The Arts are Alive!

Quote of the Day:  You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children. Madeleine L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time. Her book was rejected 26 times before it was published, according to this blogpost.

This morning, as I was doing my daily reading online, I came across a post on The Guardian about Children's Theatre, written by Lyn Gardner. She is quoting her own speech about the lack of press and respect given to children's literature and theatres. She says that some people will ask her when she plans to write a "grown-up" book or play. She says that the UK is one of the leading countries for pushing the arts out of public education and over-emphasizing test scores, particularly in maths and technology. The US must be a close second. 

Many of you readers are also writers for children: picture books, middle grade, young adult, and children's theatre. You know the importance of writing for the younger audience. You also know how scary it is, because they'll see through your false voices. They won't put up with your preaching. You'd better be a good storyteller, tell it with truth, and give them real characters with real problems that they can relate to. From historical fiction to sci-fi, kids want stories that captivate their imaginations and characters they can root for. 

As I said in my recent review of The Wong Kids at The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis, teenage boys are a tough audience. They won't spare your feelings. They have many distractions and sharp minds. And, girls have such diverse interests, you can't even label what they'll pick up or be drawn to. I'm a piano teacher, and I often have siblings waiting for each other. Whenever they have a book along, I ask, "What are you reading?" They've brought in everything from "The Princess Diaries" to "The Graveyard Book," and everything in between. I've gotten some great recommendations from them!

As public schools are pushing out the arts, they're losing out on the love of learning. They are further institutionalizing education and squelching creativity. Kids, and adults, need space to set their imaginations on fire. The arts give us a chance to feel valued, to create and connect. In a recent article that I did for our school district magazine, I interviewed the high school band, orchestra, and choir instructors. They are an amazing group of teachers. They influence the lives of hundreds of kids every day. They give them something to look forward to from rehearsals that don't feel like desk work to band trips across the country. They are part of a group that works in cooperation, not competition. To read the article, go to The Brainerd Dispatch and look for We Are 181 magazine, Fall 2013 edition (the most recent one was not yet up on their website). 

You can keep the arts alive. I'm talking to you grown-ups. Show your kids that creating art, making music, and attending live performances are all important and life-giving activities. And, that they don't die once you hit adulthood. My teenage boys might not have been excited to visit the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, but I think they'll admit it was a fun day. They experienced new things, ate at a fun restaurant, and saw a live performance. We had a great time together.

Here are a few pics from our trip to the metro.

We ate at a restaurant with an old sci-fi movie theme, called The Bad Waitress.

We had the Falcon table.

Old movie posters and good food.

I said to my twins, "Go stand in front of the portrait of the twins."

They were so thrilled! Ha!

Sometimes, they stopped to examine the paintings.

Sometimes, they took a glance and walked on by.

I snapped one quick pic of them all together.

Most of the time, we were scattered about.

Eric said, "This is one big maze!"

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, enjoy the arts. Remember, the arts are life-giving. When we spend time in our creative world, we are re-creating our lives.

Journaling Prompt:  What is a story or art experience you remember from your youth?

Reflections

Favorite Photos Friday

Quote of the Day:  Let's do a "Ferris Bueller" pose. Said by my boys as they stood at the window on the 9th floor of The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. We had a few minutes to look around, and found this view to be spectacular.

Shot with flash

Tried again and turned off the flash.

Even though Charlie looks a little distorted, I like this shot better.

More reflection and color.

I took these two while standing out on the deck of the 4th floor with the boys. I think we're looking at the "Endless Bridge."

We didn't quite understand the "endless" part, but it was dark and a little cold, so they didn't explore very far.

This shot is pretty, in a mystical kind of way.

I think the blues are beautiful.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving (in the USA), and a great weekend with friends or family, wherever you are!

Journaling Prompt:  What's your favorite part of a big feast like Thanksgiving?

Summer Senses

Quote of the Day:  Tired by Shel Silverstein
I've been working so hard you just wouldn't believe,
And I'm Tired!
There's so little Time and so much to achieve,
And I'm Tired!
I've been lying here holding the grass in its place,
Pressing a leaf with the side of my face,
Tasting the apples to see if they're sweet,
Counting the toes on a centipede's feet.
I've been memorizing the shape of that cloud,
Warning the robins to not chirp so loud,
Shooing the butterflies off the tomatoes,
Keeping an eye out for floods and tornadoes.
I've been supervising the work of the ants
And thinking of pruning the cataloupe plants,
Timing the sun to see what time it sets,
Calling the fish to swim into my nets,
And I've taken twelve thousand and forty-one breaths,
And I'm TIRED!

I know. I know! Another picture of Leo the cat, but he's just so darn cute.

My senses have come alive as summer has finally hit Minnesota.  We've had blue skies and sun all week, temps up into the 80's, and not at all humid.  I cut into this watermelon and breathed in that scent of summer.

Do you ever worry about slicing off a digit when you cut into that slippery watermelon?

I mean, it's the perfect conditions for it, a round, smooth, wet surface and a slick cutting board.

But, have no fear! I've just ordered a handy-dandy new set of knives from the neighbor girl.

It's her summer, before I go off to college, job.  Hey, I'm a sucker for a girl who loved band and tells me she's interested in linguistics.  And, besides, I needed the knives. Really. I see you shaking your head. Stop.

So, I have the warmth of the sun, the smell of the fresh-cut watermelon and mowed grass and the smallest of green tomatoes sprouting from my patio pot garden.  My boys got motivated to do chores because they want their own laptop - because Mom doesn't like to share hers!  They corralled their friends like a couple of Huck Finns and washed the deck.

They actually fought over who got to hose it down first. We had to go alphabetical.

Looks inviting, doesn't it?  Wanna sit a spell? Read a book, listen to music, chat, or nap?

They also swept out the garage.

I purchased extra window washing supplies and buckets.  More fun with water!  It will look like so much fun, I'll be turning them away at the door.

Journaling Prompt:  Share your summer sensory images.  What sounds, smells, tastes, and feels like summer to you?



Avoiding Writing and Eating like a Hobbit

Quote of the Day:  Read the poem The Tao of Touch by Marge Piercy on The Writer's Almanac.  This poem was used there on May 5.  It spoke to me.

In order to avoid working on my next play, I caught up on blogs.  I actually zeroed out my Reader on Saturday morning!

I awoke to a loud thud. At first, I thought the twins were up and already going outside.  The door to the garage closes with a thud and rattles the house.  I got up, checked, and saw that they were still snoring in bed.  Hmm. I walked downstairs and didn't see anything out of order.  I heard the thud again.  Was that thunder?  No. It's cloudy, but not raining.  Then, I realized it was the sound of war manuevers at Camp Ripley, which isn't as far away as I think.  The entrance to the camp is about 20 miles south of here, but the land within the camp comes up to the Crow Wing River, very near my house.  It sounds like canon fire, (from what I've heard on tv shows) so I wonder, Why are they shooting off canons?  Are they just playing war games and Civil War re-enactments?  Probably not.

My imagination enjoyed playing with the sound, though.  Maybe it's trolls walking nearby, or using my roof as a percussion instrument.  And, speaking of Trolls, the boys and I decided that Saturday would be "Eat like a Hobbit" Day.  We enjoyed breakfast together - toast, cereal, an orange, coffee.  Then, we had a second breakfast - scones.  For Elevensies, I had a banana.  They had toast.  I thought I'd better take a walk after that, since luncheon was coming up.  And, for tea time, we had Oreo cookies and milk out on the deck.

Despite my best efforts - long walk, laundry, cleaning my room, and all that eating, I did manage to type a few more scenes in my play.  I'm now up to page 12!

The setting is the kitchen.

The main focal point is the kitchen table.

The characters are a family, trying to connect the past to the present, understand each other, and be whole.

I have a present day table setting, and one from the past.  This is the first time I've used flashback in a script.  I like it.  This story is a drama, filled with emotion.  I also included 10 year old twin boys, which lends to high energy and humor.

For Mom's Day, the boys got me great gifts - movies, a candle, and smelly bath gel, and they took me bowling.  They did great.  I am one lucky Mama.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What would be on your menu for "Eat like a Hobbit" Day?  How did you celebrate Mother's Day, or enjoy the weekend?

Birthday Bash and Baseball

Quote of the Day:  Baseball quotes found here.

You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too. ~Roy Campanella

Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

Double the cake. Double the guest list. Double the fun. Double the volume (alright, the volume was more than double).  My own Minnesota Twins turned 11 last Friday.  It was a big birthday bash. Then invitations read, "and bring a baseball glove."  Thank God for nice weather.  They all ran, walked, or rode anything with wheels down to the park and set up their game of baseball.  When I got there, I suggested they turn the diamond around and hit towards the trees, not the road.  They hit.  They ran.  They argued.  I determined that middle school age boys still need an ump.  I did not volunteer.  I said, "Hey, I'm just here to take pictures."

It made me wonder.  Is the baseball field the first place where the male child tries to use his voice to get his way? 
Your foot wasn't on the base!
Yes, it was!
You didn't tag me!
Yes, I did!
I got there first!
I caught the ball before you stepped on the plate!

And, so on, until I thought, How can this be any fun? 

I stood up to leave and shouted, "I'm ordering the pizza."  Then, walked home, trailed by the pack of boys.

After the pizza, they used the football.  I think this is a game of 500.

I thought these pictures turned out great.  And, how can you argue?  The guy holding the ball is the one who caught it.

Finding your voice in the world isn't easy.  What's harder is being still and listening, and accepting that you're not always right, safe, or the winner.

Journaling Prompt:  You've just hit the ball and are running full speed to first base.  As your foot hits the base, you hear the ball land in the first baseman's glove.  Are you safe or out?  At what age can you play a "friendly" game of ball?

B is for Bobby and Bravo!

Letter of the Day:  B
B is for Bobby, my first-born son.
B is also for Bravo, that shout of praise at the end of a performance.  Did you know that Bravo is the praise word for a man, and Brava is the word to use for a woman?  My sister Joy, who is learning Italian and is also a performer - singer, actor, all that jazz (also sings jazz), gave me that quick lesson.  If the performers are mixed, then Bravo is fine.

B is also for baby.  This is a picture of Bobby, my first-born, holding his new baby brother when he came into our lives 13 years ago.  Bobby is offically a Robert, but he was Bobby as soon as he flashed me those baby blues!  When his little brother, Zach, was born, he felt him grasp his finger and he asked, "Is he as strong as Superman?"  As soon as we brought him home, he said, "When can he wrestle?" 

A few years later, twin boys entered the picture. Now, I'm a MOBO, mother of boys only. And, oh, boy, can that be a blast!


Bobby is a great older brother.  He is a defender against bullies, and loves to play games.  He'll graduate from high school next year, and plans to be some kind of engineer.  I can see him inventing new games.  Bravo, Bobby!


Journaling Prompt:  Do you have brothers or sisters?  Write about your wild rumpuses!

Snow Day = Cookies!

Quote of the Day:  Everything in creation has its appointed painter or poet and remains in bondage like the princess in the fairy tale ’til its appropriate liberator comes to set it free. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A big snowdrift came knocking on my door last night.  The wind howled.  The sleet pelted down, and then the snow came and filled our nice, clear driveway right back up.

The night before, my youngest sons had their cross-over ceremony from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  Look at them cross their bridge!

A right of passage, moving from one stage of life into another.  I have had a great time being in scouts with my boys.  They've had great leaders, great activities, and I have made great memories with them.  When I tucked them in that night, Charlie said, "You can still do stuff with us in Boy Scouts, Mom."  They won't need me as much, and that's how it is supposed to be.  Look how happy they are!

The sleet was really pelting us and snow was filling in the driveway even as we came home.  I told my oldest son, Bobby, that they might have school cancelled, or at least delayed.  He doubted it, so he said, "If they cancel school tomorrow, I'll bake chocolate chip cookies."

They're delicious!  I took this opportunity to teach Zach how to use the snowblower.

He did a great job.  This was the biggest snowfall of the season!  The neighbor boys started to drop in. 

They must have smelled the cookies!  Having a snow day feels something like finding extra money in the pocket of your winter coat.  You aren't always happy about moving into the season of winter coats, but you are happy for the extra cash.

With this eventful week, I haven't gotten to the Oscar movie reviews I  promised.  I'll start with Inception.  Bobby watched it with friends and loved it.  He got it for his birthday and watched it with his dad and brother.  They all liked it.  I watched 10 minutes, was completely confused and bothered by the violence, so I turned it off and watched Ratatouille with the younger boys.  I love the music in that show, and my favorite line:  You're the one who was getting fancy with the spices.

Thanks for sharing our Snowday - Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What would you do with found money, or found time? Did you see Inception?  What did you think of it?

Meat Rewards

Quote of the Day:  In every task that must be done there is an element of fun.  You find the fun, and snap, the job's a game. One of my favorite lines in "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins.

Blogpost Subtitle:  2011 Spring Break Stay-cation, Many nights of Oscar films, and Boy v. Nature:

Between the time change and Spring Break, I had a hard time knowing what time it was, what day it was, and what to do with all these boys besides run back to the store for more milk.  I brought two of mine, plus a neighbor boy, to the Y with me for workouts at noon Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I thought they could use the pool while I went to my Group Power class.  That worked fine on Monday and Wednesday, but on Tuesday, we were all a little confused.  It was not a Group Power day, even though I asked for a GP card, and the pool wasn't open for free swim.  So, I did yoga (Tuesday is yoga day), and they played in the gym and gave me a bad time for not checking the pool schedule.  I did check the schedule, I just didn't know what day it was. 

On Thursday, I brought one of my piano students and her mom with me to a local assisted living center where we played piano.  It lifted me spirits, and I hope it gave them some joy as well.  A few of the residents napped through the concert.  Maybe we gave them some sweet dreams.  Up until that day, I'd been feeling gloomy about all the worlds' crises, and wondering what's the point.  Doing something for others puts life into perspective.  God wants us to live in community and live the best life we can, all the way into our sleepy years.

Afterwards, I brought three of my boys and three of their friends to a hotel water park.  That was our main excitement on this Stay-cation Spring Break.  They had fun running off steam.  I soaked it up.  My hair was poofy and curly after four hours, and I got a good chunk read of The Book Thief, very good.

Friday, was orthodontic appointments for all.  They weren't as excited about that!  In the afternoon, I got to hold the brand new baby next door.  She was born on March 15.  The neighbors had a really exciting Spring Break.  New Baby even got a helicopter ride to the children's hospital in Minneapolis.  That might have been too much excitement, but Mom and Baby Girl are home and happy and healthy, and oh, so cute.  Her big brothers, my boys' friends, are feeling all proud and wanted to show her off.

Then, we borrowed their ice chisel.  They're too busy holding Cute Baby Girl to chisel their driveway, so we (the Mom) decided to rediscover ours.

Layers of Winter were making life treacherous.  "Come on, boys!  You can't just sit there and watch it melt."

"Hey, Eric, go tell your big brothers how much fun we're having!"

Look! It's a family effort.  (Ok, I had to bribe them with meat.)

Just a few more shoves in the right direction and we'll have a path!

We Won!!!

And, yes, I did go to the meat store for two steaks, five brats, a pound of hamburger, buns, and more milk (of course).  We grilled up all the meat.  I thought I'd have a bunch of leftovers.  I was wrong.  You'd think a mother of four boys would know by now that the meat is the most important part of the meal/day. 

I helped with the ice attack.  I'm sore.  I'm tired.  I'm ready to get back to a "normal" week, but I did have fun with my boys, and all the movies we watched were great.  I'll share my reviews in a later post.  I've kept you here long enough.

Thanks for visiting.  Don't slip on the ice! And, Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a time when you conquered Nature.  What rewards are the best to you?

Jacket Weather

Quote of the Day: Snowball by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball

As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

and let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away,

But first - it wet the bed.

Here's a picture of our first snowfall of the season.  It was October.  We were excited.  It was pretty, and it was sticky enough for snowballs and snowmen, and it was fun.  Now, the driveway is packed with ice, as are the intersections.  A big lump has formed under my mailbox, requiring me and the mail carrier to lean down to get the mail in and out of it. 

Plus, it's darn cold!

Even with temps well below zero and a wind-chill advisory, and warnings of frost bite, this new driver refuses to wear a warm coat. (This picture was taken last year when he got his license.  I must have threatened him with refusal to pay for the license if he didn't wear a coat.)

Last year he lettered in football, so I got him a Letterman's jacket for his birthday, thinking, ah-ha, NOW he'll wear a warm jacket when it's cold up here in Minnesota. 

Nope.

Somehow, the wearing of the jacket has become a power struggle.  It started young.  Yes, he's a hot kid.  As a baby he wouldn't wear the hot jammies with the feet (cute as they are).  He kicked off all of his covers and ran around in t-shirts in the middle of winter.  He'd cry if I tried to get him to put on a long-sleeved shirt.  When he was in the 6th grade, he wouldn't wear his warm coat, so I brought it along in the van.  "Love and Logic" parenting guide says that if they're cold, they'll put on the jacket.  He refused to even carry it with him.  So, I threw it out the door at him when he got out of the van.  He picked it up and threw it back in. I tossed it out.  Finally, he picked it up, gave me a dirty look, and carried it into the school.  When I picked him up later that day, after a swim practice, he tossed it at me and said, "I never put it on."

I determined that he's channeling Bud Grant, former coach of the Minnesota Vikings.  Back in his day, the Vikes played outdoors.  He never wore a coat, often was in short-sleeves, had his players practice outdoors in any kind of weather, and didn't allow heaters on the sidelines.  Tough guy.

All we see is white snow, ice, and the occassional brown sand/salt mixture.  I'm longing for color and warmth.  How about you?  Here's a visual to give you warm thoughts.

After our spring thaw and flooding season, we'll have days like this.  Picture yourself there, now, cool glass of iced tea or lemonade, chatting with your good friend, watching the days melt away.

To get myself even more in the summer spirit, I'm working on a story today about my friend Georgia and her writer's hideaway on the banks of the Crow Wing River.

Journaling Prompt:  Where is your creative corner?  Do you have a warm summer memory to get you through cold, winter days?  Do you have any ridiculous power struggles?

"The Java Jive" (Ink Spots, 1940)

Quote of the Day:  I love coffee. I love tea.  I love the Java Jive and it loves me.  Coffee and tea, and the java and me...a cup a cup a cup...pour!

I first heard this song while riding around with my sister in her little Chevette back in the '80s, listening to The Manhattan Transfer.  Of course, they were great, but I found this recording on Youtube by the Ink Spots and love their true blue jazz style...m-m-m.  I find sippin' coffee to be invigorating and stimulating everything from creativity to conversation.

So, this morning, I laid in bed until the last possible minute, then jumped in the shower.  No sooner than the first blast warm water, came the knock on the door (no one needed me UNTIL the water turned on), so I said, "Can it wait.  I'm in the shower!"

"Mom," I heard Charlie, then words I couldn't decipher. I turned off the water and said, "Just open the door."

"How much water do you put in the coffee pot?" 

He was making coffee for me!  "I fill it between the 4 and the 6."

Water back on, knock, holler, "Mom! Which beans do you use - the ones in the red or the blue?"

"Blue!"  (The red is a weird flavored one that I don't like in the morning, and the clear glass one is decaf.)

The shower goes off.  I hear the grinder.  I dress faster.

"Thank you, Charlie," I say, kissing his head.  "That was the most thoughtful, kind thing to do for me."  I looked at the pot.  "How many scoops of beans did you use?"

"Just one scoop."  I looked inside and the filter was full of coffee grounds.  I added more water and asked him which scoop he used.  "Oh, the scoop that's the cover of the grinder."  Whew! That was a bit strong. 

Then, I went out for coffee with the Mother's of Multiples, our usual Friday morning coffee therapy session.  I could be dancin' "The Jitterbug" about now.

But, how sweet!  Also, my twins get up early, on their own, come downstairs, turn up the heat, get their own breakfast and watch a little tv. 

Being the mother of four boys has its perks! (wink)

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What gets you out of bed in the morning?  Who makes your coffee, tea, or beverage of choice?  How do you like it?

Style

Quote of the Day:  I've been called a stylist until I really could tear my hair out.  And I simply don't believe in style.  The style is you. - Katherine Anne Porter

Do you ever feel like you could tear your hair out and leave it in a pile on the floor like the above mass?

My twin sons are getting pumped up for the section swim meet this Saturday.  Often, swimmers will shave off their hair before the big meet.  Since my guys' hair was corse, damaged, stinky, and slightly green, I seized the opportunity.

The "Before" shot

Some changes happen so easily.

Never hurts to add a touch of humor, eh, Bozo?

They're easy to tell apart, now...but not for long!

buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The "After" shot

Ah, free, easy, fast and clean...wouldn't it be great if all our changes, edits, and pursuits were like this?

As Dori says in Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."  And, that's all the advice you need to develop your own unique stlye.

Journey on!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What makes you want to tear your hair out?