WIERD READING

I have nothing if not a lot of books and reading material around the Boarding House...about once, maybe twice, I will expunge the magazines from the reading rooms and replenish them with some new ones...I took a good look at the mind expansion opportunities in the "powder room" (how did that ever get that name?)  This is what I found.

College Readings in English Prose - 1923
What Cats Teach us
Discover Magazine ( times 2)
Archaeology Magazine
The NY Times Magazine
Mental Floss
National Geographic - 100 best wildlife pictures
Where to Retire
Ireland of the Welcomes

Good Grief - No wonder I can't get people to come to dinner on time!!!

Le Conteur

EULOGY TO JAN MARLOW

This beautiful young woman recently died...there are people who come into your life when you least expect it, touch your heart then disappear...all except their memory, their love and their heart.

Jan was the wife of a very special friend.  She had a very handsome young son who died long before he should of - Cerebral Palsy...I have seen some pictures of Christopher and looking at the beauty that emanates from Jan, I can see how Christopher lit up hers and my friends lives.

Jan and I were odd fellows at heart, I being a bit on the brash and unorthodox side, prone to flying off the handle and leaving within a moment's notice and she being a calming influence but none the less willing to take on some of my more, shall we say - odd - directions.


My friend says I should have known her when she was younger - she was raised Catholic but had a very non-Catholic streak to her that he says I could have related to.  She travelled the world when they were in the Navy and she always had a strength and kindness and willingness to help about her that I am sure stood her in good stead when she had to travel so much and maintain households.

I am proud to have known her.  There is a book:  "Well-behaved Women Seldom Make History" Jan made history - her own and a touchstone of mine.

I don't know who her heroines were, I should have asked.

My friend comforted Jan through extremely difficult times, there were many times when he would tell me that he was exhausted, couldn't find the strength...then I would look into his eyes and wait, he would invariably say "Thanks" and then go on.  The compassion that shows in Jan's eyes was there in his.

One counts friends as those for whom you would lay down your life for, that you would comfort them in their sickness, that you would stay with them wrong or right and help solve the vicissitudes of life.  I would like to have thought that I was that kind of friend to Jan.

I hope that I can be that kind of friend to her husband.

"All those who are touched by beauty are touched by sorrow at it's passing" - Louise Cordana

New Addition

We have a new addition here at the Boardinghouse.

 her name is Amber and she is a rough coated Chihuahua.  She has completely taken over the household. Missy - the large Papillion has decided that Amber is a toy and is available for elephant runs throughout the house.  Galen - the paranoid Papillion is not sure of the whole thing and when Amber decides to drag him by the ear like a chastened boy he lets out a soprano whine and wail that could, if they were around, bring the Animal Control people. 

 

The Gaffer and I are also besotted by the little hoyden.  We know she can jump on the bed, but she will go over to the Gaffer's side and scratch at the covers, whimper and wait to be "lifted". then there is the most joyous licking and snuggling and welcoming - this is by the Gaffer - Amber just takes it as her due that we are there to serve her.

 

 

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.  Her training to become a disaster crisis dog begins in June. 

 

Le Conteur

IMBOLC

Today is conclusion of Imbolc, the time that the Celts and other People of the Earth celebrate the ascension of the Spring sun and the banishing of Winter's darkness.  I had a few dreams come to me through the winter solstice, yesterday when I celebrated the Raven's desires I am seeing that some of them are beginning to take root.  I am remembering that there is no turning back on the Sun's return to the earth.  That one must forge ahead and raise ones eyes from the ground.

This is a time for rebirth and healing.  It is also sacred to Birghid who is the goddess of poetry and arcane learning...something I seem to do all the time and forgot who it was that was guiding me. Of her many names she is called the High One of Strength and goddess knows that there are times when strength is needed in one's life.

There are stories that she had a consort - the Irish King, Bres Mac Elatha...

I will celebrate tonight with fire, water,  I will drink from her well and honor her with red wine and do a little meditating on her nine gift"s:
spiritual appearances and blessings, such as poetry, reflection, meditation, lore, research, great knowledge, intelligence, comprehension and wisdom...goddess knows I could use this help.

Blessed be.

Le Conteur