1. Much has been written this week about Maya Angelou. She touched so many people. My personal gratefulness centers on her poem "And Still I Rise" which was, and continues to be, my inspiration for every time I ever fell down that rabbit hole of anxiety, fear and despair. Her words gave me strength. Every. Single. Time. How do you thank someone for that?
2. That one of my dearest friend's father has been gravely ill. So ill that he was told to get his affairs in order. And then he recovered. He credits all the prayers that were sent his way, so I am grateful for all those prayers. And that he feels better.
3. Spaghetti squash. One of the nice things about your kids going to college to live with other kids is that they learn all sorts of new recipes. I had never had spaghetti squash and probably would have never tried it since I generally don't care for other squashes. But my daughter made it and I really like it. It's a good thing to be able to add new vegetables to my rather limited veggie repertoire.
4. Power tools. I've been doing a lot of work around the house and cabin. Reciprocating saw, miter saw, table saw, Dremel thing, jig saw, all sorts of drills, lawn tractor, rototiller - I have them all. I can't even imagine the labor that was necessary to build a shelter or clear fields before we had all this powerful help.
5. Mondays off. Yesterday was 84 and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky. And I got to enjoy every moment of it in my garden and lounging on the grass.
This is my favorite Angelou poem. Re-reading now, it reminds me of you as you have suffered great pain and injustice yet live with such joy and love and especially gratitude. That's you!
ReplyDeletePhenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
the swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
what they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
the need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
- Maya Angelou
Power tools. And women who know how to use them. This is what lesbian porn is all about! Well, it should be anyway. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove you, 8!
We were able to see Maya last November - she came out and talked to the audience prior to her performance and she was just an awesome person - now we know it was such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try spaghetti squash - we bought one once but didn't fix it.
Enjoy your days off in the sunshine!
1. what e said. Mawr.
ReplyDelete2. ♥ Maya.
3. I'm trying to get MY daughter more interested / invested in veggies. Sadly for me, the next culinary cycle is baking. I'll have to do my own squashing. ;-)
4. Yay 80s.