Friday, December 30, 2011

GANESH

My beautiful daughters really know me. They know what I like and what is special to me. On Christmas morning, I opened a package from both my daughters and inside was this Ganesh statue! I was instructed to close my eyes and just open. The moment I felt what was inside I got chills. I immediately knew it was Ganesh, waiting there inside hand-made rice paper tinted red, to remove all my obstacles. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better or more appreciated.


HINDU PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE AND PEACE

Lead me from untruth to truth.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality.
Om, peace peace peace.
(Peace be in all three realms: surroundings, body and mind)


THE ORDINARY ACTS WE PRACTICE EVERY DAY AT HOME ARE OF MORE IMPORTANCE TO THE SOUL THAN THEIR SIMPLICITY MIGHT SUGGEST.

Thomas More

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

If Life is a Game... These are the Rules Movie

If Life is a Game... These are the Rules Movie: Have you ever thought..."I wish life came with an instruction manual"? That's why the 10 Rules for Being Human are so important. They answer the fundamental question...What is the purpose of life?

In light of losing a childhood friend this December, losing a beloved Fire Chief on Christmas Eve and a blogger friend losing her father on that very same day, this came to me in my email box this morning. I found it so appropriate since I have been pondering "what is the purpose of this life if we have to lose someone we care about"? Life isn't easy to understand, that's for sure. But, questions always do seem to get answered if we just listen. And those mirrors that reflect in others what needs fixing in me? Yes, they exist. I am working on mine. Perhaps these rules will help someone else out there. I guess the trick is to really "see" what needs fixing. And to really see that it needs fixing! And then, to start fixing!! And why wait until the New Year to begin...start today, this second, this NOW.

Monday, December 19, 2011

THE HOLIDAYS

MY GIRLS
AND THEIR FAMILY
WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON.

I WILL BE TAKING SOME TIME OFF TO SPEND WITH MY FAMILY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, TO PROCESS THE LOSS OF A FRIEND, AND TO GENERALLY UNWIND AND RECHARGE.

"ADOPT THE PACE OF NATURE; HER SECRET IS PATIENCE. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T NEED THE THINGS YOU "NEED" TO ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS, QUIET TIMES, FRIENDS, FAMILY".

AMISH PROVERB



Saturday, December 17, 2011

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT MARY

Today is my 38th wedding anniversary. Thirty-eight years ago, most people said it wouldn't last. Too volatile they said, too much discussion and not enough outward expressions of affection. Well, it has worked for us despite all of the naysayers and I attribute it to just that: we discuss, we talk, yes we even argue but we make up and we tell each other everything. We are truthful and open in our relationships and that carries over into our relationships with others. Some people can't take the truth. They just can't.

But today, while spending a bit of time alone by myself I had time to reflect upon my relationship with Mary and how I met her so many years ago. And you know...when I think about an exact moment and when we first became friends, I cannot pinpoint it. It is if she just "appeared". And that's the way that I like to think of her leaving this dimension too. She just slipped away, quietly, without a lot of fanfare. Private. Proud. Graceful.

Mary was with me the night that I first met Bill. Well, actually, I knew of him in high school. He sat in one of my classes and when I would glance over in his direction he would turn ten shades of red and look away. I was not very out-going in those days. In fact, I always considered myself very shy. Maybe it was just a lack of confidence or self-esteem. Those two attributes have seemed to haunt me my entire life. But in my early twenties, Mary and I used to spend quite a lot of time together going dancing and just hanging out. Most of my other friends were attached in those days and Mary and I used to like to do the same kinds of things.

Mary was an incredible dancer with such rhythm. And she had the most beautiful dark curly hair and very white, pale skin. She always attracted young men that seemed to be worldly. We would be sitting at a table, having a drink, and someone dark and handsome would come over and ask her to dance. I sat alone at the table many nights while she was twirling around on the dance floor. She loved to laugh and have a good time. And so it was that we would spend weekend evenings together. She was with me when I first met my boyfriend Michael. And later, she was with me when I first met Bill.

I was thinking back to all the times that we spent in high school together. I spent many nights at Mary's home, tucked away under piles of quilts in her big brass bed. I always felt safe at her house; her parents right across the hall. It was always a home filled with love and support. I came from a broken home and so staying at Mary's was always a pleasant experience. There were never any arguments or loud voices at Mary's home. It was a safe haven. It always felt cozy and warm.

Mary's Mom was always inquisitive. She would always want to know what we were doing in school, who we were dating, what our future plans were. She was always curious and interested. And it felt good to be listened to and to know that she was genuinely interested and concerned. Mary was one of the first people I knew to go to Europe and travel. She came back and told us all about it. She served us cheese from a slicer "the way they served cheese in Europe". I remember her slicing off a thin piece and throwing it at me. The biggest laugh came from her and she said: "That's the way they do it in Europe." I believed her. I've never been to Europe myself yet so I cannot corroborate that story or deny it. I just took it for granted. Mary would never lie to me.

Mary was also the first person I knew to have a plan for when she graduated from high school. She was going to go to college, she was going to get her degree in library science, and she was going to work in a library. And she did exactly that. She worked for over 30 years at the College of Alameda in the library there. She was surrounded by intelligent people who were curious about learning, who were artistic and talented themselves. She took me to arts and crafts shows that some of the teachers held around the holidays. She took clay classes. I still have a whistle hanging on my wall that she made me and gifted to me over 30 years ago, hand-painted with cactus plants and strung with an orange ribbon to this day.

Mary had parents who were fun to be around too. Her father collected stamps and to this day I think that I collect stamps, little works of art, because of the interest he sparked in me when I would be over at her house and curious about his collection. He was always willing to sit down and tell me anything I wanted to know about his collection...where they came from, where he purchased them, what the stamp shows were like and how he learned about them and their value. You could tell that Mary came by her intelligence and curiosity naturally. You only needed to spend an evening with her family to see that family life was all-encompassing and important to them. And I always felt comfortable with her family.

I will miss Mary. Her mother and father made their transitions a few years ago so she will join them now. I'm sure there will be a family gathering when she arrives the like of none that we have seen before. She might even be serving cheese "just like they do in Europe". That would be fun to see, wouldn't it? Most of all, I will miss Mary's curiosity and lust for life. Her ability to remain calm in most situations (although when she got flustered or anxious, it was fun to watch her jump around). Maybe it was that dancing ability. Maybe it was her friendly smile and her willingness to help someone. Definitely she was a unique and wonderful person. And she made a mean batch of fudge too! I still have her Mom's fudge recipe, lovingly typed out on a 3 X 5 card and titled "Aunt Marion's Fudge". Maybe those years of filing in the card files, pre-computers, prompted her to type (yes, on a typewriter!) the recipe. She had an eye for details. She hand-sewed what seemed like millions of beads on to her sister's wedding dress. What a beautiful dress it was too!

So, Mary...if you're there reading this, please know that you meant the world to me. You were loved, appreciated, and thought of so much. I only wish that I would have been granted the opportunity to visit you while you were in the hospital. I tried, believe me, I tried. I hope you know all of these things that come from my heart to yours. You were a unique friend, without whom I might not have met Bill and married him 38 years ago had it not been for you going with me that one fateful work night. You always stood by me in those days. And for that, and so much more, I thank you.

Friday, December 16, 2011

DECEMBER FIFTEENTH



"In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing." R. Ingersoll

I borrowed this quote from Melanie. She posted it on her blog Secret Notebooks--Wild Pages when her Mom died in 2009. I have never forgotten it, just as I will never forget my dear friend Mary, who passed away yesterday after a long illness. There is so much to say about Mary but it will have to wait for another time. Right now, I am thinking of her in deepest sadness.

(The photo is Mary on the left and me on the right).

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

RIVER TALES

I FEEL SO LUCKY THAT WITHIN A SHORT FIVE OR TEN MINUTE DRIVE FROM MY FRONT DOOR, I CAN BE AT THE RIVER AND ENJOYING WHAT IT HOLDS FOR ME. THIS FERN OUTCROPPING WITH MOSS AND ROOTS TRAILING OVER THE ROCKS IS JUST ONE LUSCIOUS EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE RIVER PROVIDES ENERGY FOR. I'M SURE IF I WERE TO INVESTIGATE THE MINUTE DETAILS, I WOULD BE ASTOUNDED AT WHAT I WOULD FIND. THE RIVER HAS SO MANY TALES TO TELL.


I THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FISHED THIS RIVER, WHO HAVE HIKED THIS RIVER, WHO HAVE JUST WALKED ALONGSIDE THIS RIVER. THIS STRETCH OF THE RIVER WAS SHADED BY THE MOUNTAINSIDE TO THE SOUTH. THE SUN IS JUST PEEKING OVER THE TREES IN THE BACKGROUND HERE. BARE TREES IN THE FOREGROUND LEAN TOWARD THE RIVER AS IF BY DOING SO THEY WILL BE GRANTED A TASTE OF THE SUN WHEN IT MAKES IT WAY OVER THE MOUNTAIN AND BEGINS TO SET IN THE AFTERNOON.

SAND BARS, BRUSH, EVERGREENS AND DECIDUOUS TREES ABOUND HERE. THE RIVER IS LOW RIGHT NOW. THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL THIS SEASON AS YET AND WITH IT BEING MID-DECEMBER AND NO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IN THE NEAR FORECAST, THE RIVER MIGHT BE LOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME. BUT, SPRINGTIME WILL REPLENISH AND RENEW. THE TREES WILL BLOSSOM FORTH, THE MOSS WILL GROW MORE LUSH, THE ANIMALS WILL BEGIN TO FORAGE AGAIN. RIGHT NOW: THE RIVER IS SLOWING DOWN AND WHAT LIVES ALONG THE RIVER IS DOING SO AS WELL. SUCH IS THE CYCLE OF THE RIVER. I ONLY WISH I COULD HEAR WITH EVERY RIPPLE WHERE IT HAS BEEN AND WHERE IT IS GOING. WHAT TALES THIS RIVER COULD TELL IF I ONLY COULD HEAR ITS VOICE.


A PERMANENT STATE OF TRANSITION IS MAN'S MOST NOBLE CONDITION.

Juan Ramon Jimenez

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011/12 Pipe House Chronicles - Episode 1

Makes me proud to be a Buthman!! Great job Kyle!!


Monday, December 12, 2011

THE PERFECT EQUATION

ONE HAPPY CHILD
PLUS
LOTS OF ENERGY
EQUALS

ONE PAPA AND ONE CHILD
ASLEEP
IN THE AFTERNOON

NOTICE THAT "THE BOPPY" IS BEING USED BY "THE POPPY"
INSTEAD OF THE BABY!!!
OH WELL. WHATEVER WORKS!

Friday, December 9, 2011

LOST...

ONE TOOTH.
NO...TWO!!!
PLEASE RETURN WHEN FOUND.
REWARD GIVEN.
LOOK UNDER PILLOW.



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MURALS

This mural is by local artist Stan Padilla. You can read about what the mural is all about if you click on the image below. I love how when you walk around the town of Auburn you can be treated to art. I often wonder how many people take the time to really get up close to it and find out what it's all about. The other day, I did just that and tried to capture some close-ups to share on my blog. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
Our area has a rich history with the Maidu and Miwok Indians. I am happy that Stan has taken the time and the effort to honor these peoples. He has depicted some of what intrigues many people who live here and visit here.
Our area is rich with animal life and we are blessed to have the beautiful American River here as well as many others (Yuba, Sacramento, Cosumnes, Stanislaus, etc.)

Thanks, Stan, for all your hard work and dedication. I hope that many people enjoy this mural for many more years to come.

Monday, December 5, 2011

OUR ESSENTIAL NATURE

Even Starbuck's tries to unite.

"What we are truly looking for can be found only by turning in the direction of that which is looking."
Robert Brumet Page 156 "Birthing a Greater Reality"

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