Review of Tribes at The Guthrie Theater

Quote of the Day:  Two quotes from Helen Keller
Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.

Literature is my utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourses of my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness. 

The cast of the Guthrie Theater's production of Tribes, by Nina Raine. Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg, set design by Alexander Dodge, costume design by Anne Kennedy and lighting design by Josh Epstein. October 5 - November 10, 2013 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Tribes, written by British playwright Nina Raine, is a contemporary play set in North London about family, love, and living with different abilities. The above photo shows the entire cast. Mom, Dad, three kids, Daniel, Ruth, and Billy, and Billy's girlfriend, Sylvia. Naturally, they are sitting at the table, having dinner with Sylvia for the first time, and the drama ensues. Billy is the only deaf person in a hearing family. His mom, Beth, taught him how to speak and lip read. He doesn't sign to communicate. Sylvia is a hearing child born to deaf parents. In her family, it is genetic, and she watched her sister go from hearing to deaf. She is now becoming deaf and already knows how to sign very well because she grew up signing with her parents. She doesn't lip read very well. It is amazing to watch Billy's and Sylvia's worlds coming together and how his family reacts. 

This play, which is so much about communication, shows how hard it is for people to communicate with each other, no matter what language they're trying to use. The cast (family) is literally surrounded by words. The set looks like the inside of a library. Books line the walls from floor to ceiling. The parents are writers and readers. Daniel is working on his thesis. Ruth is trying to interpret the French lyrics to an opera song that she is learning. Billy is learning sign language, and Sylvia is learning to lip read and to adjust to another way of living and communicating.

Interestingly, the language that some of the characters use is crude, which could shut out and offend some audience members. And, yet, what is not spoken packs an even more powerful punch. While I wouldn't be comfortable watching this show with anyone younger than a high school student, I think that all ages can relate to trying to fit into all kinds of dynamics and worlds around them. In my favorite scene from the play, Sylvia admits that she can no longer hear the nuances of music. It is all becoming noise to her. Then, she sits down at the piano and begins to play. The family surrounds her, shutting out Billy, and as she strikes each chord, the books around them light up. It was fascinating to watch. It's like her music connected with other ways of communicating, and it made me think how one art form inspires another. Maybe, as one way of communicating disappears, another appears.

Tribes is a play for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood. It is about dysfunctional love, and how we all have barriers and ways of coping and loving and living. It is playing at the Guthrie Theater, October 5 - November 10, 2013. This cast is phenomenal in bringing Nina Raine's story to life. These six people: John McGinty, Sally Wingert, Tracey Maloney, Stephen Schnetzer, Hugh Kennedy, and Anna Reichert, really seem like a family with all its quirks and ways of loving each other and pushing each other away. The Guthrie has done well to bring this contemporary play by a female playwright to its stage and a new story for its audiences to enjoy and find a connection. Well done.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What barriers have you had to overcome?

Summer is slipping away.

Quote of the Day:  Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. Ada Louise Huxtable

Mr. Happy at the All American Motel in Custer, SD

 

Mr. Happy says, "Don't worry, be happy." (Or, was that Bob Marley?) Either way, I'm feeling that oogie anxiety that comes with the change of seasons, particularly summer. I got my sophomore son up early this morning and drove him to football practice. The fields were alive with athletes starting their fall sports. We bought school supplies last week. I'm checking schedules and preparing for fall. My big boy finally came home from Spain, a bit of a journey, but back safe and sound and will be home for a short time then off again to school in Texas. I feel like summer slipped away. Did I do everything I needed to do? Did I spend enough time with my kids? Did I get out and enjoy this gorgeous weather before the snow flies again and the temps are too cool to linger in the sunlight?

 

I'm reminding myself this morning that summer is not, yet, over. I can make the most of my time with my boys. And, it doesn't have to be warm and sunny to make a beautiful day.

 

Whew. Breath deeply and think about some of the fun things we've done lately. One is building fairy houses. We'll be having a pick up party at the Art Spa House on Tuesday evening. If you'd like to join us, check it out at Primo Art Spa, or send us a message at primoartspa@gmail.com. (We'll have cake. Cake and art, a winning combination!)

 

Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

 

Mr. Happy has more to share on Ride off the Page. We had a short and fun ride out to Custer, SD and back last week. It was a wild ride, see!

 

Vanocker Canyon near Sturgis, SD

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt: When does it feel like "all's right with the world" for you?

 

For me, it's when all the boys are home and my house is filled with their noises and love, or I'm with family on the farm or some other place we've all gathered. Also, when I'm traveling with people who really care about me and we're discovering new things together.

 

 

 

Mount Carmel Family Camp, 2013

Quote of the Day:  Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal, and give strength to body and soul alike. John Muir, The Yosemite

At Mount Carmel Family Camp with my boys!

I'm a Camp Geek and I know it. I've been going to family camp ever since I was four years old. I go there with my parents, siblings, cousins, and friends. Mount Carmel, founded in 1938, has been the summer home for many camper families. My mom went there for the first time in 1948, and was on staff in the mid-1950's. I remember going there with my parents and my grandparents. Now, my kids go with me and enjoy family time, kid activity time, lake time, new friends, old friends, and every kind of fun you can have at a camp. The coolest thing about a family camp is that free time is truly free. When the kids go to kids' camps, even the "free" time is scheduled. They said that they prefer Mount Carmel.

Water Carnival

 

On a pontoon ride with my parents

 

And, my cousin Angie

 

Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.

(or, so you think)

 

I think tie-dying is still cool.

 

How will all these garments turn out?

 

Super cute!!

Millie and Willie attended camp for the first time this year.

They are already looking at dates to attend next year!

 

They stayed out of the water for the greased watermelon game

(like football in the water)

But, enjoyed a slice of the fruit when the game was over.

 

They thought that the game of Drip, Drip, Drop and the little kids were the cutest.

 

Of course, the Mount Carmel staff was a lively and talented bunch!

The talent show was a hoot, as always.

Next year, we'll do another Aalgaard skit!!!

Millie and Willie vowed to make an appearance.

 

Mount Carmel is truly a place where you can play together and pray together.

From babies to Grandparents, there's something for everyone, and everyone has fun together.

 

 

The only thing missing for me this year was my big boy. He's enjoying a summer in Spain.

 

We thought of you, Bobby!

 

Thanks, founders of Mount Carmel, for creating this place 75 years ago! Thanks, Mom & Dad, for bringing us there when we were kids. Thanks, kids, for still wanting to go to camp with your mom and other relatives!

 

Hope you're all having a wonderful summer (or winter for you southern hemisphere folks)!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a camp/vacation experience with family or friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pan Roasted Corn

During the warm summer months I am always trying to find new ways to make corn.  A few years ago I discovered this delicious fresh corn salad and a new way to make creamed corn.  Both dishes have been crowd favorites at family gatherings and potlucks. After seeing a post on Pinterest that instructed how to roast frozen corn in the oven, I decided to start experimenting.

The final product was beyond tasty!  It was sweet, caramelized, and just a tiny bit spicy.  My family loved it, and I think it will be my new summer corn dish.  I can't say enough how much I loved it.  Honestly, I probably would have eaten most of it by myself if my family hadn't been around. Next time you need to make a side dish make this one.  ENJOY!

Pan Roasted Corn

Recipe Source: Jenn 

1 tbl. olive oil

1 tbl. butter

3-4 ears of fresh corn, kernels removed from the ears

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/4 tsp. salt

a sprinkle of cayenne pepper (this is all about your taste here)

pepper to taste

chopped fresh parsley

In a non-stick pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.  Add the corn, red onion, garlic, salt, cayenne, and pepper. Allow the liquid to cook out of the mixture, then turn the heat down to medium-low.  Keep on eye on it, because once the liquid cooks out, the corn will burn easily.  Continue cooking until the corn begins to caramelize.  Add the fresh parsley and serve.

The Biggest Little House in the Forest, Play Review

Quote of the Day:  There's always room for one more! Said anyone who's ever opened their home for guests.

Photo by Dan Norman, featuring Autumn Ness and Bernie the Butterfly

Autumn Ness uses her outstanding theatrical skills to tell us the story of Bernice the Butterfly, her little house, and her big heart in The Biggest Little House in the Forest by Rosanna Staffa, adapted from the book by Djemma Bider.

When you walk into the theatre, you can pick out sock puppets to wear on your feet which makes you feel like you're already part of the show. My sister and I giggled as we set our boots on the rack and slipped the socks on our feet. We asked the sock attendant to take our picture!  Then my Right Side Puppet tapped her Left Side Puppet and said, "Hey, wanna see a show today?" Her Lefty said, "Yes!" We slid on into the theatre, right behind the little guy making noises. His mom said, "No shooting noises in the theatre." You don't hear that every day!

 

This show is designed for even the smallest of theatre fans to enjoy. Everyone from babies to Grandparents were there. One little girl, Pink Tutu, was so excited about the noises, that she got up and told her Grandpa, "It's in her pocket." Later Pink Tutu collected the feathers from the pillow fight scene that landed in the audience. I heard kids giggling and trying to talk to the puppets. The boy next to us had the best laugh. What a hoot to have him in the audience. Some of them got so excited they stood up, or whispered to their moms, or handed out feathers to other kids (Pink Tutu).

 

Photo by Dan Norman. Autumn Ness and Millie the Mouse

 

 

Autumn Ness keeps the energy up and the kids engaged. She throws feathers, blows bubbles, looks at the kids when a new sound breaks in and another character tries to move into the house. It reminded me of when my mom would say, "Put another potato in the pot, more people are coming!" This is a story of adding more friends to the fun and sharing what you have like in The Mitten by Jan Brett or One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova. Where there's heart room there's house room. Isn't that the saying? But, how much is too much? And, what happens when your generosity is bursting at the seams? Go to the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis to find out what Bernice the Butterfly and her friends do!

 

Photo by Dan Norman. Turns out the Frog is a great chef, flippin' pancakes and everything!

 

My sister and I were thinking that's what we want to do with our Art Spa. Invite them all, big and small, worried or confident. We'll find room for all of you. Make a bed here. Add chair to the table there. The more the merrier!

Photo by Dan Norman

 

Autumn Ness really knows how to play with her audience. I can imagine many of them will go home, make their own puppets, or use their favorite toys to make their own Biggest Little House in the Forest (or lakeside, or street, or farm, or apartment, or park, or...you get what I mean.)  Joy and I are already planning our sock puppet day at the Primo Art Spa.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt: What makes you giggle?

First Ever Waffle Sunday

Quote of the Day:  You should eat a waffle! You can't be sad if you eat a waffle! Lauren Myracle

Waffles are just awesome bread. John Green
(quotes found on Goodreads)

 

My church closed and I'm feeling a little sad, so I said to my sister, "Let's do something fun on Sunday so I don't feel so sad about not having my church anymore." We chose to have our First Ever Waffle Sunday. We actually have grandiose ideas about Waffle Sundays for our future home of the Primo Art Spa. We'll call it Waffles and Words and people can stop over for these most delicious waffles and have a chance to share their writing - poetry or stories, or have open mic where they could sing or read. I think it would be a hoot.

 

For our First Ever Waffle Sunday, we invited Krista, the publicist extraordinaire, and her four children. Our waffle party had rave reviews. I'll give you a pictoral recap.

 

Here is the recipe for Liege Belgian Waffles with Pearl Sugar from Allrecipes. Joy's friend had been to Europe and raved about the delicious waffles there and vowed to come home and recreate, if not perfect, them.

 

Joy, preparing the dough and the waffle iron.

These waffles have yeast in them, so you need to let them rise a little before frying.

 

You need to form the dough, then put it on the waffle iron.

 

The waiting is the hardest part.

When will the green "ready" light come on?

 

We served them with fresh fruit, home-made granola, an easy egg bake, whipped cream and chocolate sauce (genache).

 

Everything was beautiful and tasty.

 

The company was delightful.

 

 

 

When this expands into serving many guests, we'll make up the waffles ahead of time. They freeze well and can be warmed in an oven.

 

In other news: Tonight, the Minnesota Fringe Fest will be doing their lottery and choosing the lucky 165 (out of over 400 entries) productions for the 2013 Fringe Fest. I'm #116. Does that sound like a lucky number? I don't know. I'll reveal the results on Wednesday during the Insecure Writer's Support Group post. Yay, I'll have lots to write about no matter what the results!!!

 

Now, on to creating, dreaming, and discovering.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever tried out a new recipe on friends or family? Are you in for the Fringe Fest lottery? What's your lucky number?

P.S. I'm a little nervous about the Fringe Fest.

Favorite Photo Friday January 4, 2013

Quote of the Day:  Don't shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like. David Alan Harvey, about photography


(This post is appearing a day late because I had problems uploading photos to my blog. It didn't give me the browse option to chose photos from my computer. Have any other Bloggers experienced this? I'm already paying the extra fee to use as many photos as I like, so why doesn't the browse option appear?)


Naturally, I couldn't chose just one photo from our Christmas celebrations. So, here are the highlights.

My mom and I worked together to make the Biker Chef a quilt out of his old Harley-Davidson t-shirts.

Gave my mom photos of her making things in the kitchen.

All six of the kids were home for Christmas this year. Mom and Dad were so happy!

 

I had a great time celebrating with my four sons, sister Joy, and The Biker Chef!

Bobby was home from college in Texas. So great to have him around and catch up!

Even Leo got in on the fun.

 

I wrote more about the quilt making and the holidays on Ride off the Page!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  How were the holidays for you? Any surprises? Were you able to spend time with loved ones? I hope so.

Potato Dumplings

Quote of the Day:  Dumplings are a memory food. Jane Aalgaard, my mom

We spent the whole Thanksgiving weekend at my parents' farm, preparing food, eating food, cleaning up the food, doing projects, and playing a few games. I made it a point to photograph the process and take some notes. My food focus today is Potato Dumplings, a favorite of folks of the Norwegian descent.

Picture me following my mom around with my camera and notebook, trying desperately to learn how to make the dumplings and record the stories that accompany them. The truth is, I don't know how to make them. Whenever I called Mom up to ask what to do, she would reply, "Oh, just come out here and have them. I was in the mood to make them, anyway." So, I did. The most I've ever done is grind the potatoes.

First, you peel the potatoes. For our Sunday dinner, "Dad stood in the utility room for three quarters of an hour, peeling," said Mom, which was approximately 10 pounds (probably more).

Then, you run them through the grinder.

Mom and Dad grinding the potatoes

 

Close up of the grinder. I have one just like it that I've never used.

I don't even know where it is!

 

Joy, dancing & grinding

 

Mom, preparing the dumpling mixture.

 

I tried to pay attention to Mom as she was mixing the dumplings. Here's her "recipe."

 

Start a big pot of water boiling with a hambone

Peel about 10 pounds of red potatoes

Grind the potatoes

Put in about 2 Tablespoons of salt (You need lots of salt.)

Mom puts in one cup of whole wheat flour and keeps adding white flour "until it's the right consistency."

 

"How much is that, Mom?" I asked.

"Enough flour to hold them together," answered Mom.

 

Also, if you have some leftover, cooled, mashed or boiled potatoes, it is good to add them to the freshly ground ones. They'll stick together better and be lighter. (As if a dumpling could ever be light.)

 

Be sure the broth is boiling hard the whole time that you're adding the dumplings. If the water stops boiling, the dumplings will fall apart and mush to the bottom.

 

Mom's hands forming the dumplings.

 

 

It looks pretty good to me.

 

I think Mom boiled them for about 45 minutes.

 

Serve them with ham, the juice from the boiled hambone, loads of butter, and maybe some vegetables. Some people put a piece of ham or fat in the center of the dumpling before boiling it, but Mom thinks that it makes them fall apart easier.

 

She said that the biggest crew she ever served potato dumplings was one New Year's Eve, back in the '70's when she invited Dad's siblings and cousins in the area and their families. Plus, all of her six kids were still at home. She couldn't remember the exact number. She served 15 of us on Sunday, more than were there on Thanksgiving. I said, "You probably couldn't even mention that you were making dumplings when you were at church today because everyone would want to come over." In fact, a couple people must have smelled the evidence because they were complaining that they hadn't had potato dumplings in a long time. We did invite Mable, our closest neighbor, but she's like family.

 

When they do a dumpling dinner for a church fundraiser, they peel about 300 pounds of potatoes. Mom's not sure how many they serve. It varies, I suppose, and they "give some away, throw some in the woods and scrape the rest off the bottom of the kettles." Sometimes, they stick so badly, they have to soak the kettle for a week. One year, someone had the bright idea that if they put a plate inside on the bottom of the kettle the dumplings wouldn't stick. "Sure, they didn't stick," said my Mom, "But, you couldn't get the plate out of there."  The pastor spent the whole afternoon trying to pry the thing off the bottom of the kettle.

 

Dumplings are the poor immigrant's food, like lefse and lutefisk. I'll have to take photos and notes at Christmas for the lutefisk post. The wonderful thing about food is that it is a memory trigger. It links us back to the old country, wherever that may be. It brings up cozy times of growing up and eating together. Many times, it is a special occasion that you're sharing with folks you love.

 

 

 

May your tastebuds bring joyful memories, while creating new ones.

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a food tradition.

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Quote of the Day:  We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment, but it is transient. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. If we share with caring, lightheartedness, and love, we will create abundance and joy for each other. And then this moment will have been worthwhile. - Deepak Chopra

Some moments are so big and beautiful and filled with emotion that I find myself pausing and thinking, take a picture of this with your mind. Savor this moment and remember where you are, who is with you, what you're doing, and how you feel. These are the moments that fill the deep longing for love and being connected and give meaning to life. I have paused in the frenzy of raising four boys and just looked at them, listened to how they interact, and admired the bond they share. One Mother's Day, we walked to the park. They broke into a spontaneous game of baseball, minus the bat, ball, and gloves. They pantomimed the whole thing. I sat on the bench and admired their imagination, and energy.

Last week at the Guthrie, I sat in the middle of the seven of us who attend A Christmas Carol together. Three of my boys were on my left. The Biker Chef, my sister and cousin were on my right. Everyone seemed so happy to be there, and I reveled in the magic of it all and the feeling of being surrounded by people I love, and who love me, too.

We did some things that are part of our new tradition, like walk out onto the Endless Bridge and take pictures, ride the elevator to the 9th floor to look out over the city at night. We ate together and shared memories and made new ones.

I am thankful for all the blessings I've received this year. What a full and beautiful life I have, filled with new-found adventures.

May you find joy and love with family and friends around a table filled with all your favorite dishes.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a moment that is like a picture, or video, in your mind.