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
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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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