We’re video visiting with Pilar when there’s a knock at the door. Phil says, “it’s Christine.” I take the laptop to the porch so Pilar can meet Christine. As it turns out, Christine is bringing us a fresh-from-her-oven golden challah, over which Pilar oohs and aahs when I hold it before the camera. Christine wishes us good Shabbes, which for us is just Friday, but since Christine’s been our neighbor, Friday is sometimes an occasion for homemade traditional treats. I can’t take a photo of the whole loaf because we have to devour chunks of it immediately with Pilar’s encouragement. “Butter it,” Pilar instructs. It’s still warm, the best challah we’ve tasted. Pilar shows us Linda Hogan’s new collection of poems, which came in her mail today. A few hours ago I was reading about the latest Trump attempts to destroy this democracy and feeling defeated, depressed, sick to my stomach. But for this moment of warm challah and poetry in the midst of all the awfulness, we savor our blessings.
The remains of the challah, a few minutes after its arrival
The challah is gone. Linda Hogan’s book is here:
https://www.torreyhouse.org/a-history-of-kindness
Your writing prompt, should you choose to accept it: tell about the light that shines in dark times; tell about unexpected joys; tell how our new digital practice sometimes opens the world.
Hola dear Pat,
Wow, that challah, challah with butter! Daaaaaaangerous!
I so welcome this, “tell about the light that shines in dark times; tell about unexpected joys; tell how our new digital practice sometimes opens the world.”
Your blog.
Radio Swiss Classic (free, no ads, 24/7!)
The late Perry Cozzen’s short story “Lou and Hal,” which I read yesterday on Kindle.
Just to get started…
Ah, bless you, C.M. Mayo! And thanks for Radio Swiss Classic.
One early morning last week when I opened the curtains before going out to see if the paper had arrived (yes, we still get the Post), a small fox ran past on the walk between the flower bed and the house and glanced up at me. It had been three or four years since I’d seen a fox in the neighborhood. The morning was cool, the flowers were bright, and seeing a fox again felt like a gift, a hope.
Magical moment!
Shining the light in dark times….
We’re painting the garage, together! It’s rare to find a household task that we can do ensemble. We divide up the chores to keep from having fights about how they should be done. We share many outdoor interests–hiking, skiing, kayaking, but it’s hard to find things to do together around the house. We go our separate ways during the day and then come together for dinner and an 8:00 p.m. movie date. But the garage is working well. He rolls and I cut in and play catch up with the brush. We are side by side in a cool summer morning and we share a sense of accomplishment, completing the job ourselves. My wrist and forearm are killing me. His recovering shoulder (from a torn rotator cuff) has him popping Tylenols. Tonight we’ll rub each others sore spots while we watch tonight’s selection. Life is very fine.
Such a satisfying teamwork project! You’ll look at it with pride when you’re done and all the aches and pains have faded.
My bright spot today was getting the call from dear old friends Charlie and Alan, that they’re here in Asheville, a week earlier that I expected. Looking forward to a heap of fun with them soon.