Somewhere to Run to; Somewhere to Hide

I have been asked what lesson I learned from Aunt Ruth that changed me. 

 "I accept that life isn't easy.  I have my faith, but mostly I have a will to live, and that will comes from loving people."

This post is a reminder that lessons fade.  I forget that life isn't easy, until life reminds me.  I forget about my spirituality or the solace of faith, and then a close friend dies unexpectedly, and I look for guidance.  I find myself hurt, disappointed, or at odds with someone's perspective that differs from my own, and I harken back, time and time again to the importance of loving people.  

Aunt Ruth is my island, my beacon, and my map.  Her 92 years hold recipes filled with ingredients to make life meaningful, sweeter, and acceptable even when it holds illness, arguments, bad news, financial woes, or a dinner party that has me seated next to someone with political views I abhor.

If you have your own Aunt Ruth, I know how lucky you are.

Just Let it Grow....

Summer solstice. Produce stands.  Aunt Ruth's terrace!  That's the place I go when I long for companionship that is nurturing and easy. 

Like you, I read about aging and the importance of socialization as if this need is more important to "the elderly" than to the "rest of us."  One of the many lessons I have learned from photographing, listening to, eating with, and enjoying Aunt Ruth is that my life is richer, happier, and more meaningful from time spent with Aunt Ruth.  

At 92, Aunt Ruth is often grieving from the loss of a neighbor or a life-long friend.  I share my own worries about loved ones.  She listens, nods, smiles, and offers lessons from a well-lived life.  We comfort each other.  We sit on the terrace covered in carefully tended flowers and enjoy casual conversation with a tenderness born from unconditional love that soothes and warms.

I even take a short nap.  Aunt Ruth watches me sleep.

Ah, summer.  Ah, Aunt Ruth! 

How Do You Know You're In Love?

"How do you know when you're in love?" I asked Aunt Ruth.

"Oh, that's an easy question.  You know you're in love when you can't think about anyone or anything else."

Happy Valentine's Day from Aunt Ruth and me...

Test Kitchen

My Aunt Ruth is more organized than I can ever imagine being.  These are all new recipes waiting to be tested and rated.  Yes, she rates them as "good" or "bad" and files them.  The reason the lackluster ones get a place is that she might not remember her displeasure and make it by mistake.  When you are 91, labels help.


Being organized is another lesson I am learning from Aunt Ruth.  It isn't my reflex, so I spend far too much time looking for things.  She never does.  Really, she knows where all of her things are, because there is a place for everything, and everything in its place.


With the holidays approaching, cards being written, tables being set, and deadlines for work pressing in on me, I am wondering where I put my glasses, placed my coffee, laid my grocery list, or even if I remembered to extinguish the pumpkin pie scented candle I had burning in the kitchen.


Paying attention to small things that make life easier is one of the many ways Aunt Ruth influences me every single day.  Maybe, she can do the same for you.


A reminder...please leave comments on subjects you might want Aunt Ruth to address on this blog as well as any remarks that might be great in the forthcoming book, Loving Aunt Ruth are greatly appreciated.  And..if you'd like some holiday recipes, send me your postal address.  honeylazar4@gmail.com