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THE WAVES OF OUR LIVES!

Having recently been invited by a dear friend to spend a week at a beautiful cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior, I’m reminding ...

Sunday, October 28, 2012

"LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE. . ."


Amidst all the noise and clutter and divisions involved in this presidential election, I’ve searched for the wisdom of nature and those who write about it and speak about it to calm myself down.  As Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”  I was especially proud recently to hear my granddaughter marvel at the formation of the clouds and the skies spectacular color combinations as we made our way to school.  I was deep in thought, but she was the one who noticed. 



 




 



 



 

With only nine days to go until the election, I’m reminding myself of what the American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” And patient I want to be, because life is full of wonderful everyday moments, as “corny” as that may sound.  Years ago I gave a special aunt a book I knew she would appreciate; it was called AIN’T NATURE GRAND!  She enjoyed the book immensely because she loved everything about nature, including the poems written about it.  She always encouraged me and my children to appreciate and wonder about the beauty of our planet earth.  Remembering her and her calm spirit, I’ve included some simple photos of nature I've taken, along with a few meaningful quotes.
 
"In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia."  (Charles Lindbergh)
"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." (Rachel Carson)
"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."  (Vincent Van Gogh)
 
 
 
 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

MYSTERIES SURROUNDING A MUSICAL GENIUS--BEETHOVEN!


Recently a book about Beethoven nearly jumped off the shelf at me.  I first saw it at a wonderful little bookstore in northern Minnesota.  I still can’t understand why it beckoned me since I don’t spend hours and hours listening to Beethoven’s music.  I do, however, enjoy his music immensely and have always been fascinated with his life’s story and the incredible obstacles he overcame.

 
The book I mentioned is BEETHOVEN’S HAIR.  I would highly recommend reading it, even if you’re not a huge Beethoven fan.  It made me appreciate Beethoven’s passion and devotion to his music, despite the painful medical ailments he endured for decades.  It also aroused deep compassion and empathy within me for the man who endured and whose music lives on. He was a true genius!

Beethoven’s life was not easy from the start.  He was a natural musician, but at times was beaten and dragged out of bed by his father, and was forced to play the piano.  Beethoven had a strong connection with his mother, who was much the opposite of his father, but when she died, Beethoven became head of his household; his father could no longer function because of alcoholism. 

BEETHOVEN AT 13
 
When Beethoven was only a teenager, Mozart listened to one of his compositions and remarked, “Keep your eyes on that one; someday he will give the world plenty to talk about.”  And indeed he did, having composed 138 major compositions. His classical music is loved around the world, and even during his time, it was viewed as revolutionary.  He was a revered composer, and when he died, 20,000 people were in the streets of Vienna, where he had lived for many years.

Shortly before Beethoven died in 1827, at the age of 56, he was visited by a friend, who brought along a 15-year old piano student of his, Ferdinand Hiller.  They visited him several times over the next few weeks.  Beethoven encouraged the young musician to devote himself to his music, which he did for many years.

When Beethoven died, it was Ferdinand, upon the approval of his teacher Johann Hummel, who cut a lock of Beethoven’s hair.  It was not an uncommon thing to do during that time period.  In 1883 Ferdinand presented the lock of hair to his son Paul as a birthday gift.  The lock of hair was kept in an oval wooden frame and remained with the family for many years.  During World War II it transferred hands in an amazing story and still left unsolved mysteries. The book shares many more fascinating details about that time.

Amazingly, in 1994 two American men who were devoted to Beethoven and his music had an opportunity to acquire that lock of hair, which contained many strands. Because of their purchase at an auction, extensive scientific studies were conducted on Beethoven’s hair.  The belief was that perhaps the public could learn more about what caused the many illnesses that plagued Beethoven, as well as his deafness.  After lengthy research, it was discovered that he suffered from severe lead poisoning, nearly four times the normal level.  Nearly two hundred years ago little was known about the effects of lead poisoning.  We now know that large amounts of lead can cause constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, gout, joint pain, headaches, lack of appetite, and even hearing loss and eye problems, which were constant problems in Beethoven’s life.  One of the questions was how that poisoning occurred.  The book reveals that it may have been a combination of lead poisoning sources, including lead pills, which were prescribed by doctors, as well as wine, which contained lead, and many household items.  The medications that were meant to improve Beethoven’s health caused it to deteriorate dramatically.  He suffered greatly for years, including loss of hearing, which became profound by 1800.  It caused him immense despair.  It was his music which literally kept him alive; he felt he had much to share with the world.  He expressed those sentiments in a letter to his two brothers in 1802.  Although the letter was never sent, it was preserved through the years.  It was Beethoven’s wish that his doctor would keep it and add it to the description of his illnesses so the world might better understand him. He hoped that one day the world would know why he suffered from such painful illnesses and loss of hearing. 

Near the end of the book, the authors, Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley offer this observation:  “Nearly two centuries after his death, it was clear that Beethoven had been exposed to a massive dose of lead, a long-term poisoning by some consistent source of lead, or a cycle of lead exposures that resulted in his lifelong illnesses.  Perhaps this diagnosis could even explain something about his deep emotional states and his creative genius.”

BEETHOVEN'S GRAVE SITE IN VIENNA
 
There are many more facts and observations revealed in this wonderful book.  The drawings are also intriguing and almost mesmerizing.  I have vowed to read more in-depth accounts of Beethoven. Perhaps the most endearing quote I find ever attributed to him was, “Oh, it would be so lovely to live a thousand lives.”  No doubt his music will continue to endure for a thousand years and more!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A SUPERSTAR IN EVERY WAY!


This morning I read an article in my local newspaper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune about an exceptional person, who just happens to be an NFL superstar.  There is no doubt that Larry Fitzgerald, who plays for the Arizona Cardinals as a wide receiver, will one day be a member of the Football Hall of Fame.  But far more important than that, as many of us have known for a long time, he’s dedicated to improving the lives of people around the world in countless ways. Yes, he donates a great deal of money to multiple charitable endeavors, but he also travels the world, visiting over 80 countries on six continents making life better for people in need.  He has helped fit children with hearing aids, dug wells and irrigation systems, and been an NFL spokesman for breast cancer awareness. He has helped tornado victims in Minneapolis, paid for underprivileged kids to participate in football camps, and provided supplies for them that they could not otherwise afford. His mother, who was a strong influence on him, worked for the Minnesota Department of Health and was also actively involved in combating breast cancer and HIV/AIDS. She died of breast cancer in 2003, but remains an exceptional inspiration to her son because of her compassion and willingness to give of herself. 

Larry Fitzgerald knows that he can make a difference with kids because they look up to him as a role model.  He wants kids to have some of the same opportunities that he did growing up in Minneapolis, and he’s tremendously giving of his time and resources.

He was invited by former President Clinton on a mission trip to Uganda last July. He knows that people everywhere look up to him, and like his mother, he has lived by example. He has also gained a worldly perspective and humility by witnessing the simple joys and appreciation of life by those in far less developed countries. 

At age 29, Larry Fitzgerald is an exemplary man who plans to continue to travel around the world to make a difference in whatever way he can.  No matter what team you support, he’s a superstar representing all of us.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

EVER WONDER WHY?


I must admit to a fascination with history and politics over the years, perhaps even a mild obsession, but I sometimes chuckle over the metaphors occasionally used by journalists and commentators.  I wonder why they seem almost frenzied when they get into grading debates and presidential candidates. Last night I heard references to it being “the bottom of the ninth.”  I know that baseball fever is in the air now with the playoffs, but a presidential election is quite a different game, with much higher stakes.

Another thing I wonder about is why about forty percent of the American electorate doesn’t vote in the presidential election.  It only occurs every four years and there are usually vast differences between the candidates.  A few days ago I listened to a discussion on Minnesota Public Radio with three news people from different countries.  One of them was from Australia; he found American politics fascinating, but mentioned that it’s mandatory to vote in Australia.  I found it interesting that there’s a fine or penalty for those who don’t vote.  I wonder how that would be accepted here; I have my suspicion that there might be a revolt about that idea.  Still, I wonder why so many people opt out of the whole concept of voting.

Putting politics aside, here are a number of other things I’ve pondered about.  I’ve lumped them together into the EVER WONDER WHY category.  These are just random thoughts-- things that have crossed my mind as I’ve been out and about. 

            EVER WONDER WHY car dealers and liquor stores often have an abundance of American flags outside their establishments?  Are they more patriotic than the rest of us, or. . .?

            EVER WONDER WHY the thought of jury duty has many people agonizing, including me, while others would relish the opportunity but never get called upon?

            EVER WONDER WHY there seems to be so little patience on America’s roadways, and at times it seems like there must be a “pedestrian feeding frenzy.” I see and feel distracted drivers everywhere, and have found myself guilty as well at times.
            When I become a driver rather than a pedestrian and park as far away as I can in a shopping center parking lot, invariably someone decides to park right next to me, inches away.  I do wonder what that’s all about.  At least I’m still getting in extra walking, even if my car has an equal chance of getting its door “dinged.”

            EVER WONDER WHY people sometimes walk around in heavy coats when it’s a warm, sunny fall day?  Just because the calendar says mid-October doesn’t mean that winter is upon us.  I guess that’s what years of living in Minnesota is like.  On the flip side, there are plenty of Midwesterners who walk around in shorts and t-shirts when it’s below zero.  Still wondering about that!

            And yes, I wonder frequently about people who drive into DO NOT ENTER areas around libraries, fast food places, businesses, etc.  I guess it seems to them like it’s no big deal.  Still makes me wonder!

            I wonder too about the elderly gentleman who recently entered the express lane ahead of me and just decided abruptly to come to a complete stop as people in the non-express lane motored on. Good that my father taught me about patience being an important virtue, along with being prepared for most anything.

            And of course, I wonder why chocolate is always so hard to resist.  Rationalization is the easy part.


            Just wondering what those thoughts are all about and what ponderings others have.  At this point in my life, I guess I should just be grateful for an active mind that's ever curious.  That little girl sure was!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

AN EXTRAORDINARY AMERICAN WOMAN--108 YEARS STRONG!


MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS
 
Nearly two hundred years ago President Andrew Jackson said, “One man with courage makes a majority.”  In reality, he could have been speaking about an extraordinary American woman named Marjory Stoneman Douglas.  She, more than anyone else, fought tirelessly and valiantly to save the Everglades of Florida.  She faced strong opposition from landowners and agricultural and business interests who wanted the Everglades drained because they considered it swampland, a nuisance and mosquito infested and wanted to build homes on it.  She took up the cause at the age of 79 and continued until her death at the amazing age of 108. 

 
In 1993 Marjory was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States.  She was once visited by Queen Elizabeth II and gave her a copy of her famous book, THE EVERGLADES, RIVER OF GRASS.  When she died in 1998 the INDEPENDENT, a British newspaper wrote, “In the history of the American environmental movement, there have been few more remarkable figures than Marjory Stoneman Douglas.”  She became known as the “Grandmother of the Glades.”

Marjory was a persuasive and eloquent speaker.  Her supporters became known as Marjory’s Army.  Regarding the Everglades, she once remarked, that “swamp” was an important part of the ecosystem.  She called the Everglades “a river of grass,” just as the native tribes did many years before.  In her 1947 book she described the world of water and grass and how it held “the secrets of time.”  Her first line in the book stated, “There are no other Everglades in the world.”  Her book didn’t take long to sell out and it got people involved in the importance of protecting the region.  Lawton Chiles, former Florida governor once said about her, “Marjory was the first voice to really wake a lot of us up to what we were doing to our quality of life.  She was not just a pioneer of the environmental movement, she was a prophet, calling out to us to save the environment for our children and our grandchildren.”

Marjory Stoneman Douglas was born April 7, 1890 and was an accomplished writer and environmentalist,as well as a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights, and the fight against poverty. She wrote over one hundred short stories for magazines and in 1915 she started working for the newspaper her father started, which became the Miami Herald. As a reporter she wrote about life and events in Florida in the early 1900’s.  At that time there were only a few thousand people living in Miami. She joined the Red Cross in World War I and cared for refugees in France.  When she returned to the U.S. she became assistant editor for the Miami Herald.  In 1923 she left the newspaper and branched out on her own, continuing to write and speak out about injustices that she saw.  She had learned to become a risk taker, just as her father, who was an adventurer and one unwilling to accept defeat, despite several business failures.  He also strongly opposed attempts to drain the Everglades and influenced Marjory in that regard.

MARJORY AS A SENIOR IN COLLEGE
 
Marjory was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was an only child.  Her parents moved to Providence, Rhode Island when she was three and separated by the time she was six.  Reading became a means of escape for Marjory and she started writing her own stories, the first of which was published when she was only 16.  As her mother became seriously ill, it was her grandmother who encouraged Marjory to become independent.  She attended Wellesley College near Boston and in 1911 she and her college friends formed a club to support women’s voting rights.  Her mother, whom she was very close to, died shortly after Marjory’s graduation.  She had been a talented musician.

Today, little more than a decade after Marjory’s death, there is a nature center in Key Biscayne, Florida called the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Nature Center.  For Marjory it  represented the importance of our connection and dedication to the environment.  Few things she viewed as more important.

One day I hope to visit the Everglades.  I’m certain that it will be a memorable and inspirational journey and Marjory Stoneman Douglas will be there in spirit.  She is proof of the amazing difference one person can make in our world.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

POIGNANT AUTUMN DAYS!


Recently after I dropped my grandchildren off at school, I drove over to Medicine Lake for a relaxed stroll along the lake, taking in the beautiful fall colors.  I had barely gotten started when a good friend of mine called with startling news—her son had been killed in a car accident a few days earlier. I grappled with any meaningful words to say.  She had gone through so much over the last few years, but this had to be the most devastating occurrence of all.  How could I begin to imagine what she was experiencing?  Having three children of my own, the loss seemed incomprehensible.  I offered my heartfelt sympathies and told her to call me day or night.

Early the next week I called to invite her to lunch if she felt up to it.  We met at a favorite lunch spot and had a memorable time with the little boy she takes care of.  She had gone back to work that day.  Then we drove to a delightful, quaint Minneapolis playground.  While her little guy played with other kids, my friend and I sat at a park bench and just talked for several hours about her son, the exquisite fall day, and our memories of days spent together when we both worked as nannies.  And there were plenty of silent moments, but they weren’t awkward; they were very poignant.  I will never forget that afternoon, and I doubt that she will.  We ended the day at a little ice cream shop.  When it was time to leave, there was a realization of what this day had meant.  As I drove to pick up my grandchildren, I understood the fragile nature of our lives, but the richness of it as well. 

 
 

 

 

 
Remembering my friend, I’d like to share a few photos from that poignant day and week.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

LESSONS FROM BETTY WHITE, A LEGEND!


BETTY WHITE AT A 2010 GALA EVENT
 
BETTY WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA AT THE WHITE HOUSE
 
One of the most popular women in America today is the ninety-year old actress, television personality, singer, author, and animal lover and crusader, Betty White. She’s been an actress for over sixty years and has won seven Emmy Awards.  She hosted Saturday Night Live in 2010 and was the oldest person to ever do so.  She’s been on numerous hit shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls, as well as Hot in Cleveland.  There’s an endless list of shows she’s appeared on and actors she’s worked with.

I have long admired Betty’s acting talent and zest for life, her infectious humor, and her unwavering support for animals of all types.  In addition, she has a strong sense of tradition, yet a real quirkiness and an ability to think “outside the box.”

Betty White was born in Illinois, but moved to California with her family during the Great Depression.  She wanted to be a writer, but discovered an acting career in high school.  She’s never given up her love of writing, however.

She still loves playing poker with friends, as well as games, and is admittedly addicted to crossword puzzles, which she calls “mental gymnastics.” 

Betty grew up in a family that loved animals and had many of them.  She wanted to be a forest ranger or zookeeper, but at the time she grew up, that was not a possibility for girls.  Instead, she’s worked with a Los Angeles zoo for nearly fifty years.  One of her proudest moments was being invited to become an Honorary Forest Ranger at a special ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.  It was a very emotional moment for her as it brought up memories of her father.  Betty has said, “I shall continue to work my hardest to spread the word that not only must we protect our wilderness areas—we must appreciate them.  They are an endangered species.”

Betty once admitted she enjoyed being with animals more than humans.  She added, “Animals don’t lie.  Animals don’t criticize.  If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.” 

Loving animals as I do, I find many of her comments heartwarming.  Here are a few additional ones:

            “Cats love you very much—they are just more subtle about it.”

            “I can’t imagine being without animals.  And there are so many older dogs that need homes desperately.  So that’s where I’ll look, and we can grow old together.”

In her latest book, BETTY WHITE, If You Ask Me, she also offers other important words of wisdom, gained from experience:

            “I think everybody needs a passion.  Whether it’s one passion or a hundred, that’s what keeps life interesting.”  Betty talked about her passion for writing. She loves to purchase writing tablets and notebooks, and says that it recharges her battery when she’s searching for things to write about.  She mentioned John Steinbeck, a good friend who would do the same thing when experiencing writer’s block.

One thing I’ve often thought about as I’ve gotten older and Betty expressed so eloquently:

            “One thing they don’t tell you about growing old—you don’t feel old, you just feel like yourself.”

And finally, a few additional thoughts from a remarkable woman:

            “You can’t get carried away with your image, because you know better than anyone else who the Real person is.  You don’t just luck into integrity.  You work at it.”

            “If you’ve ever lost a loved one, or witnessed it, you can’t help but see that the body is an envelope for the letter.”

BETTY'S STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
 
Betty will be ninety-one next January and she has no plans to retire.  She is a divine inspiration!