 |
privacy |
||||
|
Welcome to Orcmid's Lair, the playground for family connections, pastimes, and scholarly vocation -- the collected professional and recreational work of Dennis E. Hamilton
Blog Feed Recent Items 
The nfoCentrale Blog Conclave nfoCentrale Associated Sites |
2009-06-19Amma Vicki and the MonksTechnorati Tags: Amma Vicki, Victoria E. Hamilton, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, Sadhaka Tejadevanatha, Bothell WA
On Wednesday, June 17, 2009, Bodhinatha came from the Kauai Hindu Monastery to the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center in Bothell, Washington. The visit (pdf) is part of travels that will end up in Edmonton, Canada. It is a rare treat for Amma Vicki, as she is known (scroll to the bottom), to visit with members of the monastery family at times other than her annual visit to Kauai. She is always hopeful to learn whether son Senthilnathaswami is along on the journey. She was delighted to be able to see Bodinatha and Tehadevanatha on this particular visit. Although I have met Bodinatha, I had not heard him speak to a Hindu gathering until Wednesday. The subject, “Passing On Our Hindu Tradition” dealt with the challenges of Hindu grandparents and parents living in the West and raising children in the midst of Western cultures and schools. For a non-Hindu, I found the explanations and suggestions direct and remarkably gentle. Labels: friends and family 2009-05-30Golden Geek: Sibling Memories Revisited
In the 2009-02-02 post, Golden Geek: Sibling Memories, I suggested that the next time the three of us got together, we should restage the 1951 group portrait. Luckily, youngest sister Carol is vacationing in the Pacific Northwest this year. On May 23, we all met at Judy’s and recreated the photograph as we are now, 58 years later. Vicki, our superb photographer assistant, made it possible. Here we are in the same order: Carol, Dennis, and Judy. Carol is now taller than Judy and this is apparently a matter of sibling banter between the two of them. Carol and Judy provided additional recollections on the original staging. It was dad who arranged for us to sit for this picture. We think it was around Spring 1951, when we were in the 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades, all in Horace Mann school in Tacoma, Washington. This was the last time that all three of us would be in the same school together. The photo portrait was hand retouched, and that is evident on the black-and-white print I am holding. The version that was presented to mom, and hung prominently in our home, was hand-colored. Carol remembers that dad did not like obligatory occasions and preferred to operate spontaneously. We think the portrait was a surprise gift not associated with any particular occasion. I recall being that way as well. Living in New York State and Pennsylvania, I would arrive for holiday visits unannounced, meeting dad at his work and then riding home with him. The only problem with that is mom knew I might do such a thing and was left in anticipation whether I was coming or not. When dad warned me about that, I made my intentions known in advance from then on. I also learned to shop for occasions, even in advance rather than immediately before, after observing an acquaintance do that and seeing how much enjoyment she got out of it. I don’t resist an opportunity for a good surprise, but these days the simpler pleasures are available more consistently. Concerning photo-realism, I believe that I was already wearing glasses in 1951. However, I was near-sighted and often did not wear glasses indoors. (That was true until around 1980 when I needed my first bifocals.) These days, we all wear glasses and some of us cannot see very far in front of our face without them. Labels: friends and family, Golden Geek 2009-02-06Friday Cat Photo: Maple Snell
From January 9, 2009, a glimpse of Maple sitting among the humans at a small dinner among friends. Maple may not be too sure about the photographer, here, although the cat seems quite at home among the crowd at one of the Snell’s annual holiday parties. Labels: cats, friends and family 2009-02-02Golden Geek: Sibling Memories
Having passed my 70th birthday, I was reminded of this photograph by the birthday cards I received from my sister Carol (left, above) and my sister Judy (right, above). I don’t recall this photograph being taken, although a large version was prominently displayed near the front room of our family home in Tacoma, Washington. It is touching to think how I and my two sisters stay connected after all of this time. I am the oldest, with Judy just over two years younger, followed by Carol at a little over two more years. (My birthday is first each year, followed by Judy in the Spring, Carol in the Autumn). As youngsters, the three of us spent a lot of time together, especially on those rainy Northwest days when we weren’t in school. We also followed through the same school systems. Once I moved from 6th grade at Horace Mann School to Stewart Junior High School, Judy and I would be in the same school only once out of every three years. Carol and I were never in school together once I entered the 7th grade. After high school, I went off to college in Pasadena for a short time, then moving to Seattle. Shortly after Carol graduated from Lincoln High School in Both Judy and Carol attended Washington State University. Judy returned to teach school. Carol married and moved to Minnesota, where she remains near her two daughters and her grandchildren. A few years ago Carol obtained a masters degree and began working in special programs for youngsters and young mothers. The three of us have our separate lives. Although Judy and I are nearby, we each have our own connections and activities, and we treasure the times we get to spend together. It is a special treat when Carol is visiting out this way and we can connect in person. Carol and Judy are more connected, often finding vacations and trips to take together. The next time the three of us are together, we should restage this photograph. All of this reminiscence is triggered by my birthday cards. They remind me that as much as we have traveled quite different roads, our childhood connections hold on. It also shows me how much I can be reminded of shared experiences that I have forgotten and that were memorable for my sisters. It is one of those benefits of growing up family that we remember for each other. I am thankful that our growing into adult friends is not marked by the turmoil and separation that I’ve seen in the families of others. From Carol:
From Judy:
It is wonderful to be able to look back and learn what was the best of it for each of us. Labels: friends and family, Golden Geek 2009-01-10Friday Cat Picture: 2009-01-09 Princess Favors Nat
Son Nathaniel Whitten has Vicki’s automatic acceptance by cats (and vice versa). Here, Princess Psyche has found Nat to provide a convenient high perch and is on alert for a higher place to visit. She and brother Teh Amor have the Burmese and Bombay fondness for heights, although at 14 Princess is not so energetic about seeking them out. Labels: cats, friends and family
from:
|
||||
|
You are navigating Orcmid's Lair. |
template
created 2002-10-28-07:25 -0800 (pst)
by orcmid |