Ann Carol Goldberg

In my other life, long ago and not so far away, I created, wrote and illustrated a flock of children’s books. They stayed in my files for years with small efforts at publishing before focusing on other projects. One such book was entitled Trouble with Dribbles. The tale followed toddlers and how they managed to trip or fall when nothing seemed to be in the way except their fast pace, lack of attention and, the inevitable Dribbles. I invented a tiny creature who lurks in the floor, on carpets, stairs, the backyard, parks and on hikes, in the yard. Luckily my boys rarely got terribly hurt but it always seemed to be because of the “Dribbles.” lurking to upset their path as they played, climbing into or out of a laundry basket or big box, walking across a room, scrambling to grab a toy from a sibling or friend, on a carpet, on the floor, in the yard;  Dribbles were everywhere or so it seemed. 

My image of these tiny Dribbles came in a variety of  dark or earthy colors, squishy looking bugs with big heads, spiky hairs and wiry legs and the desire to wreak damage to little kids. Perhaps they enjoyed the sounds of sobbing and hearing the parents comforting words of “you’re OK,” wiping tears and placing ice packs on the Boo Boos. The Dribbles moved on as the boys got older and we stopped blaming these creatures and dealt with the other dangers that loomed large. Dribbles must plague the adult world as well. How often do we trip or fall when there is no apparent reason, or our fingers suddenly let go of items we have picked up and there they are, pens, pencils, foods, tools, devices, on the floor, sometimes no place to be found. After many falls in the last decade or two I now practice keeping a watchful eye on where I am walking, stop fussing with my purse, grocery bags, or what not as I approach my destination but looking for dangerous curb stones, rough walkways, spikes or raised roots in the ground. So, take care as you go and don’t bother to look for these critters, they are very small and crafty and will fool you every time.

A search of what’s doing in San Diego, CA found of wealth of choices. The concert featuring the Kronos Quartet (a favorite of ours since their birth 40 years ago stood out). The venue was new to us, the Mira Costa College in Oceanside, Ca. We made a plan to go with dear friends from our Jojoba Hills SKP RV resort and off we went. Weather–all day rain, pretty good for SoCal. We stopped at I love Pho, a fun and casual restaurant and all enjoyed different Pho dishes deemed delicious and probably as good as we all enjoyed on our separate tours through Thailand. 

Next off to the performance, running between raindrops to find the music hall and passing the theatre featuring a performance of  “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” a wonderful and fun musical we had seen in Anchorage Alaska a few years ago.  A link to find out what is playing https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1LENP_enUS507US507&q=miracosta%20college%20oceanside&ved=0ahUKEwi-i_j1_uTZAhUqs1QKHRPkC80QsKwBCEwoADAC&biw=1101&bih=586

The recital hall is beautiful and such acoustics!  The audience is young and enthusiastic. 

The program highlights their many talents, their many genres of interest and their support of new, innovative and very creative works. To avoid taking too much of your time, go to their site if you wish to explore their repertoire and concert schedule and see if you will be in the same place at the same time to attend a stimulating concert and celebrate their longevity. 

Ann Carol Goldberg

How many of us in retirement are as overextended in our activities, saying Yes, when maybe a No would be best? I read in delight and awe in a recent NYTimes article entitled Defining Tony Kushner; https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/theater/tony-kushner-angels-in-america-broadway.html.  He is the talented creator of Angels in America and so much more. What stands out and shouts at us (me) is how he is habitually “stretched out and overextended.” So much so that it dwarfs my constant consternation expressed as 

I can’t get to everything, I am too busy.

Kushner is astonishing, working up a new screenplay for Bard Pitt, and finishing another version of West Side Story with Steven Spielberg, updating his first play, “a Bright Room Called Day”–perhaps to be a statement about our president, completing an opera topic, Eugene O’Neill, rehearsing the revival of Angels in America, (on my list to see when I can give it 6 plus hours at a time) and on and on. Phew, I am breathless. All of this from the article. Read it, especially if you are sitting quietly on your chaise lounge with favorite drink in hand and wonderful book on your device and music flowing into your eardrums. It will spur you into motion. 

Perhaps we should change our ways and become the retired stereotype; rocking chair, hot pads and ice packs where it hurts, watery eyes, raspy voice, perhaps updated to include headphone and music or podcasts in our ears and an occasional computer game or email reply, a glass of beer of wine. No, I have plenty of company among my readers. We won’t stop. But that is a positive result, We have lived (hopefully) long and full lives instilling our selves in study, learning, skill development, taking risks, learning from those risks, knowledge that we bring to this overwhelming load as we continue to say yes I will do it. Another benefit–we learn from our younger colleagues as well and continue to grow until running out of time. I can still click my heels together and laugh, shout and dance to R and R music with glee and delight for every minute I walk on this beautiful home called Earth. 

Ann Carol Goldberg

The Students of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland Florida are so much in the news. Perhaps their persistence will open some deaf ears that so strongly resist sensible gun laws, rules and regulations. I am a staunch believer in the student’s will to cause changes and not take NO for an answer at any step on their way to reaching those politicians in Tallahassee and Washington, DC. There is hope in believing these young people will not give up or give in.

I wondered about the woman honored by her name for their High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (April 7, 1890 – May 14, 1998). Curious as to why the school is

named after Marjory Stoneman Douglas, I searched for information about who she was and the great impact she made in the women’s suffrage movement and in her support and defense of the Everglades in saving the land for future generations. Perhaps her determination, will and desire for sanity and sensible legislation has influenced these students will to persist in seeking justice.  Hopefully, they too have been curious as to her story and have researched her legacy in some point during their years at the school. I wish them strength 

Twenty-five years ago, the Union of Concerned Scientists and more than 1700 independent scientists, including the majority of living Nobel laureates in the sciences, penned the 1992 “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity”  Author Anthony Deorr notes this event in the Sunday times article of 11 19 17.  He re-issues a second warning to humanity to care for our planet. The first message was in 1992 and what has changed? Deorr has heeded the recycling and care advice about the way most of us have, insufficiently. He worries about what he meant to do, has done, hasn’t done and about his great granddaughter having to clean up his detritus (detriments)  years later. 

For the article see https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/bix125/4605229

We all lament that under the current political wave, we are going backwards, retro, loosing ground instead of advancing upon saving our environment, our right to inhabit this miraculous planet we call Earth

Recycling has many limits, regional regulations, regional edicts, regional ability to properly recycle every item that is put is recycling bins. The amount of waste is daunting in our homes, restaurants, hotels, businesses, in our lives. 

Can we be satisfied by individually do the best we can or can we unite from the grass roots to truly overcome the obstacles and tame our environments for future generations. Do we wait another 25 years for the 3rd warning to a world filled with polluted waters, polluted lands, loss of land and food for people around the worlds and for our wild creatures,

Ozone layer damage, and poor health? I try daily to take stock of my ability to do my share. It is work, it is difficult, not a new problem,  it is mandatory. Perhaps together we can fix the world. 

Ann Carol Goldberg 

Consider our instant responses when meeting or greeting people.  “How are you? fine thank you, how are you?  What’s up? What’s new? Long time no see,  Don’t You Know?  So nu? Let me be clear,  Let’s get together sometime, I’ll call you, What about the weather?”

The manner in how we respond to people has always fascinated me. It is especially  poignant as heard on news broadcasts, talk shows and such. An interviewee is invited as a guest, asked to share their views on the media. The interview ends and the host thanks that person before jumping to the next segment.  Instead of just a simple and quick thank you  response, invariably people utter  Automatic “canned” responses; “thank you for having me, it has been a pleasure, invite me back anytime” and other expressions of their pleasure for the invitation, Perhaps subconsciously reflecting a bit of pride, humbleness and satisfaction. 

Consider  then, the concept of speaking in tongues, “a term for a phenomenon which today is better known as “automatic” or “unconscious” speech. The person is unaware of what he/she says and could talk in a foreign or made-up language, perhaps falling back into speech patterns from childhood.” Reference www.urbandictionary.com.

from google search/images

Speaking in tongues is noted in ancient Greek religion and refers to people speaking in languages they do not know, usually in the midst of religious ecstasy, trance, or delirium. … Experts call this phenomenon glossolalia, a Greek compound of the words glossa, meaning tongue or “language,” and lalein, to talk.” and could be induced by either psychoactive drugs or a deep hypnotic trance.” Reference www.dictionary.com. (I would dare to add these mannerisms show in contemporary culture, in our every day lives.)

It is a sad fact that many languages become extinct every year, a great loss in the big picture. Cultural mannerisms are lost with the demise of those languages. Also, how often do messages go array through miscommunication, slips of the tongue, flippant responses without thought, or loss of focus.  

We ask” How are you?.. a sub conscious filler, a bridge while we search for the real topic of conversation or are we subconsciously asking “How is your soul,? Where are you really to day.” Automatic  speech is easy and instinctual upon greeting people, filling in time or occupying a void in conversation.

It is human to react quickly and then to enter fully into stimulating conversations. We just need the time to assess and go with the flow of the encounter and perhaps listen more carefully to the words that we utter. 

Ann Carol Goldberg

I arrived in Charlottesville, VA on a Tuesday. My son and daughter in law flew to  S. Africa on Wednesday giving me 14 days alone with my delightful bright and charming grandsons (Alex) 18 and (Corey) 15. Before I arrived, I worried about such matters as my stamina to handle the drive to and from Piedmont Virginia Community College 6 days a week, will my meals meet the boy’s expectations, as they are used to menus including meats and poultry? I  am a veggie.  My rule was if you want animal, defrost it, cook it and clean it up and I will provide the rest. They both decided not to have meat and have been content with the veggie meals and my methods of preparation. Some dishes of course, were enjoyed more than others, that is not so rare, but I was very creative and had a ball. 

Eat they did, homework they did, and converse they did, big time, mostly in the car heading to school for the 27 minute ride each way. What a delight. Routines changed daily; I would drop them at school and do various errands or stay on campus all day hanging out in the library with full WiFi connection, enjoying the view from my chosen table by the window with a beautiful Mountain view and warm sun filtering through the glass.  Libraries are a weakness of mine with the advent of the internet and eBooks, I don’t spend time in libraries, bookstores, used book departments and such any more. I joke that I spent a great time of my day stroking and petting books listed under, art, writing, literature, philosophy, psychology, history …! I even participated in Alex’s modern dance class and was able to keep up as best I could with a 75 year old bod. After all, I do hard workouts every day at home.

I branched out as time went by. The Wegman’s grocery was 8 minutes down the road, and not so far away, Whole Foods, Krogers for gas, picking up the order of raw milk, taking the boys to Dungeons and Dragons club meetings, going to movies, restaurants, attending a dance/dessert party: (armed with richly chocolate brownies) an activity as part of the family’s involvement in SCA or  Society for Creative Anachronisms, Inc. at www.sca.org. They delve deeply into the realm of living in the medieval period, so the dances are period dances aptly taught by one of the members, an activity the whole family enjoys.

Dan is one of the instrumentalists and sorely missed that evening. What warm and welcoming people they are. They even found a costume that fit me and did not hover around my ankles threatening to trip me.

Alex participates in Larping tournaments. What is that, see for yourself watching this Utube video at; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fk91mNR2Y0. Generally, the members take on a personality and a name, make their own costumes and equipment and enjoy working and sharing with people on an international basis. 

One of the highlights of the drive to school happened on day 3.  Alex, an aspiring actor, singer and lover of drama, read to me from Shakespeare’s Act 111, scene 1 of Hamlet, Yes it includes the To Be or Not to Be soliloquy.  In my somewhat knowledgeably opinion, he read it with the desired inflections, vocal nuances and proper deportment that some aspiring Shakespearean actors strive to obtain. 

Corey reflected on his activities in the SCA mentioned above, the ups and downs in adjusting to college at age 15 in a program including home schooled students like himself. He is diligent in doing his homework, not just finishing it but making sure he is understands the work. His interests are varied and rich and he is aware that he has yet to form definite goals. Heck, some of us waver even in the upper ages. How very proud I am to be their grandparent and to be trusted to take over while the parents achieve one of their dreams, travel to S. Africa. I even revisited my ability to drive a shift Subaru not without some learning curve glitches. But it is a great car. I will do it again, but the grandsons (all 5) will grow beyond the need. I will savor this visit to Charlottesville, even easily enduring the 13F temperature, wind, some rain and a bit of snow; reliving my growing up in the lovely winters of the Northeast. Thanks for “listening.” 

Ann Carol Goldberg 2/4/18

Meant to be, fate, destiny; what words do we use to express this topic? The word from the musical Kismet is now in everyone’s vocabulary (for those over a certain age anyway) as the Turkish word for fate or destiny. It is derived from the Arabic word qusma, meaning lot or portion, In Yiddish the word is Bashert. In Arabic, you can say Qadar” or ”Maseer.  I know I, myself “overuse the term to give validity to the way things happen in every day life, the surprise encounters that seem spontaneous or accidental but I often believe there is some sort of plan or planner playing out our fate. Perhaps it is a game.

Things go awry or go well and we say there is a reason for this-it was “meant to happen” and is for the best. Otherwise how can one explain a chance encounter or unexpected outcome.  You have a fleeting thought about someone and promised yourself  you would contact them in a day or so, but just never get around to it. There they are walking down the same street, waiting near your hotel or restaurant in some strange and foreign land or simply calling you instead of visa versa. How about going on a hike and the trail offers a non-signed fork in the road. Hark, along comes some complete stranger and sets you straight. Or when bad things happen, we often say to the effect, “good can come from the bad.” Or you have some quirky episode, such as missing the exit from the highway and following your GPS that has recalculated and you end up passing or seeing a wonderful view or place you had not discovered before? 

Lucky grandmother me; I am in Charlottesville staying with my teenage grandsons. Yesterday I picked Alex up from school and drove towards home on a route I have done now for almost two weeks. There we were engrossed in a discussion analyzing particular politicians and Alex, majoring in Psychology wisely applied some of his knowledge. Engrossed we both drove by the usual exit. This took us not much out of the way but through some of the most beautiful countryside in central Virginia. I declared this Bashert and was sure this was the reason I had driven by the exit. 

As we drove up their long, dirt, turning and twisting mountain road to the farm, the real reason appeared; a beautiful albino doe, standing and starring back at us. too dark and too far away to whip out the cell phone/camera. We just savored her until she trounced onward into the woods. The unpredictable can be baffling, for the good or bad but it remains, unpredictable. The reasons for such situations may never be known.

Ann Carol Goldberg 1/3/18

Join me in considering episodes in our daily lives; I call it “automatic” speech; happening especially upon greeting people in person, on the phone, anywhere; questions and answers that universally are spoken in any language I dare say, and pop out instinctively. 

“How are you?, How goes it? What’s New? How’ve you been? It’s been a long time, The weather is…” or often ending conversations with, “see ya,” say hi to so and so, let’s get together sometime” How often do you actually end up getting together sometime.—We all do it. How startling and even refreshing it is when someone responds otherwise to these “automatic” questions. Upon inquiring about their health, they may say I am doing great, I am wonderful or they may offer long answers to share health problems or concerns or “I’m not so good,” or someone is ill or comment on current politics or a recent event or offer, “Yes, last time I saw you was an art opening or concert or on the 5th Ave in New York City or a restaurant in Venice” and they embellish this retort with some details.

This is not new information just something to reflect upon here as it happens daily. Serious conversation can and often does follow, but small talk is comforting and gives the conversants time to evaluate the situation and person(s) you have met, following up with a more lengthy discussion or parting ways. 

My daily life includes listening to many news stories, where experts in a field are invited to appear during a podcast or broadcast.

For years I have focused on their closing statement when offered a thank you for coming on the show.  Again, I find the answers, that must be short and spur of the moment, also fall within my category of “automatic” speech as in; “thanks for having me, my pleasure or the pleasure is all mine, I enjoyed being here, glad to be here, I will come back anytime, it was fun, I always enjoy your show, I hope it helped,” to give a few examples. I believe that in this context it means they are truly honored or flattered, that their ego has been boosted and they feel good. I find myself even anticipating how certain personalities may respond and I cheer when they are original and fresh. 

Just to let you know, there are times when the answer is just a quick “Thank you. Oh yes, thank you for reading this short post. I hope it gave you a bit of diversion from daily chores. 

Change is a given in our lives. Not a revelation to any of us, but on my mind at the moment.  Changes are also a constant, more so in this fast moving world. 

Change and transition can be troublesome, raising blood pressure, keeping us up nights and preclude big decisions to face or change can simply come easily with immediate action. 

After nearly a decade of blogging with one carrier, I finally have placed my blog “Message in a Minute” on to the same carrier as my Website. If you look to the right there is the menu to my web site galleries and links to the blog archives. The old blog spot will be open for a while as well.  

For sure this minor change has not cost me any sleep loss nor raised my blood pressure at all, it has just been a long long process to make it happen.  I need to practice what I preach and do more of what I love to do, photograph, write, hike, breath in nature, sing, dance, socialize…and share thoughts with you, my wonderful family, friends and readers.

The transition I have made is a small step but the topic felt appropriate to open my new blog location sharing these thoughts and the hope you will enjoy my future blogs. They can be alas irregular, but still entitled Monday’s Blog (I was born on a Monday) Messages in a Minute and fulfilling my promise in this age of TMI to keep them short. My good intentions are to return to my once a week blog messages and keep it up for a long time.

Thanks for reading, responding and sharing your thoughts on my ideas giving me so much more to add to my ideas, list of drafts and work through them and posting in due time. Now on to a more challenging list of transitions and just living life to the fullest.

Ann Carol