As someone with a brother in law with autism, and a son's good friend who has Asperger's Syndrome, I have picked up a couple of the recent books written from the point of view of someone with autism.
When a "neurotypical" (person not on the autistic "spectrum") person writes a book with a "first person" narrator with autism, it becomes a very big challenge. Also, me trying to write a book review is its own challenge. I'm not an English major, just someone who likes to read. I don't consider myself "literary" but I do consider myself intelligent-and I've spent some time with teens/adults on the "spectrum"....not as much as a parent/advocate/special ed teacher but perhaps more than a lot of laypeople.
Anyway, it's become somewhat fashionable to write these types of books. People with autism are one of the flavors of the hour. Problem is, people of this hour aren't people of the next hour. They fade into the "who cares" category, and people with autism do not deserve that type of treatment. So I hope that this is not a literary "fad", that good authors will continue to explore this element of human nature.
But, back to my stab at a book review. I believe I've blogged before about my "discovery" of what is called young adult literature. To my delight, it isn't all vampire love novels. There is a lot of good, meaty, stuff out there.
So, I wanted to write a little about a YA book I read recently: Livvie Owen Lived Here by Sarah Dooley.
This particular book is written by a teacher of children with special needs who lives in West Virginia. So....Livvie Owen (Olivia), a high school student with autism, lives in a small, dying town in West Virginia called Nabor with her younger sister, her older sister, and her Mom and Dad.
Good stuff: Livvie is in a special ed class at her small West Virginia high school. The school scenes ring absolutely true (in my somewhat limited experience with special ed classrooms). The boy obsessed with snakes, the non-verbal girl who is Livvie's friend and communicates using pictures attached to a strip with Velcro, and the other class members with their various disabilities, all are part of her world. Obviously, the school has worked with Livvie to try to teach her to control her behavior, to try to find ways to calm herself and prevent tantrums, but Livvie finds herself many times in situations where she just can't react to properly.
Which introduces the plot of the story. The family has had to move, over and over, because Livvie outlives her welcome with the landlord. Or with the neighbors. Her behavior (especially the noises and the tantrums) disturb, or frighten,then the family is evicted, and the family is on the move again.
When the story opens, they are living in a old, wornout trailer, and soon after they are being served still another eviction notice. The family must move again.
This situation rings true also. It isn't easy being poor, and I am glad this issue was explored in great detail in this book. The author took some of this from personal experience in her own childhood, and it is something well deserving of exploration. It is also obvious that the small town is dying, but the family stays there because it is familiar to their daughter...and it is so hard for people with autism to accept change. My brother in law struggles with that almost daily.
Livvie realizes this housing situation is because of her behavior (which she tries so hard to control but the control just isn't there despite her best intentions), and she comes up with a very special plan to find a new house....with the help of a factory whistle from her childhood and a dead cat. (yes, you'll have to read the book to find out how.)
The other part of the story I felt rang true was the relationship Livvie had with her two sisters. It was complicated. They loved her but there was also anger and resentment, and the complex relationships were explored as the length of the book permitted. The parents were loving and patient, and Livvie was fortunate to have grown up in a stable family. Not all children with autism (nor do all children, obviously) do.
The teachers in Livvie's life are also portrayed sympathetically. Few people realize the job that special ed teachers have - we are lucky to have these dedicated individuals. After a series of substitutes (and those scenes rang true also!) a very caring teacher enters Livvie's life and sparks change in this young adolescent.
Where did the book fail? I think, as a narrator, that there was a lot of inconsistency. Livvie (who is severely autistic and can barely read or write, although she is far from "stupid") has quite a vocabulary and command of words as narrator that just seemed inconsistent with how she was portrayed. There was also a great deal of inconsistency in how Livvie was able to understand non-verbal communication (this, incidentally, is a major challenge for people with autism.) In some instances, Livvie could not understand or "label" emotions but just a couple of minutes later would be describing quite complex emotions showing on the faces of characters. She would ponder her inability to read a certain type of emotion and several pages later, she would be reading the emotion quite well. I realize some of this was to move the story along, but to me this aspect actually distracted me from the story.
Still, in all, a most worthwhile book which I would recommend to anyone.
I understand this is a debut novel and I very much look forward to this author's future work. I've done a little reading in her blog, and she sounds like a woman I would like to meet one day. Maybe at a small town library. Like the ones in Northwest Arkansas that I frequented 30 years ago and....maybe something to blog about one day.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dandelions and singing birds in January in Upstate NY
I took a short walk around my neighborhood today and to my delight, I found two dandelion flowers in someone's lawn.
What is so delightful about this find is what made it all possible: no snow on the ground.
That's right. Upstate NY. January 4. No snow on the ground. (except in very isolated spots.)
It may drive certain people crazy, but I am thrilled.
It didn't get quite as warm (41 degrees) as it did late last week(when we reached 52) but the 52 degree weather late last week brought its own rewards: singing birds.
Anyone who denies climate change solely because of political beliefs should reconsider. Whether or not this is a normal fluctuation of our weather (which has happened before in human history) or due to ecological damage: it is here, and it is changing all of our lives. These will indeed be interesting times.
What is so delightful about this find is what made it all possible: no snow on the ground.
That's right. Upstate NY. January 4. No snow on the ground. (except in very isolated spots.)
It may drive certain people crazy, but I am thrilled.
It didn't get quite as warm (41 degrees) as it did late last week(when we reached 52) but the 52 degree weather late last week brought its own rewards: singing birds.
Anyone who denies climate change solely because of political beliefs should reconsider. Whether or not this is a normal fluctuation of our weather (which has happened before in human history) or due to ecological damage: it is here, and it is changing all of our lives. These will indeed be interesting times.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
FarmVille Chinese
Haven't posted about FarmVille in a while...have been too busy doing all the "holiday" (read "Christmas") FarmVille quests and other stuff. Now the New Year is here, I've put my "holiday" decorations into FarmVille storage, and it is time to farm. I've been in somewhat of a farming rut, and am trying to expand my crop growing into some new crops. Speaking of which-
The popular online game FarmVille has extended itself to China.
One of the premier FarmVille news sites has done their research, and found several crops unique to the Chinese version: including "caterpillar mushroom", ginseng, areca palm nut, lingzhi (a medicinal herb) and....peony.
Wouldn't it be cool if we American farmers could have these crops to celebrate the Chinese New Year. After all, this is supposed to be an international game....which I think Zynga sometimes forgets. Plus, we do have a Chinese population in this country. I went to high school with some first generation Chinese, and there are a lot of Chinese in New York City (and other population centers).
And now back to regular blogging. I've had so much to write about lately, that it ended up with me not writing about anything at all. I'll try to rectify that, although it may not be for another 2-3 days.
The popular online game FarmVille has extended itself to China.
One of the premier FarmVille news sites has done their research, and found several crops unique to the Chinese version: including "caterpillar mushroom", ginseng, areca palm nut, lingzhi (a medicinal herb) and....peony.
Wouldn't it be cool if we American farmers could have these crops to celebrate the Chinese New Year. After all, this is supposed to be an international game....which I think Zynga sometimes forgets. Plus, we do have a Chinese population in this country. I went to high school with some first generation Chinese, and there are a lot of Chinese in New York City (and other population centers).
And now back to regular blogging. I've had so much to write about lately, that it ended up with me not writing about anything at all. I'll try to rectify that, although it may not be for another 2-3 days.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Johnson City Makes the News Again-Although it Probably Wishes It Hadn't
This time the newsmaker is a former principal (and suspended assistant superintendent) of Johnson City High School. He was there as principal for some of the time my son attended, so this is of great interest to me.
Some interesting things have been happening in the Johnson City schools the last few months.
I don't know Mr. Lally personally, but I did have occasion to meet him. I've seen him make speeches, and to me he seemed very hyperactive. Apparently, the truth is a lot more sad.
At this point I don't want to comment on his case; I don't know enough to have an opinion. But I wanted to mention something about bipolar disorder.
Years ago (I am positive) I worked for a man, a small business owner, who must have been bipolar. It was an absolute nightmare. I've known a couple of people since with the disorder. One did some very good things for my son. Another one was a co worker for a very brief time.
Just as a layperson, I can tell you that anyone with this disorder is enslaved by it. And so are their families. There is so little support out there for those with mental illness and their families. It is a very sad situation. There are medications, but they have major side effects. This disorder causes so much suffering. Being a caretaker for someone with bipolar, without support, can destroy families. I've seen some of that suffering.
I can have compassion, though, because I didn't suffer at his hands as a co-worker.
I hope this comes to an end without the school district bankrupting itself. And guess what. The taxpayers will suffer,too.
Not good. Not good.
Some interesting things have been happening in the Johnson City schools the last few months.
I don't know Mr. Lally personally, but I did have occasion to meet him. I've seen him make speeches, and to me he seemed very hyperactive. Apparently, the truth is a lot more sad.
At this point I don't want to comment on his case; I don't know enough to have an opinion. But I wanted to mention something about bipolar disorder.
Years ago (I am positive) I worked for a man, a small business owner, who must have been bipolar. It was an absolute nightmare. I've known a couple of people since with the disorder. One did some very good things for my son. Another one was a co worker for a very brief time.
Just as a layperson, I can tell you that anyone with this disorder is enslaved by it. And so are their families. There is so little support out there for those with mental illness and their families. It is a very sad situation. There are medications, but they have major side effects. This disorder causes so much suffering. Being a caretaker for someone with bipolar, without support, can destroy families. I've seen some of that suffering.
I can have compassion, though, because I didn't suffer at his hands as a co-worker.
I hope this comes to an end without the school district bankrupting itself. And guess what. The taxpayers will suffer,too.
Not good. Not good.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy New Year- I hope
A week later, the smoke has cleared, the street with two burnt historic buildings remains blocked, and downtown wonders if the two buildings will be structurally sound enough to remain standing.
I pass near here every morning, and mourn the set back in the rebirth of downtown. They still don't know what started the fire, which burned through the early morning hours of last Wednesday, December 23.
I still remember the smells of traveling to work last Wednesday. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could smell smoke about 1/4 mile from downtown. By the time I got to the corner of State and Court Street, the smell was quite noticable.
There was police tape along the sidewalks, where crowds had gathered the night before to watch the fire burn. Remnants of ice from the water lined the sidewalks. Up on the roof of the former midtown mall (the building where the fire started) were some firemen. I stood there a few minutes before traveling on.
Once daybreak came, the damage was apparent. The tall red building is the Press building, once the tallest building in Binghamton, built for the local newspaper. It had only recently been renovated by a law firm, which had occupied several floors.
What a beautiful building, and it will break my heart if it has to come down.
As far as the historic Midtown Mall building.... this is what is left. The building is totally gutted from the inside.
The building on the left is the Perry Building, another gem, and apparently it survived.
I still haven't been able to get hold of the historic photos (including some of fires at the turn of the century) I wanted to post. If I get these pictures, I will post them.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, downtown.
May 2011 be happier for all of us.
I pass near here every morning, and mourn the set back in the rebirth of downtown. They still don't know what started the fire, which burned through the early morning hours of last Wednesday, December 23.
I still remember the smells of traveling to work last Wednesday. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could smell smoke about 1/4 mile from downtown. By the time I got to the corner of State and Court Street, the smell was quite noticable.
There was police tape along the sidewalks, where crowds had gathered the night before to watch the fire burn. Remnants of ice from the water lined the sidewalks. Up on the roof of the former midtown mall (the building where the fire started) were some firemen. I stood there a few minutes before traveling on.
Once daybreak came, the damage was apparent. The tall red building is the Press building, once the tallest building in Binghamton, built for the local newspaper. It had only recently been renovated by a law firm, which had occupied several floors.
What a beautiful building, and it will break my heart if it has to come down.
As far as the historic Midtown Mall building.... this is what is left. The building is totally gutted from the inside.
The building on the left is the Perry Building, another gem, and apparently it survived.
I still haven't been able to get hold of the historic photos (including some of fires at the turn of the century) I wanted to post. If I get these pictures, I will post them.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, downtown.
May 2011 be happier for all of us.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Missing Numbers
Numbers are missing in Binghamton, NY.
No, someone hasn't been stealing house numbers. Instead, as a sign of our times, our First Night celebration was cancelled. The large numbers that were posted in front of each venue used to appear in early December.
Now, these streetcorners stand empty.
No parade of merrymakers will fill the street at 6pm on New Years Eve. No horse drawn street cars will cruise the streets of downtown. No venues will be filled with music, with arts, with merrymakers. No maps, with numbers, will direct families to alcohol free entertainment.
No children's countdown at 9. No fireworks or bonfire at midnight. A friend of mine won't be entertaining.
Even the First Night organization, at one time headquartered in Binghamton, has fled (back to Boston.). Meanwhile, Southern Tier Celebrates closed its doors too, earlier this year. It almost makes you cry to read their list of past achievements to promote the arts in Binghamton.
All I can do is share some memories. When my son was younger, I had a cousin who would come up here occasionally from NYC with her family and her daughter and my son would participate in First Night with us. One year, Nickelodeon sponsored a show that was loads of fun. Another year, my son, fresh from the funeral of his grandfather, was able to enjoy a magic act and an airflight simulator. Many of those years, the temperature was hovering near zero. The streets were always filled with snow. There was at least one First Night I didn't go to because I felt it would be too icy.
I'm not a huge fan of the performing arts. I rarely go to plays and almost never to concerts. (I'd rather stay home and curl up with a book.) But I feel that communities need a celebration like First Night.
So what replaces First Night? Well, a "Studio 65" celebration (recreation of "Studio 54". It's only $85. OK, its a fundraiser. But in this era of high unemployment, Binghamton needs something else.
I never thought I would miss First Night. It's been about 4 years since I went last. I was hoping to one day be able to stay up long enough (and keep myself warm long enough) to enjoy the bonfire and fireworks. Now, I may never have that opportunity.
No, someone hasn't been stealing house numbers. Instead, as a sign of our times, our First Night celebration was cancelled. The large numbers that were posted in front of each venue used to appear in early December.
Now, these streetcorners stand empty.
No parade of merrymakers will fill the street at 6pm on New Years Eve. No horse drawn street cars will cruise the streets of downtown. No venues will be filled with music, with arts, with merrymakers. No maps, with numbers, will direct families to alcohol free entertainment.
No children's countdown at 9. No fireworks or bonfire at midnight. A friend of mine won't be entertaining.
Even the First Night organization, at one time headquartered in Binghamton, has fled (back to Boston.). Meanwhile, Southern Tier Celebrates closed its doors too, earlier this year. It almost makes you cry to read their list of past achievements to promote the arts in Binghamton.
All I can do is share some memories. When my son was younger, I had a cousin who would come up here occasionally from NYC with her family and her daughter and my son would participate in First Night with us. One year, Nickelodeon sponsored a show that was loads of fun. Another year, my son, fresh from the funeral of his grandfather, was able to enjoy a magic act and an airflight simulator. Many of those years, the temperature was hovering near zero. The streets were always filled with snow. There was at least one First Night I didn't go to because I felt it would be too icy.
I'm not a huge fan of the performing arts. I rarely go to plays and almost never to concerts. (I'd rather stay home and curl up with a book.) But I feel that communities need a celebration like First Night.
So what replaces First Night? Well, a "Studio 65" celebration (recreation of "Studio 54". It's only $85. OK, its a fundraiser. But in this era of high unemployment, Binghamton needs something else.
I never thought I would miss First Night. It's been about 4 years since I went last. I was hoping to one day be able to stay up long enough (and keep myself warm long enough) to enjoy the bonfire and fireworks. Now, I may never have that opportunity.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Jewish Songwriters and Christmas
No, I don't mean the 2007 SNL TV Funhouse short "Christmas Time for the Jews" although I thought it was very entertaining and a dead-on parody of Phil Spector songs. (It was, incidentally, sung by legendary singer Darlene Love.)
No, I'm talking about Christmas songs written by Jewish song writers. My little quest started a year ago, reading a NY Times Op Ed. There are a number of these songs, and other bloggers and writers have done the research for me: I thank them, including the wonderful people at Mental Floss and this article. (a must read).
Some may argue that these are NOT Christmas songs, but rather songs about what I would now call the "secular Christmas". True, these are not hymns. But it is true that the American celebration of Christmas incorporates many aspects of non-religious symbolism - this ground has been covered by other writers.
I consider them Christmas songs. I think, in particular, few would argue that "I'll be Home for Christmas" isn't one of the most heartfelt Christmas songs every written.
(Note, I have not done any of this research myself. I am not a musician or a music expert, just someone who likes to listen to well written music. So if I end up spreading wrong information, I apologize. I did try more than one source, but - as you well know- you can't trust everything you read on the Internet.)
1. White Christmas: Irving Berlin lived to 101, married a Catholic woman back when that type of intermarriage was extremely scandalous (to both families) and defined Christmas for entire generations of American Christians. (Incidentally, he also wrote "Easter Parade". And "God Bless America") The next time you wonder if you will be having a white Christmas, and if you can't figure out exactly why that should be so important, well....blame Bing Crosby and.... Irving Berlin.
2. Silver Bells: this one is another movie song, and talks about the bells of the Salvation Army "in the city". (I always assume it is New York City.)
3. Winter Wonderland: the author of this song was a Jewish man from Brooklyn. The air must have been a lot less polluted in those days. When I grew up a snowy day was more like a Black Crusted Snow Wasteland.
4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire): The Nat King Cole version is one of my favorite songs, ever. This brings back so many memories of the holiday season in the late 60's in midtown Manhattan and the vendors who would sell roasted chestnuts. The fragrance carried for blocks.
Jack Frost would certainly nip at your nose in NYC. The climate there is so damp, it feels way colder than it really is.
5. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow: the duo, both Jewish, who wrote that song, also wrote "The Christmas Waltz".
6. I'll be Home for Christmas. As an almost-history major in college, this song makes me think of my aunts and uncles during World War II.
And last but not least, something I picked up in my research: the other day I blogged about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It would seem that Johnny Marks, the author of that song (and also "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree") was Jewish.
So, whether secular or religious, Christian or Jew, enjoy today.
No, I'm talking about Christmas songs written by Jewish song writers. My little quest started a year ago, reading a NY Times Op Ed. There are a number of these songs, and other bloggers and writers have done the research for me: I thank them, including the wonderful people at Mental Floss and this article. (a must read).
Some may argue that these are NOT Christmas songs, but rather songs about what I would now call the "secular Christmas". True, these are not hymns. But it is true that the American celebration of Christmas incorporates many aspects of non-religious symbolism - this ground has been covered by other writers.
I consider them Christmas songs. I think, in particular, few would argue that "I'll be Home for Christmas" isn't one of the most heartfelt Christmas songs every written.
(Note, I have not done any of this research myself. I am not a musician or a music expert, just someone who likes to listen to well written music. So if I end up spreading wrong information, I apologize. I did try more than one source, but - as you well know- you can't trust everything you read on the Internet.)
1. White Christmas: Irving Berlin lived to 101, married a Catholic woman back when that type of intermarriage was extremely scandalous (to both families) and defined Christmas for entire generations of American Christians. (Incidentally, he also wrote "Easter Parade". And "God Bless America") The next time you wonder if you will be having a white Christmas, and if you can't figure out exactly why that should be so important, well....blame Bing Crosby and.... Irving Berlin.
2. Silver Bells: this one is another movie song, and talks about the bells of the Salvation Army "in the city". (I always assume it is New York City.)
3. Winter Wonderland: the author of this song was a Jewish man from Brooklyn. The air must have been a lot less polluted in those days. When I grew up a snowy day was more like a Black Crusted Snow Wasteland.
4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire): The Nat King Cole version is one of my favorite songs, ever. This brings back so many memories of the holiday season in the late 60's in midtown Manhattan and the vendors who would sell roasted chestnuts. The fragrance carried for blocks.
Jack Frost would certainly nip at your nose in NYC. The climate there is so damp, it feels way colder than it really is.
5. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow: the duo, both Jewish, who wrote that song, also wrote "The Christmas Waltz".
6. I'll be Home for Christmas. As an almost-history major in college, this song makes me think of my aunts and uncles during World War II.
And last but not least, something I picked up in my research: the other day I blogged about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It would seem that Johnny Marks, the author of that song (and also "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree") was Jewish.
So, whether secular or religious, Christian or Jew, enjoy today.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Downtown Recovers and Sings
I wanted to share a piece of Binghamton Christmas season tradition with you, in the wake of the fire we experienced Tuesday night.
Every "last day of work before Christmas" for around the past 16 years, employees of downtown employer Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York gather at noon in the marble lobby of their building to sing Christmas songs. Not only are there talented singers, but also several employees on instruments accompanying them.
Thanks to You Tube, I can share this with you. I was in the lobby for the 2010 caroling, made special by the smell of the smoke from the fire. But it didn't stop anyone. Note, the sound quality is horrible, but enjoy when the person taking the video scans the lobby.
Wouldn't it be great to work in a building like that?
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Feliz Navidad
(and no, I wasn't the one who made the video.)
Every "last day of work before Christmas" for around the past 16 years, employees of downtown employer Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York gather at noon in the marble lobby of their building to sing Christmas songs. Not only are there talented singers, but also several employees on instruments accompanying them.
Thanks to You Tube, I can share this with you. I was in the lobby for the 2010 caroling, made special by the smell of the smoke from the fire. But it didn't stop anyone. Note, the sound quality is horrible, but enjoy when the person taking the video scans the lobby.
Wouldn't it be great to work in a building like that?
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Feliz Navidad
(and no, I wasn't the one who made the video.)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Festivus
Festivus may be the only holiday created by a TV show. To be exact, a Seinfeld episode from 1997. I don't formally celebrate it, although I do know a couple of people who do. If I had to be totally honest (and you are supposed to be) I didn't even watch Seinfeld that much. But I should. Honest.
Festivus is a holiday for the "rest of us", the people burnt out by the total Overchristmasization of today's United States. And, I can identify with that more and more each year. Maybe next year I will be celebrating it. Somehow, this year I feel so tired, so......and yet I have so much to be grateful for, such as still being employed.
For those not familiar with Festivus:
Festivus is celebrated every December 23 and has several aspects.
First is the Festivus pole, always made of aluminum. It is undecorated, as opposed to a Christmas Tree. But strong.
Then is the Festivus dinner. At the beginning of the dinner is the Airing of Grievances. Each participant tells each family member and friend how that person disappointed him/her. However, if you extended this to other aspects of life...well, again it may just be my sour mood but I could really dump on some aspects of my daily life. But not family. To paraphrase, "I've got a lot of problems with certain things, and you are going to hear about it!"
I could recite a long list but basically I think our society is becoming more and more mean spirited each year. And selfish, self-absorbed and a few other things. We follow every detail of the Hollywood Stars lives, and musicians who don't even deserve the name, but we ignore those in our back yards who need friends more than ever. Our news channels have turned into entertainment news. We have lost our will to excel.
I saw a segment on CNN recently that dealt with-how much to tip your doorman!! That's news? That's relevant to most people in this country? What about unemployment, lack of medical insurance, the burgeoning national debt, our borrowing and selling ourselves to China, and boring stuff like that?
History does repeat itself, friends.
Which brings us to the last event, the Feats of Strength. After the head of the family is pinned to the ground in a match of strength, dinner is over.
Happy Festivus, I guess. Hopefully I will cheer up once the sun decides to reappear, sometime next year.
Festivus is a holiday for the "rest of us", the people burnt out by the total Overchristmasization of today's United States. And, I can identify with that more and more each year. Maybe next year I will be celebrating it. Somehow, this year I feel so tired, so......and yet I have so much to be grateful for, such as still being employed.
For those not familiar with Festivus:
Festivus is celebrated every December 23 and has several aspects.
First is the Festivus pole, always made of aluminum. It is undecorated, as opposed to a Christmas Tree. But strong.
Then is the Festivus dinner. At the beginning of the dinner is the Airing of Grievances. Each participant tells each family member and friend how that person disappointed him/her. However, if you extended this to other aspects of life...well, again it may just be my sour mood but I could really dump on some aspects of my daily life. But not family. To paraphrase, "I've got a lot of problems with certain things, and you are going to hear about it!"
I could recite a long list but basically I think our society is becoming more and more mean spirited each year. And selfish, self-absorbed and a few other things. We follow every detail of the Hollywood Stars lives, and musicians who don't even deserve the name, but we ignore those in our back yards who need friends more than ever. Our news channels have turned into entertainment news. We have lost our will to excel.
I saw a segment on CNN recently that dealt with-how much to tip your doorman!! That's news? That's relevant to most people in this country? What about unemployment, lack of medical insurance, the burgeoning national debt, our borrowing and selling ourselves to China, and boring stuff like that?
History does repeat itself, friends.
Which brings us to the last event, the Feats of Strength. After the head of the family is pinned to the ground in a match of strength, dinner is over.
Happy Festivus, I guess. Hopefully I will cheer up once the sun decides to reappear, sometime next year.
The Night They Almost Burned Old Binghamton Down
A Soggy, Not So Jolly, Christmas for Downtown Binghamton.
I delayed posting this because I was hoping to get some pictures from someone, but I probably won't be getting the pictures until next week.
Downtown Binghamton could have burned down Tuesday night.
That's an exaggeration, but not as much as an exaggeration as one might think.
The headlines could have been "The Midtown Mall, the Perry Building and the Press Building burnt down Tuesday night, along with the old Strand Theatre, and other buildings on once-historic Chenango Street". It would have served Binghamton right. This city has a long track record of disrespecting its heritage. Strong words? Well, let's see. How about the O'Neill/Ross Building, demolished several years ago in two stages after many years of vacancy and neglect - and the destruction of almost all of their Green Men.
And, let's not forget the Alms House, demolished earlier this year, unwanted by Broome Community College? (not downtown, but not completely off topic.)
So why not some instant urban renewal?
However, please don't cry just yet, Binghamton. We will get through this. (I hope).
Why didn't the block go? Because, to be blunt, they knew how to build in those days.
Thankfully, no one was hurt. And a lot of spectators enjoyed watching the firefighters labor through a cold night of fire fighting. (I arrived about 7:15 am on my way to work, and I will blog about it another time.). But one wall of the Press Building (former office and plant of our local newspaper, and the second tallest building in Binghamton) has a lot of broken windows and blackened walls - it had just been renovated itself.
So much for student housing on Court Street, at least for now. Downtown was depending so much on that for revival.
It's deja vu all over again.
This is far from the first time fire has struck downtown.
About two weeks ago, I was privileged to view some photos of turn of the century (early 20th century, that is) downtown Binghamton, taken from around 1898 to 1913. I still hope to get those pictures from a person who got them from the family. The pictures have no copyright and I am assured they can be shared freely.
Three of the pictures deal with fire. One fire wasn't all that far from Tuesday's blaze, another one was further down on Court Street. Some things never change; these fires were a spectator sport too. Just change the clothing and get rid of the color film.....
And then there was the third picture. Dressed in long dresses and heavy wool suits, the long procession wound down Court Street to honor the victims of another fire that afternoon day of July, 1913: the 33 dead in the Binghamton Clothing Company fire, which I blogged about last year.
Thankfully, this fire caught at night. What caused it? We still don't know.
But it wasn't fun breathing in that smoke at work yesterday.
I delayed posting this because I was hoping to get some pictures from someone, but I probably won't be getting the pictures until next week.
Downtown Binghamton could have burned down Tuesday night.
That's an exaggeration, but not as much as an exaggeration as one might think.
The headlines could have been "The Midtown Mall, the Perry Building and the Press Building burnt down Tuesday night, along with the old Strand Theatre, and other buildings on once-historic Chenango Street". It would have served Binghamton right. This city has a long track record of disrespecting its heritage. Strong words? Well, let's see. How about the O'Neill/Ross Building, demolished several years ago in two stages after many years of vacancy and neglect - and the destruction of almost all of their Green Men.
And, let's not forget the Alms House, demolished earlier this year, unwanted by Broome Community College? (not downtown, but not completely off topic.)
So why not some instant urban renewal?
However, please don't cry just yet, Binghamton. We will get through this. (I hope).
Why didn't the block go? Because, to be blunt, they knew how to build in those days.
Thankfully, no one was hurt. And a lot of spectators enjoyed watching the firefighters labor through a cold night of fire fighting. (I arrived about 7:15 am on my way to work, and I will blog about it another time.). But one wall of the Press Building (former office and plant of our local newspaper, and the second tallest building in Binghamton) has a lot of broken windows and blackened walls - it had just been renovated itself.
So much for student housing on Court Street, at least for now. Downtown was depending so much on that for revival.
It's deja vu all over again.
This is far from the first time fire has struck downtown.
About two weeks ago, I was privileged to view some photos of turn of the century (early 20th century, that is) downtown Binghamton, taken from around 1898 to 1913. I still hope to get those pictures from a person who got them from the family. The pictures have no copyright and I am assured they can be shared freely.
Three of the pictures deal with fire. One fire wasn't all that far from Tuesday's blaze, another one was further down on Court Street. Some things never change; these fires were a spectator sport too. Just change the clothing and get rid of the color film.....
And then there was the third picture. Dressed in long dresses and heavy wool suits, the long procession wound down Court Street to honor the victims of another fire that afternoon day of July, 1913: the 33 dead in the Binghamton Clothing Company fire, which I blogged about last year.
Thankfully, this fire caught at night. What caused it? We still don't know.
But it wasn't fun breathing in that smoke at work yesterday.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The True Rudolph
I received an email regarding the "true story of the origin of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It was a story of a man, Bob May, who created the story as a comfort to his young daughter, who was dying of cancer.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
There's a term fans of Snopes.com use for this type of tearjerker, "glurge". This email is an example of glurge. I won't copy the email here; you can find it on Snopes.com
Along with the story, is Snope's explanation of the real story of Rudolph. When you read it, you will agree that the real story is better than the "glurge" version. So I ask, why do people have to do that?
Do you remember back when many towns had a Montgomery Ward in the Mall and every year they would sell Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer books? I bought one for my son when he was a baby. And, I still have a Rudolph sweatshirt I bought at Monky Wards probably the last Christmas they were open.
For what it's worth, my memory of the book (I no longer have it) is that the story was a bit different than the story in the TV show that most of us remember. As for the origins of Rudolph....
According to Snopes, Rudolph was created as part of a Montgomery Wards advertising campaign in the 1930's. It is true a man by the name of Bob May created the character. But there was no daughter dying of cancer. The real story is actually a "better" one than the story someone made up, and I invite you to read it on their website.
Bob May's brother in law wrote the Rudolph song that Gene Autry recorded.
As a point of trivia, if Wikipedia is correct about the author of the song, he was Jewish. So was Irving Berlin, who wrote the song "White Christmas". But that is a story for another day.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
There's a term fans of Snopes.com use for this type of tearjerker, "glurge". This email is an example of glurge. I won't copy the email here; you can find it on Snopes.com
Along with the story, is Snope's explanation of the real story of Rudolph. When you read it, you will agree that the real story is better than the "glurge" version. So I ask, why do people have to do that?
Do you remember back when many towns had a Montgomery Ward in the Mall and every year they would sell Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer books? I bought one for my son when he was a baby. And, I still have a Rudolph sweatshirt I bought at Monky Wards probably the last Christmas they were open.
For what it's worth, my memory of the book (I no longer have it) is that the story was a bit different than the story in the TV show that most of us remember. As for the origins of Rudolph....
According to Snopes, Rudolph was created as part of a Montgomery Wards advertising campaign in the 1930's. It is true a man by the name of Bob May created the character. But there was no daughter dying of cancer. The real story is actually a "better" one than the story someone made up, and I invite you to read it on their website.
Bob May's brother in law wrote the Rudolph song that Gene Autry recorded.
As a point of trivia, if Wikipedia is correct about the author of the song, he was Jewish. So was Irving Berlin, who wrote the song "White Christmas". But that is a story for another day.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Northern Exposure and the Quest for the Midnight Sun
In the past year I've gotten into the TV show Northern Exposure (I had never watched it while it was on.) thanks to the local public library.
The one thing that immediately struck me was that the quality of the sunlight in "Cicely, Alaska" (the small town where the show took place) just did not seem right. I've only been to Alaska once (and that was the southeastern part, around Juneau and Ketchikan) but I will never forget how different the sunlight looked.
"Cicely" didn't have that special light character. And, for that matter, it seemed to have too much daylight in the winter period.
Never mind that they featured shows talking about the midnight sun (and the total dark) but something just didn't seem right. The scenery looked right, but.....
Well, there's a reason for that: "Cicely, Alaska" is really a small town in rural Washington by the name of Roslyn.
It really didn't spoil anything for me to know that. Instead, I have a one day "I'll go there" that may be a bit more manageable than Fairbanks. Fairbanks is almost a full day's airplane flight (actually, flights) from here, all of which seem to get there about midnight. A lot of effort. Roslyn may be a bit more doable.
So, knowing that Cicely was not in Alaska: that's what I get for my fascination with the midnight sun (and the noontime dark.) The TV detective Monk would probably be proud of me.
The one thing that immediately struck me was that the quality of the sunlight in "Cicely, Alaska" (the small town where the show took place) just did not seem right. I've only been to Alaska once (and that was the southeastern part, around Juneau and Ketchikan) but I will never forget how different the sunlight looked.
"Cicely" didn't have that special light character. And, for that matter, it seemed to have too much daylight in the winter period.
Never mind that they featured shows talking about the midnight sun (and the total dark) but something just didn't seem right. The scenery looked right, but.....
Well, there's a reason for that: "Cicely, Alaska" is really a small town in rural Washington by the name of Roslyn.
It really didn't spoil anything for me to know that. Instead, I have a one day "I'll go there" that may be a bit more manageable than Fairbanks. Fairbanks is almost a full day's airplane flight (actually, flights) from here, all of which seem to get there about midnight. A lot of effort. Roslyn may be a bit more doable.
So, knowing that Cicely was not in Alaska: that's what I get for my fascination with the midnight sun (and the noontime dark.) The TV detective Monk would probably be proud of me.
Cold and Darkness in Alaska aka The Winter Solstice
It's time for my semi annual post regarding my fascination with the midnight sun in the summer...and the lack of it during the winter. Here are the stats for Fairbanks, AK (it's about 6pm here in Upstate NY)
Today's statistics:
The weather: right now it is currently minus 13.
Today's statistics:
DECEMBER 21 2010..........SUNRISE 1059 AM AKST SUNSET 241 PM AKST
The weather: right now it is currently minus 13.
WEATHER ITEM OBSERVED TIME RECORD YEAR NORMAL DEPARTURE LAST
VALUE (LST) VALUE VALUE FROM YEAR
NORMAL
..................................................................TEMPERATURE (F) YESTERDAY MAXIMUM -21 303 AM 40 1909 3 -24 -11 MINIMUM -31 613 PM -48 1933 -16 -15 -24
More in another post.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The Soapiness of Cilantro, the Bitterness of Brocolli Rabe
It is fascinating how we differ in our perceptions, due to the differing way our senses work.
I had blogged a few days ago about how my spouse finds the smell of paperwhites very pleasant while I find it very unpleasant. The owner of a B&B we stayed in last year commented, and told me about the fact that some people find that the herb cilantro tastes like soap.
Sure enough, there are various discussions online, including an involved discussion on Chowhound.
Neither my spouse nor I find that cilantro tastes like soap but again, we have two reactions to the smell. My husband rarely uses cilantro in his food preparation because he can't stand the odor. On the other hand, I have no problem with it. (I do find the taste somewhat complex, but the first time I tried it it smelled to me like dirty socks would taste, if you were crazy enough to eat one. It did eventually grow on me.)
So what else do my spouse and I differ on, food wise?
1. Brocolli rabe, a staple of my spouse's childhood (I'm of a totally different ethnic group) is heavenly to spouse, but I can't stand it. To me it is so bitter I can't stand it. Even when it is prepared in a way that reduces the bitterness, I still taste it. I'm not the only one; one of my spouses' cousins actually "feel guilty" about disliking this ethnic staple.
2. Strong, mold-type cheeses such as bleu cheese and gorgonzola: again, I find these so bitter I can't stand them. My spouse loves them. In fact my mother in law loves them so much she will put them into salad and I've begged her to serve the cheese on the side. Sometimes she remembers and sometimes she doesn't.
When I had an aunt living in Iowa, we made trips a couple of times to the Maytag Dairy Farms near Newton, IA just so spouse could buy their blue cheese. This was before their blue cheese became a "foodie classic". But it is no classic cheese for me.
There is one other classic reaction to food that I should mention, which is the smell of people's "pee" after eating certain foods. The classic food causing that is asparagus, but there are some other foods that cause pee to smell unpleasant and/or strong. I'm told that asparagus affects everyone's pee, but not everyone can smell it. Fortunately, because both of us love asparagus, neither of us smell it.
Since foods are chemical in nature, should any of this be surprising?
I had blogged a few days ago about how my spouse finds the smell of paperwhites very pleasant while I find it very unpleasant. The owner of a B&B we stayed in last year commented, and told me about the fact that some people find that the herb cilantro tastes like soap.
Sure enough, there are various discussions online, including an involved discussion on Chowhound.
Neither my spouse nor I find that cilantro tastes like soap but again, we have two reactions to the smell. My husband rarely uses cilantro in his food preparation because he can't stand the odor. On the other hand, I have no problem with it. (I do find the taste somewhat complex, but the first time I tried it it smelled to me like dirty socks would taste, if you were crazy enough to eat one. It did eventually grow on me.)
So what else do my spouse and I differ on, food wise?
1. Brocolli rabe, a staple of my spouse's childhood (I'm of a totally different ethnic group) is heavenly to spouse, but I can't stand it. To me it is so bitter I can't stand it. Even when it is prepared in a way that reduces the bitterness, I still taste it. I'm not the only one; one of my spouses' cousins actually "feel guilty" about disliking this ethnic staple.
2. Strong, mold-type cheeses such as bleu cheese and gorgonzola: again, I find these so bitter I can't stand them. My spouse loves them. In fact my mother in law loves them so much she will put them into salad and I've begged her to serve the cheese on the side. Sometimes she remembers and sometimes she doesn't.
When I had an aunt living in Iowa, we made trips a couple of times to the Maytag Dairy Farms near Newton, IA just so spouse could buy their blue cheese. This was before their blue cheese became a "foodie classic". But it is no classic cheese for me.
There is one other classic reaction to food that I should mention, which is the smell of people's "pee" after eating certain foods. The classic food causing that is asparagus, but there are some other foods that cause pee to smell unpleasant and/or strong. I'm told that asparagus affects everyone's pee, but not everyone can smell it. Fortunately, because both of us love asparagus, neither of us smell it.
Since foods are chemical in nature, should any of this be surprising?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Ah, Those Good Old Internet Days
A Stephen Colbert skit a couple of nights ago reminded me about a special anniversary today.
Fourteen years ago today (1996) I treated myself to a special present: my first computer. A smart phone today is probably more powerful. This beauty, a black Toshiba desktop, set me back (with service contract) nearly $2,000. Its Pentium I 133Mhz processor, 1.6 GB hard drive and 16 MB of Ram were state of the art. It ran Windows 95.
My son still owns it. It's part of his unofficial electronics museum.
Approximately one month later, I went online for the first time, using CompuServe. The browser was Mosaic. It used a 14,400 bps modem to access the Internet. In those days, Internet service was dialup, and not only that, providers charged by the hour.
This is what the Yahoo site looked like in January of 1997. This is the Weather Channel site in April of 1997.
This was the home page for eBay later that year.
It is hard to remember the Internet of early 1997. Many sites were basically text oriented. It took time for those pages to load. I wasn't exactly an online pioneer, but it sure seems like it now.
I even still have my very first email stored. It was request for information to find out how to build a potato "battery". That's what happens when you have a science oriented son.
I was the last generation who knew more about computers than their young son.
Hearing the sound of a modem in that Colbert skit really brought back old memories.
Fourteen years ago today (1996) I treated myself to a special present: my first computer. A smart phone today is probably more powerful. This beauty, a black Toshiba desktop, set me back (with service contract) nearly $2,000. Its Pentium I 133Mhz processor, 1.6 GB hard drive and 16 MB of Ram were state of the art. It ran Windows 95.
My son still owns it. It's part of his unofficial electronics museum.
Approximately one month later, I went online for the first time, using CompuServe. The browser was Mosaic. It used a 14,400 bps modem to access the Internet. In those days, Internet service was dialup, and not only that, providers charged by the hour.
This is what the Yahoo site looked like in January of 1997. This is the Weather Channel site in April of 1997.
This was the home page for eBay later that year.
It is hard to remember the Internet of early 1997. Many sites were basically text oriented. It took time for those pages to load. I wasn't exactly an online pioneer, but it sure seems like it now.
I even still have my very first email stored. It was request for information to find out how to build a potato "battery". That's what happens when you have a science oriented son.
I was the last generation who knew more about computers than their young son.
Hearing the sound of a modem in that Colbert skit really brought back old memories.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Pitching Now-from the Other Side of the Grass
Say it ain't so.
Tell me that the powerful 90 year old man I saw trot to the pitching mound at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY on Fathers Day, 2009 hasn't left the stadium for good.
Tell me that he will come back next year, as he had promised the fans, to pitch again. Tell me he will delight another cohort of young boys and girls outside of Doubleday Field, waiting for him to come and sign their baseballs, even though the era he pitched in was, to them, just a historical footnote.
No, please don't tell me that Bob Feller, a young 92, lost his battle with leukemia yesterday.
When that crowd, and I, saw him trot to the mound, that day in 2009, I knew I was blessed to be there. I felt goosebumps. Chilled, I'm sure I forgot to breathe as thousands in the stadium, gave him a standing ovation.
Why did we all feel that way, about the man from Van Meter, Iowa, the farmer's son?
Have you ever seen the move Field of Dreams? I visited, back in 1995, the site where the movie was filmed, a farm in Northeast Iowa.
Bob Feller's father built the original Field of Dreams, there on his farm near Van Meter, Iowa. Not the movie field, which is over a hundred miles away, but a real Field of Dreams, for his son. And eventually he built bleachers and charged admission, for his son was so good as a young teen that people would pay the princely sum of 25 cents to watch him pitch.
Rapid Robert spent his entire career with one team, the Cleveland Indians. If World War II had not interrupted his career....well, a lot of men of that era had their careers interrupted. But not too many of them volunteered for service the day after Pearl Harbor, and immediately asked to be placed into combat. He served on the USS Alabama. As it was, he pitched for 18 seasons. And not one game featured the type of pitching you find today, with a pitcher rarely seeing a full game. No, this was industrial strength pitching.
I can imagine what Bob Feller, farm strong, would have thought about pitch counting.
Three no hitters, three more than the entire NY Mets during their 48 year history.
It's a cliche, but they just don't make them like that anymore. Goodbye, Rapid Robert. I was so lucky to be able to see you pitch. I will always remember you.
Tell me that the powerful 90 year old man I saw trot to the pitching mound at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY on Fathers Day, 2009 hasn't left the stadium for good.
Tell me that he will come back next year, as he had promised the fans, to pitch again. Tell me he will delight another cohort of young boys and girls outside of Doubleday Field, waiting for him to come and sign their baseballs, even though the era he pitched in was, to them, just a historical footnote.
No, please don't tell me that Bob Feller, a young 92, lost his battle with leukemia yesterday.
When that crowd, and I, saw him trot to the mound, that day in 2009, I knew I was blessed to be there. I felt goosebumps. Chilled, I'm sure I forgot to breathe as thousands in the stadium, gave him a standing ovation.
Why did we all feel that way, about the man from Van Meter, Iowa, the farmer's son?
Have you ever seen the move Field of Dreams? I visited, back in 1995, the site where the movie was filmed, a farm in Northeast Iowa.
Bob Feller's father built the original Field of Dreams, there on his farm near Van Meter, Iowa. Not the movie field, which is over a hundred miles away, but a real Field of Dreams, for his son. And eventually he built bleachers and charged admission, for his son was so good as a young teen that people would pay the princely sum of 25 cents to watch him pitch.
Rapid Robert spent his entire career with one team, the Cleveland Indians. If World War II had not interrupted his career....well, a lot of men of that era had their careers interrupted. But not too many of them volunteered for service the day after Pearl Harbor, and immediately asked to be placed into combat. He served on the USS Alabama. As it was, he pitched for 18 seasons. And not one game featured the type of pitching you find today, with a pitcher rarely seeing a full game. No, this was industrial strength pitching.
I can imagine what Bob Feller, farm strong, would have thought about pitch counting.
Three no hitters, three more than the entire NY Mets during their 48 year history.
It's a cliche, but they just don't make them like that anymore. Goodbye, Rapid Robert. I was so lucky to be able to see you pitch. I will always remember you.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Scent of Paperwhites
Every gardening season has its surprises.
I've wanted, for years, to try to grow paperwhites. These are bulb flowers that are not hardy in our area, and would die if we tried to overwinter them. But instead, many northerners choose to grow them around Christmastime, indoors. They bloom once, and then you have to get rid of them.
I was looking forward to smelling their strong, sweet, fragrance.
So this year, I decided to grow them. I bought three bulbs at a nursery, brought them home, (I already knew I had a suitable pot-wide and shallow) found some colored gravel from a long-ago crafts project, dug them in, watered, left them in the dark for about two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, they had sprouted, and I brought them into the light.
Yes, they were easy. And I didn't even have to stake them.
They've been blooming a bit over a week now and: the scent is strong. Yes, as advertised, it can fill a room.
My spouse loves the scent.
I can't stand it. To me, it smells kind of industrial, with an undertone of manure. What a disappointment! But the flowers are pretty, and I do take them off the windowsill from time to time so that spouse can enjoy it.
Was it just me? Do I have a strange sense of smell? (I can't stand the scent of Russian Olive tree flowers, either- a scent that my spouse absolutely adores.)
No, it isn't me. I'm not alone.
Apparently (if the article I am linking to is correct) about a quarter of the population has a problem with the scent of paperwhites, at least the mass produced ones. I noticed that the local supermarket was selling a variety called "Ziva". What the nursery sold me, I do not know.
So, you can really be surprised sometime. Yes, they were easy. Yes, they were pretty. But would I grow them again? I don't think so, unless I can find one of the varieties that allegedly are more tolerable to those like me.
I've wanted, for years, to try to grow paperwhites. These are bulb flowers that are not hardy in our area, and would die if we tried to overwinter them. But instead, many northerners choose to grow them around Christmastime, indoors. They bloom once, and then you have to get rid of them.
I was looking forward to smelling their strong, sweet, fragrance.
So this year, I decided to grow them. I bought three bulbs at a nursery, brought them home, (I already knew I had a suitable pot-wide and shallow) found some colored gravel from a long-ago crafts project, dug them in, watered, left them in the dark for about two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, they had sprouted, and I brought them into the light.
Yes, they were easy. And I didn't even have to stake them.
They've been blooming a bit over a week now and: the scent is strong. Yes, as advertised, it can fill a room.
My spouse loves the scent.
I can't stand it. To me, it smells kind of industrial, with an undertone of manure. What a disappointment! But the flowers are pretty, and I do take them off the windowsill from time to time so that spouse can enjoy it.
Was it just me? Do I have a strange sense of smell? (I can't stand the scent of Russian Olive tree flowers, either- a scent that my spouse absolutely adores.)
No, it isn't me. I'm not alone.
Apparently (if the article I am linking to is correct) about a quarter of the population has a problem with the scent of paperwhites, at least the mass produced ones. I noticed that the local supermarket was selling a variety called "Ziva". What the nursery sold me, I do not know.
So, you can really be surprised sometime. Yes, they were easy. Yes, they were pretty. But would I grow them again? I don't think so, unless I can find one of the varieties that allegedly are more tolerable to those like me.
Monday, December 6, 2010
My Annual "Why do I live here" Lament
Winter. It's here. Not on the calendar yet, but snow coats the sidewalk. Even the snowglobe effect of snow twirling in the air can't defrost my heart. Winter. I hate it. I am grateful, though, that I don't live in Syracuse. Several of my co workers do. As of early afternoon they had over 13 inches of snow on the ground. Yes, it could be worse.
Blowing, shivery winds make me doubt my sanity for ever moving from Florida in the mid 1970's. Were the palmetto bugs ever that bad? Or the hot humid summers? Shouldn't I have stayed? Why didn't I chose somewhere with less snow? Less gloom? More sunny winter days?
My snowbird neighbors have finally left for the great South. Maybe they secretly laugh at us, we who stay up here.
Winter. For the rest of this month, Christmas lights light up the night, and pointsettias brighten our homes. But soon the cookies and eggnog will disappear and the lights will come down, leaving us only with the pointless short winter days.
Perhaps it is time for me to direct my thoughts, northward, towards Fairbanks. It is dark there right now and 12 below zero. This morning their low was 23 below. They are down to 4 hours and 18 minutes of daylight.
Winter and upstate NY. Why did I ever move here?
But then I open the refrigerator and spy the half-full jug of local Purity Eggnog, the best eggnog on earth. I eat the local apples still crisp from the fall harvest. I think of the local goat cheese waiting to be cut and eaten. I remember what is good about upstate NY.
But I still hate winter.
Blowing, shivery winds make me doubt my sanity for ever moving from Florida in the mid 1970's. Were the palmetto bugs ever that bad? Or the hot humid summers? Shouldn't I have stayed? Why didn't I chose somewhere with less snow? Less gloom? More sunny winter days?
My snowbird neighbors have finally left for the great South. Maybe they secretly laugh at us, we who stay up here.
Winter. For the rest of this month, Christmas lights light up the night, and pointsettias brighten our homes. But soon the cookies and eggnog will disappear and the lights will come down, leaving us only with the pointless short winter days.
Perhaps it is time for me to direct my thoughts, northward, towards Fairbanks. It is dark there right now and 12 below zero. This morning their low was 23 below. They are down to 4 hours and 18 minutes of daylight.
Winter and upstate NY. Why did I ever move here?
But then I open the refrigerator and spy the half-full jug of local Purity Eggnog, the best eggnog on earth. I eat the local apples still crisp from the fall harvest. I think of the local goat cheese waiting to be cut and eaten. I remember what is good about upstate NY.
But I still hate winter.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Driving the Dream
Since joining Facebook I've gotten to know some people I haven't seen in years, but communicated with through e-mail, in a whole different way. I've learned a lot reading their posts. I know that, of people close to my age: one dances the tango, one runs in marathons, another travels the world on business.
So, all that being true, why shouldn't I think about doing something I've dreamed about since being a teenager?
I mean dream literally, as in sleep dreams.
In those dreams, I would be ...somewhere. Somewhere, walking with purpose.
In these dreams, I would be in the middle of a walk across the United States. As dreams go, there was no beginning, there was only the "walk in progress". I figure I'd have these dreams several times a year. And then, one day, the dreams stopped. Strangely, my spouse had these types of dreams too, except he would be running.
When you are young, you up and do something, no fear, sometimes no planning. As someone almost a "senior",the mind works differently-that's both good, and bad.
Good, because you know you have to plan.
Bad, because you can be too easily scared. Or overwhelmed by details. Or, feeling the aching knee or the hurting ankle, wonder what the heck is possessing you. Or looking in the mirror and seeing the weight that wasn't there when you were a teen, and knowing you have a bad back, that can cause some self-pity too. Arthritis can slow you down a little.
Well, right after Thanksgiving, something happened. The day after Thanksgiving, two of my spouses' cousins climbed into a moving truck and drove from South Florida to Southern California. It took them about a week. They stopped in various places and did sightseeing: New Orleans, Austin. They posted pictures as they went, via their mobile phone, on Facebook.
If I had done that walk across the country when I was young, but assuming I was young today and not in the 60's, I would have posted those pictures, too. And in fact, earlier this year, a group of young people from the Rochester, NY area did just that, when they walked across the country in an undertaking called "Walk the Dream". I followed them on Facebook, just as I followed my cousins in law in their drive.
Now, it's my turn.
Do I take up the challenge? It doesn't have to be a cross country walk. It could be (walking) a 1/2 marathon. The point is, at my age the saying "use ir or lose it" is so true. I must not lose my sense of wanting to do something I have dreamed about for years. It isn't too late. I know I won't do it tomorrow, as winter closes in. But I must keep this dream burning bright.
So, all that being true, why shouldn't I think about doing something I've dreamed about since being a teenager?
I mean dream literally, as in sleep dreams.
In those dreams, I would be ...somewhere. Somewhere, walking with purpose.
In these dreams, I would be in the middle of a walk across the United States. As dreams go, there was no beginning, there was only the "walk in progress". I figure I'd have these dreams several times a year. And then, one day, the dreams stopped. Strangely, my spouse had these types of dreams too, except he would be running.
When you are young, you up and do something, no fear, sometimes no planning. As someone almost a "senior",the mind works differently-that's both good, and bad.
Good, because you know you have to plan.
Bad, because you can be too easily scared. Or overwhelmed by details. Or, feeling the aching knee or the hurting ankle, wonder what the heck is possessing you. Or looking in the mirror and seeing the weight that wasn't there when you were a teen, and knowing you have a bad back, that can cause some self-pity too. Arthritis can slow you down a little.
Well, right after Thanksgiving, something happened. The day after Thanksgiving, two of my spouses' cousins climbed into a moving truck and drove from South Florida to Southern California. It took them about a week. They stopped in various places and did sightseeing: New Orleans, Austin. They posted pictures as they went, via their mobile phone, on Facebook.
If I had done that walk across the country when I was young, but assuming I was young today and not in the 60's, I would have posted those pictures, too. And in fact, earlier this year, a group of young people from the Rochester, NY area did just that, when they walked across the country in an undertaking called "Walk the Dream". I followed them on Facebook, just as I followed my cousins in law in their drive.
Now, it's my turn.
Do I take up the challenge? It doesn't have to be a cross country walk. It could be (walking) a 1/2 marathon. The point is, at my age the saying "use ir or lose it" is so true. I must not lose my sense of wanting to do something I have dreamed about for years. It isn't too late. I know I won't do it tomorrow, as winter closes in. But I must keep this dream burning bright.
Friday, December 3, 2010
I'm Swimming in Lake OldSchool
I have never blogged about my job before. I'm not going to (specifically) but I had such a frustrating day today that I want to talk about workplace tensions (and differences in expectation) between babyboomers and people in their 20's and early 30's.
Someone I know, when that person talks to friends about this difference in outlook and attitude says we babyboomers are "swimming in Lake OldSchool".
On one level I realize people in their 20's and early 30's grew up in a totally different world than people in their 50's and early 60's. I have more in common with Greatest Generation people 15 years older than me than people even 15 years younger than me.
I grew up in a world where there was no internet, where employer and employee both expected loyalty (that one is totally gone) toward each other, where people were expected to take transfers without complaint, where women stayed home to raise their children (is this beginning to sound like Mad Men?), where a person was expected to take pride in their job.
Younger employees march to a beat of a totally different drummer. They walk in the door and wonder why they aren't CEO in three months. They seem so needy....needy for constant praise and reinforcement. They want a prize for every tiny accomplishment. There's no respect for authority. (I know, there is some type of cosmic justice about that, considering that we baby boomers were "questioning authority" in the 1960's and telling each other not to "trust anyone over 30".) I see the young people take to office technology like ducks to water, but then stare blankly when you expect them to understand concepts that aren't technology related. They want to be challenged, but can't seem to understand that everything can't be fun, that what they are doing is called "Work" for a reason.
Because my college major was anthropology, this normally would be fascinating to me. However, I am trying not to drown in Lake OldSchool. I know that my generation will be gone from the workplace in a few years (or maybe not, if Social Security disappears), and these employees are going to take over. Yes, I know it, because at work the people of my generation are constantly reminded that we are obsolete.
It's not just me. I did a very short websearch and found entire books have been written on this workplace tension, including tomes devoted to managers who have to work with this generation gap. However, the prevailing attitude of these books towards baby boomers seems to be "you're on your way out, so suck it up".
So that means that the values of baby boomers are not worthwhile? That values of wanting to give good value to an employer willing to pay for a day's work are obsolete? That we should not point out to young ones that they are expected to work rather than surf the net and text each other? Since when were young people granted a right to verbally abuse older coworkers because they are young and will own the workplace one day?
I don't think this is the "generation gap" of Socrates.
I don't think it is immaturity.
It is something else, a physical change in the brain. Think that is far fetched?
When I was young, I was a big fan of science fiction. There is a 1943 science fiction story called "Mimsy Were the Borogoves." I think about that story a lot lately, although I havn't read it in many years.
If you are interested in tension between our two generations, you may want to hunt down this story and read it.
That is what we are facing, and it isn't going to get better for people my age.
So what do we do about it, without losing our sanity?
Someone I know, when that person talks to friends about this difference in outlook and attitude says we babyboomers are "swimming in Lake OldSchool".
On one level I realize people in their 20's and early 30's grew up in a totally different world than people in their 50's and early 60's. I have more in common with Greatest Generation people 15 years older than me than people even 15 years younger than me.
I grew up in a world where there was no internet, where employer and employee both expected loyalty (that one is totally gone) toward each other, where people were expected to take transfers without complaint, where women stayed home to raise their children (is this beginning to sound like Mad Men?), where a person was expected to take pride in their job.
Younger employees march to a beat of a totally different drummer. They walk in the door and wonder why they aren't CEO in three months. They seem so needy....needy for constant praise and reinforcement. They want a prize for every tiny accomplishment. There's no respect for authority. (I know, there is some type of cosmic justice about that, considering that we baby boomers were "questioning authority" in the 1960's and telling each other not to "trust anyone over 30".) I see the young people take to office technology like ducks to water, but then stare blankly when you expect them to understand concepts that aren't technology related. They want to be challenged, but can't seem to understand that everything can't be fun, that what they are doing is called "Work" for a reason.
Because my college major was anthropology, this normally would be fascinating to me. However, I am trying not to drown in Lake OldSchool. I know that my generation will be gone from the workplace in a few years (or maybe not, if Social Security disappears), and these employees are going to take over. Yes, I know it, because at work the people of my generation are constantly reminded that we are obsolete.
It's not just me. I did a very short websearch and found entire books have been written on this workplace tension, including tomes devoted to managers who have to work with this generation gap. However, the prevailing attitude of these books towards baby boomers seems to be "you're on your way out, so suck it up".
So that means that the values of baby boomers are not worthwhile? That values of wanting to give good value to an employer willing to pay for a day's work are obsolete? That we should not point out to young ones that they are expected to work rather than surf the net and text each other? Since when were young people granted a right to verbally abuse older coworkers because they are young and will own the workplace one day?
I don't think this is the "generation gap" of Socrates.
I don't think it is immaturity.
It is something else, a physical change in the brain. Think that is far fetched?
When I was young, I was a big fan of science fiction. There is a 1943 science fiction story called "Mimsy Were the Borogoves." I think about that story a lot lately, although I havn't read it in many years.
If you are interested in tension between our two generations, you may want to hunt down this story and read it.
That is what we are facing, and it isn't going to get better for people my age.
So what do we do about it, without losing our sanity?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Koinonia Farms and Social Justice in Georgia
The deep South state of Georgia. Land of plantations, flowering cherries, southern belles, a long history of slavery followed by more years of racial inequality, and......
Jimmy Carter?
Habitat for Humanity?
One of the "birthplaces" of the movements for racial equality?
What's up with this area around Americus? How did it give birth to champions of racial equality, of service to mankind?
Sometimes, things just aren't what they seem to be. Thanks to owners of a bed and breakfast in Americus, we saw a part of Georgia that many never get to see.
Off of Highway 49 near Americus is a most fascinating rural community by the name of Koinonia. In the 1940's, two families founded a Christian community. Their neighbors were mainly black sharecroppers and tenant farmers. At first, they were welcome. But later, because of their preaching of racial equality and a seeking of partnership of black and white in active living of their Christian beliefs, they were rejected by their white neighbors.
So rejected that they had to resort to mail order in order to sell their produce. Even today, you can mail order pecans, chocolate and other goodies from them.
I am told that some of their peanuts go into major brands of peanut butter. So, you may have eaten their peanuts growing up, and even now.
During the 1950's, Koinonia withstood attacks from white supremest organizations, something that deserves the label of "terrorism". Many families left. The story, told from the Koinonia viewpoint, is on their website.
Habitat for Humanity grew from this movement, but I am told that the story is a bit more complex than the way it is described on Koinonia's website. I will not pass judgment on that.
So what did we see when we visited Koinonia back in March? We dropped in totally uninvited and after some waiting around were welcomed by a young man. (If you visit, please keep in mind that this is a working Christian community, not a tourist attraction!) He gave us a brief tour of the grounds, showing us the pecan groves. We spent a lot of time in the harvesting shed. We were shown the machinery, including some with modifications created by the group and chatted for a bit. The young man patiently answered our questions.
Much of the harvesting of the pecans is done by volunteers. We were invited to come back for harvest time.
I would not call it a "commune"-that word has certain undertones that do not apply here. This is a very deeply religious community. Their co-founder, Clarence Jordan, wrote what today is called the "Cotton Patch gospel". (The Cotton Patch Gospel is a retelling of the Gospel according to Matthew, as if it had taken place in Southern Georgia. It remains controversal in some communities.) The bed and breakfast we stayed in had a VHS tape which would have given us more information, but we did not have time to view it.
They follow organic practices where possible. Not all products they sell are theirs but, for example, their chocolate is Fair Trade, pursuant to their beliefs in social justice.
We were invited to stay for lunch with the other farm residents, which we declined. If I had been more religious I may have accepted. But we did buy papershell pecans, which are a treat we can not buy up here in upstate NY.
Incidentally, they have a very nice holiday catalog, if you enjoy nuts, social justice, and a slice of Georgia many people are totally unaware of, please consider buying some of their holiday gifts. They are priced right, and you are supporting a fascinating piece of Southern history.
Jimmy Carter?
Habitat for Humanity?
One of the "birthplaces" of the movements for racial equality?
What's up with this area around Americus? How did it give birth to champions of racial equality, of service to mankind?
Sometimes, things just aren't what they seem to be. Thanks to owners of a bed and breakfast in Americus, we saw a part of Georgia that many never get to see.
Off of Highway 49 near Americus is a most fascinating rural community by the name of Koinonia. In the 1940's, two families founded a Christian community. Their neighbors were mainly black sharecroppers and tenant farmers. At first, they were welcome. But later, because of their preaching of racial equality and a seeking of partnership of black and white in active living of their Christian beliefs, they were rejected by their white neighbors.
So rejected that they had to resort to mail order in order to sell their produce. Even today, you can mail order pecans, chocolate and other goodies from them.
I am told that some of their peanuts go into major brands of peanut butter. So, you may have eaten their peanuts growing up, and even now.
During the 1950's, Koinonia withstood attacks from white supremest organizations, something that deserves the label of "terrorism". Many families left. The story, told from the Koinonia viewpoint, is on their website.
Habitat for Humanity grew from this movement, but I am told that the story is a bit more complex than the way it is described on Koinonia's website. I will not pass judgment on that.
So what did we see when we visited Koinonia back in March? We dropped in totally uninvited and after some waiting around were welcomed by a young man. (If you visit, please keep in mind that this is a working Christian community, not a tourist attraction!) He gave us a brief tour of the grounds, showing us the pecan groves. We spent a lot of time in the harvesting shed. We were shown the machinery, including some with modifications created by the group and chatted for a bit. The young man patiently answered our questions.
Much of the harvesting of the pecans is done by volunteers. We were invited to come back for harvest time.
I would not call it a "commune"-that word has certain undertones that do not apply here. This is a very deeply religious community. Their co-founder, Clarence Jordan, wrote what today is called the "Cotton Patch gospel". (The Cotton Patch Gospel is a retelling of the Gospel according to Matthew, as if it had taken place in Southern Georgia. It remains controversal in some communities.) The bed and breakfast we stayed in had a VHS tape which would have given us more information, but we did not have time to view it.
They follow organic practices where possible. Not all products they sell are theirs but, for example, their chocolate is Fair Trade, pursuant to their beliefs in social justice.
We were invited to stay for lunch with the other farm residents, which we declined. If I had been more religious I may have accepted. But we did buy papershell pecans, which are a treat we can not buy up here in upstate NY.
Incidentally, they have a very nice holiday catalog, if you enjoy nuts, social justice, and a slice of Georgia many people are totally unaware of, please consider buying some of their holiday gifts. They are priced right, and you are supporting a fascinating piece of Southern history.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Almost a White Thanksgiving
Unusual Thanksgiving.
We normally travel to my mother in law, 150 miles away. This year we stayed home because we knew our son was going to have to work. Turns out though, due to his schedule, he decided to come tomorrow. So we recent empty nesters were suddenly home for Thanksgiving, the two of us.
The forecast was for light snow turning to freezing rain and sleet, so we were happy we didn't have to travel. Instead, we decided to do things early before the weather got started.
In no particular order, we looked at Black Friday ads, walked 3 miles, shopped at K-Mart for my Angel Tree giftee, bought a new printer online after a lot of comparison shopping, and now to cross my fingers that it is a good one. And guess what? We got the snow, but it was in the upper thirties and so we never got the other stuff and the snow never stuck. Big sigh of relief.
I played some FarmVille. I made whole berry cranberry sauce with a hint of lime zest. (yummy). We had a relatively late dinner. Dear spouse managed to dump all the gravy drippings down the sink (don't ask how) but managed to salvage a small amount from the pan. Our next door neighbor gave us an old bottle of wine (in his 80's, he is under cardiologist orders not to drink any more) from his young wine-making days. We had that and some sparkling grape juice, as our beverages.
We are still unsure exactly what we are going to be doing tomorrow for Black Friday. I did a lot of comparison shopping on the various Black Friday websites, but I still don't even know what I want to get anyone as gifts.
I think I am just.....tired. But very thankful, for a lot of things. Thankful that I have a roof over my head, a spouse that I want to spend time with, a full freezer, a spouse who cooks, a warm house smelling of holiday, and a son who will be having dinner with us tomorrow. The Purity eggnog from Ithaca we bought last Sunday is waiting for him, along with magic cookie bars I baked yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
We normally travel to my mother in law, 150 miles away. This year we stayed home because we knew our son was going to have to work. Turns out though, due to his schedule, he decided to come tomorrow. So we recent empty nesters were suddenly home for Thanksgiving, the two of us.
The forecast was for light snow turning to freezing rain and sleet, so we were happy we didn't have to travel. Instead, we decided to do things early before the weather got started.
In no particular order, we looked at Black Friday ads, walked 3 miles, shopped at K-Mart for my Angel Tree giftee, bought a new printer online after a lot of comparison shopping, and now to cross my fingers that it is a good one. And guess what? We got the snow, but it was in the upper thirties and so we never got the other stuff and the snow never stuck. Big sigh of relief.
I played some FarmVille. I made whole berry cranberry sauce with a hint of lime zest. (yummy). We had a relatively late dinner. Dear spouse managed to dump all the gravy drippings down the sink (don't ask how) but managed to salvage a small amount from the pan. Our next door neighbor gave us an old bottle of wine (in his 80's, he is under cardiologist orders not to drink any more) from his young wine-making days. We had that and some sparkling grape juice, as our beverages.
We are still unsure exactly what we are going to be doing tomorrow for Black Friday. I did a lot of comparison shopping on the various Black Friday websites, but I still don't even know what I want to get anyone as gifts.
I think I am just.....tired. But very thankful, for a lot of things. Thankful that I have a roof over my head, a spouse that I want to spend time with, a full freezer, a spouse who cooks, a warm house smelling of holiday, and a son who will be having dinner with us tomorrow. The Purity eggnog from Ithaca we bought last Sunday is waiting for him, along with magic cookie bars I baked yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Habitat for Humanity: Happy Thanksgiving
Today, of course, is the American Thanksgiving. On this day of giving thanks we should pause. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have jobs and family, and a warm home should take the time to think of those who don't.
In our March trip to Americus, Georgia, we visited Habitat for Humanity headquarters. This worthy organization is well known for its support of decent, affordable housing both in this country and overseas.
Besides the headquarters, on the grounds is what could be best described as a "slum theme park".
The first two pictures are recreations of representative "before" pictures. The final picture shows Habitat for Humanity housing solutions. All solutions are sensitive to native cultural requirements. For example, where a culture would encourage a family to live in one common room, that is what Habitat will build for them.
Clustered around some of the "after" examples were people visiting from other countries, examining the exhibits closely.
Our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity has posted examples of the work they have done in our community.
A long way from a small town in Georgia to the Triple Cities. But the Americus, Georgia area is even more remarkable than that, as I will explore in another post.
In our March trip to Americus, Georgia, we visited Habitat for Humanity headquarters. This worthy organization is well known for its support of decent, affordable housing both in this country and overseas.
Besides the headquarters, on the grounds is what could be best described as a "slum theme park".
The first two pictures are recreations of representative "before" pictures. The final picture shows Habitat for Humanity housing solutions. All solutions are sensitive to native cultural requirements. For example, where a culture would encourage a family to live in one common room, that is what Habitat will build for them.
Clustered around some of the "after" examples were people visiting from other countries, examining the exhibits closely.
Our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity has posted examples of the work they have done in our community.
A long way from a small town in Georgia to the Triple Cities. But the Americus, Georgia area is even more remarkable than that, as I will explore in another post.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Day that So Few People Remember
November 22.
For an entire generation, that day defined us: the day President Kennedy was assassinated. We can all tell you, we people of my generation, exactly where we were and what we were doing.
So can another generation for December 7, and still another generation who remembers January 28. And finally, for my son's generation, that day is September 11.
For my spouse, in elementary school, the school announced it just shortly before the school bus boarding time. My spouse was in the school library waiting for the bus.
Me, I was home with a broken leg (being home instructed by the NYC schools). My mother had left me to go shopping and came back, sobbing. She turned on the TV and that's how I found out.
But my generation is fading away and the December 7 "greatest generation" loses more and more of its members daily. January 28 generation (1986, Challenger explosion) will fade. And yes, even September 11, 2001. Time is the one thing common to all of us mortals. It moves too quickly, the older you get.
The sad thing is, for my son's children, when they come, there will come a day to remember, too.
For an entire generation, that day defined us: the day President Kennedy was assassinated. We can all tell you, we people of my generation, exactly where we were and what we were doing.
So can another generation for December 7, and still another generation who remembers January 28. And finally, for my son's generation, that day is September 11.
For my spouse, in elementary school, the school announced it just shortly before the school bus boarding time. My spouse was in the school library waiting for the bus.
Me, I was home with a broken leg (being home instructed by the NYC schools). My mother had left me to go shopping and came back, sobbing. She turned on the TV and that's how I found out.
But my generation is fading away and the December 7 "greatest generation" loses more and more of its members daily. January 28 generation (1986, Challenger explosion) will fade. And yes, even September 11, 2001. Time is the one thing common to all of us mortals. It moves too quickly, the older you get.
The sad thing is, for my son's children, when they come, there will come a day to remember, too.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Guardian Holiday Angels and Bronx Memories
The Guardian Angels are coming to town. More specifically, Binghamton. And Johnson City. And Vestal.
I know this organization has been somewhat controversal but I for one am very happy to see them come. Here's why....
I've blogged several times, but not lately, about my growing up in the Bronx. By the time the early 1970's came, the neighborhood I had spent almost my entire life was, to put it bluntly, a shambles. Gangs (especially the Black Spades in my neighborhood, the Savage Skulls elsewhere, plus some other gangs), owned the streets The halls and stairways of the apartment building I lived in were covered in graffiti. People urinated in the elevators. People threw trash out the windows. Gunshots occasionally echoed through the night. It was not a good time, to put it mildly, for the many decent people in that neighborhood attempting to survive.
A "Tenants Patrol" blessed by the police tried to turn the tide. But there wasn't much we could do. (one day I might write about this but I want to emphasize I was a very small part of this effort.). Meanwhile....
There was a manager of a McDonalds on Fordham Road by the name of Curtis Sliwa. He saw what was going on around him and started neighborhood patrols. These grew into an organization called the Guardian Angels. This much is undisputed.
Yes, he is controversial. A lot of people call him a fake. He has been a radio talk show host for many years. He makes good money giving speeches. People have accused him of many things, which I can not pass judgment on. But the fact is, he started out as someone on the front lines, in a retail business, and saw a lot more of some of the same things I did. What did we both see? That neighborhoods can go bad, and can go bad quicker than the blink of an eye, if the people who live in them do not fight back.
Quickly. In the blink of an eye. If people do not face up to what is happening and try to make excuses, turn a blind eye. It's a scary thing, that facing up. It takes courage.
And now, the Guardian Angels are coming to Binghamton and other surrounding communities. People are volunteering to join them. I get the distinct impression that the Binghamton police are not thrilled about this. Maybe because it causes a recognition that Binghamton is not what it used to be. Folks, we have to recognize that, even if we don't want to. Blame it on people coming from NYC, blame it on drugs, blame it on whatever you want, things have changed.
And that is why the Guardian Angels are here. And, if I see you walking down the street in downtown Binghamton or downtown Johnson City, I am going to smile, and be grateful you are here. At least for now.
I know this organization has been somewhat controversal but I for one am very happy to see them come. Here's why....
I've blogged several times, but not lately, about my growing up in the Bronx. By the time the early 1970's came, the neighborhood I had spent almost my entire life was, to put it bluntly, a shambles. Gangs (especially the Black Spades in my neighborhood, the Savage Skulls elsewhere, plus some other gangs), owned the streets The halls and stairways of the apartment building I lived in were covered in graffiti. People urinated in the elevators. People threw trash out the windows. Gunshots occasionally echoed through the night. It was not a good time, to put it mildly, for the many decent people in that neighborhood attempting to survive.
A "Tenants Patrol" blessed by the police tried to turn the tide. But there wasn't much we could do. (one day I might write about this but I want to emphasize I was a very small part of this effort.). Meanwhile....
There was a manager of a McDonalds on Fordham Road by the name of Curtis Sliwa. He saw what was going on around him and started neighborhood patrols. These grew into an organization called the Guardian Angels. This much is undisputed.
Yes, he is controversial. A lot of people call him a fake. He has been a radio talk show host for many years. He makes good money giving speeches. People have accused him of many things, which I can not pass judgment on. But the fact is, he started out as someone on the front lines, in a retail business, and saw a lot more of some of the same things I did. What did we both see? That neighborhoods can go bad, and can go bad quicker than the blink of an eye, if the people who live in them do not fight back.
Quickly. In the blink of an eye. If people do not face up to what is happening and try to make excuses, turn a blind eye. It's a scary thing, that facing up. It takes courage.
And now, the Guardian Angels are coming to Binghamton and other surrounding communities. People are volunteering to join them. I get the distinct impression that the Binghamton police are not thrilled about this. Maybe because it causes a recognition that Binghamton is not what it used to be. Folks, we have to recognize that, even if we don't want to. Blame it on people coming from NYC, blame it on drugs, blame it on whatever you want, things have changed.
And that is why the Guardian Angels are here. And, if I see you walking down the street in downtown Binghamton or downtown Johnson City, I am going to smile, and be grateful you are here. At least for now.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
To HDTV or not to HDTV? Why is it a yearly Black Friday question?
Spouse and I were reminiscing about them good old days. The good old days when you bought a TV set and the main decision was....19 inch? or 25 inch? And then you went to the store and saw which picture looked the best. You looked at the ads for the best price. Maybe checked a magazine like Consumer Reports.
Fast forward a lot of years. The last several Novembers, leading up to Black Friday, it has become a game to torment ourselves.
When we were in our 20's we (for a variety of reasons) went through two periods of not having a television. This may amaze anyone under the age of 40 who reads this blog. I did miss it, especially because I couldn't watch my favorite show of the time (M*A*S*H). But I really didn't miss it that much. And as a result, a TV has not been a truly important part of my life for years. (Now, on the other hand, they would have to pry my computer out of my cold, dead hand.).
Today, we had our yearly beat-ourselves-up session on the computer to research HDTV's. Now, as we read, households with HDTV's are now the majority. So should we take that plunge?
I feel pulled by seeing friends with HDTV's and how nice the picture looks. So seductive. But on the other hand, our Magnavox 19 inch "picture tube" TV has served us well, for many years, and that picture is nice too. Why get rid of something that still works? And spend almost $1,000, to boot? I don't want just any HDTV. I want one that is internet-enabled, so I can stream Netflix movies. And maybe watch You Tube videos on. And....(see how the computer functions sneak in there?) $1,000 is a lot of money. We are grateful to have the money to spend but....wouldn't there be better uses?
Aren't we lucky to be in that position, a small voice tells me. And, do you really need a TV?
And, will that set be reliable? Or will it be like the glitchy refrigerator that keeps breaking down in the same way, or the washing machine (the one machine we bought new and not used) that we finally gave up on after about the 5th time the same component, a plastic piece of s**t, broke, and went back to buying used? (and not a front-loader either.)
While on the other hand, spouse (who hardly uses the computer except for checking his bank accounts), feels like he is being dragged into some kind of loathsome new age that he never wanted to be a part of. He feels forced. One day soon, our Magnavox will be obsolete, left in the dust.
So.. (oh, how I hate to say this)....stay tuned.
Fast forward a lot of years. The last several Novembers, leading up to Black Friday, it has become a game to torment ourselves.
When we were in our 20's we (for a variety of reasons) went through two periods of not having a television. This may amaze anyone under the age of 40 who reads this blog. I did miss it, especially because I couldn't watch my favorite show of the time (M*A*S*H). But I really didn't miss it that much. And as a result, a TV has not been a truly important part of my life for years. (Now, on the other hand, they would have to pry my computer out of my cold, dead hand.).
Today, we had our yearly beat-ourselves-up session on the computer to research HDTV's. Now, as we read, households with HDTV's are now the majority. So should we take that plunge?
I feel pulled by seeing friends with HDTV's and how nice the picture looks. So seductive. But on the other hand, our Magnavox 19 inch "picture tube" TV has served us well, for many years, and that picture is nice too. Why get rid of something that still works? And spend almost $1,000, to boot? I don't want just any HDTV. I want one that is internet-enabled, so I can stream Netflix movies. And maybe watch You Tube videos on. And....(see how the computer functions sneak in there?) $1,000 is a lot of money. We are grateful to have the money to spend but....wouldn't there be better uses?
Aren't we lucky to be in that position, a small voice tells me. And, do you really need a TV?
And, will that set be reliable? Or will it be like the glitchy refrigerator that keeps breaking down in the same way, or the washing machine (the one machine we bought new and not used) that we finally gave up on after about the 5th time the same component, a plastic piece of s**t, broke, and went back to buying used? (and not a front-loader either.)
While on the other hand, spouse (who hardly uses the computer except for checking his bank accounts), feels like he is being dragged into some kind of loathsome new age that he never wanted to be a part of. He feels forced. One day soon, our Magnavox will be obsolete, left in the dust.
So.. (oh, how I hate to say this)....stay tuned.
Dangerous Bargain Penguins
She was standing there by the end of an aisle, on her crutches.
There but for the grace of the timing of me hurting my ankle, that could have been me.
I had to admire her courage, braving the Penguin booksale earlier this year. There were hundreds and hundreds of bargain hunters in the warehouse, intent on getting books for themselves, gifts for the holidays, books for libraries or daycares or homeschools, or day care centers. Or, for all I know, sale on eBay. (It wouldn't surprise me.)
Over the years, a new element has entered the fray. Wheeled suitcases. Seemingly every one of them loaded with books. At one point I tripped on a wheeled suitcase (hadn't seen it, in the crowd) and went flying. Luckily I had my air cast on and I didn't resprain my ankle.
One thing I do have to mention is that people actually are somewhat polite, as hordes of bargain hunters go, at this annual sale. There's no shoving, and people (usually) apologize. But I really think they should ban the suitcases, at least the small ones that aren't easily visible in the fray. I wonder how many people, over this week, actually did get injured.
And I hope that lady got out of the warehouse OK.
Would I have gone to this sale if I was still hobbling around on crutches? Since I had a companion, possibly. Which shows you how crazy people can be when it comes to a bargain.
There but for the grace of the timing of me hurting my ankle, that could have been me.
I had to admire her courage, braving the Penguin booksale earlier this year. There were hundreds and hundreds of bargain hunters in the warehouse, intent on getting books for themselves, gifts for the holidays, books for libraries or daycares or homeschools, or day care centers. Or, for all I know, sale on eBay. (It wouldn't surprise me.)
Over the years, a new element has entered the fray. Wheeled suitcases. Seemingly every one of them loaded with books. At one point I tripped on a wheeled suitcase (hadn't seen it, in the crowd) and went flying. Luckily I had my air cast on and I didn't resprain my ankle.
One thing I do have to mention is that people actually are somewhat polite, as hordes of bargain hunters go, at this annual sale. There's no shoving, and people (usually) apologize. But I really think they should ban the suitcases, at least the small ones that aren't easily visible in the fray. I wonder how many people, over this week, actually did get injured.
And I hope that lady got out of the warehouse OK.
Would I have gone to this sale if I was still hobbling around on crutches? Since I had a companion, possibly. Which shows you how crazy people can be when it comes to a bargain.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Random Acts of Kindness
I saw something inspiring, as we get closer to the Thanksgiving season, this afternoon.
I had gotten out of work early for a couple of appointments. After the appointments, spouse decided we should get our Thanksgiving turkey. We did so, and then remembered that a nearby Aldi had good sales on fresh cranberries and also celery.
I don't know if you have an Aldi's where you live. If you do, it is an interesting concept. Aldi is actually a huge chain in Germany, with stores in various stores on the Continent and also in Great Britain. In the United States, for some reason, they initially came in as a "bargain" store, with (in my opinion) dirty, ill lit stores. I would not shop there for years. You couldn't get a shopping cart without paying a deposit. You had to bag things yourself (and if you didn't bring bags, they would gladly sell them to you.) The employees "did it all", the same people doing store cleanup, stocking, and cash register.
When my son took German in school, his teacher came in one day with an Aldi ad from Germany. What a difference! Aldi in Germany is almost like a combination grocery/department store. But meanwhile, back in upstate NY...
Due to that ad, we gave them another shot. 'They had seriously upgraded the stores in the meantime, with better lighting and edible produce. So we do shop there on and off, depending on the sales. You can't beat their prices, although I don't think I would ever buy fresh meat there. But they do have a number of really decent store brands (they sell very little national brands, if you care about that-I don't) and when they have specials on German food....well, they are German.
At one time, their target clientele, to be blunt, was lower income people. But now with the economy, you find a lot of middle class people in there too. Times are hard. I'm grateful for the Johnson City Aldi. (they've even opened a second store just to the north of Binghamton).
Anyway, there we were getting ready to check out. We only had three items. The line was long, although the lines there tend to move quickly. The person at the back of the line had an overflowing cart. "Here, go ahead of me." The next person also let us in, and also let go ahead of him a person right behind us who had two items. His clothes were a little dirty and he walked like he had a stiff leg, with a limp.
We struck up a conversation with the man with the limp. He had some extra money because he had sold two cars at auction today. He had been up since 5 am. It was a good day for him, because he was able to buy another car to fix up and sell. Best of all, it was his birthday. He couldn't see why he should spend $30. at Texas Roadhouse when he could buy some frozen steaks and cook him at home (we don't know if he had a loved one waiting for him. I hope so). He was so glad to be spared a few extra minutes on line, so he could get home and rest.
I hope this gentleman had a wonderful rest of the day, due to this random act of kindness.
I had gotten out of work early for a couple of appointments. After the appointments, spouse decided we should get our Thanksgiving turkey. We did so, and then remembered that a nearby Aldi had good sales on fresh cranberries and also celery.
I don't know if you have an Aldi's where you live. If you do, it is an interesting concept. Aldi is actually a huge chain in Germany, with stores in various stores on the Continent and also in Great Britain. In the United States, for some reason, they initially came in as a "bargain" store, with (in my opinion) dirty, ill lit stores. I would not shop there for years. You couldn't get a shopping cart without paying a deposit. You had to bag things yourself (and if you didn't bring bags, they would gladly sell them to you.) The employees "did it all", the same people doing store cleanup, stocking, and cash register.
When my son took German in school, his teacher came in one day with an Aldi ad from Germany. What a difference! Aldi in Germany is almost like a combination grocery/department store. But meanwhile, back in upstate NY...
Due to that ad, we gave them another shot. 'They had seriously upgraded the stores in the meantime, with better lighting and edible produce. So we do shop there on and off, depending on the sales. You can't beat their prices, although I don't think I would ever buy fresh meat there. But they do have a number of really decent store brands (they sell very little national brands, if you care about that-I don't) and when they have specials on German food....well, they are German.
At one time, their target clientele, to be blunt, was lower income people. But now with the economy, you find a lot of middle class people in there too. Times are hard. I'm grateful for the Johnson City Aldi. (they've even opened a second store just to the north of Binghamton).
Anyway, there we were getting ready to check out. We only had three items. The line was long, although the lines there tend to move quickly. The person at the back of the line had an overflowing cart. "Here, go ahead of me." The next person also let us in, and also let go ahead of him a person right behind us who had two items. His clothes were a little dirty and he walked like he had a stiff leg, with a limp.
We struck up a conversation with the man with the limp. He had some extra money because he had sold two cars at auction today. He had been up since 5 am. It was a good day for him, because he was able to buy another car to fix up and sell. Best of all, it was his birthday. He couldn't see why he should spend $30. at Texas Roadhouse when he could buy some frozen steaks and cook him at home (we don't know if he had a loved one waiting for him. I hope so). He was so glad to be spared a few extra minutes on line, so he could get home and rest.
I hope this gentleman had a wonderful rest of the day, due to this random act of kindness.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Fun at the Penguin Book Sale
Books about penguins? No, the Penguin USA book sale - the book event "of the year".
People come from hundreds of miles in order to shop. It is sheer madness.
Years ago, the sales used to be held right at the Penguin (in those days, Penguin-Putnam) facility off I-81 in Kirkwood (right near the Pennsylvania border), and it was for only one weekend in November: Saturdays and Sundays. At those sales, there were books and other items around the perimeter of the warehouse, and people fought their way to the tables to get the goods. And were they ever the goods: Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew hardcovers for 50 cents each, childrens books by major authors for $1.00, bestsellers hardcovers for a song. Some of these must have been "irregulars" but no one cared.
I bet a lot of people in upstate NY, if they got books for Christmas, got them from people who shopped those sales.
I think, with the last one or two years, they also had DK Books and some Readers Digest books. As I recall, nothing was over $3.00.
This was pre-Internet so it was pre-eBay. Ah, the good old days.
At that time I had a young child and I dove in for the bargains. We only went on Sundays: the Saturdays were impossible. Fellow shoppers revealed themselves as we shopped together: teachers, parents, librarians, grandparents, daycare workers, employees of nonprofits, homeschoolers. One person I spoke to once had driven from Albany,almost 3 hours away. We were so lucky to have this right in our own backyard. A perk of living in a burnt out industrial town....oh, here I go again.
Lucky even though we lined up for an hour or more outside to get in. There was always snow on the ground. One year they gave out really neat inflatable globes. My son loved the toy, but did he ever grow to hate the sales.
And then the sales stopped.
Several years passed, my son grew and became a teen. Those Eric Carle and then Hardy Boys books were a memory. Then, the sales began again. For a couple of years the sales were held, for a week only, in a former Ames building. Prices were higher. The sales (I felt) were junk - a lot of obsolete "Idiots Guide" books and, well, things that were mostly boring to me. Each aisle seemed to have the exact same books.
Then, two years ago, (I think) the sales moved to a vacant warehouse in Conklin. More room, and this time more of the good old Penguin Putnam sale flavor. We went one Saturday, and waited two hours on line to check out. We know the secret now: go on Monday (when the hours are 5 to 8). Get there right around 4:50 or so. You won't even wait to get in.
I didn't spend this much this year but I am pleased to report there were a lot of bestsellers once more. And some really good children's books. A lot of Taste of Home cookbooks (which my spouse, the cook, does not favor.) Lots of gardening stuff, Readers Digest "how to" books.
Maybe one year (just not yet, please) I will be a proud grandparent getting my grandchildren books. Until then....well, I didn't get gifts for anyone but it was nice being there. I did pick up something for the Angel Tree event my employer will be participating in for disadvantaged children (Salvation Army).
Maybe next year they will do it again.
People come from hundreds of miles in order to shop. It is sheer madness.
Years ago, the sales used to be held right at the Penguin (in those days, Penguin-Putnam) facility off I-81 in Kirkwood (right near the Pennsylvania border), and it was for only one weekend in November: Saturdays and Sundays. At those sales, there were books and other items around the perimeter of the warehouse, and people fought their way to the tables to get the goods. And were they ever the goods: Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew hardcovers for 50 cents each, childrens books by major authors for $1.00, bestsellers hardcovers for a song. Some of these must have been "irregulars" but no one cared.
I bet a lot of people in upstate NY, if they got books for Christmas, got them from people who shopped those sales.
I think, with the last one or two years, they also had DK Books and some Readers Digest books. As I recall, nothing was over $3.00.
This was pre-Internet so it was pre-eBay. Ah, the good old days.
At that time I had a young child and I dove in for the bargains. We only went on Sundays: the Saturdays were impossible. Fellow shoppers revealed themselves as we shopped together: teachers, parents, librarians, grandparents, daycare workers, employees of nonprofits, homeschoolers. One person I spoke to once had driven from Albany,almost 3 hours away. We were so lucky to have this right in our own backyard. A perk of living in a burnt out industrial town....oh, here I go again.
Lucky even though we lined up for an hour or more outside to get in. There was always snow on the ground. One year they gave out really neat inflatable globes. My son loved the toy, but did he ever grow to hate the sales.
And then the sales stopped.
Several years passed, my son grew and became a teen. Those Eric Carle and then Hardy Boys books were a memory. Then, the sales began again. For a couple of years the sales were held, for a week only, in a former Ames building. Prices were higher. The sales (I felt) were junk - a lot of obsolete "Idiots Guide" books and, well, things that were mostly boring to me. Each aisle seemed to have the exact same books.
Then, two years ago, (I think) the sales moved to a vacant warehouse in Conklin. More room, and this time more of the good old Penguin Putnam sale flavor. We went one Saturday, and waited two hours on line to check out. We know the secret now: go on Monday (when the hours are 5 to 8). Get there right around 4:50 or so. You won't even wait to get in.
I didn't spend this much this year but I am pleased to report there were a lot of bestsellers once more. And some really good children's books. A lot of Taste of Home cookbooks (which my spouse, the cook, does not favor.) Lots of gardening stuff, Readers Digest "how to" books.
Maybe one year (just not yet, please) I will be a proud grandparent getting my grandchildren books. Until then....well, I didn't get gifts for anyone but it was nice being there. I did pick up something for the Angel Tree event my employer will be participating in for disadvantaged children (Salvation Army).
Maybe next year they will do it again.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
November Thunderstorms
We were awakened in the middle of the night by a huge BOOM! In my sleep fogged mind I had no idea what had happened. I didn't hear thunder previous to this and - anyway, in upstate NY, you don't get thunderstorms in November.
So what does this portend for our winter?
Beats me but we are not having the most pleasant weather pattern right now. It was so windy at noontime that my walking companion and I gave up. I'm not walking much due to my ankle, but I would have liked to walk a little bit at lunch. Fortunately, it was not cold.
At least one school district had to close schools. And, our lights flickered at work - there are other people without power right now.
My spouse, who loves to follow the weather, has a feeling something bad is going to happen (weather wise, that is) right around Thanksgiving. I hope he is wrong. But be it as it may, more evidence that the weather is....strange, and unpredictable.
So what does this portend for our winter?
Beats me but we are not having the most pleasant weather pattern right now. It was so windy at noontime that my walking companion and I gave up. I'm not walking much due to my ankle, but I would have liked to walk a little bit at lunch. Fortunately, it was not cold.
At least one school district had to close schools. And, our lights flickered at work - there are other people without power right now.
My spouse, who loves to follow the weather, has a feeling something bad is going to happen (weather wise, that is) right around Thanksgiving. I hope he is wrong. But be it as it may, more evidence that the weather is....strange, and unpredictable.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Folding Up into Winter
The last ice cream stands are closing, their picnic tables stacked. The golf driving range/nursery we get plants from has shut its doors, although it still is displaying "Sale!" signs from their "get rid of the last mums" effort. Dried leaves blow from yard to yard. The last trees with remnants of green leaves reach to the weakening light, soaking in the last warm rays of an "Indian" summer before they shut themselves off for the winter.
The 2010 farmers market at Otsiningo Park is now history.
We of the Triple Cities prepare for Thanksgiving, decorating in orange and brown and red, while we gird ourselves for the holiday season. We who are fortunate enough to have jobs look forward to turkey and Black Friday, to local pumpkin pie and candy apples, to cider and warm donuts.
Those without jobs.....pray the food pantries will be full for them.
We remember the summer but know that the first snow flurries and sleet have fallen, and that the streets will soon turn white with snow.
The 2010 farmers market at Otsiningo Park is now history.
We of the Triple Cities prepare for Thanksgiving, decorating in orange and brown and red, while we gird ourselves for the holiday season. We who are fortunate enough to have jobs look forward to turkey and Black Friday, to local pumpkin pie and candy apples, to cider and warm donuts.
Those without jobs.....pray the food pantries will be full for them.
We remember the summer but know that the first snow flurries and sleet have fallen, and that the streets will soon turn white with snow.
Goodbye Matt Davies
From time to time, I have enjoyed the editorial cartoons of Matt Davies, a Putlizer prize award editorial cartoonist. Our local newspaper (yes, I read the newspaper!) runs him from time to time.
Oops, I mean "ran".
Ran, because Matt Davies has lost his job. And it would seem he's not the only one. Editorial cartoonists are a dying breed. Sometimes, literally. Other times, they just are laid off and never replaced.
We as a country, a people, are diminished because of it.
Think about it. Editorial cartoonists, in a way, are like political comedians. They make us think. They point out absurdities. They are controversial.
Sometimes, I guess, they make us think too much.
But, why lay them off? Seems that they make a lot of money. Of course, so do movie stars, producers, and professional athletes. But is anyone laying off Harrison Ford? James Cameron? Or Eli Manning? Oh, wait. Those are people in successful industries.
Newspapers, on the other hand are dying.
So what should a dying industry do? That's right, get rid of their prize performers. "Ditch" the remaining people that make you want to read a paper. After all, some wag once said that all newspaper stories are good for is to keep the ads from bumping into each other. So what do you need prize winning writers in a newspaper for? Anything will do to fill up the space.
So newspapers continue their death spiral, with more layoffs, leading to less readers.
One day we will wake up and the daily paper won't be at our doorstep. Will we miss it then?
Oops, I mean "ran".
Ran, because Matt Davies has lost his job. And it would seem he's not the only one. Editorial cartoonists are a dying breed. Sometimes, literally. Other times, they just are laid off and never replaced.
We as a country, a people, are diminished because of it.
Think about it. Editorial cartoonists, in a way, are like political comedians. They make us think. They point out absurdities. They are controversial.
Sometimes, I guess, they make us think too much.
But, why lay them off? Seems that they make a lot of money. Of course, so do movie stars, producers, and professional athletes. But is anyone laying off Harrison Ford? James Cameron? Or Eli Manning? Oh, wait. Those are people in successful industries.
Newspapers, on the other hand are dying.
So what should a dying industry do? That's right, get rid of their prize performers. "Ditch" the remaining people that make you want to read a paper. After all, some wag once said that all newspaper stories are good for is to keep the ads from bumping into each other. So what do you need prize winning writers in a newspaper for? Anything will do to fill up the space.
So newspapers continue their death spiral, with more layoffs, leading to less readers.
One day we will wake up and the daily paper won't be at our doorstep. Will we miss it then?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Andersonville and Veterans Day
Veterans Day. Most of us know the symbolism linked to the end of most hostilities in World War I: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, various countries now use it to remember both World Wars and call it Remembrance Day. Here in the United States, it is Veterans Day. On this day we remember all veterans who served honorably in wartime or in peacetime.
There is a special group of veterans - those who were prisoners of war.
In Andersonville, Georgia, there is a special museum devoted to the POWs of all wars. Best of all, it is free of charge. We spent an afternoon there back in March. Although I was attracted to Andersonville as part of my interest in the Civil War, the museum featured information from a number of wars. I especially was drawn to the exhibits talking about POWs from World War II.
Many people, when they think of "Andersonville", think of the infamous Union prisoner of war camp, more properly known as Ft. Sumter. (even today, the county is called Sumter County.) But there is a lot more to the Andersonville National Historic Site. First, there is the National Cemetary. The original graves are those of the dead of Andersonville, those who never had a chance to become veterans. Some names are known, many are not. This is a portion of that cemetery, which now holds about 20,000. graves of the dead of several wars:
Then, there is the "reconstruction" of Ft. Sumter. 33,000. men held captive on 26.5 acres. Walking this land, you can almost feel the ghosts. The "tents" (obviously not originals) in this picture were called shebangs, and the soldiers who owned them were rich, in the society of prisoners-at least they had some shelter from the elements. During the 14 months of its existence, some 30% of the men confined there perished. The very first casualty was a soldier from New York State.
These walls are not original, but are based both on photographs and archeological excavations done in the late 1980's.
The stream that watered the prisoners is still there today, along with markers for various "wells" that were dug by the prisoners.
Thanks to archeological digs, historians were able to reconstruct the "deadline", a line inside the walls-if a prisoner went over this line they were shot dead. For many, doing this intentionally was the way they left the prison.
But...to paraphrase an old "M.A.S.H."...we were able to step in. We were able to step out.
Sobering.
Walking those grounds was like walking a Civil War battlefield, but in a way even more special.
The final picture is of one of the monuments on the grounds.
One observation was made by the owner of the bed and breakfast in Americus where we stayed. There were many Civil War prisoner of war sites both in the South and in the North. Both sides were guilty of atrocities towards their prisoners. But Andersonville may exist as a memorial park because...well, after all, the North won. And isn't it true, this owner asked me, that victors write the history?
The POW Museum does have a very large map showing the sites of these various camps. One, which is well known to historians in our "Southern Tier" area of upstate NY, was the Elmira Prison. Sadly (so perhaps that B&B owner was correct) it is true there is no national park there. There is a monument, but the prison site today is a residential area-and it is said that few people living there know the history of their neighborhood.
Remember your local veteran.
There is a special group of veterans - those who were prisoners of war.
In Andersonville, Georgia, there is a special museum devoted to the POWs of all wars. Best of all, it is free of charge. We spent an afternoon there back in March. Although I was attracted to Andersonville as part of my interest in the Civil War, the museum featured information from a number of wars. I especially was drawn to the exhibits talking about POWs from World War II.
Many people, when they think of "Andersonville", think of the infamous Union prisoner of war camp, more properly known as Ft. Sumter. (even today, the county is called Sumter County.) But there is a lot more to the Andersonville National Historic Site. First, there is the National Cemetary. The original graves are those of the dead of Andersonville, those who never had a chance to become veterans. Some names are known, many are not. This is a portion of that cemetery, which now holds about 20,000. graves of the dead of several wars:
Then, there is the "reconstruction" of Ft. Sumter. 33,000. men held captive on 26.5 acres. Walking this land, you can almost feel the ghosts. The "tents" (obviously not originals) in this picture were called shebangs, and the soldiers who owned them were rich, in the society of prisoners-at least they had some shelter from the elements. During the 14 months of its existence, some 30% of the men confined there perished. The very first casualty was a soldier from New York State.
These walls are not original, but are based both on photographs and archeological excavations done in the late 1980's.
The stream that watered the prisoners is still there today, along with markers for various "wells" that were dug by the prisoners.
Thanks to archeological digs, historians were able to reconstruct the "deadline", a line inside the walls-if a prisoner went over this line they were shot dead. For many, doing this intentionally was the way they left the prison.
But...to paraphrase an old "M.A.S.H."...we were able to step in. We were able to step out.
Sobering.
Walking those grounds was like walking a Civil War battlefield, but in a way even more special.
The final picture is of one of the monuments on the grounds.
The POW Museum does have a very large map showing the sites of these various camps. One, which is well known to historians in our "Southern Tier" area of upstate NY, was the Elmira Prison. Sadly (so perhaps that B&B owner was correct) it is true there is no national park there. There is a monument, but the prison site today is a residential area-and it is said that few people living there know the history of their neighborhood.
Remember your local veteran.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Somewhat Forgotten Roadside History in Georgia
While I am in back the mood for talking about history, and going through some of the photos from my March vacation: we came across this marker on our trip to the Americus, Georgia area back in March, and our small detour was rewarded.
Off of Georgia 49 near Americus, lies the site of Charles Lindbergh's first solo flight. Truly, something off the "beaten path" of tourism. There is a a marker and a statue at this site, Souther Field.
Here is some history of the event.
The area around Americus is very rich in history. I should spend some more time going through those photos.
Off of Georgia 49 near Americus, lies the site of Charles Lindbergh's first solo flight. Truly, something off the "beaten path" of tourism. There is a a marker and a statue at this site, Souther Field.
The area around Americus is very rich in history. I should spend some more time going through those photos.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Ramblin on Age
So many people my age are caretaking elderly parents. I have my mother in law (neither of my parents lived to "old age") who we help out long distance. (knock on wood, she is in relatively good health), my best friend has practically moved in with her 90 plus year old mother (another long distance situation), I have several other friends/acquaintances/co workers in the caretaking of parents situation.
I've also been blessed for the over 20 years we've lived in our house here in the Triple Cities to have the same couple living next door. When we moved in, the man of the family was taking early retirement and the youngest son of his large family was getting close to college age. They were enjoying life, their children and their grandchildren (I think they eventually had 23 grandchildren, unless I've lost count), had time for hobbies, their church, and more.
I've seen them age in the past 20 plus years and it hasn't always been a happy journey for them.
We spent some time with them today. We don't see them as much as we should. I have to admit that sometimes it can be hard to see people that have been a caring part of our lives for so long...well, get old. But that is no excuse. They have been almost ideal neighbors. Their youngest son and his family lived with them for a couple of years (while his wife battled cancer) and he in turn extended friendship to my son. The son finally was able to buy a house locally and they are out. My neighbors live alone with a housekeeper and, now, a cat. Both are now frail but still have a lot to offer.
I know my mother in law, who loves to be around people, can be lonely at times, too, because it is painful for her to drive and to get around.
I have to remind myself at times like these that I won't have these good people in my life forever. And that, one day, I will be in their situation. When that happens I so hope I will have loving people in my life. Because old age can be a lonely, frustrating place.
I've also been blessed for the over 20 years we've lived in our house here in the Triple Cities to have the same couple living next door. When we moved in, the man of the family was taking early retirement and the youngest son of his large family was getting close to college age. They were enjoying life, their children and their grandchildren (I think they eventually had 23 grandchildren, unless I've lost count), had time for hobbies, their church, and more.
I've seen them age in the past 20 plus years and it hasn't always been a happy journey for them.
We spent some time with them today. We don't see them as much as we should. I have to admit that sometimes it can be hard to see people that have been a caring part of our lives for so long...well, get old. But that is no excuse. They have been almost ideal neighbors. Their youngest son and his family lived with them for a couple of years (while his wife battled cancer) and he in turn extended friendship to my son. The son finally was able to buy a house locally and they are out. My neighbors live alone with a housekeeper and, now, a cat. Both are now frail but still have a lot to offer.
I know my mother in law, who loves to be around people, can be lonely at times, too, because it is painful for her to drive and to get around.
I have to remind myself at times like these that I won't have these good people in my life forever. And that, one day, I will be in their situation. When that happens I so hope I will have loving people in my life. Because old age can be a lonely, frustrating place.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Walking in Area Parking Lots is No Walk in the Park for People with Walking Issues
I had my first morning out since Tuesday morning, when I sprained my ankle. Now crutch free (but still wearing my air cast) I set forth on my quest.
One thing I've suddenly been paying attention to is the quality of the area parking lots. Or, should I say, abundance of crumbly asphalt and potholes in said parking lots. There are a lot of elderly in this area and I think of my mother in law, who uses a cane, having to negotiate some of these lots if she lived here (which she doesn't) to do her daily shopping.
My first parking lot experience was in downtown Johnson City, at Health Beat foods. A wonderful locally-run health food store that is a staple of downtown Johnson City, I could only wish that whoever maintains their parking lots could fill in the potholes, some of which (only slight exaggeration) could probably swallow a baby whole. Well....only exaggerating slightly. I can only hope that whoever owns that lot never has to don a cast or use crutches to get around. Luckily my spouse drove me, so he let me out in front of the store. But I had to walk through that lot to get back to our car.
I find it hard to believe this business was certified "Elder Friendly" (a local certification) with the condition of the lot. Anyone needing to use a cane or a walker would find it hard walking in that lot.Especially if they were also visually impaired. Makes my ankle ache just thinking about it.
Yup, really makes people want to shop in downtown Johnson City. Just think, in a couple of weeks there will probably be ice and snow on the ground to add to the general condition of that lot. I don't like to get snarky, but I am far from the only one of your shoppers having a disability: and mine is temporary. Many folks' disabilities aren't temporary. They deserve better.
(However, with that said: thank you, Michelle Moelder, for "hanging in there" in downtown Johnson City all these years, and for running a very nice health food store.)
Then, there was Price Chopper, a supermarket in Binghamton. A shout-out to Price Chopper, who built their first two Binghamton area stores on the sites of former Endicott-Johnson factories, thus getting rid of eyesores and benefiting our community. But no shout out for the current quality of the parking lot. Price Chopper is doing new construction in this shopping plaza and I hope this will include a re-do of the parking lot.
I could give out several more "dishonorable mentions" but I think you all get the general point.
Just because this is a "burnt out industrial town" doesn't mean landlords can't have a little pride in their properties, for the sake of the elderly and disabled.
One thing I've suddenly been paying attention to is the quality of the area parking lots. Or, should I say, abundance of crumbly asphalt and potholes in said parking lots. There are a lot of elderly in this area and I think of my mother in law, who uses a cane, having to negotiate some of these lots if she lived here (which she doesn't) to do her daily shopping.
My first parking lot experience was in downtown Johnson City, at Health Beat foods. A wonderful locally-run health food store that is a staple of downtown Johnson City, I could only wish that whoever maintains their parking lots could fill in the potholes, some of which (only slight exaggeration) could probably swallow a baby whole. Well....only exaggerating slightly. I can only hope that whoever owns that lot never has to don a cast or use crutches to get around. Luckily my spouse drove me, so he let me out in front of the store. But I had to walk through that lot to get back to our car.
I find it hard to believe this business was certified "Elder Friendly" (a local certification) with the condition of the lot. Anyone needing to use a cane or a walker would find it hard walking in that lot.Especially if they were also visually impaired. Makes my ankle ache just thinking about it.
Yup, really makes people want to shop in downtown Johnson City. Just think, in a couple of weeks there will probably be ice and snow on the ground to add to the general condition of that lot. I don't like to get snarky, but I am far from the only one of your shoppers having a disability: and mine is temporary. Many folks' disabilities aren't temporary. They deserve better.
(However, with that said: thank you, Michelle Moelder, for "hanging in there" in downtown Johnson City all these years, and for running a very nice health food store.)
Then, there was Price Chopper, a supermarket in Binghamton. A shout-out to Price Chopper, who built their first two Binghamton area stores on the sites of former Endicott-Johnson factories, thus getting rid of eyesores and benefiting our community. But no shout out for the current quality of the parking lot. Price Chopper is doing new construction in this shopping plaza and I hope this will include a re-do of the parking lot.
I could give out several more "dishonorable mentions" but I think you all get the general point.
Just because this is a "burnt out industrial town" doesn't mean landlords can't have a little pride in their properties, for the sake of the elderly and disabled.
Dotti Lou Meats
Dotti Lou Meats in Stevensville has been a staple of Bradford County, PA for...well, since we moved here in the middle 1980's. (I'm sorry, vegetarian friends, you can skip this entry, as can anyone who does not eat pork for any reason.)
I can't even remember why, on a trip to acquaint us with this area, we even stopped at this very nondescript roadside store. I think it must have been the wonderful aroma of wood smoke. It was a find that helped defined our journey through local food.
We've been coming back every year for...oh, over 20 years now. We took our son there every year after he was born until he was a teenager and we could make the trip ourselves. Maybe one day he will go there too, but right now he isn't much of a meat or sausage eater.
Basically Dottie Lou is a rural general store with about 80% of its space devoted to....meat.
Dotti Lou, according to their Facebook page (yes, they are on Facebook!): "We manufacture all of our own meats. Lunchmeats,hotdogs, kielbassi,hams". Over the years the place has been brightened, given a new look, but the quality remains the same. Rubs and sauces adorn the counter. The bacon is first class. The sausages are wonderful. Smoked meats, including turkey and chicken, have joined the lineup. There's a small deli selection including Lebanon bologna. The prices are right.
But, change happens. The news is, they have a second location, in Ransom, PA now. The Ransom location is selling soups and sandwiches which makes me wonder if Stevensville will do this one day, too.
I am going to stick to the original location, as it is closer, but will wonder what will greet me the next time we come to Stevensville next year. Kind of something to look forward to as we slide into winter.
I can't even remember why, on a trip to acquaint us with this area, we even stopped at this very nondescript roadside store. I think it must have been the wonderful aroma of wood smoke. It was a find that helped defined our journey through local food.
We've been coming back every year for...oh, over 20 years now. We took our son there every year after he was born until he was a teenager and we could make the trip ourselves. Maybe one day he will go there too, but right now he isn't much of a meat or sausage eater.
Basically Dottie Lou is a rural general store with about 80% of its space devoted to....meat.
Dotti Lou, according to their Facebook page (yes, they are on Facebook!): "We manufacture all of our own meats. Lunchmeats,hotdogs, kielbassi,hams". Over the years the place has been brightened, given a new look, but the quality remains the same. Rubs and sauces adorn the counter. The bacon is first class. The sausages are wonderful. Smoked meats, including turkey and chicken, have joined the lineup. There's a small deli selection including Lebanon bologna. The prices are right.
But, change happens. The news is, they have a second location, in Ransom, PA now. The Ransom location is selling soups and sandwiches which makes me wonder if Stevensville will do this one day, too.
I am going to stick to the original location, as it is closer, but will wonder what will greet me the next time we come to Stevensville next year. Kind of something to look forward to as we slide into winter.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Journey to the Maquasen and Sinnekens
A native of New York City and an almost-history major in college, I am astounded sometimes by what I never learned in my Bronx school education, and even more astounded when I don't find something utterly amazing until 2010: and worse, I find it in the Young Adult section of the library.
Sometimes I think the Young Adult (YA) books are more timely and sometimes....I guess, less timely.
Until finding a certain book called "Journey into Mohawk Country" by Messrs. Van den Bogaert & O'Connor, I never knew that a certain Harmen Mayndertsz van den Bogaert had written a diary of his journey from New Amsterdam [New York City] to Ft.Orange [Albany] accompanied by two Dutch and five Maquasen Indians [Mohawk] taking approximately 5 weeks, during December of 1634 and January of 1635. His mission? To find out why the Mohawk were abandoning their beaver fur trade with the Dutch in favor of trading with the French.
Until I had traveled in September to Stillwater and Ft. Ticonderoga (and Lake George Village), I had not paid much attention to the history preceding the French and Indian War. Now, I seem to be running into it everywhere.
The YA version of this book was actually a graphic novel. But like the old Classics Illustrated comics, this graphic novel may lead readers to the original book. For me, it was a good read while I was nursing my sprained ankle.
This was raw travel. Van den Bogaert and his traveling companions would not have made it to Ft. Orange had it not been for the hospitality of the Maquasen and Sinnekens [a general word for Native Americans west of the Mohawk, but used here to describe the Oneida]. They traded tools and weapons for the Native hospitality. They slept in longhouses, tried a couple of times to heal sick Native Americans at their hosts' request, and unsuccessfully tried to purchase a "tame" bear as a traveling companion. They feasted on bear, dried salmon, and hare cooked with chestnuts.
True adventure of a type that is hard to come by in the East today. Thinking that Van den Bogaert wasn't much older than my son when he made this journey....this type of adventure is denied our young people. I sometimes wonder if my son would have leapt at the chance to make this journey. I suspect he would have.
Will I try to tackle the source document? Not sure. But I loved the graphic novel. Maybe for my retirement....
Thank you, George O'Connor, and the other people involved in adapting this journal to the graphic novel format.
Sometimes I think the Young Adult (YA) books are more timely and sometimes....I guess, less timely.
Until finding a certain book called "Journey into Mohawk Country" by Messrs. Van den Bogaert & O'Connor, I never knew that a certain Harmen Mayndertsz van den Bogaert had written a diary of his journey from New Amsterdam [New York City] to Ft.Orange [Albany] accompanied by two Dutch and five Maquasen Indians [Mohawk] taking approximately 5 weeks, during December of 1634 and January of 1635. His mission? To find out why the Mohawk were abandoning their beaver fur trade with the Dutch in favor of trading with the French.
Until I had traveled in September to Stillwater and Ft. Ticonderoga (and Lake George Village), I had not paid much attention to the history preceding the French and Indian War. Now, I seem to be running into it everywhere.
The YA version of this book was actually a graphic novel. But like the old Classics Illustrated comics, this graphic novel may lead readers to the original book. For me, it was a good read while I was nursing my sprained ankle.
This was raw travel. Van den Bogaert and his traveling companions would not have made it to Ft. Orange had it not been for the hospitality of the Maquasen and Sinnekens [a general word for Native Americans west of the Mohawk, but used here to describe the Oneida]. They traded tools and weapons for the Native hospitality. They slept in longhouses, tried a couple of times to heal sick Native Americans at their hosts' request, and unsuccessfully tried to purchase a "tame" bear as a traveling companion. They feasted on bear, dried salmon, and hare cooked with chestnuts.
True adventure of a type that is hard to come by in the East today. Thinking that Van den Bogaert wasn't much older than my son when he made this journey....this type of adventure is denied our young people. I sometimes wonder if my son would have leapt at the chance to make this journey. I suspect he would have.
Will I try to tackle the source document? Not sure. But I loved the graphic novel. Maybe for my retirement....
Thank you, George O'Connor, and the other people involved in adapting this journal to the graphic novel format.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Things I've Learned About Daytime TV
The good news for me is, I don't have to use the crutches anymore if my ankle will support the weight. But I'm still spending a lot of the day with my leg up. Thank heavens for laptops.
Now I have to try to figure out how to exercise until I can get back to my 4 mile walks (have a feeling that will be a while). But in the meantime I have been doing one thing I rarely do, which is watch daytime TV.
I won't miss it any. A sampling:
Dr. Phil: young adult twins addicted to heroin, trying to raise their three children. The family that takes drugs together..... The brother, the father...well, it gave a new definition to "dysfunctional". Dr. Phil sent them, and their father, off to separate drug rehab programs.
Jerry Springer: several women seriously trying to hurt each other, never figured out the story line.
Rachael Ray: Yum-O.
The Price is Right: Drew Carey looks great with all the weight he's lost!
Oprah: Wasn't interesting. Too bad, may be the last time I get to see her show.
Now I know why I never got addicted to daytime TV during my vacation time.
Now I have to try to figure out how to exercise until I can get back to my 4 mile walks (have a feeling that will be a while). But in the meantime I have been doing one thing I rarely do, which is watch daytime TV.
I won't miss it any. A sampling:
Dr. Phil: young adult twins addicted to heroin, trying to raise their three children. The family that takes drugs together..... The brother, the father...well, it gave a new definition to "dysfunctional". Dr. Phil sent them, and their father, off to separate drug rehab programs.
Jerry Springer: several women seriously trying to hurt each other, never figured out the story line.
Rachael Ray: Yum-O.
The Price is Right: Drew Carey looks great with all the weight he's lost!
Oprah: Wasn't interesting. Too bad, may be the last time I get to see her show.
Now I know why I never got addicted to daytime TV during my vacation time.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Voting on Crutches and on Facebook
I had a chance today to test out handicapped voting. Unintentionally.
On the way to work this morning, I managed to sprain my ankle. At this hour of blogging my ankle is taped up and I am icing it. I'm using a clamshell support and walking with crutches. The last time I had to walk with crutches, I was 10 years old. Lucky me. At least I can put some weight on the foot. Thank heavens, I can't complain.
So getting to the polling place, usually a pleasant walk from my house, suddenly turned into a logistical planning session.
Now, in saying this, I am well aware there are people who do this kind of thing each and every day, some of them doing it every day of my lives. So I don't want to make a big deal out of this (as in "pity me!"-DON'T) but I wanted to tell you about my experience. It's sobering in a way, because the tiny bit of trouble I went to due to my sprain is nothing compared to what people in some countries have to go through, including putting their lives at risk.
Spouse drove me, crutches in the back seat.
First obstacle: the curb. I haven't quite gotten the hang of going up stairs with my crutches, so I had to remember the mantra: Good leg up, bad leg down. In other words you lead with the good leg going up, and the bad leg going down. I got up the curb and slowly made my way to the front door. So far, so good, except that my formerly fast walk has turned into a slow, deliberate crawl.
Spouse was good enough to hold the door. At least in this point of my life I'm not as self conscious so I didn't expect, or care, if people stared at me.
I was fortunate that I only had to wait a couple of minutes. I balanced on the crutches to sign the book you have to sign in New York State before you are allowed to vote.
Until last year, we had lever voting machines. Now, we've joined the electronic age, but with paper ballots. So I somehow, while grasping my crutches, transported a long paper ballot, the special marking pen, and the privacy screen, to the corral where you do your marking.
The poll worker asked "would it be easier for you to sit?" I told him, yes.
So I got to see how the "handicapped" corral function worked. A part of the corral swings up and locks, and you can push a wheelchair under the table part. The worker then got a chair for me. I sat, marked my ballot, inserted it into the privacy sleeve, then got up, then carried (grasping my crutches at the same time) the ballot and the pen to the scanning machine. Thankfully, the scanning worked the first time. Then, reversing the process, spouse held the door, I went out to the parking lot, hurt my foot stepping off the curb because I haven't mastered "down" yet, hobbled into the car, and from there, home.
The neat part was yet to come.
When I signed onto Facebook there was a large "I voted" button Facebook asked members to click if they had voted. I did so and I got to see which of my Facebook friends had already voted. Some of them live in early voting states and at least one had voted early. If I could have seen into the future, and if NY permitted, I would have voted early too. But it was a good effort. And I am glad to report that I had a good number of voting friends.
And, I hope you voted too.
On the way to work this morning, I managed to sprain my ankle. At this hour of blogging my ankle is taped up and I am icing it. I'm using a clamshell support and walking with crutches. The last time I had to walk with crutches, I was 10 years old. Lucky me. At least I can put some weight on the foot. Thank heavens, I can't complain.
So getting to the polling place, usually a pleasant walk from my house, suddenly turned into a logistical planning session.
Now, in saying this, I am well aware there are people who do this kind of thing each and every day, some of them doing it every day of my lives. So I don't want to make a big deal out of this (as in "pity me!"-DON'T) but I wanted to tell you about my experience. It's sobering in a way, because the tiny bit of trouble I went to due to my sprain is nothing compared to what people in some countries have to go through, including putting their lives at risk.
Spouse drove me, crutches in the back seat.
First obstacle: the curb. I haven't quite gotten the hang of going up stairs with my crutches, so I had to remember the mantra: Good leg up, bad leg down. In other words you lead with the good leg going up, and the bad leg going down. I got up the curb and slowly made my way to the front door. So far, so good, except that my formerly fast walk has turned into a slow, deliberate crawl.
Spouse was good enough to hold the door. At least in this point of my life I'm not as self conscious so I didn't expect, or care, if people stared at me.
I was fortunate that I only had to wait a couple of minutes. I balanced on the crutches to sign the book you have to sign in New York State before you are allowed to vote.
Until last year, we had lever voting machines. Now, we've joined the electronic age, but with paper ballots. So I somehow, while grasping my crutches, transported a long paper ballot, the special marking pen, and the privacy screen, to the corral where you do your marking.
The poll worker asked "would it be easier for you to sit?" I told him, yes.
So I got to see how the "handicapped" corral function worked. A part of the corral swings up and locks, and you can push a wheelchair under the table part. The worker then got a chair for me. I sat, marked my ballot, inserted it into the privacy sleeve, then got up, then carried (grasping my crutches at the same time) the ballot and the pen to the scanning machine. Thankfully, the scanning worked the first time. Then, reversing the process, spouse held the door, I went out to the parking lot, hurt my foot stepping off the curb because I haven't mastered "down" yet, hobbled into the car, and from there, home.
The neat part was yet to come.
When I signed onto Facebook there was a large "I voted" button Facebook asked members to click if they had voted. I did so and I got to see which of my Facebook friends had already voted. Some of them live in early voting states and at least one had voted early. If I could have seen into the future, and if NY permitted, I would have voted early too. But it was a good effort. And I am glad to report that I had a good number of voting friends.
And, I hope you voted too.
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