Sunday, December 21, 2008

New Year's Greetings and Hope for World Peace

Happiness and some disappointment too. Of course I'm thrilled with the election of Barack Obama. I have some high expectations. And, I'm thinking, where would be if the other team was getting sworn in on January 20? So that tempers my disappointments, BUT what was the President elect thinking when he selected Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation? This is not a person who speaks for inclusiveness. Warren has been disparaging of other humans who don't accept his way of life and his view of the world. I'm hoping that Obama's notion that the invitation will open a dialogue with this part of the electorate will work. My experience in talking with adamant anti-gay marriage and antiabortion people in this part of the world is that they have been civil but unshaken in the notion that they have the world from God.

I was also hoping for a more imaginative Secretary of Education like Linda Darling Hammond. Obama's selection of Arne Duncan favors a person who has a mixed record on public education reform. Hilda Solis will be a good Secretary of Labor. She is likely to more carefully monitor wage and hour laws and regulations covering Occupational Safety and Health and Mine Safety. Workers have suffered because of the poor record of this administration in enforcing these standards.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Friends Make a Difference

We won! Is there anything sweeter than winning? Yes, winning big. And, indeed, how proud I am that Pennsylvania went by 10 points for Obama, even though Franklin County kept the same percentage of votes. Well our hard work resulted in many many more Democrats turning out but many, many more Republicans turned out too. It was fun to have some good conversations with people in my area about why I was supporting Obama. It's the first time I've really engaged with folks around here about politics. They were all civil exchanges.

A dear friend and education reformer Deborah Meier, came in from NYC to help on the campaign and right after she left, we welcomed friends from Sweden. They arrived so they could stand in Times Square on election night and feel the love.The Europeans really wanted the Bush era to end and a new era to begin in relations with the USA. Let's hope it really happens.

We had a great week with them in DC. We saw an amazing retrospective glass exhibit at the Renwick Gallery of the work of Lino Tagliapietra. Everyone should make an effort to see it. You will be dazzled by his feats of magic with glass.

And finally I want to hail my former co-workers who pulled together a little reunion at the Glen Echo Irish Inn in Maryland. What a wonderful, funny, smart and idealistic crew. It makes me feel good to see them doing well by doing good.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Is Anyone Wondering Where I am????

I'm deep in Organizing land and with the help of amazing and willing volunteers we'll up the vote for Obama in Franklin County. Will we win Franklin County? Probably not. BUT our effort may prove that every vote counts and happily more and more Democrats, union members, environmentalists and others want their votes to count. When this great movement pauses after election day I'll go back to art and politics will have to take a back seat.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Serena's Birthday

Friendship can be defined in many ways. Some people stay in touch weekly, daily, monthly...for us-living a continent apart-three times a year seems to be what we manage. But we're still friends, thinking of each other on birthdays, waiting for the card we remember to send, marveling at her wonderful valentine greetings that are creative and whimsical. So after seventy years how do I remember Serena?... the person who told me at 50 that she still feels as if she's seventeen. The person who suffered through a hurricane season at a Connecticut resort where we were both childrens' counselors. The person who sat next to me in college. The person with whom I double dated. She's had an adventurous life and not always a contented one. But she's made it through, contributes to her city, does art, has good childen. To me she'll always be my "best friend" of high school and college. I think of her often and as we enter our 70th year, I'll raise a glass to her health and long life and yes, happiness!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Talk to your Spouse and your Children

One thing I've lerned while I've been calling people to vote for Obama and Tony Barr is that not every household spends quality time talking politics. Imagine at this late date -- only a month away from the election -- wives tell me, "I don't know how he's voting. We haven't talked about the election." What the heck do they talk about? It reminds me of the time when our daughter went to college and learned that not every family watched the News Hour at dinner time. So all I can advise is talk to your children and to your husband about these most "private" issues. After all their minds are a terrible thing to waste.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Say It Isn't So...

Is it really possible that the American people will reject a smart person for president? I can't believe it.

Our banks are increasingly owned by Middle Eastern, Chinese,and even Russian banks. We're bailing out the money lenders instead of regulating them. Can you imagine that Sen. McCain with his steadfast adherence to outmoded freemarket models will be able to correct the situation? Or, heaven forbid, Ms. Palin? We need a thinker -- An FDR who understands that he has to first revive the economy by rebuilding infrastructure, improving our schools, and creating jobs that build incomes. The Republicans have consistently built this economy on the idea that citizens should be consumers first. So people shop for and buy useless Made in China items that clutter their homes and lives. We need to have a "correction" all right, and that correction is to get rid of these free marketeers.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

A child said, What is the grass?

A child said, What is the grass? fetching it to me with full
hands;
How could I answer the child?. . . .I do not know what it
is any more than he.

I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful
green stuff woven.

Or I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord,
A scented gift and remembrancer designedly dropped,
Bearing the owner's name someway in the corners, that we
may see and remark, and say Whose?

Or I guess the grass is itself a child. . . .the produced babe
of the vegetation.

Or I guess it is a uniform hieroglyphic,
And it means, Sprouting alike in broad zones and narrow
zones,
Growing among black folks as among white,
Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the
same, I receive them the same.

And now it seems to me the beautiful uncut hair of graves.

Tenderly will I use you curling grass,
It may be you transpire from the breasts of young men,
It may be if I had known them I would have loved them;
It may be you are from old people and from women, and
from offspring taken soon out of their mother's laps,
And here you are the mother's laps.

This grass is very dark to be from the white heads of old
mothers,
Darker than the colorless beards of old men,
Dark to come from under the faint red roofs of mouths.

O I perceive after all so many uttering tongues!
And I perceive they do not come from the roofs of mouths
for nothing.

I wish I could translate the hints about the dead young men
and women,
And the hints about old men and mothers, and the offspring
taken soon out of their laps.

What do you think has become of the young and old men?
What do you think has become of the women and
children?

They are alive and well somewhere;
The smallest sprouts show there is really no death,
And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait
at the end to arrest it,
And ceased the moment life appeared.

All goes onward and outward. . . .and nothing collapses,
And to die is different from what any one supposed, and
luckier.

by Walt Whitman

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Remembering the March on Washington

Tonight, August 28, is the 45th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. I had been a college activist in the civil rights movement and had participated in two previous marches while I was in college: the children's march and the prayer pilgrimage, both spearheaded by peace activist Bayard Rustin. I was, by 1963, expecting my first child and working for the International Union of Electrical Workers. Because we were bringing in close to a thousand union marchers, my overprotective boss, Jim Carey, stationed me on the Ellipse, near the White House, to handle IUE logistics. He told me not to go to the mall. He was worried about police overreaction and the police were edgy about civil rights violence. I was so eager to get to the "action" however that I did manage to slowly work my way to the reflecting pool. There I witnessed the most wonderful collection of people of every race, dressed for an outing (no jeans and tee shirts), union people, church leaders, doctors, lawyers, legislators--all demanding long denied justice and rights for African American citizens. The singing and the speeches, especially Dr. King's will live with me forever. It was the most loving, peaceful demonstration that had ever been seen.

Today as I consider the nomination of Barack Obama I think with such joy how I have waited for this opportunity to see us overcome the prejudices of the past. We can seize this unique moment in history to create a better nation, indivisible, with justice for all. Will we do it? Yes we can.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Why I Love Scuba

Some readers have asked: "Why do you like to scuba?" So I've given some thought to it. The initial moment of descent is not comfortable (like all efforts before you acquire absolute skill). You must stop, equalize pressure, continue down into the unknown. But once you have equalized and go off, flippers moving efficiently, breathing slow and measured, you feel a new person. And the things you see! In the Caribbean you see coral formations in colors that are never revealed once these chunks are washed on shore. Schools of fish fold in and out like shifting streams of silk. Then there's always the thrill of possibly seeing the big one, as I did when snorkeling --a beautiful, submarine-like Barracuda, veering off just below me, sleek and sure. It was snorkeling that made me yearn for more. And now I just want to improve my skills and dive for as long as I can. Diving is not unlike my experience at printmaking. You think you know where you want to go but the lines in the etching reveal new paths and you have to be ready to take them.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

www.hugerbites.org

The Central Pennsylvania foodbank sent me their newsletter which focuses on the growing number of children in central PA who don't have enough to eat. Among their findings is that:
1 in 8 Americans are food insecure; meaning their access to enough food is limited by a lack of money and other resources.

Increases in the price of heating oil, gasoline and rents have resulted in record numbers of individuals and families seeking food assistance during the last year.

Hunger is on the rise in Pennsylvania. Nearly 1.2 million Pennsylvanians, almost 10% of our population, live in households at risk for hunger. That’s enough people to fill Penn State University’s football stadium nearly 12 times.

18% of Pennsylvania children live in poverty.
46% of PA adults requesting food assistance are employed.
.

When people ask me why I have a Barack Obama bumper sticker on my car I can point to these facts plus the tens of thousands in PA with no or inadequate health insurance. We must take better care of each other.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Critical Thinking

Business says it wants workers capable of "critical thinking", adults who think "outside the box." But television, radio, and even newspapers daily provide information that is inflammatory and unsourced. Even though the internet offers sites where people can read contrary and well-researched information, these are deemed "wonky", too issue driven. How do we get our children and their parents to take the time and effort to go beyond the scare headlines? The future of our democracy depends on it.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Important Legislation for Artists and Crafts People

It's not unusual to be asked to contribute artwork or craft to nonprofit organizations for fundraising benefits. Many artists do it quite regularly. Right now the only thing you can deduct from your income tax is the cost of the materials you used for making the work. But a bill in Congress could more fairly compensate artists. H.R.1524 would allow artists to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions. The U.S. tax system now accords unequal treatment to collectors who donate to museums, nonprofits or libraries. It allows them full market value of the work. So if you've ever asked an artist to contribute something to an auction benefit, please call your member of Congress to support this legislation.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Teaching Grandsons Poker

In our family Thanksgiving is always the time for a family poker game. It's been this way for as long as I can remember. When my dear mother was not completely "there", she came to one Thanksgiving dinner and when the poker chips came out, sat down and with the skill of an old time dealer was able to win almost every pot. So naturally, as Thanksgiving is not too far away, I wanted to prepare my grandsons for their first family poker game (penny and two is our usual game). Ages 7 and 9, I thought they would have a hard time learning. I prepared a list of winning hands and began. I had to explain some poker etiquette, like it's not nice to stick your tongue out at the loser. But after that, they proceeded apace. Of course they have spent this visit absolutely killing us. In five card stud they draw full houses, four aces, straights, etc. etc. Luckily we've been playing with poker chips so no one is poorer. I guess it's not right for grandma to plan a career in poker for her grandsons. But it sure is tempting. With luck like that they could afford to go to MIT. Oops, I guess there was a movie about that!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Don't Let Facts Get in the Way

I have just returned from a trip to my favorite health food store where I overheard and was drawn into a conversation about Obama. The two women told me without a doubt that Obama was a Muslim, that he wouldn't salute the flag and several other such items. No amount of evidence to the contrary that I produced for them would satisfy. They warned he would make us all drink poisoned Kool Aid or some other such stuff. I don't know what to think about this. I gave them the name of several websites with journalists debunking these rumors (the AFL-CIO has one) but I could see they were unmoved. The conservative radio here is spreading these rumors, I've heard them. I've also seen publications that are the same. I know we've always had very bitter political campaigns and Jefferson, Hamilton and others all engaged in mud slinging. I would think that was one gift from the founding fathers that we could give up.

South Central PA Gardeners

While reading other bloggers from my region I note that a strong link between us is gardening and craft. I'm also a gardener and draw on it as an inspiration for color, form and content in my art work. See the photo of this year's Chinese Peony and my relief print. As with others I'm overwhelmed with cucumbers this year and plum tomatoes. No problem with the tomatoes, just make tomato sauce. But how many pickles can you eat over a year. I guess my friends will be getting home made pickles for Christmas and Chanukah.

Thinking About Campaign Coverage

Television media in particular spend an inordinate amount of time chasing down every little slip of the tongue of each of the candidates. This creates stories that go on for a week: “Candidate A said so-and-so”, What do you think of that statement? Will it disaffect the white vote? The Black vote? And now, the green vote? The Sunday talk shows mull over the meaning. The pundits representing each candidate or party stroke their beards and behave as if this was an important distinction.

Has there ever been a time when such fine parsing of words dominated the airwaves and even print media? In the words of former Presidential candidate Walter Mondale: “Where’s the beef?” We have watched TV presentations of candidate speeches with long discussions on the one slip or the one provocative comment. But less than one minute spent on the content of the candidates’ proposals. The American people must get energetic about reading the content of these proposals on the candidates’ web sites. They must look at some non-affiliated websites to get solid information. Since south central Pennsylvania is so tax averse, I thought I would list some tax watch dog organizations that explore the issues of fair taxation and monitor government spending.

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/ It has links to these other organizations and more.
http://www.cbpp.org/
http://www.fairtaxes4all.org/
http://www.ombwatch.org/

Monday, August 4, 2008

Loss and Regret

I just learned this morning that my former partner Susan Hager, 63, died suddenly at her home. She had been quite ill some years ago and had a kidney transplant donated by her assistant! If you want to read more about Susan's wonderful career look up: HagerSharp, Washington, DC. We have, within recent years, suffered what seems to be a growing number of untimely deaths among my cohort (people in their sixties) and it makes me regret every hour lost, every book unread, every concert missed, and most of all every friend not seen for a long time. The internet at once links us one to another, as I had always hoped. But it also cheapens the quality of the communication and lessens its emotional and intellectual content. My husband and I just watched all of the John Adams series produced by HBO. I also recently finished the Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton. One has to be struck by the ability of these correspondents to be literary, thoughtful, clever and prolific. All with a steel tipped quill!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

When a Teacher Becomes a Student

Master woodcut printer Keiji Shinohara learns a new craft to get the student's perspective on learning. One of the Penland stories from a Mint Museum on line exhibition.
http://www.mintmuseum.org/penland/stories/vid_popup.php?id=05a&scroll=68

Teaching to the Test

What do we lose when schools teach to the test? Aside from the obvious loss of meaning and debasement of content, we lose the chance to tap into the joys and engagement of experiential learning.

In the past I learned that from attending The Penland School of Crafts and absorbing printmaking techniques from the students around me. How did I learn printmaking there? I learned by failure, success, stumbling, and striving, and often by frustration.

Sometimes activities, like scuba diving, seem so technical at first that it seems impossible to achieve the required skill. Even after I had my scuba certification I had my difficulties. But as one of my diving buddies told me, "Getting your certification is just a license to learn."

Why can't we see that our children need a "license to learn".