Saturday, December 31, 2016

Stain

Stain (c)

Spreads across landscape in muddy streams
bears witness to re-birth of chauvinist being
"pussy-grabbing" creature from times square
advocate for bigotry
mocking the impaired

called women
                        dogs

                                     pigs

                                                      slobs

and pregnancy an "inconvenience"
in the workplace.

Politics becomes gang warfare
heaps scorn on principled debate
legitimizes rape.

Each remark shows him unfit
to be head of state.

And we're all worse off for it.

Dana Stone


Friday, December 9, 2016

December 8, 2016: Skipping Christmas

I decided a while back to skip Christmas this year, maybe go to Belize.  Where it's warm...But I think I'll stay in town, relax, get together with friends.  Hannakuh...I'd be keen to celebrate that.  No trees to decorate, only small presents to buy and best of all the stores are crammed with Christmasy stuff then. I did buy a wreath...a fresh one from Amity Baptist in Chapel Hill, where I have my poetry group every Friday.

Poetry Group is great fun.  Conrad is a hoot.  He worked at Wood's Hole in Massachusettes in his younger days.  (He was a "hottie" then, by the way).  Dark hair and a be,ard on his lanky frame.  I think he was a marine biologist -- he used to go down on the Alvin.  He was raised on Martha's Vineyard, his whole life.  Still goes back there in summer. I love the poetry he writes -- heck, I love him.  I hope he knows how talented he is.

Last week, he read from a proof of his poetry book.  He's not sure when it will come out.  Soon I hope!  I chatted with him after group today.  I think he needs to hear more often how good he is.

His wife comes to the church to drop him off and pick him up.  Her name is Jane and she writes poetry too.  I think they met at a poetry reading.

I read my poem, "Chamber of Curiosities," based on an article I read in the 1917 edition of Corks and Curls.  Seems some students were investigating in the basement of the Rotunda, and came across a shaft of papers, one from a ledger showing what book "E. L. Poe" had checked out. There were also two letters from James Madison.

So, now that I'm inspired, I'll attempt reading a book hailed by many as a good guide to good writing.  It's called "Bird by Bird," by Annie LaMott.  Surprised, though, to see so many people give it a "1" rating for poor.  I really should review books before buying them...I hope I don't regret buying this one.
 
I have my own procedure for writing....get comfortable (in bed now with my feet up)....problem is, I keep dozing.  Choloe is up here with me.

What else, get down on my knees and say a prayer, walk the dog, have a healthy meal, and relax!  Will check back and let you know how things to out next....to be continued...

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Corks and Curls, 1917

picture of my dad on track team

1917 copy from Google Scholar

this is something else!   our dad's picture is with the track team but I got so excited when i saw it i forgot to note the page # .  it's about half way through in the sports section.

also, name is on p. 71 listing his memberships...was really surprised to see the track team...

The front of the yearbook has an interesting article about students finding dusty artifacts in a basement at u.va.  included was a slip slowing when Edgar Allen Poe's book was due at the library.

you address there:  6 East Lawn?  I think Poe lived on the West Range...

enjoy: 

let me know if you have problems seeing it and will send again.

sent to John on July 31st, 2016

Corks and Curls, 1917

In the Corks and Curls for 1917, I found a reference for my father, Albert A. Stone, Jr.  ---

Track Team, 1916
J and J
German Club


https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=G9pKAAAAYAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=corks+and+curls+1917&ots=fpwFaGHKV_&sig=0Z6u6W5njGoku2lE4mHsHrGGyVc#v=onepage&q=corks%20and%20curls%201917&f=false


from Google Scholar

Friday, November 18, 2016

Poet Laureate of the United States, Rubinstein Library, November, 2016



How about that!  The U. S. Poet Laureate is Hispanic.  Juan Felipe Herrera was part of the Chicano literary movement in the 1970's.

His most powerful words last night were:  "We can end the violence with poetry," and he describes himself as a "hands-on poet."

The son of migrant workers, Herrera was a contemporary of Allen Ginsberg and eventually got his MFA from the University of Iowa at the age of 40.  He was a professor at UC Riverside which now has supplied him with a room where he can pursue his love of words, art, and music.

He appeared at Rubenstein Library last night to a "full house."  On the walls above were past presidents and illuminati of Duke, including Julian Able.  The only thing that detracted from Herrera's appearance was the rambling, hard-to-understand intro by a Duke professor.

He included the phrase "waking up is the thing...."  Loved that!  He advises embellishing one's words with kindness and stated:  "You have a beautiful voice and you can use it to express yourself in any way you want."  I FELT those words.

His poems take me back to the tales of Tlingits and customs of the Northwest Indians.  He spoke of looking at a hawk eye to eye and "there was infinity looking right at me."

He read his poem "The Ant" which I liked a lot.

He read about Chad, how 2 thousand fled, 2 million dead.

He read a poem about Mohammad Ali...there was audience participation.  Brilliant!

He spoke of "storm writing" -- writing in the heat of passion and fire.  Describes himself as a "hands-on poet."

He wrote a children's book:  "Jack Rabbit's Green Onions and Witches' Stew"

Herrera's voice is a poem itself.  He is part artist, part Groucho Marx.

I spoke with him afterward about Caesar Chavez -- he never got a chance to meet Chavez because  was always chatting with admirers.

Herrera got a standing ovation.  His poetry is full of life and humor and audience participation.



Poet Laureate of the United States, Rubinstein Library, November, 2016



How about that!  The U. S. Poet Laureate is Hispanic.  Juan Felipe Herrera was part of the Chicano literary movement in the 1970's.

His most powerful words last night were:  "We can end the violence with poetry," and he describes himself as a "hands-on poet."

The son of migrant workers, Herrera was a contemporary of Allen Ginsberg and eventually got his MFA from the University of Iowa at the age of 40.  He was a professor at UC Riverside which now has supplied him with a room where he can pursue his love of words, art, and music.

He appeared at Rubenstein Library last night to a "full house."  On the walls above were past presidents and illuminati of Duke, including Julian Able.  The only thing that detracted from Herrera's appearance was the rambling, hard-to-understand intro by a Duke professor.

He included the phrase "waking up is the thing...."  Loved that!  He advises embellishing one's words with kindness and stated:  "You have a beautiful voice and you can use it to express yourself in any way you want."  I FELT those words.

His poems take me back to the tales of Tlingits and customs of the Northwest Indians.  He spoke of looking at a hawk eye to eye and "there was infinity looking right at me."

He read his poem "The Ant" which I liked a lot.

He read about Chad, how 2 thousand fled, 2 million dead.

He read a poem about Mahammid Ali...there was audience participation.  Brilliant!

He spoke of "storm writing" -- writing in the heat of passion and fire.  Describes himself as a "hands-on poet."

He wrote a children's book:  "Jack Rabbit's Green Onions and Witches' Stew"

Herrera's voice is a poem itself.  He is part artist, part Groucho Marx.

I spoke with him afterward about Caesar Chavez -- he never got a chance to eat because he was always chatting with admirers.

Herrera got a standing ovation.  His poetry is full of life and humor and audience participation.



How About Australia?

The land "Down Under" is looking better and better!

There's also Canada.

Trump is starting to remind me of Nikita Kruschev, the Russian dictator of the 50's.  So wierd that our allie during WW II became our enemy then.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Curtis Jenny

http://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/transportation-gallery/the-exhibit/smaller-aircraft/curtiss-jn-4d

The Curtiss Jn 4d (Curtiss Jenny)

Friday, October 28, 2016

A Mindful Moment

I've been working at a busy school for children ages 3 to grade 5.  With a steady stream of people coming in, the ringing phone, schedules to study, and procedures to remember, I realized that I need to come back to mindfulness.  Mindfulness is taught at this school, which I find amazing...I'm been aware that meditation and mindfulness have been taught in schools for a while, but this is the first time I've worked in a school that practices it.  Kersten, an administrator at the school, teaches it.

Here are some helpful videos that I've located on the subject:  http://mrsmindfulness.com/9-mindfulness-videos/

I'm grateful that I still have cd's by Mary and Jeff Brantley of Duke to help me along the path.  Also, the R-A-I-N process:  recognize, accept, investigate, non-judging

A Mindful Moment

I've been working at a busy for children in pre-school to grade 5.  With a steady stream of people coming in, the ringing phone, schedules to study, and procedures to remember, I realized that I need to come back to mindfulness.  Mindfulness is taught at this school, which I find amazing...I'm been aware that meditation and mindfulness have been taught in schools for a while, but this is the first time I've worked in a school that practices it.  Kersten, an administrator at the school, teaches it.

Here are some helpful videos that I've located on the subject:  http://mrsmindfulness.com/9-mindfulness-videos/

I'm grateful that I still have cd's by Mary and Jeff Brantley of Duke to help me along the path.  Also, the R-A-I-N process:  recognize, accept, investigate, non-judging

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Alice Osborn

Chatted with Alice Osborn at the Flyleaf tonight and we talked about Steve McQueen, and her poem about him in Heroes Without Capes..and the documentary about him made by his son Chad...

Her photographer is Steven Whisnett, who photographed Michael Jackson.

Monday, October 10, 2016

War's End

children of Breslau
drag suitcases behind their mothers
watch slips os paper floating to earth.
they fall like snow
their message echoing across
time, "Germans, surrender now!
Nothing will happen to you."

800,00 people
wait just outside the bombers'
reach
too late to escape
they clog the train stations,
their babies in strollers filled
with pots and pans
while the men keep watch
from church steeples
machine guns in hand
benign protection against
the 90.000 souls
who perished in the cold.

Trump Melt Down Continues

     The defensive, arrogant posture that Donald Trump initiated during the first Presidential debate, continuted through last night's exchange.  Broadcast from St. Louis, the format took shape as a Town Hall discussion, with imput from the audience, as well as viewers sending questions via Facebook.

     Several days before, on Friday, October 7th, the air waves were struck by a video/audio of Trump's vile locker room talk, in which he bragged about how, because he was famous, he could "grab women by the pussy...you can do anything."

     His appearence last night during the second Presidential debate, did little to assure voters of his contriteness over this remark.  Quite the contrary.   His remarks were far from apologetic and in fact, focused mainly on "her" (Hillary Clinton's) shortcomings.  Trump really owes an apology to his daughter (whom he agreed was "a piece of ass") and to the women of the United States, as well.

     Trump dug himself further into a hole by saying that if he were President, he would order "his" attorney general to have a special prosecutor to "look into" Mrs. Clinton's affairs.  In response, Hillary Clinton implied that it would be inappropriate to have someone of Trump's character as President, to which Trump retorted that if he were President, Hillary Clinton would be "in jail."

     This shows that Donald Trump is clearly ignorant of even basic civics, because the President of the United States cannot order an adversery jailed.  That would be more characteristic of a dictator.

     I can only hope that Trump will be defeated.  Yesterday, I went out with a church group to register voters.  Our group actually got 7 people registered.  Being non-partisan, we can't tell them who to vote for, but 7 more people are now more likely to vote than before.  I'm trying to do my part.

     Having just watched a White House performance of "Hamilton," I feel embarassed by what is happening in our country now.  The Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

My First Rosh Hashanah

   Since working at a Jewish school, I've been interested in the Jewish observances.  This year, I watched  several events at the school which I found very inspiring, the blowing of the shofar, for example.

     Because the school was closed for Rosh Hashanah, I decided to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.  Things started of with an invitation to dinner with the Warshovsky family in Chapel Hill.  I thought of the song we sing at Thanksgiving, "Over the Hills and Through the Woods," as I drove along a country road, past old gas stations, tobacco barns, and run down  motels.  Then I got to Jordan Lake and was surrounded by beautiful, blue, clear water.  The Warchovsky home is a beautiful estate called Legacy which has an automatic gate that opened as I entered.

    Present were husband Steve, son Josh, and his girlfriend Jamie.  Jamie and I were the only "gentiles" there.  We sat on an enclosed deck overlooking the woods and I munched on celery and dip while the others drank some wine and we all traded stories of how much we love the area.  The Warchovskys moved from New York and spoke of the harsh winters there.   Steve made a comment something to the effect that he felt like he'd been released after 40 years in jail.  I really sensed how happy he was to be in his new location and home.

     One thing that really made an impression on me:  he said that he enjoyed DPAC more than Lincoln Center.  Parking is hard to find at Lincoln Center and it's in a bad area.   They saw Aretha Franklin and talked about what a champion she is.  She chipped her tooth on the way to the theater and still gave a stunning performance.

     On the first day of Rosh Hashana, I decided to have a juice fast: a soymilk, strawberry, and banana smoothie for breakfast and spinach smoothies for lunch and dinner.  Tuesday afternoon, I wrote down three shortcomings:  procrastination, resentment, and unforgiveness.  I found three stones and took them to the dam on the Al Bueler Trail, and cast them into the water.  My first practice of the ritual of the "Tashlich."

    Monday evening was spent with my church community group discussing the subject of "work."  I realized then that I've probably spent too much time looking for work and not enough time developing my writing and just enjoying being retired.  I'm seeking balance.

     On the second day, I had a healthy breakfast of raw oatmeal fruit, with broccoli salad, black beans, sweet potatoes, and applesauce for dinner.  I went to my poetry class and we discussed our poems for two hours.  I'm obsessed with "iron gall ink" which was used by my great grand mother in her diary, written on the occasion of her leave taking from Tennessee to Virginia.  I wrote a poem one sentence in that diary about how my grandmother managed to sneak the diary for a sweet message to her mother, signing it Love, Birdie.

     In the afternoon of the second day of Rosh Hashanah, I journeyed to Aveda for the most wonderful, relaxing facial and conversation with Katie.  I admired their display of "Chakra" sprays and the imposing wooden statue illustrating the seven chakras.  Steve, one of the staff, is accomplished in Reiki, which I'd love to experience again.  I ended my first Rosh Hashana with dinner on the patio, serenaded by blackbirds.

     Spent the rest of the evening relaxing with a documentary and a bit of the debate...off to bed by eleven for a peaceful sleep with vivid dreams.



   

Monday, October 3, 2016

How I Spent My Sabbath

At church I visited with friends Alex, Whitley, Anna, Marvin, and Erin. And what a treat to see the Rubistellos!  Hope they will be able to make the pilgrimage to Durham often.

After church, I watched the field hocky game with Duke against Boston, chatted with a woman who had a beautiful bassat hound, and walked around the wall at East campus.  Then I went home for a delicious smoothie for lunch on my patio, put my feet up, and read the Sunday N & O.  

I celebrated the eve of Rosh Hashana over dinner with friends in Chatham County, driving past Jordan Lake and into some of the most beautiful country side around.  So much laughter and great conversation!  Exquisite food:  veggies and dip, gelfite fish, squash, Challah, chicken soup and matzo balls,and the traditional apples and honey.   I decided I'd make a good Jew!

I'm observing my first Rosh Hashana today and tomorrow by not working.  I work part time at a Jewish school and that experience has helped me learn about this "high holy day."  So I'm taking the next two days for "meditative rest" and reflection.  What a gift!

Monday, August 22, 2016

A SNCC Member Remembers the March on Washington

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/08/27/for-a-sncc-member-aug-28-1963-was-a-day-of-joy-anger-and-hope/#comments

Newspaper Boys Strike

Last night, I saw the touring production of Newsies, based on the strike initiated by newsboys in 1899 in New York.  Even though it was a fine production with acrobatic dancing, and wonderful music and staging,  the play trivializes history.  The play pictures the newsboys as strapping young men, while in reality, the real "newsies" were children.  Many were orphans.

The boys decided to strike when Joseph Pulitzer started charging  them 60 cents per bundle instead of 50 cents.  The increase was a sheer desire to capitalize on increasing the sale of newspapers during the Spanish American War (not, as depicted in the play, to make up for lost circulation due to the war's conclusion).

The real newsies were led by a boy nicknamed "Blink," because he was blind in one eye.  In the Disney version, the leader is sighted.  The strike ended when the newsies compromised with Pulitzer, setting the staging for future labor negotions.

In the play, Putlizer has a daughter Katherine, a reporter who falls in love with the newsies' leader.  Pulitzer did indeed have a daughter name Katherine, but she wasn't a reporter, and certainly did not fall for a newsboy.

The real story of the newsies would have made for a much more compelling, captivating play.  But what can you expect from Disney, which always puts its own spin on the real story.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Friday, August 12, 2016

a beautiful piece -- by 10 for brass  wcpe   noon  fri  aug 12

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Three Kisses

Dad in his denim, mom in her sundress,
lean forward to kiss,
each other then their daughter
this family threesome
a benediction

Monday, August 8, 2016

Civil Rights era

Here is a 20 minute oral history from a civil rights veteran...she reflects on Emmett Till, the Black Panthers, Stokely Carmichael, and her own involvement in the movement
.

https://imixwhatilike.org/2016/06/16/black-power-remembered-with-ms-dorie-ladner/#comment-13624

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Brookline trip

starting to plan my trip to Brookline....hmmm...Holiday Inn is too pricey.  Saved a few places on the Air b n b site and on Facebook/

then there is the Sewell Inn, the Bertram, and the Beacon...also need to call people i know in Brookline

Thursday, July 28, 2016

On Meeting John Hope Franklin

       In 2001, I had the rare honor of meeting John Hope Franklin.  I was on a week long fellowship at the Library of Congress to study the digital collections there.

       The conference was made up of 50 teachers and school librarians who had been awarded the American Memory Fellowship.  One morning before our seminar, I heard some teachers in the back of the hall excitedly discussing John Hope Franklin .  Had they met him?

        They had indeed!  In fact, they'd had breakfast with him that morning.  My partner and I (a high school English teacher) were the only two in the group from North Carolina and John Hope Franklin was an esteemed scholar and author.   I knew about him because the school library I managed had thirty copies of his book, From Slavery to Freedom.  I turned to my colleagues and said, "I'm from North Carolina and I'd like to meet him, too!"

        And someone responded, "well, just come to the hotel dining room for breakfast tomorrow morning."  And that's what I did.

        That morning, I approached the dining room of the Capitol Suites Hotel, and saw Mr. Franklin at a large round table, "holding court" to a group of educators.  When I entered, he stood up, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.  I was so honored that this great man had saved a seat for me!

        As we ate together, he told me stories of late wife, their orchid garden, his many travels, and the book he was working on, his autobiography, in the Jefferson Building.  I was spellbound.  But most of all, Mr. Franklin was interested in me, my career, my family.  I can honestly say, he was one of the kindest people I'd ever met.  At one point a friend of his entered the room, whose name I don't recall but I do remember what a classy dresser he was.  He was, or at one time, had been affiliated with the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company.

         After breakfast, I departed for the Hart Building to deliver some remarks at Senator Edwards' "Tarheel Thursday" meeting, where his listended to concerns of constituents.  As I exited the door of the Madison Building, there was Mr. Franklin on the porch, waiting for his ride to the library.  We warmly greeted each other.  He told me to be sure to stop by, the John Hope Franklin Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in Durham.  Wow, a personal invitation!   And he asked me to give his regards to Senator Edwards, which I did.  To that, Senator Edwards responded, "he's a great American."

          I met Mr. Franklin on another occasion, at a discussion (with co-author Loren Scheninger) he gave at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh about his new book, In Search of the Promised Land.  He remembered not only me, but the name of the hotel where we had breakfast.  I felt honored to once again be in his presence.  

        I will never forget meeting John Hope Franklin.  When he died in 2009 at the age of 94, I was living and working in Tarboro, NC and was unable to attend his memorial service.  It was held at Duke Chapel on June 11, 2009, a date chosen by Mr. Franklin because it would have marked the 67th wedding anniversary to his wife, Aurelia.  The two hour service, attended by hundreds, was recorded by WRAL.  Former President Bill Clinton closed the service by sharing memories of his friend.

        The honors bestowed on Mr. Frankin compile a long list, among them, a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his book on George Washington Williams, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  However, I can't help but wonder if he considered his biggest honor the building of the John Hope Franklin Institute for Inter-disciplinary Studies at Duke.

        Two years ago, I moved to Durham and paid weekly visits to this place for nearly six months.  The "noon seminars" there attracted a large audience who enjoyed presentations by scholars from Duke and beyond.  One of the most memorable was an appearance by Mr. Franklin's son and daughter-in-law, John Whittington Franklin and Karen Roberts Franklin.  John Whittington Franklin is director of Partnerships and International Programs at the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture.

         Whenever I visit the John Hope Franklin Center at the corner of Erwin and I'm greeted by this portrait and am always reminded of the time I met him.



    Memorial Service for John Hope   http://www.wral.com/news/video/5332077/

    A Celebration of the Lives of Aurelia and John Hope Franklin      http://www.unctv.org/content/johnhopefranklin

On Meeting John Hope Franklin

       In 2001, I had the rare honor of meeting John Hope Franklin.  I was on a week long fellowship at the Library of Congress to study the digital collections there.

       The conference was made up of 50 teachers and school librarians who had been awarded the American Memory Fellowship.  One morning before our seminar, I heard some teachers in the back of the hall excitedly discussing John Hope Franklin .  Had they met him?

        They had indeed!  In fact, they'd had breakfast with him that morning.  My partner and I (a high school English teacher) were the only two in the group from North Carolina and John Hope Franklin was an esteemed scholar and author.   I knew about him because the school library I managed had thirty copies of his book, From Slavery to Freedom.  I turned to my colleagues and said, "I'm from North Carolina and I'd like to meet him, too!"

        And someone responded, "well, just come to the hotel dining room for breakfast tomorrow morning."  And that's what I did.

        That morning, I approached the dining room of the Capitol Suites Hotel, and saw Mr. Franklin at a large round table, "holding court" to a group of educators.  When I entered, he stood up, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.  I was so honored that this great man had saved a seat for me!

        As we ate together, he told me stories of late wife, their orchid garden, his many travels, and the book he was working on, his autobiography, in the Jefferson Building.  I was spellbound.  But most of all, Mr. Franklin was interested in me, my career, my family.  I can honestly say, he was one of the kindest people I'd ever met.

         After breakfast, I departed for the Hart Building to deliver some remarks at Senator Edwards' "Tarheel Thursday" meeting, where his listended to concerns of constituents.  As I exited the door of the Madison Building, there was Mr. Franklin on the porch, waiting for his ride to the library.  We warmly greeted each other.  He told me to be sure to stop by, the John Hope Franklin Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in Durham.  Wow, a personal invitation!   And he asked me to give his regards to Senator Edwards, which I did.  To that, Senator Edwards responded, "he's a great American."

          I met Mr. Franklin on another occasion, at a discussion (with co-author Loren Scheninger) he gave at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh about his new book, In Search of the Promised Land.  He remembered not only me, but the name of the hotel where we had breakfast.  I felt honored to once again be in his presence.  

        I will never forget meeting John Hope Franklin.  When he died in 2009 at the age of 94, I was living and working in Tarboro, NC and was unable to attend his memorial service.  It was held at Duke Chapel on June 11, 2009, a date chosen by Mr. Franklin because it would have marked the 67th wedding anniversary to his wife, Aurelia.  The two hour service, attended by hundreds, was recorded by WRAL.  Former President Bill Clinton closed the service by sharing memories of his friend.

        The honors bestowed on Mr. Frankin compile a long list, among them, a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his book on George Washington Williams, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  However, I can't help but wonder if he considered his biggest honor the building of the John Hope Franklin Institute for Inter-disciplinary Studies at Duke.

        Two years ago, I moved to Durham and paid weekly visits to this place for nearly six months.  The "noon seminars" there attracted a large audience who enjoyed presentations by scholars from Duke and beyond.  One of the most memorable was an appearance by Mr. Franklin's son and daughter-in-law, John Whittington Franklin and Karen Roberts Franklin.  John Whittington Franklin is director of Partnerships and International Programs at the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture.

         Whenever I visit the John Hope Franklin Center at the corner of Erwin and I'm greeted by this portrait and am always reminded of the time I met him.



    Memorial Service for John Hope   http://www.wral.com/news/video/5332077/

    A Celebration of the Lives of Aurelia and John Hope Franklin      http://www.unctv.org/content/johnhopefranklin

On Meeting John Hope Franklin

       In 2001, I had the rare honor of meeting John Hope Franklin.  I was on a week long fellowship at the Library of Congress to study the digital collections there.

       The conference was made up of 50 teachers and school librarians who had been awarded the American Memory Fellowship.  One morning before our seminar, I heard some teachers in the back of the hall excitedly discussing John Hope Franklin .  Had they met him?

        They had indeed!  In fact, they'd had breakfast with him that morning.  My partner and I (a high school English teacher) were the only two in the group from North Carolina and John Hope Franklin was an esteemed scholar and author.   I knew about him because the school library I managed had thirty copies of his book, From Slavery to Freedom.  I turned to my colleagues and said, "I'm from North Carolina and I'd like to meet him, too!"

        And someone responded, "well, just come to the hotel dining room for breakfast tomorrow morning."  And that's what I did.

        That morning, I approached the dining room of the Capitol Suites Hotel, and saw Mr. Franklin at a large round table, "holding court" to a group of educators.  When I entered, he stood up, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.  I was so honored that this great man had saved a seat for me!

        As we ate together, he told me stories of late wife, their orchid garden, his many travels, and the book he was working on, his autobiography, in the Jefferson Building.  I was spellbound.  But most of all, Mr. Franklin was interested in me, my career, my family.  I can honestly say, he was one of the kindest people I'd ever met.  At one point a friend of his entered the room, whose name I don't recall but I do remember what a classy dresser he was.  He was, or at one time, had been affiliated with the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company.

         After breakfast, I departed for the Hart Building to deliver some remarks at Senator Edwards' "Tarheel Thursday" meeting, where his listended to concerns of constituents.  As I exited the door of the Madison Building, there was Mr. Franklin on the porch, waiting for his ride to the library.  We warmly greeted each other.  He told me to be sure to stop by, the John Hope Franklin Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in Durham.  Wow, a personal invitation!   And he asked me to give his regards to Senator Edwards, which I did.  To that, Senator Edwards responded, "he's a great American."

          I met Mr. Franklin on another occasion, at a discussion (with co-author Loren Scheninger) he gave at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh about his new book, In Search of the Promised Land.  He remembered not only me, but the name of the hotel where we had breakfast.  I felt honored to once again be in his presence.  

        I will never forget meeting John Hope Franklin.  When he died in 2009 at the age of 94, I was living and working in Tarboro, NC and was unable to attend his memorial service.  It was held at Duke Chapel on June 11, 2009, a date chosen by Mr. Franklin because it would have marked the 67th wedding anniversary to his wife, Aurelia.  The two hour service, attended by hundreds, was recorded by WRAL.  Former President Bill Clinton closed the service by sharing memories of his friend.

        The honors bestowed on Mr. Frankin compile a long list, among them, a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his book on George Washington Williams, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  However, I can't help but wonder if he considered his biggest honor the building of the John Hope Franklin Institute for Inter-disciplinary Studies at Duke.

        Two years ago, I moved to Durham and paid weekly visits to this place for nearly six months.  The "noon seminars" there attracted a large audience who enjoyed presentations by scholars from Duke and beyond.  One of the most memorable was an appearance by Mr. Franklin's son and daughter-in-law, John Whittington Franklin and Karen Roberts Franklin.  John Whittington Franklin is director of Partnerships and International Programs at the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture.

         Whenever I visit the John Hope Franklin Center at the corner of Erwin and I'm greeted by this portrait and am always reminded of the time I met him.



    Memorial Service for John Hope   http://www.wral.com/news/video/5332077/

    A Celebration of the Lives of Aurelia and John Hope Franklin      http://www.unctv.org/content/johnhopefranklin

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Books on civil rights

I saw a reference to this list of books in an article about the civil rights movement.. . 

Spies in Mississippi by Rick Bowers
Local People by John Dittmer, 
A Black Physician's Struggle for Civil Rights by Edward MaziQue
Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody
A New Day in the Delta by David W. Beckwith
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley
An Ordinary Hero DVD by Lori Mulholland
Worse than Slavery, by David Oshinshy
 Cotton and Race in the making of America
The Senator and the Sharecropper by Chris Myers Asch

And of particular note:  The Wrong Side of Murder Creek by Bob Zellner

Civil rights veterans

https://www.magnumphotos.com

https://www.pinterest.com/debbiewiles/lightbox-magnum-1964/

Civil rights veterans

https://www.magnumphotos.com

https://www.pinterest.com/debbiewiles/lightbox-magnum-1964/

all the southern ladies

here listening to southern ladies
talking about their mothers, lost lovers
 about their grandfathers
and death   Unrelenting gossip
oh please get me out of here
no more painted red toe nails
talking about sentimental shit
about their grandfathers' favorite music
how they want to be reincaarnated as violins
how the organza shimmered and the lavender glowed
couldn't wait to be married
ok i'm going to pretend to listen

longing for the sight of the Fireside Pentacostal Church
and picturing B Boys dancing in the aisles
give me Notes to a Native Son
and the people from whom our favorite music comes..
oh give me women
gwendolyn brooks
ella fitzgerald
big mama thornton
billy holiday

all the southern ladies

here listening to the southern ladies
talking about their mothers, lost lovers
 about their grandfathrs
and death and gossip
oh please get me out of here
no more painted red toe nails
and talking about sentimental shit
how they want to be reincaarnated as violins
how the organza shimmered and the lavender glowed
couldn't wait to be married
ok i'm going to pretend to listen
or imagine that i'm at a reading by Sara  Claytor or Bonnie Korta
longing for the sight of the Fireside Pentacostal Church
and picturing B Boys dancing in the aisles
give me Notes to a Native Son
and the people from whom our favorite music come.
oh give me women
gwendolyn brooks
ella fitzgerald
big mama thornton
billy holiday
elizabeth cotten.....

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

ADF Tonight


       Back from seeing my second performance by the Rioult Dance Company.

Georgeous dancing to choreography with original music, based on the Trojan Women.  

In a word, a

masterpiece!

ADF Tonight


       Back from seeing my second performance by the Rioult Dance Company.

Georgeous dancing to choreography with original music, based on the Trojan Women.   In a word, a

masterpiece!

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Special Collections

This is interesting on how libraries select objects...from Laura Micham

Dear Dana,

Thanks so much for your kind offer of these items. We don’t normally seek objects like gloves or lace as they tend to have less research value than writings on various kinds. In other words, the meaning and significance of objects for historical projects of the kind that are generally done by our researchers is not as great as that of commonplace books, letters, diaries, and other archival materials that we hold. We do have some artifacts in our collections but relatively few. They tend to be difficult to house and preserve relative to the amount of use they receive. The same is true for bibles. Family bibles are sometimes kept by historical societies if they contain significant genealogical material, but not for the bible as an object in and of itself. If Birdie’s bible contains genealogical information I would be grateful to have scans of it or could make scans myself and return the book to you.

I gave you the slightly long-winded explanation because you’re a fellow librarian and have a wonderful curiosity about the Bingham Center and Rubenstein Library. I thought you might be interested in how we make some of our appraisal decisions. We continue to be thrilled to have the opportunity to preserve and provide access to Birdie’s commonplace/autograph book!

Special Collections

This is interesting on how libraries select objects...from Laura Micham

Dear Dana,

Thanks so much for your kind offer of these items. We don’t normally seek objects like gloves or lace as they tend to have less research value than writings on various kinds. In other words, the meaning and significance of objects for historical projects of the kind that are generally done by our researchers is not as great as that of commonplace books, letters, diaries, and other archival materials that we hold. We do have some artifacts in our collections but relatively few. They tend to be difficult to house and preserve relative to the amount of use they receive. The same is true for bibles. Family bibles are sometimes kept by historical societies if they contain significant genealogical material, but not for the bible as an object in and of itself. If Birdie’s bible contains genealogical information I would be grateful to have scans of it or could make scans myself and return the book to you.

I gave you the slightly long-winded explanation because you’re a fellow librarian and have a wonderful curiosity about the Bingham Center and Rubenstein Library. I thought you might be interested in how we make some of our appraisal decisions. We continue to be thrilled to have the opportunity to preserve and provide access to Birdie’s commonplace/autograph book!

The Master

"Master painter
mountain dwelling
amusing himself with brush and ink.
 a picture of rives and mountains
goes on for a  thousan of miles.
Roots of mountains sink in unison
above lake's surface.
Under thick clouds a monk gathers
firewood, walks
past Buddhist temples by quiet streams,
past noises of chickens and dogs,
all happy at peace under good government.
While opening his scroll, tears wash his
dust filled eyes.
Hand on chest, three times he sighs."

Colophone:  third day of the third month, 1205



p. 41, Silent Poetry, Lilly Library
(on front shelf)



Trojan Women

July 19, 2016  The Rioult Dance Company performed last night at Reynolds and WOW!  What a stunner.  Visually breath-taking with music composed for the piece by three contemporary composers.  Interesting that the choreographer had been a track and field athlete in France.


overview:   RIOULT Dance NY, known for its sensual, articulate, and exquisitely musical work, will present WOMEN ON THE EDGE…Unsung Heroines of the Trojan War, a trilogy of dances inspired by Euripides’ tragic heroines Iphigenia, Helen of Troy, and Cassandra. Artistic director and choreographer Pascal Rioult’s interpretations of these timeless myths highlight not only the grace, strength, and resilience of women in society but also the futility and immorality of war. The program includes Rioult’s Iphigenia, On Distant Shores, and the ADF commissioned Cassandra’s Curse, each set to commissioned music by contemporary American composers Michael Torke, Aaron Kernis, and Richard Danielpour, respectively.


I

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Courses for Teachers at MIT

http://tll.mit.edu/help/teaching-materials


Several years ago, I took a course in French history through MIT  Open Course Ware.  It was great and I even emailed the professor several times.  Courses are offered in hundreds of areas, from physics to history to liteature...

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Flyleaf, July 14, 2016


Eric Nelson tonight!

Wonderful poet from Asheville, taught at Georgia Southern for 26 years.  Many awards.

Beautiful imagery. His book is titled "Some Wonder."  Rich and inspiring.


-----------------------


Second Poet:


Viet Nam soldier -- became a doctor; said the A in poetry was one of the few good grades he receivd.
PTSD -- hitting the ditch when he heard a car back backfire, while he was walking his dog.
Hard hitting poems about his experiences in Viet Nam.

Monday, July 11, 2016

They Will Not Pass This Way Again

They Will Not Pass This Way Again

Six lives cut short by policeman's hand
Now watch the people scatter
They will not pass this way again

Sadness spreads across terrain
Refrain that black lives matter
For they'll not pass this way again.

Families grieve as only families can
While friends console and flatter
Young men were gunned down again

"The Storm is Passing Over" we sing
As reverence stills the clatter
What offering can we bring

Time sweeps forward the busy hand
Begins a brand new chaper
A prayer is lifted a voice is raised
The refrain that all lives matter


ADF "Re(Current) on July11 2016 provided the inspriration for this

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Zen Poets

Home grown, North Carolina Jazz group:  Zen Poets


Listen!

https://annaliseandthezenpoets.bandcamp.com

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Why AA Isn't For Everyone

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/#article-comments


This article points to the lack of scientific research in AA and point to the difficulty atheists have in a program that mentions "God" five times in the 12 Steps.

Also interesting -- Jellineck's alcohol theory is debuked.  I studied him in grad school.

http://www.alternatives-for-alcoholism.com/bill-wilson.html


Sunday, July 3, 2016

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company

      I was present for the second part of Bill T. Jones' trilogy, an oral history/dance performance/musical homage to Bill's nephew Lance Briggs.  Lance was about to embark on a promising dance career when he got sidetracked by drugs and male prostitution.   Later, he was mysteriously became paralyzed from the waist down and is now in a wheelchair.
     Lance, the artist, was in the audience that night of the performance and gave a moving testimony after the performance, during a question and answer period with the company.
     What a powerful performance.  I would have gone a second night if I could have.  Bill T. Jones is a national treasure and has impacted audiences worldwide.  His Friday night presentation really impacted me and I stayed up late reading about his long career and many honors (including the National Medal of the Arts).  I'm surprised I hadn't heard of him before, but that's what 30  plus years away from dance will do.
     After church today, I took a long walk around "the wall."  It took me an hour, and I ran into my teacher, Shayla, outside Whole Foods.  During the conversation, it came up that she apprenticed with Jones.  Not only that, she's from Roanoke, and graduated from Hollins.  Small world indeed.
     I want to write a poetic tribute to Bill called:  "Go Tell the World," about his many gifts.  He was one of 12 children and moved with his parents from Florida to New York as part of the "Great Migration."   Born to dance apparently, because his performances are unforgettable.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company

      I was present for the second part of Bill T. Jones' trilogy, an oral history/dance performance/musical homage to Bill's nephew Lance Briggs.  Lance was about to embark on a promising dance career when he got sidetracked by drugs and male prostitution.   Later, he was mysteriously became paralyzed from the waist down and is now in a wheelchair.
     Lance, the artist, was in the audience that night of the performance and gave a moving testimony after the performance, during a question and answer period with the company.
     What a powerful performance.  I would have gone a second night if I could have.  Bill T. Jones is a national treasure and has impacted audiences worldwide.  His Friday night presentation really impacted me and I stayed up late reading about his long career and many honors (including the National Medal of the Arts).  I'm surprised I hadn't heard of him before, but that's what 30  plus years away from dance will do.
     After church today, I took a long walk around "the wall."  It took me an hour, and I ran into my teacher, Shayla, outside Whole Foods.  During the conversation, it came up that she apprenticed with Jones.  Not only that, she's from Roanoke, and graduated from Hollins.  Small world indeed.
     I want to write a poetic tribute to Bill called:  "Go Tell the World," about his many gifts.  He was one of 12 children and moved with his parents from Florida to New York as part of the "Great Migration."   Born to dance apparently, because his performaces are unforgettable.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Mid-Summer's Walk



Mid-Summer's Walk by Dana Stone

Whose woods these are
i think i know
the hills look steep and dense although
my hiking shoes and moxy strength
can guide me along the strenuous path

I moved here two years ago
and wanted to explore this path although
other plans kept getting in my way
so i decided to take the hike today

i boldly set to clear a path
i calculated long, did the math
took a step and then another
down to the murkey swamp

the woods are mine
they're behind my home
i decided to make them all my own
it's quiet there
a Dickinsian spot
a place to where i'll return 
tomorrow

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Standing Desk?

here's one, and cheap too!

https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/14/cardboard-standing-desk/



Another option from Wal Mart
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brighton-High-Desk-with-2-Drawers/42755677

Thursday, June 23, 2016

20 Things to Remember for My Duke Interview

1.  Dress professionally and if it's not too hot, wear something navy.
2.  Make sure my bra straps aren't showing.
3.  Strike the Rocky pose and play the song.
4.  Memoize Emerson's "For Today" quote.
5.  Read more issues of Duke Magazine
6.  Check the oil in the car before leaving.
7.  Consider taking the bus.
8.  If driving, allow 30 min. to arrive.
9.  Bring along my sense of humor.
10. Elaborate on my passion for libraries, research, customer engagement, marketing, promotion, outreach, hospitality, Duke events.
11. Interview the interviewer.
12. Send a thank you note afterward.
13. Bring the resume
14. Bring the job description.
15. Have fun!
16.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Savion Glover

     I had the good fortune to attend a talk by dancer Savion Glover today at Nelson Auditorium.  He's appearing tonight at Duke's Page Auditorium.
     Savion is a good will ambassador for dance.  He started tap dancing at age 7 and his mentor was Gregory Hine.  Savion's latest accolate is the Broadway show, "Shuffle Along," which won him a Tony.
     This man is a student of tap dancing and is really serious about it.  In fact, he thinks of it as a high art form.  Some of the noteworthy musicians he has worked with are Arnett Coleman, Gregory Hines, McCoy Tyner, and Wayne Shorter.   Hines was his mentor.  
     His rhythmic talents began at the age of four and progressed to tap dancing.  At one point, he started to understand that thesse jazz musicians were sure about their craft."
     He described himself as having "an improvisational approach to life."  And as being late to everything because this helps to "raise the tension."
     He spoke about "tap dancing being a language."  And the language beneath that language.
     Marshall Davis, Jr. is a partner to Savion.  They grew up together so have developed a bond of trust and rapport over the years, even making the "same mistakes at the same time."
      Savion is his own person and has taken tap to a high form of art. The son of acclaimed actor, Danny Glover, I wonder if Glover refers to himself as father to Savion Glover.  Probably so.
       He has the utmost reverence for tap.  I need to learn about its history.  Are its roots in Africa, or the U. S.?
       Glover won a Tony for "Shuffle Along."  (Eubie Blake influence?)
      He calls dance "his life" and is grateful to God that he can share his talents.  He calls dance "the greatest means of expression."
       Marshall, his partner, proclaims that dancing is "not like work."
       After graciously sharing an hour of their time with the audience, the pair spent another 15 minutes answering questions and posing for photographs.

       After an interim in the library and having a picnic dinner, I headed over to Page for the concert, one of historical proportions.  Savior Glover has become the savior of tap.
   

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

The Kincanons of Tennessee and Virginia (letter to Mr. Gaynor, UVa Special Collections)

Dana L. Stone
802 E. Country Club Dr.
Tarboro, NC 27886
December 9, 2013



Dear Mr. Gaynor:
Thank you for your letter of October 23, 2013 regarding my gift of John Thomas Kincanon’s papers.  

I am enclosing a family history of Kincanon that was given to my mother and to other relatives in 1980 by Jimmie Kincanon, his grandson.  This will clarify the linkage between the Stones and the Kincanons. 
My grandmother, Birdie Kincanon Stone, was J. T’s daughter.  Her husband was my grandfather, Albert A. Stone, Sr., who helped to run the Stone Printing Company with his brother, Edward.  My father was Albert A. Stone, Jr. who at one time served as a vice-president of the Company.

 I’ve enclosed a copy of a photograph of J. T. Kincanon, along with a page from the Stone genealogy, “A Brief History of John Stone and Descendants,” compiled by Yvonne Slonaker of Roanoke.  I had always heard that J. T. Kincanon was a founder of Virginia Intermont College.   According to some research I found on the Internet, he was a Baptist minister who “held 27 pastorates.”

My father and all four of his brothers went to the University of Virginia:  Albert, Frederick, Charles, and Robert.   Currently, I am doing some research into my father’s World War I service.  He was with the Army Air Corps and trained as a pilot.  He left the University of Virginia in order to enlist in the war effort.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Library and was especially grateful to spend time reviewing the Books of Hours and many other items from the Stone archives.  I came across an issue of Stone’s Impressions, a Stone Printing Company publication which I understand my father edited.  The staff, especially Gail Cook, were extremely helpful in helping me with the research.

Please let me know if I can ever be of service.  I can be reached at 252-314-6849 or nceducator@gmail.com.With warm wishes,

Dana Stone
Enclosures (3)