Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City

The Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City houses items found from the wreck of the Steamboat Arabia that went down in the Missouri River in 1856. It's an amazingly well-preserved time capsule.

Our FCC group visited recently and I'm already ready for a return visit.







In the late 1980s, five men decided they would look for the wreck of the Arabia. They were not historians. There were repair people, restaurant owners and construction people. Their original intent was to sell what they salvaged to pay for the operation. But once they saw the items being uncovered they realized it should be shared. So, they created a museum instead.









It was no easy feat to retreive this. Their website gives a more detailed story and I won't presume to tell it, but it's fascinating the lengths they went to, to recover the Arabia and let her tell her story.





Three previous attempts had been made to retrieve materials from the Arabia, including 400 barrels of Kentucky Whiskey rumored to be on board. But none were successful until this band of adventurers.



The Arabia held everything you might need for life in a frontier town. There were building materials, fabric and sewing notions, printing items and boots. It's the most comprehensive assembly of such goods you'll find. You really get an idea of what life was like in 1856.









It's also gives you a sense of the growth of products in that time. Between 1850 and 1870, registered US patents increased 10 fold, going from 9,000 to nearly 100,000. The Arabia seemed to have one of everything that was around in 1856.







The group removed a portion of the boat, and about 2000 pieces of material from it. Of those, about one-third were broken, but the amount of intact items from china to buttons to boots is astonishing.







Something of note, one of the cases is covered with glass recovered from the wreck so you can see the wavy glass. Amazing.





The Arabia was one of 289 steamboats catalogued in 1897 as being wrecked in the Missouri River, from St. Louis to Pierre, South Dakota.

When you visit the museum, part of your tour is a short video. After the video, David Hawley, who was one of the treasure hunters, came in and spoke to our group. Talk about getting some extra bang for your buck, getting to ask questions of one of the men who was there from the beginning was a real treat. I asked him for a photo afterwards and he generously agreed.



You also get a peek at conservators working on items in the lab. When we were there they were working on shoes. At the lab you also get to sniff some of the perfume they've had reproduced from what was found on the boat. You know I love perfume but I resisted the urge to bring some home. It was tough.

The lab is a great stop on your visit.












Near the end of your visit you can see the boilers, the anchor, and the "snag," the fallen tree that brought the Arabia down.







I highly recommend a visit. I hope Kansas City realizes what they have in this museum. It's really wonderful.

Quote of the Day

To live is so startling
it leaves little time
for anything else.

- Emily Dickinson

I ran across this quote tonight and was reminded that Danielle mentioned it when we were on retreat. Isn't it interesting how you can not even be aware of something and then it suddenly shows up repeatedly in your world.

I always think there's a reason for such things, that there's a message we need to understand. I'm not sure what I need to comprehend about this, but hopefully it will be clear.

This weekend has been incredibly productive for me. I've managed to get a lot of things completed and gotten started on some new projects. Many things are coming to fruition at the same time these days. It's exciting to see different things taking off, but it's sometimes difficult for me to keep everything going. But, so far, so good.

Full Saturday

I got up at 5:20 this morning to get some things done before it got really hot. I did some shopping, and got home just as it was getting daylight enough for me to work outside. I finished the mowing, got the watering system set up in the back yard, planted a few flowers, spread some eco-friendly ant killing stuff, and put diatameous earth on the garden. By 7:30 I was showered and dressed, ready for my usual Saturday activities - Farmer's Market, thrift stores, etc.

It was a productive day but by noon I was settled into the air conditioning and haven't ventured out other than to hang out clothes and get them in off the line.

I've been working on various projects all afternoon and evening, trying to get as much done as possible over the weekend when I've got big stretches of time to think and to get things done. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much time in my life to just have fun, or to take care of the basics of running a household like doing dishes or picking up clutter. But, so it goes. For the moment I need to make money, so that's what I'm focused on. I'm just living in the mess and keeping my nose to the grindstone. And, being very thankful I have skills I can market. Very, very thankful.

Tomorrow I have to put the finishing touches on a speech I'm giving in July and get an article written. Glad I have another full day to think and write.

The Day

I picked my second batch of blackberries tonight, including a couple of huge ones. I figure with these couple of cups I've brought the per berry cost down to a little over $2. And, yes, there probably will be more berry pictures because I'm so tickled to have them.

I also discovered tonight that I had fresh raspberries. I planted them a few years ago and they were cut down by a lawn person but came back. Anyway, I got a couple of berries and they were sweet. Maybe there will be more to come this year.

I made a stop at the library on my way home tonight to pick up some research material for a speech I'm planning for next month. I forgot they close at 6 on Friday night now and remembered it just in time to leave work and still get in the library door, but I knew what I wanted to I had time to pick it up. I was struck, as I often am, at what an amazing resource it is to walk into a public library and check out anything you want. Really incredible. For free. I love the internet, but there are times I want some of the filtering done for me and it is when I pick up a well researched book.

Today was a really productive day at work. Sometimes you have those days when things are just zipping around in your brain and falling into place. I had one of those today. When that's happening I feel like I can get about five hours worth of work out of each one. It's good.

I'm hoping that continues all weekend because I have a lot of things I need to get done for various projects I have going. I picked up another freelance writing job today so I need to work on it a bit, in addition to the things I already had on the weekend's agenda. I've learned that I can't let something like that go or I get into trouble when I'm juggling this many things. However, with all the extra jobs going I am making progress on the medical bills, so that's good.

Well, I'm going to get to bed early tonight. It's supposed to be miserably hot tomorrow so I want to get up early and get some of my errands out of the way before the hottest part of the day. I don't think my air conditioning has turned off once since I got home. I'm sure it ran all day, too. I hate the sound of money going down the drain, but I just can't take the heat. And I am very, very grateful to have working air conditioning.

Art Walk

Tonight was the Downtown Art Walk and I was set up at The Fox. It was nice to be in climate controlled comfort and out of the wind! The downside was I didn't get to see what else was going on during Third Thursday because I was just in one place.

It has been a long day. It was Coffee at the Cosmo day so I got an extra early start to the day and went straight from work to the Fox. I think maybe, just maybe, I will get to bed before midnight tonight. Maybe.

Voice Demo

Sunday afternoon I recorded a voice demo in Kansas City. I plan to use it to get some work recording commercials or narrating videos or reading audio books, or whatever may come my way. When I worked in broadcasting, I would occasionally get a job doing voice work just because people would hear me on the radio and call me. But, since I'm not in broadcasting anymore, those things don't happen regularly. So, I decided it was time to seek it out.

Step one in that process is to have a voice demo. Although I've been doing voice work for many years, formats have changed, and I didn't have copies of things. Even if I did, I don't have access to a professional recording studio to generate a demo.

I'm really, really fortunate that my dear friend, Mark, works in radio now and when I mentioned I wanted to do a demo he said he thought maybe the sound engineer he worked with would be willing to help me with it. He put us in touch, and Barry generously offered to do the demo for me.

So, we set up to do it Sunday afternoon. I came prepared with about three dozen different scripts - probably about 50 printed pages - of commercials and video narration. My friends, Martha and Jill, very generously shared scripts their companies had produced so I had a variety of writing. I wrote some things fresh, and also used copy I had written for other businesses over the years.

I had spoken with Barry on the phone when I did some work for the show, but this was the first time we met. It was a wonderful experience - at least for me - I hope it was pleasant for him.

First he spoke with me about what I wanted to do, and how the day would go. Then he asked to see the scripts and started choosing what he wanted me to record. He selected brief parts of eight different scripts and then we started reading. As we recorded, I made notes on the scripts too. I thought you might enjoy seeing what a script looks like at the end of a recording session. Bear in mind they were pristine copies when we started.



Barry was very gracious when he started cutting on the scripts and explained he was just choosing small parts of them. I assured him I was not going to be offended in any way. Maybe it's from years of working with editors when I write, or being in broadcasting and trying to give people what they want vocally, but for some reason it doesn't bother me at all to get that sort of direction. In fact, I welcome it, because I lose perspective. It's great to have another set of eyes or ears.

I learned very quickly Barry's ears were exceptional. He was very kind when giving me direction, but I told him to not hold back - to just give it to me straight and tell me how he wanted me to read the script and I would do my best to do it that way. After he saw I really didn't flinch when he offered suggestions, he became much more direct, which was fine.

Ironically, I get my feelings hurt very easily in daily life. There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't have something happen that hurts my feelings, but when it's voice work or writing I can somehow divorce myself from the "product" of what I'm doing. I'm not sure how that works in my brain, but I'm thankful for it. Because when someone is paying you to read their copy a particular way, you better be able to deliver it.

Barry asked me early on if I had any convincing accents - British, French, etc. I told him I did not. I wish I could say that I did, but I don't. He assured me it was okay, that most people don't have as convincing an accent as they think they do.

I did do one spot with a little bit of a southern accent, which is natural for me. At one point when I was doing that Barry's direction was, "Give me Happy Patsy, with a twist of Dolly," which I found funny. You can see where I've written "more Dolly" on the bottom of the script.

We did a couple of things that are a bit outside of my comfort range, but were easy enough to pull off. I wouldn't want to present myself as being able to do anything that isn't natural for me. There's no point in getting a job I can't deliver on. So, we kept things within a range I could easily reproduce.

But, as a good sound person will do, Barry directed me in a way that gave a number of different sounds so there's some variety. Years ago when I worked in radio I had worked with an engineer who could direct me in a very productive way and get a vocal range from me I didn't know possible. Barry was able to do the same, even though we were just meeting for the first time and he didn't have a history with me.

Some people just "hear" better than the rest of us. And I don't mean the number of decibels they perceive. They hear subtle differences that are lost on the rest of us. If you're in the audio business, those people are incredibly valuable.

Of that group, a small percentage of them - and it is very small - can go beyond that and describe what they hear to you in a way that makes it possible for you to be better. It's a rare talent and a gift when you experience it. Sunday I was very fortunate to be in that position, and I am so grateful.

Barry was very generous to offer his talents to help me out and I so appreciate it. I'm thankful to him, and to Mark, for putting us in touch.

My Big Brother Jackie

This is my brother, Jackie, in his shop. From this place, magical things happen. He can build almost anything. He spent his career as an iron worker, so he built a lot of things over the years. He even worked on the St. Louis Arch at one point.

What he's building at the moment is a garden, and it's looking good.



He was out working in the garden regularly. We had fresh cucumbers, squash and green tomatoes while I was home and it was great to have them right out of the garden.



Jackie and I have similar personalities in many ways, although there's more than 20 years difference in our ages, and he was married with children before I was born. Nonetheless, genetics is at work I guess. We're both pretty outgoing and friendly, and have some similar ideas about how the world should work.



Unfortunately, I don't have his gift for building things or his mechanical abilities. He can fix anything.



And he's a very hard worker. Although he is retired now he still works hard at any number of things.



And he builds. The shop, house and garage you see in the background are examples of his handiwork. It must feel really amazing to live in a structure that you, yourself, built. It's quite incredible when you think about it - taking a pile of raw materials of boards and nails and turning it into a house.



He even built the martin bird houses you see in the background there.



Jackie is one of the most creative people I've ever met. He doesn't work with an artist's brush, but he is an artist. It's not unusual to find bits of paper lying about where he's drawing out what he wants to build next. He has invented so many things I can't even count them all. If we were more wise in the ways of business he would be a millionaire by now, but none of us know anything about patents and other necessities.

When he wants something - from a skeet thrower to a way to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders - he invents it. He's a thinker. Always thinking.



I affectionately call him "Big Brother." And I adore him.

Food Coma Caravan

This past weekend was the "Food Coma Caravan," affectionately known as the FCC. It's organized by Carl, who I've dubbed THE Carl - as in, "Follow The Carl," "All Hail the Carl," "The Carl will not lead us astray... he will lead us to good gravy."

Sitting on the bench, left to right: Kris, Mia, Mark
In back, left to right: Greg, Julie, Brian, The Carl, me, Wayne, Hannah

Once or twice a year The Carl plans a trip to a particular area. We stay in locally owned motels and eat at locally owned restaurants. We've been to Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas spots. The Carl tells me they have scoped out some places in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska too. So watch out... we may be headed north next time.

This trip was in the Kansas City area. A number of our group lives there, and it's an easy drive for the rest of us. I was coming back from a week in Kentucky with family so I just went through Kansas City on the way back. It worked out great.

This trip's visit included:
Beethoven's 9th in Paola, Kansas
HAVE DESSERT - that's all I can say - maybe have more than one. They have these GIGANTIC cookies that are $2 each and they are amazing. When I say big I mean they fill a small take out container top to bottom and side to side. They have German food, which isn't my favorite, but I'd go back for the dessert alone. Did I mention you should have dessert? We all had dessert. And we were happy even before then.



Corner Cafe in Independence
Great breakfast. One of my favorite stops this trip. Yummy. And, again, the desserts... oh my... I didn't have any because it was breakfast time but the case displaying the goodies was mouth-watering just to look at. Carl and Kris were having fun with the remains of Mark's psuedo sweet tea.



A bonus was seeing this vintage Rolls Royce in the parking lot.



Steamboat Arabia Museum... GO GO GO... it's so incredibly cool. Five adventurers raised the wreck of the Arabia and show off the recovered treasures in the museum. There are only three museums that have this sort of a display and this is the most extensive.

Real Jalisco
Authentic Mexican food... good stuff... and, again, dessert. The sopapillas are amazing!



Elbow Chocolates - artisan chocolate - what more needs be said

Oklahoma Joe's BBQ - loved by many - we waited over an hour to get in

Glace - an ice cream place owned by the same people as Elbow's - INCREDIBLE flavors - the French Lavendar was my favorite of the three tastes I had

Kris' kitchen - Kris made homemade blueberry buckle for us Sunday morning - sorry, but you gotta know The Carl and The Kris to be invited over for that. Only Mark and I took advantage of it - the others missed out by sleeping in.

Stroud's for fried chicken - it's a classic, it was delicious - family style fried chicken, potatoes and green beans topped off with cinnamon rolls

Of course, the food is great, but the real treat is getting to spend time with friends. I'm so grateful to be included in the group. Really nice folks and a great time.

My Blackberry Crop

I've wanted them for years. Finally, I have them. Blackberries. Fresh. Growing in my backyard. Finally.

I have planted blackberry bushes more times than I can count. I would say "third time is a charm" but I think it has been more than that. In fact, when I planted this one I planted two and the other one died.

But, finally, I have them. And they're delicious.

I went to the backyard tonight after being gone last week and found ripe blackberries. Ironically, I bought some blackberries at the grocery today. Only to come home and find these.

It has been many years since I've had truly fresh, just picked blackberries. My mother would always pick them for me when I went home in the summer so I haven't had any that fresh since she died. A former boyfriend did bring me some a few years ago from a farm so they had been picked within a few hours. These were off the briar and into my tummy within 20 minutes. I had bought some cream at lunch today too - perfect timing.

I got probably three full cups off them, which is good for a first harvest. Considering the money I've sent on starts over the years, I calculate the cost per individual berry is probably about $1.81. Money well spent.

Back in Kansas

I am safely back in Kansas. I spent a week with my family in Kentucky, which was fabulous. This weekend I spent with friends in Kansas City and this afternoon did a voice demo. It was great to be back in the studio again and working wih an amazing producer/director/engineer.

I'm very tired after dodging a storm with supposed 70 mph winds. I think they might have exaggerated on that. But there was driving rain and high winds so I spent quite a bit of time inside a rest stop that's built into the side of a hill - just in case.

Wonderful to see family and friends, old and new.

I want one

The 1st annual smart car convention is in KC. I love these things.

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What was this incident?

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Vintage rolls royce

Sometimes I'm reminded that people are leading very different lives than I am . This vintage rolls royce was a gleaming reminder this morning. I'm not even into cars and I know this is cool. Very cool.

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My old Kentucky Home

I really miss these gravel roads where there's so little traffic that grass grows in the middle. I didn't have time to pick up rocks this trip. This road is one of my favorite rock hunting grounds. I miss my old Kentucky home and my family. I really miss my family.

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PostSecret Event with Frank Warren in Pittsburg Kansas

In late April I attended a PostSecret event with Frank Warren in Pittsburg, Kansas. If you're not familiar with PostSecret, you can look forward to spending part of every Sunday with it from now on.

People mail Frank postcards with their secrets. Some are mini works of art, some more hastily made. Some are funny, some touching, and some heartbreaking. He said people have mailed him secrets on everything from fast food wrappers to fake bananas to a real potato.

He said secrets start to fall into some broad, general categories over time. And he said he has learned there are two kinds of secrets. He said, "There are the secrets we hide from other people. And the secrets we keep from ourselves."

Greg went with me, because we were headed on to Joplin to visit his mom, and although he wasn't a fan going in I think he was one coming out. We were lucky enough to be in the front row. I had called for tickets shortly after I saw it noted on the PostSecret list of events. It turned out to be a huge bonus that I was down front.



Frank asked if anyone had ever mailed in a secret, and I raised my hand. He asked how it felt and I said, "good." He came over to the edge of the stage and handed me a copy of his latest book, "Confessions on Life, Death, and God." I had the two books I already owned in my bag, hoping to get an autograph later, so I was thrilled to add to my collection. Not to mention that it was handed over by Frank himself.

I met him a few years ago at a National Mental Health Association conference in DC when he was getting an award. It was when I was the director of the local MHA, of course. After the awards presentation that evening I went over to tell him how much I loved PostSecret but just had a few seconds with him. He asked if I'd ever sent a secret and at that time I hadn't. Since then I've sent two. Neither has shown up on the website as far as I know.

We were asked to take photos only during the first five minutes of the presentation, which probably explains why all the photos we see of PostSecret events look much the same - Frank on a stool or walking around the stage. He made some opening comments, then showed some of the postcards that didn't make it into the books and talked about why - often a copyright issue.

He talked about his process, how PostSecret grew from his original concept of an art project, and how secrets affect us all. He said he thinks of sending a secret as "the first act in a journey. That act can change who you are." He spoke later in the presentation about how, "Each one of us has a secret that would break your heart if you knew it." He said he thought that could make us feel compassion and empathy, that could lead to peace.

One of the most compelling things he said was, "Children almost broken by the world are the adults most likely to change it." Truer words were never spoken.

At the end of the presentation he commented that he had written a secret in the books. I knew he added a secret to each of the books he has compiled from PostSecret cards, but I thought he was referring to the books they were selling that evening. Then he clarified that it was in the one he had given away. To me.

I opened it up and he came over and handed me the microphone and asked me to read it aloud, which I did. "The world needs to hear your voice," was what it said. My friend, Andrea, who was there with her friend, Steve, told me later that they thought it perfect that I got that message.



It was an amazing evening and if you get a chance to see Frank Warren, do. The PostSecret project is very interesting in and of it self. Even those not familiar with it will enjoy his engaging presentation.

Needless to say, I had an extra special evening with the book and its message. Greg is always wanting front row seats to concerts and I must say I saw the advantage of that in this situation.

After the presentation, people were invited to share secrets with the audience. It was astonishing the things people were willing to tell to this group of strangers with whom they had shared the evening.

Frank Warren graciously signed books and posed for photographs afterwards. He was very kind, spending some time with everyone who went through the line. I was so grateful to get to be there.

Hummingbirds Eat Mimosa Nectar at Sunset

I'm not seeing enough of hummingbirds eating nectar from mimosa trees at sunset. I'm not seeing nearly enough of that, and a hundred other things like it. Something is definitely wrong with how I'm living my life.

Maybe that's the downfall of having lots of different experiences. You're always longing for something you once had that you want more of. At the same time, because you've learned the world is full of possibilities, you also want new experiences. Unfortunately, whatever choice we make for any given moment, we're saying "no" to every other possibility.

I suspect some people never consider the nectar they're missing. Sometimes I think life would be easier if I didn't, but that's not who I am. With every moment of life that slips by I'm intensely aware of its possibilities - realized and squandered.

But the moments I spent watching hummingbirds eat nectar from mimosa trees at sunset this evening were well-spent. Every day needs more moments that are life well-lived.

New Glasses

I have new glasses, which I desperately needed. My others, which supposedly had no coatings on them, are flaking off something on them - a coating of some sort, obviously - and it was like looking through a continual fog. I was also very tired of the frames. (And, no, I don't know why I keep taking pictures of myself after having washed my makeup off and then posting them on the world wide web.)

I've been on the hunt for some really cool frames. As far as I can tell, such things are simply not manufactured any more. I've looked at more than a dozen brick and mortar businesses that specialize in frames, in four different communities. I've looked at a half dozen places online at least.

The need eventually outpaced the desire for something really cool that I really loved. I settled for something I really, really, really liked, that's far more ordinary than I would have preferred. But, so it goes. I'll keep looking and maybe I'll run into something more cool/fun/interesting. In the meantime, I can see much better, which is fabulous.

I got two pair. These are a burgundy color, and I do really love the color. The others are a tortise shell. I'll get pix of those eventually too. Picking out frames is supposed to be a fun experience. This was drudgery, but I can see so much better so that's cool.

In other news I'm happy to be able to blog again. I couldn't get onto blogger for a couple of nights. The second night they said there were access issues in certain parts of the country. That was, needless to say, my part of the country. But, earlier today all seems to have been resolved so normal blogging should resume.

Now that I can see better, maybe I'll write better!

A Taste of Italy in Rural Kansas

Tons of interesting things happen in Kansas, and I miss a bunch of them because I'm already committed to something else. Here is one of those things... and although I'm going to miss it because I'm already committed to another cool thing... there's no reason you should. Besides, you'll be able to support a great cause while you have a fabulous time.

If you've read here any amount of time you know I'm a devotee of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, which promotes the preservation of rural culture in Kansas. Kansas has a treasure in the work done by this organization. It's phenomenal what Marci Penner and crew have done to put Kansas on the map. I've been a fan for a long time and last year got to meet a number of people working in the towns when they were working on a website that features rural Kansas.

You also know it's pretty rare I put up a "commercial" for something. I'm fiercely protective of blog readers' time and energy. I appreciate that you share my life with me and never want to abuse that trust. So, you only see this sort of thing when it's something I think is really, really, really cool and am either attending or wishing I could attend.

I can't make it to this one, but there's no reason you should miss out! Here's an opportunity for you to get involved in a meaningful and fun way. Wish I could see you there... I know it's going to be a great evening.

A Taste of Italy in Rural Kansas!

Saturday, June 26,starting at 6 p.m.
La Torre, 158 Chisholm Road, Inman

There's an Italian Villa near Inman in McPherson County, in the middle of wheat territory. It's the home of John and Chris Hershberger and they have invited the Kansas Sampler Foundation to do a fundraiser at their home where they serve meals by group reservation only. They are booked months ahead of time.

Chris comes from Italian descent but it's her husband John that is the Italian chef. He's so enamored about Italian cooking that he's even taken a cooking class in Tuscany. Chris is an artist and, well, you'll just have to come on June 26 to see how rural Kansas can be transformed into an artistic slice of Italy, in Mennonite country.

They will serve an outdoor sit-down five-course meal, including fine wines. The first course will be pizza from the outdoor wood-burning stove. Guests may walk around to see the yard during this time. At 7 p.m., the meal will be served.

Reservations are $75 a plate. The proceeds will go to special projects of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The KSF mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture.

If you want to be part of a really special evening, send $75 to KSF, 978 Arapaho Road, Inman, KS 67546 or call 620-585-2374 with a credit card number. You will receive further details by e-mail or letter prior to the event.

It's designed to be a simple evening in a "wow"ful place. Great food, great outdoor setting, and people all interested in helping rural Kansas be the best it can be.

Quote of the Day

"You used to be much more muchier. You've lost your muchness."
said the Madhatter to Alice

Summer Days

There are so many wonderful things to love about summer - dragon flies, lightning bugs and sunshine. The only problem is the heat.

Why must there be heat?

Oh... and mosquitoes... why must there be mosquitoes?

El Dorado Arkansas and a Long Term Solution

I was reading recently about El Dorado, Arkansas. It's not a place I've been, but certainly one I'd like to visit. The information I read about their recent Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is interesting, and the fact that their downtown is at 100% occupancy is impressive. The photographs make it look like a place you'd love to visit and maybe even live.

But the thing that attracted my attention most of all was a little blurb about the "El Dorado Promise, which means local high school grads are guaranteed full college tuition through 2027. This is due to a private gift of $50-million.

Lets back up to the part where all high school graduates are going to college. Repeat that, if you will. Every student can go to college.

If you are looking for a solution for whatever ails your town, business, community, family, whatever, here it is. Everyone goes to college. I can hear the rumblings already - college doesn't solve everything, not everyone needs to go to college, etc. etc. etc. That's true. But the reality is that college graduates make more money. If you're a town looking for a tax base, you want some college graduates and/or people who happen to be wealthy enough to give a $50-million gift to improve your town.

I see "improvements" all the time that cost millions of dollars. This money goes into making investments in all sorts of things, but rarely people. People, of course, are the most valuable resource a community has.

And anyone with an iota of common sense knows that education is the way to make a difference. Education is the way out, the way up, and the way in.

This is a long term solution - it's not attracting a new factory or building a new convention center or redoing the look of a street. People like quick fixes and concrete, visible results. Goodness knows I'm a girl who appreciates immediate gratification, but while that is easily accomplished when all you need is a chocolate fix, it's a little more difficult when you're trying to effect social change.

This is different. It's about making a sustained difference over the long haul, and it's more intangible. The results will be real, but they'll only be visible some years in the future when entreprenuers are flourishing, architects are designing, engineers are creating, and teachers are teaching.

It's long term change. The only kind that works. The kind most people have no stomach for. Because individuals can't see beyond the ends of their noses, towns can't ever do anything visionary because they're made up of individuals who won't allow it. But El Dorado, Arkansas had an angel who decided to circumvent all of that and do something special. And generous. And beneficial. This will benefit El Dorado, Arkansas, for decades to come. Because someone had some vision, and the ability to make it happen.

Sending every child in your community to college is making a long term, sustained change in your town. Of course not every child will remain in your community, but some will stay and some will return. And even if they don't, you'll have people all over the country who feel a connection to the place that gave them their start in life. Some of them will amass fortunes. One of them may make a large gift to send the next few generations of kids in your town to college.

What's in a Name?

My first name is not unusual, but it's somewhat uncommon. "Patsy" is far less common than "Patty" or even "Pat." Throughout my life it has been a struggle for some to get "Patsy" so I've learned to answer to anything close to it. My dear Aunt LaVerne called me "Patty" until the day she died. I gave up trying to correct her, and she taught me the lesson that there are things far more important than this in life.

At one time I worked at a radio station with someone named "Nancy," and it's amazing how much "Nancy" and "Patsy" sound alike over an intercom. Now I work with a "Patti" and a "Kathy" and this creates some confusion on occasion, too. But, nothing that's insurmountable by any means.

When I worked at Radio Kansas all of the press releases for various events came to me. I kept a collection of misspellings of my name on my bullitin board. I found it quite amusing. "Patsy Farrell," "Patty Jerrell," and one of my favorites, "Nancy Carroll." There were many, many permuations of first and last names, with more spellings than you could imagine.

The funniest one of all was the Wichita Public Library. Periodically I would get a press release from them and they would have changed the spelling of my name. This would happen with no input from me. It was as if it were someone's job to go through their press release list periodically and mix up the letters in the names. I'm sure the real answer is that it was just a new person who was trying to correct an error, and made another one - but it's so much more fanciful to imagine that being someone's responsibility in their idle time. In all the years I worked at the station I don't think they ever got my name right, but they added to my collection of misspellings, and I appreciated that far more.

In case you didn't know, "Pasty" is much easier to type than "Patsy." I see that one a lot. And while I might be fair skinned, I like to think I'm not pasty. I guess there could be debate about that. It even says "Pasty Terrell" right under "Patsy Terrell" on my official Kansas retailers tax certificate. I wrote them a note to try and get it corrected, because it is an official document. I'm betting you can guess how well that went. Lets just say I got it in 2007 and it still comments on my skin tone.

As you can probably tell, I don't get too wigged out about my name being misspelled or mispronounced. The last time I was on television they mispronounced my last name, which is not unusual. I say "Tear-ul" - others say "Ter - rel." I answer to either. And I don't correct people in that sort of a circumstance. What's the point?

All of that said, I think it's important to know people's names. I'm not very good with remembering names, so it's a struggle for me. But someone on an art list pointed out to me once that when I talked about people who were working on my house or whatever that I always knew their names. I didn't know this was unusual. These people are in your home, and you're interacting with them, I would think you'd want to know their names. But she pointed out that many people would consider it "beneath" them to have enough contact with anyone working in their house that they would know their names.

She caused me to pay attention to that sort of thing. I'm sorry to say that I think she is correct. Not necessarily in that particular instance, but in multiple ways. People only know the names of people they consider in their "class" and they don't bother to learn others. I try to learn everyone's name, and interact with them on a one-to-one basis, regardless of our "stations." It may take me a few tries, but I'll eventually get it.

The idea of "stations" in life is a curious one. Regardless of where you perceive yourself to be, there's someone who thinks you're beneath them and someone who thinks you're above them. I try to just be eye to eye with everyone.

So, what's in a name? Sometimes respect is what's in a name. I don't consider it disrespectful when someone mispronounces my name, or has it a little off, or whatever. I find that rather charming. But if I could tell they had no clue what my name was, and I'd been interacting with them for a protracted period of time, I might be put off. Although, people do just have brain lapses sometimes. I've been saved more than once when introducing people and someone's name escaped me and they graciously introduced themselves, saving me the embarrassment.

But if there's someone in your world that you see every day and you don't know their name, learn it today. Just say, "You know, this is weird - we see each other every day - but I don't know your name. If I ever did I have forgotten it, but please share it with me so I can address you by name from now on."

Sometimes what's in a name is the possibility to interact on equal footing.

Friends, Vices, Cell Phones and The Truth

Mark was in town tonight so he, Greg and Sharon and I had dinner at Anchor Inn. That's Mark's favorite place in Hutchinson. It was good to see him. He's on the board of the state historical society and is spending a few days in Newton at the State Preservation Conference.

On the national news front today, Al and Tipper Gore have announced they're divorcing, just days after celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Al Gore has always been a curiousity to me. I've never seen a powerful man that doesn't have some vice. Clinton's was women. Bush's was alcohol and cocaine. Edwards was women - and being even dumber about women than you would think possible. You get the idea.

I've always wondered what Al Gore's was. But I thought maybe having been training in politics from a very early age that he was very controlled. They say there is no affair involved, and I certainly hope that's true, but I guess time will tell.

In state news, Kansas just passed a ban on driving while texting. Well, duh. Like it's not common knowledge that's stupid. Doesn't seem we should need to legislate common sense, but I guess we do.

Tonight I heard Valley Center is considering a ban on any cell phone usage while driving. The idea, of course, is that this will reduce accidents. Unfortunately, the facts tell us it won't make any difference. This is a prime example of people ignoring facts.

The facts are that the number one reason for accidents is not related to cell phones. Although cell phone usage has exploded in the last few years, with 89% of people in the US now having them, there has been no increase in accidents. So, duh, it's not the cell phone.

The number one reason for car accidents is distraction. And that usually comes from another person in the car - often a child. So, why don't we ban people transporting their children? That would be the most logical way to approach the problem. Of course, that's not practical.

For some people, it's not practical for them to not be able to talk on their cell phones while driving. I'm not one of those people - I just don't get that many phone calls - but I'm thinking of salespeople, real estate agents and others who rely on their phones while in the car for their livlihood. And it's easy to say it wasn't always that way, and that's true, but now we expect people to be available 24/7.

While people are suggesting not allowing people to use cell phones while driving we're putting cars on the market with televisions built in. What kind of sense does that make? I know I'm going up against the all powerful Oprah on this issue, but making your car a no phone zone is not going to solve the problem. Making your car a no-distraction zone would be. But, the phone isn't high on the distration list by a long shot.

And, lest you think I'm just blathering on incessantly, making it all up, check the data from the Highway Data Loss Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan group funded by the insurance industry. By the way, the phone bans that are in effect haven't reduced collision rates at all. You know why? Because they weren't responsible in the first place.

This is one of those times when I'm baffled by my fellow humans. Reality - facts - tell the story. But, we want to totally ignore them because we have adopted another viewpoint. And although that is false - there's nothing to indicate there's any truth to it at all - people hold tightly to it. Why? What is to be gained from ignoring the truth?

"Truth" is a concept I come back to over and over again. I'm a big believer that we can always speak the truth - kindly - but openly. So I do not understand why we want to ignore the truth. To me, "truth" is the pinnacle - it's what we're seeking - it's what we want to know so we can act accordingly. Yet, as a society, we ignore the truth repeatedly - even when it's to the detriment of our own interests.

For example, we know that children who eat dinner with their families are at significantly less risk for drug abuse, alcohol addiction and teenage pregnancy. It has been proven in multiple studies. Yet, the number of families who eat dinner together continues to decrease. Why would we ignore this truth?

Only 7% of Americans live in a traditional family unit, yet we gear nearly 90% of our development efforts toward this elusive family that does not exist. Why? What purpose does that serve? Why do we want to try to attract something that doesn't exist when we could, instead, be trying to attract a demographic that is plentiful?

Sometimes I mention that I'm completely out of step, that I don't understand people. These are examples of why. I cannot understand the viewpoint of those who ignore truth that is indisputable, straight-forward and obvious. But I find myself living in a society that does not value the truth nearly as much as I do. So I'm out of step.

Do I say all of this because I desperately want to talk on my cell phone while driving? No. Frankly, I talk on my cell phone very little. Do I need a law to tell me not to text while driving? No. I'm smart enough to know that already.

I certainly do prefer the freedom to use my cell phone while driving if I feel the need, but it wouldn't be a tremendous hardship to me if I couldn't. But the idea of making it illegal to prevent accidents is foolish. If you really want to prevent accidents, there's a whole long list of things that would net greater results than limiting phone use. The truth points to other issues. Why don't we at least consider the truth instead of holding fast to fallacies?

End of a Three Day Weekend

It's the end of a three day weekend and I still have much that needs to be done. I've gone practically nonstop since Friday night, but I've not accomplsihed as much as I had hoped I would. It seems a person really can only do so many things in any 24 hour time period, or in this case a 72 hour time period. There are limits, I suppose.

I did get all the tomatoes in the ground this weekend. Considering that I went from having two tomatoes a couple of weeks ago, to then having five when Greg gave me some extra Sun Gold plants, to then having 18 after my Saturday morning stop at the farmer's market, getting them "all" in the ground is good.

I'm also happy to report from the garden that I have little baby blackberries. I love, love, love blackberries and have tried a few times to get them to grow with no success. A couple of years ago I bought two more vines. One of them survived and has little blackberries forming. If birds start trying to eat them before I do we will have a big problem.

I did run to Wichita this afternoon to look at eyeglass frames. I need new glasses. Very badly. But I'm having a really hard time finding any frames I like. I want something cool and funky. I've always had great luck finding something I really liked before, but this time I can't seem to locate anything. I did find something I liked okay today, but I'm hoping for more than "okay." I'd like to find something I'm excited about. That might be asking for too much. I'm not sure how there can be a gazillion frames and they're all largely the same. Maybe I have a career ahead designing eyeglass frames.

If I had another three days I might be able to make some significant headway in my house. Maybe. But I don't, so there you go. How do people get everything done?

Human Life is Evanescent

Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.
---Samuel Butler

I've always had a sense that our time on Earth is very fleeting so we must make the most of every moment. As I explained to someone recently, I think of life and death as very close and that there's truly a "thin veil" between them and it's really easy to cross over.

Ironically, even though I've had this idea from a very early age, I've never had a real fear of dying. I don't take any unnecessary chances with my life by any means, but I am not frightened by the thought of going on to what's next.

Scenes from the week

This week started in Ramona as we finished the retreat. Friday before everyone arrived for the retreat I watched a local boy park his bike in the middle of Main Street to go get his dog. The second time he repeated the process I went and took a picture of the bike parked in the road. It wasn't quite as centered in the road as it had been the first time, but you get the idea, obviously.

I'm still in the mood for quiet these days. The week hasn't offered a lot of opportunity for that since I returned home. Looking at this photo I can put myself right back on the porch in Ramona.



Early this week a friend sent me these flowers. The second I looked at them I thought, "I LOVE orange flowers. Why do I not have any orange flowers growing?" Of course, I think this brilliant orange is hard to come by. But it's beautiful. I love that bright, clear, intense color. Just gorgeous.

In many ways I'm really, really good at treating myself well. But occasionally something like this comes up and I wonder why I am not enjoying something I like so much on a regular basis.



Thursday I did a social networking presentation to local arts organizations. It was a really cool group to be involved with. I love to see people suddenly "get it." When I was preparing for this presentation I realized that just since the last one I'd done a few weeks ago, the landscape had shifted dramatically. Fascinating how quickly things can change.

I hope I'm very productive around the house this weekend. I need to have my house much tidier than it is. When it's a jumble it's harder for me to think clearly. So I hope to accomplish much this weekend.

Sex in the City 2 - No Spoilers

Some friends and I went to see Sex in the City 2 tonight. I'm not proud of myself for wanting to see it, but I did, so there. It was filmed in Morocco, a place I desperately want to visit, so I couldn't resist from that aspect alone.

It was good - not as involved a plot as the first movie - but worth it if you're a fan.

Afterwards Kate, Amy and I met Greg and had a bite to eat and visited. It was great to talk with them all. Kate, Amy and I used to get together occasionally to commune with each other because we're all southern girls. We've gotten out of the habit, and I think we need to reinstate it.