Much Ado About a Birthday

When I was in high school, one of my English teachers served birthday cake every year on Shakespeare's birthday.  It was then, after reading A Midsummer Night's Dream, that I first became enamored of the beautiful rhythm of iambic pentameter, Shakespeare's special treatment of the universal themes of good versus evil, unrequited love,uncontrollable jealously and, of course, his sense of humor (his comedies are my favorites). Even decades later, today is not a day that I can go without acknowledging.

So, Happy 447th Birthday Bill!

Later, having carried a hefty Norton Shakespeare around campus for at least one full year of college, I felt compelled to travel to Stratford Upon Avon when I visited England just after graduation.  

I also sought out the original location of The Globe Theatre in London.  At the time, it was more difficult to locate then you would have thought. 

My sister and me at the original site of The Globe Theatre in 1986. 

Twenty-four years later, I had my kids pose in the exact same spot for a photo. 

It's deja-vu all over again!

Today, the plaque above is just a block or two away from this re-creation of The Globe:

and much easier to find. A sight totally worth visiting, even if you're not a "Shakespeareophile" like me.  (I think I may have just invented a word, in which case Mr. Shakespeare would, no doubt, be proud. 

Happy Birthday to the Bard! 

Earth Day

Child of the 70s that I am, I have to acknowledge that today is Earth Day or "International Mother Earth Day" as the United Nations calls it.  

And while I am committed to living green(er) and being a good steward of our planet's natural resources, I reluctantly acknowledge that I still love incandescent light bulbs and drive an SUV. 

I do, however, make every effort to recycle - mostly plastic, glass, aluminum and paper.   And, my Lent commitment was eschewing those plastic grocery bags and using the reusable ones -- even if it meant that when I'd forgotten mine, even mid-shopping excursion, that I'd temporarily abandon my grocery cart to run out to my car to retrieve them.  What I realized (aside from how often I go to the grocery store in a downpour) is how much better that one little act makes me feel.  

A Native American proverb says, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." That reminded me of this Keep America Beautiful commercial from my childhood.

Happy Earth Day and remember:  Save our planet, it's the only one with chocolate! 

Erstwhile Easters

My photos are few and far between but I couldn't resist this walk down Easter Memory Lane. 

1996

At the preschool egg hunt, 1997

Two of my favorite people make an  Easter cake,1997

In their Easter Sunday Best, a 4 year old and unhappy 1 year old, 1998

At the Dunn's for a neighborhood egg hunt, 1998

Ready for church, 1999

Decorating eggs on Grandmother's porch

At neighborhood egg hunt, 2001

Kindergarten Egg Hunt in 2002

Happy (Belated) International Juggler's Day

Believe it or not, juggling has two holidays.  So, while this year I managed to miss International Juggler's Day (April 18th), I'll be sure and celebrate World Juggler's Day, which is observed on the Saturday closest to June 17th (in 2011, that's June 18th) in just 8 short weeks.  I've already marked my calendar. 

Both holidays of course "celebrate the skill of juggling, and those talented people who can juggle many balls and objects at a time."

Juggling is a skill and form of entertainment that has been around for thousands of years, but it is most well documented in Medieval times in Europe.

And I'm guessing it's so much fun, two days (one for the nations and one for the whole earth) are needed to celebrate (kinda like the city so nice, they named it twice)!

So for your viewing pleasure, here's one of my two favorite juggling guys (early on in his juggling career)! 

Easter Sunrise

It's just one more week until Easter and for at least 4 of my 40+ years on Earth, I've done something a little out of the ordinary.  

I have managed to get myself up well before daybreak to enjoy an Easter Sunrise Service. There is something extra special about celebrating Resurrection Sunday with this special rite.
 

The first of my break-of-day Easter experiences was in  the late 80s on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  If you ever have the opportunity to enjoy the splendor of the sunrise while sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, do it!  It is the essence of majestic.  That year Christian musician/trumpeter Phil Driscoll provided the music, it was indescribable. 

Flash forward 7 years and, in 1994, my husband and I had the crazy notion that we'd walk to the top of Georgia's Stone Mountain, 1 year old in tow, and experience an Easter sunrise  service conducted by a local church from atop the world's largest piece of exposed granite.  What we didn't count on was the freezing temperature, the wind, and the toll hiking 1.3 miles up in the dark with a 13 month old would take on all of us. I've filed that experience under "What were we thinking?" in my metaphorical life box!

My husband and daughter pose at the top pf Stone Mountain

The sun begins to rise!

Warming up before we head back down the mountain.

Seemingly undeterred, about 5 years ago, we took a spur of the moment trip  to the gulf coast of Florida for Easter weekend.   We enjoyed the sunrise service on the beach. The kids were at a great age and the message that morning was terrific.  The beauty of the sun rising above the horizon was awe-inspiring.  I've always felt that nowhere else on earth is the power and wonder of the Maker of Heaven and Earth more evident than at the ocean. 

Last year, we decided that our Stone Mountain experience deserved a do-over.  We took the kids and hiked in the dark to the top.  It was enjoyable (and truthfully, knowing that your Sunday best is not required, a relief).  A trip to iHop on the way home was an experience too. 

Stone Mountain

The path to the top of Stone Mountain.  We carried flashlights to make our climbing easier. 

We're still debating our Easter plans this year, but I haven't ruled out another dawn excursion (though I've been told, i.e., warned, that I may be going by myself).   But, if you haven't ever tried it, you should.  As a worship experience (and memory-maker), it's incredible.