Wanderings...

The weather cleared up a little and gifted us with a beautiful opportunity to walk together along the top of the Oroville Dam.

Peace

Love and other things...

I found this photo in a pile of photographs I'd packed.

It so perfectly shows my heart.  This perfect baby, the ocean breeze, the restaurant on the edge of the San Francisco cliffs, my joy, the exhaustion of my body and a sweet sadness of knowing what I traded for this baby.

Every Mother trades something for her children.

She makes a bargain with the universe.

She walks through fire and pain to hold a life in her arms.

She breaks her heart and steels herself to walk the hard road.

She is transformed from a kitten to a lioness.

Her senses are forever heightened.

Her gain is that broken heart.

In breaking her heart expands to hold love larger than she was.

She shines forevermore.

Peace.

A day off...

...from unpacking and arranging.  My friend is here from Minnesota.  Yesterday we wandered down to the South Yuba, it was beautiful there.

And we shopped and ate and wandered some more, it was great!

Peace

New house

I can hardly stay away from the new house.  It's being painted right now, the warm gold walls perfectly complementing the golden floors.

I spent a night there this weekend and woke to sunlight pouring into the three kitchen windows facing the Empire Mine State Park.  It's glorious.

There will be lots of pics soon but right now I'm enjoying every minute of a very short visit from my children.  We've been having a great time.

My son and me at our Thanksgiving feast on Friday.

Peace

Remembering...

As an 18 year old I raised my hand and swore this Oath:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." 


Being a typical 18 year old airhead I didn't really think about what it meant and my years in the Navy didn't really seem that special.  This was right after Vietnam ended.  I remember a cousin saying she couldn't believe that such a nice person would choose to serve in the military.  I wasn't terribly patriotic, it was just a job.


But as I grow older I feel proud in knowing that I served my country, even in this small way.  I helped bring babies into the world and spent a year or two with those who had lost their way.  I still carry almost everything in my left arm so my right is free to salute.  I sing the National Anthem softly to myself and occasionally blink back tears as I think of those who have gone before me.  And I wear a small pin on my favorite jacket which says US Navy, Honorable Discharge.


The fresh faced 18 year didn't know the importance of what she was doing, the 50 plus woman does and thanks her for taking that Oath.

Peace

Heavenly

Spending time with my daughter.

We had another picture taken on Sunday, this one is better of me but she likes the first one of her best, oh well, equal time.

Back to Nevada City today.  I love the quick flights between LA and Sacramento, barely an hour from up to down, my legs don't have time to feel cramped.

Heavenly is being back in the clear mountain air.

Peace

Skate America 2011

We are loving every minute of being together and watching some great skating.
Peace