Stile Antico

is the name of the exquisite group I heard last night.  Twelve gorgeous voices, filling St. James Cathedral.  A truly lovely evening.

It was also a treat to wander around the city and see the decorations--here's the cool star of Macy's by the holiday carousel.

St. James on 9th.

poetry & coinage

So the country waited awhile to share cents with me, but then it started in with a dime.  Think that is a nice precedent.  And while today's poem specifically states 'November', I think the sentiment works for any wintery month.

Never mind

      that guests no longer come unannounced
      or that the photo album contains pictures
of much younger people than we remember being

     never mind that swallows etch Sanskrit
              on the wrinkled sky

                 it's November
     and the present is emptying its wine
                into our glasses

     never mind that we're not touching now

because our shadows are holding hands
         in the dark behind our backs

"Never Mind" by Denver Butson, from Illegible Address.

cosiness

Yeah; jury-rigged an extension cord, so I have lamplight with which to grade papers!

  This is the other end of my shoe-filled closet.

Think one of the nice things about living in a greyish climate is that the lights seem to twinkle more.

no change

just realized that it has been over a month since I've found any money on the ground.  At least there are still metaphoric pennies--gorgeous sun rise during my morning ramble was a shiny moment in the day.

And my students continue to delight--today, got to hear their reports on their first American Thanksgiving.  To a person, they raved about smashed potatoes....kept trying to tell them they are mashed, but then we agreed that either phrase is applicable.

I've pretty much always had great students, but I've never had students who thanked me by name at the end of every single class period.  

We'll see if they still do that after finals.

scenes from Suquamish

 Okay.  Seems that these heads of concrete are considered tres chic on this island.  This sprite is beside my new parking space.

Dee-lightful little purse found at an incredibly reasonable vintage store in Pouslbo.  Now, I need an event to which to carry it.

Behold my closet.  I just stand and admire the neatness and order.

 Walking out a pulled lumbar muscle, found this blustery view of Agate Pass.

and here is an outside shot of my new living quarters.  For now.

the very least

“The very least you can do in your life 

is figure out what you hope for. 

And the most you can do

is live inside that hope.

Not admire it from a distance, 

but live right in it, 

under its roof.”

 

~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

poetry of gratitude

Just returned from a jaunt to Portland for T-day.  Despite the most lengthy water-logged/windy drive I've encountered from here to there, there are many gratitudes at present.

One of the largest stalks of Brussel sprouts I've seen--so tender and tasty--despite some of the eye-rolling of suspicion over this dish.

Happy dog and uncle enjoying some quiet time.

Glorious lefse, puffing up nicely.  Think this is the latest in the season I've ever waited to make a batch.  Cousin J & I tried using a tortilla press, but found the results were too thick. 

Setting of the table beginning.

filling with food

Aunt E capturing another view of the table (and styling her new wig.)

Thanks, indeed.