Beauty Pageant

 

Oak leaf images from Gary Fewless, Herbarium Curator, Cofrin Arboretum Botanist, Academic Staff,
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

No, not the classic pageant with sparkly crown and bouquet of roses. The kind Mother Nature and Father Time put on every day--if we're lucky, and if we stop to notice.

1. Dad laughing and sharing cherished memories--at 8 A.M. from a nursing home bed. He's 87, but my father's smile is still contagious.
2. Caregivers at the nursing home who show compassion about diaper rash on a senior citizen.
3. Two shapely trees--in chic, leafy orange dresses--at Brookdale Park. They looked like stunning twins ready to dance.  
4. Gorgeous blue sky and then gorgeous night sky--striking backdrop for bare branches that looked like something out of The Wizard of Oz. That movie terrified me as a kindergartner, but now I see its beauty. Even green-skinned, wicked, warty, pointy-black-hat ugliness can be beautiful if you choose to see it that way.
5. Teen girl with ginger hair in loose bun, pajama pants rolled to knee, thanking me for buying ice pops.
6. The chance to teach said person in #5 grace and beauty at different daily junctures--usually in car. Some lessons will stick, I'm sure of it.
7. Memory of my Irish grandfather always carrying a roll of peppermint Life Savers. [Figgy gave me one of those little buoys today, and the sight and smell of it brought back Jim Mahon, with his twinkling blue eyes.]
8. Friends who are kind, friends who laugh. Role models.
9. Morris Township [there for a work assignment] in all its autumn glory.
10. A strong and powerful wind. Strength is beauty--a force to be reckoned with.
11. Sound of sister's voice--and her love--on two phone calls, one voice message.
12. Afternoon nap with adoring doggy.
13. Conversation with man from France at resident Thanksgiving dinner social here at AVE Clifton. H. was working on house, Figgy was at art class. Talking to stylish man--a father of four, in the fragrance business, who is slim but appreciates the seafood and cheesecake in the USA--turned potentially lonely experience into enriching one. Loved discussing French coffee and perfume bottles. Charming  man rose from his swivel chair when I left. How gallant. As I've said before, I want to be French.

Good night.