Re-start 2008 please!

On the Mend: Helen and TerryHelen and RJ in Georgetown, DC-September 2007

Above is a photo of Helen and me at her daughter Charlene's 60th birthday celebration in Georgetown, D.C. As many of my friends know Helen is my 2nd Mom and has been ill since shortly after this photo was taken. However, contrary to rumors, her illness wasn't due to her taking a sip of my tequila shot at this party. She is doing better and I thank everyone for their kinds words and prayers for Helen. When in France I said a little prayer myself in Vezelay near some Mary Magdalene relics. Helen is a staunch Protestant and didn't know if she liked me praying in a Catholic church. I countered, "hey Helen it got me into a church and praying, I don't think we should be picky about it." She laughed and said I was right on that score.

And on another 'on the mend note' I just learned today that my brother will finally be going home after nearly two months in the hospital and a rehab facility (he was taking a 5-week antibiotic treatment). He's very excited to go home. He hasn't spoken to his girlfriend Alvadene in all that time and normally they spend hours on the phone each night, after spending all day together at the Depot Center. Again, thanks to everyone who asked after him and sent prayers his way. My entire family is most appreciative.

But after the celebratory mood from ushering in my 40th year (see previous post) 2008 started off roughly. There was Terry's illness, Helen's hospitalization, then in early January a dear friend passed away unexpectedly, my insurance decided to not cover some of my doctors, bla bla bla. It was not an auspicious start. So as February approached, I put together a plan. . . a serious 3-part plan involving a lot of art to get 2008 back on a more positive track.

#1 Carribean Getaway: This originated as a business trip (really yes!) to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. I decided to extend it a bit, as it would be my first visit to the Caribbean. Somehow years ago because you could get direct flights from JFK to San Juan, Puerto Rico then the VI, EPA's New York office handles Puerto Rico and the VI instead of the Atlanta office. SWEET! So 2 days of work and then I took an extra day just for myself, had a massage on the beach! and dined at the lovely Cafe Christine in Christiansted run by a woman who lives there for only 4 months out of the year and then returns to her native France. Wonderful meals, balmy lovely weather not much night life though. I returned with a red nose and mosquito bites that as of Feb 18th were just starting to fade.

View outside my cottage front door: Chenay Bay Resort, Christiansted, St Croix, VI

#2 Writing Retreat & Theatre! in North Carolina Over President's Day weekend I arranged to take a writing retreat as the deadline for my 2nd book quickly approaches. I asked to utilize my friends Kivi and Edgar's in-law cottage or as they called it The Little House. It's quiet, homey, there is limited internet access, e.g. limited distractions for when I am weak and lacking discipline. So it went something like this, "Hey can I invite myself down, take you out to dinner and then disappear for several hours a day? Oh and can you pick me up at the airport?" Thankfully the reply was Yes! So I was off to North Carolina for a 3-day writing extravaganza! And then as chance would have it (courtesy of Google News alerts, folks should try it!), coinciding with this little sojourn in Lexington, I finally, after 20+ years grasped an opportunity to take in a stage performance by a favorite actor, Giulia Pagano-imdb link. Theatre links: off-b'way and Broadway

Giulia Pagano and RJ at the Triad Theatre, Greensboro, NC

Ms Pagano was quite kind to me during my awkward college years. We exchanged a few letters two decades ago and the few times I tread the boards she provided some advice ("if you don't love it enough to starve, forget it" I obviously didn't fit into that profile).

I always hoped one day to see her on stage and would look online every once in a while as the years passed. I always seemed to just miss a performance. Drats! But as luck (2008 was already turning around after the VI trip), she was appearing at the Triad Stage in Greensboro, NC in a G.B. Shaw play Mrs. Warren's Profession (I wrote about Shaw for my college Senior thesis--politics and prose, socialism, capitalism and all that jazz). Greensboro is a short drive from Kivi and Edgar's. Giulia and I arranged to meet briefly after the performance. Those with whom I went to college (and wow there are a few of you out there reading this?!) will remember this actress from the soap we all watched in the lobby of Dotzour Hall, As the World Turns, she was none other than the character Marsha Talbot. Upon meeting, she was quite kind, very gracious and might I add, awfully brave. In addition to theatre, she mentioned that she enjoyed working with a chain saw in the woods around her home! It's interesting I left the country and don't want to see another combine or tractor again. This gal leaves the city and loves chain saws! The play was very good in a new theatre with a very tight ensemble cast, great costuming, lighting and staging. Giulia had an amazing authentic Cockney accent, was wonderfully engaging as Kitty Warren and effective in spelling out her limited life choices. Giulia's husband, Rand Bridges was also in the play as Sir George Croft, having fun instilling great humor into the typical-Shaw capitalist.

#3 That Bodacious Bald Man My friend Claudia and I purchased tickets to see Patrick Stewart perform in "that Scottish play". Another exciting actor with a broad classical career (far beyond Star Trek). This is an exciting ticket to hold, not as exciting as Mrs. Warren's Profession of course but thrilling nonetheless. Link to info on that Scottish play

So that, thus far, is my 3-part plan to re-ignite this year and work toward a positive journey during year 40! Other challenges will arrive I'm sure but I'm feeling better about 2008 already.

RJ and Children

To my mother's lament, I announced various things in my teen years. 1st--I was going to live at least 1,000 miles away from Russell, Kansas. 2nd--I wasn't likely to have children. I only reconsidered that once and that was a brief reconsideration! So I do enjoy my nieces and nephews (there are 3 of each) and my friends children. Kivi and Edgar have 2 daughters, Ava and Jia whom I spent this last weekend with. Ava for some reason adores me (hey I am not complaining just amazed). There is nothing better than arriving at my sister's house or Kivi's and having a small person run toward me with open arms screaming my name. It's not that my ego is small (obviously) but a boost such as that is lovely any time.

Ava Rey, RJ and Jianna

My friends in Brooklyn, Michael and Melissa (see past posts) have twins whom I also hope to also instill with this adoration. Of course my first step is their official debut here in my blog:

Quentin and Fiona

And before anyone asks, NO! I had nothing to do with suggesting little Q's name. It's purely coincidental.

Towering Influence

I have been asked to post the poem below so others could see it, I hesitated a bit (my poetry is not a strong point) but want to honor the request. This was shared at Arlene Luther's funeral in January. Arlene worked for the Navajo Nation EPA; she was born into the Towering House People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Arlene aka Carmelita[1]

She should’ve come with a warning label

Not for the faint of heart

Or the obscure

Blinded by greed, grandeur or romance for her land

Walk on solid ground

With a sure step

But do not linger with hope.

She had a grand smile and laugh

That could wash away the anger of a passionate exchange.

Or the confusion of language

When I could not communicate

separated by culture, age, geography

Or My own ignorance.

The label also said

Be forewarned You will learn

Not in the moment but in reflection

And that lesson is here with me now

And tomorrow.

Rebecca Jamison,
January 9, 2008

Arlene Luther at Ft Point below the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California.

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[1] Carmelita was a nickname given to Arlene many years ago by a man she nursed in the Dakotas, I believe.