PRIMARY TIME...

Today, Tuesday, February 20th is the Wisconsin Spring primary. We have one chance to decide who will be on the ballot next fall for our State Supreme Court judges. Judges who will make rulings that affect all of us.

Anybody want to guess what the percentage of voters will be at the polls? 

May it be higher than past primaries.
Remind your friends to Get out the vote as no time is a time for apathy.

Bring your photo I.D. 
Registration is permitted on voting day. If it's your first time to vote you will need a proof of residence. (ie utility bill)

Voting is a privilege. VOTE.
Polls open at 7.

Below are 3 important links:


*If you would like to learn more about the candidates, go HERE

*What do you need to vote?

*You can go to myvote.WI.gov and find a complete list for your community as to local and municipal elections and referendums. 

UNITED WE STAND...

"United We Stand" was the theme UW-L's  Black Student Unity group chose for its 2018 Reflections of Ebony. You've heard me praise this cultural evening in years past* as it is truly one of my most favorite campus events.  I breathed a big sigh of relief once the day's snowfall ended mid afternoon and we had no problem leaving the End of the Rainbow Valley!

Reflections of Ebony ticket sales had been slow at the beginning of the month but folks apparently were just waiting to purchase their tickets as the numerous set tables attested upon entering the Student Union's large Bluffs ballroom. Arriving when the doors opened was a good thing as we had our choice of tables closer to the stage and enabled time for me to give Natureman his first tour of the new impressive Union. 

Welcoming the evening's guests were Jalen Tomell, a very talented young musician followed by the BSU event coordinators giving a welcome to the 200+ attendees.  


The Black National anthem was sung by former student Jazzma Holland, along with thank you's and short explanations of the African flag's colors and 'Soul' Food after which tables were dismissed to the much anticipated Soul Food buffet. 

During the evening awards and recognition were given to graduating seniors, students, faculty and community members. The truth is this organization couldn't happen without BSU's dedicated board's hard work and the help of its members.

Most of BSU's board 

The evening program is different every year but a performance artist Muhibb Dyer, a community activist from Milwaukee's southside, brought his one man show “From Kings to Thugs to Presidents” with the aid of video clips of interpretive dance and photos. His impassioned voice was heard well before we saw him rising out of a 'real' casket on stage. Talk about an entrance.  

An hour of moving poetic lyrics spoke of the African American experience dedicated to one of Mr Dyer's young family members who had followed the common path of too many young black men, dying way too young.

Muhibb Dyer also incorporated the powerful Call AND RESPONSE method where a phrase is reiterated with the help of the audience repeating it numerous times. 

As witnesses it was painful listening to truths like discrimination, incarceration, murder and yet also hopeful with words for the future. 

May Muhibb Dyer's words continue to reach both young and old alike for us to stand united and make this world a better place for all.

Thank BSU for the work you do in both the university and city communities!

* LINKS to previous Reflections of Ebony 

BEST SECRET IN TOWN

2014 Reflections of Ebony

FINDING IT AND SEXY SELF INSIDE..

FOTO FRIDAY:HARE/HAIR TODAY?

FOTO FRIDAY this week has double meaning as during visits with baby Hannah  I've been singing that diddy Little Bunny FooFoo with wild gesturing of hopping through the forest and adding over exaggerated facial expressions.  She just smiles and giggles at me. Who cares she has no clue as to the song's meaning as it ends with the good fairy poofing the hare into a goon and exclaiming  "Hare today, goon tomorrow."

Taking the saying a step further with that play on words hare/ here or hare/hair. Here in the End of the Rainbow Valley we have signs warmer weather  really is coming. Romeo, our dog, is starting to shed again. Big tufts of hair are being replaced with a lighter coat. "Dust bunnies" are appearing on the concrete floor with dog hair amidst them. The poor vacuum cleaner never gets a break.

Romeo is not the only one losing hair. Natureman's winter hair needed some trimming so yours truly with scissors in hand attacked that head of hair.  

And I guess he could also now utter Hare today, goon tomorrow. 

How 'bout your household, are you ready for your spring haircut?

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was BAGGING IT and I wasn't talking about the goats.

My original HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW posting when I donated 14" inches of hair and Natureman really got buzzed in solidarity. 

TBT: VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE 1920 & 2018

Dinner out was on our agenda for Valentine's Day but it was bittersweet as stories of love took the back seat today as they did in 1920. 

Do you remember as a kid hearing about the notorious gangsters of the 1920's and specifically the horrendous Valentine's Massacre where 7 mobsters were gunned down? 7. 


Here's a list of 11 things we are supposed to know about that event according to the Latin Times.

*Between the years 1924 and 1930, Chicago was considered a     lawless and violent city.
*Al Capone took over from his boss Johnny Torrio in 1925.
*Al Capone is the original “Scarface,” and his income from illegal   activities was close to $60 million a year.
*George “Bugs” Moran survived the massacre and told reporters “Only Capone kills like that.” Capone replied, “The only man who   kills like that is Bugs Moran.”
*The men who executed the Irish mobsters were dressed in cop uniforms.
*The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is considered Chicago’s gang   war climax.
*70 rounds of ammunition were fired on the day of the killings.
*When officers from Chicago’s 36th District arrived to the scene,   Moran’s garage on the North Side of Chicago, Frank Gusenberg   was still alive but refused to reveal the killers identities.
*Capone’s alibi was that he wasn’t even in the city on the day of   the massacre, he claimed to be at his home in Florida.
*After the happenings, authorities dubbed Capone as “Public   Enemy No. 1.”
*The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre marked the beginning of Al Capone’s downfall. 

Yesterday another Valentine's Massacre occurred at a wealthy neighborhood high school in Parkland, Florida. So far 17 fatalities.

After reading the 1920's list. Here are some questions going through my mind and perhaps yours.
*Are we a lawless and violent country?
*Who's in charge?
*How much is this gun business worth?
*Who kills like this?
*Who are we going to blame for these deaths?
* Did the perpetrator even need to wear a disguise?
*How can countless rounds be obtained to be fired at Parkland   High School? 
* Who are we identifying as the killer and is this 19 yr old kid         really Public Enemy #1?
* What is it going to take this gun industry down?

R-Fla Rubio has received $3,303,355 from the NRA over the course of his career as an elected official.

My dear U.S. citizens why do you think we are the only country with this senseless bloodshed as a result of our gun control laws? How many have to lose their lives before we say enough is enough? 

The suspect carried an AR-15 rifle and had "countless magazines," the sheriff said.

internet image of AR-15 rifle

One of the victims could be one of your family members. A day of love and friendship didn't have to end this way.
We are going to need more than prayers... Let your legislators know how you feel.

Bought & paid for by NRA

Sen. John McCain (R-AR) $7,740,521

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) $6,986,620  

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) $4,551,146

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) $4,418,012

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) $3,879,064

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FLA) $3,303,355

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) $3,124,273

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) $3,061,941

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) $2,896,732

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) $2,861,047

Rep. French Hill (R-AR) $1,089,477

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) $800,544

Rep. David Young (R-IA) $707,662

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) $385,731

Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) $344,630

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) $245,720

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) $221,736

Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) $201,398

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) $158,111

Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA) $137,232

DO YOU THAW FIRST?

Okay sometimes we are anxious for more than the ground  to thaw... and it has been a while since you've read something regarding food.  Don't worry the following is not a recipe but rather about technique, specifically freezing.  So perhaps some of you foodies can help me out...

Here in the End of the Rainbow Valley we grow pretty much 80% of what we consume. This means a lot of canning, dehydrating and freezing going on in the summer months. Of course we eat a lot of fresh veggies but there's always extra needing to be preserved for use later in the year. It's the freezing part where advice is needed, freezing for particular assembled dishes.

Anybody else have issues with frozen foods being way too watery once thawed? 

Two of the past week's dinners out of the freezer had some liquid issues ... Let me add I let them thaw at room temperature.

First : Chile Relleno, a batter fried stuffed poblano chile.  Instead of baking all the stuffed poblanos in August, only one dinner was dipped in batter and fried at the time. The remainder of the broiled and skinned cheese filled poblanos was frozen before the batter step for future meals.  

They had maintained a pretty green color. Once  thawed, I towel dried the peppers and insides before dipping them in batter to fry them. The batter appearance was fluffy and fried up nicely but once the chile was cut water oozed out. It could have been from the pepper, cheese/ both. 

Although the watery liquid could be mixed in with the thick salsa which topped the chile relleno, it wasn't ideal. Any suggestions?

The other freezer meal was eggplant parmesan which makes such a large quantity that it necessitates freezing.  Last summer advice suggested freezing the dish after assembly and just cook it when needed. Once again my question  is, "Do you let it thaw before cooking?" Won't it get soggy since the breaded eggplant is already fried?

Both were tasty and pleasing to the eye but is there a better way to do this without sacrificing texture?

'Definitely will appreciate your advice...

UPCYCLING SCRAPS OF LIFE

It wasn't like I needed another art project as I am supposed to be finishing up a mobile for that grandbaby's crib but when the Pump House posted upcoming classes, one grabbed my attention as it involved fabric and principles of design... Besides the baby just moved into her big girl crib and I'd be able to finish the pieces before my next visit. Perhaps this class would also be the answer as to how to decorate the Down Syndrome fundraiser mannequin too.  Of course, I signed up and also sent an email to my crafty buddy Lynn to see if she'd like to join in the fun too.  She was game.

So this past Saturday we joined 12 others to learn about making fabric collages out of scraps using different design principles and  color schemes from artist Marilyn Klinkner. Marilyn recently had a show called  "Aparagraha or Freedom from Hoarding" as 99  12X12's of fabric collages grouped by color donned her exhibit's walls. 

What an endeavor!

Marilyn Klinkner explained the process 

After sharing the hows and why re: our love affair with fabric/ different art mediums and our introductions, Marilyn shared the principles of design and color. The 'value' of colors has always been elusive to me besides the task of composition. There's the how much is enough/ too much?  

There were rules.  We were to choose a bundle of scraps, pre chosen by our instructor but were not to alter any scrap unless it was over 15" in length as our collage base was a white 12X12 piece of sturdier fabric. Other material could be added/ exchanged.  Scraps eventually would be adhered to the white base by stitching with crewel thread. Irons were available for smoothing out fabric wrinkles. We were itching to get to started.

Collage composition isn't a quick process for the experienced or inexperi-enced but straight pins'd eventually held the scraps in place still allowing change...                                                                    
Sometimes we could literally hear a pin drop and other times there was chitchat and excitement on finding just the right piece/ place for the find.

Frustration dissipated as the compositions fell into place, some needing consultations/ suggestions/ praise. 

Favorite garb 
unable to be tossed found its new home out of the closet onto its owner's collage.  

Preference for circles could find their place and become a focal point. 
Where there's a will, there's a way, eh? 

The quilters and scientist in the group had to deal with uneven edges and shapes.

Mixing prints and colors was definitely not easy for us matchy types either.                     

We sat, 

stood, 

stretched.

Some of us walked around to view different tables's work. At times another collage might spark an idea to attempt another's methodol-
ogy.

 It was encouraging seeing others's progress. 

And as you can see each and every square was indeed unique. 

Then, the 3 hours were over before we knew it. Time to pack up and go home.

We departed with hopes of gathering again to work on our collages. 

Mine's far from complete...  
    

A

B

Tweaking still awaits.
Inverting changes things up.
Which do you prefer A/B?


No matter what, it was a wonderful afternoon sharing space with other like minded artsy folk trying  something different. 

Upcycling fabric scraps definitely feels good... 
Thanks Marilyn Klinkner for sharing your love of fabric with us.

'BLACK PEARL SINGS' DELIVERS SOULFUL INSIGHT

Milwaukee Rep does itself proud with playwright 
Frank Higgins's depression era moving true story of the Library of Congress's efforts to collect, record and document American folk song. Although the 2 women play is fictional, Black Pearl Sings reflects the real efforts of folklorist John Lomax and later his son Alan who collected song from farmers, laborers and male convicts in the South to gather both past and present songs. It is a play filled with some 20 songs both spiritual and folk mostly sung a cappela which weave the story.

The play is set in the year 1933 and Pearl Johnson, an African American woman inmate wrongfully incarcerated for 10 years is working on a Texan chain gang, clearing land for a future golf course and is seeking the whereabouts of her daughter.  The second actor Susannah Mulally, an ambitious white female ethnomusicologist from the Library of Congress is striving to succeed in a male dominated career.  Susannah recognizes Pearl's vast array of songs with insights into our land's history.  Both women although from such diverse backgrounds find commonality more than differences and a bond forms as they work together to get parole for Pearl while recording Pearl's generational music. 

Both women's performances, Lynette Dupree (Pearl) and Colleen Madden (Susannah) are stellar in their delivery of witty, poignant, sincere, bold scripts and soulful music which had us laughing, tapping our feet, nodding our heads in agreement, and also tearing up.  Black Pearl Sings's relevance mirrors society and its issues of sexism, gender, class and racism even today. It is a must see and will be playing in Milwaukee's Stackner Caberet until March 18th, 2018. 

Take a listen and peek at one of  Milwaukee Rep's promotional clips on youtube: Black Pearl Sings

Who knows you may even be seated with folks who want to linger after the play to talk more about the theatrical experience and mindfulness and maybe, just maybe that Milwaukee trout fisherman will take us up on fishing our end of the Coon Creek?