R&R

R&R
Originally uploaded by Jenita McGowan.

Every day on Public Square.

How we remember

At my grandmother, Jeane Morrison's, funeral this past weekend I met a first cousin twice removed who keeps and updates a family tree on my grandfather’s side of the family. I learned some new information about my great-great-grandparents (my cousin’s great- grandparents) that I didn’t know before. I also learned that my 93-year old grandfather has 4 living first cousins who are all about his age.

My newly discovered cousin lives next door to the “Old Morrison Farm” where my great-great-grandparents lived and my great-grandfather grew up. He also said he has a civil-war era diary written by my great-great-uncle. My cousin is going to send me the genealogy charts and maybe some scanned family photos including one of my great-grandparents wedding.

At the Woodland Cemetery in Ironton, most of my grandmother’s family is buried, the Murdocks, Johnstons, Fishers and now Morrisons . I believe my grandparents will be the last of our family to be buried in the family plot in Ironton. No one lives there anymore and we are all so scattered. Things are just different now. Instead of visiting the cemetery to remember relatives, we’ll use software to download our family trees.

Grit

Red Line Rapid. Steel toed and plasticized.

Red Line Sunrise

Practical commuter shoes belie the heels in your receptionist's tote. You turn pages of daily devotions. I glimpse your tender scalp through feathered hair and a cloud of perfume.

Roller Skating and Energy Efficiency

Tomorrow the City of Cleveland is hosting a kick-off event to the Year of Energy Efficiency. The Cleveland Conserves Energy Efficiency Fair will be 11am-2pm in Cleveland City Hall Rotunda. The event will feature businesses, nonprofits and City-based departments related to energy efficiency and conservation.

Of course, since I'm involved in the planning we had to make it just a little wacky and fun. The Little Hollywood Dazzlers will also be performing. They are a group of 5-9yr-olds who dance on roller skates. They are led by 71-year-old professional skater Maurice Cooke who is passing on everything he knows to the youth.I am an avid believer that rollerskating brings people together.

Below is a preview of the Little Hollywood Dazzlers. Stop on by the event is free. You can learn about how to give yourself the gift that keeps on giving: energy efficiency.

Geek Brunch

New Year Intentions

I intend to be more forthright when it matters and less forthright when it doesn’t.

I intend to jump from Adho Mukha Svanasana into Dandasana with grace.

I intend to make a new dance and teach it to some dancers and to organize a performance of the new dance.

I intend to take Ballet class again.

I intend to bicycle throughout winter.

I intend to be a better friend by calling, writing and visiting.

I intend to dress a little snazzier.

I intend to talk less about my cats, but to love them more.

I intend to knit my sister a hat.

Ok, that’s it for now.

Happy Holidays

Two gifts from Shel Silverstein (and me) to you:

Weird Bird
Birds are flyin' south for winter.
Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north,
Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin',
Cold head bobbin' back 'n' forth.
He says, "It's not that I like ice
Or freezin' winds and snowy ground.
It's just sometimes it's kind of nice
To be the only bird in town."


The Giving Tree