Monday, August 10, 2009
"Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking—the strain would be too great—but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest...The question is not,—how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education—but how much does he care?"
—Charlotte Mason a British educator who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Her method, the Charlotte Mason method, is centered around the idea that education is three-pronged: Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life. http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/what-is-the-charlotte-mason-method/
When I was a student at Canevin High School 1970- 1974, instead of study hall, I registered into art classes five days a week. The studios were not endowed with the plethora of expensive equipment available to students in current school programs. Art History class was not available to us as it was to my daughter in high school 1998-2002.
Art History with Professor Kowsky was shear delight. This was a professor who featured his own slides of places/ works we studied in Janson History of Art. Held captive by his every word, I took copious notes of his personal adventures and read every chapter in the book.
Professor posted his office hours in the syllabus. The week of the first test I made my way down a dark hall to find the professor stunned by my presence. He said he had been teaching for years and I was the only student to look him up during office hours. I explained that I was back in college for the first time in over 20 years for personal enrichment. Professor went over the questions with me. The first test I answered 100% of the questions correctly. I finished the semester earning the 100% on all three test plus 8 questions for extra credit.
Because I want to see a return on my expenditure of money I am not a fan of gambling. If I put money on the table, I want to win. Going back to college was a win/win. The rush I felt after working through each semester was addicting. Pay the money, work as hard as I can and reap the reward. I was hooked.
Working with metals in Jewelry class was challenging after thirty plus years of sewing with fabrics. Metals needed to be annealed to bend, pilot holes needed to be drilled for a place to begin sawing a cut design. Interesting textures could be embossed into the metal when rolled through a press. Slowly I began to purchase a small drill, jewelers saw, polishing tools, files, torch... While working in the Jewelry studio the professor mentioned that there was a new professor teaching in the Fiber program.
What is a Fiber program? As is my practice I research the class and professor before I spend my money to register. Lucky for me he taught a foundation class so I could fill a requirement and decide if I wanted to take a Fiber class with this professor. First day of the foundation class was scary. The professor showed a series of work we would cover during the semester. I could not understand his English through the accent, plus he was a low talker.
I have the best son and daughter in the world. We were all in college at the same time, we encouraged each other, sometimes competition even pushed us to work harder. We subscribed to the Jerry Garcia " The first days are the hardest days, don't you worry anymore..." Uncle John's Band school of phiosphy. Kara sent me back the next class with orders to sit up front so I could hear. Don't worry if I was not confident to do the project, it was the professor job to teach us what to do. Kara reminded me that I was not responsible to be a competent as the professor.
Returning to school when you are 20 plus years older than the other students is a challenge. They after all have more recent practice being a student. I was a wife, mom, caretaker for dying parents, bought and sold homes, served as a scout leader, president of a women's club, as well as taught religious education for 17 years all without knowing how to use a computer or cut a mat board. I soon learned to laugh at myself when I made mistakes and ask for help if I did not understand the directions. I encouraged the other students in the room to work with the professor when they got frustrated. By the end of the semester we had completed 13 projects in 15 weeks. Everyone in the room's work showed improvement. Most of all my workaholism clicked with the professor. The last day of class as I was walking out of the room, he thanked me for a good semester and shook my hand. He could see that my attitude in the room made the students work with him together as a group. Incidentally, I never ask to see what my grade is until the end of the semester
I signed up for my first Fiber class the next fall.
to be continued...
Time and money can only be spent once. Choose wisely "
Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes (German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832)
This is my philosophy, " Time and money can only be spent once. Choose wisely."
In the Fall 2002, I resigned from my volunteer positions with the Clarence Garden Club and Clarence Historical Society, then went back to college. My children were in college, I had taken care of my parents for the three years they were ill before they died seven months apart. We moved from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, NY in 1999 for Jim's promotion.
I was open for an new adventure.
Every time I looked at colleges with Barry & Kara the urge to go back to college kept speaking to me. When I went to college the first time it was 1974 during a recession, high inflation time similar to what we have been experiencing this past year. Since I paid for my own college expenses I could not afford the luxury of being an Art major in college during the 70's. I have always be adverse to debt. If I do not have the cash to pay for what I want I work until I can afford to make the purchase, that includes staying away from student loans. This time I had some money from my parents estate. What better way to spend the money than to go back to school?
At age 45, more than 2o years of life experience since I was last a student, I enrolled as a matriculated student so I could register for the classes of my choice. I selected Jewelry Design because I had never worked with metals.
The second class was Art History class with a Professor Francis Kowsky. http://www4.bfn.org/preserve/bam/kowsky/kowsky.html I had been reading about this professor's research of Frederick Law Olmsted, designed the Delaware Park System for Buffalo, NY. Professor Kowski met the grandson of Calvert Vaux.
My husband professional organization,BOMA International, http://www.boma.org/Pages/default.aspx needed someone to present the spouse tour when they were hosting a convention the May 2002 in Buffalo.
I researched, organized, wrote and served as the tour guide for the spouses attending the convention. I had been on these tours in Beverly Hills, Baltimore and NYC so I was very eager to showcase Buffalo, NY.
BOMA rented a bus, sold tickets and I spoke into the microphone narrating the tour up Delaware Ave to Forest Lawn Cemetery around Delaware Park then back down Elmwood Ave featuring Buffalo as the an Outdoor Museum.
I focused on the Architecturehttp://www.buffaloah.com/,
Forest Lawn Cemetery, http://www.forest-lawn.com/
Pan American Exposition 1901 http://panam1901.bfn.org/
and the Delaware Park System http://www.buffaloolmstedparks.org/default.asp
Both Buffalo, NY and I were given an rousing round of applause when the entire BOMA group gathered for evening festivities at the Albright Knox Art Museum. http://www.albrightknox.org/ One spouse who had an Art History background and had attended numerous BOMA tours of various cities said this was the best one she had experienced.
The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn. Anxiously I awaited for the first day to be in Professor Kowski's class. I am the poster child for nontraditional student. My interest is purely academic. Although I work to the best of my abilities, always pushing myself to my limit, grades are not the measure of my success. College credits are an investment of time and money.
I read the course description carefully, research the professors background, purchase the books ahead of time, then full immerse myself in the luxury of life long learning...
" Time and money can only be spent once. Choose wisely."
to be continued...
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes (German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832)
This is my philosophy, " Time and money can only be spent once. Choose wisely."
In the Fall 2002, I resigned from my volunteer positions with the Clarence Garden Club and Clarence Historical Society, then went back to college. My children were in college, I had taken care of my parents for the three years they were ill before they died seven months apart. We moved from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, NY in 1999 for Jim's promotion.
I was open for an new adventure.
Every time I looked at colleges with Barry & Kara the urge to go back to college kept speaking to me. When I went to college the first time it was 1974 during a recession, high inflation time similar to what we have been experiencing this past year. Since I paid for my own college expenses I could not afford the luxury of being an Art major in college during the 70's. I have always be adverse to debt. If I do not have the cash to pay for what I want I work until I can afford to make the purchase, that includes staying away from student loans. This time I had some money from my parents estate. What better way to spend the money than to go back to school?
At age 45, more than 2o years of life experience since I was last a student, I enrolled as a matriculated student so I could register for the classes of my choice. I selected Jewelry Design because I had never worked with metals.
The second class was Art History class with a Professor Francis Kowsky. http://www4.bfn.org/preserve/bam/kowsky/kowsky.html I had been reading about this professor's research of Frederick Law Olmsted, designed the Delaware Park System for Buffalo, NY. Professor Kowski met the grandson of Calvert Vaux.
My husband professional organization,BOMA International, http://www.boma.org/Pages/default.aspx needed someone to present the spouse tour when they were hosting a convention the May 2002 in Buffalo.
I researched, organized, wrote and served as the tour guide for the spouses attending the convention. I had been on these tours in Beverly Hills, Baltimore and NYC so I was very eager to showcase Buffalo, NY.
BOMA rented a bus, sold tickets and I spoke into the microphone narrating the tour up Delaware Ave to Forest Lawn Cemetery around Delaware Park then back down Elmwood Ave featuring Buffalo as the an Outdoor Museum.
I focused on the Architecturehttp://www.buffaloah.com/,
Forest Lawn Cemetery, http://www.forest-lawn.com/
Pan American Exposition 1901 http://panam1901.bfn.org/
and the Delaware Park System http://www.buffaloolmstedparks.org/default.asp
Both Buffalo, NY and I were given an rousing round of applause when the entire BOMA group gathered for evening festivities at the Albright Knox Art Museum. http://www.albrightknox.org/ One spouse who had an Art History background and had attended numerous BOMA tours of various cities said this was the best one she had experienced.
The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn. Anxiously I awaited for the first day to be in Professor Kowski's class. I am the poster child for nontraditional student. My interest is purely academic. Although I work to the best of my abilities, always pushing myself to my limit, grades are not the measure of my success. College credits are an investment of time and money.
I read the course description carefully, research the professors background, purchase the books ahead of time, then full immerse myself in the luxury of life long learning...
" Time and money can only be spent once. Choose wisely."
to be continued...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
“You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind.”
No time or interest in television today. As a young girls I used to look forward to watching Miss America or Miss Universe pageants with my mother. I would take a bath, wash my hair, dress in a pretty night gown early that Saturday evening. No TiVo or video recorders so this was going to be a long night with with many Clairol beauty product commercials.
My mother and I would set our hair in rollers, shape by rounding the corners of our nails then carefully apply finger and toenail polish. Creams for our face, hands and to soften our feet were applies during our version of a mother daughter spa date.
I enjoyed watching the 18 - 24 years "grown women" (at fifty-two now some people that age look so juvenile to me) perform dancing, singing opera, and ventriloquist acts in talent competition. There was a bathing suit competition as well as a question and answer session where each girl would compete to impress the judges. Daydreams of being a mature woman filled my head as I watched the beauty pageant to see who would be selected as the most beautiful girl in the USA this year. It was very exciting to see the look of shock on the winners faces. The other girls huddled around her then she took her walk down the aisle to begin her reign as Miss America.
Never did I have the delusion that I could be Miss America. I never had the perfect measurements, nor could I sing opera, nor would I ever be caught dead walking around in a bathing suit wearing stiletto high heels while judges assign a number to me. No, I dreamed of winning the title Miss Congeniality. I dreamed of being the girl who was voted by the other girls as nice to get along with. That title sounded most desirable to me.
Around this time that I watched beauty pageants when I was in the third grade at Sts. Simon and Jude School their was a classroom contest with a prize. Today I can't recall the prize, the contest or even who won. What I remember most was hearing my name, Carol Ann Rice, spoken above the noise in the classroom. A classmate, Patrick Raymond O'Donnell said, "I hope someone nice wins the prise like Carol Ann Rice." That was the beginning of a ten year crush and the realization of my self image as amiable by others outside of my family.
During my week return to Savannah it was my pleasure to introduce Jim, Kara and Chewie to people who were kind to me while I lived alone there for the past year. Along with breaking bread with my new friends, packing and seeing the sights of Savannah I was leaving part of myself behind.
To Robert next door, I left a piece of granite rock from the Ancient Lake Tonowanda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_Lake_Tonawanda where I live in Clarence, NY. Robert is moving to Richmond Hill, Ga. today. Now a piece of NY Niagara Escarpment will make its home in Roberts tropical garden bed. In turn, Robert gave me metal coupling from the International cargo barges where he works on the docks in the Port of Savannah. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah,_Georgia
Chris the upstairs neighbor guy loves plants. He babysat my patio garden plants as well as fed the ferrel cats while I was in Clarence. He lovingly re potted my Mandarin Orange Hydrangea that the cats tore apart in my absence. It seemed appropriate to leave one of the plants with Chris who gave me a parting gift of a wisteria from his transplants for my garden. Every home I move to I plant a wisteria in the garden. This one from Chris will be a good pairing with the established one in NY.
Joan the delightful, exotic native of Savannah is a woman I met during my travels to galleries around town. Joan brought a spark of excitement and shear joy to my craving for adult companionship. She is a few years older than me so it was fun to talk about things without having to give a historical context. Joan gave Kara and I each a garment from her fabulous collection of vintage clothing. To Joan I gave the my wire shoes I created as an homage to Bettie Page http://www.popsubculture.com/pop/bio_project/bettie_page.html
Iona, fellow student in the Fiber grad program was a good fit with me from the day we met in orientation. Her work ethic is admirable. Her art is precise and her maturity made me feel comfortable in a program surrounded by girls many less than half my age. Iona left a small bird on my desk once after seeing my propensity to create nests. When I found the "Waving Girl" http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/savannahgaattractions/a/waving_girl.htm on my studio desk there was not doubt it was from Iona. In kind Iona was the appreciative recipient of my baked goods, studio art supplies and excess linens.
Along with phone numbers, email address, and promises to keep in touch. I received a nice note saying they wished all of their neighbors were as easy to live around as me. “You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind.” I have a strong belief I am going to return to Savannah soon.
My mother and I would set our hair in rollers, shape by rounding the corners of our nails then carefully apply finger and toenail polish. Creams for our face, hands and to soften our feet were applies during our version of a mother daughter spa date.
I enjoyed watching the 18 - 24 years "grown women" (at fifty-two now some people that age look so juvenile to me) perform dancing, singing opera, and ventriloquist acts in talent competition. There was a bathing suit competition as well as a question and answer session where each girl would compete to impress the judges. Daydreams of being a mature woman filled my head as I watched the beauty pageant to see who would be selected as the most beautiful girl in the USA this year. It was very exciting to see the look of shock on the winners faces. The other girls huddled around her then she took her walk down the aisle to begin her reign as Miss America.
Never did I have the delusion that I could be Miss America. I never had the perfect measurements, nor could I sing opera, nor would I ever be caught dead walking around in a bathing suit wearing stiletto high heels while judges assign a number to me. No, I dreamed of winning the title Miss Congeniality. I dreamed of being the girl who was voted by the other girls as nice to get along with. That title sounded most desirable to me.
Around this time that I watched beauty pageants when I was in the third grade at Sts. Simon and Jude School their was a classroom contest with a prize. Today I can't recall the prize, the contest or even who won. What I remember most was hearing my name, Carol Ann Rice, spoken above the noise in the classroom. A classmate, Patrick Raymond O'Donnell said, "I hope someone nice wins the prise like Carol Ann Rice." That was the beginning of a ten year crush and the realization of my self image as amiable by others outside of my family.
During my week return to Savannah it was my pleasure to introduce Jim, Kara and Chewie to people who were kind to me while I lived alone there for the past year. Along with breaking bread with my new friends, packing and seeing the sights of Savannah I was leaving part of myself behind.
To Robert next door, I left a piece of granite rock from the Ancient Lake Tonowanda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_Lake_Tonawanda where I live in Clarence, NY. Robert is moving to Richmond Hill, Ga. today. Now a piece of NY Niagara Escarpment will make its home in Roberts tropical garden bed. In turn, Robert gave me metal coupling from the International cargo barges where he works on the docks in the Port of Savannah. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah,_Georgia
Chris the upstairs neighbor guy loves plants. He babysat my patio garden plants as well as fed the ferrel cats while I was in Clarence. He lovingly re potted my Mandarin Orange Hydrangea that the cats tore apart in my absence. It seemed appropriate to leave one of the plants with Chris who gave me a parting gift of a wisteria from his transplants for my garden. Every home I move to I plant a wisteria in the garden. This one from Chris will be a good pairing with the established one in NY.
Joan the delightful, exotic native of Savannah is a woman I met during my travels to galleries around town. Joan brought a spark of excitement and shear joy to my craving for adult companionship. She is a few years older than me so it was fun to talk about things without having to give a historical context. Joan gave Kara and I each a garment from her fabulous collection of vintage clothing. To Joan I gave the my wire shoes I created as an homage to Bettie Page http://www.popsubculture.com/pop/bio_project/bettie_page.html
Iona, fellow student in the Fiber grad program was a good fit with me from the day we met in orientation. Her work ethic is admirable. Her art is precise and her maturity made me feel comfortable in a program surrounded by girls many less than half my age. Iona left a small bird on my desk once after seeing my propensity to create nests. When I found the "Waving Girl" http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/savannahgaattractions/a/waving_girl.htm on my studio desk there was not doubt it was from Iona. In kind Iona was the appreciative recipient of my baked goods, studio art supplies and excess linens.
Along with phone numbers, email address, and promises to keep in touch. I received a nice note saying they wished all of their neighbors were as easy to live around as me. “You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind.” I have a strong belief I am going to return to Savannah soon.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
"Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep."
Carl Sandburg
What I am feeling this week makes me think of how one might feel while going through a DIVORCE. Granted, I have never been divorced. Still, I can imagine the pain one could feel when you put all of your energy, emotion and economic resources into a relationship that is the cause of great anxiety. Hopefully, no one enters a commitment without counting the cost, unfortunately at some point, it seems more logical to pull the plug than to continue generating excruciating stress.
I have heard from friends who have gone through a divorce that an unexpected outcome, along with the break up, they experienced being shunned. People who previously invited them to holidays, parties or other social gatherings felt compelled to take sides in the break up. A dividing of social relationships along with the property seems to take place.
When someone leaves a marriage, a job or even moves away from a neighborhood we naturally examine our own life conditions and reasons for staying in a place someone else chooses to leave. It is interesting how one mans ceiling is another mans floor.
Upon returning to pack up the apartment that had been my home from last August to end of May I found three of my neighbors were moving out this week also. Unknowingly, my timing was impeccable. One person in particular is the single man who lived in the apartment next door. He had delivered me delicious home cooked dinners along with numerous offers to come over to his place for drinks in the evening.
Although he was a nice guy as well as being a great cook, I explained my reason for being in Savannah was strictly graduate school. I was definitely not looking for trouble. He must have been happy with my response as he now enjoys chatting with my husband as much as he did me. We exchanged phone numbers, kept in touch while I was at home during the summer and will meet again later sometime I am sure. It will be interesting to see how many other people I have formed bonds with during the past few years will remain in contact with me.
People are in your life for a reason, a season or forever...
back to packing...
Carl Sandburg
What I am feeling this week makes me think of how one might feel while going through a DIVORCE. Granted, I have never been divorced. Still, I can imagine the pain one could feel when you put all of your energy, emotion and economic resources into a relationship that is the cause of great anxiety. Hopefully, no one enters a commitment without counting the cost, unfortunately at some point, it seems more logical to pull the plug than to continue generating excruciating stress.
I have heard from friends who have gone through a divorce that an unexpected outcome, along with the break up, they experienced being shunned. People who previously invited them to holidays, parties or other social gatherings felt compelled to take sides in the break up. A dividing of social relationships along with the property seems to take place.
When someone leaves a marriage, a job or even moves away from a neighborhood we naturally examine our own life conditions and reasons for staying in a place someone else chooses to leave. It is interesting how one mans ceiling is another mans floor.
Upon returning to pack up the apartment that had been my home from last August to end of May I found three of my neighbors were moving out this week also. Unknowingly, my timing was impeccable. One person in particular is the single man who lived in the apartment next door. He had delivered me delicious home cooked dinners along with numerous offers to come over to his place for drinks in the evening.
Although he was a nice guy as well as being a great cook, I explained my reason for being in Savannah was strictly graduate school. I was definitely not looking for trouble. He must have been happy with my response as he now enjoys chatting with my husband as much as he did me. We exchanged phone numbers, kept in touch while I was at home during the summer and will meet again later sometime I am sure. It will be interesting to see how many other people I have formed bonds with during the past few years will remain in contact with me.
People are in your life for a reason, a season or forever...
back to packing...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Savannah Revisited
"This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half. " Francis Bacon
Jimi, Kara and Chewie our Wonder Pomeranian made the long journey from Clarence, New York with me to close up my apartment studio in Savannah, Georgia this week. When you have a difficult task to do, it is best to surround yourself with faithful friends then have as much fun as possible getting the job done. I was ambivalent driving back to Savannah. Many wonderful memories of the beautiful city numerous strangers that were kind to me as I sojourned in a strange land flooded my thoughts. Unpleasant memories also peppered my head. Memories of how I constantly lowered my expectations as I tried to find new ways of being content in an environment where I was not a good fit from the start.
Why had I not seen these potential points of conflict during the open house days? The Southern Hospitality was palpable during the three days I surveyed the campus environment before making my final decision to attend. All visitors were plied with a copious breakfast, a bountiful buffet lunch and mid day sweets, washed down with abundant servings of the Sweet Tea for which I never could acquire a taste. Everyone was smiling during Open House and Orientation Days like they were on Prosac as big as jawbreakers.
The Mission Statement promises "to prepare talented students for professional careers, emphasizing learning through individualized attention in a positively oriented university environment." Where do I sign up?
Who would not benefit from being in the aforesaid environment?
I quit my job as an Adjunct Instructor, packed my loom, pounds of yarns, hundreds of pounds of books, complete studio of Fiber Reactive Dyes, chemicals, beakers, scale as well as enough acutriments to open my own Fiber Studio. Accompanied by my husband for the past 31 years, I moved into an apartment where I would be on my own for the next two years. Jim had complete confidence, reassuring me that I was doing the right thing to follow my lofty ambitions advancing my education during my middle age years. Middle age if I live to be 104 that is.
Jim and I had gotten married when I was young. We met in a German class while we were both liberal arts majors, still students, not really sure what major to study. After dating for four years we married in May 1978. I was just 21 years old wanting mostly to spend my life being his bride. We were blessed with my dream family a son now grown to a successful businessman. Barry is now a vice president with his company a title he tells me everyone has or else they are out. Four years after Barry was born our family was complete with the birth of Kara now a confident, strong, compassionate young woman I am proud to call my best friend. Kara inherited my artistic personality, majored in art in both high school and college is now employed as a graphic designer. Kara is my muse, my partner and my confidant My family had rallied around my choice to go back to college for personal enrichment, they encouraged me to pursue a degree in design. They were with me as I marched with the graduates to accept my diploma. It was my family that backed me one hundred percent to attend graduate school so I could be around people who would talk about art with me. Mostly they desired their ears could have a break from my incessant enthusiasm about art.
No time for a recipe today. Have to keep packing...
Monday, August 3, 2009
Kindergarten Hat
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
by Robert Fulghum
Most of what I really need To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Most of what I really need To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Although it was 1960 it seems like yesterday when my mother took this picture of me in my authentic Shirley Temple dress. Just home from kindergarten I so proud to share my latest creation. My brother Mark and I took turns posing in front of the electric switch that was immediately left of our front door in our home on Robinhood Rd.
Did I tell you I am an Artist?
My passion to create with art supplies began with Mrs. Klingensmith, the teacher for over thirty years, at Fred L. Akien Kindergarten in Greentree. Only four and a half years old, kindergarten was the first time I had to leave my mother at home while I went out into the world alone. It was scary to leave my mom, after all, she was ill. I never knew if she would be in hospital or be dead when I returned home. Mark was home with her, he could take care of her while I was gone. Out the door, I walked, climbing into a cigarette smoke filled car driven by my mothers friend from church. Mark was young, so this other mother without any younger children, put a coat over her nightgown, lit her morning cigarette and drank coffee as she drove the morning carpool consisting of her daughter, me and one other little girl whose mother didn't drive. My mother would arrive later to drive us home around noon.
Kindergarten was a safe, happy place to me. Similar to Michael Jackson, I really got into milk and cookies snack followed by the nap time on my mat. I met new kids in kindergarten some of whom I can still remember their names when I look at our class picture. There was one special boy in our class. I remember thinking he was really smart, nice to me and very pleasant to my eyes. This could be documented as my first crush. Sorry, I tend to digress... "Art" time in Kindergarten was magical. At home we had crayons, color pencils, coloring books and watercolor paints. My mother was one of those organized people who thought it important to keep within the lines of coloring book images, never tear a page from the book and complete each page from front to back to keep things in order.
Things were different in kindergarten where Art was a time to let loose. There was a huge roll of paper that allowed me to draw pictures as tall as myself, tape both clear and the brown kind, staplers, small scissors, thick crayons that felt comfortable to hold in my hand, tissue paper, colorful glitters, thick glue that smelled good enough to eat
In the picture from this day I made what I now title my Kindergarten Hat.
More is more was my spirit of the day; this majestic hat was made of a large sheet of that wonderful thick, brown paper. Tissue paper, aluminum foil, and long lengths of ribbon combine to make my festive chapeau. It is my life long duty to jealously guard the enthusiasm, shear joy and delight I discovered creating during art time in Kindergarten.
Today may be a good day for my favorite kindergarten snack;
Toll House Cookies
http://www.verybestbaking.com/products/tollhouse/history.aspx
Estimated Times:Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 9 min Cooling Time - 15 min cooling
Yields - 60 Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 cup chopped nuts
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.
SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION: PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies. * May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.
FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.
I imagine Michael Jackson's children miss their daddy like crazy. Money can't buy everything. Spend time with the ones you love today.
More is more was my spirit of the day; this majestic hat was made of a large sheet of that wonderful thick, brown paper. Tissue paper, aluminum foil, and long lengths of ribbon combine to make my festive chapeau. It is my life long duty to jealously guard the enthusiasm, shear joy and delight I discovered creating during art time in Kindergarten.
Today may be a good day for my favorite kindergarten snack;
Toll House Cookies
http://www.verybestbaking.com/products/tollhouse/history.aspx
Estimated Times:Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 9 min Cooling Time - 15 min cooling
Yields - 60 Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 cup chopped nuts
Directions:PREHEAT oven to 375° F.COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.
SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION: PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies. * May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.
FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.
I imagine Michael Jackson's children miss their daddy like crazy. Money can't buy everything. Spend time with the ones you love today.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
GPS
I bought a Garmin Street Pilot for a Christmas 2007 present for myself before I moved to Savannah. My trusty Garmin helped me navigate all around as a solo act.
Barry stayed longer in California so being the good mother that I am I gave Barry my GPS.
Jim bought a TomTom for himself. TomTom is not as user friendly.
Garmin has my vote !!!
Barry stayed longer in California so being the good mother that I am I gave Barry my GPS.
Jim bought a TomTom for himself. TomTom is not as user friendly.
Garmin has my vote !!!
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