Book Group: March and April 2016

Book: Some Luck
Author: Jane Smiley
Meeting: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Ginny's
Dessert: Pumpkin Cognac cheesecake

This is the first book of a 100-year trilogy set in Iowa beginning in 1920. I wanted to like it, but found the beginning tedious (babies thoughts drive me crazy) and I didn't really care for the major characters. But I persevered and found myself getting caught up in the more complex relationships and politics in the later parts of the book. Some in the group will read all three. I think I'll just get a report.

 Book: M Train

Author: Patti Smith
Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 2016 at Jennifer H's
Dessert: Coffee chocolate cake (in theme with the book)

I read this book on on my camping trip in Utah. The photo below is me reading on the rocks along the Colorado River. Moments later a great blue heron landed next to me and 4 bighorn sheep strolled across the mountainside across the river. It was a magical moment and I think the book helped to make it happen.

I liked the book for many coincidental reasons: she traveled extensively and to exotic places/I traveled to Utah. She turned 66/ I was about to turn 66. I was in the center of an area that moved from the equator to Utah 150 million years ago/ she belonged to the CDC (Continental Drift Club). But she's famous and brave. I'm not!!! I need to read some of her other books.

Looking Past the Winter Doldrums

When I look back at what I wrote on this blog a year ago in February and March, not much has changed. My knees are OK and I'm playing a lot of tennis. The political scene continues to deteriorate in Wisconsin and now we have the presidential primaries to compound the absurdity.

My winter "project" was going to be fixing up the extra bedroom with the cracked ceiling. It's one of those famous "Just don't start" jobs; too big to tackle alone, too hard to get anyone's attention, and a lot of tedious work ahead. I'm getting tired of being bummed out about it.

No winter trip to a warm climate. Jim chose time off at the end of March and beginning of April. We will take a road trip to Southern Utah. Stay tuned for a summary when we return.

In the meantime we purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. Twilight blue. We're working on adaptations so that we can sleep in it. I'm actually getting quite excited about the trip.

A Tribute To My Friend Sari

I played the part of a "groupie" at the Midwinter conference of the American Library Association in Boston, January 9-13. Sari Feldman my good friend from UW-Library School is the current President of the association and in that capacity instigates national initiatives and programs at the conferences along with a host of other duties I can't even imagine. I shared her suite for a few days to be of help or support (which she did not need). I cruised through the exhibits, went to some programs, and attended her party. And then I toured Boston and on my last day immersed myself in the Museum of Fine Arts. (Maybe that will warrant its own post.)

ALA President Sari Feldman at ALA Midwinter in Boston.

Sari has accomplished much in her library career. She is currently the director of the Cuyahouga County Library System in Ohio. It is an award-winning library system. I have always been inspired by professional and community partnerships that Sari has initiated in every place she's worked. From author readings, to new parent programs, to theater connections, you name it, she's done it. And in many cases she invented it!

A funny aside here: While in Boston, I had breakfast with a friend from Chicago who I knew when I was working at ALA. She mentioned that when walking through the exhibits she had come across a booth for the US Passport Service. They are looking to libraries to be centers for passport applications. Each center receives a fee for processing the applications. It seemed to me like such a logical local connection. I too stopped by and chatted with the staff. Later, I mentioned it to Sari and her staff. The response: "Oh, yea, we've been doing that since 2010. We've trained all our staff so anyone can be of assistance in all of our 28 branches. We make about $10,000 a month. We were facing a budget cut and were looking for ways to increase revenue. It was easy." Not an exact quote, but an example of Sari's willingness to jump on opportunities. The libraries can then help with books and information about travel destinations and promote the collection. What a no-brainer. Does your library offer this service?

Wandering the exhibits; felt like old times.

Sari has surrounded herself with young, smart, and energetic staff. She actively manages the careers of those she sees as stars in the profession. She also recruits seasoned workers from other areas who will compliment or enhance her staff mix. I was fortunate to spend time with some of these people. It seemed like a dream work situation. Fun people who jump at the chance to try new ideas.

Sari's professional roots go back to 1976 and Dr. Margaret Monroe at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) Library School. Margaret was also one of my professors and she was a woman that many people feared. But, she had a vision for libraries that she passed on to many of her students. At that time we used the phrase "Libraries as Change Agents." Sari's (and ALA's) new national initiative is called "Libraries Transform." Margaret would be proud of what Sari has done for the profession and for the communities where she's worked. 

I hope that more libraries will be inspired by this transformation and instead of wringing our hands about how libraries will disappear in the age of technology, wake up to realize that it is through libraries the people will be able to tap into technology and participate in society on a more equal footing. One slogan of the campaign that strikes home is:

Libraries Transform 
because more than a quarter of US households 
don't have a computer with an internet connection.

US Senator Cory Booker at ALA Midwinter in Boston.

The most inspiring program that Sari initiated and I attended at the ALA conference was the presentation by Cory Booker, the US Senator from New Jersey. He has a book coming out in February (that's why publishers will sponsor speakers at conferences). I think it's title is United. This isn't a post about Cory Booker, but I think he's a person to watch. Some have mentioned him as a VP option. I don't know about that, yet. He's smart, very articulate, charismatic, big (former football player), and vegan. A favorite quote from his parents (who faced major housing discrimination after coming to Newark to work for IBM) to Cory: "You are drinking from the well, buy you did not dig it." You can feel his drive to contribute when you hear him speak. 

And what am I contributing? And what have I contributed? And what should I contribute? And how would I do that? All these questions swirl in my mind. Donations aren't enough (for me). My forays into volunteerism are feeble. Would I be more satisfied if I had gone into the library profession after library school? I do not regret any of the 4 "careers" that I've had. I enjoyed all of them. I felt that what I was doing was important. I learned from them. But I don't feel done.

I am happy to have friends like Sari and others who have worked in the library profession their entire career and have contributed in significant ways. Thank you.

Book Group: January and February 2016

Book: Everything I Never Told You

Author: Celeste Ng
Meeting: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at my house
Dessert: Gail Ambrosius chocolates and pistachio ice cream

A mixed-race couple raise three children in a college town in Iowa in the sixties and seventies. The book begins with the death of one of the children and then delves into her life and what people knew and didn't know about it. There is an ongoing exploration of the parents' relationship as well. I found the subject of living your life as an outsider quite relevant and thought provoking. The family relationships are fascinating and tragic.

Book: Lucky Us

Author: Amy Bloom
Meeting: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Jennifer S's
Dessert: Chocolate cake and clementine slices

Eva is the main character. She is the glue of the story set mostly in the 40's. Her mother leaves her on the doorstep of her father whose wife has just died; her half-sister/movie star would-be uses her and befriends her; her kind-of nephew needs her; all amid cross country trips, unexpected friendships, Hollywood, New York, orphans, lesbians, immigrants. It's a wild ride and worth it.

Finding Diego and Frida in Mexico City

Jim and I joined a tour organized by Norma Schaefer called: Looking for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Mexico City: an Art History Tour. If you follow this link you will find an explanation of the tour and a promotion for the tour in 2016. You'll find me and Jim in several of the photos. I won't go into details of the tour since Norma does such a good job of that. I'll share some of my feelings and experiences with the tour and the city.

Frida and Diego lived in this house 1929 - 1954.

I have wanted to visit Casa Azul (Frida's home) for quite some time. But, it never seemed to be on anyone else's agenda when we traveled to Mexico to buy for Chiripa. Norma is a mutual friend of some weavers in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca and I thought this would be a good way to learn how to navigate in Mexico City. I was pleasantly surprised when Jim announced that he would go with me. (He's not a big Frida fan.)

A most impressive Rivera mural at the National Palace.

A full-size draft for a piece of a mural
(on display at the Olmeda museum, also on the tour).

Taking a break with Norma and Valeria at the gourmet food market.

 I don't know why I had been apprehensive about traveling to Mexico City. It's just like every other place we've visited in Mexico, only bigger. The people are super friendly if you ask them questions; the city is clean; and it feels safe. 

Our room at Cillout Flat.

 We stayed at a B & B called Chillout Flat. It was perfect: centrally located, pleasant people (who also speak English), great food, comfortable bed. What else could you want?

Sunday at Alameda Park in the Diego Rivera Mural Museum just off the park.

Close up from mural. Notice Frida and the young man is Diego as a boy.

The first two days of the tour are spent visiting some of the impressive murals created by Diego Rivera. There are also murals on the tour that are done by Diego's contemporaries. The history and the contrast puts Diego's in perspective. I gained a new appreciation for his work.

Our group at Casa Azul (Blue House) with Norma in the center.

Visiting Casa Azul, the home where Frida and Diego lived was the highlight of the trip for me. (Jim was not so impressed.) I like seeing the perspective of the house, the size, the open spaces, the kitchen. It is very much like it was when she died (1954). Her rooms were sealed for 50 years. When the historians and restoration people had access to the rooms they found treasures that are now shared with the public. 

Photograph of Frida Kahlo by Nickolas Muray

Art supplies in Frida's studio.

Her studio is up a stairway and opens with windows on two sides. Her paints, her brushes, her easel, her wheelchair . . . it's all there as she left it. (I don't really believe it was left that neat.) 

Mirror above bed in the daytime bedroom.

Frida had two bedrooms, a day bedroom and a night bedroom. The bed in the day bedroom has a mirror above the bed so that she could work while in bed. Above the bed in the night bedroom is a collection of butterflies. As I walked out of her rooms and down the stairway to the courtyard I felt very emotional. . .

Frida's studio windows from the inner courtyard.

A new documentary was playing in an area of the courtyard. It's good, but I shouldn't have spent so much time watching it. There is a separate exhibit of Frida's clothes and accouterments including some of her medical devices. If you love Frida, you MUST go.

Our art historian guide Valeria was a delightful addition to the group. She is a native of Mexico City, speaks English, and shared freely her insights and opinions about art, history, and Mexico.

Valeria Alejandra Espitia Ducoing speaking with the group.

Valeria's boots the day we went to Frida's. Cool!

Food was good. We made a couple choices that I'd revise on another trip. The subway was great going to Chapultapec park. Coming home at rush hour was almost impossible. It took three trains before we could squeeze on and then we kept getting more and more squished. Getting off required determined pushing. It would have been better to have had dinner near the park and taken a later subway train.

Jim ordered Fish Balls at El Mayor, a restaurant that overlooks the Templo Mayor
(the Aztec ruins on top of which the Spaniards built). Best meal for him.

The Anthropology museum is overwhelming. It's great, but I can only take in so much ancient stuff. 

Mayan codixes.

 Luckily, there is also a modern art museum nearby. It houses a Frida Kahlo painting (Two Fridas) that is huge! I'm glad I got to see it. 

Young woman photographing Two Fridas

We stumbled upon a temporary exhibit of the works of photographer of Lee Miller. She was married to Man Ray and learned the art from him. She went on to become a celebrated photographer and worked as a photo journalist in WW2 in Europe. She was there for the liberation of the death camps in Germany. Some of the images are hard to view. I did not know of her work. 

On a lighter note, we found an artisan market and did some shopping. It felt like Chiripa all over again!

Walls around the Zocalo illuminated with holiday lights.

We arrived in Mexico City as the city prepared for it's holiday festivities. Surprisingly, there was skating on the Zocalo (the famous center of the city) and one of the pedestrian streets hosted parades and performances. On our last night there was SNOW falling from the sky. It was manufactured, but people were ecstatic! 

Skating on the Zocalo.

SNOW in Mexico City!

I'd go back again! There are way too many museums and sites and restaurants to take in in a week's time. Don't be afraid. It's a great city. And, if you don't want to do it alone join Norma's tour.

Fall Experimentation 2015

As the first snowfall of the season winds down I'm reminded to document what's been going on in this season of change. I will call this my fall of experimentation. I began a couple volunteer positions, I took an art class, and I attended a couple lecture/luncheons, and we got in a quick trip north. Read on if you want some details and insights.

Saturday, November 21. Lovely to look at; wonderful to NOT have to shovel at Chiripa.

Volunteering  

After attending a training session at the Overture Center for the Arts and shadowing a couple ushers at performances, I became an official volunteer usher. Jim's reluctance to attend musical performances and his continuing evening teaching schedule made me think that this might be a good opportunity to both support and see the arts in Madison. As it turns out, it is not very easy to find openings on the evenings that I want to volunteer. But, it's a work in progress. I like getting a taste of the different kinds of performances (from Broadway productions, to comedy, to symphony) and to have the freedom to leave before the end if I choose. (Most volunteer positions are not required to stay beyond a "second seating" for performances.) The facility is spectacular and one Madison can be proud of.

Schools of Hope is an Americor program using volunteer tutors in an effort to bridge the diversity gap in the public school system. Although I applied at the end of August, I did not get a placement until November. But, I'm on board and it feels good. I read with three first graders for about fifteen minutes each one day a week. It's not much at this point, but it's a start. I find the little chairs a bit uncomfortable, but I enjoy interacting with the kids. I'm sure I'll have more to say on this topic later.

Mixing a color wheel. Second try. I love the basics.

A Class  

Watercolor Fundamentals taught by my friend Cynde Quinn in the Arboretum Visitor Center was hard to pass up. I knew Cynde would have a well structured and inspiring class. We met for six weeks. I borrowed and bought supplies and enjoyed the learning process. I had never used watercolors before. They're fun and unpredictable. I hope to incorporate the techniques in some journal sketching.

First try; so many mistakes I quit. But, I caught the bug.

What I really took away from the class was how much I enjoy being immersed in the process of making art. When creating and learning and practicing I can think of nothing else.

Luncheon/Lecture

When working one often looks at posted activities and thinks, "Oh, if only I had the time to do that." Well, the UW Arboretum Luncheon/Lecture series was one of those for me. So, this year I signed up for the series. Each event starts at 11:30 with the luncheon, then a "break", and then the featured speaker. They end around 1:30. I realize now that I don't want to spend that much time eating buffet food and listening to presentations that may or may not be well done. I could read or view a documentary quicker. I signed up for this alone, so I don't have the socializing that most come for. I must admit I've met some nice people and reconnected with a former Chiripa customer and that has been nice. But I'm too impatient for luncheons at this point in my life. Maybe later.

Ned and Kathy with Sophie on a rise where you can see all the way to Lake Superior.

An early November weekend trip to Cable, Wisconsin to visit Kathy and Ned saw us hiking to scenic northwoods sites, dining with friends, and eating at an amazing diner. Great trip. Hadn't visited since pre-Chiripa.

Delta Diner, north of Drummond, WI. No tipping, just a straight 20% added to share with the whole staff. All were happy!

So, the lovely fall has ended. Thanksgiving was at the Walz's home in Holmen, WI. Skip came up from Arkansas, sadly without Marilyn who has moved out of his life.

A Visit to the Cemetery

September 13.  I wanted to mark the anniversary of my parents' death with a visit to the cemetery where they are buried in La Crosse. Drawing on my Mexican experience I created an offrenda on and around the monument.

It was a lovely afternoon. Heather came from Minneapolis and some of the La Crosse/Holmen relatives joined us. Heather brilliantly thought to bring an activity. She had supplies to make knitted dishcloths. Mom must have made hundreds. EVERYONE participated.

 It was a moving afternoon and evening.

Their absence from my life is still keenly felt.