Miscellaneous Stuff

I'm sitting here, watching the rain out my front window. If and when I ever get to mow again, it's not going to be fun. The grass is very tall, and there is no end in sight as far as precipitation goes. Last evening, I spied on this beautiful fawn as he waited patiently in the pasture for his mama to come back and get him. I'm not sure if he is one of the pair of twins I saw last week. If so, I hope the other baby is still around somewhere. Seriously, it's better if I don't see them AT ALL. When one turns up "missing" I worry. See Jitta? You're not alone.

I've included some images of my friends, and my beautiful daughter Thais, from our recent rendezvous in Manhattan. Marcio, Leonor and I wandered around Central Park on Sunday, as Thais and her husband Scott ran. The park is such a beautiful and amazing place. We toured the castle, and Shakespeare's garden. So lovely and peaceful. Took in the tribute spot to John Lennon, as Marcio is a big American rock fan.

The story behind this ring? Well, it's just about one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. DadWadPad and I purchased silver rings while visiting Brasil in March. Leonor ran us all over the older (more dangerous) section of SaoPaulo to find just what we were looking for. A month or so ago, due a series of miscues on my part and a misunderstanding of the part of a friend, I lost my ring. My friend misunderstood my intentions when I removed the ring to show it to her across a dinner table in a noisy dining room one evening. She was so thrilled when she put the ring on her pinkie and it fit. To her, the thought that I brought something back from Brasil for her made her joyous. I didn't have the heart to correct the misunderstanding and ask for it back. Fast forward to this past Saturday as we were visiting in the Best Western on 49th Street. I relayed this story to Leonor and Marcio via Thais, the official translator. As I was rambling on about my loss and eliciting chuckles from everyone, Leonor removed her ring and slipped it on the ring finger of my right hand. "Perfect!" she exclaimed, with the most beautiful smile on her face. As I tried to return her ring to her, she refused. Her gift to me obviously made her very happy, as it did me! What a wonderful gesture. I asked Marcio to please make sure she gets herself a replacement. He assured me he would. Such unbridled joy, generosity, and genuine love is a gift; one to be treasured. I'll never forget her selflessness. We should all strive to be so giving.........

on mowing

ON MOWING

I think I mow more frequently than I brush my teeth. Not really, but here in rural Oklahoma it is endless AND frequent. Spring has been very wet and cool, which I relish. But it does make for long, lush fast growing green. The 80 or so acres of Bermuda pasture we look out on every day, is as green and beautiful as I've seen it. NO, I do not mow all 80, but I do mow around the 80. The surrounding path becomes my walking/jogging trail. More about my trail in a moment. Our log home sits all by itself on top of "Packard Mountain". Well, that isn't quite accurate. Our nearest neighbor ( human ) is probably a mile or more away. We can't see them and they can't see us.
I do a considerable amount of mowing just around the actual house. We have a wee bit of zoysia but the rest is bermuda (pasture turned lawn, and I use the term "lawn" loosely). Some of this stuff has been here since the dawn of ages I think. It refuses to be cut. Tough as nails.
Along the mowed trail, I see something new every time. Wildflowers, cacti, turtles ( I accidentally hit one a month or so ago- I'm still scarred), an occasional black snake, armadillos (The Sophster's favorite), raccoons (came upon a mom and young'uns last summer and she was NOT amused) and of course endless deer. Still waiting for my first glimpse of new babies.
Some days I'm too distracted to notice anything. I've been known to cry while mowing, cuss, daydream, pray, sing at the top of my lungs. (This is probably why I haven't seen any fawns yet) I do a lot of talking to myself.
My new grasshopper mower is fantastic, but the cost?? Good grief. However, it is great and makes a long tedious job better.
I really do love to mow. It's mindless, but I do some of my best thinking and problem solving while riding along. And I see IMMEDIATE results.

Another spring storm on its way

I've got an hour to get my candles lined up and the starter handy. Right now we've got a lovely shower coming down with just a bit of fogginess. It is so pleasant; for once we have no wind. I have a feeling that will change soonl, after looking at the radar. Hopefully we won't lose our power.
HURRAH for spring!!

A Lost Dancer

"My baby didn't make it". These are the words of a father about his beautiful daughter Reema, lost on the campus of Virginia Tech. She was a dancer, just a freshman, but already teaching; belly dancing from what I've heard on news coverage. Reema was part of a dance troupe on campus. She was a free spirit, lost while sitting in her French class. I know her type, because I am blessed to have one of these beautiful, free spirits in my life. She is most happy, on fire really, when she is dancing. It is her love, her passion. She makes everyone around her happy, when they have the privelege of watching her doing what she loves the best.
Reema will be missed so much by her loving family. I am so blown away by the courage and composure demonstrated by her father, as well as her brother and sister, who have all shared Reema's story with those of us who are listening.
Her father just wants to see her one more time, (when the coroner is finished doing what he needs to do. ) to kiss his beautiful daughter's face.

NYC!

After some much needed prodding by a certain jitta, I've decided to write about NYC and our recent visit. It was fabulous, despite some bumps. Any time 4 adults get together for a week. something is bound to go wrong. THREE very strong personalities, and one peacemaker.
My favorite part of the trip of course, was being able to see some great shows. It's hard to say which I liked best. I guess I'd have to say "Curtains" with David Hyde Pierce. They were all really good; the dancing talent, and choreo in "Chicago" was amazing. Avenue Q was humorous, albeit over the top on a few things. But again, I'm an old poop.
It is hard to imagine how you can go through Central Park and never see the same thing twice. And I'm not referring only to the scenery. So many different people, with their little dogs in THEIR spiffy coats.
And did we eat!!! YUMMY burgers, fish, and great wine.
I LOVE New York.

Backslid a bit.

Well, after developing a nasty cold in NYC, I didn't get to exercise like I had hoped. We did do a bit of walking in Central Park, which is so lovely I have to say. I seem to be having trouble shaking this thing; it's been a week today. Still congested in my nose, and I have an awful, very productive (no need for further explanation here) cough. I did go out today and walk though, went around twice, took the Sophster and Satchhound with me. We all needed to get some fresh air. It is a beautiful day, a bit brisk at 44 degrees. But we made it, only using up 2 tissues. I've got to get back on track, especially if I'm going to do that 5K in a few weeks....