That's Entertainment!

This afternoon I so much enjoy such a unique concert.  I will say it is a little bit hard to describe.  The first part was a duo of organists.  Their hands and feet were projected onto a screen in the front of the sanctuary.  One number was entirely with feet,  four feet on the foot pedals.  That really brought back memories.  Between thirteen and seventeen, I was sometimes the substitute pianist and/or organist in my church (my father's). I taught myself to make a stab at playing the organ.  A keyboard is a keyboard, but then there are the stops and the foot pedals.  I would practice all week in order to be able to include one or two of those.  The feet were the hardest.  It is hard to see them at the same time you are looking at the keyboard and the music.  I managed to bring in a foot pedal occasionally to go with a chord.  Once in a while a stop boomed at the wrong time, but I made the effort.

The finale of this concert was Ye Old Bottle Band.  That is the part that is hard to describe.  There were sixteen bottle band members in a variety of Halloween-themed get-ups,  from dark circled eyes to blinking head pieces, to outrageous outfits.  I think the bottle music was made by blowing into the bottles,  but there were so many other things going on a the same time, I'm not entirely sure.

Youth marauders pranced or danced around the sanctuary in Halloween garb, though thankfully nothing gorey.  Tom Bonne sang Monster Mash while Frankenstein (Tom Corey) danced from the choir loft.  There must have been a synthesizer accompaniment to all of that. The Bottle Band also did quite a bit of choreography, involving finger snapping, hand jive, and jazz hands.

There was more than once when I laughed out loud.  It was so original and creative and fun.   I am happy to be part of a group of folks who can laugh at themselves, and at the same time, share amazing gifts and abilities.

So outrageous, so much fun.  Now that's entertainment!

A Study in Contrasts

We gave a presentation Thursday night about our July trip across country.   We had carefully selected around 100 slides to depict our journey, out of the 1000+.  We divided the presentation in half and each did our part.  I think it went well, and people certainly appreciated it.

During the question and answer time, one person asked an excellent question  (which we had already asked ourselves).  I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like this::  What stands out to you the most, or What overall impression do you have?

We had the answer at the time.  Vastness.  If you haven't driven across the country,  one cannot really grasp how vast this nation is.  And variety.  There is so much variety in the terrain, the agriculture,  the lifestyles, the population density, the vegetation.

After thinking about that a little bit more, I would add another word.  Contrasts.  Going across country was a study in contrasts.
From black lava fields, to lush waterfalls.
From wide open spaces, to dense green forests
From cram packed cities with dense populations, to the plains with miles between homesteads and houses.
From the mountains to the valley to the ocean white with foam
From miles and miles and miles of arid desert and nothing but scrub brush, to the wetlands of North Dakota with a lake or water pocket every few feet
From interstate highways to rocky roads

It makes me understand and think of the words:  From purple mountains majesty across the fruited plains.

There is one other thing that strikes me, as I think about it.  People are generally the same.  And by nature, they tend to be interested, kind, hard working, friendly.

You would not be able to tell that from listening to the evening news. But the truth is, as Americans, we all have much more in common than not.

Vegan Update

About a month ago I posted about "changing my ways" and moving along a path toward vegan-ism.   In conversation with daughter Vee this evening, she asked what I have been cooking up lately.  So I decided to just tell he what I have eaten today, just to give her an update.

Now rather than filling up my empty stomach with a pot of coffee when I get up, first I have a fruit smoothie. She said, "You mean, with dairy."   I told her that I use coconut water or almond milk.  And I add to that a banana or blueberries or pear, or whatever is on hand.

For lunch, I used a pre-made whole wheat flatbread and added to that some grated cheese, tomatoes, and feta cheese and baked it.  (The tomatoes came out of Vee's garden.  She had roasted them;  I pureed those for sauce).

For dinner I made a dish using a three colored quinoia.   To that I added an assortment of healthy items.  I used green onions, and broccoli, and edamame (soy beans).  It was then tossed with a dressing made from almond butter and a few other ingredients like lemon, honey, garlic, etc..  I also had a green salad.

One of my favorite dishes these days is a quinoia salad that has cashews and feta cheese and dried cranberries.  Yummy!

I always have a craving for something salty and crunchy.   That I satisfy with soy crisps or rice cakes.

I have definitely reached my goal of being 90% vegan.  I never intended to be completely rigid.  I do occasionally deviate and eat poultry (when out at a restaurant) or other foods on other necessary occasions.  I also eat fish at least once a week.

But I do find that I very much enjoy my new eating style.  It is an interesting challenge, and a creative one.  It forces me to look at food differently.   Like right now, I think I will go and dehydrate some apples that need to be used.  I will use my mandolin slicer, slice them very thinly and bake then until they are chips.

It is something of an irony,  that when I have to think about food 10 times more than I used to,  (to make sure I have the right food on hand, to study recipes, in preparation)  I am actually eating ten times more healthily than I did before.

Part of that is about eating with intention, rather than unconsciously grabbing whatever handy, unhealthy,  processed thing that happens to be around.

No unhealthy snacks in this house.   (Well, except for Gerry's apple fritters!!)

The Last Chapter

Now I can "close the book" on the book writing experience, which has been far more fruitful than I ever imagined.  Last night I had my last Event, where I made a presentation and signed a lot of books which people had bought.   There was a great turnout for that event (of former parishioners), 95% of whom had read the book and were totally interested and engaged.

The results of publishing In Its Time have far exceeded my expectations.  In fact, I had no expectations at all, so to get invited to numerous events to talk about my experience was indeed a surprise, and I  might add, a delight.

I wanted readers.  That's all I wanted.  And I definitely have gotten that!  People keep asking me how many books I have sold, and because of the way the publisher's reporting system works, I honestly do not know. The first report came out just a few weeks after publishing, and at that time, absolutely no one knew the publication had happened.   Eventually, mention of it took place in a couple of church newsletters and on Facebook, etc.  The next report comes 60 days after the end of the year, so I will not know the actual number until well into next year.  But I already do know that self-published books (and mine has not been marketed at all) generally sell in the hundreds--a couple of hundred copies.

For me, the better question would be---how many readers have read my book?   It has been in demand in the local library, and I know other people have shared their copies with friends.  So for every copy sold, there have probably have been another five or so readers.   That is the more important result to me.

Since I have no more events on the books, and practically everyone who might be interested has already bought and/or read my book,  I am pretty sure that I can close this chapter of my life, and say that I am so glad that I did this!  I never expected to get to share my writing and publishing experience with so many people---both people I know, as well as those I do not know.

The thing is,  I have jokingly talked about doing a sequel, because quite honestly, the book does need a sequel.  The last chapter sort of leaves the reader hanging.   I have also said that I miss my characters, which is also true.  They have become quite real to me.

When I wrote In Its Time, I was still in my post-retirement productive mode. I needed to be doing something!

Will I ever actually write a sequel?  I don't know.  It takes so much time and commitment and hard hard work.

 And now I have mastered the art of leisure!

Loss of Faith

I have not lost my faith in God, nor Jesus Christ, not even the church.   I have lost my faith in my government.  Over the course of the past few weeks, or months, or maybe even longer,  I see that Congress no longer works in any meaningful way.   Or, at least the way it works does not work for me.

Clearly, now the language shows the truth of the war.   It operates as if it were nothing more than two sides at war with one another.  "Total surrender".  "Fought the good fight".  "Win the battle".  It is a game of winners and losers.

The real losers are the American people.  Our government now has no credibility, at least to me. I also believe that any credibility with other nations has been seriously compromised.  Decisions are not made on the basis of what is best for the people, or the nation, but rather the party.  Decisions are made based on elections, and power.  And compromises are good only for a matter of weeks.

I never wanted to be cynical.  It is not in my nature.  I prefer to be hopeful and optimistic and cheerful. I have none of those feelings any more when it comes to the governing of this wonderful nation at this time in our history.

Actually, I suppose the divide goes much further and much deeper even than that, into society and culture, and religion.

My husband's advice is not to worry about things I cannot control.   I don't watch or listen to very much of it,  but I have not been able to completely detach and let go emotionally of all the turmoil.  How I wish I could!  I wish I didn't care at all.  I care too much.  I'm not so cynical yet that I don't remember what it feels like to be proud and patriotic.

I have lost my faith in my government.  And I'm not sure that I see any way of getting it back. It is a sad day.

Radio Face

My husband is a big Garrison Keillor fan, and so it seems like we see one of his shows somewhere about every couple of years.   Last night he had a performance at the State Street Theater in Ithaca.

Several times in his monologue, he referred to his radio face.  What that means, of course, is that he has a face much more suitable for radio than for television.   A more incongruous personality I don't think I have ever encountered.  By that, I think I mean that there is a real disconnect between his stage presence and his voice.

On the radio, he is entertaining, masterful,  and fascinating.  In person, he is awkward, and gawky and truly odd in his demeanor, not a pleasure to look at, by any means!

Still, there is something touching about his spirit.

Some of the time, his shtick is more like a ten year old boy telling bad jokes and referring to body functions, as if he is conversing with a group of other ten year old boys.

At other times, his insights can be downright profound.   I was surprised on several occasions at the depth of his insight into the human condition.  These tidbits are always delivered in a  humorous and self-deprecating manner.

Garrison Keillor's monologue currently is a look back at his life and all his experiences from a vantage point of wisdom and age. He can see all the connections and decisions, and how his journey evolved and developed.

 I will admit that on occasion,  I felt like he is just a silly little boy, or a dirty old man,  or a self-indulgent elderly person who went on too long and didn't know when to stop.

But whatever my reactions and criticisms might be, I will give him five stars, an A++ for poignancy!  Also,  I would add that Garrison Keillor is one of the most unique souls I have ever encountered!

Going Back

As a child, I was a preacher's daughter.   At that time in the history of our denomination,  it was normal  for pastors to stay in their parishes around four years.  Earlier in the 20th century,  appointments actually were limited to two years.   I cannot imagine what the thinking was behind that.  Nowadays,  the length of a pastorate is ever growing, and currently could easily extend to fifteen years.

Part of the "baggage" of frequent moves as a child was the emotional tug of "going back".  At first, following a move, the child in me always longed to go back and visit the former friends.   The hard lesson learned from all of that was---once you have left that community,  that church,  that role [pastor, preacher's kid, pastor's wife, etc.]  then going back is never the same. They have moved on (as well they should).  Relationships are different.  A new pastor has been embraced.  New friendships among children and youth have developed.  Eventually I learned that "going back" was really not the emotional treat that I expected it to be.

The same thing does not apply for me in going back to a former congregation.  Yesterday, I was the guest preacher at my former church, from which I retired.  I really enjoy "going back" under those circumstances, because I know that I can do what I love  (preach)  but leave without having to carry the responsibilities that go with the role.  That is the joy of retirement.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the folks with whom we were formerly Christian Community and shared so much.  I also enjoyed the reaction of the newer folks to my preaching.  As an occasional preacher,  I can work for a long time on my sermons, and always do.  I was actually very surprised by the invitation because that congregation has between six and eight retired clergy right there on site from which to choose. Needless to say, I was also quite pleased.

 Going back to preach is just downright fun.  It is not the same as going back to a former congregation as a child.

There was much affection and appreciation for both me and for Gerry.

(However, several people did not recognize me because of my much lighter hair color!)

October Writing Gigs

A friend and blog follower of mine commented to me via email yesterday:  "Must be that you don't have anything to blog about these days."

As I reflected on my blogging slow down,  I can say that there are several reasons for that.  She is partly right---I really don't have too much to blog about these days---except personal family stuff, which I do not generally blog about, except perhaps in some very generic way.   Plus, I generally avoid political topics, for obvious reasons.

Another reason is:   Other Writing Gigs in October

On October 6th, had the opportunity to give a message, which took some preparation.

On October 13th,  I have been invited back to my former church to lead worship, and that has taken more preparation.

October 26---We are giving a presentation on our cross-country trip.  Work required on the script and on the Power Point presentation.

On October 27th, I will be leading worship at UPC of Cortland, and once again,  research and writing.

On October 30th, I am both hosting the Ladies Lit group, as well as presenting my paper.   This is a paper-presenting group, and not a book club.  One has to present a ten page paper  (right down my line), and of course, more research and writing.  Mine is on Contemporary Memoir Controversies.

So maybe this is a blogging-dry-spell,  or perhaps it is at least partially brought on by many other significant commitments this month.

(Other commitments include social events and family events.  It is a very full month.)

Maybe I'll get back to writing my blog more often.   I have had other dry spells, and found my way back.  So if you are a reader, don't give up on me, please!