Iran's Plight

I normally try not to write anything political because everything has two sides and the intent of this writing is not to offend those whose opinions will not reflect mine.

It is a sad day when people are not free enough to elect the person of choice by popular vote. It is surprising that the people could not peacefully resolve this dilemma, which resulted in demonstration. Their protest (asking for a simple recount and the truth) led to violence, a violence that they sought to avoid. What we have all witnessed by the authorities enforcing the law is that they are willing to kill rather than talk to their own people. There is no peace and no freedom, just what they dictate.

It will play itself out. Will the people be strong enough to stand their ground against the injustices hurled at them by the authorities? If they fail to do this, make changes that will allow them the freedom that they deserve to have, they will always be an enslaved people. What must they be willing to sacrifice? Everything. The word has been "change" the courage to "change" and wisdom to know the difference. When the people decide, it will happen. The key is unity. What is the will of the people? It boils down to that.

What is our part in all of this? Pray for them. Support them. But do not fight their battle. Yesterday, I witnessed people tearing our President apart for what they say is "he is not doing enough," and his "timid" response.

I watched the measured response from President Obama, which I think is correct. It is clear to me that he understands the bigger picture. He deplores the violence against the demonstrators but respects the sovereignty of the Country. It's like pulling a thread. It looks innocent and small from the onset, but once you start to pull it, there is no end until everything falls apart. The fact is, you do not want to inflame that region, the tinderbox. He is not easily shaken, shows a great strength, and strong leadership.

I'm sure his eyes are glued to situations like North Korea, for example. And, he stands ready. Further, he told them so. A lion observes his prey before the attack. Anyone that see us as a weak nation is deluded. He's on it.

We have to give our President a chance to do what we know he can do, by trusting that he does care for our country and it's people. I like the leadership I see in him.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there. This will be one father's day my oldest son, Bill, will not forget. It was the day that he and his family flew to Mexico.

The last air trip he and his wife Angie went on, was to the Keys and they were calling Nathan to explain that they had flown in one of the airplanes that he was accustomed to playing with. On Thursday, they took him to the airport to see the small planes and to grab a bite to eat at a local breakfast spot. Nathan probably got the surprise of his young life when he saw the jet airliners in Boston.

Just last summer he would look up at the sky and was afraid of the planes. Sometimes they are quite loud. They always got his attention. But, after his parents went on a trip to Florida, he told me that he wanted to go on the plane.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a festival in town and John and I took him to see what looked like Thomas the train. It was actually a $3.00 ride around the common. No, he wouldn't have anything to do with a ride. Of course, it made me wonder how he would do on a large jet for the first time. A rather lengthy trip for a three year old, layover and connecting flight and all the possible turbulent weather.

Grandmothers never stop thinking about the what if's you know, and given the previous question, was keeping my fingers crossed that all would go well. When he was leaving to go home yesterday, he remarked to his mom that "grandma has gone on many planes" and I knew that he was resolved. If it was okay for grandma then it was okay for him.

Several hours ago, Steve called to wish John a happy father's day and luckily I got the phone call first. Bill had called him from Atlanta to say that they had a good flight and that Nathan enjoyed it very much. I am relieved and looking forward to hearing all the stories. Right now, I'm sure he is out like a light sleeping somewhere as they left home around 4:00 A.M.

Nathan and I love the beach. I'm sure he will enjoy the white sands of Mexico, while at the same time, I will be enjoying the white sands of Maine. We sure will have a lot to talk about the next time were together.

I will not have needed a passport to enjoy the sandy beach of the Atlantic, though. Hopefully, we both will be soaking up the sun, Nathan digging with the pail and shovel he got at the parade a few weeks ago, and grandma digging in on my long shore walk.

Summer is coming

Tonight is summer. I feel it in my bones. Just a saying but nevertheless, the humidity is back and the tree frogs are noisy. Today has been hair curling in many ways.

I made a spinach pita so my mother-in-law would have something that she likes to eat this week, that is after Nathan and I had lunch. We spent some time at the church hall, removing the dead flowers, making fresh pots and folding table covers. After quickly sweeping the floor, it was home to watch his favorite move Madagascar.

Time goes quickly when your busy and before we knew it, we were off to buy rhubarb for a strawberry-rhubarb pie. I promised my mother-in-law I'd make one as it is her favorite. Meanwhile, Nathan remembered the promise that we'd take him to MacDonald's if he was a good boy. So, off we went the three of us.

I just took the pie out of the oven, perfect. While we got Nathan comfortable and ready for bed, he wanted his stuffed dog, Wagon. John thought he saw it on the bed. I didn't believe he brought it over today. We searched high and low for something that is probably comfortably on his own bed at home. Of course, he wanted Wagon. If you've ever experienced this, you get the point. We checked everywhere, even the trash cans, closets and draws. It didn't just walk away, now did it?

He was out the minute he hit the pillow. Nathan had another big day, so did grandma.

They are predicting rain until Thursday, yet we managed to drink in some sun today and it was most welcomed. I saw the yellow finch once again, which makes me so happy to see them return. They sing beautifully. We will have to make sure tomorrow that the feeders are in place.

Unfortunately the Wren's house developed more than a crack, with the rain, it is wide open and the cat which frequents here, (we call him Blacky after a cat that Steve, and Bill adopted from Bob), who has been waiting impatiently for the nest to give out. I'm routing for the baby birds to fly off. I managed to trim the bushes and prune my roses, and the gardens are lush and tropical looking. The colors are vivid like those found in Maine, near the ocean.

Meanwhile, I've been trying to catch every bit of the news, especially in Iran. I really feel for those young people. They have the right idea. It won't be easy, but liberty is worth fighting for and it is long overdue. It calls to mind Patrick Henry, "give me liberty or give me death." The Iranians have had a taste of freedom. I like seeing the pictures that have been provided on Face book, the peace sign with one inked finger and the other, a green one. Iraq will be a beacon of hope for them. I hope they will find the courage in their quest for freedom. They are on my mind and in my prayers.

Tomorrow, Saturday the 2oth of June will mark twenty-three years of marriage for us. We met in 1984 which just seems like yesterday. John was in sales, a recent college graduate and I had taken a new job as a graphic designer at a newly formed company. We married in 1986 one month after becoming Orthodox. Talk about unexpected changes in one's lifestyle. You never know what lies ahead these days especially, so you've got to make the most out of every day, even the rainy ones.

Unexpected Finding

I woke up to a very cool bedroom this morning. I usually change my bedding this time of the year as summer approaches, and along with this season, horrendous heat and humidity. The lighter coverings are perfect through the fall. Yet, this morning I was in a hurry to find my robe. Wearing just a thin gown to bed, the top sheet and comforter, were inadequate for forty degrees.

Rushing to the window of the living room I peeked out to find the sun already out and yet, so early in the morning. Then I looked down to see what all the fuss was. It was probably that noise which got me up in the first place.

Looking down from the picture window I noticed a rounded lump on the lawn, to the left of my garden, teaming with roses and colorful flowers. What is that? I thought. It looked like a muskrat or possum. No, it was the birdhouse. The gourd had fallen from the dwarfed red Japanese maple tree. Immediately, I checked to see if the wind had picked-up but it had not. In fact, it was picture still.

Every morning at this time, the mother wren is busy bringing food to her chicks and they are quite noisy. She tirelessly delivers goodies to them, but not today. There she was wondering how to get to them as the hole faced the ground. I could see her concern as she moved back and fourth with a substance hanging from her mouth.

During the past week, if you ventured next to her nest, she would swoop down close to you defiantly making a racket like she owned the place. Now how would she react if we were to get close to her family?

I was grateful that John retrieved the natural bird house and replaced it on the "S" hook provided on the limb. He could hear a lot of peeping going on. I'm sure the little birds were startled by the fall. The mother hurried to the entrance and began to feed the young.

All day long we noticed the amount of noise around the nest. Apparently she must have called for help from her bird friends. "Birds of a feather flock together."

Later today, I thought I saw a young bird flapping it's wings around, almost double speed. These birds are small to begin with and are almost full size when flying from the nest. Perhaps one of them caused the gourd-shaped house to fall down. It always amazes me how many birds are sheltered in such a small environment in the first place.

So, they got a rocky start. Hope all will be well. Perhaps a new gourd will needed to be purchased as I thought I noticed a crack forming down the front of that one.

Someone told me last week when speaking about a child present, "It's better to learn young that life is tough". This is true. It is for the most part, eventful and challenging. Maybe that is what keeps you on your toes and makes life fun and worthwhile. It's the small joys you experience and cute little stories that you encounter, one post at a time. For sure, it's anything but easy facing life's unexpected happenings.

Unusual Weather

It was a full day. Nathan arrived wearing his hooded yellow sweat shirt on what seemed a cool morning. I had many ideas on how we would spend the day, given the weather predicted rain and thundershowers, we would probably play indoors.

Out came the Hoover vacuum and we cleaned up a bit, then Nate had his second breakfast while watching his favorite DVD, Madagascar. It was waffle-toast with syrup and cream. He loves to dip the waffle pieces into the syrup and does pretty well at not getting it all over the chair while watching the movie.

Home tutoring was next, a story book about Saint Kevin, a favorite of his since he was young and then it was finding the objects in another rather large book. We connected dots and colored, then made his puzzle twice. The sticker book teaches him to locate the page by number, and following the instructions, placing stickers within boxes.

It was time for lunch and we had our usual conversation. He is excited about his upcoming vacation with his parents and family. It will be his first flight. He plays with airplanes all the time. I know he will love the beach with all the sand for his trucks, shovel and pail.

It was fun watching him eat his salad and especially the tomatoes. Cottage cheese has been one of his staples since he was an infant. Then, of course cookies and orange soda.
I don't approve of soda for children, only once and awhile.

We played ball, and low and behold the sun came out. It was so wonderful to see it and we had to capture it as long as possible. Needing to take our walk, it was off to the church grounds. He brought his yellow watering can, (even though nothing outside needed water), he enjoys the activity. We get a chance to check out all the outdoor critters like the blackbirds in Kevin's story. He is fascinated by ant hills and dandelions. He picked a flower for mommy, a little butter-cup with a long stem, saying "she's going to love it." He sure loves his mommy. He held that flower until we put it in a temporary vase and he had it in hand when he went home.

No sooner than we arrived home, it became darkened and there was a thunderstorm. We had gone to see the geese but they were not around. Usually in the park if you hit it just right, there is a flock of them. That left time for playing the organ with its many sounds. He watched the mother bird as she tended her young from his window, and appreciated the cats and dogs in the neighborhood as well. Earlier he had to examine all the flowers growing and the holes in the garden, looking for the chipmunk, Chippy. Nate and I played "Battle." We call it "who beats". He knows all the values of the cards and he knows who wins.

His grampy arrived shortly after setting off the car alarm by accident and Nate of course, yelled out the window, "Grampy what happened?" to bring attention to it all the more. They passed the ball in the hallway. Then along came daddy, while we had him watching Mighty Machines "Roadway to Runways" race cars. When it was time for the potty, we paused it on the computer. He was the first one in the room, and resumed playing the DVD, letting us know that he fixed it. We didn't know he knew how.

Our grandson got quite the workout today, especially walking the church grounds so I'm sure he will sleep well tonight. He finds the time to pray for his friends and parents at church, and is already starting to make the sign of the cross.

He sure had an appetite as well. Must be another growth spurt. And although it seems that he eats constantly, unlike grandma, he is thin and tall.

I will have plenty of work tomorrow, today was a play day, and quite a workout for both of us. The good weather season is short lived and the days have been for the most part unsettled. Remembering the words of advice from year's prior, from Bill's grandmother, "you got to make hay while the sun shines." Time is a precious commodity.

Knock-Knock Joke

Nathan is three years old. Today, in the church hall, he surprised me with his first knock-knock joke. We had an extended coffee gathering today, as we invited grandparents and godparents to our Liturgy to receive a special blessing.

Following the Liturgy, Nathan surprised me with a bunch of beautiful red roses. In our tradition, red roses mean "I love you." The flowers were so large that he dropped them on the floor, none broke. He is so cute. Next he said, "knock knock" and I replied, who's there? He said, "Boo" I said Boo-Who? He said "Oh, Don't Cry." That was the first time I heard that one.

Later he had time to show off his little car, Lightening McQueen, to some of the ladies at the other table. Vasilika didn't know what Lightening McQueen was so he showed her by pushing it across the table proudly for her. Then, he told her the knock-knock joke. I have never seen her laugh so much. If that wasn't enough, he used the word electricity pouncing it in a way that made us scream (electrixaty). Then, his mother told him to tell us why grampy and grandma gave him presents. He proudly stated that "I went poo-poo on the potty." And, if you don't think that's a big deal, just ask his mother.

Walking away from the table, I heard him say to his mom that he made us laugh. He was quite proud of that. He was so well behaved in church. All you heard was the quiet sound of the wheels of his little car which he occasionally ran across the pew.

Grampy had his favorite orange soda and grandma his "special" chocolate-chip cookies. Grandma made cookies for all her sweethearts. I am pleased that everyone had a wonderful day. The weather actually turned out nice and hopefully, will continue tomorrow when Nathan comes over grandma's to play with his new toys.

These are the rewards of life you read about and dream for and are blessed to receive.

Knock-knock jokes are great ice-breakers. They never seem to go out of style. Do You remember any?

The Italian Bakery

If someone were to come by today they'd swear that they were in an Italian Bakery. Actually on Sunday, our church, (St. Michael's) will have a blessing for both godparents and grandparents. We certainly are both. Following the church service refreshments will be served, pic-nic style.

The menu will be hot dogs and hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni- cheese tortellini salad, tossed salad, a dip or two and baked goods.

I've made a combination cherry-blueberry Crustada. It is a cake-like pie. Then I made oatmeal-raisin cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and my favorite Italian "pillow" cookies. These are made with anise flavoring, frosted and have colored sprinkles on them. Then by popular request a classic pizzelle recipe.

I so wanted to make biscotti but we have to be careful for "peanut allergy." I possibly will have a few other things but it is odd how through the years I have made the same goodies for various occasions. Also missing, will be my mom's special cookie recipe-the peanut butter kiss. I always loved giving kisses away I guess. Most Italians are affectionate and friendly. They like to greet and hug at the door, and I still recall all the cheek pinching.

My mom was a great cook. She learned from her French mother who won many bake-offs. So besides my many Polish and French dishes that she passed on to me, are the countless Italian cuisine learned growing up in an Italian neighborhood. It's never boring around here in the kitchen. I make many pita's as well as those favorite traditional American dishes.
Chinese? Now that's where I draw the line. We eat out. Tonight at the pub, we will have Irish-Scottish fare, and meat on a Friday.

If your in the neighborhood, Sunday, Liturgy is at 9:00 AM. Stop on by after church in our fellowship hall to say hello. Join us for a goody or two. We'd love to have you.