Cherries

My mom bought some cherries for me and I went by her house yesterday to pick them up.   She walked me out to my car and this conversation ensued when my mom observed me placing the bag of cherries in my trunk:

Mom:  "Don't forget to take them out of your trunk!"
Me:  *giggle* "Okaaaay, Mom."

I'm in my car now and she's gesturing and yelling something that I can't hear.  I roll down the window.

Me:  "What did you say?"
Mom:  "Remember that baby?"
Me:  "What?  No.  What baby?"
Mom:  "That baby on the news!  It was on the news last night and today!"
Me:  "And...?"
Mom:  "These people left their baby in the car because each of them thought the other had taken it out of the car seat and it DIED."
Me:  "Why are you telling me this?!"
Mom:  "Because they forgot a baby.  Think how easy it would be to forget cherries."

Forces of Nature

J. and me, c. 1972

In the waning hours of a recent Saturday, my husband and I occupied ourselves with some final preparations for Sunday brunch.  Something distant but stentorian caught our attention.  It sounded like the rumble of giants hurdling mountains and valleys.  A short time later, we saw the black sky pulse with far-away jags of light.  The forecast storm would arrive much earlier than expected.

Since the sky was still starry and cloudless, I predicted that we would be fast asleep when the rain finally came…just one more thing to do before sweet, sweet sleep.  Alone in the kitchen, I was surprised by abrupt, spattering downpour and looked up at the clock.  Midnight.  It was my sister’s birthday.   J. would have been 50.  It seemed appropriate, even predictable, that this thundering storm heralded the birthday jubilee for the force of nature that was my sister.

Thoughtful Toddler - Episode 2

#LASTPRINTISSUE

Perfect Harmony

When I was a little girl, my mom used to sing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" all the time.  I so enjoyed listening to her voice and would try to harmonize with her.  The melody was simple and beautiful, an easy song for a child to learn and love. 

I was delighted as could be whenever Coca-Cola's commercial featuring this wonderful song aired on television.  I already knew all the words (yay!), except for a few minor changes courtesy of Coke's clever marketing people.  Even better, it was the first time I had seen a TV ad full of people who looked like me.  40 or so years later, the ad still brings a smile to my face.

And, yes, I'm still a Coca-Cola girl.

Mrs. American-Commuter

Tuesday, on my way home from work, I was surprised to see that the Halal meat store was gutted to the studs. Hmm, when did that happen? I wondered how long the building had stood like that, unnoticed though I pass it twice a day, five days a week. I looked at the other drivers stopped in traffic next to me. Not a single person was looking at anything other than the view out the windshield. I made a mental note to pay more attention to my surroundings on F Drive, the street on which I spend the majority of my commute.

Happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah!

Chanukah gift giving wouldn't be complete without the gift of Adam Sandler:

Mrs. C and the Dreidel

Yesterday I received a package and a letter from my dad:  

I remember Mrs. C., your kindergarten teacher, gave you a dreidel. I had never seen one of those before either and so this was new to me, too. As I recall, Mrs. C. also taught you a little Jewish history to go with the dreidel. Anyway, while walking around the JCC, with some of the most beautiful arts and crafts on display, I ran across this dreidel. I thought of Mrs. C and had to get this for you for Chanukah.

The Manifester

On Wednesday evening, S. and I were fortunate enough to see a screening of California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown.   This inspiring documentary was written and directed by the former governor's granddaughter, Sascha Rice.  The film illustrates how deeply Governor Brown loved our beautiful state, proven through his resolute efforts to promote progress on every level.  He had visions of an efficient, flourishing state, where civil rights and first-rate education were standard for its citizenry.  More than four decades later, his remarkable achievements continue to propel California.

http://patbrowndocumentary.com/trailer/index.html

http://patbrowndocumentary.com/home/index.html

Happy Friday!

A classic holiday treat, The Fruitcake Lady:

The Highlight of 2012

I was asked today, “What was the highlight of your year?” The year is, of course, not yet complete, but I can still answer unequivocally that the highlight of 2012 was my cousin, P.’s, wedding. The ceremony and accompanying three-day celebration were very, very special in every imaginable way. For their festivities, P. and R., the bride and groom, chose a private-lake reserve, nestled among majestic redwoods and peppered with lovely cabins and tranquil spaces for camping. A hiking trail bordered the spring-fed lake and there were canoes for exploring the nooks along its serpentine periphery. Each day I plucked and ate apples from one of the fruit trees growing on the property; deer ate those that speckled the grass underneath. At night I would gaze in awe at the plentiful stars, warmed by the campfire, good whiskey and the presence of friends old and new. That Saturday P. and R. made their pledge, under the aegis of a canopy of heritage oaks and their friends’ and families’ effusive love.

Thoughtful Toddler, PhD - Episode 1

Thoughtful Toddler, PhD - starring C.F., toddler extraordinaire. 

Thanksgiving List

This is happening, people.   I know, I know.   It’s terribly trite and everyone makes one, but goldarn it, I’m thankful for stuff!  I’ll try to keep my list short as you’re probably busy scouring the Internet for a super innovative – yet not inedible – cranberry sauce recipe (hint:  it doesn’t exist).  Now then...

Happy Friday!

Something beautiful to kick off the weekend...

Carla Morrison, "Eres Tú"

Convo with My Mom

Me:   “Hi, Mom!  Happy Veteran’s Day!”

Mom:  “Happy Veteran’s Day.   You know, I could get a lot of stuff for free?”

Me:  “Um, oh…”

Mom:  “Free breakfast here, free dinner there, free whatever.  Yeah.  But I’m not going to do that.”

Me:  “OK…?”

Mom:  “OK, have a good day, hon!”
 

Holiday Manifesto

Do you hear that rumble?  It’s the holiday juggernaut rolling into town!  Before it gets here and squelches the life out of you, remember:  you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for the holidays.  I know what you’re thinking, “But, but, but…table settings and Black Friday and gifts and perfectness and blahhhhhh…”  STOP.  Recall childhood and your favorite memories of this time of year.  Find joy again in leisure and conviviality, in gathering and play.  Covet the simplicity of contentedness, rather than the fantasy of perfection.  Kith and kin don’t care about the stain on your tablecloth or that you served store-bought cheese logs; they care about you.  The holidays are meant for enjoying time with family and friends so in these coming weeks, make time for the people you love.  Make time for yourself.

 

The Kinfolk Manifesto demonstrates how lovely simple gatherings truly are.

Vive ut Vivas

Two years ago after my dad retired, he and my stepmom moved 3,000 miles away. Before their migration to the right coast they had never lived more than a car ride away, so I was ambivalent about their pending adventure. I felt excited for them, but also a deep sadness. My dad and I have always been like two peas in a pod, sharing many of those inscrutable familial qualities that are difficult to describe, yet readily perceptible to even casual observers. Our relationship is facile and meaningful, never forsaking substance for fun and vice versa.

Día de los Muertos

The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.

                                                                                        ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Celebrate today with those you love and for those you'll love in this life and the next. 

Dia de los Muertos - 2011 from Eli Vazquez on Vimeo.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is upon us! This fantastical break from the norm is the holiday season’s clarion call.  Ushering us away from summer’s final, languid whispers, it's the perfect instrument for arousing us from early autumn dreaminess. The anticipation, festiveness, and excitement for Halloween reawaken our holiday-muscle memory, minus the toil, expense, and crazed over-scheduling that November and December offer in abundance.

Happy Friday!

The haunting "Hotel Plaster" by Nicole Atkins:

Wishing you a spooky and festive weekend!

Customer "Service"

“I share your frustration.” Has there ever been a more specious statement uttered? The entire genus of customer service sentiments – “I completely understand”, “I can see why you’re upset”, etc. – evolved for the dual benefit of giving the customer the impression that someone genuinely cares, while not having to put forth any actual effort on behalf of the customer.