The Reed and I

Mr. P., thanks for picking up on my interest in the jazz pianist Eric Reed. Now I am the one who is impressed that you also know his music.
I just traveled about 200 miles in my Blubaru for work training in Massachusetts. A sunny day, a front row leather seat to autumn in VT scenery, and Eric Reed accompanying me on CD. Work just doesn't get much better than this.
Hey, Bruce, are you there? Let me know if you start a blog, now that you are no longer on the radio waves.

Apple Cheddar Tart

Here's an easy recipe shared with me by Helen H. from The Catholic Center over coffee last Sunday. So simple and so good. Here goes:
Take one prepared frozen deep dish pie crust. Line bottom of crust with thin slices of sharp cheddar cheese. Fill with sliced apples prepared as for an apple pie (with cinnamon, sugar, a pat of butter, and don't forget a dash of nutmeg). Bake at 400 degrees until done (about 50 minutes or so).
I put the pie plate on a cookie sheet to catch any juice spills, and loosely covered the tart with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning of crust.
We just had some, still warm from the oven.
Thank you, Helen!

"White Cane Day" or Opportunities and a Blind Date

2 Major events this week:

Geo and I attended a press conference with Gov Jim Douglas at the Echo Center for the introduction of a new loan program provided through the Opportunities Credit Union. Opportunities is providing low cost loans to persons who may not otherwise qualify, for adaptive equipment to provide those with disabilities increased ease and mobility to fully participate in society. The equipment, or devices, are very often unaffordable to those who need them most. By taking part in this low cost loan program, more persons will be able to become gainfully employed, to become more actively engaged in advocacy, as well as to enjoy life more fully and independently. Opportunities is the only bank or credit union in this area providing this type of loan.

Last night was the first (hopefully annual) "Blind Date" event to raise funds to be used for adaptive hearing services for audio described plays, and soon-to-be- movies, for the blind and visually impaired. Think about it: a visually impaired person, even sitting in the front row, misses much of what is happening onstage, merely because he or she just cannot see what is happening. To hear the dialogue alone is inadequate to appreciate the production. The VT Council of the Blind has a program of training volunteers to audibly describe action, set, even facial expressions of the actors while a play is happening; this is transmitted through audio receiver headsets worn by those who request them. Through a generous grant, this on-going program was initiated. The benefit last night was to raise funds to continue this invaluable program. Major news is that the Capitol Theater in Montpelier will soon provide for audio description.

The benefit dinner was a "Blind Date" because each placesetting included an eyemask to be worn during the dinner. Everyone could learn what it is like for the blind to eat. Meat was a 6 o'clock, potato at 11, and veggies at 1 o'clock.

And what about "White Cane Day?" Who of us even know that this is a national day of awareness for the blind and visually impaired? Apparently not the State of VT. At last night's dinner I happened to sit next to a gentleman (Mr. G.) who wants to learn new ways to promote this in VT. He did a google and was pleased to see a reference to an offical state of VT website. However, as he read the reference, it noted that "White Cane Day" was included as one of the five silliest holidays in VT. He fired off an email to Secretary of State Deb Markowicz to enlighten her about this, and he requested an apology on behalf of persons with disabilities who may be offended by this reference. She apologized; "White Cane Day" as a silly holiday is now removed from the site. Mr. G. is taking this one step further, however. He is requesting that the state officially promote this annual day of awareness. No response as yet...

Good news is, I hear Mayor Peter Clavelle of Burlington, VT has participated in "white Cane Day" by walking down Church Street, blindfolded and with a cane. All to raise awareness. Seems that many people are not conscious of making way for a person with a cane. "White Cane Day" is coming to a state near you in October. Any suggestions for observing this day?

John Adams

Well, I finally completed my read of David McCullough's John Adams, (751pp).
Some little known facts:

1)The Declaration of Independence was actually signed on August 2, 1776. It was signed in haste because of pesty black flies biting the delegates. The actual signing was a low key event with names of the signatories hidden from King George III; if things didn't work out and the country would fall back into the hands of the British, the penalty for treason would be hanging. It took great courage to put one's name on the Declaration.

2)John and Abigail Adams' daughter Nabby died of breast cancer.

3)If 250 New York votes would have swung for President John Adams, he would have gained enough electoral votes for a 2nd term. He was the first President defeated for reelection, and he left town before the new President Jefferson was inaugurated. Why did he not stay to demonstrate a peaceful transition of power? It may be that he was not invited.

I'm a McCullough fan because his books are so thoroughly researched and referenced, yet read almost like novels, giving a real immediate sense of the times.

I haven't decided on my next book. Any recommendations?

By Popular Request

Okay, jk, so you didn't like my little joke (see comments on Sept 15 post), and you request a "classic." At the risk of being very foolish, here it is, a classic:

"What do you call a dog with no legs?"

"Call him anything you want, he's not coming."


Bwaaaaaaaaa-ha-hahahahaaaa!

Addie K, you'd be proud...

of us. Tonite Dad and I went to an ART EXHIBIT reception and opening at the Fleming Museum. Featured was New Turf, artists depicting landscapes in the abstract. We really liked Jane Fine's work Sugar Time.

I'm posting a link to Gail Salzman's paintings. Just click on the title of this post to see "Convergence," one of her artworks. Seeing the art on a flat screen, of course, in no way does it justice.

There was also a new exhibit of tea cups and tea pots through the centuries, and another landscape-related display by an artist named Hewitt who used Vermont dirt for the pigment in his paints. (An interesting technique, but I found his work rather dull compared to that in New Turf.)

I do hope Nancy S gets to the Fleming. Her art reflects nature so beautifully; she may be interested in seeing the landscape works.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Who of us are really paying attention? I like reading historical accounts, but WE are the ones living in historic times. A war in Iraq costing well over 200 billion dollars - not to mention the cost of human life; a catastrophic natural disaster disrupting millions in the Gulf states - the estimated financial cost to be greater than that of the Iraq war - with economic shock waves to be felt throughout the nation for years to come; current Senate hearings to confirm Judge Roberts as the 17th Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court of our land; the threat of terror from Muslim extremists who could attack at any place, at any time, in any way (how to guard against this?); a Sudanese genocide... These things are reported daily in the media, yet many of us are so very unaware of the events swirling around us, impacting our lives.

Observing events as mere spectators is not enough. Knowledge calls forth a response. How do we become actively engaged so as to make a positive difference?

George quoted Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Where do we go from here?

This One Made Me Laugh

From my LOL link:


TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North America.

GEORGE: Here it is!

TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?

CLASS: George!

THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD and BARAK OBAMA

Vacation days and time to read.

Geo bought me a copy of David's McCullough's first book The Johnstown Flood,an account of the disaster in Pennsylvania May 31, 1889. Similarities between that event and the current event in the Gulf States is remarkable. In both, engineering deficiencies were evident but not corrected to withstand a catastrophe. The lowest economic classes were most affected. Communications broke down. People survived on rooftops. Families were separated. The blame game began at the outset. There were rumors of looting. Stench was horrific and- in Johnstown- it lasted for months. In one paragraph McCullough refers to the displaced victims as "refugees." (What was that discusion a few days ago? Are hurricane/flood victims "refugees" or "American evacuees?") A worthwhile read.

A second book recommended to me by Geo was Barak Obama's Dreams from My Father. I was struck by Sen. Obama's candor. This is not an autobiography simply of the events of his life, but of a driving search for his identity as an African American. He bears his soul in this book in a way few others would even dare. It is an important book for a perspective on ethnicity and race in one's self-identity, and in the role of family in one's education and social achievements. It is an important book regardless of any political persuasion. Watch for Sen. Obama's rise in the national political scene. My prediction is: Democratic VP candidate 2008.

On to the next literary adventure...

Thanks, Mr. G...

for selecting my electric trimmer. You selected it, Geo purchased it, and I'm using it. Our shrubbery is so overgrown, a handtrimmer is no longer effective. This morning I did the trimming and Geo hauled away the clippings. I'm glad it's a fairly light weight trimmer. My left arm is still somewhat numb; anything heavier, I'd have a hard time managing. This one is just right. Thank you!

Up To My Neck

These are vacation days for me. I've been up at camp spending most of my time reading. These are the best days at camp. It's after Labor Day when the "tourists" are gone, the shore is quiet, the days are still sunny-warm.
From the weather reports, I knew yesterday would be my best final opportunity for the season. The water was clear and the lake temp was 69 degrees. I'm not one to suddenly plunge in; I got used to the water gradually, step by step. It was so very refreshing. I kept going into the waves until I was in up to my neck. And then I started to swim. It was Sept 7, the skies were blue, the sunlight was golden on the waters, and I was swimming in Lake Champlain.
Not only do I enjoy being in the water, but also breathing in the fresh lake air. I lingered on the shore last evening until the sun disappeared behind Woods Island. There was no place else I'd rather be on Sept 7.

HOPE

I haven't posted for a few days. Geo and I have spent many hours watching CNN, FOX and MSNBC - just prior to the recent disaster and all the days following. In the comfort of our living room we've seen the hurricane, flooding, fires, destruction, anarchy, evacuations, and the desperation of abandoned people on a scale unimaginable. Through T-V I'm witnessing all of this, yet I just cannot wrap my mind around what is happening. I cannot even imagine the horror of the destruction and the pain of human loss.
New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, inland towns and cities and residents are irrevocably changed. In the comfort of my living room I now feel out of touch, like a helpless spectator. However, just as life as we knew it changed after 9-11, so our lives will change post Katrina. The hurricane struck and the waves and the ripples will reach most every person in the United States. For me the bottom line is: how do we regard our fellow human beings; how do we regard one another? Perhaps the one thing to be salvaged in all this mess is hope.
The psychological impact will be immense. Jenna, if you do become a clinical psychologist, you will have your work cut out for you for years to come. And Adriene, with your degree you will be able to help people to see and to appreciate beauty once again, and to be enriched by it.
I am happy to hear that Wells College was one of the first to announce they would accept the relocation of college students to their campus. This will be an opportunity for one of our family to reach out to personally welcome a few of those who were immediately affected by this catastrophe.

Thank you!

Thanks, A and J, for publishing comments, and thanks to Cyndy, Barb M, and Jim T and everyone else for checking out my blog.
Watch for updates, click on any of the 6 links and the comments, and add comments of your own, if you'd like.