Day of the Dead art comes alive at FWMoA

Near the fountains of Freimann Square and the sculptures around the Performing Arts Center is the home of the Fort's art museum, found at Main and Lafayette Streets. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art just departed from their usual fare with the recent exhibit honoring the Hispanic tradition 'The Day of the Dead'.

This is a cultural and religious tradition in Mexico, where it's a national bank holiday the day after another holiday, All Saint's Day (ASD is Halloween, October 31).

The museum used corridors and hallways to allow the erection of the altars, and these altars honored real people; soldiers and sailors, and one teenage woman who had died of suspected suicide resulting from gang violence and bullying, accord to the testimony to her on her altar. The altars are so colorful and beautiful. Sugar skulls and favorite foods and beverages of the deceased sit next to candles, pictures of the virgin Mary, and Marigolds.

Skulls have been collected by ancient people of Mexico for 3000 years, and used to symbolize death and rebirth. Skeletons are often clothed and hatted, carrying flowers, guitars, or other possessions they might be remembered by. I think the art is lovely, poignant and vibrant. The dead are remembered happily, humorously and with good spirits, so it isn't a sad affair.

I think the whole celebration is largely misunderstood by the average Caucasian American, who may see it as ghostly or macabre. But if one looks closely, one sees the Christian crosses, Rosemary beads, and pictures of Christ and patron Saints. One sees letters hand-written by servicemen (now deceased); their letters making it home, but the men did not. Individuals, school groups, centers for non-violence, and Erin's House for grieving children all sponsored different displays; each unique, personal and lovely.

Somehow I am really touched by the bottles of beverages laid out in honor of the deceased - do the spirits come back to be tempted by worldly pleasures of Mexican sodas and juices in bottles, the Cervesa or even tequila? Can a can of Coca-cola conjure a ghost? Perhaps next year I will be inspired to make my own altar, Hispanic or not (I am not). Somehow, though, it speaks to me, and it's fun to go downtown to the lovely modern architecture of the FWMoA. It's closed on Mondays and holidays. Admission is free every Sunday and Thursday.

Garrison Keillor rocks Purdue, Indiana

Halloween is upon us. Last weekend was time for a road trip out of town before the first snow flakes fall.  This year, we haven't even had a really hard frost yet, but may soon as tropical storms threaten the eastern U.S.

That being said, it's also not that easy to get to places such as West Lafayette, the home of Purdue University, from Fort Wayne.  Although there is much to love about sparsely populated, rural farmland, driving over it on two lane roads takes lots of attention and can be tiring.  But it is great to see the new wind farms popping up; not so great to see the decimated small towns reeling from the changing economy.

But the ever-flowing, peaceful Wabash river showed its lovely self often along the way, as a beacon of a trail; one that the Native Americans, trappers and traders followed.  We passed historic Indian war battlefields:  was that a win for the 'white man'?  Really?

But I digress.  Out of the lowly farm fields the roads rose into the impressive Purdue campus.  Lots of fraternity houses, a huge clock and bell tower, and students in shorts on skateboards in cold weather were to be seen.  We parked in a storied parking garage and walked to the Elliot Hall of Music to witness a live broadcast of Garrison Keillor and 'A Prairie Home Companion.'

WBOI in Fort Wayne, the local National Public Radio affiliate, had offered tickets to this event in return for a donation to the station.  We took the bait.  It was fun to see good-looking, white-haired Fred Newman performing the sound effects for the radio show.  It was much more animated than I expected; his gesturing and movements as he made the sounds using his various tools were dramatic.  Sue Scott, the radio actress who does almost all the female voices looked nothing like I had imagined;  it's sort of like reading a good book and having your imagination give you a picture.  Do you actually want the reality, or is it almost better to have created the image in one's head?

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club, a large group of college men, ran on to the stage area from the back hall and gave a lovely rendition of the folk song 'Shenandoah.'. There were many references in their numbers to the Wabash river, but no one ever sang "back home in Indiana".  Why - are the rights too expensive?  Perhaps it's too associated with other things, such as Indiana University.  Garrison seems to have a beef with IU; or at the very least, prefers Purdue.  Oh well, there's a big rivalry there, so some of that is to be expected.

Garrison had a funny bit about walking around on campus and viewing what one sees nowadays: kids texting and walking with their heads down, frat boys bragging about doing keg stands naked.  Typical campus life.  Sue Scott read a diary entry from a college girl (or was it a letter to her parents?).  I'm not sure, but it was about dating college men, and falling in love, enough to be happy being fed ramen noodles and drinking Tang.  Oh, the good old days. The men's glee club did "In the Hall of the Mountain King" - that's a great piece of classical music, and I had never heard lyrics associated with it.  It was well done.

Old Crow Medicine Show was the guest band:  they did some rousing bluegrass numbers and a couple thoughtful numbers; one named 'Levi', and one called 'Ways of Man': one of these was about an Iraqi war veteran who had come home to West Virginia, I do believe.  The banjo picking, fiddle playing, string band was a perfect fit for the style of the prairie show.

Garrison did "News from Lake Wobegon" without any notes.  He really is an old-style story teller.  He said he had 'autism' when he was a kid, but nobody called it that then, and he was fine, happy. Yes, he's a little odd, and meanders around the stage almost like he's lost or doesn't know where to go, but he's also brilliant at what he does.  My husband simply said he's walking around his 'office.' That's about right.  It was a rough drive home in the dark through those four-way stops back to I-69 and home in Fort Wayne, but I'm glad I saw Garrison one more time before one of us is here no longer.

What Comes Next for our Disabled Friends

When you have a child with a disability, you often find yourself treading water in a Tsunami of a world, trying to find trees or telephone phones to cling on to.  It's great when a group of service providers come together to put the telephone poles in one place. Schools are one great place to help kids make progress, but a publicly provided education doesn't go on indefinitely.

People with disabilities are eligible by law to stay in high school through the age of 22. That's a good thing for those who are still learning and doing well in the school environment. But there comes a time when we all must leave school eventually and go out into the world of work. This must be daunting for people with disabilities, and confusing regarding what choices to make by their parents.

Indiana-Purdue University in Fort Wayne (IPFW) recently sponsored a Transition Fair on their campus for young men and women who will be soon leaving high school. The Walb Memorial Union, pictured above, was a nice, spacious venue for the event. Many area providers of services showed up with their display booths to talk about what they can contribute to this endeavor.

The Autism Society of Indiana was represented by a parent of two boys with autism. This cheerful mom put a face on the real concerns of more and more diagnoses of this affliction. The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 88 children in the U.S. has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It's five times more common in boys (1 in 54) than girls (1 in 252). Scientists are trying to zero in on causes of autism, and sound an alarm on the number of toxic chemicals in our environment leading to a possible causation. These chemicals include lead, mercury, PCBs, pesticides, engine exhaust, and flame retardants.

Infection and inflammatory response by the woman's body during pregnancy, age of father, and genetic factors are all being studied as possible contributors to autism. I saw the great mom answering questions and providing literature at her booth while her lively sons bounced balls off lockers in the college hallway. One look at this mother and it was obvious what a terrific, brave parent she was, and how well she was standing up to the job the universe had given her. We must all be more aware, and stand up to help as well.

LIFE Adult Day Academy was there, a place on Homestead Road in Fort Wayne, which has been in business since 2010. It does creative skill development without relying on large group work activities; something at which not all clients are able to be successful. Bevaun Graves, the Academy Director was there, and I was impressed at how he had broken out of the big agency approach and had created his own program. Sometimes you meet someone who seems lit from within and exudes a peaceful passion; I could be wrong but that was my impression of him.

Advocacy Links was represented. For a time in our state there was one case management service authorized by the state system; now that system has been opened up for competitive providers and smaller companies, and individuals are getting in the game. It's good for consumers and parents to have more choices out there. 

Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a  faith-based organization, had staff available to talk about the respite care they provide at their facility on Vance Avenue in Fort Wayne. They had photos displayed of private bedrooms and their activity area, which have all been furnished with new flat screens and DVD players. A nice big kitchen as well made the place look like an inviting place for a disabled individual to stay.

Goodwill Industries hires people with disabilities, and I enjoyed talking to their staff. Although I said our family couldn't really use their vocational services, the rep went out of her way to thank me when I said I donated things to Goodwill and shopped at their stores with my daughter. The woman said without those donations and shopping from folks such as us, they wouldn't be able to provide the employment programs. I also told her Goodwill has a great television advertising campaign. Most TV commercials are annoying, made with huge budgets, but the local Goodwill ones are clever and look like they could be produced on a shoestring. It's all about talent and good writing, is it not?

A transition planning handbook was provided by the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services to help families figure out what they need to do as a child ages through high school and turns age of 18. A simple checklist like this helps a parent make sure they have covered all the bases. The things that need to be done simply don't happen automatically.

Of course the big agencies were represented, and many of these do a great job. We locals know who they are, so I won't take up more space about their services here. I will say I admire people who go into this type of work; in many cases our society doesn't seem to honor them and the sacrifices that they make for others, but these good people continue to strive on tirelessly and selflessly. You caring professionals - you, and your charges know who you are and the great jobs you do. Hats off to you. Namaste.

March of Dimes Auction Makes Giving Fun

One of my favorite things about this time of year is stumbling upon all the fire bushes, or burning bushes, as they turn their scarlet colors. I want to photograph them everywhere. The ones here, seen near the Allen/Dekalb/Noble county lines, seem to march themselves down the side of the county road.

We took part in another march of sorts recently - a charity auction for the March of Dimes. Held at the lovely Orchard Ridge Country Club, it was a 'signature chefs' auction, featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres from some of Fort Wayne's best restaurants.

While guests walked around and looked at silent auction items for which to write bids, they were able to sample bits of many savory foods. Catablu, Granite City, Calhoun St. Soups-Salads-and Spirits, Chop's Steaks and Seafood, and Casa Ristoranti Italiano were a few of the restaurants that offered snacks and also donated dinner packages for auction.

A pediatrician from DeKalb Health (the new name for their hospital) bid up a 'cookie of the month' club package from Blondie's Cookies. I won something for which I had bid on in the silent auction - an artist's rendering of my favorite sculpture: Cloud Gate, "the bean," the giant iconic piece in Chicago's Grant Park. It's a dark print with a glowing reflection of the Chicago skyline reflected in the giant bean. I love it, but it came in a cheapish plastic frame that I am planning to replace.

March of Dimes was originally a charity to help prevent birth defects. Remember when moms and kids would walk around neighborhoods, trying to collect dimes in paper envelopes? Fundraising has changed, and so has much of the focus of this charity. Although the organization still works on preventative care, much of the focus is now on improving the progress of premature babies.

Not long ago, a baby born at 28 weeks had only a 50 percent chance of survival. It was likely the baby would have chronic lung problems and perhaps neurological problems. March of Dimes' research led to the development of surfactant therapy; the use of some kinds of steroids to help a premature baby's lungs deal with life outside the womb. Now many babies leave NICUs healthier, earlier, and with better chances of avoiding life-long complications.

But more about the event. After the silent auction, snacks, and cocktails, came the live auction. If you've never been to an upscale charity auction, it can be quite a kick. An attendee experiences rapid-fire auction calling, with the auctioneer's assistants running around working the room, and guests outbid each other for desirable packages.

At this auction were donated trip packages, large group parties at restaurants, 18 holes of golf and lunch at the country club, and a Colts football game, dinner and hotel package. Having only attended one Colts game in our lives, we were interested in winning the Colts tickets.

I felt like some of the most generous bidders went for the "fund the mission" project. One received no freebies with this bid. All of the proceeds on this deal go simply straight to research and were 100% tax deductible. I found myself applauding for our generous friends who gave to this and took home no bling in return. You know who you are and here today I thank you silently, with tears welling up in my eyes.

We got to meet a healthy, thriving "preemie;" she is now two years old, just a little small and quite a pistol. Her parents stood up front and told the story about delivering her at Lutheran Hospital at just 24 weeks into the pregnancy. There's nothing like putting a real face in front of a crowd to make the story come to heart.
 
Orchard Ridge and March of Dimes did a nice job with this event; they rounded up some enticing donations and found some firecracker auctioneers. I'm not all that impressed with some charities, but I think March of Dimes has done a nice job reinventing itself, and finding ways to successfully move forward into the future.

The Gorgeous Allen County Courthouse

The Allen County Courthouse is an amazing building. Construction began on it in 1897, and it was finished in 1902. It's breathtaking with lovely Italian marble, limestone, and Vermont granite features.

There are giant murals by Charles Holloway, columns, bas-reliefs and art glass. A seven-year restoration was completed on the building in 2002. The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.

When it was nominated for these awards, the nominating committee said the combination of Greek, Roman and Renaissance influences reflected the exuberance and ambition of late 19th Century America.

We were in the courthouse to obtain the guardianship of a disabled child. Without it, for a person such as this at 18, there is no authority to speak for the person if they have to make medical decisions or are hospitalized.

One must go through a metal detector to enter the courthouse. The process is much like going through security in an airport. One must empty one's pockets, and you can't take a camera or cell phone into the building at all. I'm sure this must be very difficult for people who are totally connected to their phones 24 hours a day, as so many people are now. I found it refreshing; like the good old days that weren't that long ago.

As for the hearing itself, unfortunately, our lawyer had laryngitis. She said she didn't feel sick, and she had never had it before. But it had left her completely unable to speak. The magistrate was really good about the situation, and allowed the lawyer for the disabled person (yes, two lawyers were required for this) to do all the questioning. It was unusual, but it worked; we got through it, and we were granted the guardianship.

I love the beautiful building, the marble staircases, and all the helpful people we ran into that day. My pictures here are not that good, copied with my iPod from a website, but you can look for photos on the Internet to see more of the lovely art and art glass windows.

Our lawyer was very kind, and sent me this quote after the hearing: 'Faith is believing that one of two things will happen - that there will be something solid for you to stand on, or that you will be taught to fly.' I had never heard that statement before, and it was quite fitting.

A Poem: Summer is Leaving

Today the leaves are showing pale undersides, like frightened rabbits or fleeing whitetail deer. Wind currents transform the leaves into shaky jazz hands, shimmying up and down the tree.

Undersides of green willows are silver, nodding and bowing to the gusts as they pass. Bird feeders rock with their own rhythm.

What are these cut flowers at my table? Diminutive sunflowers? Giant black-eyed Susans? They wilt sadly, hunched over, looking as though they just exhaled a big, draining sigh. The clouds are a low dense layer of cotton to be pulled out of a package and thrown away.

There will be no sunset tonight. Complainers whine about ninety-degree heat and drought all summer, and are now so sorry they complained. Yes, we are fickle. The things we think are important; so often, so simply, are not.

The ice maker chinks out the frozen crescents with clockwork timing. Ice rocks out against the freezer door. As predictable as a church bell tolling, it awakens me into the practical moment.

And now it is night. Loved ones are far away. I poke myself in the eye with the spigot faucet when I drink from it in the dark. Then I am up early; not able to sleep after five a.m.

Summer is gone, and dark takes over more than half of the day. I finish my poem, awaiting the light of dawn.

October Moon

The fish skim the surface of the water sieving bugs. Their disturbance of this platter reflects the moon's light, causing glitter where everything else is smooth.

From where are you viewing this same full moon? Is it rising in your sky too?

I remember my friend, heart breaking, clutching on to me for dear life. Hands and arms clinging so tightly, sobbing, crying with paralyzing grief. I was so young, I had never been the strong one before. How many months and years of full moons have passed since then?

Jupiter shields the Earth from asteroids, taking hit after hit that explode on its surface. Starbursts of light become fireworks as Earthlings watch safely through their telescopes. I was Jupiter, trying to be the grief shield for my friend. I was the child that had become the caretaker. I wanted to block, absorb any hurts. But I could not - I had to stand helplessly and watch the waves of pain crash in over and over again.

Now it's my turn. Endless hurts, shouting, chaos, tinnitus a constant companion my every waking moment.

The night passes. The moon tracks across the sky on its legless trek. Early morning, there are no sparkles on the water. In the same secret spot, mists rises in a column and fish languish. A pair of geese fly in; from the side they look like SST aircraft.

The moment is over. The glittering surface, the memory of grief - buried for now, precious, waiting to rise again as the moon will rise.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

At some point one must leave home as did Dorothy, to explore the world and then return. Several times a year I travel from Fort Wayne to see some sights I can see within a day's drive. A dear friend from Chicago asked a group of us to join her in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and so I made the five-hour drive over the summer for a weekend retreat.

There is a charming downtown in Lake Geneva, with lots of artistic shopping opportunities and tasty dining. The lake is ringed in private homes and huge estates, yet is accessible and friendly for all types of folks. If you want to hike a trail, swim at the beach or have an expensive spa treatment, you can find it here.

The photo above was taken of a private home, one of hundreds that rings the lake. What a beautiful, grand home it is, with several stories, balconies, and a turret. We saw this and many others when we walked on a trail around the lake. Runners and bikers also used the simple trail.

Glaciers formed the lake basin long before the United States was a country, and Native Americans fished its waters. It was called "muck-suck" by the Indians, and then Big Foot, named after a Pottawatomi chief. An early English settler, after skirmishes over land and water rights, called the place Geneva after his former home in New York. Grist mills and saw mills were built to utilize the available water power.

In the late 1800s, the town became a popular destination and retreat for residents of Chicago. Railroad access made this possible for the captains of industry and other people of means. Founders of companies such as Morton Salt and Wrigley chewing gum built mansions and large homes around the lake.

When you visit the town of Lake Geneva, one of the most visible landmarks is what looks like a grand Victorian turreted home or small castle. The Baker House was built as a summer resident in 1885. Robert Hall Baker built this 17,000 square foot, 30-room, Queen Anne-style, turreted mansion that was once a summer home; then it was a school dorm, sanitarium, and Speakeasy. Now it's a hotel and restaurant listed on the National Registrar of Historic Sites. It's a luxurious inn with a restaurant, 13 fireplaces, and floor to ceiling hand-carved mantles with rare tiles.

Lake Geneva was a haven for Al Capone and other mobsters for a while early in the 20th century. Hugh Hefner built his first Playboy Resort here, which then closed in 1981. It's now the elaborate and expensive Grand Geneva Resort. One of the best things to do here is take a tour of the lake by boat (or "yacht"). These lake cruises on double-decker steamers and lovely wooden boats have guides, narrators and refreshments on board.

Below are some of the mansions one can see: "The Oaks" - Dr. Phillip Maxwell built the oldest mansion there, now called Golden Oaks Mansion. "Black Point" has a distinctive four-story tower. This place could only be reached by steamboat when it was first built. Guests were ferried over once a week and then returned a week or two later. Stone Manor is a gigantic 18,000 foot Italian palace which is visible nearly anywhere along the lake. Once a private mansion, now it houses condominiums. It almost looks like a small city in itself.

Many more interesting estates ring the lake. They have wonderful names, such as House in the Woods, Maple Lawns, and Green Gables. Powerful men such as Montgomery Ward and Sears built the place up and it remains for the rest of us to see. There is a large university observatory telescope belonging to the U. of Chicago that we didn't visit, but it's quite impressive. Yerkes Observatory was established in 1897 and houses a big telescope at a 77-acre, park-like site.  It's open to the public for tours on Saturdays, and offers different programs such as family viewing nights and professional development for teachers.

Lake Geneva was charming, with something for everyone. It's a little too far to be a regular retreat for folks from Fort Wayne, but worth a visit sometime.  It would be just right for a weekend getaway, or a week-long summer retreat. It's not really a water ski lake, but it's good for socializing, people watching, and site-seeing. Several golf courses are there, and lots of hotels, retirement villages, and condos.  If you live in Chicago or somewhere near, definitely check it out sometime.

Sauder Village recreates old farm life

In the middle of miles and miles of farm fields in northwestern Ohio lies a collection of authenticated wigwams and tepees, farm buildings and old towns, snack shops and craft stores. This compilation of culture is a close approximation of what it was like to live a pioneer life. Although this kind of themed educational park is not my usual cup of tea, my jaded self was fascinated. The creator of and collector for this place has done such a great job.

Sauder Village is this reproduction of historic culture in Northwestern Ohio. When the United States was first a nation, this area of the country was part of the Great Black Swamp. Not until much of the rest of the United States was settled, was the swamp drained and the white settlers could attempt to move in and farm. Until that time, Native Americans lived in the swamp, building structures above the water line on stilts, fishing, and reaping the abundant ecosystem. Horses would sink into the wetlands and swamp grounds, which kept the white man out.

But in about the 1830's, the game changed, and oxen were finally able to traverse the submerged wetlands where horses could not. That meant eventually farmers could drain and plant the fertile fields. So what has happened here in Archbold, Ohio, is that a local farm boy and entrepreneur created a replica of early ways of life. He had actual structures moved from different parts of Ohio to this place, so that visitors could come and see the history of this part of the world.

Erie Sauder made a beautiful place here. He was a local farm boy, and in 1934 he founded the Sauder Woodworking Company. By the 1970's, he had an idea to preserve and display some of the local heritage that was rapidly disappearing.  He found structures built a century earlier, had them preserved and transported to his historic village. Here you will see old school houses, farm buildings, churches and blacksmith shops. There are also precise replicas of many types of Native American dwellings, such as bark structures, dugouts, tepees and wigwams.

Lots of docents are there to help you on your journey as you visit the tableaus and buildings. The kids saw what it was like to trade furs for blankets and pots in an old general store. They pumped water from a well, sawed logs, and got a lesson in a one-room school house. We went for a ride on a small-gauge train and later in a horse-drawn carriage.

There is lots to see and do, learn, buy, and eat. I toured the whole of the main village, but there is more to this place I didn't see. The website says they have a 350-seat restaurant, a bakery, campground, and even a country inn and an exhibit hall. So it's set up for big groups of visitors and the RV crowd. If you were traveling across county on I 80-90, you could make a minor detour and check this place out. I know I will be going back here again sometime; I think it's only about an hour or so from Fort Wayne.

Another thing I really liked about it: Sauder Village is also an actual working farm. You'll see ordinary activities such as sheep shearing, harvesting, cooking and canning. Blacksmithing, handmade arts and crafts; I didn't even see all the artisans here. There are lots of farm animals for the kids to see as well.  I didn't spend much time in the museum halls, but that leaves something to explore next time.  See you later.

Campers, Horses, the Disabled, and Red Cedar

When was the last time you were on a picnic out in the grass? It's been a while for me. This is not a new photo, and from the looks of the trees it must have been fall here. But I do believe the prairie grass looks much the same right now. In September the grass is turning many colors as the seed heads mature. Sometimes the ends of the grass look red, or purple. The stalks are so tall I find myself describing them as majestic. Maybe it helps to be there -

Meadow paths like this give me the urge to go on a trail ride, courtesy of some eager horses. I'm thinking a short little mount, or just a pony with ears perked up and mane flowing behind a bobbing head. It's been a long time for me.

A lot of kids have the desire to learn to ride horses. We've had good experiences with Camp Red Cedar on Hursh Road in Fort Wayne. Before signing up for ongoing lessons, this camp gives kids the chance to try out the whole equestrian experience and see what it's all about.

There is a lot more work to horses than just learning to ride, of course. At the Red Cedar camp, even the young kids go through the basics of horsemanship, including cleaning stalls, washing horses, picking out their feet, brushing, saddling, etc. This is time consuming, and it gives kids a realistic picture of what it really means to be responsible for a horse.

Red Cedar is located on 57 acres with pastures, woods, a ten-acre lake, barns and camping structures. The kids swim at the lovely beach in the summertime, and it is fully accessible for people with disabilities. And that is a great thing about this camp - they have programs for fully abled people, and disabled people. They have summer camps for people with autism and Downs syndrome, diabetes, and other issues. And they have regular horseback riding lessons, and private lessons, and trail rides. It's a spacious, peaceful place.

The week-long summer camp for autistic kids is creative. Every hour or so there is a different activity - games, arts & crafts, karate, soccer, etc. Plus the horseback riding - someone leads the horse, the riders wear helmets. The horses are gentle and quiet. Therapeutic riding helps people with balance, coordination, muscle control, and confidence. I think it's such a good thing. The people that work there seem very dedicated. A lot of the summer help are college-age kids with plenty of energy and good spirits. I admire people who give back like that - I find it to be an inspiration.

Hursh Road is close to I-69 and Tonkel Road, which is easily accessible and a nice part of northern Allen County. You can visit Red Cedar's website at www.awsredcedar.com.

Lily pads on the reservoir

It's September. The squirrels are gathering the walnuts. The Amish are taking their produce to the local markets. The children linger on their walks home from school.

The weather is glorious. Not so hot, not humid. Perfect weather for bicycling, walking, rowing, a hundred things. Soccer games, baseball games, fishing. The fishermen glide the river like water bugs.

This is just a short note to say, please have a wonderful day. Tomorrow is September 11th, not today. Hug your families. Laugh. Play. Sit on a quiet dock and look at the peaceful lily pads. Who knows when you might get another chance.

It's Good to be Back

After a long summer hiatus, I am back. It was a busy summer, with trips to California, Illinois, and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

 Indiana Dunes State Park is my new favorite August day trip from Fort Wayne. After driving just over two hours, a family can pay $5 for parking and play in the clean waves of the oceanic lake. My husband said he was expecting the familiar taste of salt water when he dove under, and it doesn't happen. Stress free swimming - no spiny things underfoot, no jellyfish or sharks. Just beautiful big sky views and sparkling water.

It was so dry in northern Indiana the summer of 2012, there were no fireworks in Leo over the Fourth of July. Instead, they were rescheduled for August, and they were wonderful over the reservoir - we could see them twice their size as the full reflection of the display was projected on to the still body of water in front of us. It brought the magic of summer to life, and gave us another set of memories to cherish.

We met up with family in rural Missouri, where we hiked and swam, and the children watched a penguin movie projected on a big screen outside on a beach in the evening while they swam in the water. I made a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a get together with childhood girlfriends. Lake Geneva was impressive, ringed in expensive estate homes and drenched with social history. The wealthy from Chicago and other nearby towns and cities have made this a playground since the 1800s. Lovely restaurants and shopping top off the good vibe to this scenic town.

Hopefully I'll be back to posting on a regular basis. I have a new idea for a writing project, so I'll be spending a lot of time in the near future starting my work on it. In my story, a 50-year-old woman rediscovers a package of 27 love notes and letters that were passed to her between classes by a high school boyfriend long ago. She had saved the notes but forgotten about them over the years, as they were buried with other old papers in a cardboard box. But as she re-reads them, she gets a new window to the past and to the precious joy and hope that blooms with young love. It gives her a new perspective to her life and to her long-time love, who is not the author of the notes. I may not have time to blog as much while I write my story, but I'll keep you posted on my progress.

 Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again soon. I've missed writing, even though I had a memorable summer. It feels good to be home.

Coney Island Hot Dogs are a Fort Wayne Tradition

The Coney Island Weiner Stand has been in continual operation in Fort Wayne since 1914. It sits in a traditional downtown storefront building on Main Street, and smells of steaming dogs and buns. Customers are lined up approaching the grill, but parties are seated at old tables. Down the length of the place is the counter bar, with ancient stools propped to view the grills and the workers behind.

The menu is limited and does not change. So customers have been eating the same coney dogs, chili soup, and cheeseburgers for generations. If you came in here to eat in the 1950s or 60s, or 1970s, 80s, or 90s - well, you get the idea. You would get the same coney dog that is a small amount of thin chili over the dog, with a steamed bun, minced raw onion, and yellow mustard. The hamburger or cheeseburger, which is exactly mustard, ketchup, pickle, onion. And no fries - chips, because they used to serve only the hometown traditional brand, made nearby: Seifert's.

The chili, which is more accurately described as chili soup, is great and is unique. The ground beef pieces in it are fine, not chunky. It is somewhat watery but packs a kick in flavor - I really liked it steaming hot in the bowl, served with oyster crackers. You can also get a fountain Pepsi or a Coke in a small traditional bottle.

Food is brought out on trays, and is served on served on tiny, hard plastic plates that would remind a baby boomer of one's grade school cafeteria. I noticed people walking in and out from the back door, picking up box-fulls of dogs, and there it is listed on the menu - served by the dozen. This is all new to me, but I did not grow up here. The locals have always talked about stopping here like it's a favorite haunt. If restaurants are full and you need to get the ballpark on time, the waiting list would be a lot shorter here.

I was too full for pie but I asked about it - the waiter said they had lemon, coconut and apple. Yum! That sounds really good. Coney Island is found at 131 W. Main St. near the intersection with S. Harrison. They are open at 7 a.m. during the week- does that mean it's hot dogs and chili for breakfast? I'll have to ask an old local about that.

Mount Baldy along the Lake Michigan shoreline

A few miles down the beach from the Michigan City scene here, stands Mt. Baldy, a 126-foot high sand dune rising up over Lake Michigan. It is starving, meaning there is more beach sand going out than coming in. When a breakwater was built down the beach for Michigan City Harbor, it prevented the new accumulation of sand at Mount Baldy, hence the 'starving'. But Baldy is traveling.

From the water, the sand moves in to the spot when the prevailing northwest wind exceeds seven m.p.h. This all means Mt. Baldy moves about four feet each year.

It's a fun park, where you can take a boardwalk around and down to the beach, or take a more challenging hike to the summit. Very few plants grow on the dome, so it looks very desert-like. Marram grass, also called dune grass, help to hold the dunes in place. There are also black oak trees on many of Indiana's dunes.

The parking lot is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 12, Michigan City. Drive in and you immediately see the huge back of the dune, about to encroach upon the parking lot. That side of the hill is closed to climbing so as not to hasten erosion. People do swim here in warm weather, and rip tide current signs are posted. Just hiking on the trails and strolling along the beach is very pleasant. Kids like to try and run up and down as fast as they can, tripping or even rolling, but that's kids for you. It's the usual - picnics, volleyball, people burying themselves in sand. Which, by the way, is not supposed to be healthy because of bacteria in the sand. Bummer.

I love taking photographs of the beautiful water and sand dunes. Dune grasses, the aqua water, white sand - I could look at it all day. Changing lights, sunsets - I'm in heaven. It's also healthy walking and great exercise if you keep moving.

Interestingly enough, a sign says not to sled, inner-tube, or snowboard on the dunes. I guess people will try anything. Hidden dangers are cited, not to speak of the danger to other people who simply want to walk on the dunes.

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. There are more than 390 parks in the national program. This one is just two and a half hours or less drive from Fort Wayne, and I do really like to see it again and again.

Mengerson Nature Preserve is in the middle of urban sprawl

Mengerson park is just down the road from Northwood Plaza on Fort Wayne's northeast side. There are 36 walkable acres here, and it's very private as it is cut through three layers of woodland. I would think many Fort Wayne residents barely notice it as they pass by on their way to Target or the Cinema Grill. But I think it's great - donated by the Mengerson family to be entrusted as public land. A couple, the wife with the lovely name of Ursula, made this generous gift, to make it possible for all of us to be able to find recreation and refuge in the middle of the city: even if it is near Suburbia. It was donated to the public land trust organization ACRES.

It's muddy through the woodland. Bring your mud shoes in the spring. I did see redbuds and pear trees beginning to bloom, and a layer of forest wildflowers. How I wished my dear friend JoAnne, who lives in California now, could have been there - she is from Fort Wayne and introduced me to this little nature preserve ten or more years ago. I haven't returned since then, but I don't think much has changed. JoAnne is an environmental scientist, and knows the names of all the plants - including the wildflowers' names that I am rusty at recalling - and walks with such focus and understanding it is a pleasure to be with her.

There are boardwalks built up in low places, and it's great to get up out of the mud. A couple of bridges span the creeks, and water is running, since it is spring. The trees are not leafed out yet. Even so it's a thick curtain, protecting us from busy Stellhorn Road. This park is literally found between a couple of houses near Maplecrest, and Reed at the next cross street. There isn't much parking, but I found a spot on the gravel rectangle.

Look for a few giant shagbark hickories. They curve inspirationally, as one could imagine seeing giants in the dark. There are also a few beech trees, one so smooth it has attracted the love carvers. A bit of patio furniture has found its way on one patch of the forest floor, and I found it charming, if not bound to be destroyed within the next six months. But this being a land trust, part of ACRES, and not formal Fort Wayne park property, there may be no regular maintenance crew that makes its way through here.

We walked the circle that claimed to be 1.2 miles, and it was a fine day. Give it a whirl. Imagine being a middle school kid, having the time of your life carousing in here some warm, moonlight night. Hurrah to public land. Get out there and enjoy yourself some.

Koto brings Japanese back

Did you know Native Americans used moss for a variety of things, including absorbent dressings for wounds, as diapers, and as packing materials? They also stuffed moss into moccasins and shoes for warmth. In this photo, you are looking down at the north side of the base of a maple tree. I have learned that moss can grow on all sides, depending on the amount of moisture and shade. It doesn't seem as though Mick Jagger has been gathering any, with all his upsurge in popularity as of late.

I really enjoy Japanese food - it is not a fad for me. Diners in Fort Wayne that wish to turn Japanese have had limited choices until recently. Asakusa has dominated the restaurant market for years, and frankly it's hard to beat it. That place is in a good spot on Lima Road across from the Meier plaza. But I've tried Koto a few times now, and it's good to see it getting some business.

There's a large white marble Buddha sitting in lotus pose in the foyer. I think this place was a fast food joint that was redecorated - looks pretty good considering with what they had to work. The kick plate of the sushi bar is subtle and lit with blue neonish lights - l like it. We sit at a table (no booth, says my friend in the know) and we're good.

It's lunch. I've had the maki special, which includes choice of two small fish rolls, and soup and salad. That's about $9. Next time I would go for the order that is choice of three rolls, because these are small and I wasn't completely satiated. I don't know, the one that comes with three is around $12. That might be better.

My friend has chicken teriyaki - with the rice and broccoli, it's a good price for $7. The tea - so-so. The clear soup was very good (hot! Just right). Also a good choice is instead: miso soup, if you like that. Soy and tofu; healthy and tasty.

They offer a lunch bento box - which I think is a good choice for something different at a Japanese restaurant. It comes with a lot of variety - veggie tempura and choice of entree, a 4-piece roll and rice, plus soup and salad. The bento box has dividers to separate one's food. It's attractive, aesthetically pleasing, kids might think it's fun, and it's $8.

I'm a big sushi fan so I have to dive and order a raw fish roll - many of us love the creamy, spicy rolls, but the sauces tend to pack on the extra calories. I can be good and get their rainbow roll. This is crab, avocado and cucumber rolled inside rice which is then finished with tuna, salmon, a white fish and avocado in a lovely striped pattern. That with the soy sauce and wasabi, I feel as though I'm eating some super foods. I think this was cut in about eight pieces, so with the soup and salad for lunch I was happily full.

There are a couple of new Asian fusion and such places on the southwest end of Fort Wayne, but I'm glad to see Koto up here on the Coldwater/I-69 area. I'm glad to live in a climate where there is moss, and I hope it sticks around. Unlike that is Curtis Smith's beard, our local TV weatherman, who makes a deal to shave it after Christmas each year once the temperatures hit the 70s. It will be gone today.

Hugo is all about artistry and working parts

One starts to wonder if simple machinery will cease to exist. We used to be able to fix and tinker with our own automobiles: today's vehicles are full of electronic and digital components and must be taken in to a garage and be diagnosed with a computer. The lovely mechanical carousel, seen here in the photo and found at Glenbrook Square Mall, has hand-carved animals and old fashioned machinery, but there are fewer of these original wonders.

Movie making, and its final product transferred to film, has morphed its way to current day digital production. In February we saw a couple of salutes to the grand old days of traditional movie making rewarded at the Oscars. I'm thinking of the Best Picture winner The Artist, and the film I am writing about today: Hugo.

This is a story about George Melies, the fantastic French filmmaker who made wondrous, mind-bending classics such as A Trip To The Moon in 1902. In that classic film, a rocket is launched in the sky and lands in the face of the Man in the Moon, causing a burst of cheese to erupt. You probably know what I'm talking about. In Hugo, directed by the iconic Martin Scorsese, Melies is at the end of his career, running a toy shop in the Paris train station. Marty Scorsese is a master of visual imagery, and in one of the first scenes, giant clock gears symbolize the spoke-like mechanisms of the working city itself. The grand train yard with its romantic steam engines and the musicality of the trains themselves become part of the aural background in the story.

It's a beautiful film; there is so much visual poetry with spiral staircases, wind-up toy mice, and a circling of camera movements to lead the viewer. I had been planning to say more about the story itself, but I am more inclined to report on some of the other things that flashed for me watching this movie. Today's children I know would never imagine a life so unpampered as to live behind a clock in a glass clock tower, as one of the key characters does: the boy Hugo. His father brings home an abandoned automoton - a mechanical human - and the two repair it in their spare time. Several times in the film, something happens to move one of the male characters to tears, and I am struck by the thought of how painful a man's tears appear to be. It was a week for tears- I'm thinking of Payton Manning crying at his press conference this week with the announcement he was out of the Colts.

But back to the movie. Again and again, we are struck by the joy, the lost art of mechanical things. Melies, near the end of his life and having lost so much, remembers being a boy and says with so much conviction, "I used to LOVE fixing things." I have always been drawn to people like that. What if no one knew how things worked? Maybe we shouldn't be allowed to own something without this basic knowledge. There sure would be a lot fewer cars around.

The fear of being taken to an orphanage - no child worries about that today. But it was a common theme in old movies. The idea of movies being dreams, or as your dreams being viewed in the middle of the day, or dreams made alive. A movie about the magic of movies. A celebration of artistry, of all kinds of artistry. It's a great thing to celebrate.

I've said I loved the sound in this movie. The pauses, the silences, the noises of every little clock mechanism magnified - lots of suspenseful timing. The sets, props, costumes, and cinematography is great. But I was surprised to see a few problems with acting and editing. Most of the acting was good, but several times I saw a reaction would not be quite natural, a glance would not look spontaneous; I don't know. What's up with that, Scorsese? Sometimes it's in the details. In the shots of Melies' original films, the French dancers even at a distance would raise their lovely arms to reveal obvious armpit hair (I'm not judging here - they are French and this was the early 1900's.) but when they were reproducing these scenes with the contemporary actress portraying his wife, in her lovely close-ups, alas - no hair. And then back to the old shots - dark underarm hair. And then back to the re-done close ups - bare as a baby's bottom. Come on, Scorsese, you are the master. Maybe you are losing your sight, but perhaps your film editor at least needs to be let go.

One of the best actors in the picture was surprisingly: the automoton (mechanical human). It's not alive, but Scorsese figured out how to light it, frame it, add sound to the takes and make his actors react to it. Maybe the automaton should have been nominated for an acting part. I know that's not right, but I was impressed. I did like this movie, and the more I read about Melies, the more fascinated I am. Best of all, it's clean - a family film. I haven't seen The Artist yet, but I'll be making some contrasts when I do. Thumbs and mechanical parts up. With Ben Kingsley as Melies and Sasha Baron Cohen.

Forever 21

It's unusually warm today here in Indiana, with temperatures in the 60s. It will turn cold again soon, but today I walked around the yard and took a photo of our naked sculpture here. It looks as though she needs some clothes. I've draped her before to entertain us, but instead I could just go buy her something to wear at Forever 21.

Forever 21 is a clothing store chain that has become very popular all across the country. We have one in Fort Wayne at Glenbrook Square Mall. Teens love this store - they have a huge selection of things, it's trendy, and prices are generally cheap. It began in California, and was first called Fashion 21. There was one store in the L.A. area in 1984, and by 1997 that number had grown to 40 stores. The Korean-born owners bought designs from hundreds of southern California clothing makers and put them together in their original store. It still works that way - one problem with this is there is no uniform size-scale across the store. A 6 in one item might be the same size as an 8 in another. But, who cares? Informal, fun, so-Cal: It's not Macy's or Banana Republic, but it's not intended to be so.

The local store has an interesting decor - faux tin ceilings (at least I don't think they could be real) that have been white washed; a dozen or so elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceilings. I really like how the accessories and jewelry have a room of their own. The costume jewelry is well displayed, and there is a massive collection: it is one of the best features of the store. Costume jewelry is so elaborate and fun right now: lots of metallics, chain mail strung together, and feathers (really a huge trend).

Separates are the focus of the line. It's not a suits or dresses type of brand. Forever 21 has gained a measure of media attention by printing the bible verse John 3:16 on the bottom of their shopping bags - a witnessing of their Christian perspective. What I didn't know is that the hamburger chain In-&-Out Burger has done the same thing on some of their cups.

Although Forever 21 has been sued by Diane Von Furstenberg, Gwen Stefani and Anna Sui for having suppliers copy their designs, reportedly the company is trying to show more business acumen by assuming a policy of corporate responsibility and posting their plans on their website. For some fun and inexpensive shopping, give it a try. The store is kind of jam-packed with merchandise, which I think makes it difficult, but if you're able to keep your sanity while digging, I'm sure you can find something you like.

Dog Days of Winter

It's been a mild winter in Indiana this year - nothing to complain about. Yet, we languish, wishing for the spring. It will come soon, as we see the tips of buds in the trees, and the tops of the daffodils beginning to peek through the ground. It's time to dig up an old poem of mine, never published. I found it waiting for me in a drawer. It's written in an old style of mine, and written (in some measure) in honor of a friend who has lived with Lou Gehrig's disease for many years now. Blessings to you, and sleep well until spring.



What kind of dawn is this
to loom before the day, so bold?

Pink colors lure one from soft bed
to greet the earth and sky, transcendent in this flight.

A growing, living glow burst from blueness
that becomes a scarlet ribbon on heaven's throat
a swirling comet motionless in space
a crevasse of fire in the sky.

Living dawn so wondrous and magical
that life returns to the earth and heart
a day that begins as a smoky, golden thread
blooms true - orange and peach as no fruit ever dreamed to be.

Most will blink and miss it
but those who view
will know all is well
that there is hope -
a private dawn under the sun.

Where nothing is ever new
something is - this radiant dawn
that makes this day, mine.

SLG

A Star is Born on Remodeled

There's a new guy on reality TV and his name is Paul Fisher. He may have been around for a long time representing top fashion models, but he's stepped up his game - the CW Network is featuring him in "Remodeled" - a reality-drama about his current mission to improve and then network with obscure or small modeling agencies. His staff call him "the vampire" (he works so much it's as if he never sleeps). He is also abrupt, explosive, a live wire - he seems compulsively driven on this new show, and his passion makes for good storytelling.

On the most recent episode that aired at 9 p.m. in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, Paul and his model scouting staff and assistant are in Phoenix to evaluate a potential agency for his group: The Network. He says although the top modeling agencies in the country are housed in New York, the models themselves come from small towns or cities all around the country. He's got the financial backing of the TV show, the business and its sponsors to promote small agencies that he deems worthy: which means finding and representing local talent. It's an interesting hypothesis, and I thought of Chef Ramsey of "Kitchen Nightmares" yelling at small town cooks and restaurant owners. It is sort of the 'Reality' television drama formula. Remodeled is fun, trendy, offbeat, edgy - I'm sure just right for the demographic, the target audience for the CW.

The small agency in Phoenix is called Courtier, and is owned by three men. They are struggling to make it, and are moonlighting at other jobs. Paul convinces the men to transition to an all-male model agency, something that doesn't yet exist in Phoenix. In the show he asks them to narrow their focus and learn how to better scout for talent.

It seems as though the show plays up conflict and drama, and works off his assistants Olga (who helps teach the owners how to find talent) and Joseph, who glowers under his dark bangs in his token cranky-goth sidekick job. Courtier manages to find new talent, Hunter, in a mall "cattle call"- in the background it looked like I saw no more than a dozen or so candidates in a queue. Somewhere else, college student Luke rolls up on a skateboard to be sized up by the agents. Both boys are taken for haircuts and wardrobe changes, and in the end Paul decides Courtier is capable of picking talent after all.

A new agency to his Network is connected, and Paul surprises the staff with new office space and the outfittings and furniture for it. One of the Courtier founders is so excited to see they have been accepted, he uses his cell phone to quit his day job. I imagine the next episode will take Paul Fisher to another town or city, another small agency, to help them make a go of it. How about Charmaine's in Fort Wayne, Indiana? Or near Southpark, Colorado, not far from where this shot of a water tower was taken? The idea of the entrepreneurial spirit in the United States, the fact one can have a dream of owning an agency, of all things, or being approached about being a model, of all things, and then those dreams converging or those opportunities breaking and the whole thing is engineered and produced for national television - we've come a long way, and hope springs new eternally.

Exploring the Rivergreenway

One of the most distinguishing features of Fort Wayne's downtown area is the confluence of three rivers: The St. Joe, the St. Mary's, and the Maumee. It's a natural place for a park: Headwaters Park. A century or two or three ago, trappers and traders met with American Indians and settlers in this location as a kind of town center. Today it's the center of a group of trails and paths along the riverbanks, known as the Rivergreenway.

This 24-mile long, linear park provides for lots of opportunities for recreation: biking, walking, running, skating, dog-walking, and nature-watching. The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, along with the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven, own and maintain the miles of trails.

Sometime in the next few years, the trail network will connect to a new section, called the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. When this section is completed, the linked trails will increase to a length of 50 miles.

There are many historic sites to see along the trails, including the historic Old Fort and the old landing district. The trails are shaded, peaceful and quiet, mostly out of view from streets, roads and cars. Passages under bridges and tunnels feel secret and untouched by time. It's a way to be in the city and escape from it at once.

It's noteworthy when towns take down old railroad track right-of-ways and do trail systems. One of these on the north side of Fort Wayne will also soon plug into this trail system, further expanding it. See you on the trail, and happy trails indeed to you.

Honey Badger Don't Care

If you were exposed to popular culture in 2011, you are probably aware of the honey badger. A video featuring clips of the animal with narration by "Randall" went completely "viral," with views or "hits" reaching 35 million on You Tube by January 2012.

Surprisingly, this animal is more closely related to a weasel than it is an American badger. It's a Mustelid, as are the minks I saw wild in Noble County. Honey badgers live in Africa, SW Asia, parts of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Iran. What you may not know, is that you can see a male and female pair up close at the Fort Wayne Children Zoo. Their modern enclosure features a Lucite front so that the animals are just a few feet away, and it's possible for the kids and everyone to get a great look.

In the videos, the animals are fierce and ferocious. They have almost no natural predators. Their thick skin is so loose, they can easily twist and turn in it, so much so that if attacked and bitten by dogs, they can turn in their own skin and bite the dog back. Africans say honey badgers' hides are nearly impervious to arrows and spears, so that they must be shot to be killed.

They are carnivorous, and attack and kill many types of animals, including poisonous snakes. They also dig into termite mounds and bee hives, eating larvae, impervious to the hundreds of stings they receive. No wonder people are obsessed, fascinated by these creatures, and all they take on. People compare other people to them now, as they would a person to a bulldog or a barracuda. It's now a complement to be as tenacious as a honey badger.

Something you don't learn on Randall's video is that the h.b. has what's called a reversible anal pouch. I guess you must use your imagination, but from this pouch the animal releases what has been dubbed a suffocating odor. It's thought to help immobilize the bees, for example. The formidable h.b. has a life span of up to 24 or so years.

Animal fads and popularity come and go. It's great when they "go" - remember the pot-bellied pig craze? We don't need lots of those running around as house pets. Randall's 15 minutes of fame has come - supposedly he started a mini book tour last week in Santa Monica, promoting a book about fearsome creatures. Check out the You Tube video - you'll see the h.b. surviving a cobra bite, and go on to eat the offending snake. As Randall has whined, "that's nasty!". But it's an amusing video, and the honey badger is an awesome species. Make a trip to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo when it opens for the year to see one for yourself. You'll feel almost famous.

Moneyball is on the money

When the weather drops to temperatures in the teens, it's fun to hibernate indoors and settle down for a good movie. One of my favorites this season has been Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt as the Oakland Athletics' General Manager who fashioned a new way of creating a winning baseball team.

In 2002, the A's had $41 million to spend on player salaries, while competing teams often had much more to spend, such as the NY Yankees with $125 million for salaries. But using what later would be called sabermetrics - a more analytical, computerized, objective way to pick players on teams - general manager Billy Beane led the A's to win a record 20 consecutive games in '02. This true story was the inspiration for the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis, and movie of the same name in 2011.

It's a smart movie that is fun to follow, without seeming like a brainy movie - it's baseball! But legendary writer Aaron Sorkin brings the dialogue to life. Dynamite actor Jonah Hill portrays a fictional analyst who tells Billy the old way of scouting and picking players was flawed. Antiquated were the flashy but risky moves of stealing bases. Runs batted in was not a meaningful statistic. More important was picking players for on base percentages, and slugging percentages.

It tells a good story, a true story, an American story. And maybe best of all, it does it while celebrating the romance of baseball. There is a love of this game, watching and playing it, that doesn't have the same flavor as some of our other favorite sports. This movie really brings it.

Although Billy is still trying to win a World Series, the introduction of saber metrics has changed the game of baseball. After the Boston Red Sox tried to hire away Billy, he declined and they implemented this strategy on their own. Two years later they won the Series. Now teams such as the NY Mets and Yankees, San Diego Padres, Saint Louis Cardinals, and Arizona Diamondbacks all reportedly use these techniques. Brad Pitt heads up a great cast - Philip Seymour Hoffman disappears into his role magically. Use of old game films is priceless and brings back memories. This is a movie with stuff for all of us, not just us baseball fans.

Yoga at the Fort Wayne Dance Collective

I didn't grow up with yoga. I don't know the language of it very well, or much about the different forms. I do know it's an ancient discipline, and that it's growing on me. I didn't jump into yoga years ago, partly because of a strong interest in dance and sports ahead of it. But slowly I like the way it strengthens my weak spots gently and although challenging, I can make my own goals and not have to "crank out 20 reps" or something similar.

Yoga can mean all sorts of things, some more ancient and spiritual, but in the West, we are mainly talking about Hatha Yoga. This is the sets of asanas or poses for exercise and, well, meditation. I suppose it's hard to think meditation if your idea is you'll be forced to contort into painful poses and hold them forever. I promise what I'm doing is not that bad.

I'm taking a noon class at the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, in old downtown Fort Wayne. It's located on the top floor of the Artlink and Cinema Center building on E. Berry. It's a unique school in Fort Wayne, with classes for adults and kids. They teach modern dance, belly dance, drumming, pilates - and yoga. This is a class that a man would like as well as a woman - the strong poses, downward dog, saluting the sun - no tricky steps or timing, and plenty of strength involved. And no freezing in painful poses like out of a bad characature. This is flowing yoga using a mat and an occasional block or strap - there are a few props involved and it helps.

The breathing helps you calm down, center and focus. I don't know how it works but it does. I leave class feeling taller, more evenly distributed. My shoulders are back; I am unblocked. It is definitely worth it. At the end of the class, the teacher has me open my chest by putting a pillow behind my back and having me lie arched open over it, facing up towards the ceiling. She dimmed the lights; I became so relaxed I almost fell asleep. Good class, nice environment. Try it some time.

A poem for January

When the clouds roll flat and slow across the sky, just like a moving airport walkway, and the bird feeders swing like wind chimes in the bare trees, you'll be coming home to me.

When I see the look in my old friends' eyes, and just by looking, I can read their thoughts and silences, you'll be thinking of me too.

When I hear of the suffering and death of other's loved ones, and struggles with pain and passing, I wonder what your death will be like. Will I see it, or will it come after mine? Will we find each other after the great divide? Or just sift back into the soft earth like candle wax into a tablecloth? Will our sparks unite? Will my spirit flame out like a sparkler, while your light just snuffs out? Will you reincarnate into a wizard from a phantasmal novel? A big brown dog? A bug named after a month?

When the ice is so fragile and newly frozen that it looks like cellophane, when the dusk darkens like a bad mood, you'll be halfway home.

When the moon's face pops out of the cirrus clouds to play peek-a-boo with me, and laughs at my sadness, you'll be touching down. And then what? Will you chide me for not eating enough of the leftovers? Oh well, I win: you are missing Garrison Keillor. Will I overcook the pasta writing this poem? I think not.

I'll love you anyway.

-SLG