Magic Lilies

Every summer, usually in August, naked almost three-foot stems pop out of the ground and put on a show.




The long strap-like leaves of a few months ago have long been forgotten after they withered and died.




Yesterday it was show time again.



These magical flowers are also known as surprise, naked lady or resurrection lilies. The latter is an especially apt name.

Cain Park: Take Ten

Tonight we saw yet another group that we were not familiar with. The Punch Brothers, led by Grammy-winning mandolinist Chris Thile, blended traditional bluegrass with classical, jazz, pop, and everything except the kitchen sink.

Unfortunately, the show was plagued by the intermittent loss of the left speaker. When the band went off at the end of the sets, they learned about it. When they came back for the encore, they decided to go acoustic in front of the mikes.

All of us (our friend Larry joined us) agreed that it was not likely that the fault lay with the Cain Park equipment. Larry had never experienced it in the 35 years he has been to shows and I never have in the 24 years I've been going.

Tonight you get two videos to give you a taste of the variety of numbers they performed.

I May Resort to Violence

As you may remember, I power washed the veranda after a slight detour with the labeler.

I put the first coat of the solid color stain on Tuesday. The next morning there were small animal tracks on the first step. Fortunately, the stain was dry when he walked over it.

Today when I started to dry it with the leaf blower (we had torrential rains last evening), I saw that the dirty little devil had walked up the stairs and all the way to the door. Was he expecting us to let him in?

So I wiped up the evidence of his visit and put the second coat on.

If he walks on it before it is dry, I may have to resort to violence. Of course, not knowing whether it was a stray cat or the groundhog who tried to stare me down a couple of days ago will make it difficult to exact vengeance.

Just stay off the veranda!

The Importance of Pencils

A couple of weeks ago Lise was telling me about the search for the perfect pencil to take the third and fourth parts of the Bar exam which is the 200-multiple-choice Multistate Bar Examination. It seems that one cannot use a mechanical pencil, the pencil of choice for Lise, because it might be a scanner.

Now how could anybody have the time to scan the test? Perhaps one might know that there was no hope of passing so why not show up, scan it, and make a mint or, at least, a few bucks.*

Due to a longtime writer’s callous on her finger, she cannot use the traditional hexagonal yellow pencil that has been produced since 1795 by Dixon.

She ruled out round ones because they roll off the desk. She also knew that she wanted a matte finish that would make it less likely to slide out of her sweaty hand. It had to have a hardwood case so it wouldn’t break during a question about corporate law.

After researching (she is her mother’s daughter) all brands, she settled on two triangular ones: the Paper Mate Mirado Black Warrior and the Dixon Tri-Conderoga, black with a black eraser which is also triangular.

She reports that she did use both during the exam “but my preference is for the Tri-Conderoga. I like the lead of the Warrior a little better, but the size and shape of the Tri wins out.”

Let's hope that she is a winner on September 24 at 9:00 AM when the results are posted.



* Au contraire. In 2006, a federal judge ruled that a California bar prep company sent employees to several states to take the exam for the sole purpose of copying questions to be used in its course. Multistate Legal Studies Inc. was order to pay more than $11.6 million to the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Another example of crime not paying.

The Bar Exam

My daughter Lise survived the first day of the Bar exam.

Her Facebook post after the three-hour morning session: “One fourth done! Yay!" This session was the Multistate Performance Test which is designed to evaluate an applicant’s ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation. She had an hour and a half for each question.

The three-hour afternoon session was the Multistate Essay Exam. Each of the six essay questions is designed to be answered in one-half hour. Almost all areas of law could be covered. Basically she received a case file which she had to determine what laws applied.

Lise explained that during her bar prep classes, they were instructed to make up a law if they couldn’t remember the real one. They would get credit as long as it was legally sound and applied the correct way.

Her Facebook post after the afternoon session: "Alive... not sure about the afternoon - but I have 2 months before I need to worry about it!"

Just off the phone with Lise. She still has her sense of humor.

It will be wonderful to see her not stressed out about law school or the Bar. As she said, no need to worry about it for two months since the results aren’t due until the end of September.

A San Luis Obispo Day

Finally, a break in the oppressive heat and humidity! Instead we had temperatures in the 70s and low humidity. At 4:00AM the humidity was still 87% but by 10:00AM it had fallen to 48%.

My Sweetie and I always call these lovely days, San Luis Obispo Days, due to their similarity to the year-round weather in that central Californian town. The running joke is that we could have these days all the time if we moved there but we would have to live in an apartment and hope that the Big One didn't happen in our lifetime.

I have always wondered if I would appreciate it as I do here. These golden days are such a gift.

Now I just have to remember them in dark and cold February.

Addicted to Labeling

Who knew that a labeling machine could be so addictive.

My Sweetie surprised me with one this morning. I'm not sure if it was a reward for finally tackling boxes of unknown treasures in the basement or an incentive to keep at it. It turns out to be both.

Although my plan was to power wash the veranda as soon as it quit raining, that 6.5" by 8.75" electronic machine lured me to the basement. Soon I was turning out labels for the bins of Christmas ornaments; then those of the painting equipment and the plaster repair equipment. That led to rearranging all those plastic bins. It certainly made more sense to put the once-a-year Christmas bins under the basement stairs. Now my DIY equipment was much easier to access.

I think I might have ended up labeling everything, including the cats, but my Sweetie said that he was going to continue with the chipping. I put off washing the veranda and helped him. (Unlike the other day we did stop after filling one bag.)

After washing part of the veranda, I found myself with the seductive machine in front of me. Exterior Paints; Interior Paints; Wood Stains; Clear Finishes...sharp black letters on white tape.

The simple pleasures.

Cain Park: Take Nine

Despite the heat we went to hear Kathy Mattea. Last night we decided not to go hear Lisa Biales. It was just too hot to even think about going to a show in the smaller Alma Theater.

We are really glad that we made tonight's show. Kathy Mattea entertained us for almost two hours.

The video is one of the songs that spoke to me. (Please bear with it if it begins to buffer. It was okay when I first watched it. So hopefully, you won't have any problems with it.)

Kitchen Design: Third Designer

What a pleasure to meet with a designer who actually listened to us.

Bob had emailed us his plans late Thursday afternoon. We really liked what we saw and decided to drive about an hour south of Cleveland to visit the cabinet shop and go over the plans.

When we arrived at the shop, we were greeted by a young Amish woman. Later over lunch in Wadsworth my Sweetie and I imagined the scene in the shop. Amish men in beards and traditional garb creating works of art in wood.

Bob showed us around the showroom. The craftsmanship was exceptional. Then we began going over the plans. On the way down I had come up with the idea of a run of counter where the buffet sits now. It was great to work with someone who came up with even more ideas. We left there feeling that we may have just made a decision as far as which designer is concerned.

The only down side to today's trip was that it was too hot to have the top down.

Cain Park: Take Eight

My Sweetie and I both love to watch dance. We have been season subscribers to Dance Cleveland since 1997 and before that Richard and I were. We have seen many dance companies but tonight was the first time for Neos Dance Theater, a regional company. The program was a mixed bag with some pieces successful and others not quite making the mark.

For us Summer Night and Eight by Benny Goodman were the highlights of the five programs. Both of these were choreographed by the late Heinz Poll of the Ohio Ballet. The first was danced by two couples who are married in real life. It was an ethereal piece which invoked a summer night. Both the flowing costumes and subdued lighting were effective.

The second features Goodman favorites like How Long Has This Been Going On and How High the Moon. I had seen it performed by the Ohio Ballet a couple of times and this performance was spot on.

What a lovely evening.

The video is not one we saw but the couple was one of the ones in Summer Night. She is the mother of four. Enough said.

Physical Labor

I have never shied away from physical labor, probably the result of living on a farm until I was almost 12 and the Puritan work ethic our parents embodied.

Today I continued the chipping of the dead fall our urban forest gifts us with on a regular basis. Mother Nature believes in tidy trees.

My natural inclination is to work nonstop until a job is done. This has resulted in a sore back and feet. On one occasion it caused a neighbor to not ask me again for help.

With the thought in mind that I was a year older, I declared that I was only going to do it for a half hour. My Sweetie said that he would do a half hour later in the day.

56 minutes later he came outside to find that I was still at it. There wasn't a lot left so I decided to continue working with him. Over 30 minutes later we were done. At one point I had to walk around to give my back a rest.

After we had put our tools away and collapsed in a sweaty, sodden heap on the patio, I wondered aloud about when we would be unable to do it.

Suddenly I remembered my mother helping me with the chipping after Richard died. She would have been 80.

So I have quite a few chipping years left.

Shouldn’t a Newspaper Subscription Cost the Same No Matter How You Pay for It?

The paper bill I received from The Sun Press stated in bold black print that a 12-month subscription was $32.50. A 24-month subscription was $66.30 and a 36-month one was $100.10. So why would anyone opt for the latter two?

Since I pay 99.9% of my bills online, I type in the url for the newspaper and click on the optimistic yellow type. I fill in the form with the requested information and type in the security code, “sQ8e” and receive this message:

Client error '80020009'
WSDLReader:Loading of the WSDL file failed HRESULT=0x80070057 - WSDLReader:XML arser failed at linenumber 0, lineposition 0, reason is: System error: -2146697211. HRESULT=0x1
/Login.asp, line 1019


First, who in the world is going to use an automated program to order the Sun Press? It is not the same as trying to get all the front row seats at the Carole King and James Taylor concert.

Client error? I think not! It looks like bad code to me.

The reference librarian in me was not to be stymied. I threw on my Researcher Extraordinaire cape and went through another portal and found a working link. What’s this? The same 12-month subscription was going to cost me $33.80. Who was getting the extra $1.30?

Technology failed. I picked up my pen and filled in the paper bill, put it in the envelope graciously supplied, sealed it and put a Forever stamp on it that probably cost us 41 cents a couple of years ago.

Wonder what I can do with that 89 cents I saved?

A Full Day

This was one of those rare days when I needed to have my alarm set. Fortunately, I woke up about 15 minutes before it was scheduled to go off. I hate being awaken by an alarm. It makes me want to throw things. But only after hitting the snooze a minimum of three times.

So my day began at 8:15. The cats looked at me as if to say, “Why in the world are you up? Are we going to the vet again?”

We had a 10:00 appointment with a kitchen contractor to go over his proposal. When I asked him if things were slow, he said, “No, they are stagnant.” From 1999 to 2006 they were constantly busy and doing really well.

I looked at his face and saw the worry there. We talked about small businesses going under, primarily, because banks pulled their lines of credit. Without them they could not meet payroll or pay their suppliers.

At 1:00 WOW met for our monthly lunch and writing. It was an odd session. Normally, we are all high energy and loathed to leave after the allotted four hours. When the hostess asked if we wanted to write or have dessert first. I asked when we were going to nap. Easy seconded the idea and Lake allowed as how she wouldn’t mind a nap either.

Due to her cat allergies, Opal left about an hour early. The rest of us chatted for a bit; tried to identify a flowering plant of Xena’s; and decided that we really didn’t have the energy to respond to a second writing prompt. Maybe the continued heat was a factor.

Around five the temperature dropped. As I write this, my Sweetie and I are sitting in our screen house, listening to Tish Hinojosa. Time to play Racko!

Cain Park: Take Seven

This is the eighth year that GroundWorks Dance Theater has performed at Cain Park. Sitting in row B in the intimate setting of the Alma Theater, we were about 6-8 feet from the dancers.

Of the three pieces on the program, the one I enjoyed most was Unpublished Dialogues, a theatrical piece about Virginia Woolf. Amy Miller, who has been with GroundWorks since its inception in 1998, was riveting as Woolf. The setting is the day before her suicide. Four other dancers protrayed six characters of Woolf's life: her younger self, Vita Sackville-West, her husband, her nephew, and her two half-brothers. It was a powerful piece.

I wish I could have found a clip of it but the following will have to suffice.

Cain Park: Take Six

Wow! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is an amazing group of musicians. Every one of them is a standout.

My Sweetie and I really enjoyed watching the bass player twirl his bass while he was playing and dancing.

Note the Art Deco music stands.

Cain Park: Take Five

What an intriguing concert. The first set was pianist Robin Spielberg who introduced her pieces with anecdotes from her life. Neither my Sweetie nor I were blown away by her. Then she introduced Susan Werner who sang one song before intermission with Robin accompanying her. My Sweetie was not thrilled with her rendition of one of his favorite songs, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

During intermission we discussed whether we would stay for the second set. We are so glad we did. Susan led off with a couple of songs for agnostics since they don't have any hymns. They were pointed and humorous.

But of all the ones she sang tonight, this song was one of my favorites.




Here is Robin Spielberg:

Cain Park: Take Four

The award-winning band Cherryholmes was formed when this Californian family lost a daughter to heart disease and went to a bluegrass festival with their surviving children in an attempt to take their minds off their grief. When they got home, the parents put instruments in everyone’s hands. They learned to play completely by ear.

Three of the four children have amazing voices. The other one was too strident for my tastes. Here is Molly and Cia singing two songs we heard tonight.

Sifting Through the Past

This summer I have been sorting through my possessions, determining what makes the cut.

Some decisions are easier than others. A Texas Instruments calculator? Donate. A two-page letter from my younger daughter? Keep.

But the curious thing is that I don't understand what prompted me to keep some items. Floppy disks are not going to make a comeback.

But the weightiest category for me is paper. Am I ever going to teach English again? No. So I will donate all the stills from plays and movies and the head shots of authors, all great bulletin board material.

Then there are decades of financial records. Besides retaining retirement plan statements forever, I know that other financial records only need to be kept for seven years as far as the IRS is concerned. So why do I have two filing cabinets filled with them?

Every time I put items on the porch for one of the charities to pick up or shred more records, I feel the house getting lighter.

Changes

On July 4, 1986, Richard, Lisa, and I moved into the house I now share with my Sweetie. Tho it is the same house, it couldn’t be more different.

It is still a center-hall colonial with three floors. In 1986, it was painted beige with brown trim. Since 1993, it has been Cottage Cream, Newport Blue, and Luxurious Red.

In 1986, every room was painted beige, woodwork included. Over the years the living room became Williamsburg Blue with pure white trim. The library is a pale blue as is the second-floor sunroom, the small guest room, and my office. Another guest room is lavender. Our third-floor master bedroom suite is Swiss Blue and Jet Stream, an icy blue. The dining room has a Victorian wallpaper below the chair rail and a light rose above with a darker rose on the crown moldings and other woodwork.

My latest project was to finally paint the inside of the built-in china cupboard in the dining room and add lighting. Today I finished placing the last of the items in it. Now why didn't I do this years ago?

Biding Farewell to the Tall Ships

My Sweetie and I went to Edgewater State Park to bid farewell to the tall ships. They were glorious.











Is that a ghost ship on the right? No, just the Roseway that has red sails.



We may just have to go to Charleston next year when the tall ships arrive in that fair city.

All photos compliments of my Sweetie.

Tall Ships

My Sweetie and I headed to the Port of Cleveland to see the eleven tall ships that had sailed in on July 7.

They did not disappoint. We spent a little over an hour and a half walking past them and taking photos. Neither of us wanted to join the long lines to get on them for a closer look. Perhaps having seen one in Morro Bay years ago had satisfied our need to get on board. Tho the next time they come to Cleveland we are going to reserve spots to sail into port on one of them.

Enjoy.








This is the figurehead of the replica of the HMS Bounty built for the movie. Marlon Brando threatened to walk off the set if the planned burning of the ship was carried out. We have him to thank for having a chance to see it.



The Goodyear Blimp came up from Akron to check out the ships.




And one must have modern amenities:

The Heat Wave Is Over

Last night we slept with the sheet pulled up over us.

Today was a lovely day to do a little gardening, a little reading, a little lying in the hammock.

A San Luis Obispo day for sure.

Cain Park Arts Festival

My Sweetie and I decided that we would go to the Cain Park Arts Festival just to have dinner and enjoy looking at the art.

We did indeed have dinner but we also brought these two pieces home with us. The photos really do not do either justice.

And Today They Are Back

This morning the raccoon family had returned.

Even though it was over 90 today, one baby wanted to be really close to Mama. My Sweetie decided to name this one Rayna after one of our grandkids.



This kit was in the den looking up at Mama. This one is Serafina since she is always on the go.

And Now They Are Gone

Perhaps it was just too hot to stay in our tree. Last evening we saw Mama Raccoon and one kit in the hole and the other three were hanging out in various locations above it.

This morning they were gone.

How Hot Was it?

It was too hot to drive the convertible!

They're Back!

It was so sad when our family of raccoons left two days ago. We figured that there just wasn't enough room in the old tree by our driveway for the growing kits anymore.

This morning when I got up, I wistfully looked at the hole. There was a brown furry flank in the opening. They were back!

I said to my Sweetie that she was either off visiting relatives for the Fourth or she was house hunting without any luck. My Sweetie said that maybe she was looking for foster homes for some of her brood.

We agreed that she probably felt very safe here because all we do is tell her what a sweet face she has and that she is such a good mother.

We were worried since we had seen only one kit. Had the rest been killed or did she abandon them? Not to worry! I just watched Mama and the four kits climb out of the hole and head for the branches above their den. Welcome home!

Fourth of July Memories

34 years ago a Maytag dishwasher was delivered to our house in western Pennsylvania. It is still going strong and will only be replaced because of remodeling the kitchen.

24 years ago Richard, Lise, and I moved into the house that I remained in after his death.

13 years ago my Sweetie and I celebrated our first Fourth together.

Over the years I have viewed fireworks in three states and the District of Columbia.

This year I am sitting with my Sweetie in our backyard listening to the singing of the birds and the gurgling of our water feature while the fireflies light up the night. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Best Friends Who Are Family

What a delightful evening spent with our best friends: yummy food grilled on the Big Green Egg, laughter, and Racko.

Neither my Sweetie nor I had ever played this card game. It is the perfect game for the two couples to play. It gives the guys a chance since Susan and I always win at word games. Larry won.

I think we have to add it to our collection of games. It will be great fun to play with the grandkids.

Kitchen Design: Third Contractor

Today we met with a contractor who was highly recommended by our banker. She met him through seminars he presented to homeowners under the aegis of the Cleveland Restoration Society, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the old housing stock in the historic neighborhoods of Cleveland and the inner ring suburbs.

She told my Sweetie that the contractor introduces himself with the line, “I love the smell of freshly cut wood.” Since I do too, this may be a match made in woodworking heaven.

He is the antithesis of the two contractors we have met with before. He runs a small operation. In fact, he is on the job everyday. He also loves working on old houses and lives in one that is 200 years old. I think he will understand our 93 year old.

We have also been getting estimates to rebuild our front porch. He is the first one who offered a different solution. He thinks that his mason can jack up the sagging side which means not tearing out all the brick and stone work. Then only the front steps would need to be re-built. Besides being a much less expensive solution, it also would preserve the original 1917 brick.

We hope that by the middle of July we will have signed a contract and be one step closer to a new kitchen and a sound front porch.

Connection

Connection is such a simple word with several meanings.

I just spent 45 hours without an Internet connection but in those 45 hours, I made such meaningful connections with the other members of WOW and to my writing.

Our group uses the writing prompt method to jumpstart our writing. The pieces that sprang from the seven prompts were creative, riveting, funny, sarcastic, sad and always heartfelt.

But there is more to our retreats than writing; we laugh, we cry, we share ourselves.

As I wrote in the guest book at the Frank Lloyd Wright house we stayed in, we are five lucky women. WOW!