Spring: appreciating the essence of ‘tulipness’

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Patty

Always it’s Spring)and everyone’s in love and flowers pick themselves.
– e.e. cummings, American poet, painter, essayist and playwright

The side yard abounds with tulips.

It seemed like a few weeks ago that we were celebrating the New Year, and now a quarter of 2014 is almost over and spring has arrived. I have noticed over the last decade how the days, weeks, months, and seasons are flying. The best we can do with time like the wind is to enjoy our days, replenish ourselves in moments of peace and clarity, immerse ourselves in moments of surprise and delight, and be open to moments in which reminders of the past bring gratitude to our present.

In my latest spring cleaning mode, I was decluttering our jammed file cabinets and pulled out a fat hanging folder full of cards and letters and mementos I’ve saved through the years. I came across a letter from my former landlord, Mischa Schwartzman, who had since retired from managing apartments and then passed away in 2003, which greatly saddened me. He was a retired teacher when he was my landlord in the Marina district of San Francisco in the early 1990s. His mother had taken him from his homeland of Russia when he was a baby during political upheaval. He had aspirations of being a writer, recording and bringing to life his childhood and his larger-than-life mother, and in his 80s he began to write, which was such inspiration to me.

The inner beauty of a tulip.

He was the one who insisted I had to fight my fear and get to my writing. He was the one who told me to put a jar on my desk next to my computer. When I sat down to write, I was to open the jar, put my fear in it, close the jar, and then I could write freely. Mischa spoke his mind and lived and loved as large as his heart. His voice was powerful and honest. He was a loving father and a loyal friend. He was vibrant and youthful and wise – what I hope to be when I am an octogenarian. He took up photography after I moved out and he moved to Corte Madera, north of San Francisco, and he won numerous awards at shows for his stunning color photography. (My photos are mere shadows of his photographs.)

Luminous lilac-colored tulips.

We remained close as I moved again, on from my life in San Francisco and settled in the East Bay with David. Mischa came to our wedding in Napa. We visited one another when we could. One spring, he came to our home for brunch and took photographs of our tulips. His letter of June 10th, 1999, was a gift then, and a gift reopened and savored again last night:

Behold the tulip!

Dear Patty and David,
At long last. Sorry it took so long. Interruptions and distractions galore. But I persevered, and here is my favorite of all the images I made in your backyard.

Capturing the ‘essence of tulipness’ in black and white, Mischa’s print hangs in our kitchen today.

I am again reminded, and am astonished at the impact black-and-white photography expresses. It’s powerful and dramatic. For years, I was enamored with color – gee. But your tulips, gorgeous as they are in their own colors, make a statement even more powerful in black and white. I realize that now I am looking at the essence of tulipness without the distraction of color: this is what a tulip is. No wonder it’s such a favorite worldwide.

Anyway, dear hearts, I had a most satisfying morning, breaking bread with you, and wandering the corners of your backyard and firing away. Thanks for the so many kindnesses you have shown me and accepting me as a friend. Consider both of you hugged and then, hugged again. Enjoy the enclosed print.

With love and affection,
Mischa

(P.S. from me to Mischa: We miss you a bunch.)

Burgundy polka dots, black and cream plaid, and Swiss dot black stockings.

Fit for a garden bursting with color: Burgundy polka dots, black and cream plaid, Swiss dot black stockings, and shiny black leather ruffled booties and handbag.

Featuring earrings and double-strand bracelet by Anja Hakoshima (El Cerrito, CA), architecturally inspired necklace (Wyler's, Portland, ME), fan ring (Eskell, Chicago), and Sundance stack of rings.

Featuring beautiful earrings and double-strand bracelet of smoky quartz and African beads by Anja Hakoshima (El Cerrito, CA), my Lunafest co-committee member, architecturally inspired necklace (Wyler’s, Portland, ME), fan ring (Eskell, Chicago), and Sundance stack of rings.

Close-up of ensemble mixing shapes in a playful way.

Close-up of silver accessories against dots and plaids.

March is Women’s History Month

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Patty

Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.
– Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, actress, and American Civil Rights Movement activist

Worn-out leather and jeans who well with vegan cut-out blouse.

Worn-out leather and jeans mix well with vegan cut-out blouse.

The National Women’s History Project‘s theme this year for Women’s History Month is Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment. The Project honors 12 women whose lives and work serve as a source of inspiration for both girls and boys and women and men to make our world a more compassionate and more equitable place for everyone. In honoring these women and bringing their accomplishments to the forefront, the Project is making good on its goal of “writing women back into history.”

With that in mind, I thought a worthy exercise in honor of Women’s History Month would be to write a short essay on a woman in your life who exhibited character, courage, and commitment, and inspired you to do the same. For me, that’s easy – it would be my mother. Born in 1926 in the Philippines, she endured the occupation of her homeland by the Japanese in World War II, forced to witness such atrocities as the bayoneting of babies thrown into the air in the town square. “We looked away,” my mother had murmured when I asked her if the story my sister had told me was true. She worked to help put her brothers and sisters through school. She forsake true love and ended up marrying my father and coming to the States after the war. Instead of working to get her teaching credential here – she was a school teacher back home – she picked grapes in the summertime and packed oranges in the wintertime for decades, until she retired. She saved money like crazy, though she and my father didn’t make very much money, and we grew up never feeling poor, though we lived in a rural farming community. My mother instilled in my two sisters and me the importance of education, especially higher education, and being a good citizen. Those were the facts of her life, but there is so much more.

Boxy blouse, jeans, kitten-heel pumps, and clutch are an easy uniform to throw on when mornings are hectic.

The day after my mother passed away on January 3, 2012, my old high school friend, Kimi, wrote about my mother in an e-mail to me in the early hours of the morning: “She was steel. Thin, lithe, wiry, graceful, resilient, unbreakable; tempered. She was beautiful, proud, determined, resolved, smart. If she had lived in a different time or place, if she’d had our opportunities, we can only imagine what she would have accomplished. But, she took the yoke and humble, coarse work that was available – and she lived her dreams through you. As an observer, and not the one grinding away to meet your mom’s expectations, it was always clear to me that she was very, very proud of you, Joyce and Heidi. She built the runway, you flew. She was happy. She felt accomplished. In the end, she achieved her dreams and she had a good life.”

I wrote Kimi back, accusing her of making me cry. What haunted me, what moved me the most of her words – If she had lived in a different time or place, if she’d had our opportunities, we can only imagine what she would have accomplished – still resonates with me as I think about Women’s History Month. My mother was at once meek and determined, dutiful and unrelenting, bearing burdens and yet strategizing for a better life for her family. Had she lived in a different time or place, had she been led to more windows and doors, she would have opened them and gone through. She would have built the runway and taken off herself.

Against a creamy cut-out blouse: Anthropologie statement earrings, stack of rings by Kate Peterson Designs (El Cerrito, CA), Alkemie scarab cuff made of recycled metal, and industrial Laura Lombardi necklace (Eskell, Chicago).

How many girls and women in the world today don’t even know that windows and doors exist? How many never realize they could entertain the crazy notion that they can build their own runway and take off or actually have a voice and the audacity to dream big and make good on them – as a result of the tyranny of governments and politics, religion, misogyny, and on and on? How do we as women, who are privileged and who have had our basic needs and more met, reach them?

When I think of all those questions and wonder where in those pockets and dark corners of the world those girls and women may be, I understand the desire to write women back into history, to use our voices, and shine the light on women’s accomplishments. These subversive acts – which one day won’t be subversive, though we must always strive to be subversive when it comes to advancing girls and women – plant the seeds. And when we scatter them all around us, beautiful things will grow.

So what can we as individuals do? Nora Ephron entreats us to be the heroine of our lives. Do the small things in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities. Nurture and use your gifts for good deeds. Create windows and doors. Go through them, but make sure someone is behind you doing the same. Be compassionate. Be courageous. Be present. Be.

Mixing textures: weathered chambray, metal, nude patent, vegan cut-out, and faux snakeskin.

Mixing textures: weathered chambray, reclaimed metal, nude patent leather, vegan cut-out, and faux snake skin.

A Rainy March Sunday at the Alameda flea market

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Patty

I love going to flea markets, especially when I’m traveling, because I love seeing the stuff of other cultures, handicrafts and things with historical content.
– Anna Sui, American fashion designer

I had heard of the Alameda flea market for quite a while, but I had never been. My friend, Raissa, who has gone a number of times, and I made plans for the first Sunday in February. But after a glorious January with temps in the 70s, the rains came and we had to wait until the first Sunday in March. Well, it was misty on that day and then it started drizzling, with a chill rolling in like fog. We were chased out after only a couple of hours of methodically making our way to the entrance from the back. We obviously didn’t hit everything or have the opportunity to walk leisurely around. But it only means that we will be back when the sun is shining – perhaps with a flatbed in tow!

Beautiful antique ceiling tins and mirrors. Oh, to have a big old empty house to fill with antiques and vintage wares and furniture!

Despite the weather, while there weren’t as many vendors as there would have been in good weather, there were plenty of interesting wares to admire, even if we did zoom by as the mist turned heavy and into rain. We took business cards, made a note of where the vendors were on the grid, and committed to memory what particular things they handcrafted or were selling that we appreciated.

Lely Howard, "builders of repurposed reclaimed custom furniture," reminds me of Good Goods. You can reach him at 707.321.7005, sales@lelyhoward.com.

The work of Lely Howard, “builders of repurposed reclaimed custom furniture,” reminds me of Good Goods – industrial mixed with rustic. You can reach him at 707.321.7005, sales@lelyhoward.com.

Here are some of the moments I captured on my maiden voyage:

Wine country aesthetic of Lely Howard’s goods.

A close-up of a beautiful display by Lely Howard.

Elsie Green (2954 Treat Blvd., Suite C-D, Concord, 866.575.4437, www.elsiegreen.com) had the most amazing displays! I got a lot of decorating tips from this green shop.

Elsie Green (2954 Treat Blvd., Suite C-D, Concord, 866.575.4437, www.elsiegreen.com) had the most amazing tabletop displays! I got a lot of decorating tips from this green shop.

Another amazing dining arrangement from Elsie Green.

Another beautiful dining arrangement from Elsie Green.

We had a great time trying on vintage and antique jewelry from "treasure hunter and stylist" Heather Tenaya, who travels the world in search of beautiful jewelry. You can see her goods at Vin.Jewels.com, GypsyRoadStudio.Etsy.com.

We had a great time trying on vintage and antique jewelry at the booth of “treasure hunter and stylist” Heather Tenaya, who travels the world over in search of beautiful jewelry. You can see her goods at Vin.Jewels.com and GypsyRoadStudio.Etsy.com.

Dramatic and stunning 1920s Czech glass drop earrings!

1920s French onyx and sterling silver necklace.

1920s French marcasite, onyx, and sterling silver necklace, a la Great Gatsby.

Lunafest 2014 – at last

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Patty

Above all, be the heroine of your life. – Nora Ephron, American film director, producer, screenwriter, and novelist

Ready for the VIP reception before the screening!

Lunafest, presented by the East Bay Lunafest Committee this past Saturday, was a rousing success. The traveling film festival is now shown in approximately 150 cities across the U.S. and Canada, up from 125 cities last year. Here’s what makes this particular fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and prevention dear to my heart, given that there are many honorable organizations and events supporting breast cancer education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, and/or research. Established in 2000 By LUNA, makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, Lunafest simultaneously promotes women filmmakers, raises awareness for women’s issues, supports local nonprofit organizations, brings communities together, and celebrates women’s creative spirits. Not to mention getting to know and working with the wonderful group of women, with diverse experiences and talents, who make up the committee.

VIP guests were entertained with jazz selections from this talented duo.

Our VIP reception, which was held before the screening, featured a pianist and bassist duo, wonderful catered food and wine, and a cadre of eager and polite students from the IT Academy at El Cerrito High School (ECHS) who checked guests in, served food with a smile, and lit the way from the home of our committee chair where the VIP reception was held to the ECHS Performing Arts Center the next block over. We raised money through our raffle drawing, which included a GoPro camera, Kindle, Donkey & Goat wine set, Nikon camera, and more. Jeanne Rizzo, RN, president and CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund, couldn’t make it to our event, but she sent a heart-felt thank you via a recorded video message before the nine short films began.

Cupcakes and cookies were flying out of the Braxtons' Boxes' table, manned by Pamela Braxton and Zachary, her trusty helper and son.

Cupcakes and cookies were flying out of the Braxtons’ Boxes’ table, hosted by Pamela Braxton and Zachary, her son.

After drawing the winning tickets for the raffle prizes, attendees were treated to complimentary coffee (decaffeinated, of course) courtesy of Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar (6925 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530, 510. 528.4709) and vegan, gluten-free ice cream sandwiches from Green Girl Bake Shop and cookies and cupcakes from Braxtons’ Boxes (510.708.7089). Two monitors in the lobby featured student films from the IT Academy, as well. It was great to see so many friends and acquaintances from the schools and community, and it was equally thrilling to see so many faces I didn’t know and to see the auditorium fill up. We ended up having nearly 300 people come to Lunafest this year.

Lisa Stoy of Green Girl Bake Shop sold out of her ice cream sandwiches.

And now for the movies: my mini reviews
The nine films chosen ranged from animation to documentary, from serious topics to lighthearted moments, to injecting lighthearted moments into serious subjects, from filmmakers from overseas – Norway, the Netherlands, Greece, and Australia – to the epicenter of filmmaking, New York. They also ranged in length from 21 minutes to under four minutes.

Here’s a brief summary of these award-winning films:
Granny’s Got Game by Angela Alford: “Seven fiercely competitive women in their 70s bond and play winning basketball, proving you are never too old to do what you love.” From the sound of the audience, this was a crowd favorite. How uplifting to cheer on these young-at-heart women who showed us how strong and spunky you can be when you don’t let barriers keep you on the sidelines, literally, and how that will to keep going feeds the fire.

Flying Anne by Catherine van Campen: “A young girl with Tourette’s syndrome takes ‘flight’ to navigate life with her tics.” This was the crowd favorite, according to our survey. I loved how the filmmaker put a face on Tourette’s syndrome. van Campen gave us all sides of Anne, making her multi-dimensional when many might only see the tics borne by this neurological disorder. I also appreciated watching her counselor play act with Anne to show her how to deal with people who don’t know about her condition. This led to her bravely explaining Tourette’s syndrome in an informal discussion with her classmates; she asked them to put their hands on their desks for several minutes and control their impulse to, for example, scratch their itchy heads. Hard, isn’t it, she asked them. I found two other scenes with her good friend Delano, who wanted to protect her and revealed soon afterward that he wanted to marry her, lovely and poignant – going in and out of industrial dumpsters in a field and holding one another as they went down a water slide in slow motion.

Sidewalk by Celia Bullwinkel: “A woman walks through life, confronts her changing body, and learns to love herself.” This fun animated short had many of my friends telling me after the screening that they were pegging where they were in their own lives in the depiction of a woman’s many stages of life as she walked down the sidewalk.

First Match by Olivia Newman: “A determined female wrestler prepares for her first coed high school match.” We got the chance to meet the young female wrestler, who now wrestles as a college student against young men, at the San Francisco premiere. She was impressive and her real-life determination was perfectly captured by filmmaker Olivia Newman.

Sound Shadows by Julie Engaas: “Enter a world where sound gives shape to space.” This short film creatively explored what sound looks like with the help of animation for a woman who is blind.

Maria of Many by Alexandra Liveris: “Meet Maria – Mexican immigrant, domestic worker, committed mom, and activist.” Liveris’ skill in this short film lies in being able to give us a glimpse of Maria’s multiple life roles in less than four minutes, but it’s a complete view, highlighted by scenes of her at work, with her two young children, and with the women’s cooperative that helped her to find her voice and courage in her adopted new country.

Running Dry by Dimitra Nikolopoulou: “A woman impacted by economic hardships journeys into contemporary Athens.” Although I had to run out for a few minutes and missed most of this short film, it was one of my favorites when I saw it at the San Francisco premiere because it revealed the largeness of the protagonist’s and community’s heart to forgive, to share, to bring laughter and joy amid trying times, and to persevere despite difficulties. And who didn’t have that zippy piano soundtrack running through their heads long after the film festival ended? In a good way, that is!

Date with Fate by Venetia Taylor: “When it comes to blind dating, some things are meant to be – whether you like it or not.” This short film, about a divorced couple who go to a matchmaking agency only to find out that they were matched to one another, had its laugh-out-loud moments.

Tiny Miny Magic by Danielle Lurie: “When Sam and her mailman exchange presents via her mailbox, an unexpected love connection blossoms.” I’m glad that the film festival ended with this selection because it was one of my favorites, if not my favorite. It captured Brooklyn so well, the premise was fun, and the actors – their facial expressions were spot on – were delightful. It is the type of ending to a film festival that leaves you buoyant, bouncing out of your seat and the theater – ready for your own tiny miny magic.

Luminous 1960s retro coat turned dress coat, which Laura Leventer of Personal Pizazz (Berkeley, CA) picked out for me. Thank you, Laura!

Perfect accessories to complement the vivid embroidery: Alkemie scarab cuff, Kate Peterson Designs stack of rings, and Lava 9 earrings (Berkeley, CA).

Perfect accessories to complement the vivid embroidery: Alkemie scarab cuff, Kate Peterson Designs stack of rings (El Cerrito, CA), and Lava 9 earrings (Berkeley, CA).

Underneath: lacy camisole and gleaming pleats.

Underneath: lacy camisole and gleaming, filmy pleated skirt.

Alternative viewing: With a vintage purse and creamy lace-up heels.

International Women’s Day: take chances, make a difference, be extraordinary

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Patty

I challenge women and girls to learn from example and have the courage to overcome mediocrity. Give yourself the chance to be extraordinary.
– Saundra Pelletier, CEO of WomanCare Global

Stand tall! And carry a Stuart Weitzman clutch from consignment shop Secondi (Washington, DC).

My friend, Laurel Kallenbach, posted on Facebook this past Tuesday that in honor of Women’s International Day, which is on March 8th, she made a loan through Kiva Microfunds. Her recipient is a female entrepreneur in Tajikstan, sister city of Boulder, CO, where Laurel lives. But Laurel did more than just give a helping hand to another woman. She put forth a valuable challenge to us all: “The way I see it, the celebration of women’s talents and achievements should receive recognition for a whole month, so I challenge you to help a woman succeed in your home town or around the world sometime during the month of March,” she wrote.

Taking up the challenge
International Women’s Day has been celebrated for more than 100 years, dating back to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City to demand shorter work hours, better pay, and voting rights, which too many of us take for granted – the voting rights, that is; we still have the glass ceiling. While it’s a day to honor women’s struggles around the world, Laurel’s right in that we should honor them for a month, if not every day in our thoughts, words, and actions. Laurel’s call to action is also a wonderful way to go beyond a single act of humanity and send out ripples across the ocean, so to speak, to create greater impact.

When the tough get going, throw on a reversible knit-and-lace duster.

Inspired by Laurel’s actions and challenge, I, too, went to the Kiva site and am funding a woman from the Philippines so that she can buy a new variety of seed (hopefully not Monsanto!) and organic fertilizer for her farm and tires for her motorcycle. It was easy to do, and I encourage everyone who is able to make a microloan of $25 to a low-income and/or underserved entrepreneur or student from around the world to do so. Begun as an initiative by Matt Flannery and Jessica Jackley in 2004, Kiva was founded in 2005 as a nonprofit organization that brings borrowers and lenders together via an online lending platform. In October 2013, Kiva hit the 1 million lender milestone, with $537 million lent to Kiva to date. The organization has made nearly 680,000 loans, with nearly 1.1 million users who have funded a loan. Check out Jessica Jackley’s TED talk.

Taking risks
As I thought more about International Women’s Day, I came across a blog post by Saundra Pelletier, CEO of WomanCare Global, an international nonprofit organization that improves the lives of women by providing access to quality, affordable women’s reproductive health products through a sustainable supply chain. Pelletier grew up in a small farming community in northern Maine. Her mother decided that she didn’t want her daughter to follow the “Betty Crocker” fate of many girls in the area – getting married and having babies and living a domesticated home life – so she raised Pelletier to be an independent thinker who eschewed conformity. Wow! She was so lucky to have such an unconventional mother. Pelletier understands how fortunate she was and that many girls and women don’t or did not have, respectively, strong female role models in their families, neighborhoods, or communities in their formative years and beyond.

Spread your wings and be strong - with lace.

Spread your wings and fly – with lace (one of my favorite sweater coats, almost a decade old – the dress, too! Be green: Hang on to the unique timeless, high-quality clothing and accessories and pass them down to your daughters, nieces, and so on).

Even with this handicap, she wants us all to know that strong female role models exist. We just have to seek them outside of our homes, neighborhoods, and communities, to look outside and elsewhere. “All you need to do is to seek them out for inspiration and learn by their example,” Pelletier wrote. “Every woman needs a cavalry of mentors, emotional supporters, helpful taskmasters, and strategic alliances.” As nurturers of the tribe, so to speak, women were not raised to be risk takers. But the world has changed and continues to evolve and being a risk taker is what Pelletier asks us to become. “By taking risks, not only do we learn to be brave, but we discover opportunities that lead to miraculous outcomes,” she wrote. “The women who accomplish the most are often the ones who are willing to take chances.”

Mixing vintage and contemporary accessories: vintage choker (Vintage Underground, Chicago) and Lava 9 necklace and ring (Berkeley, CA).

More vintage and contemporary: Abacus earrings (Portland, ME), Lava 9 ring (Berkeley, CA), and eBay finds: antique necklace and Miriam Haskell pearl necklace.

Making a difference
When I first sat down in my overstuffed library chair and ottoman to write this blog post last night, I was tired and drowsy. But as I warmed up to this celebratory topic, I became fully awake. As a woman in her 50s, I hold dear the call to take chances and make a difference. I was an incredibly shy girl, terrified of taking risks for which the outcome was in question. I did not rock the boat. I took the straight and narrow path – the sure thing. My parents stressed the importance of a college education, but beyond that and the expectation of marriage and children there was no other guidance. All those are important to me, of course, but making a difference in the world was in my DNA, long before I could articulate my desires. Making a difference has taken on many forms throughout my life. Now with a daughter, I see the call to action evolving yet again, especially where girls and women are concerned.

Lace on the outside, but strong as steel on the inside.

The International Women’s Day site entreats us all to “make a difference, think globally and act locally.” Get inspired every day. Help make the world a better place for girls to grow up in and women to thrive. For me, it’s fitting to celebrate March 8th at the Lunafest film festival in El Cerrito, with my women friends and my community – enjoying women filmmakers’ achievements in nine short films, fundraising for local organizations and especially The Breast Cancer Fund, and supporting local women entrepreneurs. Even as March 8th passes, make every day Women’s Day by helping other women become extraordinary. By engaging in this act of humanity and heroism (as a heroine) we become extraordinary ourselves. By taking risks, we will find the miraculous outcomes for which we are destined.

Vintage is green and beautiful: choker from Vintage Underground (Chicago). Alkemie scarab cuff is made from recycled metal. Purse from Secondi consignment shop (Washington, DC).

Vintage is green and beautiful: vintage pearl bracelet with Sundance necklace and Anthropologie clutch.

Vintage is green and beautiful with lace: antique necklace and Miriam Haskell pearls – eBay finds – with embroidered and beaded purse from L’ Armoire consignment shop (Albany, CA) and Sundance bracelet.

‘Falling only makes us stronger’

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Patty

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.
– Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, actress, and Civil Rights Movement activist

Celebrating the Winter Games with faux fur and velveteen.

It’s the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, and I’m right there watching the events in prime time. I have a special place in my heart for the Olympics, even as I have lost my childhood awe of looking at these athletes as flawless super humans and seeing them as truly human with a driving force that to me is still unimaginable. I admit that I don’t have the courage to commit four years of training for what comes down to a single defining moment for many of these athletes. One one-hundredths of a second could mean the difference between gold, silver, bronze, or nothing. One push, one misstep, one blink of an eye, one nanosecond of lost concentration, one fall could be the end of it all. Or is it?

I have many Olympic memories, but one of the most poignant to me covers two Olympic Games. Dan Jansen, the American speed skater was favored to win gold in the 500 and 1,000 meter races at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, but fell in both races after his older sister, Jane, whom he looked up to, died of leukemia. I can still recall the stunned look on his face, the weight of his grief. My heart ached for him not because he didn’t win, but because he wanted to win for his sister and yet the burden did not buoy him in the way panic or fear can make people push beyond their limits. His grief overwhelmed him. In his final race, at the twilight of his career, at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway, not only did Jansen win his first and only gold, he did so in world record style. And he celebrated by skating around the rink with his one-year-old daughter, named in honor of his sister. Not all athletes who fall or “lose” the race get redemption, or even another chance for redemption. Jansen persevered, but for all the others who got up and kept going, no matter the outcome, they also carried on the Olympic spirit.

A peek of lace beneath faux fur and Sundance stack of rings, Anthropologie clear bangle, End of Century vintage chandelier crystal drop necklace (NYC), and crystal earrings.

A peek of lace beneath faux fur and Sundance stack of rings, Lava 9 ring (Berkeley, CA), Anthropologie clear bangle, End of Century vintage chandelier crystal drop necklace (NYC), and crystal earrings.

Through the years, I have enjoyed the human interest aspect of the Olympian athletes, learning about them in the “Up Close and Personal” profiles. For someone who doesn’t watch commercials – considered bathroom break times – I do pay attention to the creative endeavors and admittedly the memorable commercials that pull at the heartstrings. This Olympics, it is the “Thank You, Mom” commercial. It doesn’t matter who the sponsor is because it’s not important as the message itself.

A speckled pointy pump to top it off.

No snub to the dads intended, this commercial pays tribute to the chauffeurs, the nurses, the nurturers, and all the other roles that moms play for their kids who play sports, whether it be recreational or competitive:

“Behind every great athlete is a mom hiding by the sidelines smiling and cheering. She was the one to make hot soup after practice. She was the one to mend their wounds after they fell. She was the one who inspired them to keep pushing.

“For teaching us that falling only makes us stronger. Thank you, Mom.”

My athletes: Isabella on horseback, Santa Rosa, January 2014.

I don’t know if the sponsor of this commercial copied the human-interest story that aired during the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships in early January, but the message is of a similar vein. The story was about a skating rink that was built in Brooklyn, serving inner-city kids, most of whom had never figure skated before. I wasn’t quick enough to write the quote verbatim. But one African-American girl, who fell in love with figure skating, shared something really wonderful and beautiful. Whether she goes far with the sport or not, one thing is certain: She will go far in life. She said, with such confidence and exuberance: “When I fall on the ice and get up, my teachers clap. That’s because I know whenever you’ve tried and you fail, failure is the staircase to success.”

My other athlete: Jacob pitching, Millbrae, August 2013 (photo by Robert Milton).

The Dress at 50

Live the creative, meaningful, and full life

Category Archives: Fashion

Spring: appreciating the essence of ‘tulipness’

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March is Women’s History Month

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A Rainy March Sunday at the Alameda flea market

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Lunafest 2014 – at last

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International Women’s Day: take chances, make a difference, be extraordinary

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‘Falling only makes us stronger’

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