Library Exhibit

I learned that the Tompkins County Library is featuring the exhibit "The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic".  

 It was reading about that exhibit that sparked an idea for a novel, which of course, I wrote and published this year.
 An exhibit by the same name was on display at the Everson Museum in Syracuse in 2007;  thus a lengthy newspaper article in the Syracuse Post Standard, which I read.   At that time, however, I did not actually see the exhibit.  I also read the book by those who had been involved in putting the exhibit together.   So, today I was excited to have the opportunity to see it up close and personal.  Many of the things I read on the panels, I had already read in the book entitled The Lives They Left Behind.

This is one of those cases when the imagination trumps the reality.  What I had imagined in my head about the exhibit, upon which I had based many details in my story, was quite different from the reality.  Specifically,  what I saw in my mind's eye was three dimensional,  as if the suitcases were actually there on display.  But all I saw today were flat panels.  It somehow lacked the "largeness of life" that I had expected.
I don't know that I would say that I was disappointed in the exhibit, but I was certainly surprised that it did not match the vision I had of it.

The patients from Willard Psychiatric Hospital are identified only by first name and a number.   The one to the left is Mrs. Ethyl.  She was a minister's daughter from Ithaca, who ended up in an abusive marriage.  She had two babies, both of whom died.

It's not hard to imagine that she was overcome with grief and trauma.

The panel to the right is about a man named Dmytre from Austria who immigrated to America with his wife.  After his wife died, his world fell apart, and he ended up at Willard.  The title on the panel is "A Painting A Day".   Apparently, he painted every day, chronicling his life story in folk art.

One of the characters in my novel, In Its Time, was an artist and also painted.  Clearly, the idea for that character came from the book by Darby Penney and Peter Stastny, and the real life Dmytre.

I cannot help but wonder if I had seen the actual exhibit before I wrote my book if it would have been any different.

Sixty Years

Yesterday, we returned to a community in which we used to live  (where I was formerly the pastor).  We attended the 60th wedding anniversary of two very special people there in the church.   They had a table with their photo albums, and obviously they have had anniversary celebrations all along;  actually, I think we also attended their 50th, though we no longer lived there at the time.  But there we were in their photo album.  We do remember that it was held at some location other than the church, though neither of us can remember exactly where.  We do recall that there was dancing.  It was held at some kind of a Fire Hall, I think.

If you put their current pictures side by side with the wedding pictures of 60 years ago, it is amazing how little they have changed.   The color of their hair has.  She has more lovely white hair now;  his is more salt and pepper. But for sure, they look in mighty good shape for their ages, and indeed they are.

Another thing I found amazing is that she was 18 years old when they got married, which to me seems so very very young.  But back then, of course,  it was common.  I have one other good friend who got married at 18 and is still married  (though more like 50 years, not 60).

So, Congratulations to the Jacksons!

We also saw many other familiar faces.  We have not been back to the church in the past ten years or so, so if you do not use names, they get buried deep.   I was amazed how many names I did remember, upon seeing their faces.

Many wanted to know about our daughter Vee, who spent her youth growing up in that church and community.

As I looked around at the church,  I could recall many changes of which I had been a part.  Those were good years, filled with many memories.

Changing My Ways

Over the course of the past twenty or more years, I have suffered from various digestive issues.  Slowly over that period of time, I have changed what I eat and or drink.  The first thing to go, over 15 years ago was carbonated beverages---no more diet cokes!     I don't need to go into the details of my issues,  but they have been serious enough, affecting my life in negative ways,  that it has sent me on a journey to discover how to resolve those issues.

I know that most of the population will take a pill to fix the problems, but I'm not of that inclination, which means that I have address the root of the problem.

 I don't need to go into the details of the solution here, but I will say, that it has led me further and further toward being a vegan!  I'm not there yet, for sure, but I'm on that train moving forward.  (as soon as I am fully trained. :)

I recently read an article in a magazine about Bill Clinton being a vegan and I remember what "Bubba" used to be like, with Big Macs, etc.   Now it seems he has his "appetites" under control!

On the negative side of these changes in my life is the impact that all this has on social events.  Rarely do public dinners have food appropriate for vegans.   And also, finding appropriate food in restaurants is a challenge.  But I have decided that I am never going to be completely rigid in my approach, especially when it comes to socializing.  I guess the term for that is flexitarian!  I will be either 90-10 or 80-20% in my vegan life.  Occasional fish or poultry will be allowed when eating out.

On the positive side of this endeavor, it's like having a "big project" to work on.  I have to plan ahead.  I have to read recipe books, and on-line recipes.  I have to shop more often for fresh produce.  Actually, fruits and vegetables are so beautiful, bright and colorful.   Of course, there are plenty of grains and herbs and nuts to enjoy as well.  The possibilities are all new and endless, absolutely endless.

This is a new creative outlet that I am very much enjoying!   And for sure, I am feeling much better already!

Anniversary

Today we are celebrating our anniversary---31 years married, 32 years together.

This is our picture in 1982.  How very young we look.

The years have flown by so very fast.  They have been fun, full, challenging, and dynamic!  We have laughed, cried, been disappointed, been uplifted and victorious, and persevered, together.

I seem to especially love this stage of our lives, where things are more mellow,  less stressful,  easier.   There is nothing I feel driven to do or be or accomplish.  Life is good each day!  Each day is sufficient unto itself.

God has richly blessed us with a wonderful family,  good friends, and good health, and things to do.

Here is a picture of what we looked like in 2012.

We've done a lot of living in between those two pictures.  But you can still tell it is us!

How thankful I am to have such a loving marriage!

PreSchool and College

A new school year brings new schools to attend, and new school activities for us.  I have three grand-daughters.   The oldest, Zanni,  is in her first year at the local Community College.  The youngest, Sadie, is now attending Pre-School at the same elementary school as her older sister, who is in first grade.   So the educational spread of my grandchildren goes from pre-school to college.

Last week, I had the delightful experience of going and helping pick Sadie up from school.   They were very meticulous about releasing each child individually, to the appropriate parent.

This evening, we had the pleasure of attending Zandrea's first volleyball game at her Community College. Sadly, they were soundly defeated.   Zanni plays on the "second string".   When they got to play during the third game, they did much better than the "first string".  It was also fun to see other family members there who came in support.

I have not been to the Community College campus in probably 20 years or more.  I could not believe my eyes.  There is a huge athletic facility with both inside and outside sports areas.  None of that was there before!   There is a large number of dormitories, perhaps as many as 8 or 10.  I was expecting maybe one or two buildings.  I just could not get over it.   It is amazing how much growth has taken place there over the years!

There is another game next week.  Maybe that one will be better.

In any case,  we have many more years of school events to look forward to.

Scarecrow Update

Back in the winter, youngest daughter Vee asked me to make a scarecrow for her yard.   I undertook that challenge with great enthusiasm, though I could not even imagine how to do that.  (But usually, if I want to do something, I can find a way.)

I got some old clothes, stuffed them with plastic grocery bags, having no straw or hay on hand.  I also figured that those would be waterproof, so at least the insides would not always we wet.   The only thing I had to buy was a small piece of fabric for the face, which I think might have cost about 50 cents.

The scarecrow was hung on the back fence in their yard, using bungee cords.  It has probably been there for six months now and it seems to be holding up remarkably well.  I didn't think to ask if it really deters the birds from eating the berries, which was the reason she asked for it.  She (the scarecrow) is really not all that intimidating.

I especially like the fact that the scarecrow's feet are firmly planted on the ground, though they are just socks, no shoes.

A happy scarecrow!

I also like her straw hat and smiley face!

U.S. Open

Daughter and son-in-law V+M always go to the U.S. Open.  Matt's parents also get tickets for us, if we want to go.  This year we were able to do that, so we spent a Saturday filled with tennis!  It was the semi-finals, and there were two matches to be played.  I had no idea how long that would take.  We left home at around 10:45 a.m. to be in our seats in Ashe Stadium by noon, the start time!

One definitely needs to be prepared with a hat and sunglasses, with perhaps snacks and a water bottle.  V and M have done it enough times to know how to prepare.   I knew about the sunglasses and visor and sun screen.

  I  did not want to carry around a big bag all day, and have to keep up with that.   In past years, there has been a long long line for those who carry a bag or purse of any kind, to get through security.  Those without could walk right through.  I planned to not have a bag this year, but Vee assured me that there was no wait in the bag line.  And she was right.  I did take a small bag with a few snacks and my camera.

I am not usually one to watch tennis for hours.  I figured that if I got bored I would just go to the food court and sit in the shade and watch on the screen.  The first match was really exciting and thrilling.  I was cheering for the underdog  (Wawrinka).  Everyone else round me was cheering for Djokovic.   That match lasted for four and a half hours!  Though it was close the whole way, and Wawrinka gave him a run for his money, Djokovic won in the end.   It was much more difficult to get "into" the second match.  I was prepared to go the distance, and stay as long as V+M wanted to stay,  but everyone was ready to leave by 7:00 p.m..  That is seven hour of tennis in the hot hot sun!  Everyone did take a break at one point or another to go for food and drink.

Overall I very much enjoyed it.  I was worried that I would be challenged by all the climbing of stairs, but I managed to do whatever needed to be done.  It is a stadium of 22,000 people, and it was packed!   In fact, I was very much surprised to learn that the two week U.S. Open event is New York City's largest and most profitable.   (You'd never believe how much a sandwich cost!)

Boat Outing

On Saturday, we enjoyed a lovely outing on the lake.  Friends Wayne and Susan called, hoping to schedule our annual get-together, and it just so happened, that Saturday was the only open date we had, so it worked out.

The weather was a little iffy.  Susie tried to call while we were on the way.  She had both the home phone number, which she tried first (we were half way there).  Then she tried the cell phone number, which she also had, but not the correct area code.  She wanted to say the weather did not look too promising.  Meanwhile, we arrive at the boat.  At first we just traveled up the channel for a while, fearing thunder and lightning.  Then, thankfully, the sun came out and we went out onto lovely Owasco lake.  Wayne and Susie have a new boat this year.  It is much fancier, with soft leather seats.

This annual outing is just about the only time all year when Gerry and I actually get into the water (other than shower, bath, or rain.).  We did, however, swim during our July trip.

It was such a lovely time with old friends.  We were surprised to learn that their daughter just had a baby the day before.  Susie was leaving the next day to go and be with daughter and grand-daughter, so it was their last outing for the year as well.

While going out on the lake in a boat is always a treat,  mostly we enjoy Susie and Wayne's company.  They are both always upbeat and cheerful, warm and hospitable.

We will hope for another boating outing next year!