No, this is not about the election; we've all read enough about the November 4 decisions to last us through the rest of this month.
I have made a proposition to the kids in this family, however, regarding Eileen's "one-year update" message sent over the past weekend. She has asked for help; and it's so very hard to offer anything physically possible, from the great distance across the Big Pond to where she lives in London. I had been mulling over an idea in my mind for a while, and when I saw that Leenie had opened up so vulnerably to all of us about her needs, I decided to put my plan into motion.
I resolved that I would set aside a time each morning, at 9 AM Pacific time, to pray and meditate about the illness and to ask for the mercy of a cure or solution for Leenie. I suggested to the others in the family that we might each "meet in the air" at the same time (in our own time zones) and do this together – to send up a nice loud cry to God in unison. I explained that it had occured to me that this is not a New Age "cosmic convergence" thing, so much as an ancient tradition honored by just about every faith, to set aside specific times for prayer (The Daily Hours of monastic practice, the muezzin's call at appointed times for prayer, etc.)
So this morning, i began my own effort at 9 AM; and I hope that at least some of the other kids have done so, or will later join me in this practice. I don't think we're playing games with God or creating some spiritual climate shift – I only want to try to do something to alleviate Leenie's sometimes lonely struggles with exhaustion, pain, and a host of ugly symptoms that the medical profession is at a loss to alleviate for her.
Later, as I get more feedback from the kids, I'll ask them to let her (or me) know what they are doing, to give her an image to fix in her mind and heart, of her siblings and relatives/friends surrounding her with love. That knowledge alone can be the greatest comfort when you are struggling.
One thing I know about this family: in times of crisis, we do rally around the one in need; Leenie has always been at the forefront of any such efforts, and the others all do what they can in their own individual ways. I expect and hope that it will be true this time too.
(If any of you who are not "the kids" are reading this and want to join in this plan with us, please do; and if you will let me know, I'll add you to any updates I may send out.
Monday, 27 October 2008
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Holidays' End
Dear and beloved friends and relatives: it's been wonderful to see the way that those of you who've come up to our woodland home during the past four months have discovered its beauty and peace. Your spirits have mingled with the Spirit of this blessed place; and you are always welcome here again in the future.
Our last set of October visitors, Sarah and Steve, are departing this morning to return to Santa Barbara. It's been a lovely and well graced visit, as we celebrated the great event of Sarah's 70th birthday – a span of three score years and ten upon this earth is a gift to be praised, and the coming of the Third Age (of Wisdom, we hope!) an event to celebrate.
However, we are declaring a small sabbatical, as the year winds down toward our winter season in these hills. We feel the need now for a time of quiet, as we finish out this very eventful year of 2008. There are still a few things we have not quite finished doing to our satisfaction in the house and property; we have not been able as yet to set any sort of pleasing routine to our days and weeks; and frankly, we are in need of some quiet "cocooning" as the days grow short and dwindle down to a precious few – before the holiday season.
We will be in the Southland again for Thanksgiving week; and when we return to our home in early December, we'll be throwing ourselves into the preparations for my favorite season of the entire year – Advent and the Yuletide. The door of this House and Sanctuary will swing wide again to all pilgrims; and for those who relish the idea of winter in the woods, our arms (and the embrace of our home and hearth) will be open to you all.
I wish you a blessed respite of your own, as All Hallows Eve passes into the return of Standard Time in November – to a time of early evening shadows and the lighting of the home and hearth for long quiet nights of peace.
Our last set of October visitors, Sarah and Steve, are departing this morning to return to Santa Barbara. It's been a lovely and well graced visit, as we celebrated the great event of Sarah's 70th birthday – a span of three score years and ten upon this earth is a gift to be praised, and the coming of the Third Age (of Wisdom, we hope!) an event to celebrate.
However, we are declaring a small sabbatical, as the year winds down toward our winter season in these hills. We feel the need now for a time of quiet, as we finish out this very eventful year of 2008. There are still a few things we have not quite finished doing to our satisfaction in the house and property; we have not been able as yet to set any sort of pleasing routine to our days and weeks; and frankly, we are in need of some quiet "cocooning" as the days grow short and dwindle down to a precious few – before the holiday season.
We will be in the Southland again for Thanksgiving week; and when we return to our home in early December, we'll be throwing ourselves into the preparations for my favorite season of the entire year – Advent and the Yuletide. The door of this House and Sanctuary will swing wide again to all pilgrims; and for those who relish the idea of winter in the woods, our arms (and the embrace of our home and hearth) will be open to you all.
I wish you a blessed respite of your own, as All Hallows Eve passes into the return of Standard Time in November – to a time of early evening shadows and the lighting of the home and hearth for long quiet nights of peace.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Siblings In Trees
It's been a month for visitors, as I may have predicted earlier; Teri has come and gone, and this past week brought my sister and brother to Merrybrook Lodge for three delightful days. They had come to Boulder Creek with us originally when we moved up here, to help us transport our more sensitive electronics and musical instruments, in early July; and Melissa was up by herself for a couple of days during September. But once pilgrims have experienced our haven in the trees, they seem to long to return!
It was a peaceful, pleasant experience for us, and I hope also for them. One day we gathered up a picnic and drove up Bear Creek Road to a beautifully situated winery, Byington, for a free wine-tasting and a lunch at an overlook with vast views of the inland valley known as "Silicon" – and on the drive up and back there were glimpses of that view and of our own San Lorenzo Valley from either side of the road. Another day we elected to have an "at-home" – and the sibs came up for a homemade soup lunch and a long afternoon on the deck and in shady portions of the back garden. That evening they took us to The Restaurant in our village, Scopazzi's, for a delicious and festive dinner in belated honor of John's October birthday.
I know that my brother and sister were not terribly happy when we opted to move from Santa Barbara to our mountains; but now that they have found this to be a wonderful little getaway for a road trip, I think they are more content with our decision. I know they can understand better why we chose to live in this most beautiful location and in this house – which has quite rapidly become the home I've always wanted and have sought in vain throughout the years, until now.
It was a peaceful, pleasant experience for us, and I hope also for them. One day we gathered up a picnic and drove up Bear Creek Road to a beautifully situated winery, Byington, for a free wine-tasting and a lunch at an overlook with vast views of the inland valley known as "Silicon" – and on the drive up and back there were glimpses of that view and of our own San Lorenzo Valley from either side of the road. Another day we elected to have an "at-home" – and the sibs came up for a homemade soup lunch and a long afternoon on the deck and in shady portions of the back garden. That evening they took us to The Restaurant in our village, Scopazzi's, for a delicious and festive dinner in belated honor of John's October birthday.
I know that my brother and sister were not terribly happy when we opted to move from Santa Barbara to our mountains; but now that they have found this to be a wonderful little getaway for a road trip, I think they are more content with our decision. I know they can understand better why we chose to live in this most beautiful location and in this house – which has quite rapidly become the home I've always wanted and have sought in vain throughout the years, until now.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Yeats At Sunset
I forgot to add a lovely bit that occurred while Teri was here. As the day waned on Monday, and John came out to the deck to join us, Teri was reminded of her Lake Isle of Innisfree images (because peace was dropping slow). She went right in to get my book from the library shelf. (How did she know just where it was? She's a poetry-spotter, an English Major, folks!) She brought it out and read that lovely verse to us; and then we passed the book back and forth, reading aloud our favorites, sipping a little wine, watching the moon and Venus rise in the darkening sky.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Early October Joys
Here's the story / of a gal named Teri / who's been bringing up two very frisky boys
And it's the story/ of a Mom named Franny / who gives parties with a lot o' happy noise ....
Well, anyway: Sunday evening, two carloads of people arrived on our property: the first vehicle held Julie, Bryan and the kids, plus a whole load of food – which Magic Julie had procured for me when my car failed me on Saturday. The second car arrived shortly thereafter, bearing Joe, KB and Josh, as well as Kim – and the long-awaited Teri. "I want my Mommy!" cried this last child, as she ran into my arms.
A grand birthday party supper ensued, with (of course) more food than anyone could eat, lots of oohs and ahhs over the Redwood Cottage by those who had not seen it yet, and more exclamations of pleasure by everyone, since none had seen The Doghouse renovation as yet.
Although T was Tired, after a weekend of "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" festing at Golden Gate Park, after our guests left we sat up and had herbal tea and talked for a couple of hours in the parlor; and then we sent her off to a stress-busting soak in the big tub, and to the Guest bed (sofa) for a good night's sleep.
Bright but not too early on Monday morning, Teri and John set off on a hike down to the village – to find out what could be done about the car; to have a coffee and bun at "Rainbow's End" and to pick up groceries for dinner at Johnnie's Super. While they were gone, I simmered a pot of homemade soup for lunch (we had good leftovers in our fridge and freezer); and after they returned and we supped, Teri and I repaired to the sunlit back deck.
Us girls had a wonderful, long, lazy almost-six-hour chat there, with a short break for tea and cookies ..... it was the best visit I've had with Daughter No. 1 in many, many years. Teri said no one who knows her will believe that she barely moved from the lounge chair during the whole long session. At one point she commented that perhaps she ought to stroll around our garden and ID some plants; but it never happened that day! John joined us at sunset, bringing out a lovely bottle of Cabernet that Julie had given us, and we chatted as we watched the moon rise, followed closely by Venus (that hussy!)
After a good fresh tomato/basil pasta supper, Teri was off for another bubble bath and early bedtime.
The next morning, our girl took another hike down to the village on her own, to get postcards and snoop around a bit; and then Julie came up in the early afternoon to collect her up. Us three girls went out for a quick lunch at "Jenna Sue's Dessert First" cafe in the village; and then my daughters went off to the seacoast. I hear tell that they had a lovely long walk on the beach at Seascape with the Drysdale Dogs late in that afternoon. And Teri caught her plane for home the next morning.
We miss her terribly; but her spirit now abides with us in this cottage, and will forever.
Our car has returned to us, with new distributor installed; we've had a quiet couple of days; and tomorrow noon, more guests arrive. October is our month for Open House; next week, my siblings will be at Merrybrook Lodge for three days of visiting in the redwoods; and the following weekend, our friends Sarah and Steve will be here to celebrate Sarah's 70th birthday. After that, I think we'll be into real beginning-of-winter, with the return of Standard Time and cooling temperatures and (we pray) lots of rain.
And it's the story/ of a Mom named Franny / who gives parties with a lot o' happy noise ....
Well, anyway: Sunday evening, two carloads of people arrived on our property: the first vehicle held Julie, Bryan and the kids, plus a whole load of food – which Magic Julie had procured for me when my car failed me on Saturday. The second car arrived shortly thereafter, bearing Joe, KB and Josh, as well as Kim – and the long-awaited Teri. "I want my Mommy!" cried this last child, as she ran into my arms.
A grand birthday party supper ensued, with (of course) more food than anyone could eat, lots of oohs and ahhs over the Redwood Cottage by those who had not seen it yet, and more exclamations of pleasure by everyone, since none had seen The Doghouse renovation as yet.
Although T was Tired, after a weekend of "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" festing at Golden Gate Park, after our guests left we sat up and had herbal tea and talked for a couple of hours in the parlor; and then we sent her off to a stress-busting soak in the big tub, and to the Guest bed (sofa) for a good night's sleep.
Bright but not too early on Monday morning, Teri and John set off on a hike down to the village – to find out what could be done about the car; to have a coffee and bun at "Rainbow's End" and to pick up groceries for dinner at Johnnie's Super. While they were gone, I simmered a pot of homemade soup for lunch (we had good leftovers in our fridge and freezer); and after they returned and we supped, Teri and I repaired to the sunlit back deck.
Us girls had a wonderful, long, lazy almost-six-hour chat there, with a short break for tea and cookies ..... it was the best visit I've had with Daughter No. 1 in many, many years. Teri said no one who knows her will believe that she barely moved from the lounge chair during the whole long session. At one point she commented that perhaps she ought to stroll around our garden and ID some plants; but it never happened that day! John joined us at sunset, bringing out a lovely bottle of Cabernet that Julie had given us, and we chatted as we watched the moon rise, followed closely by Venus (that hussy!)
After a good fresh tomato/basil pasta supper, Teri was off for another bubble bath and early bedtime.
The next morning, our girl took another hike down to the village on her own, to get postcards and snoop around a bit; and then Julie came up in the early afternoon to collect her up. Us three girls went out for a quick lunch at "Jenna Sue's Dessert First" cafe in the village; and then my daughters went off to the seacoast. I hear tell that they had a lovely long walk on the beach at Seascape with the Drysdale Dogs late in that afternoon. And Teri caught her plane for home the next morning.
We miss her terribly; but her spirit now abides with us in this cottage, and will forever.
Our car has returned to us, with new distributor installed; we've had a quiet couple of days; and tomorrow noon, more guests arrive. October is our month for Open House; next week, my siblings will be at Merrybrook Lodge for three days of visiting in the redwoods; and the following weekend, our friends Sarah and Steve will be here to celebrate Sarah's 70th birthday. After that, I think we'll be into real beginning-of-winter, with the return of Standard Time and cooling temperatures and (we pray) lots of rain.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
From Country Club ....
.... but not far from it, yesterday afternoon.
We are car-less for the moment. I was heading out of Boulder Creek to go down to the great market in Ben Lomond, yesterday afternoon, when I realized the car's accelerator was not "feeding" gas -- luckily it was (a) not raining; and (b) I was just by a parking slot in front of the last little store group on my right on the way out of town. I was on a slight downhill, also -- so was able to coast into the parking. The third stroke of luck was that I had actually taken my cell phone with me.
I got John to call a towing service, which showed up pretty promptly, especially for a day after a heavy rain; and we dragged the Accord back into the village, to "Mountain Mechanic" – which was closed, of course, on Saturday afternoon. So there is it parked, with its key in the safe-box awaiting Mr. Mountain's arrival on Monday morning. The kind tow-guy gave me a lift up to our mailbox/turnaround space in Bracken Brae. As I walked up the hill to the cottage, I called Julie – catching her just right, shopping in Safeway – and gave her my erstwhile shopping list for the big party ensuing here this evening. Bless her little shopping heart, she is taking care of every last-minute thing I will need.
And here we sit, marooned in the forest. It's a little inconvenient, I suppose, but it could have been much worse than that: I might have been on one of the hairpin turns further down Highway 9, with no pull-off in sight, when the car gave up. That would have tied up the weekend traffic through our valley – if not much worse stuff.
I had all the major things stocked in for the birthday party this evening, and there's always something one can stir up for Saturday supper: in our case, a Penne al'Arabiatta and a green salad. We sat in comfort and listened to Garrison Keillor's first show of the season, had a good meal, and went to bed happy.
This afternoon, Teri and all the Monterey Bay sibs arrive. And Teri will get her wish, on Monday while she's here: we ain't goin' nowhere! She can go for walks with John, read on the deck, eat party leftovers, and talk my ear off (I hope!) Stay tuned as the saga of her visit unfolds.
We are car-less for the moment. I was heading out of Boulder Creek to go down to the great market in Ben Lomond, yesterday afternoon, when I realized the car's accelerator was not "feeding" gas -- luckily it was (a) not raining; and (b) I was just by a parking slot in front of the last little store group on my right on the way out of town. I was on a slight downhill, also -- so was able to coast into the parking. The third stroke of luck was that I had actually taken my cell phone with me.
I got John to call a towing service, which showed up pretty promptly, especially for a day after a heavy rain; and we dragged the Accord back into the village, to "Mountain Mechanic" – which was closed, of course, on Saturday afternoon. So there is it parked, with its key in the safe-box awaiting Mr. Mountain's arrival on Monday morning. The kind tow-guy gave me a lift up to our mailbox/turnaround space in Bracken Brae. As I walked up the hill to the cottage, I called Julie – catching her just right, shopping in Safeway – and gave her my erstwhile shopping list for the big party ensuing here this evening. Bless her little shopping heart, she is taking care of every last-minute thing I will need.
And here we sit, marooned in the forest. It's a little inconvenient, I suppose, but it could have been much worse than that: I might have been on one of the hairpin turns further down Highway 9, with no pull-off in sight, when the car gave up. That would have tied up the weekend traffic through our valley – if not much worse stuff.
I had all the major things stocked in for the birthday party this evening, and there's always something one can stir up for Saturday supper: in our case, a Penne al'Arabiatta and a green salad. We sat in comfort and listened to Garrison Keillor's first show of the season, had a good meal, and went to bed happy.
This afternoon, Teri and all the Monterey Bay sibs arrive. And Teri will get her wish, on Monday while she's here: we ain't goin' nowhere! She can go for walks with John, read on the deck, eat party leftovers, and talk my ear off (I hope!) Stay tuned as the saga of her visit unfolds.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
The Lord Hath Rained Down Mercy
Oh, didn't it rain, children! All night, it did -- we got almost 1-1/2 inches in our mountains, thanks be to God -- and all overnight. We woke to sunshine breaking through in the east, and big scudding clouds scooting on out of here. To step out on the deck with our first coffee and sniff that wet-pine air, was better than any drug. (Of course, just to bring you back to earthen reality, John opened the door, sniffed, and said, "Ah yes, the moldiness!" -- he's so romantic, don't you think?)
Now, the day dawns brighter and brighter as 9 AM approaches; and I'm going out to take some pictures of this blessing.
Now, the day dawns brighter and brighter as 9 AM approaches; and I'm going out to take some pictures of this blessing.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
The Sky Is Falling (Maybe)
Well, chillun, they say it's gonna rain .... our first storm of the season is due Friday night. Of course, that's when Teri is due to arrive in SFO; I don't think it's very nice of her to bring the hurricane weather she's had on her coast out to us. But we do need the precipitation, very desperately; and I have to hope it's the harbinger of a lot more water to come this winter, to fill our reservoirs and get our lovely brooks and creeks running merrily once more.
Meanwhile, we are putting up pictures on walls, at last; baking cookies; and getting ready for the October slate of expected guests. Teri comes first, this Sunday, along with the Monterey Kids, who will be joining us that evening for a birthday celebration for John's 69th. T will stay with us on Monday, to have a whole day of living in the redwood forest; and on Tuesday I'll take her down to have a day at the coast with Julie's and Joe's families, before she returns home on Wednesday.
During October we have a few more pilgrims coming by: and so I hope that our Indian Summer weather will return to us and stay for this month – and then, let Winter come. We will stock our larder, and hunker down in our warm little cottage, and may the skies open and rain down God's goodness!
Meanwhile, we are putting up pictures on walls, at last; baking cookies; and getting ready for the October slate of expected guests. Teri comes first, this Sunday, along with the Monterey Kids, who will be joining us that evening for a birthday celebration for John's 69th. T will stay with us on Monday, to have a whole day of living in the redwood forest; and on Tuesday I'll take her down to have a day at the coast with Julie's and Joe's families, before she returns home on Wednesday.
During October we have a few more pilgrims coming by: and so I hope that our Indian Summer weather will return to us and stay for this month – and then, let Winter come. We will stock our larder, and hunker down in our warm little cottage, and may the skies open and rain down God's goodness!
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