My older son, Chad, the radio personality, is a piece of work. When he was a young teen, we used to watch the TV show Frasier. He LOVED Frasier. It was one of the shows that could make him laugh out loud for days, and one of the many shows that he had committed to memory. He can pretty much still quote every line from every show. This was not a typical show that would hold the attention of a boy that age. Frasier was a very smart comedy, with a brilliant marriage of writing and character delivery. You have to be smart to know how funny Frasier is. Chad loved the personality of Frasier, especially when he would begin "going nuts" and yelling things, in that wonderfully pretentious way he had. In one episode Frasier runs to a window and shouts out at the top of his lungs: "WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?????" Chad still recounts that moment with laughter and appreciation.
I feel like Frasier much of the time. I spend an inordinate amount of time analyzing what each and every experience means to the grand scheme of my life. It's a bit OCD, I admit. But it is my nature.
So last night I'm rereading the last post of this blog from Week One at Chautauqua. And I'm remembering how it felt to rip myself away from that community and make my way home. Now please don't get me wrong: I LOVE home! I literally live IN HEAVEN, so no tears should ever be shed on my behalf at the prospect of coming home. But I was really missing where I was leaving.
Having said that, in the past 4 weeks I have had it reinforced to my existential way of thinking, that if I just go with the flow of life and have an open mind, wonderful things will happen. This past 4 weeks has SO not been just a way-station between Chautauqua moments. If I had not come home, here is what I would have missed:
1. Two fabulous musicals at the Kennedy Center: The Color Purple and Spring Awakening- both were outstanding. And the chance to spend two evenings with one of my dearest friends, Dave.
2. The chance to audition successfully into the 2009-2010 season of the Choral Arts Society of Washington.
3. The chance to attend the final appearance of Chad as his radio show, The Big O and Dukes Show, broadcast their last show after 5 years of being together. I got to meet hundreds of his fans, and play my role as Mama Dukes, even signing autographs. What a surreal experience for a mom!
4. The chance to hear Chad begin his new radio show along side Redskin Lavar Arrington. Chad is as good as a sports radio personality as he was when he was wacky Chad Dukes. His story of going from a kid listening to his heroes on the radio to being one of them is something I'd like to try to write in the near future.
5. The chance to have a spectacular lunch at the Oracle Company in Reston with my son Casey who is taking the place by storm with his outgoing personality, human relations skills, and willingness to learn. His story in the last 5 years, of going from his first job of working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and washing cars in a suit, to selling contracts for trash containers to ending up as a rising star at Oracle is the stuff of legends.
6. The chance to work along side Larry Alan Smith, maybe one of the most amazing human beings I've known, as he has delivered "in spades" his 2009 Wintergreen Music Festival; Appalachian Roots. Being his assitant is the "highest paying volunteer job" on the planet and a total privilege.
7. The chance to assist a world-class chef at one of the the Festival cooking classes! I put teeny-tiny slivers of radish on one dish, and fried up homemade tater tots for another. People were coming up to me afterward and asking me which restaurant I worked at. I didn't have the heart to tell them Chez Lean Cuisine! I gave Ben, the chef, my number in case he needs part-time help with his catering business! Who knows?
8. The chance to run the light board for a world-class actor - Barbara Bates Smith - as she presented two plays from the writings of Lee Smith (Fair and Tender Ladies, and On Agate Hill). Fabulous!
9. The opportunity to proctor a writing workshop by Barbara Bates Smith which resulted in 14 women who now want to form a writing group starting in September. We'll have the first organizational meeting in my home. So exciting!
10. The chance to see breathtaking musical performances, the highlight of which was last night when pianist Brian Ganz played three Beethoven piano sonatas with such brilliance and sensitivity and passion that I was LITERALLY weeping in my seat. Thank God I've stopped wearing makeup!
11. The chance to get back to my new workout regimen, which, although excruciatingly difficult each and every time, has resulted in my being able to walk up flights of stairs and mountain passages with increased ease and endurance and NO PAIN IN MY KNEE! Miraculous!
12. The chance to break the TV habit which had plagued me with inactivity and opportunities to eat too much. After a week in Chautauqua, I have felt no compunction to turn the tube back on, except for CBS Sunday Morning. . my favorite show. I feel liberated and alive as a result!
And so in three days I head back to Chautauqua full of excitement and expectation. On Friday night I will stay in the Pittsburgh area like I did last time (the night Michael Jackson died - the last time I watched TV!), only this time I'll stay with my new friend Sandy, whom I met at Chautauqua in July (see July 4th entry!). New friends are the best gift in the world.
So let the blogging begin. May you all be having the same wonderful times in your own lives. "The best is yet to be" has never rung truer for me than in this summer of 2009! Ain't that profound????
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
JULY 4th on the 5th
When I was a little girl, I loved to go to camp. I went to church camps, YWCA camps, and girl scout camps. Sometimes my friends would go with me, but they would cry and miss their parents. I would always get home after a week or two at camp and feel "hungover", except I obviously didn't know what being hung over felt like back then. But I would do my crying after I got home. I missed camp that much.
I'm home now, and getting ready to report on my last day, but feeling hung over from the 9 hour drive and the missing of my friends and life at Chautauqua. My body is here at the computer, but my heart is still up there.
As I suspected, the wonderful home in which I spent my last night did not have a computer connection that allowed me to blog last night without appearing rude. So I have saved the last full day at Chautauqua for reporting tonight.
Besides the opportunity to sing in one final church service, staying over allowed me to experience Independence Day at Chautauqua, and to avoid traveling on that day. It was a day I won't forget. Again. . . . .like being held prisoner in a Norman Rockwell calendar. It was so idyllic I had to keep pinching myself. Maybe it's not the "real" world, but it is a wonderful world and a privilege to be in it.
I had to get up and pack up my room and be out of there by 10:00 AM. Part of living in the denomination houses is that you leave your room clean and ready for the next person. But that was not difficult given the simplicity of the surroundings. I have decided that I will adopt a new style of living here in my own house. I'm going to operate like I did in Chautauqua. I'm going to get out one plate, one bowl, one set of silverware and wash it right after each meal. No more stacking up 6 or 7 bowls in the sink. The simplicity and ease with which I had to operated in that communal setting had many lessons to teach me and I hope to put many of them into practice.
So here I was, at 10 AM without a home. I transferred my car loaded with all my stuff to Juanita Jackson's lovely home on the north end. But this is a 15-20 minute walk to town center, so I had to travel all day with one tote bag. I got to Bestor Plaza and proceeded to watch Americana play itself out. Around 11:00 people and families began to gather on their blankets and lawn chairs to stake out the community band concert scheduled for 12:15. The weather could not have been better. . . .finally. . . .bright sunshine but still cool temperatures. So cool in fact that I had to go to the bookstore and buy yet another Chautauqua jacket to get me through the day and evening. I bought a sandwich for lunch and then found a rocking chair on the porch of the St. Elmo to watch the crowds and listen to the band. This concert included a patriotic sing-along. People in Chautauqua really know how to sing along! Also I watched kids running a lemonade stand, children throwing coins into the fountains, children IN the fountains, upper elementary-aged boys blowing up long balloons (the kind that when you blow, the bottom of the balloon blows up first) and then letting the balloons go to see how high they would fly into the air, people dressed in red, white, and blue, houses draped in red.white, and blue buntings, and a couple of girls with a booth selling patriotic hair ribbons. I saw almost NO cell phones, and not one single hand-held video game. The kids were too busy riding bikes and playing frisbee! It was amazing!
After the concert I went down to the Bell Tower and caught the Chautauqua Belle steam boat that gives tours up and down Lake Chautauqua. The lake is 2-3 miles across, and about 20 miles long. The tour was terrific. It was so much fun to see Chautauqua from the water, and to see hundreds of boats, many of them sail boats, out on the water. It was pretty windy and cool, but sunny for a change. The lake was covered with all manner of boats, and it was wonderful to be out there among them for two hours. When we got back to the Chautauqua Bell Tower to disembark, we interrupted a wedding taking place on the shore! They seemed surprised when the boat with it's million decibel whistle pulled up to the grass and let off all the passengers!
I found a great bench and sat in the sun reading my book and enjoying watching everyone. I went to a restaurant I had not been to in St. Elmo's and had a light dinner of clam chowder and a salad. Then I ordered a glass of wine since I had been wine-free all week. It was great.
Met my new friend Sandy at the theater and we saw Tom Stoppard's play Arcadia which was great. It's pretty intellectual, and the cast was superb. Only downfall is that towards the end (when you REALLY had to be paying attention) a couple of bats got in and flew around the theater, eventually dive bombing the audience. The audience, including me, were incapable of staying in character, but the players on stage were the consummate professionals. I think the bat should have been able to take a curtain call at the end!!!
Then Sandy and I walked down to the shore. This was the coolest thing. Chautauqua does not shoot off fireworks. But as we stood down on the shore of the lake, with hundreds of other people I might add, you could look around and see at least 10 fireworks displays all around the lake. And to make it better, people all around this huge lake had put out red flares on the shore, so that the whole lake was outlined in red. And to make that even better, the bell tower featured a patriotic recital while we were watching the fireworks. It was sensational!!!!
I then walked the 20 minutes in the dark back to the home where I was staying. What a gift to be staying in a place where you can walk around in the dark and feel absolutely no fear at all! Maybe the best 4th of July ever.
In finishing up, I awoke after a great night's sleep last night. I walked the 20 minutes to the Amphitheater and sang in the Sunday service, walked back to Juanita's house where my car was, and quietly left the grounds. I had an uneventful trip home, except for one place where traffic was backed up for about a half hour. Finished my book on tape. And now am trying to re-enter my life. I'm looking forward to starting my volunteer job up at the Wintergreen music festival for the month of July, continuing my workouts at the new gym I joined, continuing to tutor Robbie, seeing two musical plays at the Kennedy Center this month, having my Choral Arts audition on Wednesday, and looking forward to my return to Chautauqua for the first week of August.
I will continue the blog when I go back up there. All new people to see, classes to take, etc. Thanks for following. See you in August! RP
I'm home now, and getting ready to report on my last day, but feeling hung over from the 9 hour drive and the missing of my friends and life at Chautauqua. My body is here at the computer, but my heart is still up there.
As I suspected, the wonderful home in which I spent my last night did not have a computer connection that allowed me to blog last night without appearing rude. So I have saved the last full day at Chautauqua for reporting tonight.
Besides the opportunity to sing in one final church service, staying over allowed me to experience Independence Day at Chautauqua, and to avoid traveling on that day. It was a day I won't forget. Again. . . . .like being held prisoner in a Norman Rockwell calendar. It was so idyllic I had to keep pinching myself. Maybe it's not the "real" world, but it is a wonderful world and a privilege to be in it.
I had to get up and pack up my room and be out of there by 10:00 AM. Part of living in the denomination houses is that you leave your room clean and ready for the next person. But that was not difficult given the simplicity of the surroundings. I have decided that I will adopt a new style of living here in my own house. I'm going to operate like I did in Chautauqua. I'm going to get out one plate, one bowl, one set of silverware and wash it right after each meal. No more stacking up 6 or 7 bowls in the sink. The simplicity and ease with which I had to operated in that communal setting had many lessons to teach me and I hope to put many of them into practice.
So here I was, at 10 AM without a home. I transferred my car loaded with all my stuff to Juanita Jackson's lovely home on the north end. But this is a 15-20 minute walk to town center, so I had to travel all day with one tote bag. I got to Bestor Plaza and proceeded to watch Americana play itself out. Around 11:00 people and families began to gather on their blankets and lawn chairs to stake out the community band concert scheduled for 12:15. The weather could not have been better. . . .finally. . . .bright sunshine but still cool temperatures. So cool in fact that I had to go to the bookstore and buy yet another Chautauqua jacket to get me through the day and evening. I bought a sandwich for lunch and then found a rocking chair on the porch of the St. Elmo to watch the crowds and listen to the band. This concert included a patriotic sing-along. People in Chautauqua really know how to sing along! Also I watched kids running a lemonade stand, children throwing coins into the fountains, children IN the fountains, upper elementary-aged boys blowing up long balloons (the kind that when you blow, the bottom of the balloon blows up first) and then letting the balloons go to see how high they would fly into the air, people dressed in red, white, and blue, houses draped in red.white, and blue buntings, and a couple of girls with a booth selling patriotic hair ribbons. I saw almost NO cell phones, and not one single hand-held video game. The kids were too busy riding bikes and playing frisbee! It was amazing!
After the concert I went down to the Bell Tower and caught the Chautauqua Belle steam boat that gives tours up and down Lake Chautauqua. The lake is 2-3 miles across, and about 20 miles long. The tour was terrific. It was so much fun to see Chautauqua from the water, and to see hundreds of boats, many of them sail boats, out on the water. It was pretty windy and cool, but sunny for a change. The lake was covered with all manner of boats, and it was wonderful to be out there among them for two hours. When we got back to the Chautauqua Bell Tower to disembark, we interrupted a wedding taking place on the shore! They seemed surprised when the boat with it's million decibel whistle pulled up to the grass and let off all the passengers!
I found a great bench and sat in the sun reading my book and enjoying watching everyone. I went to a restaurant I had not been to in St. Elmo's and had a light dinner of clam chowder and a salad. Then I ordered a glass of wine since I had been wine-free all week. It was great.
Met my new friend Sandy at the theater and we saw Tom Stoppard's play Arcadia which was great. It's pretty intellectual, and the cast was superb. Only downfall is that towards the end (when you REALLY had to be paying attention) a couple of bats got in and flew around the theater, eventually dive bombing the audience. The audience, including me, were incapable of staying in character, but the players on stage were the consummate professionals. I think the bat should have been able to take a curtain call at the end!!!
Then Sandy and I walked down to the shore. This was the coolest thing. Chautauqua does not shoot off fireworks. But as we stood down on the shore of the lake, with hundreds of other people I might add, you could look around and see at least 10 fireworks displays all around the lake. And to make it better, people all around this huge lake had put out red flares on the shore, so that the whole lake was outlined in red. And to make that even better, the bell tower featured a patriotic recital while we were watching the fireworks. It was sensational!!!!
I then walked the 20 minutes in the dark back to the home where I was staying. What a gift to be staying in a place where you can walk around in the dark and feel absolutely no fear at all! Maybe the best 4th of July ever.
In finishing up, I awoke after a great night's sleep last night. I walked the 20 minutes to the Amphitheater and sang in the Sunday service, walked back to Juanita's house where my car was, and quietly left the grounds. I had an uneventful trip home, except for one place where traffic was backed up for about a half hour. Finished my book on tape. And now am trying to re-enter my life. I'm looking forward to starting my volunteer job up at the Wintergreen music festival for the month of July, continuing my workouts at the new gym I joined, continuing to tutor Robbie, seeing two musical plays at the Kennedy Center this month, having my Choral Arts audition on Wednesday, and looking forward to my return to Chautauqua for the first week of August.
I will continue the blog when I go back up there. All new people to see, classes to take, etc. Thanks for following. See you in August! RP
Friday, July 3, 2009
Last full (legal) day! Week 1
Being at Chautauqua around the 4th of July is like being held prisoner in a Norman Rockwell calendar! Everywhere the buildings are hung with patriotic flags and buntings. Today I was literally stymied because I was between the Bestor Plaza and the Amphitheater. I was waiting for the church service to be over because every Friday the organist plays the Charles Marie Widor Toccata #5, one of my favorites. Meanwhile, down at Bestor Plaza (maybe a block away) all the children from the children's programs (and with this week's theme being "KIDS", there were alot of children on the grounds) were gathering in their hand made hats and decorations for the annual children's July 4th parade. Too cute for words. All was well when I realized that the kids were going to march to the amphitheater, and in fact arrived just as the Toccata was being played. I got lots of cute pictures of all the kids as they marched on stage and sang patriotic songs. Tomorrow will be a barbeque cookout that I will attend, and after the Pops concert, fireworks over the lake. This is one reason I extended this week. I will sing in church on Sunday morning and then head for home.
Today I broke with routine somewhat. I did some walking around, some reading, and some last minute visits to places I had not been yet, like the bookstore. After lunch I decided to go to the Muslim prayers which were announced and guests were invited. It was fascinating to hear the call to prayer, and to have the leaders of the Muslim community here explain what was happening and then allow us to watch the prayers. We were invited to join in if we wanted, but I figured I'd better see what was going on so I wouldn't make fool of my self. It was really cool. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the universal acceptance here of all beliefs, including non-beliefs. It is refreshing to be around a religious community that is all accepting of everyone. The young Muslim leader is a roommate of one of the Jewish leaders. How cool is that?
I did not go to the final Gnostic Gospel lecture, but was told it was great, so I was able to purchase the CD and will listen on the way home. It was rainy and cold again today, and I was in the mood to look for a warm, dry, comfortable place to read. I went to the Alumnae Hall where my class meets and found just such a space and read my book until class started.
It was hard to say goodbye to the people in class. We all wish it could go on. After sharing our writing for a week, we really have learned about each other in pretty personal ways. It's always hard to break that kind of a group.
After dinner I had choir practice, my last one this week, and then the first orchestra concert of the year. It was a terrific concert with Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (the middle slow movement of that piece always reminds me of the famous Robert Redford washing Meryl Streep's hair in Out of Africa. The Mozart concerto is playing on a record player during that scene!). THe second piece was Holst's The Planets. Choral Arts is supposed to sing part of that piece with the National Symphony this year. Not sure where the choir comes in since there was no choir for this performance. But it should be interesting.
Once I finish this, I will be packing up. I have to be out of here by 10 in the morning, and have to have the room ready for the next people. Part of the reasonable rates is being your own maid! Then I will move to the home of one of the choir members for Saturday night. I'm not anticipating having internet available to me at that house, so I'll have to finish this blog when I get home, hopefully Sunday night.
It is so hard to leave, especially when I see the preparations around the grounds for Week 2. The theme is National Geographic, and already there are huge breathtaking photos from around the world constructed all over the place. I think I'll definitely plan on being here Week 1 next year. They've already announced some of the stuff that will be offered. Alan Alda will be here among others. What an amazing place. I'll finish this off when I can. In the meantime, Happy 4th of July to all! RP
Today I broke with routine somewhat. I did some walking around, some reading, and some last minute visits to places I had not been yet, like the bookstore. After lunch I decided to go to the Muslim prayers which were announced and guests were invited. It was fascinating to hear the call to prayer, and to have the leaders of the Muslim community here explain what was happening and then allow us to watch the prayers. We were invited to join in if we wanted, but I figured I'd better see what was going on so I wouldn't make fool of my self. It was really cool. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the universal acceptance here of all beliefs, including non-beliefs. It is refreshing to be around a religious community that is all accepting of everyone. The young Muslim leader is a roommate of one of the Jewish leaders. How cool is that?
I did not go to the final Gnostic Gospel lecture, but was told it was great, so I was able to purchase the CD and will listen on the way home. It was rainy and cold again today, and I was in the mood to look for a warm, dry, comfortable place to read. I went to the Alumnae Hall where my class meets and found just such a space and read my book until class started.
It was hard to say goodbye to the people in class. We all wish it could go on. After sharing our writing for a week, we really have learned about each other in pretty personal ways. It's always hard to break that kind of a group.
After dinner I had choir practice, my last one this week, and then the first orchestra concert of the year. It was a terrific concert with Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (the middle slow movement of that piece always reminds me of the famous Robert Redford washing Meryl Streep's hair in Out of Africa. The Mozart concerto is playing on a record player during that scene!). THe second piece was Holst's The Planets. Choral Arts is supposed to sing part of that piece with the National Symphony this year. Not sure where the choir comes in since there was no choir for this performance. But it should be interesting.
Once I finish this, I will be packing up. I have to be out of here by 10 in the morning, and have to have the room ready for the next people. Part of the reasonable rates is being your own maid! Then I will move to the home of one of the choir members for Saturday night. I'm not anticipating having internet available to me at that house, so I'll have to finish this blog when I get home, hopefully Sunday night.
It is so hard to leave, especially when I see the preparations around the grounds for Week 2. The theme is National Geographic, and already there are huge breathtaking photos from around the world constructed all over the place. I think I'll definitely plan on being here Week 1 next year. They've already announced some of the stuff that will be offered. Alan Alda will be here among others. What an amazing place. I'll finish this off when I can. In the meantime, Happy 4th of July to all! RP
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Week 1 Day 6
When you cross over the border into Maine, there is a sign that says: Maine - The Way Life's Supposed to Be. Now I love Maine, but in my book I am now in a place that is The Way Life's Supposed to Be. For the past several months I have been independently studying the verses of the Tao Te Ching, one verse at a time. For the past two days, the verses have been about living without force and weapons. I happen to subscribe to the notion that war, fighting and physical violence are NEVER the answer to anything. And that caused me to reflect about this community where I am currently living. I'm not sure of the square mileage of the grounds of Chautauqua, but there are hundreds of houses, and thousands of people around all the time. I would be willing to bet there is not a firearm or weapon anywhere on these grounds, and as far as my experience has been, there are virtually no door keys anywhere. It's just a place where people have the self control to decide to live in peace, despite many varying views about how the world works. It's a place of tolerance and kindness.
As of last night I had a plan for today. Since in less than 48 hours I have to be packed and out of this room, leaving it ready for the next person, I had decided that today I would begin organizing myself for that move, doing a bit of laundry, going to the gym, etc. etc. But my plan never happened.
After an early morning trip to the Farmer's Market to replenish the fruit and vegetable larder, I got my copy of the Chautauquan Daily (which, by the way is completely accessible by internet if anyone is interested in checking out the pictures I've mentioned or reading wonderful synopses about any of the programs, or to get an idea of what is offered each day. Even the ads are interesting. http://daily.ciweb.org). From the minute I started reading, I knew that I would not be getting my act together today.
But first let me tell about the family that is staying at my house. About 10 members, multi-racial, and apparently vegetarian. The son-in-law is a NYC Fireman. I saw him in the kitchen a couple of days ago preparing the most delicious looking vegetable soup from scratch. In this family, each person is responsible for the main meal each day, and this was his day. He was a man after my own heart as he carefully peeled many garlic cloves, one by one. He worked on that soup all morning and the smell was divine all day. Then this morning I saw a 10 or 11 year old boy from that family carefully consulting a fairly dated cookbook, and whipping up oatmeal cookies from scratch. He was really enjoying himself, and I have to say I was impressed by how he was using the implements, measuring cups, etc. This kind of family dynamic is not something you see every day. But it is in Chautauqua.
So after church today I planned my day. I could not miss the 10:45 lecture after all, because it was about Sesame Street and the Muppets. As a part of this, there were fabulous film segments about the 40 years of Sesame Street. I recognized many of the programs I had watched with my kids. But the most fun was that one of the real muppets, Rosita, was there "in person." Where I was sitting I could not only see the muppet, but could watch the handler who was behind a podium. What a thrill to see this kind of genius talent live. The muppets are an impressive organization and have done many specials to help kids cope with everything from natural disaster (after 911) to military kids having their parents come back home with missing arms and legs. It was such an inspiring program!
After that I quickly packed a bag lunch and dashed to the theater building (about a quarter of a mile away) and saw a lunchtime special with the cast of the Tom Stoppard play "Arcadia" which I will see on Saturday night. I love behind the scenes presentations anyway, and seeing the actors and hearing about the play ahead of time was a real treat.
From there I went to get my iced coffee and headed for the 2:00 lecture. Elaine Pagels was gone, but her colleague from the Harvard Divinity School, Karen King, who has also written extensively about the Gnostic Gospels, spoke on the Gospel of Truth. Again fascinating.
Then off to my writing class which was again really great. The group is getting pretty close as we share writings that are sometimes fairly personal. There is nothing like getting to know a person through hearing their writing.
Back for dinner and then Thursday choir practice at 6:00. I'll be singing Sunday morning but not Sunday evening which is too bad because the theme for the Sunday Song Service is African Carols, and the African music is such fun to sing.
Tonight is a dance concert. I watched the first half and then decided to come back here and turn in. I doubt I'll get my act together tomorrow either. . .the last regular day of this week. It's going to be hard to imagine the place carrying on without me next week. But carry on they will. I'm glad I'm coming back this year. More tomorrow. RP
As of last night I had a plan for today. Since in less than 48 hours I have to be packed and out of this room, leaving it ready for the next person, I had decided that today I would begin organizing myself for that move, doing a bit of laundry, going to the gym, etc. etc. But my plan never happened.
After an early morning trip to the Farmer's Market to replenish the fruit and vegetable larder, I got my copy of the Chautauquan Daily (which, by the way is completely accessible by internet if anyone is interested in checking out the pictures I've mentioned or reading wonderful synopses about any of the programs, or to get an idea of what is offered each day. Even the ads are interesting. http://daily.ciweb.org). From the minute I started reading, I knew that I would not be getting my act together today.
But first let me tell about the family that is staying at my house. About 10 members, multi-racial, and apparently vegetarian. The son-in-law is a NYC Fireman. I saw him in the kitchen a couple of days ago preparing the most delicious looking vegetable soup from scratch. In this family, each person is responsible for the main meal each day, and this was his day. He was a man after my own heart as he carefully peeled many garlic cloves, one by one. He worked on that soup all morning and the smell was divine all day. Then this morning I saw a 10 or 11 year old boy from that family carefully consulting a fairly dated cookbook, and whipping up oatmeal cookies from scratch. He was really enjoying himself, and I have to say I was impressed by how he was using the implements, measuring cups, etc. This kind of family dynamic is not something you see every day. But it is in Chautauqua.
So after church today I planned my day. I could not miss the 10:45 lecture after all, because it was about Sesame Street and the Muppets. As a part of this, there were fabulous film segments about the 40 years of Sesame Street. I recognized many of the programs I had watched with my kids. But the most fun was that one of the real muppets, Rosita, was there "in person." Where I was sitting I could not only see the muppet, but could watch the handler who was behind a podium. What a thrill to see this kind of genius talent live. The muppets are an impressive organization and have done many specials to help kids cope with everything from natural disaster (after 911) to military kids having their parents come back home with missing arms and legs. It was such an inspiring program!
After that I quickly packed a bag lunch and dashed to the theater building (about a quarter of a mile away) and saw a lunchtime special with the cast of the Tom Stoppard play "Arcadia" which I will see on Saturday night. I love behind the scenes presentations anyway, and seeing the actors and hearing about the play ahead of time was a real treat.
From there I went to get my iced coffee and headed for the 2:00 lecture. Elaine Pagels was gone, but her colleague from the Harvard Divinity School, Karen King, who has also written extensively about the Gnostic Gospels, spoke on the Gospel of Truth. Again fascinating.
Then off to my writing class which was again really great. The group is getting pretty close as we share writings that are sometimes fairly personal. There is nothing like getting to know a person through hearing their writing.
Back for dinner and then Thursday choir practice at 6:00. I'll be singing Sunday morning but not Sunday evening which is too bad because the theme for the Sunday Song Service is African Carols, and the African music is such fun to sing.
Tonight is a dance concert. I watched the first half and then decided to come back here and turn in. I doubt I'll get my act together tomorrow either. . .the last regular day of this week. It's going to be hard to imagine the place carrying on without me next week. But carry on they will. I'm glad I'm coming back this year. More tomorrow. RP
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Chautauqua week 1 day 5
As I write this I'm in my room and the outside door is open and I'm hearing the Sesame Street characters down in the amphitheater. There are little kids EVERYWHERE!!! They sound pretty cute from up here!
Today after the regular church gig this morning, I wandered over to the St. Elmo building where they have a spa. I've had a really stiff neck for two days. From an iffy pillow, working out without stretching first, watching lots of concerts, etc. etc. Glory be they got me right in. I had the best 45 minute massage ever. My neck is better by a long shot. (Imagine "C is for Cookie" playing in the background).
I made it to the 10:45 lecture which was about how today's kids don't have the same connection to nature that we did in our day, and how that is detrimental to them. They call it Nature Deficit Disorder, or No Child Left Outside! It was pretty compelling stuff. I know I had lots more outdoor, independent (soccer doesn't count) experiences when I was a child and could play in the park across the street pretty much to my heart's delight. We didn' t have to come home until we heard my mom blow the whistle. . .literally. . our signal was two short blasts, not to be confused with other whistles blowing for other kids in the neighborhood. What a bygone time!
I grabbed a quick lunch so that I could be back in the amphitheater by 12:15 for the organ recital on the big pipe organ in there. It is massive and our conductor plays it beautifully. Bach at the beginning and Charles Ives Variations on America at the end. Heaven.
Then I went to get my seat at the last lecture by Elaine Pagels, this time about the Book(s) of Revelations. I need to read more of her work after I leave here. Then to my 3rd writing class. Today we were to pick a word to write about. I picked Basil! I actually wrote for 10 minutes about basil and was pretty happy with what came out. Who knew?
I took a long walk around the north part of the grounds. Found a great park area right across the street from Roger Goodell's (commissioner of the NFL) beautiful home. I read a couple chapters of my book under a big elm tree overlooking the lake. Then I walked around and found the house of the woman with whom I'm staying on Saturday night in order that I can sing on Sunday morning before I leave.
When I got back I checked my phone messages. Casey had called yesterday so I was able to return his call. Apparently after working at this company for only a matter of months, Casey is teaching his team some of his techniques. Not only that, but he had called yesterday to announce that he had officially paid off all his credit card debt! Wow!!!!! I know that feels great.
I was going to attend the classic film festival tonight, but I figured I could rent the film on Netflix, but I may never ever again have the chance to see the Muppets live. HOwever, they weren't the puppets, but characters in costume. It was still cute.
And so another day is over. I can hear the crowds leaving the amphitheater. Now I'll go down in the kitchen where everyone will be gathering for an after-concert snack. The Chautauqua bells are ringing the hour from the bell tower by the lake. Bob, from Sesame Street is signing autographs and selling CD's at the kiosk. God's in his heaven and all's right with the world. RP
Today after the regular church gig this morning, I wandered over to the St. Elmo building where they have a spa. I've had a really stiff neck for two days. From an iffy pillow, working out without stretching first, watching lots of concerts, etc. etc. Glory be they got me right in. I had the best 45 minute massage ever. My neck is better by a long shot. (Imagine "C is for Cookie" playing in the background).
I made it to the 10:45 lecture which was about how today's kids don't have the same connection to nature that we did in our day, and how that is detrimental to them. They call it Nature Deficit Disorder, or No Child Left Outside! It was pretty compelling stuff. I know I had lots more outdoor, independent (soccer doesn't count) experiences when I was a child and could play in the park across the street pretty much to my heart's delight. We didn' t have to come home until we heard my mom blow the whistle. . .literally. . our signal was two short blasts, not to be confused with other whistles blowing for other kids in the neighborhood. What a bygone time!
I grabbed a quick lunch so that I could be back in the amphitheater by 12:15 for the organ recital on the big pipe organ in there. It is massive and our conductor plays it beautifully. Bach at the beginning and Charles Ives Variations on America at the end. Heaven.
Then I went to get my seat at the last lecture by Elaine Pagels, this time about the Book(s) of Revelations. I need to read more of her work after I leave here. Then to my 3rd writing class. Today we were to pick a word to write about. I picked Basil! I actually wrote for 10 minutes about basil and was pretty happy with what came out. Who knew?
I took a long walk around the north part of the grounds. Found a great park area right across the street from Roger Goodell's (commissioner of the NFL) beautiful home. I read a couple chapters of my book under a big elm tree overlooking the lake. Then I walked around and found the house of the woman with whom I'm staying on Saturday night in order that I can sing on Sunday morning before I leave.
When I got back I checked my phone messages. Casey had called yesterday so I was able to return his call. Apparently after working at this company for only a matter of months, Casey is teaching his team some of his techniques. Not only that, but he had called yesterday to announce that he had officially paid off all his credit card debt! Wow!!!!! I know that feels great.
I was going to attend the classic film festival tonight, but I figured I could rent the film on Netflix, but I may never ever again have the chance to see the Muppets live. HOwever, they weren't the puppets, but characters in costume. It was still cute.
And so another day is over. I can hear the crowds leaving the amphitheater. Now I'll go down in the kitchen where everyone will be gathering for an after-concert snack. The Chautauqua bells are ringing the hour from the bell tower by the lake. Bob, from Sesame Street is signing autographs and selling CD's at the kiosk. God's in his heaven and all's right with the world. RP
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