United For Iran, July 25th, in Seattle

If you believe in freedom and democracy let the people of Iran know they are not alone. Saturday, July 25th is United For Iran day with demonstrations being held all over the world. Like cockroaches tyranny prefers the dark. Iran has kicked legitimate journalist out of Iran, but 21st century technology continues to fan the flame of freedom.

A rally is planned in Seattle at Freeway Park, Seneca Street at 6th Avenue from 1 to 3 PM. For the sake of the Iranian people and for freedom and democracy for all people, come and raise your voice in a cry so loud that Ahmadinejad can hear it.

They Were Sittin' On Top of the World...Nearly

The Neighborhood’s Mizu turned me onto Grandma Lorrene’s Pet Peeves blog several months ago. Grandma L. is in Yakima and she writes about her family, her life growing up in Oklahoma, and whatever she happens to be up to.

I liked Grandma L’s style well enough to put her on my favorites on my View From My Broom blog so I keep pretty close tabs on what is happening in her world. Recently she posted a picture and announcement for the engagement of her granddaughter Laura. When another granddaughter asked in a comment if the happy couple was going to get married on the bridge, Lorrene responded that the engagement had happened on the bridge. I assumed it was a bridge in Yakima. Wrong my fellow South Sound folks. Our Neighborhood stretches to Yakima. Lorrene has a connection to the South Sound. Check out exactly where Laura and Terry got engaged.

Saying Goodbye to Mom Casey

One of the many ways I realize that I am getting old is where I see friends and acquaintances. It used to be that I saw the people I grew up with at weddings, first at each other’s and then at our children’s. Now it is funerals. I’ve another to go to Friday and it’s a tough one.

My ex-mother-in-law passed away Monday night at home in Milton, WA after a long decline in health. For many the loss of an ex-mother-in-law does not disturb the surface, much less the depths of the pond of life, but mine was special.

I married at age 19 which was a time when my mother was largely unavailable emotionally for me. Connie Casey welcomed me into the family and immediately became a source of love, support and guidance when I needed it and could always make me laugh. She was a good Catholic and a good Christian. In the truest sense she tried to live the very best sort of life and to offer love to everyone who came here way. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up.

From Mom Casey I learned that there is always room in the dishwasher or refrigerator for one more thing. I learned that regardless of how many show up at dinner time you can "do the loaves and fishes thing" and there will be enough for everyone. I learned that when St. Anthony is done with a thing he will bring it back, but he can't be rushed. I learned how to be a mother. I hope I learned how to be a mother-in-law

When her son and I divorced eight years later I did not feel as though I was divorcing the family and continued to think of them as Mom and Dad Casey. Only in the last few years, when my exhusband's wife felt I was usurping her place in the family, did I back away from more frequent contact with my one-time family.

Mom Casey had breast cancer in the early 1990s and the chemotherapy caused her mind to become quite confused. The doctors said that it would clear up when the therapy was over and to some extent it did, but she was never entirely the same. Still she was a loving force in the family and my children loved her dearly.

So Friday I will be going to another funeral; one where I am not a member of the family per say, but feel as though I have lost another of the important grownups in my life. I will never forget the things I learned from Mom Casey when I was a young woman and mother. It was an honor knowing her and to be able to call her “Mom.” If I can be half the mother-in-law to my daughters-in-law that she was to me then maybe I will have achieved my desire.

Cool Morning

I must admit I'm relieved to be wrapped in a fuzzy shirt, sipping my cuppa this morning. A little moist coolness is a welcome change from the hot, dry days that have been...and will be coming again. Even the leaves on the trees look grateful for the sky's silver lining, after twisting in the heat yesterday. They're dancing in this morning's breeze, a moving frame for the incoming teal tide. The blackberry bushes don't wave so much, laden-down with their little green, tight-fisted fruit.

The birds seem happy for the cool morning too. The little hummers orbit around the purple butterfly bush and butter-yellow hollyhocks; goldfinches, black-headed grossbeaks, rosy-breasted nuthatches, juncos and chickadee-dee-dees squabble over the best seats on the swinging feeders. Jazzpurr the cat watches from the back of the recliner at the window, already stuffed with his proper breakfast.

It seems like forever since I've been able to write in the neighbourhood and share my little piece of paradise with you. We are under yet another upheaval about cable on the Key. Broadstripe has taken over and is in the middle of replacing useless, worn-out equipment. The service guys are working really hard and trying their best. The customer reps in Michigan are about as useless as a polka-dot dress on a bull...but talking about them will only rattle my peaceful morning. At least I am able to write a post...just have to stand on my head and wrap my butt in aluminum foil to send it in!

Yesterday afternoon, Rani the pup and I spent some time in the side garden. We call this Rani's playpen because it's the only part of the property that's fenced-in. We put a kiddie pool and chairs in the shade so I can cool my tootsies and Rani can tune-in to her water-dog side. She climbs in and puts her whole snout under the water, blowing bubbles as she tries to get those fishies painted on the bottom! After she's splashed herself wet and cool, she has a good roll around on the grass with that goofy grin.

The roses are as pale as old paper, the palm fronds rattle like dry old bones and the grass is prickly gold, like straw...but the purple clematis and honeysuckle cascade down the wooden fencing and busy bees are everywhere. The fruit trees seem to like this hot weather. We had a bumper crop of juicy, deep garnet-coloured cherries from two trees this year. Every morning when I took Rani out we'd head to those trees first, racing the crows and ravens. Looks like a good crop of apples coming too.

We have a new Bambi! One morning, a few weeks ago, a neighbour stopped his truck to tell me the exciting news. He had seen mama and fawn, right after the birth, in his garden and couldn't wait to tell me. Well, it wasn't long before they came visiting the Aerie...and stepping up to the buffet! I managed to get a picture one morning, after my hubby forgot to close the back gate to the playpen and they came in for the goodies.

The spring and first part of summer have been a bit of a struggle, health-wise, for both my daughter and myself...but we all struggle with something, while hoping for the best. Meanwhile, unusual weather or not, the natural world is still there for us to measure and balance ourselves. The gifts from the earth are many, if we will only take the time to look with different eyes and a quiet mind. Namaste good neighbours...may you dine on gratitude today.

A Good Heart...A Moral Compass

Former president Jimmy Carter has something to say with grace, decency, intelligence and with a deep loyalty to the truth of love and equality. As a human, a woman, and a minister, I thank him for his heart and for his service to the Creator and Creation. It takes a strong man to stand up for truth, even against their lifelong church-membership.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/losing-my-religion-for-equality-20090714-dk0v.html?page=-1

Sir, I applaud you.

Important HBO Presentation

July 20, 2009
Prom Night In Mississippi
In 2008, Mississippi's Charleston High School held its first racially integrated prom.

Yes, you read the year right. 2008.

Producer/director Paul Saltzman was on hand to film the prom and the events leading up to it. His documentary, Prom Night in Mississippi, airs on HBO tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Reunions

Summer is frequently the time for reunions whether they are high school or family such as Joseph’s Seattle Prep reunion. Dictionary.com defines the word “reunion” as “a gathering of relatives, friends, or associates at regular intervals or after separation.” Obviously these people know neither my family nor my graduating class since we do not reunite at regular intervals. What were the odds that either one would plan a reunion for the same decade little own the same day? If you’d like to know how I feel about that, click here. Are you attending a reunion this year? What sort, what do you think it will be like or how was it? I know that Kim and Joseph have had great ones. Anyone else?