Christmas

I work in a school district. Christmas, holidays and time off are particularly difficult for many of our students. Minor thoughts and gestures of kindness go a long, long way.

I Always Cry at Christmas

Storytelling

I do not like jokes. I like stories. I like the humanness of the mundane, everyday lives of people. Ultimately, we are all doing the best we can to survive.

This week I went to see The Moth Story Slam. Thirty minutes before the show they only had two storytellers but needed 10. Here's a photo from the end of the evening.

Changing things up this Year

For the past several years I have been in Traverse City for Thanksgiving. This year I was home with my best girl, my grandma. Since I was going to be home I volunteered to assist at the local 5k. I woke up early, to get there to set up. I was having a bad hair day. I looked like Scar from the Lion King. I threw on a hat with braids already built in and headed out the door.

The afternoon was spent ironing scarves with my girl, while she sat in her wheelchair and had a little scotch.

Joining my Worlds

I had the joy of joining friends together. On a recent visit to NM I brought a friend from the neighborhood to meet friends from college. Usually when I visit my Sante Fe/Taos posse, I do normal things that I do at home, I just do them elsewhere. Laundry... drink coffee... read... sit by the fire pit... grout tile floors... replace broken guitar strings... walk labyrinths...

This time I not only got to participate in the usual, but I got to be a tourist all over again. I would recommend being a visitor wherever you go. Below are some of my personal highlights and even a couple of firsts.

Driving to my other happy place.

Artful stairs.

International Folk Art Museum.

Cemetary at the Pueblo.

Taos Pueblo Church

The Gorge.

A labyrinth and a microbrewery.

The Real Reason

The real reason for our trip to Spain was to celebrate the wedding of these two beautiful women. Thank you so much for the invite, ladies. It was wonderful to meet your families and share in your joy.

Marriage Day 1

Spain Reboot

When I returned from Spain last year I spent weeks eating Spanish style breakfast. In August I had the joy of flying back and bringing my 14 year old. She too is a fan of Spanish style breakfast. Fresh squeezed OJ, toasted bread with olive oil and tomatoes, peaches shaped like hockey pucks and cafe con leche.

We visited the Market daily, had churros y chocolate, tried foods we were unfamiliar with and dined al fresco often. There were musicians, artists, and shopping everywhere in Santiago de Compostela, which met both of our needs.

Spain has many energy efficient ways. Escalators are stopped or slowed until you approach them, lights in hallways are motion sensored, and during the hottest part of the day, shops are closed and people relax.

My daughter and I read, explored, talked, ate, and found our way together. We even bonded in the evenings over RuPaul's Drag Race on Netflix.

Churros y Chocolate

We arrived and so did our luggage. Between Adele's Spanish, others' English and my charades, we did pretty well. Churros, a nap, ham, wine, veggies and grilled cheese, (which was exactly that, goat cheese, grilled) we ate ourselves silly. 

So far we've realized that we have no hairbrush, which on day 1 isn't a big deal. I'm sure if we let it go, it could be. 

A band played music that people sang along to. I even recognized Bob Marley and The Police. The band appeared to be giving away Ked-type tennis shoes which someone would draw their logo on along with musical notes. People were loving them. We were having fun but are ready for bed. 

Another Trip Around the Sun

Last year having turned 50 on my trip to Spain, later this afternoon I board a plane and return to this magical country with my daughter Adele. We are going to drink coffee, walk, read and enjoy the landscape and people. Carrie has started color guard/band camp season and Dave will be working and walking the dog.

Traveling with a 14 year old who likes, hates and tolerates me intermittently will be part of the adventure. I'm so looking forward to it. Mostly, I am looking forward to celebrating the wedding of dear friends.

The Flea

There is nothing I love more than a cup of coffee and a flea market. When I know a flea market is in my future, my palms start sweating and my heart rate increases from the anticipation. I need to see everything. I will spend hours. Thus, there are only few people I will take with me to the flea. If you are going because you think I would like the company, but it's not really your "thing," consider going with someone else. If you are tired, go sit. Do not sigh, complain, remember an appointment you have to leave for, or roll your eyes if you rode with me. I am serious about my love of the flea.

People frequently ask, "What do you look for at the flea market?" The honest answer is that I have no idea. Whatever the perfect item is, it will let itself be known to me. Sometimes I leave with nothing, other times I am texting friends to see if they brought their minivan.

To me, the flea represents my best self. I am stress-free, relaxed and open to possibilities. A meat smoker in the shape of a giant steer, a camel door knocker, vintage clothes galore, a mid-century sectional sofa, a "No Nukes" belt buckle, are all treasures I passed on. The only regret was the belt buckle.

On the other hand I've acquired branding irons, a mermaid necklace, 1970's era orange fabric, low slung chairs, five rocking chairs, a Christmas tree topper from Sears, trivets in the shape of men's shirts and ties, an urn, sunglasses that make me look like Iris Apfel or Edna Mode, and the list goes on and on.

Although stores such as Kohl's and Target certainly have their place in my life, the things I buy from those stores are purely functional and typically consumable. My favorite things in  my life have been handed down, bartered for, picked up in an alley, purchased and acquired at art shows, bought at the side of the road, one of a kind stores or boutiques, and flea markets. Each item is a reflection of me.

People Along the Way

Today my grandmother is 101 years old. She is my favorite girl. She can't hear well or see all that well or get in and out of her wheelchair independently, but she is still fun to have a cup of coffee, a peach shake, or a glass of scotch with on occasion.

I was born into knowing her and I have been very blessed to have an excellent support system and family.

I am at a point in my life where I have become more reflective. I think about the meaning of meeting people and my interactions with them. Some people with stay in my life and some with pop in sporadically. There have been friendships, loves, colleagues, and connections of the soul. All will, eventually, result in loss.

An unafraid doer.

When one creates a list of 50 things, if one is smart, one leaves room for growth. I'm a doer. And I am unafraid.

There were things not on my list because I've already done them. I've taken a glass blowing class. I've gone hang-gliding. I've rafted, scuba dived, and jumped off a train bridge into a body of water (which I would not recommend).

When developing my list, I left room for future ideas - ones I couldn't imagine at the time.

I tried weaving.

Ceramics.

Welding.

Attended Bloody Mary Fest - in an attempt to perfect the Bloody Mary.

I never know what the next adventure will be.

Advocating for a Family

For the first time in my career, in a court of law, I had the privilege of advocating for a student. I testified on behalf of the student and waited to hear how the judge ruled. The judge thanked me for coming in to testify on behalf of the student and his educational needs. He thanked the student's sibling for testifying on his behalf. The judge ordered DCFS to override their policy and take care of the issue within 30 days.

The children were then granted the permission to be adopted by the foster parent. That's when I thought I would explode with joy. What an amazing day!

Making Herstory

Over 1 million men and women gathered in cities worldwide to stand up for civil rights and equality in hundreds of cities. Google Women's March 1/21/2017 for further information.

I marched with my daughter. It is a day I'll never forget. #whyImarch

History

When one makes a list of 50 things to do, it's always good to leave spaces. One never knows what may arise. This week I had the privilege of attending a once-in-a-lifetime event. Is was historic.

I wish the Obama's well. President Obama will probably go down as one of the greatest presidents of all time. I was thrilled to be there.