stomach flu

a few sips of broth, some saltines...a bit of jello, some ginger tea,ibuprohpen, doses of pepto-bismol....YUP! It's the stomach flu...yuck.

ashes to ashes...dust to dust...

What is Ash Wednesday?

Also known as dies cinerum, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a penitential season observed by many Christians. While the exact date of Ash Wednesday varies from year to year, it is always in either the month of February or March, depending on where Easter falls in the liturgical year. On Ash Wednesday, worshippers attend services at which they receive ashes on their foreheads. The pastor marks the forehead of each worshipper, often saying "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."



Where do the ashes come from?

The ashes consist of burned palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday service. The ashes are blessed by a priest or pastor.



Why do people receive ashes?

Ashes are viewed throughout Christian history as a symbol of humility and sacrifice for those who wear them. In earlier times, Christians who committed serious sins did public penance. As part of this, they were sprinkled with ashes and required to wear sack cloths. In later years, penitents were also turned away from their place of worship for the entire season of Lent until Holy (Maundy) Thursday, by which time they had atoned for their sins. Eventually all Christians came to receive ashes in acts of devotion as well.



Why do people fast on Ash Wednesday?

While Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, it is the start of one of the most important seasons in the Christian liturgical year. Since fasting is an integral part of the Lenten season, it is strongly encouraged, and even required, of most Christian worshippers on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics and members of some other denominations also abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent.



How long does Lent last?

Lent (also referred to as the Great Lent in Orthodox Christian traditions) is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday (Pascha), and lasts six and a half weeks. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. During Lent, Christians purify themselves by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, and making changes and sacrifices in their lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

RUTH ALYCE HAMEL HAMLETT...it's her birthday today...born at home in the midst of a blizzard in 1932...she celebrates today and we all celebrate along with her....

Mom - you ROCK!!!

xoxoxox Much love and hugs from your firstborn.

the case against vanity plates

I have had a "vanity" plate on my car forever it seems...but it is really only since 1980 - when I finished my social work degree. Intimidated and ticked off by the 70+ psychiatrists I worked with on a daily basis in Connecticut (all of whom seemed to have MD plates) I decided to get one that said SOC WRK. I was hardly ever mistaken for someone who loves to darn socks (Sock Work) and often got smiles and waves from other (I presume) social workers.

I had a midlife crisis of sorts and moved to New Mexico where I promptly got Land of Enchantment plates that read WLDWOMN (Wild Woman). That was quite a phase!!

When I returned to LA a few years later I reverted to my usual SOC WRK. That was fine and then I got bored and a bit uninspired as a social worker and decided to get a plate to reflect my own name rather than my profession...so....2BRNT2B..."To Be or Not to Be" OK, it was really lame....but those who know my last name is HAMLETT might think it fun or funny. I could never remember if it was 2BRNOT2B, 2BORN2B or whatever....so I gave it up and returned once again to SOC WRK. When I bought my new MINI I wrote out what I wanted for my new license plate but it came back as SOCWORK. Sigh....I could live with that....

Today is the first time I've ever had a negative response and it was nearly a violent one!

As I slowly backed up from the parking space at the Von's grocery store a block away where I had stopped after work (I needed some coffee), a young man around 20ish, tall, of indeterminate ethnicity put his face against my car window and started yelling and screaming and making fist thrusts at me. He yelled many obscenities, mostly about how social workers had ruined his life and now he wanted to ruin mine. I continued (after a moment or two of sheer panic) to slowly back up...then I noticed he had a friend with him on the other side of my car also yelling threatening things. Thank God I always lock my doors as soon as I get into the car. I didn't have the top down or the windows down yet, but I had planned to since it was 70+ degrees outside and I wanted to feel the wind in my hair (now that I have some)! These guys would not move...the scariest part is the the first young guy had his face either painted or tattooed with tribal markings and looked positively freaky. I got out my cell phone (the battery was dead) and made believe that I was calling the police...they slowly backed away and I zipped out of that parking lot.

I had planned a nice quiet evening of beading "therapy" but my hands are still shaking...I know I am supposed to say something wise or profound here...but all I can think of is that I wish that stupid social worker (whoever he/she was) hadn't ruined that guy's life...cause my afternoon sure was ruined!!

from North Bollywood

I guess I'm going to have to change my address form North Hollywood to North Bollywood...while I thought the Slumdog movie was good...I don't think it deserved ALL the Academy Awards....

Nat came over and watched the neighborhood event with me...we enjoyed pizza and chicken wings!!

He also helped me to take better pix of my earring creations..."Handmade by Holly" or "By Hand, By Holly" what do you you think the name of my shop should be???

my first three creations...

ok - I am a terrible photographer...but it turns out I have a bit of a knack for jewelry making...today I went to my first class and really loved it...here are my first three efforts...three pairs of earrings....Lydia was our teacher and she was o so patient and funny...a former belly dancer too!! the other women were lovely - Beth, Myrna, Bernie and, and...what was the other lady's name??? anyway...it was really fun and relaxing and i love being a jewelry maker now....btw Bernie's two kids were there - Stephanie and Mark and they were so well-behaved and sweet and only 6 and 7 years old (i think).. and Beth is expecting her second in April...what fun the day was! I can't wait to do it all over again next Saturday...I have so many ideas in my head now...my mind is dancing with jewelry....

wires, beads and pliers....

...oh yeah...inspiration is a good thing too!

It's thursday

I can't believe how quickly this week has passed....I've been busy with work and resting up from work...boring, I know...but I am adjusting to life without a lot of drama and I think I like it that way...at least for now.

On Saturday I've signed up for a jewelry making class. I'l re-learn how to do wire wrapping, which I love. Becky and I plan to meet for a quick drink or bite to eat sometime this weekend and I have stuff going on at church on Sunday....

Matilda says "HI"....

Poems for Nubian Women

I am tired of being told that I am not beautiful
because I do not look like the models
in fashion magazines and on television.
I'm sick and tired of being told that
I'm not beautiful if I don't wear the
latest bra that forces my breasts upward
and inward to create an illusion of
youthful perky breasts.
Never mind that it is highly uncomfortable
and bad for your health.

I am beautiful as I am.
I am the shape that was gifted.
My breasts are no longer perky and upright
like when I was a teenager.
My hips are wider than that of a fashion model's.
For this I am glad, for these
are the signs of a life lived.
My breasts are not perky and have
the streaks of stretch marks on them.
These are signs that I nourished my children here.
I bonded with them here.
My hips are wider, but I consider this a blessing.
I'm thankful for these hips.
They have allowed me to birth my children with ease.

I am tired of how this society worships youth.
I am not twenty any more and
have the knowledge of life's experiences.
I have gained the wisdom and knowledge
to be able to make good decisions in my life.

(Author Unknown)

a capella

yesterday afternoon i had a delightful experience at Cal Tech! my friend and i attended an a capella concert...it was fantastic...there were several groups - all college students - Cal Tech's own: "Fluid Dynamics", UCLA's "Random Voices", USC's Troy Tones", Cal Tech's "Out of Context", USC's "Sirens" and finally USC's "Trojan Men" - my personal favorite!

the setting was huge old hall hung with portraits of distinguished former Cal Tech nerds with a floor to ceiling fireplace, wood paneling and great acoustics. it reminded me of the beautiful room at YDS where Kirk and I had our wedding reception...what was the name of that room?? Oh yeah....it was referred to as the Common Room, but let me reassure you - it was a MOST uncommon room indeed...

Women....

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.
If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.
So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

My friend Barb sent this to me and I LOVED IT!! Wanted to share with all of you........

Valentine's Day

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barret Browning

Jordan is waiting in NYC....

My lovely, sweet, smart, cute, funny and o so fantastic daughter is in Brooklyn tonight waiting, waiting, waiting for a plane to land...I hope she has a wonderful..special and sweet weekend... I can't wait to see her in April and May and...then....soon after I hope. How great is it that a person can be a part of creating another? I am humbled by my offspring....in a little more than a month - she will be 25 years old! I really can't believe it and though it is so cliche...it feels like yesterday that she was born...

great day!

What a great day today has been - nothing special...really...just work and life...but I felt particularly grateful for all the blessings and gifts of the world...each day should be like this....



T'is so much joy! T'is so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured all upon a throw;
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so
This side the victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!
And if, indeed, I fail,
At least to know the worst is sweet.
Defeat means nothing but defeat,
No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain,—oh, gun at sea,
Oh, bells that in the steeples be,
At first repeat it slow!
For heaven is a different thing
Conjectured, and waked sudden in,
And might o’erwhelm me so!

Emily Dickinson

uh...just not inspired

ok - so not much happening here in HollyLand...work, work, work - for which i am grateful every day. had a nice relaxing evening with nat last night - caesar salad, garlic bread, stuffed shells and homemade brownies...severl episodes of Heroes.

fun!

quiet weekend ahead...but i am determined NOT to get depressed about not having a Valentine for the first time in memory...ah well.

too cute to wait to post

This little beauty is my sweet dog "Matilda". Matilda told me this afternoon that she would like a visit from her Grammy in Massachusetts. She has heard all about how much Grammy loved "Noah" and she wants a chance to win over Grammy's heart....

two little MINI's..

...sittin' in a lot
my, i thought, "don't they look hot"?
side by side and o so red
"look like twins" my son Nat said
so phone in hand and with a quick move
he took this pic so you could groove
on my blog along with me
my little MINI and a wave from Holly

OK - so no one is every going to accuse me of having poetic genius...but sometimes a little doggerel verse is just the thing.

Nat and I did not get to see the movie we wanted last night - all sold out, but we shared a nice simple dinner of cheese enchildas (him) and chicken tortilla soup (me).

When he walked me back to my car we found that another little red MINI was snuggled up to my Pepper...

saturday in the park...

...tried to take Matilda to the dog park today but it was too muddy and wet...so we settled for a lovely decaf, nonfat latte from Starbucks...Well, actually I had the latte and we shared a muffin.

...Pepper got her oil changed for the first time today and Karen (my mechanic) who wrote a wonderful book on car maintenance for women entitled, "Know Your Fluids" was very impressed with her and gave her a clean bill of health! I know I had the car thoroughly checked out before buying it - but still, now that Karen has given it her "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" I feel affirmed in my choice.

...the rest of the day has been lazy and quiet and I'm looking forward to going to movie and maybe getting a bite to eat with my #1 son!!

what a week!

Phew...it's finally Friday night. I had a very busy week at work with just a limited amount of energy for extra things...finally the busy-ness came to a stop with Friday night arriving...and a nice relaxing dinner with a good friend in Silverlake. He cooked and I enjoyed!

Tomorrow brings a trip to my favorite mechanic - Karen, to get an oil change for Pepper. Later - Nat and I will catch a movie...we still haven't seen The Wrestler...

And to top off the news of the week...yes, it's true...Migue announced his wedding plans to the new one...they are planning to have the festivities during my birthday month - so very thoughtful of them don't you think?? The new one was troubled by our seemingly recent break-up and so I guessed she upped the ante a bit...and he went for it...incredible.

A snippet of advice - don't take phone calls form your ex-boyfriend while you are driving to work in the morning...it may result in missed exits, mascara stained cheeks and explaining all day to people that your eyes are red and puffy because you have allergies. I do have allergies - especially to lying cheaters...

Some have commented that I should 'let it go', 'move on' etc...all very helpful advice and believe it or not - ranting on my blog is helping me to do just that.

BTW Migue - send back my set of 24 green water and wine goblets and all my other belongings that you still have at your house would you ? AAAHHHHHHH...I feel better now.

John Updike is Dead

How many of had our thoughts and feelings shaped by his words? Even our spiritual lives were touched and influenced by his insights and critiques. Garrison Keillor had a wonderful tribute to Updike yesterday on Prairie Home Companion and I wish I could get it on tape or the transcript... he read a short essay by Updike about church in America...how is it Updike asked, that a beautiful, spacious and sometimes ornate piece of architecture exists clean and warm and ready for use for only 1 -2 hours a week? I think of my church in Hollywood which is home to an arts preschool, a theater company, break dancers, headstart programs and is part of the Jubilee Consortium which is a collaborative of city churches doing outreach, education and community building. And yes - it is a home for worship 1 - 2 hours a week also...Updike would have loved my church and its people. I do.