Adventures from Bulgaria: Summer in the Mountains – Days 10 & 11

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Imagination and reality

By Valeria Idakieva

[Sequel to “Days 8 & 9,” published on July 3.]

After the lazy day I had spent in Pamporovo, the clear blue sky and the fresh air the next morning urged me to continue at full speed. The grass was glistening with the morning dew, the forest was awakening with the vibrant song of myriads of bugs and birds. Every single creature was worshiping life and giving its share to the harmony that reigned over the forest.

The Loneliest Liberal:Theatre’s role in health care

By James Knudsen

Recent events found me spending more time than usual at a local hospital. The experience has me reconsidering the importance of patient advocacy, insurance limits driving the decisions about patient care, communication among doctors, patients, and family, and of course, theatre. I am not a doctor, nor a patient and in this situation; I am family only by good fortune. Further, I have no insurance, save for the benefits afforded me at the local Veterans Administration by virtue of my military service decades ago, so the only subject I can comment on is theatre and how it relates to healthcare. Turns out it’s important.

A useful guide for women’s safety online

Written by women, for  women

By Moristotle

Madeline recently contacted us to thank us for promoting women. Because of the timing, I assumed that Madeline was referring to Linda K. Stout’s recent article in which she talked about her film, Women Are the Change, to encourage women in sub-Saharan Africa to get an education.

Thunder Down Under: Waterfall

(detail)

Near Salem, Oregon

Painting by Shirley Deane/Midyett

Text by Vic Midyett

Shirley saw this waterfall in the State of Oregon while visiting our oldest granddaughter and her three sons. It isn’t far from the City of Salem. The eagle was not in their field of view, but it entered Shirley’s imagination.

Roger’s Reality: A crisis of our own making

By Roger Owens

Among those who attend to the political machinations of the day, I know of not one who does not believe our country is in a genuine crisis. We may debate upon the nature or the severity of it, but about its existence there is no doubt. The left sees what they consider literally decades of social progress threatened by people they regard as little less than barbarians at the gates. The traditionally quiescent right is aggrieved by what they consider the destruction of all they hold dear by usurpers, who, failing to advance their agenda at the ballot box, mangle beloved values via the courts.

Interview: Saundra Carr on racial microaggression in educational settings

Interviewed by Moristotle

I have known Saundra Carr since the mid-2000s, from my work with the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market (SREB’s ACM), which, for more than 35 years, has enabled students in the region’s states to pursue out-of-state college degrees at in-state tuition rates. I retired, but Saundra still serves as South Carolina’s ACM coordinator.
    During the years we worked together, Saundra began an online doctoral degree program at Walden University. We agreed at the time that when she completed the degree work, we would do this interview. Well, in December she was awarded a PhD in Management (Specialization Leadership and Organizational Change). Time to do that interview!
    The title of her dissertation is “Racial Microaggressions, Faculty Motivation, and Job Satisfaction in Southeastern Universities.” Microaggressions, as Saundra understands the term, are

subtle indignities and insults that minority-group members may experience in their daily lives. Because of the subtlety of microaggressions, victims are often uncertain about how to respond because they have difficulty determining the intentionality of the offense.

This video she sent me put microaggressions in concrete terms for me:

The art of acrylic pouring

And women are the change

By Linda K. Stout

I have enjoyed seeing Susan C. Price’s artwork on Moristotle & Co. Abstract painting as Susan does it is also an interest of mine, but much more difficult for me to do than it seems to be for Susan. I still pursue it, as well as making stained glass and collages. I have lots to learn.

Thunder Down Under: An Australian wild flower

(detail)

Affectionately called “the Bird of Paradise”

Painting by Shirley Deane/Midyett

Text by Vic Midyett

This Australian wild flower, “the Bird of Paradise,” has blossoms a good 4-6 inches long and very pronounced in color and presentation.

“Having a bad day”

What does it mean?

By Victor L. Midyett

We visited with some friends a couple of weeks ago who have a 15-year-old daughter (named Charlotte) who is very astute and questioning of everything. Charlotte announced at the lunch table that a teacher had told her class that “having a bad day means you are experiencing depression.”

Whatever Happened to Critical Thinking?

By Dr. Ely Lazar & Dr. Adele Thomas

[Republished here by permission of the authors from their “Lifestyle Tips For Over 50s”]

Socrates said: “Whatever authority I may have rested solely on knowing how little I know.” The statement reflected the fact that he had contempt for the knowledge displayed by authorities. He recognised 2,500 years ago that mindless subservience to authority did not serve people well. It appears that Socrates detected a lack of critical thinking on the part of many individuals. Fast forward to today, and we have to acknowledge that many are devoid of logic.

Poetry & Portraits: Livia

Drawing by Susan C. Price

Livia
By Eric Meub

[Originally published on October 8, 2016]

My Lares are Lorazepam and guilt,
my Cicero is Amy Vanderbilt,
but there’s no Seneca to set me free
from Greco-Roman grandiosity.

Susan’s Stuff: soon to solo at First Independent Gallery

july 18 – august 11
reception for the artist saturday, july 21, 4 - 6 p.m.

By Moristotle

Those lucky enough to be in FIG’s vicinity (Bergamot D2, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404) during the coming four weeks will have an opportunity to see some of Susan C. Price’s paintings up close and talk with her – even maybe drink some wine with her as you converse.
    FIG Director Jeff Gambill observes Susan’s work insightfully in his announcement of her solo show:

The work of my lifetime

Christian Science 
as I see it

By Cynthia Barnett

Christian Science has been in my family for four generations, but I’ve always known it would have been the right religion for me even if I had not “inherited” it. I love Christian Science because it gives me a God I can accept from both reason and revelation. Relying on it all my life for guidance, comfort, inspiration, and healing, I have not been disappointed. It works.

Independence from procrastination, or what?

And does writing this take care of it?

By Moristotle

Months ago (a year?) I told colleague Bob Boldt and others that I planned to write a sestina on the theme of my being discovered dead under the persimmon tree (near our bird feeders). I’ve been saddened to discover a few dead birds there, and I identify with birds (and many individual creatures generally). And we are all mortal....
​    But I have not yet written this sestina....

Adventures from Bulgaria: Summer in the Mountains – Days 8 & 9

[Click to enlarge]

Backwards to Pamporovo

By Valeria Idakieva

[Sequel to “Days 6 & 7,” published on April 7.]

I woke up early in the morning on the back seat of the jeep where I had spent the night and started getting ready quietly so as not to wake up the kind people who shared their food, good spirits, and time with me. Later, when they did wake up, we had some coffee and then it was time for me to continue through lush meadows and pine forests.

Thunder Down Under: For Ben’s birthday

Signature

A rare portrait

Painting by Shirley Deane/Midyett

Text by Vic Midyett

Ben is my son, but Shirley regards him as hers too. So, last year, she painted her second portrait ever, of Ben for his 38th birthday. (Her first portrait was a self-portrait, done many years ago, and it appears on the cover of her book, Brain Tangles.)