The Gospel According to Woody Guthrie

Keth Crowley, Woody Guthrie Foundation Centennial Design Commission

This is a re-post. I think the first time I posted it was in 2009. I'm posting it again because it's Mr. Guthrie's 100th birthday and also because it's one of my all time favorite songs.  The melody is by the Austin-based singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves  - I never get tired of hearing his version, and most mornings I do. When I first posted it, I included some of my favorite photos, but this time I'll leave it to you to envision your own promised land. I think that's the point, really-- to feel like this, even just for a minute every day, and have that little rebirth.

This Morning I Was Born Again By Woody Guthrie

This morning I was born again and a light shines on my land
I no longer look for heaven in your deathly distant land
I do not want your pearly gates, don't want your streets of gold
This morning I was born again and a light shines in my soul.

This morning I was born again, I was born again complete
I stood up above my troubles and I stand on my two feet
My head it feels unlimited, my body feels like the sky
I feel at home in the universe where yonder planets fly.

This morning I was born again, my past is dead and gone
This great eternal moment is my great eternal dawn
Each drop of blood within me, each breath of life I breath
Is united with these mountains and the mountains with the seas.

I feel the sun upon me, it's rays crawl through my skin
I breathe the life of Jesu and old John Henry in
I give myself, my heart, my soul to give some friend a hand
This morning I was born again, I am in the promised land.

This morning I was born again and a light shines on my land
I no longer look for heaven in your deathly distant land
I do not want your pearly gates, don't want your streets of gold
And I do not want your mansions for my heart is never cold.



If you are in the NYC area, I'm helping to produce a Woody Guthrie tribute evening at 92Y on Sunday, November 18 -- save the date!  Tickets will go on sale soon.

Healing Through Horticulture

Plants have so many roles in our lives, especially for those of us who garden. This week in particular, as we remember 9/11, I'm thinking about how plants have the power to heal as well as symbolize growth and survival. There's something about planting a seed that makes everything just a tiny bit better.  The Brooklyn Botanical Garden will even be waiving their admission charge tomorrow, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, acknowledging this fact.

The Survivor Tree
I heard the story of The Survivor Tree for the first time this week. This was the only living tree found, stripped of it’s branches but still alive, on Ground Zero. It’s a Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana), a hardy but sometimes fragile variety often used in city gardens because of its compact, upright growth. The tree was removed, and nurtured in Van Cortlant Park in the Bronx, where it also pulled through several damaging storms.

Below is a photo of the memorial garden at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Volunteers planted 25,000 daffodil bulbs in plots that were shaped like the Twin Towers.  Although the garden is no longer there, this is such a perfect example of ways that a community can come together and heal through gardening.

Stacey's Garden

Stacey McGowan died on 9/11 and was a student at Valley Cottage Elementary when she was a little girl.  "Stacey's Garden" was planted in our school courtyard as a memorial to her. I didn't know Stacey, but I thought of her whenever I watered it. Her garden is the first thing that people see when they come into the school courtyard. It's lovingly tended by her mother and always has something in bloom.

A Hero from Nyack

Another member of our community who died on 9/11 is Welles Crowther.  He was known as the "Man in the Red Bandana." He was an equities trader and volunteer firefighter, only 24 years old, who helped a dozen people get out of the towers safely. Here is a link to an ESPN video about him. 

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6929979&categoryid=5595394

A couple of years ago, my daughter was asked to bring in an article about a 9/11 hero. She said half the class brought in articles about Welles. I will be wearing a red bandana tomorrow in his memory.

Balancing Fear and Trust

Last week’s tragic news that an eight year old boy, Leiby Kletzky, was abducted and murdered in Brooklyn has many parents debating the merits of allowing children to walk unsupervised through city streets.   It was the first day the boy was allowed to walk the seven blocks home alone.  He got lost and stopped to ask a stranger for directions.  This particular stranger was one of the extremely rare dangerous ones. 

It's heartbreaking that so many have chosen to throw blame at his grieving parents.  “What were the parents thinking?” seems to be a common response. 

Well, I think I know what they were thinking.  They were thinking that a child has a better chance of being struck by lightning than of being abducted.  They wanted their child to feel independent, and get to know his neighborhood.  They knew that if he got lost, chances are that he’d ask a kind helpful person who would get him safely home.  What happened was inconceivable for them, but it will remain in the consciousness of every parent who has heard this news story. 

The incident made me remember my own terror as a child, getting separated from my mom at a county fair, and crying for what seemed like hours, but was surely less than 10 minutes, in the first aid tent, surrounded by caring strangers.  It made me remember losing my children in department stores, and enlisting the help of other women pushing strollers around who immediately understood my panic.  I remembered all the helpful people in the Sheep Meadow when I lost my kids in Central Park two summers ago.  

I still feel that fear, allowing my kids to roam unsupervised in ever-widening circles, but I’ve never believed in teaching children not to talk to strangers.  Yes, “Be on your guard.”  “Never allow someone to touch you or pick you up.”  “Never get in a car with someone you don't know.”  “If you’re lost and need help, find another mother with children.  She’ll know what to do.”   Teaching them to feel comfortable approaching strangers when in crisis will almost always help them.   It's not unlike the moment when we let go of that two wheeler, and allow them to pedal on their own for the first time -- the trick is teaching them to balance fear and trust.

I hope that parents, especially the ones in Borough Park, will read Lenore Skenazy’s Free Range Kids blog, and learn about the real risks of letting their children roam.   Now, more than ever, kids need to connect, in real time, with their natural surroundings.  They need to feel the thrill and pride of doing something on their own.  They need to know that evil exists, but still believe in the kindness of strangers. 

Related Posts
I Lost My Kids in Central Park
Wiffle Ball Wishes

Ghosts of Snowmen Past

You won’t believe what my son said when I asked him if he wanted to go outside and make a snowman with me.  “Mom, I’m not three years old anymore!”  Oh yeah?  Since when did snowman building become exclusive to toddlers?   This guy in West Nyack is sculpting amazing giant colored fish for god’s sake! 

My kids loved making snowmen until just a few years ago.  Last year all they could muster was this mini picnic table model. 

2010

Previous years were more impressive....

2009

2008

2007 (this one, as I recall, was anatomically correct in places)

2006

                                                                                 2005

2004

So what are they doing this year?  Making igloos and tunnels. 

What started as a simple tunnel through the snow the plow piled up became a maze of tunnels complete with a central dome and windows. 

Are you still playing in the snow?



Thoughts at Thirteen

Some birthdays provoke nostalgia.  My daughter turned thirteen this week and I can’t help but feel a little wistful.  I’ve been remembering the birthday parties we went to when she was 4 or 5 years old.  She wouldn’t leave my lap to play musical chairs, but sat there with me, sucking her thumb, watching the festivities.  Then there was the Pre-K dance recital that relatives from Ohio flew in to attend, only to have her stay backstage clutching my hand while her classmates did pirouettes on stage. 

It’s hard to see why I was so eager then to  have her venture off my lap.

Every day now is a new test of freedoms, and the apron strings are stretched just a little bit more.  Last week she and her friends wanted to sit far away from me in the movie theater.  This week they want to be dropped off at the mall. 

My friend Sandy has two kids that are now college age.  I often think back to a conversation we had before my kids were born.  I’d invited her to a yoga class, and she declined, saying that she’d already been out too many nights that week, and that she’d rather be home with her kids.   I appreciated her honesty, but wondered how a couple of hours could possibly make a difference.  Now I understand --maybe it's because my job takes me out of the house several nights a week.  Lately, as my kids get older and more interested in doing things with their friends outside the house, I especially treasure our evenings at home together, doing the mundane stuff.  The cooking, the homework, the “Everybody Hates Chris” episodes -- even the rides to basketball practice.    But the real treat is a night when nobody has to GO anywhere.  Nothing is more luxurious than staying home and making soup.  

I wonder if these feelings will go away when my kids are out of the house.  When they’re not here to do it all with – or for.  When I'm home, and they’re both out  participating in the world, I’m already feeling those empty nest pangs of sadness.   There will be time later for fancy cocktail parties, award ceremonies, Broadway plays and yoga classes.    My gardening, photography and HTML skills will never be optimal. I can work on all that later – when I won’t feel as bad about not making it to the PTA meetings, either. 

Happy Birthday, Miss E.  and many happy travels, wherever you roam!

photo by Leah Brand

Goodbye Swingset - The End of an Era

My kids were so excited about getting a swingset, and it was well-used.  For many years it was a place to hang upside down, dig and hide, plan battles and rocket launches, and host tea parties and club meetings.  It was transformed into pirate ships, buses, planes and palaces.

I posted it on freecycle and a young family came and took it apart and away this past weekend.

The swingset had been abandoned in favor of scooters, skateboards, water guns, basketball hoops, pogo sticks and trampolines. Just different and scarier ways of hurtling themselves through space.

So what would you do with a nice, new, level empty spot in the yard?   Naturally, I’m eyeing it for a chicken coop and/or maybe some additional vegetable beds. I’m afraid my family has other ideas. 

Ten Things I Learned from Gretchen Rubin

Have you seen Gretchen Rubin’s blog “The Happiness Project” ?  I've follwed it for a little over a year now and was excited to learn that she was writing a book.  Now I had an actual professional reason for arranging to meet her in person!  What a relief (but not a surprise) to find out that not only is she extremely nice and down-to-earth, but open to doing an event with us! I read her book while on vacation and now see that the book holds the #2 spot on the New York Times bestseller list.


The book is part memoir, part self-help manual, and I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t find something useful in it. She says it many times: “Everyone’s Happiness Project is different” – so she's very clear that what works for her may not work for you. Some things, however -- like sleep -- are pretty universal. How can you be happy if you don’t get enough? Tired people are not happy.

Below are a few other tips that I’ve gleaned from her toolbox – most of them already tried and endorsed.


1. Show up for friends and relatives. How many times have you complained about going somewhere, but went anyway, and felt really glad you did afterwards? This happened to me last summer with a family reunion in Ohio. Most of these relatives I hadn’t seen since I was little. We had to travel miles and miles to get there (and there was more than a little grumbling), but it was great for my kids to meet some of their long lost relatives. I saw it as a way to honor my grandmother's memory by reuniting with her brothers and sisters. What surprisingly fun event have you been to recently?

2. Forget about results.  When I read blogs from other gardeners who are weighing and documenting the pounds and pounds of produce they’ve cultivated, it’s hard not to feel like I’m doing something wrong. When I remind myself that it’s the learning, the process, the trial and error, and even the failure that makes the experience enjoyable, I don’t feel as bad. And "Garden Amnesia,” as they say, “ensures eternal hope.” What results are you too preoccupied with?

3. Enthusiasm is a form of social courage.  I love Gretchen’s story about her friend who “came out” with her love for Barry Manilow.   I love bluegrass, clogging, and country step dancing. What “uncool” thing do you finally have the courage to admit that you like? You may find a kindred spirit.

4. Help people think big.  One of my friends is single and thinking about adopting a baby. This person would make such an amazing parent – and I tell her all the time. Even though she has major reservations and obstacles to tackle, it feels wonderful to encourage her. Are you helping anyone who is thinking big right now?

5. Wanting to be happy isn’t selfish. Research shows that happy people are more altruistic, productive, helpful, likable, creative, resiliant, interested in others, friendlier and healthier. Working on your own happiness has great potential to improve the lives of those around you.

6. Strong social bonds indicate happiness- for close long-term relationships, you need to be able to confide in others. You need to feel like you belong. Community theatre is awesome for creating these kinds of bonds. Is there a group that you’re happy to be a part of? People you can confide in?

7. Don’t take yourself too seriously. When I was a kid I had a poster with this motto on my bathroom door. As a teenager, I really think it helped me put things in perspective and worry less by reading it once a day.

8. Sing in the morning. Have you ever heard the sayings “When mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” or “You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child” ? We forget that our moods are contagious and mornings set the tone for everyone’s day. I can always guage my son’s mood by his hum. (Though I can't be counted on to utter much of anything before coffee.)

9. Create an atmosphere of growth – start a blog. I am living proof that one doesn’t need any kind of special technology skills to start a blog. It’s been an amazing way to meet people with similar interests, get feedback (and yes, some criticism) on my projects and share updates with the Relatives in Far Flung States.  And as Gretchen reminds us, if you do something wrong on the blog, it's not a disaster.  If you haven’t started a blog yet, what’s holding you back??!

and finally this --maybe my favorite.....

10. Cut people some slack.  People's lives are more complicated than they seem, and situations that we're not aware of often influence actions that we might judge more harsely than we should.  (If you doubt this, you should read the short story "A Small Good Thing" by Raymond Carver - it completely changed how I look at human relationships.)  A forgiving heart is a happier one.

Do you have any happiness tips to share?

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the bestselling Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill and Forty Ways to Look at JFK. Rubin began her career in law, and she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor when she realized that she really wanted to be a writer. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two young daughters.

Gretchen is speaking at the 92nd St. Y on February 9.

Grading the Garden 09

Gawrsh its been a long time since I’ve done a gardening post. I kinda put the growing things aside during the holidays, but now that the seed catalogs are arriving, it’s time to start thinking about putting in an order. But before I do that, I’m looking at what I planted this past year in my zone 6 vegetable garden and trying to decide what’s worth repeating. Here’s a partial list, with grades, of what I grew this year. (BTW, if you are new to my blog, you may not know that this past year’s “Purple Paisley” garden was inspired by Prince, who “introduced” my husband and I.)

Vegetables

Lettuce: Red Rosie(romaine) A+

Lettuce: Mascara- A+

Lettuce: Johnny’s Encore Mix - A

Beets: Chiogga - D – have not pulled up anything yet worth eating, but haven’t given up on them.

Snap peas: Sugar Ann - C – did not yield nearly as well as the climbers. Plus, Miss B. got to them.

Carrots: Purple Rain – B- beautiful and fun to grow, although stubby.

Carrots: Danvers - C – stubby, probably due to shallow bed

Arugula: Roquette - D – wrong variety, planted to late

Spinach and Kale: F- Both mysteriously disappeared (sob!) from this bed, which is known to have slugs. I may try these on the deck as well.

With the exception of the bush peas, I will be growing all of these crops again, plus swiss chard and kale. I need a new variety of arugula to try. I’ll be growing the climbing peas on a trellis on my deck like in previous years.

Tomato: Celebrity - A

Tomato: Purple cherokee - A

Tomato: Vintage Wine – A-

Tomato : large husky red - B

Tomato: Sweet 100- A

Tomato-: Italian Tree – B

Tomato : Ponderosa – B

Tomato-: Jet Star - B

Red Pepper: Carmen - C

Green Pepper: Giant Jalapeno – B

Purple peppers: Lilac – B

Broccoli: F- eaten by slugs, didn’t produce flowers.

Edamame: Green Envy (this was fun to try, but you really need a large space to get a good yield. I'll probably plant the leftover seeds I have in the school courtyard.)

I’m going to limit myself to heirloom varieties of tomatos this year, and maybe a few hybrids that I already have seeds for. I’m moving the broccoli onto my deck to keep the slugs out of it and also because I’ve decided I really like the way it looks (I tried some on my deck in an earthbox during the late part of the season and it did very well and only just wilted due to frost). 

Cucumber: Organic – A

Cucumber: Seedless - B

Zucchini Squash: Cashflow – A

Canteloupe – Minnesota Midget - C- planted too late but managed to produce a few

Garlic TBD – planted in October

Potatoes – TBD –Remember my potato experiment? Nothing yet.

Snake Gourds A – fun. Definitiely want to experiment with more gourds.

I’ll be growing all of these again except for canteloupe, which isn’t space efficient enough for me. The snake gourds were planted on the deck – I may try the gourds on my arbor this year instead.   I'm also going to try some yellow and winter squashes.



Herbs:

Basil: Purple – B – not as pest resistant as the other varieties.

Basil: Italian - A

Lemon Verbena: A

Catmint: B

Lavendar – C

Dill – D for died

Vietnamese Cilantro – A

Flat Giant Parseley – A

Sage (reg and purple) –A

Lemon Thyme - A

Chives – TBD

Marjoram – TBD

I’ve decided to take out both the lemon verbena and the anise hyssop and put them somewhere else because I haven’t used them at all for cooking. In this bed I really want to focus on things I use and cook with frequently. I guess I just don’t like sage all that much. I thought I’d be using it more for the holidays, but it’s still uncut. I guess I don’t even like basil that much –it’s always so strong and overpowering. I used mostly mint, parseley, oregano, cilantro and the lemon thyme this year. Would like to grow more mint.


Flowers:

Milkweed: Tropical – A – slow to get started but spectacular and long-blooming when they came around.

Allium: Purple Sensation –A - wonderful deer-resistant bulbs to plant here.

Morning Glories: Tall Mix – A, but I’m sick of them.

Scarlet Runner and Purple Hyacinth Beans – B – grown for the last two years. Fun to grow, but may give them a rest.

Sunflowers: B – I always plant a mix packet and usually end up with about 10 flowers (I suspect hungry birds). I’m happy with them but would like to increase the yield, so will try starting more in the greenhouse.

Zinnia: Candy Stripe – C – planted late, but loved ‘em when they finally got here,though small.

Sorry I wasn't real specific with some of the seed varieties and sources.   If you're interested in a particular variety, or source, let me know and I'll give you any info I can.  Or, if you have any suggestions for me for next year, I would love to hear them.  This is only my second year growing most things, so I'm eager to hear from others - in and out of zone 6 - who have had more and different experiences. What did well for you this year? Any "can't miss" cultivars I've neglected or warnings about what to stay away from?

Previous Posts
Grading Tomatoes 2008

Sandwiches and Santascones for Grandmama

Remember – with a little love, everyday things are fit for kings.

Show Grandmama you’ve been thinking of her. Surprise her. Make something special. Scones can be made ahead of time. Suppose Grandmama comes early and surprises you. Serve bread and butter sandwiches, tea or coffee.

Lovely Bread and Butter Sandwiches
Cut thin slices of bread. Use only the very best butter. Like the White Rabbit. But don’t put it in your watch like he did. Put it on the bread. Whip it first. So it will spread nicely.

Put two buttered slices together. Trim off the crusts. Cut from corner to corner. Place on square of foil. Wrap carefully. Make one for each person. Place on baking sheet in moderate over. About 10 minutes. Serve “gift wrapped” in foil.



Santascones
Sift together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 5 teaspoons sugar, 3 teaspoons baking powder. With your fingertips (wash your hands!) rub 4 tablespoons butter into this. Beat 2 eggs, add ½ cup cream and pour into the flour mixture. Stir. On a lightly floured board, (did you wash your hands?) pat it out about ½ inch thick. Cut in fancy shapes. Brush tops with egg white.

Bake on cookie sheet in moderate oven 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with jam and marmalade.

Very good with spiced tea and gossip. Grandmama and Mother. Not you.

This recipe is an excerpt from my favorite holiday cookbook, A Child’s Christmas Cookbook, by Betty Chancellor, designed by Kay Obering and illustrated by Thomas Nast. It was published by the Denver Art Museum in 1964 in conjunction with an exhibit there. The recipes are all written in that spare, dry humorous way – and the pictures are totally charming. I can’t say the recipes are very contemporary, but it does give you a sense of how the Victorians might have celebrated.

I miss my grandmothers this time of year - it's something about the baking.

Lucy used to make these:

and Rose made pizzelles.

If you're baking anything fun right now - or if your grandma did -- I'd love to know about it!