Monthly Archives: July 2013

“French Movie” by David Lehman

Posted on July 30, 2013 by jyourist

I was in a French movie and had only nine hours to live and I knew it not because I planned to take my life or swallowed a lethal but slow-working potion meant for a juror in a mob-related murder … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry, short films | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Unveilings

Posted on July 29, 2013 by jyourist

In Toledo this last Sunday was my aunt’s unveiling, a Jewish tradition honoring the deceased one year after their death. A piece of cloth covers the headstone and after a short grave site service, the gauze is torn from the … Continue reading →

Posted in death, family, Judaism | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Writing is relationship

Posted on July 28, 2013 by jyourist

Every summer I serve as one of the judges for a writing competition sponsored by a local civic organization. This year I have read 86 entries and am given a rubric to apply as I evaluate the submissions. Each year, … Continue reading →

Posted in relationship, writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Off-duty sparrows

Posted on July 27, 2013 by jyourist

We filled the bird feeder— finally. It took a couple of days but now we have become sparrow central. The birds line up on the wires in our backyard, on the tomato towers and the lamp post and swoop to … Continue reading →

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Sengan-en

Posted on July 26, 2013 by jyourist

With IB in Japan for a few weeks, thinking about our own excursion there a year and a half ago. These pictures are from Sengan-en, the gardens and villa of the last samurai, Saigo Takamori (1828-1877), in Kagoshima.

Posted in garden, Japan, photography | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

King Spa– surreal adventure

Posted on July 25, 2013 by jyourist

I’m really not quite sure how to describe it. It’s a little tacky, a little Las Vegas, the Disneyland of Spadom (as a friend of mine describes it), but at the same time an idyllic paradise. King Spa in Niles … Continue reading →

Posted in centering, taking care of self | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“What the Living Do” by Marie Howe

Posted on July 24, 2013 by jyourist

Johnny, the kitchen sink has been clogged for days, some utensil probably fell down there. And the Drano won’t work but smells dangerous, and the crusty dishes have piled up waiting for the plumber I still haven’t called. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in death, poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Retirement bracelet

Posted on July 23, 2013 by jyourist

At the Ann Arbor Arts Festival this last week, I purchased a bracelet from an artist, Devin Johnson, who repurposes objects into jewelry. This bracelet was at one time an unusual two-sided metal ruler. The inside of the bracelet shows … Continue reading →

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The twins’ birthday

Posted on July 22, 2013 by jyourist

The twins are in deep conversation. Just the two of them. My aunt is at the left, my mother on the right. My aunt is complaining about her life, her health, and familial challenges. My mother is comforting her. My … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, compassion, family, health, twins | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Queen approves

Posted on July 18, 2013 by jyourist

The Queen has just signed off on the marriage equality law in Great Britain. (And I really needed to post this photo from George Takei’s Facebook page.)

Posted in LGBTQ | Tagged , | 1 Comment