Tibetans' Struggle (how's your microwave?)

Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastary-IN-EXILE performed at Rollins. The performance ended with a monk's emotional statement about the purpose of the tour: 1) to raise money to support the monks in EXILE, 2) to raise awareness of the Tibetan struggle for human rights, autonomy, and, dare we hope, freedom. He reminded us that since the Chinese Communist invasion & occupation: 6,500 monastaries, libraries & schools were destroyed, 1.2 million Tibetans have been murdered or tortured to death, the Tibetan language is forbidden in schools, the Chinese language is the only legal language of commerce, & in the cities Tibetans are being relocated to ghettos as ancient neighborhoods are demolished to build high rises to house Chinese immigrants. This is GENOCIDE, and it is being perpetrated by our largest trading partner (how many things do you own that say "Made in China"??). There is only one way to escape from Tibet into exile: walk out over the mountains, risking frost-bite, starvation or execution. Last year Tibetan nuns were gunned down in a pass in front of German mountain climbers who filmed it. Why would the Chinese be so flagrant? Because they can, with no consequence, because we need their toasters. How can you help? I focus on two organizations: The Tibet Fund, which provides food, shelter, medical & education care for exiles, and Int'l Campaign for Tibet, which works hard to free thousands of political prisoners & to lobby for basic human rights in Tibet. I know, I know, there are plenty of horrors around the world. But, here's an ancient, peaceful, spiritual land that is being systematically obliterated by the people who make the appliances and clothes in your home. It's worth your attention.

Food for the Brain/Heart/Soul

Watching lots of movies on the small screen these days. The Lives of Others blew me away, about a Stasi agent & the artists he eavesdrops on. "That's the best acting I have ever seen", I said out loud when the credits rolled. Tell No One was cool: a French "Fugitive" with some extra plot layers. Angel-A was quirky & fun: a leggy angel, in high heels and mini-skirt, dogs a lost soul, well played by Jamel Debbouze, to teach him to open his heart to life. Directed by Luc Besson who did the original La Femme Nikita. The Love Letter, oops, a book not a movie ("When I was your age television was called books!" -- name that movie...) Wonderful drawing of the character of a middle aged control-freak flirt who owns a books store and receives a love letter that might not have been intended for her. Written by Cathleen Schine, whose Rameau's Niece I enjoyed years ago. Finishing up The Other Side of You, Salley Vickers, a psychiatrist learns about being true to self & life from a suicide patient. Interesting references to Caravaggio. I much prefer Vickers' Instances of the Number Three, which is on my top ten: well written, surprising plot, great characters.

Mom's Birthday

The sibs and Mom gathered to celebrate her 91st birthday at Snowbird Lodge in the Smokey Mountains of NC. Mom is doing great and bearing the burdens of aging with wonderful grace. The sibs had fun playing blackjack on the porch, counting on our fingers. Randy got her a digital frame which we loaded with lots of pix of grand children & great grand children. Randy has been doing a great job of keeping the wheels on the cart with Mom in SC. Snowbird has great food, by the way.

Steinway Re-born

My mother's old Steinway, 1898, was recently rebuilt by a great piano technician Debbie new in Aspen, Kevin Stock. It was the full Monty: new sound board, strings, a new Renner action. He also replaced the legs and the music stand with the style that was originally on the piano a hundred years ago! Most importantly, it sounds fantastic and the action is a dream. Debbie is breaking it in, practicing for three up-coming gigs!

Doc

We've had a couple of nice visits with our Santa Fe friends Doc & Lydia. Doc, a long time resident of Santa Fe, is a true raconteur, with great stories of the city and its colorful residents! He is also a wonderful artist, creating icon-like works of wood and hammered tin with enameled paintings. Lydia had an extraordinary career in show business in Russia and is a delight. They are true gems.

Graduation!

Hooray, Jessica graduated on August 16. Congratulations to Jessica for completing a long hard journey over the past two years.Two 40 day trips to Sagewalk Wilderness Camp, Oregon. 52 miles of hikes each time with backpack and sleeping in tents, the first trip in sub-freezing weather of January. Junior & senior year at Monarch: no proms, but farm crew, kitchen crew, & maintenance crew. We spent three days at graduation, lots of hugging, "sharing" and getting to know some of the other parents for the first time. It was a small group. Only five graduated from the original peer group of 14. Way to go Jessica! Each student made a presentation and Jessica sang an acapella duet, awesome. She sang a second duet with the same student. We are so proud of her hard work and all her accomplishments!

Santuario de Chimayo

We also visited Santuario de Chimayo, the "Lourdes of North America". Debbie quickly became best friends with the priest who rescued this old church. In a tiny chapel next to the altar there is a hole in the floor. People come from all over the world to scoop out the "miraculous healing dirt". So, I scooped and brought some home for my dear friend Angela, who is in the early stages of her journey of healing.