Saturday, March 7, 2009

trouble

Something happened to my computer and I was separated from Safari and my ability to send a blog. I called one of my granddaughters, and in two seconds she was able to tell me what to do. I can't get over how smart young people are. i wish I had made an effort when I was younger to master this science. But I am grateful for what I have learned and am very grateful to the people who can help me out of my home-made problems.

A couple of days ago I received comments, two of them sent a few min. apart and one other message which is usually a joke of some sort. So I hit on that and then without reading it I hit to make it disappear. It did, but the two comments did too. I value the comments I get so much and I was devastated when I lost two without remembering the names and without having read them first. If there is a reader who can say: That's me ! Please repeat what you said. It was sent during this last week.

Friday night I watched NOW on channel nine. It was an interview with an actor named John Lithgow. I have always admired him and there is something so riveting in his voice. He has written a book and the book includes some of his favorite poems. He can even read sonnets and long parts of Shakespeare's dramas and keep you totally absorbed. And when he read ' Don't go calmly into .......... it caused hysterical weeping from my usually calm nature. It was the poem that Sam had asked us to read at the party he had asked us to have after his death. He did not want a funeral but instead a huge party with "lots of whiskey" It was a wonderful way to say good-by. The party was held outside on the beach. All seven grandchildren were helping and all our friends were sad to say Farewell to Sam.

I am glad my computer is cooperating again. I miss my link to to all my new friends. I will try to be more regular in my blogging. This week has been strange. Next Sunday I may go to California with daughter number one and her husband. His business may keep him grounded in Washington for another week and then the promise of a house in Capitola will have elapsed. Time will tell.

I have to tell you about the ten minute blizzard I lived through on Saturday morning. I took two ladies from here to the Sale at Gottschalks, a store which appears to be going out of business. It was freezing cold and the sky over the mountains was black. We surmised that we would have to hurry or else be caught in the snow. We had an hour to find something sensational on sale. We were all lucky and found great things on sale. I bought three sleeveless T-shirts to wear if we get to go to California. The three shirts with a famous name cost totally $4.14. The three of us reunited and I asked if we should celebrate and go get a cup of coffee, and all agreed. On our way home the sky had darkened. I let my fares out near their cottages and drove around the alley to my garage. After I parked my car and closed the garage-door, the snow came. I had never been in a blizzard before but what hit me on the way to my cottage was one of the most frightening things. I remember reading stories about blizzards in the midwest where people tied ropes from the door of the house to the door of the out-house or else they could get lost. Our blizzard didn't last through the night, it didn't last more than an hour. The wind died down and the world was white. for an hour or two. then the sun was shining and the grass turned green again. But only till dusk, when we were treated to another storm. Today the temperature was warmer and all signs of snow are gone.

14 comments:

Barbara said...

Glad to hear you're fine and that we didn't hear from you for a while only because of a computer mixup and not, thank God, a serious problem.

The blizzard sounds scary. How did you feel when you actually got inside your home? Since then, have you received any tips about such events from people how have lived there for a while?

Laura said...

I agree with Barbara, it is relieving to know that your absence was due only to a computer glitch.

I've been meaning to let you know for quite some time now that I have now made Tosca twice and it has been a bit hit, but not a huge success quite yet. I have a feeling that I have a lot to learn before I can perfect Tosca. I'm not sure how the final product is supposed to be like, but all of the three layers always seem to mesh together after being baked. Is this what it is supposed to do?? Regardless, it is so tasty and will surely be a recipe that I will continually work on perfecting through the years.

Lastly, thank you for sharing all of your memories and daily activities with all of us, you really are in inspiration to a young twenty-something with big ambitions such as I. Reading your blog is now part of my daily routine.

Laura said...

Please excuse my typo in the previous comment. The tosca was a "big hit" not a "bit hit" (haha)

weecyn said...

Ah, I know that poem, and have always loved it. "Do not go gentle into that goodnight," by Dylan Thomas. The structure and the phrasing are exquisite. As powerful and beautiful as it is, though, it is not a sentiment I can relate to when thinking about death: to fight it, knowing the fight cannot be won. I guess I fall more along the lines of "After a great pain" by Emily Dickinson. I wish I could say that we had the heart to celebrate my mother's life after she passed last year. I agree it sounds like the best way to do it. But we were all too exhausted. Perhaps someday...

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I've missed your tales of your life, whether about the past or the present. It is amazing how much young people can do with computers, isn't it? I think it's because they're not afraid of the technology -- maybe because they've always had it, unlike those of us who can remember life before electronics.

Sunny California sounds lovely right now -- I think we're all tired of winter!

Arinn said...

It's good that you got to experience a blizzard. I grew up in rural Alberta and I always got a thrill during blizzards. They are scary but being in a white-out world of snow is so interesting.

Anonymous said...

whew! glad to see you and the blog are up and running!

recently i drove through a blizzard at night on the ny thruway...the first time i've ever thought "i can't see anything" but didn't dare stop. i whiteknuckled it to the first hotel i found and the dog and i jumped up and down for joy once we got inside our room. makes for a good story now.

fortunately, i think spring is almost here.

Joanna said...

'Glad to see you back, Svensto!

Haphazardkat said...

Isn't this the craziest March weather??! I cannot remember a time when we had snow in March!
Glad to see you are well :)

Kat
Vancouver, WA

Alison said...

Hello again, glad to see you back online. I also watched the Lithgow interview, a very talented man. His mother and father were also in the entertainment business, so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! If I remember correctly, he was on Broadway in a couple of shows... but his father was the one who influenced him in the Shakespearian form. I'm curious to know if you have seen any Broadway shows?

Anonymous said...

I love to read the blogs of you and granddaughter Shreve -- so interesting to think how character, courage, and curiosity can be shared through the generations! But thinking about your trip to California, I realized that Shreve is so tied to 10 Sleeps that you and she will not see much of each other in person. :-(
Is it hard not to be able to see your grandchildren?

Anne said...

I've been so concerned about you, my dear. Thank goodness it was only a computer glitch.
I'm not sure you'll be wanting to wear sleeveless t-shirts in California just yet. I'm in the Los Angeles area and it has been very chilly - between 50 and 65 degrees during the day. Brrrrr. Not as chilly as a blizzard though - I grew up on the plains of Nebraska and lived in Alaska for 3 years. Fresh snow is beautiful but blizzards are frightening.
I had missed you and I'm so happy you are fine. XOXOXO

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I thought maybe you were just enjoying those flowers so much you couldn't tear yourself away :)

Melissa Weisbard said...

We had an ice storm in Kentucky the last week of January that was treacherous. I'll be glad when winter is over. I'm so ready for Spring!