Clos des Amis Chambang Rose Sparkling wine made by birthday boy Bruce Freeman from grapes from Saticoy near Ventura not far from the beach
Bottling Bruce’s birthday bubbles by hand in sun is messy business.
April is National Poetry Month so I’m going to post an American sentence or two every day along with some image — art or a photograph. Allen Ginsberg came up with the concept — an American sentence is like a haiku in that it has 17 syllables but it’s not three lines in a stanza but one. As a haiku seeks to conveys an image that generates emotion and conveys a moment in time, the best Sentences do more than just offer a sentence in 17 syllables. Read more…
National Poetry Month: April 2, 2020– Traces of Trees
They are everywhere — these traces of trees–growing from outline to draft.
Six small tuscan kale and six sugar pea plants wait in warm earth for rain.
April is National Poetry Month so I’m going to post an American sentence every day along with art. Allen Ginsberg came up with the concept — an American sentence is like a haiku in that it has 17 syllables but it’s not three lines in a stanza but one sentence. As a haiku seeks to conveys an image that generates emotion and conveys a moment in time, the best Sentences do more than just offer a sentence in 17 syllables.
I learned about American Sentences from Paul Nelson who I met at the Taos Poetry Circus in 2000. He has been writing one a day since January 1, 2001. Learn more about American Sentences from Paul here.
National Poetry Month: April 1, 2020 — April Fools
We all agree there is no need for April’s Fools in 2020.
If I could only write this April’s Fools I’d be a better person.
April is National Poetry Month so I’m going to post an American sentence every day. Allen Ginsberg came up with the concept — an American sentence is like a haiku in that it has 17 syllables and it conveys a moment in time.
10 Years Ago Today: More Like Superman
Dr. Aria Sabit with patient spring 2010
One month ago on this day, our dog got hit by a car and dragged 100′; link to the GoFundMe here. On this date one month ago, I was laid off from my college teaching job due to low enrollment.
But these shocks are nothing like the one that happened ten years ago today, when, in a bicycle accident discussed here, or with more details here, my husband broke his C2 aka the Hangman’s break where 95% of the people die, and the 5% who live are quadriplegics (think Christopher Reeves) except for 3% of that 5% who have fused necks with a significant loss of mobility.
However, instead of being like the human Christopher Reeves, he’s more like the superhero– he’s more like Superman. He is completely recovered with complete mobility.
Night skiing g at Big Bear December 2019
While he can’t fly through the air like Superman can, he flies on his snowboard 30 or so days a year and on his mountain bike as often as possible.
Who doesn’t have mobility?
His doctor. Read more…
Ron’s Rankings, Oscar Nominations 2019
Oscar statues photo courtesy of the Academy Awards
With THE 92ND ACADEMY AWARDS 2020 edition coming up this Sunday February 9 at the Dolby Theatre at honoring movies released in 2019, everyone is talking about their favorite films– including my friend and film aficionado Ron Wells.
“Soooo many great actors in so many films this year,” says Ron in his introduction to his rankings. “I love films and going to theaters and seeing artists do what they do best. Always a joy for me. This year for me was really about documentaries. I would watch all of those listed a second or third time. The movies were good too, but I don’t know that anything blew me away. Still, a nice mix of films over the past year.”
Here are Ron’s Rankings (and a few rants!) for 2019 with a few trailers followed by key nominations and a few thoughts from me and a few of my friends:
LOVE sculpture with “Embrace” in the background; dawn Burning Man 2014. photo by Gwendolyn Alley
“What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
MLK: Darkness cannot drive out darkness
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that,” said Dr. King in his 1963 book, Strength to Love. (https://apnews.com/…/King%27s-words-still-inspire-nearly-50…).
“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
#WomensMarch for Justice: Jan. 18, 2020
Four years ago, a racist, sexist, ignorant, inflammatory, selfish and self-centered man was elected president of the United States.
Millions of women and their allies took to the streets across the country for the first Women’s March and other protests.
Some of us haven’t stopped protesting because while he has been impeached by the US House of Representatives, the Senate has to vote to remove him. Read more…
Greta, George, Jared, and the Ends of the World As We Know Them
Last September Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot came together in a video about climate change, warning us that the world is going to collapse unless we do something.
Someone who knows quite a bit about the topic of collapse also is UCLA Professor of Geography Jared Diamond, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning Guns, Germs, and Steel and a book on Collapse. which served as a foundation for an exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in LA about 15 years ago when the book came out. Read more…
Birthday Time 2020
January 11 is my birthday; I’m Gen X.
It’s also the birthday of WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg, a Millenial who turned 36.
And of Larry Harvey,Burning Man founder (RIP), a Boomer fond of absinthe by Absinthia.
How did 2019 go by so fast? is it really 2020 — time of vision past and future?
I’d like to celebrate all three of us — Larry, Matt and ME, the future and the past plus any other Capricorns along for the ride…keep reading…
and I’d like to ask for your support. Because this was not a typical birthday.
On Wednesday, my dog Cisco was hit by a car Read more…
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays 2019! Read more…
art predator 