Mr. Rogers, the Beloved and Missed.

--> FACEBOOK CONVERSATION <--

ML: I am looking OH SO ATTRACTIVE with tissues stuffed up my nostrils. Gotta love spring colds/allergies/whatever it is.

H: Ha! I was just wondering, sadly (C has a fire going), if I could slither up the stairs unnoticed. My puffy eyes, runny nose and blotchy skin must look so lovely. I've been crying -- reading about Mr. Rogers! Meanwhile, my kitten allergies have kicked in. I HAD to teach Miss M how to hold the sweet, furry, purring kitty! For a long time ... As Mr. Rogers would say to You, "I love you just the way you are!" -- I say it too M!

about an hour ago · 

ML: Well aren't you just sweet (as are the furry, purring kitties). But why have you been crying over Mr. Rogers?

38 minutes ago

H: Oh, I LOVE Mr. Rogers! I've been looking for something for a very special young man's 15th (!) birthday next Friday ... 

The more I read about Mr. Rogers the more I admire him. He was a man of complete integrity & humility, & unlike so many famous men, he was consistent & true his entire life. He cared passionately for children & what is Best for their positive growth; this is so sorely lacking in 2010. If K would have Mr. Rogers as a role model & not men with tricked out names like: Tiger, Jay-z or Jesse James, if he is 9/10ths like Mr. Rogers, I will die a happy mother.

When Mr. Rogers passed away K & I cried together.

I'm actually surprised at how strongly I feel for him. Just read that he showed up in Eddie Murphy's dressing room at Saturday Night Live when EM was making fun of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (with drug addicts etc.). When EM saw him, naturally he swore [great] and, naturally, Mr. Rogers hugged him.

I see a lot of Christ's example in him, the humility, intelligence, deep spirituality & love of children.

(Hey, thanks for a blog post here!)

Y is for Yum!

My pal Stephanie Higginbotham made this amazing cake! My very chic, smart and fun cousins Jody & Mel, and thier 3 fantastic, smart, sweet and funny sons were coming to Utah to visit us (and ski) just past Christmas ... I knew I needed one of Steph's cakes. As long as she is making her wonderful confections, I'll never make another cake. If you have read this blog for a while you probably know any holiday or celebration, is an excuse to order one, or two, of her cakes. Isn't it lovely? Her cakes taste as good as they look! Above is the Before picture and below is the After:

D is for DillyBeans.

http://www.bethsfarmkitchen.com/

Since I'm writing on a blog... you already know I'm more clever and more experienced, not to mention happier, thinner, more beautiful, with the smartest mostest beautiful and naturally athletic children anywhere, ever... did I mention that I am a fantaaaaaasstic home chef and there is so much money coming in the front door that we are vacuuming it up, mopping it up and whipping up crafts with the green stuff?! Well, actually, that is all true, but after we give bunches of money to an array of charitable causes, we have just enough (left over) to splurge on Beth's Dilly Beans. They are available at farmer's markets in NYC and they can be ordered and shipped.

I know C loves me because he only eats these WITH me. Not a big fan of strong foods, I do like them once in a while, whereas he LOVES them ALL the time. Then, on the fifth full moon of the year, when I'm in the mood for DILLY BEANS they are GONE! Well, they used to be. Yesternight C declared he'd only eat them with me. Ahhh shucks.

Is it coincidence that I just found Beth's Farm Kitchen catalog today in my pile of papers? I'm trying to go though at least 5 at a time... and also a few random saved blog pictures ...

Kudos for KSL!!!

Thanks to everyone who told me about this story on KSL-5. The Cedar City family's plight is exactly the same as ours. Now that my computer is back on my desk I finally am able to look up the story. Here is the link:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5047066

The following is my comment:
Thank you KSL for covering this story!

My son Nathan also needs a second implant. We fought the fight with SelectMed as well. (They are indeed SELECTive.) On the day of the final appeal the Let Them Hear attorney flew in from CA, we had a journalist there, I showed a video and had a brief presentation... it took 11 months to get to that point and then, surprise surprise, my phone rang as we were driving out of the parking lot and we were told that just that day they had changed their policy regarding cochlear implants. Nathan was 5 at the time and was so happy! He, and his sister, were born with a condition that caused their hearing to deteriorate. Their hearing issue is our family's only major health issue.

The 11 months cost him the ability to differentiate many sounds and his speech is very affected. During that time he was angry, destructive and very lonely. His is still frustrated and often isolates himself. He spends a lot of time with books.

As small business owners our insurance rates went up and up as our coverage went down. It was especially frustrating for us since we didn't qualify for medicaid and would have to completely deplete our savings, and borrow money, at the time we were told it would cost us $80,000 for one implant. Time was also of the essence since people learn to speak/hear best in early childhood. Hearing, in general, is an invisible and discriminated disability. The hearing aids ($2000 each) and batteries really add up. When we appealed for hearing aid coverage, for our infant, we were told they are cosmetic.

Another issue in Utah is the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. KSL please visit the Utah County preschool facilities. 25 year old, broken, NOISY trailers. Please chat with the entrenched, retrogressive administration. Ask about the USDB's budget and especially about weak services for the lucky Utah children who have implants, especially compared with other states' programs.

Thanks for listening!

Below are 2 interesting links. One from Ron Howard and the other from Ralph Stanley.
This post is meant to explain to some family/friends/neighbors why I'm voting for Obama.

Dear Friends,

My pal Zina B. sent me an odd link to a CNN video of Peruvian Shamans supporting Obama. This reinforces the fact many around the world are looking to America for change towards a more diplomatic approach to the many issues that face our planet, not just our neighborhoods. Truly, it is an odd endorsement.

Today I saw/heard 2 other endorsements for Barack Obama. One is Ralph Stanley, the legendary bluegrass musician. The other is Ron Howard (actor/director). They are both, calm, reasoned, serious about issues and do not attack McCain or Palin. While light hearted, they are dignified. They present facts.

These endorsements only state a case, with clarity -- actors/musicians are mere people. I believe Pa (Andy Griffith) is right, "People are funny. Sometimes change scares 'em. They'd rather keep doing the same ol' thing that's been messing them up than change to the thing that could help them."

As puzzling as I find a vote for the Republicans this year, after some of the worst 8 in the history of the United States of American, (ending with a Republican sponsored $700 Billion bailout of mostly corporations) some find my support for Obama equally unbelievable.

I appreciate his calm, steady and conservative demeanor, his emphasis on personal responsibility, his devotion to his family, his incredible story and many accomplishments, his dignity. His campaign has been very well managed. He is not calling McCain a communist, socialist, or linking him to fringe associates, or Palin's experience or family--all of which call into question a favorable view of the Republican ticket in 2008. ... There you have it: My reasons.

Here are the links:
Ron Howard: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d/ron-howards-call-to-action-from-ron-howard-and-henry-winkler

Ralph Stanley's radio ad: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ralph+stanley+obama+ad&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

Best wishes,
H
Utah County

G is for Gilgal.

H is for Hussein.

I was asked today if I'd buy a Mormons for Obama t-shirt. Hmmm. YES!
Loved the discussion on the blog. Left the following comment:

Oh dear... should I jump in? Great dialog. I've had people yell at me over any mention of the ills of Palin. (Don't get that.) This t-shirt idea & this discussion motivated me to mow the front lawn and put up my Obama yard sign. Tomorrow I'm going to wear my "Obama Mama" pin... bold moves in Utah County.

At C's new office one woman almost fainted when she heard he is a Democrat. (True.)

Stephen Hussein: Julie is my good pal in NYC!

I don't get the Democrat raising taxes argument... Anyone see what the Bush Clan is cooking up to solve Wall Street's woes? That isn't R or D -- it is crazy and we'll all be paying for it for years. If I recall, for all his foibles Clinton wasn't so hard on the budget.

What is Republican about the debt that is growing and growing and GROWING? The endless war? Failing schools? Failing infrastructure? How about the Hot, but inexperienced, negligent mother for VP nominee? Grandma Ream and Uncle Bud wouldn't recognize the party.

Palin, the mother and a member of AoG (a faith that routinely says that Mormons are going to rot in hell?) makes me so ill... that "hot chick" thing especially. That McSame chose her tells me what he thinks of the American people, on many levels. My fear is that he is right and people will vote for Her/them. Mo-bama's, Obama Mamas, Everyone who wants things to get better needs to speak up for Obama/Biden.

Back to the shirts: Would you like C and I to work on it tonight? (My dear graphic designer friend is one who yelled at me--Wacky republican? Saying all sorts of lies about Obama. I sent her (calmly) to factcheck.com and snopes.com)
Are you taking orders? I am forwarding this to my conservative friends, that means Mormon Democrats. You know the type: we believe in family (parents raising their own children), no debt, fair health care coverage, good education, diplomacy, a strong dollar.
~H Hussein

FAVORITE: New York Times Animated Cartoons Podcast

http://www.ringtales.com/

Check this out. I wish I could figure out how to put it on this blog. Any ideas? I'm not really a big fan of television, or movies... wish I was, but I can't sit still that long (usually). This is just about my speed. Completely perfect at the gym on my spiffy iPod -- worth having the screen.

N is for No.

And don't forget it!

A is for lost Art. Willow Tree Headstone.

This is so beautiful. I weep just looking at it. Suits my mood today.

Ann Williams is a pioneer great grand-aunt of mine.

C is for Conceptual Crap and Art.

C and I were just in California for the 100th year celebration for CCAC, now CCA.

CCAC used to stand for California College of Arts and Crafts. A few years ago the powers that were changed the name to the very generic and bland CCA, for California College of the Arts. Several people at the celebration had buttons created by the print-maker Jack Ford, that read, "Conceptual Crap and Art." Seemed fitting.

I really miss "Craft" in the name. Craft is so dang right and cool, not only the 70's macramé and scrap booking (all that is great too!) but the notion of craft, doing a skill so well it becomes art. The question remains, can graphic design, architecture, art education be a "craft?" Of course. All of it can be art as well. Dialog about a teapot or a blown glass vase can be just as valuable, deep and riveting, as that of a sky scrapper, or logo design or painting.

Them is fighting words ... to put that in writing makes artistes defensive and craft people repulsed. Don't compare my teapot with some lousy logo... Don't compare my use of clay with your use of steel or that %!™&#*¡?* computer! All the elements are the same though! Line, contrast, content, composition, materials, intent, use, location, climax, value, color, flow, the list goes on and on, happily. Embrace it all -- and GET TO WORK!

The place (CCAC's Treadwell Hall, the ceramics building, especially) is still so inspiring to me. Someday (strike up the soaring violins and moving cellos) I'd love to work/teach there, simply be more involved. Or ideally, create that environment in my family life, it is serious and committed while also being progressive and light.

The above art that I discovered in a bathroom at CCAC is an example of that last statement. :)

Wouldn't you just love to see this artistic combo at a bathroom at BYU? Within a day it would be sanitized, treated as vandalism. What a shame.

The contrasts between BYU and CCAC were staggering to me. One school (CCAC) celebrates and encourages creativity through any outlet necessary and the other tries to teach creativity through obedience to all sorts of ideas, religion, leaders, famous dead artists' rules, to craft. How ironic that CCAC had craft in the name and now doesn't celebrate craft and BYU was supposed to be spiritually based and had no spirit.

F is for Fashion.

S and I like to talk about prom dresses. I only went to one prom in high school. It was pretty laughable. I was a sophomore, he was a junior. He was pimply and although the quarterback he was not at all cute to me, but I thought it was cool to be asked. A strap on my homemade dress fell apart; I just couldn't slow dance with him. WHy did I think we needed to make the dress? Even recently my mother mentioned that unfortunate dress; she hasn't sewed since.

The next year I transfered to Urban in SF and was spared anymore all-American fun. Oh drat. Now I realize that I did miss the sports teams and especially being on them. Anyway, if S choses to go to a prom I intend to support her enthusiasm. While in SF I went to the Marc Jacobs store on Fillmore St. Bought her a WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE? shirt. She loves it. The sales woman told me that tight shirts aren't so in anymore, which I told S. "The Marc Jacobs lady said..." That made the size medium shirt much more hip. And, WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?! anyway-- a topic for another day.

Back to the prom dress. I called S and told her that instead of buying one of the dorky pastel (or safety orange?!) tight satin, cap-sleeved, tasteless dresses that everyone here wears I will by her a funky Marc Jacobs dress that she can wear to parties after she graduates and moves to SF or NYC. Or at least love the night she is wearing it. She mentioned that she hasn't been invited to any parties in NYC yet.

The above dress is made of tequila wrappers and lime rinds. Found it at sfgate.com The designer is having a blast. Earlier M asked what I was looking at. She said she likes that dress for grandma. I do too! The pink dress below is similar to the MJ dress -- fun. MJs' was pleated gray layers, with odd short, triangular sleeves. Short length, great with festive leggings or shorts underneath for actual dancing! The truly hip folks dance. These roses are so fun and feminine!

P is for Pearls

Pearls are so lovely. Margo's name, a version of Margaret, means Pearl. Check out the pearl collection at Gump's in San Francisco. Praiseworthy.