Thoughts gathered on love

For one human being to love another is perhaps the most difficult task of all, the epitome - the ultimate test. It is that striving for which all other striving is merely preparation. Rainier Maria Rilke

I want the love in my life to feel like a deep breath, a blushing laugh, a view across the Sea of Cortez, always expanding - wider - glowing. Sabrina W. Harrison

If we let ourselves be truly seen, then we can be truly loved. Sark

Bless the not knowing.

Ugly PJ's

I have a sweet friend who gave my son horribly ugly pj's because she thought he'd like them. He does. They're near fav.'s. And because I love them and they aren't killing him I let him wear them. Sometimes I think you just have to let people wear or be ugly until they grow out of it.

Hallmark-ish Holiday

HAPPPPPEEEEE Kwanzaa!!!!!!!

Just saw the trailer for Miss Potter - (Beatrix Potter) Looks wonderful - woman against the odds - LOVE that.

Joan E Kimball

People that impact your forever. I was raised by amazing people. Yet in Jr High/High School self-definition outside of the fam was sooo important. I happened across one of the most stellar women I've ever met. She later became one of my mom's closer friends and even better - family!! ( My sis married her son)

Her best facets: She is a consummate student of life (always aware and learning), she looks you in the eyes-listens-and-makes you feel understood. She appreciates beauty and seems to draw it out of people and life - the best rises. She is humble and FUN and somehow - things are peaceful around her.

What a woman. ;)

Flashback

OK, checked out FlyLady. I WAS RAISED WITH IT. I kid you not. At 13, my mom bequeathed to me my very own organizational notebox. Grouped by hour, day, week, month and year. I committed to a contract (which I lost) to clean (which I failed at repeatedly) until bizarrely enough, I left home and actually took responsibility for my pigsty habits. I'm pretty good, but c'mon - it's the holidays and I have a 1 and 1/2 yr old tornado queen and a husband that couldn't find the hamper if he slept on it.

Post-Holiday

Well well well well well.... I'm surveying the atomic blast that is my household. My mom always said when facing disaster take bite-size hunks, one at a time. I need coffee and my housekeeper. I thought I could face this without her. I love Christmas and this was an especially significant and poignant one for us. But the aftermath when the husband has left for work and the kids just want to roll and relish in the herculean mounds that I am attempting to dismantle is daunting. At least my kids are cute. ;) Although I did find Afton hurt & crying, wrapped up in hula-hoops and gift bags with Cedar's drumsticks nearby...

By the way, my folks are "out of Africa" and recovering well. Mom took her Malaria pill and is feeling better. I can't wait to hear about their experiences.

John and E and my brother Nat are coming in this weekend at different times - THAT'S when the holidays will feel complete!

Hot lights

Was driving on Dousman, a 25 mph street here in Green Bay. There stands a beacon to all things gloriously childlike and gaudy - 2 and 1/2 stories (4 if you include the evergreen) of hideous perfection. I slowed down. I had to. I had to soak in the rays, the glow, the melodic spinning Santas (just kidding, no spinning).

Nostalgia. I love the cinnamon candies mom put on her sugar cookies. Love cutting down our own little tree and the sharp scents of winter. Love the wonderment in Cedar's eyes that I remember in my brother Matthew's eyes. We used to read "the Little Colonel" and all six of us kids would pack into one of our room on Christmas Eve wiggling with anticipation. My Lord, those memories are precious.