Fall Reflection

Artwork on coffee cup.

This morning I got out somewhat early (7 a.m.-ish) and walked the few blocks into the town center to our local outlet of the "great" coffee retailer. Actually, I'm not that crazy about their coffee because either my taste buds have significantly dulled over the years (truly) or their coffee has become blander in an effort to become more widely accepted (more likely).

Anyway, I was impressed with the artwork on the cup (see above). I realize it's not the best scan but I just wanted to get it done, Obviously, the art is in honor of the beginning of Fall aka Autumn (earlier this week). Did you get up at 4:30 a.m. to welcome it? Not me.

The only reason I went to this store is because I received a gift card for my birthday earlier this year from one of my sisters. I am trying to use it up before my next birthday. Got about one cup left on the card (Thank God).

At one time (once upon a time), it was a treat to get this coffee but now there are outlets just about everywhere. They even sell it at work (and you can buy it in the grocery store).  When I first encountered it, it reminded me of a unique-ish sort of French Roast. But whatever type I've bought from our local store always tastes bland. I wonder if they put different names out to just make you THINK you are getting something different (but only brew one type).

Anyway, Happy Autumn (Fall)!

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Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn
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Written Saturday 26 September 2015

Dive Into Culture

Library Poster

I attended this lecture earlier this week. Why? The short answer is because I want to grow my cultural awareness. I never read (or studied) this book in school. Of course, many of the stories are embedded in our culture. My closest exposure to the story was watching a video tape (borrowed from the library) of an episode of Wishbone ("Homer Sweet Homer"). I believe I noticed several references to Robert Fagles' translation somewhere in the blog, The Mathisen Corollary (but I can't find anything specific enough to link to at the time I am writing this).

The poster above succinctly explains what I experienced: a lecture/presentation by a college professor and an overview by the artistic director of the dance company that will be presenting their (her) interpretation at the beginning of October. Overall, it was worth the hour and a half.

Another objective that I had for attending this lecture/event was to, hopefully, meet people that share an interest in culture and fine arts. Apparently, this is no longer in vogue because once again I felt like I was the youngest there (and I'm no spring chicken). It felt to me like half the audience had been dropped off my a nursing home and the rest were homeless people taking a break from the outdoors.

For all the talk about The Odyssey being taught in high school and college (and Sonia said she fell in love with the story when she read it in Middle School!), there was no sign of anyone of that age or even 20s, 30s, or 40s. I suspect the couple in front of me might have been close to my generation. Sonia and Professor Nina were actually probably the youngest present.

1966 version
by Robert J. Milch of Brooklyn College
(1997 printing)

I have been mulling over the possibility of reading The Iliad and the The Odyssey for several months. The poster (above) at the library caught my attention and stirred up my motivation. Last week, I picked up a used Cliff Notes version (see above). In addition, I've been reading the SparkNotes summary online.

I haven't decided if I want to attend the dance version (it's only being performed one weekend). Modern dance is not really my thing but perhaps its worth a stretch. What do you think?

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Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAKZLV6a23Y
http://mathisencorollary.blogspot.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliad
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey

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Written Saturday 26 September 2015

30th Simsbury Fly-in and Car Show

Several years ago, my son, Richard, and I attended the Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show. This year I had to go alone because my son has his own agenda (and is not talking to me-again).

The weather this Sunday (September 20th, 2015) was even more beautiful than the last time: warm and sunny, with not a cloud in sight. This year I parked on the east side of the runway. Walked around looking at the booths first, then the airplanes on display, and then the cars. In between, watched a bunch of take offs and landing. In addition to the RC model airplanes (see picture below) there was a RC model helicopter, a real helicopter (see picture below), and a two plane formation team that did some fly-bys. And of course, food and music.

When I arrived, RC model airplanes were doing acrobatics. Very realistic from afar.

This plane was made up to resemble a WWII P51 Mustang.

Can you spot the helicopter in this picture? It's over the hanger at left.
There was a model RC helicopter doing spectacular stunts but it apparently got
banged up when it landed.

I like shiny aircraft like this. Very retro.

This was parked in a hanger.

This red biplane was selling 20 minute rides. Not sure what he was charging
but his website says $180. Not bad.

This vintage(?) bi-plane trainer was on display outside.

I stayed around until nearly the end when many of the planes lined up
to take off and fly home.

Here is a selfie just as I was leaving.

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Links:

http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2012_09_23_archive.html

http://www.simsburyflyin.com/

http://flybiplane.com

http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2012/09/simsbury-fly-in-and-car-show.html

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Written Sunday 27 September 2015. I also added a post for the 2012 show we attended. Never got around to actually posting that. Better late than never.

Exceptional Women At The Cemetery

Main Entrance to Cedar Hill Cemetery (photo by K. Inboden).

Once again, I visited Cedar Hill Cemetery this morning to attend one their "tours." Today's tour was "Cedar Hill's Exceptional Women." It was led by Women's historian Grace Parks Mitchell. It highlighted the accomplishments of some of Cedar Hill's most notable women including:

• Virginia Thrall Smith
• Isabella Beecher Hooker
• Elizabeth Jarvis Colt
• Anne Tracy Morgan
• Katharine (Kit) Houghton Hepburn (the mother of the famous actress). The actress is also buried in the family plot here.

My  Webster's New World Dictionary (Second College Edition) defines "exceptional" as: not ordinary or average; much above average in quality, ability, etc. There is also a second definition which says "exceptional" is needing special attention or presenting a special problem, as in education, because mentally gifted or, esp., because mentally, physically, or emotionally handicapped. Ironically, in the context of today's tour, in many ways both these definitions are applicable. The tour guide seemed to define "exceptional" in the context of contemporary expectations for women. Many of the accomplishments (see for yourself by following the above links) have to do with promoting birth control and activities that transcended the unique responsibilities that women bear in the family.

It was a beautiful September morning; the slight chill was a bit invigorating. I was surprised that the turnout was pretty sparse despite good publicity: less than a dozen (and mostly regulars). Again, no young people attending. Mostly gray hairs like me but older (I think). The youngest seemed to be the Cemetery Director.

As usual, the tour starts near the flagpole with a brief overview and then we walked to the various graves where a brief biography was reported. The tour lasted from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and ended at the Hepburn plot (see picture below).

Hepburn family plot.

By the end of the tour I had a lot of mixed feelings. Many of the women had struggled against the limitations that society had in place during their time. And yet, despite our so-called progress, society still places all of us in confining categories (race, economic status, sex, age, religion, political affiliation, etc.). In hindsight, these categories are presented as stifling and deliberately and brutally oppressive. However, in their context, such categories are merely a sense of social order for stability.

Many of the women discussed during this tour struggled against the systems in place designed to uphold the role of women as mothers and the heart of the family. During our time, the family has been denigrated and women are being encouraged to be like men. As one who is pro-family as well as pro-woman, I wrestle with the lines that exist and the ones that have been severed. It is somewhat ironic that these thoughts occur in a cemetery.
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Links:
http://www.cedarhillcemetery.org/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/virginia-thrall-smith
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/isabella-beecher-hooker/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/elizabeth-colt/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Morgan_(philanthropist)
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/kit-houghton-hepburn/
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Written Sunday 27 September 2015