Billy Collins Nails It Again

Some poets just have it down...

Forgetfulness

The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,

as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,

something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.

Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.

It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.

No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.

- Billy Collins

I Miss My Family!

One of the gifts that Mom and Dad gave to us in their last years was the overlapping visits where we would see each other as we experienced the "changing of the guard. " I miss that, I miss seeing you all...and I thank our parents for that last opportunity for laughter and tears!

Top'O'The Morning to Ye All!

You may have to cut and paste, but I send you this Irish greeting for a wonderful day in the midst of the current global tribulations...who better than the Irish to understand dealing with challenge, especially now, with their economy hammered into the ground!

http://www.e-water.net/viewflash.php?flash=irishblessing_en

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Day Big Sis.  3 years to Medicare!

Happy Birthday Sheba!

Here's a BIG birthday wish - and a little bit of birthday laughter - for our BIG sistah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xpeami317s

And sorry, She, but you'll have to cut and paste the link down at the library for happy high-speed hilarity!!!

Happy 18th to Roberto!

Mr. Rob Moir is EIGHTEEN! And here's what Alice Cooper has to say about that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwm2bNCTMdQ

While We're On The Subject

Everytime I see an older lady anywhere, I am reminded of Mom.

African Violets

It seem that Mom's African Violets have a death wish.  After blooming so beautifully last year, they now appear to be on their last legs.  The big one, particularly, does not seem to drink any water.  I have watered from above once or twice because I just had to give it some nourishment.  I re-potted it in a shallower pot with African Violet soil and it hasn't made a difference.  Frankly, I'm surprised they've lasted this long.  I never had the touch that Mom had.