This morning in Minnesota, another coating of the white stuff. The early bird and the worm have taken a hike.
TEAM BUILDING
Here is part of my cast of k-5 kiddos becoming part of a human statue. Every part is important. Teamwork being learned at an early age.
Posted in Uncategorized
10 Comments
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
It was 1953 and I was only eleven. I think I’ve mentioned that I spent most of my early childhood at the local movie theater. This particular day, the very handsome, Tony Curtis and his lovely wife, Janet Leigh, were performing in the movie, “Houdini.” This couple was labeled the most exciting young couple in Hollywood at the time. Just entering my tween years, that was most important news at the time.
The real Harry Houdini was born Erik Weisz, on this day in 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. When he was only two years old, the family emigrated to America and settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. My husband and I started raising our family in Appleton almost a hundred years later. Weisz’s father was a Jewish rabbi and Erik was one of seven children. When he was only 13, his father took him to New York City. He took odd jobs and they lived in a boarding house until the family joined them later.
Erik had an early fascination with magic. He was always displaying his talents with card tricks and vanishing acts. By the time he was 20, he started his career in show business by becoming a magician. He renamed himself Harry Houdini and performed his act along with assistant Bess Rahner. The two were married and she became his lifelong partner and business assistant. He would eventually become one of the highest paid acts in Vaudeville.
His magic wasn’t anything special, by today’s standards, but he became popular with his escape tricks. He’d demonstrate his ability to free himself from locked handcuffs, prison walls, straight jackets, milk cans and being tossed in the river with weights chained to his feet. He was able to escape, not because of his extraordinary magic, but because of his strength and ability to pick locks.
He reached the height of his career in the 1920s and one of his most amazing escapes was called the Chinese Water Torture Cell. His hands and feet would be chained and locked and he was placed upside down into a glass tank of water. He would remain in the tank for three minutes, but always escaped. This became the highlight of his performances until his death on Halloween eve, 1926. During that performance, his appendix burst and peritonitis set in and killed him.
During his short life of 52 years, he served as president of the Society of American Magicians. He fought against fraudulent psychic mediums, yet he and his wife experimented with spirituality. They decided that if either would die before the other, they would try to communicate from beyond the grave with the survivor. Before her 1943 death, Bess Houdini declared the experiment a failure.
Magic is simply illusion – a blending a sleight of hand and distraction. Often we are easily deceived, while other times we think we’re above being fooled. In any event, magic is really nothing more than entertainment, and entertainment brings excitement and joy to our every day experience.
Dreams are illusions, and we can’t let go of them because we would be dead.
David Copperfield
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY HOUDINI!
Posted in biography, Uncategorized
Tagged biography, famous birthdays today, history, magicians
Comments Off on THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
ARTIST OF DEATH
My father in law became part of the family mortuary business which his father established before him. He had a keen eye. He was able to restructure faces which had been mangled or disfigured by disaster – burned – cut – bruised – suffering the effects of disease or old age.
He was familiar with the beauty of God’s masterful creation of man. He was involved in many forensic autopsies before they were held in county or city medical hospitals. He saw the results of what a gunshot could do. How violence and hatred could cause infinite damage. Often body parts would need to be stored for future reference or in use in criminal investigations.
He was a kind man with the heart of an artist. He paid particular attention to making the dead look alive and natural – if that’s even possible. He would often have to restructure the face to bring it back to its original condition.
My husband enjoyed science as a kid and had his own scientific lab in the basement of the funeral home. They had their residence upstairs from the business. His choice was to go into art and study at the Art Institute of Chicago. While there, he had to look inside the body by taking anatomy classes, so he could draw or paint the outside of all those moving parts. It was necessary to learn about muscles, skeletal stucture ligaments and tendons and the function of those elements, not to mention the vital organs.
On this day in 1638, Frederik Ruysch was born in The Hague. His father was a government functionary. Frederick’s father died when he was a young boy, but he developed an early interest in the study of botany and became the student of a druggist. He also had a passion for anatomy. The only way to obtain corpses to study, however, was to rob them from their graves. He used early techniques of embalming to preserve the body parts for future examination.
He became praelector of the Amsterdam Surgeons Guild in 1667. By 1679 he was appointed as a forensic advisor to the Amsterdam courts and in 1685 as a professor in botany specializing in indigenous plants. He is believed to be one of the first to use arterial embalming. Many of his studies led to discoveries regarding the flow of blood through veins and arteries. These early years of medicine would lead to further experimentation and eventually cures for various diseases.
His collection of preserved body parts became a rather macabre display for folks to view in several Dutch homes. Ruysch sold his “repository of curiosities” to Peter the Great for 30,000 guilders.
Those who delve into the inner workings of the human body, are a boon to the world. Without them, we would never eliminate contagious diseases. We’d never come to knowledge of what causes Cancer and other terminal diseases. We’d still be living in the dark ages. Frederik did a great service to the medical community. He died at the ripe old age of 92 in 1731 in Amsterdam.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FREDERIK RUYSCH
Posted in biography, Uncategorized
Tagged biography, famous birthdays, history, medicine
Comments Off on ARTIST OF DEATH
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY
The sun was at its peak in the middle of the day. Radiance danced across the lake as the young Rabbi spoke from a small boat. His voice filled the entire expanse. It was a voice of authority – a strong, yet gentle voice that could be heard by everyone. There were 5000 men and almost as many women and children. The power that came from the Master’s voice was filled with hope and promise – words that had been lost in their years of oppression – words they longed to hear. They clung to every one of them and couldn’t get enough of Him.
Day waned into twilight, and as the sun began to set, Jesus came ashore. His disciples were concerned by the number of people who had gathered. It was getting late and they hadn’t eaten all day. They were tired and, I imagine a bit cranky, thinking about having to provide food for this crowd. They told Jesus to dismiss the people so they could go and buy their own dinner. The Lord said they should provide the food. One, most likely the keeper of the treasury, thought of the cost and said it was impossible.
A young boy, overheard their conversation. He thought about the five loaves and two fish he had in his basket – leftovers from his earlier meal. His heart was full after a day of listening to the words spoken by the Man. His tummy was growling a little. He knew his meager meal wouldn’t be of much help in feeding such a crowd, but he also had a feeling about Jesus. This was no ordinary man. He seemed to sense that something miraculous was about to happen.
He meekly approached the disciples and generously offered his meal. Jesus gentle eyes thanked the boy and His hands blessed the food. He told the men to distribute the food . They did as He asked and it was if the contents of the basket had no end. When all had eaten more than their fill, the leftovers were collected. Leftovers!
When I reread this story, I think about God’s provision in action. He has no problem filling the needs of His people. He’s constantly taking care of thousands, millions and billions of those who cry out for His grace and mercy. He does these things because He loves us – ALL OF US. His love extends far beyond the dinner table though. In just a short time He would subject Himself to humiliation, scorn, beating, having his flesh cut and pierced to a cross. He would suffer and die on our behalf.
Even from that cross, Jesus was concerned for others. He provided for His mother’s care. He invited the convicted thief to join Him in paradise. He finished the work that His Father had intended Him to do. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the entire world.
When He came back to life on the third day, He demonstrated His power over His own death. Through that act, He gives us the promise of the same thing. We no longer need to fear the pangs of death.
Through His life, we will live forever in His kingdom, where hunger, pain and tears do not exist. Oh give thanks unto the Lord. His mercy endures forever!
Posted in Lent, Uncategorized
Tagged characters of the passion, Feeding 5000 plus, God's provision
2 Comments
ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES – YOU’RE OUT!
Here in Minnesota we have the Twins as our representatives in Major League baseball. Not since their big World Series win, in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves, has there been so much excitement for the team. Yet when spring training starts, it somehow stirs up memories of past winning seasons and sparks hope once more.
Personally, I much preferred watching baseball as a kid, when my dad would take us to a game in Milwaukee. The Braves was the team of that era and I had the joy of watching the Series winners parade down Wisconsin Avenue in 1957 as the conquering heroes drove by in convertibles. My grandmother had an apartment with huge windows that overlooked the main street. I gained immediate popularity with all my friends when I invited them up to view the parade.
Jack Boyle played third base for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1912. The Boston Red Sox won that year over the New York Giants. This was a time when America’s summer pastime consisted of hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jack and baseball. It was the purest age of the sport. Men without helmets would don their uniforms and display their talents to a crowd of cheering fans. The games often took place on open fields outside the city limits.
Jack was born on this day, 1866 in Cincinnati, Ohio. By the time he was 20, he was playing for the Cincinnati Red Stockings – American Association. Nicknamed “Honest Jack,” he played first base and catcher in Major League baseball. His younger brother, Eddie would follow his footsteps in 1896.
The first American team to play under modern rules were the New York Knickerbockers. The Red Stockings were the first team to hold the title as most prominent team of the era.
The sport itself hasn’t changed much over the years, except maybe the uniforms and a few of the rules. Now mega stadiums house the fans and all sorts of food and beverages are sold. Ticket prices are crazy and so are the fans at times. But there is nothing like going to watch a game of baseball with your dad on a Saturday afternoon.
Jack was traded several times in his career, but he returned to Ohio and opened a saloon, which became a successful business for the remainder of his life. He died at the age of 46 from Bright’s Disease – a disorder of the kidneys.
Even though he had a short life, he got in on the early history of baseball in the United States. It’s because of guys like him that we still like to say, “Take me out to the ballgame.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEST JACK!
Posted in biography, Uncategorized
Tagged BASEBALL, biography, famous birthdays, history
Comments Off on ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES – YOU’RE OUT!
SHUNNED NO MORE
There’s a lot said in the Bible about Leprosy. Today the disease is referred to as Hansen’s Disease and easily curable if caught soon enough. The laws concerning Leprosy are laid out in the book of Leviticus 13. It is thoroughly described in every minute detail along with the symptoms. The leper would be considered unclean and forced to live alone outside of the city. Eventually they would form colonies of those who suffered the same ailment, but they were all excluded from being part of society. Not only would the diseased be banned physically, but also spiritually, because it was thought that some specific sin caused the disease.
Leprosy begins with sores on the skin. It then moves into the respiratory system. Eventually the disease would eat away at the skin and affect the nervous system, causing pain triggers to be deadened. The patient would not be aware of any injuries, because he would not have the sensation of touch. His body would at last rot away and become disfigured.
Simon, the Leper, had undoubtedly been cured from his disease by Jesus. When the Savior went to visit Lazarus, Mary and Martha, it was at Simon’s home. We don’t know if he was part of the family, but we do know he no longer suffered from Leprosy, because he was again living in his own house, back in society. You can imagine the joy he experienced, not only by his healing, but having his Physician sitting at his table.
In those days, there was a stigma concerning Leprosy. When we shun another human being for having a birth defect or special needs, we’re doing the same as the people of Simon’s day. Those who were lepers were banned from society, but Jesus changed all that. Through His healing of those afflicted, He not only returned them to good health physically, but He also was the One responsible for cleansing ever sin from Simon’s soul. We have the benefit of that same kind of spiritual washing.
Jesus planted Himself on this earth, became one of us, lived with us for a while, learned all about us and, in spite of our ugliness, He took our sin on His own shoulders. He carried that burden to the cross, suffered and died. He was placed in a rich man’s tomb and on Easter morning, defeated death itself by returning to life. Sin no longer has dominion over us. If we simply believe that God did this miraculous deed so we wouldn’t have to, we can look forward to eternity in paradise.
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on SHUNNED NO MORE
THERE’S NO BIZ LIKE IT
There’s no people like show people
They smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
But still you wouldn’t change it for a sack of gold
Let’s go on with the show, let’s go on with the show
Even with a turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
But still you wouldn’t change it for a sack of gold
Let’s go on with the show, let’s go on with the show
IRVING BERLIN
I’ve been a fan of show business since I was five – putting on shows in our backyard. We’d drape a couple sheets over the clothesline. I’d gather all my friends together and we’d entertain our parents on warm summer days. There was a lemonade stand nearby, along with bags of popcorn. You could say I had become a show business mogul at the prodigious age of five. Soon my friends took on other interests, but I continued writing plays up until eighth grade.
I was discouraged by a teacher who had no idea how his comment would affect me. He said my play would be impossible to produce with our limited space and financial wherewithal. The pain of my first blow as a writer didn’t last long. I didn’t seriously write until I was a senior in high school. Mixing my love of theater with my avarice for writing has led to a career I love and can’t seem to get out of my blood.
Florenz (Flo) Ziegfield, born on this day in 1867 in Chicago, Illinois. He was witness to the great Chicago fire of 1871, which killed up to 300 people and left more than 100,000 residents homeless. This was his first exposure to the spectacular. Tucked safely under a bridge, the sight of the raging fire must have stirred the flames of his imagination. This would eventually be the path of his life. He began to run a variety of shows when he was in his teens.
His father ran the Chicago Musical College and later opened a nightclub, the Trocadero, to obtain business from the 1893 World’s Fair. He sent Florenz off to find some exciting acts which would bring in an audience. I guess he could be called one of America’s first talent scouts. He went to Europe to hire classical musicians and orchestras.
He married the actress Anna Held in 1896. She was from Europe also and made her debut in Ziegfeld’s first Broadway production. He also acted as her promoter, telling the press about her milk baths. The public always was eager to hear about the show business stars. I guess that hasn’t changed over time.
The success of her performances led Ziegfield to expand his show and create the Ziegfield Follies. These spectacular extravaganzas were filled with beautifully costumed women, songs of the day and talented performers. His success with the Follies went on through the 1920s. His marriage to Anna lasted seventeen years.
He married Billie Burke (Glinda, the good witch from THE WIZARD OF OZ)in 1914 and they remained married until his death.
The twenties were wild and wooly and the entertainment became so as well. Broadway was full of venues, but Ziegfield remained the most amazing showman of his time. His business cards read, “Impresario Extraordinaire.” In 1927, he purchased the Ziegfield Theater and continued to produce great musical shows, including SHOW BOAT which has been run on stages for years after. Be 1932 the nation was in the throes of the great depression. Ziegfield lost his fortune in the crash of the stock market. Entertainment was put on the back burner. People couldn’t afford to go to the theater.
Many famous entertainers came out of the Ziegfield Follies – Lucille Ball, Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Billie Burke, Will Rogers and so many more. Flo gave all of them the chance to make it big in the business.
Ziegfield died on July 22, 1932 at his home in Hollywood, California. He left considerable debt behind. His wife, Billie then went into films to cover the debts. In his short 65 years of living, he brought beauty, comedy, music and dance and wonderful entertainment to people through good times and bad. Show business sure can have a strong hold on us.
They all hope I will go broke and I wouldn’t like to cause them displeasure.
Florenz Ziegfeld
Posted in biography, Uncategorized
Tagged biography, famous birthdays today, Flo Ziegfield, history
2 Comments
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?
“Anyone can get angry, but to do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right motive, and in the right way, that is not for everyone, nor is it easy.”
― Aristotle
This coming Sunday we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday in our churches. Hosannas will loudly be heard and the alleluias will ring out in our music. This is the day in the church year when our Lord and Savior, Jesus, entered the city of Jerusalem for the final time.
It was a day of rejoicing because Jesus had won the hearts of the people and they were convinced that He’d come to bring the Hebrew nation victory over their oppressors. The Messiah, promised by the Old Testament prophets had come to be their King and give them their rightful place in the world once more.
For 33 years, Jesus had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This time He was coming to be the final sacrifice, the willing, unblemished Lamb, the King of Kings.
I wonder how He felt when He saw what had become of His Father’s house. Upon entering the temple, Jesus was faced with a huge marketplace – people selling their wares and the temple treasury getting rich from the profits. Many similar events have occurred though the course of history.
When we think of Jesus, it’s hard to imagine Him as anything but kind, compassionate and gentle, but this was like a slap in the face to Him – one that would sting as much as the lash that crossed His back later that week. The religious leaders of the day had turned the most holy place into a den of thieves. He certainly had reason to be angry. He showed His human side when He became enraged yet Jesus was demonstrating God’s wrath when He over turned the tables.
God wants complete attention when it comes to our worship life. He is jealous and rightly so. He created us – loves us unconditionally – gave His life for us. Is our worship life slipping away? Do we revere God the way we should? Is He first? Have we turned our hearts to other things or is He at the forefront of our adoration?
Jesus was righteously angry at what had become of His Father’s temple. How would He react to our worship today? Before we make judgments of this event, let’s stop and consider our own lives first.
Posted in Lent, Uncategorized
Tagged anger, Inspiration, Passion of Christ, righteousness
4 Comments
SPRING FEVER FUNNIES
A light blanket of snow has fallen again this week and more is expected by the weekend. I am soooooo ready for spring – rain, mud and cleaning up a winter of Gage droppings.
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments
HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY TO ME
As of today I’ve been blogging for four years. It’s been an adventure. I’ve learned to discipline myself each day to spend time writing. I enjoy the blogs of others as well and feel like I’ve made some wonderful friends in the process. Happy blogaversary yo me😳❤️
Posted in Uncategorized
21 Comments
THE MAGIC OF THEATRE
The week after Easter, my cast of 24 children will get on stage and present THE MAD ADVENTURES OF MR. TOAD. Some magic is occurring right before our eyes. The kids memorize lines, learn songs and dances and they are given direction from all sides. It’s a lot for them to do since they’re ages are K-5 grade. As I see their characters emerge and their confidence grow, many things are going on behind the scenes.
A vocal director has been teaching the songs within the play and helping them to get the most out of their young voices. Two choreographers have taught them fun and exciting dance moves.
A costumer has prepared many things for them to wear – exciting, funny, sometimes difficult to wear – but necessary to help them define their character.
A prop mistress is gathering interesting things which will enhance the play. One moreit thing for them to learn to deal with, but so important to enhance the production.
Stage managers are getting things off and on stage, maneuvering through children, bumping into things and trying to make the play move seamlessly.
Sound and light folks are preparing for tech week. They’ll be adding microphones, lighting and special effects. Each addition to the play is part of the magic that results.
The artistic designer, his crew and the director have developed a plan for the set – painted flats, scenery, and wonderful accessories like the car you see pictured. The guys seated in it are the ones who made it. You can’t imagine the excitement over this set piece last night. First of all the director (me) was amazed at the reality of Toad’s motor car and it was constructed and painted within just a couple weeks. The kids went ballistic when they saw it.
Next week we go into tech rehearsals. Each new thing that is added to the performance – staging, voice, dance, props, costumes, set pieces, lights, sound all blend together in what will result in a finished product that they can be proud. When the lights come up on opening night, the addition of an audience is what makes it all worth it. That’s when the real magic begins.
ADVENTURES OF THE OLD WEST
Several years go, I wrote a play for my children’s theater about the old west. It was called, WILD WEST WOMEN & A FEW GOD MEN. The play spun a story of many of the women of the west, which required me to do a lot of interesting research. Characters like Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Belle Starr and performers in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show were included.
As I walked through several articles, books and films about these women, I happened upon an interesting man named Ned Buntline. He wasn’t the average westerner. This fellow got his start by traveling to the new frontier, to write stories about the people that lived there. In his travels he heard retold stories, which had become twisted fact. He checked things out himself and became one of the hottest dime novel writers of the time.
His often romanticized stories turned into a career in publishing and made him a millionaire. The stories didn’t give a clear picture of the west. He even made the outlaws look good and turned them into heroes. His goal was always to make the most money he could off of his sensational stories. He was in it for the dough.
Born on this day in 1823, Edward Zane Carroll Judson used several pseudonyms throughout his life, but became well known with his name, Ned Buntline. His father was a lawyer who hoped his son would someday become a minister. Ned had other plans. At the age of 11 he ran away from home and became a cabin boy and the following year on a navy vessel. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant, but was dishonorably discharged for drunkenness.
In 1843 the prodigal returned home to his father’s home in Pittsburgh under the guise of studying law. In fact, his intention was to start a literary magazine. After only two issues of his magazine appeared in print, his business failed.
Buntline was a known womanizer. He was married 7 times and had numerous affairs. One of his first encounters was with the married, teenaged wife of Robert Porterfield in Nashville in 1846. On 14 March 1846, Porterfield challenged Judson to a duel, and Judson killed him. At his trial for murder, Judson was shot and wounded by Porterfield’s brother and, during the chaos, escaped from custody. He was apprehended by a lynch mob and hanged. Fortunately for Ned, he was rescued before he died.
He was also a heavy drinker, but went around the country giving lectures on temperance. This fellow talked out of both sides of his mouth, but who am I to judge?
It was at one of those lectures, that Buntline met William Cody. That friendship led to Buntline’s writing many stories about the fascinating man whom he renamed Buffalo Bill. He was responsible in part for making Cody a media sensation out east.
He could’ve been considered the fake news of the day, as he embellished his stories to make money. His dime novels were selling like hot cakes and creating a buzz about the new frontier. Like our modern day tabloids, he was feeding their inquiring minds with overdone fodder. Though he never wrote the great American novel, he made more money during his lifetime than Walt Whitman or Mark Twain. It goes to show you, people often prefer gossip more than quality literature.
Buntline died at his home in Stamford, NY at the age of 63. He rubbed shoulders with the men and women of the old west and made them famous with his short stories. He became part of high society with his wealth. He created a legend out Buffalo Bill, leading him to great success. I wonder what would’ve happened if he had followed his father’s choice of careers for him. We’ll never know.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NED BUNTLINE!
Posted in biography, Uncategorized
Tagged biography, famous birthdays, history, Ned Buntline, old west
6 Comments
A NOT SO GREAT SHOWMAN
Having come from a long line of sociopaths, Herod Antipas relished in the shock and awe of his domain. The more outlandish the behavior, the better. Like his father, Herod, the Great, he was much a chip off the old block. His dad was responsible for the death of the innocent babies at the time of Jesus’ birth. It must’ve been a family trait, because Antipas lived a pretty shocking lifestyle himself.
He married twice. His first wife was Arabian, whom he eventually divorced. He then married Herodias, his own niece and the wife of his half-brother Philip, and persuaded her to leave her husband and to accompany him to Tiberias. In fact he lured her away from her husband and his relative. When his first wife heard of this, she told her father of her disgrace and he waged war on Antipas. Herod simply divorced his first wife.
John, the Baptist condemned Herod for his infidelity and incest which sealed his eventual beheading. Herodias was the one responsible for it because of her daughter’s demands, but Herod carried it out. Herodias was a social climber and wanted her husband to achieve more than he did. She was always interfering in his political dealings, pushing and driving his every move. She must have had tremendous influence over him.
Being the show man Herod was, he was intrigued by the man called Jesus and was anxious to see some of His miracles. When called on to intercede in the crucifixion of Jesus, Herod jumped at the chance to get a look at this fellow. Jesus knew this was the man responsible for His cousin, John’s death. He could’ve zapped Herod right there, but He said nothing. Because Jesus remained silent, through Herod’s interrogation, He was sent back to Pilate because Herod didn’t want any part in the politics of this event.
Isn’t it amazing how God orchestrates everything to accomplish His plans for us. Without the bad guys, there would have been no crucifixion, no death and no resurrection. Of course, I’m sure God would’ve found another way to make it happen, but it’s exciting to see how all these characters had such an important role in the carrying out of our salvation.
Oh, what a great God we have. He’s given us the victory over death and has designed our life here on earth, according to His exquisite blueprint.
Posted in Lent, Uncategorized
Tagged characters of Chrsit's Passion, God's plan, Herod Antipas, Salvation
2 Comments
atimetoshare.me 
You must be logged in to post a comment.