Green Pea Salad....Recyled!
Born of a five day power outage last winter when everything in my freezer defrosted including a big bag of green peas. Pea salad! I was getting real tired of eating it when the electricity came back on. So I threw it in the blender and voila! recycled inot pease porridge cold.
Recipe
1 32 ounce bag of frozen peas, thawed, not cooked
1 cup celery, finely diced
1 red onion, finely diced
1 cup midget dill pickles, small diced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, small cubed
Combine all these in a bowl and add
Non Fat Dressing
2 8 ounce cups of non fat yogurt
1/2 cup fresh dill, finely cut
1 lemon - scrape zest, squeeze the juice, and add
Salt and pepper to taste
To serve put the pea salad into romaine leaf canoes. Enjoy! And the RECYCLE it into soup. Pease porridge in the pot nine days old.
At the ratio fo 2 cups of pea salad to 1 cup of canned low sodium chicken broth, puree it in the blender. Add romaine leaves after cutting off the white ends. Decorate with a sprig of fresh dill and a dollop of yogurt if desired. And because some DO like it hot, you can warm this but do not boil.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Silvia's "It's not the coconut" chocolate mystery cake
Silvia loved to enter the Marin County Fair food competitions and often won prizes.
Not one, not two, but three mystery ingredients! A taster guessed, "It's not the coconut". But it was. Or rather the sauerkraut whose texture resembles coconut. The other mystery ingredients are beer and crystalized ginger. Debuted at a Friday the 13th bake sale. Very appropriate for April Fool's Day.
Recipe
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Rinse and drain 2/3 cup of sauerkraut.
Dice crystalized ginger into pea size pieces making one cup.
Sift together the following dry ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
Cream together 2/3 cup butter, softened, and 1 1/4 cup sugar.
Add 3 eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition. Blend in 1 tsp vanilla or coconut extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with 1 12 ounce can of beer.
Stir in the sauerkraut and the ginger pieces.
Ladle into flower pots - unglazed terra cotta with varying sizes. If using flower pots, spray the inside with cooking spray. Put a small piece of parchment paper in the bottom of each pot to cover the hole. Fill pots 3/4 full and put on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake about 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven testing with a toothpick. Allow to cool and sprinkle with raw sugar and chocolate covered ginger for decoration.
If you prefer, recipe will make two 8" cakes.
Not one, not two, but three mystery ingredients! A taster guessed, "It's not the coconut". But it was. Or rather the sauerkraut whose texture resembles coconut. The other mystery ingredients are beer and crystalized ginger. Debuted at a Friday the 13th bake sale. Very appropriate for April Fool's Day.
Recipe
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Rinse and drain 2/3 cup of sauerkraut.
Dice crystalized ginger into pea size pieces making one cup.
Sift together the following dry ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
Cream together 2/3 cup butter, softened, and 1 1/4 cup sugar.
Add 3 eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition. Blend in 1 tsp vanilla or coconut extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with 1 12 ounce can of beer.
Stir in the sauerkraut and the ginger pieces.
Ladle into flower pots - unglazed terra cotta with varying sizes. If using flower pots, spray the inside with cooking spray. Put a small piece of parchment paper in the bottom of each pot to cover the hole. Fill pots 3/4 full and put on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake about 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven testing with a toothpick. Allow to cool and sprinkle with raw sugar and chocolate covered ginger for decoration.
If you prefer, recipe will make two 8" cakes.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Limerick for Dr. Ruth and Song for Bobby
WOOF! WOOF! For RUTH
Sing praises of our Dr. Ruth
CCIs super vet, that’s the truth
She is not a vegetarian
But vhat a vonderful veterinarian
Callooh! Callay! Forsooth!
Callooh and Callay come from Lewis Carroll’s poem Jabberwocky. The Annotated Alice states that these words are from the Greek kalos meaning beautiful, good, or fair. Forsooth! It is Ruth!
Bobby has always been very special to me as he is the sire of my two of my breeder’s litters. His sons Kaden and Bauman, and Terrell fathered the other three. This tribute is to the tune of “Mother-M is for the …”
B is for the bounty of his breedings
O is for his obedience to his chore
B is for the black puppies oh so many
B is for the blond puppies by the score
Y is why, oh why, you ask we love him
EASY! He’s so special in so many ways
Put them all together they spell Bobby
That big, black, beautiful, bodacious stud muffin we celebrate today
Sing praises of our Dr. Ruth
CCIs super vet, that’s the truth
She is not a vegetarian
But vhat a vonderful veterinarian
Callooh! Callay! Forsooth!
Callooh and Callay come from Lewis Carroll’s poem Jabberwocky. The Annotated Alice states that these words are from the Greek kalos meaning beautiful, good, or fair. Forsooth! It is Ruth!
Bobby has always been very special to me as he is the sire of my two of my breeder’s litters. His sons Kaden and Bauman, and Terrell fathered the other three. This tribute is to the tune of “Mother-M is for the …”
B is for the bounty of his breedings
O is for his obedience to his chore
B is for the black puppies oh so many
B is for the blond puppies by the score
Y is why, oh why, you ask we love him
EASY! He’s so special in so many ways
Put them all together they spell Bobby
That big, black, beautiful, bodacious stud muffin we celebrate today
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Book about Silvia Lange
The softcover book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is on Shutterfly
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/pictures/175
and can be viewed and purchased there, or you can purchase the book by contacting Bill or Wendy Dreskin at (415) 457-3949. For more information about the book, please see the April Blog Archive. Also, there is now available a DVD of the Silvia Lange Angel Island celebration on March 21,2010, created and produced by Aimy Wilbur. Please contact Bill or Wendy Dreskin if you would like a copy of this DVD.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
2009 Haiku
January 2, 2009
Over dry cliff side
Rainy day falls will soon leap
Welcome winter rains
January 5, 2009
Soft, warm sleep my dogs
Comma, exclamation point
Punctuate my bed
February 2, 2009 (Novato Field of Dogs)
Racing down the field
the ball! Then into the pool
Silvia at dog park
February 8, 2009 Highway 1 to Tomales
Twisting, turning road
Flanked by bright gold acacias
The miles flashing by
February 9, 2009
Chest rising, falling
Muffled sounds of sweet breathing
Let sleeping dogs lie
March 4, 2009 (Mountain View Cemetery)
White granite sparkles
Tulips all coming up
What a lovely place
March 9, 2009 (Canine Companions for Independence)
Beautiful blondes
Are they polar bears or dogs?
Momma, daughter, child
April 20, 2009
Wildflower garden
Maroon Indian Warriors
Soft yellow iris
May 13, 2009 Nicasio Valley Road
Suddenly blooming
Lupine in the alfalfa
Meadow purple haze
June 10, 2009
Speckled xylophone
Rising up proud in the woods
It does my heart good
July 10, 2009 Crepe myrtles - Marin Human Society
Lavender, pink, white
Where could they have been hiding?
Down South in Natchez?
April 10, 2009 Wendy's house in San Anselmo
Purple lavender
Violet, mauve periwinkle
Lilacs for Wendy
August 14, 2009
Long time Christmas wish
so lucky to have my dogs
I made it come true
October 14, 2009 Lucas Valley Road pumpkin patch
Corn stalks and straw bales
Pumpkins, pumpkins, more pumpkins
Bringing in the sheaves
November 2, 2009
Magic lantern slides
Conjuring up memories
Screen saver puppies
December 1, 2009 Bahia Open Space with Meandering class
Flock of water fowl
Fly upward in flurry
Sound of wings flapping
Over dry cliff side
Rainy day falls will soon leap
Welcome winter rains
January 5, 2009
Soft, warm sleep my dogs
Comma, exclamation point
Punctuate my bed
February 2, 2009 (Novato Field of Dogs)
Racing down the field
the ball! Then into the pool
Silvia at dog park
February 8, 2009 Highway 1 to Tomales
Twisting, turning road
Flanked by bright gold acacias
The miles flashing by
February 9, 2009
Chest rising, falling
Muffled sounds of sweet breathing
Let sleeping dogs lie
March 4, 2009 (Mountain View Cemetery)
White granite sparkles
Tulips all coming up
What a lovely place
March 9, 2009 (Canine Companions for Independence)
Beautiful blondes
Are they polar bears or dogs?
Momma, daughter, child
April 20, 2009
Wildflower garden
Maroon Indian Warriors
Soft yellow iris
May 13, 2009 Nicasio Valley Road
Suddenly blooming
Lupine in the alfalfa
Meadow purple haze
June 10, 2009
Speckled xylophone
Rising up proud in the woods
It does my heart good
July 10, 2009 Crepe myrtles - Marin Human Society
Lavender, pink, white
Where could they have been hiding?
Down South in Natchez?
April 10, 2009 Wendy's house in San Anselmo
Purple lavender
Violet, mauve periwinkle
Lilacs for Wendy
August 14, 2009
Long time Christmas wish
so lucky to have my dogs
I made it come true
October 14, 2009 Lucas Valley Road pumpkin patch
Corn stalks and straw bales
Pumpkins, pumpkins, more pumpkins
Bringing in the sheaves
November 2, 2009
Magic lantern slides
Conjuring up memories
Screen saver puppies
December 1, 2009 Bahia Open Space with Meandering class
Flock of water fowl
Fly upward in flurry
Sound of wings flapping
Friday, April 9, 2010
Poems for friends
ON HIS BLINDNESS
(With Apologies to Milton)
or
PURGE THE SPURGE!
There was a man, Miles Parker, who was Victorian-wise
He rescued a botanical which blinded both his eyes
The pain, it was exquisite He called for help with hope
The cops they were suspicious and searched him well for dope
The plant was a euphorbia so innocent and green
Not even a Venus Flytrap would have treated Miles so mean
Keep your euphorbia watered Don 't let it get quite dry
Or its milky, caustic substance will make you scream and cry
Euphorbia, euphorbia, a breed of weed so strange
Mole plant, poinsettia, and Crown of Thorns all fall within its range
"It could bother a gopher or mole and make him go away "
Have you seen a mole 's eyes lately? That's how they got that way
Euphorbus was a Greek physician but no antidote had he
So Miles yelled, "Eureeeeeeeeka! " just like Archimedes
Yes, artists can be disabled A fact so dread to utter
Beethoven with his deafness Demosthenes with his stutter
Paul Gaugin had syphilis and Vincent Van Gogh had fits
Toulouse Lautrec had stunted legs Miles Parker 's eyes were slits
His sight came back with a week which filled us with euphoria
A sadder, wiser man was Miles He's phobic for euphorbia
Silvia Lange Sometime in the Seventies San Diego
ON HER LEAVING
Camille, oh, Camille
Please heed our appeal
If your leaving you 'll repeal
We'll take you to Mobile
Actually to a street named Beale
For a scrumptious meal of veal
Maybe a creel full of eel
Are we hearing you squeal?
Deal? No deal?
Yes, we know how you feel
The Wheel, Wheel of Fortune, the Wheel
Grinds you down
You could over-keel
It's all so surreal
But soon you will heal
Church bells will peal
You'll dance till you reel
Do flip-flops head over heel
Your clothes you'll off-peel
To go swim with a seal
And then dressed all in teal
You'll approach your new job
With zeal!
.
Silvia Lange CHAMPUS 1996
(With Apologies to Milton)
or
PURGE THE SPURGE!
There was a man, Miles Parker, who was Victorian-wise
He rescued a botanical which blinded both his eyes
The pain, it was exquisite He called for help with hope
The cops they were suspicious and searched him well for dope
The plant was a euphorbia so innocent and green
Not even a Venus Flytrap would have treated Miles so mean
Keep your euphorbia watered Don 't let it get quite dry
Or its milky, caustic substance will make you scream and cry
Euphorbia, euphorbia, a breed of weed so strange
Mole plant, poinsettia, and Crown of Thorns all fall within its range
"It could bother a gopher or mole and make him go away "
Have you seen a mole 's eyes lately? That's how they got that way
Euphorbus was a Greek physician but no antidote had he
So Miles yelled, "Eureeeeeeeeka! " just like Archimedes
Yes, artists can be disabled A fact so dread to utter
Beethoven with his deafness Demosthenes with his stutter
Paul Gaugin had syphilis and Vincent Van Gogh had fits
Toulouse Lautrec had stunted legs Miles Parker 's eyes were slits
His sight came back with a week which filled us with euphoria
A sadder, wiser man was Miles He's phobic for euphorbia
Silvia Lange Sometime in the Seventies San Diego
ON HER LEAVING
Camille, oh, Camille
Please heed our appeal
If your leaving you 'll repeal
We'll take you to Mobile
Actually to a street named Beale
For a scrumptious meal of veal
Maybe a creel full of eel
Are we hearing you squeal?
Deal? No deal?
Yes, we know how you feel
The Wheel, Wheel of Fortune, the Wheel
Grinds you down
You could over-keel
It's all so surreal
But soon you will heal
Church bells will peal
You'll dance till you reel
Do flip-flops head over heel
Your clothes you'll off-peel
To go swim with a seal
And then dressed all in teal
You'll approach your new job
With zeal!
.
Silvia Lange CHAMPUS 1996
Angel Island Songs
COAST WALKERS FAREWELL
Tune: Maori Farewell WordS: Silvia Lange
Now is the hour when we must say farewell
... to you, Angel Island
Soon well be walking far beyond the sea
... to Land's End
While we're away, we will remember thee
When we return
... to Angel Island
We hope you're waiting here
June 1999 Angel Island Association
THE LEGEND OF MOUNT LIVERMORE
Composed on Site 1/15/1996 and Updated 12/4/1999 & 10/2008
Tune: On Top of Old Smokey (sob) Words: Silvia Lange
On top of Mount Livermore
All covered with fog
Our dear metal Christmas tree
Was felled like a log
The rain it was fearsome
The wind even more (100 mph)
To keep our Christmas tree standing
Would have been an impossible chore
Each Christmas we lit it
We had so much fun
With Boy Scouts and eggnog
And the carols we sung
We made it our symbol
To raise much needed bucks
But after the windstorm of '95
All we could say was, "Oh, shucks!"
Christmas is coming
And the geese are getting fat
But on top of Mount Livermore
Our Christmas tree lay flat
WAIT! The story's not over
What a glorious sight
Thanks to Industrial Light & Magic
Our new Christmas tree shone bright
On top of Mount Livermore
Here comes another verse
Though the windstorm was ferocious
The fire was much worse
It leapt up Mount Livermore
All the way to the top
As we watched on in horror, we cried
"Will it never stop?"
But Camp Reynolds, Fort McDowell,
Immigration Station, too
Were saved from destruction
By the brave firefighting crew
When the smoke had subsided
We found a casualty
Fried to a crisp
Was our poor Christmas tree
Now just like San Francisco
Angel Island survived fire
Come visit your Island
And linger awhile
Tune: Maori Farewell WordS: Silvia Lange
Now is the hour when we must say farewell
... to you, Angel Island
Soon well be walking far beyond the sea
... to Land's End
While we're away, we will remember thee
When we return
... to Angel Island
We hope you're waiting here
June 1999 Angel Island Association
THE LEGEND OF MOUNT LIVERMORE
Composed on Site 1/15/1996 and Updated 12/4/1999 & 10/2008
Tune: On Top of Old Smokey (sob) Words: Silvia Lange
On top of Mount Livermore
All covered with fog
Our dear metal Christmas tree
Was felled like a log
The rain it was fearsome
The wind even more (100 mph)
To keep our Christmas tree standing
Would have been an impossible chore
Each Christmas we lit it
We had so much fun
With Boy Scouts and eggnog
And the carols we sung
We made it our symbol
To raise much needed bucks
But after the windstorm of '95
All we could say was, "Oh, shucks!"
Christmas is coming
And the geese are getting fat
But on top of Mount Livermore
Our Christmas tree lay flat
WAIT! The story's not over
What a glorious sight
Thanks to Industrial Light & Magic
Our new Christmas tree shone bright
On top of Mount Livermore
Here comes another verse
Though the windstorm was ferocious
The fire was much worse
It leapt up Mount Livermore
All the way to the top
As we watched on in horror, we cried
"Will it never stop?"
But Camp Reynolds, Fort McDowell,
Immigration Station, too
Were saved from destruction
By the brave firefighting crew
When the smoke had subsided
We found a casualty
Fried to a crisp
Was our poor Christmas tree
Now just like San Francisco
Angel Island survived fire
Come visit your Island
And linger awhile
Meandering in Marin songs
On the First Day of Meandering . . .
or
Here We Go Round The Hanukkah Bush (sp.?)
On the first day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
A woodpecker in a live oak tree ~
On the second day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Two toyon and a
On the third day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Three chickadees
On the fourth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Four redtail hawks
On the fifth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Five gold finches
On the sixth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Six snakes a slithering
On the seventh day of Meandering Wendy gave to me Seven otters a playing
On the eighth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Eight milkmaids blooming
On the ninth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Nine ladybugs mating
On the tenth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Ten lizards leaping
On the eleventh day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Eleven sandpipers piping
On the twelfth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Twelve bunnies thumping
Croakus Chorus 2004 Silvia Lange
The Meanderers
Over hill over dale we will hit the dusty frail
As the Meanderers go meandering along
Through the rain and through the sun aren't we having lots of fun?
As the Meanderers go meandering along
Through the sun and through the rain Oh, my god I've got a pain!
As the Meanderers go meandering along
So it 's Hi, hi, hee
Tell us Wendy what we see
Call out those names loud and strong
(Wendy) ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL
So where ere we go, you will always know
That the Meanderers are meandering along
Keep 'em moving!
The Meanderers are meandering along!
What's in a Name?
Supercalifragalisticexpialidous
When first I heard this word I thought it simply was atrocious
The name for carbon dot lichen is equally ferocious
Pseudocyphellaria anthraspis.... gloriousus!
Halitosis?
or
Scoliosis?
or
Neurosis?
or
Psychosis?
or
?
Meandering in Marin
Silvia Lange
Winter/Spring 2004/5
Rara Avis
Or
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Tune: Mockingbird Hill Lyrics: Silvia Lange & Wendy Dreskin
Oh it's up in the morning in sunshine or chill
We hike through Marin over valley and hill
We see lots of birdies; we hear their song too
But without our Wendy, we haven't a clue
Tra la la, twiddly dee dee it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the morning to the
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (oh, dear me)
To wake up in the morning to the
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (what peeves you?)
To wake up in the morning to the
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (....___.. ...
To wake up in the morning to the
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Chicago!)
To wake up in the morning to the
OAK TITMOUSE (sweet, sweet sweet, sweet)
And now big finish
Tra la la, twiddly dee dee it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the morning to the
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (phut! phut phut! phut!!)
Meandering in Marin brings us peace and goodwill
or
Here We Go Round The Hanukkah Bush (sp.?)
On the first day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
A woodpecker in a live oak tree ~
On the second day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Two toyon and a
On the third day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Three chickadees
On the fourth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Four redtail hawks
On the fifth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Five gold finches
On the sixth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Six snakes a slithering
On the seventh day of Meandering Wendy gave to me Seven otters a playing
On the eighth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Eight milkmaids blooming
On the ninth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Nine ladybugs mating
On the tenth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Ten lizards leaping
On the eleventh day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Eleven sandpipers piping
On the twelfth day of Meandering Wendy gave to me
Twelve bunnies thumping
Croakus Chorus 2004 Silvia Lange
The Meanderers
Over hill over dale we will hit the dusty frail
As the Meanderers go meandering along
Through the rain and through the sun aren't we having lots of fun?
As the Meanderers go meandering along
Through the sun and through the rain Oh, my god I've got a pain!
As the Meanderers go meandering along
So it 's Hi, hi, hee
Tell us Wendy what we see
Call out those names loud and strong
(Wendy) ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL
So where ere we go, you will always know
That the Meanderers are meandering along
Keep 'em moving!
The Meanderers are meandering along!
What's in a Name?
Supercalifragalisticexpialidous
When first I heard this word I thought it simply was atrocious
The name for carbon dot lichen is equally ferocious
Pseudocyphellaria anthraspis.... gloriousus!
Halitosis?
or
Scoliosis?
or
Neurosis?
or
Psychosis?
or
?
Meandering in Marin
Silvia Lange
Winter/Spring 2004/5
Rara Avis
Or
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Tune: Mockingbird Hill Lyrics: Silvia Lange & Wendy Dreskin
Oh it's up in the morning in sunshine or chill
We hike through Marin over valley and hill
We see lots of birdies; we hear their song too
But without our Wendy, we haven't a clue
Tra la la, twiddly dee dee it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the morning to the
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (oh, dear me)
To wake up in the morning to the
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (what peeves you?)
To wake up in the morning to the
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (....___.. ...
To wake up in the morning to the
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Chicago!)
To wake up in the morning to the
OAK TITMOUSE (sweet, sweet sweet, sweet)
And now big finish
Tra la la, twiddly dee dee it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the morning to the
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (phut! phut phut! phut!!)
Meandering in Marin brings us peace and goodwill
Mushroom poem
Wendy Dreskin - Mistress of Mushrooms
by Silvia Lange January 2005
Wendy's a Wizard of the Woods
She always, she always comes up with the goods.
"Mushrooms?" you ask. For her a small task
Mycorhyzal under the trees, she gets down on her hands and knees and digs up
What? What can it be?
A friendly fungus or a deadly enemy?
Amanita? Don't eat-a!
Russula emetica? To the bathroom this will get-a-ya
And beware a polka-dotted mushroom red
Lest a hallucinatory trip that you might dread
But here's something to think of that might be yummy
Just for the mind and not for the tummy
Oysters, turkey tails, eggs sunny-side-up
Witches butter on King Alfred's cakes - gobble them up
Milky caps and to finish this fungal meal funny
Cinnamon candy caps and mushrooms of honey
More mushroom uses. Please forgive these poetic abuses.
Is your nose shiny? Drives you up the wall?
To remedy - a powder puff ball
Is your nose runny? Giving you grief?
Blow hard in a cowboy's handkerchief
Dirty? Sweaty? Need a rub-a-dub-dub?
Wendy will find you a fairy bath tub
Lost in the woods in the middle of the night?
Try a scarlet cup or a Jack-o-lantern's strange light
Feeling creative? Don't hem and haw
On an artist's conk you soon can draw
Back aching? A cramp you can't dodge?
Fairy fingers will give you a magic massage
Yes the fungus among us bring us joy and delight
Thanks to Wendy and her mycological insight
by Silvia Lange January 2005
Wendy's a Wizard of the Woods
She always, she always comes up with the goods.
"Mushrooms?" you ask. For her a small task
Mycorhyzal under the trees, she gets down on her hands and knees and digs up
What? What can it be?
A friendly fungus or a deadly enemy?
Amanita? Don't eat-a!
Russula emetica? To the bathroom this will get-a-ya
And beware a polka-dotted mushroom red
Lest a hallucinatory trip that you might dread
But here's something to think of that might be yummy
Just for the mind and not for the tummy
Oysters, turkey tails, eggs sunny-side-up
Witches butter on King Alfred's cakes - gobble them up
Milky caps and to finish this fungal meal funny
Cinnamon candy caps and mushrooms of honey
More mushroom uses. Please forgive these poetic abuses.
Is your nose shiny? Drives you up the wall?
To remedy - a powder puff ball
Is your nose runny? Giving you grief?
Blow hard in a cowboy's handkerchief
Dirty? Sweaty? Need a rub-a-dub-dub?
Wendy will find you a fairy bath tub
Lost in the woods in the middle of the night?
Try a scarlet cup or a Jack-o-lantern's strange light
Feeling creative? Don't hem and haw
On an artist's conk you soon can draw
Back aching? A cramp you can't dodge?
Fairy fingers will give you a magic massage
Yes the fungus among us bring us joy and delight
Thanks to Wendy and her mycological insight
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Bob Prodan's song for Silvia
This is the song Bob Prodan sang at the Celebration of Silvia's Life.
Now and Forever (revised)
Music by Carole King. Lyrics by Carole King (revised by Robert Prodan)
Dedicated to Aunt Silvia (Lange)
Now and Forever, you are a part of us.
And our memory of you is clear as the day.
Didn't we find the high road? Didn't we share some good times?
When life steamrolled our way.
Now and forever, we will remember
All your promises still unbroken.
And think about all the words between us.
That never needed to be spoken.
We had some moments; just a few moments…
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime.
We are the lucky ones.
Some people never get to do... all we got to do.
Now and forever, we will always think of you.
Didn't we walk together? Didn’t we laugh together?
Didn’t we cry together? Didn't we love together?
And together we lit up the world.
We miss the tears; we miss the laughter.
We miss the day we met and all that followed after.
Sometimes we wish that we could once again be with you.
And do those things we used to do.
Now and forever, we will always think of you.
Now and forever, we will always be with you.
Now and Forever (revised)
Music by Carole King. Lyrics by Carole King (revised by Robert Prodan)
Dedicated to Aunt Silvia (Lange)
Now and Forever, you are a part of us.
And our memory of you is clear as the day.
Didn't we find the high road? Didn't we share some good times?
When life steamrolled our way.
Now and forever, we will remember
All your promises still unbroken.
And think about all the words between us.
That never needed to be spoken.
We had some moments; just a few moments…
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime.
We are the lucky ones.
Some people never get to do... all we got to do.
Now and forever, we will always think of you.
Didn't we walk together? Didn’t we laugh together?
Didn’t we cry together? Didn't we love together?
And together we lit up the world.
We miss the tears; we miss the laughter.
We miss the day we met and all that followed after.
Sometimes we wish that we could once again be with you.
And do those things we used to do.
Now and forever, we will always think of you.
Now and forever, we will always be with you.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Haiku from Silvia's 2010 haiku journal
1/5/10 Cataract Falls Trail
Hettie's first birthday
What a difference a year makes
Little one is big
1/16/10
One, then many
Right side is red, left white
Russula rampage
1/9 Lucas Valley Rd
Standing still in field
The white horse smelling the wind
Wishes can come true
1/10 Nicasio Valley Rd
Dim shapes, muffled sounds
Landscape hidden by low fog
White clouds meet blue sky
1/11/10 Lucas Valley Rd
The bulb has sprouted
Dark blue hyacinth will bloom
Promises fragrance
1/12 Lucas Valley Rd
Rain began at night
Splattering against windows
We snuggle in bed
1/13 Lucas Valley Rd
Golden sun shining
Raindrops splatter on windshield
No rainbow in view
1/15 Deer Park Villa, Fairfax
Lamp lights pierce the darkness
Deer Park Villa! Lark Creek Inn!
Friendly ghosts are here.
1/16 Mountain View Cemetary
Pinkish white petals
The magnolia tree sheds her flowers
Grave decorations
1/17 Lucas Valley Rd
Illumination
Ice skaters begin to spin
The power goes off
1/18 Northgate My birthday
Sun shines through rain
Looking up with hope filled heart
And there's the rainbow!
1/19 Fairfax Library
Frozen rain pellets
Fiercely pelt my face and leg
Swarm of angry bees
1/20 Lucas Valley Rd
Raindrops collecting
Three waterfalls appearing
Rivulets to road
1/21 Lucas Valley Rd
Silver streams at dawn
Rainy Day Falls and two more
Plunge over the cliff
1/22 Café Gratitude, San Rafael
Storm clouds and downpours
How quick the weather changes
Bright sunshine, blue sky
Hettie's first birthday
What a difference a year makes
Little one is big
1/16/10
One, then many
Right side is red, left white
Russula rampage
1/9 Lucas Valley Rd
Standing still in field
The white horse smelling the wind
Wishes can come true
1/10 Nicasio Valley Rd
Dim shapes, muffled sounds
Landscape hidden by low fog
White clouds meet blue sky
1/11/10 Lucas Valley Rd
The bulb has sprouted
Dark blue hyacinth will bloom
Promises fragrance
1/12 Lucas Valley Rd
Rain began at night
Splattering against windows
We snuggle in bed
1/13 Lucas Valley Rd
Golden sun shining
Raindrops splatter on windshield
No rainbow in view
1/15 Deer Park Villa, Fairfax
Lamp lights pierce the darkness
Deer Park Villa! Lark Creek Inn!
Friendly ghosts are here.
1/16 Mountain View Cemetary
Pinkish white petals
The magnolia tree sheds her flowers
Grave decorations
1/17 Lucas Valley Rd
Illumination
Ice skaters begin to spin
The power goes off
1/18 Northgate My birthday
Sun shines through rain
Looking up with hope filled heart
And there's the rainbow!
1/19 Fairfax Library
Frozen rain pellets
Fiercely pelt my face and leg
Swarm of angry bees
1/20 Lucas Valley Rd
Raindrops collecting
Three waterfalls appearing
Rivulets to road
1/21 Lucas Valley Rd
Silver streams at dawn
Rainy Day Falls and two more
Plunge over the cliff
1/22 Café Gratitude, San Rafael
Storm clouds and downpours
How quick the weather changes
Bright sunshine, blue sky
Haiku from a 1975 Sierra trip
Twisting turning trail
Leads me to adventure
Odyssey begins.
Snaking up the trail
Dusty serpentine switchback
Chokes me in its coils.
Purples, yellows, reds
The wildflower confetti
Heralds our passage
Feathery fern fronds
Tickle me as I squat down
Who needs indoor johns?
Sitting on the trail
The stone ducks point the way
Or are they decoys?
Wilderness whistles
Of lonesome locomotives
Donkeys are braying
Cascades of water
Washing away weariness
Nature's Jacuzzi
Sun baked pine needles
For my scent memory bank
Wet green meadows
Slabs of white granite
Like my warm, enduring friends
Safe to hold on to
Filmy morning mists
Blurring stands of pine trees
Are we in Japan?
Leads me to adventure
Odyssey begins.
Snaking up the trail
Dusty serpentine switchback
Chokes me in its coils.
Purples, yellows, reds
The wildflower confetti
Heralds our passage
Feathery fern fronds
Tickle me as I squat down
Who needs indoor johns?
Sitting on the trail
The stone ducks point the way
Or are they decoys?
Wilderness whistles
Of lonesome locomotives
Donkeys are braying
Cascades of water
Washing away weariness
Nature's Jacuzzi
Sun baked pine needles
For my scent memory bank
Wet green meadows
Slabs of white granite
Like my warm, enduring friends
Safe to hold on to
Filmy morning mists
Blurring stands of pine trees
Are we in Japan?
More haiku from the Baja whale watching trip
Soft sighs and spout smoke
Break the stillness of morning
The gray whale passes.
Mighty whalers are we,
Armed with camera harpoons
Aim, shoot, and miss. Oh!
Wild flukes and flippers
Churning the blue water white
Courtship of the whales.
Look there, quick, and see
Fountain on the horizon
A breeching gray whale.
Up, up, up, and CRASH
A breeching gray whale leaps and
Down, down, down, and SPLASH.
Baja beachcomber
Just like the ruddy turnstone
Shell to shell to shell
Waves on hidden reef
Charging and sounding all around
Gigantic ghost whales.
Bucking and pitching
Our boat missed the whistle in
The wave rodeo.
Laughing dolphins leap
Silver flashes cross the bow
Leaping dolphins laugh.
Break the stillness of morning
The gray whale passes.
Mighty whalers are we,
Armed with camera harpoons
Aim, shoot, and miss. Oh!
Wild flukes and flippers
Churning the blue water white
Courtship of the whales.
Look there, quick, and see
Fountain on the horizon
A breeching gray whale.
Up, up, up, and CRASH
A breeching gray whale leaps and
Down, down, down, and SPLASH.
Baja beachcomber
Just like the ruddy turnstone
Shell to shell to shell
Waves on hidden reef
Charging and sounding all around
Gigantic ghost whales.
Bucking and pitching
Our boat missed the whistle in
The wave rodeo.
Laughing dolphins leap
Silver flashes cross the bow
Leaping dolphins laugh.
More poems
THE UNICORN VETERINARIAN
A TRUE TOLD.TALE OF SAUSALITO
Once, a wonderous wizard in a queendom by the sea Cast a mighty spell Enchanting, captivating me
Stopping by his magic shop, I saw the creatures rare Pegasus, hummingbirds, dragons flying through the air
A bashful octopus with legs all tangled in a heap
And rows and rows of dolphins all laughing as they leap
He even had a Christmas tree which twinkled all year round
And whales and snails and elephants, trumpeting without a sound
This kindly man with craft so old who works at night, blue blazing bright I knew that he could help my plight
A lovely unicorn had I
With flowing mane and tail held high and horn that glistened in the sun
Alas! My unicorn was made of glass!
And so, his foreleg shattered into' shards He could not run; he could not even stand They would have shot a horse, of course
My unicorn waited, in agony profound
As unicorns have always done while waiting to be found
The wonder of the wizard was that he was really real
A glass blower was he by trade; glass beasties he could make -- and heal
I brought my fragile creature to the wizard by the sea
And with his special powers, he gave back my unicorn to me
Silvia Prodan Lange Sausalito, California 7/11/80
This was the poem Silvia wrote when MB left Canine Companions.
DAWG GOME IT, MB!
or
How Can We Bear to Give You Up?
MB, MB (kissie sounds) Good girl! Good girl!
WAIT! Good wait
MB! LET'S GO!
NO!
DON'T
Go
Don't go
MB, STAY!
Yes! That's right! That's what we want! Yes!
Yes, MB STAY
And by STAY I mean until 4 o'clock on Friday 2000 and
something in the far future
But if you must LEAVE IT
Amid howls of protest
We give you pats and praises
Wags, whimpers, and big wet kisses
Hugs and hearfelt thanks
And say
MB, MB (kissie sounds) RELEASE
Run and play, good girl
Run and play
Good girl!
Silvia Lange, Neri & Odene
Canine Companions for Independence 2000-2002
A TRUE TOLD.TALE OF SAUSALITO
Once, a wonderous wizard in a queendom by the sea Cast a mighty spell Enchanting, captivating me
Stopping by his magic shop, I saw the creatures rare Pegasus, hummingbirds, dragons flying through the air
A bashful octopus with legs all tangled in a heap
And rows and rows of dolphins all laughing as they leap
He even had a Christmas tree which twinkled all year round
And whales and snails and elephants, trumpeting without a sound
This kindly man with craft so old who works at night, blue blazing bright I knew that he could help my plight
A lovely unicorn had I
With flowing mane and tail held high and horn that glistened in the sun
Alas! My unicorn was made of glass!
And so, his foreleg shattered into' shards He could not run; he could not even stand They would have shot a horse, of course
My unicorn waited, in agony profound
As unicorns have always done while waiting to be found
The wonder of the wizard was that he was really real
A glass blower was he by trade; glass beasties he could make -- and heal
I brought my fragile creature to the wizard by the sea
And with his special powers, he gave back my unicorn to me
Silvia Prodan Lange Sausalito, California 7/11/80
This was the poem Silvia wrote when MB left Canine Companions.
DAWG GOME IT, MB!
or
How Can We Bear to Give You Up?
MB, MB (kissie sounds) Good girl! Good girl!
WAIT! Good wait
MB! LET'S GO!
NO!
DON'T
Go
Don't go
MB, STAY!
Yes! That's right! That's what we want! Yes!
Yes, MB STAY
And by STAY I mean until 4 o'clock on Friday 2000 and
something in the far future
But if you must LEAVE IT
Amid howls of protest
We give you pats and praises
Wags, whimpers, and big wet kisses
Hugs and hearfelt thanks
And say
MB, MB (kissie sounds) RELEASE
Run and play, good girl
Run and play
Good girl!
Silvia Lange, Neri & Odene
Canine Companions for Independence 2000-2002
DVD of the Celebration of the Life of Silvia Lange
Thanks to Aimy there is now a DVD of parts of the Celebration of the Life of Silvia Lange that took place on Angel Island. The California Room of the County Library will have a copy of it. There will also be a copy of the book A Celebration of the Life of Silvia Lange there thanks to Theresa McGovern.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Updated Link to Book on Silvia Lange
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life
can be ordered directly from Shutterfly or we can order a copy for you. The book will also be archived in the California Room of the Marin Civic Center Library along with Silvia’s Angel Island bibliography and research materials.
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is 7” H x 9” W, 21 pages softcover, sold at printing cost, approx. $14, plus shipping and handling.
New link to book pages
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/pictures/175
or please click on the link or copy and paste into your web browser:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Farley by Phil Frank
Readers were challenged to find a rhyme for "San Francisco values." Silvia's entry was published 12/21/06.
We live on what's called the Left Coast…
Of the area's many virtues we freely do boast…
And to the whole world we play host…
With Irish coffee and Martinis our choice of booze
We raise a toast to our fabulous Bay Area views
And our San Francisco Values…
Limericks
This one was published in the California Living Magazine of the San Francisco Examiner.
There once was an elephant seal
Who with laughter did heartily peal:
A mermaid he couldn't be,
'Cause from his nose you plainly could see
That he's positively, definitely a male.
Yet another Milestone for Miles
What a talented man is Miles P
His art work is marvelous to see
A preservationist so brave
His own life he did save
Now a proud septuagenarian is he
Proclamation! 2003
Proud new grandparents are Jovi and Enriqueek
We know they can't simply be meek
Sasha is her name
"She's a princess!" they exclaim
Please, at her picture may we take a peek?
Fairest of the Fair
There is a fine man named Barboni
As priceless as fresh abalone
Three cheers for our Charley
He deserves a new Harley
I assure you that is no baloney
Submitted to Marin County Fair 2009
2006
Ole! For our man from Chile
His glass art is not willy-nilly
Happy Birthday, Enrique
You are simply unique-y
Handsome, smart, talented – sometimes silly
Readers were challenged to find a rhyme for "San Francisco values." Silvia's entry was published 12/21/06.
We live on what's called the Left Coast…
Of the area's many virtues we freely do boast…
And to the whole world we play host…
With Irish coffee and Martinis our choice of booze
We raise a toast to our fabulous Bay Area views
And our San Francisco Values…
Limericks
This one was published in the California Living Magazine of the San Francisco Examiner.
There once was an elephant seal
Who with laughter did heartily peal:
A mermaid he couldn't be,
'Cause from his nose you plainly could see
That he's positively, definitely a male.
Yet another Milestone for Miles
What a talented man is Miles P
His art work is marvelous to see
A preservationist so brave
His own life he did save
Now a proud septuagenarian is he
Proclamation! 2003
Proud new grandparents are Jovi and Enriqueek
We know they can't simply be meek
Sasha is her name
"She's a princess!" they exclaim
Please, at her picture may we take a peek?
Fairest of the Fair
There is a fine man named Barboni
As priceless as fresh abalone
Three cheers for our Charley
He deserves a new Harley
I assure you that is no baloney
Submitted to Marin County Fair 2009
2006
Ole! For our man from Chile
His glass art is not willy-nilly
Happy Birthday, Enrique
You are simply unique-y
Handsome, smart, talented – sometimes silly
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life, edited by William and Wendy Dreskin, is 7” H x 9” W, 21 pages softcover, sold at printing cost, approx. $13.19, plus shipping and handling.
An easy direct link to view the book:
To view or order Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life, please copy and paste into your web browser:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/pictures/142
This will flip through the pages of the book to view the overall layout of the book but you cannot enlarge these pages enough to read the text. See below for how to do that.
Please note that there is also a different "photo book" on the same website that is one Shutterfly automatically puts together, not the one we created. In that "photo book" Shutterfly "automatically" puts photos at random into pages in an album with no text.
To view or order individual photos or see a detailed view of Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life book pages, please copy and paste into your web browser:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
Also if you go to the Shutterfly Share home page, click on the "Pictures & Videos" tab at the top of the page, and that will take you to the Silvia Lange Photo Album photos (about 58 images) collection which also includes, towards the end of that photo collection, all the 21 pages from the book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life. If you click on a page from the book, then it will zoom in so you can read the text and view the book page in detail. The page and readable text will still appear small and not full size.
On the website home page, click on the "Pictures &Videos" tab at the top of the page and then click on the thumbnail image of the book cover or click on Silvia Lange Photo Book and then you can view the entire book as it scrolls through all the book pages. The pages can be paused on a single page.
An easy direct link to view the book:
To view or order Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life, please copy and paste into your web browser:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/pictures/142
This will flip through the pages of the book to view the overall layout of the book but you cannot enlarge these pages enough to read the text. See below for how to do that.
Please note that there is also a different "photo book" on the same website that is one Shutterfly automatically puts together, not the one we created. In that "photo book" Shutterfly "automatically" puts photos at random into pages in an album with no text.
To view or order individual photos or see a detailed view of Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life book pages, please copy and paste into your web browser:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
Also if you go to the Shutterfly Share home page, click on the "Pictures & Videos" tab at the top of the page, and that will take you to the Silvia Lange Photo Album photos (about 58 images) collection which also includes, towards the end of that photo collection, all the 21 pages from the book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life. If you click on a page from the book, then it will zoom in so you can read the text and view the book page in detail. The page and readable text will still appear small and not full size.
On the website home page, click on the "Pictures &Videos" tab at the top of the page and then click on the thumbnail image of the book cover or click on Silvia Lange Photo Book and then you can view the entire book as it scrolls through all the book pages. The pages can be paused on a single page.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Dear Friends of Silvia,
We wanted to let you know that our book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is on Shutterfly and can be viewed and purchased there. Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life includes photographs, Silvia’s haiku, poems, and songs as well as tributes like her “honey” Barney’s poem and her niece Karen’s poem. Individual photos from the online album can also be viewed or purchased on that website.
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is 7” H x 9” W, 21 pages softcover, sold at printing cost, approx. $13.19, plus shipping and handling.
Please go to:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
On that website home page, click on the Pictures &Videos tab at the top of the page, and that will take you to the Updated Silvia Lange Book photos (58 images) collection which also includes, towards the end of that photo collection, all the 21 pages from the book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life. If you click on a page from the book, then it will zoom in so you can read the text and view the book page in detail.
On that website home page, click on the Pictures &Videos tab at the top of the page and then click on the thumbnail image of the book cover or click on Silvia Lange Photo Book and then you can view the entire book as it scrolls through all the book pages. The pages can be paused on a single page.
Best wishes,
Bill and Wendy
We wanted to let you know that our book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is on Shutterfly and can be viewed and purchased there. Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life includes photographs, Silvia’s haiku, poems, and songs as well as tributes like her “honey” Barney’s poem and her niece Karen’s poem. Individual photos from the online album can also be viewed or purchased on that website.
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is 7” H x 9” W, 21 pages softcover, sold at printing cost, approx. $13.19, plus shipping and handling.
Please go to:
http://silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
On that website home page, click on the Pictures &Videos tab at the top of the page, and that will take you to the Updated Silvia Lange Book photos (58 images) collection which also includes, towards the end of that photo collection, all the 21 pages from the book Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life. If you click on a page from the book, then it will zoom in so you can read the text and view the book page in detail.
On that website home page, click on the Pictures &Videos tab at the top of the page and then click on the thumbnail image of the book cover or click on Silvia Lange Photo Book and then you can view the entire book as it scrolls through all the book pages. The pages can be paused on a single page.
Best wishes,
Bill and Wendy
Thursday, March 25, 2010
From a 1971 whale watching trip to Baja.
Super sausages
Basking on San Benito
Elephant seals sleep.
Bull at harem's edge
See alpha bull drop his guard -
Maiden in distress!
"Growl, growl on," I laugh
"You're too fat to move at all"
Roly-poly pup.
Little fluffy birds
Staggering across the deck
Kamikaze auklets.
Curious cigar
Shooting up from the Lagoon
Spyhopping gray whale.
Huge hump and small one
Undulating together
Whale mother and calf.
Up, up, up, and CRASH
A breeching gray whale leaps and
Down, down, down, and SPLASH.
Super sausages
Basking on San Benito
Elephant seals sleep.
Bull at harem's edge
See alpha bull drop his guard -
Maiden in distress!
"Growl, growl on," I laugh
"You're too fat to move at all"
Roly-poly pup.
Little fluffy birds
Staggering across the deck
Kamikaze auklets.
Curious cigar
Shooting up from the Lagoon
Spyhopping gray whale.
Huge hump and small one
Undulating together
Whale mother and calf.
Up, up, up, and CRASH
A breeching gray whale leaps and
Down, down, down, and SPLASH.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Songs for Silvia that were sung at the Celebration of the Life of Silvia Lange on March 21, 2010
January 2005 Silvia’s Birthday Song
by Wendy Dreskin
(To the tune of Sixteen Tons)
I was born one morning when the sun came up.
First words I said were, “I want my own pup.”
But my Daddy said it “wasn’t needed.”
I knew that meant, “Costs too much to feed it.”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These cute little pups are just 5 weeks old!
I read about dogs both day and night.
I even prayed, “Dear God let me lose my sight”
Cause then my Daddy would have to say,
“Let’s get a seeing-eye dog to show her the way!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These sweet little pups are just 6 weeks old!
I went to CCI and said, “I’ll raise a pup.”
They gave me Nary, such a joy to bring up.
I said, “How can I give her up? I want her, I need her!”
They said, “Take her back, she’s gonna be a breeder!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These dear little pups are just 7 weeks old!
They gave me Odine, she helped raise Nary’s litter.
She was such a help, a great puppy sitter.
When she left she said to me, “Don’t be blue,
Folks need me in Sonoma I’ve got work to do!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These cute little pups are just 8 weeks old!
Sika is a smart dog as you can tell
When I say she knows pig Latin and she learned to spell.
A great personality, a real go-getter
I know when she leaves she’ll make someone’s life better!
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These fine little pups are just 9 weeks old!
SONG FOR SILVIA
by Wendy Dreskin May 2003
(To the tune of When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again)
When Silvia takes us on a tour
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We learn of moles and deer and more
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Of Chinese poetry on the wall
And the battle that never happened at all!
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
When Silvia takes us up a hill
Huff Puff! Huff Puff!
She always knows when we’ve had enough.
Huff Puff! Huff Puff!
When the uphill stretches seem too long,
She’ll tell us a tale, or sing us a song.
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
She knows the Island from shore to shore
Hurrah! Hurrah!
From the Cove to the top of Mt. Livermore
Hurrah! Hurrah!
She’ll show you the last of the pipevine to bloom
And the maze that was walked by the bride and groom!
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
We’ve traveled to many foreign lands
To Greece! To Thailand!
But Silvia showed us the beauty of
Our own Angel Island!
We found what the Miwoks and Spanish knew,
It’s a beautiful isle with a marvelous view.
And it can’t be compared to Brazil or Peru
Because....it’s an island!
A short note of explanation about the Song for Silvia. The song was written as a thank you for a wonderful trip to Angel Island spring 2003, but actually makes reference to several different trips.
“We learn of moles and deer and more” refers to the endemic Angel Island mole, and the story of how the Park has tried to deal with the problems of deer over-populating and the publics objections to culling the herd.
“Of Chinese poetry on the wall
And the battle that never happened at all!” The poetry was carved into the wall at the Immigration Center by detainees. The battle that never happening during the Civil War is reenacted each year on Angel Island.
“She’ll show you the last of the pipevine to bloom
And the maze that was walked by the bride and groom!”
California pipevine is the host plant of the pipevine swallowtail, and Silvia knew where the plants are and could often find caterpillars. The maze was created out of small stones by a couple who got married on Angel Island, although, unfortunately Silvia told us the maze outlasted the marriage.
“Because....it’s an island!” Silvia presented a theme which is that the answer to many of the questions people have, and the reason behind most of the human uses for Angel Island, can be answered with, “Because it’s an island” so this seemed an appropriate ending.
January 2005 Silvia’s Birthday Song
by Wendy Dreskin
(To the tune of Sixteen Tons)
I was born one morning when the sun came up.
First words I said were, “I want my own pup.”
But my Daddy said it “wasn’t needed.”
I knew that meant, “Costs too much to feed it.”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These cute little pups are just 5 weeks old!
I read about dogs both day and night.
I even prayed, “Dear God let me lose my sight”
Cause then my Daddy would have to say,
“Let’s get a seeing-eye dog to show her the way!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These sweet little pups are just 6 weeks old!
I went to CCI and said, “I’ll raise a pup.”
They gave me Nary, such a joy to bring up.
I said, “How can I give her up? I want her, I need her!”
They said, “Take her back, she’s gonna be a breeder!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These dear little pups are just 7 weeks old!
They gave me Odine, she helped raise Nary’s litter.
She was such a help, a great puppy sitter.
When she left she said to me, “Don’t be blue,
Folks need me in Sonoma I’ve got work to do!”
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These cute little pups are just 8 weeks old!
Sika is a smart dog as you can tell
When I say she knows pig Latin and she learned to spell.
A great personality, a real go-getter
I know when she leaves she’ll make someone’s life better!
16 pups, what do you get?
Another day older and a floor that’s wet!
Santa Rosa don’t you call them, cause they can’t go –
These fine little pups are just 9 weeks old!
SONG FOR SILVIA
by Wendy Dreskin May 2003
(To the tune of When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again)
When Silvia takes us on a tour
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We learn of moles and deer and more
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Of Chinese poetry on the wall
And the battle that never happened at all!
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
When Silvia takes us up a hill
Huff Puff! Huff Puff!
She always knows when we’ve had enough.
Huff Puff! Huff Puff!
When the uphill stretches seem too long,
She’ll tell us a tale, or sing us a song.
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
She knows the Island from shore to shore
Hurrah! Hurrah!
From the Cove to the top of Mt. Livermore
Hurrah! Hurrah!
She’ll show you the last of the pipevine to bloom
And the maze that was walked by the bride and groom!
You’ll always know more
After taking Silvia’s tour!
We’ve traveled to many foreign lands
To Greece! To Thailand!
But Silvia showed us the beauty of
Our own Angel Island!
We found what the Miwoks and Spanish knew,
It’s a beautiful isle with a marvelous view.
And it can’t be compared to Brazil or Peru
Because....it’s an island!
A short note of explanation about the Song for Silvia. The song was written as a thank you for a wonderful trip to Angel Island spring 2003, but actually makes reference to several different trips.
“We learn of moles and deer and more” refers to the endemic Angel Island mole, and the story of how the Park has tried to deal with the problems of deer over-populating and the publics objections to culling the herd.
“Of Chinese poetry on the wall
And the battle that never happened at all!” The poetry was carved into the wall at the Immigration Center by detainees. The battle that never happening during the Civil War is reenacted each year on Angel Island.
“She’ll show you the last of the pipevine to bloom
And the maze that was walked by the bride and groom!”
California pipevine is the host plant of the pipevine swallowtail, and Silvia knew where the plants are and could often find caterpillars. The maze was created out of small stones by a couple who got married on Angel Island, although, unfortunately Silvia told us the maze outlasted the marriage.
“Because....it’s an island!” Silvia presented a theme which is that the answer to many of the questions people have, and the reason behind most of the human uses for Angel Island, can be answered with, “Because it’s an island” so this seemed an appropriate ending.
Announcement: Book on the life of Silvia Lange
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life, edited by William and Wendy Dreskin, includes photographs, Silvia’s haiku, poems, and songs as well as tributes to her like her “honey” Barney’s poem and her niece Karen’s poem. Bill and I would like to thank the photographers, authors, and family members for their various contributions to this book.
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is a 7” x 9”, 20 page soft cover book and will be completed and available to view or to purchase on Shutterfly by this Sunday, March 28. Individual photographs will also be available.
For more information please go to:
silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life, edited by William and Wendy Dreskin, includes photographs, Silvia’s haiku, poems, and songs as well as tributes to her like her “honey” Barney’s poem and her niece Karen’s poem. Bill and I would like to thank the photographers, authors, and family members for their various contributions to this book.
Silvia Prodan Lange: A Celebration of Her Life is a 7” x 9”, 20 page soft cover book and will be completed and available to view or to purchase on Shutterfly by this Sunday, March 28. Individual photographs will also be available.
For more information please go to:
silvialangephotobook.shutterfly.com/
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Hound's Tongue
You ain’t nothing but a hound’s tongue
Growin in the trail
You ain’t nothing but a hound’s tongue
Big green leaves without fail.
Dark blue flowers, not forget-me-nots
4 little nutlets stick in your socks.
You will host the veined white butterfly
Arf arf hounds tongue,
You’re a friend of mine.
MUSHROOM MEDLEY MELODY
Tune: “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” from Kiss Me Kate (Rollicking)
Words: Silvia Lange 2007
Brush up your mushrooms
Start sighting (citing) them now
Brush up your mushrooms
Though so many I don’t know quite how
I was dating a nice fellow named Willis
When seduced by that Slippery Jack Suillus
I nibbled the fringe on a Stropharia
In hopes it would cure my malaria
We dribbled some milk from a Lacterius
If we die, do you think they will bury us?
Beware of the deadly Amanita
Don’t eat-a! Don’t eat-a! Don’t eat-a!
If you happen upon Witch’s Butter
“Trembling guts” is what you should utter
The elusive bright orange Chanterelle
I mutter, “Oh, damn! What the hell!”
You’re a queen if you find Boletus edulis
Its flavor is truly incredulous
Brush up your mushrooms
To Satan’s Bolete make a bow
Brush up your mushrooms
Like Simon we say, “Holy cow!”
Don’t touch the Slimy Gomphidius
It’s sticky! It’s icky! It’s hideous!
If you yearn to be a lovely black Venus
Feast on the Inky Cap Coprinus
Or maybe the Inky Cap Coprinus
Will it help to clear up your sinus
No! No! Not the Bleeding Mycena
I’m afraid it will give me anemia
On Elfin Saddle that’s Helvella
Take a Valkyrie ride to Valhalla
Brush up your mushrooms
Read David Arora right now
Brush up your mushrooms
And the Meanderers you will wow
Next potluck bring a dish of asparagus
Mixed up with some store-bought Agaricus
Brush up your mushrooms
And they’ll all kow tow
Brush up your mushrooms
Please stop me I’m going ka POW!
Brush up your mushrooms
Enow is enow is enow
Enow!
Wildflower Ramble Warble II
We love to go awandering all over Angel Isle
Don't touch this plant
'twill make you itch
'Twill make you curse and wail
Poison oak, Poison oak
Leaves of red, leaves of green, green, green, green, green
Poison oak, Poison oak
Three leaves of red or green
We love to go awandering up the Sunset Trail
And as we hike identify the flowers that we hail
Hound's tongue, Forget-me not
Hounds tongue, Forget-me-not, not. not. not. not, not
Hound's tongue. Forget-me-not
Blue Hound's tongue. Forget-me-not
We love to go awandering through the fields of grass
And as we hike identify the flowers in a flash
Mule ears, hee haw
Mule ears, hee haw, hee haw, hee haw, hee haw
Mule ears, hee haw
Yellow Wyethia
We love to go awandering above the serpentine
And as we hike identify the flowers that are seen
Owl's clover, oh, so cute
Owl's clover, it's a hoot, hoot, hoot, hoot, hoot
Owl's clover, it's so cute
Little purple and white birdies
We love to go awandering along the Fire Road
And as we hike identify the flowers that are showed
Buttercups, glistening gold
Buttercups, glistening gold, gold, gold, gold ,gold, gold
Buttercups, glistening gold
Ranunculus californicus
May 2006
You ain’t nothing but a hound’s tongue
Growin in the trail
You ain’t nothing but a hound’s tongue
Big green leaves without fail.
Dark blue flowers, not forget-me-nots
4 little nutlets stick in your socks.
You will host the veined white butterfly
Arf arf hounds tongue,
You’re a friend of mine.
MUSHROOM MEDLEY MELODY
Tune: “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” from Kiss Me Kate (Rollicking)
Words: Silvia Lange 2007
Brush up your mushrooms
Start sighting (citing) them now
Brush up your mushrooms
Though so many I don’t know quite how
I was dating a nice fellow named Willis
When seduced by that Slippery Jack Suillus
I nibbled the fringe on a Stropharia
In hopes it would cure my malaria
We dribbled some milk from a Lacterius
If we die, do you think they will bury us?
Beware of the deadly Amanita
Don’t eat-a! Don’t eat-a! Don’t eat-a!
If you happen upon Witch’s Butter
“Trembling guts” is what you should utter
The elusive bright orange Chanterelle
I mutter, “Oh, damn! What the hell!”
You’re a queen if you find Boletus edulis
Its flavor is truly incredulous
Brush up your mushrooms
To Satan’s Bolete make a bow
Brush up your mushrooms
Like Simon we say, “Holy cow!”
Don’t touch the Slimy Gomphidius
It’s sticky! It’s icky! It’s hideous!
If you yearn to be a lovely black Venus
Feast on the Inky Cap Coprinus
Or maybe the Inky Cap Coprinus
Will it help to clear up your sinus
No! No! Not the Bleeding Mycena
I’m afraid it will give me anemia
On Elfin Saddle that’s Helvella
Take a Valkyrie ride to Valhalla
Brush up your mushrooms
Read David Arora right now
Brush up your mushrooms
And the Meanderers you will wow
Next potluck bring a dish of asparagus
Mixed up with some store-bought Agaricus
Brush up your mushrooms
And they’ll all kow tow
Brush up your mushrooms
Please stop me I’m going ka POW!
Brush up your mushrooms
Enow is enow is enow
Enow!
Wildflower Ramble Warble II
We love to go awandering all over Angel Isle
Don't touch this plant
'twill make you itch
'Twill make you curse and wail
Poison oak, Poison oak
Leaves of red, leaves of green, green, green, green, green
Poison oak, Poison oak
Three leaves of red or green
We love to go awandering up the Sunset Trail
And as we hike identify the flowers that we hail
Hound's tongue, Forget-me not
Hounds tongue, Forget-me-not, not. not. not. not, not
Hound's tongue. Forget-me-not
Blue Hound's tongue. Forget-me-not
We love to go awandering through the fields of grass
And as we hike identify the flowers in a flash
Mule ears, hee haw
Mule ears, hee haw, hee haw, hee haw, hee haw
Mule ears, hee haw
Yellow Wyethia
We love to go awandering above the serpentine
And as we hike identify the flowers that are seen
Owl's clover, oh, so cute
Owl's clover, it's a hoot, hoot, hoot, hoot, hoot
Owl's clover, it's so cute
Little purple and white birdies
We love to go awandering along the Fire Road
And as we hike identify the flowers that are showed
Buttercups, glistening gold
Buttercups, glistening gold, gold, gold, gold ,gold, gold
Buttercups, glistening gold
Ranunculus californicus
May 2006
THE POWER OF ONE
I knew little about the Chinese; I knew nothing of the rape of Nanking. That began to change in 1983 when I enrolled in decent training at Angel Island State Park. Our first day was at the former Immigration Station where Pacific Rim immigrants first experienced the United States of America. I learned that for the Chinese it was far from the "land of the free". Detained for weeks even months, many endured repeated interrogations, discrimination, and isolation. They left their poignant and angry stories in poems carved into the walls of the barracks.
Along with the facts of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 I was introduced to the feelings by Paul Chow, Chinese American activist who over the years relentlessly marshaled community forces to not forget the dark past and to restore the Immigration Station. Paul was passionate and charismatic. In his zeal he reminded me of my own father, an immigrant from Romania who became a Baptist minister. Both were evangelistic.
Paul told us of his childhood. His parents and grandparents had come through Angel Island. At Thanksgiving; he asked his mother "Where did we come from? Where is our Plymouth Rock?" Forefinger to lips, she whispered "Angel Island-shhhh!" For many years he thought that was all one word. Too much of China's history has been shushed up.
When I became a decent, the Immigration Station was my favorite site for historical interpretation. I was fascinated by the history that I had known so little of. I volunteered regularly and led tours for the general public, special interest groups, and student of all ages. I had the privilege of meeting former immigrants when they returned after many years. I developed the persona of Katherine Maurer, the .dedicated Methodist deaconess who served as a social worker. She helped ameliorate the harsh bureaucracy and (an immigrant herself) conveyed the best of American goodwill and helpfulness. She was known as the Angel of Angel Island; many Chinese called her Kwan Yin for the
Goddess of Mercy. Clad in a black dress, cloak and bonnet, I am proud to portray this power of one.
What an amazing chapter of "Americans all, Immigrants all"! When Iris Chang's book The Chinese in America came out, I read it eagerly. She wrote so eloquently of the immigrant story - early aspects and on-going repercussions. It helped to integrate much of what I had learned. My tours became more informed and I stressed the many contributions that Chinese Americans have made and how they have enriched our lives. At historic Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, on my docent tours I included the family of Yee Ah Tye (Bury My Bones in America) with their proud history of civic leaders. The six sons of Rose Ah Tye served in the US military in World War II.
When Iris came to Marin on her book tour, I attended. How she sparkled! I gave her a copy of "Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940" Angel Island had led to my interest in Chinese immigration - to her recent book - then, the Rape of Nanking.
I was horrified. Why didn't I know about this before? How could such an event have taken place? I was enlightened by her detailed accounts and explanation of how it had been covered up and ignored. I admired Iris Chang even more as a writer, woman, and stimulus for the world's conscience.
For me, she helped to make some sense of the tragedy. She spoke to the individual and collective psychologies of both the Chinese and Japanese people. And with all the bad that happened, she chronicled the good in the actions of the members of the foreign community who helped the Chinese people. The power of the heroic few.
The poems on the walls of the detention barracks on Angel Island remind us of the common human condition - the desire for freedom and a better life; the love of family and nostalgia for country. Iris Chang, too, has left a written legacy. Her words reverberate over time and will not be stilled.
Pebble dropped in pond
Concentric circles spreading
Where will it all end?
Silvia Lange 2006
74 entrants made it into semifinalists out of 290 contestants and you are one of the semifinalists. Your essays will be posted on our website in the future.
Iris Chang Memorial Essay Contest Committee POB 641324
San Jose, CA 95164
I knew little about the Chinese; I knew nothing of the rape of Nanking. That began to change in 1983 when I enrolled in decent training at Angel Island State Park. Our first day was at the former Immigration Station where Pacific Rim immigrants first experienced the United States of America. I learned that for the Chinese it was far from the "land of the free". Detained for weeks even months, many endured repeated interrogations, discrimination, and isolation. They left their poignant and angry stories in poems carved into the walls of the barracks.
Along with the facts of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 I was introduced to the feelings by Paul Chow, Chinese American activist who over the years relentlessly marshaled community forces to not forget the dark past and to restore the Immigration Station. Paul was passionate and charismatic. In his zeal he reminded me of my own father, an immigrant from Romania who became a Baptist minister. Both were evangelistic.
Paul told us of his childhood. His parents and grandparents had come through Angel Island. At Thanksgiving; he asked his mother "Where did we come from? Where is our Plymouth Rock?" Forefinger to lips, she whispered "Angel Island-shhhh!" For many years he thought that was all one word. Too much of China's history has been shushed up.
When I became a decent, the Immigration Station was my favorite site for historical interpretation. I was fascinated by the history that I had known so little of. I volunteered regularly and led tours for the general public, special interest groups, and student of all ages. I had the privilege of meeting former immigrants when they returned after many years. I developed the persona of Katherine Maurer, the .dedicated Methodist deaconess who served as a social worker. She helped ameliorate the harsh bureaucracy and (an immigrant herself) conveyed the best of American goodwill and helpfulness. She was known as the Angel of Angel Island; many Chinese called her Kwan Yin for the
Goddess of Mercy. Clad in a black dress, cloak and bonnet, I am proud to portray this power of one.
What an amazing chapter of "Americans all, Immigrants all"! When Iris Chang's book The Chinese in America came out, I read it eagerly. She wrote so eloquently of the immigrant story - early aspects and on-going repercussions. It helped to integrate much of what I had learned. My tours became more informed and I stressed the many contributions that Chinese Americans have made and how they have enriched our lives. At historic Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, on my docent tours I included the family of Yee Ah Tye (Bury My Bones in America) with their proud history of civic leaders. The six sons of Rose Ah Tye served in the US military in World War II.
When Iris came to Marin on her book tour, I attended. How she sparkled! I gave her a copy of "Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940" Angel Island had led to my interest in Chinese immigration - to her recent book - then, the Rape of Nanking.
I was horrified. Why didn't I know about this before? How could such an event have taken place? I was enlightened by her detailed accounts and explanation of how it had been covered up and ignored. I admired Iris Chang even more as a writer, woman, and stimulus for the world's conscience.
For me, she helped to make some sense of the tragedy. She spoke to the individual and collective psychologies of both the Chinese and Japanese people. And with all the bad that happened, she chronicled the good in the actions of the members of the foreign community who helped the Chinese people. The power of the heroic few.
The poems on the walls of the detention barracks on Angel Island remind us of the common human condition - the desire for freedom and a better life; the love of family and nostalgia for country. Iris Chang, too, has left a written legacy. Her words reverberate over time and will not be stilled.
Pebble dropped in pond
Concentric circles spreading
Where will it all end?
Silvia Lange 2006
74 entrants made it into semifinalists out of 290 contestants and you are one of the semifinalists. Your essays will be posted on our website in the future.
Iris Chang Memorial Essay Contest Committee POB 641324
San Jose, CA 95164
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
More haiku
Aqua exercise class 2001
Black swallows swooping
Skimmed over our bobbing heads
Now, a wedge of geese
Black swallows swooping
Skimmed over our bobbing heads
Now, a wedge of geese
Monday, March 15, 2010
Silvia Lange
The purpose of this blog is to share Silvia's photos, poems, songs, stories and recipes so everyone who loved her can enjoy them.
For a start, here are some of her haiku. Silvia wrote haiku for at least 40 years. Some years she kept a haiku journal, writing one each day. 2010, the year she disappeared at Point Reyes Beach North, was going to be one of those years.
Angel Island Haiku
Tiny yellow puffs
Exploding without a sound
The acacia blooms
Hallelujah!
Trumpets the calla lily's
Alabaster horn
Maple leaf turning
From green to shades of crimson
Fall has changed me, too
Purple poker plant
Stirring up the coals of Spring
Pride of Madeira
Indian paintbrush
Splashes red on the canvas
Of Angel Island
Drumsticks of rain
Striking the kettledrum roof
Immigrants' dirge
For a start, here are some of her haiku. Silvia wrote haiku for at least 40 years. Some years she kept a haiku journal, writing one each day. 2010, the year she disappeared at Point Reyes Beach North, was going to be one of those years.
Angel Island Haiku
Tiny yellow puffs
Exploding without a sound
The acacia blooms
Hallelujah!
Trumpets the calla lily's
Alabaster horn
Maple leaf turning
From green to shades of crimson
Fall has changed me, too
Purple poker plant
Stirring up the coals of Spring
Pride of Madeira
Indian paintbrush
Splashes red on the canvas
Of Angel Island
Drumsticks of rain
Striking the kettledrum roof
Immigrants' dirge
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