the Fountain Head is gone...for just a little fix-it

Last week I was so shocked to not see the famous "Fountain Head" on Main Street in Walnut Creek.
It was gone.  There was no sculpture in the water.  It looked so empty.

Was it missing?  Did someone protest so loudly that they removed it?  Did someone vandalize it?  Those were some of my questions.

My husband solved the mystery for me.  He had been to the bank and someone had thoughtfully placed a note to state that the art piece was being resurfaced and would be replaced in about a week.

I'm sorry...but I don't understand about the color.  It looked fine to me.  Evidently it didn't meet the artist's qualifications.  So off it goes to be redone.

Amazing how in life we take things for granted in our life.  And then one day the thing isn't there anymore.  Did we truly appreciate it while it was here?  Or do we want it to return now that it is missing or gone?

I think about the changes in my life - especially in just the last year.  People who are no longer here. People that I no longer see every day due to my change in job.  People who have moved away because it is their next step.

I am missing my boys.  They are on their own life adventures.  I am happy for them.  I am just missing them.  Some day we will be together again.

In the meantime, I will appreciate my life in the here and now while waiting for the fountain head to return.

Hurricanes

Looks like I am about to adventure on a new learning curve - hurricanes.

Two of our sons are now living in the southeast part of the country:  Florida and Mississippi.  One emailed us earlier with a reminder of directions for possible evacuation.  The other just emailed that he was learning how to read weather maps focusing on the incoming storm.

This information has led our house to google hurricanes, National Weather Hurricane Center, and other possible informational sites.  I'm not sure if I know much yet.

The maps show the storm coming in from the Atlantic Ocean with a prediction of how it will move over Hatti, Cuba, and then to Florida.  From the map it looks like the storm is headed straight to Mississippi, missing the Florida far coast.  But then that is just a prediction.  Anything can happen.

There's not much I can do from here except to pray for safety.  I will watch the weather reports.  Wait for news from the boys.  And when the storm moves on, I will listen to their stories about what they did during their first major storm/hurricane.

And I realize that this will not be the first storm...but the first of many more to come.

A pile of books

My current "Books to Read" pile

I have a large pile of books next to my bed.  These are the books that I want to read..the ones that I found interesting...the ones that I have checked out from the library...the ones that I've started but haven't yet finished.

Did you notice the wide range of subjects?  I have books about social media and blogging.  A biography of Margaret Thatcher because reading about people's lives is always fascinating.  I have books about changing your life - What Color is Your Parachute, Visioning, This Year I Will.  And then I have a fun book about traveling in Europe.  Doesn't hurt to dream about traveling and exploring? 

When I was little girl, books were my favorite.  Every summer I would sign up for the Summer Reading Program.  And by the 4th or 5th week of summer, I had read the required number of books.  I read the Bobby Twins, Little House on the Prairie, Stuart Little, and others. 

Reading expanded my horizons, gave me dreams to dream, taught me how to think, and provided information.  

Books still provide me with escape from the present, information, food in the form of ideas for thought, answers to problems, and the courage to take the next step.  

I love books!

Happy Birthday Julia!

Happy Birthday, Julia Child!

This week Julia would have turned 100 years old.  Here we are celebrating the life of a woman who influenced our cooking and the way we celebrate.  I don't think that Julia knew what her impact would be when she was young.  She lived and explored life.  The fruits of her living have enriched my life.  I want to be more like Julia...especially in the cooking department of my life.

I studied French in school and we were encouraged to do extra projects to learn more about France.  I had a pen pal who lived in Quebec and I wrote in French and she wrote in English.  I used a dictionary quite a lot.  Writing was boring.  So I expanded my world to explore cooking.

I remember attempting to cook beef stew French style in junior high.  My mother looked over the recipe I had found and said "No, it has wine in it."  I approached my father and convinced him that purchasing a cheap bottle of red wine was not going to send me to hell.  The French stew recipe ended up being a favorite in the winter season.  I was not using the Julia Child boeuf bourguignon recipe.

I'm not really sure when I was officially introduced to Julia Child.  Now it really doesn't matter.  I remember watching her cooking shows on PBS.  I have her famous cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".  I am not  Julie cooking my way through the cookbook in a year.  At least, not yet.  My sons do know how to read and follow a recipe, and they have cooked several recipes including that famous boeuf bourguignon.

I have enjoyed reading books about Julia's life, one written by her.  Her life is fascinating, adventurous, and included some challenges.  Perhaps her positive outlook on life is what sustained her.  Thank you, Julia!  Bon appetit!

Taking a step

"You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water."

Rabindranath Tagore

I've read this quote several times and have reflected upon its meaning to my own life.

One just can't stare/look/dream/think about what to do.  You must actually make a decision to do something.  The right decision would be to move forward.

In the case of this quote, one must get into a vessel - some type of a boat - and then launch out on the water.

But then you must decide what type of boat.  Is it a small like a row boat?  Is is big like a cruise ship or aircraft carrier?  Perhaps it is a luxury sailing ship?  Too many decisions to make.  If you don't make a decision, you are still stuck on shore.

I'm still getting ready to cross the sea as I transition in my life.  Right now, I'm stuck building or selecting my boat.  I'd like to think that I'm building my boat by reading, talking, walking, praying, writing, and reflecting.  Not sure what type of boat I'm building.  Not sure just when I will launch.  I know that it will be soon.

Music from Finland

We attended a free concert at a local church hosting "Dolce Handbell Choir" from Kuopio, Finland.  Wow!  What a wonderful evening filled with energetic music by twelve young adults under the direction of a humorous conductor.  I'm not sure what I was expecting...however the gift was amazing.

They ring 5 octaves, plus an additional 2-octave solo set and 6 octaves of chimes.  I read in the program that they borrowed bells from a local San Francisco bell group.  I was wondering how they could fly with bells that tend to weigh a lot!  Just a minor detail as to the logistics of traveling.

The program included full handbell choir selections using handbells, chimes, mallots on the bells, a piece performed by three musicians using many bells, and a vocal piece.  The musicians are between the ages of 15-22.  Their bios were full of amazing accomplishments including:  playing the piano, studying voice, practical nurse studies, chef studies, and speaking four languages.  Their smiles reflected their pure joy of sharing music.

Perhaps the most heart-touching piece was their national anthem, "Finlandia".  The tune is our familiar hymn of "Be Still My Soul".  One of the students conducted the piece as the director was behind the organ.  The song began in a slow somber mood and then becomes rousing and turbulent symbolizing the national struggle of the Finnish people from Russia.  The piece ends in a quiet calm melody.  The expressions on their faces certainly supported the reverence and patriotic feeling they have for their country.

I left the concert with joy in my heart thankful for receiving the gift of music.

Weather

I know that it is August.  August is hot.  We have had too many hot days in a row.  I am tired of the heat.  And....guess what?  School is ready to start soon.  School and hot weather do not go together.

Have you ever noticed that everyone always talks about the weather?  The weather is either too cold, too hot, too wet, no rain, too windy, no sun.  You get the point.  No matter what the weather is on this planet, there is some person complaining about the weather.  Are we never satisfied?

Growing up I have memories of my dad whenever he would talk to me on the phone would ask about the weather.  After saying "Hello", his next question would be "How's the weather?"  You would describe your weather and then listen to his answer.  My big brother does the same thing.  And I notice how often I ask my own children about the weather.

Why do we ask about the weather?

My theory is because it is easy to describe the weather....'it's been 102 for three days".  And it is easy to respond..."The snow won't last forever."

I am going to work on not asking about the weather.  And to celebrate that there is change in the weather either day to day, or season to season.

Let's face it...I am a California native and I am spoiled by the weather.

Oh...where is that fog that gently rolls over the Berkeley hills into the Diablo Valley and cools us off?

the Surprises of Networking

Today I made a new friend.  Janae is great and one of those positive, can do people you need in your life.

How did I meet her?  Well I was at a nearby cafe, Heavenly Cafe (Don't you love the name!) with two friends enjoying conversation and good coffee.  At the table near us there were about ten women gathered around.  Their conversation was loud, animated, and very energetic.  I was trying to eavesdrop to find out their purpose for meeting.  Well....I finally just had to ask.

"We are Professional Organizers.  This is our monthly meeting to exchange ideas, network, and help each other."

I pulled out a business card and asked if she had one.  We exchanged business cards.  By that afternoon, Janae had emailed me about getting together.  Mind you...she has no idea what I do.  And all I know about her is that she is an professional organizer.

We met at the same place - mostly because it is within walking distance for me.  (I actually enjoy having days when I never get into a car.)  I asked her to tell me her story.

As I was listening to her story, I was thankful that our paths had crossed.  She is passionate about cleaning and organizing which has led her to develop and build her own business.  Janae has clear goals, a vision statement, a mantra she recites, and lives life with positive intention.  I need her love of living life embracing my transitioning life.  Positive influences in our lives are very important.

So... meet Janae, my new friend.  Check out her web site and blog on organization philosophy!

www.organizedphilosophy.com

Sadness

Tonight was my last art class of the summer.  For the last seven Wednesday evenings, a group of women have assembled in a hot studio to draw and paint.  Tonight I am sad that this experience is ending...for now.

The class was designed to expose us to drawing and the various mediums.  Kind of a "try before you buy" class.  We have used charcoal, pastels, acrylics, oils, and watercolors.  Each member of the class has a favorite medium where they were more successful.  Each evening, we leave with a piece of art.

Since tonight was the last class, we could select whatever we wanted to do.  It was like an ice cream store as everyone had a different project and different materials.  Everyone uses a reference.

I had brought with me a photo of lupine in a green field.  Taylor who was in front of me admired the photo.  Since I had a copy, I offered her the photo.  We both painted in oils using the same reference and had very different results.  Neither one of us was wrong or right...just different.

My art class has provided experiences along my transition road.  I met some very wonderful women in my class.  We laughed at our attempts, complemented each other on the results, encouraged others to keep working.  No one was critical or judgmental.  They were my "safe art group".

My art class also provided me with opportunities to look at life in a different perspective.  I notice color more, along with the fine details, shadows have a purpose.  Interesting how an experience changes how you look at life.

Safaris

My husband is just wonderful.  He loves to go exploring or rather go on "Safari".  Mind you we don't actually travel to Africa for a real safari.  However our safaris provide a brief time away for excitement and refreshment.

This summer we decided to not take an extended vacation.  Both of us have some work and life projects that need attention.  So instead we have had day trips taking advantage of free days at museums or reduced admissions.  Here are some of our adventures.

Alameda County Fair - $2 day in early July.  I loved seeing all of the animals in the 4-H barns.  It took me back to my childhood days at the Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria.  The smell from the barn is just so.....well...you know.   We took our time walking through the exhibits.  I still can't get over the various "junk" that is sold at the fair.  Stuff you never see anywhere else but at the fair.  Interesting but I didn't have a use for 99.9% of what I saw. Food at the fair is always an adventure - ice cream, fried pineapple, corn dog, corn on the cob.  We ended the evening with a concert - a blast from the past - hard rock.  I had more fun watching the audience than listening to the music.

Oakland Museum - Free day first Sunday of the month.  We took BART to the Lake Merritt station and walked the three blocks.  The art exhibit was varied and grouped by themes.  I enjoyed the black and white photography of migrant workers in California in the 1930s.  The history section was presented in chronological order.  I had fun with the individual display boxes done by real people from their experiences of the 1960s.  Wow!  We walked around Lake Merritt and then explored the new Catholic cathedral.  Beautiful and unique in its design.  Stopped for a late lunch along the lake.

Legion of Honor - Free day is the first Tuesday of the month (today).  First we had breakfast at the Cliff House - with their famous popovers.  Walking through the galleries, I was struck by the details in the backgrounds of paintings.  Perhaps I am just more aware of looking at the fine details due to my art class.  Some paintings just drew you into the scene with the bright colors, or by the eyes of the subject.  I gained a new sense of historical significant and perspective with walking through the galleries.  Next we drove down the coast enjoying a sunny day, clear skies, and a deep blue ocean.

Safaris are for exploring, relaxing, enjoying, and feeding the soul.

For my class the topic this week is on Digital Citizenship.

Digital Citizenship includes responsibilities and rights of using technology which includes etiquette, laws, rights and responsibilities, and security.  Key areas of concern include:  plagiarism, cyberbulling, and cyber safety.  Of course the hot topic is cyberbullying.

This past year I dealt with a cyberbullying incident between students.  Parent reported to me that her daughter had been the subject of a "I hate club".  I listened asking for the evidence.  As with most online harassment, we didn't know who had started it.  I was thankful that the parent contacted me after her daughter reported it to her mom.  That doesn't always happen.

I spent over ten hours in the next three days talking to different students, contacting parents, and looking on Facebook and reading cell phone messages.  What really surprised me was the number of Facebook accounts students had.  These are students who are underage for having a Facebook account.  Most had accounts with the full knowledge of the parents.  And most parents told me that "I know what my child does on Facebook", but in reality, they didn't know.

My other surprise was the lack of support or interest from our school Resource Officer.  His viewpoint was that no crime had been committed.  However he taught these students as part of DARE about cyberbullying.  And yet, just four weeks later, I was dealing with issues.  

I thought our campus had done a good job in the area of cyber safety.  We have students and parents sign the district Acceptable Use Policy.  Teachers are asked to sign one as well.  We had a evening parent presentation on cyberbullying.  We use a positive behavior program schoolwide focusing being kind, respectful, responsible, and safe.   Our social skills program, Second Step, includes lessons on bullying.  And 5th graders participate in DARE which now includes a cyberbullying lesson.  

A school campus can have all of the right materials, curriculum, policies, and guidelines in place and still not teach what is important.  We need to be intentional about teaching cyber safety - that means being very specific.  We need to be proactive through our communication to parents through school web, PTA news, educating parents on how they can be proactive - not reactive.  We need to help parents connect to the good resources available on line.

What is needed is for the school to be more proactive in teaching Digital Citizenship to its community.  Partnerships with parents, PTA, police, and other community organizations can help put the resources into the hands of our parents.  

Walking the Trail

The best part of living in Walnut Creek are the trails.  We live near the Iron Horse Trail which then connects to other trails.  I just walk directly out the front door and a short block away is a beautiful paved trail.

I can easily walk to BART and go to San Francisco.  I can walk to downtown.  Or take the route to Heather Farm and my favorite bench facing Mt. Diablo.  Or go towards Pleasant Hill on the canal trail and see the ducks.  The destination possibilities are endless.

There are always a variety of people on the trail.  The joggers with their earphones looking straight ahead very intently.  The mother with stroller and dog taking up most of the walkway.  Grandpas and Grandmas walking hand in hand.  Bicycle riders who vary from being polite "Passing on your left" to being impolite "(nothing)" and almost running over you.  The dog walkers or maybe it is the dog walking the person.  The dogs that seem to be friendlier than people.  And don't forget the ones walking briskly to BART for work.

One thing that I have really noticed is how many people rarely make eye contact or smile at you.  Do you think that it would hurt you to acknowledge that we just passed each other?   What?  Do you really think I'm out to get you?  What's wrong with smiling?

So this week as I have taking my early morning walk, I have tried to smile, nod and say "Good Morning" to the many fellow trail blazers.  I've received back a few nods and smiles.  Today I even had one lady say "Good Morning" before I did.

Do we really avoid making eye contact because we just don't want to acknowledge your presence?  If so, I am really sad.  But I will keep on smiling...because someone you will smile back.

It's all about the view point

Last night at my art class, we were learning ...or rather introduced...to oil painting.  Our art teacher, Patsy, makes it look so easy as she demonstrates what to do.  She gives the appropriate amount of background information, shows us the materials, and then demonstrates.  It looks so easy!

After preparing my canvas with a pink toned background, I dug through a pictures looking for my reference.  (Everyone uses a reference.)  I found a typical California landscape - spreading oak tree in a field of yellowing grass.

First I started to mix the paint to sketch.  You use a dark color and lightly sketch the scene.  Then you fill in using the dark colors.  I discovered that you use a lot of this background dark color before you even start to add color.  Patsy comes around and encourages us...sometimes taking our brush and making it look better.  She tells us "I have over 500 of these canvases that are just practicing."

Note to self:  Paint a lot to learn how to paint.   In other words, practice painting by painting.  Practice reading by reading.  Practice playing the piano by playing.  etc.

When I started to add color to the painting, it just didn't look right.  It looked like blotches of color - not a tree.  Then I moved into painting the grass.  Suddenly it started to look like grass.  My golden yellow was blending into the dark background.  Patsy came around and told me to step back and look at the painting.  I took a break and as I looked from a distance the picture looked more like the reference and no longer globs of paint.

Note to self:  Step away often from what you are working on, to observe what is needed in the next step.

My application:  Whether it is a painting, a project, a relationship, one must step away from it and observe.  You don't need to do something right away.  Sometimes you need to contemplate the next step.  Up close, the view point is often distorted.  From a far, the view point reveals the beginning of a beautiful tree.

Here's my tree.  Still needs some work.  That sky coming through the branches isn't quite right!

Are you listening?

One of the positives in my life is time available to be engaged with others.  On Friday mornings I have joined a group called "Masterminds".  We meet at Peet's Coffee and discuss ways to support each other in pursing our life's work.

Currently we are reading "How to Win Friends and Influence Others" by Dale Carneige.  It is an old book - first published in 1936.  This is my first time reading the book.  Are you surprised?

Each week we discuss a chapter.  The best part is that these chapters are small and are focused on only one technique or principle.  When you focus on only one small bite, it is easier transfer to application.  Also, I am more focused in observing the application in my life as well as others around me.

So far, I have made these observations:

• Listen, Listen, Listen - People love to talk about themselves.  When you are having a conversation, be sure that you do most of the listening.  Find out what they are interested in and engage in the conversation.
• Appreciation - It is best to leave sparkles of praise and appreciation along your path.  When I say "thank you" to the grocery clerk, her face lights up with a smile.
• Smile - A smile changes the mood in a room.  And remember when you talk on the phone, your smile can be felt across the phone line.
• Remember their name - All of us like to be called by our name.  I have several ways to help with remember names.  I use the name in the conversation several times.  I often ask how to spell their name.  Is that Kathy with a K or a C?  I also make a note about where I met the person, what we talked about, etc.