April and May have blitzed by in a dizzying blurr of weddings, funerals and gatherings of all kinds with people (and animals) that we love.
Recently I had a routine annual physical with Dr. R. I sat in the waiting area and quickly filled out the health form - health history, insurance information, current health issues, etc. But I had to pause at the question, "What are your main sources of stress?"
I was happy to see this question on a health form because stress - or more importantly the way you deal with stress - is so vital to overall well being. I know Dr. R as both an excellent doctor and as a compassionate friend. So I felt he would appreciate the humor and the truth in the first thought that came to my mind.
I carefully wrote, "My main sources of stress are Life and Death and all that implies."
So while we have been experiencing the full spectrum of joy and sorrow that life offers, we have tried to keep balanced with friends, family, pets, work, travel, home, arts, dirt, plants and many meals around many tables.
One gathering around a table was an event for our library with a favorite local writer as the speaker. Ron Rash grew up in this area and graduated from Gardner-Webb then went on to become a professor and an exceptional writer. "One Foot in Eden" and "The Cove" are two of my favorite Ron Rash novels. Several of his works - "Serena" and "The World Made Straight" are about to be released as movies this year. Ron is now internationally known and published in several languages.
I have to admit that I first started reading his work because I was curious about how someone from this area would express himself as a poet and novelist. But the more I read the more I love reading Ron's work because of the amazing way he writes with sharp imagery and truth and, yes - bleakness with a sense of humor. Or in other words - life and death and all that implies.
I have heard Ron speak on many occasions and it's just mind blowing each time he explains the process that he goes through in writing a poem or short story or book. There are so many levels of things going on in his writing that sometimes it's easy to just enjoy the story while missing some of the finer points. Ron loves Shakespeare and snakes and history and the characters that walk around in his head. And he loves to dig into the nitty gritty details of whatever subject he is writing about. So if you don't have help from him or someone else who is familiar with his subject, you may just miss something that will shine a light on what you are reading.
I was just about to miss such a point.
Ron's latest work is a collection of short stories - Nothing Gold Can Stay.
The title of the book is also the title of one of the short stories. I had read the story and thought I got the jist of it. Until I was at the library event the other night - waiting in line to ask Ron to sign a copy of the book. My friend, Jane who is a former English teacher and a brilliant one, saw the book in my hand and said offhandedly, "you know that title is the last line in a Robert Frost poem". Well. No. I did not know that. It's always amazing that no matter how much you try, and read, and learn; there is always so much more. It's true that the more you know, the more you know you don't know.
So I have googled Robert Frost's poem and read it many times over the last few weeks. Admittedly, I have read what some others have written about it because I don't want to miss anything here.
The poem is about the cycle of life with all of it's paradox and, as one person wrote, "life's fleeting goodness". It's about loss and grief and change.
But it's about more than that. Alfred Ferguson wrote that what he saw in the poem is the felix culpa - the fortunate fall. The idea that each loss is balanced by a gain. And that life goes on with all that implies.
Make it count for something good.
Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
but only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
We enjoyed a short trip to Dallas to see David IV in his work environment. No surprise that a large grill was involved.
David IV took us on a tour of the FC Dallas Soccer stadium.
Marta and Colin introduced us to the Driftwood Seafood restaurant where we all learned that we do love brussel sprouts.
Lamar Hunt's statue at the FC Dallas stadium. Dad and I think there is quite the family resemblance.
David IV introduced us to a great local foods place called Whiskey Cake near Frisco, Tx. Loved the food and the decor but mainly loved being in hugging distance of David IV.
Both Davids, Michael and I chilled out at the Red Mango with a gazillion flavors of yogurt.
Late March Sunset at Lake Lure. It's always changing and always beautiful.
These are four steel magnolias who spent a day with me at the lake in early April to share our love for Rhett. As Sandy said, "it's good to be together so we can lift each other up."
In Mid April we were lucky enough to join some folks on a short trip to Cancun to celebrate love and life.
Secrets Maroma Beach, Cancun - the Mayan Riviera
While we were away Simba played. We laughed because this picture turned up in the Shelby Star.
Mexico has it's own interesting animals. These fascinating ones are Mexican Anteaters who roamed freely about the resort.
We were in Cancun to celebrate the wedding of Vance and Nathalie and a celebration it was in every way. Vance and Nathalie paid attention to every detail and we had a blast! We loved being with Canadian and American friends and family. We can thank them for inspiring us with a renewed
joie de vivre.
The Canadians spoke French, the Mexicans spoke Spanish. I spoke dance.
It's truly a universal language.
Tip of the hat to Selina's Zumba class for the dance moves.
The sweetest part of the wedding was seeing Vance tell Nathalie that he wanted to make each day better than the day before. And knowing that he meant it.
Back at home Mr. Cat relaxed.
Shortly after we arrived back from Mexico Bobby's health deteriorated rapidly. This is a picture of a joyous time with Bobby around the table at a dinner party a while back.
I love this picture of Bobby because he always enjoyed a good meal and a good party. He loved Quinn and his sweet grandchildren and his family. He will be missed but not forgotten.
There have been a lot of gatherings at our house recently with two and four legged friends to lift each other up. We are grateful for every chance to be together.
Who could look at this picture and not see pure joy and happiness? Simba loves to swim and run and we love to watch him. Oh the simple pleasures!
David, Dingo and Simba look forward to long summer nights when they can relax in the great outdoors.
Our house is a constant gathering place for people and animals. Princess visited briefly and I was proud of Simba, Dingo and David for showing her some Southern hospitality.
Jay, Cody, Leah and Alesha at Pleasant City Grille on a fun Tuesday night in Uptown Shelby.
When in doubt - Plant.
After spinning around in the whirlwinds of emotions I needed to get grounded. Literally. There is nothing that grounds me more firmly than planting a garden.
Jay was very helpful on planting day. He makes hoeing and digging and planting seem easy. And he also recognized the emotional lift that comes with gardening.
Like they say, "Happiness is almost always a rebound from hard work."
We planted tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers and herbs in a new location this year and I can't wait to watch them grow. So far so good.
On Mother's Day we felt especially grateful that Ruby Crowder Hunt and Katherine Quinn Mabry are our mothers. I mean, really. Look at these amazing women.
It was a relaxing and comforting time. Everyone brought a special dish and David grilled some killer chicken and pig.
I cut knock out roses from the yard for several flower arrangements for Mother's day. I loved this beautiful bloom surrounded by tiny baby blooms. It seemed particularly appropriate for the day.
The Mother's Day gathering required more than one table and we enjoyed all who could come. We missed those who couldn't be with us this year but we keep them in our hearts.
May Sunset at Lake Lure. The sunsets are fascinating with movement horizontally and vertically.
Fun with musical instruments. This was an old tuba that I thought was going to become an end table but it decided to be a plant stand. Wonder what song a geramium sings?
Rhett's Roasted Potatoes
Rhett made roasted potatoes for us several times last summer so I decided to try it the other night. He was great at winging a dish based on what was on hand. I don't know exactly what he did so I had to wing it myself.
Dice onions, jalapeno and red peppers and saute briefly in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Dice potatoes and spread it all in a thin layer in a pyrex dish. Roast at about 375 degrees until crispy and browned, stirring occasionally.
As Rhett would say, "Give it a whirl."
