South Africa, the Berkshires and Essex, CT

2008-07-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

This summer was off to an amazing start. The Berkshires, Essex, New Haven and soon North Carolina. (dancing with my dad on July 4th) .My mom and dad and I spent a very nice July 4th together at Essex Meadows..Though blind, dad has not lost his gift for dancing. on the sidewalk no less..The Essex Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary with engines and all!

South Africa seemed to be the theme as four friends and I travelled some 20 hours to spend time in Capetown the Eastern Cape and Kruger Park. In Capetown, we celebrated Wilma Jacobsen’s 15th year in the priesthood and her 20th year as a deacon. At the home of Chris and Jacqui, we had a wonderful party with old and new friends, Sandy and Rolf, Lavinia and Terry, and John and Liz.

Then at Yale, Books…seven of them to read: Plato, deTocqueville, Madison, Hamilton and more. Democracy--the theme for this year’s course at Yale New Haven Teacher’s Institute proved challenging and worthy. My classmates were informed, alert and very good teachers. When I asked them how I could enliven my classroom with humor. They said, “Try cartoons and Satire!” What a novel idea!! Life is too tough not to have a good belly laugh. Here we are with my professor, Ian Shapiro, Professor and Director at Yale’s Macmillan International Center. Yes, that is me lower left… Back in Santa Fe, I will integrate a curriculum unit on "Democracy:distributive wealth" How taxes are spent in New Mexico to promote our nascent film industry. Who decides who benefits? A comparative view of wealth distribution using examples from New Mexico and the Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico. The focus will be to help students see how the Governor and Legislature make decisions to attract investment in the economy—and who actually benefits. Other seminar topics for teachers are: Bridges, the Environment, Voice in Literature, Diabetes.

Last summer on the beach I read Eat, Pray Love. My favorite section India..and the title "groceries" comeon you know that title fits alot of us. full of bags of unspent shopping. Looking for love in all the wrong places..Too much stuff, not enough internal peace. etc. etc. This year I am inspired to read Martha Quest by Doris Lessing…So far I identify totally with this adolescent behavior. My South African professor recommended it—and he should know!! After publishing about 6 books a year, he his now writing a memoire on his South African childhood.
This summer in the Berkshires, my friend Jane Feldman and I enjoyed the most fabulous sunsets. A real treat was a massage by Adriana, who works at the local Sikh retreat house. I have never had such a wonderful, relaxing massage. Afternoon naked plunges in the pond are only topped by wonderful meals- great sunsets and the environment of peace and tranquility. Guess who was watching!

A Summer of 'Eat Pray Love'

South Africa, the Berkshires and Essex, CT