Sunday, August 05, 2007

A Change in Perspective

Here is my Grandmother Tree, in her summer finery, overseeing the neighborhood last week.


And, here she is this weekend. Yes, that's a mini donut stand at her base.



My neighborhood has once again been invaded by the Uptown Art Fair, a gathering right outside my window (and extending for several blocks). It takes place the first weekend of August and lasts three days. We have to have our cars moved (mine is 8 blocks away) by Thursday night and I won't retrieve mine until after work tomorrow. People sit on the lawn right outside my window and eat corndogs and yell at their kids. I feel sort of trapped and claustrophobic and can't wait for it to be over. I love to complain about it.

But, as most of you know, we had a tragic event here last week, with the bridge collapsing. I really want to express by deepest thanks to all my online friends
for their messages of concern. I was very moved by the sincerity and compassion.

Yesterday we also had a small party for my mother's 80th birthday. Her health continues to decline and it was a very poignant gathering. She and my youngest niece were looking at photo albums and I was reminded that the wheel of life keeps turning for each of us.

So, upon returning home last night, I began to think that having my tranquility disrupted every summer by the Art Fair really wasn't such a big deal. In fact, it was nothing at all but a celebraton of summer, families, talent, and community festivities. If I tried hard enough, I might even find something to like about it.

So, this morning, the last day, I headed out early and chatted with some of the artists, wish them a good show, flowed with the crowd, and sat on the grass and people-watched.................and, concluded that I would miss it if it didn't take place.

We pick our own battles. And I believe this one has been crossed off my list

79 comments:

Zazzy said...

Doughtnuts? Practically outside your window and you didn't like it?

I'm glad you found peace with the art fair and that you had a nice celebration of your mother. It's so very hard to watch them grow old. Up until a couple years ago, my mom has always been 42 in my head. It is just so strange to see her really appear to be old.

Scott K. Johnson said...

I totally understand. I would go NUTS with all that activity right outside...

Kevin said...

Excellent.
For some reason, I really love that tree.

In Search Of Balance said...

Your tree is gorgeous. I was making a tree pendant in silver and thought of your grandmother tree! I'll post on next week's weekly share. :)

Hope things calm down outside!

Molly said...

I love the uptown art fair, but I'm sure it would lose it's appeal if it was in my backyard. (or front yard :-)
What a beautiful tree. Nature is a wonder, isn't it?!
So glad that you are safe and weren't involved in the bridge collapse. It's so terrible.
Enjoy your week!

BetterCell said...

It is an interesting juxtaposition of how the "Beautiful Tree" is interfered with by having the greasy/junk doughnut stand, that probably uses saturated fats in the oil to further and expedite the demise of people with its junk food.
The greasy/junk doughnut stand positions itself in front of the Tree that is symbolic for Life and Beauty.
Your view from the window becomes a look at Life and Death.

Shannon said...

You know, I didn't read the title of this post until just this second. And I was going to say before I saw it that it's all about changing your perspective and you did it so nicely. :)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

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A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

Anonymous said...

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

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Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

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Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.

Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

Anonymous said...

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

Anonymous said...

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Anonymous said...

Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.

Anonymous said...

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

C++ should have been called B

Anonymous said...

C++ should have been called B

Anonymous said...

Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.

Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

Anonymous said...

A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

Anonymous said...

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Calvin, we will not have an anatomically correct snowman!

Anonymous said...

actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.

Anonymous said...

Calvin, we will not have an anatomically correct snowman!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.