Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Freeom's Just Another Word For .. .




. . . nothing left to blog about? Hardly. Let's try again.


. . . Freedom's just another word for Beauty and Resilience.


And, in keeping with the key theme of this blog, I thought I would give you a regular weekly Freedom update.

Here she is from over the holiday weekend. Thankfully, the sheen is coming back to her coat and it's getting harder to see her ribcage. She still moves rather slowly and you can see that her eyes are a bit dull with heavy lids -- always looking as though she just woke up from a nap. But none of that detracts from her charm. Her ears are forward and she is all cuddles and nuzzles.
She is still my hero.

Tidepooling








A natural way to pass the time on a sunny Memorial Day. We are lucky enough to live only a short walk away from a beautiful beach that overlooks Rich Passage. The beach sports awesome wildlife at low tide (beautiful starfish, crabs etc) and is bordered right now by beautiful new Spring flowers.

Hope all had an equally happy holiday.

p.s. Edited to add: Yes, I realize that the starfish only has four legs. I'm trying not to think about that right now.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Friendship in Short Story Form


In the same volume loaned to me with Breakfast at Tiffany's there was a short story -- "A Christmas Memory". If you have ten minutes to spare, follow the link and read it -- it's only a few pages long. I think Norman Mailer or one of those other braggarts of his generation described it as the best short story ever written -- and he may be right. That I wouldn't know. I only know that it gives a more honest and touching rendering of life, God and friendship than I could cobble together in 1,000 pages. Apparently Capote was abandoned as a child and had a rough go of life until he found literary success; but you would never know that from reading this story of a chilly holiday season when he was seven years old. There is no fear or complaining -- only wonder.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Miss Holiday Golightly - Traveling

A friend on mine, on a rather strange whim, recently loaned me her copy of Breakfast at Tiffany's swearing it's her favorite novel of all time and I must reread it (and so I just did). Fair enough top choice -- Capote is a master of the language -- but it's hard for me to imagine where this particular friend -- a suburban mum like myself -- finds much common ground with Holly Golightly. But who can say? Maybe, before she made a life of chasing her progeny around the playground, she shared a flat with a mean-spirited cat and entertained gaggles of wealthy and ratty gentlemen every evening till sun up.

It's possible. You never can tell about someone's past.

It's also possible that she just dreams of being everything that Holly is -- most especially -- unforgettable.

"Anyone who has ever given you confidence -- you owe that person a great debt" -- Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Wat Pho


Twelve years ago this past Tuesday, I ended up in Bangkok on a whim. I had been working round the clock for months to prep for a trial that was scheduled to last ten weeks and then settled at the last minute. Unexpectedly, my calendar was clear -- and there was literally nothing for me to do in the office. So my boss suggested a vacation; but my burned out brain had no idea where to go. I'd always wanted to see Australia, so I penciled in a few weeks there right away. But I also knew that I needed to see something so beautiful and far-removed from my daily drudge that it might snap me back into contact with the outside world. So I sat down with my friend Gabriella to look at her travel photos. Gaby is one of those clever people who took a few years out of her life just to see the world. And she has the photos to prove it.

I still remember how excited I felt when I reached the page that reflected her time at Wat Pho

(also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
I was ready to leave immediately! At first, I don't think the pictures said anything to me beyond "exotic", but deep inside there was something more. Have you ever felt drawn to a place for reasons that you don't fully understand? I felt comforted by the images. I still do. It is one of the most beautiful temples I have ever seen. But the images also remind me of time I spent there -- reflecting -- and talking with other people from all over the world who had been drawn there for similar reasons. It was a sacred week. The temple is home to a large monastery and the company of the monks who are there to learn and reflect adds to the feeling of peace. I can remember thinking while I was there that I was finally near to overcoming my fear of death. I could see myself as small bit of stardust that would remain within the universe, in some form, forever -- seemingly separate, yet always as one with all other creatures.

And if that's not enough to encourage you to visit there someday, here's an additional side note: the temple is also the birthplace of Thai massage and houses a world-famous Thai massage school. Students from all over the world practicing this tremendously healing art. So, yes, you got that right: while reflecting on your place in the universe, you can also receive an exotic massage at a very reasonable cost. In your face, Christianity!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Freedom Flourishing



Not in George Bush's America, perhaps, but certainly in our neighbor's pasture.

This is Freedom. Our neighbors up the road adopted this sweetheart last week and she has completely stolen my heart. I can't remember the last time I met such a kind-hearted mare. She has obviously had a rough time up to now - as you can see from the exposed ribs and sideways gait (the latter perhaps not quite so visible in a snapshot, but take my word for it); but she is making wonderful progress. Resilient. Graceful. A role model for all.

Gray

On the whole, Western Washington is an excellent place to live if you really hate sunshine.