This year's "Gumbo" focuses on community through history, domestically, nationally, and globally. Tickets are $5 and proceeds go to funding the ARC theatre department! Working with an amazingly talented cast has been a blast and they can't wait to have you see it if you're in the Sacramento area.
Dear Olive,
It's the autumn of your life. So I thought I'd do some remembering out loud.
You came to our family because of my defiant decision to get a dog. In truth, some of my best memories are from moments of the same of dogged determination (pun intended) to do what felt right. I was in a marriage and mentality where I had learned to concede authority and final decisions to my husband and in regards to a dog, the answer was always "no." It was no, for whatever reason, I don't remember why, because we had a huge park of a background and plenty of hands to take care of you.
I remember that it was my birthday and I got up, feeling unusual tingles of excitement race through my body. I wondered if it was the thought of getting a dog, or the idea that I could make a big decision for our family without my husband's consent that thrilled me most. Must have been both. I remember thinking, "to heck with that," the kids and I are in this family, too. We matter; four kids and me, five to one. He had said absolutely "No" to a dog. I knew he'd get really mad, but his controlling anger was nothing new. I would normally have been frightened by the idea, but we were now separated for six months, an anger management agreement arranged by the counselor to "save our marriage." And I needed this. The joy of a dog, to romp, to play with the kids, to hang out with and be part of our family. It had almost become an obsession.
So, I pulled on my jeans, pulled back my hair, long in those days, and daydreamed through a fast breakfast, slipping out of a sleeping house to drive across town, a big city, really, but in CA we say "across town," to the Sacramento animal shelter. I was going to see if God had that "special dog" just for us. In those days I believed that God did all kinds of miracles, if you just opened your eyes and looked around, open to his surprises and blessings. I still believe that, I guess. The kids, partly grown, all wanted a dog in the worst way, I mean, groaning with wishing and squealing with delight kind of way, and I was determined to find the perfect one. Have you ever seen those videos on the media where a parent brings home a dog and the child/children scream and cry with happiness? Like that. So, I went to the Pound, the Sacramento SPCA, on my birthday. I walked the sad concrete aisles of dogs, all who for one reason or another, had become unwanted or discarded. Olive, you and I have something in common, there, but that's a different story, and yours is such a good one. I scanned the cages. There were some dogs eagerly, frenetically jumping up at me, others had retreated to a corner, all the while a deafening barking vibrated up and down past the cages as I walked. I was almost at the end of all the initially seeming endless cages without finding what I was looking for. In the last cell of cages, near the end, there was a pack of dogs all piled on top of one another pawing a look at whomever walked past, at me. I didn't see you at first, because you were so young, still rather small, and all those more aggressive dogs had pushed you underfoot. As I stopped to examine those dogs up on hind legs, tails wagging effusively, I noticed there was a black puppy below them, flattened out. Just then you looked up at me with a soulful, hopeful look. I wasn't sure who you were because you were so surrounded, but I was so surprised to see you there. I called to a keeper to help me get a better look at you. She came and separated you from the rest. You were so timid, so scared, so sweet. Just six months old, a black labrador pup. What could be better?
So, heart soaring, I began the dizzying amount of paperwork, paid for your shots and required neutering, and became informed on your immediate care. You loved being with me, looked so happy, but I couldn't take you home yet, until everything was finished. I hated leaving you, but just a couple of days later, all four kids and I came and got you, everyone wanting to have you sit with him or her, petting you, smothering you in kisses and love. And so, you were officially adopted, had a family and new home. What joy. It's true. God had a gift waiting - it was you.
You were a much better dog than we were dog owners. You had such potential for training, but I was so busy schooling kids, taking care of a family and parents and husband that I didn't take you to obedience class and you just got to be a dog. Still, it was great. You hung out with us, chased squirrels up the trees religiously, had all kinds of adventures* and even learned how to be kind to our/your cat, André, another "in need of family" animal I brought home for Ryan.
*Camping w/REI booties
*Pulling kids to the park and back on roller blades and skateboard
*Escaping the yard and running to the park, only coming back by us getting you in the car. You Loved car rides.
*Barking and "protecting" us
I wasn't with you for your last five years. I wish I had been, but I heard you were happy, loved on, and saw pictures with you as fat as a sausage. Happy rainbow crossing, sweet Olive. You've been so loved and you'll be missed.
Ten years ago today Mark, his three older siblings and mom danced their first Irish Feis (dance competition.) After he saw Michael Flatley his enthusiasm led us all to sign up to learn to reel and jig together. To Mark and dancing to this day.
Hace diez años Mark, sus tres hermanos y su madre compitieron en su primer Feis, competición de Danza Irlandesa. Después de que Mark vio Michael Flatley su entusiasmo nos contagió a todos y nos apuntamos a aprender a danzar el carrete y plantilla todos juntos. Para Mark y la danza que no para.
"We can't get lazy when things get crazy." - Maybelle
It's early summer and we get a message from Mark: Got into Hairspray at ARC!!! Meeting on the 11th, rehearsals begin mid-July. Mark, however, already has a ticket for a month in Spain, and so his dance practice begins during our ten day stay in Madrid. Can't you just see him and his sister dancing in this courtyard below?
Es el comienzo del verano y tenemos un mensaje de Mark: "Me metí en Hairspray en *ARC! Reunión el día 11, los ensayos comienzan a mediados de julio." Mark, sin embargo, ya tiene su vuelo para un mes en España, y así su práctica empieza durante nuestra estancia de diez días en Madrid. ¿No lo puedes imaginar bailando en este patio abajo?
*(la universidad American River College)
He'll be in Ensemble, one of Linx's friends, a Corey Collins' Kid, Roller Skater (where did he learn to do circles on wheels?!) and Flasher (hahaha)
Hará los papeles de miembro del Conjunto del musical, uno de los amigos del protagonista Linx, un un Chico del Show de Corey Collins, el Patinador Callejero (¿donde aprendió dar vueltas sobre ruedas?!) y el Exhibicionista de la Gabardina.
With an integrated cast, including several special needs individuals bursting with talent, we wait expectantly for the opening number. We aren't disappointed at any point. Tracy is cheeky. Seaweed is dance personified, ... and Linx, of course is a dream.
Con un reparto integrado, incluyendo a varios individuos con minusvalías llenos de talento, esperamos ansiosamente para la apertura del telón. No estamos desilusionados en ningún momento. Tracy es muy salada. Seaweed es la personificación de la danza, ... y Linx, por supuesto es todo un sueño.
I'm mesmerized seeing my son, now grown into a handsome, tall lanky young man, dancing just like Fred Astaire (well, almost,) singing and just oozing with talent. I can't take my eyes off him. I'm so glad we didn't miss this and two other showings. Tickets from Spain, double work shifts to make up time off, crazy schedules.... its all been worth it! Estoy hipnotizada viendo a mi hijo, ahora convertido en un joven desgarbado guapo, alto, bailando como Fred Astaire, cantando y rebosante de talento. No puedo quitar mis ojos de él. Estoy tan contenta que no perdimos esta y otras dos actuaciones. Billetes de España, turnos dobles de trabajo para compensar el tiempo libre, los horarios de locos .... y todo ello ha valido la pena!
One of many memorable scenes with an awesome answer from Maybelle (Seaweed's Mom) about his new white girlfriend:
Maybelle: (to Seaweed and Penny) Oh, so this is love? .... Well, love is a gift; a lot of people don’t remember that. So you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin’ at you from a never-ending parade of stupid. Una de las muchas escenas memorables con una asombrosa respuesta de Maybelle (la madre de Seaweed) acerca de su nueva novia blanca: Maybelle, (a Seaweed y a Penny): Oh, así esto es el amor? ... -Bien, el amor es un regalo. Hay mucha gente que no lo recuerda. Así que espero que ustedes dos sean lo suficientemente fuertes para soportar las horribles cosas que van a tener que sufrir del desfile sin fin de los estúpidos…
Opening scene - a flasher? Really? This is an outrageous show! La apertura del telón - ¿un exhibicionista? ¿De verdad? Éste es un show de escándalo!
There are some who think that once Halloween has passed and All Saint's Day is behind us it's the time to rush ahead into the colors and dazzle of Christmas to come. To do so, however, would be to miss the rich hues and depth of beauty of November. Spanish autumn is prolonged by a late celebration of the Christ Child, which doesn't begin until December 25th, when He appears in Nativity Scenes all over the town and in everyones' houses. This makes fall a delight and even though the air is crisp there is art in the autumn outdoors and indoors as you see in Desde My Ventana and pinterest that you won't want to miss.
Hay algunos que piensan que una vez que ha pasado Halloween y el Día de Todos los Santos está detrás de nosotros, es el momento para enfocarse en los colores y en el resplandor de la Navidad por venir. Hacer eso, sin embargo, sería pasar por alto los ricos y profundos matices de belleza de noviembre. El otoño español se prolonga por una celebración tardía del Niño Jesús que no comienza hasta el 25 de diciembre, cuando Él aparece en los belenes de todo el pueblo y en las casas de todo el mundo. Esto hace una delicia del otoño y, aunque el aire es fresco, hay arte en el otoño ahí fuera y bajo techo tal como se ve en Desde My Ventana and pinterest que usted no querrá perderse.
After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth…
The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch.
The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze.
The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet.
Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her…
In October any wonderful unexpected thing might be possible.”
― Elizabeth George Speare.
This year has been unique because we drank in the fall cider of my home state the beginning of this month and are still capturing the last days of the season back home in Spain. Trader Joe's, our first shopping stop when we arrived to the States, was ready for us with edibles we enjoyed and more we packed in our suitcases like pumpkin butter, canned pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and other nuts and dried fruits.
First purchase at Trader Joe's...do you see dried mango slices, a large jug of 100% pure maple syrup, fresh fuji apples, strawberries and blueberries, organic butternut squash soup, spinach tortellini, pumpkin bars, ... heaven.
Este año ha sido único ya que bebimos la cidra del otoño en mi propio estado al principio del mes y todavía estamos disfrutando los últimos días de la estación aquí en casa de nuevo en España. Trader Joe's, nuestra primera parada de compras al llegar a los Estados Unidos, estaba preparada y repleta para nosotros con comestibles que disfrutamos y más que embalamos en nuestras maletas como el dulce de calabaza, calabaza enlatada (para tartas), café de calabaza y semillas de calabaza y otros nueces y frutos secos.
The entrance of Trader Joe's, Town & Country Plaza
Pumpkins and gourds of all sizes and shapes
We had a glorious sunny afternoon in Apple Hill, where autumn is breathed in and celebrated. Tuvimos una soleada y gloriosa tarde en Apple Hill, donde el otoño se respira y se celebra.
Vineyards stretched between the apple farms
We drove from farm to farm, photographing sights and sampling local wares such as the notable Walking Apple Pie at Kids' Inc. , Farm #5 on the map.
Fuimos de granja en granja en coche, haciendo fotografías de todos los lugares y probando los productos locales como la notable tarta Walking Apple Pie en Kid's Inc., Plantación Nº5 en el siguiente mapa.
What makes me laugh about the name Walking Apple Pie is that instead of walking anywhere after eating one, you are so full and content all you feel like doing is sitting and relaxing for a long stretch. Enrique and I split ours, these fabulous pies are big, half the size of a normal pie. Caramel, whipped cream and spices are placed through the middle top pastry to cover the delicious baked apple slices inside. The truth is each one is so decadent that you might have to forego lunch altogether in lieu of this pie. Oh Fall, you are so delicious! Lo que me hace reír sobre el nombre Tarta de Manzana Ambulante es que en vez de caminar a algún sitio después de comer uno, estás tan lleno y contento que lo único que quieres hacer es sentarte y relajarte un buen rato. Enrique y yo compartimos la nuestra, estas tartas fabulosas son muy grandes, (la mitad de una tarta normal.) Caramelo, nata montada y especias están todos colocados dentro por un agujero en la masa superior que cubre las manzanas horneadas deliciosas. La verdad es que cada una es tan Lo que me hace reír sobre el nombre Tarta de Manzana Ambulante is que en vez de caminar a algún sitio después de comer uno, estás tan lleno y contento que lo único que quieres hacer es sentarte y relajarte un buen rato. Aunque Enrique y you compartimos la nuestra, estas tartas fabulosas son grandes, la mitad de una tarta normal pero con la intención de que cada uno comerá uno por si solo. Caramelo, nata montada y especias están todos colocados dentro por un agujero en la masa superior que cubre las manzanas horneadas deliciosas dentro. La verdad es que cada una es tan copiosa que puede que tengas que renunciar a la comida del medio día si te entregas a este pastel. Oh otoño, que delicioso eres!
Apple butter
Apple pies, apple butter (dulce de manzana, mermelada de manzana), and more in the making.
integrated cast, including several special needs individuals bursting with talent, we wait expectantly for the opening number. We aren't disappointed at any point. Tracy is cheeky. Seaweed is dance personified, ... and Linx, of course is a dream.
I'm mesmerized seeing my son, now grown into a handsome, tall lanky young man, dancing just like Fred Astaire (well, almost,) singing and just oozing with talent. I can't take my eyes off him. I'm so glad we didn't miss this and two other showings. Tickets from Spain, double work shifts to make up time off, crazy schedules.... its all been worth it!
