the closets and move furniture because workmen are installing carpet in the upstairs bedrooms on Monday.

I wanted this. Jim and I voluntarily walked into the store, selected it and made the appointment.

But I was not ready to face all the stuff that has accumulated in our closets.

This is purely Fibber McGee - anyone else remember how at least once once on that old radio program Fibber McGee and Molly someone would open the front hall closet and you'd hear the avalance as the stuff fell out.

It was ridiculous and everyone laughed. I am not laughing. To tell you the truth I did not realize our closets were big enough to hold all this stuff.

I have set aside small bags of discards but its not enough to make a difference.

Tomorrow I have to get REAL about this.

Shingles Report, Thinking Ahead, Ruminating

SHINGLES REPORT
I am getting better. The Valtrex seems to be beating back the rash and Ibuprophen helps with the nerve pain in my right arm. I have my fingers crossed that this is a light case. I will admit it - I hate this and I have been heard to whine quite a bit.

THNKING AHEAD
While I try not to think about the Shingles my head is skipping ahead to something I would much rather be doing. I am yearning to sew again. I have not dusted off my sewing machine in more than a year and that is just too long.

I have a project in mind. Something simple. Something useful and something I think I can finish within a reasonable length of time. I do not want any more projects
hanging around to prick my conscience.

Over on Writing in the Blackberry Patch I came across a September Post about blue jeans quilt she made and her picture of it has inspired me to try one.

For a start I have one pair of jeans from Mama's clothes that I brought home when she died saying I would "use" it somehow. Not to wear - that's for sure. It looks like it would fit a baby doll. Along with that I have two jeans dresses hanging in my closet that need to "GO".

Today Jim and I stopped by the NAMI Thrift shop and I picked up 4 pairs of jeans for 60% off - a good buy so my stash is looking pretty good.

It is supposed to snow tomorrow. I am ready!



RUMINATING

You catch me at a time when I am thinking a lot about the past.

Not just daydreaming mind you - working at it. In February I am telling a new story that takes in a span of time that includes the days when I was VERY involved at the Washington Women's Art Center.

I mentioned yesterday that I often start with a photo as a prompt to help me remember a time or a place.
I am looking for something and I don't know quite what that is - yet. I am hoping this photo will help.


Washington Women's Arts Center
1821 Q Street NW
Washington, DC

Just one block from Connecticutt Avenue and two blocks from Dupont Circle. A neighborhood of Washington, DC that was to become the center of my world.

I have always liked this picture. It was taken about 1977. My hair is still dark with some white showing at the temples. That's the Diggle in me - a pattern from my dad's side of the family.

Mama crocheted that poncho for me during her poncho phase. She asked me what colors I wanted and I tossed out red and purple - not thinking that I was giving her quite a color problem. She solved it beautifully by adding the emerald green stipes.
I remember opening the package when she sent it and being really surprised and impressed by the way she had worked that out. I favored that poncho for years until I put on weight and it felt too snug. There are about five years in photos where I have trouble dating the pictures because I am always wearing Mama's purple poncho. I still have it - and who knows, maybe one day I will be wearing it again.

Looking at my hand reminds me of the large metal circle bracelet I carried as a key ring. I liked the weight of it in my hand and once I slipped it around my wrist I did not have to search for my keys. Heavy, yes, and that felt good because it was a safety device for nights when I was walking down Q Street to my car alone and it was big enough that I could find it easily in a tote bag. I had forgotten that I also had a whistle on it. Another safety measure. I was a well-armed woman.

Some women would not come to downtown DC from the suburbs after dark. I can't say that I was not nervous about it, especially as I most always drove down alone but I was of a mind that if I had a few safety devices and paid attention to my surroundings I would be fine. For instance, I crossed the street rather than walk along the dark hedge.
that bordered a few houses near the Center. Remember that was in the days before cell phones so you were relying on yourself and your own ability to look out for yourself. We also watched out for each other - waiting so that we could leave in pairs or walking someone to their car and she would drive you to yours. You know, common sense.

I also notice that I am wearing my graduation ring from Dunbarton College - I have forgotten about that ring and I certainly worked hard enough to earn it. Maybe I will pull it out and have it re-sized.

Oh, boy, Dunbarton College. I have written about that before HERE and I am startled to see that it was in October 2007 -

Storytelling in Kensington

First storytelling program of 2009 at Kensington last night and it was a winner - a rich and enchanting evening.

Our featured tellers were Moira Dougherty and Starr Kopper.

Moria opened the program with folktales. Her first tale, How the Nightingale Got His Song and Why the Rose is Red is her original story and this was a first time telling. The story has charm and magic and was well-told. It merits a place in any line-up of love stories.
Starr charmed everyone with her tellings of two stories from Scotland. She enhanced the enchanting stories with her pacing, word pictures and easy style.

Meeting Starr as a storyteller for the first time last night was particularly delightful for me. She and I go way back - to our days as graduate painting students at American University. Starr is a very fine painter, known for her ability to recreate the magic of light on water with oils on canvas. Last night she demonstrated that she also can vividly bring to life the pictures of her stories as she tells them. Now I would say Starr Kopper is a very fine painter and storyteller.

A very satifsfying evening.

Looking Back for a Story

At out 50th High School reunion I was surprised and grateful when a classmate gave me an old snapshot she had kept for years. It is a picture of me - taken on a Spring day when I was in the the Eighth Grade at Piedmont Junior High School in Charlotte, NC. This particular day I was part of a group of students being inducted into the Honor Society.

In those days there was an initiation day for the occasion.
In this picture I am standing on the playground behind the school. I am carrying my books on my head in a bushel basket and I am wearing my skirt upside down - the hem gathered at the waist - held up by a belt. My hair is pinned up on top of my head. There is what looks like a branch from a flowering bush pinned to my blouse. In other words, I look ridiculous.

I know its me. I remember the day. I am trying to recall what I was like.

What were my ideas, my hopes, my dreams.

Did I have any?

Who was I at that time?

Do you ever wonder about that?

Storytellers do. It gives us the stuff of stories.


Storytelling TIP: The photo is a prompt for a story I am working on. Its a doorway to the past - a way to help me remember where I was, what I was doing and if possible, what I was thinking.

I will let you in on a secret. Looking at this photo and thinking about the Honor Society and Piedmont Jurior High School I thought but - what happened?

Ah, yes. Something did happen - next term when I was in the Ninth Grade and elevated to being President of the Honor Society. Something happened that hurt that 13 year old girl so that she never forgot it. And there was an unexpected rescuer and lesson. I will tell you about it as soon as the story is cooked a bit more and ready -

Thanks to June Yarbrough for saving this photo and her thoughtfulness in giving it back to me.

What's Next?

The other night I stepped on my glasses and twisted them so badly they would not sit straight over the bridge of my nose. My back-up pair suffered the same fate some months ago. That's what happens when you go to sleep and your glasses fall on the floor beside the bed.

This called for a trip to Lens Crafters because I really can't see well when wearing the in desperation back-up glasses.

A very nice lady fixed the glasses for me and casually asked "how long have you had them?"
She looked it up - three years - how did that happen? Seems only a year ago. Time for an eye exam and a new pair. I was here so NOW would be the best time.

Ofcourse there are changes in the prescription. I could tell by the exam that one eye was not seeing as well as the other. Yep. Maybe you guessed it. A cataract is forming.

I asked about "ripe." How old fashioned of me. Because of the advances in technology the eye-wisdom today is that they can remove them anytime - or whenever they "bother the patient." Well, that's good. It is not bothering me at all. I would not even have known about it if I had not stepped on my glasses.

Brand new prescription in hand I selected frames which, even with my 30% discount through AAA, are very dear.

From now on I am only reading in bed wearing the old already-stepped-on glasses. These new beauties will be resting safely on a shelf

Story Tip from Donald Davis: It's important to show that the folks in a story learned something.



OK! I got it. I got it.

Shingles Aren't Just for the Roof

This is not what I expected.

Friday I woke up with what looked like a few small red "bites" on my right arm. Jim and I stripped the linens, vacuumed and turned the mattress and thought we had taken care of removing any crawling invaders who might have taken a few bites out of my arm. The cat sometimes naps on my side of the bed and I was quite ready to blame Bill for the intruders.

Saturday I was distracted by stories at Donald's workshop and did not notice that the red areas were widening.
By Sunday evening they were wider, bright red, with blisters and my arm was hurting. Now Jim doubted they were bites - but was not sure what it was. He mentioned the possibility of Shingles - maybe. So he gave me a Benadryl and put some ointment on the burning and inflamed areas on my arm.

This morning - very early - Jim called the dermatologist and they made room to see me this afternoon.

The doctor - now it is the son of the old doctor - glanced at my arm and pronounced. "Shingles."

I spoke up. "How can you say that? You barely looked at it."

"It is obvious. Do you want me to look at it longer? It will still look the same. Its shingles."

He explained that the rash-like lesions would be there for at least three weeks, that it will hurt during that time and for a bunch of weeks after that. And he told me - it can hurt a lot for some people. I hope I am not one of them.

Shingles is caused by the chicken box virus. When you have chicken pox it attaches to the nerve fibers and any time during the rest of your life it can reappear - as shingles. They do not know why it does or what causes it to burst forth.

Shingles usually presents on the trunk of the body - mine has chosen my right arm.

Oddly, I could expose people to Chicken Pox - not Shingles - until I had taken Valtrex for a coupple of days. I felt a bit like Typhoid Mary. Yes, I would have to cancel the school class on Tuesday and telling my Tatooed Man Story at the VA Hospital on Wednesday.

What an enormous drag!

Funny enough - Sunday, when it started to hurt, I had shown my arm to Susan Gordon. She looked and said, "Have you ever had shingles?"

"Oh, Susan - it's not shingles. I don't want it to be shingles."

"oh, Ok".

So much for what I want and proof of how smart Susan is.

TIP: According to Donald Davis the unexpected is what makes a story.

What a way to start the New Year. Maybe I should tie some garlic around my neck to ward off evil spirits. Any suggestions?

BIRD IDENTIFIED
.
In case you didn't see it - Granny Sue left a comment pegging this fellow as a Tufted Titmouse.

Storytelling and Knitting

Another day in Susan Gordon's world at the workshop with storyteller Donald Davis. Stories swirling around us.


I sit again in the comfortable wooden rocker on the left side of the circle where the bird feeder is in my sight line.

Chicadees are busy all day.

A pair of doves appears but I can only capture one.

The timing was never right to snap the two vivid red cardinals.

Knitting is a grand companion during two days of story listening - especially a long scarf which requires no counting and thinking. You just have lovely color and texture in your hands while you focus on a story.

I bought this soft chenille yarn at WEBBS when Kate Dudding and I traveled to Elizabeth Ellis's story week-end in MA last May. That day I bought beautiful red wool and mohair and this chartreuse chenille yardn. I was greedy over this color so this is the second long scarf from it. Alison wears that first scarf.

Today when I broke the end of the yarn after the last stitch it felt good to close it out in story. Maybe I will keep this one for myself.

Starting off 2009 with Storytellers, Stories, and Friends.

1. Today was a warm sunny day and nine storytellers gathered for a week-end at storyteller Susan Gordon's lovely home which is set in rolling Maryland woods and fields for our annual storytelling workshop with storyteller Donald Davis.
What a great way to begin the year.

2. Watching birds snacking at Susan's bird feeders which hang temptingly in a tree in full view outside the glass sliding doors.

Many Chicadees were feasting but I wanted a picture of this guy. After some watchful waiting during the lunch break I finally captured him. Blue with a touch of gold. Can anyone identify him?

3. Being with familiars, listening to new stories, and having my story about Mama's last year heard for the first time and appreciated. "It's a beautiful story. It's ready. Start telling it." I will in May for Mother's Day.

Playing Around and A Traveler

Playing Around
In case you are wondering what's going on. I liked switching screens during the holidays but that's too much rick rack for me for every day wear. So I will be playing around for a few days, trying to settle on a new look.

A Traveler

What a difference ten years makes.

When our grand-daughter Alison was nine years old she went with Jim and me to California. By nine she was already an experienced flier but she had always traveled with her parents. So that July morning when we were at Dulles waiting to board our plane everything was new and exciting for her. And she was loving it. I remember she asked if she could sit near us but by herself on the plane. She was soaking it all in. And she was a great trip companion.

This morning Alison is at Dulles with her parents - who are seeing her off on her first international trip on her own.

When she stopped by New Years Eve to see us she was bubbling with excitement and probably a few nerves. She and a college friend have an early flight at Dulles to fly to Costa Rica to join a dozen other students from the College of William and Mary for a two week service experience in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Hugs and Bon Voyage.

Don't you know she will have stories when she gets home?

Happy New Year, First Bird Sighting, Far, Far Away

Saluting you
and wishing you
happy days
and many wonderful stories in 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

First Bird Sighting this year.















Since it was such a sunny afternoon Jim and I drove through the Audubon property on the way home hoping for a sighting.


Voila - a young woodpecker feasting on suet at the feeder outside the bookshop. When I stepped out of the car I expected him to take off but he was enjoying himself too much. I was surprised he let me get close enough to snap this with my pocket digital camera.
When he did catch on he flitted off to a near-by branch - but too late - I snapped him.

Far, Far Away

Just look at the fire Granny Sue and Larry burned last night to send our troubles up in smoke. I feel lighter today knowing those worries are ashes and have blown far, far, away.

Speaking of far, far away - Jim and I watched A New Hope, Episode IV of Star Wars last night. As we journeyed to a galaxy far, far away we thought of the year all our family was here for Christmas and we emersed ourselves - from the youngest to the oldest - in George Lucas's magical world. Movie bonding at its very best.

Nothing like it until Harry Potter a dozen years later. But that's another story.

New Year's Eve

St Louis Storyteller Mary Garrett sent this to me today. A neat Happy New Year gift. I love it and want to share it with you.
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2008/12/question_for_today_know_of_any.html?wpisr
Wouldn't you love to ride on this subway train and experience that art surprise.

Jim and I are spending a quiet evening at home nursing coughs and colds. With the wind chill at 0 degrees we are sitting near the fire and watching a movie. I hope its not too cold where Granny Sue and Larry are burning their New Year's Eve bonfire and sending all our 2008 troubles up in smoke. I feel a lightness of spirit knowing they are tossing mine into the flames.
Take a look at the bonfire waiting for a match.

Can't close this evening without remembering four people we've lost this year.


Mama








Jim's brother David

and two people who were gifts in my life and set me on my path in the arts.




Ron Haynie, a gifted painter and teacher, who never tired of talking about art and whose enthusiasm for painting inspired his students. I was fortunate to be his student at Dunbarton College and American University. I wrote about him in January.

Still Life by Ron Haynie

Marcia Sward, Director of Environmental Education at the Audubon Narutalist Society.
Marcia believed that stories could unlock kids' imaginations and foster their appreciation of the natural world. She gave me the opportunity to take stories to the schools under the ANS banner for five years. Marcia was a gracious, generous nd talented woman who left a legacy with everyone she met.

Anniversary

Jim and Ellouise - December 30, 1955
Assumption Catholic Church
Charlotte, NC

Does not seem like 53 years - to us.

But pictures don't lie - a lot has happened since that rainy morning in Charlotte.

For our 50th anniversary our family gathered for Christmas in Williamsburg. It was a grand week.

Breaking Up Christmas

Sitting at the computer this morning doing what I do so well - procrastinate - I excel at procrastination - especially when I have lots to do and deadlines riding up the back of my neck.

Anyway - there I was stalling - so I started surfing. I stopped by Blind Pig's and found this great idea. Not surprised it originates in North Carolina.

Don't miss the music video - on Blind Pig

And then tap into this great piece of Banjo Picking by a talented young guy that Granny Sue had on her blog. I am borrowing it becaue I really like it so much and hope you will too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OfA5qSVJLM

Three Beautiful Things

1. I spotted a bright splash of color on a gray day. Isn't this cardinal sitting in a bare limbed tree outside the library a sign of good luck ahead? Say yes, please. I am looking for all the encouragement I can get.


2. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg, Pa dressed for the holidays.

This plain room served as a hospital where both Union and Confederate soldiers were treated during the Battle of Gettysburg.

3. One of the best things about our place in PA is that it is close enough that Besty and I can have an afternoon together. A visit with my friend Betsy is always special. Talk is good. The light in the den - a room lined with windows over-looking our neighbors fields shifts from bright and golden to dimming and reddish as the sun goes down. It has not seemed that long. We know each other so well - a knowing we have cultivated and cared for since we were Girl Scouts together. Such a friend is a blessing and gift.

And look - she came bearing a gift - a wonderful surprise she for me - a gorgeous stool for storytelling - polished walnut with a hand painted decoration.

Personalized for me. It says - "Every story is worth telling."

I will treasure it.

Quiet in the Country

Jim and I are at our "retreat" in the PA country near Gettysburg. Its not a fancy place. There is not much land that is ours just a rim of green. But I tell you what we do have here - quiet. The televison is not hooked up. Ofcourse we have WiFi - that is a must so that we can surf and work.

Its the quiet that is palpable and that we love. It lets our minds wind down and focus. No wonder my friend Granny Sue is so productive - she elected her TV out a few years back. Think of it - a life without CNN "breaking news." I do love old movies - but we have plenty of those here - shelves of them in fact - so that we select our own entertainment.

This is the time of year to consider changes. I am.

Movie Recommendation: Last night our family group went to see Gran Torino, the new Clint Eastwood film. It was compelling and very satisfying storytelling. A movie with the local family was one of our Christmas presents - how lucky can we be! Time together, a good story - a gift that does not have to be taken care of or stored - it becomes a memory.

New calendars. I always use this week between Christmas and New Years to fill in a new calendar for the coming year. It also helps me "catch" things that are slipping. This afternoon it led me to book the flights for our California trip in February. I will be going out to tell stories at the Rogue Festival but more importantly we will have a good visit with Robin and her famiily.

This year I picked out calendars with Easter egg pastel colors for their covers so they don't get lost in the depths of my purse or tote bag. Finding a black calendar in the dark recesses of bags I carry sometimes leaves me looking a little mad - a desperate woman shaking and pawing into a fabric sack.

Book review. I think I will stack up all the books on my shelves that I thought I would read,
make choices of those I will read in 2009, and get rid of the others. Some nights I fall asleep making lists of which books have to go. Then next morning I weaken. I have books that have escaped the purge for more than twenty years. Ridiculous.

Time Out

Taking time out to think about this past year and to wonder about the year ahead

TIME

Time is infinite
Time is a canoe
Time is a winged dove
Time is desert silence
Time is the rumble of the oceans
Time is the showering rain droplet
It is the tremor of the heart
Time is the lingo of history
Time is an eternal test
A non stop journey is time
A ceased path is time
Time is life
Time is a flow
Time is death
Time is the opportune right
Time is a tide
Time is the breath
Time is invisible
Time is tangible
Time is a scene of beauty
The breath of an atom is time
The tune of an iota is time
Time is the play of life and death
Time is the envoy of peace and terror
There is no shore that the time has not touched
And no ray of light untouched by time
Time is the manifestation of the ancient Brahman
The modern interpretation of duty is time
Time is earthly and heaven
Time is eternal
Time is the river of life
Life is a journey
In the stream of time!

PERUGU.RAMAKRISHNA

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday Mama, Three Beautiful Things

CHRISTMAS

Every time a hand reaches out
To help another....that is Christmas

Every time someone puts anger aside
And strives for understanding.
That is Christmas

Every time people forget their differences
And realize their love for each other.
That is Christmas

May this Christmas bring us
Closer to the spirit of human understanding .
Closer to the blessing of peace.
Author Unknown

Williamsburg Wreath
This is my favorite of the Williamsburg Wreaths I have posted - it is not necessarily the most beautiful wreath but I think its the most successful photograph.

Happy Birthday, Mama
In my family Christmas is a double birthday celebration - it's also my mother's birthday - something, that when I was a kid, struck me as amazing. We can't celebrate with Mama this year - I can't even call her - she died August 29 - so I decided that it was foolish to give up honoring her on her special day.

Mama was born on Christmas Day 1915. Last evening when our family gathered for Christmas Eve we lit three candles - she would have been 93 today - and sang Happy Birthday in her honor. It felt warm - it felt right.

A few years ago Mama told me a very sweet story about having a Christmas birthday. Her father Gus Keasler died when she was eighteen months old. Granny did not remarry until Mama was eight. Ellie Hall and Jack Baer were married on December 27th.

On Christmas morning Mama found a red bicycle under her Christmas tree from Daddy Jack.

"I was so thrilled. I could not believe it. When I rode it up and down the street outside the house I called to everybody I saw, I've got a daddy now! I've got a daddy now. It was my best Christmas.

I bet if you could ask Mama now to tell you about her favorite birthday she would tell you it was 3 years ago when as many us as could gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday.















Three Beautiful Things













1. Christmas Mass - the church is all dressed up to celebrate The Word Made Flesh.

2. Loving family - here and far. Good food, hugs, singing carols and talking on the phone.

3. Sunny skies during the day and later glorious colored lights brighten the darkenss.