The Scarf

Polka music from the apartment upstairs drifts past my window. The oompapa is beginning to grow on me.

"Mom, where's my scarf? The one with the yellow flowers."

My fifteen-year-old's voice, hurled in my direction from another room, interrupts the frolicking music. She seems to think that bellowing from another room is the proper way to conduct a conversation.

Jill is a newly hatched fashionista and can not possibly be seen in public devoid of the necessary accoutrement, which, at the moment, is a scarf. Her closet, dresser, and floor are rife with them, a veritable cloth rainbow spread across her entire bedroom.

"I haven't seen it."

"Are you sure? It has the big yellow flowers with the bright blue centers. And the twisty green leaves."


"Have you checked your room?"

OK, so I can be a little passive aggressive when provoked. I know she had not thoroughly searched her room, because if she had, it would be at least next week. Plus, she interrupted my peaceful Saturday reverie and contemplation of the merits of the tuba as a musical powerhouse.

Muttering followed by muffled rustling is her only response.

"It's not here, Mom. Do you have any idea of where it might be?"

She speaks with exaggerated articulation, like I am somehow feeble because she can't find her scarf. I take a deep breath.

"It's not my day to watch it honey. Did you check the car?"

A blonde streak flashes past my line of sight followed by the slam of the screen door. When did this become our life? She and I used to be so close. All those special times when she wanted nothing more than to be near me, to sit on my lap and read a book, to pick dandelion puffs and watch as the seeds flew away to the four corners, to lay on the summer grass and watch the clouds...  It's been just the two of us for so long but lately I feel like I am in this life by myself. I know she has to grow up, but why do we have to grow apart?

"Found it!" She struts into the kitchen, scarf held aloft like some royal prize, a grin spanning her beautiful face. 

"Terrific!"

"Now, I just need a new shirt to go with it."

Jill pauses and looks at me.

"Want to go to the mall with me?"

"Sure." I am elated but choose to play it cool.

"Do you have a scarf I can borrow?"

Social Entrepreneurship In Action

According to Wikipedia, Social Entrepreneurship is, “the process of pursuing innovative solutions to social problems. More specifically, social entrepreneurs adopt a mission to create and sustain social value. They pursue opportunities to serve this mission, while continuously adapting and learning. They draw upon appropriate thinking in both the business and nonprofit worlds…” The definition goes on to say that, “Business entrepreneurs typically measure performance in profit and return, but social entrepreneurs also take into account a positive return to society. Social entrepreneurship typically furthers broad social, cultural, and environmental goals and is commonly associated with the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors.” (To see the entire definition go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_entrepreneurship. You can learn even more by going to http://caseatduke.org/.)

I have had the good fortune to encounter many social entrepreneurs over the years. They have:

• invested in documentary projects designed to raise awareness of and generate discussion about important social issues,
• put their collective skills – gained through years of professional work in disparate fields – to work to create a program that harnesses volunteer time and expertise, and raises funds to build ramps for low income individuals which in turn helps the individuals stay in their own homes,
• cooked, packaged, and delivered meals to the home-bound,
• created and run sporting events for individuals with disabilities,
• and one in particular has devoted his professional life to providing legal services to economically disadvantaged groups and, even in retirement, continues this work.

Most of us have the freedom to infuse a little Social Entrepreneurship in our lives. What will you do?

Susan Reetz, of Rucinski & Reetz Communication, is a writer/director/producer for film, print and web. Her scriptwriting and producing work has earned numerous local, national, and international awards. She also writes feature articles, brochure copy, news releases, web copy, and other promotional materials. She can be reached at 715-355-9159 or Reetz@RucinskiReetz.com.

www.RucinskiReetz.com

The Wizards of State Street

(Photo by Irene MacFarland copyright 2014.)

 

Long bearded wizards roam
state street in Madison

bunches of them
everywhere

 

a gang of

mystical mischief makers

in blue pointy hats and red

sun glasses

and golf club wands

lost in their in search of
spells and spirits.

 

The Words of Rios

I slow down as I read the words of Rios
tenderly wrapped around
ideas and dreams.

They carry me to vivid corners
of my imagination
landscapes known before only to my
sleeping mind.

Strange languages fall from
the pages
telling tales of love and sorrow,
exotic thoughts born through them.

I turn the page
sighing
at the beauty.

spring moon

the moon turns and
follows me
across the field where new life
barely breaks the surface
over the hill
through the tag alders and
back to the pond,
white light doubled
rippling
beckoning

salamander statues

salamanders slip through small
holes in the wall
suction cup toes hold them
in place
still as statues
only tails
twitch

almost spring

grit in the treads of my shoes
last years leaves in a confused rush
on their way to some important place
breeze in my hair
warm sun on my face
spring is finally near