February Books

I recently read a couple of books on the Lost Generation. Gertrude Stein An Afterlife by Francesca Wade was excellent. If you are a Gertrude fan, like I am. This book covers her life but also tells us what happened after her death. Where all her writing went, what happened to Alice. Gertrude was pretty much a nut but she had a very interesting life. I found out that in December 1970, long after she and most of her family were dead, the MOMA in New York City put on an exhibit of all the paintings they purchased. They were able to gather them up from various owners around the world and put on a show called Four Americans in Paris featuring the collected art purchased by Gertrude, her brothers Leo and Michael and Michael’s wife, Sarah.

Gertrude and her two brothers, Leo and Michael

I managed to find the brochure from the MOMA website. The exhibit is impressive with about 100 Picasso’s alone, along with Matisse, Manet, Laurencin, Gris, Cezanne and many others.

I also read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It is a novel based on Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson. Of course Gertrude is in it as well as Fitzgerald, Pound and others. It was an easy and interesting read. I learned a lot about Hemingway and the others. I got the impression that Hadley was his one and only true love. It made me want to learn more about Hemingway. He was another character.

I read one other book that had nothing to do with Paris. It came with all kinds of recommendations from celebrities and is on lots of “lists”. This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. It is a novel about a family with five boys except the youngest wants to be a girl. To be honest I thought this book was pretty ridiculous. But since it was presented as a novel, I read the whole thing. What topped it off for me was the Author’s Note at the end where the author spends three pages telling us about her transgender child and that this book has nothing to do with her personal story. Why? Who cares? There is no way I could ever believe this story was true. It was totally unrealistic. No reason to tell me it was not true and no reason to spend three pages doing it. Ugh.

Yes, the subject is real but the way this family handled it was truly unbelievable. My opinion.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Breakfast in Minnesota

It is 7 below zero F today. We are on a warming trend.
Never mind things have been boiling hot for weeks.

It is a sad day

We aren’t terrorists.
Domestic or otherwise.
We are mothers and fathers
We are sisters and brothers

Poets and authors
Dancers and singers
Teachers and nurses

We are you
We are the faces of America
We love our country
We believe in our laws
We cherish our rights

What is wrong with us?
Are we the only ones to see?

1965
On March 7, 1965, an estimated 525 to 600 civil rights marchers headed southeast out of Selma. The protest went according to plan until the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they encountered a wall of state troopers and county posse waiting for them on the other side.
The county sheriff had issued an order for all white men in Dallas County over the age of twenty-one to report to the courthouse that morning to be deputized. Commanding officer John Cloud told the demonstrators to disband at once and go home. Rev. Hosea Williams tried to speak to the officer, but Cloud curtly informed him there was nothing to discuss. Seconds later, the troopers began shoving the demonstrators, knocking many to the ground and beating them with nightsticks. Another detachment of troopers fired tear gas, and mounted troopers charged the crowd on horseback.

1970
Four unarmed college students were killed and nine wounded by the Ohio National Guard on May 4, 1970.
The shootings triggered immediate and massive outrage on campuses around the country. It increased participation in the student strike that began on May 1. Ultimately, more than 4 million students participated in organized walk-outs at hundreds of universities, colleges, and high schools. The shootings and the strike affected public opinion at an already socially contentious time over the role of the United States in the Vietnam War.
Eight of the shooters were charged with depriving the student of their civil rights but were acquitted in a bench trial. The trial judge stated, “It is vital that state and National Guard officials not regard this decision as authorizing or approving the use of force against demonstrators, whatever the occasion of the issue involved. Such use of force is, and was, deplorable.”

This is our history.
We have been here before.

Have we become so fat and happy
Are we so detached
We don’t believe our own eyes?

It is a sad day.
Say their names
Rene Good – Poet, mother of three
Alex Pretti – VA ICU Nurse

Shame Shame Shame

Postcards from Hawaii

Honolulu 1978. “Concrete Necklace” that seems to continually grow, but will never obliviate – majestic Diamond Head.

March 1990

Aloha
We hovered over this in an helicopter in 1986 and it’s still going! We are not going this year – but that’s about the only thing that has not changed. Some changes breaking the heart. Sigred and I are “up Kula” – very like our old home – chilly. No newspapers – no TV – so just hope the rest of the world is ok.
Aloha, Katherine

Lava rom Kilauea Volcano meets the sea at Kupaahu, not far from Kalapana Black Sand Beach, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Kihel, Island of Maui

January 1967. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head – Waikiki Beach is the hub of Hawaii’s vacationland and Diamond Head is her most famous landmark.

This beautiful waterfall took its name from many rainbows seen when the sun catches the mist below the falls. It is located in the Wailuku River State Park Hilo.

1990
Blow holes in Hawaii can be found on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai. Huge ocean swells crash against the shoreline and surge into a lava bubble with a hole in its roof, crating huge geysers. They can be very dangerous. Photo: Carl Shaneff 

The Parking Ramp Hater
black and white indoor parking garage scene
Photo by Haberdoedas Photography on Pexels.com

I was going to meet a friend in the parking ramp. She was giving me a ride to a Friday night event. She was late. I was standing inside by the elevators and I watched a guy drive by in a white van and park in a space that was not a parking space. It was just off to the side by some pillars. People have parked there before and blocked my space and I had trouble getting my car out or could not get it out. He got out of his car and walked towards the elevators. When he tried the door, he found it locked but he had a fob and was able to gain entry. 

When he came in I said, “Just so you know, that is not a parking space. It could block my way.”

He seemed confused and said it was guest parking. 

“No, it is not a space. If you have guest parking, you should have a space number to park in. All the spaces have numbers.”

He fumbled around and then called somebody on his phone and that person was clueless as well. Then he went back outside. When he came back in he said,

“I’m not blocking anybody. I’m not blocking you. You are just a complainer. You just love to complain. I bet all you do is complain. You f**king b**ch. What a f**king b**ch. Complain complain. B**ch You f**king b**ch”

At first I tried to explain to him what I was talking about but he was having none of it.

“F**king b**ch you are a f**king b**ch all you do is complain, complain”

“Yep, I just complain. Complain.”

Then he really started to get riled up. He was carrying a very old mangey tiny dog that looked like it was on its last legs. This big guy with a big mouth and a tiny sad dog. I refrained from commenting on that. Thought better of it.

He got right up in my face, “f**king b**ch, you are a f**king b**ch, what a f**king b**ch” and on and on. 

I finally looked him right in the eyes and said, “Are you going to hit me?”

I thought he was going to hit me, he was so riled up. Practically foaming at the mouth.

There was a split second flicker in his eyes, an almost undiscernible pause. He stepped back.

“I’m not going to hit you. You stupid f**king b**ch. What a stupid f**king b**ch.”

“Yeah, and you are nasty”

“I’m nasty? You are a nasty f**king b**ch. What a f**king stupid b**ch …” this went on for a while longer and I just looked away and ignored him without making further contact of any kind.

Eventually he went back outside and called his friend on his phone and I could hear him telling the person what a f**king b**ch I was.

I gave up on meeting my friend and went back to my apartment. I was shaken. I just wanted to get someplace safe. Away from the crazies.

I thought maybe I should have tried to film him or take his picture or take a picture of his van. But after seeing how the ICE agents react to that behavior it was probably not a good idea. Who knows how he would have reacted to that. 

An hour a later a friend checked and his van was gone. After all of that, he moved his van.

It was strange that he didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. I thought he would just get on the elevator and go see his friend. But he didn’t. He just stayed in the parking ramp. Why? What was he really doing? 

I’ve come across some crazies in my time. I go into survival mode. I try to calm them down. But the vitriol hate this guy was spewing was something new to me. He was truly a hater.

Over a parking space?

Postcards from Montana

Magnificent Mt. Gould and the Garden Wall are the backdrop for Lake Josephine. Less than one mile hike, or a short boat ride, take the visitor to the beautiful lake, one of 250 in Glacier National Park. The unique flower, Beargrass, is a member of the Lily family, and can be found in nearly all areas of the park.

Jackson Glacier. Visible from “Going to the Sun Highway” – the glacier was once part of the ice area of famous Blackfoot Glacier. It lies between Blackfoot Mountain and Mt. Jackson (10,023 ft). Sixty such glaciers still exist in the park

Built more than a century ago, Glacier Park Lodge is located on the east side, just inside the boundary of the park. Sixty immense timbers which were probably 500 to 800 years old when cut, were used in the construction of this imposing lodge. the huge 40-foot long timbers supporting the lobby are Douglas Fir, while those used to support the verandas are cedar. At the time these enormous timbers were set in place with their original bark still intact, the Indians dubbed Glacier Park Lodge, ‘Oom-Coo-La-Mush-Taw” The big Tree Lodge.
Artwprl bu Barbara Mitchell

Lewis and Clark Trails in Montana. In 1805-06, Lewis and Clark’s ‘Corp of Discovery’ went through present day Montana with the primary objective of finding a waterway from the East to the Pacific, and along the way documenting flora and fauna, and meeting area inhabitants.

Postcards from Indonesia

Indonesian Batik patterns

The main figures of Ramayana Dance.

Djanger Dance is such interesting that some of the tourists returned with a group Djanger dancers to perform in their country.

This Balinese bridesmaid was photographed shortly after her sister was married during a ceremony held in Tahanan on Bali’s West coast.

The Balinese Barong is a mythological symbol of the forces of good in the universe.

The Holidays

That time of year again. I spent Christmas Day watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Seems to be my new holiday ritual. I always see new things in it. This year I paid particular attention to the landscape since I have just been to New Zealand. I did recognize some of it. That was fun. Of course it always ends well which is another plus.

This year was pretty eventful. I went to Mexico in January. Enjoyed the good food in Oaxaca. I was surprised by how hot it was, though. Oaxaca is at 5000 feet and I would have thought it would have been cooler in January but not so. Did some traveling around the countryside and saw some ruins and some textiles and some art. All good.

I was called for Jury duty. One boring day of sitting around and then nothing more. Big disappointment. I was hoping for a juicy trial.

May took me to Miami and Key West. Another hot one. Nice to see the ocean and old friends.

In August I went to see Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. This was where Frank Lloyd Write lived and worked. He was quite the eccentric. It is a beautiful setting.

At the end of August my book came out but I had to postpone my launch until December. The launch went really well and I am pleased with the book. You should read it!

In October I went to Fiji and New Zealand. Wonderful trip. I had to go to Fiji because my father always said it was his most favorite place to visit. I would concur, it was pretty great. And New Zealand was beautiful plus I got the bonus of seeing a couple of old friends.

November was my son’s wedding. It was a lot of fun and I am happy for him.

I have three book ideas I am working on. Actually I think I have narrowed it down to two. It is kind of slow going but as the days get lighter so do I. The brain is churning away.

Looking forward to Florida, Spain, and Belgium in the new year. And who knows what else. Anything can happen!

I hope you and yours have a wonderful New Year!!

Postcards from Colorado

April 2000

Rocky Mountain National Park. Sky Pond and Taylor Glacier. Colorado hikers on the Loch Vale Trail are awarded close up view of Taylor Glacier reflected in the frigid waters of Sky Pond. Photographer – Ron Mauer

Bear Lake, Long’s Peak in background. An easy drive and a vacation wonderland to remember.

Bear Lake in Early Fall, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The golden Fall color of mountain aspen highlights the ever changing beauty of Bear Lake, nestled beneath 14,255 foot high Long’s Peak.

View of the Gore Range, Vail, Colorado

Mt. Ypsilon (13,307 ft.) and Mummy Range as seen from the High Drive in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Ypsilon from Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Pillars of Hercules – illuminated at night in South Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The roadway to Seven Falls passes between these gigantic rocks, and they as well as the entire canyon and the falls themselves, are lighted at night during the summer season.

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

Broadmoor Hotel mirrored in the lake, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Internationally famed resort hotel with every recreational activity imaginable.

View from Trail Ridge road, a few miles below Timberline, looking toward the ever snowy Mt Ypsilon, with Y-snow formation. (Estes Park, Colo. Vicinity) Photo by Ted and Lois Matthews