April 16, 1998

Whew! Been working on my Poetry Index, Archeology Index, and Architecture Index. I devised an agreeable template to use so I didn't have to invent the wheel with each individual index. Choosing the graphics has been fun. If you don't like graphics intensive sights, you don't belong here.--more later this afternoon folks--

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez! It sure took a long time to log on. The afternoons are the pits on AOL!

Well, Passover is almost over. It's a great holiday. For Jews, it's the time we remember when the Hebrews were freed from slavery and left Egypt. The most typical rite of this holiday is the Seder service (a service and meal geared to the remembrance of deliverance from slavery). As is typical of Judaism, Passover is centered around observances in the home. One of the most important parts of Passover observance is the eating of Matzo.
Matzo is unleavened bread. It is called the "bread of haste." It symbolizes the unleavened cakes that the Israelites ate on their journey into the desert. In fact, any type of leavening agent is not to be used on this holiday.
In my family it is traditional to keep kosher for the 8 days of Passover. To keep the holiday faithfully one must not use the same dishes and cooking vessels one uses all year round. Accomplishing all this is quite a chore.
It is also difficult to obtain all the kosher for Passover products necessary for the entire festival. But, you know, it does bring the family together. It enables my kids to experience what it is like to live in a kosher home. This is not to mention the potato kugel, matzo brei, latkes, gefilte fish, fresh grated horseradish, haroses, knaidlach, and other Passover specialties!
It's worth the trouble. However, this weekend I must face putting all the Passover dishes, etc. away to be used another year--groan!
Well, spring is here! Yardwork awaits! (I love to work outdoors!)

April 18, 1998

Another spectacular morning drive! But what? No sunrise! Blast that daylight savings time!
Even so, the drive was great! Downtown Tulsa--towers and lights against the night sky--stars twinkling overhead. As I turned east toward the Port, the play of road lamps and commercial lighting created ever changing patterns. Then, as the first streaks of dark grey-blue streaked across the sky, the gentle melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata surrounded me. No info-mercials today, just wonderful music. And this is how it was all the way into the Port. As I approached the Port Authority I could see the brilliance of the Terra Complex. It is a commanding sight! The tower rigging is enveloped in clouds of steam and all ablaze with light!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm? Well, gotta get back to work folks.

April 20, 1998

Yesterday was Mitzvah Day (a Mitzvah is like a good deed). Estelle and I, and the kids, have participated nearly every year. Let me just say that the day designated for Mitzvahs is not the only time we perform any "good deed." One is encouraged to do that daily. A special day for Mitzvot (that's plural folks) is only a way to put more focus on the various things individuals can do to help others and the general community.
For several years we volunteered at the St. Francis Hospice. We'd cook a meal and deliver it to an elderly couple. We were glad to help, but it was usually an emotional experience. It is sad how alone so many aged folks are. It's not much fun being old and infirm.
This year my daughter was in charge of a program to volunteer at the S.P.C.A. We signed up for that. We were pleasantly surprised that several friends and acquaintances of ours had also chosen the same program. Soooooooo, for two hours we walked dogs! It was a lot of fun. Had to keep reminding myself that we already have two dogs and don't need any more! Fun morning!

April 22, 1998

It's 5:30 in the morning. I just finished posting my Marc Chagall exhibit. I like the way it looks. I may alter the Magritte exhibit to the same format. This really gives me ideas of how to use the Historical Society Museum's pages when I take over the editing. It will be easy to launch photographic exhibits from the collection! It may also help to inspire donations for expansion of the Museum.
Bad news. Sarkeys Foundation turned us down for funds to construct our Towboat Exhibit and Classroom. Well, guess we'll just continue searching for donors.

April 23, 1998

--Just an introductory note: Keeping a journal can present certain problems. I have noticed a few on-line journals come and go. The primary reason most have been removed seems to be that those individuals wrote very personal discriptions of their daily lives and intimate relationships. Their entries caused difficulties between them an those close to them. I have taken note of this. I don't plan on discussing my family in my journal. I do plan on discussing my family in a yet to be included biographical or "Origins" Page. This journal will be reserved for discussion of my work, ideas, and the Internet.--

One of my good friends, Wanda Cruz, visited this morning to pick up a scale model of the Alexandre Hogue Gallery I constructed for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. She is program coordinator for the G&S Society. The model was fun to build and we are both pleased with the result. The G&S Society and Light Opera Oklahoma is planning their festival for June this year. The model will be used to plan the layout for a related exhibit in the Hogue Gallery at The University of Tulsa. As far as my Gallery is concerned, I am going to start concentrating on updating some sections I have been neglecting. I don't plan on launching another art exhibit until sometime in May. I will, however, be updating the poetry gallery, humor gallery, quotes gallery, and theatre gallery. When will I launch my biographical/historical gallery? I'm working on it.

April 27, 1998

Hummmmm? The best of times? It sure was fun! We had a party Saturday night. It was about time! But there was a special occaison. My wife has been promoted to full professor. She's known for a couple of months. Members of her department were telling her that we should have a party--so finally we decided on the day--April 25. We used to have lots of parties. Of course, that was pre-kids.
It seems to have become more and more difficult to organize the time and effort to prepare to invite folks over. That's unfortunate. I really like to entertain.
Saturday's party was a lot of fun. The weather turned out to be perfect. A beautiful starlit sky and cool spring air. Most folks spent the evening on the patio. The time seemed to fly by very quickly. I hope it's not too long before we do that again!

April 28, 1998

Navigation Conference begins today. I'll be occupied with that for today and most of tomorrow. I hope it goes well.

Return to Allan's Gallery Index: