To Those Who Serve

 

My father spent 12 years in the military, mostly as an aviation mechanic. He enjoyed his work and often wished he had made it a career. Thank you Daddy, for your service.

A Beautiful Rose

I heard recently through a mutual friend that Rose Fihe had passed away. I use that gentle term deliberately, because she was a gentle but spirited woman who lived life to the fullest. 

I met her on my first house hunting trip to Santa Cruz County, back in the late 80s. She guided me to a wonderful house on a hill, overlooking the Pajaro Valley. We became friends and she later came to my first writing workshops. Sweet Rose, you are missed.

A Case of You

Some things change, some stay the same, but my love of Joni Mitchell remains constant. When I hear this song, I am transported to a tiny house on 172nd Street in Lawndale, sitting in the dark, listening over and over to her words and music.

Happy 25th Anniversary AOL

But just for the record, you weren't my first online service. In the mid 80's, I lived in a condo in downtown LA, across the street from the Dorothy Chandler Music Center. I had a Radio Shack TRS-80, Model 100 (I still have it by the way, somewhere in my storage unit junk) and my "handle" was LA LADY! There were chat rooms where, if you hung out too long, you'd find yourself in an awkward "conversation."

Outsider Art

Artwork by Lisa Cain; check out the artist statement at lisacain.org

Faceless Workers

 

This is one of my favorite paintings. I can't find anything substantial on the artist but did find one black and white piece by the same person at an online art dealer. I like to think that the faceless workers are a political statement on how distant we are from our food sources.

Cleanliness and Godliness

Most of the time I've found neither. But last weekend, after hours sweeping and dusting and scrubbing and throwing away, I experienced a state of grace.

Mawsie

 

Many of the family tales that come out at family gatherings involve my Mom's mother, affectionally known as Ole Hen or Mawsie. 

Once, when she was visiting me in Watsonville for a week, I was enchanted with her openness:

"I's progues and prowls when you's not here." 

Or, "I's always keeps my self clean by douching with Lysol at least onest a week." (She was in her 80's at this point.)

Recently a friend sent the following: a look at the past through advertising. Looks like I need to reconsider some of Mawsie's wisdom. 

For Mothers Everywhere

Joy

I woke up very early this morning, feeling joyful. No particular reason. Just feeling hopeful and glad to be alive and well. I am reminded how easy it is to take this joy for granted.

Random Thoughts

I listen to too much NPR. 

Too much news. 

Too much talk. 

Too much information. 

I need more music!

What Keeps Me Hopeful

A father that cares

A daughter that trusts

And a warm, brown teddy bear

At the Heart of the Matter

what you wear 

when you can't speak the truth

She Dreams

her dreams are in color

she thinks

but is not sure

checks her face 

in the morning mirror

searching for smudges

of blue, silver, ochre

the dreams are not real

but the feelings 

that travel with them are

not today or tomorrow

or even next month

but someday

in the not so far away

there will be no memories

only feelings