Saving Lives

Quote of the Day:  I truly believe that when people face death, when they face the loss of all the trivia of modern day society and are face to face with the "bare essentials" of what is human, that they are the happiest, with less to gripe over and less to worry about.  I think people are people only when they suffer! Chaplain Ray Stubbe in a letter home from Vietnam, 25 November 1967. From the book Grace Under Fire - Letters of Faith in Times of War

We arrived a bit late for the Memorial Day service.  They were saying the prayers as we walked closer.  I regretted missing the message from the speaker, hearing the band, and yet, I was glad I'd taken the time to pick up my boys and bring them here.  We heard the 21 gun salute.  We saw the soldiers pause and reflect.  We were reminded of the extreme sacrifice of many so that we could enjoy living in freedom.

The boys noticed new things this year - all the flags for the soldiers, the larger headstones for families who lived and died here, and how large the cemetery is.  I explained that not everyone buried here is a soldier.  It's a community cemetery that goes back about 100 years.

I felt grateful to be walking around above ground, to have my boys at my side, and to watch them play.  We stopped at a playground where I soaked in the sun and the joy of the day, took pictures, and wondered how long they'd still like playing at playgrounds.

How long will they feel the carefree life of being a kid?

And, I felt grateful that my home has not experienced disaster, especially after reading Doris' blog, "Hold my Hand" a social worker's blog, which has a moving story of how the medical community responded to the disaster in Joplin, MO.  Dr. Kevin Kikta wrote about the chaos and the care during the first hours of the devastation.  He writes, "Tragedy has a way of revealing human goodness."

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are you feeling grateful for today?

Pray for Peace

Quote of the Day:   from Matthew 24:6-7 (The Message)
Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.




News of the end of the world took me by surprise.  I didn't know it was coming until sometime late on Friday when a facebook friend linked an ad. for dog care after the rapture.  Huh? Doesn't the end of the world mean the end for everyone and every living thing?


The passage above is a modern translation of the Bible. I love the clarity in the language.  When I was a kid, I thought that "wars and rumors of wars" and earthquakes, and "nation rising against nation" were signs that the end was near.  Then, I thought, people who were living in times of the great wars, especially WWII, must have thought, this is the end.  But, it wasn't.  Generations were born and grew up and fought more wars, new wars, old wars, wars that never cease.


Instead of spending our energy and resources figuring out how to most efficiently kill each other, we could be using our wonderful minds and talents to determine when the next natural disaster will occur.  We can give out warnings, and have aid available.  We could concentrate on preserving life and saving people, on beauty and creativity and lifting each other up.


We don't need an army of people to stop one power-crazed man.  We need an army of people to stop his army of followers.


What does Memorial Day mean to me?  planting flowers at gravesites, a somber parade followed by a meaningful service.  It's families taking time to be together and making the Earth a more beautiful place.  They're planting flowers, mowing lawns, doing projects, and remembering.


Thank you to all the people who have sacrificed for freedom.  We salute you.

John Lennon's song Imagine is probably the most brilliant song ever written. imagine all the people, living life in peace...

Blogger has been quirky lately, making it hard to leave comments. I found that horribly frustrating. I mean, how will you know I've stopped by for a visit, if I can't leave a note? Here's a suggestion I read in the comments of a fellow blogger:



"Sarah Ahiers (Falen) said... the way around the blogger commenting error is to sign out of blogger and then sign back in, but to UNCLICK the "stay signed in" box. Worked for me" 

It also worked for me.  Thanks, Sarah!

Go. Create. Inspire!  And, remember the reason for the holiday.

Journaling Prompt:  Write your reflections on Memorial Day.

Writing Support

Quote of the Day:  I like to write when I feel spiteful; it's like having a good sneeze. - D.H. Lawrence

You can be a little ungrammatical if you come from the right part of the country. - Robert Frost

Grammar is a piano I play by ear.  All I know about grammar is its power. Joan Didion

I found those quotes in a little book called Writers on Writing.  I picked it up at a used bookstore in Lincoln City, OR, when I was visiting my sister last summer. (That's Joy in the background looking at funny music books.)

Sometimes, I envy kids because they have so many opportunities handed to them.  Grown-ups have to make their own opportunities. Take last week's Young Authors Conference.  The kids could choose from 18 different presentations by professional authors.  In fact, we were all wishing we could rove around and sit in on each other's classes. They were diverse and interesting and filled with inspiration.  They could learn about Jackhammers and Mount Rushmore, sharing secrets, and writing scenes for a screenplay, to name a few. I would have loved being a kid that day.

Where do you turn for inspiration? Have you taken any classes lately?  Used any online services?  One place students can go is college support services.  We visit blogs, read about other's success, buy the craft books, take courses, and attend workshops.

My idea of a great vacation would be to escape to a camp for grown-ups who like to create things.  We'd have theatre games, time to write, time to interact, great food, campfires with wild, imaginative stories, late night swims, and a bit of romance.

Ya, that's the kind of summer camp I'd sign up for.

Journaling Prompt:  Where do you go for support and inspiration?  Do you want to join me in my virtual summer camp?  Have you ever been to a camp or retreat center that nurtures your creativity?  Your sense of romance?

Community

Quote of the Day:  We are marching in the light of God music and text from a South African hymn.  As the text indicates, this is a march tempo.  The words repeat.  We can set our books down and march together.  Additional action words: dancing, singing, praying, walking.

When we walk together, we don't have to walk alone.  This is the first year that I'm walking in the Race for the Cure Walk for Breast Cancer, and I'm a team captain!  I'm in a group called Mothers of Multiples (MOMs).  One of our members is battling inflammatory breast cancer.  If you want to walk with us, be a spirit walker, or donate, you can go here.  Our team name is MOMS for MAMS.  Kinda fun.

I'm writing a story for our local women's magazine on The Buddy Walk, which is a walk for families and people who have Down syndrome.  I've talked to three local families, and they all have a unique story.  What is common is the desire to build community, to walk together.

Here I am walking, (well, drinking coffee and talking after a long day with middle schoolers), with two of my favorite writers from this region.  We were all presenters at the Young Authors Conference (YAC) in Nothern Minnesota.  If you'll remember Friday's post, I was nervous about going, questioning if I belong, and despite that crazy talk, found success.  In fact, we had a great time.  Some of the highlights include: reciting poetry at the dinner table on Tues. night, singing random songs, discussing religion, and serenading the full moon and a couple birthday girls with Amazing Grace.

Roxane (Bob Marley in the above photo) has more details of the fun at YAC on her blog, Peacegarden Mama.

Journaling Prompt:  Have you walked for any causes?  Do you know someone with Down syndrome?  How do you experience community?

Middle School Adventures

Quote of the Day:  Presence arrives through the intuitive.  We cannot approach the intuition until we are free of opinions, attitudes, prejudices, and judgments. - Viola Spolin, in her book Theater Games for Rehearsal.

I've been riding the trails with middle schoolers this week, marveling at their energy, creativity and courage.  I've been volunteering and teaching, learning and living.  I've been experiencing life off-screen, and been quiet online.  Here are a few highlights.

On Monday, I went on an outdoor fieldtrip with Twin B, Eric.  We had a wagon ride through the woods, learned about the plant and animal life, and roasted marshmallows.

He learned how to approach and catch a horse, lead him, and brush him.  Then, the kids went on a trail ride.  Smiles, smiles everywhere!

The kids were challenged by the adventure ropes.  To truly grow from an experience, you need to be pushed out of your comfort zone, climb one more step up.

On Tuesday, I went on the same adventure with Twin A, Charlie.

I watched as kids went from crying to trotting on the horses, from shaking their heads and saying, "No way," to the ropes course, to "Let me go again!"  With encouragement, trust, and bravery all things are possible.

On Wednesday, I traveled North to a middle school Young Authors Conference.  I used that model of being encouraged out of your comfort zone to empower young writers.

I also used it to empower myself because the night before I left, the voices started taunting me again.  They said, "Who are you to teach anything at a conference?  Where are your published books?  What are your credentials?  All those other presenters are real authors.  You're just a poser."

Weren't they awful?

I pulled out Viola Spolin's Theater Games book and thought, she might be able to help build my confidence.  I read what is the Quote of the Day, above, in the prologue.  Yes, Viola, I need to trust my intuition.  I needed to push aside my own self-doubts, opinions, and judgments against myself.  I took notes and visualized eager young writers, embraced the teacher inside of me, and I went into the classroom with the old confidence I once had as a classroom teacher.  And, guess what?

Success!!!

I helped them create characters and write two different scenes, one alone, and one as a group.  The one on the board is called a "Death By -" scene, a comedy about ways to die by...boys, Justin Bieber, homework, chocolate, fear of pens - to name a few. 

Did you know Middle School kids are very brave, smart, and creative?

Ya, thanks, kids, for a terrific week!!!!!

Journaling Prompt:  When is the last time you were pushed out of your comfort zone?  What did you do?  Would you dare climb up those trees to do the adventure ropes?

New Guy in my Life

Quote of the Day:  FOG by Carl Sandburg



THE fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

That's just how Leo glided into our hearts.  I told the boys, "We're just going to look at HART" to see what cats they have at the shelter, and that "We probably won't find just the right one the first time we go."  So, we walked into the cat room.  I sat down on a chair, thinking, I'll let the boys look at the cats.  Then, this big, fluffy furball climbed on my lap, snuggled down and started purring.  He loved it when I pet him.  Then, Zach sat down to hold him, and he fell asleep on his lap.  They were closing, so I said we'd go home and "sleep on it."

Saturday morning, I was trying to distract myself from thinking about that white, fluffy cat at the animal rescue shelter, by reading blogs.  Inkygirl posted this link, and it was all over. It's photos of writers and their kitties.

So, I called the shelter, and we went to get him.  I told Zach to try brushing him, because with a coat like that, he'd better like being brushed.  He loved it.  I filled out the paperwork, paid the fee, and brought the pet porter into the room.  I set it on the floor and opened the door. Zach set Leo down and he walked right into the porter.  We were all shocked.  The worker said, "I've never seen a cat so willing to go in one of those.  He must really want you to take him home."  Yep, I feel like Leo picked us.

He's about a year and a half, is declawed and fixed, well cared for, and had to leave his family due to allergies.  You can tell he's been snuggled and played with, brushed and loved.

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever gotten a pet from a shelter, or rescued one? 

Signs of Spring

Quote of the Day:  my favorite springtime poem by Mary Oliver.

Such Singing in the Wild Branches

It was spring

and finally I heard him

among the the first leaves -

then I saw him clutching the limb

in an island of shade

with his red-brown feathers

all trim and neat for the new year.

First, I stood still

and thought of nothing.

Then I began to listen.

Then I was filled with gladness-

and that's when it happened,

when I seemed to float,

to be, myself, a wing or a tree-

and I began to understand

what the bird was saying,

and the sands in the glass

stopped

for a pure white moment

while gravity sprinkled upward

like rain, rising,

and in fact

it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing-

it was the thrush for sure, but it seemed

not a single thrush, but himself, and all his brothers,

and also the trees around them,

as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds

in the perfectly blue sky-all, all of them

were singing.

And, of course, yes, so it seemed,

so was I.

Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last

for more than a few moments.

It's one of the magical places wise people

like to talk about.

One of the tings they say about, that is true,

is that, once you've been there,

you're there forever.

Listen, everyone has a chance.

Is it spring, is it morning?

Are there trees near you,

and does our own soul need comforting?

Quick, then - open the door and fly on your heavy feet; the song

may already be drifting away.

Listen to Mary Oliver read more of her amazing poetry here.  She has a loving and emotional way of describing nature and all its glory.

The birds have come and woken up something new inside me.  I tried to capture a few on camera. 

I need a stronger lens or better bait.  I tried cut up oranges and grape jelly. 

So far, I've attracted ants.  I did see one come close, but of course, I wasn't ready with my camera.  So, this morning, I'm sitting in my kitchen with the deck door open.  A cool breeze is coming in, and I've heard a few birds, but none have landed on my deck railings.  This is the closest they came.

While I was looking for images of orioles verses yellow finches, I found this blog by Lisa Sabin-Wilson.  Her post on trying to capture her orioles on "film" was much like mine.  It was an older post, so I clicked her title to see what she's recently done, and discovered a glorious video of an NPR recording of Adele. Sweet, soulful music.

I had intended to write this post yesterday, but it didn't work out.  I ended up doing yardwork.  Here's what happened.  On Tuesday, Lisa, my friend and neighbor, asked if I had any hotdogs.  I had four left in a package, so I ran them over to her house.  On Wednesday morning, she came over to my house while I was at a meeting, and started digging up a voluntary tree that had grown from a seed that came down my downspout.  Once she got started, there was no stopping her.  She trimmed my bushes, and cleaned up the brush around my house.  We solicited the help of her nephew.

He was more than happy to pull the Radio Flyer to the back and call for Someone (me) to help him unload it. I offered up lemonade as a reward.

Birds, buds, blossoms, and being a good neighbor - that's what makes Spring so beautiful!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are some signs of Spring in your neck of the woods? Or, what are the signs of changing seasons in your part of the globe?

Avoiding Writing and Eating like a Hobbit

Quote of the Day:  Read the poem The Tao of Touch by Marge Piercy on The Writer's Almanac.  This poem was used there on May 5.  It spoke to me.

In order to avoid working on my next play, I caught up on blogs.  I actually zeroed out my Reader on Saturday morning!

I awoke to a loud thud. At first, I thought the twins were up and already going outside.  The door to the garage closes with a thud and rattles the house.  I got up, checked, and saw that they were still snoring in bed.  Hmm. I walked downstairs and didn't see anything out of order.  I heard the thud again.  Was that thunder?  No. It's cloudy, but not raining.  Then, I realized it was the sound of war manuevers at Camp Ripley, which isn't as far away as I think.  The entrance to the camp is about 20 miles south of here, but the land within the camp comes up to the Crow Wing River, very near my house.  It sounds like canon fire, (from what I've heard on tv shows) so I wonder, Why are they shooting off canons?  Are they just playing war games and Civil War re-enactments?  Probably not.

My imagination enjoyed playing with the sound, though.  Maybe it's trolls walking nearby, or using my roof as a percussion instrument.  And, speaking of Trolls, the boys and I decided that Saturday would be "Eat like a Hobbit" Day.  We enjoyed breakfast together - toast, cereal, an orange, coffee.  Then, we had a second breakfast - scones.  For Elevensies, I had a banana.  They had toast.  I thought I'd better take a walk after that, since luncheon was coming up.  And, for tea time, we had Oreo cookies and milk out on the deck.

Despite my best efforts - long walk, laundry, cleaning my room, and all that eating, I did manage to type a few more scenes in my play.  I'm now up to page 12!

The setting is the kitchen.

The main focal point is the kitchen table.

The characters are a family, trying to connect the past to the present, understand each other, and be whole.

I have a present day table setting, and one from the past.  This is the first time I've used flashback in a script.  I like it.  This story is a drama, filled with emotion.  I also included 10 year old twin boys, which lends to high energy and humor.

For Mom's Day, the boys got me great gifts - movies, a candle, and smelly bath gel, and they took me bowling.  They did great.  I am one lucky Mama.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What would be on your menu for "Eat like a Hobbit" Day?  How did you celebrate Mother's Day, or enjoy the weekend?

Happy Mom's Day

Quote of the Day:  You never really get to know someone unless you sit down together at the table and share a meal. - from my mom, Jane Siberg Aalgaard.  Inspiring words for me as I begin work on my next play, Kitchen Table Confessions.

I think my mom has a similar pose with each of her six children.  This is the picture in the front of my baby book.  I'm number 4 in the family.  The caption under the photo reads:  Momie is clowning to get me to wake up and smile!  And, I've been smiling ever since.  I'm known for my smile.  It's big and ready to greet you.

I've noticed that people are posting photos of their moms on facebook and writing up blog posts about Mother's Day this week.  I'll gladly jump on that bandwagon.  One Mother's Day, a few years back, I think my twins were infants, we were at my oldest brother Nathan's house to celebrate the day.  Mom was talking about a friend, or someone, who had been honored by her kids.  She said, "It made me wonder how you'll remember me."  Nathan said, "You are a healer of body and spirit."  I thought that was so beautiful.  I wonder if either of them remember that. 

Mom went to school to be a nurse.  She talks about her nursing school days often, and with affection.  At the time, the nursing students lived together, worked together, studied together, walked the snowy trek to classes together.  She said they became very close.  It was a chance for her to experience sisterhood.  When one of them got engaged, they'd throw the bride-to-be in the bathtub.

Mom was the nurse living in our little farming community of Good Hope.  She was called with nursing questions, I know.  She was called upon to be there for neighbors, I'm sure.  She's a good listener and cares about the people in her community and knows how to connect.

Mom loves her gardens and her Bible studies and good music.  She's the one who encouraged me with piano.  When I was a speech coach, one of my students recited the poem Thanking My Mother For Piano Lessons by Diane Wikoski.  I don't know if I ever thanked Mom officially, but I'll do it now.  Thank you, Mom, for piano lessons and encouragment, love and affirmations!  Have a Happy Mother's Day, planting flowers and watching them bloom.  I've often said that I am a unique flower in the weed patch of life.

I wonder what my sons will remember about me.

Journaling Prompt:  Write about your mom. What did she encourage in you?  Do you know her story, where she grew up, what she wanted to be?

Birthday Bash and Baseball

Quote of the Day:  Baseball quotes found here.

You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too. ~Roy Campanella

Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

Double the cake. Double the guest list. Double the fun. Double the volume (alright, the volume was more than double).  My own Minnesota Twins turned 11 last Friday.  It was a big birthday bash. Then invitations read, "and bring a baseball glove."  Thank God for nice weather.  They all ran, walked, or rode anything with wheels down to the park and set up their game of baseball.  When I got there, I suggested they turn the diamond around and hit towards the trees, not the road.  They hit.  They ran.  They argued.  I determined that middle school age boys still need an ump.  I did not volunteer.  I said, "Hey, I'm just here to take pictures."

It made me wonder.  Is the baseball field the first place where the male child tries to use his voice to get his way? 
Your foot wasn't on the base!
Yes, it was!
You didn't tag me!
Yes, I did!
I got there first!
I caught the ball before you stepped on the plate!

And, so on, until I thought, How can this be any fun? 

I stood up to leave and shouted, "I'm ordering the pizza."  Then, walked home, trailed by the pack of boys.

After the pizza, they used the football.  I think this is a game of 500.

I thought these pictures turned out great.  And, how can you argue?  The guy holding the ball is the one who caught it.

Finding your voice in the world isn't easy.  What's harder is being still and listening, and accepting that you're not always right, safe, or the winner.

Journaling Prompt:  You've just hit the ball and are running full speed to first base.  As your foot hits the base, you hear the ball land in the first baseman's glove.  Are you safe or out?  At what age can you play a "friendly" game of ball?

A-Z Challenge Review

Quote of the Day:  a Poem by Shel Silverstein

Alphabalance

Balancing my ABCs

Takes from noon to half past three.

I don't have time to grab a T

Or even stop to take a P.

That pretty much sums up what it was like to do the A-Z blog challenge this year.  I loved writing a post a day.  As soon as I signed up, I took out my handy-dandy notecards and jotted ideas for each letter. I asked my brother to write a guest post the first day about our family name, Aalgaard.  My sister Nancy challenged me to write about a name for each letter.  I didn't quite make that challenge.  I had planned to use a theatre or writing term for every letter, and I don't think I technically did that, but with the guest posts, I was able to offer up a variety of inspiring voices.

I connected with many new (to me) bloggers, including the great Nate Wilson at Sometimes, the Wheel is on Fire.  He gave tips on S Day, I think, on playing Scrabble.  That's my mom's favorite game.  I did win one game when we visited over Easter.  Since I'm non-competitive, I'd rather challenge myself to come up with the most clever word, so I sometimes miss the bonus squares.  Who cares? It's about spending time together.

During this challenge, I've built followers and friends. I've enjoyed reading a variety blogs.  My goal was to get some diversity, and I did.  My sisters told me they liked reading my blog with their morning coffee.  That's all I need to feel success.

In May, I'll plan to post at least three times a week, maybe more.  I'm also getting back the the Scriptfrenzy challenge that was happening in April.  I wrote five pages the first day, then got caught up with the blogs, Easter, the death of our cat, a big birthday bash for my twins, 15 piano students and our recital, and more.

Life is Good. (Tess Hilmo challenged us to write a Life is Good post.  I think this is a good start.)

Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting a Fun and Games Challenge.  With a blog title like Play off the Page, how can I resist.  That will appear June 6.

I signed up myself and my son Bobby to do the Tour of Lakes bike ride in June.  35-40 miles for me and 65 for him.  We'll probably finish about the same time.

Peace, and happy creating to all of you.  Thanks for reading my blog. I feel honored and encouraged.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Pretend you have a whole week to yourself in a cabin in the woods.  What will you be doing?