And then there was the whisky....

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Lickleyhead Castle

If you’ve been following along here, you may wonder whatever happened to the rest of the China trip?  And as often happens, I lost interest in transcribing the trip journal when it was time to pack for the next trip!  As summer progresses I’ll try to fill in some of the blanks, but after spending two weeks in the UK, enjoying the people of Wales, England and most especially Scotland, I fine I want to wallow in the memories of this wonderful, once in a lifetime, trip with all my kids.  Including the ones by marriage and “close association.”  Mothers will tell you that those are magical moments, and it probably doesn’t matter where they occur.  To have them together in magical Scotland, in a 15^th century castle with lovely tangled grounds all around was a fairy tale.  And then there was the whisky….

self explanatory

Strathisla

My take on Advice from Mom.

 Around mother's day, there is a lot of advice floating around.  I wanted to do my own list. Much handed down from my mother.  Some learned the hard way. All? take it or leave it!

1.     Regarding babies? If their tummy is full and their bottom dry, they are ok.

2.     Don’t go to anyone’s house as a guest empty handed.

3.     Say yes whenever you can. Mean it when you say no.

4.     Exercise. Just do it.

5.     Your spouse deserves your respect at all times.  You picked him/her.  Make sure what you say reflects your good choice.

6.     Violence is best left to tv, video games and literature.  Don’t let it poison you.

7.     Sit up straight. You will feel better.

8.     Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic one you consume, or just go with club soda.

9.     Always tell the people you love that you do.  Even if it sounds like routine.

10. No one will love you like your mother and father. You will love no one like your child.  Trust me on this.

11. When you feel like smacking someone you love the most, hug them hardest.

12. Make your bed everyday.   Even if you will be crawling back into it. Even if no one but you sees it. It shows your respect for yourself.

13. Keep journals.  It is a form of meditation. And great perspective.

14. Stretch.

15. Nap.

16. Try new things. You were born with a sense of adventure.  Enjoy it.

17. Family matters. Take care of each other. 

18. Animals learn from how they are treated.  Don't forget that people are animals.

19. Your time is only worth what you value it to be. Everyone has the same 24 hours.

20. Give back.  You’ve been lucky.  Not everyone has.

More for Poetry Month

 I'm trying to do a Poem a Day with Robert Lee Brewer's blog.  I'm not ordinarily a poet. Just playing with words.   Come and play too! 


 Call Me Back

It was like the sun had burst inside me,
light and laughter and joy combined.
Knowing, finally knowing
That it was you. Only you.

Leave a Message, the recording instructed
But after the beep, I pressed End Call
Because there are some words
That should never be spoken
 to a machine.


Journey

I bought my ticket with sleepless nights
Endless diapers and pureed squash
Skinned knees, broken hearts, lessons
For dance and art and baseball and science
and lessons in
Being kind
Telling the truth
Respecting others.

They gave me the receipt by growing up
Educated, good, contributing people
With jobs and houses and —lives.
“What will you do now?” They ask.
“Now you are free!” They say.
“Enjoy the world!” They tell me.
They think I don’t know how.
But I listened.  I will be kind
And respect their wishes, and tell the truth.
I’m off.  Farewell!

Opening Day

For Poetry Month, I'm going to play a bit.  See here:

 Opening Day

The kids get out last years gloves
Oil them down, tighten the laces.
Their sliders don’t fit, and
Their cleats give them blisters
And a bit of a shortstop’s strut.
We splurge for new, and
 Practice on spring break sand.
The wind serves up a curve ball,
They field, run, strike out until
One pitch. One swing.
The sweet hollow sound of
A home run.

They don the jersey of this year’s hero,
Hoping he’ll put their name on a foul ball.
Climb the stairs to the cheap seats, right field,
Oil hands with hot dogs, perfume with cotton candy,
(or spicy nachos in Texas)
Tuck in the cokes and
Watch the Jumbo-tron.
The line up is set, the crowd ready.
A cub scout color guard, a Vet holds the flag.
We stand for the anthem, proud.
We Are Americans and
This is Our Game.