Vacation Day 1

I would consider today the first day of vacation, although one could argue that vacation began yesterday. I found a delightful Italian place last night. Sarah, Katherine and I ate dinner on the patio. Islands of wildflowers planted in the patio and a fountain trickled in the background. Somehow all of this transported us to a place we agreed was not IC. We didn't really know where we felt we were, but Iowa felt like a distant place. That is until...

We went to the Johnson County Fair. Which, also happens to be the first fair I've ever attended. Regrettably, I do not have pictures available to post at this time, but know that I will post pictures of the "bobcat" aka "skid" rodeo and the 150 year recap of Johnson County veteran history recounted by a man on horseback with a microphone. Highlights of the experience included the goats with the floppy ears, the black sheep that baaaaaed at me and the chunky bunnies.

The fireworks were like no other. Literally, like no other. We witnessed approximately four mushroom cloud explosions (never what you want to see at a fireworks show) and approximately two grand finales. We thought the show ended approximately three times. Those wily organizers kept us guessing.

Today I drove to Missouri to stay with my sister. The drive was uneventful and the Iowa was summertime-gorgeous with wildflowers carpeting the ditches. The corn rows snaked up and down the hills and the bean fields are velvety green. I stopped in St. Charles to get some gas and discovered a covered bridge right of fthe highway. Having never been to the famed 'Bridges of Madison County,' I realized it might be a nice place to stop on one of my trips through. I took pictures, which again, I will post at a later date.

All is well in Missouri. Minsky's just opened in Annie's hometown. We tried to go, but the line looked formidable and our stomachs were impatient. We headed out for yummy sushi with one of Annie's friends instead. Tomorrow we take the dog to the doggy-sitter and leave in the evening. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that our airline doesn't go completely belly up and leave us dry.

Look who's knitting

I finished my first knitting project. I've realized I really enjoy learning new things as an adult. As a youth, I didn't really have the patience to learn things such as knitting. If it didn't come to me right away, then I got frustrated. I'm glad I can now laugh through the frustrations. Next project: Toilet paper roll cover shaped like a bunny. Just kidding.

Blueberries!

While not officially on our bucket list, Sarah and I headed to the country side (we didn't have to travel far) to pick BLUEBERRIES! To the untrained eye, it might look like we have milk jugs around our hips, but actually our state of the art blueberry belts provided by the blueberry patch owner made picking easy. (I love mid-west pragmatism.) We could double fist blueberries into our 'belts.' Although the bushes had been picked once our twice, we were not at a loss for fine plump dark blue berries. At three dollars a pound, I had a 1.75 pounds of fun. You can't beat that.

The first batch of muffins this morning were delicious.

Introductions

You may notice new links to new blogs. I figured I'd take a few moments to introduce you.

1. I don't know this woman personally, a friend told me about this blog. But after reading her bio and just the most recent posting, you realize the importance of the life she leads. All other "reality shows" be damned... this is the real deal.

http://thebodiebunch.blogspot.com/

2. This is a friend of mine who has nothing in common with me other than we live the illustrious life of grad students and we like Indian food. We have divergent views to say the least... Don't say I didn't warn you.

http://www.ivorytoweradventures.com/

3. My awesome neighbor from the OP who introduced me to the music of Les Miserables as a 10 year old.... no, it wasn't your average upbringing. She is relocating to CA from DC. If you want to know anything about the politics of health care, she is the one to listen to.

http://benderinberkeley.blogspot.com

A life experience

What if your coffin was your coffee table or your bookshelf? Would that change the way you lived your or looked at life?

This article was published in the NY times recently. I've heard of the "home burial" before, but knew little about it. This article sheds light on this movement and shares the stories of those who have experienced this ritual. I'm fascinated by the movement to reclaim the dying/ burial experience and to make it just that, a life experience, rather than a purchase.

This article has prompted interesting discussions with people with whom I've shared it. I thought I'd post it here in case you are interested.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21funeral.html?em

PEANUTS

It stands for "People Experiencing A New Understanding Through Service." It was something I and several of my friends did as youth every summer throughout our high school years. I have been very fortunate in my life and am thankful for all of the opportunities and experiences that have come my way. And out of all of my life experiences thus far, I believe the annual youth group workcamp is an experience for which I am sincerely grateful.

Each year, I left my comfy suburban surroundings to experience, know and learn about injustices, discomforts and very real fears marginalized and forgotten communities faced. Hunger, racism, poverty, housing issues. Each summer opened wider my eyes and my heart. I would return home with stories of the homeless people I met, the amazing construction feats we accomplished and silly shenanigans that happen when over 20 youth travel together. While I know I contributed to a community in need, I always felt that I gained too.

Last week, the youth from my home church in Kansas came to Cedar Rapids to do flood relief work. While the floods happened last year, the aftermath still exists. The national news has ceased its coverage of the floods, but displaced residence continue to live in temporary housing and businesses struggle to rebound. The complexities of insurance have left several families with nothing and unable to rebuild. It is as if the community is still scratching its head, looking around, and asking what do we do?

My sister accompanied the group as an "adult." I decided to join them last Friday for a day of labor. Without fail, I was transformed into that camper, experiencing that familiar appreciation for those I met and their stories. I felt a kindred spirit in P--, a seventy something year old woman with a bumper sticker on her car that reads "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." She traveled the world, led a fulfilling career as a professor and shared with my sister "I never wanted to sit around with other women and talk about children. That just wasn't for me." The youth helped her with maintenance and yard work. You could tell she loved having them there and they loved to help her. As an adult, I marveled at the dedication and responsibility of the youth and wondered where we like that?

Another woman lost her house (the house in which both her husband and son passed away) in the flood and was rebuilding thanks to the help of volunteers.

Through service one is attuned to the delicate existence of the human experience and the resiliency of of the human spirit.








Andrea is smiling with her eyes!

Democracy Now

http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/butter-vote.php

I'm not telling how I voted, nor how I stumbled up this link.

A Midsummer Night's Night

In high school, I never understood Shakespeare. Yes, I learned the difference between a comedy and tragedy. I was able to follow the plot of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. The soothsayer's role mildly interested me. But, I never really "got it" and would consider myself among the majority of 16 year-olds questioning the necessity of Shakespeare in the English curriculum. Well, 16 years later, I'm eager to report, I GET IT NOW!

This week was the final week of the Shakespeare Festival in town. While not the Globe, the open-air theater was constructed along the river to look somewhat like it and updated with modern amenities like comfy seating. Friday night, I attended a production of Richard III with a friend. Not knowing if I would "get it" or if I would even enjoy it, I was hesitant to hand over $17 for a student ticket. But I did. Before the show, a group of student actors put on a "Green Show" that provided a humorous, all modern English, synopsis of play.

As the play started, "Now is the winter of our discontent..." I settled in to let the actors do the work for me, and they obliged. With excellent projection, diction and acting, I was able to not only follow the plot, but to appreciate the entire experience. My English teacher would be so proud of me as I began to acknowledge Shakespeare's mastery of language, humor and poetic dialogue. The language came to life and I didn't want the play to die. For the first time, I could understand some people's obsession with Shakespeare.

Wanting more, I went back last night by myself (although ended up setting next to an acquaintance anyway- such is IC) to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I missed the Green Show for this one, but that didn't matter. Again, the actors deftly performed their work, and I could sit back, smile and laugh and the timeless humor.

The Wedding

"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

This is the Iowa State Motto. It was cited in the Iowa Supreme Court Ruling that lifted the ban on gay marriage in the state of Iowa. The Supreme Court recognized the duty to uphold the state constitution and ensure equal treatment under the law. Iowa was one of the first states to recognize interracial marriages, and again, this sleepy mid-west state surprised the nation when it was among the first to allow marriage between same sex partners.

Since the decision, commercials online and on the air have advertised "weddings for all," many of my gay friends speak openly of getting married and many of my disapproving friends remain reticent when the topic surfaces. Everyone has an opinion whether it is expressed or not.

Sunday, I attended a wedding for a gay couple. While having already exchanged their vows under the care of a Quaker meeting in an adjacent state, that state did not recognize the marriage legally. So, they came to Iowa. This was the first legally recognized gay marriage under the care of an Iowa meeting. In a way, all in attendance witnessed history on Sunday.

As tradition, the couple rose out of the silence to exchange vows, kissed and signed the certificate. The certificate was read aloud to all in attendance by the clerk. Inspirational ministry was both spoken and sung. One Friend spoke of the distractions that can arise during a marriage and paralleled it to distractions that arise during meeting. Another Friend was led to sing "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." The couple held hands and frequently smiled at each other, at their family and to themselves. A spirit of love was present. Afterwords, all attenders signed the certificate as witnesses to the wedding. It was a special occasion for all, even the two visitors who just happened to show up to a Quaker meeting for the first time that Sunday morning. Afterwords, we celebrated with a potluck and fellowship.

While not an overtly patriotic person, I can say that this Independence Day weekend made me proud to live in a state where liberties are prized and rights are maintained...for all.