Monday, January 16, 2012

Blessed Day


Living with chronic diseases in two towns has made our little family exhausted, vulnerable, but also thankful for the many blessings other may take for granted.
Last week was no exception I had a doctor's appointment, aa physiotherapist appointment, Serina and I went to stay with my Mom for three days and sought things out about her health and house. We had a great time together, went out to a confectionery and met with many of Mom's friends.


We drove home through a blizzard to reach my physiotherapist. Small, curvy Norwegian winter roads along a steep fjord side are not for amateurs. Serina is luckily no cowardice snail, but a very skilled driver. Surrounded by angels in front and after, we came home whole and healthy.

I use my refrigerator door as a memory board. I'm collecting GOOD memories. Like yesterday when we were at an art exhibition, the first this year. A video installation picturing the life of an elderly window, her memories from a long life both in Norway and America.

Serina offered to make us dinner. After living 4 years away from home she has developed into an excellent cook. Darwin would have loved her; "Survival of the fittest. "
.Salmon baked in oven with potatoes, red pepper, garlic,cheese, yoghurt and leek. Yummy.

We had double espressos and ice for desert in the living room. Serina came up with the marvellous idea of reading loud from Tolkien's The Hobbit. She got the novel for Christmas and was very well aware that neither I nor her father had bothered to read the book.
Besides Christmas Eve we hardly practice loud reading much nowadays. It made great fun, and while the ice was melting, our minds were blooming.

Serina and Gunnar alternated reading while I sat fiddling with my camera. Serina is headed for studies in Ireland next week, and needs to practice English pronunciation.

Gunnar also found it easier reading from the ipad after awhile. The letters in the Hobbit pocket book are very small indeed. Imagine, it's 75 years since it first was published. One of Serina's favourite actors is busy filming the book on New Zealand these days.


Meanwhile I sat admiring a lithograph I bought short time before Christmas. I like the mix of figurative and abstract expression. My head was filled with hobbits, wizards, trolls dwarf and elves, and after two chapters I know for certain this is a novel I'm going to finish on my own. I cannot imagine why I haven't read it earlier. Maybe it was recommended by the wrong people??

It's been a long time since I have been enjoying the peace and togetherness of our family this much. Even my telephone call to my mother was relaxing. My best friend from my childhood and her husband were paying my mother a much appreciated visit. I just felt how my tense shoulders were relaxing. Other of my best friends are living in our books, they are stacked in every room of our home.


My old Remington Portable is accompanying my PCs in the library, decorated with a postcard from Dublin Writers Museum.
I bet Serina will repay the place a visit during her one semester stay at Griffith College. I know parting will be tough. The only thing worse, would be her not being able pursuing her dreams making a future for herself.

Magical Mystery Teacher is hosting Ruby Tuesday 2 together with Gemma Wiseman
Ruby Tuesday 2

24 comments:

Maria Stahl said...

Felisol! And Serina! Reading The Hobbit out loud is a wonderful idea. I must tell you, the first time I read it, it was actually read out loud to me, in 8th grade. Our teacher believed in reading out loud to the students. Most of the students thought it was silly. We thought we could read for ourselves. But he was ahead of his time. Research since then has shown that being read to out loud improves one's reading skills. He did a marvelous job with all the voices, too.

Felisol said...

I so agree about reading out loud.
My wonderful teacher, who was so old, he had also been my Dad's teacher, used to read Les Miserable to hos young students.
(In Norwegian(. He actually knew the novel by heart and went back and forth along the blackboard while he acted out all the characters in the novel. We were allowed to draw while he was reading. He read the book for the first time in our fourth grade, and we begged him to do it over again when we reached seventh grade.
I never bothered to see the musical. I still have the words in my heart.

Kim, USA said...

I learn to read by reading out loud. I had to since my mother would listen to me while she is writing her lesson plan, lol! I think there is something in reading out loud that even your emotion is into it. Which is very cool for me ^_^ Happy Monday!

Red Barn

Carletta said...

Felisol, I always enjoy reading your posts and catching little glimpses of your life.
The photos you post always show me your home surroundings are eclectic and warm and your family's love for each other and time spent together is immense.
I read the hobbit years ago in Jr.High School. The Lord of the Rings movies are some of my favorites. I'm looking forward to the Hobbit movie with great anticipation.

Ralph said...

Your family is so close, the three at your home (for now) and the rest of your family. The refrigerator as a bulletin board is how we do it too! Reading out loud can allow us to better understand each word in its context - perhaps helping us to understand the language that much better. The salmon dish looks yummy - that is perhaps why the cat shows so much interest in Serina's treat!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Such a wonderful, warm post! A pleasure to read! Wonderful to hear adults enjoying reading out loud! More should do it! (And I adore "The Hobbit"!) And love the table setting with that gentle candle glow! Magical!

Leora said...

Felisol, I love your memory board. And you are so lucky to have Serina, only in part because her cooking looks delicious. We enjoy The Hobbit in our family, too. My son does a hilarious, precious, my precious.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Darwin isn't the only one to applaud Serina's 'survival' skills! Your meal looks sensational!! Blizzards are not something I have to worry about downunder in Australia - it's 38 degrees C here today!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

My husband and daughter reads out loud, I read silently hehehe.

Red Is happiness, have a great week!

Chubskulit Rose said...

My husband and daughter reads out loud, I read silently hehehe.

Red Is happiness, have a great week!

Cheryl said...

You have a lovely home and family. Love the refrigerator. The dinner looks tasty.

John Cowart said...

Hi Felisol,

I'm glad so much seems to be stabilizing in your life. You're emerging from a bad patch.

My librarian daughter started an interesting read aloud program for kids who have trouble reading; She has the kids read to dogs on a special rug in the library. The dogs are trained to lie there facing the kid and pay attention. And they never criticize. The kids' reading skills improve greatly in this no-pressure exercise.

Amrita said...

My Mom usewd to read aloud to us. And now I read aloud for her.
The descriptions and photos of your day is lovely.

Those angels certainly kept watch over you.

Serina 's dinner looks so yummy

HWElad said...

This was such a beautiful post! I know how difficult it is to be far from family, but it also can change the relationship in unexpectedly lovely ways: letter-writing and that incredibly euphoric feeling of the first hug after months away. Wishing Serina the best in Ireland!

Trish said...

I have never read the Hobbit but will now, add it to my reading list! What a sweet time together reading out loud. When a young girl, my Daddy would sit me on his lap and have me read aloud from the Bible. What a sweet and precious memory this post has brought to mind.
Blessings dear Felisol...pray all is well with your precious Mother.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Hi Felisol:

I really enjoyed this blog, as always. It's so full of good things. I sure love the idea of reading out loud. I do it too, and I seem to absorb and focus better when I read out loud.

Your pictures are always so much fun to view. Serina's meal made my mouth water. :)

As to the typewriter... dad did everything he ever wrote through the years on a typewriter that looks just like yours. He wouldn't have it any other way. I can see him right now, hunting and poking, praying and thinking...

Love & prayers for your mother will continue from Texas. So glad you've had some good quality family time.

xo

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Do you still use that old Remington portable...by candlelight?:)

BOY IN BRIGHT RED SHORTS

Boy in bright red shorts,
With a shirt of blue,
Strolling on the Malecón —
I wish I were you;

Carefree and content,
Nothing much to do,
Chillin’ in your bright red shorts
And your shirt of blue.


© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Child of the Huichol

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Hi Felisol,
That was a blessed day .I love the memory board on your fridge . Mine has unintentionally became one also, I like it so I let it stay that way. I love the Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit.I love reading out-loud ,too.
Right now my oldest granddaughter , hubby & I are reading through the Chronicles Of Narnia. Serina's meal looked delicious ! It has made me hungry , I need to fix supper .
I will be praying that you & your Mom stay well.
Blessings
ps, That is me, I just married very young. lol

Leah H. said...

Beautiful photos, beautiful red!

Visiting for RT 2! Here's my share- hope you can stop by:)

http://www.sweethomephilippines.com/2012/01/radio-control-dune-buggy.html

Crown of Beauty said...

You haven't read the Hobbit yet? Well, do it soon, dear Felisol. Have you read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy? Do it after reading The Hobbit. And what about Silmarillon, also by Tolkien? Read that one, too. Now... modesty aside, you are hearing a recommendation from the right person (laughing...)

The pictures are beautiful and heartwarming... and I am glad you made it home safely through that blizzard.

The salmon baked dish is appetizing. Do you just toss everything together, then add the yoghurt at the end?

Never been there, but I know Ireland is such a lovely place. I hope Serina will discover more of Celtic spirituality while she is there.

Blessings on your new year, my dear Norwegian friend.


Love
Lidia

Lori said...

You have a beautiful blog.I found your blog through Pilgrim Scribblings. We used to read out loud, it was one of those things the whole family enjoyed. We have gotten away from that a bit. I miss it but your post reminded me of the enjoyable times we had doing that. Thanks for sharing your pictures and your thoughts.

Jada's Gigi said...

I love your table candles! I also love reading aloud...though as you say..we rarely do it...still...on occasion my husband and I will read to each other....it is SO wonderful! why do we not do it more often?? I also enjoy reading aloud with my granddaughter...she likes us to take turns...Tolstoy is amazing!

Annie Jeffries said...

I've never read The Hobbit, Elise. In fact, I've not read Lord of the Rings either. I've tried, but not suceeded in sustaining interest. It's been a long time so perhaps I will try it again. Or, perhaps I'll just check out The Hobbit.

My son and his wife read aloud to each other all the time. I guess this is what happens when one does not have a television. We are drawn closer to each other.

I wish Serina an exciting semeter of study in Ireland. What a memory she will gain to add to her own memory board someday.

Mrs. Mac said...

If one waits long enough, most everything comes back in style .. at least I heard that about typewriters last week. Our internet is out of service at home until, hopefully, Friday .. when I can get a new service provider. I miss you .. would love to have listened to the Hobbit read by Serine and Gunnar.

xxx Cathy