Say Hello to Ellie

Say Hello to Ellie, Mark's New Addition

PS:
I am back from Washington, Fort Lewis

Story to Follow about Warrior Leader Course

Bits of Truth

Overheard while tutoring:

R. (who is 11, but working on Grade 9 English curriculum, and was recently assigned a memoir): "But I don't want to write a true story about myself! Wouldn't it be more fun to read about being kidnapped by pirates?"

********************************************

Me (while helping R. brainstorm on a book review of the latest Harry Potter book):"Don't you think that everyone needs a Dumbledore in his or her life?"
R: "Yes, but they also need a Fred and a George!"

How do you argue with that?!

To Dance Again

Sunday found us at a not-so-local, but lovely church where we had the opportunity to help promote the Irish festival by dancing in the courtyard as parishioners exited mass. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed dancing again! The music; jigs, reels and sets; the enthusiastic audience; dancing, reconnecting and laughing with good friends; being treated to lunch afterwards; and the gift cards the church gave us for dancing—so many delights. It was so kind of them to think to “pay” us. And we were so happy just to have the opportunity to dance together again! An elderly nun accosted one of the kids afterward and chided us that the music wasn’t loud enough and that we really needed a better CD player and costumes if we wanted to be taken seriously. "Seriously?" No, please God! We’ve already danced at the serious stuff, and now we want to just dance for the sheer joy of it! Poor thing, she was trying to help, but she just didn’t understand! :) Everyone else was so positive, and it was great to see our dancing make people smile, clap and tap their feet along with us. Especially the little ones that came up around the stage to join in!

The Reunion

Stop playing with the camera, and let's dance!

St. Pat's

Set Dancing--Love the dancing ponytail!

The Grotto

What great memories—and yes, we must do it again!

Fall Soccer Saturdays

Corner!

Studying the possibilities....

Good Game!

This is what our Saturdays are full of right now. Lovely fall days outside watching soccer--and with James in the goal, as well as playing his strength, sweeper. Lots of fun--three wins of three so far!

Gifts

What I've been up to while the boy is gone....

Braces!

Look what happened to James!

Musings on Dance and Me

Strange things have been happening lately...to make me realize how much I love and miss dance. See, I have a confession to make. Yes, I did take up running---but I have a good reason……or several, actually! 1) It’s cheap, and I’m saving for a wedding. 2) It’s a great excuse to use the cool mp3 player Sean got me for Christmas to listen to upbeat music, or dare I say it, even Irish dance music. 3) James has soccer practice at a school with a half-mile track, so it’s not too boring). 4) I don’t have to drive anywhere, so it’s time-effective, too.

Which was all great for the last 6 weeks or so—starting out with a half mile, working up to 2—nothing too extreme, but I was so happy to see progress, and to get some of the strength back that I’ve lost over the last few months. But, I can't say that I've really enjoyed it. Then, I noticed that my ankle was a bit cranky, and I stopped in to see my physical therapist friend on Saturday. And it was then that I confessed. And she hit the roof. “Of all the sports you could possibly pick up, it had to be the one with the most pounding on your bad ankle?!” She was not happy. But she was kind and iced and massaged it for me, and then she made me promise to stop running. She’ll let me run a half- mile or so to get my heart-rate up, and I can walk a million miles if I want, but no more running.

OK. Then, I started teaching an Irish dance ceili elective for middle school, and realized I hadn’t taught a dance class in a very long time...and in the midst of the blaring accordion music, I realized...that really I missed it. I agreed to teach the class because I’ve taught it many times, so there’s virtually no planning, and there are NO PAPERS TO GRADE--gotta love that. I have 15 students—7 boys!—and they are having so much fun. And unexpectedly, so am I—more than I thought. One of the girls who is taking the class for the 3rd time (and this is only her 3rd semester at our school), asked me if I’d help her choreograph a dance for her to perform at her bat mitzvah. Are you kidding? I’d love to!

And finally, one of the dancers from the old studio called and said that her church is opening its annual Irish festival, and would James and I come and dance to help promote it? I had to think about that one for a day or so, but I realized that I really just want to dance again. For fun. James hasn’t danced in 2 years, but we are reworking and remembering our steps together. I'm so glad she called.

So...I don’t know what this means right now other than I’m slowly getting back into dance—baby steps, I guess, whether I like it or not. And I do like it. I don’t know if I want to make the commitment to join a studio right now with everything going on, but I will pull out those shoes again. And yes, Melissa, I’ll be careful of the pounding on my ankle. (She doesn’t seem to mind fixing it for me if it’s because of something I love.)

Tea & Jane Austen

No, I'm not just titling this post "Tea & Jane Austen" because the boy is gone for two weeks....ok, maybe, just because I can. :)

But still--my mom sent me this lovely poem today. Do you think she's noticed some stress in the rush of getting back to school?

When your day seems topsy-turvy
And as stormy as can be
There's nothing quite as tranquil
As a nice hot cup of tea.

While you savor this ambrosia
Your problems fade away
Its warmth will bring you comfort
And brighten up your day.

So take a private moment
There's a calmness, as you'll see
All because you briefly stopped
To sip a cup of tea.

BIGELOW TEAS

And finally--a great post at YLCF with wonderful quotes from Austen for those awkward social situations--she always knows just what to say, doesn't she? Here are a few of my favorites:

When asked your opinion of another person on whom you have not given much thought: "Very elegant."

When asked what you thought of a phenomenal happening:
“We were quite speechless, I tell you, and we have not stopped talking of it since.”

And finally, it is a truth universally acknowledged that when one is uncertain how to answer a statement, the most convenient response is: “Indeed!”

On that note, I'm back to my exceedingly busy day, and perhaps a cup of tea, if I can fit it in. With any luck, I'll be back to fill you in on the latest happenings soon!

L

Wicked, Mission San Gabriel, Raj-ma-hall, 112 Degrees, and Counseling

Labor Day Weekend

Last weekend was another whirlwind weekend for us. For my birthday Lara took me Wicked, the Broadway Production. Also over Labor Day we accomplished tons; Mission San Gabriel, Raj-ma-hall, 112 Degrees, and Counseling with Patrick and Deacon Dennis. How to touch on all that we have accomplished in such a short time span? I don’t know where to start, maybe at the Mission of San Gabriel?

Stop one of our quick weekend; the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel is a former Roman Catholic mission and a historic landmark in San Gabriel, California. On the way to the production in downtown Los Angeles, this was the first place we visited in our weekend adventure. This was the site of the first hospital in Alta, California and settlement, which was founded by Spaniards of the Franciscan Order on "The Feast of the Birth of Mary" September 8, 1771. The Mission, often referred to as the "Godmother of the Pueblo of Los Angeles," was designed by Father Antonio Cruzado, from Córdoba, Spain, which accounts for the strong Moorish influence in the structures.

The original planned site for the Mission was along the banks of the Río de los Temblores “the River of the Earthquakes” — the Santa Ana River. However, the priests chose an alternate site on a fertile plain located directly alongside the Rio Hondo in the Whittier Narrows (Hmmm this is a historic site for floods isn’t it? Let me check my thesis and I will get back to you, earthquakes or floods?) Anyhow, the site of the Misión Vieja (or "Old Mission") is located near the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue in Montebello (known to the natives as Shevaanga). In 1776, a flash flood destroyed much of the crops and ruined the Mission complex, which was subsequently relocated five miles closer to the mountains in present-day San Gabriel (the native settlement of Iisanchanga).

The Mission is the base from the pueblo that became the City of Los Angeles. On December 8, 1812 (the "Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin") a series of massive earthquakes shook Southern California. The 1812 Wrightwood Earthquake caused the three-bell campanario to collapse. A larger, six-bell structure was subsequently constructed at the far end of the capilla. We really enjoyed walking the gardens, visiting the graveyard looking for relatives, and taking pictures of the chapel and fountains. Can we sit in the fountain, it is really hot out here?

Legend has it that the founding expedition was confronted by a large group of native Shoshone peoples whose intentions were to drive the strangers away. One of the padres laid a painting of "Our Lady of Sorrows" on the ground for all to see, whereupon the natives (known to the settlers as the Gabrieliños) immediately made peace with the missionaries, so moved were they by the painting's beauty.

While we were visiting, in over 100-degree temperatures might I interject, we saw Lara’s step-uncle. He was hiding in the library in an air-conditioned portion of the mission grounds. He gave us a tour of the grounds, the inner workings of the mission, the library and kitchen, and gave us a brief description of the history on the Mission. He expressed in the tour that over 25,000 baptisms were conducted at San Gabriel between 1771 and 1834, making it the most prolific in the mission chain. In its heyday, it furnished food and supplies to settlements and other missions throughout California. A majority of the Mission structures fell into ruins after it was secularized in November 1834. Thousands of Indians were also buried within the grounds, which we found significant to the tour.

The Mission is rich in the history and traditions of early California. The San Gabriel Mission Arcángel was the fourth of twenty-one California missions founded. In the early mission era, it grew into a mission called the "Pride of the Missions," for its large production of crops and trading of cattle hides and wine. Some of this history has been preserved for viewing in the church, museum, and grounds. This mission is the fourth mission in our mission tour (research derived from Wikipedia.org).

After our blistering hot tour of the Mission, our next stop was the Raj-ma-hall. We had the opportunity to see the newest Catholic Church in downtown Los Angles, an extravagant concrete museum-style monolith. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Although Cardinal Mahoney wasn’t available for counseling, we did run into his administrative assistant, a polished and debonair sort of fellow. Look, a hair out of place? or is that a flake of dust on your tunic? Although it was great, grand and pristine, I think we both prefer the dichotomy of the earthy yet sacred feel of the missions and the Irish churches Lara saw last month.

Then it was off to Cheesecake Factory, the Pantages to see "Wicked", and counseling the following day with more church-counselor people. I think I need counselling from all the counselling!. Can you suggest a good counselor? Maybe one that has interests in mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and can tell me about black bears? Ok wait, Patrick can! As an Irishman, he seems to really understand the nature of, well, everything! I think we are in good hands. Maybe I can pass on the next topic to the lovely Lara? My love, can you tell us about Wicked, Patrick the Counselor, and your thoughts on the Raj-ma-hall and the Great Anaheim Warming Disaster? Is it a conspiracy?


For the rest of you, I will be off defending the County from Democrats, Ahmadinejads, people that want to build in the agricultural zones, evil engineers that want to split farms into multiple subdivisions, people that want to develop in flood zones, and the ubiquitous mobile homes that won’t go away. Oh wait, maybe I am going to get away from all of that while visiting the lovely state of Washington. Yes, it is that time of the year again, Annual Training. Keep an eye on the blog for me and make sure you keep those comments coming. I expect twelve comments on the blog while I am away. Be safe and wish me luck at Warrior Leader School.

Regards,
S

A Dog's Purpose

In Memory of Cousin Rudy--This was sent to me by a friend--no idea who the author is, but it really resonates with our family right now. Cinnamon is hanging in there, but Doc upped her pain meds today. We will enjoy while we can.
Thanks, Jenn.
August 2007

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and theywere hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply!

Love generously!

Care deeply!

Speak kindly!

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps. Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Be always grateful for each new day. . . and enjoy every moment!

What Our Politicians Are Up to Today?

Presidents shouldn't cry

How do you lose nukes?

This man should not be in the Senate?
Come on Iowa!!!

Follow the money? Hsu's contributions to Hill?
Are we reporting this? Hsu Where are you?