As the Mercury Insurance Open tournament wraps up, I am reminded of the humorous misadventure of one of the players-Bojana Jovanovski. According to http://www.womenstennisblog.com, her agent sent her to the wrong Carlsbad for the tournament. The tournament was being held in Carlsbad, California, but she flew to Carlsbad, New Mexico! After spending the night there, she flew to the right Carlsbad-900 miles away.
What is so amusing about this mishap is that this is not the first time that there has been confusion between these two Carlsbad’s. Back when railroads were the main source of transport for goods, the Atkinson & Santa Fe Railway must have experienced mix-ups as well because they decided to rename our station to prevent confusion between the two. They changed it to Carl. This happened in 1907 when Carlsbad was only about 20 years old. However, the people who lived here already felt a great sense of pride and were none-to-pleased with the name change. They complained and petitioned, and finally in 1917, our station was changed back to Carlsbad.
To read about how our Carlsbad- Carlsbad, California got its name, see: http://carlsbad.patch.com/articles/how-carlsbad-got-its-name
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Why a Feminist Mother plays Barbies with her Daughter...
Yes, I know, she's not anatomically correct. And she has lots of stuff, including clothes and beautiful long hair. Her not being anatomically correct could easily be seen as a physical "defect"(we all have them) and her pretty hair is then her best feature.
However, when the question of Barbies came up, I referred back to my own childhood. I had played Barbies and have been a feminist my entire adult life, so what harm could there really be? Although I realize that there were certainly other factors that brought about my own feminism. My daughter received a couple of Barbies as gifts when she was even too young to play with them. So I began my quest to properly outfit a Barbie collection, which proved to be quite easy! I found more than enough to fill up the playroom at thrift stores, yard sales, and swap meets. Ready for the complete Barbie lifestyle, I only had to wait until the request for a Barbie playdate was made.
When it did come and the Barbie town was set up, I saw that there was an opportunity here. My child was young and under my guidance and influence. I use it elsewhere, why not during play? So playing Barbies became a lesson in being a strong, independent, accomplished woman. Our Barbies were doctors, librarians, writers, professors, business owners. They went skiing, surfing, snowboarding, running, etc. They also attended the opera, poetry readings, DAR meetings, took educational classes and did volunteer work at their local library. I never made a big deal out of what my Barbie was wearing, except that it be practical for whatever activity they were doing. Their hair was brushed and styled, but with no more emphasis that we have in our own daily life. And though there was one Ken doll in the collection, he's a friend- there were never any weddings. Not that there's anything wrong with marriage, but that needn't be the focus of Barbie play.
Imaginative play is important for children, but parental involvement can and should guide our children. An occasional hands-on approach allows us to demonstrate to our children our values. Barbie's gender-cliché building ability can be tamed and redirected with much success...and plus, it's just fun!
However, when the question of Barbies came up, I referred back to my own childhood. I had played Barbies and have been a feminist my entire adult life, so what harm could there really be? Although I realize that there were certainly other factors that brought about my own feminism. My daughter received a couple of Barbies as gifts when she was even too young to play with them. So I began my quest to properly outfit a Barbie collection, which proved to be quite easy! I found more than enough to fill up the playroom at thrift stores, yard sales, and swap meets. Ready for the complete Barbie lifestyle, I only had to wait until the request for a Barbie playdate was made.
When it did come and the Barbie town was set up, I saw that there was an opportunity here. My child was young and under my guidance and influence. I use it elsewhere, why not during play? So playing Barbies became a lesson in being a strong, independent, accomplished woman. Our Barbies were doctors, librarians, writers, professors, business owners. They went skiing, surfing, snowboarding, running, etc. They also attended the opera, poetry readings, DAR meetings, took educational classes and did volunteer work at their local library. I never made a big deal out of what my Barbie was wearing, except that it be practical for whatever activity they were doing. Their hair was brushed and styled, but with no more emphasis that we have in our own daily life. And though there was one Ken doll in the collection, he's a friend- there were never any weddings. Not that there's anything wrong with marriage, but that needn't be the focus of Barbie play.
Imaginative play is important for children, but parental involvement can and should guide our children. An occasional hands-on approach allows us to demonstrate to our children our values. Barbie's gender-cliché building ability can be tamed and redirected with much success...and plus, it's just fun!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Shrimp or shrimps?
From a 1958 Carlsbad Journal newspaper:
"What is the plural of shrimp, 'shrimp' or 'shrimps'? It has been explained this way: When the word refers to a shellfish, the plural is 'shrimp.' When it refers to men, the plural is 'shrimps'."
"What is the plural of shrimp, 'shrimp' or 'shrimps'? It has been explained this way: When the word refers to a shellfish, the plural is 'shrimp.' When it refers to men, the plural is 'shrimps'."
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Aldous Huxley on ready-made v. personal creative expression
I remember first contemplating the very topic that Mr. Huxley writes about in this early 20th century article after one of my many viewings of "Out of Africa". There is a scene where the men are singing after dinner and then Isak Dinesen's character tells a story. I thought at the time how sad it is that we have "lost" our own voices only to be replaced by "ready-made" songs and music. Are we all the best singers? Maybe not, but that isn't the point. We all have talents to share with friends and family: a recitation of a poem, playing a song on the piano, telling a story, etc. We could each find a song or two that we could sing as after dinner entertainment for our family. Well, it appears that there is nothing new under the sun...The following is a transcription of a short article Aldous Huxley wrote for Vanity Fair in the 1920's.
"The really great simplifications of our mental life, it is asserted, have been brought about 'as a result of the commercial application of scientific inventions.' The results of this excessive facilitation are, first, an atrophy of the artistic, musical, and dramatic faculties of those who accept their amusements ready made; and, second, an increase of boredom. There is nothing nowadays corresponding to the peasant art, the folk songs, the traditional plays and mummings of the past. The talent which produced these things lies latent; ready-made standardized entertainment has effectively prevented it from expressing itself. But ready-made art can never be as completely satisfying to a man as the art he makes himself. The cinema, the gramophone, the wireless are distractions; but they do nothing to satisfy man's desire for self-assertion."
"The really great simplifications of our mental life, it is asserted, have been brought about 'as a result of the commercial application of scientific inventions.' The results of this excessive facilitation are, first, an atrophy of the artistic, musical, and dramatic faculties of those who accept their amusements ready made; and, second, an increase of boredom. There is nothing nowadays corresponding to the peasant art, the folk songs, the traditional plays and mummings of the past. The talent which produced these things lies latent; ready-made standardized entertainment has effectively prevented it from expressing itself. But ready-made art can never be as completely satisfying to a man as the art he makes himself. The cinema, the gramophone, the wireless are distractions; but they do nothing to satisfy man's desire for self-assertion."
Monday, July 4, 2011
Epitaphs from New England headstones, a sampling....
I first became interested in epitaphs after seeing a thought-provoking one in a colonial-era cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina: View this tomb as you pass by, for as you are so once was I, and as I am so must you be, prepare yourself to follow me. It was the grave of a young woman who died in the 18th century when she was 24.
I picked up a book, initially published in 1962, with old epitaphs: Over their dead bodies: Yankee epitaphs & history compiled by Thomas C. Mann and Janet Greene. They truly are fascinating: illuminating history and sensibility of early American settlers through the Civil War era.
Here are a few of my favorites:
From Litchfield, Conn.,
Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary wife
of Dea. John Buel Esq. She died
Nov. 4, 1768 AEtat. 90
Having had 13 children
101 grand-children
274 great-grand-children
49 great-great-grand-children
410 Total. 336 survive her.
From Boston, Mass.,
Here lies buried in a
Stone Grave 10 feet deep
Capt Daniel Malcolm Mercht
who departed this Life
October 23d 1769
Aged 44 Years
a true son of Liberty
a Friend to the Publick
an Enemy to oppression
and one of the foremost
in opposing the Revenue Acts
on America
From Concord, Mass.,
God wills us free-Man wills us slaves
I will as God wills: Gods will be done.
Here lies the body of
John Jack
A native of Africa who died
March 1773, aged about sixty years.
Tho born in the land of slavery
He was born free:
Tho he lived in a land of liberty
He lived a slave
Till by his honest tho stolen labours
He acquired the source of slavery
Which gave him his freedom:
Tho not long before
Death the great Tyrant
Gave him his final emancipation
And put him on a footing with kings.
Tho a slave to vice
He practised those virtues
Without which kings are but slaves
From Ridgefield, Conn.,
In defense of American Independence
At the battle of Ridgefield, Apr. 27, 1777
Died Eight Patriots
Who were Laid in These Grounds
Companioned by
Sixteen British Soldiers
Living, Their Enemies
Dying, Their Guests.
In Honor of Service and Sacrifice, this
Memorial is Placed For the
Strengthening of Hearts.
From Milford, Conn.,
In Memory of Sarah Prudden
who with a happier world in
view departed this mortal state
July 27 1788 in the 80th year of her age.
Our age to seventy years is set
How short the term how frail the state
And if to eighty we arrive
We rather sigh & groan than live.
From Winslow, Maine,
Here lies the body of Richard Thomas
an inglishman by birth
A Whig of '76
By occupation a cooper
now food for worms.
Like an old rum puncheon whose
staves are all marked, numbered and shooked
he will be raised again and finished by his creator.
He died Sept. 28, 1824. Aged 75.
America my adopted country
my best advice to you is this
Take care of your liberties.
I picked up a book, initially published in 1962, with old epitaphs: Over their dead bodies: Yankee epitaphs & history compiled by Thomas C. Mann and Janet Greene. They truly are fascinating: illuminating history and sensibility of early American settlers through the Civil War era.
Here are a few of my favorites:
From Litchfield, Conn.,
Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary wife
of Dea. John Buel Esq. She died
Nov. 4, 1768 AEtat. 90
Having had 13 children
101 grand-children
274 great-grand-children
49 great-great-grand-children
410 Total. 336 survive her.
From Boston, Mass.,
Here lies buried in a
Stone Grave 10 feet deep
Capt Daniel Malcolm Mercht
who departed this Life
October 23d 1769
Aged 44 Years
a true son of Liberty
a Friend to the Publick
an Enemy to oppression
and one of the foremost
in opposing the Revenue Acts
on America
From Concord, Mass.,
God wills us free-Man wills us slaves
I will as God wills: Gods will be done.
Here lies the body of
John Jack
A native of Africa who died
March 1773, aged about sixty years.
Tho born in the land of slavery
He was born free:
Tho he lived in a land of liberty
He lived a slave
Till by his honest tho stolen labours
He acquired the source of slavery
Which gave him his freedom:
Tho not long before
Death the great Tyrant
Gave him his final emancipation
And put him on a footing with kings.
Tho a slave to vice
He practised those virtues
Without which kings are but slaves
From Ridgefield, Conn.,
In defense of American Independence
At the battle of Ridgefield, Apr. 27, 1777
Died Eight Patriots
Who were Laid in These Grounds
Companioned by
Sixteen British Soldiers
Living, Their Enemies
Dying, Their Guests.
In Honor of Service and Sacrifice, this
Memorial is Placed For the
Strengthening of Hearts.
From Milford, Conn.,
In Memory of Sarah Prudden
who with a happier world in
view departed this mortal state
July 27 1788 in the 80th year of her age.
Our age to seventy years is set
How short the term how frail the state
And if to eighty we arrive
We rather sigh & groan than live.
From Winslow, Maine,
Here lies the body of Richard Thomas
an inglishman by birth
A Whig of '76
By occupation a cooper
now food for worms.
Like an old rum puncheon whose
staves are all marked, numbered and shooked
he will be raised again and finished by his creator.
He died Sept. 28, 1824. Aged 75.
America my adopted country
my best advice to you is this
Take care of your liberties.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Parents Taking Responsibility for Children's Eating Habits
I listened to an interview today on KPBS with Mark Bittman, the author of How to Cook Everything. The discussion was about the government controlling junk food advertising to kids. Mr. Bittman's concern was that it was not mandatory and that the industry would have about five years to even begin to reign in their direct marketing to children.
As a parent who has very consciously directed my child's eating habits, I disagree with the supposed power marketers have over kids. As I have been thinking about it, I have even been trying to figure out where these ads are...I have forgotten! I guess the majority must still be during children's programing on television. If that is the case, parents still have greater power. We control our children's television viewing habits. Parents can record programs and fast-forward through commercials. They can discuss with their children what advertising is about. It's to sell products and make money for those companies. And how do these companies market to children? Does this mean that we buy these products? No. Does this mean these products are good for us or in our best interest? No. I did this and FYI, kids are pretty smart. They can avoid simple manipulation like this if their parents take the time to inform them. Parents can show DVD's instead if you want to avoid the ads altogether, or some people will say just get rid of the tv!
After raising a child, I see that so much of the problem of junk food eating comes from the parents...what they are eating, buying, serving...have you ever seen the snacks served to kids during and after youth sports, scouts, and other clubs for kids?!! Not to mention what is being served at kids' parties! Look at what parents are sending in the lunches-not what is being served in the cafeteria, but what comes from home! How about snacks and treats sent to school for various reasons? The parents are sending these, not the junk food companies. I have also noticed that Valentine's Day card exchanges have turned into candy giving parties over the past few years! These are all the choices of the parents!
This isn't to say that all parents are junk food dealers, but really when this is the message most parents are sending through what we provide for "our" kids, what else do we expect them to want or ask for?? And I am neither a corporate stooge nor a hippie mom, just someone who has noticed that the influence is really coming from home and the parents. The power over food choices and especially junk food eating habits starts at home, as so many other things in our children's life. Let's take a little responsibility here.
As a parent who has very consciously directed my child's eating habits, I disagree with the supposed power marketers have over kids. As I have been thinking about it, I have even been trying to figure out where these ads are...I have forgotten! I guess the majority must still be during children's programing on television. If that is the case, parents still have greater power. We control our children's television viewing habits. Parents can record programs and fast-forward through commercials. They can discuss with their children what advertising is about. It's to sell products and make money for those companies. And how do these companies market to children? Does this mean that we buy these products? No. Does this mean these products are good for us or in our best interest? No. I did this and FYI, kids are pretty smart. They can avoid simple manipulation like this if their parents take the time to inform them. Parents can show DVD's instead if you want to avoid the ads altogether, or some people will say just get rid of the tv!
After raising a child, I see that so much of the problem of junk food eating comes from the parents...what they are eating, buying, serving...have you ever seen the snacks served to kids during and after youth sports, scouts, and other clubs for kids?!! Not to mention what is being served at kids' parties! Look at what parents are sending in the lunches-not what is being served in the cafeteria, but what comes from home! How about snacks and treats sent to school for various reasons? The parents are sending these, not the junk food companies. I have also noticed that Valentine's Day card exchanges have turned into candy giving parties over the past few years! These are all the choices of the parents!
This isn't to say that all parents are junk food dealers, but really when this is the message most parents are sending through what we provide for "our" kids, what else do we expect them to want or ask for?? And I am neither a corporate stooge nor a hippie mom, just someone who has noticed that the influence is really coming from home and the parents. The power over food choices and especially junk food eating habits starts at home, as so many other things in our children's life. Let's take a little responsibility here.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A few suggestions for a Screen-Free week & more!
Remember what life was like before cell phones, Wi-fi, the Internet, video games, and television? Okay, even I'm too young to remember life before television...but if you've ever camped, etc. there have been instances where you've been without it. What did you do? A little thought about what we did before for fun, information, etc. will provide plenty of suggestions for the next week. But there is a bigger picture here. For example, if you value books (the physical kind), you have to buy or check them out for them to continue in existence. If you want your own children to look at you while you talk, put your iPhone down when they want to talk to you or pause the television (we are fortunate to have that luxury, use it!).
1. Turn your cell phone's volume on and put it where your landline is or was & treat it like a landline phone.
2. Write a letter to an elderly relative who would be thrilled to receive something since they may be the only ones not online! Or write to a friend who you know also writes, or would. At least send a card or two-maybe to a niece or nephew-they love to get them! Be sure to include some stickers!
3. Need information? Go to the library. Granted the catalogs are online, but checking out a physical book is still a great way to find information. Or entertainment! Hey, you can drink and eat in most libraries now, how about bringing your coffee and the kids' juice and hang out and read for awhile?! The Carlsbad libraries have an excellent selection of newspapers and magazines as well.
4. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, park, the lagoons, or the beach. It doesn't have to be a power walk. Enjoy nature, breathe deep, and relax. Bring your camera. Bring a bucket or two-one for neat rocks and one for trash (mini beach clean-up day!). Go for a bike ride or have a catch with your kids...that time is flying, take advantage of it now!
5. An obvious one: break out the board games or cards. I know many who play solitaire, Scrabble, etc. online-bring it to the table instead and involve your kids! How about some chess or checkers? Even more fun, have your kids create their own board game and play it!
6. Get out the craft or art supplies. Have your kids create a family newspaper. Or a family portrait.
7. How about a little spring cleaning? I know I'm not the only one who has some task that's been waiting!
8. We are so fortunate to have so many great things to do here in So Cal-I see more than I can possibly get to on Twitter...hit up some of the museums, nature centers, historical points of interest you've been meaning to get to....(see my other post on great history sites, etc. in North County).
9. Get out in your yard! Take a glass of iced tea and a magazine and just enjoy a bit of sun...well, not today, but in general. Or pull a few weeds. Even if you have a gardener, pull some weeds, pick up a new plant and plant it yourself, or dead-head the rose bush...there is nothing quite so satisfying, plus you get some vitamin D!
10. Write a poem for someone you love. For your significant other, your child, a favorite bird or flower. Who cares if it's "bad", the point is to write one...read some poetry for inspiration.
11. Hand wash dishes with your family. Remember doing this when you were a kid? Whoever isn't actually doing dishes can read aloud from a book- how about The Wizard of Oz? Or an Agatha Christie for older ones or families without kids.
12. Choose a play, even an EZ reader book to turn into a play...practice for a week with a performance at the end, with props, make-up, costumes, etc.
13. Do science experiments with your kids-(not on your kids-hehe!). There are so many easy ones to do and tons of books at the library with ones to do at home. Even if you don't have kids, there are some really fun ones to remind you how much fun science lab was...
14. Read a love story with your love. By candlelight. It doesn't have to be "Earth Hour" to turn out the lights...:)
15. Buy a journal and start recording your profound thoughts in it...don't lose them all on FB, Twitter or a blog...leave a tangible record of your life (and handwriting) for your children, grandchildren, etc. While you're at it, write down some stories from your childhood for posterity. A better use of time than watching some program you don't really care about...
1. Turn your cell phone's volume on and put it where your landline is or was & treat it like a landline phone.
2. Write a letter to an elderly relative who would be thrilled to receive something since they may be the only ones not online! Or write to a friend who you know also writes, or would. At least send a card or two-maybe to a niece or nephew-they love to get them! Be sure to include some stickers!
3. Need information? Go to the library. Granted the catalogs are online, but checking out a physical book is still a great way to find information. Or entertainment! Hey, you can drink and eat in most libraries now, how about bringing your coffee and the kids' juice and hang out and read for awhile?! The Carlsbad libraries have an excellent selection of newspapers and magazines as well.
4. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, park, the lagoons, or the beach. It doesn't have to be a power walk. Enjoy nature, breathe deep, and relax. Bring your camera. Bring a bucket or two-one for neat rocks and one for trash (mini beach clean-up day!). Go for a bike ride or have a catch with your kids...that time is flying, take advantage of it now!
5. An obvious one: break out the board games or cards. I know many who play solitaire, Scrabble, etc. online-bring it to the table instead and involve your kids! How about some chess or checkers? Even more fun, have your kids create their own board game and play it!
6. Get out the craft or art supplies. Have your kids create a family newspaper. Or a family portrait.
7. How about a little spring cleaning? I know I'm not the only one who has some task that's been waiting!
8. We are so fortunate to have so many great things to do here in So Cal-I see more than I can possibly get to on Twitter...hit up some of the museums, nature centers, historical points of interest you've been meaning to get to....(see my other post on great history sites, etc. in North County).
9. Get out in your yard! Take a glass of iced tea and a magazine and just enjoy a bit of sun...well, not today, but in general. Or pull a few weeds. Even if you have a gardener, pull some weeds, pick up a new plant and plant it yourself, or dead-head the rose bush...there is nothing quite so satisfying, plus you get some vitamin D!
10. Write a poem for someone you love. For your significant other, your child, a favorite bird or flower. Who cares if it's "bad", the point is to write one...read some poetry for inspiration.
11. Hand wash dishes with your family. Remember doing this when you were a kid? Whoever isn't actually doing dishes can read aloud from a book- how about The Wizard of Oz? Or an Agatha Christie for older ones or families without kids.
12. Choose a play, even an EZ reader book to turn into a play...practice for a week with a performance at the end, with props, make-up, costumes, etc.
13. Do science experiments with your kids-(not on your kids-hehe!). There are so many easy ones to do and tons of books at the library with ones to do at home. Even if you don't have kids, there are some really fun ones to remind you how much fun science lab was...
14. Read a love story with your love. By candlelight. It doesn't have to be "Earth Hour" to turn out the lights...:)
15. Buy a journal and start recording your profound thoughts in it...don't lose them all on FB, Twitter or a blog...leave a tangible record of your life (and handwriting) for your children, grandchildren, etc. While you're at it, write down some stories from your childhood for posterity. A better use of time than watching some program you don't really care about...
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