Margaret kraft's Posts - world of wiffledust2024-03-29T02:14:54Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkrafthttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/365321165?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://worldofwiffledust.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=15m2itfpcxfvy&xn_auth=noUntitledtag:worldofwiffledust.com,2013-06-23:2870411:BlogPost:1099092013-06-23T03:54:12.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p><span>This has been one of the most heart-wrenching weeks of work for me in a while. One story to share. I was admitting a woman in her 50's (who is expected to live 4 weeks at the most) to hospice services. These appointments generally last close to 4 hours, and much of my 26 pages of paperwork doesn't take lots of brain cells. I take cues from the patient and family as to how much "extra" conversation in which to engage. I felt a particular kinship with this patient, and we talked about…</span></p>
<p><span>This has been one of the most heart-wrenching weeks of work for me in a while. One story to share. I was admitting a woman in her 50's (who is expected to live 4 weeks at the most) to hospice services. These appointments generally last close to 4 hours, and much of my 26 pages of paperwork doesn't take lots of brain cells. I take cues from the patient and family as to how much "extra" conversation in which to engage. I felt a particular kinship with this patient, and we talked about many different things. As all of you know, it doesn't take long for music to come up in any conversation with me. I mentioned the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival coming up in a few weeks. </span><span> Her eyes lit up and she asked if Arlo is there. She talked about seeing the Guthrie Family perform. As she told me that it was that it was fairly recent, I could see the realization flit across her eyes...I am not a mind reader, but I would bet everything I know that she was realizing that she would not have the opportunity to hear live music again. The glance she and her husband exchanged nearly broke my heart in two. Seize every moment. Take nothing for granted. ♥</span></p>On Turning 48tag:worldofwiffledust.com,2013-06-12:2870411:BlogPost:1098942013-06-12T17:37:51.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p><span>Today is my 48th birthday. That number gets noticed in my family. And not in a good way.</span><br></br><br></br><span>In some ways, it has taken on a somewhat dark significance. Mother died suddenly at the age 48. She appeared healthy, but there was a silent aneurysm that ruptured and killed her. Four other family members also died at this age--two from very similar causes. The doctors agreed that her siblings, my brother and sister and I, and our cousins should all get tested for signs of a…</span></p>
<p><span>Today is my 48th birthday. That number gets noticed in my family. And not in a good way.</span><br/><br/><span>In some ways, it has taken on a somewhat dark significance. Mother died suddenly at the age 48. She appeared healthy, but there was a silent aneurysm that ruptured and killed her. Four other family members also died at this age--two from very similar causes. The doctors agreed that her siblings, my brother and sister and I, and our cousins should all get tested for signs of a same condition. We all have done this. </span><br/><br/><span>Mother was the oldest of 6 kids. The remaining five all passed their 49th birthday with much celebration.</span><br/><br/><span>I am the oldest of my generation, and of course, my mother's daughter. There is a certain oddness of "catching up" to her. I would be completely lying if I said that this birthday has arrived without significant thoughts. Some of those thoughts have been a bit dark--particularly during the worst days of my depression. I remember thinking at times that I might not even make it this far. I had a cardiac scare about 2 years ago and spent two nights in the hospital being poked, prodded, and tested. I passed everything with flying colors.</span><br/><br/><span>However, the past few months, I have come to view this day and all the days that follow as an opportunity. I have the gift of time. Perhaps it is premature to think that I will live longer than Mother did. I still have a couple of months before I actually "pass" her. My hospice work shows me every day that nothing can be taken for granted. </span><br/><br/><span>What I do know is this: I have today. I am committed to seeing this Number 48 as an opportunity rather than a dark cloud. I will not squander my days. </span><br/><br/><span>I will appreciate the moments.</span><br/><br/><span>I will live and love and laugh.</span><br/><br/><span>I will seek the things that bring me joy.</span><br/><br/><span>I will do all I can to enjoy every single thing.</span><br/><br/><span>I will act foolishly without fear of what others think.</span><br/><br/><span>I will enjoy music, art and other things that move me.</span><br/><br/><span>I will continue to be the weird aunt/cousin/friend.</span><br/><br/><span>I will let the people in my life know how much they mean to me. Old friends, family, new friends, and friends I have yet to meet.</span><br/><br/><span>I will dance in the rain.</span><br/><br/><span>I will love unconditionally--even if it hurts sometimes.</span><br/><br/><span>I will put my heart and soul into my work and be ever so grateful that I have found the work that I am supposed to do.</span><br/><br/><span>I will keep an eye out for and relish every chance I have to be joyous and to bring joy to others.</span><br/><br/><span>I believe that I do these things now, but I am committed to being ever so much more purposeful in doing them going forward. I do this because it is right. I will do this to honor my wonderful, creative, beautiful and crazy Mother.</span></p>
<div class="separator"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7AMCwvvxEI/Ubie2RJ_ZNI/AAAAAAAAAi8/PK9XJ6r_hb8/s1600/anne_window.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7AMCwvvxEI/Ubie2RJ_ZNI/AAAAAAAAAi8/PK9XJ6r_hb8/s320/anne_window.jpg"/></a></div>Ellis Paul and Peyton Tochterman at Eddie's Attic 11/24/2012tag:worldofwiffledust.com,2012-12-02:2870411:BlogPost:1047352012-12-02T18:00:00.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p> </p>
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<p>We arrived early, and Tommy K was setting up the merch. He opened Ellis' suitcase filled with a jumbel of CDs. As we lhelped sort the CDs into piles, we joked aobut putting the toothbrush and socks that were also in the suitcase on eBay. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was the 5th or 6th time I have seen Peyton perform, and damn if he…</p>
<p> </p>
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<p>We arrived early, and Tommy K was setting up the merch. He opened Ellis' suitcase filled with a jumbel of CDs. As we lhelped sort the CDs into piles, we joked aobut putting the toothbrush and socks that were also in the suitcase on eBay. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was the 5th or 6th time I have seen Peyton perform, and damn if he doesn't just keep getting better. He was gracious and kind (again) to my nephew James (age 8). He remembered meeting him several months ago. He asked James about the song he had written (and I had sent to Peyton) shortly after James saw him for the first time. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that James said he was "looking like a lumberjack." The beard is growing--not just longer but larger. :-)</p>
<p>I failed to start the set list in a timely manner, so I may be missing a song or two, and they are definitely not in the correct order.</p>
<p><strong>Smile</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pencil Red Lips</strong> (not certain of title)</p>
<p><strong>God And Country (True story of Red Roundtree)</strong>--about the oldest bank robber in history</p>
<p><strong>Mortal Planet</strong></p>
<p><strong>A Girl and Her Horses</strong> (also unsure of title)--This is a sweet, quirky song about his fiancee and the fact that she might love her horses more than she loves him.</p>
<p><strong>Solemn Endeavor</strong> (working title)--new song about his upcoming wedding vows.</p>
<p>He told stories about playing in Afghanistan for women who had never heard live music before, the perils of writing under the influence of narcotics after Kenny G's piano fell on his head. (no, that isn't a typo)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Then it was time for Ellis. He played a mix of old and new songs.</p>
<p><strong>Chasing Beauty</strong></p>
<p>At this point James had to take a bathroom break, and since we were front and center, he nearly had to step on the stage to get there. Ellis played and sang, "I scared him off...I scared him off...." I assured him that James was tougher to scare than that.</p>
<p>Someone (who I really need to meet) shouted a request for <strong>Wilbur the Rat</strong>. To the surprise of exactly nobody familiar with Ellis, he refused the request. Ellis once told me that I was one of three people who requested that song on a regular basis...the other two were his mother and Kristian Bush...I'll take that company any day.</p>
<p><strong>Rose Tattoo</strong></p>
<p><strong>Empire </strong>Stating, "It's good to get the new ones out of the way, they clog the pipes."</p>
<p><strong>Maria's Beautiful Mess </strong>Someone asked if he had seen Maria lately. He said her name was really Mia--a fact I had not previously known. He said that he had to change her name for the song because she was the girlfriend of a friend. "They broke up later, but I had nothing to do about it. It was an affair of the imagination...I waled away and wrote a song about it." He then told a joke he wanted to take back as soon as it left his mouth, and asked that it not be put on the internet.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Mary, Mary</strong>-a Christmas son about Mary "because she doesn't get enough credit."</p>
<p><strong>Alice's Champagne Palace--</strong>He said he had recently been back to Homer, and went to the bar. Everyone knew who he was, and the lyrics are painted on the wall.</p>
<p><strong>Kick Out the Lights</strong>--my sister's current favorite</p>
<p>Peyton joined him on stage at this point, and they said this was their last scheduled show together after a year and a half. Ellis called him "Burl Ives on steroids," and said that he couldn't "believe a man that hairy can play the guitar quite like that."</p>
<p><strong>Dragonfly</strong></p>
<p><strong>Woody Guthrie</strong></p>
<p><strong>Jukebox on My Grave</strong>--at this point Ellis said that this was the song he would miss playing with Peyton the most. Peyton's amazing guitar play on the song made the specifics of why abundantly clear.</p>
<p>Ellis then told the story of his Guinness hsi guitar turning it sideways to show how it got its name. He showed us the back of the guitar and said that Georgia O'Keefe was the guitar's alternate name.</p>
<p><strong>Walking After Midnight/Thing Change</strong></p>
<p><strong>Chief Joseph</strong>--with obligatorysingalong and hand motions</p>
<p><strong>Annalee</strong>--unplugged in the audience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Great fun was had by all. James hung in there pretty well, hitting a wall when there were about three songs left. </p>Eddie's Attic July 7, 2012tag:worldofwiffledust.com,2012-07-10:2870411:BlogPost:974652012-07-10T01:07:22.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p>I really should be doing laundry and getting ready to go to the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in two days. However, Saturday’s show at Eddie’s Attic deserves a few words. </p>
<p>Peyton Tochterman opened the evening with a fabulous set. I have enjoyed his music in the past, but I think this set was my favorite yet. Last year at Woodyfest, his was the only CD I purchased (I had said I wasn’t going to buy any, but such is the life of a music junkie). His stories were both funny and moving. …</p>
<p>I really should be doing laundry and getting ready to go to the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in two days. However, Saturday’s show at Eddie’s Attic deserves a few words. </p>
<p>Peyton Tochterman opened the evening with a fabulous set. I have enjoyed his music in the past, but I think this set was my favorite yet. Last year at Woodyfest, his was the only CD I purchased (I had said I wasn’t going to buy any, but such is the life of a music junkie). His stories were both funny and moving. He recently spent a couple of weeks in Afghanistan playing for the troops. He told us about one show where several women entered the show wearing burkas but removed them after entering (permitted due to the fact that it was a Western show). After one song Peyton noticed that the women were all crying. He later asked somebody why they were crying (he figured it wasn’t his brilliant lyrics as women didn’t understand English). The answer was that they had NEVER seen live music before. The set included a very much fun 3 day old song about loving a woman who loves horses . Peyton was incredibly patient with my nephew James who was chatting him up before the show. Peyton offered James a CD, but James said, “I think I should wait until after you play, so I can decide if I really am interested.” He is a practical child. He did get a CD after the show.</p>
<p>Rebecca Loebe was fabulous and wonderful as always. In great spirits and excellent voice.I got to hear a few songs I had never heard before including 10,000 Days, Awakening by Kate Chopin, and Call Me Baby. Highlights included seeing my nephew playing air drums to “Redneck Karaoke Bar,” among other songs. James loved it when Will Robertson used the upright bass for percussion. James also did a perfect imitation of the RCA dog when Will started playing the melodica. My (nearly) 12 year old niece, Anne, read her book at the table until it was hurting my eyes. She then went out to the merch table and annoyed Tommy K until she finished her book. I was very entertained to hear Anne sing along with Becca’s version of “Stronger” (original by Kanye). </p>
<p>As I have mentioned before, my Poppa plays the trumpet quite well. He and Becca were in New Orleans at the same time, and he accompanied her on a song. She graciously asked him to do the same for this show. It was great fun, and I know I am biased, but the rest of the audience seemed to enjoy it just as much. </p>
<p>His comment was this, “Unless someone steps forth to dispute my claim, I am claiming to be the only musician who has shared the stage with Maria Callas and Rebecca Loebe. Maria was in 1958 in Birmingham, and Rebecca was last night at Eddie’s. Similarities: Both superior artists and delightful entertainers. Contrasts: Maria more vibrato and operatic pitch compared to Rebecca’s PURE intonation. Maria’s boyfriend was probably richer (bet she didn’t drive). I doubt Rebecca has dated any guy named Aristotle. But, who knows? Plus, Maria didn’t write her own material and sefl-accompany. Just sayin’.”</p>
<p>This could certainly use some proofreading, but I’m going to leave it as is. Cause if I don’t get packing soon, I will be in hysterics tomorrow. Bottom line is this: if you have the chance to see Rebecca or Peyton—be sure to take advantage.</p>Poppa, Daddy, Big Herbietag:worldofwiffledust.com,2012-06-17:2870411:BlogPost:964442012-06-17T16:16:26.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403875521?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403875521?profile=original" width="497"></img></a> I’m not sure how to write about who my father is in a way that will be clear enough for others to understand how incredible he is. He is crazy—but the good kind of crazy. He is generous. He is compassionate. He has always given me the space to explore and believe things that didn’t line up with what he believes. He is always on “my…</p>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403875521?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403875521?profile=original" width="497" class="align-left"></a>I’m not sure how to write about who my father is in a way that will be clear enough for others to understand how incredible he is. He is crazy—but the good kind of crazy. He is generous. He is compassionate. He has always given me the space to explore and believe things that didn’t line up with what he believes. He is always on “my side” even when he is trying to give me information that will help me see things in a different manner. </p>
<p>My parents divorced when I was eight years old. I never remember a moment in time when his not living in the same house equaled him not being present in our lives. He picked us up every Friday evening that I can remember, and showed up during the week when the occasion warranted. We had very little money, and the time was spent very creatively. He made choosing our tv dinner for the evening at the grocery store into an exciting decision. We spent lots of time at the park. He would lie on his back in the grass and pretend to be the sleeping monster. The three of us would take turns sneaking up on him…pinching a toe…putting a finger in his ear (or his nose)…and darting away as he grumbled and changed positions “in his sleep.” He would eventually “wake up” and grab one of us by the ankle. We would scream in terror and delight. The other two were then responsible for “rescuing” us from the monster. We played kickball, football, soccer, wiffle-ball, hockey, and games we made up as we went along. On rainy days it would be backgammon and Parcheesi. He also realized (long before there were any guidelines for divorced dads) that we each needed time with him without the others. We called these “all by myself” turns. As we got older and more interested in our friends, he let us bring them along on our weekends. Of course, more kids meant bigger teams for all the crazy games. </p>
<p>He married my stepmother Joan when I was 12 years old. I watched him parent my two step-brothers in a way their own father never managed to do. He realized that by doing this he had to step lightly as their own father wasn’t “gone,” just not very good at the role of father.</p>
<p>When he realized that dinner time meant that Joan would jump up from the table and fetch things after we had starting eating—leaving her food untouched while we were heading our separate ways, he instituted a rule that “Joan has to take the first bite.” Any infractions of this rule resulted in a “penalty” to be served standing behind one’s chair watching everyone else eat for a number of minutes determined by the severity of our actions.</p>
<p>We went on vacations every summer. The seven of us would pile into the car and drive to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. We still had little budget for vacation, but we would hike up mountains in state parks, stop along the highway pullout for a picnic lunch and then change into swimsuits and splash in whatever river the road was following. As finances improved, we would take trips to Disneyworld…initially on the cheap, staying in off-site motels. We would show up at the park at dawn…before the gates even opened. When the gates opened, we were urged to ignore all the shops and distractions near the park entrance, and ran like crazy to the other side of the park. I am sure there were more than a few times when we were on the first trains boarded at Space Mountain. One of the last big trips we took to Disneyworld was after a good financial year. I was in college, and the other four in high school. We were each generously allowed to bring a friend on the trip, and this time we stayed in the Contemporary Hotel with a monorail stop inside the building.</p>
<p>He is creative and silly and not afraid to show it. One Christmas morning when I was scheduled to work, he came walking down the hallway in the hospital…wearing furry bear claw slippers and reindeer antlers with lights. He was carrying a cake for me and the other nurses on shift. </p>
<p>I had moved to my college dorm early one year and then left for a family reunion. My (as yet unmet) roommate moved in while I was out of town. I returned to the dorm to find a note: Big Herbie called. He wants you to call him back. PS—Who the hell is Big Herbie? When he mailed me my allowance in January one year, it was in a card that said, “Wishing you a very good new year.” Next month, the check arrived in an identical card with “new year” scratched through and “February” written instead.</p>
<p>Over the past couple of years, Poppa has played trumpet with three different groups: “Sentimental Journeys” a band that plays oldies, his church group, and 3 Foot Swagger—a loud band of kids in their 20’s and early 30’s. He looks at home and at ease in all three groups.</p>
<p>Yesterday Poppa left for an adventure. He is now retired, but at age 71 not yet ready to shift to a life of sitting in a recliner with the remote control in his hand. He is in New Orleans and has very little in the way of plans. He may be eating beignets at the Café du Monde at the moment I am writing this. He will to choose a corner and play his trumpet for passers by in the French Quarter. Other than that, he is just going to see what happens. </p>
<p>I love that he is still embracing life, looking for new adventures, and making choices that others might think are a bit kooky. I can only hope that I am doing the same 25 years from now.</p>Creative Writing Challenge/Eastertag:worldofwiffledust.com,2012-04-09:2870411:BlogPost:939612012-04-09T00:51:05.000Zmargaret krafthttp://worldofwiffledust.com/profile/margaretkraft
<p>With participation (hostile takeover) from my niece, 11 and nephew 8... </p>
<p></p>
<p>There once was a rabbit named Thumper, </p>
<p>Who wanted to wear a pink jumper. </p>
<p>But Bambi said No, </p>
<p>And started a…</p>
<p>With participation (hostile takeover) from my niece, 11 and nephew 8... </p>
<p></p>
<p>There once was a rabbit named Thumper, </p>
<p>Who wanted to wear a pink jumper. </p>
<p>But Bambi said No, </p>
<p>And started a row, </p>
<p>And told him it made him look plumper!</p>
<p></p>
<p>There were other versions whispered between my sister and I in the front seat, but Lisa did say to be nice...</p>