Author Archives: beth

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About beth

Ann Arbor-ite writes about enjoying life with all of its ironies and surprises.
Dec15

unicorn license.

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These images released by the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control and posted via Instagram, shows a created a unicorn license tag, right, and a plush toy unicorn, after a young girl requested permission to have a unicorn in her backyard, if she could find one. Animal Care and Control Department officials said this week that they granted the unusual permit to Madeline, whose last name was redacted. (Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control via AP)

A girl named Madeline, with a vivid imagination and remarkable awareness of how bureaucracy can dash dreams, got her wish when she asked Los Angeles animal control authorities for a license to own a unicorn — if she’s able to find one.

The first-of-its-kind permit came with strings attached, however: The mythical creature must be provided ample exposure to sunlight, moonbeams and rainbows and have its horn polished at least once a month with a soft cloth.

Director Marcia Mayeda of the county Department of Animal Care and Control sent the girl a heart-shaped, rose-colored metal tag with “Permanent Unicorn License” emblazoned on it, along with a white fuzzy unicorn doll with pink ears, purple hooves and a silver horn.

The department’s response came after the girl wrote it a brief letter last month: “Dear LA County, I would like your approval if I can have a unicorn in my backyard if I can find one.”

Mayeda commended the girl for her “sense of responsible pet ownership to seek permission in advance” and for thoughtfully considering “the requirements of providing a loving home to animals.”

Its five conditions for unicorn ownership also require that any sparkles or glitter sprinkled on the animal be nontoxic and biodegradable, and that it be fed watermelon at least once a week.

—

“reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”

-C. S. Lewis

 

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credits: los angeles county animal care and control, AP

Dec14

a day.

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it was a 2 ice-pack kind of day

a bandaid, temperature check, coughing kind of day

but all in all a great day

we learned about the winter solstice

saw part of the big kids’ play

danced and sang in spanish

shared books

had an outdoor adventure

(add in a couple of scratches, a few sticky burrs,a clothing change, and lots of bravery)

but at the end of the day

we all had both mittens

and headed on home.

—

“there is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”

-alexander woollcott

Dec13

most just happen.

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this is pretty much me on any given day

for the next few weeks

as we head into the new year

all activities and adventures are on the table

some planned and most just happen.

 

—

“it’s the mishaps that make if fun, and brings you the surprise.”

-anna wintour

Dec12

left behind.

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what a wonderfully kind gesture

for someone to leave a gallon of milk and bread behind

to be discovered by someone else who may need it more.

—

“let us temper our criticism with kindness. none of us comes fully equipped.”

-carl sagan

Dec11

not small things.

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what a wonderful 90 minutes

spent (online) with one of my all-time favorite authors

*fredrik backman.

 public libraries in 37 states hosted this live chat with fredrik

as he continued on a worldwide book tour

for his latest work,  ‘the winners.’

 he spoke openly about his struggles with anxiety

being on the autism spectrum

 the pressures of a success which he never expected

 his wife as his partner and support in all things

her important roles

organizing his promotional side of being an author

helping him to stay grounded

 encouraging him taking as many breaks as needed.

i first became acquainted with his writing with the arrival of his book (and later, film),

‘a man called ove’

and there was no going back.

when he was asked about his writing process in today’s chat,

i found that we have a somewhat similar process.

his reply:

“my process is just chaos. all of these ideas are just in my head, like horses in a burning barn, trying to get out. my brain is always working, hearing a bit of conversation, crossing paths with a stranger, a place i happen into, anything is fair game, and i think, i would love to include those words or that person in my writing. i am always observing, listening, taking it all in, my brain never stops. i have to write an idea down on whatever i can find, an envelope, a scrap of paper, a receipt….then 3 weeks later i’ll make my family insane by asking, “where is that envelope i wrote my idea on a few weeks ago?” i have to scour our whole apartment looking for it and make everyone crazy. i suppose that is my process.”

amazing.

“words are not small things.”

-fredrik backman, beartown

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*Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and Anxious People, as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @BackmanSK.

 

 

Dec10

glowing.

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with my tiny home

loaded up

with bushels of nuts and piles of books

ready for the coming season

you’ll often find me sitting

in the quiet of the early morning

with a steaming cup of coffee

tapping away at my blog

telling the day’s story

reading others’ stories

smiling by the light of the screen.

—

“i blog because i’m not a good rapper.”

-gerry l’crow

Dec9

cooking by committee.

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we worked hard making

 butter

and

savory monkey bread

and

gingerbread cookies

it took a team

lots of

shaking ,stirring, rolling. cutting, chopping, spilling, melting, cooking, waiting, cleaning up

loads of fun

 little bits of magic

and

a few mishaps

thrown in for good measure

to make

a perfect day of cooking

tomorrow

we set our fancy table

and

sit down together

 to share our feast.

—

“no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.”

-julia child

Dec8

in synch.

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The scientific power of live music

We’re all familiar with the sense of wonder and joy we experience when we hear a song or piece of music we love, but there’s something even more magical about hearing that song performed live. Although many artists offered streamed performances online during the pandemic, these didn’t quite leave us with the same enchanted feelings as concerts. So what makes live music different? Columbia associate music professor, Mariusz Kozak explains why live music is so powerful.

Live music allows us to experience what philosopher Alfred Schütz called a “mutual tuning in” This term refers to the phenomenon where we experience the passage of time and emotions with others. This is part of the reason humans need social interaction to thrive. When we attend a concert, we’re experiencing the tone of the music—fast, slow, happy, sad—with others around us. This creates a sense of intimacy with the crowd around us. This is also why babies who are bounced in time to music with an adult display more altruism towards that person.

This pleasurable effect gained from synchronizing with those around us is what makes live music and dance so powerful. Although most people probably relate to this feeling when remembering their favorite concert, this feeling is not limited to conventional music. It can also be experienced through collective visual synchronization. In the deaf community, facial gestures and movements are to convey emotions in music performance. The collective interpretation of the emotions behind these facial gestures also promotes a sense of unity.

The Blackfeet in North America use the same word to refer to music, dance, and ceremony, indicating the essential role of gathering to fully appreciate the benefits of music. Close friends can even experience this synchronization when walking or talking together.

Experiencing music in the presence of others cultivates a feeling of unity and empathy within us which exceeds anything we could experience by ourselves. As we head back to in-person concerts and relish this feeling once again, know that the true power of the music you’re hearing might not come from the artist, but in fact your fellow concert goers.

—

“There is a high that comes from live shows,

a collective energy in a large group of people all gathered for one reason.

The beat slices through the melodies and then drops;

the crowd bounces and undulates like ripples of water.” 

  • -christina lauren, roomies

 

—

credits: the conversation, beth daly, Columbia University Mariusz Kozak

Dec7

hunters and gatherers.

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they quite naturally

are always busy

little hands

hunting and gathering

collecting, counting, carrying

organizing, sorting,

moving, lining up

until it feels and looks just right.

or until recess ends.

whichever comes first.

and then there is a mad rush

to fill pockets, and mittens, and hands

with as much as they can hold

treasure to be transported home

to go through the whole process again.

—

“we used to be hunter-gatherers, now we’re shopper-borrowers.”

-robin williams

 

Dec6

beginning…

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https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=787006252392996

Aurora Borealis Observatory

 Reindeer under the aurora

 

—

“i always believe that the sky is the beginning of the limit.”

-MC Hammer