After Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday in which families can take the opportunity to get together to express their gratitude.
Gratitude reawakens our awareness of just how good it is to be alive. All of our life experiences have brought us gifts for which we should give thanks. Granted, some of our life experiences have been bitter and painful. Yet, they, too, have contributed to making us who we are. They have contributed by tempering us with wisdom. They stretch the boundaries of our experience which, then allows us to feel joy and laughter far deeper, maybe even deep enough to awaken our awareness of how closely we are connected to everyone and everything around us.
I am grateful, on this Autumn day, to be alive and aware of just how lucky I am.
I am grateful for the opportunities I am given to be a blessing to all those whom I meet.


The weekend after Thanksgiving, Brett & Jessica brought Baby Olivia to visit her Great Grandmother, Eda Bea, and her Great Aunt, Denise and her Great Uncle Mushroom. She had a great time on her walk to El Dorado Park, where her dad used to play when he was little. Oh wait, Brett was never little. ;-)
Isis took the reins to get Sugar to the park.

Eda Bea was recovering from hand surgery when we all went to the park.

Eda Bea's great grand daughter, Olivia took a nap in the park.

While Tigerboy climbed the tree, sort of.

Jiho, Bonnie, Jessica and Brett enjoyed playing show and tell with their kids.

Brett asks, "Is Uncle Mushroom really a hobbit?"

Bonnie shots a photo while Mushroom shoots her.

Eda leads us all home

Brett, Olivia and Great Grandma Eda Bea rest after going to the park.

Isis was happy washing her hands before dinner. Playing in the water is
F U N ! ! !Dipping cookies in milk is fun and healthy, isn't it!

See mom, now I am being good, can I have my cookie now?

Our 2009 "Red Chili" Xmas tree, wheeeee!!!

Xmas Lighting at El Paseo

Beauty Abounds

Beauty abounds. Just take a look.
I mean really look. Beauty abounds around you.
Under foot, over head, side to side.
Awe. Such splendor is gifted upon us. Beauty abounds.
Look. The fairy hides, hidden in his wooden cloak.
He brings us awareness of the beauty all around.
"Look!" He shouts into our minds.
"Down here!
Deprive thyself not of the wondrous glory.
Your awareness I have beckoned.
Take heed.
Beauty abounds all around you."

I Am Aware Of My Existence.

I am aware of my existence.
My fingers touch my skin
and they become aware of what they are touching
and what is touching them.
I am aware of my existence. My existence is aware of me.
I step forward.
The air caresses my skin with soft kisses that awaken more of my skin and the muscles underneath.
I twirl on my foot and the dance begins.
My arms caress the muse that has entered my chamber.
Music wells up from within.
Joy enters the dance, kissing my lips as they gift a smile.
I am aware of my existence and my existence dances its awareness of me.

Denise & Mushroom go to Carlsbad

The beach was warm and inviting. It soothed my tired bones.

Denise just can't resist playing in the sand.

I looked down and to my amazement, the sand took on a life of its own as the mermaid shampoo receded.

Mother Nature loves to play in the sand too.

After we found a place to park we found this beautiful tree that had bright yellow mushrooms.

Edan loves spending time with Grandma

There is such a loving bond between Edan and Grandma. Edan just adores her.
Me too.

Isis Comes to Play

Omah and daughter, pretty in pink.

Tigerboy decided to give his little sister a kiss.

Tigerboy was so gentle with his little sister.

Blowing your nose can be so much fun!

Jiho is playing with Sugar. That furry ball is a dog.

Poor little Isis wore herself out. Daddy cradles her on his shoulder, as only a daddy can.

Isis was so tired that not even Bonnie's laughter could wake her.

Tigerboy comes to play

In Korea, my brothers would be little grandfathers to my grandchildren. Raymond took the opportunity to be a little grandfather and delighted Tigerboy into a playful smile.


Tigerboy was having so much fun stealing his abuelito's hat. He would grab the hat off of his abuelito's head and run. I would chase him and retrieve my hat. Then is abuelito turned him topsy turvy, while he gleefully giggled all the while.

1944 Letter from Lt. Allen Ditzler

I was cleaning the upstairs bedroom when I noticed a piece of paper flutter off the table and onto the carpet. As I picked it up, I noticed that is was a copy from a newspaper article. I read the title: Lt. Allen Ditzler Visits Belfast, Ireland. Denise's dad, served in England during WWII. Although I have only known him as Raymond Ditzler, his "legal" fist name is Allen. His middle name is Raymond.

I took Eda Bea (Denise's mom) to Starbucks for a tall mocha. I ordered a grande soy latte with dolce cinnamon syrup at 139 degrees. Eda Bea motioned that she wanted to sit on the soft lounge chairs outside, where we could enjoy the fresh air and the sound of speeding cars from the street and freeway. As we sipped our hot libations, I leaned towards her, smiling widely and with a loud voice to challenge the rustle and tussle of the traffic, I blurted, "Hey mom, I found a copy of a newspaper article from 1944 signed by Ditz." Her eyes widened and filled with tears. Stutteringly, she spurted out, "He was my husband." She searched in her purse for a tissue with which to wipe her tearing eyes as she repeated, "He was my husband." The tears flowed as her lips quivered. She tried to apologize for crying. I patted her knee and explained, "You are entitled to cry for those you love mom. Heaven knows I cry for Jeremy." She breathed out a big sigh and requested a regular coffee.

Flashing lights from a police car returned her composure. She took a few sips and requested that I drive her home. As we drove past the flashing lights I noticed the motorcycle cop writing out a traffic citation. She smiled, being grateful for the distraction. I will take her out again today. I will read the letter in a place that is more conducive to heartfelt listening.