Diplomacy of Note

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/world/asia/27symphony.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

It is with a great deal of excitement and joy I have been following the story of the NY Philharmonic traveling to and performing in North Korea, certainly an historical event. I wondered how Lorin Maazel decided upon which pieces of music to play, and then wondered what pieces I would have chosen. My favorites certainly include four of the pieces he chose, Dvorak's New World Symphony, Gershwin's An American in Paris, Wagner's Lohengrin, and Bernstein's Overture to Candide. However, although I could understand the first three selections, I couldn't figure the logic behind Wagner. Any ideas out there?

My favorites also include Rachmaninov's Second Symphony and Tschaikovsky's and Brahms's First Symphony; Beethoven's and Tschaikovsky's Fifth Symphony; Bach's Prelude and also with Gounod's addition on Ave Maria; Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (but, of course, Kimberly!) and his Magic Flute; Brahms's First Piano Concerto; and several other composers' piano concertos; and Moussorgsky's Pictures at An Exhibition. But, it would seem that many of them would not be appropriate, as certainly the whole orchestra should be playing, not just a soloist emphasis or opera vocals.

Regardless, we watched and listened closely to the PBS televised performance last night, and it was absolutely awe-inspiring! We appreciated PBS's background to the concert itself, especially the interviews with artistic director Zubin Mehta and conductor Lorin Maazel; Diane Sawyer's interviews with children in a classroom; and the talks with the North Korean people on the streeet. But it was the concert itself which was magnificent! As we watched the faces of those in the audience, we wondered the emotions and thoughts that must be going through the Koreans' minds, hearing such gorgeous music for the first time. Hopefully, those lovely unforgettable melodies will remain with them, and they will want to hear them again. Even more optimistically, perhaps some of them will decide that Americans are not all as evil as they have been led to believe, and maybe communications will begin to open as the curiosity evolves.

There was one thing I wondered about, and maybe one of you has an answer. During the performance, for a short time the camera focused on a non-Korean blondish woman, who appeared to be literally sobbing into a handkerchief. Was she overcome by the beautiful strains of Dvorak? I'd love to know the rest of the story!

In closing, my thoughts to the government of the U.S. would be the same words of encouragement I always give to Kimberly before a major concert: "Let the music play!" How do you feel?

A Love Story for the Ages

The Diary of Anne Frank has long been one of my favorite, if most tragic, books. If it is one of your favorites, too, then you might find this story as interesting as I did... Enjoy!

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/photo-of-anne-franks-true-love-found/20080226151009990002?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Where Do You Stand?

Oh, my... Another article to make me cringe.... Where do you stand?

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/are-you-smarter-than-a-17-year-old/20080226114809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Good-bye Hill Country, Hello Omaha

Everything is just about packed up, and the car is hooked up, so we're ready to leave Kerrville tomorrow morning bright and early. Yesterday brought 90 degree temperatures, which cooled to the low 60's today, accompanied by awful, strong winds. 1HW is hoping that the winds will diminish by tomorrow, since it is a challenge to drive such a high profile vehicle in those winds. Also, we just heard on the news that the streets in Omaha are ice and snow-covered. This may really be a big shock to us!

We have so enjoyed our time here in the beautiful Hill Country, not just because of the lovely scenery and living beside the scenic river, but also because of the many things to do and the wonderful people. Linda and Darrell, pictured, are camper-workers here and have been absolutely delightful. Darrell is a former police officer, and Linda was executive assistant to the chief of police. Now they are Harley afficienados! We have been out with some of the permanent residents of the resort, and feel quite at home.

Yes, it does look like England's Stone Henge,
but it actually located on the road to Hunt and is only two-thirds the size of the original. The same location also has two replicas of the Easter Island statues. As you might expect, cars frequently stop along the way to take pictures of the unexpected monument! All along the drive to Hunt, the road winds back

and forth across the Guadalupe River, where cozy homes and large sprawling ranches are found up on the riverbanks. The Hill Country architecture is known for its use of white rock and natural stone. Many docks are found along the way, and in the spring the shallow river becomes a haven for "tubers" to float. You can understand why we have enjoyed the area so much!

So we prepare to leave and head north, armed to the teeth with flannel sheets, electric "warming blanket," and down comforter! We have dug out our sweats and sweaters, our heavy coats, and our gloves, so we hope we have prepared ourselves adequately! Actually, we are sincerely hoping that the situation has been greatly exaggerated, since it was never that bad when we lived there! Besides, we will have the extra warmth of the grands to keep us cozy! On for more happy wanderings!

Five Funny Things, Part Two

There were at least five more funny things which I simply could not ignore, especially since they keep rearing their ugly heads day after day. And, since tonight is the millioneth Academy Awards show, that is a good place to begin.

6) They are frivilous, meaningless, trivial trash and wastes of time, but I still cannot help myself: I love those awards shows and beauty pageants. It's not that I care who wins, you see (unless it is a Chi Omega, for whom I will always cheer). It is the hoopla associated with all of it, including who will wear what dresses and look perfectly divine or absolutely awful, hair styles, shoes, and who will say what, ad nauseum. Since I once even emceed a Miss Oklahoma pageant, which was quite fun, I really enjoy those spectacles. AND, the sponsors do give out great scholarships. Kimberly even received and used a New Mexico Junior Miss UNM Presidential Scholarship, which was much appreciated! So they are not ALL bad.

7) This is a seriously sick thing to admit, but I actually do not mind cleaning, and I really do appreciate a clean house. It must be from the early training my grandmother gave me, which was reinforced at various times by loud parental guidance. Somewhere along the way, I just became very clean-conscious, thus the nicknames of Mrs. Clean, Mrs. Tidy-Bowl, and The Scrubbing Bubble. If you know that my mother-in-law cleans before I arrive, then you can only imagine the terror I have unwittingly inflicted on our poor, undeserving children and grandchildren. I am really sorry about that! In any case, I do receive a great deal of grief about it, deservedly! Sorry, guys!

8) I was a big blubber for several years. In fact, in junior high I was probably bigger than I am now. It has always been a constant fight to stay reasonably trim. So, every morning I get on the scales, and the grandkids know this! If I happen to eat a bit less lunch, you cannot imagine the comments! "Just don't get on the scale!" "Uh-oh, she must have weighed again this morning!" Once some un-named dears sneaked more bacon on my plate, thinking I wouldn't notice! HAH! You can get the picture. Even worse is 1HW who can really make some dandy comments, such as (looking over my shoulder), "Guess we're not gonna eat today!" or "I told you, don't weigh!" Basically, I am working hard to eat more balanced, healthier meals, which should set a better example!

9) 1HW has mentioned this, and it is true: I simply love to shop! Now that really does amuse all of the family! It's not just a matter of just going out to get something; it's a matter of finding just the right thing for a SALE and DISCOUNT! And, OH MY GOODNESS, what a wonderful challenge! It's like running a marathon! And, thank goodness, this wonderful characteristic has been passed down to the next two generations! You go, Girlfriends!

10) Last but not least, I am a real softie, and try as I might to avoid this terrible scene, I have to admit I cry. I usually don't cry when I am painfully hurt, but I can sure cry about almost everything else. Sad news about friends? I cry. Lisa dying in Funky Winkerbean? Many tears. The forest scene in the last Harry Potter book? I bawled. The Notebook? Almost a box of tissues. A mushy card from my sweetie? Yep. Thoughtful presents from kids and grands? Absolutely! Hymns that remind me of my mom? Of course! Watching grands play the piano? A waterfall! Needless to say, all weddings do me in completely! So, Kelsey and Perry, when you see me after your wedding looking like a royal mess, please don't misunderstand and think I'm sad! That will just mean it was beautiful! And so what if the kids laugh at me... It's just me again!

Five Funny Things About Me

Well, after Kristy and 1HW came up with five funny things about themselves, I felt obligated to do the same. It certainly does make you examine yourself! So I had to think about what 1HW, the kids, and the grands laugh about with me, and it didn't seem too difficult!

1) I am a number one klutz, and they ALL know it! The stories are just too numerous to count, and my brother can add to them. I can drop anything for no reason and stumble over nothing. My lack of coordination is simply amazing! Keilah does a great job of imitating me, too! Once I accidentally dumped a transistor radio in the toilet tank (still playing until the end). The latest episode is, of course, the bicycle crash!
2) Yep, vanity is another one they get me on. I always take off my glasses before someone takes a picture, which cracks them up. Like, what difference does it make? I have no idea, but I still do it. And my feet just automatically go into a traditional modeling pose. UGH! I just can't help it!
3) For all of the literature and English background, I can still mispronounce a word beautifully and nonchallantly, which 1HW always catches. That has been going on for years, too, beginning when I was eight and read Little Women. I tried for the longest time to figure out what "pre-judiced" meant. My dad never let me forget about referring to the New Orleans newspaper as the Times-Pecan instead of the Times-Picayune.
4) Although I really am not good at playing cards, I do occasionally win, which prompts some to say I am just faking it. I really cannot keep a count of the cards, because my mind tends to wander on to some other subject. So, it's always a surprise to me to win. Then come the cries of, "OH, NOOOO, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY THAT GAME," in mock high voices, followed by derisive laughter. Oh, dear, it's absolutely, truly an accident, guys!
5) I do tend to have a good time with a special occasion, such as the Fourth of July, and that really does make 'em laugh! Now, I do have to admit, it is great fun wearing the sequinned red, white, and blue hat and tie, with flag sneakers, and multi-colored patriotic star earrings. It was MUCH worse when I was teaching American history! Those outfits were REALLY good! Of course, the girls did not want to admit they knew me....
6) OH, YEAH... then there are the other hats and earrings, shoes and purses, usually color coordinated...and, I ALMOST FORGOT there is the cleaning (Mrs. Tidy-Bowl, Scrubbing Bubbles, Mrs. Clean)...and..

And, indeed, I am afraid MY list goes on and on..... One ex-sister-in-law used to tell her sons that I was their "Auntie Mame-Judy." I guess that tells the story. Well, hopefully, at least nobody will think I was too boring!

Now... what shall we find next week for five things? Thanks, Kristy! Great idea!

Motel F.L. Keeps the Lights On

Just like ole Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of choc'lates, and ya never know what yer gonna git," so it has been today for us! We left the Guadalupe RV Resort this morning at 7:30 to make a short trip to Boerne ("Burney") to have 2 awnings replaced on the RV, no big deal. However, as soon as the tires hit the highway, 1HW quickly realized that something was wrong with the beast, as going uphill, it would not go over 20-25 m.p.h. Since I was following in the car, it was obvious to me, also, so I kept my flashers on for most of the 35-40 miles. Oh, joy... Ancera, the RV dealership, does not deal with THAT kind of problem. It is a Freightliner problem. We decided to let them go ahead and install the awning (some mistake in ordering... there was only ONE instead of the TWO requested), and then deal with Freightliner. So we treked on down to San Antonio, did our mile walk around The Shops at La Cantera, where we could only afford a cup of coffee. I found two perfect tops, one at Neiman's, one at Nordie's.... for a meager $725 each. They are still there.

Next, we tried some other shops to kill more time, and then decided to have lunch at Macaroni Grill, which used to serve some good Italian food. Not today! Apparently, they do not have oil and vinegar for salads, and the sweet house dressing version was awful... sent it back with a YUCK! We each ordered the make-your-own-pasta, both with the crab, scallops, shrimp mix, and added spinach, mushrooms, and artichokes, carefully spelled out in crayon on our little papers. Mine arrived with only the seafood. Not good, and the manager was the one who made it. We were happy to get out of there and return to Ancera for the RV, and we then drove back down to S.A. to the opposite side of town to the Freightliner repair garage.

Needless to say, by 3:00, the line for service was pretty long, and truckers were hanging out all over the place. However, the nice service guys made us feel right at home, and so now we are plugged in here at Freightliner for the night. There was another slight problem with the back bedroom slides not moving out, so we will be quite cozy, methinks, but I can just crawl over 1HW, and fortunately, I pulled out some extra shirts this morning. We guess we will be locked in for a while tonight, but they have even kept the lights on for us...ALL of them. So, this box of choc'lates turned out to be filled with NUTS! It's just plain NUTS! But, maybe tomorrow will bring some new, better fillings, like raspberry-filled truffles, or Grand Marnier-filled cups, or Almondero macroons, or....

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetie!

Most of you are celebrating this happy day in one fun way or another, as you certainly should! However, I am so privileged that I am celebrating TWO special days today: Valentine's Day AND the birthday of my wonderful husband! Who could ask for more?

When I first met Chuck, there were two outstanding features which caught my attention: the emotions which range widely in his blue eyes and his outlandish, unbridled, unabashed, and outrageous sense of humor! When I look into his eyes, I still get lost by what I see; it is so very easy for me to tell what he is thinking just by looking. It can vary from tenderness to empathy to anger to joy, with ever so many other moods inbetween. Any of you who know him can easily attest to his humor! He is just absolutely full of mischief, and sometimes he simply cannot control himself from going into gales of laughter! You simply cannot imagine how much fun it is to live with him, because there is almost always humor in everything! Sometimes it has saved our sanity!

However, he does have a serious side, which is also quite an intellectual one, although many do not often have a chance to see it. One does not attain a MS degree in math from Cornell without using some significant brain power, and his early work in computers back in the early 60's (before All Gore invented the internet) is simply fascinating. He has more curiosity about almost every subject than anyone else whom I have ever known. You cannot imagine some of the strange television programs I can often hear around here. He is a superb teacher and mentor, and he is one of the most admired and respected administrators I have ever met. Working with him before we were married was a pleasure, for he listened to and was supportive of all of the staff. Then, as now, he is very kind and considerate of others. It takes a great deal to cause him to lose his temper, and when he does, everyone should run for the hills! He does not suffer fools, and he cannot abide injustice.

Most of all, though, he is such a special and wonderful father and grandfather. He loves all five children and their spouses and the thirteen grandchildren so very much, and he would do anything for any of them. He is always there for them, always ready to listen and to try and help. When they are sad or in trouble, he is devastated. When they have triumphs and successes, he relishes those happy moments and shares their joys. He does not expect them to follow his beliefs exactly, and, sure enough, they don't, but that is fine with him, as long as they have beliefs and values in which to believe. And he just loves to make cookies and play cards with them, watch their activities and cheer for them, as well as just to hang out and sit to talk with them, regardless of the age.

So, I ask you: How could a person like this not also be the most wonderful husband ever? He is simply the best! He puts up with me and cheers me when I am down in the dumps or sad, soothes my pains, and is my helpmate in every way. We truly do not only finish each other's sentences, but we also begin them! He is thoughtful, understanding, and kind, and snuggling with him is a treat! We share so many interests that we seldom have a dull or boring moment. Each day brings new surprises and joys. There is not a day that goes by that I do not give thanks to God for bringing me to him and for allowing us to share this joy together. I am so very blessed! And so, dear friends, that is why I am so happy to say not only Happy Valentine's Day, but also Happy Birthday, Sweetie! I love you!

San Antonio Excursion

For those of you who have never been to San Antonio, you should add it to the list of vacation spots you plan to visit. Before I first saw it and the Hill Country, my mental vision of "Texas" consisted of Amarillo, Dallas, and the Texas Panhandle, which is not a pretty sight. San Antonio and the Hill Country, although not alike, dispell all of those other images!

The center of San Antonio is divided by the San Antonio River, thus the origin of the famed "Riverwalk" in the middle of the downtown area. The Alamo is nearby, and it's so much smaller than one would ever imagine from hearing about the big siege there. It's actually just one of four old Spanish missions along the river. That area is covered with shops, hotels, and restaurants, and nearby are all kinds of museums and galleries. We find it delightful just to walk around there any old time, and it is always fun to eat on the Riverwalk.

Not too far away from there, past the line of missions, is an old historic neighborhood called the King William District, with beautiful, huge homes built primarily in the Victorian period, although some arts and crafts bungalows are also seen. The houses usually have long, lovely porches for sitting and talking to passers-by, sipping something cool, and looking at the lush vegetation and blooming flowers everywhere. Delightful!

A park neighbor told us of a restaurant called Guenther House, located at the foot of the Pioneer Flour company and mill. The Guenthers were the original owner of Pioneer Flour, and the home is now a wonderful restaurant and gift shop, featuring yummy dishes using Pioneer Flour. My Eggs Benedict were absolutely some of the best I have ever had, and I understand that 1HW's sandwich was also quite good. The Victorian home was fascinating to see, with some gorgeous stained glass in the sunroom/restaurant windows where we sat. What a fun place to eat!

After a wonderful brunch, a visit to the Southwest School of Art and Craft in the old Navarre Convent, seeing the San Antonio American Glass Show, and an obligatory trip to Costco, we wandered back up the road to Kerrville, having had another wonderful day! Hope yours was a good one, too! Just more reasons to add San Antonio to your list!

Biking and Outings

Well, these pictures of the Biker Dudes tell it all. First, yes, we have purchased and are wearing those awful biking helmets, which make me feel like something out of Farenheit 451. This is, of course, not even to beginning to mention what it does to my hair. But, we are trying to set a good example for the grands, and we do not want to end up drooling because of biking, so they you are. Next, the weather here has been warm, but the wind chill makes it necessary to wear the jackets. You can see that we still have sunny skies, dry and warm temps, and no rain, which is desperately needed. Third, we have been trying to maintain our activity level of walking a mile in the morning and biking 1-2 miles in the afternoon. You will also notice that neither one of us is wasting away, so we just keep telling ourselves that muscle weighs more than fat. Hmmmmm... Such logic!

Tonight, a fun thing! We are attending a community theater production with a bunch of others from here at Guadalupe, and we are looking forward to it all. The Cailloux Theater here is fairly new and lovely. We heard the Baylor Symphony plays Brahms First Symphony as few years ago and thought the theater's accoustics were outstanding. Tonight will let us know how good they really are, if we can hear the lines! We'll let you know! Another community theater group also has a play going on nearby, but we'll save it for next weekend, as we seem to be staying busy! We'll let you know how this one is!

Our Friend, John Trever

If you do not know the name "John Trever," you should become acquainted with his work, for he is one of the most talented political cartoonists of our time. He lives in Albuquerque and specifically works for the Albuquerque Journal, but his work is syndicated across the country, so we have enjoyed seeing his cartoons wherever we travel. He was frequently featured in the Omaha World-Herald, and we have also seen him while in Texas.

While living in Albuquerque, we had the chance to meet and get to know John, who shares an interest in the Presidents as we do. As a result, we began a collection of Trever's political cartoons based on as many different Presidents as we could find. Some of our favorites have two or three Presidents on them. We have tried for 7 years to get him to do one with both Bushes, but to no avail. So now we are waiting to see what he comes up with for the next President.

This morning's "Trever" cartoon was especially good...
http://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/ , but we guarantee you'll enjoy his others, as well. Nice job, John!

How to Bring the Election Home to the Kids

It must be a left-over from years of teaching and reading about American history, but political campaigns still fascinate me about as much as some of the recent ones have appalled me. Even this morning, we were glued to the give and take on "Meet the Press," and we will be watching "Super Tuesday" with great interest.

It was always interesting, back in the classroom teaching days, to learn what the kids felt about the candidates and what they thought was important. I always encouraged the students to do their own thinking, whether or not it agreed with their parents, friends, or current media flurry. We plowed deeply into the topics and controversies until the students frequently understood the election issues much more thoroughly than their elders. Over the years I thought that their reasons for supporting candidates were usually sound. So, this blog is dedicated to all of you with children and grands, or those of you who play or work with kids, to consider some of the ways you can encourage those young people to think about this election. The following article appeared in the San Antonio Express News on Friday, and I have copied the original article from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram. Please note the additional sources given at the end of the article which are links to Nickelodeon and Scholastic sites, always good resources.

I especially appreciated the comments by the 14-year old teen reporter for Scholastic News! Let me know what you think!

http://www.star-telegram.com/464/story/425340.html

How to bring the `08 election home to your kids
By HEATHER SVOKOS
McClatchy Newspapers

As you watch some of the kids on Nickelodeon's "Kids Pick the President" series, you may be quietly astonished. They're not debating the cuteness of Barack Obama, or the coolness of Mike Huckabee's electric bass grooves. They're explaining how they're aligned with Rudy Giuliani's stance on gun control, or Barack Obama's plan to make the troops in Iraq recede. You will hear them use phrases like "tax credit," "solar panels and biofuels," and "single-payer health care system."
Wouldn't it be great if your kids were just as informed, and they didn't tune out as election season tunes up? We talked to some experts on the topic of kids and politics; here are their tips on how to get kids interested in Decision 2008, even if they won't be old enough to vote for another presidential election or two.

The journalist: Linda Ellerbee
Through her "Nick News" program on Nickelodeon, the critically lauded newswoman has spent nearly two decades of her career giving kids a voice on current events. The latest production is "Kids Pick the President," a year-long election-awareness campaign that aims to connect politics to kids' lives. It kicked off with "The Kids Primary," and an online primary election where they can cast their own votes. Additional programs will run throughout the year.
How parents can help: "Over and over on Nickelodeon, I have to keep saying: `Our job is not to talk to kids,; our job is to listen to kids.' When you listen to a kid, you're showing respect. And when you show respect to a kid, you find out that they probably know more than you think they do, and that they have opinions."
Use campaign ads as a learning opportunity: "If you're watching TV with your kids - which is always a good idea - talk to them about what they're seeing:. `Is this a fair ad? Does that mean, if you don't think this ad is fair, that maybe that candidate isn't fair?'."
Discussion starters: "Why couldn't a parent say to a kid: `Who do you think I should vote for?' Let the kid know that it's not a test, and they don't have to agree with you."

The educator: Suzanne Freeman, executive editor, Scholastic News Online
Scholastic is a school resource that teachers can use in classrooms; its Kids Press Corps is a group of students (ageds 9-14) who report on the election from their hometowns. Freeman says Scholastic polls show the top issues of concern to kids are: "the environment, global warming, education, and the war in Iraq."
Her tips for sparking interest:
1. Answer questions, but keep it simple. If you don't know the answer, look it up with them.
2. Ask kids questions that might spark their curiosity. "What do you think about the possibility of the first woman president? If you could ask a presidential candidate a question, what would it be?"
3. Find out what they're talking about in class, and figure out how to connect to it.
4. Allow them to get involved. Visit www.scholastic.com and vote in a poll; check out the candidates' Web sites, or blogs written by some of the candidates' kids, such as the Romney brothers (www.fivebrothers.mittromney.com); John McCain's daughter, Meghan (www.mccainblogette.com); and Cate Edwards, at blog.johnedwards.com/Cate.

The kid: Valirie Morgan, 14, kid reporter for Scholastic News
Morgan, a freshman at Hillcrest High School in Dallas, is especially interested in news about going green, health care, and immigration. She got interested in politics through her parents, adding that although her opinions occasionally differ from theirs, they have good conversations about the issues.

What should adults do? "Bring it to our level, come up with some controversial topics, and let us debate. Debating is the most fun way for kids my age to get involved, arguing out their ideas."
What should adults not do? "The only thing I personally wouldn't want is a one-sided interpretation of politics, like if your teacher is just telling you about her ideas. You have to have the whole story."

ONLINE INFORMATION SOURCES:
Nickelodeon: www.nick.com/kpp
Scholastic News Online: www.scholastic.com/scholasticnews