Losing Someone Dear

 

The one year anniversary of my mom's death passed on December 19th and her birthday cam and went on March 4th.  I guess I expected to make some grand gesture in her honor or write a tearful public tribute saying all the things I think and feel to mark the dates.  I've been humbled to discover that grief doesn't

follow a timeline and the only thing that I can count on is that it will take what it wants when it wants.  I've done my best to accept the loneliness and longing that comes from losing the only person I've shared this human experience with since I was in utero.  It's strange to grapple with the truths and complexities of our relationship in my own heart and mind, without her existence to confirm, deny or alter them.  Sometimes the longing to hear her voice or feel the reassurance of her being is so painful that it feels like a gaping wound no one else can see. I'm still in shock at how surreal and unbelievable something as inevitable as death can be.   

 

 

 

Be Yourself

 

"Be yourself.

There is something 

that you can do

better than any other.

Listen to the inward voice

and bravely obey that."  

May you Sense

"May you sense around you the

secret Elsewhere where the 

presences that have left you dwell." - John O'Donohue 

A Root Canal and Crown

 Back from the dentist with my new crown. It’s amazing how in two short days I’m pain free. It’s not lost on me the gift of wellness. A reminder to attend to yourself and be ever grateful if you are well. Stay that way. I received this cute picture from my daughter Aria this morning.

 

 

Art Does This

 

"Art washes away 

from the soul

the dust of 

everyday life."  Picasso  

You Have The Answer

 

"at the center

 of your being you

have the answer;

you know who you are and you know

what you want." -Lao Tzu 

A Carver Carnival Painting

 I've been going through some old photos and found this one. Long ago when the girls were in elementary school at Carver the school hosted a yearly carnival. Someone knew I could paint and they asked me to do several large painted figures with cut out faces so kids could pose at a booth. I don't know where the other photos are but here is one funny figure I painted. I think the others were a pirate and a mermaid.

 

Good Old Mom

 

Potato Potaahtoe

 

Eternal Echo

 "May the absences in your life

grow full of eternal echo."
 

Know This

 "May you know that absence is

alive with hidden presence, that

nothing is ever lost or forgotton." 

Be Kind Always

 
"There is never a

reason to be unkind

to one another." Alan Levi 

Don't Waste your Time Worrying

 

Always Time to Evolve

 

"I think one of the 

most beautiful truths 

about life is that you

can begin again at any

time.  There is always

room to evolve, to

grow beyond who you

were, and to step into

a stronger, wiser

version of yourself."  

A Good Mantra

 

You are Braver

than you believe

Stronger

than you seem,

Smarter 

than you think

and Loved

more than you know.  

Potato Galette

 A couple weeks ago I made my first apple galette, today I tried a new recipe for a potato’s galette. We have a surplus of potatoes. I’ll be trying all kinds of dishes with the spuds. Kinda like that scene from Forrest Gump. “You can make em mashed, souffléd, stuffed, French fried…”

 

Then and Now

 I recently posted a picture of my 1 1/2 year old grandson Michael looking suspiciously at the Easter Bunny while his 10 year old sister Sofia is holding him. I just found this photo from 8 years ago with Sofia standing next to a much weirder alien looking rabbit! She surprisingly doesn’t look freaked out! I would have been.

 

April 2nd Walk at Signal Hill and Ramen

 It was a brisk sunny morning walk up on signal hill. The sky was clear and the panoramic view was nice. We were reminded of what a great view this is. There was enough briskness in the air to inspire a bowl of hot ramen for lunch. We found a spot that has $3.00 Sapporo beer (all day happy hour. ) We are happy campers.

 

We Are All Just Walking Each Other Home

 I asked my friend for a book recommendation and then I googled a review which ended with a quote by Baba Ram Dass “We are all just walking each other home.” That’s one of my favorite quotes. I then googled the quote and this poem popped up. It’s a good message so I’m sharing with you. Peace be with you all.

"It's a well known way to view life

As a Path we all must take

The Path can be rough or smooth

Depending on choices we make.

We can travel on our track alone

or with a close and trusted friend

Their presence gives us support

As we navigate the dips and bends

Varied loved ones will accompany us

Along the majority of our life path

The love we share gives us direction

The joy lightens our way as we laugh,

But where does this pathway begin?

And where does it go to, and end?

Or is it a vast circular Highway

We want to know, to comprehend

I believe the two points are the same

From Source we arrive at our birth

Wandering along to find our own route

the reason we decided to come to Earth

Experiencing the joys and the beauty

Giving unconditional love to one and all

Discovering our unique gift to share

is the true path we all came here for

Sharing our love and our gifts

With any who join us on our roam

Enlightenment comes to let us know

We are just walking each other home." -Tina Graves 2016 

 

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

 I got a haircut a week ago.  I asked for just a trim, maybe an inch off. 

This is the look I was asking for:

 My hairdresser gave me this:

 

Jewelry in Drawers

 

My First Attempt at Tart Tartin

 I have always wanted to make a tart tartin. Recently I’ve been experimenting with rustica apple tarts aka galette. The tricky part is flipping the hot pan upside down. Though not perfect I just made my first tart tartin today. Tarte Tatin is a classic French upside-down tart with caramelized fruit (traditionally apples) baked under a pastry crust, which is then inverted before serving to reveal a glossy, jammy topping. It's made by cooking fruit in butter and sugar on the stovetop to create a rich caramel, topping it with pastry (often puff pastry), baking until golden, and then flipping it onto a plate. The result is a simple yet elegant dessert with tender, caramelized fruit and flaky crust, often served warm with crème fraîche or ice cream. The last two pictures are not my tart but variations of the way it’s supposed to look. I’ll keep trying.

You place a pie crust or puff pastry over the apples and bake. Then the tricky part is flipping the whole thing over so the crust is on the bottom.

these two examples of what the correct tart tartin should look like