It has been cold as you can see....here in Richland, WA. It's our last winter here so we are enjoying it.Will's work is still challenging but he's the "go to" guy so he likes being needed. Wish I could say the same. Being domestic is more than I ever wanted to handle. I am enrolled in 2 more classes at WSU.
One in "the psychology of aging" (as the admittance clerk said "Why would anyone 'study' that?) and "the art of love." Actually both classes are great. The aging class is like an adult development class from mid age to old-old age. A gerontology class if you will. Once I said since Sacramento didn't have a gerontology program back in the late 70's, I'll just study social work and become a gerontologist when I get there...meaning old age. And since
I had my 65th birthday in December...I'm there! I took some classes both on line and in Spokane recently to update my California license. Loved the classes and the communion with social workers! I'm looking at offering a "Crones" class at the local Parks & Recs in May/June. Depends on travels.
I was in California for Justin's, Tom David's, Marly's and Kiara's birthdays in January &
February. It was so great spending time at each grandchild's (and son's) home, seeing their daily lives and school activities. Marly gets up at 6am so her kind mother kept her from my room until 7! Kannon & Kiara were wonderful...they keep getting bigger and more socially involved. But being there before and after school and in the mornings and evenings adds so much intimacy. I got in trouble with their Dad...."every time you are here, you break the rules!!" Being lectured is never fun, I felt sorry for my grandson. But you know how Grandmother's are....we are not the rule makers..this time.
Justin & Maia are planning a wedding. He gave her a beautiful ring for Christmas...one that used old diamonds so as not to use the "blood diamonds" from Africa. And Kannon's 10th birthday is coming up in May. I will return to my favorite state (I love Jerry Brown! I keep up with his governorship through the paper and facebook. He's so frugal and such an inspiration for the many political leaders around the country.)
I'm also, as many of you, tired of the political rhetoric. The divisiveness of the republicans (and democrats) is toooo much. But what's most disturbing are the conspiracy folks, the anti-college educationist, the racists and the lack of impulse control in our politicians! The governor of Arizona approaching President Obama on the tarmac....it's only comparable to that idiot in SC calling Obama a liar! How do we teach our children to respect others and our leaders with these offensive public displays?? And this from an anti-vietnam war protestor!! A formerly pot-smoking feminist from California? Let's hope this election is soon over and Obama has 4 more years to support our government and it's people.
We went to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho last month. It's a fabulous little place with lots of great shops, water and art. Thanks Dick & Linda (SC) for the suggestion. Like you, we loved it. It snowed while we were there. Spokane is ok....divided into the old town and the newer part of the City. It was nice to engage with local social workers and see how much dismantling of services...especially Drug & Alcohol Services...is currently going down. It will be difficult to reestablish such important work for those without means.
So let's see...we have another "Reflection Cafe" gathering soon (it's our local community chat group) and this time we are meeting at one of our facilitators home. This last week the topic was "humor" and we all had some good laughs. Surprisingly we all liked Bill Maher! We have discussed religion, art, the meaning of life, etc. but to date...not politics! We are a bunch of atheists, agnostics, Christians, catholics, Presbyterians who all actually like each other!
We had our annual Academy Awards party...and Will won the kitty! See his trophy?
So with this update...I will say adieu....till we meet again. "Slow down, calm down, don't worry, don't hurry and trust the process"....Alexandra Stoddard
