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The Artist Challenge
January 30, 2015
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Repairing My Sad Soul.
Repairing My Sad Soul
Marsh Creek State Park
March 13, 2005
The Sunday after my dad's funeral, my friends come to get me and take me kayaking. It is still cold and the creek was still frozen in some parts. But that wasn't a deterrent for us. We had to use our paddles to break through some of the ice. It was absurd to be out there under these conditions. But it was exactly what I needed to help lift up my sad soul.
Marsh Creek State Park
March 13, 2005
The Sunday after my dad's funeral, my friends come to get me and take me kayaking. It is still cold and the creek was still frozen in some parts. But that wasn't a deterrent for us. We had to use our paddles to break through some of the ice. It was absurd to be out there under these conditions. But it was exactly what I needed to help lift up my sad soul.
Monday, March 11, 2019
A Few Things Before You Show UP
A Few Things Before You Show Up
November 2017- January 2018
An email I received two weeks before I went to Nepal for 9 weeks to teach:
Her comments concerned me as she didn't paint a pretty picture when we Skyped each other the day before and then she followed up with more reality.
Her comments concerned me as she didn't paint a pretty picture when we Skyped each other the day before and then she followed up with more reality.
"A few things before you show up:
· We take our shoes off before going into the classroom, so bring warm, comfy socks and shoes that are easy to take off and put back on … The classroom has been warm enough so far because it gets daytime sun, but I’m not sure how December will be.
· Bring ground coffee – you are probably already planning that. No coffeemaker here that I can see, so you’ll be boiling it in a pot and then straining it, pseudo-French style.
· Hand sanitizer would also be useful. Everything everywhere is grimy.
· Did we talk about technology? Does your laptop have an HDMI port?
· While I’m thinking of it, here’s a link to a great walking tour that I did in Kathmandu yesterday afternoon, which I definitely recommend:
· I stayed at the Ambassador Garden Home Hotel last night, which I also recommend!
· I think you will be happy to hear that I’ve scored a portable electric heater for the bedroom here at CLC. It’s a north-facing room and never gets warm, and I decided to start asking about a heater today so that by the time it gets bitter cold, we’d have something. And voila, I get back to my room after ES a little while ago, and there it is! "
Sunday, March 10, 2019
1982
1982
Williamsport, PA
Williamsport, PA
My age: 26-27
School: I enrolled in a doctoral program at Penn State University. My first course was a cross-cultural study in England. We sent the summer visiting all types of schools throughout England.
Work: I worked at Loyalsock High School in Williamsport, PA. I was a high school guidance counselor to 250 students. I loved this job. I really felt as if I made a difference in kids' lives. I was the youngest faculty member by 10 years and many of the faculty just didn't like the kids.
House- I lived at 527 North Grier Street in Williamsport and the house may have been haunted. I rented a 2- bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor of this old house.
Music
Wild Things Run Fast was released by Joni Mitchell, my favorite artist.
Thiller by Michale Jackson, was released and it is a masterpiece.
Thiller by Michale Jackson, was released and it is a masterpiece.
- Human League with " Don't You Want Me "
- Bucks Fizz
- The Jam
- Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder- Ebony and Ivory - clever concept but I hate this song.
- Olivia Newton-John
- Vangelis- this is the soundtrack to Chariots of Fire.
- Steve Miller band With " Abracadabra "
- Survivor with " Eye of The Tiger "
- Chicago with " Hard to Say I'm Sorry "
- Lionel Richie
Movies
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - didnt see it.
- Rocky III- I only saw one Rocky movie, the one where we beat Russia.
- On Golden Pond - I liked it when I saw it but I watched it again and it wasn't as interesting to me.
- Porky's - it was a bit gross.
- An Officer and a Gentleman- I loved this movie.
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - didnt see it.
- Poltergeist - didnt see it.
- Annie- I am so sick of this movie, play and song.
- Chariots of Fire - the first CD I bought was the soundtrack of this movie.
- Gandhi - this was a troubling movie.
Travels:
- I took a course through Penn State University in England and Scotland for the month of June.
- I spent a month at the beach on Long Beach Island.
- I traveld to California during Winter break. It was the first time I was in CA.
News events
Family
- Kathy, my sister, gave birth to a baby boy, John.
- Jim's wife had a baby girl, Caitlin.
- Sharon, my sister, had a baby girl, Heather.
- I had six nieces and nephews at this time.
- I don't have a car so I had to bum rides from friends, hitchhike or take the bus through life.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Lunches With Mannie
Lunches with Mannie
After-Six Formal Wear
Philadelphia
1978-1980
I worked as an assistant to a credit collector for After Six Formal Wear. It was a dreadful, dreadful job. I hated it. And who really cares if Mr. Tuxedo is two months late on paying his bill for 100 cummerbunds.
Anyway, I worked with nice people and we somehow got in the routine of going to lunch every single day. About 5 of us went out together. It went from an occasional lunch together to a daily obligation. If one of us had something else to do during this time, the rest of us complained that we were being deserted.
One Monday morning, I was walking passed the main office phone and it was ringing. I picked it up. It was one of Manny's daughter. He had just died this morning from a massive heart attack. We were devastated. And none of us ever went to lunch again after this day.
After-Six Formal WearPhiladelphia
1978-1980
I worked as an assistant to a credit collector for After Six Formal Wear. It was a dreadful, dreadful job. I hated it. And who really cares if Mr. Tuxedo is two months late on paying his bill for 100 cummerbunds.
Anyway, I worked with nice people and we somehow got in the routine of going to lunch every single day. About 5 of us went out together. It went from an occasional lunch together to a daily obligation. If one of us had something else to do during this time, the rest of us complained that we were being deserted.
One Monday morning, I was walking passed the main office phone and it was ringing. I picked it up. It was one of Manny's daughter. He had just died this morning from a massive heart attack. We were devastated. And none of us ever went to lunch again after this day.
Friday, March 8, 2019
A Simple Request to Twitler
Since Bridget had this comment marked as Spam, I sent it on my Twitter account 
.
.
On this International Day of the Woman could you please refrain from grabbing women by the pussy. IS that too much to ask?
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Thimpu Airport
Thimpu Airport
December 25, 2017
Bhutan
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
My Pipes Didn't Make It
Facebook Post
My Pipes Didnt Make It
January 10, 2014
San Diego Airport
Heading home. I hope my pipes survived while I was gone.
Debbie Green You sure did pick a great week to find warm weather.
Chris Smith Check your voicemail. You were just fired by Chris Christie for closing down a bridge.
Hannah Ford I was worried that we hadn't heard from you - glad to hear you're in warmer climes, even if the pipes may have suffered. X
Larry Kelly The pipes, the pipes, are calling....
Jaye Pedante Let us know - we'll get your room ready
Bridget E Kelly @jaye. Thanks. My pipes didnt make it. I am without water and heat.
Michael Steen Ouch! That has got to be the worst. I can't help, not being a plumber, but my thoughts are with you.
Bridget E Kelly @mike, Yesterday I spoke with a man whose pipes burst also. He was surprisingly calm about the situation. He then told me that he had a house fire six years ago and lost every thing. Then he quickly but quietly mentioned that he lost his two children in the fire. My situation is just minor annoyances. But I'll take your thoughts. Thanks.
Debra Ward Metz God bless that man.. And you too.. Hope things start looking up as you move forward in 2014..
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
She's buried Five of Them
She's Buried Five of Them
Gatwick, London, England
September 2018
I am sitting in the breakfast room of a small hotel in Gatwick. An elderly couple sit at a table across from me. We start a conversation. The husband is from Florida and the wife is from England. They are here to visit with her family. They are delightful.
Our conversation is pleasant and when another, much younger couple come in the room, they just join right in on our discussion. The exchange is pleasant and light. I'm enjoying this moment of good will.
But then the elderly lady leans in to me and whispers, "I had seven children. I've buried five of them." She speaks so softly and sadly that I am not sure I heard her correctly. But then she quickly moves away from me and turns her face away. She wipes away tears and struggles to regain her composure.
I am stunned and don't know what to do. Then she turns and quickly looks at me. I whisper, "Im sorry." And she turns away again.
We must have been coming to the point of our conversation where we begin to interview each other about our families and she must have so much anxiety and sadness over this question. She must feel she has to give this up on her terms. It must eat away at her.
Her comment kicked me in my gut.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Deer Head Inn
Deer Head Inn
Delaware Water Gap, PA
My friends, Rick and Darcy Chamberlain, just about lived here. Rick used to be married to the owner's daughter and this was the local bar for jazz and Rick was an outstanding musician so, of course, he would hang here. Then Darcy entered the picture so she would go there to listen to him play. And then Darcy and I became friends so I would meet here there.
But we always got in trouble when we went there. We were shushed all the time, just like when we went to the library as little kids. The people who came to this bar were serious about their jazz and they came to listen. We really got on a lot of people's nerves.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
At The Zoo
At The Zoo
Jersey Zoo
Gerald Durrell Conservatory
Jersey (UK)
September 2018
I have read several of Durrell's books from the 1950s and 1960s so I put this visit on my bucket list.
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| An oranatang hanging in a tree |
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| Blue Heron |
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| Orangatang |
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Saturday, March 2, 2019
Training Elephants
Training Elephants
Chitwan, Nepal
November 2017
They are the beast of burden in this part of the country and the first thing they learn is to be still. They are chained by both of their front legs until they learn to stand quietly. And they are reduced to having only one leg chained. I had a hard time watching them in this condition.
Friday, March 1, 2019
She's Becoming A Nationalist
She's Becoming A Nationalist
My friend is slipping away from me and becoming a nationalist. Her views stun me and I feel I should say something to her. But nothing I say will change her. She has become afraid of diversity and has just decided to hunker down in her white, Christian world. And that makes me sad.
Here is what she is telling me:
My friend is slipping away from me and becoming a nationalist. Her views stun me and I feel I should say something to her. But nothing I say will change her. She has become afraid of diversity and has just decided to hunker down in her white, Christian world. And that makes me sad.
Here is what she is telling me:
- "When I see a flag that is all frayed, I get so angry and I want to tell people, Hey, that's my flag". She was so anger at one neighbor who had a memorial site for a family member lost on 9/11. So she had her husband go and remove the flag because it was too tattered for her liking. I asked if she replaced the flag and that had not crossed her mind.
- "I really miss living in Philadelphia but I am so glad to be away from my neighbors. It's so Jewish, I feel like I am in Tel Aviv".
- She claims her daughter is often the victim of "reverse discrimination" because she works in Baltimore with African Americans. They are out to get her because she is white.
- "I want things to go back to how they were in the 70s when it was just Christians in our country".
- "Did you hear there are people who think people who committed a felony should get their voting rights back? Don't they realize voting is a privilege?"
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