Dancing Around the World: 2012

Dancing




Where the Hell is Matt???

What are these humans doing? Dancing. Many humans on Earth exhibit periods of happiness, and one method of displaying happiness is dancing. Happiness and dancing transcend political boundaries and occur in practically every human society. Above, Matt Harding traveled through many nations on Earth, planned on dancing, and filmed the result. The above video, the latest in a series of similar videos, is perhaps a dramatic example that humans from all over planet Earth feel a common as part of a single species. Happiness is frequently contagious -- few people are able to watch the above video without smiling. Interestingly, Astronomy Picture of the Day by NASA posted this on July 10th.

Black Like Me

Photograph taken at the LBJ Library in Austin, TX

This summer I have been reading incredibly interesting books. Black Like Me is by John Howard Griffin from Mansfield, Texas and was written in 1959 before civil rights, freedom riders, Rosa Parks, integration, voting for Negroes, and basic human rights. This is the story of the author's decision to "become black" and go into the deep South to experience first-hand the atrocities Negroes experienced at the hands of whites.

Even though this was written half a century ago, it is an excellent read.  It took a great effort and courage for a white man to decide to "become black". Griffin began this journey on November 1, 1959. Under the supervision of a dermatologist in New Orleans, Griffin took the drug Oxsoralen and exposed his body to ultraviolet light to make his skin darker. Because he did not have curly hair he shaved his head and used a stain to further darken his head, face and hands. In seven days Griffin was ready to go out in public as a black man.

For a week Griffin stayed in New Orleans and immersed himself in the black culture. He stayed in hotels for blacks, ate at black cafes, and interacted with black men. Negroes were treated more civilly in New Orleans than in other parts of the South. Blacks were not assigned to ride in the back of a bus or trolley in New Orleans which was quite the exception elsewhere in the South.

After a week Griffin decided to take a bus to Hattiesburg, Mississippi; this would begin the real education of how a black man is treated in other southern states. Because of a lynching that had taken place in the nearby town of Poplarville and the fact that a trial by jury failed to convict the white men responsible, Griffin felt incredibly vulnerable when he arrived after dark at his destination.

The conditions in which Griffin found himself were so startling that he began to fear for his life. He decided to call an acquaintance, a newspaper editor by the name of P. D. East who was sympathetic to the plight of the Negro and wrote many articles condemning the deplorable situation in the South. East came into the ghetto and picked up Griffin in the middle of the night.

From the beginning of November until mid-December Griffin went to Biloxi, MS, to Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama and finally completed his journey in Atlanta, Georgia.

After returning to Mansfield, TX Griffin completed his book which was published in February 1960 at which time "the storm would break". Once published Griffin was asked to be on television and radio shows to discuss the problems that he encountered. This radical undertaking was not welcomed in the town where he lived. His parents, his wife and children were harassed and at one point Griffin was hung in effigy from the traffic light in the middle of Mansfield.

Over time the tension became too much for his parents and for the welfare of his own family. His parents sold their home and moved to Mexico and soon thereafter Griffin and his family followed.

It took enormous strength and determination for Griffin to do such an unprecedented thing as to make himself black and insert himself into the Negro culture of the South at such a volatile time in our history. He continued advising both Negroes and whites for a number of years to attempt to bridge the divide between the two races.

This book brought back memories from my childhood and teen years in a small town in central Georgia. Black Like Me clearly and truthfully states the attitudes of people during those years. Whites were intent on remaining in control of their lives and meant to keep black people subservient; to keep them as 10th class citizens with very few rights. It is a lesson that needs to be remembered. Just in case you have forgotten how things were during the 1950s and 60s reading this book will bring it back loud and clear.

Visiting Farms in the Texas HIll Country

After going to the 8th Annual Lavender Festival in Blanco, TX on Friday, my friends and I drove to the Wimberley Lavender Farm to enjoy the hill country setting. The day was lovely, a bit cloudy but with a cool northerly breeze and temperatures hovering in the low 80s. It was perfect for being outdoors.

Wimberley Lavender Farm had oak trees under which we could relax and enjoy the view. They had a beautiful plum tree just loaded with plums but somehow I forgot to take a photo of it... shame on me.

Very few of the lavender plants are blooming. A sign was posted explaining that because of the 5 year drought the plants are still in stress even though we have had rain this spring. Perhaps next year they will all be blooming again.

Aronksy Farm grows many plants, but it is most well known for its flowers. This barn is where each Saturday a farmer's market is held for folks around the area to sell their wares.

The interior of the barn is beautiful with curved rafters in perfect symmetry. The lower windows look out onto the hill country and some of the flowers grown there.

Fresh cut flowers are left in the barn even when it is not officially open for business. Patrons can buy bunches of flower on the honor system. One may leave cash of check in the money box, but please don't leave coupons!

Hill country view as we drive away from the barn.

A Day in Gruene, TX

Pretty spot on the porch of this shoppe.

The day was beautiful and all the gardens in Gruene

looked wonderful.

The town is quite the tourist attraction

with the quaint shoppes, great places to eat,

the Guadalupe River running through it, 

and Gruene Hall for music & dance.

Large wind chimes in the oak tree made a deep rumble.

Oak tree with its branches reaching for the sky.

All along the sidewalks one could find

plants in interesting combinations.

Spectacular Prickly Pear Cactus.

The men are playing a little game of Chinese Checkers on the porch.

I am on the lookout for interesting windows

and want to shoot from the inside out.

There were pillows galore on this sofa

and interesting items for sale.

Into roosters? Country items here.

Gruene General Store

They sell great fudge here

and refreshing cones of Blue Bell ice cream.

It wouldn't be the Texas Hill Country

without having a wine tasting shoppe.

This one is very inviting with its

plantings and arbors

surrounding it.

The famous Gruene water tower.

My ex-husband, the lawyer, saved this landmark

around 1980.

The town was getting ready to tear it down

but the owner of the Grist Mill Restaurant

called for help in stopping the demolition.

An injunction was filed to stop "progress"

and the water tower was saved.

A great old bar & dance hall.

The band was tuning up for

a rollicking good time at this evenings show.

No town worth its salt can exist without

a Pottery shoppe.

Through the doorway the potter is at work

A cactus patch at the pottery store.

This woman is enjoying the peace & quiet 

under the shade tree.

Gruene Mansion Bed & Breakfast

Back at our cabin high above the Guadalupe River

we enjoyed the end of the day.

In another week this river will be filled

with people tubing and rafting.

Cypress tree along the Guadalupe River

The ridge above the river

 

The sun is sinking as we sit down for dinner

at the Grist Mill Restaurant.

It is getting too late to do justice to the

old walls of the Grist Mill,

but perhaps you can get an idea

of its ambiance from the photo below.

The water tower stands above the mill.

The restaurant has several outdoor levels

looking out over the Guadalupe River,

but even if one can't have the river in view

there is still the spectacular sunset.

"Note to Self"

 Note to Self

Lizzy dear, 

As you grow remember to look around you, observe, note how people are treated. Learn from both good & bad examples of a human's treatment of other humans. Listen to what is said. Do not blindly agree with the voices and actions of others; make up your own mind and act wisely and accordingly. 

Be not afraid. Determine the right path and follow it. Be intolerant, learn to compromise, generally speaking, there is no one right way. As long as there are humans who think about life there will be differences; remain true to your ideals even when you compromise with another. Life is not just black and white; there are many shades of gray within it.

Be wise in affairs of the heart. Talk, be honest, be compatible, have the same values. Make a commitment and try to weather storms together. When mistakes are made, learn from those mistakes. Forgive yourself, do not dwell on your errors, but go forward and live more successfully.

Be true to yourself. Honor yourself. Live a healthy, well-balance life.Live! You only get one chance at life; live it to the fullest.


My best to you...


Below is Maya Angelou's "Note to Self". Enjoy it.

Spring in the Hill Country~2012

 Very near the intersection of Hwys. 290 & 281

the G-man & I saw this lovely pasture

as we came over the hill.

It is full of lavender moss verbena

and is quite stunning!

 While the G-man played in his golf tournament at

Riverhills Country Club in Kerrville, TX

Gertie & I had lunch along this beautiful stream

in Camp Verde located about half way between

Kerrville & Bandera.

Cactus and Prairie Verbena

 As we drove toward Fredericksburg from Kerrville

around 6:30 PM we came upon these beautiful spring treats.

 Oaks and bluebonnets with the 

sweetest aroma wafting through the air.

 Nice curving road going onto the ranch.

Wouldn't that be something to enjoy in springtime?

Prairie Verbena