Well I have been here in the east since June 17th, first Rhode Island and now of course New Jersey. And the weather is the worst east coast June weather - sticky,cloudy,rainy - only one day of sun since I have been here. The humidity is almost worse when there is no sun! So we have the 'frizzy' hair problem which I remember well from high school.
It was so important to look like the other girls who had the straight hair. And no matter what I did, my hair would not cooperate. Ah the agony of feeling like I was somehow just not 'right'.
I wonder how many of us feel that still?I know I do sometimes. And how does that affect how we treat each other?
Just thinking out loud.....what do you think?
be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
School is out!
At least here in the northern part of Oregon, school is out. I remember well that feeling of exultation on the last day of school. The possibilities seemed endless, fun awaited each and every day.
We spent a lot of time at the 'shore' as we call it in NJ. Almost every weekend the family went down to our little shack..and shack it was. No hot water, no bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a kitchen that was it. And there are 5 kids in my family! All of my cousins, aunt and uncles and grandparents on my paternal side had cottages,even some real houses right, on the same block.
We were about 10 minutes from the bay and 20 minutes from the ocean on property surrounded by woods. It was heaven for us along with our 11 other cousins. We had free range of the street,woods,woods road and each cottage contained a relative who cared about us!
It was just like the Kennedy compound in Mass. Well except for the shacks -no bathrooms - no hot water and outhouses!
Days at the beach, barbecues every night, all the fathers there on the weekends, always someone to play with,adventures to have with cousins. The boy hater's club and the women hater's club- these were institutions each summer. We kids had rules and regulations, handshakes, passwords and a fierce determination to beat the other club in whatever games we made up. We played outside till dark every night, tag though the woods scaring ourselves silly by screaming as we ran!
Ah summer..that's what it's all about.
May you and our children have endless adventures, days at the 'shore' and lots of love this summer and always.
Sleeop tight,be in touch,
Anne-Louise
We spent a lot of time at the 'shore' as we call it in NJ. Almost every weekend the family went down to our little shack..and shack it was. No hot water, no bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a kitchen that was it. And there are 5 kids in my family! All of my cousins, aunt and uncles and grandparents on my paternal side had cottages,even some real houses right, on the same block.
We were about 10 minutes from the bay and 20 minutes from the ocean on property surrounded by woods. It was heaven for us along with our 11 other cousins. We had free range of the street,woods,woods road and each cottage contained a relative who cared about us!
It was just like the Kennedy compound in Mass. Well except for the shacks -no bathrooms - no hot water and outhouses!
Days at the beach, barbecues every night, all the fathers there on the weekends, always someone to play with,adventures to have with cousins. The boy hater's club and the women hater's club- these were institutions each summer. We kids had rules and regulations, handshakes, passwords and a fierce determination to beat the other club in whatever games we made up. We played outside till dark every night, tag though the woods scaring ourselves silly by screaming as we ran!
Ah summer..that's what it's all about.
May you and our children have endless adventures, days at the 'shore' and lots of love this summer and always.
Sleeop tight,be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Monday, June 8, 2009
Together!
At the performance in Hillsboro a few days ago, I met a wonderful band called the Oregon Beatles (at the moment at least). They were performing after me and kindly let me use their sound system. Even more wonderful was the fact that they backed me up on a couple of songs. It is so much fun to play with other people. It adds so much to whatever one is doing. I wish I could give you their web site or something but they did not have a card to give to me. When I get that info I will pass it along.
I had just seen a documentary about Pete Seeger where he was talking about making music together...singing...playing...together. I feel the same way...it is about the feeling of community that gives songs the power.
Here's to more power and joy for us all!
Keep on singing,
sleep tight and be in touch
Anne-Louise
I had just seen a documentary about Pete Seeger where he was talking about making music together...singing...playing...together. I feel the same way...it is about the feeling of community that gives songs the power.
Here's to more power and joy for us all!
Keep on singing,
sleep tight and be in touch
Anne-Louise
Saturday, June 6, 2009
too long
It has been too long since I last wrote. I am still having trouble understanding to world of blogs. And what to share with you, what would be interesting and helpful?
Shall I tell you about my trip to American bases in Germany? Each base has it's own school, just like here in the states. So many of the kids have parents who are now deployed...many for more than a year. Can you imagine that for your children and yourself? I can't really. Yet I did not hear any parents complaining or kids either.
I am grateful to be able to perform with these kids and parents. Because we all need music, it touches us in so many ways. Stories do to. So if I pay attention, be present , let go of my own agenda...maybe I can share songs and stories that will be of use sometime somehow. Or at least bring some laughter and light.
sleep tight, be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Shall I tell you about my trip to American bases in Germany? Each base has it's own school, just like here in the states. So many of the kids have parents who are now deployed...many for more than a year. Can you imagine that for your children and yourself? I can't really. Yet I did not hear any parents complaining or kids either.
I am grateful to be able to perform with these kids and parents. Because we all need music, it touches us in so many ways. Stories do to. So if I pay attention, be present , let go of my own agenda...maybe I can share songs and stories that will be of use sometime somehow. Or at least bring some laughter and light.
sleep tight, be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why and Wonderments
Again it has been awhile since I have written. And I am wondering.. why... why do people like blogging? Why do people want to read blogs? Why do we want to spend our time on computers reading the words of other people? Why not call each other... see each other....write to each other?
How have other people's words on line become so important?
Are my words important to you ... my words here on this page? If you don't know me...why would they be? If I don't hear back from you, it is not a conversation is it?
Any thoughts?
Sleep tight
Be in touch,
Anne-Louise
How have other people's words on line become so important?
Are my words important to you ... my words here on this page? If you don't know me...why would they be? If I don't hear back from you, it is not a conversation is it?
Any thoughts?
Sleep tight
Be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Monday, March 30, 2009
It's been a long time
It seems so long since I have written and so much has happened. My time in the Lucia Mar School District,Ca - the children and teachers so caring. The district in much financial trouble, leaving the teachers and students uncertain as to what will be happening to them next year. Hard times for all.
Then a morning with the dedicated childcare providers of Clark County, Washington, a morning with artists as we figured out how to market ourselves guided by Bob Sterry and today ... a marvelous day with Mark Weiss of Operation Respect as he shared the Don't Laugh at Me Program with a group of teachers sponsored by Park Academy in Lake Oswego,Or.
In between, helping our daughter and son-in-law move, seeing friends, our boys, enjoying being home.
In other words, life! And another wonder...today I got a call from artist Kate Conrad. She came to a performance of mine in Sandy, Oregon. Aunt Lena, my alter ego performed with me. Kate was so taken with 'us' she is doing a painting of 'us'!! I am so tickled...and Aunt Lena is not surprised!
The painting will be displayed at the Sandy Library from mid April.
And tomorrow, if you are around at 11 am, come to Artichoke Music on Hawthorne St in Portland. Bring the kids and I'll be singing and telling stories. We can sing together.
Ain't life grand!!!
Put the kids to bed on time so you can rest.
Sleep tight and be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Then a morning with the dedicated childcare providers of Clark County, Washington, a morning with artists as we figured out how to market ourselves guided by Bob Sterry and today ... a marvelous day with Mark Weiss of Operation Respect as he shared the Don't Laugh at Me Program with a group of teachers sponsored by Park Academy in Lake Oswego,Or.
In between, helping our daughter and son-in-law move, seeing friends, our boys, enjoying being home.
In other words, life! And another wonder...today I got a call from artist Kate Conrad. She came to a performance of mine in Sandy, Oregon. Aunt Lena, my alter ego performed with me. Kate was so taken with 'us' she is doing a painting of 'us'!! I am so tickled...and Aunt Lena is not surprised!
The painting will be displayed at the Sandy Library from mid April.
And tomorrow, if you are around at 11 am, come to Artichoke Music on Hawthorne St in Portland. Bring the kids and I'll be singing and telling stories. We can sing together.
Ain't life grand!!!
Put the kids to bed on time so you can rest.
Sleep tight and be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Friday, March 13, 2009
in sunny Ca!
good morning all,
sorry i have not written in a week! i had a great time at the storytelling festival in Corvallis, Oregon last weekend. now i am in Ca performing at school in the Lucia Mar School district till the 19th. what a great bunch of kids and teachers at all these schools!
things are very difficult here for schools with the budget issues. many many teachers have gotten pink slips, class sizes are being increased, so much is being cut from schools.
this morning i ask: how is it that we say in this country that we support our children ..we support education? because we do not put our money where our mouth is ..remember that old saying? our money has gone to war, to corrupt banks,stock markets,CEO's,to tax cuts we can't afford, bail outs...the list goes on.
today i just have to say this...ENOUGH....please stand up for our children across this country in whatever way you can.
and while you are at it..sing to each other and share stories. send me a story or song please, i need it today!
be in touch
anne-louise
sorry i have not written in a week! i had a great time at the storytelling festival in Corvallis, Oregon last weekend. now i am in Ca performing at school in the Lucia Mar School district till the 19th. what a great bunch of kids and teachers at all these schools!
things are very difficult here for schools with the budget issues. many many teachers have gotten pink slips, class sizes are being increased, so much is being cut from schools.
this morning i ask: how is it that we say in this country that we support our children ..we support education? because we do not put our money where our mouth is ..remember that old saying? our money has gone to war, to corrupt banks,stock markets,CEO's,to tax cuts we can't afford, bail outs...the list goes on.
today i just have to say this...ENOUGH....please stand up for our children across this country in whatever way you can.
and while you are at it..sing to each other and share stories. send me a story or song please, i need it today!
be in touch
anne-louise
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