President Obama went to Russia, and I wish I’d gotten the t-shirt.

This is not a political post, but I’ve enjoyed several of the articles and photos that have come from the Obama family’s trip to Russia. Firstly, he met with Patriarch Kirill,

"In turn, His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL stated that he also highly regards the possibility of a meeting with the President of the United States. According to the words of His Holiness, not only political contacts between their two leaders are important for the development of relations between two countries, but also sincere relationships between the peoples of the nations.
His Holiness stated that “there is great potential for removing anti-American feelings in Russia and anti-Russian sentiments in America, and that is to include the feelings of the heart. The Russian Orthodox Church brought Orthodoxy to the American continent, and now there are good relations between our Orthodox American brothers. Even in the most difficult years of the Cold War we tried to maintain these good relations.”

Then, it was lovely to see this photo of Michelle Obama at a nursing school. I love that there’s an icon in the school, and apparently even a priest on staff. I also love their uniforms, they remind me of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr (on a side note, the article is quite interesting too)

Another side note, and I’d love for those in Russia or those who speak Russian to elaborate on it, was apparently much was made in the Russian media about the fact that Sasha Obama’s name is Natasha and not Alexandra (Natasha is the diminutive of Natalia; Sasha is the diminutive of Alexandra - I'm not quite sure how Sasha came from Natasha).

And, lastly, this is the t-shirt I wish I had. Hat tip to Russia Magazine

I’ve lamented the fact that my amazing husband and I are woefully out of whack on the Venn Diagram of musical tastes. However, he was kind enough to take me to see Duran Duran last night – and then spend time taking most of the photos of the band.

It was an outdoor concert, and other than horrific post-holiday traffic to get there (I allotted 3 hours for an hour and twenty minute trip, and we barely made it on time), the weather and the venue were fantastic.

When I was standing there listening to the band and watching their interactions on stage, I had one of those moments where I realized that I just love to watch them play live. It was a fabulous moment and I enjoyed myself very much.

I’ve not found an online review yet, but the set-list was a delight – they did most of their major hits, reached into the “closet”, as they called it, to pull out Election Day , which Simon indicated Duran Duran had never played live before (and it was delightful), they did a beautiful rendition of Do You Believe in Shame
(as a tribute to Michael Jackson), as well as two of my favorite songs off their newest album . One of my favorite things was they way the segued through the songs and their encore was a several song segue that featured, and returned to Girls on Film.

It was a lovely evening, and I’m thankful my Dh went with me*. The only bummer is apparently I am prone to Duran Duran knees after their concerts – I guess I dance too much. It’s an affliction I’ll gladly bear.

*He did mention that he was disappointed that they didn’t sing Too Much Information

I’ve been noticing birds lately. For the past few years, I’ve been hearing them at the retention pond, and have been paying attention to the ones outside (that the cat likes to “talk” to). I’ve written before about the fantastic Bird Note* on my local NPR station, through them I’ve learned that I’m hearing sparrows (I think, either that or wrens) and yesterday was a delightful bit about cuckoos in classical music.


Not only does this newfound awareness aid me in scrapbooking (since bird embellishments
are very in), but Sunday, I heard one of my favorite passages at Liturgy:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Matthew 6:25-33)

Yesterday, I was standing on the back deck of a home I was showing, and was listening to the jays** in the tree, and seeing a squirrel in the yard, and reflecting that I often get caught up in worrying, in trying to control what I cannot. It was a good reminder to stop and listen to the birds.

(photo credit – and a fantastic photo it is!)

*They have the kickiest theme music
**the person to whom I was showing the house pointed out that we were hearing jays

Awhile ago, the lovely Helena sent me an email advising me that she thought I’d enjoy The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. In a small world story, I got my copy from the fabulous Janelle through Paperback Swap.

It arrived and I just finished reading it. What was funny is that it has splashed on the cover “Hugo* and Nebula** Award Winning” – I grew up with a Sci-Fi reading mom, and Dh is certainly no stranger to the genre, so I know what those awards are, but I can probably count on one hand the number of Hugo and/or Nebula Award winners I’ve personally read.

Anyway, the book was very good – it was a time travel book between a time in the not to far future where people can be sent back in time (but the technology is pretty new) and the 14th Century. The 14th century part is what I think Helena specifically thought I’d relate to, and she was right. It was very well researched and the storyline was interesting.

However, it unfolded slowly. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it made me contemplate how some books read quickly and some don’t. Admittedly, I did have family visiting and not a lot of time to read, but it took me something like 10 days to read this 500 page book (which is definitely not the norm for me). What makes a book read quickly or slowly? Is it writing style? Font? Subject matter? Each idea I toss out there has something that makes me say, “no, that’s not quite it” – for example – War and Peace reads much quicker than the Brothers Karamazov. What do you think?

Anyway, thank you so much Helena for thinking of me, and Janelle for sending it to me. I enjoyed reading it – and now I can say “oh, yeah, I read Hugo Award winners”

*although, looking at that list – I’ve read the 2005, 2001, 1970, 1962, and 1954winners as well
**and Nebula – the 2007, 1969 and 1966.

(photo credit)

Congratulations to our High School Graduate. Where did the time go? Many Years!

And, Dh and I with him
We have had a busy weekend with lots of family visiting, a Graduation party, and a whirlwind trip to Canada to boot. I will write more later, now I have to get ready for another family visit.

This morning, I finished up my 50th book of 2009 (whoot, I’m on track to make or beat my last year’s total.) The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.* It was not quite what I expected, but interesting all the same. Her relationship with her father looms large over her life, and in many ways dwarfs her relationship with her mom** and sometimes even her children and husband. The last chapter is her manifesto, and she reads it here:



One of the things that struck me that I’m still kicking around is her comment that she doesn’t remember anything before the age of five, and if she were to die (she’s battled Breast Cancer) now, her children wouldn’t remember her.

I contemplated this thought – I have many very clear memories before I was five, but I might be a bit unusual in that – I know both my Dh and the C-man have made similar comments. As Dh’s dad died when the X-man was 3, I worry about this. One of the things that my mom told the C-man after his death was that he was the guardian of memories about his grandfather for his brother.

How do we keep memories for us and for our children? How are we sure that we are leaving an indelible mark on those around us? I know that in many ways, this Blog has helped me with this goal, but of course I didn’t start it when my children were born. Another way I chronicle my memories is through scrapbooking – but are these the memories our children and family cling to? In three generations, is anyone going to care about my paper obsession? They probably won’t but God willing, I do hope that someone remembers that I was fun to be around, had a great smile, and loved them with all my heart and soul.


*This is an entry in the “Mimi is a day late and a dollar short” department – it was the May Page Nibblers Book
** Bwahahahahahahahah – on Kelly’s blog, click on the Mother’s Day video. Giggle. Her mom rocks.

A Woman’s Daybook

For Thursday, June 4, 2009

Outside my window...We have been in quite the heat wave – it’s about 90 today, and has been hot and sunny for over the week. Allegedly it will cool down and rain is moving in. I also have quite the sunburn to show for my time in the sun. All is well now, as I have a tube of new sunscreen
I am thinking...that I need to be more consistent about blogging. I love to read everyone’s posts, and the discussion that ensues when I blog, so why don’t I do it more?
I am thankful for...family visiting next week, and for the C-man graduating High School on Thursday.
From the learning rooms…See above – graduation next week. Pretty much no learning going on near as I can tell for either of the boys. Did I mention it is really sunny?
From the kitchen...Our first CSA box of the year arrived yesterday; I’m planning on a salad with feta, nuts and berries and bread
I am wearing... a black linen skirt and a black, tan and white striped polo shirt. And, of course, my black Clarks sandals (actually, that's incorrect - I should say, with my black Clarks kicked off and near my chair)
I am creating...I was able to scrap over the weekend and have a few pages to finish up. I need to make some cards tonight; I’ve been working on getting them planned out in my head. I mailed the ATC swap yesterday, so once they start arriving, I’ll post the projects.
I am going...to Pentecost Vigil at our parish’s Chapel in the Foothills. Sunday, our parish’s Pentecost will not be held there, but the afterwards potluck should be.
I am reading...An utterly forgettable book about Jane Seymour, Plain Jane. It’s pleasant, but nothing stands out about it.
I am hoping...to blog more.
I am hearing...Mariners games on the radio as our cable needs to be upgraded and the first appointment we could get was late next week. (This is not happening right now, it’s an off day)
Around the house...Our cat needs hypoallergenic food. Dh and I have been medicating her twice a day, which is a two person job. Thankfully, she is doing very well on the meds and new diet, and is healing up nicely.
One of my favorite things...that moment when you get into a warm car – it gets too hot almost immediately lately, but there’s something about sitting in the sun that feels good (especially after our winter)
A few plans for the rest of the week – I always answer this on the “I am going…” spot, so see above.