Weather in the Tries: Well, the temps are supposed to be somewhat cooler, closer to our normals this coming week with highs in the low 90s. Not sure about the air quality. AQI has been in the Unhealthy area for several days now. Makes for short walks for my short-legged friend and his human.
Blogs, Blogs, and…
I know I’ve told you before, if I read a book, I review the book, and I publish the review. If I don’t finish the book, I don’t review it. Because of this, I get on various lists by various people, including authors. M. K. Tod asked me to read and review her latest book, Paris in Ruins. I did. I loved the book. I wrote and published my review. In the ensuing conversations we had she asked about my book, Jibutu, Daughter of the Desert, and I told her about it.
There are more blogs on world building at her site, just go to View all posts by M. K. Tod, and you’ll find them.
I enjoy world building, but oh how I admire those who write historical fiction and are able to build a believable world. They must research vocabularies of the day, clothing, money, foods, transportation, and oh so much more. Much easier to build a world from scratch.
Photo of the Week:
Sea Grass at the Bandon Light House in Coquille, Oregon October 2008
Status of The Bride’s Gate &c: I received the proof pages and read them AND sent my markups back. So now we wait. Some more. I think I have the ‘sell sheet’ or Information Sheet complete except for the price and ISBN. Oh, and I’m waiting for the contract. But it will come.
Netflix:
Haven’t started another series yet. Well, I’ve tried a couple, and decided I don’t like them enough to continue. So just watched this week’s episode of Hospital Playlist. I hate being current and having to wait a week between episodes! Not fair! Whiiiiine!!!
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Pacific Northwest Foraging for Beginners: A 3 Step… —by Paul MacyThis is a marvelous book, and an easy read, on how to and not to collect edibles from the wild. I appreciated how Mr. Macy stressed sustainable harvesting as well as when and when not to harvest. A great read before your next hike.
Binti: The Complete Trilogy —by Nnedi Okorafor OMG! This is one of those books where you just need to get in, sit down, and buckle up, ‘cause you be goin’ for a ride! The world building is fantastic (I’m so jealous!!) And I hated to have to put the book down to do far less important, but more demanding, things. I can hardly wait to read more of her books.
Quote of the Week:
“I blog because I have something to say.” —Eddie Huang
And there you have it, two blogs in one. Well, there are some other blogs linked, too. Sammy Brave Dog and Auntie Lenora hope you stay cool, stay safe, and have clean air. If you won’t mask against Covid, please mask when the AQI is above Good 😉
Weather in the Tries: Monday (Today) will be 88, then 95, then five days of triple digits–low 100s. Fortunately, we usually have relatively low humidity. As long as the AQI is good, and it’s cooler out than in, I will open doors and turn on fans. So far, my a/c has come on very few times. It’s set at 80.
Joys of Dealing with Indie Bookstores:
As you undoubtedly know, I’m book poor. I’d rather buy books than groceries; however, I am fortunate in that I can afford both. More’s the pity for my waistline.
I also love supporting authors I know, especially poets. The loving partner of John Roche of Placitas, NM, Jules Nyquist of Jules’ Poetry Playhouse, had a reading at Bookworks Indie Book Store in Albuquerque the other night. I could hardly wait to join the festivities, via zoom, and when the long-awaited time came, I was there. And when Wyatt, of Bookworks, posted the link in chat, so I could order my very own copy of her new book, Atomic Paradise, I clicked.
Imagine my surprise the next morning when I got up and there was an email from Wyatt at Bookworks double-checking to be sure I had ordered the correct book, as I had ordered a different book, and he wanted to be sure I wanted that one v. Jules’ book. My response was, of course, immediate. I wanted Jules’ book.
What I didn’t pay attention to when ordering, because I was really paying attention to the reading, is that Wyatt, or someone, also posted the link to a related book. I clicked on the wrong link. Fortunately, I’d asked a question about getting my copy signed, and when I ordered the book I thanked Wyatt and the store for making the reading available via Zoom, and I looked forward to my signed copy.
Now, if I’d done that with one of the large bookstores, I’d have received the wrong book in the mail in two weeks. Now, thanks to Wyatt, I’ll receive the correct book.
Indie bookstores take care of their customers. I’ve dealt with them for years. I also deal with the big stores, too, but I’m willing to bet 95% of my books come from indie bookstores.
Use your Indie Bookstore. Yes, you can buy it for less from one of the larger stores, but the Indie Stores are owned by your neighbors. And, should you live in one of those cultural deserts without a local, Indie Bookstore, I recommend Bookworks in Albuquerque or Adventures Underground in Richland WA They have websites and know how to mail a book or a game, or anything else they have you want. Honest. Trust me.
I must also state our local Barnes & Noble Bookseller, is a great fan of local authors, and stock their books when possible, and will hold readings and signings when Covid again allows. The staff of our local B&N treat the customers more like an Indie store than a chain store. They’re marvelous.
Photo of the Week:
Cyberwit.net sent me this cover for my approval. I’m assuming that means they’re going to publish the book. The painting is from a street mural in Frederick, Maryland. It is called The Unfound Door painted by William Cochran Studios and I have their permission to use the photo. There is a story about this painting, it is with the title poem, The Bride’s Gate. Mr. Cochran thought it great.
Status of The Bride’s Gate &c: They have sent the cover for my blessing. I blessed it. So am assuming I’ll be receiving the proof copies soon.
Netflix:
Got hooked on another K-Drama, Navillera (2021). Two things stand out in this movie: 1. The question of what makes you happy? 2. You’re never too old to pursue your dreams! Yes, the computer and search engines are wonderful; “Navillera means beautiful with some soft. In the Joseon Dynasty, they use the word when …watching traditional dance.” It was a one season show and I binged it. The 70-year-old man always wanted to be a ballerino and finally decided to take lessons. His dream was to dance, on stage, in Swan Lake. The arrogant kid was made his teacher. Oh, yeah, you can guess some of it, but I don’t remember ever crying as much in the last episodes as I did in this—I cried for sad, I cried for happy, I laughed out loud. One of the best series ever. It may be available in English, but I always watch movies/series in the language filmed in with English sub-titles. One of the most beautiful series I’ve ever seen. If it ever comes available for purchase, I want a copy. Trailer.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Deaf Republic: Poems—by Ilya Kaminski. One of the best books of poetry I’ve ever read. Blew my socks off! Read my review.
Quotes of the Week:
“You see, bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.” —Jen Campbell
“I have gone to [this bookshop] for years, always finding the one book I wanted—and then three more I hadn’t known I wanted.” —Mary Ann Shaffer
And there you have it, gentle readers. My week of excitement. I hope your week brought you as much joy as mine did me. Sammy Brave Dog and I wish you a great week coming. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and watch a new kind of movie, stretch your imagination a bit. 😉
Weather in the Tries: I thought it was going to start to cool down a bit, but no, we’re still getting uber warm temps, and now we’re getting high numbers on our AQI scores. Like up in the 170s- Unhealthy for children and other living things!
Public Service Announcement #1:
If you’re going to bake, using flour, do not wear a black tee shirt.
Public Service Announcement #2:
If you’re going to be sifting powdered sugar to get all the lumps out, do not wear a black tee shirt.
Public Service Announcement #3:
If you’re going to insist on such foolishness in the heat of summer—make it good and have fun creating it!
Peesmo and Other Famous People:
I love British humor, and British TV. Several years ago, we imported a Brit to run a talk show on CNN, I think he took Larry King’s place. Now, Larry King was good at what he did, but I didn’t particularly care for him. But I didn’t dislike him, I just preferred his competition, but I was eager to see his replacement as I’d heard a lot about him, Piers Morgan. So, when I remembered, I tuned in to watch. As luck would have it, Morgan wasn’t there, but some guy who would introduce himself as Pees Mo, except he said all together and it sounded, to me, like Peesmo. (I did wonder if he had a prostate problem or UTI, but not my worry.) Anyhow, I didn’t care a lot for this guy, so I would quit watching after a few minutes. It took me quite a while to figure out it was Piers Morgan! He’s an Other Famous Person. I truly don’t understand why. But then, I never understood the Kardashians, either.
Enter Simone Biles. Now THAT young lady Has my respect Seven ways to Sunday! She suffered with the “twisties” so withdrew both for her own health, and for her team. That had to have been a difficult decision, but a necessary one. Uh, what are “twisties”?
After reading what I could find, I think it’s a form of vertigo. If she’s doing stuff, especially in the air, that could be not just dangerous, but lethal. She had worked hard to get where she is, she is no slouch, and I commend her for having both the self-awareness and the courage to withdraw, but to remain and cheer her team on, and to share in their accomplishments rather than to suck it up and go out and drag the team down with her, or worse. What a shame Peesmorless didn’t do a bit of research before opening his racist and ignorant mouth and inserting both dirty feet.
She is a consummate athlete, highly trained, extremely skilled. She’s been working for this her whole life. If she withdraws, people should listen to her, and support her, not make stupid remarks that border on racism, and proudly show their ignorance of the sport of gymnastics and the athletes who perform it.
Cheers and gold medals to Simone Biles for being in tune with her body and listening and having the guts to do what’s right for her and her team.
A muzzle on Peesmo.
Photo of the Week:
BeforeAfter
It was a Margarita Cake. It was triple digits outside when I made the lime curd, the candied limes, and the icing. It was triple digits outside when I baked the cake. In my black tee shirt. It was worth it. The group loved the cake.
I’m excited:
I think I’m excited, but I’m trying not to be at this point, but I think Cyberwit.net is going to publish my book, The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings: An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. They at least asked to see it 😉
Netflix: I finished Sense8. What a story! What a roller coaster ride! Like a really good who done it, we don’t find out what’s really going on until the last episode, and then all is made clear. There is a lot of nudity, sex—heterosexual and homosexual, violence—very improbable, some suicide, language bombs, and many laughs. I mean really good belly laughs
Books:
Not much reading this week, working on my own projects, though I have started Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. So far, I’m enjoying the heck out of it. Wonder why I haven’t read it earlier…
Quote of the Week:
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” – Roy Disney
And so another week has passed. It’s been busy, and warm, and warmer, but Sammy Brave Dog and I have made it through, and hope you have, too. And I apologize for you not getting notices the last two weeks. I didn’t realize the notification wasn’t working, but once I found out, Web Mistress Barb went to work and got it fixed. We hope. 😉
Hoo Boy! According to my phone (would my phone ever lie to me?) we’re headed back to the triple digits this week, with Thu, Fri, Sat being 104, 106, 106 respectively. On Fri and Sat I have to bake a cake, &c and have it ready to go first thing Sunday. Now, if it was just any cake, for any book group, I’d go to Desserts by Kelly and call it good. But this is a long-promised Margarita Cake with tequila (not baked, added later), lime curd (cook it on the stove) and cream cheese icing. And it’s for my book group, and they’re special. One even donated the tequila with plenty left over for the baker! And, yes, there is salt on top of the icing.
So, what’s gone on this week?
Lots of stuff, and not much.
My Sister of Choice and her husband who just happens to be my Brother of Choice (SOC n BOC) live in Seattle, and drove to Walla Walla for a wine tour, they stopped on their way to WW and took me out to dinner at the 3 Eyed Fish. A nice wine bar and bistro, then off they went.
My friend, Mary Curry, who proofed the final version of The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings: An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers finished and returned it, and I got all the wee nits taken care of that a fresh set of eyes caught. I then wrote a short synopsis (how the heck does one write a synopsis about a book of discrete poems, stories, and memoirs/opinions?) and sent it, the first 40 pages of 170 pages, and the cover art to Cyberwit.net who published Marking the Hours in December. I’m now waiting on their response. In the meantime, I’m working on other writings.
On Saturday, my SOC n BOC stopped on their way home, and we went to brunch before they continued their trip to Seattle. Lots of good gossip, good food, and plenty of oh-so-good laughs!
Today, Sunday, I watched this week’s episode of Hospital Playlist and two episodes of Sense8. I still don’t really understand a lot of Sense8, but it’s one heck of a ride. I trust the writers/directors. Kind of like I don’t have a clue how a roller coaster works, but I trust the builders and the operators and the mechanics, get in, sit down, buckle up, and scream like hell all the way to the end when I get off with a face split in half by the biggest grin I can manage! (Yes, I love things like roller coasters, but will never, ever again, go on a Ferris wheel. I’m terrified of them, thanks to my dearly beloved ex.)
And I got a bit more house rearranged since getting all of my mom’s stuff. I do fairly well at stuffing ten pounds of stuff in a five-pound sack, if I do say so myself. 😉
Photo of the Week:
A very cold winter shot. That’s ice on the Columbia. It was cold, foggy, icy. And, did I mention it was cold? A perfect foto for a hot summer day, eh?
Entertainment:
Netflix: Am getting very frustrated that Hospital Playlist is releasing them one episode a week. Though I must admit this last one was the saddest I’ve seen. I’ve become very invested in the characters.
Sense8 is the roller coaster ride of series. Get in, buckle up, and scream like hell.
Next up: I’ve heard good things about Good Omens. I think it’s on Prime TV.
Books: Many years ago, I read a marvelous book, The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos. A history/biography of Eunice Williams who was taken by the Native Americans when she was eight years old, along with many of her village. Later, when she had the opportunity to return to her father (a minister) and family, she refused. She did, eventually visit them with her Native husband, but had no reason to return to the stifling life of a Puritan woman. I read several books in that time frame of white women who refused to ‘redeem’ themselves back to the European community for a variety of reasons.
My friend, Gayle Lauradunn spent several years researching and writing a book of poems, All the Wild and Holy: A Live of Eunice Williams 1696-1785. I received my copy, and devoured it in one sitting. I have yet to write my review, but hope to have it up soon. If you are at all interested in history of that time, get a copy and read it. It’s wonderful. ISBN: 978-0-821053-28-6, published by FootHills Publishing.
I’m also reading a marvelous book of poems, An Insomniac’s Slumber Party with Marilyn Monroe by Heidi Seaborn. Great fun, as the title suggests.
Writing: I’m working on a long poem, working title is Black is… and have written a few shorter pieces, including another poem about Daddy. I have written about 160 poems since 1 Jan 21.
Quote of the Week:
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” —Oscar Wilde
Sammy Brave Dog is loving this heat. He is, after all, from the Chihuahua desert. I’m not complaining, but admit I like the warmer days when we actually have cooler nights. The cool of Fall and the cold of Winter will be here soon enough. So Auntie Lenora and SBD wish you a most wonderful week, full of good friends, good food, and funny jokes!
Weather in the Tries: Looks like we be in for some haze (smoke?) for a couple days, highs in the upper 90s, then it clears and our temps are low 90s and upper 80s. With our lows (allegedly) dropping into the high 50s! Much more reasonable than the last couple weeks 😉
My Doppelgangers:
I seem to have two doppelgangers. The first is an actress/model. Starting when I was in my late teens, early twenties, friends would ask me when I’d gone to Hollywood to work in this show or that film. Even my family would ask these questions. Say, what? The funny thing is, I’d seen the show and didn’t recognize “me” at all. Then one day years later, I bought my mom a funny card. She was in hospice, and I looked for funny cards for her. She was sure I was the model in the card, positive. So positive, she told all the nurses in the hospital it was me. So much for the wise mother, eh? When I came to visit, they asked about it, and wanted to know how to do their own card. They agreed with mom, the photo was of me. Whoever this gal is, she is aging about like me, too. Because I still get asked every now and then if I was in this or that tv show. I haven’t a clue who she is, but I’m glad she’s having fun in The Business.
My other doppelganger is different. We don’t look all that much alike, but the rest of the similarities are striking. I met her through Facebook.
Lori Desrosiers is a poet, and we have several friends in common, so when she requested we be friends, I agreed. Then told her Lori has been my nickname since 3d grade, because no child could pronounce my name, Lenora, with their soft palates (it came out Anora, Canora, Banora, etc.). Turns out, Lori’s real name is Lenora, but she’s gone by Lori since a child and still uses it. Her parents decided Lenora was too much for kids to say.
Lori has published poetry books, I have published poetry books, hers are by a Poet, mine are by a Wannabe. By the way, I’ve read a couple of her books, and they’re very nice and well done. Published by Salmon Press in Ireland. I haven’t reached that level of expertise yet. Anyhow, check out the Book section below for reviews of two of her books.
We both learned of Reveille and Taps at our respective summer camps, we both took violin lessons in school—the difference being I had a really good violin to use, but no ear for music; she had a student violin to use, and an ear for music. She sings on key, I sing tenor—tenor twelve miles away, and even then it’s iffy.
Her childhood BFF was named Valerie Clark. My adult BFF for the last 60 years is named Valerie Clark.
Do you have a Doppelganger? Have you met this person? Do you know who s/he is? Where s/he lives? How do you feel about it?
Photo of the Week:
The Junk was my mom’s pride and joy (after the Ming Dynasty teacup and saucer), most of the knickknacks on the shelf were hers, and the statues on either side of the Junk. There are small tables, coromandel pictures, etc. The painting to the side is by my uncle, her brother. The Junk is sitting on my Chinese altar table.
If you liked the mind-bending sequences of the Matrix movies, you need to check outSense8.Great fun. Created and written by the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. is at the proofreader’s. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy it for gifts—for yourself and for friends.
And so, Auntie Lenora, Doppelganger Actress and Doppelganger Lori, and Sammy Brave Dog, who is sure his doppelganger is a Dragon, all wish you a great week full of joy and happiness and good things to eat (calorie-free, of course!).
Weather in the Tries: Well, we get more Hot weather from low 90s to 102 for the highs and down in the 60s for the lows. Unless, of course, that butterfly in Beijing starts doing the Salsa with his buddies.
The Almost Chinese Incident:
My mother’s name was Verona “Vera” Mae McBrayer. Then she married Daddy and added Good, then a few years after their divorce she met and married Lyle G. “Sandy” Sanderson. I put all the names there in case someone says, “Hey, I used to know someone like her.” Who knows, maybe it is. Was. Whatever.
Mom always loved all things Chinese, starting when she was a kid. (By the way, there may be a pop quiz worth 100% of your grade by the end, so pay attention to all these disparate parts.) When a child she found a nearly perfect Chinese red teacup and saucer at a garage sale for a dime. I say nearly perfect because the glaze had cracked all over and only the encrusted dirt held it together. She loved that cup and saucer. I was seldom allowed to look at it as I might get greasy eye marks all over it. I was never allowed to touch it!
By the time she learned to draw and paint, she was copying the Chinese style of art. She loved cooking Chinese food. That was her primary hobby, and during WWII when she couldn’t buy water chestnuts, she learned to make her own out of new potatoes! (Peel them, slice them, soak them in sugar water for an hour or more.)
As she could, she collected Chinese and Asian artifacts. Beautiful things of carved stone. She collected art. She collected friends. After I moved out of the house, she decided to take Chinese language lessons and enrolled at the Chinese Benevolent Society in Seattle for same. She became the first, and possibly the only, European woman to be elected secretary of the Society. And she met people, including the Chinese Consulate and his wife and entourage.
Now, mom and Sandy lived in a very nice house, I’m guessing 1920s architecture, and the kitchen was large with glass doors on all the cabinets. Mom loved to cook, and as noted above, loved to cook Chinese food and she and Sandy had the Consulate and group to the house for dinner one night. Mom was in the kitchen cooking. The Consulate came in to talk to her. That was fine, she enjoyed the company, but then he started looking in her cupboard. Mom’s back stiffened. Two things my mom couldn’t stand—people getting into her things, and people insisting on helping her cook.
He opened the cupboard door. Mom debated whether that was worth an international incident. Then, he touched her most prized possession in the whole wide world—her cracked glaze teacup. He not only touched it, he had the temerity to lift it and the saucer out of the cupboard. Mom looked at the knife she was just slicing veggies with.
“Vera, may I have some silver polish and a rag, please?”
Poor mom. Not only was he holding her most prize possession (hint: higher value than me, I’m sure) now he wanted to polish it? To take a chance and dislodge that cracked glaze? How big an incident would it be to use the knife and rescue her prized teacup?
She handed him the polish and a clean rag, and even managed a smile. He started working on the bottom of one of the pieces. Smiled like a Chinese Cheshire Cat and said, “Hah! I thought so. Ming Dynasty, silver inlay. Now, you finish polishing after we all go home.” He carefully put her cup and saucer back in the cupboard, then went on with his conversation.
Mom’s back relaxed. Dinner was a success! Imagine, buying a Ming Dynasty cup and saucer, in perfect condition, for a dime! Imagine thinking that tarnished silver was dirt!
I had totally forgotten this story until a couple days ago.
After mom died, Sandy remarried, and then Peggy died, and he chanced upon his grade-school sweetheart, Emma who was also widowed. They married and had a few years together before he died. Now you may recall that Mother had collected several artifacts. When she died, they were to go to the Chinese Museum in Seattle. I’m not sure if it was Wing Luke or the Seattle Asian Art Museum, but I think the latter. I was never told for sure, only that they were donated, and forgot about them. Until some time after Sandy died when Emma contacted me to return some of my mom’s things. I saw a couple other items in the house and recognized them, but figured Sandy had bought them for Mom, and figured he’d give them to Emma. And they were in a good home and being enjoyed.
Well, as happens, Emma died a while back, and her daughter called and brought several items that were Mom’s, including the few pieces I’d seen in the house earlier. Very few pieces, the museum must have taken 90-95% of the pieces she donated. So now I am trying to get my little apartment re-vamped and organized to make room for all the new stuff including the model of the Junk. She loved that Junk. I think when the house is rearranged, it will find a home on my Chinese Altar table.
Photo of the Week:
Mom’s prized Junk. The case is 30″ x 34″ by 14″
Gracious: I saw something on my window and looked. A baby, or small, bat was climbing down the screen. I went outside to see and couldn’t find him. Tiny, he was scrunched in the corner of the screen and window. Somehow, he’d gotten inside the screen, between it and the window. I managed to get the screen off, and he flew away. THEN I thought of my camera. Sigh. Why was Bat out at 3:00 on a sunny day?
Entertainment:
Netflix: Still enjoying my Korean series, Hospital Playlist. And have startedSense8.If you liked the Matrix movies, I think you’ll like this series, though so far, I haven’t been given the choice of a red or green pill. But there are drugs, and I can pretty much guarantee that what you see isn’t what was there. Great fun. Directed by the Wachowskis (Lana and Lilly). Written by J. Michael Straczynski.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Finished Dead Heat —by Patricia Briggs. Number four in the Alpha Omega series. Took me two days to read it only because I started reading it at night, in bed. Would you do anything to live forever? There’s a price to pay for that, you know. You get to say ‘goodbye’ to too many people as they grow old and die. Joseph was an old man, dying. His father wanted Joseph’s best friend to ‘turn’ him, make him a were like they are. But the Morrock has said no one can be turned against their will and live. Dad pleaded with his son, but his son refused. Dad pleaded with son’s best friend, Charles, son and enforcer of the Morrock. Tricky, tricky situation. Throw an Omega into the mix and just be sure the cinch is tight, because you’re heading off on the ride of a lifetime.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. is just about complete and ready to go to be proofread. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy for gifts, for yourself and friends.
OK, I lied about the pop quiz. Too hard to collect all the answers, then give a grade. Sammy says I’m a pushover. What can I say? Have a great week, stay safe, stay cool, stay hydrated and we’ll see you again next week. Honest. Trust me.
Public Service Announcement (or brags if you prefer):
Quill and Parchment online literary magazine published two of my poems this month.
The newsletter, Writing Women: by, for, and about published a recording of me reading my short story, “The Assassin.” It’s about 5 minutes long.
If you’re on Facebook, Poets’ Brew(Yakima Coffeehouse Poets) published my poem, “Commas.”
Apologies?:
Was scrolling through Facebook and came across an article posted by a friend, Amsterdam mayor apologises for city’s role in slave trade on BBC News. I read the article, and it seemed pretty straight forward. (“apologises” is the Euro spelling)
Someone added in the Comment section on Facebook that apologies are not enough.
It got me to thinking, and believe me, in the heat of our past few days, that’s no easy task! What else could they do? Do todays Amsterdammers have any idea how many people they stole, bought, shipped, sold? Possibly. And there is, as the mayor said, no one alive today who was there at the time.
And what about me? Do I stand and stare straight ahead, and apologize for my ancestors who owned slaves, forced the Cherokee onto the Trail of Tears, the Catawba off their land? Then, do I move to stand in front of where I just stood, do an about face, stare straight back to where I stood, and accept the apology?
My ancestors owned slaves. They forced the Cherokee off their land. They stole land from the Catawba. They undoubtedly raped the women whether red or dark brown. That was the way it was back then (not so terribly different today, actually). They supported the forced kidnapping of Native children to be raised far from home, from comfort, forbade them their language, their clothes, their food, abused them any way they wanted. Forced them to become “Good little Indians.”
My ancestors were beaten. Raped. Forced off their lands onto reservations, land no one wanted (until oil or gold were found) by my ancestors. Are you confused yet? That’s OK, I am, too.
What I’m trying to say is that if the mayor made a genuine, heartfelt apology, I think it should be accepted. At least it is an acknowledgment of a wrongdoing by her ancestors. It’s a complicated situation. The majority of my ancestors were “white” Europeans, but I also have African and Native American (Catawba—Sioux & Cherokee stock). To whom do I apologize? From whom do I accept an apology?
When in probably 6th grade, I went on a trip with my grandparents, Grandma pointed out Chemawa Indian School as we passed it on the way through Salem, OR. She patiently answered my questions about what was it? etc. Of course, the answers were “whitewashed” but I was told it was where the Indian children were brought to receive a good education, where they were taught to be “Good little Indians.” Well, innocent me, I thought it was where they were taught about being Indians, what it meant, what their tribal histories were, etc. I began to plot. I knew where the school was. It was only, at most, a two-day hike from home. Could I sneak in? Could I, too, learn to become a “Good little Indian?” Even though my tribe was across the country, could I pass? Truly, I plotted, I planned (I may not have been a good little Indian, but I was a good Girl Scout. I even knew how to make a backpack out of a pair of jeans, and what plants I could and could not eat on my trek.).
Then I found out from someone, probably one of my teachers and the library, that to become “Good little Indians” they learned to become maids and farm hands. Can’t you just picture Auntie Lenora as some lady’s maid? (It’s OK, you may take time to laugh. I’ll wait.)
According to the www,Chemawa Indian Schoolis still there, still functioning, but functioning as it should be, not as originally intended. By now, I’ve got way too much gray hair to sneak in 😉
From the site: “The school has thousands of successful graduates and today is home to over 400 students and is coeducational. Despite its original goals of educating Native Americans into US society, traditional Indian culture is taught as well.
“The school carries on its traditions of education and First Peoples culture in harmony. It has a history of successful athletics and academics as well.”
Photo of the Week:
A small Anthurium flower a neighbor gave me when he moved. The flower is 2″ from the tip to the bottom of the wings.
Entertainment:
Netflix: Still enjoying my Korean series, Hospital Playlist. Hospital Playlist isn’t a soap, it isn’t a drama, I never watched Gray’s Anatomy so I can’t say how it would compare. It is a fun show, following 5 doctors. Some drama, not every patient survives, but a lot of laughs woven in. And toward the end of each episode, the 5 get together as a band. I think I’ll classify it as a Feel-Good series, though Wikipedia calls it a K-drama.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Am maybe 20% through The Glass Constellation by Arthur Sze. Two good books going on at the same time. I think Auntie Lenora is going to get little else done but reading for a few hot days 😉
The book for my book group for June was Where The Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson. It has won several awards, including Finalist for the National Book Award. I did not finish it. I have a single criterion for reading fiction—I want to feel better for having read the book than not. I want if not happy ever after, a satisfactory end. I read too much non-fiction for sad. This book was well written, and if the purpose was to show how unlovable the protagonist was, he succeeded. I couldn’t like anyone in the book. I read a bit more than half, then skipped to the last three chapters and read them. We know from the get-go the girl is going to die. I dunno. If any of you read it, and have some ideas, I’m willing to entertain them, but I’d give it a thumbs down. In which case this is the only review I’ll write of it.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers is just about complete and ready to go to be proofread. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy copies for gifts, for yourself, and for friends.
Quote of the Week:
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” -Kimberly Howard
Sammy Brave Dog and his Human both got a little warm this past week, but cooler days are ahead. At least for the foreseeable future. Even though I did not find the calorie-free ice cream, I did enjoy some Ben & Jerry’s 😉 Have a great week, enjoy the weather, stay safe, and we’ll see you next week. Honest. Trust me.
Weather in the Tries: Need I say more? Screen shot of phone Sunday morning It’s not even cooling down at night all that much.
Public Service Announcement: I recorded a new poem, For Daddy on Father’s Day and posted it in the Spoken Word. I tried to get it up for Father’s Day, but I’m old, and not overly computer literate, and… Anyhow, it’s up, now. I hope you enjoy it.
Marking the Hours is a surprise of words that uncovers the hidden structures of grief. An emotional look at endings, this collection of poems brought me to hard memories of the past, some regrets, and, yet, it also brought healing. The last work, which Good labels “A Personal Essay in Poetic Form,” brings the whole collection to a thoughtful conclusion. I highly recommend this work. I suspect, like me, that you will re-visit it many times as you pass through life.
[I cannot put in words how important these reviews are, nor can I explain how good they make me feel. I love it when someone invests both their time and their money in one of my books, and when they think the investment worthwhile, they shout it to the world. Thank you, Tower Lowe. –Lenora]
My Try as a Spy:
Yeah, you read that right. I was willing but couldn’t get the “right” people interested.
I received a Friend request on Facebook from a gentleman named Abubaker Abdullahi. Now, I can’t tell if the name is Palestinian or Pakistani or Californian or something else entirely. He claimed to be from LA. However, I do have a few bona fide friends on Facebook who are African and live in African nations and, I think, one in Bangladesh and one in Singapore with Muslim names. So, I accepted, thinking Abu was a friend of one of them. His page that I could see before we were friends, was pretty patriotic stuff, almost too patriotic, but I could only see a bit because we weren’t yet friends. Besides, I can always unfriend, right?
So, I Friended him and immediately, we went to Messenger. OK, he probably doesn’t have a computer and uses his phone. I’ve got a couple friends who do that. Then he tells me he was born and raised in LA, but English obviously isn’t his crib language, for sure, for sure. Then “he” tells me his real name is Jason Morgan and he’s a General in the United States Army, and he’s currently in a war zone, in Syria, and he found my name while searching for an old friend.
(And my name is really Wonder Woman and I have a bridge for sale back in NYC!)
He went on to explain how his account was hacked by the Taliban, and when he got it all straightened out, Facebook wouldn’t let him use his real name any more, so he decided to keep the hacker’s name as a nickname. How military of him! Not.
Now, several bells went off, but I strung him along until I could contact someone to see if there was a law broken, or if they wanted me to continue stringing him along. The phone message at our local FBI office said to contact IC3.gov. I filled out the forms, submitted, but since I hadn’t actually been scammed, yet, they aren’t going to be interested. Then I contacted Army CID. They weren’t interested, either. I was more than willing to string this guy along, but if I did, I wanted guidance and backup. Oh, the local cop shop told me to contact the Better Business Bureau ScamTracker. Huh?? Obviously, the sweet young thing who answered the phone didn’t listen to what I was saying. As soon as I said scam her brain went into automatic and that was that.
There were several tells that this guy was fake, in fact, I think he is probably a she, and probably from one of the SE Asian countries. After we were “Friends” I went back to his page, and there was only one. He’s middle aged, widowed, no friends, no pictures of family, though a couple with a young boy that could be his or a grandson. No back pages. No education listed. Ring-a-ding-ding!
But the biggest tell of all? He’s a General in the US Army, stationed in Syria, a war zone, and he is texting in my time zone, he’s not using a military suffix on his texts (maybe they don’t), and how would a GEN in a war zone have the time to go through my Facebook page and comment on my posts. I’d post something, he’d comment, short, not pithy, inanities almost immediately. Oh, and he called me Dear right off the bat.
So, I blocked him, and reported him to Facebook. But I’m willing to bet a donut of your choice he is really a she in a sweatshop somewhere setting up people for scams. So much for my being a spy for fun and country, eh? Not worth my time unless they wanted to trace/track and get the ring.
Two days later, I had another Friend request. His page looked like the ‘General’s’ page, different name, different photo. I clicked the Decline button.
A few years ago, I friended someone allegedly in Africa, where I have several Facebook friends, but things quickly went, well, odd. Through phraseology, and people smarter than me, I determined he was not African but Chinese. Mentioned it to a friend who lived at the time in The Netherlands, and she said the cops there had just raided a sweatshop full of Chinese women working with cell phones setting up these fake accounts, etc., and most of them were posing as men. They like to go after women they perceive as having more money than common sense and relieving them of as much as possible, preferably the money. Hence my guessing that my General is not only Asian, but a She.
Photo of the Week:
The birds don’t come too often that I see, but the Yellow Jackets love it 😉 They are on the edge of the water at roughly 2:30, 7, and 9:30. The purple things are Russian Sage blossoms.
Entertainment:
Netflix: Finally finished Lucifer. Corny in a few places, but a great ending! Hope they leave it up a while, it might be fun to binge from S1E1 to the end 😉 Now I can go back to my Korean series of sturm und drang, Hospital Playlist, Season 2.
DVD: My DVD of Allegiance, The Broadway Musical on the Big Screen by George Takei came. I’m saving it for Sunday the 4th July.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Have started The Glass Constellationby Arthur Sze. Two good books going on at the same time. I think Auntie Lenora is going to get little else done but reading for a few hot days 😉
Education: Ah-ha! I am counting the above two books in my education slot 😉
Writing: The manuscript originally called Coffee Break Escapes is now going to be called The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings: an eclectic reader for eclectic readers. It’s coming along nicely, thanks to some good and helpful friends who are helping me identify and kill my darlings. 😉
Quote of the Week:
“If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.” — Guy McPherson
Sammy Brave Dog is happy with the heat. His human isn’t complaining. Yet. When the electric bill gets here… Actually, it shouldn’t be too bad, I have the a/c set at 82 during the day, a little cooler at night. In the meantime, if you find a stash of that calorie-free ice cream, share, please 😉
Weather in the Tries: With the possible exception of today, which may only reach 99F, we’re looking at a week of triple digit weather! Maybe it’s time to switch temps to C for a while? As I type this, it’s 67F but only 19C 😉
My Opinion on US Death Penalty:
A blogger I follow (Jerry Coyne, Why Evolution Is True) asked his readers their opinions on the death penalty. I am against it and have been since elementary school.
I was taught in elementary school that prison was a chance for people to get their life together, to grow, to be rehabilitated (rehabilitation was the key word), and become productive citizens when released. I now realize that what I was taught is not what was and is actual. However, using that logic, I wrote a letter to the then Governor of Oregon, in pencil, on wide-lined 3-hole notebook paper, asking him why, if what my teachers said was true, we had the death penalty. How does one become rehabilitated when one is dead?
He answered. I remember his letter was thoughtful, typed, and on official letterhead stationery. I wish I still had it. Alas, it disappeared years ago.
However, my thoughts haven’t changed all that much. I’m still against the death penalty. To me, it is nothing more than state sanctioned revenge killing. Killing the person will not bring the victim back to life, will not erase the crime, and will not make the survivors feel better, contrary to what many believe. Killing the person does not prevent crime—look at Texas for that proof. And too often, the wrong person is killed. Then what? Just say, “Oopsie. Sorry!” I think not.
If you must kill someone, do it humanely—by firing squad! Unfortunately, those who are for the death penalty (oddly, many self-identify as pro-life, but that’s another topic) seem to prefer methods with a sense of torture. Boil them in an electric chair, boil them with medicines via an IV, hang them (relatively quick if done right), or put them in a gas chamber and watch them try to hold their breath. Or put them in prison for life, with no chance of parole. Then, if/when they are found innocent, they can be returned to society and their loved ones.
One of the things I find interesting about the whole discussion is the number of people who claim Christianity as their religion of choice who are pro-death penalty and who never seem to notice Deuteronomy 32:35 or Romans 12:19. Then, again, since most of the people on death row belong to the subservient caste, it’s not surprising. It’s a method to keep that caste down, afraid of trying to show how human they really are. Those same people who approve the death penalty are the ones who are pro-gun ownership for them, but not ‘lower caste’ people.
The only difference I can see between murder on the street and murder in a murder room, is who ordered and carried it out. One is criminal, one is supposedly Justice. But murder is murder is murder.
I’d love to read your thoughts on the subject—use the comment section—whether you agree with me or not.
Photo of the Week:
Web of Diamonds
Entertainment:
Netflix: Still parsing out the Lucifer episodes. As bad as some are, I don’t want to reach the end of the series.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
I am currently reading Calling Bullsh*t: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World —by Carl T. Bergstrom / Jevin D. West. This book is for my book group read, and I’m only on page 25 but I’m in deep lust with the authors. Well, literary lust. They use footnotes! OMG! They are wonderful. It’s such a pleasure to read the book and the footnotes and not have to flip and flap pages to get to the back and find the endnote only to discover it’s not worth reading. (So far, all the footnotes have been worth reading!)
Education: Ah-ha! I can count the above books on Bullshipping and poetry in my education slot 😉 By the way, the two authors of Calling Bullslh*t are, or were at the time of writing the book, profs at the University of Washington.
Writing: Have finished a few more poems, but have also finished a collection of poems, short stories, and flash memoir. The ms. is currently out to readers who will give me a cover blurb and also write a review to hold until the book is published. The working title is: Coffee Break Escapes. I was originally going to go with the book, then decided to go with pod casts and when my voice went wonky, my blog. Most of the pieces are short enough to read on a coffee break.
What the weather is doing in the Tries: From a relatively cool last week, to a pretty warm this week. The highs will be in the 80s and 90s. I am NOT complaining.
May I Brag?:
Well, since it’s my blog, I guess I can, can’t I?
I haven’t done much in the fiction department since I’ve been back in town. However, I am in a fiction writing group, and have been submitting chapters of earlier novels. I’m pleased to say, their comments lead me to believe I just might have something in them, with minor edits and changes. Except where major edits and changes are called for. Fortunately, not many of those.
Poetry is my first love, and since I’ve been back in the Tries, I’ve been writing lots of it, taken a few classes, put together a couple books with more to come. Several of my poems are getting accepted. One gets rejected here, but accepted there.
I submitted three poems to the Shrub-Steppe anthology, two were accepted, and I will be in Wenatchee the 19th to read them at the book launch. I submitted five to the Fixed and Free Poetry Anthology for 2021, and all five were accepted! And Quill and Parchment (an online magazine) has accepted my ekphrastic poem, Leda and the Swan for their July issue.
An author whose books I greatly enjoy, Tower Lowe, has just purchased Marking the Hours. I just purchased her latest, Don’t Come Back
My Rant. My Vote:
One person, one vote. Right? Not so fast. If that were truly the case, the electoral college wouldn’t be able to overturn the popular vote. Okay, mostly one person, one vote. Well, unless one of the voters belongs to the dominant caste and doesn’t like the results, in which case the votes can be recounted, overturned, tossed out, however the dominant caste so desires. Yeah. Right. And it isn’t just limited to the two-party system and general/local elections. It is now fair game in high schools, too.
So, if you aren’t a member of the dominant caste, and you vote against it, be prepared to have your vote ash canned. If your high school valedictorian and or salutatorian are members of the less than equal caste, expect there to be a hullabaloo and at best, two more students, members of the dominant caste, chosen as co-valedictorian and co-salutatorian. After all, those of subordinate caste need to remain in their place, and their place isn’t equal to the dominant caste.
I found the NYT article, “Two Black Students Won School Honors. Then Came the Calls for a Recount.” to be particularly heinous. It’s caste, ladies and gentlemen. Caste and ignorance. According to the writings of the dominant caste, a bucket of white paint with a single drop of color can no longer be declared white. Well, I hate to be the bringer of sad tidings, but all of our ancestors walked out of Africa, some earlier than others. ALL of us are members of the so-called subordinate caste, we all have African blood/genes in us. Ain’t none of us “white,” baby. None.
This showed up on my Facebook feed the other day. I thought it worth the trouble to copy and place here. All typos are mine.
A white woman, race educator Jane Elliot, says to an auditorium full of people, “I want every white person in this room who would be happy to be treated as this society, in general, treats our citizens—our black citizens—if you, as a white person, would be happy to receive the same treatment that our black citizens do in this society, please stand.” Unsurprisingly, no one moves. She pauses. “You didn’t understand the directions. If you white folks want to be treated the way blacks are, in this society, stand.!” More marked silence and lack of movement. She continues, “Nobody’s standing here. That says very plainly that you know what’s happening. You know you don’t want it for you. I want to know why you’re so willing to accept it or to allow it to happen for others.” [emphasis mine]
End of rant. For now.
Photo of the Week:
Took this on Lake Gatun, going through the Panama Canal. Think it was 2004.
Entertainment:
Netflix: At some point they finally put the final episodes of Lucifer up, and I finally noticed. So I’m watching them, one a night at the most! I’m parsing them. Best series ever! Also caught an old Addams Family movie with several laugh out loud scenes, and a couple of new-to-me ones on Hallmark.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Have two new book up on Rainy Day Reads — Golden Poppies by Laila Ibrahim and Don’t Come Back by Tower Lowe. Both here:
Writing:
Have a couple more poems accepted. The Fixed and Free Poetry Anthology for 2021 accepted all five poems I entered. Wowser. I hoped for one, maybe two. Thanks Billy Brown!!! I will be attending a book launch for the Shrub-Steppe anthology in Wenatchee on the 19th June (this coming Saturday).
Also searching for a press who might be interested in my Smallbook (Chapbook, 19 pages) of 17 Petrarchan sonnets about my sojourns in the southlands, with one crown of 14. ideas? drop me a note.
Quote of the Week:
“The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.” —Jean Cocteau
Auntie Lenora and Sammy Brave Dog hope you enjoy your coming week.
