Somewhere In Time

In many ways, Dave and I have a shared past.  For instance, we had a romantic vacation on tiny - 3.8 square miles - Mackinaw Island, north of Michigan, where cars don't exist and the favorite modes of transportation are horse drawn carriages and bicycles .

 More specifically the romantic vacation was spent at the magnificent one hundred plus year old Grand Hotel.with the world's largest front porch and five course dinners.

My romantic trip was with Ken on our honeymoon in 1960.  Dave's was with his wife, Audrey, in 1997.

We both have great memories.

Dave had never seen the extraordinarily popular 1980 movie  "Somewhere In Time," staring Christoper Reeve and Jane Seymour.  So last week I found it on Netflix and we sat on the couch and held hands and watched it.  It's very sad and romantic and takes place on the island.  More specifically, at the Grand Hotel.  This movie was and is so popular that the "Somewhere In Time" fan club still meets annually at the Grand Hotel.

1960 Taking the ferry to Mackinaw Island

Here's another interesting tidbit.  Here in the city of Winter Park Florida lives an elegant old lady named Flossie.  I've been friends with her family for many years.  For about 30 years Flossie and her husband managed an elegant hotel on Park Avenue in Winter Park in the winter months.  In the summer months they managed the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island.  After the movie came out Flossie's husband was constantly asked if he was "Arthur."  (If you've seen the movie Arthur is the little boy with the ball.)  Of course there was no Arthur because (of course) the movie was fiction.

After watching "Somewhere In Time" last week Dave and I wondered how Christoper Reeve would have handled knowing what his future held....great fame as Superman and, later, a devastating injury leaving him paralysed for decades.

I wonder, as well, if the barely 21 year old girl in this photo, on her way to Mackinaw Island, could have handled knowing what her future held?


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Rich Clergypersons

If you've read this blog for very long you've seen me rant about rich clergy.  Or clergy who just like to show off their bling.  From what I read in the scriptures it's about the farthest thing from what Jesus advocates.  And don't get me started on Prosperity Theology.

For years, my husband, Ken and I received an annual Christmas card from a clergy couple in our denomination.  The cover photo was usually of them standing in front of their fabulous home holding their tiara wearing designer dog.  We always thought about sending a photo of us either in front of the subsidized apartments for the poor we were helping to put up at the time, or a photo of us in front of the White House.  Because, in a way, that's our house too!

And now I've been reading about this German Catholic bishop who has spent $43 million on his residence in Limburg.  His nickname is "The Bishop of Bling."  He has a $20 thousand  bathtub and a $34 thousand conference table.  His private chapel came in at $4 million.

Fortunately, Pope Francis is on the case.  Hopefully, this new pope, who is bringing a fresh reminder to all of us of whom we're called to be, is not about to continue to put up with these kinds of shenanigans.


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Last Meals

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.  Isaiah 22 :13

I've written before about last meals in prison.  Critics say last meals are an indulgence, especially for those who've committed the most heinous crimes.

I like the concept of serving last meals to those about to be executed.  I think it can be spiritual.  It separates our behavior from their acts.  It's a way to provide humane treatment and a bit of dignity.

Much has been written about last meal requests.  In Florida last meals cannot cost more that $40 and must be prepared at the prison.  Darn.  This dashes my hopes of having a Wendy's frosty and fries if I should ever be in this predicament.

Here's what some of Florida's most famous killers have ordered for their last meals:

• Danny Rolling (the Gainesville serial killer) ordered a huge meal including lobster, shrimp, potatoes and strawberry cheese cake. 
• Mark Dean Schwab, (child rapist and killer) ordered eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and a quart of chocolate milk.
• Aileen Wuornos (hitchhiking serial killer) and Ted Bundy (rapist and serial killer) refused to eat anything.  

Several prisoners across the country have refused the meal and requested the Eucharist in it's place.


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Adam and Eve and Choice

God:  Adam,  I know you're a lonely guy.  I can give you a woman who will love you, wait on you, obey you and tend to your every need.

Adam:  What will that cost me? 

God:   An arm and a leg.

Adam:  Hmmm...What can I get for a rib?

Lots of folks like to argue about the creation story.  Especially the part about Adam and Eve, and the six days, the apple, the snake and so on.  It doesn't make sense to them in light of all we know in this wonderful age in which we live.

In 1996 Baylor University named Bishop Will Willimon one of the Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English speaking world.  Last week Dave and I heard him speak.  He's still got it!  By the way, he did not tell the story above.

But he did speak on the creation story.  I know the creation story.  I love the creation story.  I once took a class where I had to read it about 20 times.

I have no problem with it.  The story sets the scene for how we human beings started out and continue to operate.  It tells us who we are and who God is.

Here's one way to look at it.  There's a saying in literature:  It's the truth even if it didn't happen.

Bishop Willimon told us that the creation story is about Adam and Eve (us) lying and making excuses.  He also said something that, to me, was profound.  Something I hadn't thought of before.  He was talking about the Garden of Eden being a perfect place.  As you know, this couple could have anything except the fruit from that one tree.  That seems so arbitrary.

The bishop said:  Perfection without choice is a contradiction in terms.

Wow, I thought I knew most everything about the creation story.  Never thought of that!


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Washington National Cathedral

When Dave and I take the train to Washington D.C., as we plan to do in the next few months, one of the places we want to visit is the National Cathedral.  It's awesome!  It's where national leaders, and all other Americans have worshiped for nearly a century.  It's the location for the funerals and

memorial services of nearly all of our past 21 presidents.  Except for those, of course, who are still with us.

On our recent road trip we went to Epworth by the Sea, a United Methodist retreat center on St. Simon's Island.  While we were there we heard Canon Gina Campbell speak.  She's the director of worship at the National Cathedral. She's also a United Methodist minister.

How in the world did a Methodist minister get to be a canon in the Episcopalian Washington National Cathedral?  Especially since she's the only non-Episcopalian to do so.  And, need I mention, a girl?


Gina told us a bit of how that came about.  By the way, she is a "take no prisoners...."let's deal with death head on"...."no nonsense" preacher.  My kind of woman.

Canon Gina told us that she was living and working outside of New York City on 9/11.  She was subsequently pressed into counseling with victims, families of victims and those who were working with victims.  It changed her in a profound way.

This is what she said to us the other night.  When I went back to my church I knew that things like the new paint color for the parlor were important - but I just didn't care!.

I can so relate.

I look forward to seeing  The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell again when we visit the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.


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Jekyll Island

On our road trip this past week we listened to books on tape while we drove from one beautiful spot to another.  One of the books was Dave Barry's "Insane City."  It's an insanely funny book.  The city is Miami and one of the characters is a billionaire so wealthy that he belongs to "The Group of Ten."  But he's miserably unhappy because he wants to belong to the more exclusive "Group of Six."

Bridge to Jekyll Island

On Tuesday afternoon, along with two good friends, we spent the afternoon touring Jekyll Island, Georgia.  The bridge above took us from St. Simon's Island to Jekyll. We spent some time on the pristine Driftwood Beach.  (By the way, Dave took all of these photos.)

Driftwood Beach

We spent most of the afternoon at The Jekyll Island Club.  Somewhere between 1884 and 1904 a "hunt club" was started on Jekyll Island for the richest and most influential men in America.  Tycoons, politicians and socialites loved the seclusion of the island.  We're talking men like J.P. Morgan, Rockefeller, Astor, Pulitzer and Vanderbilt.  It was the most exclusive, most inaccessible club in the world.  At one time they were reputed to represent one seventh of the nation's wealth.

The "Group of 23,"as they were called at one time, had secret meetings with government officials who sneaked on to the island disguised as duck hunters.  

Original Cottage

The good news is that the Jekyll Island Club is now open to the public.  I'm sure staying at the hotel is pricey but anybody can walk around and look at the "cottages" and servant's quarters and even the hotel itself.  And that's what we did.  

By the way, the government tried to discourage these movers and shakers from all going to Jekyll at the same time because the country might fall apart if they all got wiped out.  But that's not what finally ended the era.  It was their kids saying "There's nothing to do on this island."

So, I wonder if Dave Barry was teasing "The Group of 23" in his book "Insane City" and its "Group of Ten."

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Boone North Carolina

We're on a road trip.  We're spending a few days with close friends in their beautiful home in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to Boone, North Carolina.  They've knocked themselves out showing us a good time.  When all we really needed to do is look out their back door.  Miles and miles of breathtaking scenery.

Today we walked three plus miles in a park but couldn't go to the bathroom due to the Shutdown.  Having to go to the bathroom was the only way we knew the Shutdown is still on  because we haven't seen the news for three days.  A good thing.

Appalachian State University

Blue Ridge Mountains

The town of Boone was named after Daniel.  It's a university town.  Appalachian State University has as many students as the population of Boone itself.  

Naomi and the boys

We had lunch today in the lovely close by town of Blowing Rock.  My forth day of having fish.  Yum! Yesterday we sat on the back porch of an old country store and listened to Mountain Music.  

Tomorrow we'll head back to real life.

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Mennello Museum of American Art

On Friday evening we went, along with several friends, to The Mennello Museum of Art in Orlando, Florida.  This is my very favorite small art museum.  And, as you know,  I've been to plenty.

Earl Cunningham's art is on permanent display at the Mennello.  I love his work.  And,whether you're seven or ninety-seven, you would love it too.  On Friday night I was reminded of an interesting story about Mr. Cunningham, who died in 1977.  He was a self taught American Folk artist.  Earlier on he was a tinker and peddler and then a sailor and, lastly, he owned a little crowded, curio and art shop in St. Augustine, Florida.  This is where he displayed his work.  Apparently he was quite a curmudgeon.  He had a big sign in his shop that read:

Nothing is for Sale

One day some men in suits invaded his shop.  He realized they were from the government and was appropriately upset.  But then they left and in walked Jacqueline Kennedy.  She admired his art work but didn't buy anything that day.  After she left he mailed one of his paintings to her.  The painting hung in the Kennedy White House for many years and was later acquired by Mrs. Mennello who, by the way, also acquired almost all of of Earl Cunningham's work.  It's now all on display, permanently, at the Mennello.  The painting below is the one that hung in the White House.

When you come to Central Florida - andy everybody does eventually - don't miss the Mennello.


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Winter Park Farmer's Market

I've been going to the Winter Park Farmer's Market most every Saturday morning for decades.  As you know, I like to complain about the double strollers and designer dogs, but they're actually not a problem.  It's all entertaining.  Here are a couple of sights we caught today.

Seminole Dog

This dog is totally ready for the Florida State game to be played later today.  Including cool sunglasses.

Turkey for Breakfast

This food truck is always here and always popular.  I can't imagine turkey legs for breakfast but that's just me. (Maybe they serve other things as well.)

Two Bunnies

I sat down on the steps to wait for Dave and then noticed a guy in front of me talking on his phone.  His two pet bunny rabbits never left his side.  A little girl sat down, took one of the bunnies into her lap, then tried to take a photo with her cell phone.  The man took her phone, took the photo, handed her phone back, and never stopped talking on his own phone.

Pop Corn

This women, decked out in expensive biking gear and riding an expensive looking bike, had her priorities straight.  She was loading up on kettle corn.  I, myself, loaded up right behind her.  It's popped right there in a big vat containing a small amount of oil.  Then a small amount of salt and sugar are added.  Delish!  If I could name the top things that have helped me keep a healthy weight over the years, this kettle corn would be high up on the list.



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Radio Days

Our Sony Under the Cabinet Radio

I have always loved the radio.  And not just for music.  I love talk radio.  When I was a kid I loved dramas.  There's a world of difference between listening to the radio and reading versus movies and television.

When we're reading or listening to the radio, the action takes place inside our heads.  We visualize.  Sometimes we're shocked or disappointed when a movie is adapted from a book and it's not what we envisioned.

For instance, in the 70s I loved listening to a talk show host named Gene Burns.  To me, his voice belonged to a Prince Charming/Peter Jennings looking guy.  Later on I spoke on a panel with Gene Burns.  He looked nothing like Prince Charming or Peter Jennings.

For 18 years I've had an "under the cabinet" radio in the kitchen.  When the guys tore out and hauled away the kitchen cabinets a while back, of course, the radio went as well.

I thought it would be easy to get another "under the cabinet" radio.  Not so.  I don't think there is one in Central Florida.  I don't think folks buy regular radios much at all anymore.  We ended up ordering a Sony over the Internet.  It was pricey but I absolutely love it.  My pre-set stations are NPR, NPR-Jazz and a local news station.

And this slender, silver bullet looks great in our new kitchen.


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Gator Time

13ft., - 735 lb alligator 

We Floridians know how to keep our priorities straight.  The big story in this morning's paper was was not about the government shutdown.  It was about our humungous alligators. And that's important because this is alligator hunting season.

Biggest ever 14ft. 3-1/2" caught in 2010

Florida has issued over 6,000 hunting permits this year.  Each allows you to capture two alligators.  How do you catch these gators?  Wildlife biologist Steve Stiegler says it's luck.  But it has to be more than that.  For one thing, it requires hanging out in swamps and muddy rivers.

I doubt that I will ever "luck" into catching a gator.

The paper says a 14 foot alligator is longer than my Toyota Camry.  The heaviest gator, caught in 1989, weighed 1,043 lbs.  How could that be?  He must have eaten something really big.

Like a Toyota Camry.


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What Are You Thinking About Today?

Today the folks in Washington shut down the government and are holding Obamacare hostage.  I've been thinking all day about one of Dave's good friends, Ashley Robinson.  I was fortunate to get to meet and be with him and his lovely wife a few times.

Ashley was a college professor and veterinarian in Minneapolis but later moved back to their native homeland, New Zealand.. The Robinsons had a big life together until he came down with ALS and died last year.

Why was I thinking about him today?

New Zealand has an excellent health care system.  I understand Ashley received excellent care while fighting this horrendous illness.  A few years ago, when Ashley and I were discussing health care in the United States and other places around the world  he said something that I've never forgotten.  In fact, I shared it in a blog posting in 2009.

Getting a new health care plan going is like having a baby elephant.  It takes two years and the end part is very messy. 

So I guess Ashley wouldn't be surprised with what's happening right now.

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