The Perfect Day

For most people, the weekend is the time they catch up on laundry, errands, and anything not done during the week. It also serves as the perfect two-day "vacation" for quality time with loved ones. The usual weekend is two days, but for me the weekend never starts until Sunday. Sunday is my perfect day.

While Ryan works on Saturdays, I run errands and get caught up from a busy week. I can't wait for Sunday; that's the day when I can relax and spend time with my husband. It is my favorite day of the week. It starts with a meditative morning at church and then usually we go to brunch. The remainder of the day is spent watching a movie, going to a museum, exploring some place new, or just enjoying quiet time at the house. It is the moments when we walk around hand-in-hand and when we play trivia on Ryan's cell phone while we wait for the movie to start that I know we are perfectly matched. He makes me laugh. Only with him do I feel sunshine radiate within me.

It doesn't take much to make the day special, in fact is the simplest things that make me the happiest on a Sunday. I dread the end of the day because it means Monday will be here before I know it and I will have to wait another week for my favorite day. We will have the evenings when we can catch up fopr a couple of hours after work and before a class or other commitment. We can chat and enjoy time together over a quick dinner, but it is never like Sunday. It is on Sunday that we are able to finally just bask in one another and the love we have for one another. Is everyone blessed with this kind of day? Does everyone have the perfect day?

Most recent books:
"Female Troubles" a compilation of short stories by Antonya Nelson
"Interpreter of Maladies" a compilation of short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
"Wyoming Stories" a compilation of short stories by Annie Proulx

Music:
"Union Street" by Erasure (great unplugged performance of some of their best songs)

The Struggling Dove

Today, as I was driving to the parking lot at the mall, I was approaching a small object moving around on the road. As I drove closer, I finally saw that the moving object was a poor frail pigeon that had injured its wing. It tried to use its strong wing to lift it up off the ground. Its struggle was painful to watch. I started to drive past and a pain hit me in my chest. It needs help. Then, I thought...bird flu. What if it bites me? What can I do to help? So, I dismissed myself from doing anything. But, the pain it was obviously feeling, pained me as well. As a fellow creature, shouldn't I help it? Can I let the bird stay in pain?

I made a U-turn and parked my car in a spot not far away. I walked across the road and stood over the bird. It saw me and its will to fly away was even stronger. The drivers in the oncoming cars on the other side of the street looked at me to see what I was doing. I assessed the situation and went and got a magazine out of my car...hoping I would be able to move the bird over into the bushes where it could be in peace and not have the risk of being run over.

The pigeon made a slight sound from its throat. It wasn't quite a sqwuak, but almost an escaping whisper. His feathers were a beautiful grey, so soft and heathered looking. The tips were white. Perhaps this wasn't a pigeon, but a dove? His big black eyes were innocent and full of fear as I approached him with the magazine. I began to put the magazine under the bird and then found myself jumping back slightly when the bird's beak moved in my direction.

I slowly began again and the breathy gasps continued to come out of its yellow beak. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I finally got the bird's entire body onto the magazine. My chest ached for the hurt this animal was in. I started sobbing as I scooted the magazine across the gravel and onto the side of the road in the bushes. The bird was still struggling to take flight.

Once the magazine bed with its bird occupant was by the green leafy bush, I crouched down and looked at him. He kept moving around and looking up at me. I so wanted to pet him and feel the soft down that was still showing from under his wing. He was still a baby. I didn't know what else to do. I felt helpless. If I was knowledgeable with birds I would take him home. But, what could I do? I just leaned over the bird and prayed. I prayed that God would make him better or otherwise take him out of his misery. When I opened my eyes, the bird wasn't moving around anymore. I gasped, certain that the bird had died. Instinctively, I lightly tapped the magazine. The bird's head looked up at me. Was he saying "thank you?"

Every single day, we live and work with other people. And so often we watch them struggle on their own. We are afraid to help. We are afraid of what we may find. We are afraid to get to close and feel a deep connection. This emotion and ability to connect is what makes us human. Why do we deny it?

Ryan, my husband, he understands this need to connect. Just the other day, as we were driving home, we encountered someone stuck in the intersection. Without thinking, Ryan jumped out of the car and helped the man push his stranded vehicle to the nearest gas station. As I watched him do this act of kindness, I was never prouder to say...that's my husband. What a good man he is! He is the kind of person more people should strive to be.

Life is a struggle. Life is turmoil. We are all like the dove on the side of the road. What would it be like if we were all left to struggle alone? What an existence that would be. We should hold a hand out to one another.

Blessings

So it has been a while since I took the time to write in my blog. Life has been happening and my blog is what has suffered. There have been multiple blessings in my life over the past several months. Since this is the Lenten season I thought it would be the perfect time to count out some of my blessings...here are some...
1. A sweet, kind, loving husband.
2. Got married to the love of my life in a beautiful wedding on a perfect day.
3. Travelled to Australia; another continent under my belt.
4. Shared a beach front room and Tahiti with my terrific husband.
5. Part of a wonderful church family.
6. Supportive friends who love and care for my husband and I.
7. A comfortable haven for a home.
8. Family members who stand behind my husband and I in all we do.
9. Neighbor and friend who is the perfect Bible study partner.
10. Two adorable pets.
11. And, last, but not least, the love of a merciful God.

Books..."The Photograph" by Penelope Lively; brilliant storytelling. Currently reading Fifth book in the Harry Potter series.

Music...Bernard Fanning's "Tea and Sympathy" This wonderful Australian artist is a golden find. I am in love with his music.

P.S. Always knew that Chloe would win Project Runway.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

For the past two days this song has lilted through my brain waves. Dionne Warwick is pounding my head with her light tinkling voice. Why? Yesterday I took the love of my life to the airport so he could spend the week in San Jose. He is learning the ins and outs of the highly engineered equipment he uses in his job. After this week he will be able to fix the equipment. It's perfect for him...he loves to take things apart and put them together.

I have never been to San Jose. I picture green rolling hills with high-glazed buildings. Every surface is reflective or translucent. To me, this is the image of silicon valley--shiny, metallic contrast against a lush landscape that is northern California.

I just recently finished One Hundred Years of Solitude. A powerful, creative book filled with interesting characters. It follows the entire history of a town and the family that founded it. It was all at once overwhelming and underwhelming. Details on important historic happenings were crammed into a single paragraph while a single animal description could take up two pages. So many people had told me about this book and I read it with great anticipation. But, in the end, I was only satisfied slightly. The characters are described in such a way that the adjectives that relate them are removed. There are no emotional ties to these characters...you never truly feel them. There are moments when they creep into your heart, but quickly, he tears them away with a mundane, unrelated detail. The imagination behind this book is stunning, but I was not sad when the characters died.

Right now, I am reading Stop-Time by Frank Conroy. It is wonderful wonderful wonderful! It is considered the quintessial book for creative nonfiction. His voice captures the mood so thoroughly. You take a journey with a boy and you never want it to end.

I have decided to concentrate on one book at a time for the moment. No more juggling books. Next book will be the completion of Cold Mountain. I have enjoyed this book so much that I have been holding off on finishing it. I don't want it to go away. But, my best friend has insisted I finish so she can talk to me about it. Everyone should read this book! It is pure genius and beauty.

Before I go...recent bands I am in love with...Hot Hot Heat, Embrace and The Shout Out Louds. Two are from Britain (gee, that's a surprise) and the other is from Scandinavia.

"...do you know the way to San Jose...doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo doo-da-doo-da-doo..." Shut Up, Dionne Warwick!

Figs

Today at lunch, I pondered the beautiful fig. As I ate my Fig Newtons, I thought of the rounded fruit and its luscious center--sweet and sticky. I searched the Internet and found that this lovely fruit was brought to California by the Spanish missionaries. There are many many varieties of the fruit, some with elegant stripes of varigation. It is no wonder the fig has been the subject of paintings. I think figs are a fruit that makes one think of rich, lavish living. It belongs on a plate accompanied by the finest cheese and wine. I don't know how well they grow in Arizona, but I am thinking that perhaps I will find out. I would love to have a fig tree. It is time to stop by ponderance and get back to work.

If you would like to learn more about figs, visit online at www.californiafigs.com.

A Post Script

Current Readings...
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Both are excellent books. I would recommend them to anyone.

Another recommendation...
Visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Park near Flagstaff, Arizona. We went to this park over Fourth of July and I was awe at the power and force of nature, as well as its beauty. We hiked around Sunset Crater Park and Wupatki Park for the day. Wupatki contains ruins from native americans that lived in the region in 1026 A.D. Just astounding.

Music I had discovered...
Michael Buble. Velvety smooth crooner that can make anyone's heart melt.

Just Touching Base

I hadn't realized how long it has been since I wrote in my blog. Life after school has been busy and so fulfilling. The wedding plans are going along swimmingly. It has been a wonderful experience with family and friends helping out. It is so nice to have so many around you that care about you and are excited about celebrating the love you have for one another. We are two lucky people surrounded by caring people. I am having a hard time understanding why so many people consider wedding planning stressful. It has been nothing but fun and anticipation. Of course, I am most looking forward to our honeymoon...Australia and Tahiti are going to be fabulous! I have been reading books about both places in order to get the full experience. One such book is Mutiny on the Bounty--if you have never read it, you must! It is a great adventure book.

Amongst the excitement and fun, real life pokes its head in once in a while. The company I am working for is merging with another of its kind. The stress at work has been enormous, but with the love and support I have from my family and friends, it has been easy to swallow. I feel blessed everyday, especially on those days when naysayers and judgmentalists find it their place to "rain on the parade."

In the past few months, I have learned there are two kinds of people: people who fear change, and those who like to face it head on and accept what it has to offer. Those who fear change take it upon themselves to be negative even when those in front of them are overcoming the adversity with dignity and an unspoiled heart. Those who welcome change, ride the sea of change with anticipation and an open heart. I am glad to know that my love and I are surrounded by those who welcome change...we all ride in the boat together.

As I write this I think about that movie, Parenthood. In the end of the film, life is compared to a rollercoaster. Do you just buckle up and enjoy the ups and downs life throws your way? Or, do you resist and leave your head dangling over the side of the car? I would much prefer putting my hands up in the air...one free and flowing, the other holding onto my love's...enjoying the ride together without losing who we are.

Life is wonderful. It holds so many new and inspiring things for us to discover. Finding these things on my own is an experience I enjoy, but searching and uncovering these things with my soulmate is an experience I cherish. No two people could know more what love is about and the power it has to overcome all of those unknowns. I thank God every day for the life I have and the people I can share it with.