Review: The Boston Girl

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another well written novel by Anita Diamant. Her well researched writing kept my interest making this a very enjoyable story revolving around a first generation immigrant growing up in Boston during the early 20th century. If you enjoy historical fiction don't pass this one up.

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Review: Shoveling Smoke

Shoveling Smoke by Austin Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of the Amazon Prime Free books for the month, Shoveling Smoke was a lot of fun. I could see it turned into a very funny movie. All about crazy characters; horse trading; and East Texas. I do recommend for light reading.

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Do I Stay or Do I Go?

I can't believe I'm losing sleep over this!

I bit the bullet this past spring and joined a golf league. It is a "social" rather than a "competitive" league. No handicaps, and very little prize money if any. One of the members is on my Monday morning bowling team. She assured me the only league rule is "don't talk when someone is swinging". That did turn out to be the case. We do follow most of golfing general rules and etiquette. Each week I may team up with whoever I want to.

The season started out terrible and I did consider quitting the league as my golf was embarrassing, but the ladies are very encouraging so I stuck with it. I've noticed that when I "ride" in a cart with another golfer I don't do as well. If I walk with a push cart I am less stressed and feel more in control. I also do better when golfing with a different group each week then sticking with the same ones. Now that the season is almost finished I'm please to report my golf has improved and while my final score isn't the lowest I'm no longer the highest either. Most times I drive the ball off the tee further than the group I'm with.

The league began the first Monday in May and ends the last Monday in August. A luncheon banquet is scheduled for the last Monday in September and if necessary other Mondays in September are for rain outs. So far there has been one rain out.

Here's my dilemma...The Monday morning bowling league begins on the same day as the Monday morning golf rain date. I know my bowling buddy that is also on this golf league will be golfing. But me - I'm not so sure. On Monday September 17th do I drive to Bowlero or Brookfield Hills Golf course?

The Pizza Trail

For the past 38 years, Mama's Pizza on Burleigh has been my favorite for great take-out pizza. Unfortunately, they recently closed so I went in search for a new take-out pizza. Marco's World Famous Pizza on 84th and Lisbon is close so I gave it a try. The first one was pretty good with a thin crust and a tangy sauce. As their advertisement says; they DO load on the toppings.

I ordered the next Marco's pizza with a "hand-tossed" crust. While bringing it into the house the heavily loaded pizza managed to flip and land upside down on the kitchen table. Believing in the five second rule, and the fact that it didn't land on the floor, I sort of put it back together - after all pizza is all mixed up anyway. The hand-tossed crust was very good. Again I liked their sauce and loads of toppings.

My third take-out pizza from Marco's had just come out of the oven when I arrived to pick it up. They quickly wrapped it up and I noticed how hot it was while placing it my car. Back home, I lifted it off the backseat and felt the toppings begin to slide to one side. Because it was so hot the toppings started to come through the paper packaging. Pizza ended up on the back seat of the car; on the outside of the car; on the driveway etc. I left a pizza trail right into the house! There was enough left to eat but I had a real mess to clean up. Wherever the next take-out pizza comes from, if it doesn't come in a box, it won't come in the house!

The 2015 Wisconsin State Fair Craft Competition Results

For the first time I entered items in the Craft competition. I arrived too late to see them judged. Two of my items were on the "reject" table so they came back home. Because the other two were not among the "rejects" they must have won something.  Results are typically posted on the State Fair web site in about a week or so.  In the meantime here are the two that did win something...

UPDATE 7/29: Pumpkins came in 3rd place in Holiday category. Watercolor came in 4th place in Painting category. 

"Pumpkins" Repoussé and Chasing

Design and crafted by Carol Banach

Material: Soft Copper .005 thick 36 gauge

Trace design onto copper sheet with pointed wooden stick

Shape front and back, pushing out areas to enhance design

Continue flipping over, adding detail as desired

Brush ink over embossed copper sheet

Remove excess dried ink with fine steel wool

Polish gently with soft cloth

Yellow Hibiscus Watercolor

Sketched and Painted by Carol Banach

• Negative Painting Technique
• Masking fluid used to protect yellow blossoms and stems
• Cobalt Blue and Permanent Yellow blended wet on wet for background wash - Primary Red used sparingly in wash
• Layered background several times to create leaves darkening each layer by adding more Cobalt Blue to pallet.
• Blossoms, stems and details added last

 

(This painting was matted and framed when entered in the competition, 

however I forgot to take a photo.)

The current Zoo Interchange mess is All My Fault!

It happened one afternoon in the fall of the early 1960's. I would have just turned 11 or 12 years old. My family recently moved closer to my grade school. Close enough in fact to ride my bike there and home.

My school was on 95th and Bluemound a few blocks east of the Milwaukee County Zoo which was being built up little by little. Not too many buildings were there yet. However Monkey Island was done and I think Samson the gorilla had already arrived. The best part was back then we could get in for free! We were looking forward to a lot more structures and animals. We visited the area frequently.

Situated between the school and the zoo, my friends and I found some great hills to ride our bikes on. We noticed a lot of trucks going in and out of that area, but on the weekends we had the place to ourselves. We also found sticks in the ground - not branches - but sticks that had some markings on them. We played around with them pulling them out to look them over and then either sticking them back where we found them, or moving them to make a sort of track for our bikes. It was a really fun time.

So back to that fall afternoon. A couple of Milwaukee police officers came to school and visited every classroom asking if we had seen anyone in the area between our school and the zoo. They told us a highway was being built and it was a very important project. The police were investigating some vandalism regarding surveyor markers. The damage would likely cause big problems and probably a delay in the construction.

Of course no one admitted anything!

After researching the Zoo Interchange history  I found The Milwaukee Journal wrote in a front-page story in early August, 1963 "the interchange has been a source of concern. The work is complicated, and the relocation of strategic power lines is involved...the structures weave and twist like an intricate pretzel..."

I think the real reason we going through today's re-construction is because those surveyor markers got messed up back in the l960's. The current FIX started in 2012 and won't be completed until 2018.  I sure hope no kids are riding their bikes around the area now...

To read more information about how they are fixing the mess I made go here:

WI Zoo Interchange Project

Watercolor Madness

Got the itch to do some painting lately. I found a cute hummingbird tutorial on YouTube so gave it a try.  Might make this into a birthday card.

While on YouTube I found a very interesting video about a "negative painting technique".  This is supposed to be good when trying to reproduce a photograph which is right up my alley. Basically the background is painted first - layer on layer until you get to the most important part.

I decided to give that a try. The ugly stuff you see in the early shots is some watercolor mask I used to cover up the main images while I painted the back ground. The masking stuff was no longer fluid and I should have thrown it out and bought some new stuff but as usual I was in a hurry so I used it anyway.  It worked - sort of.

Sketched a couple of passion flowers and stems them covered them up with masking gunk.

Covered paper with lots of water and dropped in some yellow and blue and let it blend to get shades of green. Then sketched in more stems and leaves and painted around them.

Added another layer to the background using lots of the blue to darken it and added a few more leaves.

Added detail to the leaves and started adding color to a few of the stems. (I wish I had left the stems alone)

Removed the masking - I really like this but I see the masking did not cover as well as I hoped.

Introducing the third color - red. Lots of water gives it a pink shade and a touch of blue the purple I wanted.

After the "red" dried I wanted more, but I lost the tube! Oh well - I found a tube of pink.

Decided to smooth out the flowers by adding white around the edges.  FINISHED!

I think I'm done, but then again maybe not.

I'll be shopping for a new bottle of masking fluid soon and give this technique another try.  I wonder what happened to that tube of red???

Reporting the news (my personal tirade)

When did news reporting become more about the reporter and less about the news?  News reporters and journalists should not BE the news.

This morning's news on NBC is all about Matt Lauer riding a bike; and Mike Jacobs retiring. Matt isn't the first person to ride a bike to raise awareness and money; and Mike isn't the first person who has retired. REALLY? Time to switch the channel!

Television scandals regarding Brian Williams (NBC); George Stephanopoulos (ABC); Dan Rather (CBS); Bill O'Reilly (FOX); Lou Dobbs (CNN) prove my point across all networks. And don't get me started about Wolf Blitzer! 

Once about a time; there was a separate segment on TV news called "The Editorial". Very clearly, they would state the following is an opinion of the newscaster.  Now, all TV news is an editorial.

My message to reporters and journalists:  It Is Not About You!  Just report the news and if you have an opinion or are slanted in anyway - say so. I don't need anyone on TV to tell me what to think - I'm quite capable of thinking for myself - what about you?

One Ball...That's All!

Having just ended my second season of league bowling today, it thought it might be time to express some thoughts on this sport.  Bowling seems to weave in and out of my life.

My favorite thing about bowling is the sound. As soon as I walk into a bowling alley the sound of bowling balls hitting pins make me smile; and the sounds of people cheering and sometimes groaning also makes me look up to see what just happened. I like it that the scores are visible.

I remember going to bowling alleys with my parents when they were in leagues many years ago. One of the alley's they bowled at was the Bluemound Bowl, and it is still there. Just recently I went there to practice and it brought back many memories.

My first experience of league bowling was in high school. We got out of school about an hour early once a week and were bused to the "Rose Bowl". That alley, most recently named AMF West Allis closed last year. Too bad - it was really nice and had a lot of parking.

Once I started working. I joined several teams with the ladies. I also bowled on a few couple leagues with sweetie and one season joined a church league. I also remember a few years bowling on a league that started at 9 p.m., which while late, allowed me to put the kids to bed before heading out for a few hours. Actually, in those days the men's leagues got the prime time and the ladies had to wait until they finished.  A few years ago, my daughter and I joined a women's league and that got me back into the sport. We did several city, state and even a National tournament. I also was talked into the women's Senior tournament; and a couple of "500" tournaments.

So...back to the present. After retiring, I joined a morning ladies league and really enjoy it.  My bowling keeps getting better and I won enough in the City Tournament to buy a new ball.

Next season in addition to bowling in two morning leagues, I'll be in the State Senior Tournament in October; and the State "600" Tournament in November. The National's will be held in Las Vegas next spring - I haven't committed to that one yet.

A Neighborhood Intruder

An ongoing battle with the U.S. Postal Service is with the delivery of my mail. 

Living in the City of Milwaukee with sidewalks, my mail carrier drives their vehicle from block to block then walks from house to house delivering the mail. As is typical in the neighborhood my mailbox is attached to the house next to the front door. 

Since being retired I've noticed a new mail carrier every few days and about half of them do not use sidewalks. Instead they walk from front porch to front porch across lawns; through the snow banks and right in front of windows. I've been taken back frequently when I see a head pop up in front of the front window. 

There is a website that I continue to use every six to eight weeks reminding the "powers that be in the world of mail carriers" that I do NOT want letter carriers to walk in front of my windows as it frightens me. My sidewalks are kept clean and free of snow and ice so they may easily get to and from our house. 

Even though I continue to object and get promises each time it will stop it doesn't. Probably because of the turnover. 

The following is now printed on bright neon yellow card stock and taped to the inside flap of my mailbox so they can't miss it.  We'll see if it helps.

MAIL CARRIER - CAUTION...

TO AVOID BEING MISTAKEN AS AN INTRUDER PLEASE USE SIDEWALK

Watercolor Jewelry

The Tuesday Craft Club teacher suggested we try making jewelry with watercolor paper. The bracelet she made sure interested me.  I missed a class one week due to nasty weather but kept thinking about this craft. After viewing a few YouTube videos I gave it a try.  Here are the results of my first set!

I started with a pendant

Two views of my second piece: A bracelet

Topped it off with a pair of earrings!

It takes quite a bit of time but quite satisfying. If you're interested in learning how - go to Pinterest and look for my "Watercolor Jewelry" board. I've pinned the videos.

Movies NOT nominated for Best Picture

I made a list of 2014 movies I have seen so far, and realized I enjoyed several of these more than the "Best Picture" nominated movies.  If you're looking for a movie to rent or stream consider these.

Chef
Draft Day
The Fault In Our Stars
Foxcatcher
The Giver
Gone Girl
The Hundred Foot Journey
The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay (part 1)
Into the Woods
Jersey Boys
The Judge
Maleficent
Million Dollar Arm
The Monuments Men
The Skeleton Twins
Still Alice
Unbroken
Wild

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At Least 3 Violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault)

Not an easy trial to sit through. A man known as "Uncle" to a now 12 year-old girl was on trial.  Twelve jurors would need to come to a unanimous decision - Guilty or Not Guilty. Defendant is presumed innocent. The State taxed with convincing us without any physical evidence - just the testimony of a few people.

The first half of the trial was heart breaking and tragic. The victim, now 12 years old and cognitively challenged testified; as well as her 11 year-old sister who claimed to witness incidents. These girls were expected to recall incidents going back from January, 2013 through July, 2014.  Their stories were not consistent. Sometimes an incident would happen in a bedroom; another time it happened in a kitchen or basement. They were visibly terrified to be on the witness stand talking into a microphone about "chest" and "private parts" while "uncle" sat watching them.

Their life consists of living in a household with up to ten children and four adults - including "uncle".  Turns out "uncle" was not really an "uncle".  None of the adults claimed to be married - just boyfriend or fiancee. And I'm convinced a fiancee is nothing more than a glorified girlfriend. 

The second half of the trial was less emotional.  A male nurse practitioner and two male police officers and the defendant testified. 

I kept an open mind; giving the defendant the benefit of the doubt until he testified. Twice he was caught lying while on the witness stand. By the time he was finished I had reached my decision beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty.

The jury however was not unanimous to start. Yesterday we spent about 40 minutes discussing before being excused for the day. After sleeping on it however this morning in about 1 hour we came to the unanimous decision of Guilty.

This was my first time serving on a jury. I did not enjoy it; do not look forward to doing it again any time soon; but did find the experience satisfying. Perhaps because the deliberation process went much smoother than I expected.  We selected the youngest person to act as our "foreperson".  Turns out he is a senior at Whitefish Bay High School; planning to study Criminal Justice in college. He has been accepted by U.W. Madison. For such a young person he handled himself quite well given the delicate subject matter.  I like to think he'll end up as a judge someday.

Jury duty

Every four years in Milwaukee County the letter carrier brings an "Official Court Business Jury Summons". For me it arrives in January with early February as my time to report. This year I was a regular jurer meaning I had to report two days in a row.

Day one a Monday after the superbowl blizzard began with a welcome by a judge and a video. The jury auditorium was nearly filled...150+ people with jackets scarves gloves and boots. Shortly after names began to be called to potentially be on a jury. Twenty-five to thirty-five people called, and line up standing on their called number. That morning five panels were called. My name not one of them. Three more panels called in the afternoon. My name not called except to be excused for lunch and excused for the day.

Tuesday,  my last summoned day began with two panels called in the morning. My name not called except to be excused for lunch. Then mid-afternoon I heard "#23, CAROL BANACH".  Thirty-five of us lined up and we were escorted by a sheriff's bailiff to the Safety Building.  Once there we heard a brief description by a judge in his courtroom about a Criminal Case we would be considered as potential jurors.  Fourteen would be selected.  The rest sent home not needed again for four years. 

Yes I was selected.  The trial will continue through this week potentially into next week as well.

Unable to provide anything further until we are finished or excused...stay tuned.

What becomes of bullies when they grow up?

If you know me, you'll know how much I enjoy reading. I'll read anything; fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, etc. I read for two reasons. One is for entertainment, the other is for knowledge. My most favorite reads will combine the two.

Because of my interest I'm always searching for something new. On the internet this morning I read a Washington Post review of "WHIPPING BOY The Forty-Year Search for my Twelve-Year-Old Bully" by Allen Kurzweil.

Bullying is in the news lately but certainly is not new. It has been around for a long time. Like most everyone, I've been subjected to bullying in my life but I'll leave that subject for another time.

I found this book review interesting. After reading the review, I'll not read the book. It seems too much of this non-fiction book is not about the title. The reviewer however pointed to a condensed version of the story published by The New Yorker last November.

If you have any interest in the topic you might enjoy this. The conclusion I came to surprised me. If you are able to add a comment below please do so. I'd like to know what you think.
Newyorker Magazine "The Whipping Boy"

Recycling boxes from the pantry!

A new semester of crafting started today. Our instructor sent a message asking us to bring empty boxes from our cupboards - the more colorful the better.

My selection of boxes

She demonstrated the craft. Create a bird using the cardboard and other misc paper by ripping the paper; then hot gluing them piece by piece.

I started with the "Softasilk" Cake Flour Box

After making a body we inserted some stiff wire to use for legs.

Only one toe so far on this bird.

More ripped cardboard and paper to make tail feathers and a head.

Here's my finished bird: I think his toes are too small though - he keeps falling down!

Carol's bird named "Determined!"

We are talking about continuing this project by making a platform of some type for our birds. Check back next week to see what we came up with.


Here is a collage of most of the birds made by the crafters: