For almost two-year olds,
dressed in Minnie Pull-ups,
who greet your entrance
with shouts of delight,
a happy dance,
and a smile bigger
than the Grand Canyon,
I thank you God.
May everyone experience
such moments of joy.
Often.
Amen.
Category Archives: Family
A prayer after a moment of joy
Annual ritual completed
I have completed an annual ritual. It took a bit longer than I expected. But it is now done.
13 October is always a significant day for me. Lots of memories.
63 years ago on October 13, my father took me out of school on Neville Island for the day. We travelled 11 miles or so to Forbes Field in Pittsburgh to see Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, to see history. Heavy underdogs, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Yankees when Bill Mazeroski hit a home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. Memories of my father and of the day remain clear. But time has blurred the source, particularly in regard to the game. Some of it, I believe I still remember on my own; some is from remembering each year; some I remember from reading, seeing photos, and watching clips on TV (see below), and some is from watching the full game for the last eleven years through the magic of film transferred to DVD.
This year the viewing took place over three days.
The Pirates still won.
Filed under Baseball, Family, Pittsburgh Pirates
Purple flowers guest collection #232
Domingo Baca Canyon
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Essie and Lucy Koenig-Reinke
7 October 2023
Filed under Family, New Mexico, Photo
Help. Me.
Granddaughter Lucy continues to inspire and pass on new knowledge. As she grows and develops, honing skills, pursuing new interests, increasing her vocabulary, Lucy always teaches me something. Often, she imparts multiple lessons.
. During my recent visit as she and her parents began their move to Albuquerque, the insight that stood out concerned her use of the words, “help” and “me.” Lucy used those words in a unique way, and she did so often.
We frequently combine “help” and “me” to create a sentence. “Help me.” Come to my aid. Provide me with assistance.
Lucy takes those two words and creates a paragraph. A two-sentence paragraph. One word in each sentence. And in an order we might not expect given what she means. But a paragraph nonetheless.
“Help. Me.”
In Lucy’s usage, the words become an offer that she will extend help to you. Or perhaps they become a statement of fact that she will help you. In some cases they rise to the level of a demand that you allow her to help.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy wants you to pick her up so she can select your coffee cup and push the buttons on the coffee maker.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy staggers toward you carrying your shoes which she will help you put on so you can go outside together.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy starts to pull the dishes out of the dishwasher at a rapid rate and you struggle to keep up and put them away.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy climbs up beside you to pour, to mix, to dump, to stir as she helps you cook. She stays away from the stove when it is “hot.” But most everything else she might do to create a meal; she tries to do.
Same words. Different meanings depending on if they construct a sentence or a paragraph.
Will Lucy remember this stage in her life? Will her first paragraph last?
Hard to say. It may. It may not. She may go through phases where she wants to help and where she does not want to help. What seems important is the beauty and the wonder of the now and the memories we make and the photos we take.
Whatever may come next, I know I will ponder what Lucy has taught me about the difference between a sentence and a paragraph.
I know I will need to say, “Help me.”
I hope I can also find lots of times to say, ‘Help. Me.”
Thank you
I cannot remember when I received a smile as big and warm and excited as the smile I received this evening. While the smile did not come from granddaughter Lucy, it came because of her.
I ordered dinner from Door Dash last night. Multiple issues with that, I know. Not the least of which is it represents a new retreat in the current self-care effort. I acknowledge the problems and hope to address at least some of them. Starting today.
For last night, I did what I did.
Ukash, the Dasher arrived. As we interacted, I realized that Ukash lives with an issue with his hearing. We were able to communicate nonetheless.
As our interaction came to a close, Lucy flashed into my mind and heart. In addition to English words, Lucy is earning signs. Mom. Dad. Water. More. All done. Banana. Up. You’re welcome. And thank you. She may know more. Those are the ones I have picked up while with her.
I decided to give it a try. “Thank you,” I signed to Ukash
His face lit up with joy. I thought his smile would break his face as he signed, “You’re welcome.”
I smiled back. We shook hands. Ukash entered his car for his next delivery. I headed to my apartment to eat food I did not need.
The experience has stayed with me.
Courtesy of Lucy and her parents, I experienced a holy moment of beauty and love. I have been smiling ever since. I hope Ukash has been smiling too.
A prayer inspired by footprints
Like a child’s wet footprint
on sidewalk fades in the sun,
life, at some point, will end.
May this understanding
guide our living so that
we cherish well the people and creatures
with whom we share this
wondrous
glorious
precious
beautiful
life you give us
and love each other
and all your creation well.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
6 August 2023, pt. 1
Walking. The Parklands of Floyds Fork.
Hiroshima Day
Thousand Cranes – Hiroshima
Hiroshima-Nagasaki Russian Roulette – Jim Page
I Come And Stand At Every Door – Anne Hills
No Nuclear War – Peter Tosh
Nuclear War – Yo La Tengo
Hiroshima-Nagasaki – Ozymandias
Enola Gay – Utah Phillips
Sadako – The Sands Family
Nagasaki no Kane – Meisterbrass Quartet & Yumi Aikawa Yuuji Koseki
When the Wind Blows – Eric Bogle
Ippon No Enpitsu – HIbari Misori
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream – Simon & Garfunkel
29 July 2023
Home – Karla Bonoff
Raise You Up / Just Be – Kinky Boots Original Broadway Cast
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
The Load-Out / Stay – Jackson Browne
Calling All The Children Home – John McCutcheon
Bright Path – Jack Gladstone
O Little Town Of Bethlehem – The Roches
I Hear A Symphony – Diana Ross & The Supremes
Why We Tell the Story – Once on This Island Original Broadway Cast
The President Sang Amazing Grace – Joan Baez
Waltzing Matilda – Seona McDowell
Finale – Come From Away Original Broadway Cast
The City of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie
Whiskey & Sangria – Eileen Ivers
Third Movement of the Violin Concerto by Aram Khachaturian, arranged for flute – Sean Koenig
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
Pata Pata 2000 – Miriam Makeba
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
Filed under Family, Louisville, Music, playlist
22 July 2023
Birthday playlist – normal rules do not apply. This played through the day.
Camp Nelson National Monument. Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.
Cut the Cake – John McCutcheon
Crowded Table – The Highwomen
That’s the Way God Planned It – Billy Preston
Tapestry – Carole King
I Will Find You – Clannad
Idiot Wind – bob Dylan
This Little Light of Mine – Fannie Lou Hamer
I Know Where I’ve Been – Queen Latifah
Golden Feather – Robbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble
Glory – Common & John Legend
We Shall Remain – Kaolin Johnson
Whiskey in the Jar – Thin Lizzy
These Days – Nico
No Human Is Illegal – The Wakes
For a Dancer – Jackson Browne
The Big Fellah – Black 47
All Along the Watchtower – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Mr. Bojangles – Nina Simone
How Can I Keep from Singing – Eva Cassidy
No Surrender – Bruce Springsteen
Long May You Run – Neil Young
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
The Great Peace March – Holly Near
Let It Be – The Beatles
Younger Men Grow Older – Richie Havens
Carry on Til Tomorrow – Badfinger
Imagine – Willie Nelson
Let the Circle Be Wide – Tommy Sands
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley &The Wailers
Step by Step – Sweet Honey in the Rock
The Weight – Aretha Franklin
Helpless – k.d. lang
Further On – Johnny Cash
My Shot – Hamilton
Cradle to the Grace – Eric Bogle
Find Your Way – Adina Nyree DinaDeen Mardenbergh
Peace Anthem – Sera
A Song of Peace – David LaMotte
This Wheel’s on Fire – The Band
Theme for an Imaginary Western – Mountain
Child of the Wind – Bruce Cockburn
Tiny Dancer – Elton John
Ghosts of Houston Street- Raya Zaragoza
Younger Men Grow Older – Richie Havens
Apple Cider Re-Constitution – Al Stewart
Rock Me on the Water – Annie Humphrey
Charcoal Lane – Archie Roach
Victor Hara – Arlo Guthrie
Streets of London – Ralph McTell
Manhattan Island Serenade – Leon Russell
One Light in a Dark Valley – Harry Chapin
Conquistador – Procol Harum
I Shall Be Released – The Blind Boys of Alabama
Long as I Can See the Light – Joe Cocker
Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam
Who’ll Stop the Rain – Credence Clearwater Revival
After the Goldrush – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmy Lou Harris
Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
Blackbird – Emma Stevens
Boulder to Birmingham – Emmylou Harris
Southbound Train – Graham Nash & David Crosby
The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
It’s All Right to Cry – Rosey Grier
Piper to the End – Mark Knoplfer
Magic Man – Tom Chapin
River of Time – Bill Miller
I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
Loch Lomond – Paul Robeson
Jolly Roger – Roger McGuinn
Angie – The Rolling Stones
Old Friends – Simon & Garfunkel
Mother and Child Reunion – Paul Simon
Waiting on the World to Change – Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’
The Great Storm Is Over – Bob Framke
The Weight – Playing for Change
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Forever Young – The Band
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
Forever Young – Rhiannon Giddens & Iron & Wine
Forever Young – Joan Baez
Forever Young – Pete Seeger with The Rivertown Kids
Filed under Family, Music, National Park, playlist
3 July 2023
Walking. The Parklands at Floyds Fork.
Battle Cry of Freedom – Jacqueline Schwab
Who Knows Where the Wind Blows – Tommy Sands
Paddy’s Lamentation – Mary Black
Gettysburg – Tmark Band
Kathleen Mavourneen – John McCormack
Gettysburg – John Bell
The Round Tops – Jeff Stike
Gettysburg – Kyle Thompson
Gettysburg – Civil War
Gettysburg, The Third Day – Sunderman Conservatory Wind Symphony & Russell McCutcheon
Kingdom Coming – Matt Glaser, Evan Stover, Jay Ungar, Art Baron & Molly Mason
Give Us a Flag – Richie Havens
We Are Climbing – Bernice Johnson Reagon
Battle Hymn of the Republic – The Abyssinian Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir
Main Title (“From Gettysburg”) – The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Ashokan Farewell – Jay Unger and Molly Mason
Filed under Exercise, Family, Louisville, Music, playlist
Along the Graybeard Trail 