I’ve been through “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” again with a fine toothed comb. Now I’ve got to rein myself in. I suspect that no dedicated writer is ever perfectly satisfied with the final product, but editing has to stop somewhere.
I’ve been pleased by responses from people who feel as I do that we dishonor our readers if we provide them with careless grammar, spelling and style.
When the book is finally available (in a week-and-a-half or so) you may enjoy the challenge of looking for errors. Please don’t attack the g/G in god/God though. Those variations are deliberate.
One thing I was surprised to find myself doing twelve times was removing the unnecessary use of the word “that.” Since I recently read a critique of the overuse of “that,” I’ve found myself disturbed by it in other folk’s writing as well as my own.
For example, from “Figs …”
“… so that they would never again be as self-righteous as they had been … “
vs.
“ … so they would never again be as self-righteous as they had been… “
Maybe your ears don’t get affected, but mine are much more comfortable with the second version.
One more example, also from “Figs … “
“We wanted to promise each other that we would always be together in the same way…”
vs,
“We wanted to promise each other we would always be together in the same way…”
Well, anyway. That’s what I’ve been up to.
Thanks for hanging in there.
OH MY GOODNESS! I JUST RE-READ MY FIRST SENTENCE. How about “that.” Or is it OK there?
On August 7th I received the proof copy of “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses.” I thought I would find it perfect and it would be on amazon.com in a few days ready for comment and purchase.
But this is a story about the inevitability of errors, and the compulsion to overcome them. It’s an example of the need for careful editing.
Just to be sure, I proofed the proof. This must be about the 15th time. And shucks, it wasn’t perfect.
Back before it was published as “Mrs. Job,” I edited it several times before sending it off to iUniverse, where they both edited and copyedited it, involving me in the process. Then came the time when TMPublications intended to publish it under a different title, so it was again edited and copyedited. Again I was involved with checking their edits.
The next step in the story, as I guess you all know by now, TMPulications ran into financial problems so they couldn’t publish it. For the following year and a half when “Mrs. Job” (or whoever she was to become) wondered what her future would be, she was edited by me several times. And finally, when she was newly labeled “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” I edited her several more times.
So, I thought she had attained perfection. But no. Right away I noticed that the unnecessary word “that,” carefully removed in several places, was still showing up where I didn’t want it. Oh well, that’s a stylistic matter, I thought, so we’ll let it stand.
But then I hit page 115 where what should have been the word “moved” was missing a “d.” That just provides one example why I don’t rely on spellcheck to pick up on errors.
And on page 169 I discovered the same verb appearing twice in the same paragraph. My ears didn’t like that.
So, I’ll proof it one more time. I know the ideal would be to have someone else do it for me, but I don’t know who I could ask at the last minute, and I can’t wait much longer to get “Figs …” out there for review.
So, I’ll read through it again and try this time to perfect it. Fortunately it is a good read if I do say so myself. Yes, I do say so.
I hesitate to post these pictures, given the amazing photos presented by other bloggers. But this is what I have, and I promised it.
My son produces the beautiful photographs. Mine are just a record of where I’ve been. Fortunately for you I don’t take a lot of people pictures.
Anyway, let’s start in Ketchikan, the first stop on our Holland America Line cruise. I guess I should have known, but I didn’t realize what a powerful cultural influence is played by Native Americans in Alaska. (or should they be called, as in Canada, the first peoples? I like the latter.) Anyway, just off the boat, there was this totem, too tall for me to get entirely into the photo. 
So I took this detail photo.
And then a couple of casual scenes
I made sure to get a shot of Dolly’s place. No longer officially an active occupation, but apparently she was a standout in the prostitution business back in the heady gold rush days – and a community leader as well.
Along the way I discovered this Salmon by the artist Terry Pyles. Dedicated July 4, 2013, it was named “Yeltatzie Salmon” in honor of Halda Native Carver Jones Yeltatzie (1900-1976) whose wood carving (1963) it replaced.
Later, because it was allowed, I took a shot inside the museum.
NEXT STOP, JUNEAU
I won’t include photos of the jewelry I bought. Apparently that’s the thing to do in Juneau, but I did get a shot of the neighborhood around the jewelry stores.
Followed in the early evening by a seaplane flight over the glaciers.
I confess I was surprised to see so much green. A friend of mine says she has comparative photos of the glaciers with a five year difference that show how much less ice there is now.
ICY STRAIT POINT was the next photo op on the cruise. We paid to go on an excursion offering a chance to see bears on the first land-based half and a promise to see whales on the second half of the trip. On the first lap we saw no living bears — or animals of any kind. They just didn’t feel like showing up. So, this stump carving was the only bear we saw.
Then we headed for the whale watching piece of the tour, only to be told at the last minute that it was cancelled due to technical difficulties. Yes, we did get that portion of the fee back. No, I didn’t see any bears or whales while I was in Alaska.
ON TO ANCHORAGE
One of my photos in Anchorage is of the flea market where I acquired sundry small items made from things like fossilized whale bone, fish vertebrae, moose hair. And some leather bags for next to nothing price-wise. What I like best about the flea market photo is the sky.
And then theres the area outside the museum.
Inside the museum I managed to get a couple of shots — not the only things that attracted, but quick studies.
HOMER
Next stop Homer and the amazingly beautiful Norman Lowell Gallery. I deprived myself of some lovely wandering by waiting until I could get this photo of a main gallery without any people in it. Not easy to do, because tourists love to get photos of each other in front of what they’ve seen. Anyway, here’s what I finally accomplished with much patience. That’s a painting of the northern lights in the center.
As a mark of the long way the artist has come since arriving in Alaska, we had access to the homestead cabin where he and his wife began their adventure.
and two shots of the interior.
I have to admit I learned something I should probably have known — how very recent was the homesteading activity in Alaska, as reflected by the materials in the cabin.
Approaching the ship on the way back from the Homer expedition I spotted a community of ladies and midwives waiting for delivery.
KODIAK
In Kodiak I learned something else I should probably have known — the strong Russian influence as reflected in this Russian Orthodox Church, reported to be the oldest in the U.S., and the apparent faith of most of the Tlinkit.
And the interior
A SCENIC DAY AT SEA FOLLOWED.
We spent July 2 slowly circling the Hubbard Glacier — a most beautiful day with an astounding view. Check the header of this blog to get a sense of it.
SITKA
The display of Tlinkit dancing in Sitka was bright and colorful. First a photo of the stage, and then the photo op outside with the dancers – of all ages. Many moms dancing with their babes in arms, but men, boys, girls, and us for a while (though without the colorful costumes.)
We also got a clear view of Mt. Edgecomb. It hasn’t erupted in recent history, but there was the incident they tell about where practical jokers set a stack of tires ablaze at its top, producing a brief scare for the town.
Our last stop in Sitka was a totem park. I managed to get a couple of pictures, but it’s hard without also getting a tourist in front of the subject. But again,with patience, I got a shot of one of them.
VICTORIA
And then Victoria, with a walk through the Agkhazi gardens and tea in the tea house.
Now the tour of Alaska is over. We disembarked in Seattle with some time to spare before the flight home, so we explored a bit of the town. First the space needle — an adventure in height (which doesn’t bother me if I don’t have to rely and my own feet to keep me grounded). The view was spectacular as expected.
And I got a shot of the work of art just outside the entrance.
Because I got in the habit of photographing markets when we did the Asia/Pacific tour, I took a shot of the Seattle Farmer’s Market. Too bad we weren’t staying there long enough to enjoy some of the wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables, and the amazing flowers. The crowds, though! Oh, the crowds!
AND THIS IS THE END. Thanks for coming
Just in case the title is misleading, “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” is not a cookbook, just as “Mrs. Job” was not a self-help book showing married women how to get paid employment.
Here’s the source of the title, – a quote from page 50 when Dara’s mom is talking to Dara about her upcoming marriage to Job.
“Oh Dara, I did feel that way about your father when we first married,
but love changes over time. I guess you could say at first it is like
feasting on figs and pomegranates and special cheeses,
and later it is like enjoying the evening potage. The thrill may not be
so great later on, but each day it fills the empty hole that would be hunger
if you did not have each other.”
Yes, I will share some photos from the Alaska cruise, but first I need to finalize work for “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses.” With the help of two wonderful ladies, we’re getting there. Marilyn Brown on Watercolor. Jenny Janson of Janson graphics on layout and cover detail. So, Here’s what the front cover will look like when I finish the final proofreading and all the other stuff that’s needed to get it out there on CreateSpace.
I guess I have to postpone the cover of “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” for another day, and even the photos of Alaska, because this is just too important a follow-up on yesterday’s blog.
The early training reported in yesterday’s blog tends to encourage the inappropriate use of “sorry.” I remember noticing at SCSU how often women said “I’m sorry” when walking through an entrance door while someone was using the exit door. Or there’s the research of women saying “I’m sorry” when someone bumps into them with the grocery carriage. I’ll bet you have some of your own stories of saying “I’m sorry.” Probably a good thing to make note of in our own behavior.
I was in the midst of working on a blog to share the cover to “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” when I came across this very wise and practical advise.
I got caught up in watching it because I have so often found myself offended watching parents ordering their children to give someone a hug or kiss, even when body language says so clearly they don’t want to. It’s a scenario that says so clearly the child’s feelings don’t matter.
When they are older, we teach them to say “no” and expect to be heard when someone wants to touch them inappropriately, but earlier on we tend to train them against that very protection by teaching them their consent doesn’t matter.
So, please take the time to watch this, and share this. Four ways we teach children their consent doesn’t matter
Yes, I’ve been invisible to the blogging community since June 22, the beginning of a two-week cruise to Alaska. And I will post photos soon, but today I’d like to make some comments on invisibility, inspired by a little episode onboard ship.
Let me say upfront this is not a report of stress, or even any great emotional reaction. It is simply some of my personal experiences with the documented evidence that older women – or even, women – tend to be invisible. It begins as soon as one passes through the young blonde – or brunette – or redhead – stage.
Anyway, here’s my cruise story, and following. Doug and I always ask for a table for two in the dining room, and this time, as usual, we were recognized by the third day by the host assigning seats, so we were simply waved to table 144, a nice table for two as close as possible to the window. (That’s because all the tables by the window were for six people. One of the things to be observed is that many folks on board apparently enjoy the personal contact with strangers while eating.)
Anyway, here’s where my observations begin. One morning Doug was off on a hiking excursion, so I went alone to breakfast. “And what is your cabin number?” asked the host. “6160” I replied. Throwing his hand over his mouth, he said, apparently embarrassed, “Oh my. I didn’t recognize you.” And so I was directed to the table, and gleefully reminded him of the faux pas before every meal thereafter, a reminder to which he responded pleasantly. In other words, we had a thing going.
So, about being on the ship. One thing I have noticed there – and at other gatherings of strangers, is that folks always, as a way of making conversation, ask the men what they do – or did before they retired – for a career. As far as I can observe, I’m the only one who turns to the female partner to ask, “and how about you?” Often it turns out they have also had interesting careers. It just doesn’t occur to people to think of that. On the other hand, there are the occasions where the husband answers for her, “She’s been busy raising our family of six children.” A great career, I think, but what I find interesting is that he answers for her.
Remember, the theme of this entry is “invisibility.”
But thinking back, I realize my experience with invisibility goes back a way. (Incidentally, I think maybe things are different now with younger people.) Anyway, for more stories.
In 1980 I had the pleasure of a half-year sabbatical from SCSU. I did what I was supposed to do with it –a lot of reading on the Psychology of Women in preparation for improving my course when I would return. So, here’s my invisibility story. I was in the habit of stopping at noontime to do some exercises on the floor while listening to a New York TV station that ran the news on a banner below other programming. On this day, I heard three men’s voices deep in discussion. Then I heard a woman start to say something, to which one of the men said, “Oh, I’m sorry. We haven’t been giving you a chance to talk.” And then, I kid you not, I never heard her voice again.
And there’s the time when I was the only chairperson in a group of chairmen. (Yes, one observed that we were a committee of 21 chairmen and one chairperson.) I want to say up front these were all fine gentlemen who had, indeed, encouraged my advancement. It’s just that for both men and women of the time we were like the fish who are the last to discover the water in which we are swimming. It was a little different from the voiceless woman in the TV discussion, though, because they would politely stop when I had something to say, and then go right on where they had left off, as if I hadn’t said anything. One day I said to them “Gentlemen, I feel like if I looked in a mirror, no one would look back.” I did get their attention, and,, in response to their questioning looks, I explained what I had observed about our interactions. For a few meetings after that, it was almost embarrassing as they stopped to ask my opinion and respond to it. Yes, at first it was stilted, but before long I was comfortably incorporated into the group.
Then there’s my colleague and friend, Ragaa. We did tend to attract attention when we were out somewhere together – Ragaa with her lovely black hair, and mine still blonde. So it happened one time we were having dinner in a hotel dining room. We were there for a weekend conference. To some men at a table near us, we were not, in a sense, invisible as they were clearly hitting on us. We let them know we were discussing work. “What are two lovely ladies doing at a work conference?” they asked. That was basically the end of the cross-table conversation.
But it was at that time, or maybe later, that I talked to Ragaa about the research observation that women are basically ignored in conversation. She was really, I think, annoyed with me for being so “sensitive” until one day in Spring she came into my office spilling anger. As a member of the masters degree committee, she had just been at an orals exam for a graduating candidate. “Three times I made the suggestion (she told me what it was) and three times people ignored it.” Then Mark came in and made the same suggestion. “Great idea” people responded, “and made sure it was incorporated into the final thesis.”
One final story, and then I hope you’ll have your comments and observations to add.
This one has to do with “A Healthy Woman is a Crazy Person,” the theme of the talks I did around town. They were so popular that people displayed the phrase on bumper stickers. My colleague Bob and I decided it would be a good marketing idea to sell T-shirts with those words on them. So, I made an appointment with a lawyer to learn what we needed to do to accomplish our goals. Bob and I arrived on time and the secretary called Bob by name into his office. (Of course, the invitation was intended for both of us.) Bob sat to my right as we both faced the lawyer with his long yellow pad across the table. I gave him the information about what we wanted to do and he took copious notes. Then he looked at Bob to explain what needed to be done and – I swear this is the truth – never looked at me again except to shake hands on departure. If you ever meet Bob and talk to him, he will validate the story.
And so it has gone. Today I’m not so sure I want people to notice me anyway. Well, that’s not true. I’d love to have folks seeing me at book signings when “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” hits the market.
Where does time go? It was Sunday, June 1, 2014 that we saw “Our Country’s Good” at the Guthrie. My understanding of it was greatly enhanced by what I had learned from the Australian bloggers I follow. My intention at the time was to thank you who contributed to my appreciation. Sorry I’ve been delayed by so many other things that needed doing.
I had visited Port Arthur, where one guide told us about the wonderful things that were done to integrate prisoners into normal life. Another guide told us the treatment of prisoners was cruel. Of course, one assumes the truth lies somewhere in between.
At any rate, mixing that experience with what I’ve learned here, I had a much richer understanding of the theme. On the surface it was the story of how producing and acting in a play humanized the prisoners. Behind it was the story of man’s inhumanity to man, the dehumanizing and brutalizing of criminals thought to be genetically evil, the belief in the natural superiority and authority of the keepers of the prisoners colored by the reality that they too were essentially imprisoned by their roles, and the basic fact that providing people with the opportunity to employ and be respected for their abilities arouses the humanity in all.
Sorry. That’s a run on sentence which, however, conveys the entangled richness of the play. Besides helping to understand the politics of the play, knowledge of the “weirdness” of nature in that place helped to enhance the picture.
All in all, this is an expression of gratitude to you Australians who know who you are. Obviously your efforts are not in vain.
GETTING BACK TO THE WEEKEND OF MAY 31/JUNE 1 THAT IS.
It was such an active weekend with the “Top Coast Festival” through Sunday morning, and then “Our Country’s Good” matinee at the Guthrie. There was so much I wanted to continue to share.
Personally, I prefer shorter posts, so I’ll save the explanation of what delayed my getting back to you and pick up where I left off with Ezekiel J. Emanuel’s book. Reinventing American Health Care: How the Affordable Care Act Will Improve our Terribly Complex, Blatantly Unjust, Outrageously Expensive, Grossly Inefficient, Error Prone System. New York: Public Affairs.
I’ve managed to finish reading 158 pages. First a description of the disorganized growth of our extremely complex health care system up to the beginning of work on the “Affordable Care Act” and then “The Surprising History of Health Care Reform in the United States.” As I testified previously, I’m glad I don’t have to take a test on the extremely confusing facts. A few things stood out, though.
(1)That health care in the U.S. is a Three Trillion Dollar industry, bigger than the entire economy of France.
(2)That the high price of health care drains resources from other essential services, like education.
(3)That the first attempt to see that all Americans had health care was made by President Teddy Roosevelt.
(4)That near misses have been thwarted in the past by unrelated Washington scandals sidetracking bipartisan plans.
OK, I said I want to keep it short. Just one more thought. If I can’t pass a test on all the facts, then I can’t be so bold as to support or suggest solutions. I can point out, though, the preamble to our constitution.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United State of America.
Now there’s a tall order if I ever saw one. At any rate, I can’t help noticing how important a healthy populace is to all those goals. If that’s true, then finding an effective and just health care system is a pretty important goal for ”ourselves and our Posterity.”
Of course, as you might guess, I am also influenced by my attempt to be “a follower of the Way” and the subsequent belief we cannot rest until all people, young and old, have fair access to the possibilities for good health.
Next time I’ll post a thank you for our blogging Australian friends for enriching my understand of the play “Our Country’s Good.”
monagustafsonaffinito 