And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious and great things. Rainer Maria Rilke
A friend of mine likes to tell the story of how her younger brother used to kiss the mirror by the front door. Self-love? Narcissist? The family discovered this after seeing lip prints on the mirror each day and his siblings chided him unmercifully over his indiscretion. I was filing away stuff on my desk, a chore I meant to do two weeks ago, and came across an envelope from a florist with a Valentine…
The true last days of 2008 may well have been this weekend as the 5th marks the official start back to work date for most people. All down the block I have talked to all sorts of people preparing for tomorrow while there is the pull to enjoy this beautiful January day (in the high 70s) and to prepare for the year ahead. I started the morning reading an article in the NYT that Michael…
We forced ourselves out of our routine here and got dressed up and went out. It was a much needed respite from being homebodies. We were headed to Swirl but it was closed for inventory, the Quarter was crowded with Sugar Bowl revelers, and so we went to Clever, the wine bar that opened next to Cork & Bottle in the American Can Company. It was great, we walked in and it was not too…
John Travolta’s oldest son died – he was 16 years old. This year, my dear friends lost their 2-year-old child. A horrible thing to lose a child. I wish them peace.
I had an anxious night of sleep last night that held bizarre dreams of missing flights to New York for business, not being able to fit into any of my clothes and having to show up in a mumu, and by the time I woke up this morning I was exhausted from all the anxiety. What do I have to be anxious about I asked myself? Self, I said, a lot or a little depends…
I was coming around by the bridge over the lagoon near the playground in City Park and I saw a cormorant solo with his wings spread wide. He looked like Count Dracula the way he held his webbed wings out. A friend said they do that to air dry their wings. I was looking up in my Audubon book and it says they also nest in colonies in trees – which is exactly what they…
Readers – I have a dare for you, a double dare. I double dare you to look around and realize the joy in your life and show appreciation. If you’re in California – repeal Prop 8. If you’re in Arkansas – write the politicians and tell them you’re embarrassed about the fact they passed a law disallowing unmarried people from fostering or adopting. If you’re in New York – think of a nonprofit to go…
The bayou is already alive with bonfires – mini ones built by neighbors along the water. On Orleans, at midnight, the big huge bonfire of everyone’s old Christmas trees starts and this year promises to be more “in control” than years past of trees plus everything Katrina left to burn. Midmorning, Loca and I had a late start to our walk BUT we ran into everyone else we see in the early morning – I…
Today is somewhere between last year and next year — 2009 looms like a mega to do list and 2008’s list still needs so much checked off. How will all of what should be done by the stroke of midnight happen? [and by who?] I went to take Loca for a walk since she didn’t get one this morning as I was up late with the Bean having a meltdown. So we were walking out…