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© JODI ANDERSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It has been miserably hot the last few days. For anyone that doesn't know, I'm all about the winter. I am not talking oh-look-at-the-beautiful-snow. I like subzero temperatures, walking on frozen lakes, harsh conditions, fierce blizzards.
So, trying not to whine, I sat down to tap out some things that made me pause and smile. No more had I completed the following list... and clouds rolled in, a cool and steady breeze came through the open windows, it began to thunder, and finally it rained.
The house is comfortable again.
I didn't get around to answering comments this last week. I'm sorry about that. I also removed a few posts while editing the site. So, if you're looking for something in particular and it's not there, just let me know.
We saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday.
I decided, at the last minute, not to bring my camera along with me. It was bulky and I wasn't 100% sure that it would pass through security. While waiting for the dialogue to begin, I received a comment from Shokoofeh (on my phone) that she was not permitted to bring in her DSLR when she saw His Holiness. After reading that, I was quite relieved that I had left it at home.
The governor gave an opening speech and then introduced the Madison Youth Choirs. During their performance, His Holiness came out along with UW-Madison neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson (CIHM), moderator Daniel Goleman, and HHDL's interpretor. Afterward, two of the children gave HHDL a University of Wisconsin Badgers hat, which he wore throughout the performance. (You can see a newspaper photo HERE.)
The dialogue was very interesting. Rather than recount it myself, I'll just point you to THIS newspaper article, if you're interested. I didn't find a full transcript online, but I also didn't look very hard. There are some great photos of his seventh visit to Madison on the Dalai Lama's website.
© JODI ANDERSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Today, X and I will be seeing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Madison. There will be a live webcast at 2:15 pm CDT and you can view that HERE. The ticket information says that we can take along a handheld camera, so I'll be bringing my DSLR. I hope that is okay and that I can get a few snapshots of the occasion.
Have a lovely day.
The shot above is my favorite parking spot at Monroe Street Fine Arts Center, where X has had art lessons, improv classes, and guitar instruction for about five years. If anyone local is reading this, I highly recommend MSFAC.
Next month, X will be 18.
I have found myself thinking about personal evolution lately and these so-called phases that one goes through in life. After mulling it over, I have decided that it is others, society in general really, who have left the impression that X and I should move onto completely areas in our lives because of this whole 18-thing. I don't feel that she must move directly onto college or career; She doesn't feel that she must move directly onto college or career. That is the beauty of the unschooling mindset ... There are no rigid rules about life and learning. This mindset shouldn't be restricted to unschooling, in my opinion, and more the norm as opposed to the exception.
Things will evolve slowly and naturally, with no real line between then and now, no clear definition of one phase or another. That is the way that I like it.
© JODI ANDERSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
When we moved into this house, the majority of our neighbors were senior citizens. Slowly, they are vanishing and I know that it will always be like that. I'm grateful for everyone that is still here: Mr. and Mrs. Frey, who work so hard in their garden and, I suspect, have always been eco-friendly; Mrs. Dickerson, whose son died four years ago, now lives alone, although you'd never know it because family visits her throughout the day; Mrs. Schwartz tells us to pick as many grapes as we want because she doesn't know what to do with them since Mr. Schwartz is no longer alive to make wine; and Mrs. Meyers, who bakes us treats and borrows my husband when she can't lift or reach something.
There is an elderly man who lives about two blocks from me. For years, he regularly drove by on his bicycle and he'd have his little dog in the basket. It was the cutest thing ever, and I was always hoping to photograph or shoot a video of him going by like that. Two years ago, he started leaving his dog at home. Last summer, he didn't ride the bike at all, but I'd see him walking the little dog near his house. Now, I just see the old man when I drive or walk by his home. He stands on the corner of the sidewalk with his silver metal walker. He involves himself in the business of those going by, throwing out curt words and impolite stares.
There's no point to this story, no clever ending or a photo of him on his bike. I just want to remember this neighborhood as it once was and as it is now.
© JODI ANDERSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It was really windy here today.
It has been extremely gusty in Wisconsin for more than a week, but not to this degree. Visibility was down to four blocks in some areas of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. Just going to the grocery store left us covered in grit. I think that I ingested quite a bit as well. These shots are badly-taken, yet can see a bit of the dust. For instance, the eagle on the water tower (west) should be visibly dark brown. The camera and I can usually make out detail much further than depicted in these photos, which are, respectively, looking north, south, east, and west.
There is only a breeze now and the dust is gone... if I don't count my hair, eyes, or throat.
Thanks to everyone for your input regarding my hotel-bedroom. I, too, like things minimalistic, especially in the sleeping quarters. After thinking it over quite a bit, I believe that the only thing I will eventually change (besides fresh paint) is to get different bedside lamps. I'd like to attach them a bit higher on the wall to help balance it out a bit. I might also add a shade to the window at some point.
That's all that I have for today. Have a great week, folks.
© JODI ANDERSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
