if i were really, really, ridiculously wealthy,
i wouldn’t buy a mansion,
just tiny apartments in every city i love.
-mara wilson
—
ann arbor, michigan, usa – summer 2018
Sep6
Author Archives: beth
Sep5
waking up.
getting used to being back on a school schedule.
kinders arrive today!
Sep4
the crossing.
word has it the littles are headed to england.
hopefully they’re back in the states
in time for the first day of school today.
—
“you can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”
-rabindranath tagore
—
glen lake, empire, michigan – summer 2018
Sep2
ghosts.
littles
playing, creeping, tiptoeing
ghosts in the graveyard
scaring themselves to death
screaming, spooky, squealing, shrieking
so much fun.
“while it’s cool to think ghosts exist, i don’t want to see one.”
-dean ambrose
Sep1
snacks.
and we are off!
road trip to the north!
and we have stopped.
snacks!
—
—
image credit: vintage and classic cars – 1966
Aug31
shared humanity.
in yet another amazing case of serendipity
i was recently at school (in the united states)
attending a professional development session
with colleagues who were describing a wonderful project
they had undertaken with their students.
during the last school year they had worked on design thinking projects
intended to help our world’s environment in some way.
throughout the process
the teachers provided the students
with a wide range of sources of information having to do with their area of interest.
during our seminar, they passed around some of the sample articles they had used.
imagine my surprise when reading the random article that i was handed
and i saw the photographic credit on the back page
realizing that i had a connection to it.
it read:
‘michel porro – getty images.’
michel porro is a long time friend of mine who i happened to meet
when we were both working at the world cup in my city 24 years ago.
michel, at the time was a photojournalist from the netherlands, stationed in hong kong, working for reuters, and covering events all over the world. i was in advertising, taking time off to working in the media tent for the duration of the event. we met there and continued to run into each other in a variety of places, though we never had the chance to meet up outside of a working situation, try as we might.
we finally had the chance, and it was the last night before he was to leave. unfortunately brazil won, causing a chain of unusual events, that led to our last chance to meet not ever happening.
since that time, (24 years ago), we’ve stayed pen pals, and followed what’s happened in each other’s lives. i wrote an earlier blog about our long distance unlikely long term friendship and the link is below, but i’ve somehow lost the photo part of the post.
—
—
upon seeing his name again last week, i texted to tell him about my surprise. he texted back surprised as well. our paths continue to cross in the most interesting ways.
| B Kennedy |
| to Michel |
small world, Michel
Sent from my iPhone
——–
Michel Porro
| to me |
Wow Beth, that is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. Boyat (the subject in the photo) is a quiet man with a big mission. I met him twice for 2 photoshoots.
How are you doing? I’m in Italy at the moment. The world is a turbulent place isn’t it?
You do good work.
Best
Michel
—
“this idea of shared humanity and the connections that we make with one another – that’s what, in fact, makes life worth living.”
-clint smith
Aug30
marshmallow.
it’s national toasted marshmallow day
and all i can think of
is my very favorite dessert –
s’mores.
introduced in the united states years ago
by the scouts of america
the s’more
is still much loved by so many.
—
actual marshmallow health and safety tips from the boy scouts of america guidebook:
When roasting your marshmallows, a light brown skin is sufficient. Having the marshmallow engulfed in flames may cause panic and flinging of hot marshmallow onto someone.
Have a properly stocked first-aid kit available (and have trained first-aid Scouts and adults on hand).
Roasting marshmallows can be fun, but care should be taken so that participants do not become injured by burns or punctures.
If you are on a campout, thoroughly clean your hands and face before hitting the sleeping bag. The smell of marshmallows and chocolate are known to attract various animals.
S’mores are great for an evening snack or cracker barrel, just before bedtime. On campouts, the sugar rush is just enough so that the youth will sleep soundly through the night.
—
“my favorite vegetable is the marshmallow.”
-jim gaffigan
—
photo and tips credits: scouting magazine
Aug29
significant.
silence on a hot summer night in ann arbor
—
“the most significant conversations of our lives occur in silence.”
-simon van boy
Aug28
what is a hero?
President Richard M. Nixon honors John McCain at the State Department
after McCain was released by the North Vietnamese in 1973
after more than five years as a prisoner of war.
(U.S. Navy)
—
RIP Senator John McCain
a maverick in the truest sense of the word
—
“I’ve tried to serve our country honorably. I’ve made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them. I’ve often observed that I am the luckiest person on Earth. I feel that way even now, as I prepare for the end of my life. I’ve loved my life, all of it. I’ve had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for 10 satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life in good or bad times for the best day of anybody else’s.”
-John McCain – from a letter he left to be read upon his death
—
“a hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” bob dylan
—
image credit: washington post
Aug27
walking heads.
update on the talking heads –
seems they’ve become the walking heads.
and may have found me.
asking me to step up
to become their new organizer
as i am
one of the ‘top members’ of the group
though i never joined
only looked upon it in horror.
i may have to move.
—
Hi Beth Kennedy,
Ferris stepped down from organizing Learn and practice Ventriloquism and puppet skills.
You are one of the top members of this Meetup, so I think you have what it takes to be a great organizer. Stepping up would help ensure that this community continues to survive past Thu Sep 6.
You can step up as organizer here: _________________
Best Regards,
Meetup Community Experience Team
—
“no, because I am not a ventriloquist.”
-russell bank
—
image credit: vintage pinterest
I didn't have my glasses on.... 