Trickle-down is still a trickle

 

This photo and quote say it all.  Trickle-down is, at best, a trickle. 

 

 

Double rainbows to you

Who doesn’t marvel at the wonder of a rainbow?  There’s something about seeing such colorful grandness arching overhead that makes all of humanity stop and stare.  And a double rainbow?  Well, that must just bring twice the good fortune.

We recently spotted this double delight while at our son’s and new daughter-in-law’s wedding in Colorado.  We were conversing during the rehearsal dinner, everyone thrilled with the light rain that was falling then (instead of the next day at the outdoor nuptials), when the natural phenomenon was spotted.  Oh, my, we all gushed.  Surely this portends extra special good luck for the happy couple.  And because we thought it, it is true.

Since that day, this picture has beckoned to me more than once. 

A good friend’s mother was celebrating her 91^st birthday and my friend asked 91 people to send her mother birthday wishes.  Their address?  Rainbow Road.  Of course, I sent a copy of this picture in my card.

A dear mentor of mine recently celebrated her birthday.  She’s given me the comfort and wisdom of her old-soulness, in ways I’ll never be able to repay.  But, she reads this blog.  And, so, I can offer her this double rainbow of good wishes.  J

And, lastly, we just heard about the death of a very special aunt.  As we prepare to bury her and to say our goodbyes, this picture, again, makes its way to the group of us.  We feel lighter looking at it, as if we’re connected, again, with our loved one who has joined the spectrum of light.

It’s time for me to pass the double rainbow on, and so, I give it to you.  Take from it what you need and keep it for as long as you like.  Then deliver it to others who will make good use of it.

 

Callie the cat is 21!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CALLIE!

Our wonderful calico cat, Callie, turned 21 years old on Saturday.  Yes, you heard correctly. Twenty one.  And, she’s still kicking.

Callie is now officially legal in every state, and by cat/human charts is the equivalent of 104 human years old.  Perhaps a tuna juice toast is in order?

According to our veterinarian, cats, on average, live to be about 12-14 years, so, yes, this puts Callie at the top of the charts.  Granted, everyone seems to have a story about some or another aged feline, but our vet says our little ball of fur is the oldest cat he's ever seen.

And we are grateful.

So, cheers to little Callie, recently deemed “calm and beautiful” by an admirer.  Thank you, Callie, for many warm memories and for your comforting presence these past decades.  



Cuteness

A few weeks ago, I gave a reading at Cook Memorial Library in Libertyville, IL.  The reading was well attended and during the Q&A, a woman asked if I had any advice for young wanna-be writers.  Well, naturally, I waxed effusively about the joys and wonders of the writing life and encouraged any as-yet-unpublished scribblers to write away, keep the faith, never give up, etc.

After the reading, a ten-year-old girl came up to me and confessed that it was her mother who had asked the question about writers for her.  We chatted for a little while and the little girl told me that she was already “writing a lot” – in her diary and in emails.  Recently, she had also started a blog and had a right smart number of followers.  I told her that she had a great start as a writer since she was already doing exactly what she needed to do – practice.  I told her to keep writing and she would have a book herself someday.

She thanked me, grinned sweetly, then presented me with this little bit of origami.  “It’s a bunny,” she said.  “I made it for you.” 

How adorable is that?  She absolutely made my day. 

Of course, I gladly accepted the bunny, and still have it sitting on my desk.  Whenever I see it, I smile, thinking of the little girl who made it and her wishes and dreams.  I can only hope the advice I gave her had half as much impact on her as her impromptu gift had on me.

Here’s a toast to up-and-coming little writers everywhere – may your pencils be sharp and your imaginations unfettered!