The Difference of Three Years

Last week I took Jamesie Cat and Mattie to the beach and the circus. As I watched them play and interact with each other, I couldn't help remembering a very similar occasion more than three years ago. I took Mattie and Jamesie Cat for ice cream, and then to the beach. It was a cold spring afternoon.

Three years ago.

Last week.

 Three years ago.

 Last week.

Three years ago.

Last week.

Three years ago.

Last week.

 Three years ago.

Last week.

That same day three years ago, I took the boys to the Japanese Garden to feed the koi. But the fish didn't come out because it was still too cold. This year, because it was a hot summer afternoon, I took them to the Wenatchee Youth Circus, just up the street from the beach. 

We all had a grand old time!

Jamesie Cat has this habit of mimicking every sound and action you make. It can be quite annoying actually, so I just ignore him when he starts up. But, this habit of his came in quite handy when the National Anthem was sung at the circus. I put my hand over my heart and sang with passion. I need not elaborate further. Next time he's mimicking, I'll recite the Pledge of Allegiance!

 Last week.

 Three years ago.

Last week.

Three years ago.

 Last week.

Don't let this happy face fool you about how the day transpired. Two hours before this, Jamesie Cat threw a tissy fit as we were leaving the beach. He didn't want to leave. "So ask your mom to take you to the beach tomorrow," I suggested.

"I don't want to go tomorrow!" he answered.

"Next week... Next month... Next year..." I kept suggesting, to all of which Jamesie Cat answered "No!" and flung himself to the ground in rebellion.

Three years ago, Jamesie Cat had a binky in his mouth. Last week he declared to me "You're mean! I hate you! I wanna go home! I hate you!" Yes, he said he hated me twice.

Boy! The difference of three years!

Tita V

This was yours truly, thirty-eight years ago. I barely had any hair, and I was always eating. I'm always eating! And the lovely lady behind me is Tita V. She's feeding me. She's always feeding me! Always loving.

Fast forward thirty-eight years... That is yours truly. She just got done eating. In the background, with her head wrapped,  Tita V, and her friend 'Nang F. We had all just gotten done eating. We're always eating!

Only this time, Tita V is the one with barely any hair. Thus, the head dress.

Now, granted she shows her love in ways that make me scratch my head sometimes, there is one thing she still is. LOVING. And on her heart, she wears the name of one she holds very dear.

This is Tita V. The stubborn, gutsy, fearless aunt, mother, grandmother, stepmother, friend, leader who has so much fight in her heart and spirit!


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Lightning

According to Wikepedia... "Lightning is a  massive random atmospheric electrical discharge of static often over 2-3km long accompanied by thunder."

According to Fraulein Maris (The Sound of Music), "The lightning talks to the thunder and the thunder answers."

When the dog bites 

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad 

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Actually, I don't like the doorbells because they incite a raucous uproar from Preacher and Sonya. But on this night, at one thirty in the morning, they were fast alseep. Thunder doesn't bother these crazy dogs. So as they slumbered, I snuck out of the house to chase the lightning with my camera. For the record, I took approximately one hundred seventy (I don't know the exact count because I started erasing shots that were "blank" before I took count).

I remember as a kid, the proper action during a lightning storm was to turn off all electronics, cover all mirrors, and stay indoors and dry. Well, I defied the old lightning etiquette. I was still wearing my night dress (sa mga Bisdak, mao ni ang ininglis sa "daster" nga pang-uranay), and so, was soaked to the bones as I stood in the marble sized pellets of rain, snapping away at the horizon.

 

I wasn't concerned about getting electrocuted. So long as my hairs remained flat on my skin, a sure sign of the absence of electrical static.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string 
These are a few of my favorite things!

 

A Letter to Blake