Fog is rising up from the mountains. Lately, it's been so green and wet. Yesterday, was the first sunny day we've had for a week in Puerto Rico. It's drizzling rain again today. Continued rain is predicted for the week ahead. When the sun shines through for a few hours, the day feels clean and fresh.I went to Michigan last week to be interviewed for the documentary again. It was a good trip. Before going, my days were packed with tasks. We had Christmas, New Years, 29th wedding anniversary, Three Kings Day; my daughter, Amber's, 18th birthday party, and several family member's birthday celebrations, which all involved my participation to a lesser and greater degree. Whew! Then I had to deepen my concentration to write a paper to submit for publication, do my part to help my daughter apply to 10 universities, and help my son, Alex, put out some personal and academic fires.
Now that's funny because he accidentally started a kitchen fire just before our big get together for the "Twilight" themed 18th birthday party. (Amber made Japanese paper lanterns to hang on the veranda, and the red-tinged light enhanced by candlelight set a romantic Victorian mood.) We all woke up to a house full of smoke and lots of shouting. The fire was put out. It wasn't too bad- melted plastic and burned pans could be discarded. The fan and light over the stove were melted and had to be removed, the white walls and cabinets were covered in an ashy film. Everything smelled of smoke for a week, but all was fine. (I guess we burned a lot of karma there! :-) We had a lovely evening dinner and celebration. My little girl is 18!
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Do you see the spectre in the shadow behind me? (:-)
(Is it the ghost from Christmas past, present or future?) I'm standing in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Flat Rock, Michigan. It's a cold day spiked with light flurries. Confession. I love the snow. As I stepped out of the airport into the brisk night air, I pressed my hand into the cold snow and remembered my childhood thrill- "It's snowing!! It's snowing!"
There must be a few who share my pleasure, even in the tropics. During the holidays at Plaza Las Americas, we had artificial snow a couple times a day. How funny! The snow-ish flakes were not cold but created
a visual sensation of a northern holiday. The children excitedly ran around catching the suds(?).Some of them have never seen actual snow, and it was delightful to watch their enchanted faces.
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While we've been having rain, my mind has been constantly visited by thoughts of the earthquake survivors in nearby Haiti. Rainy weather, I know from first hand experience, can cause mudslides. Join me in sending healing thoughts to our neighbors in Haiti, and do what you can to help.
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The interview was a success, and I look forward to the film's release in 2011!
May all be well (as you negotiate the weather) in your lives.
Oh my gosh, these photos are glorious! Both of the misty foresty view, and of you--all rosy cheeked!
ReplyDeleteSo you smudged in the new year? Sounds a bit scary but get-overable, too.
The mall looks very tropical-ly seasonal, love the stars in the "sky".
And yay on the successful interview for you, too. One step closer to the 2011 release!
And for Haiti, for me the devastation is quite uncomprehendable, just the sheer number of lives lost.
How does one go on in the face of that? I remember right after Mike died, the Virginia Tech massacre happened and it just made me think--just one me mourning, think of all those families who lost a child. And I just can't wrap my mind around 250,00 deaths...
Your opening shot is gorgeously surreal. Ah, so that’s where you’ve been. Sounds like a party no one will forget! Glad it wasn’t worse. Haiti is so sad – we’ve made contributions ,and it’s good to see all the aid. Great to hear a release date for the movie! I love snow too. In case you haven’t guessed!
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome photos! Sounds like you have kept yourself more than busy in recent months. Sorry that I have been away for so long. What documentary are you referring too, am very interested. Love all your photos.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics Cynthia....I am so glad that it all went very well, xv.
ReplyDeleteThe solace of winter. I remember the fake snow in Plaza Las Americas. I remember once in my classroom of 4th graders I asked them to draw their neighborhoods in a piece of paper. When I got the papers back I noticed all students had drawn their houses with pointy roofs and chimneys! This was Puerto Rico, in the middle of the Caribbean. I then realized that we Caribbean people have been fed with ideas that the "north" is the place where good and successful people live, that the "north" is the stuff of dreams and motion pictures. I laughed at the sudden revelation. I asked them if it snowed in Caguas or in Bayamon in order to sustain the idea of such "northern" architecture. They laughed. We then proceeded to draw our real neighborhoods with flat roofs, concrete walls, wire fences etc. Happy Birthday to my dear A. she is a princess.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - how scary a house full of smoke sounds and yes, it could have been worse but it sounds pretty bad. Congrats on Amber's 18th and applications to ten (!!!) unis.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the trip was a good one - I worry about you and this documentary a bit - it must bring things rushing to the fore so much - you are a very strong person, Cyn. You are lovely and so pretty in the photos.
Don't I sound schmoozy - the trouble is that I mean every word
x
I hope your journey to Michigan brought you some added peace. I'm looking forward to watching this film when it's released.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much here Cynthia, i'm so glad all went well for you, your trip was a sucess!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mama, on your babys 18th! my youngest son just turned 21, where does the time go? the fire sounds scary, thank goodness only a few pots were affected and not more.
good luck to your daughter, so exciting. ♥
Teri,thanks for such an engaging response. Yes, Haiti is on my mind too. So sorry about your loss. I hope that your life makes a lovely turn to the sun! xx
ReplyDeleteSarah,
I just knew you loved the snow! The seasonal transitions-grey and wet-bother me in colder climates. Still, you get that wonderfully charged anticipation just after winter and just before summer.
Hello again, Artist Unplugged! The links give the information you ask for...it's a film about my mother and her partner who were murdered by a neighbor in Michigan. (Check out the documentary blog link,)
Vicki, thanks! And you are back from your holiday break?
Mr. PC, great story! and soooo true on the whole. You are a gifted teacher, too, to notice the implications of your student's art. xx
Ms FF,
Love the sweetness of your response! I had a lot of resistance in my mind/heart before the interview but I felt so much clearer afterwards-it was a healthy experience.
Rudee,
I will let you know where the 1st showing will be held. I plan to go to MI then.
Hi, Lori! So glad I can share my mother's pride with you. We got some good news yesterday- Amber was just nominated for the Presidential Scholar Award! We're very excited. (She scored high(-est of the girls-on her SATs in her school.)I hope your 1st year university student is doing great. xx
Teri,thanks for such an engaging response. Yes, Haiti is on my mind too. So sorry about your loss. I hope that your life makes a lovely turn to the sun! xx
ReplyDeleteSarah,
I just knew you loved the snow! The seasonal transitions-grey and wet-bother me in colder climates. Still, you get that wonderfully charged anticipation just after winter and just before summer.
Hello again, Artist Unplugged! The links give the information you ask for...it's a film about my mother and her partner who were murdered by a neighbor in Michigan. (Check out the documentary blog link,)
Vicki, thanks! And you are back from your holiday break?
Mr. PC, great story! and soooo true on the whole. You are a gifted teacher, too, to notice the implications of your student's art. xx
Ms FF,
Love the sweetness of your response! I had a lot of resistance in my mind/heart before the interview but I felt so much clearer afterwards-it was a healthy experience.
Rudee,
I will let you know where the 1st showing will be held. I plan to go to MI then.
Hi, Lori! So glad I can share my mother's pride with you. We got some good news yesterday- Amber was just nominated for the Presidential Scholar Award! We're very excited. (She scored high(-est of the girls-on her SATs in her school.)I hope your 1st year university student is doing great. xx
Hi friend..long time no c..happy to visit yr blog and find u doing well..keep up the cheers and best wishs always:)
ReplyDeletegreat posts as usual. being so close to Haiti I am sure you have real personal feelings about the human tragedy going on there. Many folks are surprised to find out just how many earthquakes Puerto Rico has.
ReplyDeleteKeep the great work coming. I so enjoy reading your writing and the photos you post.
there is so much in this post to enjoy but my favorite by far is your shadow...
ReplyDeletelove
kj
Thanks, Gary! You are welcome here.
ReplyDeletekj! ha...I thought it was funny, too-and in a graveyard!
Hi Ramesh, it's good to have you visit. I will be around to visit you at your blog-soon!
ReplyDelete