LIGHTS OUT

Earth Hour will be 8:30 to 9:30 PM local time

on Saturday, March 28, 2009. For one after-dark hour once a year, electric lights will be turned off in many cities, organizations, homes, and governments.

Think of the energy savings! It may seem like just a demonstration, but think of the progress of Earth Day over the past 40 years. Sydney, Australia had 2.2 million participants in 2008.

The United Nations building has pledged total darkness for tomorrow night. Other places with a concerted effort will conduct star-gazing parties. Are you able to see stars in your sky over your home?

Are you willing to sit in the dark for one hour for Mother Earth?

I will refer you to Wikipedia for more information. Please pass it on. Thanks.

Spring In Her Step

Callie was here yesterday (along with Ruth, Chad, Uncle Zack, and Stephanie). We assembled for a family dinner and time together.

This child constantly amazes me. She walked in the back door, chattering away, looking for the puppies (Lexie and Katie). Then she looked for the drum, then she went out to the game room and asked for the "balls". (We took all the billiard balls from the pool table and put them on the floor.) She walked around the pool table, placing each ball into the pockets. Her maneuvers reminded me of a Sunday comic strip called the "Family Circus". Sometimes, the strip would illustrate the circuitous route that Billy would take going next door...stopping to pick up a rock, eying a trash can lid and stopping to play with it as a shield to his imagined role as a conquering soldier, etc.

Then she wanted to go out back. Everyone sat around on the patio and we watched her go about her explorations. If she tripped and fell, she got back up, dusted her hands off, and continued on. After the patio was fully conquered, she wanted to make her way through the yard. Chad walked her around, with Callie pointing the direction to proceed. I watched them walk around the yard, noticing that as they came to the back fence, Callie wanted to peek over the other side, so they did.

Callie saw that I had a glass of tea. She marched up to me and said "Drink (dink), please." She took big drinks, and some spilled out onto her shirt. This child didn't stop moving, always on the look-out for the puppy. At one time, she couldn't sight Lexie who had gone around the side of the house. "Puppy, puppy, puppy?", while scanning the area. More tumbles, asking to go in and out, looking for GaGa to say "Hi!"; working her way back to the patio...kneel on the floor of the game room, peering out to the patio with her nose and hands pressed to the window pane.

When dinner was served, she sat in her high chair, expertly stabbing her cantaloupe and sausage and vegetables with her fork. Mom and Dad commented on their ambivalent feelings about her dexterious accomplishments--they were proud but also sad that their little girl was making her growing up progress at what seemed to be lightening speed.

Callie has always been a thrill-seeker---never afraid to try something new. And if she hasn't mastered something on the first attempt....she persistently tries again and again.

What a joy it is to experience this sweet child's exploration of her world!

Evolution Revolution

Bill Cosby used to open his stand-up comedy routine with "I started out as a child." Me too. True for us all---not an awakening or an aha moment.

Over the past year I have had time for reflective thought. I have thought about my journey of life...where I started and the experiences of life and persons that have shaped my persona up to this point.

I don't mean for this to sound narcissistic...I remember one moment in my life in my pre-teen years just like it was today. I was standing in front of a mirror, thoughtfully studying my reflection, and wondering who that person REALLY was looking back at me from the mirror. I was aware that I actually did not know that person; and I asked things like "will I ever know her...how can one really know their self..."

None of us will know ourselves as others know us. We are different people at 13, 33, 53, and 73. We open a book, pore through chapter by chapter, and at some point we will close the book. When the book is finished and we think about all that transpired within the various pages, will we be pleased with epilogue, will the book serve as an enlightenment to our souls, will we be better for having read that book?

I'm about to begin Chapter 58. I'm not anxious to reach the end of the book to find out what happens. Each chapter stands alone and piques my interest. I just hope that at completion, the book will have been worth the read!

On The Lookout For The Blues

On my journey across the George Bush this morning, I was traveling slow enough (rush hour--a misnomer if there ever was one!), I spotted a small cluster of bluebonnets on the south side of the toll road. I was surprised to see them so early this year.

They were a welcome sight. I was on the same route last Thursday, but did not see any.

I suppose this means no more freezing weather, even though jacket weather is forecasted for Wednesday through the weekend.

Enjoy your Spring--enjoy your first sighting of the blues this year! I'm sure there will be a "Callie in the bluebonnets" photo op very soon!

One Year

Today is the first anniversary of Clu Flu's death. I have approached this day by concentrating on all the good things this man gave to me. I miss him deeply. And I don't think that will change.