Sunday, April 26, 2009

#1 Son is 44 & my other Sunday musings

This charming face and the sparkle=eyed guy's tee shirt says it all! If there was ever a man who know the meaning of making the best of any situation, it's Jon William Satchwill, #1 son to Bill & Kathy (aka Kate) Satchwill and #1 grandson to Bill & Georgia Krider.  What a day to celebrate!  One of those "mother" moments like no other is to be reminded of the pain and pleasures of child-birth and child-raising--and then, to sit back and watch them grow--and GO off to school, then East or West, or college or wherever they go!  (Do ya think  I ever suffered much from empty nest syndrome????)

Always welcome back, as my own mother used to say, it's "home you can go to when there's no where else!"  When it comes to Jon, Sue & their #1 and only son Sean, there is little or nothing that is finer than to spend time with them--online, on the phone, in person here or there or anywhere!  Thanks, Jon, for all you do for others to make sure that what your shirt states is true, "Life is good" because you're part of it--for 44 years and many, many more!

In other thoughts as I watched the Sunday a.m. shows, then off to watch Bella play soccer WOW it was one heck of a competitive effort that ended in a tie but what a great head Bella has for this game!  Pun intended, she made some super plays.  Oh, as we left,  I had my toes rolled over by the tire on Kris' car (no major injury--just bruised and sore toes!) and on the way home got a "please come join us at the beach" call from Princess Natalie. Bill fixed Skyline, and now I am watching a new Desperate Housewives to be followed by a new Brothers & Sisters.  Much to muse about.

Doris Kearns Goodwin & Jon Meacham's conversation on Meet the Press was good historical perspective on the "hallmark" media-created moment of the first 100 days.  Obama's measure is his ability as a leader--his ability to pay attention to "time, focus and imagination" Doris said.  And from Jon, the argument that the President is doing too much, too fast, underestimates the ability of Americans.  So I'm musing less on the political/economic/foreign policy stresses--and feeling as if perhaps the best lesson of the first 100 days is that "we're in good hands!".  One of the Time photographers whose access brings them in touch with the reality of this historic Obama Presidency says "when I look at him I don't see the first African-American, I see the President of the United States."  I feel the same way--and I always admire, respect and want to follow a leader whose character, intelligence and world perspective is restoring confidence, pride and a sense of direction.

Questions of my morning musings and all week's blabbering, blogging and media marathon hyper-talk re torture and the possibility that someone has to be held accountable, punished and/or at least show remorse:  Did fear of lynching keep black men from running toward freedom?  Did torturing women, children, families of salves or Native Americans, or murdering Jews, or bombs of villages in Vietnam do more to inflame hate, or keep people "safer"?  What will time and truth reveal of the decisions and, in my opinion, the moral judgements of the Bush Administration.  I'm reminded of that phrase "you will know they are Christians by their love."   Jon Meacham reminded me of admonition from St Paul to "be patient in tribulation."  So I'm hoping for more patience than a mere 100 days as we wind our way out of the morass we have found ourselves in on this date in history.

April 26, 2009.  It's a great day for thinking back, and for imagining at least that I'll be around for 44 more years of living all that is good about life as I see it, hear it, touch it, taste it's yummies and smell the wafts of whatever it is that is making me sneeze while I'm sitting and thinking and dreaming and musing.


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Bob & Eva have left the USA--Bill's lost 6 more teeth!

By golly, Millsy & Bob look pretty much just like they did playing Annie's machines at the Greendale General Store!  Both have longer hair and yet, Vegas or the General Store--such easy goin' gamblers.  

After a long trip home by way of Jamaica (NOT the islands, the one in NY) and lost luggage, Bob & Eva have left our country!  

Good to hear that "we made it home, Mom" call, no matter how many miles or how many journeys.  Thanks, Bob. Hugs to Eva and Callicat.

Other news for those who knew--Bill did the minus 6 segment of his dental experience of a lifetime.  (7 gone, more to go!) For no one else is such a statement so nearly true--when he had to fill in the blank "last time to the dentist" he filled the blank with N/A.  In 71 years, he says he thinks he may have gone to a dentist once.  

Took another sick day--sick & tired, tired & sick and sick & tired of being tired & sick!!  Cold, wheezy nose drips and an ailing husband, do I deserve a break or what?  Good thing for this fun photo of "our boy Bob!" to cheer me up.  


Monday, April 20, 2009

CO April Snow Photos















Two reasons to double post this week--AND two great reasons why it's great to get up early in Broomfield, CO.  Sean Nathan who LOVES getting up (NOT!!!!) and beautiful sunrises to light up the mountaintops.  It's April, close to Jon's birthday so of course there is snow!   

Now it off to watch all the DVR'd late night shows that I fall asleep during.  

DAMN I am oh so looking forward to the end of school and the challenging-my-patience- responsibilities--and naps and not having to get up and be somewhere at 7 a.m.--I think!  


Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Musings




It's always fun to have someone call and say, "we're on on way from...and we'd love to stop".  Jane and Darrell hadn't ever been to Charlotte so they now officially join the group of folks who love the food, are a reason to gather together some "locals" have a good time, chatter through stories of who knows which Krider or in-law or outlaw or both--get Kris to cook in their super kitchen, Michele and the girls to hostess AND spend the afternoon on the bleachers cheering Sam's outstanding pitching! Plus perfect report cards, and tonight, supper at Azteca to celebrate #75 for the late great Joe Schmid--one"punny, punny" guy!  A special toast to the next grrrrrr---o-O-O-O-om, Kevin Josef. Call from CO that one more snow has already melted, a call from Bob & Eva--trip was terrific--lookin forward to a trip letter, cousin photos and a full report soon.  Heard from Jane that Brad's "visiting" Godmother Marijo plus some of her L'burg girlfriends will be there for blowing out candles-- I shall remind EVERYONE please, that I wanted a girl--everyone else including Dr. P. thought a "boy for Bobby"--I WAS RIGHT!!  

Coming home, Willie Nelson was crooning "Georgia on my Mind."  She and Dad should have lived to be 110 to see, hear and add to the stories.  Lengthy update from Linda Satchwill who last week celebrated #60, next week Marijo is #50, and April 23rd also is the date to think happy thoughts for all that Janie K. deYoung brought to us until those horrible final 84 days of a life too short.

Paul O'keefe, where & what # b'day were you celebrating?  I'm still jealous that Grandmother took Betsy to Boston (on the TRAIN!!!) to meet you!  

And then--April 29 is for celebrating Betsy and Grandma Satchwill.  THEN----IT'S MAY, IT'S MAY, THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY!

April really is awesome.  

 

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Hey Dad--Ya Watching?

WOW -- This Masters Tournament is frigging unbelievable! I'm on the laptop trying to keep from jumping out of my chair--I'M YELLING AT THE TV!!!!

At this point, it's just Phil and Tiger playing each hole at extraordiary levels of consummate confidence and competition. There's Kenny Perry the "old guy" at 48 who is from KY, back after knee surgery, & has a mom who's dying, & of course is my sentimental favorite, steadily staying in the moment, hoping to finish without blowing it. It's intense, competitive, spectacular to watch birdie boy Chad Campbell, funky Jim Furyk is so in it and Cabrera reminds me of Trevino and Murl Fox--and it's-- GOLF!

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Where are you?

Bill and I had supper last night with Rosemary and as almost always, one of our usual topics: "Where in the world are so many people we know?"

Bob & Eva are traveling from Swissland to the USA, perhaps meeting up just-by-chance with Pam & Linda Satchwill  who are in Vegas for a George Strait concert. For certain they will also enjoy good times with Scott & Tonya in San Francisco, and so many other friends and perchance a couple of cousins in CA. 

Etsuko is working and visiting India,  Dr. Schmid in Russia, friend Laura Swartley in Croatia (When I Googled Croatia I sighed at the beauty of the place--I wasn't really sure where in the world it is--It's also where I saw these beautiful Easter eggs; noted that Croatia & Albania just joined NATO and am politically deeeeee-lighted at the change in direction for foreign policy.)  

Ben Kaplan also just returned from Europe, according to Ann Satchwill's quick facebook report; I think my sister-in-law Jenny's still in Florida, Ruth is for sure home from the hospital & doing great, oh, and we know that Kris & Michele & family are off to a mountain cabin, Renee Kaplan is visiting Davidson from Northport, NY, Marg & Jack are going to KS and OK next week, and Jane & Darrell will visit here April 16th.  I guess there's nothing more intriguing than on any given day, to celebrate all the places and people who are travel-bound for business or pleasure and all of us in celebration of mobility!

At the same time, I am enjoying the delights of a Spring Break night at home--hangin' out in my oasis, had a sunny day, blue skies, sent off the taxes, got the car washed (do you love that commercial where the guy reminds the other guy that the sign says, CAR WASH--not rinsed!!! But I guess it's NOT such a good commercial because I have no idea what they're selling) 

Oh--speaking of commercials--I think I HEARD Sara Krider as the mother's voice for Mrs. Paul's--and if you haven't--go immediately to facebook or You Tube to see Michael Krider's writer's credits for an extremely thought-provoking  Film-Fest entry.  

Thanks for all the many Peeps thoughts--buy em cheap (cheep?) two weeks from now, save me a pack or two--I had some last night that were for sure from 2007--perfect!!!  When I finally get finished with this teaching gig I'll drive around and pick up stale peeps!  There's a plan.

Hop-py Easter, Alleluias and skipping mountains in mother's memory; for my Jewish family, I'm remembering the meanings of Passover, and if we're not so into the religious celebrations, these eggs are soooooo beautifully detailed, look around, and remember to pay attention to the minutia of each moment.  It's my reminder to practice patience and think of Grandmother/Mother's advice, "pretty is as pretty does!"  No matter that I'm sometimes sad, angry with righteous indignation, have those awful creaks, moans and groans, I'm going to be pink and pretty this week.