The new blog

www.roderama.blogspot.com

The next step

To paraphrase Sonny and Cher, the blog goes on. I've given a lot of thought to what I would like to name the new blog - everything from just my name to something completely nonsensical. what I've settled on may seem closer to the latter, but for those of you who will be in on it from the beginning, here is the name. Roderama Where does that come from? Well, since I have developed the penchant for writing about the adventures of rats, mice and other rodents, I looked up the latin root of the word "rodent." Turns out, it is rodere, that latin word for "to gnaw." And I thought, how appropriate, because that is exactly what I do here, gnaw on a few topics, including rodent adventures. And of course the "rama" part just reflects my free-for-all, retro inclinations. So, let me go and create that new space, and watch for the link here!

epilogue

Now that this blog is done, I'll most likely be announcing a new blog and putting a link to it here. In the meantime, for those of you who want a permanent souvenir of the year I spent whining, complaining and blogging, "I'm 50 - Now What?" is now available in print at:

Noreen Braman's Books - Lulu.com

2005 Moves On

As 2005 fades into the sunset, I look back over a blog that did what it was supposed to do - mainly, give me the opportunity to whine, complain and make comments about the world as seen through my newly-50-year-old eyes. It has been a year of gender debate, rodent experiments, floods on grand and local scales, hospital visits and personal epiphanies. Not at all what I expected when, in younger years, I envisioned the doddering, old crone I expected to be at 50. In fact, thanks to my more earth-spiritual friends, I've learned that the title "Crone" is one of respect, a crown of wisdom that can only be worn when one has lived a generous span of years.

And if there is one way I can sum up how I know feel about joining the AARP generation (although, let me say for the record, I have NOT actually joined the AARP - ok, I still have SOME hang-ups), it would be to describe myself in the borrowed words of a classified ad for a classic car:

"Classic 1955 model. May need some bodywork, but the engine runs like new."



Thanks to all of you who have taken this journey with me - watch this space for new developments!

The Reason for the Season

As this year draws to a close, I find that some of the December traditions that have been part of my entire life are suddenly being questioned. The traditional greeting "Merry Christmas" and even the term "Christmas tree" have become phrases non-grata in our lexicon. Apparently, the very idea that some of the celebrations that take place at this time of year may have been based in religion has become something to hide. Perhaps as some sort of over-compensation for the rise in worldwide religion-based governments and the blurring of the line between religious belief and academic teachings, as well as corporate America's need to appear as unaffiliated as possible (except, of course, for the worship of money), Christmas has become a victim of its own ideals. We seem desperate to show our desire for "peace on earth" to everyone, but not the inspiration behind it.

When nativity scenes were banned from public places, I concurred, not so much for the separation of church and state, but more to keep the Holy Family from becoming nondenominational cartoon characters. Everyone can have Santa and Rudolph and Frosty with all their seasonal fun - but, to me, the scene at the manger belongs in front of a Church. This doesn't mean, however, that I see any sense in this recent banning of "Merry Christmas" from the public air.

I grew up in a Brooklyn neighborhood where we were one of only 3 or 4 families on the block with Christmas decorations. This didn't seem to offend our neighbors, who were unafraid to say "Merry Christmas" to us. Many years later, our family Christmas celebrations were joined yearly by Holocaust survivors who shared our Christmas Eve traditions, complete with the midnight placement of Jesus into the manger under the tree. When they were greeted with a hearty "Merry Christmas" they returned the greeting in kind, knowing full well that is was representative of the peace and love of the season, and not an indictment of their own beliefs.

It is amazing how, when asked, most members of the public don't feel that they are scarred for life by being exposed to Christmas greetings, Christmas decorations, or Christmas carols - even those who do not share the belief in the birth of Christ. But trying to dilute and hide what started this whole seasonal celebration by changing its very name is ridiculous and unnecessary. There is no doubt that the "de-religionizing" of Christmas will continue, it IS the way of things, after all, few think of St. Valentine on Valentine's Day. Should we now start saying "Happy Romance Day?"

If we changed or removed every word, reference or celebration that originated as some sort of religious observation or tradition, we would probably end up word-less, art-less, science-less and lifeless. So in the spirit (is that a religious word?) of the season, and the occasion that is the reason for all of it, I say, Merry Christmas to all, and to all who cannot, on principal, accept this greeting, I say, may God (however you conceive God to be, even if you conceive God as a non-existent superstition) bless you with more insight.

Personal Revelations at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton New Jersey

December 3, 2005

I dropped off two photos of the Peace Form sculpture that is located across from the UN, at the Grounds for Sculpture at around 11 am today; with the hope they will be selected for an upcoming juried photography exhibit. Now, I am sitting in their cafe having some coffee and a brownie. This is the first time I have been here and I am already enchanted. It is windy and cold out, but I still want to try and get some photos here.

I am reminded of the sculpture garden at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin II in Arizona – it was much smaller and all the work of one person, but it ignited in me something I can't define, a longing to be where art is created, displayed and enjoyed. I remember I just wanted to sit there among the works... Of course it was a lot warmer there too!

I am watching the steady stream of photographers coming in to enter their work. Interestingly, most of those bringing in work are of a certain age bracket — that bracket that I have also entered this year. I find myself wondering if what has happened with these people is the same thing that has happened to me — a reawakening or renewal of interests and pursuits that perhaps had to be put aside earlier in order to take care of the necessities of life. I find comfort in this, knowing that I am perhaps among many “late—bloomers.” Previously, I had been mourning the time lost, but now I can see that it is more appropriate to know, and believe with all my heart, that this is the right time in my life for this — that had I tried this earlier I would perhaps have not had the eye that I have now— would not have had the appreciation for things of beauty, creativity and patience. It isn't to say that suddenly I have had some insight into modern art— it still mystifies me — but yet, now, I have an appreciation for form and composition that I didn't have before. I am no longer looking at that large, metal abstraction as just so much recycled trash (although I admit, I still see that on occasion) but now, I have a different eye, a different sensibility— is it an artist's eye? A photographer's eye? No I look beyond the "what the heck is that" reaction, looking deeper for shape form and color, and most importantly, the play of light and shadow. I am seeing that even those objects that are realistic representations tell a different story throughout the day as light, shadow and weather constantly shift and change. In fact, I am beginning to feel sorry for the pieces I have seen kept indoors— at least here in this building they are flooded with the light from massive windows — but what about those locked forever in windowless museums— subjected to only the steady, hard, shadow less glare of perfect museum lighting. How wonderful would it be to have an indoor room that simulated sunlight and different hours of the day — cloudiness, windiness — all those factors which make outdoor sculpture into living and breathing creatures. Certainly I am not the first to think of it. For all I know, it may be the most basic theory taught in art school. But for me, a person who has come to art sheerly through personal experience and self—taught means of expression, it is a revelation akin to those experienced by Old Testament prophets. And I see the definite connection to photography — the photographer capturing that fleeting interplay of light. Sure, we still need the standard, centered, “here is the sculpture” photo for the guidebooks — but what art could be created just by studying one outdoor sculpture for a day— a week — a year! (I am sure this has been done and somewhere someone is just rolling their eyes at me). But, to use an old cliché, if the real experience of art is truly the journey and not the destination — I have just turned down a different road, and no matter how well—worn the pathway, it is new to me. And I am going to move slowly and take lots of pictures.

here are some of them:DigitalDreams.dotPhoto.com - Welcome!

Scientists Again Outwitted by Small Furry Animals

It hasn’t been a good couple of months for scientists involved with small, furry animals. First there was the trio of bubonic-plague-infected mice that disappeared from the lab in Newark, New Jersey. No one has been able to determine if there was a mouse accounting error, if other mice ate the missing ones, or if they have actually gotten out into urban New Jersey. Then, there were the scientists who were trying to find out how rats that suddenly appear on previously rat-free islands could be captured and eradicated. The one rat they let loose could not be tracked down for months, even with a radio collar on him. And now it is revealed that it is not only rats that are outwitting modern science. Apparently, other animals are rallying to the cause. No longer willing to be poked, prodded, chased and relocated, the animal kingdom is fighting back, and learning quickly, that in this battle of wits, their opponents are unarmed.

For quite a few years now, the federal government, as perhaps a sister project to the Witness Relocation Program, has been capturing otters who have the audacity to live in federally-declared otter-free zones and relocating them at a cost of $6,000 - $12,000 per otter. The point of this program was to move otters from their natural habitats to somewhere that scientists considered similar, in order to keep the otters (which had been previously hunted to near extinction) from bothering commercial fishermen. The otters, rebels that they are, manage to navigate themselves back, hundreds of miles, in as little as six months. They are re-captured, re-released, and the game goes on.

Now I know that not only are otters intelligent mammals, they are also very playful. I am sure they are enjoying this game immensely. If they knew how many millions of dollars had been spent on it, they would probably laugh themselves silly.

This week, according to an article on CNN.com – the government scientists are just about ready to admit defeat. The otters have won. Score another point to the small furry animal rebels! Now, let’s see if there is a lesson in here somewhere - how much better if those millions of federal dollars could be spent on developing fishing methods that are more environmentally friendly? Maybe we could hire the otters as consultants. Read the article: CNN.com - Otters winning battle of wits - Nov 16, 2005