Harbinger of Spring

Cleveland took it on the chin once again last week.  From the same people who dubbed us the “worst weather city” came another “distinction.”  Forbes Magazine, using data on everything from the economy and jobs to education and crime declared Cleveland “The Most Miserable City” in the country!  It just put me in a funk.  Yes, like other big cities, especially in the midwest/northeast corridor, we have big challenges.  But it certainly doesn’t help one’s mental outlook to have that label hanging over us. 

All this is why, when I stepped out of the building last Friday evening about 6:40, I was thrilled to be greeted with the sight I wait for every year.  Looking toward downtown Cleveland, I caught my breath as I took in the skyline.  Shimmering, it stood against a sky that was a very particular shade of blue.  Luminous still from the setting sun, it was a blue that graduated from sapphire to indigo. . . .and it is for me the first harbinger of the coming Spring.  From now on, when the workday ends, it is not going to be so completely DARK.  It will get a little bit lighter everyday (minus those blanketed by clouds) as we move toward the Spring solstice.

I felt heartened by the sight, by the beauty of Cleveland against that magical sky, the promise of days to come.  And I didn’t feel miserable at all.

Worst Weather City?

Yup, another survey that ranks Cleveland at the top of a bad list…or bottom of a good list.  Sure it’s looking a little bleak on this Wednesday in February, but I just had the chance to share my city last weekend with my brother, who was in from the City of Angels.  We grew up in the midwest – Minneapolis, where winter has a capital W.  I remember snowdrifts towering over my head against a brilliant blue sky, skating on a neighborhood pond and sledding on my red “flying saucer” in our own backyard.

For Bill, the 5 or 6 inches of snow we got last Friday was great.  He said he was getting his “fix of winter.” Even when some vigorous shoveling was required Saturday morning, his good humor remained intact.  Playing tour guide, I set out with him on Saturday for the Museum of Speed in Mentor, where we whiled away some time immersed in memories inspired by their awesome collection of cars.  In particular, the Mustangs, Camaros and other muscle cars lovingly restored captured our attention.  I kept imagining how that 62 ermine white Corvette, 327 V8 with a jewel box of an interior would look in my garage.  It’s still parked in my imagination.

Saturday night we went to the Q to watch the Cavs play the Knicks.  My brother was blown away by the energy, the theatrical nature of it, the triple three-pointers courtesy of LeBron.  And later we talked more about how many opportunities for fun there are across NE Ohio.  Any time of the year, whether it’s cross-country skiing in the Metroparks, or taking a drive into the countryside (in May, in a ’62 white Corvette convertible….), there is so much to enjoy about life in Cleveland.  Whatever the weather!

HELP FOR HAITI

It’s impossible to watch the human suffering in Haiti and not want to DO something.  Many of you have already responded with donations – through the Red Cross or other organizations.

As the scope of the devastation, the challenges in distributing food, water and medical care, and the enormity of the task ahead to restore some kind of livability to Haiti become more clear – it is also apparent that the need for global assistance and support will continue for a very long time.

Next Tuesday, January 19, WEWS and all of our Scripps affiliates will join together to raise funds to support the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.  Beginning with our 5pm newscast here, we’ll bring you special reports on the latest developments from Haiti, and guests who can help us understand what the needs will be for the nation’s future.  And at 7pm, I hope you’ll join us for a one hour live telethon to raise money, all going to support areas that the Red Cross has identified as critical needs for Haiti. 

Thank you for your compassion, your generosity and your participation.

It’s Still Christmas At My House

This past weekend I made a decision: leave the tree, the wreaths and the garlands where they are for another week…or two.  I know that for many people, those who ambitiously tackle the post-Christmas deconstruction New Year’s Day – this just seems wrong.  And I understand that there’s a time to move on, get into the new year with a clean slate – or at least an undecorated one. 

But I just couldn’t do it.  Not for lack of energy or time, but really because I’m just now getting a chance to enjoy the results of all that effort put into my holiday decor.  You know how crazy those weeks before Christmas can be – there’s always too much to do and too little time!  Now, there’s just the peace of falling snow, twinkling lights, a nice warm fire.  The extra greenery and white lights make everything a little more cozy – it’s nice to come home to each evening. 

SO, I think that given the uncertain times we’re in, the daily dose of bad news, and the relentless gray, cold January in NE Ohio, it’s time for a pass.  A pass to keep Christmas around a little longer – and I’ve noticed that I’m not alone.  Whatever adds extra cheer, brings a smile, or a sweet holiday memory – I say, it stays! 

It’ll all come down by Valentine’s Day.  Most likely.

Happy New Year!

Today might be the official cut-off for saying “Happy New Year,” what do you think?  Anyway, I wanted to send you my best wishes for 2010  - and the new decade we’re ushering in….with so many challenges and uncertainties swirling around us.  From war, to national security, the economy and unemployment – it’s already enough to take the “happy” out of the New Year.  Add in whatever personal or family issues you are facing, and we all have them, it can be a genuine challenge to stay positive.

Meanwhile, those New Year’s Resolutions …. something I’ve always been a little ambivalent about.  But I suppose as a time of reassessment, the turning of a calendar page serves as well as any.  SO, along with the usual “exercise more, eat less” promise, my biggest resolution is this: remain focused on what IS happening, instead of what is NOT happening.  This may sound simple, even obvious.  But it means something to promise myself I’ll stay focused on the present, all the good in my life for which I’m so grateful, and to put my energies into the present.  And I’m going to do my best to stop fretting about the future, things I can’t control, and resist pinning the quality of my happiness on some distant outcome.

I’ve talked to a number of friends about this, and it is interesting how this resonates with so many of them.  We all tend to worry about the future, our children, our livelihoods, our health – often with good reason.  But it’s so easy to slip into patterns of thinking that rob our daily lives of the joy that is right in front of us.

So here’s my New Year’s wish for you: Be good to yourself each day.  Look around, see who needs a gesture of friendship or support from you.  Savor the full experience of living, of loving every single day.  Worry less.  Be happy. I’ll be striving for that right along with you.

The Eighth Napkin

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Like many of you, I’m preparing to host my family for turkey dinner this year.  It’s not necessarily a complicated meal, but can be a pretty major undertaking anyway.  There is the menu to plan, the groceries to buy, and if you have family staying in your home as I will, there are sleeping arrangements to consider. 

Last night I was attempting to organize my table linens when I was sidetracked by a mystery.  Seven napkins.  There were eight.  I need eight!  WHERE is the eighth napkin?  Figuring this couldn’t  possibly be that difficult to resolve, I set out on a massive search.  The linen closet, the china cabinet, every single drawer in the kitchen and storage closet….the laundry room, even  behind the washer and dryer!  Then I looked in all of those places again. No napkin! Sherlock Holmes couldn’t find this thing.

Tonight I spoke with my brother, who recently entertained some guests in his home in L.A.  Setting his table, he pulled out his eight super-cool leather placemats.  There were seven.  The AWOL eighth placemat – nowhere to be found. 

I’m imagining this happening all over the place.  Hundreds…thousands of people absolutely mystified right now.  Seven forks when there should be eight.  One pillow case instead of a set.  And so it goes…the missing gravy boat, the lost napkin ring, the turkey salt shaker without its pepper partner.  Where in the heck does all of this stuff go???  And lets not even get into socks and gloves.

Meanwhile, a local discount retailer sold a lovely set of eight matching napkins to me today.  Now that I’ve stopped looking for that missing napkin, I’m sure it’ll turn up…just in time for Christmas! 

Happy Thanksgiving, and may all of your things be right where you left them!

5 Things In Your Neighborhood

Last Friday during Live On Five, I profiled the city of Hudson in my Five Things.  As it happened, my visit to Hudson took place on a perfect fall day, so we got some terrific video of this beautiful city and some of the attractions it has to offer. 

Now, I’d like to get your input on where we should take our cameras next.  We’d like to be “tourists” in your neighborhood, so click on Lee’s 5 Things on our homepage, and vote on the posted list of cities we are considering.  And if your city isn’t on the list, feel free to add a comment here about why you’d like to see your city shine in our spotlight!   See you on TV!

Some thoughts about recent events…

Civility.  Or maybe the lack of it.  What is happening?  A Congressman yelling “You lie” at the President?!  A celebrated tennis star spewing vitriolic obscenities at a line judge? One music star leaping on stage to suggest another award recipient didn’t deserve the win - while she’s accepting her award?! Good grief.  Once prized in our society: manners, decorum, respect, civility, gracious conduct in victory or defeat.  What happened? 

Shame.  Or rather the complete lack of it.  Anything goes…intimate, cringe-inducing public confessions of a marriage fallen apart, elected officials bragging to colleagues about their extra-marital liasons.  Anyone remember what the word propriety means?

Self Control – the lack of it.  “My emotions got the best of me?”  Striking a stranger’s child?  (again.) Expected behavior from toddlers, not adults.

Mistakes.  People make them, even when they’re trying not to do so.  Still….so much instilled in me when I was a child by loving parents, grandparents, important adults in my life…where are these values today?  Are we just seeing more of the bad stuff because that’s what grabs the media spotlight? (Yes, I know – a little irony here.)  And unfortunately for some people, their mistakes can be quite public.

There are many conversations ongoing about these issues. I’m interested in your opinion.  Thanks.

Vaya Con Dios Les Paul

The sound of early rock music turned when the Wizard of Waukesha brought his inventive ideas to guitar design, music recording and engineering.  Les Paul, who died today at age 94, wanted more sound, more sustain, just MORE out of a guitar.  In 1941 he brought his first electric solid body design to the Gibson Guitar company.  It wasn’t pretty.  But little more than a decade later, Gibson began producing the Les Paul guitar that would become an emblem and inspiration for generations of rock musicians.

Last November, I took my 14 year old son – an aspiring guitarist – to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s tribute concert for Les Paul.  I wrote about it on this blog. Frail, but still electrifying the crowd, Paul played one of his final public performances.  The musical tributes that night from a handful of his very famous fans still resonate in my memory.  I am so glad we were there.  And as I said to my son today, “all of you six slingers owe that guy … in many ways.”  I think he gets it.

“Vaya Con Dios” was one of Paul’s #1 hits with his wife, Mary Ford.  The phrase translates into English as roughly “Go with God.”  Les and Mary…together again.

Meanwhile, summer winds down in Cleveland.  School doors will swing open in about a week!  On a perfect evening recently, I was able to join friends on their wonderful sailboat.  We drifted (rather than sailed, owing to zero wind) past the city skyline as the sun dropped below the horizon.  I always say that Cleveland is at its most beautiful from the vantage point of the lake, and during that magic twilight time it is breathtaking. The lights of the city, standing out against a sky still deep blue and luminous from the retreating sun, present a majestic and inspiring sight. And a perfect opportunity for reflection and gratitude.

Vaya Con Dios.

Sleepy Hollow

Yesterday my golf buddy and I “graduated” to the front nine at Sleepy Hollow. It was a very interesting experience for me on a number of levels.  First, they were BUSY, so I gulped as I digested the required pace of play and an entire list of “rules” posted to keep that pace up.  You see, until now, “Viv” and I have chosen courses that are, um, NOT busy.  Which allows a lot of room for a more leisurely pace, and time to focus on all of those things I’m supposed to be remembering about my drive, my pitching, my chipping and putting.  So this new “hurry up and you better have all the clubs you need in your hand” style had me just a tad rattled.

Sleepy Hollow is a beautiful, but very challenging Metroparks course. I lost three new balls on the first three holes.  No crying in golf!  Especially when Franco and Benz are watching.  Franco was barely off the plane from Japan, and instead of sleeping – he’s out there chipping away with his buddy.  No twosomes to interrupt the flow of a full course allowed here, so they joined us for what I hope was a fun experience for them. They were certainly polite.  (although frequent digressions into their own language had us wondering what they were really saying about our golf abilities.)

Thank goodness for a great golf partner with unflagging support and encouragement, it makes those rough spots easier to deal with as we move onward to the next tee.  However, next week – we will be looking for another “less busy” course.  A little more time to make the shot, take it again if need be, talk about our lives, laugh A LOT, and be in less of a hurry.  No timer on the golf cart, thank you.