Musings

Good Morning Whoever is out there . . .

I returned on Friday from my southern California trip where I spent every evening attending Little League All-star practices (grandson Zac) and Pony League All-star games (grandson Cole). Being out every evening was very tiring for someone who is an early to bed and early to rise person. But, it was fun spending so much time with all of my grandsons and my daughter. There was only one day that was not spent with them. With so much time spent with them my only time with other family came because my sister Norma was so gracious as to let me stay with her. Like staying with my mother when she was alive, being at Norma's gave me time with her in the later evenings and some mornings. All-in-all a very nice trip.

Grandson Zac, the catcher!

While in San Diego three more icons of the entertainment field died, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. Last summer it was George Carlin. I have to say that the latter affected my life more. I respect the career and influence Jackson had, but was never a fan. Farrah was known to me in what I would call my prime, but she was not my favorite "Charlie's Angel." Ed Mc Mahon of the three was, possibly, more "in my life." For years I watched Carson and he was an important part of that. What these deaths impressed on me the most is the passing of time and that we all will make it to that point, some of us sooner than later.

Along with this theme two of the three films I had seen while on my trip dealt with aging, death, and the aftermath. Michael Caine in "Is Anyone There" was great study of an aging magician forced to live in a home for the elderly. We watch a deteriorating man develop a relationship with the young son of the proprietors of the home. It is a very good film. The second cinematic endeavor was the French film, "Summer Home," with Juliett Binoche (one of my favorites). It is about the death of three sibling's mother (who we see at the beginning) and how they deal with her memory and the material things she leaves behind. Again, another good film I would recommend. Last of the three was "Land of the Lost," which I saw with my grandsons. Do not waste your time and money. It is possibly the worst I've seen all year.

Yesterday, daughter Natasha and I saw "My Sister's Keeper." It has not gotten great reviews, but we liked it. It is not a real "upper" in some respects, but is the chronicle of a family dealing with the illness of their oldest daughter. Cameron Diaz gives a great dramatic performance as the mother.

That is about it for the moment. I am back in my Flagstaff routine until the middle of next month's foray to see three plays at the Utah Shakespearian Festival in Cedar City. That is my contribution to the President's stimulous package. I got my $250 in my social security account and bought the tickets. The way I see it I am stimulating the economy as well as supporting the arts.

Adios!

My Mom

Good Morning,

It's been a while. I haven't felt much like writing anything and have been contemplating "bagging" this whole blogging thing. First of all, it is just a bunch of drivel that I end up communicating, unlike my younger daughter's blog which is witty and thoughtful. I only wish she could find a way to make money doing it. She has always been a very good writer. Secondly (thought I forgot there was a "first" here didn't you?), my friends Bob and Cindy, especially the latter, who got me started on this, have quit doing theirs.


Today, mostly I wanted to give some recognition to the third anniversary of my mother's death. Shirley Ruth Lewis is on my mind everyday of my life and I miss her greatly. In her 82 years she lived a very full life. Being born in 1923, she experienced the great depression as a little girl and teenager. In her late teens during WWII she worked as a "Rosey the Riveter" in the aircraft plants of San Diego, California. She had five children, four of us members of the "babyboom" generation. About half way through her life she became a painter, oil and watercolor. This brought her and us pleasure.


Yesterday Natasha, her granddaughter, and my youngest, told me that I have seemed different since she died, more morose, grumpy, and unhappy. That may be true to a certain extent. My mother was a great force in my life. But she lives on in our memories, and her children, grandchildren and great grand children. There will always be some of her in all of us. However, we miss you Mom!


Ciao