This is so amazingly joyous to read all through, Cecelia. The visuals spanning decades, from Great Aunt Sis remembering the twenties and missteps and missed words, to you in bellbottoms, to the IL farm and the rain in Melbourne, all of it is the joy of living. Being alive. Thank you.
Cecelia has a lot to share each week, from Australia and Illinois and more. Glad for all you’re sharing these days. I quote you about being each other’s protectors. Very helpful framing.
For all the chaos and pain, we are finding our people and forging new ways to protect one another and what we love. Thank you for being part of it with me.
I agree that the times are tumultous, but none of you know what real fear is. I do. I spent a year in Viet Nam never knowing if we went out that day, would I come back OK, would I be killed, would I be maimed for life, would I get that "million dollar wound" and go home? You don't know what fear is until you have lived like that for a day, let alone a year. It changed me fore ever. Those of you who are afraid now, you only know the tip of real fear. God forbid that you ever know real fear.
That sounds dreadful Kenny. I am so sorry You are right that I have never felt real fear like that. Fear of losing my life. Though we don’t know for sure about others, here. My grandfather was in trenches and was also forever changed. I hope you have coping mechanisms that get you through the days. I cannot even imagine.
It pretty much went away when that Northwest Orient 707 lifted off from Cam Rahn Bay on the flight home. Most of all that time is securely locked away and hardly ever surfaces any more, but that time changed me forever, for the better I think. I think I look at things a lot differently than most younger people do now. None of them has ever to fight for what they have, and they seem OK with just giving it all away. One of these days, it will all be gone, and then what are they gonna do? We won't be around to fight for them, they will have to do it themselves, and I don't think most of them have it in them to do so.
Right? I feel it deep inside me but it seldom gets right out - maybe sometimes when it is just me in the kitchen. I bet we are both spontaneous though. That never really does go away!
Wonderful post, with news and stories and a fabulous way to start the day! I will be dressing up like we did in the 70s as a dear friend has a 70th birthday next month and that is the theme. I already have my wild, flower child bell bottoms ready to go. All I need now is a halter top!
So good to see the PopPops and the kids experiencing farming and the farmy Everything is growing like crazy here! I am planting marigolds and nasturtiums at the end of every veggie row and perennials in every other place I can where the ducks and deer won't eat them. Sending you big hugs from here.
I love nasturtiums- they are beautiful and cheerful and tasty. So glad to hear everything is growing again! The 70’s was an odd in between time as far as fashion went. Almost entirely bra less! And macrame! Do you remember macrame?!
This was as nice as a visit with a friend. Oh the places you took me just when I needed to go. I planted snapdragons today and poppies, something to look forward to. Because you are right: We need joy now. Thank you for your writing and the way you live your life.
lovely tales of then and now and here and there and all around. and somehow we find ourselves here and now in the same place and time, in this spot, reading and writing to each other. isn't the world amazing?
You and I are of an age, I think. I remember dances like this, but I was never able to get past the shyness enough to actually let go. I desperately wanted to dance, to move freely, to be a part of it, but when I actually got there, I desperately wanted to be somewhere else. There was a glass wall around me I couldn't crack. These days, I'll talk to anyone! I'm not sure where I lost my shell, but I'm grateful it's gone.
Today, we're going to prune trees and then shred the leaves and branches to go into the chook pen. They will turn it, manure it and turn it into compost for me, ready to start the vegie seeds soon.
If I only had a year left? I'm not sure I'd do anything very different. I'd get my paperwork in order, I'd give away a lot of stuff. I'd spend long hours talking and travelling and eating and rejoicing with the Husband and the doggos, so they had really good memories to hang onto when I was gone.
This is so amazingly joyous to read all through, Cecelia. The visuals spanning decades, from Great Aunt Sis remembering the twenties and missteps and missed words, to you in bellbottoms, to the IL farm and the rain in Melbourne, all of it is the joy of living. Being alive. Thank you.
I LOVED my bellbottoms - not too wide you understand - a little understated but certainly swinging!
Those were the days!
You captured the era so visually.
Cheers :)
Hans! Thank you for leading me here. This was good rest from our worries.
Cecelia has a lot to share each week, from Australia and Illinois and more. Glad for all you’re sharing these days. I quote you about being each other’s protectors. Very helpful framing.
For all the chaos and pain, we are finding our people and forging new ways to protect one another and what we love. Thank you for being part of it with me.
I agree that the times are tumultous, but none of you know what real fear is. I do. I spent a year in Viet Nam never knowing if we went out that day, would I come back OK, would I be killed, would I be maimed for life, would I get that "million dollar wound" and go home? You don't know what fear is until you have lived like that for a day, let alone a year. It changed me fore ever. Those of you who are afraid now, you only know the tip of real fear. God forbid that you ever know real fear.
That sounds dreadful Kenny. I am so sorry You are right that I have never felt real fear like that. Fear of losing my life. Though we don’t know for sure about others, here. My grandfather was in trenches and was also forever changed. I hope you have coping mechanisms that get you through the days. I cannot even imagine.
It pretty much went away when that Northwest Orient 707 lifted off from Cam Rahn Bay on the flight home. Most of all that time is securely locked away and hardly ever surfaces any more, but that time changed me forever, for the better I think. I think I look at things a lot differently than most younger people do now. None of them has ever to fight for what they have, and they seem OK with just giving it all away. One of these days, it will all be gone, and then what are they gonna do? We won't be around to fight for them, they will have to do it themselves, and I don't think most of them have it in them to do so.
“Where did that part of me go?” A question I am also asking. The easy laughter, the dancing around the kitchen, the spontaneity. 🤍
Right? I feel it deep inside me but it seldom gets right out - maybe sometimes when it is just me in the kitchen. I bet we are both spontaneous though. That never really does go away!
😊😊
Wonderful post, with news and stories and a fabulous way to start the day! I will be dressing up like we did in the 70s as a dear friend has a 70th birthday next month and that is the theme. I already have my wild, flower child bell bottoms ready to go. All I need now is a halter top!
So good to see the PopPops and the kids experiencing farming and the farmy Everything is growing like crazy here! I am planting marigolds and nasturtiums at the end of every veggie row and perennials in every other place I can where the ducks and deer won't eat them. Sending you big hugs from here.
I love nasturtiums- they are beautiful and cheerful and tasty. So glad to hear everything is growing again! The 70’s was an odd in between time as far as fashion went. Almost entirely bra less! And macrame! Do you remember macrame?!
Yes! I got pretty good at making macrame hanging flower pot holders! :)
Tell me you had a macrame bikini - I bet you did!
;) ;) ;)
Tissue... finally that song about being caught in the rain and drinking pina coladas makes sense now
Ha!! I laughed out loud at this comment! And you got me thinking about pina coladas!
This was as nice as a visit with a friend. Oh the places you took me just when I needed to go. I planted snapdragons today and poppies, something to look forward to. Because you are right: We need joy now. Thank you for your writing and the way you live your life.
We do. And this comment is a joy! Snap dragons and poppies - beautiful - those are definitely worth looking forward to. Happy Earth Day, Kelli!
lovely tales of then and now and here and there and all around. and somehow we find ourselves here and now in the same place and time, in this spot, reading and writing to each other. isn't the world amazing?
The world is amazing - this merry go round we call life. Afternoon Beth!
You and I are of an age, I think. I remember dances like this, but I was never able to get past the shyness enough to actually let go. I desperately wanted to dance, to move freely, to be a part of it, but when I actually got there, I desperately wanted to be somewhere else. There was a glass wall around me I couldn't crack. These days, I'll talk to anyone! I'm not sure where I lost my shell, but I'm grateful it's gone.
Today, we're going to prune trees and then shred the leaves and branches to go into the chook pen. They will turn it, manure it and turn it into compost for me, ready to start the vegie seeds soon.
If I only had a year left? I'm not sure I'd do anything very different. I'd get my paperwork in order, I'd give away a lot of stuff. I'd spend long hours talking and travelling and eating and rejoicing with the Husband and the doggos, so they had really good memories to hang onto when I was gone.
Chooks love those wood chips and doesn't the hen house smell divine after dropping a load of fresh shavings in there!