September 30--Let This Shipwreck END!!

Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.  --Voltaire

    What a way to end the month that has been a shipwreck. It has certainly been a test of faith (September's theme). But now that I am safely in Ohio, I'm starting to "sing in the lifeboat." 

    I spent last evening with my brother, looking at photos, asking questions, and enjoying stories of his and Sue's early life together. It was fun and enlightening. I was reminded looking through their wedding album that I was the flower girl at their wedding. I was five years old, adorable, and I don't remember one second of it. Needless to say, after Sue's sudden passing, every moment with my brother is extra-double-super precious. 

    More to come,

        Leta

The flower girl and
the beautiful bride

September 29--Onward to Ohio

The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next.  --Mignon McLaughlin 

    Or in my case, "one mile to the next."  I spent a lovely evening with my in-laws, and today I make the long, remaining 600-mile journey to northeast Ohio. 

    Yesterday's 400-mile drive gave me plenty of time to think. That's both good and bad. I have been reminded the past few days how draining grief is. Even if I'm not actively crying, I can feel energy draining from me. Unless I'm really occupied with someone or something, my thoughts go straight to Sue and the family and anxiety simmers. I learned "one day at a time" in a 12-Step program; now I'm going with "one mile at a time." That's the only way to get to where I'm going. 😉

    The journey continues...

        Leta

I'm not sure what "it" is,
but I guess I will find it!

September 28--Impossible? NO!

Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.  --Muhammad Ali

    Today I head for parts east and my sister-in-law's memorial service. There could be some challenging family time ahead on top of the 1,000 mile drive. Yes, I am feeling some anxiety. So I truly appreciate Mr. Ali's quote. 

    If you get the chance, visit the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. It is well worth it. He was an amazing human in addition to being a champion boxer. 

    Angels traveling with me!

        Leta

Mural at the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville

September 27--Our Precious Water

To believe in something not yet proved and to underwrite it with our lives; it is the only way we can leave the future open.  --Lillian Smith

    I am a big fan of the Astronomy Picture of the Day. This one, from yesterday, is powerful and needs to be shared, so that we recognize how profoundly important it is to protect our precious water supply. I include below the photo the description from the post. 

Explanation: How much of planet Earth is made of water? Very little, actually. Although oceans of water cover about 70 percent of Earth's surface, these oceans are shallow compared to the Earth's radius. The featured illustration shows what would happen if all of the water on or near the surface of the Earth were bunched up into a ball. The radius of this ball would be only about 700 kilometers, less than half the radius of the Earth's Moon, but slightly larger than Saturn's moon Rhea which, like many moons in our outer Solar System, is mostly water ice. The next smallest ball depicts all of Earth's liquid fresh water, while the tiniest ball shows the volume of all of Earth's fresh-water lakes and rivers. How any of this water came to be on the Earth and whether any significant amount is trapped far beneath Earth's surface remain topics of research.

    Loving our Mother is a good plan for the future.

        Leta

September 26--Could We Just Drop September?

The best way out is always through.  --Robert Frost

    Grief is the first thing that comes to my mind with this quote, as my family mourns the passing of my sister-in-law. I will be heading to Ohio later this week for a memorial service. There will be plenty of tears making for lots of good soul-rinsing. It's best just to let the tears flow. Someone once said that one can't cry forever, that tears eventually run out. I'm not so sure about that. 

     September--I'd like to eliminate you from the calendar. But alas, I must sludge through you. If depression shows up for me, it happens in September. My s-i-l just passed on the 23rd, and both my parents passed on Sept. 24, 21 years apart. I had a bad back injury in the 90s and spent one whole September in bed. And then there's 9-11!! Geez. Only four more days to make it through this wicked month. 

    Onward, 

        Leta

September 25-Two Completions, Only One Welcome

Above all, don't fear difficult moments. The best comes from them. 
--Rita Levi-Montalcini

    This quote is hard for me to take at the moment. I learned just two days ago of the passing of my dear sister-in-law, Sue. Though she had assorted health problems, this was sudden and very unexpected. I am grateful that I had talked with her just a few days before she transitioned. I'm very concerned for my brother--they were married 61 years. I'm also distressed for their children and grandchildren. 

    Coincidentally, the same day she passed, my husband completed our deck, a five-month project of which he is rightfully quite proud. Alas, the deck celebration was lost in grief and calling other family members with the news about Sue. We will enjoy the deck and fond memories of Sue for many years to come. 

    I will write a tribute to Sue sometime in the next few days, possibly on the new deck enjoying the fall weather.

        Leta

On an ice cream adventure to Handel's, Stow, OH.
Sue is in the center.

September 24--Iron No More!

Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us. 
--Sir Thomas Browne

    The photo below is an article written by Christine Fellingham from the AARP magazine. You may be able to enlarge the photo and read the article. The title is "Dear Iron: I'm Breaking Up With You." 

    The article talks about iron sales declining, and how folks are instead using steamers, or wrinkle-release dryer settings, or easy-care fabrics, or just plain going wrinkled. This is decades overdue as far as I'm concerned.

    As a youngster, ironing was one of my jobs. I spent hours every week ironing sheets, shirts, pants, handkerchiefs, dresser scarves--you name it, my mom starched it and wanted it ironed. I HATE ironing. Those of you who know me well know that I have no problem appearing rumpled and wrinkled. I love the pre-wrinkled fabric available these days. When my husband and I moved in together 38 years ago, I announced (probably on day one), "I do not iron." I am pleased to say that he has ironed his shirts all these years (mostly taking them to a dry cleaner), and I have not. I pull out the iron occasionally for a sewing project, but that's it. 

    See, humanity's progress is slow, but it's happening!!!

        Leta