Have you ever had one of those dreams that seems so real you woke up wondering if it were a dream or a memory? I did that last night, except I woke up wishing this dream would come true. I dreamed that I was interviewing for a position with Oprah and Harper Studios. At one point in this fantasy, I had one minute to pitch an idea to Oprah. I pitched “Elder Generation” material. In my dream, I was right on point, with just enough humor in my minute presentation to keep the producers listening. (Now that I am writing this blog post, my mind is blank.) I woke up before I knew if I got the job, hope I did.
Like so many thousands of others, I have emailed the Oprah show several times with ideas for the show, including topics for the over 55-age group. Right now, I have a personal campaign going to get Glenda either on the show or tickets to see the show. (Note: Please help me with that in you have connections)
One point I’d make to “powers that be” is the living an active, productive, positive life is essential whatever your situation. I am reminded of Oprah’s dear friend Maya Angelo. Miss Angelo certainty isn’t sitting on the porch rocking and letting the young people decide things for her.
I know the demographics for Oprah are not 55-age and over. The sponsors would not be as willing to run ads for this type programming. However, maybe once a month this topic could be addressed. Here are a few of my “talking points”:
1. Viewers of the show are responsible for parents and grandparents or might be in the future.
2. Millions of active adults over 55 spend tons of money.
3. Healthcare, including Medicare, is on everyone’s mind these days.
4. Everyone is getting older, really, just wait until you are 55 plus.
Maybe this will never be an Oprah show, but it should be talked and written about more. And remember, I do not call myself old or a senior, I am an Elder!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Milwaukee Art Musuem
A friend who lives in Wisconsin told me about this museum. (By the way, I love getting information and reviews of museum, historical sites, and fun website to explore, so feel free to share your favorite.) In her email, she told about the magnificent Chihuly Sculpture. I resisted the temptation to use an image from the Web. I simple love the beautiful glass that come from the Chihuly Studios.
Today I took in the featured exhibition: Street Seen: The Psychological Gesture in American Photography, 1940–1959 [Open January 30, 2010–April 25, 2010] There are 100 black and white photos depicting real life as could be seen on the streets.
Next, I wandered to the painting and sculpture pages. There I looked at 3 very colorful paintings done by Haitian artists, which made me wonder if those dear people will paint ever again.
The museum has many superb collections, something for everyone’s personal taste. There is going to be a feature exhibition of quilts called “Quilts in a Material World: Selections from the Winterthur Collection” It will run from May 22-September 6, 2010.
Before I knew it the afternoon had passed, but I will return another day to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
My Personal Memories of Haiti
I have been trying to write this blog post for over a week, just couldn’t get my thoughts straight. Like most people, I have been deeply touched and upset on what is happening there. There are countless stories of lives lost; some of the bravest reporters are telling about the desperation and destruction. I personally think CNN has the best coverage and that their reporting deserves a Nobel prize, Presidential Medal or something appropriate.
We have contributed via the Clinton Foundation; we will donate more soon, but I wish I could do more. Again, as so many, many others keep thinking, “what can I do?” I hope that I will think of something. The people of Haiti will need assistance for a very, very long time.
For several days after the earthquake, I was haunted by memories of events in my past. Many years ago, my first husband, John, made several trips to Haiti on missionary work trips. I can’t remember exactly but I think he made six different trips that lasted from 1-2 weeks each. He was a masonry contractor, could build just about anything, which is what he did in Haiti. (A fellow church member generously paid his way.) The group that he went with worked in the northern part of Haiti up in the mountains. They built schools, dug wells, etc.
I remember John telling about how the people made their own cinder and concrete building blocks. He told stories about how hard everyone worked, there was so much more done in a day that he thought possible. One thing that amazed him was how the Haitian women could cut out a dress without a pattern. One of our dearest friends went with John on a couple of these trips. Glen told about how beautiful the singing was at the church meetings.
I am anxious about the very young and the very old in Haiti. More on that subject tomorrow.
We have contributed via the Clinton Foundation; we will donate more soon, but I wish I could do more. Again, as so many, many others keep thinking, “what can I do?” I hope that I will think of something. The people of Haiti will need assistance for a very, very long time.
For several days after the earthquake, I was haunted by memories of events in my past. Many years ago, my first husband, John, made several trips to Haiti on missionary work trips. I can’t remember exactly but I think he made six different trips that lasted from 1-2 weeks each. He was a masonry contractor, could build just about anything, which is what he did in Haiti. (A fellow church member generously paid his way.) The group that he went with worked in the northern part of Haiti up in the mountains. They built schools, dug wells, etc.
I remember John telling about how the people made their own cinder and concrete building blocks. He told stories about how hard everyone worked, there was so much more done in a day that he thought possible. One thing that amazed him was how the Haitian women could cut out a dress without a pattern. One of our dearest friends went with John on a couple of these trips. Glen told about how beautiful the singing was at the church meetings.
I am anxious about the very young and the very old in Haiti. More on that subject tomorrow.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Looking Through Colored Glass
Good morning world,
I know it's cold, very cold, with wind blowing and the chill factor dropping. What is worst the weather is going to get nastier this weekend. I am very thankful I do not have to get more than 5 feet from a heater, can stay curled up under a blanket, plus we turned the furnace up a couple of degrees. All of us elders are telling stories about the worst winter we can remember.
I sent my friends an ecard this morning from Dover.com with a picture of this Tiffany stain glass window. Isn’t it pretty! I told my sister things had to be rosier and warmer feeling if we could look at them through a Tiffany window. The minute I wrote that I realized I was feeling quite chirper and much better this morning. (This is a topic for my other blog)
I adore anything with the Tiffany glass look. A few months ago, I told Bruce that I was going to buy myself a new Tiffany style lamp for every gift occasion. Well, Christmas and our anniversary came and the old practical side of me came out and I ordered a pair new shoes. I needed them, being special arthritis shoes they are expensive and never on sale. However, it’s not too early to think about Valentine’s Day. I have several lamps picked out online, but want to go by a couple of lighting stores and look at some others. I understand there is a big difference in quality and pricing.
Perhaps, just perhaps we will get to move this year and I will have my new collection of Tiffany lamps ready for the new house. I am dreaming about that day. Meanwhile, I am going to remind myself to look at things filtered through rose-colored glasses. That will make the snow I am looking at now pink
I know it's cold, very cold, with wind blowing and the chill factor dropping. What is worst the weather is going to get nastier this weekend. I am very thankful I do not have to get more than 5 feet from a heater, can stay curled up under a blanket, plus we turned the furnace up a couple of degrees. All of us elders are telling stories about the worst winter we can remember.
I sent my friends an ecard this morning from Dover.com with a picture of this Tiffany stain glass window. Isn’t it pretty! I told my sister things had to be rosier and warmer feeling if we could look at them through a Tiffany window. The minute I wrote that I realized I was feeling quite chirper and much better this morning. (This is a topic for my other blog)Perhaps, just perhaps we will get to move this year and I will have my new collection of Tiffany lamps ready for the new house. I am dreaming about that day. Meanwhile, I am going to remind myself to look at things filtered through rose-colored glasses. That will make the snow I am looking at now pink
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday January 6
It Happened On This Day: January 6
Famous Elder Generation people born on January 6:
1930 – Vic Tayback, American actor (d. 1990)
1937 – Lou Holtz, American football coach
1940 Penny Lernoux, American journalist (d. 1989)
1944 – Rolf M. Zinkernagel, Swiss immunologist, Nobel laureate
Feature Year is 1930 Link to Wikipedia 1930 click here
1930: The first diesel-engine automobile trip is completed (from Indianapolis, Indiana, to New York City).
1942: Pan American Airlines becomes the first commercial airline to schedule a flight around the world.
Famous Elder Generation people born on January 6:
1930 – Vic Tayback, American actor (d. 1990)
1937 – Lou Holtz, American football coach
1940 Penny Lernoux, American journalist (d. 1989)
1944 – Rolf M. Zinkernagel, Swiss immunologist, Nobel laureate
Feature Year is 1930 Link to Wikipedia 1930 click here
Note from MissDazey: Most of the information on the new Wednesday feature will come directly from Wikipedia. When I give links to other sites, news sites, blogs, etc I will give credit to the author.
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