Spring break is now behind us. I hope everyone is refreshed and ready to enjoy both work and play, and the season ahead. We’ve made it through another Wisconsin winter — though there was more light snow and cold temps this week (welcome to Wisconsin!). Students took a break from their day-to-day routines of books and laptops, lectures and classrooms while working folks and others have been to that sunny beach and returned home to see the trees bud and flowers bloom. Thousands of others, including me, have emerged from darkened movie theaters after eight days and more than 150 films during the 17th Annual Wisconsin Film Festival. Continue reading
Mixed Metaphors
Mixed Metaphors, Oh My! – A place where words, this writer, and readers play together.
When All Else Fails — Laugh!
“I know why we laugh. We laugh because it hurts, and it’s the only thing to make it stop hurting.” ― Robert A. Heinlein
“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” ― Audrey Hepburn
The past few months I’ve found myself questioning my behavior. There has been a lot of tragedy in the world while political and cultural wars erode our humanity and equality; most of it feels like it’s outside of my control or influence, or my awareness of it has simply become keener; my ability to remain in denial, diminished. Recently, I am more apt to rage against the machine and see the glass half empty, rather than look to what is good in the world that fills the glass ―and my heart ― full. This is uncharacteristic for me. Continue reading
Spring Has Sprung
Geomagnetic Storms, Aurora Borealis, Supermoon, Solar Eclipse & Vernal Equinox — Two Weeks Later a Lunar Eclipse — Oh, My!
Just when I thought celestial bodies were in equilibrium, rotating in space, pirouetting in perfectly choreographed and synchronized precision, the heavens — which normally provide stability and predictability in uncertain times — erupt in color, play hide and seek and chaos flares. Continue reading
What a Week It Was
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein
It only seems appropriate that on this day, Pi Day, March 14, 2015, I begin this post with a quote from Albert Einstein. Today is also his birthday, and this year there is a special significance. Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. This year, today’s date is the first five digits of π, 3-14-15.
Here in Madison, Wisconsin there is a more important significance to this day. It is the memorial service for a 19-year-old young man, Tony Robinson, who was fatally shot by a Madison police officer following his alleged erratic and abusive behavior which prompted his concerned friends and neighbors to call 911 for help. Continue reading
Back to Blue: Restoring Progressive Roots
As a poet and memoirist I typically write about remembered experiences, the people and events from my life, and the accompanying feelings. I often examine the meaning of those memories and how the people, places and things can inform my choices and help determine the direction of my path moving forward. I look back and reflect, and I practice mindfulness when I’m able (a challenge some days) and I visualize my future.
I’m also a novice activist-writer. I sometimes comment on issues that I hold close to my heart and reflect my personal values: LGBTQ and gender identity, feminism, civil rights, spiritual freedom, economic, gender, and class parity, gun control, substance abuse recovery, domestic violence and the protection and support of vulnerable populations including the mentally ill, homeless, children and the aged. Critically important is the intersectionality of these issues.
Occasionally I venture into and comment on mainstream politics which always seems like a minefield. This post is about the current political climate in my home state of Wisconsin. I enter the fray with trepidation. Continue reading
Valentine Blues
(Or, How I Learned to Love the Holiday)
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” — Charles Schulz
First, please don’t make assumptions about the content of this essay based on its title, or misconstrue this writer’s intent. This is not a, “Poor me I’m single on Valentine’s Day missive,” or, “This is a ridiculous Hallmark Card, florist and chocolatier’s, consumer-driven, holiday.” No, instead let me go on record, I like Valentine’s Day and all the accompanying hearts and flowers, sophomoric poetry, and dinner dates with a special someone. Some years I’ve been known to give, receive and enjoy them. Continue reading
Memories, Milestones & Musings
“Memory …is the diary that we all carry about with us.” — Oscar Wilde
Today is the last day of the first month of the year. I’ve been spending a lot of time looking back at last year and looking ahead to the new year. That journey has taken detours to the past and ventured into dreams of the future. It’s no surprise this month is named for the Roman God, Janus. As I recently noted in my essay, Legacy of a Life:
“In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, and thereby of gates, doors, doorways, passages and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past. It is conventionally thought that the month of January is named for Janus.” (Source: Wikipedia) Continue reading