July 4th on the Riverwalk

I've long enjoyed good symphonic music and fireworks on the 4th of July. This year my wife and I went to nearby Pueblo, and there enjoyed pre-concert western/bluegrass music of Overton Road (including a supportive fan, albeit somewhat drunk, that danced to their music much to the enjoyment of the crowd). The Pueblo Symphony then took the stage. Taking the stage via a smooth floating gondola, appeared guest Broadway stars Jan Horvath and Sal Viviano. They stepped out of the boat, up to the symphony, and began singing, they were really good. Viviano, a versatile baritone, sings songs of Sinatra in much the same velvet-like voice. If you like music of Sinatra and that era, google Sal Viviano to listen on his web site.

We enjoyed the fireworks. Nothing compared to New Years Eve at Disney, nor Delaware's Longwood Gardens with massive light-colored water fountains dancing with music by the Philadelphia Philharmonic and fireworks above, nor Macy's Fireworks Show on the Hudson or East Rivers backdropped by the Empire State Building lit in red, white, and blue,... still, being so close, it's an amazing fireworks show in it's own right because of proximity: colors rain down on the crowd while fading. The Riverwalk, of course, is one of our favorite places. We found a new self-serve yogurt place nearby that we'll return to again and again. Good Times....Good memories.
Be well, do good...

Yo Yo Ma, up close

While I don't much care for the affluence of all-white Vail,(I never see people of color there, but rather, wine drinking, men with slicked-back hair, in their polo shirts, with their wives that expose far too much sunburned, wrinkled cleavage below gaudy gold necklaces), I appreciate being able to attend concerts there. For a hundred bucks I could maybe get a ticket at Carnegie Hall to see Yo Yo Ma, they sale out fast, but it would be far, far from the stage. For the same $100, I was seated 45 feet from him, could see and hear perfectly. He began with "Gabriel's Oboe" from the DeNiro movie "The Mission", one of my favorite pieces, and continued with other fine music. He is a consummate performer. For example, the wind came up, blowing his music off his stand. He had his stuff memorized so well that he merely played until he had a break, then leaned over and picked up his music and replaced it. Also, his cello's end pin slipped 2 or 3 times on the stage. When that happens to me I panic. But he merely re-adjusted his cello, while playing, as if nothing had happened. He plays so vigorously that the horse-hair on his bows often was seen floating in space, back and forth as he bowed. Again, when he had a break, the pianist only playing, he quickly grabbed the loose hair(s), wrapped his fist around it, jerked/broke it off.
He's a couple of years older than me, and so I'm encouraged by the pace he keeps. I like his fun sense of humor. His two encores were graciously done after an already difficult concert repertoire, the very one he'll be doing at Carnegie this fall with Kathleen Stotter, his British pianist/collaborator, who is equally gifted.
I'm glad I had a chance to see him perform live in concert. I like New York City, have been there several times, and would have returned to see him at Carnegie, on the same stage where my son performed a couple of years ago, but I preferred this outdoor venue. He has a great web site, merely google Yo Yo Ma to learn more.
Be well, do good...

Danish Hygge

I remember this time of year in Denmark, evening walks by homes in St.(pronounced "store") Magleby near Dragor, both on the island of Amager, on the Baltic coast. (Dragor is an amazingly wonderful little fishing village, a story in itself for another time!) Sweden was in sight. The sun didn't begin to set until 10 p.m. Inside homes, or in the small summer glass enclosed patios, one could see people having pleasant conversation, eating and drinking beer, Carlsberg most likely. I was invited into one such home while walking. No television blaring. Plenty of good cheese out. Bustling Copenhagen is just a bike ride away, Amager being an Island only because of a small river/canal that separates it from mainland Copenhagen, but actually, it's a suburb of this old world city. The Danes have a term for these relaxed evenings with good food and good conversation: Hygge (pronounced Who ga lee) The best English translation is, "So Much More Than Mere Cozy". My wife and kids have come to tease me as I've replicated this here in our home. Evening candles, soft music, conversation. But American's are too uptight, too on the go. I've gotten away from Danish Hygge because our lifestyle is too hectic. Until recently......

My doctor put me on the South Beach Diet. Not because I need to drop pounds, although that has happened, but rather, to gain control of my increased Triclycerides and blood sugar. I'm a runner, and so this low carb, (very low carb) diet is messing up my training. But it's forcing me to look at the food I eat, how I prepare it, and consequently, how I now enjoy it. My summer strings instruments quartet group gets together once a month at someone's home for a meal and to practice. Joy Plesner, retired first chair viola Houston Symphony, hosted: boiled red cabbage (yum, a Danish thing), green salad with strawberries and raw almonds, baked ham (with a small bit of sweet raisin sauce), and because I don't eat desserts anymore, a real treat was a small slice of chocolate roll. Prior to the Low Carb news I would have snarfed it down, taking this for granted. Not now. This was a great evening of "hygge"

I find I cook more than in the past. And while I tried and tired of cauliflower (smashed to substitute mashed potatoes, yuck), I'm getting use to a diet of mostly protein now. I cut meat & veggies into smaller pieces, eating slower and enjoying the taste. Smaller portions forces me to slow down and actually taste my food. Anew. My son and I were in the city getting him an apartment for the upcoming college year, we had lunch for my birthday at "The Cheesecake Factory", where to my surprise, they offered a nice low-carb meal or two on the menu, (including a fabulous low-carb cheesecake, complete with singing waiters, thanks bud, it was fun!)

Rice vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper......replace salt. Lots of eggs and cheeses. (The Dane in me loves this.) Cooking and doing dishes replace fast food. Grilling replaces frying. Not that I've eaten a lot of fast food hamburgers and Sees Candy in the past few years, I've actually been pretty good about giving up sugars. But not good enough apparently. And well, I could go thru a pint of Rocky Road or Black Walnut Ice Cream in nothing flat. 4 or 5 cookies with a glass of 2% milk at night, no big deal, I'll run it off tomorrow. I thought.

I noticed while in Denmark that they use a variety of color to add "Hygge" to their meals: fine napkins, candles, kind of a "finer things club" going on. And so I've begun doing this again. Because of family schedule is so busy and hectic, I often eat alone, especially lunch. Rather than gulp down an iced Slim Fast, I now prepare and enjoy a balance meal of protein and veggies. I eat out on the patio. I taste what I've taken time to cook and prepare. It's a hygge thing. And I like it. I highly recommend it, minus the Carlsberg.

p.s. Have ya followed the Danish Soccer Team at the 2010 World Cup? Go Danes!
Be well, do good...

At last......Summer

Springtime is always windy here, that's a given. To the east, the Sangre de Christo mountains show, in snow, what the old timers called "The Pigeon". "We'll have wind as long as you can make out the pigeon", they said. Actually, snow in a canyon gives the illusion of a pigeon's profile. Whether it's a cause & effect thing, or merely a coincidence, I don't know. But they're right: we still have wind, and will continue to do so until July, by the looks of "the pigeon".

I'm completing an interesting book about Captain James Cook. I've gotten use to having notes and primary source information; this current book has none. So I don't know whether the information is factual, or if the author is just a really great storyteller. But I've come to admire Cook. Like John Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright, and several other famous men, he was ambitious, making a name for himself. But as far as being a success as father and husband, -- not so much. Not that I have any room to judge, I've made my share of mistakes, and then some, in the father/husband area. But I'm merely interested in how their/his ambition, ego, and fame seem to take priority over relationships. They missed the boat, or so it seems to me.

Having said that, I have 2 required reads for an upcoming Summer Research Fellowship I'll be doing on the Era of George Washington at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. These books illustrate anew the unique character of Washington. Of all the founders, I still maintain he was the greatest. I look forward to this research and learning opportunity next month. Soon after, I'll be sailing on The Mary Day Schooner, a wonderful two-mast sailing ship harbored in Camden, Maine. I've wanted to sail for some time, so am taking advantage of a week long "Wooden Boat Sailing School" tour where I'll be an abled seaman. We're to have 4 different responsibilities on a rotation basis: 4 hours watch on/ 8 hour off. Obviously there is no engine, so the winds will determine our exact location, but the Atlantic Coast of northern Maine will be "home" for a while, which is fine: I love New England. For the last 20 years I've had some sort of feeling that I have a link to the sea: past life as a sailor? Ha. I don't know, but I'm really looking forward to this.

We have had wonderful Memorial Day Weekend ushering in this warmer summer. It's good to work in the yard, build a new fence, take advanced level classes, do some traveling, read and write, train for upcoming races, be a part of a small string quartet until the regular symphony season starts next fall, draw and make frames for my drawings (I'm planning a small art show this fall), before the regular school year resumes in about 10 short weeks from now. But unquestionably, having our granddaughter in our home for her first time, has by far, been the best part of the spring and/or summer. She's a light in our lives.
Be well, do good...

Life...Enriched and Ennobled by Learning Anew

On this Good Friday morning I just finished reading the Easter story in Matthew. I had forgotten about the 50 silver coins acquired by treason by Judas. That he would then throw them back and thereafter hang himself from a tree when he realized what he had done.... profound. I'll think and ponder that today while working in the yard and garden. Reading and learning this anew provides meaning to my life.

I like how learning enriches my life. To wit, these additional 3 unique items...

1. Recently I toured Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden. A sister-city-garden to Suzhou (Sue-Chow) China, and built in 2000 by native Suzhou gardeners who stayed in Portland for 11 months, it is an amazing authentic Chinese garden. And so when PBS recently showed on their "American Experience" program a new museum designed by American, (but Suzhou-born) reknown architect I.M. Pei (famed by his glass pyramid at the Louve in Paris), I learned even more about Chinese culture and architecture. Only one city block wide, the Lan Su Garden in downtown Portland is a jewel. I was amazed by a unique Chinese variety of Rhododendron, the blossom much larger than my outstretched hand, that was in bloom while I was there. I strongly encourage your taking a visual tour of the gardens. Merely google "Portland's Chinese Gardens". Treat yourself, it's worth your time.

2. I'm likewise impressed by having recently learned of a Copenhagen man that employees adults with Autism only in his Danish business. I saw the story on ABC News. His own young son is autistic. Since April is Autism Awareness Month, I plan to get on line and learn more about this man, his business, and his employees. I'm proud that a Dane has taken the first step to validate autistic adult.

3. Another unique story told on ABC News features patients with Parkinson's. I was amazed, in awe, and inspired by seeing video of Parkinson's patients riding bikes. Chemicals in the brain, produced by this elevated heart-rate activity, actually allows them to be free of the disease while both riding a bike, including stationary bikes, and while dancing. That's another story I plan to read more about on line.

My love of good books has been toned & fortified by a few recent good reads:
1) Al Capone Does My Laundry and 2) Al Capone Shines My Shoes are two fine books for young readers, but I enjoyed them too. 1930's historical fiction that takes place in the San Francisco area, specifically on Alcatraz Island. 12/13 year old "Moose" and his autistic sister are at the center of these stories. The 2nd book is especially good because it teaches what can happen when we make ill-fated compromises, conceal lies, and find ourselves in situations that are uneasy to escape. Both are really good reads.
3) "In the Heart of the Sea: The tragedy of the Whaleship Essex" Ah. Another fine book by author Nathaniel Philbrick (Mayflower). A National Book Award Winner, it retells what happened about the Essex, (Melville used this to write his famous "Moby Dick" If you haven't seen the recent-years remake movie Moby Dick with Patrick Steward, run-n-rent it!). I'm in awe of Captain Pollard (more integrity than Melville's Ahab) and his valor. Afraid of stories about cannibals in the Pacific Islands, the Essex crew opted instead to try to get to Chile and the South American coast. In the process, they themselves became cannibals of one another, something most abhorred and leaving a stigma for life. I quote from a favorite part of the book, toward's the end: "....the word 'pollard' has two meanings. A pollard is an animal, such as an ox, goat, or sheep, that has lost its horns. But pollard is also a gardening term. To pollard a tree is to prune back its branches severely so that it may produce a dense growth of new shoots. Misfortune had pollarded George Pollard, cutting back his possiblities, but, as if strengthened by the surgery, he created a happy, meaningful life for himself in his native town."
(Nantucket, with their small-town mentality of judgeing others unfairly.) Twice Captain Pollard had failed whaling disasters, neither of which were his fault. But he became known as a "Jonah" (a marked and bad-luck-ridden seaman) and never captained again. He spent the rest of his life as a night guard and lamplighter on the dark streets of Nantucket, something that would have been humiliating. But he wore a smile, was pleasant to people, and as decades wore on, became a type of protector especially to the young of Nantucket. One can hear author Philbrick on a podcast speaking at BYU a few years ago. His address to that audience were germane to his Mayflower book. He's not of that faith, but had been invited to speak to their student body. It's a really great talk, especially if you have an interest in the Plymouth Pilgrims. Merely google BYU Philbrick podcast. That should lead ya in the right direction.
4) Born to Run (I listened to it on tape while running myself). While it didn't have as much to do with running as I had hoped, it was none-the-less a good story dealing with a unique tribe in the Copper Canyons of Mexico that run in sandles. The language is sometimes rough, the author writes that way, I've read his stuff in Adventure magazines. But I liked learning about this unique culture, and I really appreciated the tie to local running, specifically my alma mater Adams State College and their legendary cross country coach Joe Vigil whom I know.

Next on the nightstand table, waiting to be read... "The Known World" the true story of one of several freed black slaves who in turn became a slaveholder himself in the Carolina region of America's Civil War era South. I remember listening to a book review and interview a fews years ago on NPR radio while shaving for work. I was surprised. A previous slave, now free, as a land owner with slaves himself? At that time I had a bright student who was African American. I discussed this with her. She and her parents had known of such a thing, but weren't inclined to learn more about it. But I am inclined to learn more about it. While my trips to the South aren't included among my favorite, I have found some pleasant things: Mississippi has that "southern hospitality" I had heard about. And I like the Spanish Moss that grows on the trees in South Carolina. The water fowl I saw while eating fresh Georgia peaches on the banks of Lake Providence in Lousianna was amazing. I once knew the name of those amazing white birds as well as those unique water-rooted trees, but I've forgotten both. Argh. Across the road was this great Cotton-plantation and village museum that I toured. The Vicksburg Historical area is rich in Civil War history. And I want to return to drive more of the Natchez Trail. Virginia with it's Mt. Vernon, Monticello, & Colonial Williamsburg is a favorite place. I try to be open-minded and glean the good. Still, I prefer New England and the Atlantic.

Also, I've bought a book by fellow runner/historian Martin Dugard, "Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook" It promises to be a good read. (I've checked out Dugard's website, he's an adventurer.) I have spent some time along the North Pacific Ocean, in particular Cook's Inlet in Alaska. I saw 26 amazing blue ice glaciers, the same one's Cook had seen, in these waters. Since that time, I've taken an intense interest in Cook's life.

Taking our granddaughter to an "Infants and Toddlers" Library program was a joy. The youngest there, she thrilled to be with other little kids. She just lit up. The libarian in charge of the program told Nana G and Papa Ras, "She notices everything. She doesn't miss a thing. She's so smart!" Yup. I'm not the only one that notices how bright this kid is. We're blessed.

I recently read to my class "Esperanza Falling", a fine story about 1930's Migrant labor in the San Joaquin valley of California. I've been there a few times too and am well aware of our dependence upon their produce, and the migrant labor the produces it. I taught migrant school, day as well as high school kids, so the book has always been a favorite. But now that I'm a grandparent, the book and it's telling of Abuelita, the grandmother that got left behind in Mexico, and Esperanza's life in a new country... takes on a new and profound tenderness. Yes, books, travel, PBS, all contribute to my learning. But having a grandchild, I find, heightens and embellishes life. Ennobles life.
Be well, do good...


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Beginning to Blossom...

We enjoyed the recent extended Valentines Day/President's Day weekend with our amazing little granddaughter and her parents. By contrast, we left behind, and returned to, frosted white trees whereas we saw, while in Sacramento at a layover, white blossomed almond trees. Likewise, Oregon's temperate climate allowed for green grass and intricate pink petaled rhododendrons.
But what I most enjoyed was the emerging, blossoming personality of our nearly 6-month old grandchild. She's bright and alert. She loved being taken on stroller rides where, attentive, she took in what we said and showed her. "Talkative", she conversed, laughed, and smiled during nearly all of her awake moments. And, while at Church, she was a joy to walk/carry thru the halls. No fussing. No whining. She just watched everyone and everthing, far surpassing the behavior of any other baby or every other child. She fell asleep, a short cat nap, with her white leotard left toes in her mouth. And when she woke up, rather than cry and create chaos, that little sweetheart merely remained quiet, listening to the elderly speakers go on and on, content to merely be held, facing forward, so that she could see everything going on around her. Papa's Little Angel.

So yeah, it was nice seeing Spring blossoms because, it's going to be a few more months before we see signs of spring here, but the real joy was in being a witness to the emerging, blossoming personality of this most amazing little person...
This kid is a hoot!
Be well, do good...

The Loosening Iron-like Grip of Winter

For me, January is always the longest month. Short daylight. Sub-zero temperatures. One year, using an accurate clock,I literally took notes as daily I watched to see when the dawn-to-dusk light came on every evening. I was surprised that slowly, by about 2 minutes a day, the days were in fact getting longer. And so, because of that annotated record keeping, I have learned that while February and March can still be very cold here in Colorado's high alpine San Luis Valley (towered over by 14,000+ elevation mountains of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rockies), winter's hard-fisted grip does begin to loosen somewhat. I spent nearly 2 hours on the roof today chopping away at an ice build-up that was causing a leak in the garage. As long as the sun is out, the ice melts quickly. The minute the sun begins to set, however, those freezing temperatures resume. Still, we live in the Southwest where we are blessed nearly every day of the year, (about 340 out of 365 days actually,) with amazing sunshine. Artist Georgia O'Keefe left New York City to live the remainder of her painting days in this area. Photographer Ansel Adams preferred this region because of it's amazing light, to that of Yosemite where his earlier work was done. Our valley elevation is 7,600 feet above sea level. So yes, it's cold here. We have 4 seasons: Winter, Almost Spring, Summer, Almost Winter.

I once hated living in this bitter cold. But as I've gotten older, and as I have traveled somewhat extensively, I've come to learn that 1) the ideal situation does not exist; 2) the wind blows everywhere, not just here, and 3) I prefer our bitter winter over the bugs and insects of more tropical areas. I still don't like our Januarys, but... I've tried to make the most of them. To wit: I took a day off from work and went skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area recently. I don't get the same thrill out of skiing that I did when I was younger, but I enjoyed the peace and beauty atop the Continental Divide, and yeah, I still like the speed of skiing in fine new powder. Next, to authenticate my Scandanavian roots, I went from hot tub to rolling in the snow, back to the hot tub, back to rolling in the snow ~ in our backyard patio area. It felt like a zillion needles and pins pricking my skin, but I slept better that night than I have in a long time. One of the photos above shows my body imprint in the snow. But the real joys of this past month come from a couple of simple, unexpected things: 1) while running on the banks of the Rio Grande River, I came upon an almost friendly red fox who, rather than run quickly from me, seemed almost as curious about me as I was about him/her. We both continued our run without stopping, but I was enriched by sharing the same path, if only for a short time. He/She was an amazingly beautiful creature. And then, our harsh winter fogs provided yet again the most amazing frost on trees and fences. Perhaps it is my advancing age that allows me to now appreciate, where in my youth I distained, these amazing white landscape portraits of nature.

I have come to believe that an all-knowing, all-loving wise Heavenly Father placed me here for reasons central to His wanting the best for me. I've come to know that I'm here to be tested, but I believe, and appreciate, that He placed me here because He knew this was where I would best test. As a teacher, I never try to set my kids up for failure. Rather, I try everything I can to insure that they learn and pass my classes. I test them, yes, but I do my best to insure an environment and condititons best suited to their chances at success. And so, I'm rather convinced that I'm here, not by some whim, not by some mere toss of the coin, but rather, because this is where He feels I can best succeed in passing life's tests. I find a certain certitude to that.

I enjoy spending time in our greenhouse. Outside, the mid-day temperatures are in the low 30's. But on weekends when I'm home, by afternoon, it's a warm 78 degrees in my little Danish greenhouse. I sit in my Carolina rocker and read from my selected Books-to-be-Read This Year list. And, I've begun planning my summer gardens, I'm preparing my homemade newspaper peat pots for planting seeds that I've started to buy. Winter's iron-like grip is starting to loosen. That's okay by me.
Be well, do good...