kimono's in MN

Part two - We traveled to an unobtrusive dairy with spectacular ice cream and delectables from all around the world. I was tempted by the tapenades and the marmalades, but stuck with the cheese curds and ice cream. I am from Wisconsin. Then, oddly, we visited a shop dedicated to the care and selling of Japanese wedding kimonos. They were gorgeous. This veteran gentleman specializes as one of the few traders in the world of these treasures. It sadly sounds to be a dying artform and he loves to share the kimonos' beauty. Some of the kimono's were over 250 years old and he showed us the french knot embroidery used all over one and the silk hand painting of another. They were unbelievable. Sarah modeled for us. My mother-in-law is Japanese, though you'd be hard pressed to know it looking at my kids.

Part one - Turkey and Swans

We traveled to Minnesota for Thanksgiving with my brother and his family and had a great visit. After stuffing ourselves one day we were happy to take off on an expedition the next. We looped around a section of the Upper Mississippi River crossing the river between WI and MN several times. River towns are steeped in history and natural delights. Our first stop was to see the tundra or whistling swans resting on their migration journey. They winter in Virginia and North Carolina. Birders have huge telescopes trained on the swans and they were happy to share the view, even teaching me how to snap my lowly digital camera over the scope for a close up view. It was incredible. They were so beautiful preening their feathers and feeding in the shallow waters. Part two tomorrow.

serendipity

In a blink, I have had two interviews in two days, for job possibilities I didn't anticipate. They are as diverse as possible and reveal my shifting desires. The first is for a "guest" teaching position at a charter or alternative school in our city. It is designed to meet the needs of budding artists of all sorts. Renaissance School for the Arts offers classes in specialty areas like ceramics, modern dance, poetry, theatre, mock combat training. They even offered a course of study on the "Beatles" this term. As I have never taught, but have recently gone back to school to be re-licensed, I have been looking for a chance to start small and test this "dropped" piece of me. I am so excited about this I could burst.

The other opportunity, (we'll see if they offer me a job) is back in the political/government world of my experience. The pay would no doubt be hugely different - but my heart at this time lies with the teaching. Cross your fingers for me please.

excess

We had a lovely time visiting my chilly girl away at College in St. Paul, MN. Two and a half months is a long time to go between "mom" feeding. The middle of me misses my "away" girls. Ahh. It was very nice to wallow in her life for a bit.

Well, the visit included a trek to the famous (infamous) Mall of America. It is a disgusting tribute to all the foibles and excess of Americans. It is a troubling thing. The size alone is overwhelming. Four floors, four wings and the first floor shivered underfoot as you dodged glassy eyed shoppers. Sarah, at nine, was quite stunned by the roller coasters sweeping the lights and the flashing, glowing holiday decorations. Consumerism, in all its ugly - exposed and raw. I did want to see it for myself and I'm happy I did, if alone for the satisfaction in knowing I need never visit it again.

In contrast, my travelling girl visited Cordoba, Spain to view the ancient architecture and sites of the city. Her glowing regard for the history and mood of the place seeps through her words. We (my mother, chilly girl and I) are planning a visit to Spain in March. It will be my first travel overseas. I'm a bit nervous but can't wait to get another mom fix and soak up the beauty of Spain.

lace...

Our first snow...

Presents

I have had the most wonderful week remembering very nice people I have met along the way. I was surprised with a gift from a Doctor in Baku, Azerbaijan. Her name is Arzu. I met her through my old job when she was participating in a program for medical specialists from former Soviet countries. Arzu has created a new program of intervention and services for disabled children. She has served over 100 children now. I was thrilled to be remembered with a gift from her 2 years later. She sent me this beautiful green pashmina which Puck is sleeping on. I so enjoyed her company when she was here, it is very nice to remember her and to be remembered.
When I was in college I danced in a modern dance group. Today I had the pleasure of seeing a fellow dancer some few odd years later who has written a delightful book, "Knitting Nell". It is a gorgeous book! Julie is as sweet and kind as she was all those years ago and her drawings and gentle story are wonderful. It was a treat to see her again and to have her autograph our own family copy.