I Remember Mama

When I was growing up, one of the TV stations used to show a movie a week, in 5 installations.  We saw a lot of classics and one was I Remember Mama http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040458/.  I do not remember ever seeing that movie before or since. It was a very memorable movie.  I have looked it up on the internet, and watched scenes from it.  But this afternoon, I am able to watch the whole movie.  And it is just as fine as I remember I more than 50 years ago, and some of the scenes are just as I recall.        

Big Papi

I just watched the tribute to Big Papi https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Boston%20Red%20Sox by the Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball.  It moved me very much. This is a man who came to the Red Sox organization after being cut by the Minnesota Twins, and made baseball history.

During his final year in baseball, he has had a stellar performance http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ortizda01.shtml.  I have to think it is because 1) he wants to go out with a bang and 2) he does not want to leave anything on the table, so to speak.  He can give his maximum effort because he does not have to worry about how he will feel next year.

He is so intelligent about baseball, I have to believe he comes back to baseball as some sort of coach or manager.  It would be baseball's loss if he is not at least invited to do so. 

For all of his clutch performances, and walk off hits, my favorite David Ortiz moment is his "Boston Strong" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUQUFm2icyQ&list=RD28jF__vAm_qRM speech in 2013 after the Boston Marathon bombing.  And guess what, the FCC stood with him http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/04/20/david-ortiz-boston-red-sox-speech-fcc/2100051/, which I agree with and understand, because sometimes, you just have to stand up for free speech and say what comes out of the our emotions.  (I don't swear much, and the f word is not one I can abide usually, but sometimes, just sometimes, it says what nothing else can say.)

Tuna Fish and a Blast From the Past

I brought a tuna fish salad to lunch today.  I do not eat a lot of tuna fish but I eat some.  When I opened the container, the waft of warm tuna fish scent came up at me.  And, I had a flash from the past.  I used to go to Girl Scout day camp for several years.  And often brought tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.  One of the reasons I did was because I liked the warm, comforting smell of tuna fish that had not been refrigerated (our lunches were not refrigerated, obviously.)  Even though my lunch today had been refrigerated, the warm waft of tuna hit me when I opened the container. For a few minutes, I was taken back to the wonderful times I enjoyed when I was at Girl Scout Day Camp at Stonehenge, http://www.vintagegirlscout.com/campMA.html in Franklin County, Massachusetts. What a good memory for me to experience.

Googling, I found this: http://www.girlsclubofgreenfield.org/about-us/projects/.  I am sad to know that the Girl Scouts will no longer be using Camp Stonehenge, but I am thrilled that it will find new life with the Girls Club of Greenfield.

Easter Eggs

I almost always color Easter Eggs. For years, I boiled the eggs on Good Friday. I frequently worked for places that had Good Friday off.  Most recently, my employer does not give Good Friday off. I could take the day, I have the leave. But why.

So, in the more recent past, I have boiled eggs on Saturday morning and colored them then. Tonight, I boiled eggs, and after they cool, I plan to color them.

When I was a child, we colored eggs on Good Friday, and my mother prepared our Easter meal in advance. We set it out Saturday morning, and the priest came by and blessed our meal.  I wonder how many hours he spent going from house to house, blessing Easter meals.  That was a wonderful, special tradition. I suspect it no longer happens. 

LIpizzaner Horses

Tonight I watched a show on Nature, a show on PBS http://www.pbs.org/, called "The Legendary White Stallions."  The blurb for this was "The history of the Lipizzaner stallion is chronicled. Included: their little-known rescue by the U.S. Army in 1945."  For some history about this horse, click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipizzaner.

I must not have been paying close attention, because I did not hear the part about the rescue by the U.S. Army in 1945.  And, I take exception to the blurb, and suspect that many of my generation, who were raised on Disney films, will too.  I immediately remembered the title of the Disney movie, "The Miracle of the White Stallions" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057312/ that we watched when we were little.  I am not sure how accurate the movie was (I think the Disney studio has improved its accuracy, and does not take as much artistic license as it used to) but it was a good story.

I remember seeing the Lipizzaners when I was in college in the early 1970's.  The leader of the troupe made a "love your country, be good patriots" speech at the end for which most of the students expressed their displeasure.  You have to remember that it was not fashionable to be a patriot or good citizen during that time. I was saddened by that.  This man was grateful to the United States for the continuation of this horse breed, and he was just expressing that, and that we should appreciate our country.  Well, I am grateful that I got to see the horses and riders perform.  It was awesome!

That's Entertainment!

I am watching Turner Classic Movies http://www.tcm.com/ tonight. They are playing the That's Entertainment http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072272/ series.  I love the big Metro Goldwyn Mayer http://www.mgm.com/ production musicals.  I love musicals in general, but the MGM musicals were magical.

One of the things I really like are the Busby Berkeley http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000923/ musicals.  They had wonderful synchronized production numbers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIO9y1xMPIA.

Another thing that I remember from my childhood is watching a lot of Esther Williams http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0930565/ movies.  These involved lots of swimming, and even water skiing. I think we watched a lot of water skiing movies and shows when I was a child, set very often in Coral Gables or Cypress Gardens, Florida.

One thing that is interesting to me is how many songs were used in more than one movie. Of course, the authors were the same, so I guess it did not matter that much, and because of the way the movie companies "owned" talent, they could do what they wanted with the products of that talent. 

What special entertainment these wonderful old movies and musicals are!

Genealogy Roadshow

I am watching Genealogy Roadshow http://www.pbs.org/program/genealogy-roadshow/ on PBS.  This is a really interesting show looking at individual genealogies, and the histories of the families.

This show is even better than Antiques Roadshow http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/.  Antiques Roadshow explores the history and value of artifacts.  Genealogy Roadshow explores the history of humans.

I love the history of humans. That is the true meaning of history.

Reminiscing

Sadly, the father of a co-worker died last night. He had been ill for quite some time, and he had been in Hospice care.  He had been in a care home, as my co-worker needed to work, but needed him tended to. Some few weeks ago, she moved him back home.  He perked up for a while when he first moved home, but most recently went into a coma, and peacefully, as she described it, died.  For that, I am thankful.

That, and the sharing at work today of how my ancestors Anglicized their names, has awoken in me some very wonderful memories about my parents and grandparents.  I have been sitting here, listening to some very good music, and telling myself stories about my family.  Memories that I cherish and exemplify the best of my family. 

I do not go down memory lane very frequently.  But when I do, I try to find the pearls and gems that I most appreciate. And those have come to me tonight.

I am so thankful that I have a warm, full, rich store of memories of my family. 

A Lack of History

Today is the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States of America.  When I moved to Texas in 1977, and for many years afterwards, the non-profit organization that employed me celebrated the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson as a holiday, and so, I got the day off.

I never forgot this, in part because August 27 was also the birthday of my father, Joseph Napikoski, who was born in 1919.

But, nevertheless, this is a Texas holiday. 

Today, as I interviewed patients at work, and asked them the standard "orientation" questions, some of them knew the date: month, day and year.  Not all did, but some did. When I asked these patients, who were all fairly young, not one knew that it was the birthday of a former president, and very sadly, not one of them knew that Lyndon Baines Johnson was a former president, nor that he was from Texas.

This is so sad. I am so convinced that our future depends upon the lessons learned from our history.  Granted, offenders in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are not always the smartest or most astute people.  And they will probably not shape our future. But it made me wonder how many people of their same young age knew who Lyndon Baines Johnson was, and that today was his birthday.

The Household Temperature

I arrived home from my outing on March 4, 2013, at about 9:30 PM or so.  I think it is significant that the temperature that registered at my house, both at the inside thermostat, and from the wireless, remote for outside temperatures, was 73°.  Since then the internal temperature of the house has decreased 2°, which is what I would expect, given we will be experiencing a northern front blowing in.

And, the outside temperature has decreased drastically to 48°, at a little before 1 AM,  which, I believe is amazing but not unheard of, in West Texas.

Hope you are snug in your home, and not experienceing the vagaries of climate and weather change.

If you are without a home, and need help to withstand the vagaries of weather change, I hope the homeless network of Lubbock can help you.  I can not promise answers or resouces, but if you need help, let me know:  naswlbbnews@suddenlink.net.

My Favorite Movies

I have a long and varied list of my favorite movies. When I review it, if offers me some surprises.  But I will share this list with you, and the why and wherefores.

Guys and Dolls http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048140/ . This was the senior play for my high school senior class. I was not involved in the production of the play, but I bonded to move and the play, and have, ever since. 

White Christmas http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/ Of course, I love this movie. It is a classic.  As much as I love White Christmas,  I love the movie Holiday Inn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Inn_(film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/ even more.  This is the movie that debuted the song, "White Christmas."  It is a wonderful story and a fun film to watch.

Another musical I have to mention is Fiddler on the Roof http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/.  My best friend from college, our freshman year, introduced me to this musical.  Not only is the musical great, but it always reminds me of our friendship, which has endured over the years, and is a real treasure to me.

Okay, so while I am writing about musicals, I have to name all the ones I love:  The Sound of Music, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/;  West Side Story,http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/ and http://www.westsidestory.com/;   South Pacific http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/ and My Fair Lady  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058385/.  I have to mention that not only do I like West Side Story and South Pacific for the music, but for the social commentary they present.  And, the reality is, the message is not outdated, even today, although the groups change.

For more years than I want to claim, I have identified myself with Bunny Watson, the Katharine Hepburn character in the movie The Desk Set http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050307/. As the years have passed, the computer vs. person issues have remained the same, which gives the movie its timelessness.  Also the stalemated romance that gets jarred by a new character is a classic theme.

Speaking of Katharine Hepburn, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061735/ is another favorite.  And of course, in both The Desk Set and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Spencer Tracy is the other star. 

Another star of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, of course, is Sidney Poitier.  He has two other movies that are favorites of mine:  Lilies of the Field http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057251/ and To Sir With Love http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062376/.


I must of loved John Wayne even when I was very young. I remember wanting to go to the movie theater to see The Alamo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alamo_(1960_film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053580/.  And, I remember my brother warning me that John Wayne gets killed in the movie.  I said that was okay.  It really was not, but we went to see the movie, anyway.  I do not think I have ever watched The Alamo again.

It surprises me how many John Wayne movies are on my favorites list. And, yet, The Alamo is the only western, and it really is not on my favorites list. 

I really like the movie The Hellfighters http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063060/. Before I moved to Texas, I do not know if I knew who Red Adair was, except because of the movie.  But, in this part of the world, the oil field characters are known. 

Two other John Wayne movies I really like are Donavan's Reef http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057007/ and In Harm's Way http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059309/.  The latter is not only a John Wayne movie, but an Otto Preminger movie.  Hmmm.

The last of the movies that include John Wayne, and that is on my list is The Longest Day. http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8675958481662196827#editor/target=post;postID=8894037072001502841The story is about D-Day.  I do not know if I would call it a John Wayne movie per se, because his story is only one part of the movie.  And, look at the cast.  It is a veritable who's who of Hollywood.

Okay, I mentioned Otto Preminger.  If you read my blog, you read my entry about The Moon is Blue http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046094/fullcredits#cast., also an Otto Preminger movie.

The last movie on this list is The American President http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/.  I learned about this movie when I was in a fun relationship, and it is a fun movie.  I also think it is interesting that some of the cast (Martin Sheen, Anna Deveare Smith) of this movie ended up in The West Wing http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/.  I am a West Wing junkie. 

I can not end a piece about favorite movies without saying that I love the Busby Berkeley production numbers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIO9y1xMPIA.  This was not done with trick photography.  What a genius!

Night Noises

I grew up in a small town, with a river just a few yards from my house, and two manufacturing plants, one less than a quarter mile away, one less than a mile away.  The manufacturing plant closest to my house was the Millers Falls Company http://oldtoolheaven.com/, and they made electric and hand tools.

In the evening, when things were still, you could hear the river and the noise from the tool company.  It was a sound to which I fell asleep for years.  It is a sound I find reassuring and comforting.

I do not live far from the Loop in Lubbock, and can hear the intermittent traffic noises. Tonight, with rush of the wind,  the noise was constant, and sounded much like the hum that I was used to as a child.

I really do like the comfort of that noise.

Mesquite Smoke

I am smelling mesquite smoke in my neighborhood tonight. So, I suspect one of my neighbors is smoking some meat. I love the smell of mesquite smoke. It takes me back to a time in my life when I was very happy, and one of the favored activities of the people in my life was to mesquite smoke briskets, ribs, chicken, and what have you. What can I say. It was grand.

Chasing Flies

So, Taki is chasing flies tonight.  She has actually been running around trying new jumps and new experiences today, and did so yesterday.  Tonight, she is chasing flies.  She is very active and seems to be having a good time at it.

Sometimes, I think I chase flies.  I flit from thing to thing, trying to get things accomplished, but not really finishing anything, rather aimlessly.   My vacation has been like that, since I returned from New England. Well, not totally.  I did accomplish some things. But a large portion of my time was spent flitting, doing things I like: reading, playing on the computer, sitting in the back yard, but not actually accomplishing any one thing concretely. But moving, whether or not, aimlessly.  Enjoying the aimlessness of it. With only a twinge of guilt at not being more productive or accomplishing more.

That is okay.  My big goal for the next couple of days is to attend at least one Memorial Day ceremony.  Years ago, it would not have mattered. But my reverence for those who protect us, whether in the military, the police, the fire department, the jails and prisons, has escalated exponentially in the last 4 or 5 years.  I was slow to grow the appreciation, but it is there above and beyond, now. Honoring those who serve is nothing like chasing flies.

Friday Got By Me

I try to post something once a day, when I am able.  Frequently, I have nothing to post, and I get behind.  Friday, I was in a limbo about posting.  I really did not not have anything special to post, but I just wanted to say I am thinking about posting.

The Wind

The wind was stout tonight. No stouter than many nights, but much stouter than others. But it roared and hummed.  It occurred to me that the reason the wind makes these noises has less to do with its velocity and more to do with many other factors.

Some factors include the direction of the wind. But more important, some of the factors that effect the sound that the wind produces includes the obstacles around which or through which it has to traverse.

The wind takes on a life of its own: It might be strong enough to move objects that we had no idea were that movable. It might move objects to new heights that we did not realize those objects could reach. It might be persistent enough that it blows sand and dust for miles and miles, transforming the landscape by the movement of particles.  It might be strong enough that it blows flames, cinders and embers to perpetuate wild fires that take down everything in their paths.

The wind is powerful. People who do not live in the wide open plains do not develop a concept for the strength and persistence of the wind. Understanding the power of the wind, the persistence of its force, the destructiveness it can call up is part of learning to live in West Texas, or the Plains of America.

The wind is a companion in the South Plains. But it can be an enduring hardship and a bitter enemy.  Learning to live with, appreciate and respect the wind is one of the hardest lessons for a West Texas transplant.

Go Girl Scouts!

I went to the Lubbock celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America tonight http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/.  It was cute: There was a "Daisy" interpreter who talked about Juliette Low and the founding of the Girl Scouts.  There were various displays, cupcakes, and a time capsule. I contributed my spare Girl Scout pin.  I have two: one is on my wall hanging where I have many memorial pins.  This one was older, and the pin was broken. It was in a plastic case.  I enclosed my name, where and when I was a Girl Scout.

The celebration included singing.  I did not know the songs, but typical for girl scout songs, they were easy to learn and sing-a-long with. And, we did a friendship circle. I had forgotten about friendship circles, but it all came back, including right over left hands crossed.

It was a small group, considering the size of Lubbock. But it was a nice group, and lots of fathers and brothers in the crowd, which was nice to see. I am honored that I received an email to attend, and I am honored that I was able to attend.

Go Girl Scouts!

Cold Feet and Dreams

I have experienced lengthy periods of time in my life when I can not get warm.  Warm clothing, sitting next to a fire or a heater, using a heating pad, and hot showers all help temporarily, but ultimately, I feel a central chill that I can not shake, even if the ambient temperature is not uncomfortable.

I am not referring to being in the cold.  I am referring to getting a chill, and after I am trying for a period of time to warm up, not succeeding at warming up.  I have thought that during these times, I might be suffering from Raynaud's Phenomenon http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000412.htm. 

Although I have periods of being cold, the insufferable, persistent cold has not been with me for several years.  I can not think of when it was last with me, but I am guessing before 2006. Oh, I have had a few days of being cold, but not persistent, and usually due to cold weather or cold climate control inside...

Until about 3 and a half weeks ago.  I noticed it first at night, when I could not warm my feet.  They would be ice cold. I would wear socks to sleep, and have an afghan at the foot of my bed to help warm my feet.  It sometimes did not seem to do any good.  I would wake up in the middle of the night and have to rub my feet to warm them. 

At the same time, I noticed something that I have not paid attention to previously, so I do not know if it has been associated with this experience of being cold in the past:  I was remembering my dreams.  I am sure I dream, but most nights, while I might wake up knowing I was dreaming, I do not remember my dreams.  During this period of my experiencing this uncomfortable cold, I am remembering my dreams.  I am often waking up, I think, and then returning to sleep and to the dream in progress.  Sometimes I am not sure I am fully awake, and I am just experiencing a change in the level of my consciousness.

Most of my dreams are strange, and are about things in my past.  Most of them are not scary, and some are down right intriguing, so I want to "finish the story."  It seems that while the dreams are about my past, they skew the information in strange ways, combining various peoples in my life in odd or unusual pairings.  Some of these dreams are almost comforting.

I wonder if, because of the cold, I am not achieving a deep enough sleep, so I awaken during the dreams and remember them.  I do not know enough about sleep theory to know if that coincides with what sleep theory says, but I think REM sleep, when we do most of our active and memorable dreams, is not as deep a sleep as other stages of sleep.  

Well, I do not mind dreaming, and I do not mind remembering my dreams, although the memories usually do not stay with me more than a few minutes, then I move on to thinking about my day.  But I do wish I could get warm and stay warm.

The Year of the Girl

The Girl Scouts of the United States of America celebrate their 100th anniversary this year http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2011/yearofthegirl.asp and they have declared 2012 as The Year of the Girl.

I do not know how my name showed up on the Girl Scout list, but I received an invitation to attend the local celebration during which we will recite the Girl Scout Promise, and be able to put something in a time capsule.  I think I have two Girls Scout pins, and if I do, I may put one in the capsule.

I really recall my years as a Girl Scout with extreme delight and fondness.  I think one of my regrets as an adult was not to be involved as a leader to help foster the program.  I do buy cookies whenever I can. 

When I sold cookies as a Girl Scout, we took orders. Now the Girl Scouts get cookies and sell them by going door to door, or setting up in various places: parking lots, store fronts, front yards.  I can not pass a Girl Scout cookies sales without buying some.  I usually buy two boxes at a time, but by the time cookies sales are done, I have purchase 14 or 20 boxes of cookies.  I am very pleased to support the Girl Scouts.

Reconnecting

A few years ago, I went to the 25th anniversary of Catholic Family Service, Inc., Diocese of Lubbock. I was invited, by a board member, to apply for board membership.  I did,  and a couple of years later, was elected to the board of directors.  I am now serving my second year.  During that time, I have reconnected with many people from my days at CFS.  What a wonderful treat!

Just this week, I reconnected with someone else that I have not had contact with in probably over 20 years.  What a treasure that is!  I am so grateful for the series of events that has lead me to connecting with this person!

Dear, treasured people from our past are a blessing in our lives. It is true people come into our lives for a reason, leave for a reason, and reconnect for a reason.  Thank you to the powers that be for this blessing.