Rainy Day Musings

     For some reason this morning, I was wishing I had some Ovaltine. Thinking back, I think it tasted like malted milk balls. A glass of Ovaltine and a buttery grilled cheese sandwich could make me sing and swing my legs while sitting at the kitchen table. Thinking of this made me think of something else. As a teenager I loved 2 thin slices on toasted white bread with mayo and sliced tomato, black pepper on the tomato. The sandwich had to be sliced so one piece of Spam was on 1/2 of the bread. I have to laugh--I never thought of that before. I know someone who would say "See Ms. Van, I told you, you are anal."

You know, I try not to talk about UMD. I get a lot of telephone calls these days. I simply don't or won't discuss it with people. Reading all that is happening really bothers me. Learning that top folks may be asked to turn in their resignations is just devastating. I am sure that all will not be removed. For me UMDNJ is extended family. Some you love, some you don't--but you do care about the whole family. That this is happening to my UMD family boggles my mind.

Atlantic City's slogan is "Always Turned On". Not the best slogan, but much better than one Las Vegas has. Too bad they did not give it more thought. MMmm, maybe they gave it just the right thought? "What Happens Here, Stays Here" It sounds as if they are inviting you to misbehave and are promising not to tell. :-( 

There is a show that comes on right after "Who's the Boss?: reruns. I don't know the name of the show but the host has people doing stupid, dangerous and ugly things. Since I don't bother changing the channel when I am typing (unless the show becomes to vile for me) I just leave it. I just looked up and noticed that the men and women are always pretty and always buff. Don't these people know that you don't have to be buff and pretty to eat live worms, etc. Mmm--guess I'll turn tv off now. 

Monday was an odd day. I did not do any writing. Actually I did but it was all bad, so I stopped. I continued working on de-cluttering my computer and canceling my book club and CD accounts. Also, got rid of some of the newsletters, etc that I receive and never have time to read or no longer interested in the subject.  Sometimes junk mail titles are just plain funny, "sexy baby and bad erection?" is one that made me chuckle before deleting.

Going to mail finished product today. Feels good. 

I was saddened to learn that Coretta Scott King has died.

Disposable Children?

  I can't ever remember a time when I have read about so many children being hurt, killed or simply thrown away like trash. It hurts your heart and turns your stomach to watch what is happening to our children all over the world. This morning I was watching the news and stepped away from television, when I returned I saw two men using a stick to fish a black plastic bag from the river, there was a live baby in the bag. My first grim thought was I wonder if they heard crying coming from the bag?

At first I laughed when I heard about "designer babies".   I heard about designed babies in depth while watching "Religion and Ethics". http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/ethics/issues/designer_babies/index.shtml A very scary concept. (Shudder)  I wonder if anyone remembers the movie "D.A.R.Y.L." 

Reading E-mails Before I Start My Day - Lestat is Coming!!

     I have a lot of writing to do, but had planned to ignore it and sneak out this morning. My horoscope put a stop to that. It is so on target that I will stay in and "git ta crackin". But I am taking time to read my e-mails and check my sites. I received theater information from Playbill and am so excited that Lestat is being brought to Broadway. (Really big smile.) I have to find one of my old UMD employee lists. I must let my friend know this. He and Wanda were huge Ann Rice fans. Truthfully I like Rice's "Lestat" because I find him  just a wee bit sexy. Apparently the person who did this poster does also. It is gorgeous.

Yeh, yeh. I know he is a vampire.

 LESTAT,
the new musical arriving this spring.



LESTAT, one of Anne Rice's most celebrated literary characters, is coming to Broadway March 11, 2006 at the Palace Theatre.

For Romance Authors It's Always Valentine Day

 Another AA romance author Moreen Clarke has joined Romance Noire Book Club.

Moreen was immediately greeted and welcomed by two of our authors. RNBC is such a friendly and open site. This is not a pat on the back because it is my group site. The authors here are so grounded and giving to others. They truly believe in helping and encouraging writers and newbie authors.  They deserve a salute and a shout-out.

Gwyneth Bolton welcomed Moreen. Gwyneth has 3 new novels being released this year. You go girl!!

*I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, Genesis Press, March 2006 ISBN 1-58571-181-0
*If Only You Knew, Harlequin Books, July 2006 ISBN 1-58314-773-X
*Sweet Sensation, Genesis Press, March 2007
http://www.gwynethbolton.com/

Shirley Hailstock, one of the first authors (perhaps the first) to join RNBC back in 2000, sent out a welcome also. She has received kudos from the NYT. How cool is this? "...her plots...over the edge of the world." ----New York Times. Shirley has a new novel "The Secret"  due on the market in April, 2006.

Shirley's e-mail to Moreen: 

"Hi Moreen,  I read your website too. Looks good. Congratulations on your previous booksand selling to Kensington. I also write for them.

Shirley Hailstock"
http://www.geocities.com/shailstock

This is Moreen's intro:

"Good morning all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Moreen Clarke and I an author with 2 self-published books. My recently released novel is entitled "If Only In My Dreams" (July 2005) and is a story of romantic intrigue. I am a romantic at heart and was a little nervous at the reception this story would receive. I have a tendency to be a bit whimsical in my writing. I am pleased to say that romantics are loving it and that is very rewarding. I have a new release scheduled for 2007 with Kensington Books and am currently working on a new novel at this time. I live in Southeast Florida and work a full time job in addition to my writing. My website is www.rmoreenclarke.com Please stop by. I am looking forward to interacting with the group.

Moreen

Enjoy the Day!
Moreen

When the love created in your mind is not the love you find - you could get lost somewhere between imagination and reality....

If Only In My Dreams Get your copy now at http://www.rmoreenclarke.com/ You'll never look at online dating the same again."

And Still, All is Right With the World

      The sun is wonderful this morning. It keeps popping out of the clouds--do you think they (clouds and sun) are playing tag? I no longer have the one-time use cameras around the house now that I have retired :-(  Today is a perfect example of why I have to find a couple of them on sale. Eckard's seems to be the only place I can come across a two for one sale or better.

It feels like my good days returning. Hooray! So many little things have been nagging at me lately; and I have felt less tolerant than I usually am. And that's not my nature. I have all of these "to do" things in my head and feel a little overwhelmed. One of the most important things is that I want to move and I am finding that very difficult to do, on many levels. When I was away I thought that I had found the perfect building; it was near the water, it had good security plus it had a gym and was the right price. I can't believe that it was near the water, I could walk to all of the spots I love. Oh whine, groan. I wanted an apartment there so much. It turns out that it was one of those places that must have a certain number of upper, middle, and low income families. I looked at the income requirements and found that I did not fit it anywhere on the percentage chart. Very disheartening and disappointing.  Am I repeating myself here, have I said this before Bloggie?? Being so-called middle class does have it's drawbacks. My senior has been nagging me about moving into her "adult/senior" building. I never answer her. This week she mentioned it again. But this time she said, "Even if you wanted to, you have too much don't you?"  She knew the answer, even as she asked the question.    

Yesterday in the Star Ledger there were a couple of paragraphs about the widening gap between rich and poor. No one ever talks about the middle class problem of too much money or too little money; too many or too few assets to qualify to a number of goodies.  When I went to Jaimaca many years ago, one of the things I was told was that the country no middle class--just rich people and poor people. Here, we sort of fall between the entitlement cracks.

But you know, as I sit in front of my window looking towards the sun, everything feels right with the world.

The Honorable Barbara Jordan

 I was signing out (I really was) and saw this quote in my Frugal Living forum, the quote is  attributed to Barbara Jordan,  "What the people want is very simple - they want an America as good as its promise."  It does sound like just like her. If I do have a heroine, it has to be Barbara Jordan. I can remember how moved I was when I heard her speech at the Democratic Convention in 1976. She was the keynote speaker. "Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?" http://www.elf.net/bjordan/keynote.html Yep. I cried. I cried again when I saw photographer Brian Lanker's photo of her in his book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women who Changed America." I think she was sitting in a wheelchair by then. She looked proud and royal. I cried once more when I went to D.C to see the exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery. This time I was not the only person crying :-) The photographs must have been at least 3 x 3 feet. You could almost feel the love of those attending this powerful exhibit. Most amazing. There was a smiling Leah Chase (Dooky Chase restaurant in New Orleans) in her chef's hat.  The damper was that some people were surprised and a little angry when they found out that Brian Lanker was not Black. And that he should get so much glory. But who better than the man who obviously loved and respected these women so much that he took time to do this. He was already an award-winning photographer for Life magazine it was not a need to be famous. Also, the real deal was that no other photographer had thought to do this. It turns out that Lanker is most remembered for his "75 Women".

After Jordan's death (January 17, 1996), Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who has her own story to tell, interviewed people who knew her the Honorable Ms. Jordan. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/remember/jordan_1-17.html 

About Barbara Jordan. http://www.house.gov/jacksonlee/AllAboutHouston/barbara_charline_jordan.htm 

Oh yes. Eleanor Roosevelt is my other heroine :-)

Friends and Family; Death and Dying

     I had a funeral today.  I went see two friends I have not seen in ages, one had died.  He was a dear friend and a precious cousin by my marriage. She (his wife) was in my wedding. I was up sooo early this morning thinking of the old days and our good times together. We never thought of getting old. We certainly never thought of death and dying. While at the church a friend reminded me that we all go back 40 years! I have to laugh--I realized that I know some good looking men. When they were young, I am sure that I thought they were cute. Time has been very good to them. Gray haired and distinguished. They look like men of substance. LOL. Former EO Mayor John Hatcher was there. All of the time he was in office I kept thinking I know him from somewhere. He was my cousin's best friend and from the old days. Was he at my wedding? Was he in my wedding?

Why would a woman drive around with 3 children in the trunk of a car?? Because they wanted to ride there. I heard this blurb on the news yesterday and this morning. They even show a hazy shot of the children getting out of the trunk. Fortunately, a police officer saw the woman put the children in the trunk, he followed her and asked her open it--she gave her explanation. Now she has to explain it to the Judge and face up to 15 years in jail.

This is in the Star Ledger today. Study: Blacks who smoke face higher lung cancer risk. I never met don't anyone who smokes more cigarettes per hour than a woman I met in Atlantic City. I finally understood that second-hand smoke can kill a person who does not smoke. http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1138258657202730.xml&coll=1

More bad news concerning UMD. This breaks my heart. I have been trying to let it just roll off my shoulders. But it is having an odd effect on me. With every article I read I feel more off balance and out of sorts. Maybe saying it out loud will help.

Trying to lose weight :-(

A Day for Reflecting

    This has been an odd day.With news of a friend's passing I started thinking of  my wedding day, my brides maids and other long ago things.  In one of my forums someone was asking how long rice will last. Boy, some things can take you right back to your childhood. I can remember a big bag of rice (next to the big bag of potatoes, onions):) in my mom's kitchen. I can remember making potatoes and onions in my mother's big heavy iron skillet. Then we kids would sit at the kitchen table and eat while playing a mystery board game. For the life of me, I can't remember what it was.

I remembered other things daddy brought home too, cases of Bolla soda, two large Velveeta cheese blocks (always two, never one); my brother's and I always welcomed this kind of thing. Velveeta grilled cheese sandwiches were the best. Unfortunately, from time-to-time dad would bring home a really big jar of homemade apple butter. Didn't he know that children (or maybe just his children) would not eat thick brownish stuff on bread? Now I love it and prune butter too. I went shopping last week and smiled when I saw the jar on the shelf with the jams. I would have bought some for old times sake, except it was almost $4 for a small jar. Who knew??

Just last week, as I was passing one of those old style barbershops I waved to the barber in his small shop, his business. At that moment I realized that my dad paid two rents--I had never thought of that. I wonder how he managed?  

Life, Mortality and Other Stuff

      I had some sad news today. I received a early morning phone call from a friend telling me that our friend's (and my extended family member) husband died last week. I had not seen them for some time, but I understand that he was very ill. My heart goes out to my dear friend and her children.

I was sent an interesting site to view. It is Women's Media Center. There are a lot of blogs that you can hook into, including two with great names, Book Sluts and Obsidian Wings. I had been told about Book Sluts but never clicked on the sight. Obsidian Wings caught my eye because I recently made a necklace from a piece of obsidian gemstone carved into the shape of a donut. The color is dark brown and black, one of my favorite color combinations. I can remember when that that combination was a no-no. I later found out that Obsidian, like many other crystals and minerals, is supposed to have certain powers. It is said to "produce both insight into scenes in the future and sincerity in action. It also promotes creativity". I found that very curious, because...

There is so much on Women's Media Center, http://www.womensmediacenter.com/. that it can be mind boggling. However, this is the title caused me to stop what I was doing and read the article. A freelance writer writes about her mom and herself, Daughter Catches View of Future From Ailing Mother http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2604/context/ourdailylives This is must reading for anyone whose mom has reached that certain age or illness.

Telephone Ettiquette :-(

   I left my laptop voice message on yesterday because I was busy around the house, also went downstairs for a long while. When I returned there were a lot of voice mails on my line from a woman whose name I did not recognize. She started her telephone conversation with a string of curses then said she had a emergency and that Margie should come right over. The calls were 15 to 20 mins apart and each was more rude and (it appeared so to me) abusive. The funny thing is she was asking for a favor but each time she called she berated my voice mail. Called it a "phony *ss message".  She alternated between serious groveling and mean aggresive behavior--each call was filled with curses and more anger towards my voice mail. So odd. Normaly if I get a call that seems important I will call the person back to let them know they have left the message at a wrongly dialed number. This time I did not. I figure if she had stopped to really listen to the message instead of being mean-mouthed, she would have known that she was beating a dead horse  and not leaving messages on Margies machine. No messages today, I guess she and Margie talked.  

I do understand that kind of behavior is often a cry for help. But it is sometimes difficult to feel or be sympathetic.

Alexandria Virginia Sounding Good

       While checking my e-mail this morning for some reason Alexandria, Va popped into my head. So I did a search, instead of finishing my e-mails. Lousy attention span? I do remember enjoying the area when I visited a friend. I liked it so much that I took my mother there one Thanksgiving. I guess I won't go into details :-( but mom did love the City. The Old Town area is beautiful. Lots of restaurants and clubs, many have bands or singers. It is an historic area. They have Alexandria African American Heritage Park there. Did not get a chance to see it, but would love to. It is said to have a one acre 19th century African American cemetery. That sounds so interesting. I wonder if you can rice paper the tomb stones?(Thank you Ms. Bongiovanni, because of you I am not spooked out by cemeteries-smiling) MMMmmm--Isn't Bon Jovi from New Jersey? I wonder?????

I tried to find a graphic under A.A. but mostly found MLK stuff. As much as I respect what MLK, Jr. did, and certainly no disrepect, but there is much more to A.A. history. Oh yes, I did see a graphic of a man doing some kind of pole jumping thing. Deep sigh.

Had a Troubled Day

       Yesterday my senior called and wanted to know where I was. I had not told her that I would see her, (although I had planned to) that was simply the way she started the conversation. I think she does not like it when I go to Atlantic City because it is too far away. I can't be "summoned" to come to her house. (LOL) She said that she had a question to ask me. I told her that I would see in 1/2 hour. She called me back immediately with the real issue. She had no milk and wanted me to bring some, but had no money because she had not been to the bank. Actually, she has not been to the bank in many years. She forgets. I get to her house with milk in hand and soon after her son called. I answered the telephone and he started asking questions about her finances and her frivolous ways. He never asked "How is my mom doing, how is she feeling today." But I told him anyway. It did not seem to matter that she is still fairly healthy, spry, has her wits and is amusing. That she still makes her own bed, makes her own meals, etc.  Instead he focused only on the negative. At one point her son said "See, this is where I blame the government, they should put her in a home." As he started to say more, I interrupted and because I was so angry, I had to speak carefully and slowly when I said "Let me get your mother for you." I could not say another word to him. My heart was pounding and my head started to hurt immediately. As an agent of my volunteer organization I would have put them at jeopardy if I had said what was really on my mind. I do know that there is a lot of bad blood in this family--maybe this is about reaping what you sow. Still my heart breaks. My senior had no toilet paper and no cereal for her milk. I went back to the store. Today, I think I will do a little shopping. As I type this I remember that I have to take a battery for the kitchen clock. 

Our elders should be cherished, not wished away.

A Little Sunday Morning Humor - The Atheist and the Bear

  I can't recall if I shared this. I heard this sometime and ago and loved it. It was Joel Osteen who said it on his Sunday morning TV program. I do like him.   An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.

He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over topick himself up but  saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him. At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my God..."

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying: "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice. The light went out. And the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke:
"Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful. Amen."

To Toss or Not to Toss That is the Question

    I have a large bag of shredded paper I am getting rid of. I still can't believe that I save paperwork for so long. Maybe it is a habit learned while working in the legal department (smile). But that can be a doubled-edged sword. So am I now shredding and tossing out articles I had no time to read, old magazines (that is still presenting a problem for me). I have a 1994 issue of American Visions with Arsenio Hall on the cover. I wonder what's going on with him. I will look up the internet. O.K. maybe I will keep my old issues of AV just a little longer. Oh dear.

Well, I missed the laundry room this morning. Drat. Will get down there later tonight when everyone else is busy tucking the children in. I seem to be moving slow all the way around this morning. My nose is stuffy again and while I feel good, my mind seems to be whining, "but why? Why do I have to move around and do stuff?" I don't wanna. Whine".   

Last night I made some minor changes on my Watkins web http://www.watkinsonline.com It looks good now :-) Now cleaning up my newsletter. Still using my old Canon bubble jet printer. Thank goodness I did not throw it away when I bought that new printer--I still can't find the cord, I know it is here packed tidy in a storage bin :-( Gotta get to Staples or go online at Amazon.com to stock up on cartridges, who knows when they will stop making them.     

 

Trying Something New

     Trying something new. Will be working around the house all day and leaving my laptop on the whole time. You can still leave a VM, as a matter of fact I will hear it like we used when everyone had the old machines. Remember them?  If you still have one--Ooops!

Checked my forum before heading downstairs. Someone has posted: If I can't be a good example, let me be a horrible warning!

Witty women. 

 

Week End Musings

     Having my first cup of coffee and thinking of the cabinet in my kitchen that I have to take apart before I toss it. MMmmm. Thinking of other things too.

~~Well I did get my nails done yesterday. I had lunch at the Irish pub in So Or. Village. Soup, (good), grilled cheese (very bad), french fries (did not eat one!!!) and the freebie yogurt (delicious with a little chocolate syrup)

~~Watching channel 7 (I think) news now. Cindi Lauper is back singing "Time After Time". I like this new Cindi. So much I would go to a concert to see her. I have always liked her 'folk-type' voice. She is simply sitting, playing one of those guitar types that lie flat on it's back instruments, she is accompanied by another guitarist and a violinist. Just wonderful. She is ready for Lilith Fair.

~~I may have to make it official as person most likely to burn food, cuz she forgot it. I used to get upset with my mom because she would do the same thing. I would say "mommy, how could you forget?, it's right there! I don't remember her response but she was never upset with me or the dead food. Now I get it. I do love to cook and stir and bind, etc. but for some reason I will forget the more mundane things. Last night I wanted to hard cook a couple of eggs. Forgot em. I kept thinking, "boy, it smells like someone is burning something." It was me. (Deep sigh)

~~Last night one of the channels did some sort of expose of Kevin Trudeau and his Miracle Cure book. They said that thousands of people have bought his book and many are unhappy. Trudeau is one of the MLM (multi-level market) people who give the business a bad name. I remember him from when I first started selling Watkins. No disrespect to Amway, I love their products but I can remember being invited to a "party" by a friend, when I asked what the party was for, I was told I can't tell you, just come, you'll have a good time. When I got there, I found it was not a party, and it was not to sell me Amway products but to sign as many people as possible to become involved under her as associates. There was no talking about how good the product was, etc. I remember you were asked to sign up, buy $$ worth of product and get others to sign up under you. I don't think I have been that angry in a long time, perhaps never again. I say all of this because Kevin Trudeau was and apparently still is a master at doing the same thing, except he has made so much money through his many lives that he is now a millionaire. How do I know all of this? I used to subscribe to a MLM publication that gave hints on how to make money in MLM. Kevin and several others were the stars. So why I'm I am knocking MLM when that's what Watkins is? Actually I am not, but I do knock the style of some associates who don't sell the product, they sell the idea of joining with them, often to people who have no interest in selling or marketing. I only sell the product. I do because I know, love and Watkins because of my parents :-) Along the way I have gotten lucky and had people join me. My advice is always tell people about the product, not about how much money you can make. It seems that KT has found a way to make money without MLM, sort of :-(   It really is odd. He is a likable person.      

~~Made a really beautiful necklace last night. I may take a photo and send it in. Getting ready for the Spring season flea markets.

 

Pulling Out My Hair

    Yesterday was one frustrations and things gone wrong. I could not get into my PayPal account. (growl). I worked online until my eyes were blurred; have been working on a newsletter and putting the final touches, yada, yada; later it was nixed anyway. Today I will work on it with new vision and fresh eyes. Fingers crossed that when I show it Monday it will be a 'thumbs up'. The day ended on an up note though, a friend and I met for drinks and a bite to eat then headed to the Savoy Grill, we were just in time to catch jazz folks Pam Purvis and Bob Ackerman. That was nice--they have been around this area for many years. I found out that they are at the SG every Thursday from 5 to about 7:30 or so. Very cool. That's something to look forward to, I do like them.

I am determined to get my nails done today. I keep putting it off, but you can't meet potential clients looking shabby and hiding your hands.  Gotta go Bloggie, great ideas are popping into my head. That's a good thing :-)   

Found Dollar$

       I save change all over the house. I have small jars everywhere and every once in a while I toss the coins in a small red bag. I had to go to the bank yesterday and took the bag even though I could see nothing but pennies. Low and behold it was $64.95. Yah for loose change.  

Call for volunteers

     My e-mail is brimming with good news and positive things today.  If interested, please get in touch with Heidi :-) I don;t have to be involved.

January 13, 2006

        Dear Friend Advocates and JFS Volunteers,

        You are all doing such an amazing job with your clients, that the
        Essex County Division on Aging has awarded our agency with another
        grant. The Essex County Telephone Reassurance Program was
        transferred to JFS on Jan1, 2006.  This is a program where
        volunteers make calls to assigned clients 1-5 days per week.  These
        clients are all elderly, frail, and homebound with few or no family
        support.

        Please let me know if you are interested in also volunteering with
        this program, (or if you know anyone who would like to do this kind
        of work).  The Coordinator of the Essex County Telephone
        Reassurance Program will be Irene Byrne.  Irene and I will be
        working together to train and recruit volunteers.  We will also be
        running some meetings together.

        My role of coordinating the Friend Advocate Program will not
        change.  As the JFS Coordinator of Volunteer Services, I will be
        involved with all agency volunteer programs.

  

        Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

       
Heidi Rinsky Schnapp, MA
Coordinator,  Volunteer Services
Jewish Family Service of MetroWest
(973) 467-3300 ext. 275
hschnapp@jfs-metronj.org

Book Signing of a Friend :-)

   I just received this announcement and passing it on. The last book signing I attended at the Newark Library was great. By the way, I do have this book. It is a wonderful tribute to grams everywhere.

 

Sponsored by the Newark Literacy Campaign, Inc. Reading Changes Lives!

Aysabina’s Legacy

Meet the authors at the Newark Public Library on

Thursday, January 26 6-8PM

"I remember my grandmother Aysabina, a black diamond…

So begins Esther’s story in this book of verse by

Valerie Kelly and Shari Taylor.

RSVP

Light Refreshments served

Newark Literacy Campaign

The Newark Public Library

5 Washington Street, 4th floor

Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: 973-623-4001

E-mail: newarklit@aol.com

How Strange is That?

  I was looking for my black tee shirt the other day. I just found it in my computer cubby hole. How weird. I must have taken it off  when I was typing and had one of my "Oh my goodness, I'm hot" thinggies.

Oh well. Just happy I found it :-)

Mornin' Bloggie Yawn (stretch)

   I can't believe that I slept until 7:30a today. Really slept, not wake up at 5a, read and make myself go back to sleep. Very cool.

Just checking my e-mail and found a promo from CVS. I plan to be more careful (frugal) with coupons and such this year. So I am printing my $2.50 coupon and will use it today ;-)

While reading news online, a couple of  news items caught my eye. "...Clarence Ray Allen, whose 76th birthday was Monday, was pronounced dead at 12:38 a.m. at San Quentin State Prison. He became the second-oldest inmate put to death nationally since the Supreme Court allowed capital punishment to resume in 1976.  Allen, who was blind and mostly deaf, suffered from diabetes and had a nearly fatal heart attack in September only to be revived and returned to death row, was assisted into the death chamber by four large correctional officers and lifted out of his wheelchair.  His lawyers had raised two claims never before endorsed by the high court: that executing a frail old man would violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment...".

Allen was in jail and executed for killing his sons girlfriend and later managing to orchestrate more killings from his cell. I wish I really knew how I felt about capital punishment. Here my heart softens, but the photo used is one that shows a young Allen with a big gun and ciggie hanging from his mouth, tough guy style. :-(

Fortunately, there is always something in the news to make you smile:  "2-Year-Old Called for Jury Duty-NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (Jan. 16) - Kaylee Reynolds had a problem when she recently received a summons to serve on a jury. She wasn't old enough to read it."...2-year-old has quite a few years to go...Besides her questionable understanding of the concepts of guilt or innocence, there are other reasons why it's best to wait for Kaylee to serve. Her mother,...says Kaylee gets really cranky if she doesn't get her noontime nap."  (LOL)

Who Me??

    Sitting here drinking coffee and proofing my biz newsletter, et. I just went to my Bella e-mail and found this. Wow!! <grinning> "I ask the students to Complete the logic of *your article*" Wow.

Good afternoon Vannie.
I am an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Tyler.  I teach two Freshman Seminar courses on Critical Thinking.  On of the courses specifically addresses "Change" from a professional perspective.  In teaching the students how to think critically, I ask the students to Complete the logic of your article: "Avoid These 7 Myths and Get Ahead at Work and Business; Myth #1: A Job Well Done Speaks for Itself" as an exercise in "Analyzing the Logic of An Article", Dr. Richard Paul.

I agree with your Myth #1 as I have been in the business world now for over 40 years.  Not only do the students learn to think critically; but they are also gaining some real life advice.

Please include me on your mailing list.  FYI, below is the link to the UT
Tyler web site:
http://www.uttyler.edu

Regards, G--- J-----

 

Vannie's World Too

    Two Vannie's Worlds :-)  It's funny--while checking for something online, I came across a blog titled "Vannie's World", while reading the blurb, I thought, that sounds like me. It is me. It is a blog I stopped posting in because there were too many advertisements. Very interesting to go back and read things you have said in the past. I was making entries when I was thinking about retirement Re-reading that old blog and seeing everything that I was involved in, it is a wonder that I still have my sanity.

http://vannies-world.tripod.com/blog/ 

Feeling Sentimental And . . .

This feeling must have come after I re-read MLK's speech. Or maybe it has been lurking since New Year's Day. While away, I saw an old color movie with Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson. Jane is a widow with two children she has wrapped her life around, she lives in a small affluent town in Maine, or Mass. And she makes the mistake of falling in love with her landscape man (she explains to folks that he is definately not a gardener??) She goes to his cabin in the woods and picks up his book by Thoreau, it is open to Walden Pond, she understands him better and falls in love. Her neighbors and children find out and are embarrassed for her and themselves. She is persuaded to give him up, because, "What will people say??". Her best friend suggests that she get herself a new fangled television to keep herself company.  She says no. A year later, her children are now ready to spread their adverturous wings so they buy mom a television to keep her company and warm. Oh yes, they want her to sell the house too. After all, it is far too big for one person. When I came home I looked for my copy but could not find it, I still think it is here somewhere :-(

A portion of Walden Pond, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan- like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion."  Awesome.

Sometimes I feel that I could live that way, but I fear that my former boss Walt Worrell was correct when told me that he thought that I would not be willing to move (he was thinking of buying another chain of newspapers, rural PA??, can't recall) because, I can't live without theater. I laughed and told him I love regional theater also. I admit now that he was dead on target at that time.    

Henry David Thoreau, 1847

Photo: http://www.concord.org/town/Walden/lakeview.GIF

MLK And His Speech in 1963

     I could not find a picture of Dr. King that I could use, but the dove always signifies something positive, doesn't it?

People often forget or don't know that the MLK speech did not start with "I have a dream". It has been a long time since I read it as he actually said it in 1963. http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/speeches/address_at_march_on_washington.pdf

This information is from the U.S. Government so copyright bounty hunters will not be able to hunt me down like I am a thief in the night ;-)

 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

As far as black Americans were concerned, the nation's response to Brown was agonizingly slow, and neither state legislatures nor the Congress seemed willing to help their cause along. Finally, President John F. Kennedy recognized that only a strong civil rights bill would put teeth into the drive to secure equal protection of the laws for African Americans. On June 11, 1963, he proposed such a bill to Congress, asking for legislation that would provide "the kind of equality of treatment which we would want for ourselves." Southern representatives in Congress managed to block the bill in committee, and civil rights leaders sought some way to build political momentum behind the measure.

A. Philip Randolph, a labor leader and longtime civil rights activist, called for a massive march on Washington to dramatize the issue. He welcomed the participation of white groups as well as black in order to demonstrate the multiracial backing for civil rights. The various elements of the civil rights movement, many of which had been wary of one another, agreed to participate. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congress of Racial Equality, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee and the Urban League all managed to bury their differences and work together. The leaders even agreed to tone down the rhetoric of some of the more militant activists for the sake of unity, and they worked closely with the Kennedy administration, which hoped the march would, in fact, lead to passage of the civil rights bill.

On August 28, 1963, under a nearly cloudless sky, more than 250,000 people, a fifth of them white, gathered near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to rally for "jobs and freedom." The roster of speakers included speakers from nearly every segment of society -- labor leaders likeWalter Reuther, clergy, film stars such as Sidney Poitier and Marlon Brando and folksingers such as Joan Baez. Each of the speakers was allotted fifteen minutes, but the day belonged to the young and charismatic leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had originally prepared a short and somewhat formal recitation of the sufferings of African Americans attempting to realize their freedom in a society chained by discrimination. He was about to sit down when gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out, "Tell them about your dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream!" Encouraged by shouts from the audience, King drew upon some of his past talks, and the result became the landmark statement of civil rights in America -- a dream of all people, of all races and colors and backgrounds, sharing in an America marked by freedom and democracy.

For further reading: Herbert Garfinkel, When Negroes March: The March on Washington...(1969); Taylor Branch, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-1963 (1988); Stephen B. Oates, Let the Trumpet Sound: The Life of Martin Luther King Jr. (1982). 

[Martin Luther King 1929-1968]

On Death - A Little Humor

   I think there is a lot of truth in this anecdote.

The old man had died. A wonderful funeral was in progress and the country preacher talked at length of the good traits of the deceased, what an honest man he was, and what a loving husband and kind father he was.

Finally, the widow leaned over and whispered to one of her children, "Go up there and take a look in the coffin and see if that's your pa."

Cleaning My Plate and Other Issues

  Now that I am trying to learn how to eat healthier I have become much more aware of the issue of Americans eating larger and larger portions. Biggie fries, 3 all beef patties, etc. you see the ads and they intice you to eat at "their" place.

I did good yesterday. o.k. maybe I could have done better, but I don't think so. However, the next time I go to the movies I will eat before I get to the mall :-( I was so hungry!! And the spaghetti and meatballs at Sbarros always tempt me. Having pasta/meatball girl on one shoulder and salad girl on the other made it hard for me. I did let P/M girl win because I know myself, and knew that I would only pig out by eating directly from the fridge later. Wowee, temptation, temptation and more temptation. Do you want breadsticks on the table? No. Do you want a salad? No thank you. When I looked at the woman at the next table eating that huge salad with chicken breast drenched in blue cheese dressing, I almost lost my resolve. But I didn't. Good for me.

I ate just a third of the spaghetti and one meatball and brought the rest home. I wish I had been able to leave it there but it seems so wasteful. I will have some for lunch today and the rest tomorrow for lunch. Maybe ;-) Trying not to eat too much and also not be wasteful (because children are starving in other countries, per my mom to my 10 year old psyche) is difficult.

While watching RUMOR HAS IT, I only bought a bottle of Dasani lemon flavored water. No calories, odd taste. It cost me $3.25--but that's a whole 'nuther' issue :-(

Wow Snow! Big Smile

     Who would have thought it? Yes. I know that it is winter and snow is to be expected, but just a few days ago I wore a light jacket and put a scarf around my neck just because it is winter. So many people have been taking advantage of the gift of good weather we have had. Last night a newscaster (can't remember channel) was talking to people caught in the New York snow, someone was wearing short pants; there were others wearing just sweaters and such. I would say "what idiots they are", except I do understand.  I  am one of those people who wear clothing that suits my body temp rather than wearing clothing for a particular season. Sometimes my friends, also strangers, ask "aren't you cold?", "are you wearing enough?". The one time I tried to dress for the season is the time I became so ill I could not believe it. I am sure that my poor body was screaming "Yo! What's up with all of these clothes? I am smothering in here. I can't breath." I learned my lesson. Never again.

When I woke up early this morning I thought the city was hidden in heavy fog again. Instead it was a really gray, in this case I think it should be 'grey' sky. The kind they have in England.

I usually get out early to stamp around in the snow near my building, but the snow fall was so meager. I don't like skimpy snow. I guess I will just take the garbage out and come back inside.

This morning Joel Osteen said "Quit letting your problems talk to you, and learn to talk to your problems". I like that thought. 

 

Stayed Home Today Over Extended Myself This week

    Just dragging and having another odd  day. My second one this week. I think I really over extended myself. Sometimes you can stretch yourself a little too thin. I have been doing a lot of reading for book review folks. And I have been getting home late.

I have a lot of "must do's" on my table, including my secret shopper movie. I thought I would see Memoirs of a Geisha today.  I would rather see Tristan & Isolde (I saw the opera at the Met in NY years ago), I wanted to get this done this today so I could mail results Saturday morning but was just out of it. Not so much in a bad way-just feeling a little beat.
 
I went to a business event Wednesday night after a meet with a potential client earlier that day. Thursday  morning I attended a 4 hour Trademark/Copyright seminar at SBA in Newark. The flyer was in my Wednesday  meeting goody bag. It was too good to pass up. The speaker was excellent--I had met her at the first meeting I attended at Give N Take.  Went on to pick up my biz mail, etc. then on to library (I usually do that in the am.)

Queen Latifah in Newark Tonight for Movie Screening

      I just received this from NJ.Com Star Ledger update.  I am sure some of you will be there. Enjoy!

Queen Latifah and her entorage will be in Newark tonight for the 6:30 premiere of her new film "Last Holiday" at the Newark Screens cinema on Springfield Avenue. The screening is not open to the public.

Fellow rapper-actor LL Cool J - her co-star in this flick - Jersey celebrities Joe Piscopo and Wyclef Jean, and Newark Mayor Sharpe James are also expected. Funkmaster Flex will DJ at an after-party "with a little New Orleans flavor" at the Newark Museum.

"It's a bona fide premiere - we've invited everybody in entertainment from New York and New Jersey, label executives, and friends and family. It's a big thank-you to the city of Newark," Latifah said.

Latifah was born Dana Owens at St. Michael's Hospital in Newark, and grew up in the city, as well as in East Orange and Irvington. She played basketball at Irvington High School. And although she shot to fame as a rap star and later as an Oscar-nominated actress, she hasn't ever really left the area - she spent the Christmas holidays in New Jersey, she said - and she's invested in the city through real-estate development and scholarship foundations.

Vending Supplies??

      It's late. Or maybe I should say it's early, I just noticed that it is a little after 3a.m. I guess I will pack it in after this post and get ready for bed. I just pulled a craft hatbox from the top of my computuer unit. I plan to use that to transport my jewelry. I opened the box and found a small plastic bag filled with what looked like beads. Nope! I opened the bag and found Sugar Pops cereal???  When, where, how and why?? Who knows. It has been more than a year since I used that hatbox. Just scratching my head and puzzling.

Feeling Unsure and Uncertain

  I woke up this morning feeling somewhat out of it. I had a feeling of uncertainty, but could not imagine why. It was just an odd feeling--sort of unsure of myself.  I could not figure out what brought it on, so I ignored this because I had things to do and places to go.  

I was out of the house fairly early because I am vending tomorrow at a professional women's group. Last night when I looked at the table cloth I use I decided that it looked a tad ratty and thought I would get a new one. Unfortunately, I could not find any material at the shop to satisfy me, but I was able to pick up a few items, so it was not a wasted trip. I found an inexpensive glass vase that will showcase my jewelry nicely. Later I picked up my biz mail and stopped for a bite to eat. I had tuna on whole wheat toast and I didn't eat any of the french fries (Yah for Van)  

Still determined to find a table covering I headed to the Mall. I was so proud of myself because I timed my bus travel just right, and as soon as I stepped off of one bus I was able to hop on the connecting bus. I had long since gotten past trying to figure out what the odd and unsure feeling was.  As I was riding the bus, I did notice that I was the only passenger left. I paid no attention until the young bus driver stopped the bus, turned off the light and started to step out for a smoke :-( When she asked where I was going, I replied "the Mall". Turns out that I had the right bus, but the wrong journey. She told me what I needed to do to get to the Mall and said I should wait with her for a few minutes, as she was making a return trip. Not a problem.  When she started to move about 10 minutes later, I had my "Ah Hah--Oh, that's were the uncertain and sure feeling was leading, moment."  At the same time I decided to return home instead of heading to the Mall.  I figured why mess with fate and acts of kindness.   

 Once home, I did a little digging and found a lovely cloth for my vending table and talked to my girl friend for a couple of hours.  

 Boy. Ya gotta 'listen'. to those feelings.      

Stamps Are Now .39

   Today is my catch up things due and past due day. Still answering e-mails but taking some time to sneek into my forums also. I was never able to do this at work until after 5 o'clock or on weekends when I came in to, you guessed it, catch up on things due and past due. Wanted to pass on a reminder before I forget--postage stamps are .39 starting today so stock up on the .01 stamps. I just had a half sheet of them in hands last week, I hope I did not throw them away :-(

Why didn't they just make the stamps .40? It would have been a cleaner hike. Now I am wondering if we have ever had a figure like .30, etc. Can't remember.  I wonder if I am stalling because I don't want to get back to that "Resolutions" article? Oh good, I see that it s 3 o'clock, maybe it's time for a coffee break and a little personal reading.

Link to USPS http://www.usps.com/ It's so cool that you can buy stamps online.

The Fragile Ego

  First let me say I never believe anyone who says "I have no ego". We all do. Ego is a good thing it makes us work harder. Ego is the thing that can puff you up like a male peacock. He looks so ordinary. Well as ordinary as a peacock can look. It is his feathers at full spread that make him what he is. So what about a person's age? Male or female, ego plays a huge part here too. I have always accepted that I look younger than my chrono age. Sometimes I like it, sometimes not. You all know that I decided to get a senior card when I was told how much money I could save ;-) For me that has come with the price of having my privacy invaded big time. When I am in AC I use Jitneys instead of taxi cabs or buses. So I go to buy the 'special' tickets, the woman was very nice when she asked my age, then asked for proof . Not a problem. Now, instead of paying $2 per trip, (10 trips=$20) I had 10 tickets for $6 (.60 per trip). One of the Jitney drivers waited until I sat down to shout out "Hey lady, are you 65?" I say no and come back up show my pass. He accepts it, but still stares at me the whole time.  The next day I did mosey over to Jitney headquarters to express my displeasure and embarrassment of the situation. The same woman was there. She understood and said she would handle it. I have learned to show immediately show my pass because it has my age.

Oh yes, that same day a 30ish Hispanic woman passed by me and said  "Good morning Mommee", I responded, but thought "Mommee"?, isn't a sign of respect when addressing an old woman?" Who me? What's up with that? Ego--it's always there, isn't. :-)   

Happy 1st Sunday of January 2006

    Was away again. Just returned. I have so many e-mails, I can't believe it. My "catch all" e-mail had more than 400 SPAM messages. My AOL mail was almost as bad. I can't take a chance and just hit the 'kill' button because some real messages always get caught. One of them was "would you like a review copy?" It was legit request query, but it came through as SPAM. I think the lower case in the subject line may have had something to do with it, but who knows? Anyway I am sure that I will be checking and answering my personal and biz e-mails most of the week.

I watched the Honeymooners marathon on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. :-) I enjoy all of the episodes but one of my favs is the one where Ralph and Alice decide to hire a maid. Of course, Ralph's plan is to act like a big shot. He and Alice are immediately mistaken for a couple of domestics. Ralph is insulted and explains that they are seeking a maid; he goes on to explain that his wife is a career woman and works because she wants to, not because she has to. As always, cuts him down to his arrogant knees by explaining that her career with Krausmeyers Bakery is "stuffing jelly into donuts". Watching this marathon every year is such a treasure. I figure if I start the year with a happy smile I may be lucky enough for my smiles to continue through the year.