144 College Queen

Me? A College Queen?I Can Explain!

Many of my friends would think I am the least likely to have been in a college queen pageant. Notice I didn't say beauty pageant--because it was not supposed to be one. I must say, however, that ultimate winner in 1967 was beautiful!

The pageant was held in June 1967. In the fall of 1966, I was editor-in-chief of the Radford College newspaper, the Grapurchat, an unfortunate title. 

To quote the Radford Archives: "Grapurchat was the first student newspaper at Radford College and was published from 1921 until 1978 when the name was changed to the Tartan. "The first two syllables of the word Grapurchat are formed from the colors of the Normal School, [as Radford University was then called], GRAy and PURple. CHAT makes a very appropriate ending."

I received a packet of information from the National College Queen Pageant asking the newspaper to help recruit contestants to vie for the title of Virginia College Queen. Always looking for articles for the paper, especially something different, I ran the story and dutifully placed nomination boxes around campus. Somehow or other, I had told pageant officials that Radford was participating.

Nobody nominated anybody!!!

Think about it. This is a contest, although in its 13th year, that nobody had heard about. It was also a time when college student unrest about the Vietnam War was escalating. Although not at the huge numbers of 1968, demonstrations were growing across the nation. Johnson announced plans for the lottery draft in March of 1967.  

It was embarrassing for the Grapurchat. So, I nominated myself!

Then there was statewide voting. I think there was one other candidate, who was from William & Mary. I guess our students came out strong in the voting because I won! Or no one else cared. I was shocked.

So I went to New York City to represent Virginia. I was a sophomore and only 18 years old since I had started college one year early. Almost all the other contestants were upcoming or graduating seniors and older than me. I took all the tests, met with the judges, and thoroughly enjoyed being with the other participants, staying in the Waldorf Astoria, and touring NYC.

But I had no expectations of winning. And didn't. The closest I came was being next in alphabetical order (by state) to the eventual winner, Judy Hill of Washington state. I did place second in the photography contest!

The pageant aired June 16, 1967, on NBC. Robert Goulet, pictured here with Judy Hill, was the host.

So after 50 years, my secret life is out!      1967 Virginia College Queen--Trish!

143 Stephen Hawkings

Stephen HawkingMy Personal Testimonial

It is a sad Wednesday morning, March 14, 2018. Stephen Hawking has died.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, and family--think, for a moment, of a memorial service.

I want to say a few words about how I personally felt about Stephen Hawking. He was undeniably a genius, a brave cosmologist, and a renowned theoretical physicist (aside: I almost majored in physics at William and Mary but after ten credit hours decided it was not in my or the world of physics’ best interest). He coped with ALS disease for years longer than the medical world expected, and, best of all, he had a sense of humor. That sense of humor, I think, made him accessible to us--we lesser mortals.

I read Hawking’s A Brief History of Time back in the late 1980s or early 1990s. I remember thinking this book was written for me. He wrote about the things we wonder about: how did the universe begin? Is the universe unending? Does time always move forward? Here is where I learned about quarks (which I don’t remember from Wm & Mary days)--the building blocks of the universe. 

I liked that quarks came in what Hawking referred to as flavors: up, down, top, bottom, strange, and charm. Our world is made of up quarks, down quarks, and electrons. We can’t see them, but they are there. 

If you read this book, you suddenly feel like you understand that which is generally beyond one’s understanding. That is, for “a brief time,” I feel smart. How kind of you, Stephen Hawking. How very kind. I am so glad you wrote that book.

From sporadically following his career, I saw that Hawking was a stubborn man. He fought his ALS for some 50 years after diagnosis, living in a wheelchair, communicating by a computer voice with an American accent. He once commented humorously on the fact that with all the scientific apparatus he used, he ended up with an American computer voice.

Hawking experiencing weightlessness
and out of his wheelchair. (Getty Images)

Hawking was known for taking chances. Out of his wheelchair, he experienced weightlessness with astronauts.

In a few ways, a normal life: married twice, he fathered three children. He fought with religious leaders, including the Pope, over the existence and/or meaning of God and the origins of the universe. He debated with other noted scientists patiently explaining and re-explaining his theories until he was proved right. The universe creates itself by the laws of gravity was his main theme. It is the “big bang” theory.

Stephen Hawking & Jim Parsons (Sheldon
Cooper) on “The Big Bang Theory” 

Hawking appreciated pop culture and appeared on a number of shows. He “drank a beer” with Homer Simpson and more appropriately, was in a Star Trek episode. The picture on the left is of my favorite half-hour comedy show actor, Jim Parsons, and my favorite scientist. 

In one episode, the two questioned one another about theoretical physics issues and made snarky cracks about black holes. Not proper perhaps, but a funny joke on the Big Bang Theory still makes tabloids and YouTube is the following: Hawking asks: “How are Sheldon and black holes alike?” “Answer: they both suck.” The computer voice chuckles. No, not nice or polite at all, but somehow funny and it has stuck in my memory.

Thank you, Stephen Hawking, for being a humane yet stubborn genius, for combining brilliance with humor. For leaving us legacies in your writings that help us understand the world. For daring to push yourself to the limits of your physical abilities.

For those of you who have not read his works or followed him in popular science, here is a brief biographical sketch (excerpted from Wikipedia.) Stephen William Hawking was born January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England. He was educated at St. Albans School, Oxford (BA), and Cambridge (MA, Ph.D.). While at Cambridge, he was diagnosed with ALS disease and given two to three years to live. With numerous journal articles in his bibliography, he also wrote some 15 books that have translated into various languages including French, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Bulgarian, and Korean. Married twice, Hawking is survived by three children. He and his daughter Lucy collaborated on a series of five children’s books (for ages 6-12) starring George and Annie, future cosmonauts traveling through space. 

Along with some 15 British and international science awards Hawking received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barak Obama in 2009. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson, America’s popular astrophysicist and head of the Hayden Planetarium, interviewed Hawking for his podcast “Star Talk” which was on air just a couple of weeks ago. It can be found at www.inverse.com/article/42302

Worth a listen!

RIP, farewell, and thank you for all you have taught me. 

Glenne               

142 Flower power

Flower power

A mass of humanity descends on the Philadelphia Flower Show each March exhibiting signs of anticipation and armed with overwhelming expectations.  

The thousands who make the annual trek are not dismayed or discouraged because the spectacle is always full of color, blooms, surprises and this year--water.

“The Wonders of Water” portrayed every type of wet wonderland for any size garden from tiny door front spaces to large water landscapes.  A man-made waterfall captivates onlookers as the water cascades down wooden steps to carry the liquid to the bottom.  Definitely, this was a most unique site.

One warning - the show is not for the meek or timid.  Every turn in every direction is filled with all types of humanity.  But this doesn’t stop even those who have frailties from enjoying the annual extravaganza.   They forge ahead using wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters of all sizes and shapes, trying not to miss any of the amazing displays.

I have learned after several visits not to start where everyone else does.  I stay in the center and meander where I see a spot that is somewhat empty.  That way I can keep my claustrophobia at bay. 

The show is like an art exhibit of mammoth proportions that you cannot absorb in one circle around the venue. It takes at least two times to soak in the detailed displays, Thoughts such as how did they get that in here when you look up at huge trees and structures that had to be transported and recreated in the large convention center room.  Some have been designed with walkways to crisscross to see even more.

The education component is evident throughout as representatives want to help you understand the reasoning behind the design and implementation.

Even though the theme was about water, one exhibit was especially dramatic – without water.  A desert landscape had been recreated with cacti of all shapes and sizes.  I really did not expect to see that in a water show, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

Another feature that caught my attention was flowers suspended on a frame with the roots exposed.  The length and width of the roots far surpassed the size of the flowers on the surface.

An outdoor wedding scene complete with a woodland cake was captivating with a pond and sprinkling water. It would take some real nature lovers to go for that setting but you never know!

It is really hard to put into words all that is available--lectures, demonstrations, vendors, book signings, competitions, and much, much more.  It would really take several days to even come close to taking advantage of all that is there.

And it has endured. The first show was held in 1829 and introduced the poinsettia to the American public.  I can only imagine what that was like since I love poinsettias.  There were a few tucked into a landscape this year that added some color to an outdoor scene.

Also, the size of the show has grown while maintaining its dominance in the world of flower shows. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society website states that the show serves as the nation’s largest and most prestigious flower show, attracting 250,000 visitors every year. I can certainly believe that--most were there the day I went with family and friends.

The site also boasts that the International Festivals and Events Association bestowed its Grand Pinnacle on the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show, naming it the best event in the world. I can believe that but not sure the rest of the world does.

I can certainly believe the accolades as the breathtaking scenes grab the attention of visitors and awaken the senses, including smell, sound, sight, and sometimes touch.   

Generally, there is an entrance that has everyone exclaiming and snapping photos wildly. This year a rainforest was depicted that rivals real rainforests!

If you are so inclined, put the first week of March on your calendar next year to visit the colossal show.  But be prepared – wear comfortable shoes, rest before, and you definitely will rest afterward.  My step app said we walked about three miles around the show and going to lunch.  Believe me, it is well worth it.

Frances                    

141 spam--A Lot!

spam--A Lot!

I guess I am on a "pet peeve" track because my last blog was about contradictory nutrition advice and this week it is SPAM, of which I receive A Lot!

I am not sure I can attribute it to recent sign-up for some Civil War sites, but lately, I seem to be receiving much spam that is aimed at men.  My favorite, which I receive daily:

400,000 sold. Come on--does anyone buy this?

Other women out there--have you received this one?

Or I am encouraged to be a Lyte driver.

Or I could join the Dollar Shave Club!

There are always ads for Tac Lights and the newest greatest thing from the Shark Tank.

I received this email one time. I have never communicated with them--plus I had to correct one typo before I could put in on the blog. But, do they know something I don't:

Hi Trish, We’ve shown you how to calculate the total time and cost of cleaning out your loved one’s house, and we’ve shared stories about how we’ve helped families to recover lost treasures. Now we want to talk to you and find out how we can help you. When you schedule your free conversation today, one of our guides will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule a 30-minute phone call. During the conversation, we'll take the time to: Understand the specific challenges you're facing  Share our strategy for how to sort the items in the house  Discuss a plan to help you avoid the ongoing costs of holding the house  Once we understand your situation, we can create a cleanout plan and give you peace of mind that you've cared for your loved one's estate.

Your email can get out in a number of ways:

• Signing up for free products or samples 
• Trying to download free software programs 
• “You’ve Won!” pop-ups
• Creating an account on a website 
• Purchasing product from an online company 
• Posting your email address in any kind of forum

This is according to the Dymin Blog that offers more advice:

https://blog.dyminsystems.com/blog/why-do-i-get-so-much-junk-email-and-spam

This blog tells you to go to the link provided and unsubscribe. Others say that that the act of unsubscribing just verifies you have a legitimate email. I don't unsubscribe.

I do periodically go through the items I have moved to the Delete folder in my email and try to outwit these guys. I know it is probably futile but I try to create a rule to send the offending emails to the Delete folder automatically. I try to use one word from the bad email's subject line as the trigger to move it: Lyfe, Shave, etc. There are mixed results.

This is how it looks in Microsoft Outlook

When I went through my Delete folder, I discovered that I also receive many emails that I have requested on topics such as Civil War, food and recipes, general history, language and more. So the span is probably only 15% of what is deleted email.

But I can't get the picture of the guy shaving his hairy back out of my mind!

Sort-of-spam-savvy Trish