Springtime wishes from 1800.  Time for new life, clean slates, and, over at St. P’s, lots of alleluia singing with brass and lilies.

Here at 1880, I got out all the bunnies and eggs I gave the girls in many Easter baskets over the years.

This cross collection is not up just for Easter.  Whenever I go on a trip, I buy one to add.  It lives permanently around the top of the snug, but this seems like the right time of year to feature it. Fourth and second from the right came from a Mexican import shop south of Pecos.  We always called that place “The Hetch-oh”  because the sign read “hecho en Mexico.”

This one has milagros nailed all over it.  Elizabeth and I got it when she lived in Solana Beach and we were on a field trip to see missions in the area.  I can’t remember at which we found this one.  I’m sure she will remember.

This one is the newest.  I got it at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland earlier this month.

But some were gifts.  Kate and Mary sent this one to me from a Greek festival they attended some years ago, also in Oakland, I think.

Meg sent this one below from a shop in her neighborhood when she lived in NYC.  Lots of Marys on it from the girl I have always given madonnas to as sort of a family joke.  My personal favorite was a print of Mary we found in Rome that was framed in blinking colored lights.  We called it, most irreverently, the BBVM — the blessed blinking Virgin Mary.

And MANY years ago, Katie brought this one to me, I think from Guatemala.

This is not a cross, but it is a souvenir from Assisi.  And it is not an Easter decoration either.  It lives permanently on the door post at 1880.  The motto of St. Francis:  Peace and Goodness.  Good things to practice no matter what the season and my wish to all who visit 1880 and this site.

Our lunch bunch came to 1880 today for good cheer and mutual support, and, of course, food played a part.   We laughed so much, had a little wine and began to sing Easter songs from our various backgrounds.  Valerie and I held forth on my personal favorite,  “Low in the Grave He Lay.”  We had Haile Maile carrot ginger soup, arugula salad, challah, and flatbread.  Chocolate eggs from See’s for dessert. We collaborated on assembling an Easter basket for Diane’s Wendell who is being encouraged to take lots of fat and calories to counteract his chemo — an excellent reason to eat chocolate eggs, we agreed.

And over at the Oregon State Capitol, the big issues are how long dogs can be tethered and driver’s licenses for illegals and the cherry blossoms.  Huge crowd on the steps for the middle one.  There’s always a huge crowd over there for some reason.  Last month’s crowd was toting Uzis and wearing hunting gear and fatigues.  Kobe takes no notice.  He doesn’t drive, doesn’t tote, has never been tethered and he thinks the blossoms are lovely.  There’s a lesson there.

I hardly ever get stuff like this any more, but yesterday, my hopes were raised once again before I hit the “bounce to sender” key.  You do have to wonder what would happen if you entered into a conversation with these people.  My identity is just not interesting enough for anyone to want to steal it, but still I shred just about everything.

“From: Parker, Jewell <Jewell.Parker@pruysu.com>

Subject: My Third And Final Mail Of Your Inheritance(Reply:barristerhollisgrey@kimo.com)

Date: March 22, 2013 8:30:42 PM PDT

I wish to notify you that late Gianni Agnelli WILL. made you a beneficiary of his Will. He left the sum of sixty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (US$60, 500,000.00) to you in the Codicil and last testament to his Will. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, you are advised to contact HOLLIS LAWFIRM Chambers: via our personal email address(Email: barristerhollisgrey@kimo.com”