In today's Google

What a coincidence to see Audrey Hepburn as image/icon-of-the-day for the Google search machine. A coincidence because just yesterday afternoon, I viewed Jerry Maguire for the third time, I think, and there was this scene where Renee Zellweger's character asks Tom Cruise's Jerry on their first date if her little black dress is "too Audrey Hepburn."

The day before I caught another film, You, Me and Dupree, where Owen Wilson's character, an overstaying house guest in newly weds Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon's lives, is watching Roman Holiday, also for the nth time. He admired Ms. Hepburn for representing "style, grace, ethereal beauty."

Weeks earlier, at a Baguio Writers Group meeting, Padma Perez (or was it Desiree Caluza?) arrived wearing big sunglasses. Martin Masadao tried them on, tilted his head upward and asked if he was more Sophia Loren or Audrey.

Was it coincidence that Ms. Hepburn's name cropped up with some regularity? Maybe not. Maybe it was a lead to her 85th year, if she were still with us.

Happy birthday, AH, angel of ours.

For all occasions

“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” - Rumi

Some notable events I missed writing about: Brothers and Sisters Day, International Jazz Day and World Press Freedom Day.

So here are my offerings for those important days. Thank you, heavenly and earthly gardeners, for keeping these Maytime flowers, our guests in our garden, ever fresh. They are worth the summer that has been cut short by daily afternoon rains, a Baguio feature.

Photos by Babeth Lolarga

Scraps from a rainy day

Yesterday's and the other day's strong afternoon downpour succeeded in keeping us indoors and drenching plans of going boating on Burnham Lake (a child's simple request this summer, but it still has to happen). This situation was aggravated by short power outages, no cable, no Internet, dead landline.

Our resident Mary Poppins took this opportunity to go through the detritus of 30 years of her sister's conjugal life. She cleaned and filed, set aside what still looked useful and threw away what must long ago have been discarded if someone like me had a knack for good housekeeping.

Last of the April rains that made May flowers possible. This rain is gentle compared to what's now hitting southern and northeastern US.

Among the finds was a bag full of documents (SSS, BIR and Pag-ibig membership numbers--can't lose or misplace those as I approach 60), UP Diliman class cards from '73-'77 with encircled final grades, pay slips from various employers, a media ID card that allowed me to cover John Paul II's first Philippine visit, Christmas cards and the inevitable stash of precious letters. Two stood out: a postcard from Beijing from my journalism professor, the late Raul R. Ingles, and a letter composed on an electric typewriter from a friend in Chicago who I've lost track of.

There's the thread of a story from all these finds, but I'm not predisposed to draft one. I'm just happy for throwback moments like these.

The elegant penmanship of Raul R. Ingles

I still have to encounter an email that reads as good as this typewritten letter from Ogot Sumulong dating back to Jan. 20, 1982. Photos by Babeth Lolarga

Staying small

My eldest daughter Kimi complained that Manila has gotten so steamy hot that our family home there is no longer conducive for productive work. She has brought her laptop to the nearest "SBuck" (I had to pause some milli-seconds to figure out that abbreviation for a coffee chain) so that she could get work done.

Over here in Baguio, I have no reason to complain about the weather. We needn't even water the plants and garden anymore because the brief afternoon thunderstorms take care of maintenance work.

A digital portrait of Kai and her Boots, a birthday present from her Tita Lor

What I'm focused on is seeing to it that Kai, the Wee One who rules over us, is preoccupied with activities so she doesn't get underfoot. I've blogged about her learning to cut paper, her walks in the park, etc.

For those walks she has her Ate Macky to accompany her with her mongrel Boots (a mix of asPin or asong Pinoy and dachshund) on a lease. It's part of my care-giving method to tire her out or sufficiently get her energy reduced so that she wants to eat and drink more. It works most of the time. Otherwise, mealtimes are cajoling times.

When she's told that she has to eat more to grow stronger and bigger, her ready reply is "I want to stay small!"

Her world is small, indeed: the house, the garden, the village park, then summer school in phonics.

When going to the grocery becomes simple joys time Photos by Babeth Lolarga

So a chance to ride the car to PureGold supermart with Grumpa Tats is a treat. I'm so thankful she's content to stay in the cart and doesn't point at items not in the grocery list for inclusion in the supplies. Stay small in needs, Wee One.

War Torn Mouth by Babeth Lolarga - PHILIEN Ms. JoCas

"War Torn Mouth" is a poem I wrote from the '70s. I'm still wondering how the makers of this video and song tracked it down. Perhaps from a back issue of The Literary Apprentice?Nevertheless, what a pleasant surprise to accidentally discover that this old poem is restored through song and video and that it is speaking to another generation.

Full disclosure: The makers of the song and video are all unknown to me. I want to thank them just the same.

'Staycation' is the way to go

Her list of summer activities outshines mine (I can timidly claim reading a couple of books, getting hooked on the TV series Sherlock Holmes and Game of Thrones, occasional handwritten letters, increasingly rare walks, flower appreciation, snacking at odd hours).

Kai has learned to cut and prefers to do it alone, plays catch ball with her elders, swims with abandon in a small sea of balls, gives her water toys a full bath and squeeze until sneezing point from exposure to the cold, snaps "dragons" in the garden, indulges in pretend play with her stuffed toys, joins the doggy walk morning and afternoon, sings "Letting Go" from Frozen full throttle, watches four Hoopla Kids videos on YouTube (strictly rationed, same for TV hours unlike her Booboo). Daily summer phonics class is now part of her routine.

I can add to my list the photo documentation of her summer. I still dream of going to the beach, of feeling sand under my feet or even swimming in a warm pool before monsoon season arrives. My travel is limited to Pinterest sites of dream getaways and the TLC channel.

Meanwhile, our "staycation" is going splendidly, and we feel blessed each time the sun is out. I've grown to accept that this is as good as it gets.

Enjoying each moment Photos by Babeth Lolarga

Bianca, class of 2014

Got a text before early bedtime last night from my sister Pinky announcing that her youngest child Bianca graduated yesterday from grade school at Assumption Antipolo and that my birthday and congratulatory letter sent by old-fashioned mail arrived just in time. Pinky directed me to her Facebook page where she wrote a loving and proud mother's tribute to a beloved daughter.

Bianx, it isn't only your Nanay who feels swells of pride. I doff my imaginary cap and lend the space to your Nanay's words:

Bianca Susi on Burnham Lake, Baguio City, summer of 2013 Photo by her Tita Babeth

Thoughts on BIANCA YSABEL on her graduation

Congratulations on your grade school graduation, another milestone in your school life. Thank you for being a diligent and persistent student. I don't have to post your report card, something I'm not comfortable and compelled to do. Your excellent grades to me is nothing new ever since you started going to school. The good person you are becoming is our work in progress. So you only have to look back to thank the people who have formed you through the years.

While others have KUMON tutors for Math and academic subjects, you have no less that your tatay's forthright teaching. For your literary needs no less that your Tita BABETH LOLARGA and cousin blogger, Ate CARLA ARRIOLA. You have your Ate MARGA SUSI creating beautiful and interesting ideas for arts and crafts and your Ate JAJA SUSI who never fails to glamor you up. Of course MAMA MERMAID and Lola INES fervently prays for you. Also those who indulge to spoil you, Kuya PAOLO SUSI, Nanay MELY ARRIOLA, Tita EMBEING TRINIDAD, Tita SUZY LOLARGA, Tita GIGI LOLARGA and Tita RUTH TERANIA. Tito DENNIS LOLARGA takes care of your health. So many to mention but we lovngly remember.

But mostly I am grateful that you have come to love your music. Even your ordinary practice of piano exercises warm my heart. So that when you read and play your classics, I am like listening to a concerto at home. It doesn't matter that you're not CECILE LICAD. Years of bringing you to weekly piano lessons, recitals and attending music concerts have paid off. Continue the passion, anak.

Welcome your high school life. The best years are yet to come. Much as I'd like to be your out of the box mother, IDK, but I'll try. So if you see me SMH on your OOTD, just think I'm still your nanay, lol. You will meet your BFF's here so treasure them for life.

Be careful of your choices, even if it means taking the road less travelled. Make sure it is always the good and the right one. There will be days when the pains and heartaches come, I'll be here…ready to listen. Remember our small white pillow? A pillow talk to share our joys and tears.

Lastly, as you also grow in your faith, make sure to lead others especially little MAX and JARED. Let the motto be your guide, ONE in faith, we love and serve and be part of your school's vision…Women of faith, women in action.

Like the favorite childrens's book that says… "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my 'baby bunso' you'll be."

Shakespeare on love

Everyone who loves The Word and how it breathes life to life will like the film Anonymous. The cast includes mother and daughter Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson as the old and young Elizabeth I. How's this for spoilers? What if the Queen and the Bard had once been lovers?

My small tribute to Shakespeare, whose 450th birthday was observed worldwide yesterday, is tied up with the big love I feel for the wee one Kai who grows bigger and fiercer every day as she explores the world.

Armed with her imagination away she rides! Photo by her Booboo

Shakespeare quotes from the World Wide Web