My Cup Runneth Over

I bought my house; it is mine! I still don't have my own furniture in it and won't until mid November. But at least I have a home, I have a job, even if only for a semester, I have friends and most importanty, I have my family around me.  Here are a couple of photos of my porch. I added a sign right under the house number to announce my hospitality!

The Kings and I use this porch frequently, sometimes with other friends, but mostly just us.  On Sundays, we sit on the porch with a glass of wine and enjoy the breeze and the kids. The kids and I play here after school when I bring them after activities. We play football, volleyball, and kickball, blowing bubbles, and jump rope.  Yes Tayta jumps rope. 

I workout one way or the other at least five days a week: dancing, aerobics, walking on campus, tennis clinic (OK, I have only been to one tennis clinic but intend to do it more often.) I don't have to climb up to the third floor to my office in the University, like I did last year, although I am in shape.  The University has given Leyla and me separate offices, which we hope is a sign that there is hope for the Arabic Program. Right now that program is made up of the mother-daughter team teaching the only three courses offered.  I love my office on the first floor and  I have all the books I bought in Dubai exhibited on my shelves: (forgive my unskilled selfie.) My students will read them for extra credit.


Although I miss my office mate, it's wonderful not to climb those killer stairs (at my age!) one more floor.   The group of students I have this year is hard working and excited about learning Arabic, and I love them and I am excited right there with them.

Right now I am in the middle of switching all the amenities and services in my house from the previous owner's name to my name.  I even installed my own cable and Internet boxes because I couldn't wait for a service visit.

When I am not busy doing that, teaching, preparing, taking Fred and Bea to various after-school activities, I socialize.  I have met and in the very short time I have been here, become friends with a group of lovely ladies.  These beautiful girls have embraced me with true Christian love.  We go places and do things, at least once a week.

I am thankful for the Divine intervention which made me move to Sewanee.  I miss my friends in VA but I make every effort to keep in touch.

What is my life missing here? Joe.

Come visit me after January.  As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, the Ballees' visit for Christmas is much anticipated. I am making plans for our reunion and travels around the area while they are here.  I can't even imagine all five grands being together.  Oh the photos that will be generated! But after that, you're all welcome.  I do have two guest rooms.

"An Extraordinary Ordinary Life" (All About Time)

I never get my fill of baby Toby, but I don't get to see or hold him much despite my proximity to him.  He's eating, being changed, or napping at this age, so there isn't much Tayta can do, except watch these not very interesting happenings, and meditate on the miracle of life. I did observe him at church last Sunday.  He was entralled by the church ceiling lights.  I guess at four weeks, he was trying to focus on something and church lights are as good a something as any. And of course, I also miss the older siblings when I don't see them regularly.  After all, they are the reason I moved to Sewanee.  I try to visit and have conversations or games with them at least once or twice a week.  Last Sunday the King family had dinner at my home.  We played Children's Charades before dinner.  Fred is now certifiably an adult.  He reads his own phrases and acts them out proficiently, providing the correct signals for words and syllables and acting out dinosaurs and phrases like "jumping for joy" quite accurately.  Bea definitely has a future in the theater or movies.  Her career was launched right here with her acting of some phrases only she knew and which she forgot after lengthy acrobatic feats.  This Sunday afternoon was proof irrefutable of her talents.

But I so miss my French family.  Juliette turned eight without me celebrating her birthday with her.  Augustine excels at handball without me embarrassing myself on the sidelines.  And I miss my long, almost nightly philosophical conversations with Zeyna when we're together, mostly while we're both inebriated and filled with wisdom, and Eric watching and smiling.  But Zeyna and I manage to have these experiences anyway, on FaceTime.  Our latest was a few days ago.  We shared identification with Eve.  "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:6 (NIV).  During long sleepless hours, I try to gain knowledge about where Joe is. The pain has not eased. It has deepened and become a different creature. I use logic, my deep roots in faith and my long-time-ago courses in theology and philosophy, to fathom where and how Joe might be. The epiphany has not occured yet. I want that fruit of knowledge although I know where getting it may lead.  Zeyna apparently shares similar thoughts, now that she's on vacation.  I sure miss Joe.  Zeyna and I will resume our evening talks at Christmas.

By Christmas, I should be settled in the home I live in now, currently without my belongings.  I sort of got used to living with someone else's furniture, kitchen stuff, towels, cushions, sheets, and coffee mugs.  But I am looking forward to allowing my grandchildren to make a mess without me worrying about the furniture, or the plates, or the floors, or the carpets.  The plan is for the house to be mine at the end of August, for my roomie to move her furniture out at the end of October, to have the house painted the first week of November, and then to have my stuff shipped from storage in Virginia shortly afterwards. My Tennessee BFF, Sharon, will help me unpack and get settled in plenty of time for the Ballees' visit.  So Christmas should be merry with both our girls and their families together here.  

My activities have been many but not productive: I watched the soccer semi finals and finals and cheered with joy when France won the cup.  My holding Toby during part of one game was the ultimate prize.  I went to at least four concerts, two of which were especially memorable: the Chattanooga Boys Choir and the Sewanee Summer Music Program's soloists competition concert.  Sharon and I drove a good hour to have a lovely meal at a distillary with a beautiful view, and then to attend quite an impressive local production of Grease. No, we did not take the distillary tour or consume its product, and yes we did take one photo. Once a week, some lady friends and I meet for breakfast or for lunch; I picked blueberries at a friend's orchard; I drive half an hour to the local Walmart and Kroger for weekly house and grocery needs (oh joy!), and Sharon and I shared lunches at home or out, and watched movies and got ridiculously sentimental.  I am taking full advantage of my retirement before classes begin, but I work a few hours a week finalizing my syllabus and preparing activities before August 29.

I will try to be more regular with updating this blog, so come back and visit me.  Drop me a note either on the blog or via email and stay in touch.

Sharon and I at the distillary restaurant-We ate outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery.

Toby trying to figure out who I am!

And for those who have not seen this on FB:

Moi picking blueberries

Celebrating Birth: Baby and Nation

At 11:07 pm on Wednesday, June 27, we welcomed a grandson:  Tobias Joseph King, born to younger daughter, Leyla, and her husband Ben King.  For those who are my friends on FB, you already know this and have seen Toby's photos.

Tobias Joseph King (Toby or TJ or as Zeyna likes to call him, Toby Joe)

The three King siblings: Fred, Bea, and Toby

Thankfully, we have Facebook and FaceTime so that I keep in touch with older daughter, Zeyna, and her family during this time of change in my life. 

 Oldest granddaughter, Teeny with newish dog, Osaka

The Ballee girls in their new pool in their home in the South of France

My own most exciting news is that I am now officially a Tennessean and no longer a Virginian. I finally have a Tennessee driver's license.  I thought giving up my VA driver's license would make me sad, but that didn't happen.  I am excited for this new chapter and probably the last in my life .  Beginning in Lebanon where I was born, I have lived in Syria, then back to Lebanon, then in the States of Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and now Tennessee.  Who would have thought?  Joe was with me in four of these six phases.  I still miss him.

But talking about the States, brings me to celebrating the fourth of July in my new small town. It was truly a pleasure and a delight.  I am not sure what I am more excited about: spending the fourth of July in Sewanee as a Tennessean or running around town with my two grandchildren.  

I walked more than seven miles on the fourth of July, mostly in ninety degree scorching sun, and pushing a stroller.  The day started with me walking the 1.2-mile distance from my abode to the Kings' at 7:30 a.m. where I picked up Fred and Bea, regaled in their red, white, and blue and waving American flags.  We made it to the raising of the flag ceremony in the nick of time.  More than a hundred people sang patriotic songs, accompanies by a small brass band, after a short prayer thanking God for our Country and freedom.  Then the flag was raised and we all pledged allegiance to it and to the Republic for which it stands.  What impressed me the most is that Fred, 7 years old, took off his baseball cap and reveretly recited the pledge and sang the national anthem.  Truly touching!   Pompa is proud!

Then off we went to peruse the vatious craft show booths and stands which lined University Avenue. We stopped off at my house for a break, some air-conditioning relief from the unrelenting heat, and some snacks.  We walked back to the children's play area for an hour of sheer joy for the multitudes of kid, and pure agony for their parents and grandparents.  The kids jumped and fished and battled and ran and sweat and screamed while parents swealtered in the burning sun, catching up on news and gossip.  It was amazing how many people stopped to congratulate me on the birth of Toby; some I knew and some total strangers, although they knew me since I was with Fred and Bea.  They welcomed me warmly to Sewanee.  Lunch at the cafeteria followed, although not much food was eaten.  It was then time to go to a birthday party in a park not too far from the cafeteria.  More playing and sweating ensued. By two p.m. we were ready to watch the parade. Oh joy!  More excitement and heat and sweating.  Fire trucks, Sheriffs' cars, bands on floats, candidates running for various posts, horses, and other creatures passed by, throwing candy to the delighted kids as we sat on the porch of a local business, less than a block from where I live. The Kings' parental unit joined us with baby Toby on his first outing.

I am enjoying my new life.  As you know, I come out of retirement tomorrow, to start working on the syllabus for the Arabic course I will be teaching in the fall semester, which begins on August 29.  

That's my news for now.  Write me a note here or via email if you can.  

Between Sewanee and Alaska

Shortly after my move to Sewanee, I joined a group of friends from Virginia on a cruise to Alaska, which had been planned long before the decision to move was made or the news of a new grandchild was known.  I am glad I went on my first cruise ever, although a fifth trip in one yeare can be exhausting.

The cruise was quite an experience.  Whale watching was disappointing since any sightings of the creatures were from afar, very afar! But we did see sea lions which were sunning themselves on the rocks not too far from our boat.  We also came very close to a glacier, the closest ever, apparently, icebergs and the Titanic not counted. Food and drink and camaraderie were abundant and excursions in three Alaskan cities were entertaining and educational.

But it is finally time to settle down and face the future. I am trying to get used to life without Joe, ever. There is good news, however.  We are awaiting the arrival of a new member of the family: our fifth grandchild and second grandson, any day now. Meanwhile, I try to concentrate and prepare my syllabus for the fall.  The location of my house makes my almost daily walk difficult to avoid.  But I find excuses: the rain--which is abundant here, spending time with my friends--which I do often, grocery shopping--which involves driving twenty minutes each way, among other excuses.

I hope you keep in touch and email me once in a while.

June 5: The Second Chronicle of my Adventures 2018

June 5: The Second Chronicle of my Adventures 2018

Last Saturday was the birthday party for my favorite grandson, Fred (favorite for at least the next couple of weeks until his brother arrives.)  I was invited.  The party was a swim and pizza celebration at a local but not so close pool.  I think it's the county pool but I am not sure of the details since the parental unit of the birthday boy took care of the entry fee for guests and their families.  I, of course, did not expose any unnecessary parts so did not swim. But the water was delicious and the weather was sunny and warm after incessant rain since my arrival on Wednesday.  Boys and girls were invited, although seven is still the age of self-imposed gender segregation.  Boys goofed around during swim periods and during food time.  Girls...well, I have no idea where they were or what they did, other than grand daughter Bea who was loaded with every single possible water gizmo she could carry.  I begged out shortly after I took all the photos I needed, to bask in the coolness of my car on the drive back up the mountain.  

I restarted my regimen of walking three miles a day, at least five days a week.  The walk here is fantastic.  The path from my house to the Sewanee Inn is about one and a half miles on University avenue.  I never tire of the scenery and the architecture surrounding the route.  The few cars that pass me--mostly a police car that passed me twice two days in a row--wave and try to figure out who I am and where I belong.

And for those of you who sent me messages wanting to see where I live, here's a photo.  My hostess is gentle, gracious, loving, inclusive, and very generous--a gift from God.  Start reserving your time to visit after January 2019.  Right now I am looking forward to the Ballees' visit at Christmas.

Keep coming back for more information on my adventures and more photos.  And, keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  I still wish Joe were with me.  I know he approves.

June 2: The First Chronicle of my Adventures 2018

After fourteen years at 7521 Westmore Drive in Northern Virginia, I left it, Joe in my heart, for the last time on May 30th. My car was overloaded with whatever I thought I would need for the next four months until I have my own permanent house.  My last few days in Virginia I spent at Verna's house, a beautiful and welcoming haven.  It was bitter-sweet leaving my many friends.  Church, professional, neighbors, and various other friends had many farewell parties and lunches for me which involved  food, gifts, and even a special "May" song by the Quinns.  I hadn't realized how many loving friends I had and how much I would miss you all!  After a visit to Arlington Cemetery, not that Joe is there but just because I won't be able to visit the resting place of his remains for a while, it was time for the next chapter of my life.

With Verna and Jessica at Arlington Cemetery

The drive from Springfield to Sewanee was not difficult: Only two patches of heavy rain along the eleven-hour drive.  I did a lot of introspection along the way, listening to classical music, and conversing with Joe.  (No: I have not gone crazy, but I get solace from talking things out aloud with him, although passing cars undoubtedly wondered about my sanity.) The whole experience of moving alone for the first time in 45 years was quite surrealistic: downsizing, witnessing movers take away the history of 14 years to storage, meeting at settlement with various entities to close the deal on the house, knowing that I own no house right now, moving in with a friend in Sewanee, all of it felt like a disjointed dream.

I have a great family and a network of friends whose love is incredibly gratifying. I am not sure why I deserve it.  My two girls and my siblings (one brother and two sisters) call me on a daily basis. My close friends text, call, and pray for me regularly.  So, I am fine.  Well, sort of fine.  Unloading my car to the house where I will be staying for the foreseeable future took two hours and was not pretty.  Bag ladies don't have much advantage over me.  Right now, the master bedroom, which my loving friend Margaret has bestowed upon me, looks beautifully tidy and calming.  But dare step into the huge walk-in closet and the plethora of plastic shopping bags, suitcases, cardboard and plastic boxes, and other miscellaneous items would make my mother disown me!  However, unlike my abode in Monteagle last year, where the Windex bottle was an extension of my hand to batttle the various species of insects and other creatures, this house is beautiful and immaculate. Its owner is even more so.  She is loving, inclusive, sharing, and most welcoming.  In fact, she took me in tow to my first dinner party my second night in town.

My first full day at home, which is on the beautiful campus of the University of the South, I spent establishing an identity: bank, post office, University HR office.  Perhaps the best part of this move is being around my grandchildren.  I had dinner with the Kings my first night. Both Fred and Bea insisted on sitting next to me at the dinner table--what a gift!  I read them their goodnight books before I drove the short distance back to my house, where my roomie was ready with a glass of wine and scintillating conversations.

I am blessed.  I sleep the whole night peacefully.  I have no worries.  The pervasive sadness is not quite as debilitating.  My life is full of blessings: you, my friends and family.

Come and visit me here on this blog whenever you want to see what I am doing.  I will be updating it on a weekly basis. And make sure you plan to visit me after January of 2019, when I hope I will be established and ready to welcome you and reciprocate the love you have shown me.