My longtime friend Mark Dalton has reminded me that forty years have passed since the summer of ’68.
Indeed, a momentous time for the nation with Viet Nam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, riots across America and the chaotic Democratic convention in Chicago.
Alas, there was a softer side to that summer. Simon and Garfunkel loved Mrs.Robinson, flower power was in the air (… if you're going to San Francisco ~ be sure to wear some flowers in your hair) and Mark and I were twenty year olds headed for a season on Martha’s Vineyard.
We quickly learned our place in the sun: the year ‘round residents of the island scorned the summer folk, the 3 month visitors despised the short-term people, the July or August guests loathed the weekly renters and everyone hated the day-trippers from Hyannis with their picnics and rental bikes. It didn’t matter ~ we had a toe-hold in this sandy, snobby paradise.
Over the Fourth of July weekend I met a lissome blond who was at Vassar. We were watching the fireworks and probably kissing and she told me her parents sailed up to the Vineyard every summer from Sag Harbor before moving on to Kennebunkport. The moon was rising above Chappaquiddick and for a nanosecond I imaged myself a young Jay Gatsby whom I had studied that spring in Freshman Lit. ‘Lissome’ disappeared later in the evening along with the gold and silver bursts that had lit up the water over Edgartown Harbor.
We rented a cottage from a couple named Bob and Mary Lucas. He held a position of some renown on the island and she was a dreamy woman with pretty brown eyes. Without children yet, she seemed to dote on our needs. Mary had an infectious laugh and even in June her arms and legs were deeply tanned.
From their porch on the high bluff you could see the lighthouse at East Chop. Truth be told, the ‘cottage’ we had was just a small but tidy annex to their garage. After a few weeks Mary recognized us for what we were ~ two slipshod college kids who had not advanced beyond hamburger-helper and nightly six-packs of beer. Coming back from work one evening, we discovered the place to be immaculately clean, a vase of flowers and a big pot of pasta, fresh bread and salad on the small table. In a summer of sparkling nights Mary Lucas was the mother goddess who looked after us, wishfully our own Mrs. Robinson perhaps.
By early September, college beckoned and the ferry to Cape Cod and the mainland was full on every sailing. Looking back one last time across the waters of Vineyard Sound, the swaying trees up on the bluff seemed to frantically signal that this was a once in a lifetime idyll not to be forgotten.
I haven’t ~ that was the summer of ’68.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Big Finish
Tropical Storm ‘Fay’ and the Olympics
Tropical storm Fay is like an irksome house guest who won’t leave. This is day #5 ~ the whole week ~ of Fay related bad weather here in Florida. As I look out the window, ominous dark clouds swirl from west to east bringing in heavy rain from the Gulf of Mexico. The center of Fay passed right over us on Tuesday ~ almost ancient history ~ in terms of Florida’s usually fast-moving summer weather. If it’s Friday ~ it’s Fay.
The Olympics seem to have been going on forever, too. Bloggers around the world have had a field day (there's a bronze medal pun) writing about the games. They’ve add their 2 cents / 2 euros / 2 pesos / 2 dinars / 2 pence / 2 shekel / 2 rupee and, of course, 2 Chinese yuan. But this weekend marks the end of the XXIX Olympiad.
My own experience with the Olympics goes back to 1962. Those of you who are quick ~ very quick ~ will realize ’62 was not an Olympic year (1960 = Rome and 1964 = Tokyo). What then was I doing in 1962? My creaky memory recalls the archdiocese of Boston’s convocation of prayer and games ~ an ecclesiastical field day ~ that summer. The event was held at a church in suburban Dedham ~ not far from my home.
President Kennedy had put the Catholics on the map so why not celebrate (so went the thinking) with a mini-Olympics for the altar boys. The key to success was to sign up for a morning event. I think I competed in the broad jump and the shot-put. It's all vague after so many years. Nevertheless, I remember not being keen to run in the afternoon races: short sprints, long distances and those crazy 3-legged events. The heat was wicked and lunch would have done in the most able and holy (or unholy) twelve year old boy.
Hot dogs with relish. Hamburgers, too. Grilled chicken, of course. Corn on the cob, baked beans, heaps of potato salad and cole slaw. Then there was dessert: water melon and Boston cream pie. Washed it all down with coca cola and rootbeer.
Perhaps there was a medal for most gluttonous? I don't remember.
Tropical storm Fay is like an irksome house guest who won’t leave. This is day #5 ~ the whole week ~ of Fay related bad weather here in Florida. As I look out the window, ominous dark clouds swirl from west to east bringing in heavy rain from the Gulf of Mexico. The center of Fay passed right over us on Tuesday ~ almost ancient history ~ in terms of Florida’s usually fast-moving summer weather. If it’s Friday ~ it’s Fay.
The Olympics seem to have been going on forever, too. Bloggers around the world have had a field day (there's a bronze medal pun) writing about the games. They’ve add their 2 cents / 2 euros / 2 pesos / 2 dinars / 2 pence / 2 shekel / 2 rupee and, of course, 2 Chinese yuan. But this weekend marks the end of the XXIX Olympiad.
My own experience with the Olympics goes back to 1962. Those of you who are quick ~ very quick ~ will realize ’62 was not an Olympic year (1960 = Rome and 1964 = Tokyo). What then was I doing in 1962? My creaky memory recalls the archdiocese of Boston’s convocation of prayer and games ~ an ecclesiastical field day ~ that summer. The event was held at a church in suburban Dedham ~ not far from my home.
President Kennedy had put the Catholics on the map so why not celebrate (so went the thinking) with a mini-Olympics for the altar boys. The key to success was to sign up for a morning event. I think I competed in the broad jump and the shot-put. It's all vague after so many years. Nevertheless, I remember not being keen to run in the afternoon races: short sprints, long distances and those crazy 3-legged events. The heat was wicked and lunch would have done in the most able and holy (or unholy) twelve year old boy.
Hot dogs with relish. Hamburgers, too. Grilled chicken, of course. Corn on the cob, baked beans, heaps of potato salad and cole slaw. Then there was dessert: water melon and Boston cream pie. Washed it all down with coca cola and rootbeer.
Perhaps there was a medal for most gluttonous? I don't remember.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Counting the 'Canes
As Willy the Bard Shakespeare once said, “and summer's lease hath all too short a stay.”
Here I was trying to hold out until Labor Day ~ or the late summer Bank Holiday that my British colleagues take ~ or my friends in the Madrid office who consider all of July and August as one general Time Out. That's the life.
I wasn’t coming back to this desk and the blog for another two weeks. I mean let’s get through the Olympics! What’s the hurry? Read a few more books ~ lower the blood pressure.
Well, the wake up call for Floridians is the on-rushing storm named Fay which is soon to become a hurricane within a few hours. That marks the end of summer for us and the start of the Middle Season ~ the Hurricane Watch ~ or counting the 'canes as we say here on the big peninsula.
Why it was just 3 and 4 years ago when Florida set its record of eight major storms in two seasons. Major damage ~ major upset ~ major distraction. This was suppose to be another quiet season like last year when nary a breeze blew through. Alas...
Now Fay lingers over Cuba ~ taking a breathier but looking our way. Here’s the routine today:
Bottled water? Check!
Flashlight? Check!
Batteries? Check!
Canned Food? Check!
Cash on hand? Check! (no pun, that)
Family papers secure? Check!
Evacuation Plan? No ~ we are staying put, thank you.
How is your summer going, by the way?
Here I was trying to hold out until Labor Day ~ or the late summer Bank Holiday that my British colleagues take ~ or my friends in the Madrid office who consider all of July and August as one general Time Out. That's the life.
I wasn’t coming back to this desk and the blog for another two weeks. I mean let’s get through the Olympics! What’s the hurry? Read a few more books ~ lower the blood pressure.
Well, the wake up call for Floridians is the on-rushing storm named Fay which is soon to become a hurricane within a few hours. That marks the end of summer for us and the start of the Middle Season ~ the Hurricane Watch ~ or counting the 'canes as we say here on the big peninsula.
Why it was just 3 and 4 years ago when Florida set its record of eight major storms in two seasons. Major damage ~ major upset ~ major distraction. This was suppose to be another quiet season like last year when nary a breeze blew through. Alas...
Now Fay lingers over Cuba ~ taking a breathier but looking our way. Here’s the routine today:
Bottled water? Check!
Flashlight? Check!
Batteries? Check!
Canned Food? Check!
Cash on hand? Check! (no pun, that)
Family papers secure? Check!
Evacuation Plan? No ~ we are staying put, thank you.
How is your summer going, by the way?
Friday, August 8, 2008
8.8.08
To tell you the truth I was going to give the Olympics a bye this time.
No offense to the Chinese nation (all 1.3 billion), the Bulgarian weightlifters, the Kazakh horsemen or the Indonesian mixed badminton pairs. No offense either to the other 10,000 athletes competing in 302 events in 28 sports.
However, it’s already been a BUSY SPORTING SUMMER what with the wild Euro-2008 Championship, a Wimbledon men’s final that some commentators are saying was the best tennis match ever and the inspiring British Open with Greg Norman playing the role of Don Quixote. And with August upon us, American baseball fans are getting anxious as to who might or might not make the playoffs.
Who has time for the Olympics?
However, as has been widely reported these past few weeks the Chinese have an obsession with numbers and their symbols ~ for good or ill. For example, the Olympics begin tonight at 8:08 PM and today’s date? 8.8.08. We can guess that ‘8’ is very positive number in the Middle Kingdom. Travel-China.com says this:
As a rule in day-to-day life in China, it is customary to regard even numbers as being more auspicious than odd numbers. In China, traditionally gifts are given as a part of the celebration for all occasions. Thus, guests will always give even-numbered presents. As the number two usually suggests germination and harmony, at wedding celebrations, decorations are invariably setout in pairs: a pair of red candle or a pair of pillows. 'Ba' (8) in Chinese has a similar sound to 'Fa', which means to make a fortune.
I don’t think it is wise to ignore such signs. Besides the scary number business there are countless, compelling subplots involving individuals, teams and nations. There are too many to list here.
However, I for one will be rooting for the South African swimmer Natalie du Toit who lost her leg in an accident in 2001 when she was 17. The 24-year-old student from Cape Town achieved a dream this summer when she qualified for Beijing. She just hasn’t given up. Here’s an amputee competing at the highest level of performance. What’s more she is competing in the 10km open water race ~ one of the more arduous Olympic events. Go Natalie.
I’m watching. Let’s the games begin!
No offense to the Chinese nation (all 1.3 billion), the Bulgarian weightlifters, the Kazakh horsemen or the Indonesian mixed badminton pairs. No offense either to the other 10,000 athletes competing in 302 events in 28 sports.
However, it’s already been a BUSY SPORTING SUMMER what with the wild Euro-2008 Championship, a Wimbledon men’s final that some commentators are saying was the best tennis match ever and the inspiring British Open with Greg Norman playing the role of Don Quixote. And with August upon us, American baseball fans are getting anxious as to who might or might not make the playoffs.
Who has time for the Olympics?
However, as has been widely reported these past few weeks the Chinese have an obsession with numbers and their symbols ~ for good or ill. For example, the Olympics begin tonight at 8:08 PM and today’s date? 8.8.08. We can guess that ‘8’ is very positive number in the Middle Kingdom. Travel-China.com says this:
As a rule in day-to-day life in China, it is customary to regard even numbers as being more auspicious than odd numbers. In China, traditionally gifts are given as a part of the celebration for all occasions. Thus, guests will always give even-numbered presents. As the number two usually suggests germination and harmony, at wedding celebrations, decorations are invariably setout in pairs: a pair of red candle or a pair of pillows. 'Ba' (8) in Chinese has a similar sound to 'Fa', which means to make a fortune.
I don’t think it is wise to ignore such signs. Besides the scary number business there are countless, compelling subplots involving individuals, teams and nations. There are too many to list here.
However, I for one will be rooting for the South African swimmer Natalie du Toit who lost her leg in an accident in 2001 when she was 17. The 24-year-old student from Cape Town achieved a dream this summer when she qualified for Beijing. She just hasn’t given up. Here’s an amputee competing at the highest level of performance. What’s more she is competing in the 10km open water race ~ one of the more arduous Olympic events. Go Natalie.
I’m watching. Let’s the games begin!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
A Gap Year ? comments from an expert
In my May musings (It’s Spring ~ Now What?) I was trying to recapture the uncertainly facing 18 year olds as they made the Big Decision ~ what to do after high school. At about the same time, I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Mahon, founder of Planet Gap Year and I asked him to explain the emerging trend of taking time off between high school and college.
What's the idea behind the gap year, Paul?
As the Founder of Planet Gap Year, I am dedicated to getting the message out to students, parents and high school advisers that taking a "gap year" before going to college is an option that is gaining broad acceptance with U.S college bound students, parents, and college admissions departments. The benefits of stepping off the educational treadmill between high school graduation, and starting college, are convincing more people to defer college entrance for a year or more after high school graduation.
Experts in the field of higher education, from admissions directors to independent college planning consultants are increasingly in agreement about the benefits of gap year for incoming freshman. Many American high school seniors are burnt out from the academic treadmill of high school, and often are not ready emotionally for the challenges of college life. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 30% of incoming freshman college students drop out before sophomore year! The financial and emotional cost to students and families are daunting, especially given the astronomical cost of a year of college in the U.S. today. The benefits of taking a 'gap year' most frequently mentioned include: increased self-confidence, emotional maturity, academic and career direction, and improved life skills. Students who have completed gap year experiences are now coming forward to tell others about the positive impact time out has made on their personal academic and career choices.
The idea underlying 'gap year' is that students who take a well-structured block of time after high school graduation to mature, challenge themselves in new ways outside traditional class room settings, and explore career options and interests, ultimately do better in college, career and life than students who don't take a breather, and head off directly to college. What activities do students undertake during a gap year? The range is enormous, but the most popular options are volunteering, interning, traveling, teaching, studying and exploring other cultures.
For in depth planning information and resources, visit http://www.planetgapyear.com/. Read stories from students who have already planned a gap year, search our database of gap year options. If you want a greater understanding of 'gap year' please read our FAQ's for parents and students, and read my blog for the latest news and commentary on the student gap year trend in the U.S.
Thanks for these insights, Paul.
What's the idea behind the gap year, Paul?
As the Founder of Planet Gap Year, I am dedicated to getting the message out to students, parents and high school advisers that taking a "gap year" before going to college is an option that is gaining broad acceptance with U.S college bound students, parents, and college admissions departments. The benefits of stepping off the educational treadmill between high school graduation, and starting college, are convincing more people to defer college entrance for a year or more after high school graduation.
Experts in the field of higher education, from admissions directors to independent college planning consultants are increasingly in agreement about the benefits of gap year for incoming freshman. Many American high school seniors are burnt out from the academic treadmill of high school, and often are not ready emotionally for the challenges of college life. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 30% of incoming freshman college students drop out before sophomore year! The financial and emotional cost to students and families are daunting, especially given the astronomical cost of a year of college in the U.S. today. The benefits of taking a 'gap year' most frequently mentioned include: increased self-confidence, emotional maturity, academic and career direction, and improved life skills. Students who have completed gap year experiences are now coming forward to tell others about the positive impact time out has made on their personal academic and career choices.
The idea underlying 'gap year' is that students who take a well-structured block of time after high school graduation to mature, challenge themselves in new ways outside traditional class room settings, and explore career options and interests, ultimately do better in college, career and life than students who don't take a breather, and head off directly to college. What activities do students undertake during a gap year? The range is enormous, but the most popular options are volunteering, interning, traveling, teaching, studying and exploring other cultures.
For in depth planning information and resources, visit http://www.planetgapyear.com/. Read stories from students who have already planned a gap year, search our database of gap year options. If you want a greater understanding of 'gap year' please read our FAQ's for parents and students, and read my blog for the latest news and commentary on the student gap year trend in the U.S.
Thanks for these insights, Paul.
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