Boxing Day Skate; Going The Best Way I Can See How

When our cousin Torgny was quite small he lead our Aunts, Uncles, Parents, Grandparents, and other Palm Family Cousins through some pretty patchy snow/grass combination, on a cross-country ski adventure. Upon receiving some criticism on the chosen route, little 7 year old Torgny spun his torso around and hollered back,

"I am going the best way I can see how, so don't complain!" 

We all ended up getting to the destination, and having a wonderful picnic in the end, and no one complained, or even remembered the difficulty of the journey, the phrase however, it has stuck around.

I had the opportunity this past Christmas, to spend time with Torgny, and we were once again faced with a patchy route, instead of snow, this time we were looking for ice, where mainly grass resided. I reminded my cousin of the phrase he had used so many years ago, and this time he responded with,

"Well this seems pretty bad, no matter which way I see it." 

Yet again the group persevered, making it across the grassy lake inlet, to where an icy platform awaited our sharpened blades, and  expectant hearts.

It's probably experience, and an awareness foreign to children, that caused the change in Torgny's phrasing. The first one... "Going the best way I can see how..." has been used to describe many situations over the years, from picking up the wrong groceries at the store, to trying to choose flowers for a funeral. I like having a different response though. What I like most about it is that both situations ended the same; Good company, good food, good memories to hold close. The path to getting there, doesn't really ever matter.

Music Monday: Such Great Heights

"Everything looks perfect from far away, "Come down now." but we'll stay."

These lyrics have been resonating with me. It's extraordinary that the same words said from two separate perceptions can be so very very different.

This song speaks about a 'great perhaps' about being willing to venture into unknowns. It explores fate, and destiny, and taking chances, including what others my say about the choices made, and the responses to them. It's whimsical as well as deep, flighty as well as grounding, and done so perfectly in very different ways by these soulful artists.

Postal Service version leaps towards the excitement of new places and adventures. Searching with reckless abandon for distant horizons:

Iron and Wine gives us a song full of longing, wishing for the chance of something more, drenched with the sadness of missed opportunity:

While meandering, there are some days I have associated more strongly with one of these two, very different, renditions. I think it's been an exploration on being exactly where you are supposed to be regardless of how you are feeling about it. There is as much to explore within the parameters of somber isolation as with exuberant camaraderie. Recognizing the basis of these experiences as the same, while allowing room for varying perspectives, has been an exercise in patient self-acceptance for me of late. Whatever else is left to come is just bonus, I've already been to such great heights:

*see me waving

- k

Music Monday: Night Owl

Category: Songs That Describe Me

The Good Lovelies - In The Morning

our father in heaven...

...made certain we were taken care of. From roofs over our heads, to light in our spirits.

He cherished small moments within the most significant ones... 

...gave us incomparable love, 

making sure we KNEW fully and completely we occupied his heart. 

...and once upon a time, our mother said "Neil, I had the funniest dream that we got married!"                                       ...To which he replied, "Why not?"

He gave us a life for which we are so grateful. He gave us music, laughter, joy, warm fires, bedtime stories, long talks filled with rich conversation. He made us believe in the goodness of the world, and that what we have to offer is not only a worthwhile contribution but a necessary one. 

"I do not value material items, I value experiences." he'd say, in reference to birthday gifts, which we then would take and apply to deep philosophical issues, just as he taught us to do.  

Impossible, it is, to imagine a life without his exuberant affection, unending patience, or gracious mentorship. He left for us this example of how to appreciate the actions, the words, the people who make life so valuable. Our father... 

"How did I get so lucky?" - Ailen White

Thank-you friends. For continuing to share in this. Your support gives us hope. And all the world must know that hope, though faint at times, is indeed not lost. 

We love you.

K.

Changes...

Hey friends and family!

My sister and I have been discussing, and the result is that Sisters & Such is now under construction.

We want to make sure that we are providing our readers with the best posts possible. There may be some schedule changes, perhaps a new look, but rest assured, we will let you know when we are up and running again.

Don't forget to be awesome,
We love you, and will see you soon!

Music Monday - Your Choices Will Change the World

I needed this little reminder and encouragement today.

I'm feeling ill

and drinking tea

listening to music

thinking of my friends

Groceries

THERE IS NO FOOD IN THIS HOUSE!!!!!!!

Oh.... um, wait -

Did I buy groceries?!?!?!

Even the panty is stocked!

This is amazing! I am so excited, all the food I love is here... Now just wait should I make?

Ahhhh it's like an unforgiving cycle! Have to buy the food, have to put the food away, have to make something with the food, food gets eaten, have to buy more food! ...so troublesome.

Thankfully, there is this pretty cool person I live with who has been dealing with these types of grown-up problems longer than I have been. You are incredible sister, thank-you for making me yummy food to eat!

Tons of love. K.