Day Forty Seven 2012

 I love those who can smile in trouble,

who can gather strength from

distress, and grow brave by

reflection. 'Tis the business of little

minds to shrink, but they whose heart

is firm, and whose conscience

approves their conduct, will pursue

their principles unto death.

~Leonardo da Vinci

Day Forty Six 2012

A random shades of gray kind of day

Day Forty Five 2012

Grand daughter Shelby is a fifth grader in middle school where holidays like Valentine's Day are pretty much ignored. Gone are the days of decorating a shoe box destined to be stuffed with heart-shaped greetings from classmates. I think she misses that kind of stuff a little bit, but she made the best of it and celebrated the sentiment of this day by wearing a heart decorated head band and tights and a pink heart-shaped necklace. And maybe, just maybe, she received a bouquet of roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolate truffles from two of her biggest fans.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

Come live in my heart, and pay no rent. ~Samuel Lover 

Day Forty Four 2012

I picked up grandson Elijah from school this afternoon. I feel grateful that he likes to share with me things that happened during his day. One of his highs--checking out a new book from the school library ('Pokemon'--he was looking forward to reading it at home this evening). His low for the day--learning that a classmate's mom had died (this same classmate had already lost his dad) and now he has to live with his grandparents. I could hear the regret in his voice when he was telling me the story. He's such a good kid, blessed with a tender heart.

There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate.
Robert Frost

Day Forty Three 2012

Neil and I went to see 'Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace' in 3D this afternoon with grandson Elijah, grand daughter Shelby, daughter Holly and son in law Jerry. I haven't seen a movie in 3D since 'Jaws 3D' in 1983. I remember that one as being insanely laughable. 3D technology has come a very long way in thirty years. I enjoyed watching 'Phantom Menace'  (although wearing a pair of glasses over a pair of glasses is awkward--and I forgot how long this movie is--not to mention I could do without Jar Jar Binks). But I got the biggest kick out of watching Elijah sitting on the edge of his seat at times, soaking up this story (while wearing his Angry Birds hat and his 3D shades--wish I had a picture of that). He loves playing his 'Lego Star Wars' video game on his Nintendo DS, so seeing these same characters in action on the big screen should make playing the video game even more fun for him. Especially after watching Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi duke it out with the evil Darth Maul (Elijah calls him Dark Maul) in the most awesome lightsaber battle ever choreographed. I never get tired of watching that part. It was fun sharing 'Star Wars' with yet another generation of my peeps. May the force be with you.