» May 17th, 2012
It’s Not Nothing
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Who could get a standing O before he even said a word? Jerry Seinfeld, to be sure. He ran onto the stage, went past the mike, then stopped, and turned, and crazily assumed an almost-chicken pose, a rooster walk; one foot in the air behind, his head extended to the front, a Kramer kind of move. The crowd jumped up and down, we jiggle danced in happiness. Jerry’s here and we will laugh tonight, for sure. And so we did. He talked for 90 minutes straight, every word hilarious. Every single word. What did he talk about? Nothing. His trademark topic. Nothing. I laughed so hard the muscles of my face just quit on me, gave up, not used to that. I finally had to settle for a belly laugh behind a neutral look. The man behind me stuck to words; “Awesome,” he repeated, again and again. I’m sitting on Row I, the 15th seat; and I can see just fine; as Jerry paces to and fro on the stage of the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts at Boise State University; two thousand people packed it full tonight. » read more
» May 16th, 2012
Basking on Basque Block
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Oh come on, my pun’s okay; even the Basque Museum posts a window sign that says “Who Is That Basque Man?” Not knowledgeable about Basques in Idaho, I realized I had a lot to learn. I can tell you this – Basque culture is very much alive in Boise; the ethnic community numbers about 15,000 and is the largest such community in the United States (fifth largest in the world, behind Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and of course the Basque Country of Spain and France). But seriously, who is that Basque man? One is the Mayor of Boise, David Bieter, elected in 2003, and in 2007, and in 2011; fluent in Basque and Spanish, he is extensively involved in Boise’s Basque community and in 2005 was awarded the “Basques Throughout The World” award for his work on behalf of Basque peace and self-determination. I wandered the area known as Basque Block, a vibrant downtown section between 6th and Capitol Boulevard on Grove Street, to find out more. » read more
» May 15th, 2012
The Wood! The Wood!
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – Is that a streaker? I blinked as what appeared to be a naked man went running past, just across the hedge. Against a backdrop thick with trees, his chest was bare, but then I saw that he was wearing shorts, it was a jogging path. Next two discreetly burkhaed women came in view, purses slung on shoulders, chatting as they strolled along. And then a bike went whizzing by, the biker’s helmet iridescent blue, a flash. “Is that the river over there?” I asked, as my server set the seafood quiche in front of me. “Oh yes, right there, I can see it through the trees.” I stood myself, and sure enough, it was not a hundred feet away, and moving fast. Well I’ll be darned, the famous Boise River, and the famous trees. The cottonwoods. » read more
» May 14th, 2012
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Journey Begins
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – “That sounds like a lot of work.” I heard that phrase nearly every time I told someone about the plans for the Journey Across America. In fact, I heard it so often I threatened to get a bumper sticker! Well, I’ve visited 5 out of 50 Capital Cities now; the Journey is 1/10th of the way done, and before I begin my focus on Boise, I’m going to summarize, analyze, theorize and maybe even criticize. How are things going so far? What is working particularly well, and what is not so hot in the way I’ve set things up? Like the pioneers on the Oregon Trail, what am I throwing in the ditch, and what have I learned that I cannot live without? I think of the little girl in the ill-fated Donner Party; as adults around her moved into survival mode she was told to leave her dolly behind. But that dolly was her survival mode, she hid it in her skirt; survival is a very personal thing. And so is work. One person’s work can be another’s adventure, no matter what the stats reveal! Let’s see. » read more
» May 13th, 2012
Mother First
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – There’s a trailer running on TV now about a new movie – What to Expect When You’re Expecting – and the ad contains a line that really tickles me. “You don’t know the meaning of love until you’ve wiped somebody’s butt.” Funny how that works. It’s Mother’s Day and I’m remembering Mothers I Have Known. My Mom, of course, and my Ma-in-law; without them my family as it is today would not exist. There’s my two Grandma’s, who saw me as a Perfect Child. There’s Aunt Verla, and Aunt Clara, who mothered me like I belonged to them. There are my daughters-in-law, who gave me a more precious gift than money can buy – grandchildren! And there are my sons, who made sure I knew the meaning of love. That was in the days before Pampers too. But heck, I’m thinking as I sit in Idaho, Sacajawea didn’t have Pampers either. Did you know that she was born just north of here? » read more
» May 12th, 2012
Double Wide
Linda Burton posting from Boise, Idaho – I almost killed the cats. I didn’t load the Scion right, so when I slowed to take the ramp to Promontory, the printer box came crashing to the front, right into the litter pan. I stopped to see if cats were buried underneath it all, but Jack was undisturbed. Alex fixed me with a glare, wide eyed and frankly quite perturbed. “Fix that!” he seemed to say. “My bad,” I said, and scratched his chin. I rearranged some boxes, a temporary fix; oh well, I thought, it’s not that many hours to go. I’d left too late, didn’t want to pack the car again, but the schedule for the Journey was in my hands to keep. So we’re on our way to Idaho; to Boise, capital city number six. Except for one last Utah stop. » read more
» May 11th, 2012
The Place
John Miller and the Scion
Linda Burton posting from Salt Lake City, Utah – “I’m pointing to Salt Lake City,” said John Miller, standing beside the map on the back of the Scion, “because this is the place.” John was referring to his home, and the home of Mark Miller Toyota, but it’s a phrase I’ve run into a lot here. This is the Place Heritage Park marks the approximate spot where Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers stopped in 1847 and declared journey’s end. Ruth’s Diner is past the Park out Emigrant Canyon Road, the second oldest restaurant in the city, where you can get a “This-is-Almost-the-Place” burger. Rice-Eccles Stadium is THE place where athletes from all over the world gathered for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It seems there are a lot of good reasons to come to Salt Lake City. And a lot of good reasons to stay. » read more
» May 10th, 2012
Integrity and Fortitude
Linda Burton posting from Salt Lake City, Utah – Integrity met me as I climbed the steps. I’d parked across the street from the east entrance to the Utah State Capitol; walked the long sidewalk past the statue of the Indian Massasoit; and wondered about the two marble lions that watched my approach. Now I see; Integrity is to my right, Fortitude sits on the left. Inside, I blink as my eyes adjust to the cool gray interior, pleasant after the brilliant sun outside. A school tour is happening, children’s voices echo just a bit; greeters to my right ask if they can answer any questions or help with anything. I sign the Guest Book, pick up a colorful brochure; diagrams and paragraphs explain the opportunities; I plan out what I want to see. The door to the Capitol Visitor Center is beside me; I step in and see a boldly-lettered statement on a post. » read more
» May 9th, 2012
Space Mountain
Kennecott Open Pit Mine
Linda Burton posting from Salt Lake City, Utah – The claim is that only two man-made creations on Earth are visible from the Space Shuttle – the Great Wall of China and the Kennecott Open Pit Mine in Utah. We have an image in mind of The Great Wall, so our imagination begins to stretch to visualize just how BIG an open-pit mine would be to be visible from outer space. It is two and three-fourth miles across, and three-fourths of a mile deep; set a Sears Tower at the bottom, stack another one on top of that, and they would not reach the top. The official name of this big hole is Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine and here’s another boggler – it has produced more copper than any mine on earth; about 19 million tons so far, and still going strong. Heavens sake, what do we do with all that copper? » read more
» May 8th, 2012
Going Backwards
Linda Burton posting from Salt Lake City, Utah –“In my opinion,” I said to the librarian at the Family History Library, “every American history class should begin with teaching students how to trace their own family history at least four generations back.” A nod, of course, from one who spends her day surrounded by the largest collection of genealogical records in the world, containing the names of more than three billion deceased persons. People come from all over the world to delve into the two million rolls of microfilmed records here, assisted by staff who offer guidance in maneuvering the intricacies of such a voluminous storage vault. » read more