You’ve Gotta Meet “The Women of Lockerbie”

“Our hurts unite us. They define us. They make us not only human, but a family.” Billy Coffey

The year 1988 began with Miami defeating Oklahoma for the college football championship. Two days later Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s longest-serving prime minister of the century. Debi Thomas and Brian Boitano became U.S. Figure Skating Champions. CBS premiered a new show called “48 Hours,” and “Phantom of the Opera” opened at New York’s Majestic Theater. Judge Anthony Kennedy received unanimous approval to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In May of 1988, the Soviets began their withdrawal from Afghanistan. In July, the U.S.S. Vincennes, a naval warship patrolling in the Persian Gulf, mistakenly shot down an Iranian commercial airbus killing all 290 people onboard.  August saw leaders from Iran and Iraq begin talks to end their eight-year war. Earthquakes and hurricanes, nuclear testing and missile launches tested human resilience and faith.

On December 21st, Pan Am’s Flight 103 exploded after leaving Heathrow Airport in London for New York. All 259 people onboard were killed, and 11 more on the ground died as the wreckage fell to earth in Lockerbie, Scotland.

Years later among the hills of Lockerbie roams an American mother looking for the remains of the son she lost in the crash of Pan Am Flight 103.  She is accompanied by her husband, who has kept things together through the required acts of finality that accompany a death, at the expense of his own grief.

The couple encounter the Women of Lockerbie, who are striving against the U.S. Government over the disposition and possession of the clothing found among the crash ruins. They are determined to convert the act of hatred into an act of love by washing the clothing pieces and returning them to the families of those killed.

Playwright Deborah Brevoort wrote The Women of Lockerbie in the structure of a Greek tragedy. The fictional work, though loosely inspired by true events, is a poetic drama about the triumph of love over hate.  It’s powerfully packed with the raw emotions that accompany grief and loss and examples of the individuality of how we walk through it.

Presented by all for One productions, inc. at the Allen County Public Library Auditorium in downtown Fort Wayne, The Women of Lockerbie runs through May 13th.  Tickets may be obtained by calling (260) 622-4610.

Ponder & Chat: When was the last time you were emotionally moved by a play or movie? What was the underlying theme that touched you? How did it relate to your own life story or life lessons?

Scratching the Itch

Just one small area of my lovely flower gardens.

54 bags of mulch spread. 22 more waiting in the garage. Long date with my backyard yesterday.

Met another Greek – the irritating “dermatitis!” (aka: poison ivy).

I prefer George. But I’m addicted to flowers.  Guess I’ll just keep scratching the itch.

 

Sweet, Sweet George

Ace of Cakes, Cupcake Wars, Just Desserts – none of them have anything over George and his LaBaguette Bakery. Right next to his International Market George daily bakes up delectable desserts and crusty breads and then sells them at some of the most reasonable bakery prices you’ll find in the Northeast Indiana corridor.

You gotta go. Heck, throw an impromptu party just so you’ll have a reason to go in and try all kinds of things. Treat your co-workers. Host the neighbors in your backyard. Whatever excuse you need. Just do it.

If we are what we eat, think of how sweet and wonderful you’ll be after you visit George’s La Baguette Bakery. I’m living proof. It works!

Meeting International George

As excited as I was, I felt a bit awkward and a little nervous entering George’s place. He has an “international” appeal that is reflected in the diversity of those I met coming and going. The entrance to George’s is actually a bit small and a hangout for the practical tools of his trade, shopping carts. I had to pause for earlier visitors to make their way out the door before continuing.

Once inside it was easy to relax. My olfactory system kicked in identifying scents of lime, tomatoes, and onions. The aroma of meat cooking and something deep-frying made me glad I’d planned to dine with George. But first I’d look around a bit – take in the surroundings.

Even though I knew George was Greek, the first thing I began to notice was his obvious love of Mexican fare. A stack of cactus leaves. A wall full of hot sauces.

(I’ve recently learned that whole cactus leaves are called nopales and nopalitos when they are chopped. They’re a great source of calcium, fiber, vitamins A, C, K and magnesium. They can be served chopped in salads. Another serving idea is to saute or stir-fry them with onions and chili peppers and sprinkle with cheese.) 

Near the hot sauces was a full rack of spices containing every imaginable dried or powdered ingredient one might need to create an array of tantalizing flavors. Across the aisle freshly made salsa and tortillas. Mexican vanilla and hot chocolate blends. My taste buds were aching. 

Then, just as suddenly I was transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean isle of Greece. Colorful Olives and fresh feta cheeses beckoned to me along with fresh pita bread.

Teas from Sri Lanka and London tempted me and won, but I successfully resisted the many displays of cookies and sweets from around the world.

I could stand it no more. I needed to eat. George’s own Mexican Cafe was just the place. Fresh salsa, homemade guacamole, freshly made tortilla chips, and a cheese-filled quesadilla. The freshly made meat tacos were tempting even to my preference for most things vegetarian. An assortment of bottled drinks, including orange soda, were available along with freshly made lemonade. Sitting in a booth by the window, I enjoyed watching the diverse clientele come and go, dipping and munching and people watching. Life is good.

And there’s still dessert and the bakery to explore.

Check out George’s International Market and Mexican Cafe at the corners of Broadway and Taylor in Fort Wayne. You’re going to enjoy it!

Ponder & Chat: Have a favorite market spot you like to visit? What makes it unique to you?

Touching the Senses

I could be in New York City. Perhaps it’s Chicago. 

The melding of sites, smells, sounds, activity, and languages captured my present and ignited my memories as I stepped in to meet George.

A sudden silly thought: “Well, Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” 

I wasn’t even sure I was still in Indiana. 

“Just keep walking. It’s an adventure, and you love adventures. That’s why you came.” 

By “George,” What’s in a Name?

As I prepared to meet George, someone mentioned that he was Greek. Intrigued, I wondered about the origin of his name.

From Behind the Name, the etymology and history of first names, I learned that the name “George” is indeed derived from the Greek name εωργιος (Georgios). Essentially, it means a tiller of the soil, an earth worker, or a farmer as we like to call them here in the midwest.

St. George, who was mentioned in nearly all the research sites, was a legendary 3rd century Roman soldier said to have  slain a fire-breathing dragon. As tales of his life and martyr’s death were carried to England, he became their patron saint.

It was in the 18th century that King George I reigned in England and raised the name to “royalty” level.  Perhaps the English-born parents of America’s first president, George Washington, had this in mind when they named their son.

Lots of famous George’s grace the pages of history. One of my favorites, comedian George Burns kept folks laughing with lines like, “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family, in another city.” George W. Bush kept us laughing with some great lines, too. One I personally got to hear was when he said to Queen Elizabeth, “You helped our nation celebrate it’s bicenttenial in 17.. 1976.”  (Click quote to hear it yourself.)

So, what about the interjection, “By George, I think he’s got it!” Best I can come up with was that it’s an acceptable way to substitute for inappropriately exclaiming the name of God. God starts with the letter “G.” George starts with the letter “G.” (The Mother of one of my life-long friends used to say, “Oh, sugar!” Her sweetened way of uttering something a bit less pleasant that also began with “s”, no doubt.)

I realize we’re a long way from my date with George. But sometimes following the rabbit trail can be fun, don’t you think?

Ponder & Chat: What’s behind the meaning of your name? By George, I think you should look it up and share with us!

How Getting Lost Got Me A Date

The first time I met George was by accident.  I was intrigued but unprepared.

The second time was intentional. I was curious and studied.

Most of the time I despise taking interstate highways. Sure, you nearly always can drive faster and keep moving on them. There are few distractions, not much life, not much color, no shops, no people. Just the mesmerizing hum of the tires on the asphalt and the center line whizzing by. As the cruise control keeps a steady pace my feet often wonder what to do while my hands continually push the button looking for a radio station to keep us all awake.

Give me stop signs, and pedestrians, storefronts and street vendors – give me “life” in the slow lane.

That’s how I met George. On one of my “life” journeys when I avoided Interstate 69 and set out to make my way home from the airport. I live on the north side of the city. The airport lives on the south. In the year I’d lived here, I’d not yet explored much of what lay in between the two destinations.

With no Google Maps, iPhone, or GPS, it was up to my own sense of direction to figure out the unknown streets. Unfortunately, my love for “life” outpaces my gift of a sense of direction. Fortunately, I’m a fairly brave, if not sometimes foolish, soul who believes it all works out. If you just keep moving, pretty soon you figure it out. And often, that’s when you meet the most interesting people and see the most fascinating sites.

On that day, I first met George. Today I met him again on one of my 52 Dates with Myself. But that’s tomorrow’s story.

Ponder & Chat: What’s one of your good stories about getting lost? Who did you meet as a result? What unexpected place did you see because you took a wrong turn? Please share it with us in the comments section below.

Surprise Date Coming Up

I’m going “throwing.” That’s right, “throwing.”

Don’t want to tell my neighbor boy, however. Just the other day his baseball rolled across the street toward my driveway. I thought I’d be nice and help him out, so I ran over, picked it up, and proceeded to throw it to him.

Okay! Yes, I’m being generous with the word “throw.”

He’s still quite young, though. I tell myself it’s possible he just saw my “throw” a bit like his own.

Don’t think his handsome Daddy thought that. He looked like he couldn’t believe I was going to try to throw him a ball overhand. I could tell, too, that he didn’t expect me to make it across the street.

Nevertheless, He smiled broadly – probably his way of stifling a belly laugh. He may have just been protecting his son, but he lunged sideways as if he meant it when I hurled the ball low and to his right. He even pretended not to mind when he had to go into the woods to retrieve it. Taking advantage of a teachable moment, he told his son to say, “Thank you.”

“Seriously,” I thought. No wonder kids learn so quickly not to trust adults. Embarrassed, I tried soothing my bruised ego by reminding myself that he’s a fireman, a natural rescuer.

So, I suppose a “throwing” date could prove quite interesting. As the anticipation builds, I’m kinda wishing I could take a handsome fireman with me just in case there arises a need for a rescuer in this upcoming date with myself . Maybe that can be next year’s project.

Ponder & Chat: What’s your best “throwing” story?

Just Me, Myself, and Joe

I couldn’t believe I was about to miss my date for the night! I’d kept “Joe” waiting all day. He was flexible and didn’t mind that I’d not been able to set a definite time. His schedule was open until 9 p.m.

But where did the afternoon and the evening go? How did 1:30 turn into 8:15?

Jumping in my car, I quickly calculated that if I hit all the lights just right, I could maybe get 30 minutes with him. Those 30 minutes would be wonderful. I’d take them and enjoy every moment.

Like me, “Joe” loves good food. Though he’s a year younger than me, he seems so much wiser in the “ways of the world.”

Like me, “Joe” loves variety. Though his house is not that big, he has “mementoes” from many lands.

Like me, “Joe” likes good wine. Though he might choose something expensive, his “signature” bottles are, well, cheap.

Like me, “Joe” loves to have fun. Though he’s quite serious about business, he always looks like he’s going to a luau.

Like me, “Joe” loves communication. Though he’s not one for sitting down too long, he’ll “ring my bell” when something needs said.

Like me, “Joe” can be full of surprises. Though he’s often sure and steady, he’s always got something new and different for me to try.

Ah, “Joe,” forgive me for being late and thanks for unlocking the door when it was time for me to leave at 9:30.

Can’t wait to do it again soon!!!

The Challenge of Surprise in Dating Myself

I suppose it just makes sense that one of the challenges of 52 Dates with Myself is figuring out how to incorporate the element of surprise.

Those of you who despise being caught unawares are no doubt cheering this dilemma. While my surprise-embracing allies empathize with the difficulty of delivering the unexpected.

So how does a gal plan a surprise date for herself?

Ponder & Chat: What ideas and thoughts come to mind about this challenge?  Come on, surprise me!