Spread Across Miles

One of the amazing aspects of this family is how spread across America we are. The concentration is on the west coast, but there are family members in the south and northeast too. We litter the population from Seattle to New York City and many places in between.

Yet this geographic distribution doesn't prevent us from being whole, being one pulse on the landscape that is America. Our family represents a wide range of beliefs and influences with a common history. For everything that makes us individually unique, there is a core set of attributes which holds us together.

Today is Thanksgiving. I could write many paragraphs listing what to be thankful for. Instead, let it be known that the simple things - a crayon drawing with Memphis, tea with Deborah, a phone call with Chula - are most precious in the heart. God has been so generous with our family, giving us the full experience of life.

We were with friends the other night, celebrating a birthday, when one of the parents talked about having to do countdowns with their daughter, when she misbehaves. Apparently she only has to count 1, 2 then her daughter gets that it's time to straighten up. I have to believe God is still counting with us.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Kids Do Grow Up

Cousin Krystina was married this past weekend to Alvin. The wedding ceremony was private [she feared a Mexican mob might scare the new in-laws] but the reception was open to kin folk. Those of us who attended ate the goodies and danced with little ones. Krystina looked great, sounded confident in her new path with Alvin. Diann [Mother] will hopefully post a few pictures of the ceremony here.

Across town, the day before, cousin Quia graduated from massage school. Likewise this was a private affair. It was nice to see new healers enter the world - God knows we need it. Quia also follows her own tribal path, since many of her elders were healers. There was this fussy guy in front of us who didn't like the noise Memphis was making... he needed a massage.

What's cool is I remember attending both Krystina and Quia's high school graduation a few years back. It was one of those years in our family where there was 7 graduates in the same year. We are a large tribe.

Congratulations Quia and Krystina!

So close, yet not quite NYC

We were entered, second hand, into a contest to fly to New York City for a U2 album-listening party. This morning the winner was announced, and it wasn't us :[

First, need to thank our dear friend Ethan who got us into the finalist drawing. He called into the radio station, as the tenth caller, and got our names on the list. But in the end they chose someone else. It's disappointing, as Deborah pointed out "would have been fun to pack a bag and go".

Every day is an adventure, every day is a unwrapped gift, waiting to be opened. Every day we are thankful for the gifts, and the wrappings. We're not going to NYC but we are attending cousin Quia's graduation ceremony, to celebrate completion of her massage therapist training. This is big stuff, we'll be honored to be there. We might even bring a U2 mix.

I'll post pictures of Quia's graduation here later. Adios.

Con Sueno [not suerte]

Is anybody else tired? There are some weeks time is not on your side AND the end of the day feels like a short rest before another load is dropped on the back. Not complaining - would mess with my yoga practice to do so, but it's hard to ignore how flat out tired folks are these days.

People laugh at all of us kin living in the northwest, drinking all the coffee we do. But you take away the black stuff, it's like a zombie march. I need my thrill each day, and lately it's without the foam - just pour the espresso into a small cup and let me shoot it.

Well let's all perk up because next week there's a celebration. We're all going to say a collective "gracias" to many a worthy cause. Get some rest; kiss a friend, and let the fatigue roll over the back.

Now where's that shot glass?

Cookin

Anyone have a better idea than Turkey? Let's here it. Drop your recipes here; share the good stuff that makes you sleep bad, you're so full from eating more than you needed. What's my favorite recipe for the holiday? It starts with re-heated tamales, Chula's of course. Then you add that sweet potatoe pie Deborah does so well.

And don't forget the drinks. Good teas, or a fruit shake. Anything to get the pipes moving in the right direction. A fiesta always includes glasses, full to the brim, raised in celebration. This year, perhaps more than any other in recent time, deserves a toast, a blessing - gracias El Senor!

Bring on the treats; share the smells of your kitchen. We're ready.

Chula's 95th Birthday 

Muy Incredible!

We took Memphis to see "The Incredibles" last night. First of all, this is a great movie; and I generally reserve praise for only exceptional films. Pixar did a nice job of weaving a story with a lot of complex themes into an easy to enjoy tale. You can get lost in the animation because it's so good, so full of emotional hooks. And before the movie, there's a short film which gives a nice uplift after the long week we all had.

What was also great was Memphis sat through the entire movie - this is a first for her. She made it from previews->credits; almost two hours! And she had a ton of fun watching it [it's not hard because "The Incredibles" is such a fun movie]. It's not like we'll be taking her to the movies every week, but when there's something special to see, we have confidence she can watch it entirely without fuss. I guess the trick is picking the right movie.

Other news... Fran just sent mail about Ray's new treatment, amen!

Canada? What about Mexico?

Now everyone wants to move to Canada. Not me. It's too damn cold. What about Oaxaca? The chances that all of you will visit us in Oaxaca, as opposed to Toronto, are very high. There's sun, great food, tons of Mexicans and Catholics, and it's cheap.

But back to why we would move... let's not run away because of one election. It's true USA has been kicking Mexican butt from the beginning; and yet today many of us are prosperous and healthy in the "land of the free". Who wants to go back to picking fruit, or living like a third world peasant? Moving to Mexico [or anyplace else outside the USA] doesn't solve problems here. Let's stay home and fix what needs fixin.

Now if I can just find that tamale vendor from Redmond...

Chula with Ellen, Valentines Day 04 

What I don't need for CHRISTmas

Chula always makes these great bags, with nuts and fruit; brown paper bags. It's very country, like a piece of the farm you can't embrace other than to admire it. It's a tradition we hope to continue with Memphis.

There's this new smartphone that has all kinds of nutty features. Most important is the integrated MP3 player, so instead of having a cell phone AND an MP3 player I have one device, only one, to carry in my tight jeans. But then there's the problem of mystery phone calls, which is triggered by walking with the cell phone in the pocket of aforementioned tight jeans. I have called more people accidently... oh the stories my phone will tell.

Chula never gave me a red wagon for Christmas... but I'm thinking Memphis needs one.