The Littlest Prince

Little Prince Attani is not quite three months old.  But he has taken his Proud Grandmom's heart by storm.

He is just as sweet as he can be.

He is learning more about the world each day.

And oh, what fun it is to watch the little animals spin while he rocks!  He's got his Daddy's "rubber face."

He tries his best to tell the world what he thinks about his growing knowledge of it.

But we are not quite on his wavelength.  Just yet.  And Big Bro playing in the background helps to drown out his "words."

Workin' on the Railroad ...

As a somewhat belated, but still very much appreciated, Christmas gift from a very generous godmother, Prince Tyger received a Lionel Little Lines Train Playset.  Oh, what a joy to unwrap and assemble it with Daddy Big T!

Even Grandmom and Baby Prince Attani got into the act - although primarily in an advisory capacity - because Prince Tyger and Big T had everything well under control.

Well under control, that is, until Prince Tyger discovered some extra pieces that the two "construction engineers" hadn't included in the design ... .

And then there was the train's remote control.  After an abortive attempt to make it work, Prince Tyger announced, "Needs batteries!"  He is very much a child of the electronic battery-operated age.

Thank heavens for Sweet Momma H, who stocks batteries of all shapes, sizes and charges in bulk, just as Prince Tyger considers his due!  And oh, what fun!  The little train ran perfectly and charmed its operator thoroughly.

If you listen carefully, you can hear Sweet Momma H and Big T using the opportunity for a short counting lesson.  Our splendid Prince Tyger passes with flying colors.

Thundersnow

Yesterday afternoon, it began to snow - lazy, heavy and wet flakes that just kept coming down.  After dark, it looked like this, highlighting the snowperson that some of our neighbors built while it was still light enough to see.

During the early evening, we were startled to hear rumbles of thunder and see flashes of lightning.  But the snow finally stopped falling.

This morning's newspaper headline trumpeted the event as "thundersnow," a rare phenomenon more reminiscent of a summer thunderstorm.   This area, being heavily populated and having literally thousands of commuters, is greatly affected by even a small snow storm.  Anything greater brings everything to a halt.  School openings are delayed, or entire systems are closed altogether.  Everyone is glued to the radio and television to hear about these.  I remember my own sons' great glee at discovering how liberal the "snow-day" policy on the East Coast is.  In Montana, where they attended elementary school, snow days were unheard-of - and we had a LOT more snow!  Of course, I also remember my own days as a federal employee, when I had to commute to Washington and how I, too, secretly hoped on occasion to hear that federal offices were closed or had "liberal leave policies."

This morning, the snow cover was beautiful.  But it also meant that we would have to dig ourselves - and our vehicles - out.  Yes, our condominium has a service that is supposed to clear the snow for us, but sometimes it is involuntarily delayed by road conditions elsewhere, so we have learned to be self-sufficient.   

The whole region is in a shutdown mode, as can be seen here, with an accompanying photo gallery of scenes from the DC metropolitan area.

In the meantime, now that we're shovelled out - for the most part - we can sit back and enjoy the seasonal beauty.

After all, it IS winter.  And among the nicest perks of being retired are that we really do not have to be anywhere or on any schedule.  They've been a long time a-coming so we can truly appreciate those luxuries.

Prince Tyger's Busy Day

I got to spend some time in Washington, DC last week, visiting the littlest Princes.  Prince Attani, at 2.5 months, is still basically able to be confined to one area.  One must watch him with an eagle eye, though.  He likes to flip himself over and can do it at the drop of a hat.  You can see a devilish gleam in his eye ... .

But Big Bro, Prince Tyger, is literally a whirling dervish of activity.  It's exhausting to watch.  He begins with some carpentry work courtesy of his gift from aunt and uncle Big J and Sweet Momma D.

Then, he decides to make tea ... (I apologize in advance - I'm still getting used to the new camera)

and then moves to the "kitchen" ...

to do some cooking.

Of course, being "all boy," he also has to show off his gymnastic abilities ...

and his sporting prowess.

Whew!  At long last ... a quiet moment!

And thank heavens for Dora the Explorer!

I thank All the Powers That Be that I had my own children while I was in my twenties. 

Catching Up 2

As it turned out, we were able to attend a large family gathering over the holidays courtesy of Sweet Momma D, the "hostess with the 'mostes.'"

This was a treat because we had expected that I would be housebound following surgery and would have to forego most, if not all, such occasions.  Fortunately, we had been able to partake of some earlier evenings with good friends, as here.  And, you can see that someone - who shall remain nameless - didn't get the memo that red was the color to wear!

With the postponement of surgery, however, some holiday celebrating was allowed, even though I couldn't partake of alcoholic holiday cheer because I was on antibiotics.  Sigh.  Still, a good time was had by all and it was good to see some of the older grandkids: Princes C, D & J.

And it was fun to see them enjoying Xbox 360 activities with enthusiasm - in addition to darts and snooker in the basement.

The food, which included turkey and trimmings, ham, varied sides and some outstanding crab dip and deer salami appetizers, was delicious.  We also spent good moments visiting with people whose busy lives and farflung locations otherwise do not allow for much interaction.

Best of all, we had our very own Saint Nick, twinkling eyes and all!

I Can't Believe ...

that it has been 45 years ago today since Big T was born!  Now he himself is a father.

With two young ones of his own: Prince Tyger and Prince Attani.

We travelled to Washington, DC last weekend for an early birthday celebration because Big T has now returned to the "official" workplace after spending several months as a house-husband-father which means that the five-day work week is quite busy.  The home stay was a good experiment for all concerned.

And Big T finds his return to the workplace calm in comparison to the hubbub at home. 

For his birthday dinner, we had prepared a chicken cous-cous.  After dinner, well, let's just say that Prince Tyger believes that it is HIS duty to blow out birthday candles, whether it is actually HIS birthday or not.  I foresee trouble when Prince Attani decides that HE should have the same duty.  For the moment, however, that "conflict" is deferred to the future.

To help Prince Tyger, whose little lungs have not quite attained their full potential - even though it might seem that way at times - in this task, Sweet Momma H set five candles on as many cupcakes - one candle for each decade - with a rounding up to the fifth.

Prince Tyger prepares for the Big Moment.

He waits patiently for the so-called "adults" to complete the Birthday Song and then performs his duty with gusto - and to much applause.

Catching Up 1

A little more than one month ago, when we thought that my pre-Christmas surgery would go ahead as planned, we had a pre-holiday celebration with Big T and Prince Tyger.  Sweet Momma H stayed at home with Baby Prince Attani because the littlest prince is still susceptible to cold and other hazards of the season.  Never fear, Sweet Momma H and Prince Tyger did get to celebrate on the Big Day with her family, while Big T and the littlest one stayed at home.

Do you detect a pattern here?  Prince Tyger gets to go everywhere, while Prince Attani remains a shut-in.  Still, Prince Attani doesn't seem overly upset about not getting out and about.  Not yet.  He finds the whole idea rather tiresome.

In the meantime, Prince Tyger had a great time having turkey with trimmings and opening some gifts early.

But what Prince Tyger most wanted to do was to get out and about.  So, after he had been such a good boy, that's what he and Grandmom did.

We had a bit of snow on the ground.  Prince Tyger first experimented with a rake.  Ultimately, he decided that there must be a better way to remove snow.

Still, what he really wanted to do was to go to the playground nearby.  He jumped right into the sandbox, which he remembered well from last summer.  But he was disappointed when Grandmom wouldn't remove his shoes, as she had last summer.  Ah well - he was willing to be persuaded when she explained that his little feet would freeze because it is now winter.

So he moved quite happily on to another of his favorites - the big blue bouncy car.

What is it with males - of whatever size or age - and automobiles?

Blissful moments, indeed!

Up in the Air in the Pays-d'Enhaut

Today, 22 January, marks the first day of the 2011 hot-air balloon festival in Château-d'Oex, a French-speaking village between Gstaad and Lausanne in Switzerland.   This year, the festival runs from today to 30 January.

The village of Château-d'Oex is located in the Pays-d'Enhaut (Highlands) district.  It is a spectacular location for this festival, and an international meeting place for this event since 1979, with some 20 countries participating.  It is perhaps fitting that the first hot-air balloon to circumnavigate the globe without stopping, the Breitling Orbiter co-steered by Bertrand Piccard, was launched from here in 1999.  

HWMBO and I attended this event several times during our years in Switzerland and enjoyed it each time.  The little village literally bursts at the seams with visitors.  To get the full effect, one must arrive early enough to see the airless balloons being readied for their infusion of hot air.

Then, they begin to rise one after another,

some in fanciful shapes and kaleidoscopic designs.

This is perhaps one of the most fantastic I've seen.

Seeing them rise and soar into the sky against a background of medieval stuctures is simply wonderful, if not altogether breathtaking.

They certainly help to lift one's spirits during what can often be a gloomy winter by the lakeside further below.

The Bard, the Globe and the Blackfriars

More than five years ago, in 2005, our oldest grandson, Prince D, then a teen-ager, came to visit us in Switzerland during his summer vacation.   Because he is a great reader and we thought it would be a marvelous opportunity to introduce him to London, a motherlode of English literature, we arranged to fly to London to meet him there for a long weekend, with a plan to travel on to Switzerland together.

While in London, we planned to do some of the usual sightseeing and event-attending.  But I was particularly thrilled about the possibility of our all seeing a Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre, a 1997 reconstruction of the original Globe from Shakespeare's day, the original having been destroyed by fire in 1613.  The only Shakespearean play that was scheduled during the time period happened to be Pericles, Prince of Tyre - not what I would have chosen if I'd had my druthers, and certainly not for a teen-ager.  But still, we thought that an opportunity to see a Shakespeare play in this setting would be an unforgettable experience.

Unfortunately, events conspired so that Prince D's arrival was held up for two and a half days, meaning that we barely had time to meet and greet him before we had to board the plane for our return flight to Switzerland.  So he did not get to see London other than what he was able to see from the planes as he flew in and out of London's Heathrow Airport.  Sigh.

Our flights, however, were not so thoroughly disrupted and so, there we were, in London for the weekend.  Because we already had the tickets for the play at the Globe, we attended it.  We were amazed by the creativity and versatility of the actors and the staging, which tried to remain as true as possible to the Shakespearean tradition.  We had a wonderful experience.  But of course, while we were there, it rained.  Nay, it poured! 

Because the Globe has no roof, just as in Shakespeare's day, those standing in the center (we were seated in the upper section where we did have a small roof overhang), as well as the actors, had to huddle for shelter until the downpour was over.  Remembering this experience, I was delighted to read today that Shakespeare's Globe plans to reconstruct the Blackfriars Theatre.  The Blackfriars was the "upscale" Globe of Shakespearean times, where the "upper crust could watch the Bard's plays away from the great unwashed."  The original Blackfriars closed in 1642.  As described by a Shakespearean contemporary, John Marston, in 1600:

"I like the audience that frequenteth there.  With much applause a man shall not be choked with the stench of garlic nor be pasted to the balmy jacket of a beer-brewer."

While we didn't notice any overwhelming or otherwise "stench of garlic" at the Globe and HWMBO, who does love his ale and draft, would not have complained of being "pasted to the balmy jacket of a beer-brewer," we did regret the lack of a roof during the downpour.  Not to worry, the modern Blackfriars will feature a roof.

We look forward to another visit, but will have to wait until November 2013.  Perhaps Prince D can join us for a visit then!

Belated Anniversary!

Yesterday, 19 January, was the first anniversary of the "launch" of Sagittarian Dreams. 

It's been an event-filled year, with highs such as the arrival of our newest grandbaby boy and my first grandniece - neither of whom was even a gleam in the respective fatherly eye at the time.  There have been lows such as the loss of a younger first cousin from cancer and a much-too-young in-law from an IED in Afghanistan.  Not all events have been reported in SD, especially the sadder ones.  But many have found their way here, so this blog has served as a journal in some ways.

Having been late for nearly every other project during the past year, I am true to form in wishing SD a belated "Happy Anniversary!"  If you've been along for the ride, thanks for being here.  I hope that this next year together will bring fulfillment of many wonderful dreams!

A special thanks to Shellie at Saving with Shellie for the image!

Bittersweet Memories

20 January 2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Inaugural Address of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States.  Tuesday, 18 January 2011, marks the date of death of Kennedy's brother-in-law, Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr.  I never had the honor of meeting either of these undeniably great men in person.  But both had profound effects on the course of my life.

President Kennedy was the first American President to be born in the 20th century.  At age 43, he was the youngest person elected to the Presidency, the first and only Catholic, the first Irish-American, and the only to have received a Pulitzer Prize.  I was 17 years old at the time of his Inaugural Address.  To me, and to so many others of my generation - both in the US and around the world - he represented hope, inspiration, empowerment, progress towards human rights and defeat of poverty and tyranny.  That speech can be viewed here.  Some telling excerpts follow below:

"We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end as well as a beginning — signifying renewal as well as change."

" ... the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.… Now the trumpet summons us again.… I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it."

"And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

Kennedy laid down both a compelling gauntlet and an inspirational challenge.  Those of us who were about to begin our university studies (I was at the time a senior in high school), those who were already studying and those who had recently completed their studies were all greatly affected by his call to public service.  Some reactions are reported here.

In 1962, the Kennedy Administration established the Peace Corps.  Kennedy named Sargent Shriver to be its first director.  Shriver had the great good sense to call upon and heed the proposals of a relatively unknown career foreign policy advisor in the State Department named Warren Wiggins, who was the major architect and organizer of what the Peace Corps would become.  Shriver named him and another of my heroes, Bill Moyers, as Deputies.

We will never - ever - know what "might have been" insofar as too many other legacies of the Kennedy Administration are concerned.  The musical Camelot, reportedly a favorite of the Kennedys, still brings me to tears, no matter how many times I see it.  But, as things would turn out, on 22 November 1963, an assassin's bullet not only ended the too-brief life and career of John F. Kennedy, it traumatized a nation and the world.  That assassin's bullet was only a precursor of much darker days - even decades - to come.  Its shadow haunts us still.

But the Peace Corps, due to men and women of vision such as Shriver, Wiggins and those who followed them, has endured.  It will continue to endure.  There are just too many of us for assassins' bullets to be effective unless a full-scale all-out "war" is declared.  We transcend petty party politics and labels.  We reunite, as those of us from Peace Corps groups from the early 60s in Morocco continue to do.

We may be going gray, but we continue to connect and we still believe.  We have children and grandchildren.  From them will come generations that we will not even know.  We hope that we have instilled - and will continue to instill - those worthy beliefs in public service in them.  Because they are beliefs that uplift, that inspire, that give us all hope to continue.  We believe that we CAN help to make the world a better place, especially for those who are among the most vulnerable.

We have many heroes who have inspired US and we hope that WE will continue to inspire others.  But it is always sad to see one of our heroes leave us.  RIP, Mr. Shriver.  Obituaries in your honor are appearing already.  I have no doubt but that you are happy now together with your wife, Eunice, and your brothers-in-law, Jack, Bobby and Ted, with Warren Wiggins and so many others who worked with and were inspired by you.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if my own parents are among them.

May you all have the Greatest Wake ever together in the Hereafter!

More Skypeshots

OK, so the quality here isn't the greatest, but since I don't have any other way to get some up-to-date photos in real time, I have to seize those moments when opportunity knocks.

Big T and Prince Tyger called me on Skype today.  When Sweet Momma H and Prince Attani also showed up, I tried the Skype snapshot feature for myself to get a couple of family portraits.  In most of them, Prince Tyger showed as a blur - he darts about so quickly.  But here is one view of the family

and here is another.

Even Spencer the cat stopped by for a couple photo-ops.

And when Prince Tyger needed help, Big T was right there.

It's not as satisfactory as with my camera and I'm not able to photoshop, but it's still pretty amazing.

The Day of the Dreamer

Today, the third Monday of January in the US, is a federal holiday to commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Dr. King was a clergyman, activist and prominent leader in the US African-American civil rights movement.  He was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the American civil rights movement.  Unfortunately, his commitment to nonviolence did not prevent his meeting the same violent fate as another twentieth-century advocate of nonviolent activism, Mohandas Karamchand ("Mahatma") Ghandi.  Both Ghandi and King fell victim to assassin's bullets.

It was in the summer of 1963 that the "Big Six" of civil rights movements organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which was attended by more than a quarter million people of diverse ethnicities.  Dr. King represented the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  His 17-minute speech "I Have a Dream" electrified the crowd.  It is regarded as one of the finest speeches in American historical oratory.  The full version of the speech can be seen here.  Key excerpts include the following.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood."

"This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."

The March on Washington, and especially King's speech, helped to move civil rights to the forefront of the liberal political agenda and ultimately led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

In the summer of 1963, I was about as far from Washington in mind and spirit as I could be.  I was very narrowly focused on taking classes and working part-time in Montana so that I could complete my undergraduate course of studies in three, rather than four, years.  In November of 1963, I was appalled when an assassin's bullets killed my youthful President John F. Kennedy, who had inspired me and others of my generation to ask what we could do for our country.   In some small measure of response, after receiving my BA degree, I entered the Peace Corps in June 1964.  It was during a two-month preparatory training course at Princeton University in New Jersey that I heard a firsthand account of the March on Washington from Dr. King's colleague Bayard Rustin, who had been the primary logistical and strategic organizer of the march.

Mr. Rustin mesmerized all of us.  It was clear that we were in the presence of an inspired, inspiring and dedicated man.  I like to believe that even though I had missed the march altogether, I was from then on taking part in it, in its spirit and its goals.  I can only imagine how proud both King and Rustin would have been to see an honorable and admirable American born of a black African father and a white American mother, with a lovely African-American wife and two beautiful African-American daughters, in the White House today.

It takes dreamers to ask the questions, to inspire the rest of us.  But it takes ALL of us to act.  Thank you, Dr. King, for inspiring us and reminding us that it is up to us to BE the change that we would like to see in the world.

Princess Butterfly on Skype

This afternoon, we spoke to Princess Butterfly, our most special four-year-old in the whole wide world, via the wonders of Skype.

The Princess spared us a few moments of her busy little life, although she has never been one to sit around and just "chew the fat."  She's always got to be going somewhere and doing something.  We did hear some updated stories though.  For instance, last Friday, while on a visit to a shopping mall with Sweet Momma M and Ice Princess, she got a bit bored with their shopping, preferring to strike out on her own.

After a few moments of unease (aka near panic) when Sweet Momma M and Ice Princess realized that Princess Butterfly was no longer with them, their glances happened to fall on the Disney store opposite. There Princess Butterfly was not "lost" at all - merely receiving her royal due.  She was being helped into Cinderella's wedding dress and "glass" slippers by an attentive shop assistant.  Sweet Momma M and Ice Princess did manage to whisk her away home again, sans dress (its price tag was pretty hefty), but avec slippers.  Princess Butterfly proudly wore them to the Disney on Ice spectacular that she attended the next day.

The Princess also announced that she "hates" school.  When asked why, the single word response was, "Naptime."  Princess Butterfly does not like to be told what to do and when.

Ah, Princess, if you only knew how much you will appreciate naptime, scheduled or otherwise, when you get to be a little bit older!