From Brooklyn to Baliwood

From Brooklyn to Baliwood, from Indian movies to Scandinavian furniture - these were topics of conversation at a delightful dinner at Barb and Jerry's.
Geo and I were invited for Saturday evening, along with Lucy to meet Nectar. Lucy and Nectar were in doggie heaven gnawing on huge bones most of the evening.
Geo said the dinner could not have been finer. How did Barb and Jerry know that lamb is his favorite? The entire meal could have been featured in the centerfold of Bon Apetite. I am not a great fan of lamb, but I must say, this was the best ever, accompanied by creamy orzo and an appetizer of homemade pesto with warm-from-the-oven bread. Wine selection was a Merlot. Fantastic finish to the meal was Barb's own apple pie served with cheddar cheese and Vanilla Ben and Jerry's. (Addie K, you'd have loved it!)
Thank you, Barb and Jerry!
Now it's on to Montreal with B & J, perhaps to the Museum of Modern Art, the tea salon, the Vietnamese restaurant on St. Denis, and - of course - the chocolate store, all recommended by "one who knows."
(Has anyone noticed that many of these posts feature food???)

Please Pass the Pulled Pork

Geo was invited to a meeting of the Interpreter Implementation Committee of the Vermont Supreme Court. I tagged along. Purpose of the task force is to initiate planning to train interpreters of various languages for the Court.
The interpreter serves all sides in the hearing. Although it may be convenient for the interpreter to stand at the defendent's table, this may not be the best idea. The defendent may be surprised and upset that the interpreter, who knows his or her language and culture, is not advocating for the defense. The interpreter needs to be neutral, like a disinterested third party. However, is neutrality really possible? Is there risk of bias in the proceedings when the interpreter meets with the defendent outside of the courtroom?
Legal interpretation is a specialized skill. The plan is for standardized trainings in various locations in Vermont. Interpreters can be trained, but they cannot be "qualified" and they will not be "certified."
After the meeting Geo and I discovered a fabulous Bar-B-Q restaurant in Montpelier - Finkerman's. (Well, it was discovered long before we did.) We feasted on gumbo soup (sans okra) with lots of chicken and sausage, jalapeno grits, candied mashed sweet potatoes, and slices of cornbread with BBQ pulled pork. For dessert we had bourbon pecan pie with caramel sauce and a mountain of freshly whipped cream. Geo said it was absolutely El Paso quality. For sure we will return. When is that next interpreter meeting again?

UGANDA JOURNALS - The Inside Scoop

Just click on this title to see more, and follow the links.

Jenna's journal was included in the Burlington Free Press feature article about the SMC summer trip to Uganda. We are incredibly proud of Jenn for all her efforts to take this journey, we are thankful to Robert and Adie her professors who organized this trip to make it possible, we are appreciative that Jenn met Atem and has shared in his awesome family reunion, and we are grateful for all who have supported this endeavor in any way.

Here is just one excerpt of Jenn's Journal, June 28, 2005:
"I am home now. I overheard some girls at my work talking about tanning, and I became extremely frustrated.

For the past few weeks, I have only discussed intellectually about what I have experienced. Our group has been trying to decide where the money we raised this last year should go.

Yet these girls couldn't decide if it was better to tan themselves at home with a spray bottle or pay the extra cash and bronze at a spa.
My discomfort was not so much in the subject but in the fact I couldn’t fit into the conversation. It's not as if I could explain that there were people literally starving and living off measly rations and needed money so desperately.

I felt terrible not being able to say anything, especially when they finally decided to get a professional tan, the more expensive option.
When people wonder what I have been up to for a month, I tell them I was doing service in Africa, and immediately they ask to hear all about it. As sincere as his or her curiosity is, I know that no one really wants to know the horrid truth of what happened in Uganda. And Sudan. And Rwanda.

I can't even bring myself to verbalize some of the stories I have heard or describe how many must live. I tell people stories that will make Africa seem exciting and beautiful. How we had to wait for a family of elephants to cross the road, how I bought a pair of shoes for a girl who once wondered the market barefoot on top of garbage, how I met great people with interesting lives.

But I have yet to tell the really sad stories that I will never be able to erase from my memory.

I talked to people who watched their own homes burn to the ground, whose family was killed right before them while they hid in a potato field just a few yards away, who was forced to join the army and to kill others so not to lose their own lives.

I don't know if people are ready to really listen. And when they ask to see pictures, I wonder what it is they want to see: Pictures of people so skinny you can count their ribs? A picture of a woman who has been sick for 20 years whose eyes are clouded over in complete blindness?

I went to Africa and saw people who need our help now more then ever. These people were begging me, running after me calling my name, grabbing my arms, asking me for anything that I could spare. They would fight over my empty water bottle as if it were all the gold in the world. It makes me so sad that people have to hear these stories to be motivated to help, but at the same time, I have to remember that they don't know and are genuinely interested..."

Thank you, Jenna

risque, cliche, equalite

With Geo gone for a few days, I caught up with a few old movies I had not yet seen.
Finally viewed Animal Crackers. I was surprised at the risque undertones; I guess I didn't expect this from a 1930 film. Many long scenes, mostly vignettes. I liked the Art Deco and the fashions of the late 20's early 30's. I noted similarities in those styles with those of today with the sheer uneven hemlines and sleeves. It must have been thoroughly modern and trendy in its day, like VOGUE on screen.
I also watched Philadelphia featuring Tom Hanks. Great performance, an okay movie. I was disappointed in all the cliches depicting overt discrimination of gays and HIV, and would have preferred to see more of the subtle discrimination. But then this was a 1993 film and made an important statement in its day. There's been rapid societal change since then. Of course, discrimination still exists.
Addie K, I finally saw Mona Lisa Smile - from beginning to end. I came away thinking that this film is actually underrated. It does a pretty good job of showing expectations of women in the early 50's. I actually remembered some of the products in the advertising clips at the end...During WWII, women took the places of men in the factories. When the men came back from the war, women left the workplace to marry, have families and become fulltime homemakers. Many families, however, needed that second income, and women continued working outside the home.
Grandmother worked at G&H making airplane parts. After the war when she married, she continued working as a waitress and then returned to factory work because it paid better. She worked all of her adult life until she retired when she was 65. Women are still striving for equality in the workplace: equal jobs, equal pay, equal opportunity for leadership and promotion.
How about a woman as President of the United States? Isn't it about time? That's why I'd like to see the race between Hillary and Condi. But that's the subject of another blog.

"Hi, Judy, It's Me, Shirley"

I am having a great week. My friend Judy whom I haven't seen in over, ahem, 20 years has been traveling in New England with her sisters. They came to Vermont and Judy and I had the opportunity to see each other again.
Judy, you are as fun and fabulous as ever. Thanks for reminding me about the story of the new coat. I thought about it again today, and I just had to laugh out loud!
Your sisters are terrific. I enjoyed meeting them. I enjoyed "happy hour" at the hotel. I enjoyed seeing pix of your family and of the new home. I enjoyed our drizzly walk down Church Street and the seafood chowder at Rusty Scuffer. I enjoyed hearing people (all of you) who speak Wisconsin talk just like me. Thanks, girlfriend!
It's also been a great week because daughter Jenn has been home for a few days. Always great to get caught up on what's happening in her life, all she cares to share. And daughter Addie K reports an EXCELLENT weekend. Life is good!
Geo is heading to CT on a work assignment for a few days. (Don't tell him, but I'm having lobster when he's gone.) Prayers on the way for a successful outcome for his clients...

Care Net and Chocolate Cake

Thanks to Jim and Kay, Geo and I attended our very first Care Net benefit dinner. A very unique experience. There were so many people there, Geo and I thought at first we were not with the right group. What made it so unique was the mix of people who attended. We saw familiar faces in the crowd (and - at the next table - hopefully a future US Senator from VT). Although people in attendance were from different social circles and denominations, what brought everyone together was support for the option of life for preborn babies. There was an almost palpable positive energy in this crowd, filled with a gentle strength, hope, affirmation, and acceptance. It was both inspirational and somehow healing. I don't think one could experience this in any other gathering other than one that is pro-life. Obviously, you can tell I was very impressed.
Care Net is a pregnancy center that provides counsel and services to young women who need to make hard and difficult choices about unplanned babies. Information is provided about abortion and various pro-life options.
A high point was the opportunity to hear two very brave young women share about their encounters with Care Net, and to see their very beautiful healthy babies. These women and their infants continue to receive support from the Care Net staff, made possible by the generous contributions of doners.
For sure you will see us at next year's dinner.
The chocolate cake? That was dessert. Not like any chocolate cake, but one with cherry filling, whipped cream and lots of chocolate shavings. A perfect ending to a terrific meal in good company. Thank you, Jim and Kay.

SU DOKU, ANYONE?

One of the guys at training last week pointed out the Su Doku next to the USA Today crossword I was working on. Su Doku? I've heard it's been all the rage in Japan, spreading to the UK and throughout Europe, and now with books on the best seller lists here in the US. I've always been intimidated by numbers, so I thought this would not be for me. So I thought...
Don got me started with my first Su Doku. Addicting? I can only say that by the next evening I was out to buy the Nov 05 (first issue) DELL Extreme Su Doku, and yesterday found me in Borders for Mark Huckvale's The Big Book of Su Doku #2. Huckvale's book includes variations on the basic 9X9 theme.
If you think you may enjoy arranging numbers 1-9 in 9 boxes with no repeats in sequence, give it a go. It's all in the challenge.

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!