G is for the Grand Opera House

We had our first chance to visit Wilmington's Grand Opera House when we went to see Jorma Kaukonen there as part of Dave Bromberg's "In My House" series (more about them and the concert, later).
The Grand is a marvelous old building, originally opened in 1871. It has hosted operas, vaudeville acts, movies, and live stage shows of every kind. It currently is used to showcase a wide variety of performers, most recently Wanda Sykes, James Galway, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony and Taj Mahal.

The interior is richly decorated with ornate trim and mural covered ceilings. Our only complaint? The seats seam to be constructed for the smaller, leaner bodies of 135 years ago.

F is for February

As the month draws to close, this is a good time to reflect on Februaries past. Today it is a chilly 31 degrees, but the skies are clear. The weather was also fair on that early February morning in 1981, when we drove hurriedly through Philadelphia to get to the hospital in Elkins Park.

The 2005-2006 South Jersey winter has been very mild, with far more rain than snow. But in 2003, we had a lively storm that really gave us a taste of winter. Here are a few pictures to reflect on before we finally reach the new Spring.

E is for Euphonium (concert division)

We previously posted some pictures of Joe with his Marching Euphonium, way way back in the olden days when Joe was still stumping for the Timber Creek High School marching band.Here is the dapper, sophisticated Joseph, nattily decked out in his tuxedo, performing on his very own concert euphonium. The occasion was a performance by the Rutgers Symphonic Band.
The concert was wonderful, and the packed house loved every minute of it. A great job by all the musicians - especially that low brass section!

D is for Douglas College

Douglas College is part of Rutgers University, and one of the few remaining public all-women's colleges in the country. In fact, it boasts that it is the only women's college affiliated with a major research university.





In an effort to standardize admissions and other policies (and to save money, I suppose), Rutgers wants to consolidate it's several New Brunswick and Piscataway colleges into one. Douglas, along with Cook, Livingston, University, and Rutgers colleges, would be reorganized into "Rutgers College of Arts and Sciences".

Douglas alumni and supporters fear a loss of identity, even if the Douglas campus retains it's all female d0rms and special programs. Others see this move as standardizing the practices of the separate colleges and eliminating inequalities in admission policies, scholarships, and other areas.




Is this a terrible blow to tradition and an affront to women? Or is this just a common sense approach to standardizing rules and regulations to insure fairness and equality? You decide?

C is for Catbomb

It's about time for another swell picture form Matt.

Enjoy.

B is for Be my Valentine

I remember sharing crossword puzzles with you at break time.

I remember nervously meeting your parents for the first time; talking to your father as he worked in the garage,

We went out to the movies and ate at the Gaslight and Danzers.

I made you stupid Valentine cards; not brave enough to be serious.

You helped me move to New jersey (the first time), unsure if I was ever coming back.

You took me to the weddings of your friends (were these hints?). I took you to meet my family (my sister didn't hint - she coerced).

I remember smiling and laughing with you at the altar - we had the best time.

You made our apartment in Rochester into a home, where we enjoyed the ducks, the deep dish pizza, and cooking for each other.

I made you go to Kinks concerts with me, and you never complained.

When I asked if you wanted to move to New Jersey, you said "Why not".

We watched the thunderstorms roll across the golf course from our balcony in Blackwood.

I remember you driving all the way down to Pennsville to give me the news in person (Twins!).

I missed you when you were working nights and I was left with two hungry babies.

A new house, more babies.

Our trip to Hawaii; trips to Florida.

Trips to New York with a car load of kids; playing games and singing silly songs.

Parent's night at elementary school; middle school; high-school.

I remember feeling more frightened and helpless than I have ever felt.

Art shows, poetry readings, concerts, graduations. The pride in your eyes.

I remember fights, although I don't remember what they were about.

Our grown-up trip to Disney World: the carriage ride; eating at Citricos; the Cirque du Soleil.

I remember all this, and more.

I remember sharing it all with you.

A is for Asimov

Today - a little tribute to the true author of the Encyclopedia Galactica.

I think I got my love of reading from my mother. I remember going with her to the little Hyde Park public library, after school. This was about the time of the first manned space flights, and I had always been fascinated by rockets, astronomy, and the mysteries of space. I was in 5th or 6th grade when I discovered that the library contained books by the likes of Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, A. E. Van Vogt, Robert Heinlein, and Frederick Pohl. And, of course, there was Isaac Asimov.


Bradbury had a mystical, poetic approach to Science Fiction, but the others all came from a technical background that, perhaps, was due to the growing influence of science on society. World War II had given us radar, sonar, the V2 rocket and the atomic bomb. A new crop of scientist/authors allowed us to imagine the continued impact that science would have on our future. Some of these futures involved nuclear holocaust, rampant overpopulation, and machines dominating humanity. But many of these stories helped explain the benefits and wonders of science. Asimov'’s books in particular taught us the beauty of science, and in some instances, the superiority of the scientific mind.

Asimov studied biochemistry and taught it at Boston College for many years. But his love of science (and his interest in many subjects) had no limits. He wrote scientific essays on every imaginable aspect of science and penned the two volume "Intelligent Man's Guide to Science" - an encyclopedia of the natural world. He also wrote commentaries on the Bible and Shakespeare, mysteries, histories, and even " The Sensuous Dirty Old Man ". He authored around 500 books all told and is presumed to be the only writer to have entries in all of the 10 major categories of the Dewey Decimal system.

But his biggest contributions to a generation of Sci-Fi authors and fans alike, were the future sciences of robotic intelligence and Psychohistory. The Robot laws are well known. They are a transformation of the Golden Rule into simple, logical axioms that everyone, human and robot, could benefit from.

• A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
  
• A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
  
• A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

He later added a "zeroeth law" to extend the first law even further.

• A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.

These laws have the effect of making robots slaves to mankind, if only applied to them. If humans also followed these laws, we would become servants to each other - as democracy is supposed to make our elected officials servants of the people. The laws in affect bestow a nobility on those who follow them, presuming that unselfish service to others, even to laying down your life for the benefit of the greater good, is a noble cause. Indeed, Asimov's robot psychologist Susan Calvin felt that robots were far superior to humans in matters of morality and self sacrifice.

The other Asimov contribution is the science of Psychohistory. Combining psychology, sociology, statistics, history, and the laws of probability, Psychohistory could accurately predict the future of an entire social system, if large enough. Though individual actions are usually difficult to predict, society as a whole will react predictably to the correct stimulus. This was the basis of Asimov's Foundation series. When the Galactic empire was crumbling, psychohistorians created two foundations to be seeds of a new society. These foundations would preserve the knowledge of the empire (in part with the Encyclopedia Galactica), and follow a carefully planned path that would restore the empire in 1000 years, avoiding of 10,000 years of barbarism.

The Foundation series was named the best Sci-Fi series ever by the fellow science fiction authors. Both those stories and Asimov's many robot novels merge intriguing science and great storytelling. I recommend them to one and all.

Z is for Zevon

I was listening to the radio the other day and they played "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner". It made me think of how much the world will miss the unique voice of Warren Zevon.

He created wonderful characters in his songs; from werewolves, junkies, and psychopaths, to the headless mercenary Roland. And each character was treated with a level of respect that was especially evident in the music that accompanied the words. Who else but Warren would have sung about the "Excitable Boy" with such an understated bouncy tune?


When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Warren reacted with irony instead of self pity. Would anyone else have the nerve to record "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" when faced with imminent demise?

In the end, he did not reprise "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me". Instead, he left us with a simple but life affirming message. The title of the tribute album recorded shortly after his death in 2003 says it all: "Enjoy Every Sandwich". True words to live by.

Y is for YummY

Part I

We recently bought a nifty little Cuisinart hand blender/chopper and I have been experimenting with various smoothies and snack recipes. Here are a couple of tasty, healthy snacks that I have been enjoying.

Home Made Hummus

1 clove garlic
1 can chick peas
2 tbls oil (olive or canola)
1-2 tbls lemon juice
1 tbl tahini (sesame paste)
water
salt & pepper to taste
additional spices or veggies for variety

Chop or crush the garlic and process with the chick peas. Add the lemon juice and water as needed to get a nice smooth consistency. Add the tahini, salt, pepper and other spices and blend well. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, or carrots and celery.

I usually don't have tahini around, but I will add some chili powder and/or cumin to add some flavor. You can also add some chives, roasted peppers, green or black olives, or other veggies at the end to add some color and zest.

Blended Black Bean Salsa

I have seen lots of recipes for salsa using whole black beans, but I like them blended into more of a paste.


1 can cooked black beans (or you can cook your own, if you want)
1 small can of tomatoes (or, preferably, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies)
Salt, pepper and spices to taste


Process black beans into a chunky paste. Blend in tomatoes and spices to desired consistency (more beans for a bean dip; tomatoes for a more salsa like result).

Again, I like chili powder and cumin. Throw in onions, peppers, avocado, or whatever else is on hand for variety. Serve with tortilla chips or spread on bread or soft tortillas.

Feel free to share your recipes, or if you think these belong under Yucky, let me know.

X is for (planet) Xena

Well, sort of.

The official name of this celestial object is 2003 UB313. But it was nicknamed Xena by it's discoverers - less of a mouthful than 2003 UB313. It may someday receive a different name, if and when it is declared a planet.


It is estimated to be larger than Pluto, but many astronomers say that Pluto would not be declared a planet if it was discovered today. Pluto, after all is smaller than our moon, and since it was found in the 1930s there have been a large number of trans-Neptunian objects located in the far reaches of our solar system.

Still, if we can include Pluto, why not have the larger Xena become the 10th planet. It even has a moon, appropriately named Gabrielle (the real Xena's trusty sidekick, for any uninitiates out there).

Xena and Gabrielle

Here is what the discovers have to say about Xena's companion:
What is the moon called?
Sadly, the committees deciding the fate of 2003 UB313 and its name have still come to no decisions. Since we get tired of saying a name with 9 syllables, we still call the tenth planet by our original code name, Xena. The moon officially goes by the name of S/2005 (2003 UB313) 1. Depending on how you count, that is something like 15 syllables.. It should come as no surprise to some, then, that we very quickly decided to call the moon by the code name Gabrielle. We look forward to the day that the committees finally decides and both of these bodies can get permanent names. In the meantime we are glad that Xena and Gabrielle are together again.

W is for Warrior Women

I have an appreciation and attraction to strong women. They may be characters in movies and on TV, historical figures, singers and song writers, or friends and family.

The picture above was from a Discovery Channel series, hosted by Lucy Lawless, that has aired in the UK and elsewhere, but not in the U.S. so far. It featured Boudica, a Celtic queen who fought the Romans in Britain, Joan of Arc, The Irish pirate Grace O'Malley, Mulan, and others.

And so, here are some of my favorite warrior women, plus those women that I admire for their independence, strength, enormous talents, and triumphant spirit.


On TV:

• Xena: Warrior Princess (she has many Skills)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Veronica Mars

Actors: (who always portray women of strength and conviction)

• Jodie Foster
• Kathy Bates
• Frances McDormand

Musicians:

• Joni Mitchell
• Judy Collins
• Janis Joplin
• Kirsty MacColl
• Terri Hendrix
• Grace Slick

Authors:

• Ursula K. Le Guin
• Patricia Cornwell
• Anne Rice
• Mary Stewart
  

There are many others that I could mention, and hope to bring up in the future. Let me know about the women who you admire.

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I Am Woman
Words and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton

V is for Venerable

venerable

adj - impressive by reason of age; profoundly honored;

Commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character, or position.


Today we honor those venerable ladies, Kristin and Karen. On Groundhog's Day they turn 25 years old. In ancient times they would have been grandparents by now! But, while time drags them kicking and screaming into adulthood, let's now look back to earlier days.

Wise beyond their years

Rainbow Brites to the rescue!

Sisters

Happy Birthday darling daughters!


The Sister's Song
Terri Hendrix

you had the left side and i had the right
with a line down the middle so we wouldn't fight
two sisters sharing a room
with desk in the middle of two twin beds
i listened to every word you said
and when I couldn't face the world
i faced you instead