Today is Sunday. The fellow who gave a sermon in the church spoke of the prayer. He looks like a, somewhat, aged linebacker, a tall and handsome man. A lot of his public speaking is peppered with the examples from the sports and the games that he played. You wouldn't expect him to be so profoundly grateful for the internal aspects of life. But he talks about prayer like a man who is thinking all night about the conversation he will have with his beloved.
He told us how, when he first began to pray spontaneously (before that he was from the Catholic background and prayed in the prescribed words and ways), when he first felt God communing with him and listening to his simple entreaties, he couldn't wait to get out into the woods, to the spot that he found there to be alone, and talk to God some more.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
MONSTER RALLY 2
The lunch was scrumptious! Sveta made borscht and golubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls). Dr. Park, who was starting to pout from the lack of attention to himself, thought that it was a Korean soup, because of the red color. For those of you who don't know what it is, borscht is a beef soup (emphases on beef), made with beets, cabbage and potatoes. Its eaten with a dollop of sour cream. The taste was beautiful: better than wine! Sveta is a fabulous cook. After my mom passed away, I didn't think that I'd ever eat such wonderful Russian food. I can imitate her, but it never comes out that good. Golubtsi were also delicious; there was so much food that we ourselves got stuffed too! Right after the main meal, Sveta pulled out a home-made cake. We didn't want to upset the hostess, so we ate the dessert. And what a dessert! The cake was dense, with apples and crisp walnuts in it and delightful cream-cheese icing. Cream-cheese icing can be too bland or sour, but that one was just perfect. I'm sure, I'll find the reasons to visit that house very soon!
I don't know, who raised my companions! After the lunch, Taka peacefully fell asleep next to me on the couch, Roberta got her hands on the orange kitten and didn't pay attention to anyone else, Dr. Park only paid attention to his Smart Phone, playing some game or something: it bleeped a lot. Sonny and I were left to carry the conversation. Thank God for Sonny!
I asked Sveta to tell us about herself. She was born in Russia, close to the border with Ukraine. She has many brothers still living there. Her mother passed away and father is living. Sveta joined our movement in the beginning of the 21st century. She and her husband worked in America for a long time, before they settled by themselves.
While the adults were eating, kids, who ate earlier, got their hands on the package of table napkins. Looking into the living room, we saw that they laid the napkins on the floor, like the plates for all their soft toys, whom they sat in a line across the whole room. When we began talking after dinner, children started the campaign to draw our attention to them. There was a lot of running, jumping off the furniture and even balloon popping! Katya came and leaned on me heavily. She chewed the gum and used her hands to pull it in all directions out of her mouth. Then she used my new scarf to wipe her nose, while looking at me naughtily. I tried to re-direct her towards a more conventional play, but - nothing doing! She climbed on the end table by the couch and started to jump off of it behind my back. We realized that it was a good time to go. As a parting present, Sveta gave us a cake like the one that she made for lunch. Its now sitting on the table in our house and getting smaller and smaller!
MONSTER RALLY
Remember the little red headed monster? Her mom invited us to her house yesterday! I, of course, had to make a big deal out of it. In the morning I brought Roberta to the beauty salon (wash and set!) and had a plan to go get something to bring with us to the Sapunov's (the family that invited us). Instead, I hightailed it to the clothes' shop, to get something fresh to wear. Nothing looked good. The dresses were all either stupidly made or old-fashioned. I just bought a scarf to put over my casual black dress.
We bought some treats and a small orchid and set off to the Sapunov's. The father of the family worked that day, but we were met by the red monster's older brother. The seven year old strawberry blond (blond with the reddish overtones) boy led us into the house and immediately pulled out the photo albums. He proceeded to show us the pictures, as we settled around the small living room. Sveta, the mother, was bustling about the kitchen and urging us to get comfortable. Hee Young (the boy) smiled, but took his mission to entertain us very seriously. That drew the little red monster out from her hiding. Katya couldn't let him have all the lime-light! She insinuated herself between her brother and the photo albums and, from then on, was the focus of the conversation. I always feel that Hee Young needs more attention than he gets, so I tried to keep talking to him. He already lost the upper front teeth, and has bumps there, where the new teeth are getting ready to come out. In other words, you can't think of a better charmer.
Another player in that scene was an orange kitten. Katya had him in her one hand when she showed up. The kitten hung like a limp doll from Katya's pudgy fist. I, hurriedly, freed him from her, but noticed a flea in his fuzz and, even more hurriedly, let him go. In the course of our visit I saw Katya toss him, squeeze him, bump his head on things and, once, shove his head into her mouth. The kitten was absolutely unharmed by rough handling. Hurrah for the hardiness of cats!
We bought some treats and a small orchid and set off to the Sapunov's. The father of the family worked that day, but we were met by the red monster's older brother. The seven year old strawberry blond (blond with the reddish overtones) boy led us into the house and immediately pulled out the photo albums. He proceeded to show us the pictures, as we settled around the small living room. Sveta, the mother, was bustling about the kitchen and urging us to get comfortable. Hee Young (the boy) smiled, but took his mission to entertain us very seriously. That drew the little red monster out from her hiding. Katya couldn't let him have all the lime-light! She insinuated herself between her brother and the photo albums and, from then on, was the focus of the conversation. I always feel that Hee Young needs more attention than he gets, so I tried to keep talking to him. He already lost the upper front teeth, and has bumps there, where the new teeth are getting ready to come out. In other words, you can't think of a better charmer.
Another player in that scene was an orange kitten. Katya had him in her one hand when she showed up. The kitten hung like a limp doll from Katya's pudgy fist. I, hurriedly, freed him from her, but noticed a flea in his fuzz and, even more hurriedly, let him go. In the course of our visit I saw Katya toss him, squeeze him, bump his head on things and, once, shove his head into her mouth. The kitten was absolutely unharmed by rough handling. Hurrah for the hardiness of cats!
KATYA
Hmm, I didn't do too badly with this blog. I just re-read the latest installments. It would've been nice to hear, what you all think about it, but, I understand, you have your reasons for keeping your opinions to yourselves!
For at least a year, a lady-friend of mine, who is also a church member and is from Russia, brings me her little girl to baby-sit while she takes a class. Suffice it to say, we affectionately call the kid, "a red-headed monster". She is four years old, has red ringlets all over her head and a temperament to match Mussolini! Fortunately, she is also cute as a button. One can't help but forgive her the lack of niceties. This is, kind of, like keeping cats: in the city they rarely catch mice or do anything else to earn living, but we love and treasure them anyway, even when they misbehave and give us a hard time.
Katya (the monster) learned to tolerate me. Now, as soon as she comes into my house, she takes off her socks and stands on her head (probably, to get the right perspective). She loves to watch children's programs on TV, but I noticed that she gets listless and cranky if I let her watch too much. Instead, we make breakfast for Roberta. Katya helps me pour the water in the pot, stir in the oats and raisins (a large portion of them disappears into her mouth). Then we make coffee. She insists to take part in every step of the preparation. When her mother comes, Katya refuses to go home, but usually gives in with the promise to see a new kitten.
For at least a year, a lady-friend of mine, who is also a church member and is from Russia, brings me her little girl to baby-sit while she takes a class. Suffice it to say, we affectionately call the kid, "a red-headed monster". She is four years old, has red ringlets all over her head and a temperament to match Mussolini! Fortunately, she is also cute as a button. One can't help but forgive her the lack of niceties. This is, kind of, like keeping cats: in the city they rarely catch mice or do anything else to earn living, but we love and treasure them anyway, even when they misbehave and give us a hard time.
Katya (the monster) learned to tolerate me. Now, as soon as she comes into my house, she takes off her socks and stands on her head (probably, to get the right perspective). She loves to watch children's programs on TV, but I noticed that she gets listless and cranky if I let her watch too much. Instead, we make breakfast for Roberta. Katya helps me pour the water in the pot, stir in the oats and raisins (a large portion of them disappears into her mouth). Then we make coffee. She insists to take part in every step of the preparation. When her mother comes, Katya refuses to go home, but usually gives in with the promise to see a new kitten.
Friday, July 5, 2013
THE DAY AFTER; INDEPENDENCE
The day AFTER the declaration of independence. How many of us woke up in "the dawn's early light" in cold sweat, thinking, "What have I done?" Life is scary without the familiar purpose in it . We have to learn new ways of thinking, talking and walking. Although, I can think of many ways that my old habits (the good ones!) can be helpful, no matter what I do. For example, I can do with a little more "do or die" spirit, or devise the opportunities to have fun while doing what's necessary.
I raised my kids for at least eighteen years, until they declared their independence. Not independence from Mommy's money, mind you, but the emotional parting of the ways. It is hard for me. I don't have my built-in buddies anymore. Even when Hanah was home, she and her brother sat in their rooms and watched and listened to the things that they liked on their laptops, MP3 players and Ipodss. I always knew that the technology will be the end of it all! But how do they feel, I wonder, upon the cold realization that now its all up to them? Ha-ha, not so brave now, my dearies!
Just kidding. I want them to become their own people. I admire Hanah for her ability to do what she thinks is right, even if her friends and mother don't agree. Good luck, kids, don't wait until the centennial celebration of your independence to call me!
I raised my kids for at least eighteen years, until they declared their independence. Not independence from Mommy's money, mind you, but the emotional parting of the ways. It is hard for me. I don't have my built-in buddies anymore. Even when Hanah was home, she and her brother sat in their rooms and watched and listened to the things that they liked on their laptops, MP3 players and Ipodss. I always knew that the technology will be the end of it all! But how do they feel, I wonder, upon the cold realization that now its all up to them? Ha-ha, not so brave now, my dearies!
Just kidding. I want them to become their own people. I admire Hanah for her ability to do what she thinks is right, even if her friends and mother don't agree. Good luck, kids, don't wait until the centennial celebration of your independence to call me!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY; THE ROAD TO HAPPINESS
The Pursuit of Happiness. Hey, try and define this! What is happiness?
How much time do you have to listen to the answer? The happiness is.. a friend at the door, a child's voice on the phone, a cool breeze after the California heat-wave. Or is it something else? We play the game without knowing it's rules. The only thing that's clear is, the truer we are to our goodness and the sense of fairness, the closer we are to being on the right side of things. But then, what is that saying: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!" And still, that is the only thing we can do, - be good and be fair.
How much time do you have to listen to the answer? The happiness is.. a friend at the door, a child's voice on the phone, a cool breeze after the California heat-wave. Or is it something else? We play the game without knowing it's rules. The only thing that's clear is, the truer we are to our goodness and the sense of fairness, the closer we are to being on the right side of things. But then, what is that saying: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!" And still, that is the only thing we can do, - be good and be fair.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY; INALIENABLE RIGHTS
"All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". We are all created equal. A few thoughts about that. Number one: created. Number two: where are those liberty and happiness? There's no question: this world does not match the ideals expressed in the Constitution. Millions of people not only lack liberty and happiness, but the very right to live comes to them with a hefty price. We were created. We are somebody's creations. We should know, whether that Somebody wants us to excel and thrive or if He (She?) doesn't care either way. The things we do to each other and to ourselves are incomprehensible! If we are all made by the same Creator, we should treat our brothers and sisters differently, don't you think? So, are we all equal? I say, "No!" Shocked? God created us with equal rights, but He (She?) didn't endow us with equal degree of love, tact, brains and common sense. That makes all the difference. Was it a joke? An experiment? Did He (She?) get tired of it, as well as of our stubborn ignorance, and abandoned the experiment to run itself? Or did He (She?) mean for us to balance out each other's deficiencies and strive to achieve a harmony that He and She have within Them? We live and we die and we teach our children the things, we believe to be true. Let's make sure, we, ourselves, think them through and realize, what we want from life and each other. Let's find the balance which will allow us to be truly alive, free and full of happiness.
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