Scheme of Things
Scheme of Things
Fastening Seatbelts
There was turbulence on the plane. Not the soft, rolling bumps that gently remind you that you're thirty-one thousand feet above the ground in a metal cylinder, but the shake side to side, sudden-drop kind that flip-flops your stomach. The announcement was made several times for passengers to stay seated with seatbelts fastened and return to their seats quickly since more turbulence was expected. The seat belt sign stayed illuminated.
May 2, 2008 - 2:48:03 PM
Scheme of Things
Chance Encounters
While growing up, I heard my mother tell the story of how she traveled alone in winter on a train from Montana, via Minneapolis, to Sioux City, Iowa, with my then eighteen-month-old brother. Loaded with baby paraphernalia, the conductor suggested she exit on the left side since it would not be as crowded. So at the Minneapolis station, she disembarked on the quiet side of the train with suitcase, diaper bag, toddler, and stroller.
Apr 3, 2008 - 11:12:57 AM
Scheme of Things
Recognizing the Little Things
The signs are clear when I've had enough vacation. The day's adventure feels more like work than play, the intriguing restaurant holds no appealing offerings, and the normal antics of children (or their parents) no longer make me smile. That was my state as we boarded the tired-children-filled plane in Orlando.
Mar 5, 2008 - 11:32:09 PM
Scheme of Things
Feeling Green
Recognizing the lump in my chest was not one of congratulations, I stared at the card, brushing my feelings aside as I searched for congratulatory words to craft the note to an acquaintance. But my words were as hallow as my heart, and I put the card away.
Feb 2, 2008 - 8:29:24 PM
Scheme of Things
Evolving Rainbows
A hundred people I didn't know gathered on the top floor of a New York City hotel. A few sought fame or fortune but most were there undertaking an endeavor with the hope of making a difference, sharing their story to help others, or bringing awareness to people in need.
Jan 11, 2008 - 4:59:57 PM
Scheme of Things
Seeing the Love
It was an ordinary, early-December day. A wisp of snow teased the asphalt driveway, as if deciding whether to stick or not. I noticed the box hugging the front door as my car edged toward the garage.
Dec 6, 2007 - 2:25:29 PM
Scheme of Things
Taming Monsters
Old enough to know there were no monsters in my room, I still anguished over the walk to my darkened space. As the get-ready-for-bed ritual commenced, the fear emerged. Afraid of what the darkness might hold, I longed to ask my mom or dad or older brother to walk me to my room and check for monsters. But I knew I'd grown old enough to handle that responsibility and was expected to deal with bedroom monsters on my own.
Nov 7, 2007 - 4:26:59 PM
Scheme of Things
Sharing Spaces
Seated at a window table of a nice hotel restaurant, tired after an emotionally grueling day brimming with eldercare and family dynamics, my husband and I were enjoying a glass of wine and slowly unwinding. Our relaxation was short-lived. Rambunctious children seated at a nearby table continually drew our attention as their antics increased, and their parents relinquished what little control they commanded.
Oct 8, 2007 - 12:12:31 PM
Scheme of Things
Seeking Answers
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Seeking Answers is her September column which begins: It was not the day I planned. Pulled from a lazy, dozing, Saturday morning at our cabin, to my brother's serious, there's-a-problem-voice on the phone, I listened as he described the challenging new incidents with our eighty-five year old, mentally declining, mother. Now...
Sep 19, 2007 - 11:21:31 PM
Scheme of Things
Cleaning the Closet
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Cleaning the Closet is her June column which begins: Long overdue, the task avoided my endeavors until forced to address the overfilled shelves, stuffed hanging rods, and disappearing floor space. It wasn't the bulging ...
Jun 10, 2007 - 8:10:50 PM
Scheme of Things
Falling Down
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Falling Down is her May column which begins: "I was sitting on the curb, once again, gingerly removing tiny rocks glued to my bloodied skinned knee. Determined to master my new ..."
May 9, 2007 - 1:35:21 PM
Scheme of Things
Celebrating the Possibilities
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Celebrating the Possibilities is her March column which begins: Feeling the warmth of her tiny body against mine, noting her expressive face, pouty mouth and delicate fingers, I watched as my fifteen-day-old granddaughter slept with carefree abandon. In an era where woman ...
Mar 11, 2007 - 4:38:59 PM
Scheme of Things
Wanting What You Want
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Wanting What You Want is her February column which begins: Pouring myself a bowl of soup from the buffet line, I noticed a teenage boy standing slightly behind a grandmotherly woman eyeing the last piece of chocolate cake. After a contemplative pause, she reached for apple cobbler, and the teenager swooped in on his prize. Turned out ...
Feb 14, 2007 - 11:40:10 PM
Scheme of Things
Possessing Me
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Possessing Me is her January column which begins: I don't know what possessed me. But, possessed I was. I'd never attempted anything like it before. But I decided I had to; just had to ...
Jan 8, 2007 - 12:38:05 AM
Scheme of Things
Judging Others
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Judging Others is her February column which begins: "You'd be so much prettier without those freckles," my high school boyfriend commented as we walked hand-in-hand along a California beach during spring break. "Why don't you ...
Feb 1, 2006 - 12:24:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Happily Ever After
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Happily Ever After is her November column which
begins: In the Montana town where I live, the two block Main Street offers a
unique combination of one-of-a-kind shops, local crafts, and potential
treasures. So when out of town guests come to visit, shopping is typically part
of the agenda. And so it was recently with friends visiting from the east coast.
But that afternoon ...
Nov 3, 2006 - 12:06:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Pushing Time
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Pushing Time is her September column which begins: Carpeting the forests, hills and meadows in northwestern Montana, plants burst through the thick, muddy, spring snow-melt, as if determined to reach their full potential before the short growing season ends. Sometimes my life feels like those plants look - accelerating like a time-lapsed video.
Sep 6, 2006 - 1:21:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Tripping Over Reminders
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Tripping Over Reminders is her August column which
begins: Tired and a bit jet lagged, I headed for the nearest ladies room
after disembarking from the plane. As I started to leave, she held my attention.
Perhaps three, the little girl stood under the hand-dryer holding her hands in
the air ...
Aug 4, 2006 - 11:52:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Pulling Out the Cactus
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan
S. Russell. Pulling Out the Cactus her July column which begins:My
heart was broken for the first time when I was eleven. One day we were
inseparable best friends. The next day, I locked myself in my bedroom refusing
her calls. And even though we played together a few weeks later, it was never
the same. She ...
Jul 6, 2006 - 12:27:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Recognizing the Chameleon
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Recognizing the Chameleon is her June column which begins: Brown. Green. Blue. Yellow. Red. Black. White. With an unusual ability to change the color of its skin, the chameleon is a lizard-family celebrity. This anomaly for changing colors provides the lizard camouflage, but contrary to popular belief ...
Jun 3, 2006 - 8:48:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Thinking Life
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Thinking Life her May column which begins: As a teenager, I
made most of my money babysitting. At least I did until I started refusing after
dark jobs, limiting myself to daylight offers. Why? My thoughts got the best of
me. Once I ...
May 1, 2006 - 5:37:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Looking for Something
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Looking for Something her April column which begins: Taped to
the locked door of the deserted ranger station, the handwritten message with
yesterday's date noted that the lava was flowing three miles away. Look for a
lone tree on the western slope of the foothills, it guided. That's all the
information we had as we set out across ...
Apr 2, 2006 - 8:15:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Dreaming Dreams
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Dreaming Dreams is her March column which begins: "That's
my dream," I overheard her telling her friend in the dressing room next to mine.
"But it will never happen," her voice dropping as she softly added ...
Mar 1, 2006 - 10:57:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Developing a Friendship
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Developing a Friendship is her January column which
begins: I have several good traits, but technical savvy is not among them. So
when attempts at using ...
Jan 1, 2006 - 1:33:00 PM
Scheme of Things
The Wrong Present
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. The Wrong Present is her December column which begins: Somewhere between moving across the country, starting a new job, buying a house and juggling childcare logistics for our then three year old son, Ian, in a state where we knew no one, Christmas was just ...
Dec 1, 2005 - 12:22:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Hearing Music
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell.
Hearing Music & is her November column which begins: Memories flood my
senses: a dead elephant's rotting carcass, the stench permeating my skin as a
lion pride with bloated bellies, lounges nearby; herds of elephants crossing a
river at sunset with sounds of splashing water rivaling the elephants'
trumpeting; reed-frogs serenading ...
Nov 1, 2005 - 12:02:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Practicing Living
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan
S. Russell. Practicing Living is her October column which begins: I
play the piano. I don’t play well, but four years of lessons insured a base
level of competency. Practicing under parental bribery ...
Oct 1, 2005 - 4:33:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Tuning In
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Tuning In is her September column which begins: One hundred
and twenty channels and over half play music. In this age of technology I still
find it amazing that ...
Sep 2, 2005 - 2:38:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Relinquishing Expectations
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Relinquishing Expectations is her July column which begins: Yellow, pink, white, and tangerine colored hibiscus lined the sloped path to our room, interspersed with ...
Jul 2, 2005 - 7:14:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Throwing Out Roots
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Throwing Out Roots is her June column which begins: With dark clouds promising afternoon rain, I sat on the edge of a remote dirt road, miles from the historic Holmenkollen ski jump visited that morning. Removing my shoes ...
Jun 1, 2005 - 12:32:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Being Happy
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Being Happy is her May column which begins: Behind glass
doors the turret shaped music box sits, protected from the nicks and bumps of
traffic, vacuums, and curious fingers. Intricately hand-painted scenes decorate
its teal blue surface, crowned with a gold cherub. Push the button and ...
May 2, 2005 - 9:56:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Needing Help
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Needing Help is her April column which begins: "I do it!"
She sat on the cold mall floor by the double entrance doors, her back against
the wall with legs straight out from her tiny body. Intently focused on closing
the clasps to her fleece-lined jacket, she was struggling. Her mother watched,
occasionally ...
Apr 1, 2005 - 11:40:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Seeing the Mountains
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Seeing the Mountains is her March column which begins:
Seated directly behind me on the plane, I heard bits and pieces of his life
story as two strangers visited during the flight. After hearing why he was
traveling, I was surprised ...
Mar 1, 2005 - 11:53:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Winning and Losing
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Winning and Losing is her February column which begins:
The sound of wood-on-wood sealed the outcome even without seeing the orange
striped ball roll past the wicket. "I don’t want to play croquet with her," the
division Vice President ...
Feb 1, 2005 - 12:09:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Getting Older
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Getting Older is her January column which begins: Eggplant-burgundy, honey-wheat, and glacier-green capture the eye as swift currents caress century old rocks at the river’s bottom. In the area of Montana where I live, river rocks smoothed by years of flowing water, have striking depths of color. Like the river rock, life has smoothed my edges and revealed ...
Jan 1, 2005 - 4:18:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Finding Christmas
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Finding Christmas is her December column which begins: I found nothing in the usual places. Would she hide it in the room I shared with my brother, I wondered, as I dragged the straight chair across the wood floor? Standing tall on tip toes ...
Dec 1, 2004 - 11:21:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Seeing the Elephant
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Seeing the Elephant is her November column which begins:
On the hillsides of Scotland are piles of rocks. Cairns, they’re called, created
centuries ago by men leaving for battle. When passing the trailhead, each man
put a rock on the pile, to be collected ...
Nov 1, 2004 - 12:04:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Taming Voices
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Seeing Differences is her October column which begins: I hated Halloween. Even the lure of Milk Duds, Good ‘n Plenty, and Sugar Babies wasn’t enough to make this ...
Oct 1, 2004 - 11:07:00 AM
Scheme of Things
Seeing Differences
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S. Russell. Seeing Differences is her September column which begins: The lesson stuck like gum to a sneaker's sole. Not comfortable to walk on, and annoying to have stepped in. But step in it, I did. It started simply enough as a civics lesson on the democratic process.
Sep 1, 2004 - 4:00:00 PM
Scheme of Things
Falling in Love
In the Scheme of Things is a monthly life reflections column by Nan S.
Russell. Falling in Love is her August column which begins: Pine trees
shaded the small group of family and friends gathered in the mountains that
August day. Committing to each other our love and our future.
Aug 1, 2004 - 8:02:00 PM
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