mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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#SelfCareSunday Fatherly Advice
June 18, 2017
— 4 Comments
Dick 1945
Dick fishing
My father was a corny guy who had a unique way of expressing himself. He had a PHD in petroleum engineering, but he like to come off as a down home Okie, for reasons known only to himself. He had a few phrases that have stuck in my mind over the years and guided my decisions in his absence. I am sharing them with you today for Father’s Day in hopes that you will see the humor in them and perhaps the wisdom.
My dad was very tall and imposing. He was an excellent musician and dancer, who loved to throw parties and sing. He was socially a pretty charming man. He did not discuss his politics in public, and felt obligated to be friendly, if not close, to all the neighbors. He was born in 1920, raised in Kansas and Oklahoma, at a time when petroleum was booming all around him, to say the least. His father, my grandpa, was a “jar head”, meaning he drilled oil wells with his crew before the invention of the rotary bit (very primitive stuff). My father got his masters in petroleum engineering at Penn State in the 1940’s and his PHD at Texas A&M in 1966. He loved A&M because he was in his element. He became a professor and taught there until he finally retired in 1997. His specialty was numerical modeling of oil fields. Being an Aggie suited him to a T.
His favorite phrase was “Hurry every chance you get.” This is a great example of his personal style. It doesn’t really mean anything, but sends one out into the world with a sense of urgency. He would typically say that on parting to everyone. He would often include, “It’s been great being with you” in his concluding remarks, just before he told them to hurry. It was endearing, and all of his colleagues and friends had heard it hundreds of times. His work crew bought him a desk set and had it engraved with the word hurry. It was too small to hold the entire statement, but everyone knew to what it referred. I don’t have a catch phrase for parting, but sometimes use my dad’s,”It’s been great to be with you”. I only say it if it is true. I never tell people to hurry.
In his parenting he frequently said,”Do as I say, not as I do.” This proved to be the most valuable lesson he engrained in me. He told me never to gamble or speculate on anything that was not a sure thing, as in a fact that already existed, rather than a speculation on the future. He also was firmly opposed to borrowing money, in theory. He then proceeded to gamble and speculate on oil fields (with borrowed funds) because he thought he was so smart. He both made and lost money, but it was stressful for him beyond belief. I could not help but observe that those oil wells were NOT sure things. He made this point clearly by doing what he said I should never do. I have no attraction to gambling or heavy financial speculation, and for this I thank Richard Morse. I remember to do as he said, not as he did, and this has served me well.
What did you learn from your father that stays with you in your life, gentle reader?
Tradition Scrapped
April 11, 2017
— 2 Comments
Getty Image Easter weekend is fast-approaching, which means the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is just around the corner. Or at least some semblance of the popular, kid-friendly affair will occur, as the Palm Beach Daily News reports that Donald Trump will instead spend the upcoming holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. To…
#HookedRX The Medical/Pharma Connection
January 10, 2017
— 1 Comment
opioid facts
The Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU has produced an important documentary about Arizona’s opioid addiction crisis. I live in Tucson where an obvious uptick in junkies all over the place has everyone concerned. From the petty theft to the mental illness caused by addiction to opioids destroys neighborhoods, families, and individuals. The routine overprescribing of pain killers began as a marketing strategy for drug makers. They promoted studies that concluded their products were not addictive, and provide a needed level of pain control. Now we know they are highly addictive, and even a short time on this hard prescribed stuff can lead the patient to seek out heroin as a cheaper alternative.
Pain is a relative thing, so anyone who wants to stay high on opiates can go to a medical doctor and say they are in pain, and easily score drugs. There is also a huge black market in these pills. Many hop on the addiction train by taking pills from the parents’ medicine cabinet as teens. Since the drugs are socially acceptable and widely discussed and well known, there seems to be no stigma for taking pills for any reason. The idea is that no person should ever feel pain, anxiety, confusion, social pressure, or discomfort of any kind. There are pills to insure that real life does not intrude into the self medication. I have never been into pills so this phenomena is really bizarre to me. I understand wanting to get high, but not wanting to feel nothing. So, what is the gateway drug for feeling nothing? A visit to the doctor? This has gone south in the worst possible way.
Weekend Coffee Share, Mermaid Edition
December 17, 2016
— 12 Comments
hair flip
If we were having coffee today I would tell you how I ended up teaching a holiday session of mermaid camp for a lovely young lady. Some of you have noticed that my blog is officially named mermaidcamp, and may have wondered why. Sit down by the wood stove and put your feet up on the ottoman while I serve you a hot cup of tea, coffee, or holiday cheer. Tell me about your week while I prepare for my young student’s arrival later this morning.
Last week at a holiday gathering a friend told me she thought about buying her 9 year old daughter a mermaid tail for Christmas. I told her that being a mermaid is about so much more than just a tail, and since the child is not a strong swimmer yet it may prove dangerous. I have seen people buy expensive costume tails for kids without thought to how strong one must be to swim dolphin kick. It is no joke. First one needs to be able to handle flippers, then flippers with feet and legs close together. These steps take time and practice. Very few adults swim the butterfly stroke well because it requires strength and coordination. I tried to convince her mom to outfit her with a merskirt..a tail free costume that clearly indicated life under the sea. She is an excellent seamstress and costumer who can craft a really custom look for her daughter. I was able to gift her a big load of sequin fabric for the mer skirt project in return for an agreement to skip the tail this year. The tail is awkward and hard to construct, but a merskirt is whatever you make it. Real serious professional mermaids, such as Cate Vail of Sirens Photography in Reno, respect the merskirt. The mermaids up there are sometimes connected to Burning Man, so they take costuming very seriously. I was lucky to be invited to a fundraising fiesta in Reno where I met many very cool mermaid personas. The real key is never cut your hair.
mermaids of Reno
mermaids of Reno
mermaids of Reno
mermaids at Atlantis
If we were having coffee I would tell you how one thing lead to another and before long I had decided to take on the task of essential education a mermaid needs before owning a tail. This morning my little pupil will be at my house while her mom sews her merskirt back at her house. We will be preparing lunch with a mermaid theme, doing some art work, and chalking her hair. We have Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson cued up on Alexa so she can read to us while we work. We will learn all the words to “Under the Sea” by Sebastian the Crab for Karaoke performances later in the day. When the parents come back in the afternoon we will wow them with our deep knowledge of Neptune and his realm, and some mermaid themed appetizers. I am pretty sure this will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Stick around if you want me to chalk your hair. I am hoping this will lead to a sincere desire to be in the Tucson Parks and Recreation synchronized swimming program next summer. The program is excellent, and I believe she would have a great time. First things first…costuming and initiation, then some serious practice on the swimming skills. That is how we make mermaids, one child at a time.
Thanks for visiting me today in Tucson. Drop by Diana’s blog to read, write, or shuffle through this week’s offerings. We thank Diana for keeping the good times rolling every weekend.
When Does The Ship Come In?
July 9, 2016
— 3 Comments
Pacific
When I was a freshman a the University of Texas at Austin in 1968 I was an idealist. I was a folk singer, hum dinger. I protested the war in Viet Nam and civil rights atrocities. We thought that an egalitarian, high minded society was just around the corner. We thought the empire of fascist evil would end as soon as Barry Goldwater died. We knew less about world affairs then, but we knew that war was not only the only true sin amount nations, but also unconstitutional in the way it was being waged with no declaration. Since 1968 the United States has been at war with at least one part of the world all the time. Peace has not been achieved, and civil rights have been all but forgotten. Now we have the for profit prison system to mass incarcerate people of color, and laws designed specifically to feed that system. Our war on drugs has produced an epidemic of cheap heroin and an addiction crisis.
I was too young to march on Washington in 1963. I was busy living as an ex-pat petroleum princess in Venezuela. I spent a lot of time listening to Radio Havana because it was the only station that we got with a strong signal on the radio. I usually turned it off when Fidel went off on his speeches, but I liked the music from Cuba. Back in those days Venezuela had a natural contempt for Cuba and Fidel, and dependence on oil companies for their entire economy. This worked very well for the preteen petroleum princess, but not so well for the impoverished worker class. Like the historical Buddha I was exposed to suffering I never could have imagined in the world. The really interesting part was that my parents had no problem with the semi slavery and obscene show of wealth we enjoyed. I didn’t either until I thought about it. Now my own country has almost the same level of income disparity I observed in 1963 in Venezuela. The hippies have not yet accomplished our mission. I wonder if in the chaos and violence of this time, so similar to 1968, we might finally see the ship come in. The whole wide world is certainly watching.
Pacific
Souped Up Law Enforcement Vehicles, 2015
November 8, 2015
— 2 Comments
Maximum Migramobile
The Tucson Police Foundation holds a giant car show every November that is very popular with the public. I enjoy seeing all the well cared for vehicles as well as the cops of various kinds on display. The Border Patrol was on hand with a truly amazing vehicle they souped up as a hyper dune buggy. It has a Corvette engine and looks like Road Warrior. I am sure it scares those it chases. I am scared by the latest intelligence the Border Patrol agent laid on me. The farmers in Sonora are all switching to growing poppies because the weed market is no longer profitable. This is terrible news for the US, now trending heavily into heroin as our current drug darling. He said only two thirds of the drugs that enter the US travel through here. When I asked how he knew that without busting them all he replied that they have their ways of knowing. This is all pretty creepy, but the vehicle is impressive. Tempe Police Department entered for the first time this year with a confiscated very hot car they took form a drug dealer who used it for work. This special police car in use for “crime prevention”. This makes me laugh. Tempe police are saying we will drive your car after we bust you. I bet it does do some crime prevention.
Tempe’s crime prevention car
Tempe’s crime prevention car
It is fun to talk to the helicopter pilots who hover over our neighborhood so often in the night. They land the helicopter at the park so they can show it off to the citizens all day. There are many great examples of antique law enforcement vehicles every year too. The show brings together love for cars and history creating a time the public interact with the cops in an informal (not enforcement) atmosphere. It is my favorite thing the cops do in my city. My favorite cop in the city, canine Officer Evo was present, hamming it up for the cameras and winning hearts and minds.
antique cop car
TPD helicopter
The next post here will be devoted to Officer Evo and a new canine officer on the scene this year, Officer Cookie of the bomb squad, a lab who loves to party. The canine cops both fascinate and thrill me. They are very professional, but underneath it all they are dogs. Stay tuned to learn more about dogs in law enforcement and the cops who love them.
Officer Evo, TPD
Pool Party Pointers
June 9, 2015
— 2 Comments
Pool at Mission Inn
Summer is perfect for outdoor partying. Staying safe to enjoy the entire season injury free is important. Families in Arizona enjoy trips to lakes, some river rafting, and many gatherings around pools. Since the heat is intense and the sun is strong we take precautions. Sunscreen, or better yet, sunscreen garments and hats are needed even when the weather is cloudy. Altitude is a factor in the intensity of solar damage. Well above sea level, at 2388 ft, Tucson delivers sunburn fast. We need to be mindful for cosmetic reasons, and especially because we risk skin cancer from too much exposure.
When adults and kids gather poolside it is frequently assumed that “someone” is watching the kids next to the water. In settings where there is no lifeguard on duty it is imperative to designate one or more full time sentries to watch the pool. Switch frequently in order to share the responsibility and still enjoy the party. The person who is watching does not need to be a strong swimmer, but does need to establish order and discipline. With young people this is best done with humor and a complete up front understanding of what is permitted and what is prohibited. A teen who is mature can help guard the younger kids, but only if adults are on hand to deal with decision making. In the event that a person in the pool is in distress for any reason please remember to assist them in this order:
- THROW- any floatation device to assist the swimmer
- TOW-use a buoy with a cord to toss to the swimmer, then pull them to the side
- ROW-since a rowboat is not for pools this could be a raft used to reach the victim
- GO- swim out to the swimmer only if you are trained to do a rescue
These rules apply for open water, where row boats are discharged before sending a swimmer. In a pool setting lots of things can be used to tow such as towels, floating noodles, or even a chair cushion. If you lie down on the deck and extend your arm you will be able to pull your swimmer to shore without being pulled in yourself. You can also wade into the water where you can stand and extend something to tow the person. Even if you think you are a strong swimmer avoid a swimming rescue if at all possible. Drowning folks find super human strength and are often irrational. The very worst pool parties end in double drownings.
Using good judgement avoids injury and trauma in the water and around the edge of the pool. If you establish a rule, such as no running, you must stick to it. I think when kids of different abilities to swim are together a no dunking rule is a wise one to make. In general, respect for all involved is the aim of regulating water fun. Lightening storms are common here, and come with a great deal of danger. Err on the side of caution getting out of the water when lightening is spotted. It can travel surprisingly quickly. Insist calmly that everyone exit the pool in order to be able to swim again another day. I have seen very intelligent people resist this notion. You may have to be very firm. It is so much better than crispy critters on the bottom of the pool. Good luck striking the right balance between cannon balls and discipline. Enjoy!!!
pool at night
Fill the Plate for Hungry Kids
November 25, 2014
— 1 Comment
Thanksgiving SOS
This year No Kid Hungry is prepared to provide 100 holiday meals for every $49 donated. They use volume and organization to be very cost efficient, but they are also supported by large food companies. This nationwide effort is a system to end childhood hunger, which is much more common than most Americans might believe. If we start to consider the amount of waste and overindulgence set to transpire this week ( and last for some time) we might carve out $49 from our budget to feed children who do not have much security in their lives. I don’t know how much you can afford, but I know all of us are on one side or another of a great divide. The disparity of wages, privilege, civil rights, and dare I say, justice, is a major freak out. The symbol of children going hungry while some spend with lavish abandon is an embarrassment in the United States. It represents the worst of what we have allowed to happen to our society.
We can freak out all we want, but that is an unhelpful response to our crisis of inequality. Unless you are yourself in need of assistance (and sometimes even if you are) there is something you can do to be of service to others on earth. You can bring the gift of a smile if that is all you have to give. You can volunteer or quietly help someone you know is in need. An easy way to participate in the big feast of Thanksgiving is to be sure hungry kids have a seat at some table and something to eat. Bon appetite, gentle readers. Pass the equality, please.
Fill the Plate
Self Control, Trip to the Festival of Books
March 17, 2014
— 2 Comments
My strong love of reading has compelled me to do many things, including restricting my book consumption on a 3 book diet last year. My consumer weakness it is for art and books. I never seem to have enough of either one, even though I have more than I can store in my present circumstances. The Kindle has helped me to reduce the space I dedicate to books, but the passion to read everything all the time was not diminished by the diet. If anything I am rebounding since November when I allowed myself to buy books once more. I have loaded up on both print and Kindle books, plus I had a big backlog from the book diet year that I had acquired and not opened. I am back in full force as crazy reading woman, proving once and for all that diets just do not work.
Attending the Tucson Festival of books for the first time was amazing to me. The super well-organized event takes place on the U of A campus in buildings and in various tents set up for the weekend. Windy weather did not deter the visitors or participants from having wonderful time. Presentations for readers as well as writers are given all day both Saturday and Sunday. A giant food court assures that spending the day there will require no sacrifice. I did not eat or attend a session, but I thoroughly enjoyed all the tents I visited. Volunteers make sure the crowd is informed. Families with kids can participate in several ongoing demonstrations, book give aways, and photo ops with favorite characters from children’s literature . I bought some great cookbooks, two of historical significance, from the Assistance League tent and a book of memoirs from an Albuquerque lawyer, Laws and Loves Part I, Real Stories of the Rattlesnake Lawyer. I am a sucker for books that contain the word rattlesnake in the title. I am also planning to attend a free introductory class by the Writer’s Studio in Tucson. I have some desire to write poetry, and this group offers workshops that are convenient and well priced. Who knows, gentle readers, where this may go. Maybe all this reading will help me learn to write. Stay tuned; the plot may thicken.
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- Wildcat
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- U of A
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- Wild Thing
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- volunteers
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- my fave thrift store
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- literacy program
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- Authors
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- Writers Studio
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- characters and kids
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- jump rope tent
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- Rattlesnake Lawyer
Environmental Creativity #DooFrudumpsdogdoo
September 29, 2013
— 4 Comments
message for dog owners
practical design
Our midtown Tucson neighborhood has pride of ownership issues. The landlords are not prone to take care of rental properties and the residents have become used to a very low level of environmental pride. Tagging of gang signs is chronic and dog owners leave waste behind everywhere. Doolen-Fruitvale Neighborhood, or DooFru for short, has an elementary school, an art college, and a Boys and Girls Club all adjacent to each other. I am asking the kids interested in art and design to enter a competition. The DooFru Design Derby will be an annual competition to design the best small enhancement to our neighborhood environment. We want to create a positive artful outlet that says we care about the space in which we live. We don’t have a place for mural art or sculpture, but we can do small, individual projects that make a difference.
This year we are designing dog doo bag dispensers out of used plastic containers. When filled with plastic bags, they not only remind dog owners to do the right thing, but provide the means with which to do it. Some other neighborhoods have employed the bag dispensers with great success. I walk my dog in one of these adjoining areas and have noticed a big improvement in the waste problem since they put up the bag dispensers. We hope by involving kids and art we will have an even bigger impact to create a cleaner and more well cared for environment. The kids from Boys and Girls Club have joined in many neighborhood clean up efforts, only to see the same trashy behavior arise. I believe they can have a bigger influence than adults if they sincerely take on the #DooFrudumpsdogdoo initiative. They can shame the adults and set a standard of awareness simply by making art for the good of the neighborhood. My own design is designed to give the idea to the kids, but definitely not to win the derby. My #DooFrudumpsdogdoo lady is a neighborhood spokesperson in need of kids’ art.
