Patricia Harrelson

Every year, the plum trees are blooming on Cindy’s birthday. Since the temperatures stayed cold much longer this year, I feared there would not be blossoms to honor her day. On Saturday afternoon, however, the first blooms appeared, and by … Continue reading

There is no doubt that I’m biased, but I do believe my grandson Huck is a musical prodigy. He is only four, but the kid is totally enamored with making music and STUDYING those who make music. He owns several … Continue reading

It pleases me considerably to see how the generations interact in my family. I’ve heard tell that the Industrial Revolution really messed with the close-knit familial structure of the agrarian society when several generations lived in close proximity on farms. … Continue reading

Yesterday, I felt like I was in a time warp. All day the sky tried to drop snow but kept sending sleet and that’s what my brain felt like— slushy splats of history hitting me in the face. It all … Continue reading

Much too late yesterday, the importance of the day– a holiday celebrating Martin Luther King– hit me. How could I ignore this day? How could I forget the importance of honoring King’s life and work? Martin Luther King, Jr., a … Continue reading

Yesterday, we planted a cedar tree in the meadow as a memorial to Ashley. We chose a Thuja plicata, the California gold variety, which has bright gold new leaves that age to dark green. The yellow-gold tips are reminiscent of … Continue reading

I am cautiously optimistic and deeply pleased that Barack Obama came out on top in the Democrat Iowa Caucus with 39% of the vote, making him the clear favorite over Edwards and Clinton. Though I’m not convinced Obama is ready … Continue reading

She watched the sun set in El Salvador. She saw a smile spread across a young boy’s face when she helped him into a wheel chair. She saw snow falling on the mountain beyond her parent’s home. She saw her … Continue reading

December 28 is Ashley’s birthday. We acknowledged the day and paid homage to her too-brief life by visiting her resting place. Ashley is buried in a hillside cemetery beside the Catholic Church. Her grave sits beneath a towering pine. Close … Continue reading

This is the week between Christmas and New Years and for days, I ‘ve been on a crazy teeter totter. One minute, I’m flying high on holiday merriment and the next I’m totally obsessing on business names, web site design, … Continue reading