First of the Storm
I woke up to an update on last night's events in Paris, with ISIS accepting responsibility for the attacks that killed over 100 people and injured many more. In a statement calling the act "blessed," they claimed it was the "first of the storm." My social media feeds are filled with pictures of the Eiffel Tower and pleas to #prayforparis. They are also filled with shock, heartbreak, and most of all, fear. We've been hit before in catastrophic proportion, so what would make us think we wouldn't be hit again? Storms come quickly, don't they? Certainly, we have the inkling that something is brewing, dark clouds gathering in the distance, a change in the makeup of the air. Some of us...
On Art and Life
Santa Fe is nothing if not a city of creative expression. We walked Canyon Road yesterday, lined with gallery after gallery on both sides, and filled with color and light. Lynne noted, gazing upon a gallery lawn filled with larger-than-life bronzes, "Isn't it interesting what art is to each of these people?" Isn't it? Looking down the road at the varied shapes and riotous color, there really was something for everyone, each speaking a language of its own. At each meal, we marveled at the thoughtful menus that would appeal to every individual palette, a creative mix of ingredients that performed symphonies in varied mouths, and the presentation of the same that served to make eyes...
Take Flight
I'm sitting in DFW airport this morning, waiting on a plate of Huevos Rancheros, and my friend, Lynne. Flying in from Iowa, she's connecting here so we can fly together to Santa Fe for a four-day getaway. The last time I saw Lynne was in June for her daughter's wedding, and while it was a really special time, we understandably didn't get a really good visit in. Most all of my very best friends live out of state. It takes concerted effort to maintain actual face time, and very often involves air travel when we're not taking to the open road. It also requires a lifting off, if you will, from the everyday, the things that pull you in every direction and vy for your attention. It's so...
When Sacrifice is Personal
Veteran's Day. I cannot get through this day every year without a deep sense of humility and gratitude. The very fact that I can sit here, typing out whatever I want to say, any way I want to say it, stems from the sacrifice of others. Most all of us know veterans. Many have fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, who have seen action in conflicts around the world. I knew that my great uncle served in WWI, my grandfather liberated death camps in WWII, and my dad served in the reserves. At least three of his brothers served, as well, and my cousin just retired from the Army as a Brigadier General. Yes, I was aware of family members serving in 20th and...
Bringing Real Life to Virtual
I knew something was wrong the minute she got off the bus. She didn't make her usual jubilant bee line for me, and didn't look me in the eye when I leaned in for a kiss. Nope, this wasn't usual Lilli. "Honey, how was your day?" With a deep sigh, she handed me her backpack and replied, "Look." I opened the pack, pulled out her yellow daily folder and turned to yesterday's date on her behavior calendar. If it's blank, it means there were no problems. Hers was not. It read, "At pack up time, Lilli hit a friend. :(" I sat down on the couch and pulled her up next to me. "Tell me what happened." "Mimmie, we were standing in line and Noah kept singing a song that wasn't very nice. I asked...