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.

Book Group: Oct, Nov, and Dec 2015

Book: Orphan Train
Author: Christina Baker Kline
Meeting: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Julie's
Dessert: apple crisp with home-made cinnamon and honey ice cream

Book group is moving to Wednesdays to better accommodate some schedules, including mine. This book was a quick read, interesting story with fun twist at the end. I liked it, but probably not as much as The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (Book Group pick Nov. 2013) which seemed a more complex story and also featured the orphan trains.

Book: Vanessa and Her Sister
Author: Priya Parma
Meeting: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Jean's
Dessert: apple caramel tart with whipped cream

Vanessa Bell was the sister of Virginia Woolf and part of the Bloomsbury group in London. The book reads like a diary and introduces way too many characters. But, by the second half of the book I was fascinated by the story and the relationships and breezed on through it. I am embarrassed to admit that I was not familiar with the prolific art of Vanessa Bell.

Book: Guests on Earth
Author: Lee Smith
Meeting: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Jane's
Dessert: sorbet and lemon frosted cookies

Told from the perspective of Evalina a former patient at Highland Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.This is the mental hospital where Zelda Fitzgerald resided and where she died in a tragic fire. The group seemed to agree that the compelling story really didn't need the Zelda tie. Insulin shock therapy was used in the hospital. I had not been aware of its use. Wow! It was a standard therapy in the field in the 30's and 40's and into the 50's, I think. It has been replaced by drugs. Good read.

Tennis In My Life

Tennis gear: sweaty visor to keep sun off my face, 50spf lip balm, band for my hair. Ready to play!

Tennis is playing a very big role in my life right now. After years of knee issues, I am enjoying a relatively pain-free time on the court. (I'm knocking on wood as I write this.) Since my physical health is a big part of aging, I thought I should document the state of my health now so that there's a reference point when I reach another stage.

I believe this has not happened by chance, but by faithful almost-daily PT, less body weight, and a reintroduction of leg lifts into my routine. I began the leg lifts after a visit to an orthopedic surgeon who recommended total knee replacement for my arthritic right knee. My physical therapist agreed and said the leg lifts would help me recover from surgery. I opted not to replace the knee yet, but I assumed I would eventually and uncovered my weight bench in the basement. The weight loss I attribute to the Type 2 diabetes gloom and doom of 2 years ago and my decision to count calories along with carbs. (I'm now back to "pre-diabetic.") And the daily PT has been part of my life for years. It's what kept me on the court, or my desire to play tennis motivated me to keep up those side steps, etc. so I could play.

Why is it so important to me?

Well, tennis is really the only sport that I do with joy. I walk some, I bike some, but I do them because I need to keep moving, not because I really like them. I'll bend over backward to play tennis. I'll even organize groups and I am now captaining a team.

Brenda (on the right) named this group Yippie Skippie. We play every Tuesday night.

Tennis provides the social interaction that I need. Some of my tennis buddies have been around for twenty years or more. When I've been unable to play I get ornery and lonely. 

There's always something to learn, a stroke to improve, a strategy to try. I love the competition. I want to win and that drives me. But, I don't think I NEED to win. I'm just happy to be on the court and thankful that I still can. I wonder how many more years I'll be able to play competitively.

I like to buy a tennis shirt when I play in tournaments for the memories it brings.

That's why when my 55+ team won the state championship this summer I was eager to go to the Sectional playoffs in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It's such a hoot to do a road trip with a bunch of crazy women, share rooms and meals, and try hard on the court. We didn't do too well, but we had a great time and I'd do it again. It's also easier to do it when you're retired! The last time I went to a sectional Jim covered my shifts at Chiripa. 

And Jim plays tennis, too. Our time on the court has changed now that he's a tennis instructor. I can no longer beat him. I get lessons, but with the schedule he keeps I'm reluctant to ask for my time. Maybe I can get him to retire and we can go back to fun tennis. Mixed doubles is the best!

A selfie with longtime tennis buddies Jennifer and Brian on great October day for tennis.

That's the state of tennis in my life at this moment. I hope it lasts a looong time.