Never too young for Shakespeare

My oldest grandson and youngest granddaughter were in a Shakespeare production in Denver a few weeks ago. The grandson played the part of Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet and the granddaughter was Le Beau from As You Like It.

Another granddaughter will be at a Shakespeare Camp in Winedale, Texas this summer.

I know that I certainly didn't know much at all about Shakespeare when I was eight years old (as is youngest granddaughter) and not a great deal more when I was fourteen years old (as is oldest grandson).

My husband and I still remember with delight the twelve year old granddaughter (who will be at the Shakespeare Camp in Winedale) singing non-stop with her older sister on a trip from New York to Massachusetts - never missing a beat and remembering every word to every song. Now: Shakespeare! {This little prodigy also plays the guitar and writes her own songs - sometimes singing at "Open Mike" nights in The Berkshires.}

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. "

As You Like It (II.i.1–17)

Oh, Shugga!

I have never tasted this beer. Snapped the license plate photo the other day on the way home. SHUGGA . . .

A Formation Prayer

O LORD, MY GOD. Form me more fully into your likeness.

Use the circumstances and interactions of this day to form your will in me.

From the formations of this day form peace.
From the joys of this day form strength.
From the struggles of this day form courage.
From the beauties of this day form love.

In the name of Jesus Christ who is all peace and strength and courage and love.

David Whyte

David Whyte says that "Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself."

my grandmother, my mother, me - and my husband

Every family has traditional recipes that are passed down through the generations: these tried and true recipes, with flavors that bring to the fore all of the marvelous Family Memories associated with the times you ate these dishes with loved ones.


My grandmother and my mother and I (after I married) made/make a very simple apple-celery-green onion salad. I know that some would call this a Waldorf Salad. However, we always asked: "Who is going to bring the apple-celery-green onion salad?" My children expect this salad on occasions such as Thanksgiving (goes so well with turkey) or Easter (delicious with ham) - or anytime I take a notion to add it to the menu.


It is simple. It is easy. And it is soooo good. Recently, my husband made this salad to take to his last Bible Study/Potluck meeting, sharing it with a group he has met with every Wednesday for 32 weeks in a Disciple IV class. And, as always: it was a hit. Class members were guessing at the 'special ingredients' and the special 'flavors' and asking Husband for the recipe.


Well, here 'tis (and it couldn't be simpler!).


My Family Apple-Celery-Green Onion Salad

2-3 large Delicious apples
5-6-8 stalks celery
1-2 bunches green onions (I use some of the green - according to how much salad I am making)
(I have been making this for so many years and never have written it down - just judging how many stalks of celery, how many apples, how many green onions - by 'sight'. It is one of those recipes you can 'play with' according to how many people will be served.)
Enough Miracle Whip dressing to moisten (I know! I know! Genteel people do not use Miracle Whip, right? Well - believe me - genteel folks will love this salad!)
Salt and pepper according to taste

See? It couldn't be simpler . . . however, it is a great salad!

We will miss the Golden Girl

Bea Arthur

1922 - 2009