REFLECTIONS ON LIFE – APRIL 2019

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

“I only write when I am inspired.  I see to it that I am inspired by 9 o’clock every morning.” 

~William Faulkner

This month for the first time in the few years I have been doing this program, I had a return appearance by a guest, Bessie Bordenave, who was my interviewee a few months ago.  This month Bessie was joined by her cousin, Melvin Kelly, who has his own very distinct memories of growing up here as an African American boy in our community. Among other memories, Melvin spoke of a cave near the Middle Patuxent River where he used to play with his friends.  We went to see the cave that is formed by an opening in the rock formations about five feet from the ground.  There has been mention of the possibility that this cave served as part of Harriett Tubman’s “Underground Railroad.”

(My monthly Reflections, the Dragon radio show I record at HCC, can be found at http://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/reflections-on-life/)

REFLECTIONS ON HOME IN COLUMBIA

Before Lloyd and I departed earlier this month for 2+ weeks in Portugal and Morocco, the plant and animal life that accompanies spring was well

underway.  Lilac and other blooming shrubs were in bloom, though not quite full, the same for forsythia outside our dining room window and the pink blossoms on the ornamental cherry tree by the pond behind our back deck. This year’s three resident geese were engaging in their searching for a nesting place for the single female.

Upon our return, we found the azaleas and other blossoms in full bloom.  As for the geese, one of the males had departed, hopefully for happier grounds, and the female was ensconced across the pond atop a nest under a maple tree.  The photo below needs no accompanying words to demonstrate the deep devotion of the gander to the female and their anticipated goslings.  He keeps watch apparently constantly swimming in an arc shape about 30 feet from the land. The mother goose rose from her seat on the nest as if to let me see her eggs.  From a position no more than 10 feet away, I could count four of them.

We look forward to meeting and welcoming the youngsters, no matter what the number, and for one more season we will hope, possibly against hope, that at least one of them escapes the snapping turtles in the ponds.  It has been more than a few years now that we have experienced the delight of observing two- to three-month goslings learn to fly, being coached by their parents.

The turtles in the photo below sunning themselves on this rock by the pond below our back deck, cute as they are, constitute the greatest threat to the goslings.

Observing these geese, and yes, the turtles as well, is a major factor in the joy that comes with spring each year.  This year some thoughts have come unsummoned by my mind as I observe these creatures. They include the dark image of the seemingly countless number of human babies who are coming into life on our planet apparently with so much less love and care than these goslings. Their parents may be every bit as devoted, or even more so, but poverty and danger, ever increasingly present in our world could lead to more hatred than love dominating the future of these innocents.

May those of us so blessed to live in our beloved community devote ourselves to spreading love and eradicating hatred, not only in our own community, but also throughout - wherever we go.

This clearly is the appropriate space in which to include a letter Jim Rouse sent to the real estate community in Columbia in the very early days of our new town.

A LETTER TO ME FROM ZEKE ORLINSKY – THE ORIGINAL PUBLISHER OF THE COLUMBIA FLIER - ON THE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION'S PROPOSAL TO CHANGE FROM A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO A "COMMUNITY BENEFIT ASSOCIATION":

"Thank you  for  taking  this  on.  I wish I could  have  been  there.  For years we have operated under rules that have benefitted all parties to this grand experiment in community building.  Rules change when necessity requires it. No such circumstance exists.  What makes this effort particularly  egregious is  that the curren rules under which we operate continue to  be  part of the reason  for the success of Columbia.  Please don't change what has worked from day one for something that has no real history of  working anywhere. Take some  time and do your  homework. Today this change receives a failing grade. Liz if possible  please share this. Thanks."

REFLECTIONS ON ZACH

Lloyd and I loved so many aspects of our travels in Morocco, and although we enjoyed walking through the crowded and bustling medinas (markets), we preferred the mountains, city parks, and mosques.  UNTIL, one afternoon when we were walking rapidly in line with our tour group of mostly thirty-somethings, Lloyd, who was directly in front of me, yelled out “great!”  Later he explained that was in response to a young western-looking guy walking in the opposite direction called out to him as he passed “I live in Maryland, too.”  Lloyd had on his “Zaching Against Cancer” baseball cap which has the University of Maryland’s colors.  Zach served as a student manager of Maryland’s basketball team.  As a matter of fact, Saturday night, Lloyd and I attended the annual Zaching Against Cancer “Gala” at the University of Maryland’s Xfinity Center. 

When Zach, at the age of 19, was told that his pediatric brain cancer had returned and he was “not going to make it”, he started a foundation to help the families of kids who come from all over the world to be treated for brain cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.  Zach had made it a point to get to know these kids.  Of course the kids loved it.  In this process, Zach noticed that although the medical care was equal for all pediatric cancer patients at Hopkins, regardless of the financial status of their family, the poorer families had serious difficulties.  Many could not afford to eat in the Hopkins cafeteria or park in the garage, to say nothing of getting a hotel room nearby.  So years later, when he knew he was facing the end of his life Zach decided to do something about it.  The foundation has thrived, and many kids with brain cancer and their families are reaping the benefit of what Zach has brought about through love.

I remember more than a few occasions when Zach and I were having a conversation about life and death, he said, “Grandma, love is the most important word.”  He was and continues to be the greatest teacher of my life.

Below, as printed by Zach, is a series of quotes by renowned basketball coach John Wooden.  Zach carried it in his wallet.

Tomorrow is Zach’s 26th birthday.

REFLECTIONS ON BALTIMORE, MY HOME TOWN

The Baltimore Sun                                                                      April 29, 2019

“Juan Grant killed in West Baltimore”

Friend of Freddie Gray led protests after his death”        by Colin Campbell

Perhaps Juan and Freddie are reunited in the love they demonstrated in their lives on this earth.

“Eight shot on Edmondson Avenue”

The Catholic elementary school, St. Bernardine’s, which I attended for eight years (I was occasionally called from class to sing in the choir loft at funerals in the adjoining church.  I always thought that was due to the quality of my voice.  Years later, the nun in charge of the choir told me it was because I had the loudest voice of the lot.)

I walked for six city blocks every weekday morning on Edmondson Ave. to the school, which was near where the shooting reported on in this article took place.

I am saddened beyond words by the continuing unearthing of apparent illegal actions of self-enrichment by Baltimore’s current mayor in the face of all the very serious needs of the residents of Baltimore.

REFLECTIONS ON PUBLIC POLICY

The Washington Post - Maryland                                   April 3, 2019

“State’s climate will become more like Mississippi’s, researcher finds”

Without significantly reduced emissions, Maryland’s summers will feel like the Mississippi Delta – warmer and wetter.  Having grown up in Baltimore, I can vouch for the fact that its climate is quite humid now.

“The average U.S. city will come to resemble climates more than 5,000 miles away, often to the south and west, the researchers said.”

The Baltimore Sun                                                           April 10, 2019

“General Assembly 2019;  The pretty good but….session”

This overview article covers a panoply of legislation regarding protecting oysters, prescription drug affordability, funding for a “super-track for horse racing, abolishing the Handgun Permit Review board, and the reform of the Maryland Medical System’s Board following the discovery of serious financial mismanagement.

The legislature’s record this year turns public financing policy more in the direction of the voters, rather than special interests.  For this, they definitely deserve a “thank you.”

The Baltimore Sun                                                          April 21,2019

“Maryland set to become first foam-free state”           by Scott Dance

I’m very glad to see foam food and beverage containers are on the way out in Maryland. I know that the members of the Maryland Legislature received many contacts in strong opposition to this pro-environment legislation, mostly from businesses who would bear part of the moderate costs it will engender.  I am so grateful to those legislators who voted for the protection of our streams and rivers, and ultimately the invaluable Chesapeake Bay rather than succumb to pressure to maintain the status quo.  What an appropriate state to take the lead on this issue, our state that encompasses more mileage of shoreline of the Bay than any other state.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR PLANET BEYOND THE UNITED STATES

We had previously visited Portugal a couple of times and loved it.  This time I remembered to take a photo of Lloyd at the dock in the capital city of Lisbon where he had disembarked from his Navy ship “USS Salem” more than 60 years ago.  I love the stories he tells about his experience as a sailor.

This was our first visit to Morocco.  Lloyd selected a National Geographic tour – a van driver, an excellent young Moroccan guide, and a very comfortable small bus that had 15 seats for the 12 of us.  We covered about 1,000 miles of magnificent scenery: cities, desserts, the Atlas Mountains.  We have shied away from tours but thought it not wise for us two – septuagenarian and octogenarian –to bop around Morocco on our own.  We loved our choice.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR UNIVERSE

The Baltimore Sun                                                                April 11, 2019

“First image of black hole revealed – ‘Science fiction has become science fact"

                                                                                                 by Seth Borenstein

Lloyd would be the first to tell you, respectfully, that I do not come to an understanding of scientific phenomena very easily, though I do display a very enthusiastic and yes, downright reverent, sense of awe, gratitude, and appreciation for those who do.

“The image, assembled from data gathered by eight radio telescopes around the world, shows light and gas swirling around the lip of a supermassive black hole, a monster of the universe theorized by Einstein more than a century ago and confirmed by observations over the decades.”

I add one of my favorites of Einstein’s quotes: 

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

May each and every one of us focus on strengthening our understanding of others.

The Washington Post                                                     April 28, 2019

“In May, head to the beach to see Venus before the sun rises”

Skywatch by Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.

I clip this feature of the Washington Post each month and keep it on my bedside table.  If May 1 is anything like this morning, I will be able to see the crescent moon before daybreak from the window above our headboard

Across the Universe

 “Pools of sorrow, waves of joy

Are drifting through my open mind

Possessing and caressing me

Across the Universe

~Lennon and McCartney

Be well and love life.

~ Liz