Symmetrical Cemetery

With everything going on these days, I really haven't had time to read - one of my favorite pastimes.  I decided I wouldn't have a chance to settle down with a good book for a while, so I went to the used book store and picked up one on cd that I can listen to on the way to and from work.  It's called Her Fearful Symmetry and is by Audrey Niffenegger (the fabulous author who also wrote The Time Traveler's Wife - one of my favorites).  The story plot is not really relevant to this post, other than the fact that the story begins with the death of a twin, and subsequently how the people in her life deal with her death, including reminiscing, longing, mourning, anger, trying to piece together the mysteries of her life, and sorting out her estate.  The audio book is narrated by a British actress, with whom I am unfamiliar.  I'm not far enough into the book to know if it's relevant to the story or not, but she happens to pronounce "symmetry" and "cemetery" the same way, treating the final "e" in "cemetery" as if it's invisible.

A character in the story works at a cemetery, giving guided tours of the statues and graves of famous people.  He seems so at ease, even comforted by the cemetery.  It reminded me of my own ease with graveyards.

I really like cemeteries.  If they feel right.  I usually can't describe why they feel right or wrong, but I can tell at first sight.  I don't know where this fascination with graveyards came from.  I remember playing night games in junior high around the cemetery in Rock Springs and trying to be freaked out, but never really feeling scared.  Maybe it started then?  Or maybe it goes way back to my first funeral.  I think I was probably about 3.  I can remember my mom holding me during the graveside service for my baby cousin who was taken away from this world before we ever got to meet him.  Perhaps it's fast-forwarded to 11th grade when most of our high school stood in the cold wind as a classmate was buried.

Whatever or why-ever started my love affair with graveyards is a mystery.  I can't explain it, but I feel some sort of peace when I am in them.  I could sit at my mom's graveside for hours listening to the Wyoming wind thrashing the leaves of the Aspen trees.  I imagine her laying there with me, watching the leaves quiver and shine in the sunlight.  My dad picked a wonderful gravesite, if I do say so.

Harry's family has plots in a small cemetery in east Texas.  It's an old community graveyard and looks as though it is cared for only by the families of those buried there, but it has a homey, almost cozy feel.  It's surrounded by forest and has several old hardwoods shading the headstones.  Egypt Cemetery, it's called.  The name is peculiar to me since, in my mind, East Texas and Egypt really have nothing in common, but that is neither here nor there.

While a student at the University of Houston, I took a class for my sociology minor called The Sociology of Death and Dying.  This was probably my most favorite class of my entire college career.  Weird, right? Our final project was essentially to "put our affairs in order".  Since I won't be around and probably won't care much at that point, I said I could be cremated and my ashes spread between the Rock Springs cemetery and Egypt cemetery with a headstone for people to visit at both, though I left the final decision on this up to Harry; he might have different ideas about this, and that's okay with me.

Sometimes when we drive past cemeteries, I make comments about how I like them, or if I dislike them.  I feel confident Harry would put me in my category of a "good" cemetery.

Her Fearful Symmetry got me thinking about how maybe cemeteries add symmetry to my life.  As if I need some sort of balance between this life and the next.  Perhaps I am an old soul, and have been six feet under before; or maybe above it in a mausoleum - I really love those.  Either way, I feel content with cemeteries and the balance they seem to bring to my life.

waiting

Most of life is spent waiting.  Waiting in line.  Waiting in traffic.  Waiting for the next big thing.  After so much waiting, there comes a time in life when you stop waiting for the next big thing and eventually come to the realization that maybe all the big things are done.  Maybe all the fun and excitement has passed you by and it's time to accept the mundane.  Is this what adulthood is?  Because I have to say, if so, that's pretty lame.

I had kind of settled in on the notion that maybe all my "next big things" were done.  Now, I'm not so sure.  I think there are definitely some more adventures to come.  I think the adult part of it is no longer waiting for that big thing to happen.  It's figuring out a way to make it happen and then relishing in the moment that it does.

There's no room for waiting anymore.  There's a whole lotta doing to be done around here.  Time to roll up the sleeves and get to work creating that wow factor of life.  Challenge accepted.  It won't be easy, but when we've got our feet up, soaking up the majestic Rocky Mountains some day, it'll all be worth it.  

Keep calm and carry on.
-E

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

I had this grilled cheese through hotel room service at a Hilton a few years back and made up my own recipe for it.  Though it's not as quick as slapping a slice of American cheese between two pieces of Wonder bread, it's really easy and sooooo delicious!

All ingredients should be fresh for best taste.  If you live in Texas, you can get all of it fresh at H.E.B.

* Mozzarella cheese (sliced or sliceable - it comes in little balls sometimes, or shredded - don't get either of those)
* Provolone cheese
* Asiago cheese, shredded
* Romano cheese, shredded
* Butter or margarine
* Sourdough bread, sliced for sandwiches

Heat skillet or griddle on medium-medium high heat.  Pair two slices of bread for each sandwich.  Butter the outsides of the bread and then sprinkle lightly with Asiago cheese.  Asiago has a very strong taste, so don't go too heavy with it.  Using the back side of a fork, lightly press the Asiago into the buttered bread to keep it from falling off.  Open your sandwiches, with the buttered sides down.  Cover one piece of bread with slices of mozzarella.  Layer it on thickly - if slicing it yourself, use about 1/4 inch slices; if you are using pre-sliced cheese, you may need a few layers.  Add a few thin slices of provolone on top of the mozzarella.  Sprinkle Romano on top - again this cheese has a strong flavor, so make sure to use a thin layer.  Finish your sandwich with your naked piece of bread, making sure to keep the buttered side out.  Place your sandwich in your skillet or on your griddle and press firmly (but don't smash it!) with the back side of a spatula.  Cook a few minutes, or until the cheese in the middle starts to melt and the outside turns golden brown.  Flip and repeat on other side of sandwich.  Remove from heat source, and cut in half.  Serve immediately.  Goes great with tomato soup, french fries, chips, or fresh veggies.

Blogger's Block

I've been wanting to write a new blog for some time now.  I have about 5 half written blogs that I have yet to finish.  It's not that I don't have plenty to write about - I do.  It's just that I don't know what anyone will want to read so I am having a hard time finalizing any thoughts.  Maybe I have blogger's block.  Is that a real thing?

I wonder if other people get blocks, too?  Like DJs?  They must get play block, with all those requests they take.  I guess this blogger should start taking requests.  What should I write about?  Anyone have suggestions?  Come on, anyone?