Ty Jeff for a beautiful article. I always learn something when I read your stories.
I’m starting to think about planting ( indoors) my marigold seeds ( Queen Sophia variety, chosen because they remind me of a beloved granddaughter), harvested from last summer’s backyard crop.
2023 the year of the rabbit! I love the art you’ve added to your writing. I’m desperately obsessed with my 6 rabbits (3 bonded pairs) and can say that they are indeed creatures of tenderness and peace. It always causes me pause whenever I happen to catch one rabbit eating a long piece of hay and it’s mate will start eating the other end, both chewing until they come together nose to nose (picture Lady and the Tramp sharing a piece of spaghetti). There’s no conflict or greed rearing up. They happily share whatever they are eating. They aren’t worried about scarcity. They also spend a lot of time grooming and caring for the other. But the most delightful thing about rabbits is how they exhibit joy. When they are happy their body involuntarily performs ‘zoomies’ or ‘binkies’ which involves jumping straight up into the air and doing a little twist or racing back and forth repeatedly with debris flying as they skid around. Then they abruptly stop and continue being gentle little creatures (but with a smile).
I’ll have to let them know that 2023 is their year!
(And I think I’ll have to try the recipe for your mom’s tomato & eggs to celebrate 😊)
Jeff, when I am feeling unsure, worried, anxious—as I am now—your words are always such a comfort and encouragement. Your voice is honest. Your faith is grounding. I am so thankful you are here, stumbling through this world with the rest of us. You are one of my favorite stumblers!
What a beautiful story about your aunt and her love for you even though she has had a hard time understanding you at times. I have some of these hard won relationships so I appreciate this story.
I love the quote too about distance. “Sometimes love blossoms best with the benefit of distance”
I may try to introduce some of your beautiful words about the Luner new year with my family. Even though our adult daughters don’t believe in the God they grew up in our evangie church I think the Chinese zodiac has such rich meanings and symbolism. As a recovering co dependent rabbit myself I chuckled at the self sacrifice. So much to soak in. Thanks Jeff.
My sister and I made jai together a few days ago, with my mom’s direction. Mom had done all the soaking of ingredients a few days prior to cooking and sis and I got to stir fry each ingredient with ginger and garlic and layer these in a huge stockpot, where their flavors melded happily together. Dried oysters...the BEST.
I’m currently into making dumplings, including making the skins (the chewy, translucent kind) and the vinegary, spicy sauce to go with them. It’s hard not to love “meat encased in dough.”
Jeff, I look forward to your posts every week. Your honesty and depth-full writing are gifts. Thank you. May this new year bring new mercies.
I just ordered some lemon grass, rosemary & white sage. I also am looking for 2 Climbing Asters. All of that will go in a small area that I'm clearing out from the previous owners. I'm also wanting to do a small raised herb bed by my deck stairs but that may take a bit of convincing.
Thank you for sharing how you celebrate the lunar new year! I love the contacting of the elders of your parents and reaching out, it truly warmed my heart.
Your writing is so nourishing, Jeff. I savoured this post while I ate my lunch, ear plugs in as my elementary-age boys are home from school thanks to a freezing rain warning and watching a show on Netflix a little too loudly. I felt my soul actually expand I as I learned from your gracious storytelling about the way you honour the beautiful traditions of the Chinese New Year in meaningful ways. (I didn't know to much about it, and now I'm curious to learn more). Thank you for weaving love and light into each post you share with this community.
This year we are celebrating the new year in my preschool classroom. We have some red packets and lucky coins, a banner the kids made, spring rolls and fried rice. A student of mine is Chinese and his grandparents will also be visiting with us to celebrate, so we are very excited.
Lovely essay Jeff! It's always fascinating to hear another cultural perspective on these challenges. Happy New Year, you're reminding me of the interesting year I spent in high school learning Mandarin. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Thank you for the information and education you share with us. I'm always left with something to contemplate after reading one of your missives.
Ty Jeff for a beautiful article. I always learn something when I read your stories.
I’m starting to think about planting ( indoors) my marigold seeds ( Queen Sophia variety, chosen because they remind me of a beloved granddaughter), harvested from last summer’s backyard crop.
2023 the year of the rabbit! I love the art you’ve added to your writing. I’m desperately obsessed with my 6 rabbits (3 bonded pairs) and can say that they are indeed creatures of tenderness and peace. It always causes me pause whenever I happen to catch one rabbit eating a long piece of hay and it’s mate will start eating the other end, both chewing until they come together nose to nose (picture Lady and the Tramp sharing a piece of spaghetti). There’s no conflict or greed rearing up. They happily share whatever they are eating. They aren’t worried about scarcity. They also spend a lot of time grooming and caring for the other. But the most delightful thing about rabbits is how they exhibit joy. When they are happy their body involuntarily performs ‘zoomies’ or ‘binkies’ which involves jumping straight up into the air and doing a little twist or racing back and forth repeatedly with debris flying as they skid around. Then they abruptly stop and continue being gentle little creatures (but with a smile).
I’ll have to let them know that 2023 is their year!
(And I think I’ll have to try the recipe for your mom’s tomato & eggs to celebrate 😊)
Jeff, I thoroughly enjoy your teachings and insights. Thank you for sharing them. D
Jeff, when I am feeling unsure, worried, anxious—as I am now—your words are always such a comfort and encouragement. Your voice is honest. Your faith is grounding. I am so thankful you are here, stumbling through this world with the rest of us. You are one of my favorite stumblers!
What a beautiful story about your aunt and her love for you even though she has had a hard time understanding you at times. I have some of these hard won relationships so I appreciate this story.
I love the quote too about distance. “Sometimes love blossoms best with the benefit of distance”
I may try to introduce some of your beautiful words about the Luner new year with my family. Even though our adult daughters don’t believe in the God they grew up in our evangie church I think the Chinese zodiac has such rich meanings and symbolism. As a recovering co dependent rabbit myself I chuckled at the self sacrifice. So much to soak in. Thanks Jeff.
My sister and I made jai together a few days ago, with my mom’s direction. Mom had done all the soaking of ingredients a few days prior to cooking and sis and I got to stir fry each ingredient with ginger and garlic and layer these in a huge stockpot, where their flavors melded happily together. Dried oysters...the BEST.
I’m currently into making dumplings, including making the skins (the chewy, translucent kind) and the vinegary, spicy sauce to go with them. It’s hard not to love “meat encased in dough.”
Jeff, I look forward to your posts every week. Your honesty and depth-full writing are gifts. Thank you. May this new year bring new mercies.
I just ordered some lemon grass, rosemary & white sage. I also am looking for 2 Climbing Asters. All of that will go in a small area that I'm clearing out from the previous owners. I'm also wanting to do a small raised herb bed by my deck stairs but that may take a bit of convincing.
This is beautiful. I could certainly use a gentle year, and I know I'm not alone in that :)
Thank you for sharing how you celebrate the lunar new year! I love the contacting of the elders of your parents and reaching out, it truly warmed my heart.
Your writing is so nourishing, Jeff. I savoured this post while I ate my lunch, ear plugs in as my elementary-age boys are home from school thanks to a freezing rain warning and watching a show on Netflix a little too loudly. I felt my soul actually expand I as I learned from your gracious storytelling about the way you honour the beautiful traditions of the Chinese New Year in meaningful ways. (I didn't know to much about it, and now I'm curious to learn more). Thank you for weaving love and light into each post you share with this community.
Thank you so much for sharing about the year of the rabbit!! I’m looking forward to this year!
This year we are celebrating the new year in my preschool classroom. We have some red packets and lucky coins, a banner the kids made, spring rolls and fried rice. A student of mine is Chinese and his grandparents will also be visiting with us to celebrate, so we are very excited.
Thank you for this beautifully written post. I love the art work and hearing your memories. Happy New Year!
Lovely essay Jeff! It's always fascinating to hear another cultural perspective on these challenges. Happy New Year, you're reminding me of the interesting year I spent in high school learning Mandarin. Thanks for sharing your life with us.