'So hard to realize November is here -- especially when the weather is warm (mid-sixties through last Saturday) and the bright turquoise sky forms a gorgeous backdrop for all the foliage that has been dawdling in changing and swirling to the ground.
Our young peach tree has finally decided fall's here and she has donned tri-colored leaves; however, our snowball bush (which is so overgrown it can hardly be called a "bush"! But it's so grand and beautiful in bloom that we can't bear pruning it back just yet.) is just beginning to show its deep auburn though its summer green has drained underneath. Today its hues are more freakish than lovely as they sport deep auburn-almost maroon outer leaves topping a startling neon lime undershade. (I suppose I'd have to chat this one over with Ma Nature, as it's definitely not a combination I'd ever have tried.)
The night skies have been bold and clear, with constellations standing tall and bright across their deep navy backdrop. That is, until this evening: tonight there will be no moon or stars, for a thick blanket of soft cloud has stretched itself from mountain to lake horizons and does not appear to be in a hurry to cross the peaks. (ratz! I was getting used to our delay in cold, icy roads and windowshields, and white stuff covering our world.)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
No Tricks ... No Treats ... No School???
It was the oddest Halloween night yet.
Of course downtown Main St., area schools and nursing facilities advertised open houses for trick-or-treaters this evening, but we always get at least 20 kids at our door before the "big kids" start their haunt.
However, the Halloween night of 2009 has gone down in our family's history as a giant bust, as not one trick-or-treater made their way to our door. Stretch even condescended to wear a costume so we could greet those who came in style. But our entire area was quiet - almost too quiet, if you ask me.
Yes, the Halloween of 2009 proved to be very strange from the get-go, as school districts chose to cancel class on the 30th, just to avoid dealing with the costume parade and class parties. Even typing this makes my eyes roll as I shake my head. That's absolutely nuts! (and I'm a teacher, too.) Had I been in charge of the world, I would not have hidden from the day. Rather, I would have sent / e-mailed / announced to students / parents / staff alike that there would be no celebrations, parties, et al, on that day, then hold a regular school day.
Another difference about this Halloween night was the stillness and beauty. Twice, Stretch and I ventured outdoors, to peer up one street and down another, searching / expecting to see wandering trick-or-treaters. Instead of the usual Halloween weather that forces most costumed kids to bundle up in coats / scarves, we were treated (by Ma Nature) to clear dark skies dotted with stars and a full bright moon that lit the yard, and temps unusually warm (but very welcome) in the 50s.
Despite the summer-like night, the streets were dark and barren. And no excited voices escaped high-strung children galloping from door-to-door.
So, instead of jumping up to greet the little treaters and ooh and ahh at spooks and witches and fairy princesses, we treated the family to take-out from our favorite Italian diner; then, settled in to watch television ("eye candy" as architect Frank Lloyd Wright described it). With each commercial break we switched back-n-forth between NCIS' gruesome episodes and cheering for the local college football team (who won their road game).
I guess trick-or-treating is never going to be the happy, carefree activity it was when I was a kid, some XYZ years ago, and for that, I feel bad. It was fun planning costumes and borrowing your father's overalls or your sister's poodle skirt and Jantzen sweater! And trick-or-treating meant going out with all your friends and sometimes having to stop by your house and empty your sack so you could visit everyone's home in the neighborhood. No one competed or played tricks. And you always tried to get to some people's houses first, 'cuz it was a well-known fact that they had the best stuff -- everything from decorations to mini bread loaves, hot apple cider and doughnuts, or mini-haunted houses you had to traverse before getting your treat.
Fredrich Neitzsche wrote, "Life must be lived forward in order to be remembered backward." On this early November 1st, 2009, I can honestly state that I am grateful for my childhood memories of carefree days when kids could just be themselves and everyone in the neighborhood pulled together and encouraged their successes. We didn't throw tantrums or sue if life didn't go our way or we didn't get a turn in church or school; we understood on some more mature level that all of life would not be fair to us every minute of every day and we dealt with it. We saw the Big picture that seems to allude the majority nowadays: if you wanted something you worked hard for it. No one was foolish enought to expect success to fall in his lap or have it handed to him, the way so many do today. If you didn't behave, you didn't get a turn to do the fun things or help out. Today, everyone has to have a turn, regardless; and no one can be left out.
I think society's thinking on this is messed up, as life is not, as Neal A. Maxwell said, "a series of green lights". Life is not fair and one should not simply be handed the keys to the executive washroom or get a turn or win top honors simply because he is next in line or hasn't had a turn to experience such a thing! In order to experience good, each must also experience bad. Opposition in all things.
Each person's abilities, experiences, and knowledge make him what he is. How terribly dull and monotonous society would be if each had the same offers, experiences, successes, and knowledge base! We would be clones of each other and have nothing special or unique to offer each other or the world. Nor would there be much purpose, drive, challenge, or joy in our lives--as, to know the good, one must experience and understand the bad. Opposition, like change, is not always welcome nor desired; yet, Opposition, like Change, is a very good teacher.
So, farewell Halloween of 2009! Though our candy bowl remains full (there's a positive and a negative!), the streets empty, and the weather perfect, I can honestly state I am grateful to have experienced such an odd, quiet night, as it allowed me time to reflect on sweet Halloweens of carefree days.
Of course downtown Main St., area schools and nursing facilities advertised open houses for trick-or-treaters this evening, but we always get at least 20 kids at our door before the "big kids" start their haunt.
However, the Halloween night of 2009 has gone down in our family's history as a giant bust, as not one trick-or-treater made their way to our door. Stretch even condescended to wear a costume so we could greet those who came in style. But our entire area was quiet - almost too quiet, if you ask me.
Yes, the Halloween of 2009 proved to be very strange from the get-go, as school districts chose to cancel class on the 30th, just to avoid dealing with the costume parade and class parties. Even typing this makes my eyes roll as I shake my head. That's absolutely nuts! (and I'm a teacher, too.) Had I been in charge of the world, I would not have hidden from the day. Rather, I would have sent / e-mailed / announced to students / parents / staff alike that there would be no celebrations, parties, et al, on that day, then hold a regular school day.
Another difference about this Halloween night was the stillness and beauty. Twice, Stretch and I ventured outdoors, to peer up one street and down another, searching / expecting to see wandering trick-or-treaters. Instead of the usual Halloween weather that forces most costumed kids to bundle up in coats / scarves, we were treated (by Ma Nature) to clear dark skies dotted with stars and a full bright moon that lit the yard, and temps unusually warm (but very welcome) in the 50s.
Despite the summer-like night, the streets were dark and barren. And no excited voices escaped high-strung children galloping from door-to-door.
So, instead of jumping up to greet the little treaters and ooh and ahh at spooks and witches and fairy princesses, we treated the family to take-out from our favorite Italian diner; then, settled in to watch television ("eye candy" as architect Frank Lloyd Wright described it). With each commercial break we switched back-n-forth between NCIS' gruesome episodes and cheering for the local college football team (who won their road game).
I guess trick-or-treating is never going to be the happy, carefree activity it was when I was a kid, some XYZ years ago, and for that, I feel bad. It was fun planning costumes and borrowing your father's overalls or your sister's poodle skirt and Jantzen sweater! And trick-or-treating meant going out with all your friends and sometimes having to stop by your house and empty your sack so you could visit everyone's home in the neighborhood. No one competed or played tricks. And you always tried to get to some people's houses first, 'cuz it was a well-known fact that they had the best stuff -- everything from decorations to mini bread loaves, hot apple cider and doughnuts, or mini-haunted houses you had to traverse before getting your treat.
Fredrich Neitzsche wrote, "Life must be lived forward in order to be remembered backward." On this early November 1st, 2009, I can honestly state that I am grateful for my childhood memories of carefree days when kids could just be themselves and everyone in the neighborhood pulled together and encouraged their successes. We didn't throw tantrums or sue if life didn't go our way or we didn't get a turn in church or school; we understood on some more mature level that all of life would not be fair to us every minute of every day and we dealt with it. We saw the Big picture that seems to allude the majority nowadays: if you wanted something you worked hard for it. No one was foolish enought to expect success to fall in his lap or have it handed to him, the way so many do today. If you didn't behave, you didn't get a turn to do the fun things or help out. Today, everyone has to have a turn, regardless; and no one can be left out.
I think society's thinking on this is messed up, as life is not, as Neal A. Maxwell said, "a series of green lights". Life is not fair and one should not simply be handed the keys to the executive washroom or get a turn or win top honors simply because he is next in line or hasn't had a turn to experience such a thing! In order to experience good, each must also experience bad. Opposition in all things.
Each person's abilities, experiences, and knowledge make him what he is. How terribly dull and monotonous society would be if each had the same offers, experiences, successes, and knowledge base! We would be clones of each other and have nothing special or unique to offer each other or the world. Nor would there be much purpose, drive, challenge, or joy in our lives--as, to know the good, one must experience and understand the bad. Opposition, like change, is not always welcome nor desired; yet, Opposition, like Change, is a very good teacher.
So, farewell Halloween of 2009! Though our candy bowl remains full (there's a positive and a negative!), the streets empty, and the weather perfect, I can honestly state I am grateful to have experienced such an odd, quiet night, as it allowed me time to reflect on sweet Halloweens of carefree days.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
This morning, in a freak act of nature, as Stretch spread himself along the back of the couch in order to observe all in his Kingdom, a sudden and rather lengthy hailstorm exploded from puffy silver-grey clouds. It came straight down and cars zipped along faster than they should've, trying to escape any possible damage. Upon closer expection after the worst of the outburst, Stretch and I measured the hail as being healthy pea-sized -- no doubt 'twould've smacked hard and hurt anyone caught outside! =o
Then the shaded grey clouds zipped along, rushing toward the mountains that separate us from Wyoming / Colorado. Good riddance, Stretch says, as he languidly arranges himself along the top of the couch's back again. Nothing must disturb his morning snooze ... that is, until the mailman comes.
Then he charges about madly, announcing to all within, that his pal, the mailman has arrived. Quite the character, that one! But we're so used to his routine I doubt we'd be able to get the mail in anymore without his lil' antics.
Then the shaded grey clouds zipped along, rushing toward the mountains that separate us from Wyoming / Colorado. Good riddance, Stretch says, as he languidly arranges himself along the top of the couch's back again. Nothing must disturb his morning snooze ... that is, until the mailman comes.
Then he charges about madly, announcing to all within, that his pal, the mailman has arrived. Quite the character, that one! But we're so used to his routine I doubt we'd be able to get the mail in anymore without his lil' antics.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Touch of Fall
Today I woke to what one of the local radio personalities describes as "severe clear" - close your eyes and picture it: a bright turquoise-blue, cloudless sky that abounds as far as one's eyes can behold. Cutting through the brightness was an occasional small plane, anxious to get in some flying time on this gorgeous day. My tree has received its notice to change.
Mid-week Stretch and I caught glimpses of apple yellow leaves; as of this morning, the summer green began rescinding, leaving more vivid "limeyr" (new word, sorry Webster.) shades in its leafy canopy. By noon, my tree sported branches of pale gold, leaving its fan club (me) longing to see it in its finest - - a lovely, pale Golden-Delicious apple yellow canopy gown.
Stretch has also noticed the air contains a briskness and invites / taunts me to a game of tag. He outruns me every time; he is lightning fast and sports boundless energy!
The day was made perfect when we stopped and picked out a half-bushel of our seasonal favorites - - Golden Delicious Apples at a local roadside stand. Always, the first weekend of October, my parents and I would head out for an enjoyable drive south of the state capitol , on our annual pilgrimage for crisp, juicy apples. It was such fun to have accomplished / set our own tradition as we brought home our new stash of sweet apples!
Now, all I need is to look our my window and admire nature's glorious colors and sit under my tree's golden yellow canopy amid shaded gold leaves underfoot.
ahhh ... It seems fall has finally arrived!
Mid-week Stretch and I caught glimpses of apple yellow leaves; as of this morning, the summer green began rescinding, leaving more vivid "limeyr" (new word, sorry Webster.) shades in its leafy canopy. By noon, my tree sported branches of pale gold, leaving its fan club (me) longing to see it in its finest - - a lovely, pale Golden-Delicious apple yellow canopy gown.
Stretch has also noticed the air contains a briskness and invites / taunts me to a game of tag. He outruns me every time; he is lightning fast and sports boundless energy!
The day was made perfect when we stopped and picked out a half-bushel of our seasonal favorites - - Golden Delicious Apples at a local roadside stand. Always, the first weekend of October, my parents and I would head out for an enjoyable drive south of the state capitol , on our annual pilgrimage for crisp, juicy apples. It was such fun to have accomplished / set our own tradition as we brought home our new stash of sweet apples!
Now, all I need is to look our my window and admire nature's glorious colors and sit under my tree's golden yellow canopy amid shaded gold leaves underfoot.
ahhh ... It seems fall has finally arrived!
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