Spring Snow

Whoda thunk it? Snow in April? Sure, here in the mountains, anything is possible! It was beautiful, if unexpected, and we'll take our water any way we can.


Nonetheless, spring is definitely here, although we lack the plethora of flowers that the abundant waters of the midwest and east create. We have the forsythia and the daffodils, the tulips and the lilacs, but they are not set off by expansive green lawns (except for those of los ricos). Our backdrop is the blue, blue sky - talk about expansive!

A Fond Farewell

We said good-bye to Wini yesterday at a beautiful memorial service at Garfield Memorial Church. Most of the family spoke--Lorie Post, Ben, Elizabeth (Libby) & Ken Haffey, and Chip Post. There were three ministers and all had kind and loving words to say about Wini. The pastor of the church looked a bit and sounded a lot like Al Gore. The other two ministers were women, one of whom certainly knew Wini well. The music was lovely, with the great Protestant standbys like How Great Thou Art. Music in church, any church, always makes me tear up now.

Adios Amiga

A fond Vaya con Dios to our dear friend Wini. Both Ellen and I are very grateful that we had the opportunity to enjoy lunch with her in March. I like to think that Mom is welcoming her with a celestial cocktail and a sunny smile, now that their earthly work is done. Two great women, whom it was a privilege to know and love....

I Survived

Two weeks back in Santa Fe and one week back at work, which I have survived....work, why is it like that? Not that I want to play all the time, in fact, I am rather bad at playing, since I am such a bustling sort of person. Sigh, I guess we can't all be Terry Moir, with a career that we love...she's Da Bomb!

An Honor for Terry

Today, Terry was one of three honorees of the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters (along with Denise Dufala and Jimmy Malone, for those who might remember some Cleveland personalities) . She was introduced by Brooke, who was very funny and quite complimentary. Terry gave a short speech thanking all those who helped her achieve what she has today. Her remarks were very nice and delivered well, although she was extremely nervous. Her super-red face gave away her nerves! It was a really nice luncheon and quite a prestigious honor for her. I think we all know what a force she is in the Cleveland market and she is to be congratulated! And although I am always proud to be a Moir, there was a little something extra today!

Happy Easter

The Saints of April
Coltsfoot gives way to dandelion,
plum to apple blossom. Cherry fills
our woods, white petals melting
like the last late snow. Dogwood's
stigmata shine with the blood
of this season. How holy
forsythia and redbud are
as they consume their own
flowers, green leaves running
down their crowns. Here is
the shapeliness of bodies
newly formed, the rich cloth
that covers frail bones and hides
roots that hold fervently
to this dark earth.
- Ted Davis

This Mastrangelo Life (3 Acts)

Act 1 Room With A View
This week, after years of thinking about it, the shelves that separated my kitchen and eating area were carefully removed. It is astonishing how much light is streaming into my kitchen. This has motivated me to clean and re-arrange all of my kitchen drawers and even to buy new dishes. Nothing like a fresh start!









Act 2 Nonna's Bread

As Part of Her Jesus Day Retreat, Maria watched a movie called Nonna's Bread. In the movie, Nonna and her grandson are making Italian Easter bread. Nonna promises the boy they will make the bread for his First Communion. I'm sure you know what happens next--Nonna has a heart attack and dies. The boy is heartbroken and when his First Communion comes along, his dad steps up to the plate and makes the bread with him. Up until then, the dad, of course, had been distant and distracted. Well, Maria wanted to make the bread for Easter...so we did! Our Nonna found us the recipe. And as Maria said, this bread is special because she braided it!

Act 3 Lost, and then Found

I was lying in bed last night next to my beloved son and I crossed my hands across each other. I noticed something rather sharp and pointy. It was the prongs of my engagement ring, minus the beautiful diamond. I popped right up out of bed and proceeded to scour the downstairs for my diamond. No luck! I even emptied out my hand vacuum and swept the floors with a broom. So I went to bed, but slept fitfully, worrying about that diamond. I woke up right at 7AM and raced over to the Y since we had gone swimming the day before. I looked in and around the lockers we had used and in the shower room. Again, no luck. At this point, I am saddened, but relieved that we have a jewelry rider on our insurance. Back at the Y several hours later for swim class, I scanned the locker room floor one more time, just in case. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a 1 carat loose emerald cut diamond! My friend Christine had said a prayer to St. Restituta when I told her I lost the diamond. Less than 5 minutes later, I found the thing. I have never heard of St. Restituta before, but Christine told me her aunt, an Ursuline nun who was once the president of Ursuline College, always prayed to St. Restituta when she lost something. I shall be trying to find out more about this great saint!

Home, James!

We got back in the saddle again after a sudden and powerful rainstorm in Oklahoma City this morning kept us lingering at the Days Inn! Our last day on the road took us home to New Mexico with no fuss, just a few aching bones and some melancholy on my part for the old homestead and the missing parents. Powerful headwinds slowed us down, but the skies are blue and sunny, and Easter weekend looks like it will be mid-60's and breezy. Not as warm as Cleveland in April, whoda thunk it?


WE SETTLE IN AT HOME WISHING A BLESSED PASCHA TO ALL FROM COAST TO MOUNTAIN TO HEAVEN ABOVE!

Westward, Ho!

We crossed the Missisippi this morning and are now officially back in the Great West! There was only one question, however, and only Chris can answer it: WHAT is a Billiken?