K.B. Pellegrino's Blog, page 17

A Movie

I love to read. It is my preferred past-time; but there are other times when a movie or play is the right vehicle.

I just viewed the movie "Judy" and was mesmerized by Renee Zellweger's performance. She made a statement visually which captured Judy Garland's performances and life and her singing left me wondering if the spirit of Judy had returned.

Described as a tour de force, the actor made the definition of that term real to me. Garland's life story plays well today with what we now understand concerning the effect trauma and drugs have when first encountered by a child. PTSD and addiction are blatantly stated without stating in this moving presentation. Power and manipulation are described by example. The movie crushed the souls of its audience and I was crushed. You have our hearts, Judy Garland; Rene was true to your spirit.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

An Old Book

I just scanned a book I'd read a few years ago. It was first published in 1947 and I believe, as I remember today, the copy I read was most likely from that time. The novel's plot grabbed me, despite the fact it was an historical romance and not normally on my first to read.

But, but, the B&B in Vermont, the location of my two night stay, had a burning fire in the fireplace and a loaded bookshelf. I pulled out the oldest book I spied. Why read when I'm in vermont vacaying for a bit? The answer: it was raining with full force gales outside. I read "Lydia Bailey" and was brought back in time. Some archaic language but it felt good. At two in the morning, I finally slept.

Waking the next morning, the sun was shining, but I was back with Lydia Bailey. Isn't that what we call a good read when your time reading is remembered well the next day?

K. B. Pellegrino

What We See!

I sit in the dark staring out the open window hearing the swish of the tree branches responding to the call of the wind. I see the leaves clearly; all their shapes, colors, and sizes are distinctly caught through my lenses and imprint on my mind. And, I am calmed. The day’s troubles fly with that same wind away from me. Oh, to see is such a gift.

In the morning, I look out that same window to a similar but softer breeze and do not see the beauty of those trees and leaves. I see the need to we...

The Big E

Today, I leave my writing for a while. I move from my desk and screen to really move at the Big E.

What is the Big E for those of you who don't live in New England? It is the Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Think of the famous Iowa Fair with over one million visitors; well the Big E has over one and a half million visitors at last year's count. It is the only cross state fair in the nation and includes all the New England States with buildings representing each state's productivity and culture. Originally started in 1916, the Fair is 103 years old. Like all state fairs, it's initial goal was to bring together all those interested in displays of farming and related activities.

It is fun for all ages. For me, it is a source of inspiration for characters; the world is open to me when I visit the Big E today. Tourists, who happen to be in the area, go to the Fair. I'm fascinated by what is 'in' this year from product sold such as fried oreo cookies to squishy mops to a new design out-building. I sit in electric comfort chairs. I listen to healthy VitaMix commercials. I'll go to the circus. I'll listen to free entertainment. I'll eat egg dishes in Massachusetts building, potatoes in Maine building, cheese in Vermont building, touch woolen blankets and jackets in New Hampshire building, eat various yummy fish in Rhode Island building, and desserts in Connecticut Building. Actually lots more in each building with several states offering maple syrup and its many products.

Kids are everywhere along with seniors, handicapped, and millenniums and whatever other designation you can think of. It is truly a Fair for all with music and entertainment and hawkers. Think of it as a multi-dimensional stage play with all of us as part of the theatre.

My visit will weary my body but relax my soul.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Too Much: Maybe Not Enough!

I opened mysterious residence mail today; I mean there were no bills, just invites. Why do I say mysterious? Well, there were several invitations for attendance (free) for myself and my husband Joe for lectures and events. From medical lectures on subjects I must say interest me to retirement luncheons to group vendors in writing and publishing events, to all we, were invited. It happens regularly here at our home in Springfield, Massachusetts. Some invites are meant to involve us in the good...

Yellow Jackets and Murder

A Very Short Story....
I called the pest control vendor we use to keep mice out of this over one hundred year old home I call my own. Two days before the window washer could not finish washing the top part of the dining room window given that yellow jackets were swarming all around him from a nest over the window in the eaves outside my bedroom. I inspected and I swear the number of yellow jackets moving outside the nest was extraordinary; but more importantly, a few were in the house. My thought process to arrive at a conclusion was short and decisive. They must be eliminated!

The exterminator came a day later, did his job, and said that all would be gone within twenty-four hours. I was relieved for a while.

And then, and then, what did I see, twelve swarming the windows inside my bedroom; my bedroom. Now I share this bedroom with my husband who has an abnormal fear of bees, wasps, and all flying insects. I called the exterminator and he returned.

Meanwhile, I looked at these swarming bees, thought about their actions which entail doing what yellow jackets do which is eating tons of other insects; and I felt remorse about aiding in their elimination.

I summarize some thoughts stated on many Internet Sites on Yellow Jackets. They are good as long as they are out there beyond human conflict. But if you find yellow jackets on the wall of your house or yellow jackets in the attic, it’s best to find a solution to get rid of them at the earliest. So if possible, the ideal method to fully leverage the benefits of the Yellow Jackets is to try to create an environment that encourages Yellow Jackets habitation and at the same time, also ensure that the colonies are away from human activity.

I did not find a way to move the nest. I do offer on my grounds ample opportunity for their nests in other places.

Now, I was complicit in 'murder' of bunches of yellow jackets. However, at my trial, in my defense, I offer evidence that these insects had bored a hole in the overhang and found their way inside. They had to go. In any case, their relatives may have their revenge. Yellow jackets come back to the same area every year. Will I have to become an annual murderer to live in comfort?
Oh, the guilt, I feel!

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

And So the Hustle Begins

Mid-September reminds us of how busy we are and will continue to be until mid winter when we get a snow day here in the northeast corner of the USA.

I think of this time, as the great hustle. Kids of all ages are back in school, and businesses get serious about planning. The restaurant community is looking at the holidays to keep them in the black; as is retailing. September decorating is required for the autumn celebrations after first requiring us to clean our homes, yards, and offices. And...

Betrayal and Recovery

I have attended many events during the last few months. Many of them were at my or friends' family events. In every situation, I have been made aware of deep hurts experienced by members of various families. Some hurts appear to me to be of the normal push and pull of disagreements in life. But some are not hurts at all. People have various sensibilities and therefore slights may be more painful to one person over another. And other hurts are also not hurts at all, they are instead the result of the infliction of moral wrongs.

Perhaps, in past years, people did not discuss family secrets easily. In past years, mental health issues were often ignored or repressed by all. In past years, societal pressure kept the breaks in moral code by those close to us unexpressed and unexamined. Perhaps we chose not to know.

But now, all secrets are out.... It is as if, we celebrate horror in the public arena, thus accepting it as a norm. It often feels like a betrayal of trust, a betrayal of values.

I am comfortable, as I believe we all should be, in the acceptance of major differences among us. Illness of any kind whether physical or mental is a fact of life and our job is to share in human kindness and support all afflicted. Many years ago, I faced a cancer diagnosis solved by surgery. At that time, some people ignored me for several years as the word cancer was almost an abomination; certainly if created fear. Later those folks explained they thought I might die and the pain of watching that experience was too frightening. I know today we don't do that; at least I hope we don't do that.

Now, recently at some social events, I've heard discussions giving approval for moral conduct bordering on incest, crude actions deliberately done to inflict pain, and more. Why gossip about serious moral wrongs and then conclude, "Well it's what's going on today." Moral wrongs are moral wrongs; state them as such.

We all must be clear about what is okay and what is not. Just because friends do something morally wrong is not justification for sweeping the wrong under the rug in acceptance. Better yet, it would be more helpful to voice your non acceptance. Know your moral code of conduct and act according to it. Do not be afraid to simply say something is not acceptable.

Recovery, from betrayal in the mask of moral wrong, centers on understanding that the betrayal and the betrayer are unacceptable; and society recovers if it has goal posts for good and kind actions.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Why Do We Remember?

Remembering an event, a person, or place requires placement in the retrievable section of the brain, much like in a computer. Most of us know what’s important to store for retrieval in our computers, storage cabinets, and our brains. Storage in our brain is a process of the conscious knowing what is important. The soft touch of your baby is always there. A particular place where you felt at peace with the universe may also be stored quite safely, never to be forgotten. We hope we are storing...

The Walkers

The malls of today may be gone tomorrow given the state of retailing today. I will be sorry to lose these havens of connections. Gone are the days of downtown city shopping when all in the surrounding areas of a larger city advance away from city retail as a Mecca for adoration to their local large indoor mall.

We all made the transition from city to mall shopping. Perhaps not easily but successfully. What was there to prevent this change? We are now able to drive to the store of our choice, carry multiple shopping bags to our car, and then drive around to the other side to another destination store and shop again. One needn't walk too far.

Then again the malls served another purpose; a place to meet, have coffee or ice cream or lunch or dinner. And some used the malls for exercise. I'm not talking about the gyms existing in some malls or the amusements with physical challenging sections. I'm talking about "Mall Walkers."

I have been one, a Mall Walker. For two years after recovery from knee surgery I walked the mall at seven am, five days a week, two to three rounds on each of the two floors. Now I have a treadmill and recumbent bike at home in front of a television where I can do two things at once, catch up on the news and exercise.

But if I were honest, I would say I miss my Mall Walks and mostly miss connecting with other Mall Walkers. They were a diverse group of older citizens, slightly physically or mentally or socially challenged citizens, some top athletes whose fast walk rivaled runners, and some folks who lived alone but needed some social connections in their life.

I don't live alone, not by a long shot. I was a slow walker at first lifting that right leg to acquire a normal gait after surgery and therapy. I recovered at the Mall; more so than from therapy. There were others like me. There were many of a certain age attempting
to meet the exercise requirements demanded by their physicians. There were some who just wandered all day in the mall; there is always heat and air-conditioning; and the doors are open at five am. The Mall served as a daytime shelter from the extremes of weather for them.

I met men and women I would never have met in my normal day. I like to think of my experience as akin to traveling. I was open to say 'Good Morning' as many were open to return the greeting. In Target's at my mall, the coffee shop would open before all others with the exception of McDonald's in the restaurant grouping in the basement. The early walkers looking for some social interaction would slowly congregate for conversation at Target's; some of talk political, some commiserating over social issues of personal losses or happiness. Often the humor and wisdom expressed was a high point of my day.

I miss my days of Mall Walking and I miss those I met. I was recently at dinner and met the mall manager. We talked about the walkers and the maintenance workers I had met during my years walking. I asked about some of them by name and learned that one man had passed. I felt the pain of loss.

K. B. Pellegrino