MYSTIC SEAPORT-THE TOWN

Mystic Seaport has a mysterious name. It conjures up the movie, Mystic Pizza, a romantic comedy filmed partly in Mystic Seaport and nearby Groton, Connecticut. There is an element of mystery as the pizza continues to become well known. Ah, so much for the movies. It did put Mystic Seaport on the map for those of us who didn't know about its other qualities, such as a whaling and fishing history.  Jim and I  spent quite a bit of time, there since Jim's daughter-in-law lived most of her life in Mystic Seaport. Jim and Wendy Jaillet were married there as well. On our first visit we simply walked the town and looked around. Following is some of those photos.

 Rolling into town from Newport, R.I.

 A beautiful lighthouse-still in use.

 Swans are not U.S. natives. They were put here to eat up troublesome algae. Notice the darker, young swan. The Ugly Duckling story.

 New England has many, many bridges. This draw bridge is tough to photograph, the heavy concrete counterweights lift that bridge.

The boats pass through, and down they come.

This picture of a picture gives a better perspective of the bridge. Walking under those huge counterweights takes an element of faith. I guess its always that way, even when crossing a bridge in a car with huge trucks rumbling next to you, with your life depending on steel supports.

In many communities public benches are chained to prevent theft. In Mystic, they simply make them heavier.

 I enjoyed unique and different art work. Different, that is, in topics. Much ado about whaling, boats, sailing and fishing, obviously. The woodcut below is an antique we saw in a museum.

Conclusion: Mystic is the perfect place for a fish-loving, bridge building, romantic, movie-loving artist. And we tourists, too.

FLOWERS BRING BACK SUMMER

 As fall begins to pitch its crisp, cold mornings, lavish sun drenched afternoons and cold nights, you know this is perfect fall weather. I begin to watch the fading flowers, dropping and yellowing leaves and know its a trade off, but a good one.  Jim watches the weather report with trepidation since snow is sure to come this weekend.

 It rarely gets worse than a pleasant dusting as it did last year about this time.
I still have a few straggling tomatoes and some basil on my deck. My plum tree hasn't shed its leaves yet.
Pictures are like magic.  If I get weary of the winter weather, I can easily resort to my pictures and bring back summer flowers and sunny memories.

At least posting flowers takes my mind off of food for awhile. I keep dreaming of all the great special dishes to prepare for Thanksgiving.

INTELLIGENCE FOR YOUR LIFE

I listen to the John Tesh radio show in my car. He is known for his short, concise advice, sort of an Ann Landers of the airwaves. He calls it Intelligence For Your Life. (IFYL). I wait for his practical nuggets to come on between the music on my favorite local station. Everyone should have a John Tesh in their life. I learn something from him every time I hear his voice and I love it.

Much of his advice is for the young and inexperienced. He gleans it from sources like, Psychology Magazine, and Real Simple Magazine, Science Magazine...those are three I remember off hand. But, his reach and subject matter is enormous. Everything from parenting, to what questions you ask at the hospital. He talks about relationships and dating, marriage and job hunting, finances, pets, apartment hunting, resumes and spending habits. You could say John Tesh is a teacher of common sense, among other things. If you don't hear John Tesh, ask your station to put him on.

He also has a voluminous archive on-line where you can get his practical advice a second time, or look for things you missed. One time I remember hearing him say, I'm paraphrasing here and don't know if I have it exactly right, but he said women and men both lie on-line. Women lie about their weight and age, men lie about everything. The number one lie from men is whether they are married or not. I went to his archive to check it out and its so voluminous, I couldn't find it. So, keep me honest if you are interested.

And if you are interested in intelligence for your life, check it out at:
http://tesh.com/

This is trivia about relationships from Sam Wein-not John Tesh. People who have never been married are seven-and-a-half times more likely than married people to be admitted to a psychiatric facility. And, during a kiss as many as 278 bacterial colonies are exchanged. Trivia is fun, but, I want the science first, before I give up kissing.

We are looking at snow at lower elevations, here, and the "Weather Wimp" (That's my partner, Jim) is already chomping at the bit to get on the road to warmer climes. In 2009, he stayed through January and February and had to put up with six inches of snow on the Motor Home. Perish the thought!!
I'm actually hoping for a bit of the white stuff because its pretty and it doesn't last long enough to get the shovel out. It brings the skiiers and helps out our local economy.

THE THREE M'S DISCOVER FURNITURE JEWELRY

Mary, Madalaine and Michal, the Three M's did Camps.  We M's are long time friends and since Michal and I do a good deal of traveling, we don't have much time together.  We celebrated at Camps last year where they have good food and drinks.  So now, its a tradition. The bartender here is known  for her delicious Bloody Marys.

 

 Her Bloody Marys may require a chemistry degree, but we didn't ask. Yum!

 Every year Camps has a quilt show of local quilters at Greenhorn Creek. Quilts are normally built on straight lines, but this quilt declares it has NO straight lines. It makes an interesting interpretation of Christmas trees in the snow. Its based on the Dr. Seuss story How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Cindy Lou Who. An original by Tamara Leberer.

 A touch of beading and the inventive circular quilting give it cache.

 A Geometric Wonder, designed and quilted by Donna Coll caught everyone's eye draped over the fireplace mantle.

 Cutie Cats have colorful buttons, catty footprints, catty materials and was a fun subject made by Shera Winter.

 Beautifully embroidered with dragonflies, humming birds, flowers and butterflies by Kathy Jayne.

 We M's liked the Hawaiian print wall hanging above, all hand done by Karen Beeding.

 Maddie and Michal don't quilt, but they appreciate them. I understand the work that goes into a cathedral window pattern above, but we all chose as our favorite, the Poppy Wall hanging by Tamara Leberer.

The picture doesn't begin to show what work and creative shading is involved in this piece made from very small square and oblong pieces, most only 1/4 inch wide. Lovely.

Sheryl greeted us at the door and later modeled the shoulder wrap or "furniture jewelry" by Tamara Leberer. I had never heard that term before but realized how apt it is. I do the same thing, drape something pretty over a chair or table.
Tamara is a professional. She does machine quilting for others and many of the quilts in this exhibit were machine worked by Tamara. Quilting is an art and an obsession for some people. Beauty is the result.

UNVEILING THE DRAGON

The dragon is not always a symbol of fierceness. The Lakota people consider the dragon a symbol of retreat; to journey inward to your own center of peace and quiet. Sharon Armstrong is a psychologist who does art work with her patients. Her strength is in mask making. For years she has taught people to make their own faces in a mask.  It helps people clarify who they are and where they are going. Working on it provides them a kinship with themselves and others. But, for the Burning Man, held the Monday before Labor Day each year in the desert, Sharon built a 23 foot tall dragon. Sharon returned home and erected it in her mother's garden at the Center for Creativity and Community in San Andreas. 

The dragon's name is Uncegila and is surrounded by a labyrinth. The unveiling was held Sunday and people came to walk the labyrinth and visit the Center, the Gallery, housed in a 100 year old restored barn, and the Garden.

Sharon, on the left, with Madalaine Krska, showed everyone around the Center which came about in an unusual way. Her mother, Floy, heard Sharon on a television interview comment that she wished she could found a Center for Creativity and Community. Floy decided right then and there that she could make that come true. Floy took her rental at 23 West St. Charles Place in San Andreas, and is helping her daughter  transform the building into a non-profit Community Center. There is space for art work, teaching ceramics, photography, creative writing, video, painting, drawing, mask making and music.  Their vision is to provide a gathering place for people of all ages to explore and express their unique creativity regardless of their ability to pay.

 The Center is just getting started, but classes have already underway. Nanette Klass teaches drawing.

Ruth Nicols teaches harp and Tai Chi.

Floy's vegetable and flower garden was planted by area children.

 Sharon teaches mask making; and her husband, George, teaches landscape painting.

But you don't have to be an artist to enjoy the center. My brother Bill, above, joined me and walked the labyrinth around the dragon. Eventually, the gazebo with a fountain and picnic area will be open to the public. The lovely Victorian House can hold an audience of 30 people for performance events. Two sound proof rooms allow people quiet space for writing or music lessons.

Or, like me, you can lie in the hammock and relax and contemplate the dragon from afar. The website is:  http://www.center4creativity.net/

HARVEST THE WORD

An apt and clever title, Harvest The Word. A writer's symposium was staged in Murphys over the weekend, sponsored by Writers Unlimited. This event was something very personal to me because I know so many of the local writers. I saw this group get started in 1984, and watched it grow. My point being, a small community can nurture its creative community of writers and thrive. I say very personal to me because when I first moved to the Mother Lode, I wondered if I would find other writers to workshop with. What is the library like? I was often asked by people from surrounding communities, "What do you do up here?" Omigod! Everything. There is so much to do in the foothills it makes me wonder why we didn't move up sooner.
I always wanted to see a Writers Workshop with successful writers teaching those aspiring writers. And, Writers Unlimited, under the guidance of Monica Rose, made it happen this weekend at the Native Son's Hall.

  It sometimes astounds me how many successful writers have come out of the Motherlode and published books relating to this unique area. Ted Laskin's From The Mines Comes The Law. He is a local attorney.Glen Wasson, a local balladeer.

 

Glen has a new book out, River Of Skulls.

Over the years, Glen has portrayed, quite humorously, a couple of the characters he has written ballads about, notably Black Bart, the bandit. He writes ballads about contemporary characters as well. For instance a bunch of guys were hanging out at the Murphys Hotel. A guy comes in with a nice gold nugget and plops it in his beer glass and it passes from one hand to another for everyone to gaze and gawk. One guy decides to chug-a-lug the beer and the nugget. Then all hell broke loose.  His ballad tells the full story in verse.

Or the ballad about the rancher from Valley Springs who got arrested for "Drunk Riding" when he left the bar drunk on his horse. Was he driving? He claimed the horse knew the way, he didn't have to drive him. 

 The Writers Unlimited, for locals who may want to join, writers meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Calaveras County Arts Council Offices in San Andreas, on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Writers collectively publish their work in a book called Manzanita. A website for Manzanita is:  http://manzanitacalifornia.org  

As for things to do in the Mother Lode? I attended the symposium to anchor a CCTV local Public Access Station's video of the symposium. One never lacks for something to do in the Mother Lode.

DERELECT CARS

In Murphys there is an artist who paints old derelict cars. His paintings don't look anything like these, though. I liked the paintings and regret not buying one of them when I could afford them. Now, they are out of my price range. When we travel about, I tend to photograph these old, forgotten relics of the past and wonder about them. 

This old truck is located  in Washington, State. The owner has put new wood on the bed and roof of the cab. It looks like he is going to restore it. I hope so. Maybe Jim and I can go by and check on it this coming summer since we will trip about Washington in 2011.

This poor pick-up sits next to an auto repair place. Not good advertising unless you like growing weeds. It makes a perfect nest for field mice, but the door standing there suggests someone was planning to put it back together, maybe, someday. Sad.

This custom tow truck looks like something right out of the Grapes Of Wrath. We couldn't find anyone to answer the question, is it under restoration? Does it run?  It seemed to beg to get back on the road and thrill the genuine seeker of authentic old vehicles. The tires looked worthy, but, a few weeds indicate it hasn't been driven recently.

Again, the weeds tell the tail. The tires on this relic are sunburned and peeling. Its says, "no hope!" 
 But the pick-up below is drivable. It looks dusty and unused, but someone has made it a point to garage it and take care of it. I hope the tow truck ends up with a similar fate. It was my favorite.

UNPRETENTIOUS TEXANS?

My niece, Melissa, messaged me about LBJ Hill Country from yesterday's blog. She was stationed in Texas for a period of time while in the Army and afterward. Her comment, "Unpretentious Texans? Go to Dallas. I think you'll find quite the opposite."
Well, the truth is, Texans weren't raised to be unpretentious, quiet and retreating, its true. And, I'm reminded of the Texas influx into Alaska during the 1970's for work on that notorious Pipeline built across the frozen tundra in deep, deep cold. The bumper stickers went something like this:  

THE ONLY GOOD TEXAN IS A DEAD TEXAN.  And:  TEXAN GO HOME. And: I DON'T BRAKE FOR TEXANS. In fact one man was interviewed at the Fairbanks Airport and was asked if he had a negative view of Texans and his answer was "I'd rather be dead in Alaska then alive in Texas."

To be fair, its my opinion that people are good, bad and in-between no matter where you land. Maybe some areas are overwhelmed with more of one type of trait than the other. When I had my first "real" job, my pay was $200 a month. Most girls spent their money on clothes. I spent mine on flying lessons at $11 an hour for dual, and $7.50 an hour for solo. Both my instructors, Keith Padlo and Sully Sullivan, and their wives were Texans. They were warm and caring and wonderful people that I will always remember. They talked about Texas quite a lot and were lonesome for their native state and family connections. I asked them why they stayed in California. Their answer? The weather.  In any case, the Texans I've personally known were friendly and warm.
Donna Huffer also remembered that her parents and she visited LBJ's boyhood home a long time ago. Her dad didn't like his politics and stayed outside in the car. LBJ happened to drive up and waved at him. That was certainly unpretentious. I wish it had been me. I'm of the opinion that we should respect the president, no matter his affiliation and ours. Its the civil thing to do. Time judges all.  The same goes for Texans.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

While moseying around Texas Hill Country, we bumped into President Lyndon Johnson's Texas home. It was just a sign on the road so we pulled in and visited. No pictures were allowed inside, but outside was a hoot. In fact it was raining the day we were there and rain was kind of a significant factor at the Johnson Ranch. He had built a concrete swale across a  creek to get from his ranch to the main road. During wet weather the swale could be a couple feet under water but did not impede the flow of the creek. During dry weather it was just a dip in the road.

We were there in late January, and water was flowing across the swale but we were not allowed to drive across it as the Johnson family did. When the government acquired the property for a Historical Park and Monument, they built another road to the house. In Johnson's garage with several of the family vehicles were pictures of Johnson driving across the swale

Here Ladybird holds tight to her hat.

 And here, Johnson scares the living daylights out of  newspaper reporters, supposedly one of his favorite sports, according to the docents.

P

 The park property also includes a neighboring homestead. No electricity there. It is run by the docents in the same way most Hill Country Texans lived, including the Johnson family at one time. A windmill pumped water. Wood stoves were used for cooking and the buildings were logs. Here are young piglets and chickens.

In hot Texas summers, Hill Country folks made use of outdoor kitchens for canning and washing clothes.

 

Docents make sausages, headcheese and bake bread on a wood stove.

 They preserve fruits and make jellies as in the old days. All without benefit of modern appliances. Its an interesting place to visit. But, I'm glad I have a grocery store down at the corner.

LBJ's country school house has been moved to the site. He and Ladybird are buried here, as well. Their house inside is quite unpretentious. True Texans, down home kind of people. They lived quite simply.