Spring in the Country

It was so good to get out of the concrete jungle and visit my friend and family in Connecticut last weekend. I got to enjoy a bit of spring in the country.

The lawn at my folks was covered in white, lilac, and deep indigo violets, and the entire south side of the garage was rimmed six inches deep. It was so pretty. Sadly, the lawnmower man came by and returned the lawn to its uniform green color.

Winter snows had collapsed part of the hedges around the property, creating a little window.

Look at this little treasure. Luckily, the Blue Jays that were the prior tenants of this nest were not available for comment.

I also managed to see our azaleas in bloom.

On a trip to the old homestead, it's always interesting to see the hacienda and the old neighborhood and to mark the changes. The house has changed colors in the last year, there are trees down in the side yards which open up new vistas on the other lots on the block, and the noise pollution is increasing, as are other "elements."

The most remarkable change on this journey, however, was the addition of some barricades to the corner of the lot. My father claims it is to deter snowplows from raking up the lawn and to prevent cars from sliding down the hill and into the porch during the icy winters. I think it really marks the beginning of my father's final assimilation from a westerner to a Yankee. For centuries, New Englanders have been building dry stone rock walls to clear the land and create boundary markers for their propery. It kept livestock in and helped to keep intruders out. After more than 25 years, my father is finally building his walls on his land.

Here's the start.

Here's what a vintage Vermont wall looks like, courtesy and copyright Jared C. Benedict.

This isn't the first rock wall building project that my father has undertaken. Along with the members of his local congregation, he helped to restore the walls around the church's property, but that was over ... YIKES ...that was a LONG time ago, because I helped when I was a teenager.

It takes a long time to be considered a true New Englander, but I submit that voluntarily building rock walls on your property is a definite sign that the region is now in your blood.

Toy Society -- Drop #277

The Toy Society spreads the love throughout the streets of the world. Nothing to it really, just a bunch of handmade toys looking for a nice home.

What started as a small street art project in Australia is slowly spreading around the world. Should you come across a member of The Toy Society on your travels collect them up and take them home with you!

But don't forget to let us know about it here: thetoysociety@gmail.com

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Dropped: The Lily Pad Art Store, Willimantic, Connecticut USA

Number of toys: 1 (Mr. Frog Prince)

Made and dropped by: Auntie Nettie

When: Saturday, May 2, 2009, 6:00 p.m.

Auntie Nettie says: When I was trying to figure out where to leave Mr. Frog Prince, I figured what better place than a Lily Pad? This is a great art store in Willimantic, Connecticut, a town that celebrates its frog-lore with annual celebrations. While the store was closed, I bet one of the local artists (or yoga people from the studio next door) will rescue Mr. Frog Prince and restore him to his kingdom. I hope he hops on to a good home.

Stay tuned to the Toy Society blog to see if and when Mr. Frog Prince is found.

Hint: Auntie Nettie drove by the drop site the next day and the Prince wasn't there.

City Gardeners Week 3

Thursday, April 30, 2009

2:00 p.m.

A Sextet of Sprouts

Going the distance

Programming Note: Auntie Nettie is taking the next few days off to go visiting some far-flung friends. Stay tuned for updates.

The shared memories brought smiles, laughter, a few tears and, at last, a sense of contentment. For slowly, from our treasured memories, a kindred bond began to emerge.

That's how it is with people sometimes. When you least expect it, a common thread - golden at that - begins to weave together the fabric of friendship.

~Mary Kay Shanley, She Taught Me to eat Artichokes: The Discovery at the Heart of Friendship

Does that meant I never let her down? Does that mean the rhythm is always in step? It means that in spite of, or including these issues, I absolutely can count on her. And what is so valuable is that I don't believe that is open to question.
~Catherine Smith, Ph.D.

Though our communication wanes at time of absence, I'm aware of a strength that emanates in the background.
~Claudette Renner

From Girlfriends: Invisible Bonds, Enduring Ties by Carmen Renee Berry and Tamara Traeder

Peeps in the Library

What happens when Peeps meet "Pimp my Bookcart" contests and librarians who like to have fun?

The guys over at the Unshelved comic provided this link.

Dewey love that or what?!

Quote of the day

"An eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind." M.K. Ghandi

Late last week, this quote appeared on a small piece of paper taped to the back of bathroom stall doors. While the sentiments are lovely, I'm not sure that I want to be having these kinds of deep thoughts or thinking about Ghandi when I'm doing my business at work.

Just saying ...

This quote appeared on Monday:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your amibitons. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." Mark Twain

I guess notes taped to the back of the door are better than quote-of-the-day t.p.

Cultural Escapades

There are some really great things about living and working in one of the cultural capitals of the world. Within a span of a month (or even a day for some people) you can see a serious play, attend free concerts, learn about little known international instruments, and then see a sneak peak of a new film.

A few weeks ago I got to catch up with my dear friend Poopeh and see the Theatre for a New Audience production of Hamlet at the Duke Theater on 42nd Street that everyone was raving about. Our schedules are always so busy that sometimes it takes six months to synch up, so it was great that this get-together got organized relatively quickly. Four of the leads were Big J alumni from various decades, so it was wonderful to see how the School's Drama Department has contacts everywhere. I also had a wonderfully unexpected reunion with some friends from my Caramoor days during the first intermission ... one of those only in New York moments when someone in the crowd passes you by and you go, I KNOW that lady. I turned around and looked up into the seating risers and decided for once not to be my normally shy and retiring self, but go and say hello. Even after more than two years the couple was so lovely and gracious and gave me a big warm hug and kiss. It's good to know that you are missed and that you made an impression at a job -- though after 12 years one would hope so.

The next week I had a double dose of culture, with a lunch-time recital of harps and guitars (much like last year's, but with no fun lyrics) followed by an after-work musical presentation by my lovely colleague T***. As previously mentioned, T*** is a very accomplished domestic goddess, who has an interest in shakuhachi flute. She was recently awarded the jin-shi-han license (to teach shakuhachi) as well as her own Japanese name, and was asked by the Big J's international relations department to do a presentation for the students and interested faculty and staff members about this little-known instrument. Between the q&a, her fun anecdotes, and the very zen music, I felt very educated by the end of the day. These kinds of presentations are a great way to learn about the other side of your colleagues. I knew T*** rocked ... I'm glad that other people got to find out too.

T*** Yuuraka M*******d

Finally, last week I volunteered to help at a membership event for some of the Big J donors, where they were cordially invited to attend an exclusive pre-opening screening of The Soloist, a new film starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., based on the book by Steve Lopez.

The event was at the Paramount Screening Room in mid-town, near the MTV studios and Shubert Alley/Theater District. I usually avoid mid-town at all costs because it is crazy with tourists to the point where you cannot walk down the street. This time I had no choice.

[A word of advice to out-of-towners! People, please do not do the following or one of these days I PROMISE I will knock you over and swear at you like the commuter I am! Do not text and walk -- you have no idea how slow you are walking. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot do two things at one time. The same holds true for cellphones. Do not talk on your cellphone and wander aimlessly down the street, or stop abruptly, OR stop in the middle of the subway stairs to finish up your call and/or text. If you are on the stairs or the escalator, STAY TO THE RIGHT! Also, if you MUST take a picture with a camera or a phone, GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALK! COME ON ALREADY! Sorry. Mini-rant finished, for now.]

Before the guests arrived, I totally acted like the blogger that I am and took pictures to prove I was there.

The room was on the third floor of this building and the elevator banks opened into this little lobby. The walls were covered with floor to ceiling pictures from some Paramount films, along with this bench at the end of the hall. It took me all night to finally go over and realize that it wasn't a just a place to sit to wait for the elevator, but there for a reason.

That plaque .... read it closely.
It's the bench from Forrest freaking Gump!

Matt's a good sport. I got him to pose for me,

and take another picture.
(Yes, I'm a geek!)

I am also such a theater dork that I was taking pictures out the window of the screening room to the area next door, which happened to actually be Shubert Alley. How strange is it that I first noticed the architecture, then I noticed the marquee.
I have to get tickets to this play. I loved the film as a teenager, so I can't wait to see what this production is like. I can't understand why Broadway has to be so expensive though!

All in all, it's been a great month for the cultural outings. It does make for some late night though.

Let's just put it this way, when Grand Central look like this ...

and you can almost see the tumbleweeds rolling by ...

and the clock looks like this ...

meaning you've missed the "early" train and you have to wait for another 30-60 minutes ... it's no wonder that even The Shushing Librarian passes out on the train!
The End.

Roll Credits