Prayer to achieve inner peace

Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations-- of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord.

~The Catholic Book of Prayers
Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York

An appley tradition

Have you ever made applesauce? I mean, really made applesauce? The answer is no if you haven't done it with my Grandmother.

This weekend I had the pleasure of canning 22 quarts of homemade applesauce made from the translucent apples of my Grandma and Grandpa's trees. They had been picked just the day before and needed to be used immediately before they ripened and browned any more. The first step was to de-briuse, de-core, and de-black-spot the apples, which took quite a while considering we had a bushel and a half (1 bushel = 4 pecks or 8 dry gallons) of delicious, light green apples. The apples were dropped into big pots and cooked until they mushed against the side of the ancient, much used and loved kettles. Entire pots (think gallons and gallons of fragrant, simmering apple mush) were sent through a sieve, which my brother cranked persistantly for what seemed like hours at a time. This old, trusty contraption was quite an interesting thing and it worked very well at separating the skins and left-over cores of the apples from their soft, golden insides. This glorious mush was then returned to the stove, where my dad had the pleasure of adding simple white sugar to his heart's content. Once the sauce was sufficiently sweetened, it was put into jars using a handy funnel and scoop. The jars were sealed will wax-ringed lids and classic metal rings. It was fun to listen for the "pop" of the metal lids as they sealed and squeezed down, safe for months of shelf life.

I was surprised at how simple and fun the process was when all of us worked together. The best part was having a specific job which, once mastered, made one feel like quite a contributor to the applesauce process. My job was to scoop the steaming cooked apples into the sieve while my brother cranked and Grandpa collected the sauce. I enjoyed nibbling on the hot apple skins, which have lots of sweet flavor. We worked in my grandparent's basement, where I can only imagine how many hours have been spent canning and preserving the most beautiful fruits and vegetables. There is nothing like eating Grandma's strawberry jam on homemade bread, and Grandpa's homemade pickles simply can't be beat. Among Grandma's other delicacies are her tea ring and cinnamon buns... mmm, my mouth is watering now... I need a glass of milk.

I feel quite blessed to have been a small part of Grandma's great work. My grandmother has spent years working hard to bring truly good food to her family, neighbors, church, and who knows how many more people. She is amazingly generous and does none of this work for herself, for she insists upon giving away the "fruits" of her labor. I only hope my life can be as marked by love, faith, and family as hers is. Perhaps I'll have to plant an apple tree in my backyard so I can carry on the applesauce tradition!

P.S. Nutrition note: Use applesauce in exchange for vegetable or canola oil in baking mixes or recipes. The results are similar texture, less fat and even more flavor!

Love that lycopene

I have decided it is officially my favorite time of the year. Why? Because the tomatoes are ripening in my neighbor's garden! Tomatoes are my FAVORITE food and they are truly the best when picked right off the plant... warmed by the sun, the skin breaks under your teeth and a flood of sweet, slightly tangy juice gushes out, revealing the soft insides... Ah, the taste of summer...

Another reason tomatoes are so perfect is that they are so darn good for us! The little labels you find on ketchup bottles saying "cancer-fighting antioxidants" aren't lying; the carotenoid called lycopene as well as the levels of vitamins A, C, K (and a whole schlew of other good stuff) in tomatoes have been found to reduce one's risk of colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Tomatoes also help to prevent cardiovascular disease, improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammatory and blood-clotting tendencies, and make people happy! (I'm not even kidding-- eating a diet full of vegetables and fruits has been proven to lower stress).

Tomatoes are extremely versatile, which is another reason I love them! They come in many sizes and colors, so they are beautiful as well. Tomatoes are my culinary dream, and these are some things I love to do with them:

1. Tomato sauce: Easy, delicious, and good on anything. Try making your own marinara by sauteing onion and garlic in olive oil, adding a whole bunch of chopped tomatoes (leave the skins on for the best taste and nutritional burst) and your favorite herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, or whatever inspires you. Feel free to add more to the saute, such as olives or mushrooms.

2. Caprese salad: This is Italian for big, fat tomato slices topped with mozzarella cheese (fresh- not that pasteurized stuff), drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with fresh basil and other herbs. Mmmmm.

3. Fattoush: A Mediterranean salad which is a mix of pita bread, lemon juice, olive oil, and largely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and an assortment of other delicious, fresh produce.

**By the way, the lycopene in tomatoes is absorbed even better by your body when it is eaten with some sort of healthy fat, as in olive oil or avocados. Cooking tomatoes has also been shown to draw out more nutrients, and for some reason, the combination of broccoli and tomatoes is a hearthealth boosting super star team!

4. Gazpacho: A Spanish soup, served cold, which has a base of tomatoes mixed with stale bread, green peppers, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, wine vinegar and salt. Try making your own for an exotic culinary adventure!

5. Salsa: You know what this is, but have you ever made it yourself? The best salsa I have ever had was a home-made (plus the sodium levels weren't through the roof).

6. Tomato bread pudding; My mom has this awesome dessert recipe. It is such a surprise to have a tomato tang in a dessert!


Along with these dandy delights, there are some tomato treasures I still want to try making myself:

1. Bruschetta: A tomato spread on crusty baguettes. This just screams "fancy"

2. A tomato tart of some sort: Perhaps one with cheese and fennel (another thing I've been meaning to try my hand at).

3. Roasted red pepper soup: Doesn't that just sound delicious?

Curry: An Indian dish I have yet to try. About time, I think.


This summer, please, please, please, pick and eat a tomato for me!

For all the good stuff about the good stuff in tomatoes, check out the WHFoods website at http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=44

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova "Falling Slowly"

A 10' by 12' pit of possibility

Preparing for college is very stressful, from the application and acceptance portion to the scholarships and financial conundrums... but I don't need to tell you about that. Either you know about all of this already, you will sooner or later, or you will hear others complaining about it from now until forever. But this, my friends, is not my place to complain, rather, I choose to use this online opportunity to muse about my future dorm room.

Ah, my dorm. Shared with just one other person, this is the only place in college that I may officially call my own, and ONLY my own. From the mini fridge to the shower caddy, it seems there are many necessities in this place. However, I am finding that the cutsie, predictable dorm decorations abounding in stores are not inspiring me. Instead of cut-out florals or neon patterns, I'm on the lookout for designs and colors that draw out my inner zen/intellect/happiness.

To do this, I think I shall make a list of the things that inspire me in such ways. Perhaps this will lead me to finding the perfect college bedding set (my cockeyed-optimistic approach)

1. Flowers~ particularly lilies, roses, peonies, and anything that smells delicious

2. Tea Cups~ the old designs are absolutely gorgeous, and I love the soft, iridescent colors

3. Tomatoes~ Honestly, I believe tomatoes are the perfect food. You can do pretty much anything with them and they will taste great

4. Stars~ Nothing is more spectacular than a clear night sky full of stars

5. Ella Fitzgerald~ When paired with Louis Armstrong, nothing can stop her

6. Cinderella~ Rags to riches stories exist all over the world, as do brilliant interpretations of this girl's fantastic wardrobe

7. Chanel~ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous" -Coco Chanel

8. Pianos~ From the music they make to the alluring shine of their keys, there is something truly appealing about a piano, not to mention those people who can play one

9. Speaking Spanish~ I like how much I think about what I am saying, but even better is when I don't have to think as hard- and it just comes to me!

10. Walking~ Through parks, neighborhoods, cities, country streets, beaches- there is no better place than the present. You can walk wherever you are.

11. Museums~ The one and only type of place I love to get lost in

How this list will help me set up my dorm room, I'm not sure... Though I have some ideas now.

Reading my own palm

My design interpretations according to my interests:

Flowers: Perhaps a vase, bottle, or bowl full of blooms (fake or real... preferably real)

Tea Cups: Look for soft pinks, blues and turquoise with gold accents and delicate designs

Tomatoes: Hmm, maybe an obsession with tomatoes should just stay in the kitchen...

Stars: One is never too old for glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.

Ella Fitzgerald: There is an intriguing poster of Ella at a performance- you can just tell how engrossed she is in her own world of music and rhythm.

Cinderella: Ah, Cinderella- I'll reflect my love of her with my shoe collection

Chanel: Authentic Chanel may require something more extravagant than a college student's budget, but I can certainly draw from her tasteful use of pearls, tailored fabric, and good smells

Pianos: A collection of quality piano tunes in digital form would fit perfectly into a dinky dorm room while making it sound as huge as a concert hall

Speaking Spanish: Ooh, architectural elements from Spain are gorgeous- think wrought iron crosses, brightly painted tiles, and fountains. I believe a cross is in order, right above my bed.

Walking: "Walking" might be a hint to get out of the room. Frequent walking will be part of my schedule.

Museums: Posters will abound in the old-fashioned way: filling the walls from top to bottom. However, I hope I won't get too lost in my own room.

Wow! I truly think it was worth my while to do this. It's like reading my own mind...

Skype Laughter Chain

My white knight

Is there anything better making a new friend who makes your day in return? On Sunday during mass, a little boy in the pew in front of me noticed I was watching as he drew pictures on a pad of blue paper. He smiled at me, and continued to color a while longer until he stood up and handed his drawing to me. "This is for you," he said with the sweetest little voice and a shy smile. I was truly delighted that he gave it to me and noticed that the damsel at the center of the picture was drawn with a long skirt and pearls much like the outfit I was wearing! Obviously, she is about to be taken by the evil knights on either side of her, though they will certainly be defeated by the brave hero on the right who has come to save the day (most likely an interpretation of the artist). How adorable!

More than just the lightbulb

Thomas A. Edison, inventor of the incandescent light bulb

I'd like to take this moment to say just how proud I am to be an American. Not only is the USA the land of the free and the home of the brave, but it has also cranked out some pretty awesome geniuses who make incredible things.


My top 16 list of awesome things invented by Americans (in chronological order):

Dental floss (1815, Levi Spear Parmly, New Orleans)
Thanks to this dude, Americans can be proud of their pearly whites. Apparently, it's not a world-wide thing to value oral hygiene, so straight, white teeth are sometimes referred to as "American teeth" in other countries.

Escalator (1859, Nathan Ames, Massachusetts)
Ah, the beginning of American laziness, um, I mean, ingenuity... Anyway, I am impressed that the first escalator was built in Coney Island, New York in 1896!

Breakfast cereal (1863, James Caleb Jackson, New York)
We have come a long way since the first bran nuggets which needed to be soaked overnight in order to be consumed, and thank goodness! How many people would go hungry in the morning if it wasn't for Corn Flakes, Cheerios, or Fruity Pebbles?

Hand mixer (1870, Walter Scott, Rhode Island)
Ever since the creation of the first hand-powered egg beater, Americans have been whipping their cream to perfectly stiff peaks without getting tired. You know what this means: more frosting for everyone!

Earmuffs (1873, Chester Greenwood)
Baby it's cold outside...

Comptometer (1887, Dorr Felt)
This is only a fancy term for a calculator. Thank you, Mr. Felt, for allowing me to make it through years of math class at a reasonable pace. Had it not been for you, I would still be in 5th grade, hitting my head against a desk while calculating long division. Much appreciated.

Drinking straw (1888, Marvin Stone)
Straws: making soda pop more fun since 1888. Believe it or not, the first straw was based on the design for a cigarette holder. Now, who invented the bendy straw??

Zipper (1891, Whitcomb L. Judson, Chicago)
Before the invention of the zipper, buttons were the primary means of connecting two edges of fabric. Can you imagine how long it would take you to get dressed in the morning if everything had to be buttoned or tied? I bet the phrase "let me just throw something on" didn't come about until this ingenious invention.

Radio (1893)
After a whole lot of drama over the patent of this device, we can now enjoy music broadcasts and NPR in most populated areas of the nation. My parents can also enjoy their favorite polka hits on Sunday mornings from 7 until 8am. Yipee!

Teddy bear (1902, Morris Michtom, Brooklyn)
Our furry friend really was inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt, who famously spared the life of a black bear cub on a visit to Louisiana. No doubt, if it had been the momma bear he had met, we would have no bear-shaped, stuffed companions.

Crayons (1903, Binney and Smith, New York)
Paraffin wax + pigment = hours of amusement.

Architectural acoustics (1905, Wallace Clement Sabine)
This is a shout out to my musical friends, whose vocal chords and diaphragms truly appreciate the proper use of space to amplify and direct sound. This also goes out to my audience-member friends, whose ears truly appreciate being able to hear just one coherent sound at a time, rather than ten, headache-inducing echoes. Bravo, Mr. Sabine!

Fortune cookie (1914, Makoto Hagiwara, San Fransisco)
Yup, you read that correctly. The fortune cookie was created by a Japanese-American who served them at his tea garden... is he also the nut who came up with the phony fortunes inside?

Dendrochronology (1920, A. E. Douglass)
Honestly, I just like this fancy word for tree-ring dating, which analyzes tree ring growth patterns.

Chocolate chip cookie (1930, Ruth Wakefield, Massachusetts)
If I could travel back to any time and place in history, I would transport myself to Whitman, Massachusetts in 1930, where I would experience the original Toll House Cookie. Then I would zap back into the future and compare it to my mother's version.

Drive-in theater (1932, Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., New Jersey)
The only problem for me is deciding whether to watch the movie or the stars!


There are hundreds of other American inventions, including soft-serve ice cream, disposable razors, and the golf cart, but I was afraid my excitement for American ingenuity would become too much for one day's post. So remember, if you have a good idea, go for it, because if Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavvanes hadn't gotten their act together, we would not have air-bubble packing!


For more cool inventions by super-smart people, check out these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_inventions_%28before_1890%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_inventions_%281890-1991%29

Gimme five

If the truth be told, I have never been a very touchy-feely person. In fact, one of my best friends decided she wanted to be my friend when I refused to give in to her hug attacks (it's quite a story). It turns out, however, that physical contact with other people is very important for good health. According to an article from Gaiam Life, a cool site about yoga, wholesome living, and all sorts of delightful things, "even simple gestures like a pat on the back, a high five or a handshake can reduce stress, promote a sense of connection and belonging and inspire others to perform better."

The article is short, easy to read, and surprisingly scientific. With statements such as "Physical contact prompts contribution, connection, trust and productivity, and can even help build compassion for others and ourselves," one might wonder where they came up with this psychological jargon, but there is evidence that this is true!
For instance:
"Berkeley researcher Michael Kraus, a Ph.D. candidate, looked at the power of touch when he studied NBA players and teams. The teams that recorded the most physical contact — hand slaps and back pats — also tended to win the most, he found. But most importantly, Kraus says the winning-team players also supported each other through positive physical contact, even when a player turned the ball over or other mistakes were made. That kind of cohesiveness, communicated through touch, contributed to the teams’ success, he says."

How cool is that! There are also positive physiological effects involving the nervous system, as long as the physical contact is comfortable. Articles such as this reinforce my innate belief in the goodness of the world. By simply being good to each other and giving a hug, we are making another person's life better! We are so amazingly made; I am truly convinced of God's presence and power in the scientific world.

So do some good in the world: up high! down low! too slow! (then reward the good sport with a real high five)

All quotations and references are from Polly Campbell's article "Healing Through Touch" from the website http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/Powerful-Touch.html.

Les etoiles, les etoiles

"Map 4 shows the constellations of northern spring, southern autumn, for 8:30 PM for the month at the top between declinations 60 degrees north and 60 degrees south and from right ascension 06h 30m to 13h 30m. For each hour thereafter, the sky shifts one hour to the right. The ecliptic crosses the celestial equator (zero degrees declination) at the Autumnal Equinox in Virgo. The Milky Way, centered on the Galactic Equator, the mid-line of the Galaxy, runs from right center to lower left. The "Praesepe" in Cancer is the Beehive Cluster. (The constellation outlines are not necessarily the same as those on the photographs in the Stars pages.)"

Maps from Stars, Scientific American Library, J. B. Kaler, Freeman, NY, 1992, copyright © James B. Kaler. All rights reserved. These contents are the property of the author and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the author's consent except in fair use for educational purposes. Thanks to Stan Wyatt for the initial inception.

Honestly, I can hardly decipher the meaning of this map and its explanation from http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/cm5.html, but I absolutely love looking at the stars! That's it! Added to my summer bucket list is learning to read star maps and finding constellations in the night sky.

For new information every day about the night sky visit StarDate online: http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/cm5.html.

Today's "weekly tip" from StarDate:

"July 14, 2010
Look for the planet Venus to the upper right of the crescent Moon this evening. Venus is the brilliant "evening star." The true star Regulus is to the lower right of Venus, completing a beautiful triangle in the western evening sky."

Happy star gazing!

Cordially, kind regards, and other closings

Salutations!

Perhaps I am old fashioned, or just fond of old ways, but I simply love letter writing. I, like many others throughout history and the world, find that addressing one person and writing one's thoughts for them is usually calming and delightful. As a fan of lovely things, I adore stationary, especially papers with personalized designs.

A little poking around led me to these fun closings from historical letters:

From the eighteenth century:
"Believe me yours faithfully,
Believe me at all times with sincerity and respect, your faithful and obliged servant,
With best love,
I am yours ever"
(H.M.S. Richmond).

From the medieval era:
"Fare thee well always and pray for me, most honored and holy master,
Fare thee as well as I fare,
And Jesu for his great power save you,
No more to you at this time, but the holy Trinity have you in keeping,
Your true loving,
So humbly craving the continuance of your honorable favor toward me, and th'eternal establishment of your happiness. I humbly take leave
Most bounden and devoted,"
(Dragon Bear).

With all my love and affection, I wish you happy letter writing!


For even more delightful facts about how people used to write visit these websites:
http://www.hmsrichmond.org/writing.htm
http://www.dragonbear.com/letters.html

Tired of plain old PB&J?

For a delectable, grown up version of a PB&J sandwich, try peanut butter and sliced figs on whole wheat bread.
Trust me, I'm sure you are thinking "but figs are what people with digestive issues eat in order to stay regular," but I assure you my friend, they are not just for those with weak gastrointestinal tracts. Fresh figs are delightfully sweet and soft with tiny, tasty seeds in their beautifully purple insides. Another lesser-known fact about figs is that their leaves, when transformed into a liquid extract, may help the treatment of diabetes. Who knew fig leaves were good for anything other than clothing Biblical figures?! Additionally, figs are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, calcium, and manganese, but don't eat too many figs because the oxalate levels they contain may cause certain individuals to form kidney stones. My advice would be to enjoy them anyway, fresh when you can of course (usually from June to September), and to simply avoid eating mountainous amounts of them.
The varieties of figs (apparently there are over 150) also have lovely names such as "Black Mission, Kadota, Calimyma, Brown Turkey, and Adriatic" (WH Foods). What fun!

If, by chance, interest, or boredom, you would like to learn more about these delightful fruits, check out this website: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=24. And seriously, try the PB&fig thing... it's really good.

"I'm Getting Sick of Peanut Butter"
Ken Nesbit

I look inside my lunch box,
and, oh, what do I see?
A peanut butter sandwich
staring glumly back at me.

I know I had one yesterday,
and, yes, the day before.
In fact, that's all I've eaten
for at least a month or more.

I'm sure tomorrow afternoon
the outlook's just as bleak.
I'll bet I'm having peanut butter
every day this week.

I'm getting sick of peanut butter
sandwiches for lunch.
Why can't I have baloney
or potato chips to munch?

I wish I had lasagna
or a piece of pumpkin pie.
Another day of peanut butter
might just make me cry.

But still this awful sandwich
is in every lunch I take.
You see, it is the only thing
that I know how to make.

If The Stars Were Mine

"Our Love is Easy"

In our growing world of digital media, the art of the album cover and booklet accompanying the music is slowly disappearing. This is not to say that music has any less value or quality today than before, but I fear the 2D world of visual art is losing a fantastic outlet. I have always enjoyed leafing through CD inserts, especially when lyrics and pictures are artfully interspersed throughout. My favorites have beautiful insights from the artists, some with explanations of their inspiration while others have heartfelt messages of thanks to producers, team members, family, listeners and God.

The most gorgeous message I have ever found in a CD booklet is from Melody Gardot's "My One and Only Thrill":

"[Love] to all who so gracefully and willingly crossed my path while making this record; you've helped me pin down a cloud. To the wordsmiths who filled my eager eyes with images to inspire and contemplate, to the rambling gypsies and vagabonds who sing joyous choruses on street corners and subways; you taught me the beauty of purpose, to the bent old alleyways of Paris and the crumbling cobblestones that lie forever nursing the banks of the Seine while holding a place for any lover's heart, to the strangers and the neighbors who showered a butterfly with warm sentiments from across foreign ponds, to the hours of darkness and the shades of gray that envelop the streets of Philadelphia and keep a cold death grip on the memory of better times, and to those who can't imagine who they are to me for words would never truly hold enough meaning, thank you. Above all, my hands go to the sky for the greatest thanks imaginable."

What dazzling poetry! Gratitude is often the most difficult emotion to express but Melody does it with such grace and vivacity.

Melody Gardot is, indeed, my favorite contemporary jazz vocalist. While many people find jazz dull, I love the raw emotion that drives each and every number. I hope you enjoy her song and her delightful words of thanks.

For more information about Melody Gardot, check out her music from the library or visit her website: http://www.melodygardot.com

Rosemary Clooney & Gene Puerling - "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off"

"Delight the mind and awaken the soul"

I could never hold a candle.

I could never hold a candle
to your life.

I could never hold a candle
to your life,
but I will do my best.

I could never hold a candle
to your life,
but I will do my best
to hold my own.

(Anderson 40).



This poem by Kevin Anderson is only one of the "Nested Meditations" from his book "Divinity in Disguise." He developed this awesome form of poetry, which changes the piece's meaning as each line is added. In the introduction of his book, Mr. Anderson has this to say about his new form of the written word:

"I call these pieces meditations rather than poems because they are at odds in several ways with what is considered poetry today. These meditations are presented in a layered or "nested" format. They reveal themselves one line at a time, much like a set of Russian matryoshka dolls" (12).

I feel personally attached to Mr. Anderson's work for several reasons. Not only did my mother help to design the cover of the book, which uses Van Gogh's "Wheat Fields with Reaper, Auvers" (hanging in the Toledo Museum of Art), but I also have a signed copy by the author. His poetry reading was the first I ever attended, and I loved fully experiencing his pieces. Finally, Mr. Anderson's meditation entitled "Joy is succulent, wild!" was part of my award winning Prose and Poetry Reading speech. I competed with my piece, aptly named "Life According to Anne," at several Ohio High School Speech League tournaments and even at the state competition. I hope you enjoy this meditation as much as I do, and I wish that it reminds you to suck the joy of life out of every moment:

Joy is succulent, wild!

Joy is succulent, wild
black raspberries.

Joy is succulent, wild
black raspberries
overhanging every path.

Joy is succulent,
wild black raspberries
overhanging every path,
scratching for your attention right and left.

Joy is succulent, wild
black raspberries
overhanging every path,
scratching for your attention, right? And left
mostly unpicked?

(176).


All poems and excerpts are from Kevin Anderson's book "Divinity in Disguise":
Anderson, Kevin. Divinity in Disguise. Phoenix Color: Hagerstown, 2003.

For more information about Kevin Anderson and his books, visit his website: http://www.divinityindisguise.com/index.html

What do you do with your Friday nights?

Is there anything more visually and intellectually stimulating than a trip to the art museum? No, of course not! Many people do not know about the gem of a museum we have right here in Toledo: the world renowned Toledo Museum of Art at 2445 Monroe Street.

Not only does the TMA have a fantastic collection of art from all over the world and all time periods, but it also brings its art alive through public events and exhibitions. From Tuesday to Sunday (it's closed on Mondays) the TMA is open for free to the public, though occasional exhibits do cost money. Fridays are especially exciting, for the museum stays open until 10:00 pm and features special tours, live music, and glass blowing demonstrations in the super-awesome Glass Pavilion. To those who think art museums are boring, I dare you to walk around the Toledo Museum of Art. Meander until something catches your eye, then approach it (but don't touch) and read the dynamic and fascinating description or explanation of the artist's work that is before you. You may be shocked to learn we have artwork by Andy Warhol, Matisse, VanGogh and many other artists whose pieces you have only seen on calendars. You will be surprised by how much you learn and love-- and if you don't find a thing you like, you simply have no culture.

Here are a few of the things I have done at the Toledo Museum of Art:

1. Taken art lessons (That was in 5th grade, but I still have the pieces I made in a portfolio :))

2. Attended several Friday night programs, the best of which was the unveiling of Guercino's Lot and His Daughters

3. Enjoyed a perfect cup of tea with Mom at the Glass Pavilion's gift shop

4. Brought a friend to the sculpture garden, where we pondered the meaning of abstract art

5. Made a colorful glass flower in the hot shop in celebration of my eighteenth birthday

6. Deepened my respect for art, religion, and foreign cultures

7. Fallen in love with beauty

A few of the gems

These are only a few of my favorite pieces from the Toledo Museum of Art's immense collection.

To see more of the collection or to learn more about the TMA, visit their website: http://www.toledomuseum.org/

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

A world of truth

"A country can be judged by the quality of its proverbs." ~German Proverb

I was moved by my mother's cute inspirational calendar in her office to do a little research on proverbs. A little Googling led me to this description from the '96 Tokyo International Proverb Forum (go figure, an entire proverb convention!):

"The proverb is existent in various peoples' languages and in circulation by formulaic phrases in spoken language as what comprehensively transmits experiences and lessons for a struggle of existence. Different peoples share with each other such features as proverbial forms and contents, because they share practical experiences and wisdom for human beings in order to survive.
The proverb is nevertheless rooted in the soil on which the people live and is realized as formulaic phrases in its language system. Therefore the character of the people is clearly branded in its proverbs. By comparing proverbs of different people with each other, we can find that each people's characteristics of history, economic life, cultural tradition, mentality, morality, sense of value , geographical environments and others are fully expressed in its proverbs. Consequently, in order to understand a people's proverbs, we should observe them in relation with such conditions as its history, economics, culture, customs and mentality. It is by the very method that we can get hold of a people's proverbs in a correct, scientific and deep way."

-Wang Qin (China, Xiangtan University, Professor)

Apparently, proverbs are pretty important pieces of "collective wisdom" from a society. Some are very similar from one society to another, while others differ according to the social class and environment which created them. Some proverbs even poke fun at other ethnic groups, recognizing the prejudices which are present in many countries ("A single Russian hair outweighs half a Pole" ~Traditional Russian saying).

Perhaps you never even realized you were using an old English proverb when you have said "A friend in need is a friend indeed," or perhaps 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Well now you know! I hope you enjoy reading some of my favorite international proverbs.

"You are made of stars!" ~Serbian proverb

"A monkey never thinks her baby is ugly" ~Haitian proverb

"A courtyard common to all will be swept by none" ~Chinese proverb
(this makes me wonder, if it were a Polish proverb, would it be read "A courtyard common to all will be swept by all"? --my aunts just can't sit still when a something needs cleaning!)

"A friend's eye is a good mirror" ~Irish proverb

"A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor the learned fool the taste of wisdom" ~Welsh proverb

"He who has health has hope. He who has hope has everything" ~Arab proverb

"A throne is only a bench covered with velvet" ~French proverb

"God will be present, whether asked or not" ~Latin proverb

"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket" ~Arab proverb

"If heaven made him, earth will find some use for him" ~Chinese proverb

"Hide not your talents, for use they were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" ~Benjamin Franklin
(The dude was a walking proverb)

"If there is no wind, row." ~Latin proverb

"A heart in love with beauty never grows old" ~Turkish proverb

"Live your own life, for you will die your own death" ~Latin proverb

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" ~Bible, Proverbs 1:7
(If you are ever in a wisdom-seeking mood, just open the Bible to the Book of Proverbs. I always find something that relates to me when I open to a page of Proverbs!)

"Fear less, hope more,
eat less, chew more,
whine less, breathe more,
talk less, say more,
hate less, love more,
and all good things will be yours"
~Swedish proverb


http://cogweb.ucla.edu/Abstracts/TokyoForum_96.html
http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/international_proverbs.htm
http://www.berro.com/entertainment/international_proverbs.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1&version=NIV
http://www.theotherpages.org/quote-05c.html <-- this is the best site to find great sayings!

Mind your Ps and Qs

On my last adventure to the library, I picked up a book entitled Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior by Judith Martin. I was attracted to the book's lovely Tiffany blue and silver cover, but was unsure of how interesting and relevant its contents would be. In all honesty, Miss Manners is one of the most interesting and witty writers I have ever found! Judith Martin is considered to be the "gold standard" of etiquette advice for her years of work as a writer and columnist. This book is "freshly updated" and filled with entirely relevant and important guidelines about what to do when.
The chapter I have most enjoyed reading is the one entitled "Social Intercourse." I find her formula of conversation extremely interesting:

"Conversation consists of developing and playing with ideas by juxtapoing the accumulated conclusions of two or more people and then improvising on them. It requires such ingredients as information, experience, anecdotes, and opinions, but then being prepared to have them challenged and to contribute to a new mixture" (Martin 214).

I suppose I never thought about having a formula for a conversation, but Miss Manners offers this basic structure (paraphrased, of course- I am still working to attain her delightfully proper style of writing):
One speaker begins with a salutation and receives one in exchange. A speaker, usually the first, then makes a statement or asks a question, to which the other speaker responds with another comment or answer. The first speaker further inquires until a personal statement may be made, offering some sort of common ground between the two (or more) speakers. Upon finding a mutual topic of interest the conversation begins. Topics of conversation may be enhanced by short stories or changed entirely to keep all speakers interested and engaged. The speakers must respect other speakers and help them to feel comfortable by not offending their appearance, occupation, economic status, religious beliefs, and other such attributes. Bigotry and foul language must be avoided at all costs. This becomes tricky for many.

So there you have it! With these tips, I wish you the best of conversations and an utterly impressive lack of social awkwardness.


Some questions and answers from the witty and delightful Miss Manners:

"Dear Miss Manners:
When is a VASE a VAHZ?

Gentle Reader:
When it is filled with DAH-ZIES" (213).


"Dear Miss Manners:
What can you do after accidentally calling your present lover by your former lover's name?

Gentle Reader:
Seek a future lover. Such a mistake is easy to do and impossible to undo. Why do you think the term 'darling' was invented?" (350).


"Dear Miss Manners:
What do you consider a good conversation opener?

Gentle Reader:
Almost anything except, 'I've been on a wonderful journey of self-discovery lately, and I'd like to share it with you'" (214).



Check it out:
Martin, Judith. "Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior". New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2005.