Don't retire, reinvent yourself.

Don't Retire, Reinvent Yourself.

During the St. Patrict's Day holiday.  Some of my family

came to visit me.  They stayed at a hotel close by.  We had

a pleasant time sharing stories, photographs and memories.

Just before that, my son, who is a classic Jazz lover took me

to see and hear The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band.  I 

thought of both events because I enjoyed both.  Then I

saw the latest issue of The BECON NEWSPAPER with

the headline Don't Retire, Reinvent Yourself.

The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band did exactly that. 

When the pandemic of 2000 hit this world, six talented

musicians got together and played.  They formed the 

Conservatory Classic Jazz Band to present traditional

jazz to Washington DC audiences.  They play New

Orleans style, Chicago style, small-group swing and

mainstream.  On the night we saw them they also

did a Jam Session in the middle of their performance.

The following day, when we met with our family,

I was glad to see some family were trying to reinvent

themselves.

Beverly

beverlyrehfeld@gmail

Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.

 And VOTE!

SKY WATCH 2023

 JANUARY, FEBRUARY
IN COMES MARCH...

Bringing with it our hope for greater 

opportunity For World Peace 

as we plant seeds in the Planet's

Earth for greater understanding 

even as Clouds rush past balloons.

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com/

Wear your mask.  Get your shot.

Wash your hands.

       ************

NEW YEAR 2023

 AS THE YEARS GO FORWARD

WE MUST NOT LET FEAR MESMERIZE US.

LET US FIND WAYS TO RESPECT AND PROTECT

HUMAN AND NATURE'S NEEDS.

AND KNOW THAT COME WHAT MAY

THERE IS STRENGTH IN OUR DIVERSITY.

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com/

Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.

Get your shots and VOTE.

THANKSGIVING 2022

THANKSGIVING 2022

Each year, I try to send a special Thanksgiving message. 

I try to send something that would be a musing

about our world. Sometimes the message would be a part

of what I call "SKY WATCH", in which I  urge readers

to get outside to  see the stars and planets above. But

this year, it is hard for me to send such a message, because

of the death of my companion, Don Snyder, who lived 

in St. Louis, Missouri, and died just before Thanksgiving. 

So,when I read Margaret Renld's Column, "How to Give Thanks in 

a Messed-up World," I liked it and turned to memories of

Don.

Don and I shared a sense of adventure.  He seemed a

stickler for focus and attention to technology.  He gave

freely of his time to try to set up a computer system by

which I was able to communicate with my readers

from around the world.  But once he started to show

me something, if I was diverted he would tell me,

"No! Not now!  We have to get this done!" It is Don

that I remember as I write now.

It was because of Don that I learned about the 

beauty of  Woodworking.  It was with him that 

I attended the Saturday morning lectures on math

and physics. The turmoil which has affected so many

people had affected us as well. I left St. Louis

to come to Washington, to be close to my children.

Don sold his small house and moved into another facility

at the request of his family.  Though we were unable 

to see each other.  We were able to keep in touch 

with the technology he showed me.  Because of that 

and because of the messed-up world he and I were in.

Don died miles away from me during the Thanksgiving Season.

Then I remembered the words of Margaret Renld in her

column on November 26, "loss and love will always

belong to each other, that sorrow has always been 

joy's quiet twin." I spoke with Don's family.  And 

then I walked in my small garden.  The crisp air told me 

snow will soon come.

Beverly

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com

Wear your mask.  Get your shot.

Wash your hands. VOTE

 

LET'S BEGIN WITH JUSTICE

 Let's Begin With Justice.

Several weeks ago, I went to see the show

"To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Kennedy Center.

When I came out to the Lobby, I bought a T shirt

with the words from the show, "Let's begin with Justice."

As I read of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland's

decision on whether or not to name a special counsel

to investigate Mr. Trump and his actions "to undercut 

faith in the institutions ability to investigate the former

president."

 

I have faithfully followed the actions and aspirations

of many people in public office.  It is not difficult to

discern who wants to serve people.  It is also easy 

to spot those who wish to undo acts of fairness.

I hope that Mr. Garland continues in his quest

for law and justice, and is supported by all the

people.

Beverly

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com

Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.

Get your shots. and VOTE.

THE MEGA MANSION BEHIND POLLY 'S OLD HOUSE

 THERE IT WAS!  THE OLD BROWN GATE,

covered over with white paint, swinging open 

to the front lawn.  Beyond, the house had ten broad,

well-worn steps to a large porch.  On one side of the porch

 was a glider comfortable enough to hold and sleep adults and

children on warm summer nights.  There was enough room under the porch to 

hide children, animals and secret treasures.

The front door opened to a large, square hallway that lead to two ample stairways leading to four

bedrooms. The third floor lead to more bedrooms and an attic for storage.  On the first floor, 

one side of the house held a small sitting parlor behind which was more room.  The living and

dinning rooms were across the hallway. The kitchen was in the back with old-fashioned cabinets

and appliances.  Two dogs and a cat were housed in the yard. The animals came in and out of

the kitchen for warmth when the weather was cold.

Polly was a writer, editor, and political activist who took her five children to the South to work

with women who wanted to learn about child development in the sixties. When she returned to

Washington, DC, she moved into the large home I have described.  Polly's home was located on

a small street that also offered space in the back yard where she grew vegetables.  When

her children began to develop carers of their own, to keep up with expenses, Polly rented rooms

to a few students. She also purchased a small tract of land in Pennsylvania where the children and grandchildren helped her build whatever they needed. Her beat-up truck had enough room in the 

back to pile everyone willing to help at the Farm and supplies.

When I visited Polly, I often shared a cup of tea. Though we were both interested in politics, we

shared or own aspirations as women, mothers and grandmothers.  I thought of all of this as we 

passed the Mega Mansion now being built where Polly's home once was.

I thought too,we need not bemoan the past.  But now we need to look to the future as our children

create memories of their own.

Beverly

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com

Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.

Get your shot.  VOTE

 

SKY WATCH: FROST OVERTAKES PUMPKINS

The full moon smiled down on us. 

Frost covered our pumpkins and lawns.

Children were anxious for Halloween to begin.

It had turned cold.  We watched from our windows.

Let us make this Holiday one in which good sense 

shall prevail.  Beverly

beverlyrehfeld1,@gmail.com/

Wear your mask.  Take your shot.

  Wash your hand.     VOTE