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We are back from our trip and slowly I am weeding through the 1600 pictures that I have. Pictures have begun to be posted http://wagoose.eachday.com/
When you anticipate something as much as I did this trip there is a typical let down. Not in this case. The trip exceeded every expectation on every level. I want to go back as soon as possible. I dream in Opera and of Tuscany.
I will do much more blogging on the trip and our adventures later but wanted to get the Link to the start of the photos out so people could begin to enjoy them.
Did you ever wonder what happened? All the people around you look the same but their reactions and interactions with you are totally not in synch with you.
I think I stepped through the looking class today. I have seen the Cheshire cat, attended the Mad Tea Party and interacted with Tweedledee, Tweedledum.
I hope when I get up tomorrow I will be back in my regular world with the regular people.
- Mood:
pensive
Because I have 10 days before we fly off to Italy.
Today my friend sent me this picture of the Rialto bridge this morning. It took my breath away knowing that in a few short days I would actually be there. My heart races every time I actually think about it. It will bring the dimensions to life. You know like those movies where there is a photo or still and then everything begins to move, it brings the scene to life. Remember when Mary Poppins jumped into the chalk drawings with Bert, Michael and Jane and had wonderful adventures. That is what it feels like to realize that I am actually really going to be there. I am preparing to jump into the chalk drawing...now if I can just remember how to breath.
- Mood:
excited
This weekend is the annual gathering for the celebration of beloved Bug. Thinking of the weekend gathering makes me ponder for a moment the wonderful kaleidoscope of friends that make up my life.
If you were to put together all their profiles and pictures, one would look up and say there was NO common thread, but there is. Like a kaleidoscope, keep turning and you will see. They are ALL, intelligent individuals with their own thoughts and views not based on sound bites. They are witty and funny and thoughtful. They are all passionate and talented. They are interested in others, accept and welcome one another’s differences.
When we gather in whatever group size, weather large or small, you will never know where the conversation will take you but there is a guarantee it will never be the same journey and there will always be love, and laughter shared along the way. We will hug, yell, laugh and share. When one hurts, they are never alone. When there is a success or triumph the call goes out and the cheers fill the air like fireworks in the sky. Some have passed on but are still part of the kaleidoscope, never far from my thoughts and always in my heart.
I carry this kaleidoscope with me every day. These are my people, my family. They are the color of my world. I wouldn’t change anyone of them.
In 1971 I entered a new school in a new state. It was my first week of Jr. High. 7th Grade. I had signed up for Chorus and Drama as my electives. My chorus teacher announced that she was looking for 2-3 students to go into advanced chorus. This girl with the most beautiful smile I had ever seen said I should try out. She was an 8th grader. With her warmth and encouragement I auditioned and got one of the spots! That meant that my homeroom would be Chorus and I would be with the 8th graders. Pretty heady stuff. That girl was my friend Loretta. Her voice was that of an angel. I knew that first week that she was meant for great things. She always encouraged me to try when I thought there was no way in the world that I could do something. She came to every show I was in and cheered me on. It was a great year. And then came summer break. Loretta would attend the High School the next year while I still had another year of Jr. High. 8th grade was a long year but Loretta continued to come to my shows and I continued to attend any time that she was singing. When I started High School we were together again. We cheered one another on. We shared our dreams and secrets. I remember exactly where we were when we talked about her being on Broadway. I see it as clearly as if it were yesterday.
Throughout our JR. High and High School years, we were together. There were shows, performances, and the drama only High School can supply, we were there to support one another. I could see Loretta in the hall, get a smile from her and have it change the entire day. I could make Loretta crack up now matter how down she might be. Loretta's voice was the voice of our High School. At an assembly, if Loretta was singing no one moved until she was done. She captivated every audience. She was meant for great things!
The month before graduation, the week before Easter my mother passed away. I was lost. I couldn't move. I didn't want to do any of the Senior activities, how could I? Loretta was there. She picked me up. She shared her mom with me. She got me through. My dad was transferred overseas at the end of the summer and I moved away.
Over the years we lost touch but kept one another close in heart. A few years ago we found one another again. We didn't miss a beat in our conversation. It was as if no time had passed. Loretta had continued singing and was one of Hawaii's highlighted entertainers. She has a CD out which was well received. But it wasn't enough because I ALWAYS believed that Loretta was meant for great things. And now...now she has made it! She opens tonight on Broadway. Bloody Mary in the first Broadway revival of South Pacific! Today my friend was on the Today Show! There is talk of her name and a Tony!
Singer makes her Broadway debut
April 3: After decades of anonymity Loretta Ables is finally get her moment in the spotlight. NBC’s Jamie Gangel reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/2This time next week we will be in New York and I will see my Loretta on Broadway. A dream for her and a dream for me.
- Mood: ecstatic
For a long time a close friend of mine has encouraged me to start blogging. I was hesitant in that I have been fortunate enough to have now made the acquaintance with some fabulous and in depth bloggers. What could I possibly hope to say? Her encouragement planted a seed so here it goes.
Last night I was talking with a friend and the subject of the election came up. We were discussing caucusing this weekend. It is my first and I am looking forward to it. She inquired who I was leaning towards at this point. Without thinking I responded.
I edit my conversations at work because the people I work closely with are co-workers. With only a few exceptions they are coworkers, not friends. I understand the sensitivities of the work place and do not press my views on others. Some know my political affiliations because of my friends, functions that I attend, discussions regarding the world. (We were all standing together watching 9/11 unfold) I don’t press my views on them or really anyone. I don’t tend to edit my conversations with my close friends though because I assumed that if we were friends we shared our views. I DON’T ever expect or anticipate for their views to be the same as mine. I thought that for the most part friendship was an edit free zone.
In last night’s conversation my friend stated that people in her world questioned how our friendship worked because of my political affiliations. I was seriously taken aback. I didn’t realize that was the definitive thing about me. I have apparently become a title.
There were a lot of Titles in my life growing up; Jewish, Christian, Austrian, Southern, American, Navy, Submariner, a Dependent, Officer, Dancer, Democrat and Republican, just to name a few. My Father and Mother never told me that those titles or affiliations defined who I was as a person. All of those titles were part of me but I could make my own choices. I wasn’t fully aware until well into my twenties that my mother’s family were all Democrats and to be honest I don’t know if my wonderful Grandmother or Grandfather Goulds were Democrats or Republicans.
I was so excited when I was able to register to vote. I spent a lot of time deciding who I was going to vote for in my first election. I remember having a long conversation with my Grandmother about that election. She shared with me her views on the candidates but not on a party. I remember my Dad and I discussing that election and my first vote too but we discussed the issues not the party. (By the way I referred to my Journal last night to make sure these memories were correct and they were) The only thing they both counseled me on was being informed, the importance and honor of being part of the process and making my own decisions. The day finally came, I became a registered voter. I voted in my first election.
I was blessed by not only being raised with all these pieces in my life but also in a variety of locations, both in and out of this country. I had the opportunity to meet people that didn’t have the same freedoms or rights that we do. I have observed what not having the protections of our rights can be like. I currently live in a state with primarily liberal leanings but I have lived in places where this was not true. Before yesterday though I never really focused on the political leanings of where I lived but focused on the people that I met there.
My close friends are comprised of people from all walks of life. I celebrate that we all have different views and come from different places and we all share these with one another. What they all have in common is they are fun, intelligent people. That is what defines them in my life. Not their jobs, not their beliefs and not their religious affiliations. They all have good hearts. Sometimes, listening to the others views we even learn something new!!!
My political party of choice is Republican. However, I am a Moderate Conservative. Oxymoron? Nope. Moderate because I am for Pro choice, Gay Rights and Stem Cell research. Also, my life style doesn’t quite fit what the current administration defines as family since I chosen to live in a Life Partnership instead of a conventional heterosexual marriage. Just because I am part of that party and I choose to be a Moderate Conservative does not mean that I always walk the party line. I am a woman that craves knowledge and forms my own opinions on based on research not sound bites or what others tell me my opinions should be. I am fortunate to carry the title of, American. Being an American I am fortunate to have the rights of choice and voice. Other than American there are some other titles that I would hope define me, Friend, Partner, Daughter, and Sister. There is one other title that I cherish, one that does define me and that I will wear proudly as long as I live, that is the title of, Auntie Val. You see, my boys, the holders of my heart, the loves of my life, they don’t care what affiliation I have and they don’t care what I do for a living. They only care that I am “Auntie Val” and the definition of that title is, love.
So I learned last night that I need to learn to edit. That stating my own beliefs seems to result in apprehension and distrust in some. Before last night I never felt that by not editing others would draw a line in the sand and somehow said, “If you are not with us, you are against us.” I guess editing will be one of those added pieces that will now define me.
- Mood:INTROSPECTIVE
