Monday, March 11, 2024

Spring break in St. Pete...

 

Adam and his pups!

The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and pets fill the plane with lots of chatter and laughter even though it is the midnight hour. Flying through the dark is always a mystery to me. There is no full moon to follow, and the stars and planets are but dusty specs above us. Finally, we begin our descent and once through the parting clouds, we follow the beautiful pathway of the Tampa Bay Bridge still streaming with traffic on a late night. The city of St. Pete, Florida comes into view as a fairy land as the plane shifts to the left. I close my book to prepare for the landing. It was a quick trip of just two hours. Two hours and I leave the not-yet-spring of Indiana for the warmth of the sun. I always forget the jet bridge is not attached to the airport, and we step out on the bridge into the warm Florida air. I grab my purple bag and go on out to the curb to wait for Adam for the midnight pick up! Cell phone lots have become the new thing for airports, and are so nice as folks wait for arrivals.

Adam arrives in his Playin’ Hooky truck complete with all three pups all snuggled onto the front seat. He grabs my bag and comments on how heavy the bag is. “What did you bring, Mom?” I laugh and tell him it is full of books! It is after all my spring break, and nothing I love more than having time to read and just enjoy the books. Off we go to his sweet bungalow on the outskirts of St. Pete. We put the windows in the truck part way down to enjoy the warm, balmy St. Pete air. It feels so delightful after winter, even though our winter was so mild this year. We arrive home and go in the back gate through the backyard which is definitely a fairy land in itself with twinkle lights strung and lit through palm trees and the gazebo and pool lit up. The pups are happy to be home too but are not so sure about me!

Sleep comes easily. I sleep through my alarm and by the time I get up, Adam is already off to work. Adam spends his working hours between the law office and his charter business, Playin’ Hooky. It was always his dream as a young boy to be a charter captain, and a few years ago that dream came true. He is a well-known captain in the area with his stellar reputation as a great captain for fishing or cruising. Spring breakers fill his dance card! I knew he would have lots of work and obligations when I booked my flight for March, but alas, my books and I have the whole place to ourselves…along with the pups. After a quick coffee or two, I find myself outside in the backyard with my stack of books. I am not really a beach girl, I just love the warm weather and with no obligations of my own, I can just sit back and read the day away.

My days are spent reading except for the one day I take the SunRunner bus downtown. It is so convenient as it goes right by Adam’s house. For five dollars a day, you can ride all over St. Pete to all the museums, the beaches and to the flourishing downtown. Construction is everywhere as St. Pete is a city on the move attracting young folks with the coffee shops, art galleries, and, of course, the beautiful beaches. My day downtown is a day at the Dali Museum featuring the Dali collection paired with the impressionists: Renoir, Degas, Matisse, Cezanne, and Monet. The exhibit is outstanding, and I spend the entire day exploring the collection and the downtown. The SunRunner comes right on time, and I just enjoy a tour of the town and the beaches from my seat on the bus.

It is not often that I get time with my children one on one, but this time I did. We went to the movies and visited local dives for dinner in St. Pete. My favorite night was when we cooked in and sat outside watching the stars and planets fill the night sky. We talked well into the night.

Visits end. Planes take us back home. Until next time…


Monday, March 04, 2024

Hello March!


 

March arrives with a flurry of weather activity. Rain, snow, wind, and the occasional sun shining down upon us. Yes, March is as fickle as they come. March does not know if she should continue with the arrival of spring and a sprinkling of faeries in the garden or cover us with inches of snow. Yes, we are waiting for that one! Winter was just a bit too easy for us this year!

March is named for the god of war and yet it brings the promise of spring, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter (this year), and the rumblings underground of what is next to come. Searching through the leaves of Autumn yesterday, I cam across the arrival and blooming of my crocuses pushing their blooms through the leaves and garden debris to add color to my winter landscape. The forsythia bushes are next along with the daffodils. Daffodils are not just for beauty; they have great properties that are used in bioresearch these days. Daffodils are the flower of March and the national flower of Wales. According to Greek mythology Narcissus fell into a pool and drowned and the first daffodil appeared. Of course, this is mythology and fun for research although I think of my own daffodils as a cheery end of winter and a hello to spring. William Wordsworth wrote about daffodils in his beautiful poem, “Spring.” This lyric poem was written in 1804 after he and his sister, Dorothy, came across a field of daffodils in Grasmere, England. The poem was first published in 1807 and is a staple in my cache of spring poems. Once in England, during the spring, I went to Grasmere to see the daffodils, and oh, they fill the hillsides with outstanding beauty…just as Wordsworth said!

March does have its own wicked side as we think of Julius Caesar. Of course, the murder of Julius Caesar on the 15th of March gave us all the saying, “Beware the Ides of March.” We thank you William Shakespeare for that bit of knowledge! Do you remember acting that out in history class? At least for fun anyway as Caesar was stabbed 23 times. All I can say is that he was warned!

March brings the Oscars to those of us who really care about movies! Carolyn and I have been watching these award-winning movies for years and spend the winter knee deep in movies. We don’t even wait for the nominations! We start in the summer with the films we think will make the list. This year we scored high on those films. Once the nominations are in, we begin the frenzy of getting all of those films watched. It is not easy as we have to move around quite a bit to movie theatres and some on-line. We watch as many as we can at our local theatre, of course. The Brokaw is always our go-to, but we must be creative to get to all the films. On Sunday, a group of us went to The Tibbits to watch the animated shorts and documentaries. It is always fun to do this in a group. We carry our hankies in our pockets and pull them out for this film or that film. Some are so hard to watch, but all are important pieces of our own culture. The attendance is sparse for this four-hour event, but I thank The Tibbits for continually showing them. On Sunday night Carolyn and I, after marking our own cards, will host our own Oscar party. It is always a fun winter activity as we cross off movie after movie!

March brings St. Patrick’s Day and Easter which we will chat about in the future. It also brings the dreaded turn our clocks back (again!) on Sunday morning. I personally love the time right now, but alas, alas.

When I was younger, I did not have good thoughts of March. It was always a fickle time for snow or rain. How many times did we travel through snowstorms for the basketball sectionals? But over the years of paying attention to the land, to my gardens, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of March just the way it is. My dad used to say that in March the faeries begin their house cleaning, and if we are patient, with our ears to the ground, we can hear them working. You probably don’t want to go that far but do enjoy March for the hidden beauty which now springs forth.


Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Let children be magical and play!

 



 

With this warm weather and spring around the corner, I am thinking about the magic of play and childhood. Maybe we do not think of this enough for our kids or grandkids. Maybe. I hope I do, but I know I need a refresher now and then. I also want to make sure I remember the magic of childhood and not let it slip by me.

Two weeks ago, in one of my speech classes, the students had to write and deliver a eulogy. It could be for someone they lost or a pet or even an inanimate object. Students are often very clever with their eulogies. Once a student did my eulogy! It took me a minute or so to catch on, but it was very clever. No, I didn’t mind one bit, and it was kind of nice hearing it before it is actually needed! I keep a box of Kleenexes available when we do this. Sometimes I am the only one weeping in class, other times all of us just sit there weeping. One of my very favorite, and saddest, eulogies was a student who was mourning for his lost childhood. This one was different and caught me by surprise. It also sent me to the box of Kleenexes.

Childhood is so short and so fragile and full of magic, if we will encourage it and let it be available to our youngsters. Bruno Bettelheim, child psychologist and author, once said, “Play teaches the child, without his being aware of it, the habits most needed for intellectual growth, such as stick-to-itiveness, which is so important in all learning.”

Probably most of you reading this column grew up with play. The stoops of our houses were always littered with jacks, skates with keys, hula hoops, pogo sticks, doll baby carriages, marbles, and with bikes tossed on the lawn ready for the next adventure. Never did we stay inside. There were a couple of reasons for that. First of all, we loved playing outside. Maybe I should say it stronger, we could barely stay inside. The second reason always did the trick when our mothers said, “If you can’t find something to do, I will find it for you!” How many times did we hear that? Usually, it meant washing dishes or dusting. That alone was enough to send us outside until dark.

While walking to Trine the other rainy day, I noticed the sidewalk full of earthworms. I had to laugh as I gingerly walked around them. When my boys were little, they couldn’t wait for the earthworms to appear. It meant a good day of fishing was upon them. They gathered all of those worms and put them in containers just waiting to go fishing. I am sure their elementary teachers were a bit taken back when they arrived in school with their worms in containers, but they all learned to appreciate and understand them. One day, armed with worms and a sunny day, Aaron declared he was quitting first grade because he had more important things to do. (Fishing was what was most important!) I called his first-grade teacher, Rita Deller, to discuss this with her. She was brilliant. On Monday she told Aaron how much she would miss him if he left school, and all the stories he brought to his classmates. Needless to say, he stayed in school until college graduation.

One of my favorite children’s books was written by Alice McLerran, “Roxaboxen.” In this story the children make up their own little village and stories. If you have kids, I highly recommend this book. I have read it to all the grands and purchased their own copies as well. One day, Jonah came running into my house telling me he had found “Roxaboxen!” I was thrilled of course. He invited me to see it, so we just hopped on our bikes to find this secret place of his. It was, indeed, a perfect “Roxaboxen” right in town.

Bettelheim also says that it is important for us to let children choose their own play. They may even play differently than we might choose, but don’t we choose enough for our children? Let them choose their clothes, their play, their own ideas. Just let them play.

Childhood is so lovely. It should be full of magic and stories and faeries that linger on the lawn at night.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a bit of playing on my own in my backyard.


Saturday, February 24, 2024

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Princess Bride and other sundries!!


 

Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…” It seems as if everything I do these days is theatre oriented whether it is attending or participating or just dreaming. Let’s go ahead and take a look at theatre in northern Indiana!

A few weeks ago, I had a call from Carolyn. She had an extra ticket to go to the Honeywell Center in Wabash to see “The Princess Bride” with Elten’s daughter and son-in-law. “Sure,” I said. She added that there were a few other events on that night, but she wasn’t sure what, but it would be great fun. I rarely turn down an adventure with Carolyn! The offer included a night at the Charlie Creek Inn in Wabash. Of course, Wabash has been my go-to for the past few years as I have painstakingly researched, written and performed the stories of the Charlie Creek Inn and the Eagles Theatre right across the street. As we pulled into the parking lot, I remembered all the stories! We quickly made our way to our room, and barely got settled when it was time to meet Carrie and Dave in the lobby for the short walk to the Honeywell Center.

I have spent many happy hours in the Honeywell for concerts and once for the Madrigal Dinner at Christmas. This was, however, the first time I was able to see a film in the huge auditorium. We had really great seats in the third row and there must have been almost a thousand seats in that auditorium, and all of them were full! It was great fun seeing “The Princess Bride” so such a huge screen with a big crowd. There were lots of cheers when the movie ended. I thought our night was over, but oh no, I was wrong. In a few moments (to an even bigger cheer) Cary Elwes, Westley, came out from behind a curtain with a moderator and gave a lovely chat about filming the movie and answering audience questions. His stories were just wonderful. I always love to hear the behind-the-scenes stories, and he had many of those! Finally, at 11:00, this was over, and I started to put on my coat, but the evening was not over, no, not yet. The moderator asked everyone to leave unless they had a VIP ticket which included the 300 or so of us in the front several rows. When we were the only ones left, the moderator asked us to leave everything in our seats when our row was called to have our photo taken with Cary and receive an autographed copy of his book, “As You Wish.” What? I asked Carolyn if she knew about this, but she didn’t. Within the hour, our row was called.

Now I do like meeting actors and movie stars, I do! I was greatly surprised by Cary. First of all, he looked really great after all these years, and I did tell him so. He asked all of our names, shook hands, and we smiled for our photo. Each of us received his autographed book, and we were finally on our way back to the Charlie Creek Inn. It was a marvelous evening full of surprises.

More theatre was in the works for me as I attended “Yazoo Mississippi” written by Jean Ciami at the Tibbits Opera House. Again, a fun evening with friends and a wonderful show put on by the Branch County Community Theatre. The following night I traveled to Kendallville to the attend Neil Simon’s “Rumors” put on by Gaslight Playhouse. This also was just wonderful. I loved each of these shows, and it was so fun for me to know cast members.

As if all of that was enough, it definitely was not. Each night I gather my playbook and head over to The Furth for rehearsal on our “Matchmaker.” This is a delightfully funny show written by Thornton Wilder. I love working with these students…usually! Of course, there are fraternity and sorority meetings, choir, band, sports and all of the delightful activities by college students. I have learned over the past two years to work around their schedules. I guess what I love most is the enthusiasm and the fun they all bring to the theatre. Directing these shows has fulfilled a life-long dream for me.

Theatre. Shakespeare said it best, “They have their exits and their entrances: and one man in his time plays many parts.”

Monday, February 12, 2024

Happy Valentine's Day

 


It is Valentine’s week which is always a wonderful day to reflect or just a day to stay in bed and wait for next year. (Kind of like Groundhog’s Day?) I gave all of my cast members the evening off so they could just enjoy the evening with a date or with friends, and I do not give days off easily.

I have so many memories of Valentine’s Day! I loved making my valentine bags in elementary school. Paper, scissors, glue, and we made the best bags. Tucked tightly in my hand, I lovingly took them home at the end of the day. My sister, Jessie, and I would play with those valentines for days, maybe even months. We lined them up according to circus animals, and then cats and dogs, and later on we looked for signs that a boy liked us! Usually, the Valentines came in the packs, and we spread them out on the kitchen table choosing just the right valentine for the right person.

I remember the first time I got a “store bought” valentine from a boy. I hung on to that valentine for months shamelessly turning it over many times to look at the price of the card. (I said I was shameless!) Cards were not quite as much money as now, but that dollar sign on the back meant pure love! Girlfriends talk and tell stories, and we always asked how much the card cost. One year I got two store bought cards from two different boys. That was the year I knew I had arrived! Two boyfriends?

One year in college I received a bouquet of red roses with no card and no name. That definitely was an interesting conundrum. Who sent them? With my college roommate, Sally, by my side, we made a chart of possibilities and found the right young man to thank. Nowadays, my bouquets come from Aldi’s, and I buy them myself. Why not?

How did this day of candy and cards and romance evolve? Let us look into the history a bit. It was in the 14th century that romance came into the picture. Before that (and just some possibilities?) it was a priest who was martyred by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. The lovely priest sent a letter to is jailer’s daughter and signed it “from your Valentine.” Of course, he was beheaded so not all was perfect for his romantic attempt! Another possibility was that St. Valentine of Terni secretly married young couples for the man could be freed from going off to war. That is a sign of true love, I think! Others think that the Christian church placed this day in the middle of February to coincide with Lupercalia, a fertility festival. This festival was outlawed in the 5th Century.

In the United States, valentines became popular in the mid-1800’s, although there are remnants of valentines from the early 1700’s. We owe a bit of gratitude to hallmark as well for making this a big holiday for love and friendship! It is estimated that there are 145 million cards sent on Valentine’s Day, second only to Christmas cards.

I know I sent valentines to all the grandkids. Cards this year were not just at the one-dollar mark, but rather five or six dollars! I make cookies too for family and friends! Luckily for us (well, some of us), we can celebrate with girlfriends and family members. There are so many fun events in town this week. Galentine’s Day is a big event to share with friends! The Brokaw is open on Wednesday evening for movies and there are basketball games at Trine. In other words, there are no reasons to just sit home and eat all the candy yourself. (Yes, it is okay to buy your own candy!)

As I think back over all my own years with valentines from my days with Jessie and my grown-up days, I am so lucky to have a drawer full of valentines from year’s past. And, yes, I do still believe in love and romance but with a different twist, perhaps. Don’t forget to notice the sky on Wednesday night. Build a fire, light a candle and ready poetry, even if it is to yourself.

 

 ‘She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.’

Lord Byron


Saturday, February 10, 2024

Carpe Diem

 

Sun streams through the prisms in my windows and casts dancing rainbows all over my downstairs. With the leaves off the trees, and the bright sun, I am living in a Pollyanna movie! As a kid I loved Pollyanna, and my very favorite scene was the one with the prisms in the windows. I knew right then I would want to do that someday in my grown-up house, and I did. It is amazing to look back and see so many events in my life which found a home in my grown-up world and my grown-up imagination. From theatre to poetry to prisms, all those things have ended up in my life.

I often say I was so lucky to grow up without the Internet or cell phones, etc. Of course, I love them, and they both play a prominent role in my life. As a child, they were not only unattainable, but not even invented yet! Wasn’t I the lucky one? Wasn’t I the lucky one to spend hours in my attic bedroom with just books and a table for writing? I wrote my first soap opera at ten. Yes, we all watched soap operas then while helping fold the laundry. I read my first adult book at ten, “Those Who Love,” by Irving Stone which set me on the path of historical fiction the rest of my life.

My own kids grew up on the cusp of technology, but we didn’t have any at the farm. There were Saturdays when I watched my three sons do what they love most of all. Abe was always tearing things apart and putting them back together. Adam could make anything from scratch and was often busy with building cupboards or knick knacks for the house. Aaron was usually fishing at the pond. All three were, of course, products of their childhood which took them into their grown-up years.

Now I watch the grandkids do the same thing. Holly is an avid actress. Brianna sings. The twins just play. Graham is getting ready for baseball and working at The Brokaw. Jonah just finished his first year of hockey at Indiana Tech where he is a freshman.

I remember the day, ten years ago, when he came home from the newly built Thunder Ice Arena to announce that skating was his life. I had to laugh and said, “Jonah, this is the first time you have been on skates! Maybe you should try it another time or two.” But the truth is, he didn’t need to do it another time or two to make that decision. He knew, and he was right. It has been exciting to watch his hockey career from an early lad to high school and now in college.

I talk about this because I am very much aware of the presence of technology in our lives. I love it as much as you do or anyone else including my students at Trine. I sit here in my cozy studio this morning writing on my laptop with my phone close by. Yes, I love it as much as you do! I do, however, know the limits of my technology usage. My students are not allowed to have their phone out during class unless, of course, they are expecting a call from home or a possible internship. For those purposes, I ask them nicely to keep it on vibrate and take the call outside of the classroom. I do joke that if anyone is a brain surgeon, they may leave it on at all times. I have yet to find a brain surgeon in my speech classes! They do complain a bit at first and always ask me what they should do instead. “Oh,” I say, “you can talk.” This takes a while for the talking to start. I always notice when the magic happens. Usually around the third or fourth week of the semester, I find myself saying loudly (with complete joy), “time for class…” as they are so chatty. They make friends, they build each other up and take care of one another. That is one of my teaching joys.

Technology is here with us, but let’s keep it at a minimum. Don’t miss snowman building, or cookie baking, or walking in the park noticing each little worm or frog that comes your way. And, if we can, let’s hang prisms all over our windows. Life is short. Watch the rainbows dance.

On this beautiful February day, carpe diem.

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...