Just Plain Foolish

Just a chance for an old-fashioned, simple storyteller to say what needs to be said.

Monday, February 25, 2008

The only words

The only words I can find right now are thank you - to everyone who has left a message here, or on email, to friends who have been generous with their time and hugs, to my sister's church which has been so very supportive through this, to the anonymous crafter who knit a beautiful pink preemie outfit and donated it to the hospital, so little P. could be buried in it.

My sister is beginning to get her health back, though it's a rough road.

Friday, February 22, 2008

A request for prayers

Tonight, I got a sad call - my sister lost her daughter. If y'all could keep her and her family in your prayers, I'd be grateful.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

So much going on, so little time to write

Aside from the news that I will soon be an aunt, last night my husband and I got another happy announcement - Save the Date! We're finally getting married! Along the bottom of the card were pictures of the happy couple, ranging from the 1980's to today, and since I'd already heard through the grapevine where and when the ceremony would be, I was free to think, "What took so long?" Not at them, but at the rest of society. What is so horrible in the thought that these two women have loved each other since I was a child? Their hearts have been married for a long time, but still people resist the possibility that those of us who know and love them just might want to recognize that love and commitment as a community. You know, like they did when they attended our wedding nearly 9 years ago.

On another topic completely, Tuesday was the most energized primary election I've ever seen. My little "I voted, Yo vote" sticker normally gets no notice for the primary. Not this year. I decided to treat myself to a little bit of lunch and walked into my favorite Persian takeout, where a spirited political conversation was going on behind the counter. When I walked out with my eggplant, rice, cheese, and wood fired bread, it was still going strong. Banjo lessons even began with a note that my instructor's wife is an election judge this year, so she might call.

And what a lesson it was! The pace of my banjo progress feels to me like it's picked up, even as I'm learning more challenging material. Whew! "Fair and Tender Ladies" is now fairly under my belt, and since I'd sort of "gotten it" mid-week, I flipped through my copy of Pete Seeger's guide to the 5-string banjo and found "Lady Gay", which has proven challenging. Even my instructor was having a couple timing issues with this song. But I also feel like I'm beginning to get a little bit of complexity in my music. Wa-hoo! And as sort of a treat, I'm listening to the new banjo treat from over at Quiet Paths. (Okay, it was posted last month. I told you, I've been busy out of my mind...)

My sister's pregnancy seems to be going well, and I've managed to finish a lace blanket for my niece to be. And while I'm really wishing for some peace and quiet, my parents and I have begun planning for our quiet weekend this year - possibly in Harper's Ferry, where there is kayaking *and* historical wandering about to be had...

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Dusk,
dawn,
seasons,
all the world
You have Created.
How can we not sing for joy?

Slip
slide
glass trees
silver streets
under a pearl sky
as the freezing rain dances through.

One Deep Breath: Love

A new nursery
all in readiness
waiting for a Gift.
Grandparents-to-be visit
In a bustle of love.

A lace blanket
for an expected niece
every stitch a prayer.

There's been a lot going on out here, including news that I will soon be an aunt...

Friday, February 08, 2008

Paper flowers
bloom in farewell.
Memory remains.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Cars race by
the dark ballfield
behind the hedge

Thin light gilds
empty bleachers.
Stargazers look up.

Watching stars dance,
we huddle together
over optics.

Red Mars
caught between
the bull's horns.

Three bright jewels
high above winter's chill
Orion's belt.

Cold hands, cold feet
call the watchers from vigil
A coffeehouse beckons

Winter fog
settles over
silver streets.