Some people think of Labor Day as the "end of Summer" holiday. As a kid, I din't understand the significance of the labor movement. Some people still don't.
There was a guy on a local page complaining that the trash wasn't going to be picked up on Monday because "they are celebrating their holiday" I wanted to say something to him, but sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie on those community pages, but here is what I SHOULD have said:
Look, buddy, Labor Day celebrates how the labor movement improved working conditions for ALL of us in this Country. Labor Unions helped create weekends off, the 8-hour work day, child labor laws, workers compensation, just to name a few. It helped move forward the idea of a minimum wage- a living wage.
I benefit from my Union job, sure, but everyone benefits from the work those early Labor Unions did to improve working conditions in this country.
So as the final Cookout of the summer wound to a close in yesterdays sunset, I wonder how many people raised a glass to the struggles of Labor and celebrated to working class on the first Monday in September?
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
August 29. Again
My mom once told me she was glad her mother did not die around a holiday. She said she couldn't remember the exact date and it was easier not to have the date remind her of her loss.
I can't seem to do that.
My mother died on August 29, 2004 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's My brilliant, funny loving mother slipped away piece by piece for four years. The pain of that still causes my throat to close and the tears to burn my eyes.
I miss her terribly. That really goes without saying but since I am typing it, I am putting it out there.
I think of her when I am in the kitchen, having coffee in the morning. I think of her when I try to balance my bank statements. She pops into my mind at the oddest times.
Recently at work, there was a challenge to post your prom picture. I posted one of me in the beautiful satin dress she made me. It was the most elegant thing I had ever worn. She fussed over the slippery material for a week, getting it just right. It fit me like a glove. The memory of that time is precious to me. Every day I would come home and she would come home from work and she would fit me. It took several adjustments to get it right. It was lovely and no one else had "my" dress. When I went to the prom my senior year, someone had a cape made of the same material as the dress she made me for that dance- it was he dress I wore as a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding four months before.
My mom loved to sew. She used to make all our clothes. I think it was her relaxation.I did not get that gene. I knit ( and still make her slipper pattern when I can) crochet, embroider and needlepoint, but I hate sewing. Sorry Mom.
So, if I seem a bit weepy or far away today, please excuse me. I'm missing my mom. If you still have yours, give her an extra hug or a phone call. She's a gift you will miss when she is gone.
I can't seem to do that.
My mother died on August 29, 2004 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's My brilliant, funny loving mother slipped away piece by piece for four years. The pain of that still causes my throat to close and the tears to burn my eyes.
I miss her terribly. That really goes without saying but since I am typing it, I am putting it out there.
I think of her when I am in the kitchen, having coffee in the morning. I think of her when I try to balance my bank statements. She pops into my mind at the oddest times.
Recently at work, there was a challenge to post your prom picture. I posted one of me in the beautiful satin dress she made me. It was the most elegant thing I had ever worn. She fussed over the slippery material for a week, getting it just right. It fit me like a glove. The memory of that time is precious to me. Every day I would come home and she would come home from work and she would fit me. It took several adjustments to get it right. It was lovely and no one else had "my" dress. When I went to the prom my senior year, someone had a cape made of the same material as the dress she made me for that dance- it was he dress I wore as a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding four months before.
My mom loved to sew. She used to make all our clothes. I think it was her relaxation.I did not get that gene. I knit ( and still make her slipper pattern when I can) crochet, embroider and needlepoint, but I hate sewing. Sorry Mom.
So, if I seem a bit weepy or far away today, please excuse me. I'm missing my mom. If you still have yours, give her an extra hug or a phone call. She's a gift you will miss when she is gone.
Monday, August 27, 2018
Shakespeare, Utah, road trips and home.
We head for home today after a week of travel and fun.
We had a blast at the Shakespeare Festival IF we were to do it again, I would probably try to go to the lectures, but this vacation was more about sleep and Shakespeare than Shakespeare alone.
The Merry Wives of Windsor was pleasant enough, well acted but I really don't care for musicals where the music is inserted for no good reason. i like MUSICAL THEATER, were the music advances the plot, but Not where they just dropped in period songs to give it flavor. They should just use it as transitional pieces, not have the entire ensemble come out from every corner to sing. It made the play overlong.
We were delighted to spend time with our friend Lisa and have dinner with some of the other members of the Company. It was probably one of the best times on the trip- certainly the FOOD was terrific. A nice relaxing hour!
I seriously underestimated the cost of food and even with looking at the prices often had a sense of sticker shock when the bill arrived. It's ok. We gambled less than we thought we would so we SHOULD be going home with money. The thing is NONE of the food was WOW that's amazing- except the cheese bar at the Bellagio. I ate too much cheese.
I like the people at Bally's best. They are super friendly and helpful. The original bellman was an 81 year old man who was in better shape than most 50 year olds. He was quite funny as well, and he said he used to drive for Mayor Yorty, he laughed when I remembered the nickname "Traveling Sam'
We are off to eat at a buffet, gamble a bit and then head for home. Work tomorrow. I kind of wish we had one more day, but I am sure I have a ton of emails waiting for me. Sigh.
It's been a wonderful trip.
We had a blast at the Shakespeare Festival IF we were to do it again, I would probably try to go to the lectures, but this vacation was more about sleep and Shakespeare than Shakespeare alone.
The Merry Wives of Windsor was pleasant enough, well acted but I really don't care for musicals where the music is inserted for no good reason. i like MUSICAL THEATER, were the music advances the plot, but Not where they just dropped in period songs to give it flavor. They should just use it as transitional pieces, not have the entire ensemble come out from every corner to sing. It made the play overlong.
We were delighted to spend time with our friend Lisa and have dinner with some of the other members of the Company. It was probably one of the best times on the trip- certainly the FOOD was terrific. A nice relaxing hour!
I seriously underestimated the cost of food and even with looking at the prices often had a sense of sticker shock when the bill arrived. It's ok. We gambled less than we thought we would so we SHOULD be going home with money. The thing is NONE of the food was WOW that's amazing- except the cheese bar at the Bellagio. I ate too much cheese.
I like the people at Bally's best. They are super friendly and helpful. The original bellman was an 81 year old man who was in better shape than most 50 year olds. He was quite funny as well, and he said he used to drive for Mayor Yorty, he laughed when I remembered the nickname "Traveling Sam'
We are off to eat at a buffet, gamble a bit and then head for home. Work tomorrow. I kind of wish we had one more day, but I am sure I have a ton of emails waiting for me. Sigh.
It's been a wonderful trip.
Friday, August 24, 2018
The Merchant of Venice
We are at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. The venue replicates the Old Globe Theater and very nice and comfortable ( as I am fairly sure the Old Globe wasn't)
Last night, we were treated to an amazing performance of The Merchant of Venice. This play is lumped into Shakespeare's "comedies" but if this is a comedy I failed to see it. Sure, there were moments of comic relief, but what was happening on stage was certainly no laughing matter.
I understand that the play was written at the request of Essex who wanted to sway public opinion after he murdered Elizabeth's Jewish physician. It probably worked. Looking at it with a modern eye. I found no one to like, except the person you are supposed to loathe, Shylock.
Shylock is played to aching perfection by Lisa Wolpe. She completely embodies the anguished money-lender in every nuance. I need to stop using the word "amazing" and move on to "bone-Chilling" and "awe-inspiring" It was every bit of that. I found myself weeping at the conclusion of the play.
It is difficult to single out any other performers, Kyle Bullock, playing Bassanio, brings passion to the role and Betsy Mugavero as Nerissa was delightful to watch as her role played across her expressive face.
I loved how they tied scenes together with vocalists singing musical lines. It made the transitions between the scenes smoother.
A lot of people left at intermission, and I can't help but wonder if they thought the play was over. Either that or the subject matter was NOT the light comedy they were expecting ( read the synopsis folks!) In any case,they missed a stellar performance of the denouement court scene. I admit I was trying- and failing- not to cry.
This stayed with me and I will continue to mull it over in my mind over the next few weeks. Tonight is Henry VI a play I know NOTHING about!
Last night, we were treated to an amazing performance of The Merchant of Venice. This play is lumped into Shakespeare's "comedies" but if this is a comedy I failed to see it. Sure, there were moments of comic relief, but what was happening on stage was certainly no laughing matter.
I understand that the play was written at the request of Essex who wanted to sway public opinion after he murdered Elizabeth's Jewish physician. It probably worked. Looking at it with a modern eye. I found no one to like, except the person you are supposed to loathe, Shylock.
Shylock is played to aching perfection by Lisa Wolpe. She completely embodies the anguished money-lender in every nuance. I need to stop using the word "amazing" and move on to "bone-Chilling" and "awe-inspiring" It was every bit of that. I found myself weeping at the conclusion of the play.
It is difficult to single out any other performers, Kyle Bullock, playing Bassanio, brings passion to the role and Betsy Mugavero as Nerissa was delightful to watch as her role played across her expressive face.
I loved how they tied scenes together with vocalists singing musical lines. It made the transitions between the scenes smoother.
A lot of people left at intermission, and I can't help but wonder if they thought the play was over. Either that or the subject matter was NOT the light comedy they were expecting ( read the synopsis folks!) In any case,they missed a stellar performance of the denouement court scene. I admit I was trying- and failing- not to cry.
This stayed with me and I will continue to mull it over in my mind over the next few weeks. Tonight is Henry VI a play I know NOTHING about!
Thursday, August 23, 2018
staying in hotels
We are on vacation and our first stop is Las Vegas. I'm over Vegas, frankly. I'm getting too old for the lights and the noise and being in a scooter, the transportation situation is a hassle.
We are staying at the Park MGM, simply because we got a great deal. The hotel used to be the Monte Carlo, which I can't remember ever going to, although I must have at some point.
For lack of a more eloquent word, this hotel is weird.
Let me start with the rooms. The windows are smallish and are covered with an ugly olive green shade. I LIKE green, it's my favorite color but this thing is the color of army uniforms in the 50's. The accent wall is a dull forest green. The effect is unpleasant.The lamp is placed off center to anything. It looks like an afterthought. The cord is tacked to the wall, after it wraps around what looks like an old spool for cloth-wrapped wiring. it ends up in brass colored conduit that is affixed with rounded fittings that are screwed to the wall on one side. Chris says it's Steampunk, but I disagree. A Steampunk lamp would be metal. this thing is a cloth monstrosity that looks like the top of my mothers cake pan, rendered in cloth. It is ugly,
The artwork on the walls looks like someone's bad vacation photos and their untalented children's art projects. The postcards in the bathroom looked like they were framed at Target.
The bathroom had a sink that is square and completely flat. it did not drain without help. The "handicapped" shower has a seat and grab bars in a very small tub. The room is huge but the sink and tub look like they were designed for rooms half the size. You could hold a square-dance in the empty space.
I guess if you are staying more than one day, they do not clean your room. At all. I like to have the room freshened, the trash taken out, the bathroom wiped down, new soap, the bed remade. I make my bed at home! I wound up taking the full trash out to the common trash can in the elevator lobby. Someone told me I should call housekeeping, but in the past that has never worked out. We will see if this is a trend at our next stop, in Cedar City. We are going to the Shakespeare Festival
The good stuff- there was a nice pool and Jacuzzi which I enjoyed for a bit until I remembered I hadn't put sunscreen on and given that I JUST had something removed, I went inside. If you go to the Aria Cafe, look for a waiter named Bobby. He's a delight! There is a free tram between the Park, the Aria and the Bellagio, which made going to eat easier. Chris and I BOTH have scooters. They charge an arm and a leg for parking, so we left the car in valet for the entire time. I think the "ransom" may be steep, but worth it.
We are staying at the Park MGM, simply because we got a great deal. The hotel used to be the Monte Carlo, which I can't remember ever going to, although I must have at some point.
For lack of a more eloquent word, this hotel is weird.
Let me start with the rooms. The windows are smallish and are covered with an ugly olive green shade. I LIKE green, it's my favorite color but this thing is the color of army uniforms in the 50's. The accent wall is a dull forest green. The effect is unpleasant.The lamp is placed off center to anything. It looks like an afterthought. The cord is tacked to the wall, after it wraps around what looks like an old spool for cloth-wrapped wiring. it ends up in brass colored conduit that is affixed with rounded fittings that are screwed to the wall on one side. Chris says it's Steampunk, but I disagree. A Steampunk lamp would be metal. this thing is a cloth monstrosity that looks like the top of my mothers cake pan, rendered in cloth. It is ugly,
The artwork on the walls looks like someone's bad vacation photos and their untalented children's art projects. The postcards in the bathroom looked like they were framed at Target.
The bathroom had a sink that is square and completely flat. it did not drain without help. The "handicapped" shower has a seat and grab bars in a very small tub. The room is huge but the sink and tub look like they were designed for rooms half the size. You could hold a square-dance in the empty space.
I guess if you are staying more than one day, they do not clean your room. At all. I like to have the room freshened, the trash taken out, the bathroom wiped down, new soap, the bed remade. I make my bed at home! I wound up taking the full trash out to the common trash can in the elevator lobby. Someone told me I should call housekeeping, but in the past that has never worked out. We will see if this is a trend at our next stop, in Cedar City. We are going to the Shakespeare Festival
The good stuff- there was a nice pool and Jacuzzi which I enjoyed for a bit until I remembered I hadn't put sunscreen on and given that I JUST had something removed, I went inside. If you go to the Aria Cafe, look for a waiter named Bobby. He's a delight! There is a free tram between the Park, the Aria and the Bellagio, which made going to eat easier. Chris and I BOTH have scooters. They charge an arm and a leg for parking, so we left the car in valet for the entire time. I think the "ransom" may be steep, but worth it.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Thinking about surgery
Today I am going to see the surgeon. I am ready, well sort of, to get my knees replaced. Both of them need to be done and I am looking at doing it in one fell swoop.
Here's what's going on in my head:
I am SICK SICK SICK of people who haven't HAD the surgery telling me how much this is going to hurt. It's SURGERY. they CUT into you THAT EQUALS PAIN. I get it. What galls me is that people want to tell me something they haven't experienced and put the thought to the forefront.
I know it will hurt, but frankly it's probably not as bad as people say.
I had my gallbladder taken out about 20 years ago. Sure that hurt but it was manageable after a day or two. They gave me pain pills and I followed instructions and within a week was up and cooking meals.
Am I afraid of this?
Yes.
Am I doing this anyway?
Yes.
I want to be able to walk unassisted.
I want to dance at Bob's wedding- admittedly Bob is not quite four and I'll probably be in my 80's when he DOES get married but a goal is a goal.
I want this constant pain GONE.
I need to remind myself of two things; a line from a James Taylor song "It's ok to feel afraid, but don't let that stand in your way" and "FEAR means Face Everything and Rise"
I will have loving support as I face this journey. I need to keep my eye on the result, not the process. I'm going to get through this just fine.
Here's what's going on in my head:
I am SICK SICK SICK of people who haven't HAD the surgery telling me how much this is going to hurt. It's SURGERY. they CUT into you THAT EQUALS PAIN. I get it. What galls me is that people want to tell me something they haven't experienced and put the thought to the forefront.
I know it will hurt, but frankly it's probably not as bad as people say.
I had my gallbladder taken out about 20 years ago. Sure that hurt but it was manageable after a day or two. They gave me pain pills and I followed instructions and within a week was up and cooking meals.
Am I afraid of this?
Yes.
Am I doing this anyway?
Yes.
I want to be able to walk unassisted.
I want to dance at Bob's wedding- admittedly Bob is not quite four and I'll probably be in my 80's when he DOES get married but a goal is a goal.
I want this constant pain GONE.
I need to remind myself of two things; a line from a James Taylor song "It's ok to feel afraid, but don't let that stand in your way" and "FEAR means Face Everything and Rise"
I will have loving support as I face this journey. I need to keep my eye on the result, not the process. I'm going to get through this just fine.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Confessions
Don't tell my wine loving friends.
I like Moscato.
I know, the movement in the Wine Snob circles is that the ONLY type of wine to drink is red Cabernet, in particular but Red, Red Red. If you MUST drink white only a Chardonnay will do.
But in the Summer, I love a cold cold glass of Moscato. Call me a rebel. I used to love- and still do- a nice Blanc de Blanc. But Moscato tastes like Summer on your tongue. None of that heavy full body of a red. I DO like red wine when having pasta with red sauce,but this is Summer, so I am secretly ( well not so secretly now) enjoying my guilty pleasure.
Moscato.
Scoff if you will. I was always more of a white wine drinker than a red. People enthuse over red wine in a way I cannot. Funny, because every month, my Wine of the month club delivers two to three bottles of.. you guessed it... RED WINE. I wonder if there is a way to go on and change my preference? I should look into that. I currently have enough red wine in the cupboard to last me until the next Ice Age. I don't have a wine locker, I KNOW SHAME ON ME
At Thanksgiving I LOVE the pairing of Gewurztraminer with turkey. Something about the oak-y,yet fruity flavors are the best thing to me. Goes with ham too.
So, anyone want to come over and have a glass or two or three of the red wine?
Come early if you want the Moscato!
I like Moscato.
I know, the movement in the Wine Snob circles is that the ONLY type of wine to drink is red Cabernet, in particular but Red, Red Red. If you MUST drink white only a Chardonnay will do.
But in the Summer, I love a cold cold glass of Moscato. Call me a rebel. I used to love- and still do- a nice Blanc de Blanc. But Moscato tastes like Summer on your tongue. None of that heavy full body of a red. I DO like red wine when having pasta with red sauce,but this is Summer, so I am secretly ( well not so secretly now) enjoying my guilty pleasure.
Moscato.
Scoff if you will. I was always more of a white wine drinker than a red. People enthuse over red wine in a way I cannot. Funny, because every month, my Wine of the month club delivers two to three bottles of.. you guessed it... RED WINE. I wonder if there is a way to go on and change my preference? I should look into that. I currently have enough red wine in the cupboard to last me until the next Ice Age. I don't have a wine locker, I KNOW SHAME ON ME
At Thanksgiving I LOVE the pairing of Gewurztraminer with turkey. Something about the oak-y,yet fruity flavors are the best thing to me. Goes with ham too.
So, anyone want to come over and have a glass or two or three of the red wine?
Come early if you want the Moscato!
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