Isabella Bird Miscellany

I started to clean the house.  It's a weekly routine, dusting, vacuuming, the regular stuff, basically mundane. And I couldn't seem to focus, flitting from task to task like a moth searching for light. Cool, down-tempo music beat in the background.  You know, the kind of stuff you'd hear at a totally chill night club. That's where the pretty people go to sip pretty cocktails. And here I was in jeans with a hole in the knee and a baggie sweater. I sat down for a cup of Chai and picked up my notebook; abandoning the cleaning. I allowed myself to be transported by the acoustics to that vibing club. In my imagination, I walked in pulsing to the sounds. I wore a mod black slip dress, hair slightly messy with sun-kissed bare arms and legs. Several years ago I might have pulled this off. Now, as an old woman, I still have the down beat in my soul and the messy hair; my legs and arms are waiting for the sun to come kiss them. Inside, I'm a cool girl. H...

Reflecting. My uncle passed away last night. He was my one and only uncle. My mom was an only child. My dad had one sister. So, I had one uncle. Uncle Kenny was a military man. When I was young, I thought it was so cool that they got to live in Germany. I didn't even know where that was, but it was somewhere I'd never been; still haven't. Almost five years ago, my hubs and I took a road trip to where I was born. It had been scads of years since I'd been to Lakeport. However, I found where my grandparents lived - along with my uncle, aunt and cousins. I thought about the grand adventures Terry and I had. The house no longer existed, but the plot with block retaining wall and outdoor barbecue did. Returning from a jaunt overseas and to Texas, my cousins landed in the Olympia area. We'd take trips up the I5 corridor to see them. In return, they'd travel to Eugene where our grandparents had a farm. As kids, we'd play for hours in the woods and walk w...

Savoring the moments Often, I find that time marches on and we have no account of what has taken place.  Moments spent with family, friends and the passing away of my Aunt, has given me a chance to reflect on the value of our relationships.  Each one is something to be treasured and kept deep within our beings. I penned this verse at a different place and time, but now is the time to share… They are old… Side by side they sat on the faded yellow sofa Tenderly holding hands Callused, weathered and worn with age …yet skilled and able They gaze at each other with deep set, knowing eyes Lines etch the path of joy and tears Across their faces …telling the story of life Lives that have lived through decades of change Experiencing the advent of automobiles and planes Wind up phonographs and technology beyond imagination …and travel With time comes knowledge Knowledge leads us to wisdom And wisdom brings compassion, empathy and ...