Defining Prosperity Down

As the second theme of my book, Talk UP^ Tucson... is an exploration of community prosperity, I am signed on to google alerts for everyday posts on both book themes: happiness and prosperity.  Almost every day, I post Facebook comments on articles related to happiness, but it's a rare article on prosperity that stirs my interest.  This article is such a rare find that I am posting it (also) on my blog.

http://www.capjournal.com/opinions/columnist/defining-prosperity-down/article_e848398e-f992-11e2-a114-0019bb2963f4.html

The pop-up ads are annoying but the article is worth the distractions.  Here's a question for my readers: are you defining prosperity down in your life as the article suggests?  If so, how and what do you feel about this change?  I think I am doing that, out of necessity as well as adjusting the reality described in the article.  Mostly, I feel that it's leading me to live a simpler life, but sometimes I feel angry and depressed about what I can't "have" that I think I "want."  To be honest, I have what I need and practicing daily gratitude helps me stay focused on the cup more than half full.  What about you?

BrightSpot: Joel Valdez Library's Summer Reading Program

According to the staff in the Children's Library ("make sure you tell people we are really good with kids"), this Summer's Reading Program--which ended July 20--was 25% higher in registration compared with their similar program in 2011.  (In 2012, the format was considerably different so a comparison doesn't apply).  The librarians note that this year, as in 2011 and previous years, incentives were used and, particularly important, were the free pass incentives to Breakers WaterPark.  Another key to the higher registration was the emphasis on this year's program as a "family event".  For example, when a teen sibling brought in younger siblings, the librarians signed up the teen right on the spot for the teen reading program.

I cannot give a loud enough shout out to our public library (all branches) and the able staff.  I am a dedicated lover of books and reading but the knowledge each of the librarians I have worked with at the "downtown" (i.e. Joel Valdez Library) have more book titles in their brains than I could ever hope to download onto my computer!!  They are patient with all ages of children and willing to assist and encourage book reading from board books to tomes such as Harry Potter.  One librarian stressed to me that "we want kids to learn how to hold a book in their hands, turn the pages and take care of the book."  Another words (no pun intended), ebooks are fine but they do not replace the golden glow of a book.

So thank you Public Library for generating another summerful of new and continuing readers!

 (photo from flickr.com/commons)

Another BrightSpot:

Here is a national magazine giving a "shout out" about Tucson's entrepreneurial culture. As a long time civic and now small publishing entrepreneur, Community Renaissance would add this caveat:  entrepreneurs in the Tucson Region often have to bypass traditional business pathways in order to get launched and, if your "business" involves civic entrepreneurship you have to endure being undervalued and underpaid for work that does not support the civic status quo.  Still, entrepreneurship is a "brightspot" in the region as I wrote about in earlier posts on Ignite Tucson, Tucson Food Truck Round-Ups, locally owned restaurants, entertainment venues such as local bookstores and Local First Arizona.

http://startuptucson.com/2013/entrepreneur-magazine-names-tucson-emerging-entrepreneurial-hub-2/

Another social media step

I decided to try to set up some of my (or Mark's) photos via Flickr.  Originally, I thought I would add Instagram, but, after reading about both, I decided Flickr was my next step.  I hope folks let me know about both social media tools--which you use, prefer and why.

Here's the link to my gallery:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/99167910@N04/

Beyond Counting Clouds

prompt words:  name, number, look, hear, up, evening, welcome

It was turning out to be more significant evening than Alicia had expected.  Paolo had accepted her cake and berries with a welcome kiss on both cheeks, and his daughter, Sophia, had hugged her closely around the knees.  The look the child gave her at dinner, as Alicia shared stories about her Italian fountains expedition, was one of awe.  Sophia asked if she could accompany Alicia on the next day’s fountain journey and ran to her room to get a piece of paper so she could give Alicia her phone number.  This request was a surprise for Alicia to hear. While she was gone Paolo explained, with some temerity, that Sophia still missed her mother, gone now for two years, and, since Sophia was an only child, she sometimes clung closely to her Papa and worried about his own sense of loss.  

 

Alicia was cautious about making a commitment too soon to the child.  Looking for fountains in Italy had become her private pleasure and sharing the experience and the expectation might be too much, too soon. Giving up that privacy was giving up a part of herself. But, when Sophia returned with her piece of paper and called Alicia by name, the vowels spilling like water with the Italian emphasis on the final “cia”, she couldn’t help but smile and acquiesce to Sophia’s request.  They would meet outside the Museo Nazionale Romano, near the Termini station, and decide which direction in the city they would go, looking for another fountain of Rome. 

 

 

 

 

Flash Fiction: Counting Clouds

Counting Clouds

In Rome, it seems to Alicia that every corner has a fountain.  Whether she is walking near the Tiber River, or going to one of the bus ticket and book stands to buy a British newspaper, the sound of water slowly cascading over the necks of horses, pineapples, turtles or mermaids beckons her to pause for a coffee and count the clouds in the sky.  She came to Italy with the purpose of finishing her book of poetry, but that goal is now gone for the near future.  Instead, she has made it her purpose to try to visit, photograph and write a phrase or two about every Roman fountain.   

Yesterday, she stopped on a path along the shore of the river to watch three boats glide beneath the bridge of Castel Sant’Angelo.  While there, a familiar man with his daughter passed her by and they chatted.  He invited her to dinner tonight and she is wondering what she should bring to the meal.  She knows he is a widower and that he likes fruit, which she often saw him carrying in his market basket and every Italian likes sweets.  So, she will buy a cake and bring berries along with some of photographs of the fountains. They will get to know each other a little better and she will be open to possibilities.

 

Talk UP^ Tucson... event: Quotes Worth Sharing

I admit it.  One of the aftereffects of my PhD (circa University of Arizona, 1996) was my affinity for data collecting, particularly through informal qualitative/ethographic observations, group interactions and interviews.  Even when I don't know if the information will "go anywhere", I can't make myself throw away notes.  So, from yesterday's Talk UP^ Tucson... book houseparty here are quotes from some of the participants, only attributed by a first name initial.  Thanks to all for sharing and opening your hearts and minds.
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I:  Good idea...to talk about the pluses and minuses of Tucson.....Can progress be done?

K:  I am frustrated with groups, egos...am drawing away from the Tucson community...[but] while I am here, I want to be happy....

M:  I love the town but I have my moments....

R1:  ...neighborhoods are key components to authentic empowerment....  A neighborhood is defined by boundaries...a community is made up of people we have an emotional connection with....

N:  ...I am interested in how we can build resilience....

J:  I am curious about the intersection of community and happiness....  I know there is a lot of burn out in community work....  If it's not fun, why do it?...

R2:  ...Tucson could be a really great city...but we go down the wrong path....

B1:  I am burnt out.  I am happy with my life but unhappy in my neighborhood....  I am here to learn something....

B2:  I've gotten a bit disgruntled living in this neighborhood...[there is] a chipping away.  I came to see what's happening outside of neighborhood association meetings....

C:  ...I love my house but I don't love what's happened around me...infill...crime....  I am always looking for something positive.

D:  ...I live in a neighborhood 80% and I am a renter...I want to make a little corner [of it] better.