stories, photographs, adventures…the next chapter
I realized a rapidly developing obsession with leaves may be taking over my Macro Monday posts. But I am going with it anyway, since…after all…every leaf is unique and deserves its time in the sun. Or at least here on one letter UP.
So many leaves. So little time!
One Word Sunday: Seasonal
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You have to look down and step carefully during a walk in the woods…after a much needed rain. Otherwise your shoes get soaked.
During one such walk in mid October, I was greeted by a mirror image of the view from above. Trees – pelted by the previous day’s storm – still dropping their leaves on the path. It reminded me of those accidental (or not) double exposures from back in the days of film.
The last of Autumn’s colors…briefly preserved.
V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #123: warrior
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It’s just awful. I worry every night I could bring something home to my husband.
Her dark brown eyes wide above the blue face mask, she looked straight at me. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Her fear was palpable. I know her husband has health issues and is most likely over 60. They say masks cover the mouth and with it all facial expression, but I disagree. Not always the case.
I had asked her what it was like working in health care now. How she was doing with it all. She knew I was familiar with hospital work from years ago.
Have you seen your kids? I asked after we discussed the reason for my office visit.
My son is 29 and he got married this summer over Zoom from California. She then described the experience of watching from across the country an event she had never envisioned happening as it did.
The pain in her voice. The look in her eyes. This woman has been one of my doctors for probably 15 years and I had never seen her like this. Always a handshake and a smile when entering the exam room. No handshake this time of course, although I suspect there was a smile behind the mask.
But nevertheless she was as professional and empathetic as always. She listened to me and took notes by hand. No computer screen diverted her attention. We are partners in my treatment plan. It’s no mystery why she has earned Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor awards. Doctor of the Year as well.
We also briefly discussed the pandemic situation in New Hampshire and the ignorance (her words) of people who won’t wear masks. Her voice tight she added…I am just holding on for the vaccine. We need the vaccine.
After my appointment was over, she left for the hospital to begin her afternoon surgery schedule. A hospital with Covid patients.
I couldn’t help but think she deserves one more award.
She is a Warrior.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Close Ups
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Bright and colorful Autumn leaves get all the attention…all the clicks from photographers. I should know – I’m one of those photographers.
But what about leaves like this one? Not so bright. Not so colorful. Often passed by…unnoticed.
However, I admired the fact that its drab imperfect self was still hanging on, even if just barely. That alone captured my attention.
I think black and white does it justice – outlining a road map of its journey since budding out in the Spring.
A survivor after all.
One Word Sunday: Red or Read
Cee’s Flower of the Day
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Red zinnias make themselves known. Their pop of color rises above all the others…
Even when photobombed by an adventurous butterfly…
Today is Thanksgiving Day, a traditional American holiday, but – as one friend texted in response to my Happy Thanksgiving text…Hopefully last one like this....
My husband and I are celebrating on our own this year, as many others are. A smaller version of the feast we used to make years ago…(cooking less is a silver lining here)…we are still as thankful as ever. That part hasn’t changed.
And, no matter what, there will be pie. But just one. Pumpkin.
Do we miss sharing this day with friends like we did last year? Most definitely. And the special times with friends and family from many years back? Absolutely.
But I know we are not alone and my heart goes out to the thousands who don’t have a job or a home or enough food to feed their families…much less a Thanksgiving meal. The pandemic’s ongoing toll.
So my focus today is on gratitude for what I am blessed with…and also for looking back on memories made in years past.
Below is a post I published on November 22, 2018 – the 4th Thursday of November – and, in the United States, celebrated as Thanksgiving.
🥧 🥧 🥧 🥧 🥧 🥧
A day – if you’re fortunate – set aside for family.
For gratitude. For sharing a meal.
Usually a massive meal – in our house it was based around turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, some kind of vegetable. Rolls or banana bread. Every year the “fixins” changed somewhat.
The most important part: many pies. The dinner was basically a stop on the way to pumpkin…apple…cherry pies.
And my personal favorite…playing cards while eating dessert: aka pie.
Dinner was also all about the conversation and stories we shared. So much time and opportunity for prolonged discussion when you are passing endless bowls of food around. Pouring wine. Pouring water. Carving more turkey. I just never knew what subjects would come up; but many became classics.
Such as…
In 1990, my husband and I hosted our first Thanksgiving.
I had never cooked a whole turkey before. An overwhelming task. I had heard horror stories about overcooked turkeys and dried out white meat. That would never happen to me…I’ll cover it! That should do it.
My parents and my in-laws were coming – to join me, my husband and our 2 kids.
I dusted off the big blue covered roaster pan my mother had passed down to me. Coated the fresh turkey with spices and some oil. Tied the legs together.
I put the cover on. It went into the oven. I set the timer. And let it cook. And cook. Many hours later – when, according to the recipe it would be done, I removed it from the oven. Look it’s ready! With great fanfare, I lifted the lid…Oh No!
It looked like a turkey snow angel! All the turkey meat had slid off the bones. We had turkey stew! There was nothing to carve. Legs askew. Wings fallen off. My mother was horrified. I laughed. And laughed.
It still tasted great…and…the white meat was NOT dry!
The following year:
Twelve family members gathered at the dining room table to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast – including my parents, my husband’s parents, my grandmother, my sister and her family.
Upon noticing someone struggling to remove the meat from a turkey leg, my father-in-law shared a memory…a story that has become part of family lore.
He began describing his job at the First National grocery store in the 1930’s. When he helped get the turkeys ready to be sold for Thanksgiving. The turkey carcasses were brought to the store and his job was to pull the tendons out of the legs. Apparently, this made the turkey legs easier to eat. He went into graphic detail. Right in front of everyone. Who put their forks down and stared at him…as he explained this was probably not done anymore. Those pesky tendons still attached.
GROSS! we protested.
Shocked faces…especially those with turkey legs eaten or half eaten on their plates. There may have been some gagging. My big city brother-in-law’s face turned white. He got up and left the room…
Empty nest Thanksgivings…
left more time for documenting…
But traditions remained the same.
I returned to see what was happening with the milkweed pods I posted for Wordless Wednesday last week. That WW photo had been taken on September 27th. I originally planned to check them out again before now, but you know, the days just seem to blend in together…and time passed.
However late afternoon on Saturday, it was clouded over and the light was flat. I remembered the milkweeds…which usually photograph well in that kind of light. Cabin fever had risen (again), so I grabbed my camera and escaped out the back door (Exit Stage Right! as Snagglepuss used to say).
I followed a path through the woods to where the milkweed pods had been. Since it is now November, the landscape is basically brown…various shades of brown. It was difficult at first to find them amongst the gone-by plant life.
Luckily, wisps of white perched on top of nearby tall grasses gave away their location. I spotted tall stems with puffy hats. That’s what a strong breeze will do with milkweed “floss.”
And there I found the pods in all their glory.
I braved potential ticks in waiting and crunched through a thick ground cover of leaves and brush.
I was not disappointed.
I also took a special liking to the following image. As the saying goes…it resonated with me…
One Word Sunday: Night
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The last time I was able to visit my family in Washington DC was this past February. Four days with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. A dinner out with my son. Memories made.
It was right before the pandemic exploded onto the scene here in the United States.
Little did I know on this beautiful moonlit night that I wouldn’t be able to see my kids again for many months to come.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 