My First Weeks of Summer

       Yep. Summer is here, big time. Yesterday the sun was out in full force. Yikes. Today, we can expect more of the same, except there is a thunder storm expected. I welcome it if it means cooler weather. But it does change my plans of going to sit outside and read later. I love thunder storms but feel about them, the way I always felt about my parents, I loved them dearly, had loads of respect and just a bit of fear of them. For me there was nothing worse when I was a kid than to have someone say, "I am going to tell your mother on you."

I just read an unsettling memoir titled, If I Am Missing or Dead, by Janine Latus. The sub-title is A Sister's Story of Love, Murder and Liberation. Two sisters find themselves in abusive relationships time and time and again. One sister is finally murdered by her lover. Ugly stuff, but could not put it down. I kept saying to myself, I don't get it, "he hits you, you leave." I know that is simplistic thinking but it is hard for me to imagine that I would remain in such a relationship--on the other hand I know of others who have stayed and found some sort of peace. Sadly, I can hold a grudge.

I woke up in the middle of the night sometime last week. Of course, I had left the television on :-( Pollyanna was just coming on Masterpiece Theater. I had seen the movie a long time ago, but never the classic. It was wonderful. The scenery often took your breath away--sometimes it looked like a painting. I am such a sucker for this kind of thing. Pollyanna's dad, now deceased has taught Polly to be forever, almost annoyingly optimistic. When something bad happens to her, she says, "I am glad because..." For instance if Polly's house burned to the ground she would have said something like, "I am glad that the fire happened now instead of after we had painted it." It was a bit much for her Aunt, who under protest, had taken Polly in, but soon she, like everyone else was caught up in Pollyanna's unique way of looking at life. The film opens in dark somber colors, as it progresses the colors become brighter and vibrant. One really sweet scene is after Polly has been struck with a crippling illness; a woman comes to ask about Polly, she is wearing all black, except for a narrow royal blue ribbon tied around her neck. She tells the Aunt to please let Polly know that she has started wearing brighter colors. Oh come on, Mr. Bloggie, you know that's sweet.

Last week Jazz in the Garden at the Newark Museum was wonderful. I love sitting there listening to music, reading my book and people watching. The food is not bad but a bit pricey. I heard a man say "I hope this hamburger is worth $7." I bring my own sandwich and a bottle of water. Last week I did buy those kettle chips, not sure of name. I sit under the big tree because I don't like sitting in the sun. I always, always wear my hat cuz; I won't sit under a tree without it, too afraid of bird poo. Not sure where this comes from, but something must have happened at some point. There is talk of thunderstorms tomorrow, so maybe the jazz will be inside of the Museum. I hope they are still selling Tee shirts; I would love to buy one.

Newark Renewal's?  http://www.localtalknews.com/detail.aspx?id=11