In Celebration of Defiance

It is "Banned Books Week." What better way to celebrate than to read a banned book.

As always, my mind turns to Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451." In discussing media with Scott, I learned that he had never read the book. I was shocked. This should be a must-read for everyone.

I'm ashamed to admit, I've only read it once.

It was for high school senior AP English, and my monthly book report was due. As usual, I put it off and put it off. I needed something short to read. Word was that "Fahrenheit 451" was the shortest book on Ms. Hankin's list. We also conveniently owned a Book Club edition, so no trip to the library was necessary.

I could not put the book down. The images, they haunted me. The dreadful thought of knowledge going up in indifferent flames. The comfort that each of us can be a repository of knowledge if we just commit ourselves. The final notes, twining from the mouth of Quoheleth, were the song of seventeen-- I turned, I saw my seasons, I wondered what was the purpose.

I felt ashamed that there was little of worth that I myself had memorized. All I had was a few nonsense poems, and Sara Teasdale's "The Barter." I made promises to commit myself more to the words I love.

I have not filled my mind, but I have filled my heart and my shelves. I did add Frost's "The Road Not Taken." I have not quite got down pat Poe's "To Elizabeth." Most of Nash's "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" fits in a nice safe cage. Bits here & there that delight me, that echo. I have a small book that I write only the dearest in, so that one day someone might know me. Not word-for-word, but I know Margery William's "The Velveteen Rabbit" by heart. Love DOES make us real.

So, I retrieved a copy of Mr. Bradbury's book from my branch library. Starting tonight, I read a few pages aloud to Scott. The written word has power; the spoken word has magic.

I see this age have televisions that are bigger and flatter, that claim space that once belonged to art and books. I hear this age have a continuous sound track, buried deep within ears sealed by buds that will not bloom. I witness reports of "real" life insisting that it is "art," scripts passed out to the players and audiences alike. Things move faster, brighter, louder. The "Parlor Walls" have arrived and they scare me. I do not want them in my home. It is difficult to keep this computer, that "Smart phone," in their proper places as tools.

I shall have my books. I shall delight in the turn of phrase, that dance of words, the lyrics of voice that speaks no louder than the mind.

I shall read until my eyes open no more.

My Good Day

It's almost October, which means next it'll be November, which means it'll be NaBloPoMo where it's new-year's resolutions for everyone to be better bloggers.

I'd better start now, since it's been seven and a half months since I posted anything significant. (The other three posts since then were more for fluff.)

The main thing is I've sort of spent the last seven months re-involving myself in theater, which is why I've had a "good day." For today I helped clean out the costume loft for Theatre Huntsville.

I'll admit that it was not entirely altruistic on my part. I need costume pieces for an upcoming production of "Frankenstein," (more on that in another post.) What better way is there to get a chance to pre-shop than to put some work in? Shawn, who has taken charge of the loft, was just fine with this. She uses this as a carrot to entice folks to help out on this project.

Not that anyone else showed up today. Leslie was going to be there, but her husband came down sick (vomit, fever, malaise, you know the drill) and needed tending to. Or at least buggy-whipped into going to the doctor's office.

Her loss, my gain of some yummy fresh, home-grown 'maters & a cuke from Shawn's garden!

I enjoyed working with Shawn and getting to know her. Lovely & strong lady who has remarkable twin teen boys, one who is on the spectrum and is home-schooled. Wow. I know a loving parent will do what needs to be done in the best interest of her child, but all through my son's diagnosis, I prayed that it would not come down to home-schooling. I didn't think I had the fortitude and patience for that.

Shawn evaluated which items were worthy to retain. Was it a style that might be used in a scheduled show? Was it a specialized, period costume in good repair? Was it a military uniform piece? Was it large-sized? If yes, then it was kept. Were they in poor repair? Were they something that could easily be found in a actor's closet or a thrift store? Were they vintage pieces that wouldn't fit anyone bigger than a wasp? If so, those went down to be sold.

I made few suggestions. I, instead, got a free workout. I don't know how many pounds of clothes I carried down the stairs or how many trips up and down the stairs I made, but it was plenty. I will feel the aches tomorrow, that's for sure, but I enjoyed the work.

I did rescue the "Greater Tuna" costumes. ("GT" should also be a post.) The attendance numbers were good enough for "GT" that there is talk of doing the "Christmas Tuna" show next year. Don't know if the same actors & costumes will be back for that, but likely yes. The pieces are stored all together now. I also fully unloaded the costume box, which didn't get done last week at load-out. I've now done my full part.

I also found Rose. Shawn and I talked about custom made costumes; she's bought ones made for her, and has made quite a few this past year for others. I didn't see my "Lady Windemere" costume anywhere. I wouldn't have minded having it, although of my turn as Lady Jedburgh, Jim Z. said I "looked like Queen Victoria, the decaying years." I did! Gray wig, more wrinkles than a prune, steel-gray dress, black shawl-- oh, yeah, and I loved it! I did "Lady W" for two reasons and two reasons only: I wanted to help Heather F-B with her first TH directing experience, AND I wanted the thrill of having a period costume made for me. I had fun. (Maybe one day in this blog I'll revisit old productions of WAY past.)

But I found Rose Mundy. Of the characters I've portrayed, I love Rose Mundy the most. I found my shift that was altered from a dress. I'm too big for it now, but I want it. Shawn thinks it might be useful for the next play TH is doing. If they use it, fine; if they don't, fine. But it will come home with me soon.

A pile clothes did come home with me today. I've got three cloaks for now and the coming August. I found some furry pieces perfect for a boggart (again, August-- ssshhhh.) I claimed some odds & ends to outfit a field-servant and a gypsy. I brought back over a half dozen dresses that, if they don't fit the cast, can be remade up together (or cannibalized, as I like to call it) to fit them. We are a curvy lot in this play. To round it out, I bought some old, white, fitted sheets at SVDP Thrift Store to make up some other pieces, especially for the Monster. They're far cheaper than buying yard-goods, and already aged-stained.

Yes, it was a good day for me: service for a non-profit I participate in; good company with a new acquaintance, thrifty and timely finds, a stress-free work-out and a yummy lunch.

I need this. I need to be involved.

Only tangentially related, a smart-phone self-pic from Thursday's delightful walk on the Greenway.

A Bowl Full of Yum

I was pretty proud of myself the other day, and just had to take a picture of my just-made salsa. I like fresh salsa in the summertime, and so do my kids. Chips optional.

After posting, a few friends wanted to know my recipe for salsa. Sure! It's easy!

Chop up stuff you like, stir & enjoy!

Really, it's not much more complicated than that.

Specifically, for that bowl, it's


Peach Salsa

2 large peaches, 2 large tomatoes, 1 red bell pepper,
1/4 large red onion, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Hand dice everything (I go for about 1/4 in dice.)
Season with salt to taste, and I added some garlic-pepper blend.
Done.


Really, salsa is whatever you want it to be.
* I like my salsa chunky, not saucy, so I hand chop my stuff (yes, it does take time,) but you could use a food processor or blender.
* The kids picked the onion & the pepper to go with a "red" theme. I'm making a bowl for a family fish-fry this weekend, but I'll use a mango instead of the peaches and a green pepper instead of the red.
* The green you see above is from some not-so-ripe tomato tops. Green tomatoes work well in salsa, as do yellow or other heirlooms.
* I like "sweet" salsa, and use either mango or peaches, esp. since the ones in the grocery store tend to be more firm for cooking than eating. Starfruit' pineapple or a firm plum would be good, too.
* I don't mind a mild heat, but the kids do, so there's no hot stuff here. If you like bite, use more onion or a stronger onion, fresh garlic, the hot pepper of your choice (fresh or dried flakes) or pepper sauce.
* Don't like cilantro (gasp!) so use parsley if you don't want to go without an herb. Or use basil (turnabout being fair play & all-- have you tried a cilantro pesto? Very yum.)
* I'm going to bring squash, zucchini & cucumber slices to dip in it. I've also diced those up to BE in it before.

Have I sparked your creativity? Good! I hope this helps you have a tasty summer.

(FYI, this is not a Texasware bowl. It's some other USA-made melamine bowl my mom passed on to me when she got her hands on a real Texasware bowl. This is one of my mom's cast-off that I actually use and adore. Yes, I have THAT kind of family.)