A rose is a rose is a rose

With Valentine's Day approaching, we hear ads for flowers and roses abound.  Those of us who enjoy research and understanding the meanings behind some of the things we do know that roses were brought to Europe from the orient during the time of the Roman Empire and quickly became swathed in lore and legend, meaning and innuendo, substance and subtlety.  In the game of Courtly Love, the colour of the rose became important, with that colour carrying a message. So here's a refresher for those looking to gift roses to your paramour (or for those recieving said roses).  We wouldn't want any misunderstandings...

Thought for the day

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence.

Thought for the day

Arrivederci, addio, amen, il mio amico

I have not posted nor visited this site in a long time...

...but today I feel the need to try to express some things.  I know the right words will fail me...I think I am still numb with shock and grief.   There are never words to express one's feelings when someone that was held dear is taken, tragically and suddenly.  The emotions run the gauntlet...and then back again.  We grieve for our loss...of a friend, a mentor, a confidant.  Never again will I be able to greet him, to cross blades, to critique a bout, to laugh with him.  Nor will he be seen merrily and jauntily walking around a site, in the way only he did.   And his, "yep, yep, yep" will not be heard again.  We are diminished this day, all of us who knew him, and for those who called him friend, or brother, there is a unique sadness knowing that our remembrances are all we have left to hold.  I will carry many of those through my days, and the one thing I will always remember is the way he never was shy about expressing his love..for his family, for his friends, for this Dream we all hold dear.  He wore it on his sleeve, like part of his attire, but it wasn't...it was part of his soul, and it oozed from every pore of his body, and was felt in his handshake, his clasp of friendship, his brotherly hug, and it often escaped through his eyes, in his tears, which he was never ashamed to shed in joy and pride.  He lived the Dream as we all wish to...with total abandon and with an all-encompassing embrace.  I am honored to have known him, to have learned from him, to have shared times with him, to have called him friend, to have named him 'brother'.  Don Christoforo...goodbye, farewell, amen, my friend...

Currently Listening Glow By Peter White see related

General update

Things are going pretty well.  I'm on that "I'm doing better but that much better" zone, I think.  I am at the stage in my recovery that I have progressed to a point where discernable progress is minimal.  I am getting "functional", but still too dependant for my liking.  I am trying to fully get away from using the wheelchair.  I had hoped to be able to put it aside by the end of last month, but that didn't happen, so this month I will try again.  I do use my crutches more and more, but tend to still get pretty tired when up on them too long....and my leg and heel get sore if I stand too long.  Still doing PT thee times a week, and I've been able to increase the weight I'm using.  It's still too slow for me...I'm more than ready to get back to normal!!  The warm weather this weekend was certainly a much needed blessing.  I have been hurting in the cold...right down to the bone...or in some cases metal.  I can't wait for summer...ah, those 100 degree days with 90% humidity!!!