For years I kept journals -- in composition, spiral bound, and French graph paper books. This blog is an attempt to get back to writing and documenting the world around me using photos, newspaper headlines, and other articles.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Inauguration Day

I started watching the Inauguration coverage as the Vice President was introduced and made his way down to the big platform area at the Capitol.  From then on, I couldn't look away.  I'm not certain what it was about this ceremony more than others, but I thought it was absolutely beautiful.

The opening prayer by Myrlie Evers-Williams -- I could listen to her speak all day.  Her voice is so deep and lush.  She was able to make the connection between this Inauguration on Martin Luther King Jr. in a way that few others could.  The President's speech was surprisingly short, I thought.  I appreciated the line paraphrased that the truths that we hold as self-evident have not been self-executing.  Here is a  link to his whole speech.  Also, the place where he was talking about the wars we have been involved in, but at the same time, he knows that peaceful engagement is a more durable way to lift suspicion and fear.  That is so true.  We saw this with super storm Sandy.  Once the NJ Governor Christie met the President, he had much different things to say about him, because he had spent time with him.  Once you engage the other in a normal human interaction, it is harder to demonize and belittle.

But the part that I found most moving was the poem by Richard Blanco.  I'm sure that reading this piece earlier in the day shaped my hearing of his poem.  I just thought it so beautiful.  The full text was reprinted in Politico along with other places.  His poem was written for the special day, on this particular anniversary with the events of our time woven in the words.  We live on one planet, underneath the same sky, breathing the same air and hearing the same sounds. And to imagine that he has been able to write such powerful poetry having endured abuse as a child is a miracle in and of itself.

Rev. Luis Leon gave the benediction.  Instead of closing only with "in Jesus' name we pray," he prefaced that with letting others pray to the One dearest, most holy to them.  What a way to bring in all the audience.  There are Americans who pray to someone other than Jesus and who love America just as much.  Combine all the inspirational words with James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce singing -- it was a stellar celebration of our government at its best.

Shortly after the ceremony ended, Heather and Joshua left.  Less than a 1/2 hour later, Selim and I also drove away from the Ashram.  I was so sleepy driving home.  I opened the window to let the 25 degree air inside the car.  When I grabbed my water bottle for sip, I realized that I wouldn't be drinking anything because the water froze overnight. Seeing how slapping my thighs wasn't keeping me awake either,  I went in a drive through to get a caffeinated beverage.  Once I got home and unpacked, I went into the back bedroom and promptly fell asleep.  When I woke up, I turned the TV back on and was able to watch the President and First Lady get out of their motorcade and walk down Pennsylvania Ave towards the White House.

So some year I should go to DC and be a part of the historic day.  May be there will be a woman elected president.  If so, that Inauguration will be one for the record books and not to be missed!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

On thick ice

We have spent the past two afternoons on the ice.  Yesterday it was mostly cloudy and without wind.  The temperature must have been hovering around the freezing mark.  When we left at 1:15, we didn't anticipate being outdoors for too long.  Surely, we would be back around 3:00 in plenty of time to cook the Indian dinner that Heather had planned.

Earlier in the week, Amy and Jero had shoveled a patch of the lake outside their house so that it was free of snow and great for skating.  When we were out there, Heather and Amy enlarged the space.  Selim and Jacob played ice hockey with a tennis ball since nobody could find a puck.





That worked for a while until some random dog showed up and thought that the ball was his.  Frozen with dog slobber, we had to put the ball away for a bit.



When Robert arrived, he was able to keep the dog at bay and the game resumed.






At 3:00 we did a time check.  Realizing that we were having too much fun to leave, Heather mentally shifted the menu and decided to stick around for a bit more.  At 3:30 she left and Jero arrived.  Joshua got a little sad after his mom left, but he recovered.





The multiple cars gave us options for coming and going.  It meant that the bigger boys could stay out for more hockey.






The cold started to seep in through the jackets, wet gloves and snow pants by 4:00.  It was time to get off the ice.  We had spent way more time that we had planned on and nobody was sorry about it.



We piled back in the cars and made it back to Mom and Robert's before Todd and Jen arrived for dinner.  Heather made a delicious Indian meal of dal, a potato, paneer and pea curry to go with brown rice.  While that was delicious, the mango lassis were the hit of the night for the boys.  Clearly, I need to find canned mango pulp so that we can make them at home.



Today we went back to the frozen lake.  The sun was shining and it was about 35 degrees.  But the wind was whipping over the ice.  It felt so much colder.  Selim had enough of my picture taking, so I turned my attention to my nephew.  Heather, Robert and Joshua got there 1/2 hour or so after Amy, Jero, the boys and I.  Joshua fell asleep in the car.  He didn't wake up when Heather got him out of his car seat, nor when we put him in the sled, nor when she pushed him across the ice.




He didn't wake up to watch the drilling on the ice to test the thickness.  The ice was thicker than the 8 1/2 inch drill bit because they drilled as far as the bit could go and still they didn't get down to water.








He was still asleep when they started playing hockey.






When he did stir, he wasn't ready to get on the ice.  He needed a bit more snuggle time.



Meanwhile, I was curled up on a sled, keeping my tush dry, one scarf inside my jacket and another wrapped around my chin.



Eventually he did join the game and I got up as well.








We didn't last as long today.  By 3:45 we were pulling the sleds with our gear back to the cars.  Another successful afternoon on the ice.


Friday, January 18, 2013

Children's Museum

This afternoon Selim and I took Heather and Joshua to the Children's Museum.  It is where Joshua wanted to go for his birthday.  We hadn't been in a while, so we were happy to oblige.

Selim has two favorite sections: the submarine and the mail delivery system.  First up, the sub.  The periscope, big wheel, and sounds of the sea sections are his favorite.  Joshua liked them as well.





I think the big magnetic section is new.  There are pipe and joint pieces with golf balls.  The kids get to design a system for ball travel.  It does not provide the best angle for photo documentation.





I really like the sections that have painted scenery on the walls.  The dog by the mill building, beaver dam, and other Portsmouth iconic locations are my favorites.





Selim had fun in the green screen area where you get to pretend you are in different natural habitats.  The ocean one was the most fun when Heather had the shark puppet on her hand and went for Selim's flippers.





Upstairs there is a section for kids three years and under.  Since nobody else was up there, we went in for a bit.  I loved the possums hanging from a tree.  Who knew they were so cute?  I think I took 15 pictures of them but I won't post them all.





Heather went around and picked up the animals on the floor and put them in the fun places.  I wonder where they got all their animals.  The baby beavers were so cute.






The Pattern Palace is really cool.  There is a throne, a fire place where you can install the tile, and a window that can be decorated in fake stained glass.






Before we left, we went back to the mail area where Selim put on the jacket and the mail pouch and delivered mail all around the building.






The kids had a great time and that was the point.