Friday, November 25, 2011

Look! Up In The Sky.... It's A....

I'm laying in bed this morning, still involved with my post-Thanksgiving, turkey induced comma....minding my own business and luxuriating in the warmth and softness of the flannel sheets. Having a love affair with Morpheus.

The bedroom door creeks open a wee crack and then next there is a Scottie presence anxiously standing next to the bed. And, it goes like this:

Rory: Mum! Mum! Ye mun wake now!
Holly: Boydog, no, go away. Mum is resting...
Rory: MUM! Ye mun get up ast ah need ye strrraight away!
Holly: Go play with Fiona, I'm meditating...
Rory: MUM!!!! ARRRROOOOOO!
Holly: Oh for heaven's sake, Rory, what is it?!
Rory: Gae and get yer picsturrre taker now! Ah need ye tu capture the mirrracle that Sirius has sent tuday!
Holly: What the heck are you talking about? What miracle??
Rory: (As he noses the curtains at the bedroom window aside,) Luk at the sky!!! See it?!
Holly: Oh my goodness! Yes, I see it...
Rory: Quick like Mum aforrre it gaes away....

I jump out of bed,run for the camera, and come back to the window as Rory is anxiously hopping about. And, this is what had him so excited. Can you see it too?


Click on the picture to make it bigger if you can't see that, in the sky hangs a Cross of St. Andrew! Yes, that is Scotland's flag done in nature's colors.

St. Andrew's day in November 30th, so this is a wee early, but Rory and Fiona are thrilled that Sirius sent them a living sign of their homeland heritage. Now that is a site to earn an ARRROOOOO! We stood there wondering about it and then Rory whispered, "Ack, tis grrrrand, aye?" Me, "Yes Boydog, it is indeed."

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka MUM

Sunday, November 20, 2011


May your day of rest be as restful.


Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Thursday, November 17, 2011

90 Whole Days And Counting


Well, here is Ava and her three month picture. Laura wrote, "Ava is now three months and I asked Livy to help me by holding the sign. Needless to say she was quite excited by that and wouldn't stop waving it around!"

I couldn't help but laugh when I look at Ava's expression. Is it just me or do you, also, hear her pleading, "Someone please, please help me!"

When I look back on Livy's series of monthly birthday pictures that I've shared on the blog, I get an immediate feeling of serenity and calm. Love in quiet motion captured in a quick click of a camera.

Somehow, now, when looking at photos of Livy & Ava together, I get the distinct impression that things at the Gonzalez house have changed and life as we knew it, will never be the same. Let the wild rumpus begin!

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Great Aunt Holly x2

Monday, November 14, 2011

What Can You Say?

Saturday evening, Michael and I were standing on line in the men's department at J.C. Penney, waiting for our favorite sales man to complete his business with an elderly couple.

We couldn't help but hear Gary as he said all the usual things, such as, "Oh, yes, I think the tie you've chosen will go very well with this suit and a white shirt. You will look very nice."

Then a bit later, he said to the woman, "Aren't they twin boys? Played football for Franklin? Yes, I waited on them a couple of years back when they needed suits for home coming!"

The woman smiled and said, "Yes! You have a great memory. Those are our grandsons and they're in their last year in college now. She was their older sister."

And, then Michael and I turned to chat with each other and waited patiently while Gary demonstrated once again why he's so good at his job.

When it was our turn, he answered our questions and chatted. Then he said, "That couple came in tonight so he could buy a suit for a funeral. Did you hear the news about the Pittsburgh couple who were killed while they were on honeymoon? Well, that's their Granddaughter. They were only married six days and it sounds like everyone really loved them. So very sad."

And, I know we live in a small town, but even so, I couldn't help but wonder, "What are the odds, that we'd have an opportunity to put a human face on a tragic news story like that?" On a Saturday night at the mall, we run into a couple who, just a few short weeks ago were gathered with loved ones and celebrating the happy marriage of two young people full of promise and joy. What can you say?


I don't personally know any of these people. But, that few short moments brought me in touch with this on a personal level. It reminds me to be kind when I am out and about, because you never, never can know what sadness can be walking around with a person as they carry their packages through the mall.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly
Photo by Joe Appel Photography

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Silent Sermon Sunday


A quiet Sunday morning...such a blessing.


Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Like Oil & Water

This critter is a vole, sometimes called a meadow mouse. I looked hard to find an image that make it look less icky... trust me, when you see them, they aren't cute at all.


This critter is, of course, Rory. I don't have to look hard to find an image to make him look cute because it's just not possible for him to look any other way.

Once again, he reminded me that voles and he simply do not mix. As of this morning, it's: Voles/0 : Rory 12. You go Boydog.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka The Great White Hunter's Mommer

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

They Grow Up So Fast!

Ahhh....isn't she adorable?! That's little Holly Dolly with her eyes open and sporting her new red collar. Oh yeah, you know you want to cuddle her. Go on, admit it! After all, she's getting used to it.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Dogmother Holly to Holly
Photo courtesy of Lynn Jennings Spencer

Monday, November 7, 2011

Same Face, Different Perspective


One of the things that cousin Val and I came across in this summer's cleaning out of my aunt Kat's apartment, were photos that she treasured and kept. This one of her parents, must have been a favorite because it was sandwiched under the glass of her dresser. A place that she was sure to see every day when she stopped to grab an under garment or dab some perfume behind her ears.

I was unfamiliar with this one. I don't know where it was taken, or what was the occasion. It must have been a special one, for Nanny is wearing her jewelry. I've seen other photos of Nanny, The World's Meanest Woman with her husband of fifty-plus years, but this one is new to me. And, I don't know if it's because it is now mine through the poignant process of losing my last aunt, or that I'm simply older now, but for whatever reason this photo has become quickly special.

I've shared bits and pieces of my life with Nanny and Grandpop in stories like Going Downtown and In English Please, but when I look at this photo, I know there are tons more stories that I have locked inside that I hope bubble up to the surface.

As an adult child when I look at this photo, I realize that as much as I might know about these two mainstays of my childhood, there's so much I don't know about them. Will never know about them.

I remember my Grandfather as pleasant, dapper, laughing and smiling easily, flirting with the ladies, welcoming to the patrons who came to our restaurant, who spoke English with his quaint broken accent. He hugged frequently and patted your back. I don't ever recall him in 'casual' clothes, he always wore a button down shirt and suit pants. He very often wore a carnation in his lapel when working the dinner service at The Town House. He liked his Old Grand Dad and water each night before dinner. He hated rigatoni, calling them "blankets," whenever Nanny made them for dinner. And, the picture confirms my memories of him.

What I find to be the most interesting, however, is the genuine smile on my Grandmother's face. That's not something I remember about her. I recall occasional smiles...occasional bouts of laughter when she was speaking with someone in the family about some experience or memory.

But mostly I remember her as quiet, stern, opinionated, cutting, organized, capable, determined, reserved around anyone not part of the family, cool. And, in a word- mean. I also remember her being an excellent cook, home maker, captain of the restaurant kitchen, the woman who kept us warm, clean, fed.

Her English, as I remember it, was not so smooth as Pop's. Her dialect came through much stronger. She had hair that was quite long and worn in a controlled bun at the back of her head, under a fine hair net that often had tiny beads of various colors throughout. Her hair was silver in the front and sides, but very dark at the crown and back of her head. An odd juxtaposition, just as many parts of her were juxtaposed.

When I look at this picture, I can see she is wearing the gold bracelet that she left to me. I wore it every day until the finish wore in places and the hinging mechanism broke beyond repair. I loved that bracelet, and now realize, that what I really loved is that she left it to me. It's long since gone...but my memories of Nanny are still very much here.

When I look at this picture, I see a smile that she obviously possessed but hid. It's almost startling to me. Where did she keep it? Why didn't she bring it out more? Did she use it only on certain people and in certain situations? And, if so, why don't I remember it as clearly as I can remember the color of her hair and that she used Pond's Cold Cream every night before bed?

It's not as though she saved them all for Pop. He used to aggravate her most days. She was constantly telling him what and when to do things. Just as she did all of us. They could be very sparky with each other. Mostly, Pop ignored things and just quietly went about his day. But, there were times when the Albaneze was quite voluble at 201 W. 27th Street.

When I see this picture, now as an adult, I see a woman who seems to know joy. Knows how to smile. Knows how to be in relationship with another Human Being. And, I'll always wonder why she didn't or couldn't share that with me. Or why that is not my recollection of her. Did she love me? Absolutely...in her way. Of this I have no doubt. I just don't have the sweet memories of her like so many do of their Grandmothers.

And, I suppose that while I will always call her, Nanny The World's Meanest Woman, what this picture gives me is a new perspective of a familiar face and forces me to consider that most of us, no matter how well someone thinks they may know us, are so much more and complex. And often require us to open our minds and hearts to consider them further.

When I look at this picture, I am compelled to say, "Hello Nanny, it's so good to meet you."

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Louisa Dituri's Grand Daughter

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Silent Sermon Sunday

We are grateful for the signs of bounty & friends in our lives.
Thank you, Rebecca, for a wonderful day working together!


Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka The Applesauce Maker
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