Let the Sun Shine In

The weather warmed up and today has been absolutely beautiful. It is just one of those days that makes you want to rejoice and give thanks. On the weekends one of the things I especially appreciate is being at home and being able to see the sun shine through the windows. Hope that you were able to enjoy some sunshine this weekend too.

Classes at the Alliance resume tomorrow so my posts might not be as regular but hopefully my French will continue to improve.

Free At Last - Maybe

I volunteer with a group called GAIN, the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network. It is an organization that helps provide pro bono legal assistance to persons fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in the United States. Working with this group I met a twenty-one year old (yes the same age as Mimi), woman from Liberia. This young woman has no living relatives and has been living in a refugee camp since she was 14. Since arriving in the United States in September she has been detained. The pro bono attorney representing this young detainee applied for parole for her so that she doesn't have to sit in jail while she waits for her court date and this week we learned this week that parole has been granted. My husband and I volunteered to serve as sponsors which means that we will have a house guest for a while. Today I spent the afternoon cleaning and making ready for her arrival, hopefully this week. We are praying for the best but her future here is not certain. I am sure that in the weeks to come you will be hearing more about her.

Peace

Yesterday I received a late Christmas present from my one of my dearest friends and it is hard for me to decide what meant more to me, the gift or the message enclosed. The present was from my girlfriend Aggie. Well, I know her as Aggie and have called her that since we first met in 1974, but that is another story. Aggie is a textile designer, and a very talented and well-respected one at that, and anytime she shares one her commercial projects with me I am thrilled. In my mind, handmade/heartmade gifts are the best gifts of all. The present is pictured – a pillow featuring the peace symbol. I would have to write for days to describe Aggie’s special spirit but her thoughts on the peace symbol is that it is not a trendy symbol from the 60’s but it is something to be shared. I believe she is right. The enclosure card that came along with the gift read, “Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear,” a quote from Aesop’s The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.

I have placed both the pillow and the quote by my bed. The pillow to remind me of my precious friend who has an “eye that sees"* and is generous in sharing herself with others. The quote will remind me that there is peace to be found in simplicity.

*Carolyn Snow - Art in Everyday Living – Home Economics Department, Berry College (1974).

Brown Days

Brown days are here, the plants in the garden are dead or dormant which means it is time for catalogs! This is the time of year when I look forward to looking at garden catalogs and start shopping for new plants. I was even more excited when I read the latest issue of Garden Gate and saw that Bluestone Perennials is ranked number one for mail order plant shopping. You will find their web link in my list of favorites but their catalog is great too. Normally in January Bluestone will have the buy 3 get 1 free sale. Of course we still have watering restrictions in place but I am hopeful that Mother Nature will provide.

If you make it down to visit us in East Point you will notice lots of brown still hanging around in the garden. I am not one of those gardeners who is quick to prune, trim or rake away the dead plants. Instead, on decent weather days, I enjoy being outside and listening to the rustling noises - the music of the garden.

Can You Say c-c-c-cold?

Various weather reports keep declaring a range of ridiculously cold overnight temperatures but no matter how you read it, it is cold. I love the way southerners react to the cold. You will see plenty of guys walking around in t-shirts trying to pretend that it isn’t cold. Then there are folks like me who layer up like an Inuit unable to deal with the cold. Inevitably every southern woman who owns a fur pulls it out because there is finally a chance to actually wear a fur in Georgia. Of course everyone starts dreaming of a snow day and usually someone will make a comment about how people in Georgia don’t know how to drive in the snow. My favorite reoccurring conversation is the discussion of bugs. People usually comment on the fact that a good cold snap is going to kill off next summer’s bugs. Now there may be some truth to this bug extermination but I would be willing to bet that even with the cold, the bugs will still be with us next summer.

The Surprise Party

Last night my husband, Hassan and I enjoyed a little surprise party. The party wasn’t really for us but we enjoyed it just the same. In the late afternoon we had just decided to a nap when our daughter Mimi announced that she had organized a birthday party for herself. The party was at a pub in Decatur, Georgia. The problem was that she wanted to enjoy beer, legally, but needed someone to do the driving. Needless to say we got up and hit the road doing our best to do so with an enthusiastic spirit. Driving to Decatur had not been a part of my evening plan. Sometimes taking a detour from “the plan” brings with it unexpected pleasures. The nice surprise for us was that the group of young people gathering for a birthday toast happened to be many of Mimi’s high school friends. These are young people we really enjoyed knowing but most of whom we had not seen for some time. It was so nice to get to visit with everyone, to catch up a bit and to see how these kids are becoming young adults. An added surprise was that one of Mimi’s friend’s mom came to visit too.

I am always so grateful to my children for their ability to coax me out of my routine while encouraging me to take detours. Even though it was Mimi’s birthday, I enjoyed the surprise party and enjoyed the gift that her spontaneity provided me.

The Possum Has Dropped! (click on the title to read about the Possum Drop)

The celebration goes on for one special Naja. My daughter Mimi turns 21 today, thus becoming legal. It occurs to me that all three of our kids are ADULTS! Where did the years go? Mimi has planned her own celebration with her friends this afternoon. Meanwhile we will be celebrating the New Year with our usual black-eyed peas, collard greens and corn muffins (our own take on cornbread). It is said that peas represent coins and the greens represent money and by eating these foods we are guaranteed some of both for the coming year. Most southerners I know wouldn't dare start the year without peas and greens. Do you have a different traditional meal for New Year's day?

So here we are with a fresh new year ahead of us. I have always loved the quote from Anne of Green Gables when Anne Shirley said Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. This quote reminds me that we have a year full of tomorrows ahead of us full of possibilities and opportunities.

BTW, Mimi's is having a corn muffin birthday cake and she has asked me to share the recipe with her. Thought I would post it in case others want to enjoy it too. Here is the recipe:

1 Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup cottage cheese (can substitute with sour cream or yogurt)
1 stick melted butter
2 eggs
1 box chopped broccoli, steamed

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins and spray with Pam. Mix all ingredients and fill each cup 3/4 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.

I rarely measure anything but make sure your batter is not too thick but not to liquidy. Hope you enjoy.