Deep breath. Deep breath. We made it through the first week of January 2023! Some of what has caught our attention and taken a large portion of our energy since the year began has been chaotic to say the least … In addition to the mud that splattered the floor of our House of Representatives, there came horrific flooding in California, while in Brazil there unfolded an all-too-familiar scene of deliberate destruction. Deep breath.
And still, on Sunday afternoon amidst sudden showers & splashes of sunshine, my home began filling with friends, neighbors and family welcomed in by the fragrance of Ukrainian Winter Borshch and Russian-Style meatballs bathing in sour cream and mushrooms. It was my first Russian Christmas Open House since Covid started calling the shots in 2020 … and it was a lovely and loving gathering of Old Friends, New Friends, and some even I had not met before! I’m sure it made the spirits of my Beloved Grandparents (Jennie & Michael Sulima) smile!
If you were with us, I hope you enjoyed our time together, and if you were among those who couldn’t be, let’s look forward to coming together in celebration next year. Nosdrovyea!!
In the meantime, if you’d like to know a little more of the story behind my celebration of Russian Christmas, here’s a link to “Nosdrovyea!” from my memoir, Arms Filled With Bittersweet.
And in closing, just a reminder about some of what we’re looking forward to as the New Year unfolds.
This Sunday, January 15th at 4pm, our “Speaking of Poetry and … “ conversation happens on Zoom. Let’s make time to acknowledge and honor two important birthdays – the pacifist poet William Stafford & the Activist minister, Martin Luther King, Jr. Here’s the link to join the conversation. And here are some words to consider …. from “The Way It Is” by WS, There’s a thread you follow. It goes among / things that change. But it doesn’t change … it is hard for others to see. / While you hold it you can’t get lost. / …. and from MLK, I have decided to stick to love … Hate is too great a burden to bear.
And next week, Sunday, January 22nd at 4pm, our “Conversation With Friends” will feature the Portland poet and dramatist, Cindy Williams Gutierrez, creator and producer of In The Name of Forgotten Women sharing thoughts and answering questions about how that amazing choreopoem came to be. Here’s more information for you.
See you soon. In the meantime, dance and laugh a little every day and don’t forget to b r e a t h e.
