Wednesday, February 28, 2007

What Would The Dixie Chicks Do?

Recently I watched a pair of documentaries that got me thinking. One was Shut Up and Sing! In 2003, Natalie Maines, The Dixie Chicks lead singer, made a disparaging remark about President Bush at a concert in England and this documentary depicts the aftermath. It was eye opening to see the lengths a particular sector of America went to show their disapproval. Let's just say, the minute the film was done I went out and bought their most recent CD.

I recall seeing some of the news media coverage showing tractors driving over their CDs and people protesting them and hearing about radio stations refusing to play their music. Still I had no idea how serious it was for the band and to what extent that one fairly innocent comment impacted their careers. What's funny is without knowing there was any animosity between country singer Toby Keith and The Dixie Chicks, I recall being offended and disgusted by a song HE was singing on the radio a few years ago. It turns out that a bit of a war was waged between Natalie and Toby regarding their stance on Bush and the war and TK's ridiculous song.

What I keep thinking is would the moral outrage over that little remark have been so profound if it was said today. It's hard to face my international friends without MY head hung low saying the same thing, "I'm ashamed Bush is my president"... of course --I-- didn't vote for him, but hey. It's not a good time to be an American, I'm afraid.

At the art event I attended a few weeks ago I chatted with two of our local young professionals who were unaware of the fact that I hate talking about politics. It makes my head hurt. However both were fairly active and each in different camps politically... though one of the fellows was from our neighboring state. In the midst of the conversation an idea hit me: What if at the midterm we just had a do-over. A re-vote. How many people who voted for him would actually do it again? I just can't believe that there are that many people out there who would hold firm to their support of this guy. In fact, I would expect there are some folks who feel like a horse's ass for casting their vote in that direction and wouldn't it be refreshing to "take it back." Ahhh... well, we've not really worked this idea into our governmental system so I guess we're stuck for a bit longer. Unless Bush manages to make things worse and then I think we just go for all out impeachment. What does the man have to do--participate in oral sex???--before we decide he should hand over control of our nation. I guess one should keep his eye on Ted Haggard... maybe there was something to that relationship he shared with Bush.



That brings me to the other documentary. Jesus Camp. I watched this with my friend Tara and we both thought if one had never experienced church youth group, a youth missions trip, or YWAM the ideas put forth in the film would be very shocking. However both of us have experienced the world of missionaries and evangelism, just not from a pentecostal perspective. I found Ted Haggard to be very grating and when I listened to the commentary track the directors admitted that he was the only person who was truly abrasive, defensive and oppositional to their project. It was very evident in the footage that he was uncomfortable with them and perhaps he was afraid they'd go digging around in his background.

What I really liked about the documentary is the way the directors approached the subject matter and seemed to be really open and accepting to what they found. I think a perspective emerges, at least after hearing the commentary track, but never, ever, do they say an unkind word about Becky or any of the children. They exhibit nothing but respect for her ministry and her gifts, whether they agree with her or not. They were wowed by the kids and eager to see them in ten years. I guess I am eager for the same. I would like to know what happens to Levi, Rachel, and Tory. They were pretty strong kids...but kids nonetheless.... and I think they aren't even necessarily representative of your typical evangelical child.

What troubled me in the film is the political stance so interwoven in their religious views and the frightening look at homeschooling for religious purposes. I questioned how far parents and church leaders should go in "teaching" their kids. It seemed so one-sided, I am afraid there will one day be kids who are in for a rude awakening. Wouldn't it be better to teach them BOTH views... to give them the freedom to choose their direction and the promise of unconditional love and support either way. For the record, I have no argument with homeschooling, in general and would consider it an option depending on the educational opportunities available to my child (like if I lived in Texas, for example... I'd probably home school my child). One of the parents claims in the extras that "we don't force them" but in a sense they do. I've spent enough time with devout Christian kids to know that like most kids they do love their parents and want to please them and so wouldn't it make sense they embrace their teachings and strive in those teachings, never daring to question because to question would be to suggest that mom and dad were wrong or flawed.

Possibly the most chilling bits were the anti-abortion segments. I fear the foolishness that comes of voting in world leaders based on single issues. If the only reason one votes for a president is because of his environmental policies or because of his stance on gun control or abortion.... well it's not enough. All of those things rolled into one package make a candidate but I can see in ten years some 8 year old growing up and voting based solely on their stance on abortion. Of course I am sure they are hoping Roe Vs. Wade will be overturned before then.... which would be one of the greatest tragedies in America. I am completely and utterly against abortion personally... I agree with the kids in the film... I believe we should pray for an end to abortion in America but I don't believe that women can have that right stripped of them. It's a slippery slope after that and I'm not eager hand over my freedoms and step into some burqa wearing role in America at the suggestion of a radical religious group. (Do you realize it was not always that way in Afghanistan?) The part that is disturbing for me is how these children have no understanding of why someone might choose an abortion. And why would they... they are little kids... but without that perspective they might view some woman as a "murderer" or a "monster" with little compassion or understanding for the desperation she might be feeling. War kills too, people... so does capitol punishment... no one seemed too concerned about that.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Tasty New Recipe -- Colorful Bean Dip












Colorful Bean Dip
(from Kristen B. via Anna P.)

Bring to a boil & cool:
1 cup sugar
¾ cup white vinegar
1 tbsp water
½ tsp pepper

Add ingredients below:
Drained:
2 cans black-eyed peas
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can pinto beans

Dice:
½ green pepper
½ red pepper
2 jalapenos
1 red onion
1 small jar pimentos

Marinate overnight –– keep refrigerated Makes 4 pints

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Ommmmmmm

My New Meditation Bench

Our custodian at work made these beautiful benches for the yoga ladies. I couldn't resist. Is it wrong to indulge if the indulgence is for meditative purposes? Sure, I realize I don't do a lot of meditation... and what little I do tends to be on the television series Friends... (right, Ang?)


How It Works

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Daylight Deprivation Makes Me a Dull Girl

There truly is something to that Seasonal Affective Disorder business. I am convinced. It seems that every winter I don't notice anything is particularly wrong until spring starts to spring and I am waking up to sunlight. When the sunlight wakes me I am a completely different person. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde. I am whichever is the crazy and crabby one through the gloomy, chilly winter season and then suddenly I am the chipper, energetic, glad-to-be-alive girl who wakes with a smile. It's almost scary what a difference a little sunshine brings. Good news. I've been waking to sunshine all week.

***Note to self and anyone else who cares to remind me... I am NOT permitted to live in Seattle or any other places that tend toward overcast skies for a large part of the year.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

A Surprising Coincidence

For President's Day I found myself ticking off time in a most relaxing way. Curled up by a fire, reading.... much like President Garfield, I might add.... my book for book club: Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell. You have to admit, it is a wee bit eerie to have chosen this book and scheduled our book club the Tuesday after President's Day... it was by no means an intentional choice but as procrastination always plays a part in my reading schedule there I was remembering the fallen presidents of our past more than I have ever have in my life.

I'm enjoying this book immensely. I love the Paul Harvey "rest of the story" style that seems to happen at remarkably frequent intervals throughout Vowell's story. She is also a master of Kevin Bacon style connections. She manages to connect the O.C. TV show to the 19th century Oneida Colony in upstate New York which connects to Guiteau, assassin of Garfield... and of course it turns out Robert Todd Lincoln connects to everything!

And connecting it all is the narrative of Sarah Vowell... her views, her phobias, her chatty voice. When I mentioned reading this book, a friend immediately lept to the "current president" and speculated whether or not she'd address his level of popularity and whether or not there are folks out there eager to "off" him... that thought hadn't even occurred to me. Well the following excerpt, found in the introduction of the book immediately goes to that very place... read on.

"On the bus home, I flip through my Assassins program from the night before and read the director's note. Of course talking about the murders of previous presidents is going to open the door to discussing the current president. That's what I like to call him, "the current president." I find it difficult to say or type his name, George W. Bush. I like to call him "the current president" because it's a hopeful phrase, implying that his administration is only temporary. Timothy Douglas, the Assassins director, doesn't say the president's name either, but he doesn't have to. Clearly, Douglas is horrified and exasperated by the Iraqi war. He writes,

Proportionate to my own mounting frustrations at feeling increasingly excluded from the best interests of the current administration's control in these extraordinary times helps me toward a visceral understanding of the motivation of one who would perpetrate a violent act upon the leader of the free world. My capacity for this depth of empathy also gives me pause, for I have no idea how far away I am from the "invisible line" that separates me from a similar or identical purpose....Please allow me to state for the record that I am completely against violence of any kind as a way of resolving conflicts.

That crafty explanation slaps me in the forehead with all the force of "duh." Until that moment, I hadn't realized that I embarked on the project of touring historic sites and monuments having to do with the assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley right around the time my country iffily went to war, which is to say right around the time my resentment of the current president cranked up into contempt. Not that I want the current president killed. Like that director, I will, for the record (and for the FBI agent assigned to read this and make sure I mean no harm -- hello there), clearly state that while I am obsessed with death, I am against it.

Like director Tim Douglas, my simmering rage against the current president scares me. I am a more or less peaceful happy person whose lone act of violence as an adult was shoving a guy who spilled beer on me at a Sleater-Kinney concert. So if I can summon this much bitterness toward a presidential human being, I can sort of, kind of see how this amount of bile or more, teaming up with disappointment, unemployment, delusions of grandeur and mental illness, could prompt a crazier narcissistic creep to buy one of this country's widely available handguns. Not that I, I repeat, condone that. Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then again, he said that before he got shot."

One thought she adds after this section is that she rather hopes no one DOES to decide to assassinate our current president because to do so would make him a martyr as it almost always does. I am actually still reading this book even though we met last night for our book group and I expect to finish it soon... since I'm having trouble putting it down. When I do I'll post our book club post and perhaps include more quotes and favorite bits. For now, I'll say that it's evident that Ms. Vowell really respects and honors Lincoln. Her enthusiasm for understanding the events of his assassination and Garfield and McKinley's is contagious and I, too, am a little amazed at the interconnectedness of this world.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

On Thursday, despite my hideous cold I dragged myself out to a local elementary school to try my hand at puppetry (no pun intended). I had a wonderful helper, Rose and I couldn't have done it without her. She read the story of the "Three Little Pigs" and I acted it out using the puppets and when that finished just I interrupted as the Big Bad Wolf and told the story using a different puppet. We told "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka and it was a lot of fun. The pic is of a few kids playing with the puppets after we finished one of the shows.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Poetry Contest

Today at the absolute deadline I entered three poems in a local poetry contest and as soon as I did I noticed one typo and then discovered two preferrable poems on my hard drive at home. Darn. I hate doing stuff like this. I am not sure if I am cut out for publication. I feel a little sick at the thought of a group of strangers reading my poetry. I actually like all three I turned in but in another sense they are mine and I feel a bit possessive and fearful of the scrutiny of others. They are my babies and I"ve just sent them out into the cold without a winter coat or hat. Sigh. Well, the prize is $50... so money-hungry me is willing to suck it up if there's a chance I could win something. Wish me luck. Maybe I'll get really brave and post the poems on here. Don't hold your breath.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Well, I'm back... sort of...

I am back in my cozy abode... sort of. Last night in the wee hours of the morning the power went out all over town and for HOURS my place was without power--though it's all back on now, finally. That meant my alarms didn't go off AND I'd taken cold meds last night so I nearly overslept. And yes, I have a doozy of a cold. So much so that I went home at noon to load up on cold meds and sleep for a bit. First I made some homemade chicken noodle soup and listened to my new Lucinda Williams CD West. (I treated my sad sick self when I picked up the cold meds). Now, I plan to indulge in a nap and hopefully healing.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Be Back Soon.... am trapped under a large responsibility

Hey Folks. I haven't forgotten you. I've been busy guest-blogging over at Marci's blog. I'll be back super soon. I promise.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Quick and Easy Washcloth

When Marci first expressed an interest in knitting she insisted that all she wanted to know was how to make a dishcloth. I'd actually never even thought of doing that, though I have a number of homemade dishcloths I'd received from my Grandma or inherited from my mom's collection of kitchen goods. I decided to find a few patterns and try to make one for myself. This pattern was incredibly easy and I was able to do it using only knitting (no purls). I like the colors and have to admit it's almost too pretty to use for cleaning up spaghetti sauce or coffee grounds... but soon I'll have to break it in. Here's a link to the pattern.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

The Road to the Oscars ....

I believe this is a list of all the nominated films (excluding the short subject films in the documentary, animated and live action categories since there's no way I'll see any of those here). Usually one of my goals is to see as many of the nominated films as possible and this year I am sadly behind. The ones I've seen are indicated by the green. There are a lot on my list of "must see" films but I'm just not sure how many I can pull off by Feb. 25th. For more information on the Oscars or for a printable ballot, click here.

After the Wedding
Apocalypto
Babel
The Black Dahlia
Blood Diamond
Borat Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan
Cars
Children Of Men
Click
Curse Of The Golden Flower
Days of Glory (Indigènes)
Deliver Us From Evil
The Departed
The Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls
Flags Of Our Fathers
The Good German
The Good Shepherd
Half Nelson
Happy Feet
The Illusionist
An Inconvenient Truth
Iraq In Fragments
Jesus Camp
The Last King Of Scotland
Letters From Iwo Jima
Lifted
Little Children
Little Miss Sunshine
The Lives Of Others
Marie Antoinette
Monster House
My Country, My Country
Notes On A Scandal
Pan's Labyrinth
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Poseidon
The Prestige
The Pursuit Of Happyness
The Queen
Superman Returns

United 93
Venus
Volver
Water

*** I keep updating as I see them.. it's my own little checklist

*** the ones I've seen since the post are in red

Monday, February 05, 2007

Lemon Dill Dip

My current favorite recipe is one for a veggie dip. This makes snacking on veggies a real treat.

ingredients

3/4 cup non-fat yogurt
1/2 cup non-fat cream cheese
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
Salt to taste
Dill to taste

Cream yogurt and cream cheese together until smooth.
Add all other ingredients and mix.
Chill as long as you can stand to wait to allow flavors to blend.
Serve with assorted raw fresh veggies.

Number of Servings: 4


Fat: 6.2g
Carbohydrates: 6.3g
Calories:105.1
Protein: 5.9g

Sunday, February 04, 2007

ArtSee at the ND Museum of Art

Last Thursday, following a teacher idea share at the Green Mill on the topic of "Motivating Kids to Read," I attended an art show at the local museum with Marci, Dave and crew. The event was nicely done. I indulged in a glass of chardonnay and passed on the nibbles. There was live music and a variety of local artists on hand to show their work and possibly sell some pieces, as well. In this pic the kids are admiring the donations display that, true to the artistic theme, serves to recognize its beneficiaries in clever and lovely ways.

Friday, February 02, 2007

"...And they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room."

In response to Emma's evocative post on story songs I wrote a lengthy comment that somehow didn't make it on the blog??? I didn't have the heart to rewrite and so I decided I would just do a post of my own with a handful of other story songs to continue the conversation.

1. Sylvia's Mother by Dr. Hook

Actually, did you know this song was written by Shel Silverstein (the famous chidren's poet) who also wrote "A Boy Named Sue"! I LOVED "Sylvia's Mother" when I was young... still do actually.

Ple-ease Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I'll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell 'er goodbye
Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's packin'"
"She's gonna be leavin' today"
Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's marryin' "
"A fella down Galveston way"
Sylvia's mother says "Please don't say nothin'"
"To make her start cryin' and stay"

2. Springtime in Alaska by Johnny Horton

Or really almost ANY song by Johnny Horton: "Jim Bridger," "Battle of New Orleans," "Commanche," "Sink the Bismarck," etc. I love Johnny Horton BECAUSE of the story song element. (And the old country twang, I'll admit it.) But I also love it because when I listen to it memories of childhood waft up.

As I walked in the door, the music was clear.
The purtiest voice I had heard in two years.
The song she was singin' made a man's blood run cold.
When it's springtime in alaska, it's forty below.
(when it's springtime in alaska it's forty below.)
It was redhead lil who was singin' so sweet.
I reached down and took the snow packs off my feet.
I reached for the gal who was singin' the tune.
We did the eskeemo hop all around the sea-loon.

3. Rocky by Dickie Lee

This song is one my friend Cindy had on LP back in junior high and THAT is how I first heart it. VERY sentimental, but in that good 70's way rather than the Hallmark way of today. In fact, quite recently this song was mentioned at our wine club gathering and I was amazed to discover how many of the crew recalled this little number.

Alone until my eighteenth year, we met four springs ago
She was shy and had a fear, of things she did not know
But we got it on together in such a super way
We held each other close at night, and traded dreams each day
She said Rocky I've never been in love before, don't know if I can do it
But if you let me lean on you take my hand I might get through it, through it
I said baby, oh sweet baby it's love that sets us free
And God knows if the world should end your love is safe with me

4. Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley

I know there was also a TV show, but all I know is the song and I LOVE the song. It's a kick-ass song and every time I hear it, I can't help but grin.

I wanna tell you all a story
'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife,

Who had a teenage daughter
who attended Harper Valley Junior High,

Well her daughter came home one afternoon
and didn't even stop to play,

And she said."Mom I got a note here
from the Harper Valley PTA."

Well the note said, "Mrs. Johnson,
you're wearing your dresses way too high.

It's reported you've been drinkin'
and runnin' round with men and goin' wild.

And we don't believe you oughta be
a bringin' up your little girl this way."

And it was signed by the secretary,
"Harper Valley PTA."

Well it happened that the PTA
was gonna meet that very afternoon.

And they were sure surprised
when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room.

And as she walked up to the black board,
I still recall the words she had to say.

She said I'd like to address
this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA.


5. Where Have You Been by Kathy Mattea

Another country song... I guess THEY are known for their story songs, eh?

Claire had all but given up
When she and Edwin fell in love
She touched his face and shook her head
In disbelief she sighed and said
In many dreams I've held you near
Now at last you're really here

Where have you been?
I've looked for you for ever and a day
Where have you been?
I'm just not myself when you're away

6. El Paso by Marty Robbins

This song is another typical country story song from my childhood. And I think if I stayed in this genre I could name an endless supply of these.

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
Music would play and Felina would whirl.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
I was in love but in vain, I could tell.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Helps for How To Knit...

This week I organized a sort of "knitting circle--crocheting time--crafting hour" after school for any interested students. In the past few months I've discovered a number of students who are interested in "yarn arts" and either know how to knit and crochet or want to learn. When there's time in the day I've done some instructing and at this point the running total of kids under my tutelage is eight.... two others already know how to crochet and prefer that to knitting.

I passed on my copy of the Happy Hooker to one girl and she's gone crazy learning all kinds of new crochet stitches and brought samples in for all of us to see. We are still deciding if we want to make this a weekly thing or a twice a month thing but the turnout was good and the interest is there and in a school with limited extracurricular offerings, perhaps this sounds fun? I, of course, am delighted. One girl asked me "what is it with everyone knitting all of a sudden? How did this get started?" and I had to say actually, I think it's because of me. I believe when I get enthusiastic about something and show no restraint in talking about it and in this case, showing off my new yarns, needles, and finished products... I believe kids get excited too.

In case you, dear reader-friend, are interested in trying your hand at some knitting.... may I recommend a book or two that has GREAT visual instructions on how to knit... (actually, how to cast on, how to knit, how to purl, how to bind off, and much, much more)? A student discovered this book at the public library and I went back for the first one too so I could see where they differed. Chapter two in each is an identical informational chapter with great full color pics demonstrating step by step how to knit and I believe there may be additional skills offered throughout the rest of the book, if you are also interested in one for its patterns, I thought the knitgrrl 2 was a bit better in that regard. Check out the descriptions of them here.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin