August 8, 2014

THIS morning I was up a good 20 minutes before the alarm.  I am very proud of my body, in that regard.  She has her shit together.  I spent a little leisure time reading posts..heartbroken for my friend Rachel, who is experiencing a very negative period in house well being.  Insurance companies are ridiculous, Rachel…now there’s a loophole for them to get out of everything.  I also decided, after reading a bit more about FB Messenger, that I’m deleting and disconnecting….  I spend  FARRRR too much time on Facebook….  This way, I’ll read in the morning, at night, and during the day on the Mac.  It’s a good thing.

Started the day getting to campus a bit early so I could see that sweet ray of sunshine named Heather.  I also decided, with my sports iPod holder as my iPhone carrier (I had no pockets today) that I would count my steps.  It was a busy day, a walking day.  I enjoy the different kids (because it is always about the kids…, that’s why I don’t think I’ve ever managed to leave education) and it is terrific being back with my Wonder Twin, Swerner, who really is a pseudo Texan.

After work, I came home to the most wonderful gift:  My son met me at the door, dressed like a chef with the biggest grin on his face.  He blindfolded me and led me to the kitchen, where the table was nicely set , with candles burning.  Maggie presented me with the first course: pasta in a garlic olive oil with organic cherry tomatoes from our garden and red pepper.  Ethan served up his second course: a smothered hamburger steak, which was very similar to a delicious Salisbury steak I’ve enjoyed all my.  After our two course treat, they cleaned up after themselves. <3

We headed out to the park, where we created an incredibly inclusive game where there are rules, but no one follows them (or we change them), there are no fouls and after three strikes, you get another shot for good luck.  We called it tenn-ball-basket-socc-foot.  We are bringing a frisbee next time and we're trying to incorporate rugby and golf.  We stand at the home plate with the tennis racquet ready and basketball in kicking position.  The pitcher throws, we hit the tennis ball with the racquet into outfield, where the pitcher has to retrieve it.  The other team member stands at third base, where we kick the basketball, follow the ball to third (counter clock-wise), high five them, they run to second, where we kick it again, run. high five, etc, all the way to home plate.  The pitcher, meanwhile, has the help, or hindrance, of Mabi, who also chases the tennis ball OR the basketball.  A little boy who lives by the park joined us…he is celebrating being a big brother for 4 weeks now (we got to meet the baby brother, too).  Off to collect cheeses at Grocery Outlet for snack dinner, where we reviewed the rules and then played poker.  It was a beautiful evening together.

We had a visit…our neighbor has passed.  I went over to see her, sleeping so peacefully through eternity.  Listened to her sister singing like an absolute angel.  Felt such peace.  Maggie joined me and also said goodbye.  It was her first experience with death, yet she was able to see that isn’t always ugly and harsh.   Sometimes, it is masqueraded as a rest.   Quan Yin was very present in the death, and I was amazed, but not surprised to come home and find my Quan Yin statue on my altar knocked over.  What a peaceful ending....  It was an honor to know her.

Picture: My winnings and winning hand from a night of penny poker.