A moment’s pause from gems from the young gals…State Line: Yoga and Hi Hat and Ted.

Aug 31 2011

A moment’s pause from gems from the young gals…State Line: Yoga and Hi Hat and Ted.

by admin

I was late to arrive at Yoga Fix at the bottom of the Reece Nichols Building in Mission Woods. I’m an out-of-towner so I always want to respect each neighborhood’s protocol. I had experienced that Bikram on 39th locked the doors and people are advised to arrived 15 minutes early. Never going to happen. But, I was still a minute late and my mat was 200 miles away in Wichita. So, I whipped out my card and asked if I could borrow one and pay after class so that I would not further disrupt.

So into my hot [ter than hell] yoga went I….

My child’s pose was endearing.

My wheel was spinning round and round…

My pigeon cooed…

My crow cackled with glee!

My prayer pose brought thankful thoughts…

shh….shh….shh….shh….

shh.shh.shh.shh.shh.

My Shavasana (corpse pose) always lacks a little. Time enough for that when I’m dead. I’m out of the door.

Forgetting about the dollar I owed, the woman stopped me, “Are you Paula Adams?” she said.

“Yes.”

“There’s a post-it here about the mat rental.”

I pay the dollar and ask, “how did you know it was me?”

“The last girl left a description.” Of course, I had to look at the post-it.

It said:

Paula Adams

Slender white-haired senior

owes $1 for her mat

Well, I was feeling so fit and alive but it did put a bit of a crimp in my happy baby.

So, onto Hi Hat to grab my mocha and pain au chocolat (post yoga, max chocolate, must get all the endorphins going).

And, saw these handsome gentlemen holding court in the 9 x 9 space that T. Jensen has allowed for those choosing to sit inside (it is brisk February).

Men's Morning Coffee at T. Jensen's place. See what I mean about the size? It's an old cottage-style brick gas station. FB has identified far left as Dorcy Troutman.

I’m looking and feeling a little a little low and they kindly struck up a conversation as I waited for the decaf mocha. At this point in time, I didn’t wear lipstick or mascara to work out and the ballcap was on. I’ve now changed my tune on that.

I think there was some kindly remark about working out, so I had to show them the post-it that I had kept. And the man at the right offered his story.

Trop de Testosterone Ted and his buddy at left.

It went something like this…

“I was on a golfing trip with some guys in [some exotic place or well-known course or something, don’t play golf, don’t remember these things]. An attractive younger woman was talking with my friends and asked who they were here with. They gestured to me. I overheard her say, “that short bald guy over there?”

I said, “too much testosterone?” His friends said, “hmmm…it’s a gift.”

So, Too Much Testosterone Ted, keep it up. I think we’re all lookin’ good.

And, for the record, a senior is when one reaches 50 so I was, at that time, indeed 50 for a few more days. So, it doesn’t bother me so much. It just doesn’t seem like this should still be the term, though, until we get some good stuff like discounts on movies and airline tickets.

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Aug 30 2011

August 29, 2011. A text from Lace…

by admin

Text I rec’d at 12:15 today…. [and I was on a roll…crossfit at 5, home washing face at 7, at desk ever since…the joys of having adult children]

“Mom-try to check your email whenever you have the chance!”

This was the email I looked at at 1:45 pm, since we’d had a boundary talk about communication. I was trying not to drop everything in an effort to mirror availability when contacting one another…you know…two weeks adult child = two hrs. mom.
From: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Grey shift dress and shoes
Date: August 29, 2011 11:13:05 AM CDT
To: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>

“I didn’t realize it was so soon – but we have our first party (the Botar Buffet) this Thursday where we meet our escorts. This is the party that is the Kentucky Derby theme – I need to figure out what I’m going to wear!!!”
– Lacy Adams

text to Lacy at 2:08 pm…

Lace sorry to text [this as an aside, not in text…I’m trying to be on-the-text-wagon but the company I keep is making it difficult…] but I’m on it with Genevieve with hat dress and shoes. U r not obligated! I had fun but I’ll send you pics in a bit. luv mom.

email to Lacy…2:35 pm…on the way out of the door to Towne East in Wichita.

From: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>

Subject: Derby attire

Date: August 29, 2011 2:36 PM CDT

To: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>

I’m checking Von Maur. There is one possibility that might be good for someone smaller. As the Derby is a summer event, the summer hats most like this have all been sent back. I will send you pictures as soon as possible with some ideas and will be in KC Wed. night to deliver to you as I am driving in from Wichita for the Parents Cocktail Party. I also am hoping that this FB post might gather some other mothers or women in for the challenge! We can do it! Nothing better than feeling needed :). I hope you think this is funny. love, mom.

[I posted this and photo below to FB, hoping for faster communication and some tips from other women. It seems to be a genetic thing in our family to communicate through social media as fastest medium]

googled "Kentucky Derby Hats" and saw this as an option...

3:00 pm, Facebook post from Julayne Ramsey appeared on my wall….so sweet and so” other mother” not to disappoint…

“this is not the best photo…it was taken in the mid 90’s some work deal…But I was showing off my hat…..too bad I don’t have it anymore…I was reading your post and found this.”

Things in this world

By: Julayne Ramsay

Aug. 29, 2011 3:02 pm…

Text to Genevieve at Brick’s, Wichita: This is felt and 78. Something someone (who?) would potentially wear again who wears hats. Not us…

[Toni, Genevieve, Marilyn and Gail are the team of stylists for the Adams women who know all the available clothes and shoes better than I do as I have bought everything here for the last 6 years and keep it all forever. It is all timeless. Genevieve Gordon’s family owned Brick’s in downtown Wichita back in the day. She lets me borrow her purses and hats.]

: The felt one someone might wear again, $78. Dillard’s.

Aug. 29, 3:04 pm…

Text to Genevieve:

this one kind of dull slick like microfiber and to me looks most like the derby hats online that were the alternative to the big brim one side up and one side down. It is $108 which is way more than I want to spend. But since Derby is over, I can’t be picky. I guess someone might go to another Derby party in their lifetime or the actual Derby?

: the most like the Derby Hats online…or I thought…looks like something from Alice in Wonderland in this picture…

Aug. 29, 3:06 pm…

Text to Genevieve:

This one has a slight flip up at the edge like two inches (curved up) and the curve is very structured plus the flat top slants so it’s just quite the combo. In the last one the bow is almost just like a free loop of structured satin, and kind of freely more artful tack with a few wispy feathers. so my gut is with that but you know, not I. TY so much for the Chin luu suggestion that I have that is perfect. What shoes?

Aug. 29, 3:08 pm.

Text to Paula from Genevieve and Toni:

We like the first one the best!

Aug. 29, 3:12 pm.

Brringg…brrinnggg..!!!….Call from Genevieve to I-phone (who is 3 weeks from delivering and not working today by the way….I hope I don’t have to bother her in labor…)

Genevieve to Paula: Yes, the first black felt one is the best.

Paula to Genevieve: Okay, I’m heading to Von Maur. Will send you the last picture in a minute.

Aug. 29, 3:18 pm.

Text to Genevieve: This is not a great pic may try for another but have to sneak.

: self-photo at Von Maur with Cosy helping me…ssshhh..illegal photo and they are very strict about this, I’ve tried before…Cosy could be fired.

Text from Genevieve in team effort with Toni: We like this one the best!

Aug. 29, 3:25 pm. Punishing them for good behavior…

Text to Genevieve:

What shoes? I’m wearing the French whore shoes (the pink and black patent platforms with cutouts) so I could just leave those up there except maybe inconvenient since I can’t take off until 9pm and I have to drive back, so if you have another idea that is good, too. TY so much for checking on the navy blue suede Chi Mihara shoes and for getting the cocktail party shorts done. Takes a village of women….

And here’s the finale, the email pièce de résistance….(since most recent at top, read from bottom up).

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>
Date: August 29, 2011 4:36:50 PM CDT
To: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Derby party.

Hi mom,

So when is your cocktail party?? I just found out this derby party was THIS Thursday. Is yours this Wednesday night?

Mom – this is the cutest pic though. So cute. Oh my goodness I love it. You’re so lucky that you know Genevieve and all of these ladies to give you such good fashion advice… I seriously just LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!

Well, I’m driving back to Lawrence tonight – but Tuesday night and Thursday night for sure I’m staying at Sara Liechti’s (her address is – 4949 Wornall Road)

I love you a lot & I’m thinking of you. I can’t get over how cute this pic is!!!!!! How expensive was the hat? Seriously for all of these dresses that you’ve let me wear and dresses that you have purchased for me – if you feel that you want any reimbursement just let me know. Seriously.

xoxo, Lace

On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 4:09 PM, Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com> wrote:

The final 'fit for the 'ffair.

I checked out three hats at dillards which i hate which were expensive and all kind if over the top and sent to Genevieve at bricks and posed the challenge.

Then to Von maur for last option to see cody who had described this tasteful peau de soie with a soft boyish tie and wavy ( like a ruffle ) band.

Genevieve and Toni at bricks chose the latter which was half the price and twice the taste. She also said do the chan luu which I got on sale from her in fall 2008 and u wore to granddads funeral with the little petal shreds.

The shoes are the ” all black” ( I call them French whore) black and pale pink platforms which I will wear Wednesday night so I’ll have to meet you after this cocktail party which is at 61st and Terrace and over at 8:30. Are you still commuting from Lawrence and if not where are you living?

Don’t feel obligated to any of this, it was fun for everyone on your skilled team (which i am not one of!)and I can take back the hat but do let me know how to drop off if you’d like.

Thanks for emailing me hon.
– mother of the independent new assistant accountant executive in marketing at osborne and barr who also has always done everything for herself including fashion. I’m so enjoying the moment and think you have a great team of stylists who know all our available wardrobe choices from 2006 on, shoes, dresses, jackets.

They said to call anytime! 1-316-681-0361 and ask for Genevieve, Toni, Marilyn, Gail, or Erin.

Sent from my iPhone

Done! Everything in red conveys tremendous satisfaction and love.

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Aug 29 2011

le sketch du jour: June 4, 1980. le Grand Palais. Paris, France.

by admin

drawing, le Grand Palais. Right bank of Seine. Paris, France. by Paula Graves

Le Grand Palais is located on the right bank of the Seine as seen in this map of my running route in Paris. It is across the way and east a bit of the Eiffel Tower, and just west of the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries, and the Louvre. This was the west leg of my no-brainer running route (where I would not get lost) when I lived at the Hotel Cayré on Boulevard Raspail.

Paula's running route with Grand Palais to left of Tuileries Gardens in light green.

Here's the aerial. right to left: Petit Palais, Grand Palais, Pont d'Alexandre spanning Seine.

It was constructed in 1897 of iron and steel with a glass barrel-vault and was one of the last buildings of this type inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, for the Exposition of 1851. These glass and steel structures were necessary for large gatherings of people before the age of electricity.

Crystal Palace, London. 185l.

History

The left wing has been a science museum since 1937, the south wing is occupied by the University of Paris IV, and there is a planetarium which is one of the first of its kind.

The construction of le Grand Palais began in 1897, following the demo of the Palace of Industry, in preparation for the Universal Exposition of 1900. This project also included an adjacent building, le Petit Palais, and le Pont d’Alexandre III which many consider to be the most beautiful and is definitely the most opulent bridge in Paris. But I won’t digress into bridges…

It is a Beaux Arts building with a formal floor plan but used contemporary innovations of the glass vault, iron and light steel framing, and reinforced concrete.

Its original purpose was to house the great artistic events of the city of Paris. I think it is interesting that this project was awarded to four architects, Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, Albert Thomas and Charles Girault each with a separate are of responsibility. Not big famous names that are particularly memorable to the masses, comme moi, but a great display of teamwork in design, often a feat in itself.

There are a number of allegorical statue groups including work by sculptors Paul Gasq, Camille Lefèvre, Alfred Boucher, Alphonse-Amédée Cordonnier and Raoul Verlet. The two statue groupings on the pylons are the Champs-Élysées side depicting Immortality prevailing over Time and the one on the Seine side of Harmony triumphing over Discord. [I can’t find big enough images and I get them mixed up, but one is a woman in gown and another has a penis and they are both standing over fallen figures. So, I’m pretty sure the Immortality is the man and the Harmony is the woman].

Statue groupings surrounding le Grand Palais.

Later Function

After the Exposition, the palace was the site of different kinds of shows in addition to the intended art exhibitions from a riding competition (1901 to 1957) but were mainly dedicated to innovation and modernity: the automobile, aviation, household appliances…think “home show” until 1947. The first major Matisse retrospective after his death was held at the Grand Palais in 1970 and was an incredible success.

Problems, or should we say in the field, issues and challenges to address.

The structure itself was problematic from the start, mainly as a result of subsidence caused by a drop in the water table. The builders attempted to compensate for this subsidence by sinking supporting posts down to firmer soil so as not to delay construction, but measures were only partially successful. A show about locomotives and horseshow runoff also took their toll on the space. Differential rates of expansion and contraction between cast iron and steel allowed water to enter and corrode until a glass ceiling panel fell in 1993, and it was not fully reopened until 2007.

I think it’s interesting that the Grand Palais has a major police station in the basement which helps protect the exhibits on show in the Galeries National and the “salons” (picture spaces) of la Société Nationale des Beaux Arts, Salon d’Automne, and Salon Comparaisons. I mean, hey, the Nelson has guards and the Duane Hanson Guard which I found equally frightening in my younger days, but not a real cops headquarters for art.

Trivia

For the fashionistas, Chanel hosts many of its fashion shows here.

For the sabreurs, it was host of the 2010 Fencing Championships.

And for the WWI & II aficionados…

The Palais served as a military hospital during World War I, employing local artists that had not deployed to the front to decorate hospital rooms or to make moulds for prosthetic limbs.

The Nazis used the Palais as a truck depot and for two Nazi propaganda exhibitions. The Parisian resistance used as headquarters during the Liberation of Paris. On August 23, 1944, a peace officer fired on the advancing Germans from a window and the Germans responded with a tank attack on the Palais which ignited hay set up for a circus show and two days of black smoke severely damaged the building [those Frenchman…always keep the circus going while you’re resisting the Germans…:)].

Et, c’est tout! C’est merveilleuse. At least, run by!

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Aug 23 2011

le sketch du jour: 4 July, 1980. “Happy 4th! It is not celebrated here at ALL.” running, and my wild roommate.

by admin

One of my running routes: 6 1/4 miles, île de la cité to la tour eiffel

[Please tell me that I am joking at times when I wrote things like this below at American holidays…unfortunately, I don’t think I am]

Friday, July 4th, 1980.

Happy 4th! It is not celebrated here at ALL.

Anyway…woke at 9:00 AM- Didn’t get moving until about 10:00 though. Ran about 6 1/4 miles. I ran down to the bridge that crosses the Seine across from Eiffel Tower. Then back towards Louvre to the 2nd little island. (see map: I actually ran to Île St. Louis). Then, back down along the Seine to Louvre, then home.

Had breakfat in little room downstairs, croissant & thé. Everyone seemed to have slept late-everyone was eating at it was 11:00.

Went to bank to get money for train (bus-that is) to London. It is going to be $70.00. Couldn’t confirm reservations all the way thru so I need to return Mon. The Place is actually accueil de jeunes-france, 124 Rue St. Martin (métro stop rambuteau). It is just across from Pompidou Center. They also give you 25% off on train fares & speak English. [highly recommended when traveling though have no horror story to tell yet].

[see Beauborg sketch and post]

Charlie called. I found a note that she said she’d left for Cannes in the middle of the night last night [Charlie was my wild roommate from the little town of Toledo, Texas. She had short very dark brown hair, kind of almond eyes, and was a fairly big girl, that is hefty). Anyway, she had met a guy from Kuwait who wanted to take her shopping & to Cannes. They couldn’t get reservations (they are going next weekend). So, she was at some hotel. She said she was going to dinner with him tonight & wouldln’t probably see me until tomorrow but she did want to go dancing with us (Parsons people) tomorrow night and did I want to go? She said “I don’t know if this guy will come or not, but if he does, it’s a free night.” [hmmm….] I was a little vague- but if anyone else goes, I will, too. Sounds like it could be interesting. That’s all I know-I didn’t ask any questions!

Well, about it-see you tomorrow!

P.S. The man at the desk here is darling! he told me to run down to the Luxembourg Gardens-He said he lives near there and ran for 2 weeks and quit (he said he even bought a running suit so he wouldn’t quit and did!). He showed me lots of good museums to go to & asked my opinion of Beaubourg.

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Aug 22 2011

le sketch du jour: July 4th, 1980. Beaubourg, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, d’Estaing, some politics.

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Centre Georges Pompidou, former meat district, Paris.

The Pompidou Center was a brand new building designed by architects Renzo Piano (Italian, Milan)and Richard Rogers (British, Yale) in 1980 when I was in Paris. It was one of many projects by Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. The complex, an Art Museum, is in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It is near les halles (the former meat market area), rue montorgueil (where hip Parisians shop, eat, are seen…there’s a Monet painting of this street) and the Marais (first wealthy planned urban shopping and dwelling, Place des Vosges which was mentioned in sketchbook on July 1st. The goal of this museum is very egalitarian, to bring in everyone, even those who would never go to an art museum. This is so different than so many other museums in Paris where I would generalize to say that beyond the tourist, the visitor already feels some degree of appreciation of art.

First, a word about le Centre Georges Pompidou, aka Beauborg. If you really want the architect’s intellectual discussion, here ’tis. But bear with me, if you are working in the field of architecture or construction, it’s useless.

The Photo of my angle from internet.

It was innovative in having services such as staircases, lifts, electrical power conduits and water pipes on the outside, leaving the inside open and uncluttered.

an excerpt from journal notes from 4 July 1980.

As you can see, I saw Pompidou Center commonly called “Beaubourg”. It is pretty exciting-it looks like a “big erector set” as Michael (my teacher from NYC and Parsons) said. It is exciting because it is so big, so high-tech, and so different for this city. People seem to really enjoy it because the square & inside of the center were packed. Inside was a photography exhibit, an exhibit of old train cars, tents, paintings, Duane Hanson (people in car) – I think it was “leisure activities,” a restaurant on the roof, a museum in the majority of theh building, and an escalator that takes you up through that clear tunnel to the top. I did all, but none of the museum, and I was there for 2 1/2 hours.

In the square were bagpipes, mimes, dancers, beggars, some religious group, and a man with chaings aound him that passed around a bucket for money. There was also a belly dancer. Definitely a must of things to do in Paris, but it does take a whole afternoon.

And here’s some politics about France if anyone cares.

Beaubourg was initiated under Pompidou, but under d’Estaing’s leadership was completed along with Valéry’s other far-reaching infrastructure projects, the TGV and the turn towards nuclear power as France’s main energy source. He suffered from the economic downturn from the ’73 energy crisis marking the end of the “30 glorious years after World War II.” Official discourse stated that the “end of the tunnel was near”.

A bit of background, he was a centre-right politician and liberal on social issues in the Catholic country of divorce, contraception, and abortion. He was opposed by Mitterand, of the newly-unified left, and from a rising Jacques Chirac who resurrected Gaullis (with whom d’Estaing had broken ranks) on a right-wing opposition line and was not re-elected after his tenure in ’81. He supported the United States of Europe and the later EU.

One quote of his in particular, from an article he wrote for Le Monde^[10] and published in that newspaper on 15 June 2007, that “public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals we dare not present to them directly”, was consistently highlighted by “No” campaigners (anti EU) as evidence of d’Estaing’s alleged agenda to fool the European public into his proposals. While the quote is accurate, it was part of a critique, taken out of context, of a suggestion made by some unnamed persons. In truth, he went on to reject this course of action by saying, “This approach of ‘divide and ratify’ is clearly unacceptable. Perhaps it is a good exercise in presentation. But it would confirm to European citizens the notion that European construction is a procedure organised behind their backs by lawyers and diplomats.”

He was a a teacher in Montréal in ’48, graduated from École Polytechnique and the École national d’administration from ’49-’51, worked with the Tax and Revenue Service, joined staff of Prime Minister Faure in ’56, sec’y of Finance from ’59-’62, he supported the winning candidate Georges Pompidou and returned to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and in ’74 at age 48, he was elected to President,In 1974, he was elected President of France at 48, the third youngest president in French history, after Louis Napoleon Bonaparte and Jean Casimir-Perioer. He promised “change in continuity”. He made clear his desire to introduce various reforms and modernise French society, which was an important part of his presidency.

And, he was an elegant, articulate man of economics, seemingly free of sexual scandal (a little minor diamond smuggling liaison accusation, but we have money issues in America, too). Pretty amazing for a French politician.

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Aug 19 2011

Girls Night Out: Award Winning filmmaker, Chicago news journalist, and the Object of his Erec…

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They always start out so charming….and this was kind of cute…

Ms. Mann moving in for the low angle on man.....

But they’ve ALLLLways gotta take it too far, don’t they?

Cannot be real and uneven tanningbedlines on the asscheeks...

By the end of his number, we all felt really bad for this probably nice guy for having to make a living this way. And the poor object of his affections had broken out in a cold sweat, not exactly what you’d call foreplay.

“It’s so degrading,” said the journalist.

Plus, I don’t think we tipped very well. Who wouldn’t be afraid to touch something so writhing and goatish?

I’m sure men feel the same sympathy for women working the stripper pole.

And by the way, if you ever travel to Canada on a sales trip, my brother-in-law says getting taken to the Strip Club is just part of closing the deal.

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Aug 17 2011

Toejam at Paddy O’Shay’s Sept 2nd, SMEast ’78, Harold Epstein.

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Harold Epstein, Musician. SMEast Class '78

I have a way of not getting to the main point, so here it is. Harold Epstein’s Band Toejam (or whatever etiquette is to indicate collective ownership of a group of musicians but Harold is who I know. When you google it he has all the important businessman titles: General Manager and Booking agent) is playing at Paddy O’Shay’s Labor Day Weekend.

So, what would anyone have to do that could possibly be better than seeing a committed creative of (40 years? …when did you start playing Harold?) in our class at East to celebrate that we’re 50ish and shouldn’t be laboring so hard?
Or, as I see it, play is indeed work and takes some effort.
So, get in the car (Julayne Ramsey is driving 600 miles from Minnesota…I’m not giving up on Eugene Bridges as he needs some fresh Kansas air being down there is smoky moutains all summer), hop on the plane, ride your bike on the bike path on I-435, whatever you have to do. It should be fun.
I’ve heard there will be a former recluse or two from my neighborhood putting in an appearance.
Dave Wood (and Denise Gatzoulis) called me a month or so ago and at that time we committed to seeing Harold play next KC visit, so he motivated me. So, I’m hoping they’re both in town. All the outdoorsman can sit together at one table and talk hunting and fishing and Cabela’s. I’ll pass on this for the fashion and art and photography with Julayne and Lisa Revare Hickok. I’m name dropping on my homies being there, have no idea of their social commitments that Friday as we’re all too busy to talk.
no one comes to these things if they are true dyed-in-the-wool pills or assholes.

so here’s the data:

Paddy O’Shays

Sept 2, 2011

9 pm to 1 am

135th and Nieman

As I haven’t seen Harold and didn’t hear him play in high school, I have no idea of music genre. In my mind, this could be anything from Led Zeppelin to the Monkees, but I’m sure we can find a way to dance to whatever it is. I intend to dance a lot, mostly with the girls.

So, that’s about it. Toejam, is of course, front and center. But, I do love these opportunities for high school friends to get together. I realize that it may make me a bit of a loser to think back about high school. Whatever…But two things…

stop here for 99.9% of readers. The rest is just Paula’s attempts to get some of the thoughts about high school and friends role in later life that are constantly spinning around her head, onto paper and into her blog therapy. This is done for numerous reasons, one being her goal to talk and burden/bore others less about such randomness in casual conversation. I’m going to rehearse before I go Friday evening, can’t promise anything.

I know I always have mixed feelings of good and bad about this time in my life. And almost 30 more years of real life, different people, different experiences, different jobs and places certainly makes this just a little sliver and maybe not the most interesting facet. But, it was the slice when we were transitioning from being girls and boys to women and men (hormonal). And that is a common bond. And, I’m thinking and hoping that amidst all the $h!t of probably not the greatest sex and fumbling, parents and family life, competition, drugs and alcohol and trouble and and self- discovery and Carolyn Howard, that there was a lot of joy and fun for everyone. This is what I like to remember with friends.
On a personal note about friends and I’ll get to the point after a bit of background…. I married 6 months after graduating from KU to an incredible man who went to a private high school in KC and was in a frat at KU. But, he grew up on a ranch in the Flint Hills. I should have realized that the Brooks Brothers and penny loafers were just a small part of this guy. But, the gritty cowboy thing was and of course, will always be extremely alluring, as you can imagine it was for a Johnson County Girl. This John Adams was really is the main show. I was confident that since I was creative, love and I would figure out the rest. I threw myself in and have never regretted it.

So, right after we were married, we moved to the XIT ranch in his family’s cattle business down on the Cimarron River in very rural Meade County, Kansas, 30 miles from the closest city. He’d go there to brand cattle for two weeks in the summer. But, he had never lived there full-time, so we shared the adventure. It is about as diagonally opposite from Johnson County as you can get in Kansas and about as diametrically opposite from Johnson County as it comes.
So, I’m getting closer to my point about old friends, places, and memories of key things to build upon that were my foundation and are my mother’s milk. These are for me: my family, my school friends, creative expression we all have and do in different ways, and France.
The isolation of living on the High Plains was often very challenging for someone like me who a) likes to work for days on end and needs the solitude to do this, b) is efficient and isn’t going to drive 30 miles to town in a lonely moment just have coffee with a female and pick up the milk and c) is at heart a social person. But, I did it, I lived it, and the wandering in the Great American Desert to find self (as the High Plains was labeled when Europeans started to explore America) is me. And maybe we all have had or still have this in some form, whether in our truck or at our computer or in suburbia or at a cocktail party, or out on the beautiful ocean of the hi plains in Kansas…those moments when the blissful Alone can at times be lonely and we go inside our minds to find a companion with a common past that knows us and we don’t have to say a thing.
The point: you were always on my mind and will be there for me, both at happy times and dark moments when there is no one else around and I am weary of being alone.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7f189Z0v0Y&ob=av2n[/youtube]

I look forward to seeing anyone who can make it on Friday, 2nd. Go Harold with the artful life! Paula.

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Aug 6 2011

le sketch du jour, July 3, 1980. Postscript. The moral is: remember you are your father’s daughter.

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Okay, Ginna Getto and Cindy Bean, here’s your story paraphrased!

July 3, 1980. journal entry.

P.S. I have to tell a story about KU group that KU girls from Tennessee and Gower Place told me. Pure gossip, but funny. Girl in Cindy’s room at youth hostel in Morzine hadn’t been home at nights while she was there. She had met some boy at a café.

This is Cindy talking..

“Well…we decided the first night that she had just gotten caught up with talking and hadn’t looked at the clock ’til 8:30 am. NBD. Then, it happened every other night. O.K. Still NBD. Professor Anderson said not to go home with anyone, but whatever, it’s her business. Anyway….”

It is Sun. AM and after packing up the night before, it is the day to depart on a long bus ride to Paris.
Breakfast is at 7:30 and everyone is to be packed & ready to leave at 8:30.
The above-mentioned girl hadn’t left the auberge the evening before until 1:00 AM because her garçon ami had to work.
The KU bus is waiting at the Hostel. Waits, waits.
Finally they decide they must find her.

The bus with Professor Anderson at the helm and Jeannie at the wheel drives to the café to ask the owner the guy’s name with whom the girl +avoir des relations sexuelles. And, the address.

The bus, all seats full of the peering KU French Department, goes to the lad’s apartment. As the bus is running, waiting, Professor Anderson mounts the steps and rings the bell repeatedly, rrrinnngg, rrrinnngg, rrrinnngg.

Luxembourg Lines and loose-y lady on the landing.

Finally inhabitants wake up. The KU co-ed comes to the door, hair disheveled, mascara under her eyes, some article of French men’s clothing thrown over her naked body.

The bus continues to wait as the jeune fille (coquine, vilaine, malicieux désobéissant..take your pick) gathers her clothes to cover herself.

The bus must now return to Auberge and wait again so girl can pack her things which she had not thought to do the night before in her hasty retreat for “un plan cul” (booty call) that final night to remember.

Poor, poor girl! But sort of funny, too! 🙂

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Aug 6 2011

le sketch du jour but no sketches: July 1 and 2, 1980

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This is only one that architectural historians and decorative arts people (antiques dealers) might find interesting. Unfortunately my books including pictures of most of these buildings is in the attic at the XIT Ranch, so there are only a few visuals. I don’t know why anyone cares, but I have included everything from the journal so far, so I am compelled. I was an Art History teacher and focused quite a bit on architecture from 1983-1989 so I’m trying to hold back from sharing….we’ll see if it works…

A synopsis:

July 1, 1980: raining and cold. [I have to include this to show you that it rained pretty much every day in Paris that summer. And I was still happy as a clam.]

AM Architecture, Les Halles area: S. Eustache. Fontaine des Innocents-Goujon

Fontaine des Innocents. Goujon.

Lescot wing of Louvre

Lescot Wing of Louvre.

NOON-TWO (it is quite the long lunch hour in France). Restaurant Chinois north of Louvre (19 Francs).

PM Decorative Arts Lecture: Louis XIII & Louis XIV. Going crazy-can’t understand

UNFAMILIAR TOTALLY!

Travel Agency-Rue des Capucines by Opera.

Métro home: I CAN DO IT!!

groceries- 13F, dinner: sandwich-5F

letter, read, bed.

July 2, 1980

Raining. Ran 3 miles around Tuileries and Louvre. Met a street cleaner & talked to him for a while.

AM ARCHITECTURE

La Maignon: (first use of colossal order in Paris). Baptiste Cerceau.

Place des Vosges:

Place des Vosges, Marais District. Paris, France

1st departure point for Paris as a planned city. Henry IV wanted a practical, middle-cost, quality housing area.

First example of city planning in a large public space. Private and away from traffice but with commerce integrated. Influenced development of the wealthy Marais District which in turn affected all of Paris.

Contract still in effect for building in this square which dictates uniform façades, red brick with details in white stone, gallery arcade on ground floor (covered to induce commerce).

Hotel Sully: 1634 Jean du Cerceau, son of Baptiste above (l’hôtel is the word for city house, not a hotel).

Standard for a City Villa: courtyard with main living behind courtyard and garden behind the house. Begin to see Baroque

Hotel Carnavalet: 1548 (by master mason)

One of the fist examples of a City Villa similar to Sully but before.

Temple St. Marie: François Mansart, 1632. (Gothic Interior)

clear articulation of Masses (structure evident)

restrained sculptural decoration

NOON-TWO Bought needlepoint at shop near college where we had a lecture at noon. (cost $40.00)

PM DECORATIVE ARTS

Louis XIV Lecture & Germanic Glassware visit

Chicken and artichoke for dinner.

July 3, 1980: ran 3.5 miles down to l’île-de-la-cité

St. Gervais-Solomon de Brosse (grandson of Jacques Cerceau). First classical church in Paris where correctly used orders. Had to have tall façade.

Hotel Beauvais-1652.

Church of St. Paul St. Louis-Jesuits

overstated details

superimposed monumental corinthian order

dome is surprise (not seen from exterior)

Hotel Salé-Jean Boullier-1656

caryatids used in interior space

superimposed monumental corinthian order

dome is surprise (not seen from exterior)

Hôtel Guenegaud-1648 Mansart

sober

balance (pavilions)

proportion of glass to wall is greater than in other housing

architectural mask

PEOPLE

Went to lunch with Mark (Chicago, sort of macho-type on trip. Lives in condo on Lake Shore Drive and works in father’s advertising agency) and Allison.

Had salade niçoise-goofed around all afternoon. Met boy when I was buying fruit from UCLA who wanted to know the word for peanut butter, obviously a backpacker. Went to hotel to needlepoint.

Had dinner with Allison at Café St. Germain across from hotel! Pizza and ice cream. It was very good, though. It had warmed up so we sat on the street and watched all the peple walk up and down St. Germain-des-Près. Home at 10:00 to needlepoint and looked through travel books about Spain and Portugal. Bed.

Charlie had come in at 5:00 am, called a boy, went back out & is not home yet (9:45 AM). Exciting!! 🙂

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Aug 5 2011

Brotherly love

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The Baldwin Brothers, looking good.

I had a sister and only one male cousin Russ who survived all the women. I don’t really know of any names that Gina and I had for each other behind each other’s backs. We did do a lot of digging with fingernails and biting, but it had to be very quiet since we weren’t allowed to fight.

Having now two families of brothers within my extended family, I’ve noticed the recurring fond terms brothers use for each other. Not face-to-face of course, someone might get hurt.

It takes three boys to bring this out, four is best. In general, it begins with the younger brother using one of these to describe the older brother. The older brother is at first, either oblivious or could care less, being so confident in rank and superiority. As life marches on and experiences shake it up a bit, it starts to work in both directions. Families in business together are no exception, maybe worse, though not in public. It slacks off a bit in their 40s. (see Raymond Adams, Tom Finney, and H.G. Adams II at the Eklund Hotel, Elkhart).

The ones that come to mind are bonehead, meathead, dumb@s$ and %ickh#@d. This next one I felt was particularly creative:

Middle brother calls a younger brother.

Nephew, age 4, answers the phone.

Younger brother yells to son, “who is it?”

Nephew responds, “it’s Johnson.”

(more…)

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