Tea with Jammin' Bread

Oh, I wish I had a photo of the winner of the costume contest at this afternoon's "Sound of Music" sing-a-long at the 5th Avenue Theater.

The place was packed. And the tickets I was given were for the previous night. Of course I didn't check them ahead of time, assuming they were the Saturday afternoon seats I requested. But, the folks at the box office were nice enough to offer me a seat in the "viewing room" (a glassed-walled enclosed room behind the last row on the main floor). The sound was great, but the sight lines...not so good.

This was my first experience with the "Sound of Music" sing-a-long, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Sure, there were the requisite nuns and girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. Plenty of Marias, Liezels and little tiny Gretels. But the most original people in the nearly hour-long costume contest were a guy dressed head to toe in bright yellow with the letters R-A-Y across his chest ("Ray, a drop of golden sun"), and Tea with Jam and Bread. But in their case, it was "Tea with Jammin' Bread".

Let me describe them to you. "T", was a woman dressed in black, wearing an enormous capital letter "T". "With" was a guy dressed like the devil with a big "with" written in cursive. And finally, "Jammin' Bread" was a skinny girl dressed as an enormous slice of bread, carrying an inflatable electric guitar. And let me tell you, she ROCKED it! They owned that theme costume and completely deserved to win.

When the movie started, I darted out of that viewing room and found myself an empty seat on the floor, about 30 rows back. It was a great seat. And, I proceeded to look in my Sing-a-long goodie bag. The contents are displayed below:


The question mark was to be held up when we sang "How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria?" Same with the picture of Maria.
Tiny eidelweiss flowers go without saying. Plus there's an invitation to the Captain's ball, a piece of fabric to wear when the Von Trapp children wear their play clothes made out of curtains, and a little champagne cork to pop, when the Captain and Maria kiss. Lame, but fun.

And the singing was great. The lyrics were on the bottom of the screen and everyone in the capacity crowd sang with every song. Here's a little taste:

It was a lot of fun.  And I left just before the Captain learned the Nazis had commissioned him to fight for their cause.

None of that ugly war stuff.  Just happiness, music and love.

Afterwards I took myself out to dinner and hummed to myself.

Time Passes

I thought a look at the passage of 2008 in a forest in Oslo, Norway would be a beautiful way to start 2009.

Happy New Year to you.

Reflections and Anticipations

What a year.

I'm not the kind of person who writes lists and catalogues her accomplishments. But every once in a while, I sit back and count my blessings. And on this, the last day of 2008, I'm also counting my memories of the year.

I've already blogged about the fact that 2008 became the most-documented year of my life, and that I am moving forward in learning and trying new digital technologies. So I won't go into detail about that right now. But it was a significant year. This blog is one example of that.

Here are a few other highlights in the memory department:

1. My sister Anne successfully made it through open-heart valve-replacement surgery and is moving forward in starting the next chapter of her life.

There were so many issues tied up with this, that it's hard to mention them all. But since we were born, (we're twins) we have all known Anne had a valve that didn't work normally. What a miracle that not only did she get the surgery in the nick of time, but that it was performed by the head of cardio-thoracic surgery at Swedish Hospital, AND that it was all paid for by Swedish Charity funds, since Anne had no health insurance. Much to be thankful about.

2. I renewed my relationship and friendship with my sister Linda, who went through huge transitions in order to be in Seattle for Anne's recovery.

I think we were both extremely nervous about this and both took steps toward each other and healing the rift. I enjoyed having her stay in my home when Anne was able to move back to her apartment, and really miss her, now that she is beginning the next chapter of
her life in New York City.

3. My co-anchor of nearly 5 years moved on to his next chapter, writing a book. That meant he

gave up his anchor chair and left KOMO. But it was more than that. He left a hole that may or may not be filled again.

4. I took a wonderful vacation to Kauai with my good friend, Miss Terry Brown. You may also know her as Terry Travis, anchor at KPAM in Portland and former reporter at KOMO 1000 Newsradio. She is a great woman, a dream to travel with and a wonderful champion of me, and many, many other people. If you missed our adventures, here is our farewell from the island:

6. I got to interview my musical hero, Jason Mraz! And, since Herb Weisbaum was my co-anchor that day, and since he had to be out of the studio at the time, it was a solo interview. It was wonderful. Colleen O'Brien, our editor, took a video of the interview. Here it is on YouTube:

It has garnered the most hits of any of my posts so far on YouTube, receiving more than 33-thousand hits. After the interview, he hung out, clutched my crystal that I bring into the studio, and took photos. He was very nice.

7. I have finally (knock wood) healed the infection/swelling of my left leg. It has been an issue since 2003, when a series of mosquito bites became inflamed, and just never healed. Imagine having a yukky open wound for 5 years. But visits to a naturopath, an infectious disease specialist, and a dermatologist finally figured out what's going on. Thank God!

8. I also got a handle on an extreme vitamin B deficiency, a vitamin D deficiency and an under-active thyroid. So, I've gone from being drug-free, to taking a number of supplements. But I am feeling better.

9. I started taking dance classes again. I love dancing, and have only been dancing at workshops and nighttime dances. The classes free me up to be myself more, instead of trying to be the perfect partner. I'll keep doing this in 2009.

10. I got much more involved in my church, The Center for Spiritual Living. While I have not yet become a member, I volunteer at the registration desk and have also lent my voice to several commercials and even to the telephone answering system. I'm making a few friends there as well. This is the most involved I have ever been in a church, and I find I really look forward to Sunday services.

11. This was a good year for freelance voiceover work.

Even though 2-year campaign with the University of Washington Endowment campaign came to an end, they still needed me for several more spots. I also had a few jobs from the "Voice-123" site, and did some TV imaging for a station in Upstate New York. In addition, I continue my regular weekly gig with United Broadcasting Sales.

But the most fun I had was in early March, when Microsoft asked me to voice some spots with my old radio partner, Pat Cashman. It was such a blast to work with him again, and I loved the professional session, with a director, writer, engineer, compliance guy from Microsoft and an assistant, in addition to Pat and me in the voice booth. I love this kind of work.
It also allowed me to keep ahead of the bills and take a couple of trips.

12. I got to travel to Montreal. What a wonderful trip. I blogged about it every day, so just click on the bottom of the next 2 pages to get to the posts if you want to see them. Lots of wonderful memories.

And while there are many other highlights, these are the top 12. And I would be remiss in ignoring the importance of you, my readers. You have supported me with your comments and friendship, and I thank you for your continued readership.

Here's to a loving, prosperous, joyful, fun, healthy 2009.

And Happy New Year to You!

Letting Go

Have you ever been hated?  I don't mean disliked or snubbed by a friend or a co-worker who didn't invite you to her Halloween party for reasons unknown to you.

I mean deeply, totally and wholeheartedly hated?  Like Osama bin Laden hated? 

I am that hated by my ex-husband and his family.  

My divorce was finalized in 2004.  After that, he appealed his settlement to the Washington State Court of appeals.  That took 2 more years and many thousands of dollars.  After he did not win the appeal, he took the matter to the Washington State Supreme Court.  Again, more time, and much more money.  I had no choice but to fight.  But I did not file my own appeals or requests.  I simply responded to his arguments, which I was legally obligated to do.

And, in May of 2007, the Washington State Supreme Court, in its' infinite wisdom, decided there was no constitutionally compelling reason to hear the case of a simple divorce, with no children and no money involved.  

The question was over the issue of jurisdiction.  His argument was that I was not within my legal rights to file for divorce in Washington State, after he had asked me for a divorce, demanded I move out of our home, and I found a job back home in Seattle.   I moved across the country from Cleveland and negotiated for a settlement through my Seattle attorney.

During the required face-to-face mediation, my attorney served him with divorce papers by hand.  He had already been served by mail, but this was a legal formality that had to be carried out. 

That's when he got mad.  And that, I think, is when the hating began.  But I'll never know for sure.  Because I have been cut out of his life, and the life of his family forever.  Even though his mother said we could resume our conversations after the divorce was over, she changed her mind and did not respond to my notes.

I have to let it all go.  I know that.  Most days I don't think about it.  But I wonder about his sister.   What happened to Lizzy?

During the trial, it was the one conversation we had.  I asked how Lizzy was, in July of 2004, and Andy said "she's fine".  That's all we said to each other.

But I'm worried.  Like Andy, Lizzy, too, had a heart transplant.   She was 2 at the time, and when I last saw her, she was 20 and doing well.  When she was a teenager, she had a kidney transplant received from her father.  Her kidney was damaged because of all the years of anti-rejection medication for her transplanted heart.  

I have seen the Facebook pages of a few of Andy's friends, and of one relative, and Lizzy is not on their lists of friends.  But her good friend from school is listed as a contact.  Andy has blocked me from seeing his list of friends on Facebook.  

I hope Lizzy is doing OK.  If she's not, please let me know.

Divorce is awful.  It rips up hearts and souls and families and hopes and dreams and lives.

I forgave Andy a long time ago.  I will always wish him well.  I am sorry I am so hated and shut out by him and his family.

But if that's the way it has to be, what choice do I have?

It is time to put all of this aside and move on.   I know there is love and life out there.  

I don't hate him.  I miss his family.  I wish them well.

Like Family to Me

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting for coffee with some of my former co-workers and present friends today.  We laughed and shared and had so much fun with none of those pesky news deadlines getting in the way.

I miss these guys, but am so thrilled at all of their accomplishments and futures.  

I love them like family.

And for my Cat Loving Friends...

And to all, a good night!

Again with the Snow!

Here we are on Christmas Day....in the SNOW!  And it's beautiful and perfect and won't stop falling!

I haven't been able to leave my driveway since Sunday, but I'm hoping that comes to an end tomorrow.  My ride to work isn't going to the station tomorrow, so I'll have to figure something out.

If I can get out of my driveway and out of the alley, I should be fine.  

I hope you've been able to get from here to there in all this snowy madness!

Merry Merry

First an update: Abbey is one week into her course of super-strong antibiotics and she is doing much, much better!

She still has some sort of tumor "down there", but she has much more energy and has even jumped up on the bed with me at times to snuggle close.

She also posed long enough for me to take a Christmas photo for you:

And Dudley looks like he's had 4 or 5 drinks already:

Thanks for reading my blog, putting up with dog pictures entirely too often, and commenting!

And have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah!!

Snow Day

Instead of feeling annoyed about having to make my way to work in this mess, I am able to feel the enchantment of the beauty because it is Sunday and I can simply enjoy this rare Northwest treat.



These photos are from my house, looking out to the street.



What a beautiful morning. I awoke around 5:00 and just delighted in the white crusty snow.



I got about 5-6 inches of snow at my home which is near Greenlake.

Snow Adds a Special Challenge!

You can hear how crusty the snow is this morning. Dudley has a special challenge just trying to do the "usual business".

Christmas Tea at the Sorrento Hotel

Every year, my friend Mary Lou Harris and I make a point of having a special Christmas High

Tea at the Sorrento Hotel in Downtown Seattle.

This year, we had to make some special arrangements because of the impending snowstorm, moving up our appointed time a couple of hours.  I'm so glad we decided to brave the elements because it's such a great place for a holiday celebration.

This is my friend, Mary Lou.  We've known each other for about 6 years now, serving together on the board of the Northwest Dance Network.  In addition to being a remarkable dancer of both follow and lead roles, she is also one of the most tech-savvy people I have ever met!

Mary Lou is always among the first to explore new technology.  She has a new Mac laptop, an iPhone, and has very advanced computer user skills.  I always marvel at her abilities!
This is the beautiful Fireside Room at the Sorrento Hotel.  We had the seats of honor, beside the fireplace.  Our 2 other guests couldn't make it because of the ice, snow, and impending storm.  They really missed a treat!

The Sorrento serves a wonderful High Tea every weekend, and at Christmastime, it's extra special with holiday decorations and festive caroling.   

Yes, the weather outside was frightful, but the fire was so delightful!   
Their Christmas tree is always so beautifully decorated.  Click on the photo to blow up the detail.  I love the red, gold and silver decorations.

We had to cut our High Tea a little short, but it's such a wonderful tradition.  

That Dastardly Weather Channel

HAPPY UPDATE

After 5 agonizing days waiting for the test results, the vet FINALLY got ahold of me today and guess what?

After telling me Abbey has cancer, and an inoperable tumor and that I'd better prepare myself and Abbey for euthanization, I learned the test results show there is NO TUMOR AT ALL!!!

In fact, the test says Abbey has a very bad septic infection and will need some strong antibiotics. But it's NOT CANCER!!

I'll put her on the antibiotics for a week and take her to another vet. Please give me good recommendations!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

A Snowy Morning

This morning at 4:45 outside my front door.   If you look closely at the puppy paws in the snow, you'll see some belonging to Abbey as well.  

It's very pretty right now.

My Sweet Girl

apI took Abbey to the vet today because it looked like her anal glands were infected. (sorry to be so graphic here).

Yes they were.  But the vet also found a large tumor just underneath her tail.   She says it's inoperable, but she is running some tests to find out what kind of cells they are, and if they are likely to spread.

She prepared me for the worst.  She says at the very best, we may be able to give some drugs that might keep the tumor from growing, but that there is probably already a lot of damage to her system.  When the test results come back, I will know more about my options with my Abbey-puppy.

She's 13 years old.  She's been with me since she was 12 weeks old.  She drove across the country with me to move to Seattle.

She has been my very good friend and saw me through college, the brewery, my first 2 "Tuxes and Tails", she flew across the country from Cleveland to Redwood City, California one Christmas AND travelled back home again, landing in a windshear at Hopkins International Airport.  Her barks were so panicky that I never ever would fly her again.  

My sweet, sweet baby girl.  

I don't know what to think right now.  Please send her your prayers.  

Pets and Their People

Every Wednesday, we have Brenda Barnette, CEO of the Seattle Humane Society in the studio for our "Pet of the Week" feature. I look forward to it, because I get to play with a pooch at work. What could be better than that.

I'd like to introduce you to Grady. He's tomorrow's pet of the week.

Remind you of anyone?

No? What about....

The late Rick James?

Yes, the Super Freak himself has reincarnated in the form of a cocker spaniel mix, to spread joy and goodwill to one and all. And he will be on the radio tomorrow.

My Weekend

Well, here it is, Monday morning and I have to start getting ready to go to work. But before I begin the ritual of washing, drying, dressing, brushing etc., I thought I'd reflect on my weekend, and take you, my cyber-friends along. (cue glissando.....)

It started with an intense desire to sleep in, as long as possible. For that reason, I missed an invitation to a gathering on Whidbey Island, where I was invited to cut holiday greens, drink hot chocolate and share the day with friends and acquaintances. I had already RSVP'd, but utter exhaustion won out. I have very bad social skills sometimes.

But, when I finally did wake up, I used the 3 hours before my next commitment to pay all my bills, including the bill for repairing the garage door opener ($381 as opposed to the first price quote of $750!) and the car insurance bill. While I was paying bills, I watched "Dance With Me", a romantic little film starring Vanessa L. Williams and some latin hunk named "Cheyanne" who fall in love with a background of competitive ballroom dancing.

There were a LOT of bills to pay. And during the sorting process, I was interrupted by a telephone call with Helena (a welcome distraction)--which, of course, delayed the process. I was also invited (i.e. NAGGED) into a rousing game of "Toys" (or "fetch" as most humans know it) with the dogs.

Once the bills were finally paid, I knew I had to get them to the post office BEFORE my 3:00 volunteer stint at the Phinney Neighborhood Association's annual Holiday Crafts Fair. So, I had to hustle and get ready.

It was 2:45 when I left the house, dashed to the Post Office, and managed to find a street parking place less than 2 blocks from the Red Brick Building behind the better-known Blue Building which houses most of the offices of the Phinney Neighborhood Center. And, since I had arrived 15 minutes before my shift as a ticket-taker, I had time to shop the crafts fair. Yay! In those 15 minutes, I managed to spend nearly 300 dollars on a number of beautiful handmade things, that will be given to many friends for Christmas. Hmm....maybe you, dear reader, will be the recipient of one of those hand-made treasures! What could it be???

This is my 3rd year as a volunteer at the festival. It's a fundraiser for the Neighborhood Association, which is in the process of raising millions of dollars to finally buy the schoolhouses they have occupied for years from the Seattle School District. It's a great organization. I volunteer for a number of annual events. They're always well-organized, fun, and colorful events. ( Colorful is a relative term here. Sometimes, like at the crafts fair, it applies to the goods and services. And sometimes, like at the annual winter beer tasting, it applies to the crowd and vendors after a few hours.)

Anyway, there was one big controversy as I stood at the door, taking cash and stamping hands for entry to the event. The steel drum band they had scheduled to play on the tiny basement stage, in the low-ceilinged room where about a dozen craft vendors had set up, was playing at outdoor street festival volume, rather than tiny enclosed stage volume. The vendors were PISSED!!!!! I was approached by a half-dozen of them, demanding the music be turned down. I told the appropriate people, who in turn, told the band, who in response turned UP the volume and played 30 minutes longer than their alloted 30 minute set out of spite. I was glad I was near the door, an entire floor away. It was really loud! I doubt they'll be invited back next year.

Another highlight as admissions volunteer was seeing 2 friends, whom I haven't seen in YEARS! Anne Fitzpatrick, who used to be known as Anne Martin in her broadcasting days at KPLU and KJR was there with her now-grown twin daughters. I haven't seen her in at least 15 years. Also, Brenda Goldstein-Young, a former co-worker at Kidstar Radio attended. Too short a time catching up with both of them. But what a pleasant surprise.

After I left the festival around 5, I did more Christmas Shopping in my Greenwood neighborhood, and returned home for a toaster oven supper of doctored-up Trader Joe's Pizza and some wine. Oh, and another movie. I watched "The Producers" and loved it. There was also laundry-folding involved, since you asked.

Sunday morning I went to church at The Center for Spiritual Living. It was an OK service, led by a guest minister. The music was great though. Gypsy Soul performed. Great music! Click on the link to listen to them and watch their videos. It's not traditional "churchy" stuff. Just positive, great music.

After church, I picked up my sister Anne, and we went to the Seattle Art Museum to finally see the Edward Hopper exhibit. It was great. I am always taken by his use of color and shadows, and his almost crude style when he paints faces. The mod is important to him. Not the individuals. And Travis's suggestion about viewing the accompanying photography exhibit was well taken. It was also wonderful.

Anne and I had lunch at the museum's "Taste" cafe. I've heard a lot about it but had never eaten there before. It was very good, and the food was, appropriately enough, very artistically done and displayed. I had soup and a half a sandwich. Anne had the fritatta. Here's a photo of Anne pre-fritatta. She was looking very lovely with her new haircut and color.

We returned home around 5:00 and took the dogs out for a walk.  She handled Dudley and I walked with Abbey.  We did about 12-15 blocks, long enough for Abbey and just a start for Dudley.

I then made us a green salad with basil and feta thrown in for good measure.  I had to eat something because Salsa Class started soon.    I left Anne with the dogs because a friend was picking her up and taking her home.

It was the final class of the 6-week session, and lots of fun!  It's a big class. There are maybe 50 people.  We rotate partners regularly, so you get to see how lots of people dance, and adjust your style accordingly.  During the classes, we learned 3 significant Salsa combinations.  They were very fun!  I think I'll take another Salsa 2 class next session.  This one features "Tricks and Illusions"

Anyway, after class, I stopped at the Metropolitan Market for a few items, and returned home to the pooches, who were exceptionally happy to see me and gave me many kisses.

Thanks for letting me share my weekend with you.

Black Nativity

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been CHURCED!   (pronounced "Choyched")

Anne and I went to see the opening night performance of Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" at the Intiman Theater tonight.

At least the first half was Langston Hughes' Black Nativity.  The traditional story of Jesus' birth was told through gospel music, narration and poetry.  It was great.  Top notch stuff.    This is the 11th year for the performance here in Seattle and the place was nearly filled to capacity.

Then the second half began.  Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir again filled the stage, but this time, there was no Passion Play presentation.  This time, we learned what it was like to be in CHURCH.  

It was great.  Lots more singing, praising, a good message.....all in a theatrical setting.  

I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not it.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed it, cried at the beauty of one soloist's rendition of "The Alabaster Box", laughed at the antics of the choir, and felt uplifted.

Thus, the feeling of being "Choyched".

Amen.   And so it is.

Changing Times

This may be a little too much information....but it's starting to happen and it's very strange. I still feel like I'm in my late 20's or early 30's, but certain parts of me are reminding me otherwise.

We all remember puberty and have our own horror stories. I was an early bloomer and it took forever to get through the cramps and into womanhood.

I don't know what to expect as I move into the next stage.

I'm collecting stories from those women who have gone before me. It was very easy for some, and very difficult for others. Hormonal shifts knocked me for such a loop this week that it took me out of commission for a couple of days. But here's the odd part. I didn't get hot, I got COLD. I was shivering and shivering for hours. Almost 2 days, in fact.

And I frequently feel like screaming at my boss and co-anchor. So far, I have not, but I hope they forgive me if I do.

Me, who takes pride in the calm I so enjoy.....a woman at a crossroads. A woman on edge.

A woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown?

Tell Him to Wash his Damn NECK!

I'm just sayin'.....

Wonderful Film

I saw Slum Dog Millionaire at Bellevue's Lincoln Square this evening and really loved it.  It's getting a lot of Oscar buzz right now, but not too much publicity otherwise.

It's the tale of 2 brothers from the slums of Mumbai, who scratch and claw to stay alive as little boys, and how their destinies are cemented by an early experience.  The show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" plays a significant part in the film too.

And what I take from it, without giving anything away, is that all the pain, suffering and stuff you go through will one day come back to help you find your way to truth.  

It was great!  Go see it!

Rick-Rolled at the Macy's Parade!

A true highlight. Thank you, Macy's parade producers for being YouTube savvy enough to give us the gag!

And thank YOU, Rick Astly, for playing along!

Thanksgiving Traditions

I'm just a sentimental old fool when it comes to holidays.  Especially Thanksgiving.

I am weepy the week before, and on Thanksgiving Day, my mind wanders to Thanksgivings past.

I've never been to New York City for Thanksgiving, but every year, including this year, I enjoy watching the big Macy's Parade on TV.  I love the balloons, the bands, the special floats, the especially cheezy scripts Today Show anchors have to read to introduce the floats, and the introductions to the performances by Broadway shows, pop stars and has-beens.

An anticipated delight this year, an appearance by Rick Astley!!!  Will we all be Rick-Rolled in the middle of Herald Square?  Does some parade producer have a real updated sense of humor?  I can't wait!!!

The Rockettes just kick-lined their way onto the screen, and I found myself yelling at the control-room director for staying with the shot of legs that was breaking up digitally.  It was so clear to me the camera was bad.  A wide shot would have covered the mistake and saved the day!

.....I used to love  line-producing live TV.  Anyway, I'm working in a few hours, and am thankful for the nice dinner they will bring in for us.

I miss miss MISS big Thanksgiving Day dinners with a big, non-dysfunctional family.

Maybe some other year. For now, I am thankful for friends, co-workers, employment, my cute little house, my pooches, my health, and of course, my sisters and Mother.

Open Sesame!

Well, I'm taking the plunge and buying a brand-new belt-drive garage door opener.  It's being installed at this very moment by a very nice man named Tito.

When my 20-year-old opener broke a couple of weeks ago, I learned there are several different replacement operations.   The chain-drive, which is what I have, sounds like a freight train going by.  No big deal if the garage is separate from the house.  But when your bedroom is directly over the garage, it can be very disconcerting in the middle of the night.  

Another popular type of opener is called a screw-drive, which is a bit quieter, and more efficent.  But if it breaks, it's more expensive to replace.

The higher end is known as a belt-drive.  Belts are much much quieter, therefore cost about $50 more per unit.  Installation, I'm hoping, is pretty much the same all the way around.

The things you learn when you own a home.  The first guy who came out, quoted me $750 to install a new opener.  That didn't sound right.  I priced them on Home Depot and Sears' websites, and found the openers themselves cost about $200-$250.   

Another company I found through "The Homeowners Club" (which I HIGHLY recommend) quoted $350 plus tax, which includes installation.  MUCH easier to live with.

So, with any luck, I'll be sailing into my garage without getting out to walk around the house, through the mine-field of dog poo, get into the house and open the door to let my car inside anymore.  I am looking forward to effortlessly pressing a button, having the door rise, and driving inside, with a smile on my face!!!

The Year of Technology

A friend of mine used to say "Lisa, even if it feels like NOTHING is happening, SOMETHING is happening. "

And as I begin to reflect on 2008, I find that to be true.

This has been an incredibly eventful year for myself and for my sisters.  The most profound event, of course, was my twin sister's diagnosis of a failing aortic valve and its' subsequent replacement and her recovery.  This brought up all kinds of emotions, fears, thoughts about the past and of course, the future.  We are all so blessed that the surgery, though extraordinarily complicated, was successful and that my sister is doing so very well.  

My personal journey in 2008 has also been the most-documented year of my life.  This year alone, I purchased an iPod Nano, a Flip video camera, a Cannon still/video camera, actual speakers for my laptop, and have investigated several options for recording and e-mail audio files of my voice. 

Now, I realize that for many of you, these small purchases are nothing.  But for me, they are HUGE. 

I am not an "early adopter".  I want to wait until they're FINISHED refining a device before I commit.  But the nature of technology today is that obsolescence is the rule, rather than the exception.   So, with the encouragement of my friends Eric, Colleen, Travis, Kristin and Daniel, I took the plunge.   

Heck, I took several plunges. 

The outcome is what you are reading today.  I now blog.  I include video I have taken myself on one of my wizzy new devices.  I have my own channel on YouTube.  I take chances and snap photos of interesting moments because since my camera is digital, I no longer worry about wasting film.  I also have a Facebook account.  Heck, I have 2 of them, having even opened one for my dog Dudley--who leads a much more interesting life than I do.

One old-fashioned idea I cling to;  Reading an actual newspaper made out of paper.  The reasons for this are many, and are maybe worth their own blog posting at some point.  But I must admit to being a modern Luddite.    (If I knew more about the Blogger site, I would post a link to the Wikepedia entry explaining Luddite--but the short definition is that it was a group of people that routinely destroyed automatic loom machinery in the 1880's because they disapproved of the technology taking jobs from the people.)---THANKS COLLEEN!!!!  I just learned to link because of YOU!---  There's something very personal about the ritual of the paper, a cup of fresh, hot, coffee and time in the morning to reflect.  

So, no matter what else the remaining 5 weeks or so brings in 2008, there will be documentation.  

As a working journalist, it's strange that I have spent so much of my life documenting the activities of others, but not my own.

And what amazes me more than anything is that there are people that are actually willing to be distracted, if for a moment, to read or watch these tiny portions of my relatively solitary and dull life.

Thank you.  

Salsa Steps

I'm taking a Level 2 Salsa Class with the Northwest Dance Network.  Some of the combinations are easy, and others are more difficult.

The video shows 2 combinations.  The first is a very easy one with a pass behind the back as well as a kind of "jump rope" outside turn, which is a little difficult to communicate for the lead, because it is different from the standard outside turn.  It's also kind of tricky for the follow to accept, because it feels, for an instant, as if your arm is being yanked from the socket.

The second combination actually came in an earlier class and I'm having a really tough time learning it. The hard part for me is the drape move, followed by the inside turn within the confines of the closed position followed by walking into his extended arm, which almost cuts you in the throat, to be led into a turn that is cued by a shoulder pull.

If I can figure this out, I will be Salsa Queen!!!

The excellent teachers, by the way, are Jodi Fleischman and Jim D'apiece.  I've had many classes with these two, and they do an excellent job.   It was nice of them to share these moves on video.

Wear the Fox Hat

Sunday Ritual

Rituals, I think, are important on Sunday Mornings.

And even though church is usually a part of those rituals, it is not as consistent as Will Shortz Sunday Puzzle on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday.

When I lived in Cleveland and first listened to the local NPR stations, WCPN and WKSU, (because commercial radio was abysmal) I became a fan of the puzzle.

I enjoyed calling my sister Anne in Seattle, and since her NPR station was airing the identical program 3 hours earlier, we would do the puzzle together.

It's a simple mind-teaser that I look forward to all week long.  And there's something strangely satisfying about getting Shortz' word pairs or common phrases right.  I take a strange pleasure from scooping host Lianne Hanson on the correct answer, when the contestant is stumped.

But rarely do I get the challenge to qualify the contestant for next week's show.  

I think I got the challenge this time!  Here it is.  See if you get it:

"Name a famous singer from the past, male or female, whose first name has six letters and last name has seven letters.  Rearrange the letters of the last name, and add a letter from the first name to get a place the singer famously performed".  

I think it's Maria Callas at La Scala.  

But sometimes there's more than one correct answer.  We'll have to wait until next week to see if I got it right.

I don't know why "playing puzzle" brings me such delight. But it does.  Perhaps it's a little challenge as I sip my coffee and the dogs beg for bites of my breakfast.  Maybe it's a ritual that links me to something thousands of others are doing.  Or maybe it's something to help me forget I am, once again, waking up alone with only begging dogs as my companions.

Let's have another cup of coffee, shall we?

Colorful Rain

The maturity of the brushstrokes.   The vibrant colors that take you to the center, where the sun is shining.  The way you can see flowers growing through this colorful rain.

This is stunning and inspiring.  It gets me in the gut and makes me sigh.

The artist?  It's Marla Olmstead and she painted it when she was four years old.

Four years old.  Did she have help?  That is the controversy.  

"60 Minutes" brought in a psychologist who called the child a normal kid, not a "prodigy" who was probably coached by her father.

A documentary, "My Kid Could Paint That" explored Marla's journey from her discovery by the art world and the swirl surrounding her after the response to the "60 Minutes" piece.  And the filmmaker also began to have doubts after watching her paint a work from beginning to end.

But I choose to believe this work is indeed done by the little girl.  A quote from her mother sums it up to me.  

"When you measure something, you change it".  

Sailors Take Warning

This was the stunning sunrise that greeted me on Thursday morning.  

I never would have noticed it had I not installed the new bedroom blinds that lower from the top-down.  The sky was spectacular!!!   It took my breath away, and I thought...."I have my digital camera, why not try to capture this".  

This is a major deal for me, because I've always been terrified of wasting film.

You can see the Cascades in the lower part of the photo, which was taken from the corner of the 2nd story deck of my house.

And, appropriately enough it brings to mind that old saying "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.  Red sky at night, sailors delight"!

True to form, the red sky led to a morning and afternoon of heavy, cold rainfall.