- The angel is perched on two bricks found in my late grandmother's back yard, the last time I saw it. The house was sold and empty, floors gleaming from the sunlight pouring through the bare windows. There were so many memories in the back yard, a rope swing hanging from the huge pecan tree, the little dog Penny, always so excited to see us. The yard was long and extended with a little pear tree orchard in the back. There was the "Judy tree" - planted for the first grandchild who arrived. (She is a grandmother herself now.) That day, I spotted two bricks sitting by the back porch steps. "Could I have those?" I asked my mother. She shook her head, chuckling over her always fanciful daughter, "Yes - take them." And there they are.
- Roger Ebert passed away on Thursday. Thanks to the "quotes" label from past posts, I found a quote I posted in January 2011:
>>From an article about my favorite movie reviewer, Roger Ebert, who can no longer speak or eat as a result of cancer surgery to remove his thyroid, comes this quote from him that sums it all up for me,
"I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out."
Jones, Chris, "Roger Ebert: The Essential Man." Esquire.com, 16 February 2010,
http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310>>
An hour ago, I had no idea what I was going to post today (it's been that kind of week.) It's raining right now, but it's Friday! Yay for Friday. :) I hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful day and weekend.
18 comments:
I was saddened by his passing, but realized just how much he's gone through and maybe his release is genuinely a blessing in disguise.
My tulips are at that same stage as your hosta, Lynn. Hope pushing up through the soil, soon to rejoice. I can't wait to see some color in the garden again!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Lynn, What kind of flowers do you have popping up by you? We had sleet and freezing rain with early school closings yesterday!!!!! Arghhh! Today we are dripping and thawing out! Hope you are well, Lynn. lg :-)
Don't know why my post posted twice...but that was my 'delete!!' :-)
Talon -
Me, too - what a wonderful man. He wrote a final blog post of Tuesday, saying he was taking a "Leave of Presence" - meaning he was cutting back due to his illness. I don't think he realized his time was that short: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2013/04/a_leave_of_presense.html
It's a tulip festival here right now - hang on, they're coming. "Soon to rejoice" - I like that.
lg -
We've got tulips, hyacinths, daffodils - you name it. So pretty. And many flowering trees. I think spring is right around the corner for you, my friend.
I was sad about Roger Ebert, and I saved that quote when I saw it in your blog. I might blog about him, come to think of it. I also love the tree story!
That is such a stunning quote. Thank you - it has enriched my world this afternoon.
I love your bashful angel on bricks, and love the tale of the Judy tree.
A Judy tree. I'm adopting that tree. I'm a Judy and you hardly ever here that name anymore. Mr. Ebert was a man that knew how to use words. Great quote. I hope next week is better for you. I'm enjoying my weekend, too. :)
My hostas are coming out, too!
Love the term "fanciful daughter" instead of sentimental fool. I cannot pass up anything that holds a special memory.
This is a wonderful post full of many good things.
Riot Kitty -
We used to climb the Judy tree. I was easy to climb and it was fun to sit in its branches and peer out at passersby.
Elephant's Child -
I couldn't ask for anything more to make me want to keep blogging, than that. Thank you -
happygirl -
I didn't know your name was Judy. My cousin Judy is 10 years older than me - so beautiful and very much the leader of the cousins.
Mama Zen -
I need to divide that one - just haven't done it yet.
Granny Annie -
There you are! So good to see you. I think I need to keep a book of fanciful things, so my heirs will know to keep certain things, like those bricks.
Yay sprouting plants! My Phlox hasn't even hinted at green parts yet- but the Tiger Lilies are sprouting across the road.
If I were still shy, n naked, I'd hide too! I like your brick acquisition- There are several on the deck which I form a bench n plant shelf with wood planks on top each year.
I always admired Robert Ebert. Gene Siskel too- n did watch their show each week, n will always like films. Excellent quite!
Hope your week-end was alot more fun than mine working was-
Quote! -woopsy...
I love the story on how you got those bricks and how you can't possibly look at your shy angel and not think of your grandmother.
The Ebert quote is fantastic and teaches us a lot about life.
Snaggle -
I'll bet the next two weeks make a huge difference up there. You'll see more and more sprouting things.
I'm sorry you had to work...
Ily -
I have many nice things from deceased family in my place, but somehow items like the bricks seem to trigger the most memories.
Oh, I thank you for that wonderful quote. It just goes show we may lose people, but they usually leave something of value to us behind.
You got the quote and the bricks; three good things to come from people no longer present, but who will always be with you.
Well, you sure did AWESOMELY, not knowing what you were going to post about. Way outta the ball park on this.
Will enjoy seeing your hosta grow this season.
You really are a wonderful writer, I enjoyed hearing about your grandmother's yard. And those bricks are special indeed!! Nice to have the story on them.
Shy angels are my favorite kind! :0
xooxo
great quote by Ebert. I think it takes us all a lifetime to get out of our ourselves and learn that we are here to contribute and not just consume.
from The Dugout
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