loving art, science and creative kids
2/23/2019 3:19:41 PM
Oregon City Falls by Marilynne Eichinger
Acrylic on Canvas/ 36” x 48” / $1,100
Oregon City, the end of Oregon Trail, is the site of the first electrical cable power line in the United States. The hydro electric dam on the Willamette River produced electricity that was sent to Portland, 14 miles away. No longer a pristine power dam or site of a paper mill, this tumbling down image projects the area today. I wonder what it will look like when the earthquake strikes?
Poem by my Granddaughter, Mira Horn
Oh Grandma!
The lens through which you see this city cannot be captured through another's brush
I wish I knew t what shape the town was once
when waters crashed and city and sky lights touched
Here lies the first glimmer of electricity
Here lies the end of the Oregon Trail
The past upon the past, the dark against the pale
Can you tell me where the creases lie, what makes this painting blush?
Oh Grandma, I think you've left the city clear
Breathed in it life, and swept away the dust
(The following section is taken from soon to be published “Over The Peanut Fence.” It discusses what happens to poor and homeless people when disasters occur.
When Disaster Strikes
During times of crisis caused by natural or manmade disasters the most vulnerable among us suffer greatly. Even slight setbacks can have traumatic consequences for children, adolescents, seniors, and those with disabilities. For example, in January 2017, Portland, Oregon had an unusual storm that dumped 14 inches of snow on city streets. In general, Portland winters are mild, but that year, below-freezing temperatures plagued the city for many days. Four homeless people died of exposure and a great many children went hungry.
When schools close for inclement weather, children in low-income families are often without food. In Portland, where over 50 percent of the students participate in federally subsidized breakfast and lunch programs, cancelled school days mean lots of hungry bellies.
Though Oregon communities are involved in emergency planning, the most vulnerable are usually the last to receive services. For example, a recommendation for earthquake preparedness is that each person set aside 14 gallons of water in their home or apartment. Homeless people have no way of doing so. Imagine an earthquake, hurricane, tornado or tsunami hitting your town. Responders and hospital staff will attend to the most drastic situations first. People with bank accounts, stocked pantries, vehicles, neighbors and relatives will be better able to survive than poor or homeless citizens who may have to endure days, weeks or even months of added trauma.
Portland’s snowstorm was a wake-up call for community leaders. With limited transportation and no electricity, the Bureau of Emergency Management was incapable of giving special attention to those unable to care for their own needs. The mayor had to step in and coordinate personnel to deal with the situation. Though the event lasted only a few days, it made officials recognize the need to accommodate those without shelter. Temporary housing, communication, and food for the poor, homeless, mentally ill and housebound seniors will be needed. Emergency planning teams concluded that a trained network of volunteers had to be part of the solution if a humanitarian crisis is to be avoided.
Yes, Portland is at risk for a big earthquake, but it’s not alone. Memphis is number one, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Oklahoma City (due to oil-extraction), Anchorage, Tulsa, and Dallas. Portland follows as the 9th most vulnerable city followed by Salt Lake city, Honolulu, Wichita and New York City. Surprised? In the Pacific Northwest the area of impact will cover some hundred and forty thousand square miles emanating from the Cascade fault. A great deal of science backs up this information, which is why everyone needs to be ready.
I suggest emergency preparedness be introduced in the elementary grades. Homes need to be equipped with up-to-date first-aid kits, extra food, water, and easily accessible clothing on hand. Those living together need to know how to shut off gas and electrical lines. Families (and friends) need designated meeting places to go to in case of separation. There is also a moral responsibility to help neighbors in need if you are able to do so. The process begins with surveying the neighborhood to see who might require attention, needing food, special supplies or help vacating their premise.
It’s surprising how difficult it is for those in need to ask for assistance. After a heavy snow, our young wheel-chaired son often finds himself trapped indoors waiting for someone to dig out his car. Distant friends eventually come to his aid but he feels uncomfortable asking someone living in his apartment complex to help, for he doesn’t know them well. I wish someone would recognize his situation and not wait until he asks.
Children need instruction in what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. Youth who find themselves temporarily stranded will need to know how to find their parents. Those who live homeless their also need to be made aware of options. Street youth are constantly honing survival skills, but during a major disaster they will not be able to access their usual shelters or food distribution sites. Organizations like Outside In and New Avenues for Youth, the Salvation Army, etc. should consider teaching their clients what to do and where to go in case of a disaster.
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Several weeks ago I wrote about the need for volunteer mentors to help homeless youth. Many of you responded positively to that newsletter. Emergency preparation also requires trained volunteers who know how to help those with special needs. We all must to be prepared for natural disasters common to our part of the country but we also need to be aware that some unknown person might need our help.
References:
Perry,D. (2018) Yes, Portland is at risk for a big earthquake, but it's not alone. New ranking puts Rose City at No. 9. The Oregonian. retrieved from https://expo.oregonlive.com/erry-2018/05/c25e84cb2a4868/yes_portland_is_at_risk_for_a.html
Schulz,K.(2015) The really Big One. The New Yorker. retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one
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2/13/2019 3:56:12 PM
Flickers Caring For Their Young
To become healthy adults capable of carrying on the species,
nesting birds need the love and care of attentive parents.
Acrylic on Canvas/ 22" x 26"/ framed/ $ 399.00
The following information is taken from my soon to be published book, Over the Peanut Fence.
Power of Love
Observing aimless teens hanging out on street corners makes me wonder which ones will overcome their situation to have a productive, happy life and which ones won’t. If you’re like me, you do not enjoy homeless youths taking over neighborhood parks or begging for handouts while perched on sidewalks. If you’re like me, you cover your nose when descending stairwells in city-center parking garages that smell of urine. And, if you’re like me, you are intimidated when a gang of adolescents walk past making lewd gestures and shouting dirty words.
Street-kids don’t want to be ignored. Hearing their cries for help is important, not only for their sake, but selfishly for mine. Yet, I am not sure how to do so. What if these teens are permanently damaged by having been in abusive situations? What if they're just going through a phase? By my standards, they lack social values and the moral fiber necessary for living in a democratic society. The more I learned about them, however, the more interested I became in finding answers.
I soon discovered that much of their antisocial behavior is directed towards those they fear. This includes most adults, including you and me. Growing up in a dysfunctional, abusive household leads them to distrust the very people who should be protecting them. Antagonism is rarely aimed at their own peer group. Once they they run away from home, they follow a strict set of their rules that embrace street-life values. They care for instantly acquired friends by sharing food, cigarettes, drugs, information and they adopt the strict code against “ratting.” Though divisive behavior may result from a lack of parental love, they act thoughtfully when helping other youth. I see their kindness is a sign of hope, for with good counseling it is possible to transfer compassionate street behavior to the greater society.
I used to assume that love is instinctual and that every newborn will receive the parental attention it deserves. Without it, I reasoned, a helpless infant would be incapable of surviving. I know now that parental feelings of love and responsibility for newborns is not a given. All too many parents neglect their offspring causing physical and psychological damage.
Most of us were fortunate to grow up surrounded by affectionate parents and relatives who held us close. As adults, we transfer the love we received as children to partners with whom we form bonds based on trust and respect. But, what happens to children who are never caressed or told they are special? What are the long-term effects of not being touched or cuddled? What befalls those who are abandoned, left on doorsteps or placed in cribs in overcrowded houses where they’re not attended to when they cry for food or a diaper change?
A cornerstone study about infant neglect began in the 1980s when Dr. Nathan Fox and colleagues from Harvard Medical School walked into an orphanage in Romania. Due to a newly passed ban on abortion, the number of orphaned babies in the country soared. Some 170,000 children were placed in 700 overcrowded facilities staffed with an insufficient number of caretakers. Though the orphanages were clean, the infants were emotionally neglected. They were left day and night in their cribs, to be changed on schedule and fed without being held. The nurseries were eerily quiet. Since crying infants were routinely ignored, it wasn’t long before they stopped making sounds. No attention—no cries—only silence.
Dr. Fox followed the Romanian children for over fourteen years. Autistic-like behaviors such as head-banging and rocking were common during their early years. As the children aged, their head circumferences stayed unusually small. They had difficulty paying attention and understanding what was going on around them. Over time, 50 percent of the children suffered from mental illness. Displaying poor impulse control, they became socially withdrawn, had problems coping and regulating emotions, and were handicapped by low self-esteem. They manifested pathological behaviors such as tics, tantrums, stealing and self- punishment. Intellectually, they functioned poorly, which caused them to have poor academic success. Those youngsters fortunate enough to be placed in a caring foster home before the age of two were able to rebound. But those who entered foster care at a later age were not as lucky. Most were permanently damaged.
Another study of note was conducted between 1962 and 76 by the HighScope Perry Preschool Project, in conjunction with nurse-family practitioners focused on parenting practices in an African-American community in Michigan. The school operated an innovative program that included decision-making and problem-solving activities and allowed for physical movement throughout the day. Researchers were interested to see what would happen if caretakers were taught parenting skills through their involvement in the program. Parents were invited to participate in weekly visits that brought them into the education process. They were shown how to express love and reward good behavior. The study concluded that “without repeated acts of love, a child’s brain doesn’t make the growth hormone needed for proper mental and physical development.” Loveless children become permanently scarred. Their stress levels are high, setting the stage for elevated cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndromes and other conditions that pose serious health risks later in life.
Bullying is a subtle form of abuse that makes victims feel inadequate and humiliated. Most keep silent about the injustice done to them, not only because they fear reprisal but because they think they are no good. A bullied child subconsciously believes that if no one loves me, then how can I love myself? He (or she) sees himself as undeserving and incapable of change. Even after completing a well-executed task, a bullied child has difficulty feeling satisfied or accepting compliments. Parents who say “I can’t believe you would embarrass me like that,” or “You idiot! Who do you think you are?” hurt the child’s self-esteem. Bullying causes some children to act out by being cruel to animals, setting fires, taking drugs or simply withdrawing into themselves. Health can be affected by even small insults of shame and rejection.
A child’s well-being depends of having security and love. Thankfully, most families know that children need to reside in a safe welcoming environment that showers them with affection and kindness. Love helps them develop defense mechanisms that provide a buffer from illness, abuse and trauma. And it is love that sets the stage for healthy adult relationships.
This valentine’s day be thankful you were loved and are able to share that love with others. It is a gift to give that should not to be squandered. Many unhappy events are surmounted when someone reaches out to express their love and concern. And, for those of you who have extra tenderness tucked away in your heart, consider mentoring a youth who is having a tough time. Your love can help this child blossom and it will make the world a better, kinder place for all.
References:
Nelson, C. & Fox, N. & Zeanah, C. (2014) Romania’s Abandoned Children, Deprivation, Brain Development, and the Struggle for Recovery, Harvard University Press.
Parks, G. (2000) The High/Scope Perry Preschool Project. U.S. Department of Justice; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. retrieved from www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/181725.pdf also Rand Published Study www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/ RB9145.html
Bergland, C. (2013) Parental Warmth is crucial for a Child’s Well-being. Psychology Today. retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com/ blog/the-athletes-way/201310/parental-warmth-is-crucial- child-s-well-being
Weir, Ki. (2014). Lasting Effect of Love Deprivation. American Psychological Association, Vol.45. No.6. retrieved from www.apa.org/monitor/ 2014/06/neglect.aspx
2/2/2019 8:57:47 PM
Ellen: Wide Eyed and Ready
She may be older now but she still feels young and ready to tackle life.
acrylic on Canvas / 20” x 16” / $ 399
Behind the Wrinkles
Last week two participants in my writers group read passages that contained descriptions of elderly women. I was aghast at listening to their portrayals of women my age. They conjured up frumpish matrons with beatific smiles who spend much of their time knitting and gossiping over tea. Their arms are open for those who knock on church doors looking for aid. “Yes dear, do come in. You are loved.“ Forty to fifty yeas ago these women did exist in white middle and upper class communities where husbands worked and women stayed home.
During the comment period I mentioned that I certainly don’t feel like the people described on their pages. My writer friends laughed and the meeting went on. However, the issue of age continued to bother me for I don’t know anyone who would comfortably step into the pages of their books. These days, older women are full participants in the social and political fabric of the country. I set out to investigate age discrimination more thoroughly.
My attention immediately leaped to Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court and Senator Diane Feinstein, both working at 85 despite physical ailments that plagued them as they aged. I wondered how Nancy Pelosi at 78 retained her role as a Washington powerhouse and how Maxine Waters at 80 remains relevant to her district. None of these women appear to lack the stamina needed in their jobs.
I noticed that older actresses were getting better roles. Jane Fonda at 81 starred with Lily Tomlin, 79, in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie. She maintains a healthy lifestyle, exercises regularly, eats well, and boy does she look stunning. As a bionic woman, she hasn’t let her fake hip, artificial knee or many back surgeries stop her for living fully. And then there’s Oprah Winfrey, who at 65 looks like she will remain active forever. She’s a media executive who continues as a publisher, actress, TV producer and philanthropist. She got Americans to read.
Inevitably, our bodies will decline, so I decided to investigate elderly female athletes. Phyllis Sues at 91 is a competitive Tango dancer who recently took up skydiving. Sylvester Stallone’s mother Jackie at 92 does CrossFit Boxing, indoor rowing and takes dance classes. Tao Porchon-Lynch at 96 is the world’s oldest yoga teacher. She didn’t start her practice until the was 73.
Madona Buder (known as the Iron Nun) at age 84 finished the Ironman triathlon. The competition involved a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2 mile run. The stories are many.
Exercise, healthy diet and remain active—those words are pounded into the heads of women in every socio-economic level. For economic reasons, though, more of them have to work into their senior years to make ends means. Employment is not easy, for age discrimination starts at fifty for women. Though they may be youthful, savvy, and connected, in the workplace coworkers often consider them dinosaurs. They are disrespected, labeled old fashioned and forced out of jobs. Unlike men, whose value increases as they get older, they fall prey to assumptions that they lack stamina, aren’t technically astute and aren’t invested in their careers. The opposite is actually true, for their companies are not invested in them.
According to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research one reason older female job seekers are discriminated more than males is because physical appearance matters more for women than men. Though there are laws in place to protect workers over 40, age discrimination is difficult to prove. However, according to AARP, women are finally speaking up and reporting injustices, the first step towards change. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that by 2024 there will be twice as many women over 55 in the labor force as women ages 16 to 24.
Though older women are least valued by employers, they are needed. Many are educated, trained, reliable and experienced. They understand the aging marketplace and add to the economy with their purchases. They save employers money because they demand fewer benefits. Medicare lowers health insurance premiums and Social Security fills in some of the gaps in income needs.
But, those who can retire, don’t slow down. They are involved and engaged in writing, participating in politics, volunteering on school boards and becoming classroom aids. They travel with emergency teams to disaster areas and join local committees to overcome homelessness. They keep their bodies fit and their minds sharp by auditing university classes, attending lecture series, travel. Their spirits adjust to advancing age through meditation and yoga. Balancing volunteer activities with play helps them remain young at heart. The seniors I know stay abreast of the changing world, use computers and participate on social media sites. They text and tweet to communicate with grandchildren and pride themselves on understanding the younger generation.
Older women are not fragile. They’ve always worked hard taking care of families and participating in community life. And, in case you wondered, yes, most enjoy sex. So young squirts, get over it. Look at reality and not some outdated concept of a great grandmother in a flower patterned housecoat reclining in a rocking chair ready to dispense tea and chat. We are a mounting force that needs to be reckoned with
References:
Ward, P. (2014) 7 Inspiring Women Athletes Over age 70. Health. retrieved from https://www.health.com/fitness/7-inspiring-women-athletes-over-age-70
Sitzes, Jenae, (2018) How Jane Fonda Looks So Young at 80. Prevention. retrieved from https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a20686775/jane-fonda-age/
Marcus, B. (2018) Age Discrimination and Women in the Workplace: How to Avoid G3eting Pushed Out. Forbes. retrieved from https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a20686775/jane-fonda-age/
Terrell,K (2018) Age Bias Complaints Rise Among Women and Minorities. AARP. retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/work/working-at-50-plus/info-2018/age-discrimination-increases-women-minorities.html
Maxine Waters Helen Mirren at 73 Yoko Ono at 85
US Congresswoman at 80
Seniors: Well dressed and Active
