Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

We are enjoying the last three days with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson. I'm trying to be awake to the little moments which will stockpile my memory bank. After they are gone I will look through my IPhotos again and again. I know, because that's what I do to see my granddaughter, and other three grandsons. I am very happy I have the IPhone, though it took me a while to figure it out, and I can't say I know how lots of things work on it. But it's been a lifesaver during this pandemic, and I'm grateful. I'm also grateful to my practice, which has trained me to notice and appreciate the tiny instants of joy and love that happen frequently and can pass us by if we aren't aware. One of the things I miss about isolation is the moments of serendipity with stranges: the stopping to admire another walker's dog and learn her name, the jokes while waiting in line, the deep conversation outside the doctor's office with a stranger, the chat at the park as I watch my grandchild. I adored those connections. Hopefully we will again feel safe for those interactions that make our days delightful, surprising and heart warming.

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

It was our three now four year old grandson's birthday yesterday. We took a distanced, masked walk with them in the morning, while he rode his scoot bike, then in the afternoon they were on their deck and we were below while he opened presents and ate cake. Then right at dark, we took two separate cars and drove through an area downtown that had lights and magical people in costumes and he was thrilled so much they looped around and did the drive again. My husband and I headed back home. Our grandson seemed okay but with no kids, which he's old enough to want, it was a bit sad. Luckily, he's in a preschool and Monday his parents will go in with him and tell a story. He will the the birthday boy. First our now five year old had to not have a party or friends, now this one. The two younger ones are fortunately oblivious, but our twelve year old turns 13 in April and I hope somehow she can have a real celebration. Her mother is gone, so all the hoopla will have come from her dad, unless we can be there by then. it seems doubtful. The cost of this pandemic to our children is heavy. No school, no playmates, no mentors, no music, no sports, no museums, zoos and parks. How will this change them? I have no idea, but I hope all of them are supported, feel safe, and are loved.

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Our Thanksgiving was fine, but the sadness was wrapped around it. Our daughter, son-in-law and their two kids: we sat outside in masks talking, but not holding or hugging the nine month old and almost four year old. They had their meal alone, though I brought them a pumpkin pie. Our older son, his wife and our five year old grandson: Facetiming and reassuring our grandson we would all get together in the spring. Our granddaughter and ex son-in-law: alone with a chicken dinner without her mom or any of us to help her through the day. And even our meal: one of the last together, as they leave next Thursday morning for a new life two states away. Yet we did it. I texted friends as well, but no need to call: we are all doing the best we can to remain hopeful, healthy, stable and sensible. It's not fun, but necessary. I hope others were wise and we do not see the huge increase in covid that is expected. Meanwhile, the weather is gorgeous: cool, crisp, sunny and with amazing leaves on the trees and on the ground. Nature seems happy for now. Maybe that's good enough.

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Have you ever tried to make gluten free pastry crust? Well I did last night, and it did not work out so well. The crust seemed, well, slimy and chilling it in the refrigerator for hours made it look okay until I tried to roll it out. It crumbled like landmarks in a disaster movie. I decided to think of a jugsaw puzzle, which, by the way, I am horrible doing, and I pieced and pressed and mushed together a crust, which will fool no one. I figure they can eat the pumpkin filling and whip cream and leave the crust. My son is gluten free, and thank goodness I asked him to make the other pie, a cranberry curd recipe. Hopefully he knows how to do this better than I do. I've made okay popovers, scones and muffins, but a while ago when I tried making chocolate chip cookies which turned out melted down and crispy. If only they had gluten free ready made pie crusts. They probably do, but it's too late for me. This baby is going to have to do. More stuffing, anyone?

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

We watched our eighteen month old grandson today, and we did a lot of cleaning. He made us sweep the floor and use a dustpan to dump the dirt into the trash can. Then, this afternoon, he supervised me getting rid of all the leaves which had fallen onto the plants and bushes in the back yard. Afterward I had to sweep the studio deck and finally, my husband and I helped him pick all the tree debris out of the cracks between the boards on the deck. He likes things neat and tidy. I'm sure the impulse will evaporate when he can actually clean. He likes his hands wiped right after he eats, and loves putting toys away. Of course, he gets them all strewn about again but he keeps organizing in between. Will he be a great house husband? It's possible. But probably not. In the meantime, we pass the time getting down on his level and noticing all the feathers, leaves, dust balls and food crumbs that otherwise would go unnoticed. This has it's good and bad side, but I now know what a floor looks like from a dog's point of view.

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Last night I broke down and agreed to watch "The Mummy" with my husband, who is all boy in regards to films. He likes the action packed, science fiction loaded, goofy and implausible world. He knows I tolerate some of these films, but I'm done with the mummy movies. Afterward, he looked in his film rating book and was stunned to discover it received only 1 1/2 stars. He was shocked. I was not. He attempted to arouse me to the defense of the film, but I actually thought the review was accurate. He won't watch foreign films, BBC films and most comedies. We agree on some sci fy and dramas and comedies, but there is very little overlap. Documentaries he won't watch. Two TVs, you say? Neither of us watches enough for that, and as I get older my pull to movies gets weaker. About all my top faves are foreign, with the exception of Terence Malik's "The New World", but in the past this was not a problem, as I had my movie buddies, one for Spike Lee films and other African American films, one for strange foreign films like "The Lobster", another for ridiculous romantic comedies. But with the movie theaters shut, I'm stuck with my beloved husband and compromises I'd be ashamed to admit. Ah, well, it's good for people skills, this compromise business, and I believe I could now negotiate peace between Iran and Israel, if anyone would let me try!

Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I just spent almost two hours talking to a friend who lives a couple of states away. Yesterday I talked to a friend on the east coast for just as long. I feel much better after we talk. This morning my husband and I took out our new car of one week for a drive. We saw a lot of fall folliage and discovered some more things about the car, such as not knowing how to set up the phone in sync and that my husband needs to adjust his seat to be more comfortable. We were, as they say, all dressed up with nowhere to go. We put 50 more miles onto the car that had only 18 miles before. We don't really need a car right now, except that our other car we took to the cabin was 25 years old, and we did not want to put more money into it to sell it, and we need something reliable in the mountains. And now, if we ever need a quick getaway, we're set. I'm thinking fire, earthquake or other catastrophes. While driving we noticed a license plate that said SNOWS, and I told my husband I realized I must have a criminal mind, because I would not want such an easily remembered plate. I prefer annonymity. What would I be escaping from? Maybe this covid prison we're all in.