This week Kailana and I tackle 6 more stories from The Very Best of Charles de Lint. The stories we discuss are:

‘In the Pines’
‘Pixel Pixies’
‘Many Worlds are Born Tonight’
‘Sisters’
‘Pal o’ Mine’
That Was Radio Clash’

As in previous posts our discussions generally hit topics that can be weighed in on even if you have not read that particular short story, so please feel welcome to share your thoughts about any or all of the areas we touch on. The first 3 stories were mine to develop questions for, the last three were Kailana’s.

And away we go:

Continue reading A Charles de Lint Six Pack →

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.

~Author Unknown

A long–very long–day, much longer for the woman than for the man. Waiting, wondering, praying, and then a flurry of activity, a sharp cry, and a child is born. That was nearly two decades ago, nineteen years as of 8:11 p.m. this evening to be exact. Despite the ol’ wives’ tales and superstitious predictions, despite even the doctor’s certainty, the man knew his heart’s desire would be answered–and he was correct, the child was a girl. He never could settle on a boy’s name through all those nine months of waiting and wondering. He always knew he would be getting a baby girl. And though certain of the girl’s name first name before her arrival, sentimentality provided a different middle name in the final hour.

Our daughter turns 19 years old today. If that seems impossible to any of you, imagine what it must be like for her parents who on occasion feel as if they are just young kids playing at house. She is aging beautifully–her parents are being forced to age gracefully. She is three credit hours shy of her Associate of Arts Degree. Her whole life remains before her. Two decades of the bliss and heartache of childhood and adolescence will give way to the hope of future decades in which she may see her own child, or children, enter this world with the same waiting and wonder that marked her arrival. Only then will she begin to understand the pride that her parents feel.

Happy Birthday Tori Nicole, we love you dearly.

(Photo credit: JoopDorresteijn)

“Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.”

~Robert C. Gallagher

It should come as no surprise to any of you that change is not something that I particularly enjoy. Benjamin Franklin said that the only certainties were death and taxes. Obviously B. Frank didn’t live long enough to have visited my blog over the last several years. If he had, it would have been a pretty good bet that he would have added a third item to that list of certainties: death, taxes, and the Stainless Steel Droppings blog theme never changing. For a forty-something who blogs regularly–*cough*—and loves playing the latest console games (as just a few examples of my hipness), I have steadfastly refused to change the look of my site or to embrace the social media that has enhanced, and in some cases replaced, blogging.

Ladies and gentlemen, the times they are a-changin’.

But more than just an introduction to an updated website, this post is about the person who is responsible for the changes. My good friend, and many times mentor, James Dibben.

Continue reading Facelift →

(link credit: Josh Spector)

Jenn See’s mother, Cynthia, sent this to me awhile back. After yet another round of destructive tornadoes (this time very close to home. My wife’s aunt was in the hospital that was hit, thankfully she is okay) it seemed like it might be a good time to share it with you. You deserve a good heart-warming feeling, and a smile.

I would be more willing to watch commercials if they were all this creative.

(Image from IMDB)

How oft has a similar scene played out over the years in a time not so long ago, in a galaxy not so very far, far away?

For most people April showers bring May flowers and the day set aside to honor the woman–women for those of us who have wives that have borne us children–who should be honored every day of the year. This is true in the Anderson household as well. But for some of us the month of May for the past 34 years (since May 25th, 1977) has also been strongly associated with George Lucas because of the children of his imagination.

It struck me last night as we watched the second film of the prequel trilogy, Attack of the Clones, that whereas the original trilogy pivoted on the role of a father, the prequel trilogy has a strong thread of motherhood running through it. In the first film we see Shmi Skywalker sending her son off to meet his destiny. In the second, the terrible fate of young Anakin Skywalker’s mother firmly establishes him on a path from which a mother’s love and guiding hand might have saved him. The prequel trilogy concludes with young Padme Skywalker, nee Amidala, giving birth to those famous twins, Luke and Leia, the grandchildren of Shmi Skywalker.

In spite of their many and varied flaws, it appears that George Lucas has actually crafted the perfect films for Mother’s Day viewing! 🙂 At least that is what we have been doing in our home this Mother’s Day Weekend. I bet my mom is glad she is out of town!

Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful mother, who thankfully has never crossed paths with a Tusken Raider and to my darling wife who did not bear to me twin saviors of the galaxy, but did give me the gift I wanted most: a baby girl. (Shhh…don’t tell anyone that was nearly 19 years ago. It makes me feel old!)

And Happy Mother’s Day to all the rest of you out there, those who have become mothers through the miracle of childbirth, those who choose to bring children into your home through foster care and/or adoption, and those who have stepped into the mothering role in someone else’s life. You are all very real heroes and you have my eternal gratitude.