Art and Politics

Taxes Get You Services

2011-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

Montgomery County and the District of Columbia do have higher taxes than Franklin County Pa. but what teerrrific services you get in exchange. Wonderful and diverse programming in the recreation and parks programs for seniors, kids and all ages. And, most of it is free or at little cost. Excellent library services including on-line access to E books. We are a little taken aback at the poor quality of the streets and roads--assume that part of that is related to the constant digging up for new cables etc.

After a wonderful "welcome back" party in my old neighborhood in Shepherd Park, I learned about a program to help early readers at Shepherd School--the school my daughters attended. Read with a wonderful third grade boy originally from El Salvador. Bright as can be and the "translator" for his family.

Wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2011-10-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

The good, the bad and the ugly! The Good! active streets, many kinds of people from all over the world, great restaurants (we might get really fat), easy access to art and music, terrific garbage pickup, light filled apartment. The Bad! incredibly bureaucratic and expensive process to get our auto license and new driver's license. The fear of terrorists and worry over illegal immigration requires navigating a silly and complex maze of regulations. The Ugly! terrible traffic and, I suppose, because of the budget squeeze very poorly repaired streets. Nonetheless glad to be here although we do miss our buddies in Pennsylvania.

First exhibit I took part in I sold a print and am now preparing to apply for membership in the Washington Printmakers.

Free Type Went Fast, Press Still Here

2011-09-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Moving is a nightmare, particularly sad when breaking up two studios...still available my press (see photo) and my husband's power hammer and compressor. I really appreciated the kind farewells from members and staff of the Area Agency on Aging for Franklin County and from my fellow students of Spanish. Hope they really do intend to visit me after the move. Interested in either item? email me:

ruthjcommunications@comcast.net

Press for Sale and Type Giveaway

2011-09-13T09:22:00.001-07:00

I have a Blick Master Etch press for sale with very good condition blankets mounted on an excellent welded steel frame. It's listed on Briar Press along with an offer of free cases of type. see photo at right.

City Mouse Returns From the Country

2011-08-25T12:37:00.001-07:00

Faithful followers: we're giving up the country life and moving back to the DC area. Not that we didn't love the many friends we made, the artists we met, and the good times with fellow Democrats. We loved it all. But it's getting harder and harder to care for the four acres and we do miss the easy access to music and museums. As if to make us doubt our decision two small deer, orphaned no doubt, have taken up residence and entertain us daily and humming birds and yellow finch have discovered our sunflowers and cleomes. We'll have to rely on the aboretum after this.

Art for Art's Sake

2011-05-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

For Art's Sake why don't more people in south central Pennsylvania turn out for art events? In this part of Franklin County we have kept the doors open on weekends at a small gallery where quality paintings, prints, water colors, photography, and weaving are on display. They don't sell! In fact they can't sell because often not a person walks in the door. We have a big sign on the street, we have notices in the paper, and we've even tied the display into our town's First Friday. But the local people don't even seem curious enough to walk in the door, let alone buy. So we artists go on creating art for art's sake. Any comments? Explanations?

Why Doesn't Business Support Single Payer

2011-05-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

It's hard to understand why corporations (burdened by ever-increasing health care costs) haven't been loud supporters of single payer health care plans. During the sixties and seventies the big corporations did push for joint agreements with labor unions for more government involvement in providing health care coverage. But now, with unions not as strong, they have abandoned that support. This essay on the Healthcare Now website has some insights worth considering.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/why-won%e2%80%99t-corporate-america-support-single-payer-medicare-for-all/

Bernie Sanders Offers Common Sense Solutions

2011-04-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Senator Bernie Sanders(D-Vt)appeared on The Daily Show to promote his book, a compilation of his remarks during his recent filibuster on the Senate floor. The dialogue is instructive to anyone insterested in common sense solutions to our nation's problems.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-27-2011/bernie-sanders

GET REAL

2011-04-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Republicans live in a fantasy world where all young women are virgins and all young men responsible providers. In the Republican world only “immigrants” do drugs, only minorities carry weapons to kill; gays and lesbians are all willing perverts, and everyone who wants to work can get a good job. A job will give them access to doctors, dentists and pharmaceuticals if they need them.

The fantasy world can be seen by reading some bumper stickers: “I’m doing my part to fight the recession, I WORK!” says one self satisfied trucker.

“Young women stay chaste. Young men be sober minded” (at least there’s an implication that they might not be.)

“Your taxes pay for their welfare”, reads another (I guess forgetting the tax breaks for the rich and the tax breaks for the oil and gas industries. And forgetting that there is no more welfare.)

“Global Warming is a crock of…..” This usually from people who also “want to preserve the future for our grandchildren.”

Their fantasies would be amusing if these slogans didn’t form the basis for public policy.

Then there are the hateful bumper stickers: “US hunting license for illegal immigrants,” and one about President Obama’s re-election bid that is too disgusting to repeat.

I keep wondering: “what kind of world do these people want to live in?”

The facts are that even people with jobs don’t have health insurance, or have health insurance so diluted that the costs of going to a doctor make it a luxury reserved for serious emergencies. Those occur after illnesses like hypertension and diabetes don’t receive early detection.

The facts are that young people are sexually active in their early teens. And they need access to birth control information and the truth about sexually transmitted diseases and how to prevent them.

The fact is that thousands of gay couples would love to marry and to adopt children but some states bar them from doing so and thereby deny children a loving home. The fact is that sexual perversions are rife among heterosexuals (including priests and ministers).

The fact is that popular culture, whether it’s an ad for Victoria’s Secret or an evening at the Grammy awards, or Dancing with the Stars, promotes vulgarity and sexual behavior in public. So who are these guys kidding?

It’s time for the Republicans to “get real” and base policy initiatives on the world as it is not as they wish it were.

Back from the Depths

2011-03-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

I missed the snow, the cold, the wind and the ice by hiding out in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Had some wonderfulscuba dives (see photos)and a great chance to try to capture Rincon's incomparable sunsets and the Caribbean Ocean. When I get back to my print shop I'll see if I suceeded. Not only did I have to deal with the cold when I returned but the drive by our new Republican governor to cut the budgets of state universities and social service organizations, while refusing to tax corporations extracting gas from the Marcellus shale.

Let's Hear it for Art and Poetry

2010-11-05T17:59:00.001-07:00

Wonderful poetry reading and writing group gathered at our new Highline Cafe in Greencastle with interesting ideas and poems. Came there after attending the miniature art show opening in Chambersburg. Glad to have been juried in to this prestigious show. Tomorrow, another opening in Frederick where four of my prints are included in a group show with the Women's Caucus of the Arts of DC. Art and poetry and the love of family and friends will have to sustain me through these difficult times. Here's what Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote in Sonnet XXIV:

Let the world's sharpness like a clasping knife
Shut in upon itself and do no harm
In this close hand of Love, now soft and warm,
And let us hear no sound of human strife
After the click of the Shutting. Life to life--
I lean upon thee, Dear, without alarm,
And feel as safe as guarded by a charm
Against the stab of worldlings, who if rife
Are weak to injure. Very whitely still
The lilies of our lives may reassure
their blossoms from their roots, accessible
Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer;
Growing straight, out of man's reach, on the hill
God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.

We Can't Give Up

2010-11-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Election night was not a good night for progressives and Democrats of all stripes. But we can't despair. Instead we have to resolve to keep the pressure on those still in Congress not to compromise on basic principles: health care for all; fair taxation; controls on Wall Street; curbing spending by unidentified donors to election campaigns. If we can do that during this next period, and give President Obama a second term, we'll have accomplished much.

Are You Ready to Vote on November 2?

2010-09-28T18:58:00.001-07:00

If you were feeling wishy-washy about the need to vote in Congressional and Senatorial races, I urge you to watch President Obama's speech at the University of Wisconsin. He rallied the troops with an inspiring oratory that let the students know he was depending on them to carry forth his agenda by voting on November 2.

Hopefully everyone realizes that it wasn't possible for the President's administration to cure all our problems in 20 months and beyond that it was impossible to move ahead on all programs with the intractable Republican opposition. But I think the gains that have been made are important. And it should be enough for Pennsylvanians to Elect Rep. Sestak to the Senate and put Onorato in the governor's seat.

You can watch the rally on you tube. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh2QcLq1ytc

What A Dive!

2010-08-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Just back from a seven day scuba diving trip to the Caymans under the direction of the marvelous Blue Marble Divers of Hagerstown Md. What a world I saw and what marvelous fish and animals under the sea. Here's a photo of me with the sting rays. Truly, I didn't like them very much. Eerie, prehistoric creatures, but enormously fascinating.

Why Waste Human Resources?

2010-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Once again the nation is plunged into a debate over immigrants. The argument is: how to keep them out, how to send them back, how to keep them from getting "our" jobs. We seem to always fail to recognize how much we gain from each new wave of immigration to this country and we frequently fail to reap the benefit of their human talent. We have done the same to generations of African Americans. One recent obituary struck home.

New York Times July 16, 2010
David Blackwell, Scholar of Probability, Dies at 91
By William Grimes

David Blackwell, a statistician and mathematician who wrote groundbreaking papers on probability and game theory and was the first black scholar to be admitted to the National Academy of Sciences, died July 8 in Berkeley, Calif. He was 91.
Mr. Blackwell, the son of a railroad worker with a fourth-grade education, taught for nearly 35 years at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became the first black tenured professor. He made his mark as a free-ranging problem solver in numerous subdisciplines. His fascination with game theory, for example, prompted him to investigate the mathematics of bluffing and to develop a theory on the optimal moment for an advancing duelist to open fire.
“He went from one area to another, and he’d write a fundamental paper in each,” Thomas Ferguson, an emeritus professor of statistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, told the Berkeley Web site. “He would come into a field that had been well studied and find something really new that was remarkable. That was his fort

David Harold Blackwell was born on April 24, 1919, in Centralia, Ill. Early on, he showed a talent for mathematics, but he entered the University of Illinois with the modest ambition of becoming an elementary school teacher. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1938 and, adjusting his sights, went on to earn a master’s degree in 1939 and a doctorate in 1941, when he was only 22. After being awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship, established by the clothing magnate Julius Rosenwald to aid black scholars, he attended the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton but left after a year when, because of his race, he was not issued the customary invitation to become an honorary faculty member. At Berkeley, where the statistician Jerzy Neyman wanted to hire him in the mathematics department, racial objections also blocked his appointment.

Instead, Mr. Blackwell sent out applications to 104 black colleges on the assumption that no other schools would hire him. After working for a year at the Office of Price Administration, he taught briefly at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and Clark College in Atlanta before joining the mathematics department at Howard University in Washington in 1944.

While at Howard, he attended a lecture by Meyer A. Girshick at the local chapter of the American Statistical Association. He became intensely interested in statistics and developed a lifelong friendship with Girshick, with whom he wrote “Theory of Games and Statistical Decisions” (1954).

As a consultant to the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 1950, he applied game theory to military situations. It was there that he turned his attention to what might be called the duelist’s dilemma, a problem with application to the battlefield, where the question of when to open fire looms large.
His “Basic Statistics” (1969) was one of the first textbooks on Bayesian statistics, which assess the uncertainty of future outcomes by incorporating new evidence as it arises, rather than relying on historical data. He also wrote numerous papers on multistage decision-making.

Mr. Blackwell was hired by Berkeley in 1954 and became a full professor in the statistics department when it split off from the mathematics department in 1955. He was chairman of the department from 1957 to 1961 and assistant dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1964 to 1968. He retired in 1988.

In 1965 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. ###
* * *
Think of all the students he could have mentored, the colleagues he could have worked with, the ideas he could have advanced in these major institutions that rejected him because of his race. And Dr. Blackwell wasn't the only one. Dr. John Hope Franklin, the eminent historian, waited a very long time before he was admitted to a "mainstream" American university. And shockingly the man who made major advances in oceanic biology, Ernest Everett Just, was rejected from becoming a faculty member at a major university because of his race and went on to found the program at Howard University.

I am baffled that despite all the evidence to the contrary there are some who demonize the "other" because of superficial differences and fail to recognize and take advantage of the strengths of all our citizens.

Recent Recommended Reading

2010-05-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Two books that I've been reading both offer insights on the American psyche and the culture of our nation. They are seemingly unrelated.

Michael Lewis' "The Big Short" is the story of the 2008 collapse of Wall Street's big money "products" and the players themselves. It's told through the histories of some of the players who early on spotted the defects in these financial "products" and figured out how to cash in on them. One is torn between admiration for the criminal ingeniousness of the Wall Street
bonus-fueled workers and disgust with the regulators and the so-called legitimate business organizations that encouraged their greed. But you see an underlying American quality--striving for wealth as a measure of success.

The other side of the coin is the American drive to strive for intellectual excellence as a measure of success. Megan Marshall's historical group biography: "The Peabody Sisters" is outstanding. Ms. Marshall, who teaches at Emerson in Boston, has written a biography of three women (and their extended family which includes Abigail Adams). The book tells the history of these extraordinary sisters: Elizabeth, the unmarried one who by sheer force of intellectual ability and will is credited with the founding and development of the American kindergarten; Mary whose progressive instincts eventually united her with Horace Mann, and Sophia, the artist and sculptor, who married Nathanial Hawthorne. Each of their stories shows how women were chained to narrow choices in the post-revolutionary war society. And how they struggled to use their roles as teachers to study, argue and partner with the men who were playing larger roles to influence the direction of ideas.

It not only offers insights into feminist politics and ideas, but progressive education, the impact of economic change on regional fortunes, the way both men and women earned their livings, the development of transcendentalism from the struggles within the New England church, and more. If you are from the Boston area you will be interested in the rise and fall of the cities around Boston as it finally gained dominance as a commercial and shipping center. If you have religious interests you will be fascinated by the struggles between trinitarians and unitarians and the ultimate rejection of strict Calvinism in New England. And if you are interested in progressive school reform you will find the efforts to introduce humane education to the schooling of children-a struggle we are still waging.

Penland was the Penultimate

2010-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

The week at the Penland School of Crafts workshop on poetry, print and letter press was an intensive learning experience that tested my energy level. Could I still stay up 'til midnight and later, learn new things, be creative, and still walk? Yes, we can! We had two marvelous instructors who skillfully divided their time between poetry and print. They didn't lecture, they led. I learned a great deal about the way poetry can be constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed. Enjoyed returning to letter press and typesetting. I foolishly chose the longest poem I had written to be included in the class poetry book, so it took a long time to set the type. And, as always, I remembered the printers that I had worked with in the past and grimaced as I recalled my constant changes ordered on the stone. (At least they were getting union wages.)

I'm recommitted to experiential learning and yearn for the day when young people will be able to commit to a study or craft or reading without the constraints of bells that direct them from one period to another. I hope all schools will one day be like Penland.

I'm Going Back to Penland

2010-04-02T11:03:00.001-07:00

I'm so very excited about the combination poetry, letterpress and printmaking class I'm going to take. Two interesting instructors, intensive 24 hour work in the shop (if you have the stamina) and the beautiful, beautiful North Carolina mountains. Check out these photos from the penland.org web site. http://penland.org/about/classes_gallery.html

Dan and I have agreed to be on a committee to restore the craft house at Penland -- a wonderful historic building created by the mountain community in the earliest days of Penland. Anyone interested in making a contribution to our personal goal of $2500. please let us know.

Comments Unreadable

2010-03-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Several bloggers have commented on my blog but I cannot read their comment. Please try again.

I can finally take a breath!

2010-03-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Health care reform is passed! It has some real benefits for ordinary people and will do a lot to rationalize the health care system and hopefully cut costs. It's not the bill I would want, Medicare for all! But....it showed that in the face of incredible odds it is possible to get something important accomplished in the U.S. Congress. It also showed how virulent the opposition is to President Obama. Why would ordinary people believe that a bill that reinforces the private health insurance system is socialistic? Why would ordinary people not applaud a law that permits children to be on their parent's health care insurance for til they're 26? Especially important in a recession where it's hard for young people to find jobs. Why would people not want to curb in the power of the health insurance companies to deny you coverage for a pre- existing condition? It's because the steady drumbeat of opposition has demonized the bill and the President. I believe the Republicans have made a mistake. I think most people don't want a "just say no!" government. I hope Democrats and independents will work as hard in this off year election as they worked to elect Obama. Let's reaffirm the idea that civilized debate, rather than furious invective, is more effective in reaching voters.

Space is Breathtaking

2010-02-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

As a very early science fiction fan, I remain thrilled by space images as with this one just published on the NASA web site.

Shuttle Silhouette
In a very unique setting over Earth's colorful horizon, the silhouette of the space shuttle Endeavour is featured in this photo by an Expedition 22 crew member on board the International Space Station, as the shuttle approached for its docking on Feb. 9 during the STS-130 mission. Image Credit: NASA

CNN incitement to cynicism

2010-02-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile a word on CNN and the public mood.

Local Direct TV in our condo limited us to CNN for news. While in Puerto Rico, of course, we were very close to Haiti and were absorbed by the earthquake and the horror of the devastation and human tragedy. What made us particularly uncomfortable was the knowledge that our government has a horrible history in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It has contributed to bad government and the ecological disasters. For more on Dominican Republic check out: "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz. Of course it wasn't until much later, nearly a month later, that this was discussed on CNN. I am proud of the many good works our government is doing through military and private actions, but there's a gnawing guilt about our history there.

Listening to CNN and it's frenetic tone in covering everything from Michael Jackson's doctor to a recent scandal in the sports world, to politics -- almost all in the same breath -- one understands why the American public is so cynical. Each time someone charges that a program doesn't work, they cover it as if it were news. Each time a situation suggests the possibility of scandal they cover it as news. A good example was the recent post-operative death of Congressman Murtha of Pennsylvania. He died after complications from gall bladder surgery. The commentators looked at each other and said: "Wow, that's routine isn't it? I had that surgery and nothing happened. Could it have been a case of hospital error?" This was all without understanding Murtha's underlying health conditions or what type of surgery he had. We've not heard a word since. (I have to add that Rep. Murtha did contract a post operative infection, as I learned when I returned home.) Also, see further comment on this posting.

I know they have a lot of time to fill but 1)leaping from one story to another without any connection between them and 2) creating anxiety rather than offering information as they report each story, contributes to the destructive tone of American political debate.

Thanks for the comments fellow bloggers.

Sand is better than snow!

2010-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

It's pretty here and in DC, but definately not as pleasant as warm sand changing colors as the tide comes in on a Puerto Rico beach. We're just back from a glorious one month stay in Rincon Puerto Rico with lots of opportunity to draw,read,do yoga and dive. Three dives in Desecheo and the little Desecheo reef. Exquisite coral formations, unusual colored brain coral, immense schools of tropical fish, and weird sponges. No big animals this time although of course the divers who took off in the morning of the same day I dove little Desecheo swam with a whale. Check out Taino Divers.com for video.

As soon as I learn to operate a scanner and transmit to the computer I'll post some drawings.

'Tis the Season...

2009-12-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

In Central Pa the practice of holiday decoration is somewhat toned down by our Mennonite and Amish neighbors who reject that "fancy" display. Although, there are plenty of others who are prepared to spend their money on electricity to run ferris wheels filled with Simpson characters in holiday garb. My favorite is the Santa on a Harley with huge(kick ass) boots, he better not come down my chimney.

Most of all I spend some time reading the signposts outside homes and farms that are supplied by religious publishing houses. They offer instant homilies -- something like the old Burma Shave signs along the road. I puzzle at the contradictions. They warn against sin, they proclaim that sinners are forgiven. They tell us only the "pure in heart" see Jesus and then tell sinners they can be redeemed. Are they saying that a simple renunciation of past ways by a really bad abuser, molester, robber, or drunk can open the door to heaven? Boy that must make the hard working, nose to the grindstone, never straying Christian pretty annoyed. Where's the justice if it takes so little to gain admission?

Of course if it makes sense to that set of believers, it's ok with me. I just would like to find a little peace on earth and common sense for all. Oh, and for the New Year? How about single payer and jobs for all who want them.

Another Celebrity Casualty

2009-12-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

Just when I was thinking that nothing could disappoint me as much as the wayward ways of John Edwards, along comes Tiger. Grrrr! It's not politics, true. But it does demonstrate how easily celebrity can cause good people to forget their human obligations and think they can satisfy any itch with impunity. If you read Woods' website you can see that fans are struggling with his "transgressions"... half are saying they're still with him and half saying what a jerk he is. Most of all I think of the disappointment and confusion of kids who have regarded him as a hero.

A whole raft of politicians have shown themselves to be sexually promiscuous and oblivious of the consequences. They, of course, hurt more than partners or parties. They create even more cynicism and sometimes even alter the course of political progress by defiling their espoused causes. Ironically they're bait for celebrity media which created their aura.

Art and Other Things

2009-11-17T19:11:00.000-08:00

Community show at the Greencastle Gallery 7 ... the show will continue through weekends in December and hopefully attract some buyers who think Art for holiday gifts will be worth more than some unnecessary "stuff" from Walmart, KMart, JunkMart.

Pleased to have an etching selected in a juried show (Chambersburg Pa miniatures) My two color etching of a faded sunflower "End of Summer". Many excellent entries (over 400 from all over the USA) and I'm one of the selected. This is the second time I've had a piece in this show and it certainly is a morale booster.

Hoping our upcoming visit to Maine will be a chance to draw and find new ideas for prints. I'm still looking for satisfactory and efficient ways to create multicolored prints in multiples on my equipment at home. It may be a break from the depressing politics of the US Congress.

I'm shocked by the Democrats who are so worried about losing their seats that they won't vote for programs that will give voters a reason to reelect them. The Republicans are ridiculous with their constant "no's" and worse. Voters should see there are no ideas from that source.From this vantage point I would say people are not enamoured of the Repulicans, they just vote the way they always have. Meanwhile Ms. Palin and her family and political adventures are the latest soap opera to divert Americans from what's really happening to them.

Not a good post election morning

2009-11-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

The Democrats suffered two important losses in Virginia and New Jersey and locally our efforts to overcome a 2/3 Republican registration failed. Our few local candidates didn't get elected either. The Virginia governor's race was not a surprise. The candidate just didn't have it -- no spark, no ideas, no meaningful positive campaign. BUT...why didn't African American and young voters turn out on his beahlf to help out the President the elected? Beats me! The quick flip flopping of the American people is a mystery. Yesterday they vote for change and a new direction, today they're down on President Obama and his policies. I lay it all to no politics -- that is: most Americans have no overall political perspective and point of view and are easily swayed to respond to what appears to be the current problem.

What's the beef against Obama? He said he would go for health care reform and he has -- his try to build a concensus approach was a mistake. But even in his own party he has foot draggers that block his efforts. Do you blast him from the left? What do we accomplish by doing that? He has to fight the right who still spread lies about him even doubting his citizenship.

Congratulations Mr. President

2009-10-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

Was I surprised that Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? You bet! Was I pleased and thrilled? Yes! This president has moved our nation to the road of peace seekers. I don't know if he or we will succeed. The odds are not good, the opponents are often vile and dangerous. But no situation is intractable. People in other nations, caught in the unceasing horror of war, destruction and loss, must yearn for calm and safety. This may tell them the world is watching Obama and believes he is a true peace maker. This may be a message to have courage.

And what can one say about the Republicans? They have lost all sense of judgment. If I hated the President, I would say, "What a great honor for our nation. It shows that the world still believes we are powerful and can effect change." I would certainly avoid the tone of sour grapes that has tainted every message that has come from the Republicans. Even CNN notices that their form of participatory governance is to just say "NO!".

Some victories are in order and not the least would be greater participation of our allies and our sometime allies (China and Russia)in our efforts to get Iran and North Korea to the bargaining table.

Mother of Exiles -- What has happened to that sentiment?

2009-09-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

L'shana tovah. We wish you a sweet and healthy new year.

Discouraged but not down

2009-09-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have been so discouraged by the quality of the discussion of health care reform. Tonight's outstanding speech by President Obama buoyed my spirits and made me write again about the desperate need for people to develop critical thinking, as my neighbor said recently, to be able to analyze the arguments and determine the course of action that best meets their interests.

My husband and I were in a Friendly's restaurant recently (yes,when things get tough the tough eat ice cream). We engaged the waitress in a brief discussion and found out that she had no health care on the job and earned LESS than the minimum wage. We suggested that health care reform could help her. She told us she was very leery, didn't trust Obama. "Did you see the paper," she said, "now he's going to give a talk to kids and I just don't trust him." What does one say at that point to an otherwise nice person who is unable to advocate on behalf of her own best interests. Why was she so easily swayed by talk shows, TV news, etc.? Surely she knows that she needs health care coverage. Why doesn't she trust our president? I haven't figured it out yet. I know when I worked as a union organizer I was always astounded at the number of people who voted against the union. At least then I knew that the employer was threatening to close the shop, or move the job. Fear is a powerful force and that is what the interests have been using to scare ordinary people.

It's up to all of us to talk to people find the right responses and carry the day for health care reform. It will be a better country for it.

Our Troubles Can Instantly Seem Small

2009-08-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Please read this excellent story by Kristoff in The New York Times on the condition of women around the world.

www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/magazine/23Women-t.html?em

Enjoying the Challenge of Making Art

2009-08-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm struggling with the creation of a collograph print with color that will come from chine colle applications. In that process you apply various colored papers of appropriate weight -- instead of ink -- to provide color and texture to the image. The Totem art on this blog was created that way. This is still another approach to a less toxic printmaking technique and also quite satisfying. But it's still quite exacting and not easy to make multiples....I'm working at it and enjoying the challenge. I've created a mask that will cover one part of the image so I can apply background color without impacting the central image. Then the various papers will be positioned so that each adheres to the print paper. Here's the challenge: what kind of print paper will do best? What color ink will function with the papers? I'll post it when it's to my liking.

What is Americans for Prosperity?

2009-08-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Check out the Wikipedia entry for this organization. But here are some highlights from the Wikipedia entry for your information. They are the group organizing the town hall health care reform protests.

"In 2003, an internal rift between Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and its affiliated Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation led to a split in which the latter organization was renamed as a separate organization, called Americans for Prosperity."

"Its foundation's chair and founder is David Koch of Koch Industries, which runs oil refining and pipeline companies. Another Americans for Prosperity Foundation board member is Richard Fink, a Koch executive who serves as a director of the refining subsidiary. Fink helps control AFP's purse strings. He is president of the Koch-affiliated Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation, which gave AFP's foundation $2.2 million from 2005-06, according to the Foundation Center."

"On February 27, 2009, in collaboration with others, the organization sponsored a Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, D.C. Tea party protest."

"Americans for Prosperity is led by Tim Phillips, who was a former partner with Ralph Reed's Century Strategies. That organization became well-known when it was revealed in a Senate investigation that convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff was laundering money through Century Strategies and Americans for Tax Reform to oppose legislation that his Indian tribe clients wanted to defeat."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_for_Prosperity

These are Very Scary People

2009-08-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

My husband and I attended Senator Specter's meeting which has gotten wide coverage. It was a verrrrylong drive from Greencastle to Lebanon PA. 2 hours! When we got there we were told that people who arrived as early as 7 a.m. could not get in and of course we didn't either. We were part of a group of about 120 advocates for health care reform. (I don't know how many of our kind were inside). There were a couple of hundred opponents ... many of whom had come in this very fancy bus. They were armed with preprinted signs, they had chant leaders. It was very antiObama (one lady thought it was part of getting an antiObama group started to defeat Obama in the next election.) I think that's so! There were anti abortion people, people who thought babies would be killed and old people euthanized. There was so much misinformation it was stunning.

One young man in his twenties told us he had no health care but didn't worry about his health because God was taking care of his well being. I'd bet it's the emergency room, not the church to where he'll go if he's injured or sick. It was discouraging, until we left the demonstration and met a member of Specter's staff on the street who thanked us for coming, said Specter was supporting the public option.

GRRRRRRR!

2009-08-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Can't get over the "brown shirt" methods of the Republicans and the right wing naysayers. I would bet that half of them need health insurance or are in danger of losing their health insurance or might any day find out that their costs are rising. But they think it's all right to break up meetings, shout people down, and even hang members of Congress in effigy. Is this the level of civil discourse that they want to teach their children? Is this the kind of community they want to live in? I notice that the quality of the online responses printed in our local paper is at about the same level: nonsensical connections, wild ideas, foolish name calling. Anything proposed by Obama or the Democrats is "socialism". Their call is to resist but never to put forth ideas that could solve the problem. Fact is: our nation is the only western industrialized nation where people go into bankruptcy because their medical bills break them.

Summertime and the Blogger is Lazy

2009-07-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

Lazy about blogging but not about gardening, cooking, and art. Part of a group show at the Washington County Arts Council Gallery in Hagerstown. Happy about the peas that survived the rabbits, the delicious spinach, the wonderful new potatoes and the glorious sunflowers. The garlic and onions are pretty spectacular too. Rain is to thank I think. The rabbits did demolish the swiss chard however.

Thrilled to have my daughter and family with us. We really celebrated July 4th with a good part of the extended family here. Just wonderful. The weather was so grand that I didn't miss the DC Fourth at all. Here it was sparklers, delicious food, good fellowship. And we watched the fire works on PBS.

Tell Your Senators You Want Single Payer on the Table

2009-06-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

DAILY KOS posting May 30--Last week in Montana Baucus aides held town halls to talk about health care. They were trying to forward the idea that most Americans who get insurance through their work are satisfied with it.

Montanans weren't buying that. When it was time for audience questions, a gentleman stood up and asked his fellow citizens how many were happy with their employer-based health insurance. In an audience of about 275, less than 10 people raised their hands.

At another meeting, even though Sen. Max Baucus' aide insisted that consideration of a national single-payer health plan at this point would only squander a golden opportunity for health care reform in the United States, many of his constituents continued to object. "The word ‘insurance' does not equal health care," Janelle Kuechle of Polson said at a meeting here Thursday. "If I have to pay a $900 premium to have health insurance with a $10,000 deductible, that is not health care."

Don't Give Up on Single Payer Health Care

2009-05-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

I love our President but.....it's time for us to put pressure on President Obama to consider single payer health care among the options for reform. Follow the rallies, organize for single payer options in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Don't let the bad guys push us around. Single payer may not seem like a political option but it's as simple as this: you go to your doctor, you present your US health card, and the doctor gets paid by a state or local agency. He/she doesn't have to fight with for profit health companies for his pay. He/she doesn't have to argue about recommended treatment. Support single payer, lower your costs and raise your options.

Straight Talk to Beat Crooked Reasoning

2009-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

National legislation to curb credit card abusive rip-offs of consumers, and the Administration's new gasoline standards have drawn the usual crooked responses from business opponents. The credit card companies are suddenly worried about your ability to get credit and the car makers are warning of higher automobile costs. Credit card companies have been allowed to run wild with inexplicable charges, interest rate hikes and fees. They don't care if you don't pay, they don't care if you're lured into using your credit card like an open money pit, they just want to be able to make as much money off your irresponsibility as they can. They welcome non payers, they frown on prompt payers. Soooo how come they are suddenly so worried about your ability to get credit? Follow the money and you'll see why. If you're a smart consumer and a smart voter you'll tell your members of congress you want prompt passage and prompt enforcement date...give them at the most 90 days between enactment for the bill to go into effect. And meanwhile, cut up some of those credit cards.

The new gas standards will help everyone's personal economy ... the additional cost of developing the vehicle will be quickly offset by fuel savings. The Administration estimates that you'll get back the difference between slightly higher vehicle costs and today's vehicle costs within three years. And best of all it's good for the environment.

Isn't it interesting that conservatives always worry about the impact of Federal debt on future generations, but never mention the impact of global warming on future generations or, the impact of credit debt on families. Shame on them. But you don't have to fall for their crooked reasoning. Think straight!

Falling Wages, Failing Newspapers

2009-05-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm worried! How do you build a successful American economy when people's wages are being cut and the security they created throught their unions, their home equity and their health care benefits is constantly eroded. I'm not alone. NY Times columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman is worried too. See his column reprinted here. And most ironically the newspaper of record The New York Times, is about to create a terrible hole in American journalism by selling off or shutting down The Boston Globe, another preeminent newspaper. What do you think?

By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: May 3, 2009
Wages are falling all across America. Some of the wage cuts, like the givebacks by Chrysler workers, are the price of federal aid. Others, like the tentative agreement on a salary cut here at The Times, are the result of discussions between employers and their union employees. Still others reflect the brute fact of a weak labor market: workers don’t dare protest when their wages are cut, because they don’t think they can find other jobs.
Whatever the specifics, however, falling wages are a symptom of a sick economy. And they’re a symptom that can make the economy even sicker.
First things first: anecdotes about falling wages are proliferating, but how broad is the phenomenon? The answer is, very.
It’s true that many workers are still getting pay increases. But there are enough pay cuts out there that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of employing workers in the private sector rose only two-tenths of a percent in the first quarter of this year — the lowest increase on record. Since the job market is still getting worse, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if overall wages started falling later this year.
But why is that a bad thing? After all, many workers are accepting pay cuts in order to save jobs. What’s wrong with that?
The answer lies in one of those paradoxes that plague our economy right now. We’re suffering from the paradox of thrift: saving is a virtue, but when everyone tries to sharply increase saving at the same time, the effect is a depressed economy. We’re suffering from the paradox of deleveraging: reducing debt and cleaning up balance sheets is good, but when everyone tries to sell off assets and pay down debt at the same time, the result is a financial crisis.
And soon we may be facing the paradox of wages: workers at any one company can help save their jobs by accepting lower wages, but when employers across the economy cut wages at the same time, the result is higher unemployment.
Here’s how the paradox works. Suppose that workers at the XYZ Corporation accept a pay cut. That lets XYZ management cut prices, making its products more competitive. Sales rise, and more workers can keep their jobs. So you might think that wage cuts raise employment — which they do at the level of the individual employer.
But if everyone takes a pay cut, nobody gains a competitive advantage. So there’s no benefit to the economy from lower wages. Meanwhile, the fall in wages can worsen the economy’s problems on other fronts.
In particular, falling wages, and hence falling incomes, worsen the problem of excessive debt: your monthly mortgage payments don’t go down with your paycheck. America came into this crisis with household debt as a percentage of income at its highest level since the 1930s. Families are trying to work that debt down by saving more than they have in a decade — but as wages fall, they’re chasing a moving target. And the rising burden of debt will put downward pressure on consumer spending, keeping the economy depressed.
Things get even worse if businesses and consumers expect wages to fall further in the future. John Maynard Keynes put it clearly, more than 70 years ago: “The effect of an expectation that wages are going to sag by, say, 2 percent in the coming year will be roughly equivalent to the effect of a rise of 2 percent in the amount of interest payable for the same period.” And a rise in the effective interest rate is the last thing this economy needs.
Concern about falling wages isn’t just theory. Japan — where private-sector wages fell an average of more than 1 percent a year from 1997 to 2003 — is an object lesson in how wage deflation can contribute to economic stagnation.
So what should we conclude from the growing evidence of sagging wages in America? Mainly that stabilizing the economy isn’t enough: we need a real recovery.
There has been a lot of talk lately about green shoots and all that, and there are indeed indications that the economic plunge that began last fall may be leveling off. The National Bureau of Economic Research might even declare the recession over later this year.
But the unemployment rate is almost certainly still rising. And all signs point to a terrible job market for many months if not years to come — which is a recipe for continuing wage cuts, which will in turn keep the economy weak.
To break that vicious circle, we basically need more: more stimulus, more decisive action on the banks, more job creation.
Credit where credit is due: President Obama and his economic advisers seem to have steered the economy away from the abyss. But the risk that America will turn into Japan — that we’ll face years of deflation and stagnation — seems, if anything, to be rising.

Time for an Update

2009-04-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

A break in the weather gave me plenty of good opportunities to plant seeds and enjoy the birds that are flocking to our bird bath and beautiful dogwood. It is really great to have warm weather again and even though seems to be a sometime thing. The promise of a bright tomorrow keeps us going. Great fun and fellowship in working with other Democrats on an earth day garden near I 81. Staying in touch with nature really does give one balance.

I also celebrate the 100th day of President Obama's administration. What a joy to have an articulate, smart and informed president. That gives me a sense of security even if the objective economic situation can only improve gradually. Thanks to the Wall St. gang we'll never regain our lost retirement income (too old now). But we intend to work hard to make sure we all have health care coverage. Obama may need the full four years to get it done. I hope it comes sooner.

Rainy and Cold

2009-04-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's hard to be upbeat when it's been so darn cold. Too damp to dig in the garden. Happily the daffodils and forsythia are lasting longer than usual in the frigid climate. It's got to be impacting consumer spending as well. Nobody is buying digging tools, seeds, plants, fertilizer, etc. while it's too wet to work the soil. Of course I've never thought an economy built on personal spending was a good one. We need to be spending in a communitarian way -- for better facilities for our young and the old; for better medical care for everyone; for great schools and universities. But the "teabag" parties show that people really don't want to spend collectively, else they would be rising up and demanding health care for all. As for me on this April 15, I'm happy to pay my taxes and hope, as President Obama has said, for a more equitable tax structure. People think income taxes are the problem, in fact it's sales taxes that impact the poor and working class the most.

Cherry Blossoms, Daffodils and More

2009-04-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's here! My daffodils are up, the wind flowers are bending in the breeze, and we've just returned from seeing the wonderous cherry blossoms in DC. Great to also be there as my grandson "starred" in Willy Wonka.

Another Man Done Gone

2009-03-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

What a difficult week. This head is a refrain from a famous Odetta folk song and that's how I feel learning that worker and folklorist Archie Green has died at 91. I recommend his "Only A Miner", stories and songs of the mines, and this post from the rural blog Daily Yonder: http://www.dailyyonder.com/archie-green-1917-2009-called-labor/2009/03/24/2015

A Wonderful Mentor is Gone

2009-03-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

Professor John Hope Franklin has died at the age of 94. It wasn't as if I didn't know that one day age would catch up with him. But if anyone should have been granted immortality, it would be Dr. Franklin. His writing of history blazed new trails, as did his life. http://www.duke.edu/johnhopefranklin/ I was privileged to be a student during his tenure as Chair of the History Department of Brooklyn College. He defended me when an overzealous President tried to suspend me for my civil rights work. He recognized me many, many years later when he gave the Jefferson Lecture at the Library of Congress. We met on and off in DC over the years. I grew through his books and public statements. He created an intelligent awareness of the debilitating heritage of slavery and discrimination from which our entire nation suffers. Everyone should read his book: "Mirror to America" (an autobiography).

What a Great Party!

2009-03-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Our children (all adults) and grandsons put on a wonderful celebration in our old neighborhood in DC at a wonderful new restaurant. We had many of our oldest friends and neighbors along with new friends from Pennsylvania. Good food, fun conversation and a delightful celebration of our anniversary (40) and my birthday (not talking). You'll get a hint from the poem that follows. We can only say than you, thank you, and thank you again for the party to our kids!

I’ve stayed at sixty much too long
Hugging the walls of the decade
Reluctantly changing the number on the door each year as I passed through
Looking backward at what might have been, should have been,
Sadly remembering the ones who have gone, missing their solace,
their knowledge, their balm.

But now it’s time to take a giant stride into the waters that remain
(As if I had a choice)
Admit myself into the next house, the next street,
Allow myself to ricochet from one year to the next like a piece in a pinball machine
Just hoping that I’ll win the game, not fame, just time

It's Spring Again!

2009-03-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

This year my vegetable and flower beds are in better shape thanks to more careful fall cleanup by my daughter and son-in-law, and of course my grandsons. I've added some mulch to the beds and started some seeds. The little green guys are sticking their heads up and soon there will be daffodils. I already have enjoyed the white snow bells and the brilliant but tiny blue scilla siberica. I'll put my peas and garlic in next week when the soil dries out a little more. The Philadelpha garden show was definately an inspiration even though I know I'll never have the displays and elegant designs they featured. It does make you aspire to be a better gardener.

On the Generosity of Friends

2009-03-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

We have recently been the beneficiaries of extremely generous acts by a friend of ours. She likes to drive, it's true, but she'd gone beyond the call to drive us to and from an airport more than four hours away. She's driven a group of us from Greencastle to Philadelphia for the flower show. She's a wonderful friend. I greatly appreciate her gifts. Her actions make me think of this quote from Dr. King. This commentary on personal altruism holds true for politics as well.

Each member of society must decide whether or not they will advocate the generous policy that helps everyone or,instead, demand the lowest taxes, the most mean spirited programs, and the least communitarian solution to our problems. As for me I was raised by my parents to believe that our work on earth is to make a change for the better, no matter how small. I'll continue to try.

Michelle's Sleeveless Dress

2009-02-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

My first reaction to seeing Michelle Obama in her sleeveless dresses was, "Oh, I remember when I could wear a sleeveless dress"...and that's how the image of public figures is filtered by our own experiences. The first time I realized that I had lost that well toned look was when I saw a photo of myself at an event when I was the chair of the dinner. I was about 50. Much to my shock I saw this flabby upper arm. I reacted by going on an immediate diet and attending two more classes a week at our local Y. But it didn't help. The damage was done. Now, with the help of Yoga and weights I've restored a little of the muscle to that part of my body, but it'll never look like Michelle's.

Why shouldn't she wear a dignified sleeveless dress like the one she wore to the President's Congressional speech? And, what would make Republicans yearn for the Barbara Bush look (dowdy) or the Mrs. Reagan look (uptight and emaciated). I guess Democratic women come under fire (remember the criticism of Hillary's hair?)because they stand for all uppity, independent women. Well, get used to it folks. There's two little girls growing up in the White House who are likely to have their own unique sense of style.

How Do I Feel About Motorcycles?

2009-02-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

So now both my daughter and son-in-law are proud owners of bikes. Of course, unlike others around these parts, they've suited up in super duper safe outfits and helmets. I know my son in law is very happy to have his sweetie engaged in his favorite activity. I can't complain about danger since not one offspring of mine has cautioned me about scuba diving. But I do have a little nagging concern about the "others" on the road. Stay safe dear ones and be as happy as you look in this photo (see woman on the left) which I stole from my son in law's blog.

Under the Sea

2009-02-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

Next time you walk on a beautiful beach consider the world beneath your feet. Here's one of the beautiful coral formations I saw on my scuba dives off Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.

Returned from the Deep...

2009-02-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

...75 feet below the surface of the Caribbean Sea that is at the fabulous dive site of Desecheo island in Rincon Puerto Rico. If you are a diver you must visit and dive with Taino Divers. They know every inch of the island's dive sites. It makes one realize that when you visit a place near the water you are only seeing half the world. Beneath you are vast forests of coral, wonderful fish and larger animals and small creatures that creep, navigate and flow under the sea. I'm determined to learn more about the growth and specialization of coral. Hopefully I'll have some photos from a fellow diver to add to this blog.

Many returning snow birds were in Rincon. All lost the bulk of their retirement savings but carried through on their plans and came to Rincon again. It's a great community and I especially enjoyed the book club discussion made up of Puerto Rican and Mainland folks...Ferre's "Eccentric Neighborhoods".

Before we left our daughter gave us "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin ... wonderful reading about Lincoln and his cabinet of political opponents. It gives us good perspective on both current politics and the media of Lincoln's time and how it relates to the way politics are reported today.

Hope people are still reading this blog after more than a month's hiatus. I enjoy the comments and the emails.

New Year's Greetings and Hope for World Peace

2008-12-21T14:42:00.000-08:00

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.

Friends Make a Difference

2008-11-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

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.

Is Anyone Wondering Where I am????

2008-11-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Serena's Birthday

2008-10-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

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!

Talk to your Spouse and your Children

2008-09-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Say It Isn't So...

2008-09-17T09:03:00.001-07:00

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.

A child said, What is the grass?

2008-09-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

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

Remembering the March on Washington

2008-08-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Why I Love Scuba

2008-08-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

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.

www.hugerbites.org

2008-08-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Critical Thinking

2008-08-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Important Legislation for Artists and Crafts People

2008-08-14T07:32:00.001-07:00

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.

Teaching Grandsons Poker

2008-08-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

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!

Don't Let Facts Get in the Way

2008-08-07T13:28:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-07T08:28:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-07T07:50:00.001-07:00

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/

Loss and Regret

2008-08-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

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!

When a Teacher Becomes a Student

2008-08-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

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".