Blog archive
June 2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Rumor of Humor #16
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
Issue #7
03/31/2023
Issue #6
03/26/2023
Great Decisions update
03/14/2023
Dominion Lawsuit, South Africa and 710 Stub
03/08/2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
Epiphany by Ed Rinderle
By Edward A. RinderlePosted: 12/28/2022
Recently, on a cool November afternoon, I took a short walk to check on some trees in our neighborhood. They were tall with white trunks, probably something in the birch or alder family. I found that their names didn't matter. What mattered was the beauty of their transformation.
For a few weeks prior I'd tracked them every few days as they transitioned from their summer green to their autumn hues. The transition was slow, fueling my impatience. But two days before, we had a good rain and cooling temperatures, so I wondered if the weather had sped up their metamorphosis.
I was not disappointed. The six trees displayed the entire transition in one glorious scene. One tree's leaves were still entirely green. Others featured a mixture of green and shades of red, from pink to deep crimson. But it was the tree closest to the curb that stood out most, all of its leaves emitting a fiery glow. I feasted my eyes on that tree, basking in its glory. Then, noticing the abundance of leaves piled on the ground beneath the tree, I stooped to collect a few of the best. With my treasure in hand, I headed for home.
But then something unexpected happened. The warm sun and cool breeze grabbed hold of me and beckoned me past my home and on beyond, where more wonders waited.
First, a chorus of chirping, warbling, and tweeting sang in my ears. I couldn't spot the birds, but it didn't matter. Their songs were more than enough.
Next I spotted a plant arrayed with Birds of Paradise blooms. I studied them closely; never before had I really appreciated the beauty of their strange complexity. These unique flowers called to mind an incident with my Mom from way back. During a visit from far away New Orleans, she returned from a walk excited about her discovery of a magnificent flower she'd never seen before. Her description was quite clear: the flower was a Bird of Paradise. Her enthusiasm was contagious, bringing joy to me and the rest of the family. (Dear, dear Mom. Rest In Peace, and thanks for visiting me on my walk.)
As I continued on, I stopped to stroke the branch of a nearby bush. I recognized the greenery as some kind of herb, though I couldn't remember its name. It felt like velvet. I lifted my hand to my nose; one sniff and its fragrance filled my head with it spicy sweetness.
Next the trees overhead got into the act. The sound of the breeze flowing through their leaves and branches. The grace with which the branches danced in the gently moving air. A small tree just ahead, every leaf twinkling in the sunlight.
As I turned to head for home, I felt a strange “presence” filling my core. It felt like I had suddenly been wrapped in a warm blanket. The heat rose within me and tingled on my skin. As the tingling subsided, it left behind a feeling of comfort and peace. Within a minute of two, the feeling was gone, but I felt certain that this “presence” would visit me again; all I needed to do was to pay attention.
As I neared home, I couldn't help but think that I may never again take a walk just for the exercise. For there is so much more to see, hear, touch, smell.
Back at home, I carefully placed the leaves on the mantel. As I enjoyed that little display, I thought again about that “presence”, that Mystery, looking forward to when we shall meet again.