Archive for April, 2003

Ok…because it has been so cold, I’ve decided I’m not going to mess around. I’m going to bring spring to those of us who are still suffering with winter and to encourage it for those of you (you know who you are…those of you who live in balmy cities like Miami, Phoenix, and San Diego) who are already enjoying it.

Yesterday’s flower was the lovely hibiscus.

Today’s flower is the orange blossom. I decided to throw in a picture of the oranges on the tree, too. And can I tell you that they were the sweetest oranges that I think I’ve ever tasted? It’s so much better when it comes from a tree that you know. Yum.

If you’ve never smelled an orange blossom, you’re missing out. It’s a refreshing, invigorating smell. It’s absolutely delightful.

I was in Phoenix on Saturday. It’s always amazing to me how the weather can change so dramatically in less than 300 miles. In fact, it was snowing all day at home and in Phoenix, my brother, niece and I were driving around in a convertible.

It was absolutely beautiful.

I had my cameras with me (ok, I always have my cameras with me) and I was able to get some pictures of the blooms that were happening down there.

Considering that we’re still having deep freezes up here, it’s nice to get down and see some color.

I thought I’d share a picture with you.

Have a great Monday!

Thanks to lili, I now know what kind of VW I am. :-)

Which VW Are You?

On NPR this morning, I heard the latest installment of their War Diaries. It was recorded at Amphi High in Tucson. In an English class, the students turned from poetry to the talk of war.

Many of them were worried about nuclear war. Many were worried that it would come for them next.

It started me thinking on how we adults tend to drag children into things that may not be good for them, are not healthy for them, and put them in positions they shouldn’t be in.

This isn’t an attack on the U.S. or our government. It’s an inquiry into the roles of adults. It’s something that happens all over the world. From crack addicts putting their children into situations where the children basically have to act like the adults to abuse situations to the prostituting of children to children living through war.

Don’t we have a responsibility to shelter our kids a bit more? Don’t we have a responsibility to give the children of this world a place where life isn’t a hardship? Don’t we have a responsibility to allow them to be children?

The children of war-torn Africa, starving, distended stomachs, bugs flying around their eyes, have always broken my heart. No child should have to live through that. Children in the United States living on street corners, begging for food. Bosnian girls being raped systematically.

We cry out against atrocities but maybe we aren’t crying out loudly enough. The next generation is hurting. The generation that is going to be the caretakers of the world when we are all at their mercy are growing up in fear, hunger, anger, and loss.

What does this say for the world ahead?