Saturday, November 01, 2008
What's up?
Not a whole lot. We've been keeping busy lately with work, church and hanging out with friends. In the past few months we've attended a couple beautiful weddings (one of them being my dear sister Margaret's), visited Hillsdale a few dozen times, gotten into the swing of a new church "program" year, gotten sick, gotten promoted and gone to the saddest funeral I've been to since November 2001. Oh, and we've had birthdays! So it's been busy. I've started to find my niche with cooking. I'm currently on a "learning how to cook things I've never cooked before" streak and I must say it's going very well. We've had lasagna, pizza meatloaf, rice krispies, white chili and I'm going to bake a pound cake tonight. Other than that life is nice and simple which provides for a boring blog. Oh well. I'm still here. Until next time....December maybe?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Why Women Should Vote
An SAI friend sent this to me and I decided to share it with y'all. I'm interested in seeing the movie now...I'll probably Netflix it. :-)
This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers, as they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.
The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketting the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden' s blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'
They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.
Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.
For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.
So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly?
This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers, as they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.
The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketting the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden' s blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'
They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.
Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.
For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.
So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly?
We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?
Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.
All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of vot ing had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.
My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was-with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use-or don't use--my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'
HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a litt le shock therapy is in order.
It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'
Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
History is being made.
Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.
All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of vot ing had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.
My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was-with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use-or don't use--my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'
HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a litt le shock therapy is in order.
It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'
Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
History is being made.
Monday, June 09, 2008
JUNE
Things that have happened (or will happen) in the month of June:
June 1st: I sang my second Kirkin' of the Tartan service at CCC. One of the most spectacular services I've ever seen. Reminds me of Grandpa's family tree and Vivian. One day she'll be there for this service. Also played in my first ever handbell concert. I've learned a LOT from Dr. Daniel this year and really am looking forward to next year.
June 2nd: Heard about Dean's first day at his new part time job: Youth Minister at Christ Church Cranbrook. a) Never thought I'd be a youth minister's wife, b) Can't believe we've been so blessed to have found ways in which we can both serve God and others.
June 3rd: Turned in my two weeks notice at Bath and Body Works. Due to Dean's new job and other opportunities I get to spend more time singing and studying singing. I may even audition for the opera chorus for the 2008-2009 season.
June 7th: Watched co-worker (and friend), Jenny, get married. It's so much fun to see the people you spend all your time with outside of work. :-)
June 9th: Spent my evening cleaning and fixing dinner! (despite the fact that Dean is working and not here to enjoy it with me) This is one of the big things I'm looking forward to. I'm finally at that point where I want to cook things, in MY kitchen. So we'll see what comes of that.
June 13th: I leave for London. I was given an anonymous scholarship to be able to go on the Christ Church Cranbrook choir trip. It was supposedly said of me by this anonymous person to my choir director that I can't not go. I'm still baffled that someone would think that well of me and honored for them to have sent me on this trip. I've learned so much already from other people going on the trip and can't wait to learn more while I'm there. :-)
More updates on London and the rest of June later...
June 1st: I sang my second Kirkin' of the Tartan service at CCC. One of the most spectacular services I've ever seen. Reminds me of Grandpa's family tree and Vivian. One day she'll be there for this service. Also played in my first ever handbell concert. I've learned a LOT from Dr. Daniel this year and really am looking forward to next year.
June 2nd: Heard about Dean's first day at his new part time job: Youth Minister at Christ Church Cranbrook. a) Never thought I'd be a youth minister's wife, b) Can't believe we've been so blessed to have found ways in which we can both serve God and others.
June 3rd: Turned in my two weeks notice at Bath and Body Works. Due to Dean's new job and other opportunities I get to spend more time singing and studying singing. I may even audition for the opera chorus for the 2008-2009 season.
June 7th: Watched co-worker (and friend), Jenny, get married. It's so much fun to see the people you spend all your time with outside of work. :-)
June 9th: Spent my evening cleaning and fixing dinner! (despite the fact that Dean is working and not here to enjoy it with me) This is one of the big things I'm looking forward to. I'm finally at that point where I want to cook things, in MY kitchen. So we'll see what comes of that.
June 13th: I leave for London. I was given an anonymous scholarship to be able to go on the Christ Church Cranbrook choir trip. It was supposedly said of me by this anonymous person to my choir director that I can't not go. I'm still baffled that someone would think that well of me and honored for them to have sent me on this trip. I've learned so much already from other people going on the trip and can't wait to learn more while I'm there. :-)
More updates on London and the rest of June later...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tonight while Dean has been at work I left my piles of laundry to fold and my checkbook balancing turned on the tv to the Big Band and Swing music channel and did something I've been dreading doing.
I sorted through Grandpa's old sheet music and stored it away.
I'm sure some people think this is silly but that music has been in the same place in the top of his keyboard since he passed away almost 7 years ago and I've let it like that especially in the last year that I've had possession of the piano. Now his music is safely stored away for me to still pull out and play but it's not going to be the constant reminder that it was everytime I even opened the piano let alone sat down and played.
Does everyone remember who Grandpa's favorite band was? I do. :-)
I sorted through Grandpa's old sheet music and stored it away.
I'm sure some people think this is silly but that music has been in the same place in the top of his keyboard since he passed away almost 7 years ago and I've let it like that especially in the last year that I've had possession of the piano. Now his music is safely stored away for me to still pull out and play but it's not going to be the constant reminder that it was everytime I even opened the piano let alone sat down and played.
Does everyone remember who Grandpa's favorite band was? I do. :-)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
What did I sing this weekend?
I'm taking my mother's blogging question one step further. :-) Here's what I sang this weekend:
04/12/08 10:30AM A Service of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
"Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven"
"We Know the Christ is Raised and Dies no More"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
Child of the Light, arr. Dent Davidson
I Received the Living God by Richard Proulx
"O Praise Ye the Lord"
This is one of the longest services I've ever sung for but so wonderful to see. Our church was host to several churches and a service which baptized 3 people and confirmed 89. And the bishop of the Diocese of Michigan was there. All in all it was pretty cool (actually it was really hot, but that's beside the point)
04/12/08 5:00PM The Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday
04/13/08 8:00AM
04/13/08 10:00AM
"All People that on Earth do Dwell"
A Song to the Lamb by Donald Pearson
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
"I Can Hear My Savior Calling"
"Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!"
(These three services had a mix match of the above songs/hymns as I was the cantor for the 5pm and 8am services and the whole choir was at the 10am)
04/13/08 4:00PM Music at Christ Church Cranbrook presents Classical Bells Hanbell Ensemble
with D. Giles Simmer, soprano and John Repulski, organist
I sang "The Gift of Love" by Hal Hopson with one of the largest (and best) professional handbell choirs in the Midwest. It was pretty cool and also some sort of evidence to the fact that I just can't say no to Joseph...
So that's what I sang this weekend! I put the hymns in parenthesis because I didn't want to italicize and I'm awful for not doing something to the other pieces but I had to show some distinction. And, since I sing for an Episcopal church, all the hymns are from the most recent hymnal (1982 I think).
Now all I have to say is "Thanks be to God!" that my weekend is over but I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow...
04/12/08 10:30AM A Service of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
"Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven"
"We Know the Christ is Raised and Dies no More"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
Child of the Light, arr. Dent Davidson
I Received the Living God by Richard Proulx
"O Praise Ye the Lord"
This is one of the longest services I've ever sung for but so wonderful to see. Our church was host to several churches and a service which baptized 3 people and confirmed 89. And the bishop of the Diocese of Michigan was there. All in all it was pretty cool (actually it was really hot, but that's beside the point)
04/12/08 5:00PM The Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday
04/13/08 8:00AM
04/13/08 10:00AM
"All People that on Earth do Dwell"
A Song to the Lamb by Donald Pearson
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
Jubilate Deo by Paul Halley
"I Can Hear My Savior Calling"
"Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!"
(These three services had a mix match of the above songs/hymns as I was the cantor for the 5pm and 8am services and the whole choir was at the 10am)
04/13/08 4:00PM Music at Christ Church Cranbrook presents Classical Bells Hanbell Ensemble
with D. Giles Simmer, soprano and John Repulski, organist
I sang "The Gift of Love" by Hal Hopson with one of the largest (and best) professional handbell choirs in the Midwest. It was pretty cool and also some sort of evidence to the fact that I just can't say no to Joseph...
So that's what I sang this weekend! I put the hymns in parenthesis because I didn't want to italicize and I'm awful for not doing something to the other pieces but I had to show some distinction. And, since I sing for an Episcopal church, all the hymns are from the most recent hymnal (1982 I think).
Now all I have to say is "Thanks be to God!" that my weekend is over but I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow...
Monday, April 07, 2008
Ode to My Toolbox
So I'm definitely NOT a poet but I figure I can do a little "list" poem of all the wonderful things about our toolbox that Daddy gave us for Christmas 2006.
Bright color. Black and Yellow.
Full of surprises.
Has every tool I could think of needing and more.
Plus it has a glue gun! So handy for crafts.
And it has lots of extra room to store items we pick up as our collection grows.
Thanks for the gift Daddy! It's one of the most used! :-)
Bright color. Black and Yellow.
Full of surprises.
Has every tool I could think of needing and more.
Plus it has a glue gun! So handy for crafts.
And it has lots of extra room to store items we pick up as our collection grows.
Thanks for the gift Daddy! It's one of the most used! :-)
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The Things I Want
So, I have this dilemma (as I'm sure many people do). Whenever my birthday or Christmas rolls around and people ask me what I want I never know! And then, of course, after the fact I think of all of these things that I want. So, in the ridiculous amount of time that I spend clicking around on Facebook I came across this website on Sarah's list of websites and it's so cool! So for any future reference see here:
http://www.thethingsiwant.com/gazelle0206/
http://www.thethingsiwant.com/gazelle0206/
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Weddings
So I'm definitely NOT the only Jordan granddaughter married anymore and am about to be joined by another married girl! As I've been hearing little blurbs about the planning of Margaret's wedding I've been thinking back on my own on the little things I would have done or would have done better...
1. A picture with the Jago side of the family! I cannot believe that I forgot to get one of these. It's not hard to fit us all in a picture and I should have.
2. Directions for the guests and out of town baskets. I would have spent more time on them. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and creative sister who offered to do both and I was off in another world and didn't help.
3. Scrapbook! I had this wonderful idea for people to be able to write us little notes that I could scrapbook and I didn't lay it out right so that was able to happen. I still got signatures and have thought of a way to use those but again more thought would have been good.
Those are my three big "regrets" although they aren't even regrets. They're just sort of ohs... Anyway, I'm going to get some sleep. I've completed 2 of 9 rehearsals/services this week so I need to sleep when I can. :-)
1. A picture with the Jago side of the family! I cannot believe that I forgot to get one of these. It's not hard to fit us all in a picture and I should have.
2. Directions for the guests and out of town baskets. I would have spent more time on them. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and creative sister who offered to do both and I was off in another world and didn't help.
3. Scrapbook! I had this wonderful idea for people to be able to write us little notes that I could scrapbook and I didn't lay it out right so that was able to happen. I still got signatures and have thought of a way to use those but again more thought would have been good.
Those are my three big "regrets" although they aren't even regrets. They're just sort of ohs... Anyway, I'm going to get some sleep. I've completed 2 of 9 rehearsals/services this week so I need to sleep when I can. :-)
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Late!
It seems that I have been seriously lacking in the blog posting department lately so I will give a brief update on the last several months:
October: my birthday! and a beautiful time of year in Michigan. Also I performed a concert, God's Trombones as part of the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir.
November: Thanksgiving was spent with our dear friends from church, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson as well as their daughter, Sara, and my sister, Vivian. Fun was had by all.
December: Lots of snow here in Michigan as well as my first Christmas season away from home. Sang in a Lessons and Carols service at CCC as well as quite a few Christmas Eve services. Christmas was also spent with Dr. and Mrs. Robinson and both of their daughters, Ruth and Sara.
January: We rang in the New Year with a surprise visit to Traverse City and spent a few wonderful snow filled days with Paul, Jodi, David and Hali (as well as the animals Chance, Dakota and Pouncer). Also received a brief break from singing (and handbelling) before preparation began for a Bach Cantata Concert, CCC Choir Cabaret and Lent/Easter. Dean also began working at Starbucks! :-)
February: Lent! And lots of hours at the doctor's office = very tired Giles. Also had wonderful visits from Margaret and Vivian (including picking out a bridesmaids dress and shoes!) and a visit from Momma and PeggyDee before her music audition at Hillsdale.
March: Bach Concert! Went well and only a few vocal hitches. I think we did okay considering how hard those pieces were! Easter is around the corner as well as spring *hopefully.* Road trip to PA next weekend (not this coming weekend) for a church seminar and a quick return for Palm Sunday. We're looking forward to our second Easter together at CCC and are very thankful for all the friends that we have gained in 2007 and how those relationships will continue to develop in 2008.
As for today, I have the day entirely off (minus handbells) and have so much I want to do I don't know where to start but I ended up finishing my book so now I'm off to try and be productive. :-)
October: my birthday! and a beautiful time of year in Michigan. Also I performed a concert, God's Trombones as part of the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir.
November: Thanksgiving was spent with our dear friends from church, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson as well as their daughter, Sara, and my sister, Vivian. Fun was had by all.
December: Lots of snow here in Michigan as well as my first Christmas season away from home. Sang in a Lessons and Carols service at CCC as well as quite a few Christmas Eve services. Christmas was also spent with Dr. and Mrs. Robinson and both of their daughters, Ruth and Sara.
January: We rang in the New Year with a surprise visit to Traverse City and spent a few wonderful snow filled days with Paul, Jodi, David and Hali (as well as the animals Chance, Dakota and Pouncer). Also received a brief break from singing (and handbelling) before preparation began for a Bach Cantata Concert, CCC Choir Cabaret and Lent/Easter. Dean also began working at Starbucks! :-)
February: Lent! And lots of hours at the doctor's office = very tired Giles. Also had wonderful visits from Margaret and Vivian (including picking out a bridesmaids dress and shoes!) and a visit from Momma and PeggyDee before her music audition at Hillsdale.
March: Bach Concert! Went well and only a few vocal hitches. I think we did okay considering how hard those pieces were! Easter is around the corner as well as spring *hopefully.* Road trip to PA next weekend (not this coming weekend) for a church seminar and a quick return for Palm Sunday. We're looking forward to our second Easter together at CCC and are very thankful for all the friends that we have gained in 2007 and how those relationships will continue to develop in 2008.
As for today, I have the day entirely off (minus handbells) and have so much I want to do I don't know where to start but I ended up finishing my book so now I'm off to try and be productive. :-)
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