Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Ok, so the card is late (it’s still sitting on my desk at home) but the well wishes are certainly behind them.

I am truly blessed to have had two wonderful grandmothers, and one of them is still in my life offering love and support, good food and good times. She taught me to laugh, to crawl into bed early and read the night away, to love homemade beans and cornbread, and the value of love. It is an honor to give my youngest son her maiden name as his middle name.

So, Happy Birthday and My Love to you!

Thursday Musings:

A continued blessed Bright Week to everyone! Our weather was gorgeous on Monday and Tuesday, but not so much yesterday and today. We have a Little League game to attend, so hopefully the rain will hold off until after than.

- On Tuesday, I had the wonderful blessing of meeting Alicia. She was here with her daughter looking at colleges (I told her that her daughter was getting the wrong impression of a Spring in the Northwest). We talked about babies, midwifery, religion, children and parenting (and she was wonderfully calming and helpful on that “how do I parent teens” question), books and all sorts of things. She’s just as warm and welcoming as I expected her to be, and she has this gorgeous long auburn hair she was wearing in kicky braids. I enjoyed every minute of our meeting.

I spaced and didn’t bring my camera, but she had one with her, so I’m sure once she arrives back home, she’ll post the photo.

- I’m making my first foray into Chick Lit. I suspect it may be my last for awhile. It is however, light reading for Bright Week and I’m enjoying that. Next up will be Marley and Me, I've heard good things about it.

- This week marks the Twentieth Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster It’s been interesting to read articles and rememberances about this milestone. Thanks to Anastasia I found this lovely blog Slavs of New York with many interesting links to articles and commemorations of the anniversary. I capped it off by watching this heartbreaking video essay (warning: it is graphic and difficult to watch). I forgot to add, link from Father Thomas

I am struck by the fact that this anniversary comes during Bright Week. May the Memories of those who lost their lives be Eternal and may God be with those who still suffer the consequences of the disaster each and every day

Christ is Risen!

Our church's Paschal Liturgy was bright and beautiful, served by three priests - the two priests attached to our parish and the priest from the local military base - and two deacons, and a full contingent of Altar Boys.

My favorite Altar Boy listening to the Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

And, a couple of hours later, a tired Favorite Altar Boy watching the blessing of the baskets.
Our basket is on the left in the rear.







What a beautiful picnic yesterday – the weather was over 70 degrees – a beautiful and sunny day. I enjoyed visiting with friends yesterday, including Lizzie -who brought the wonderful Pascha bread using Presbytera Elizabeth’s recipe - and the Mousethief family And, in another Presbytera Elizabeth moment, I bit into a salad and noticed an unusual taste sensation – um, that was lamb. Xavier was sitting there saying “Mom, it’s been ten years since you ate meat….” (note: it’s actually been more than that) I’m still not quite over that moment.

We arrived home and Eddie had planted some Bleeding Hearts I bought, and fixed the fence.

All in all a lovely day. Bright Week Blessings to everyone! May the light of the Risen Christ illumine you and your family!