Citizens' Arrest

On the next to the last night of my Sights & Sounds of Ireland Tour, I experience the most memorable event.  All the other wonderful moments will be treasured, but this one above all the others, is indelibly etched in my mind.

Four of us were returning to our hotel at dusk along Dublin's Grafton Street (the main shopping area). Though not crowded, there was a comfortable number of people around, and we felt very at home.   I dropped a few steps behind to take a photo of the other three (Rick, Jeff, & Patty) on my iPhone.  As held up my iPhone to click the shot, a hand swooped up to grab the phone from my hand.  

The sinking feeling of loss swept over me, immediately followed by my internal response, "No!"  I spun around and gave chase to the thief and his two friends, shouting "Stop, thief!" repeatedly.  Patty and Jeff heard me and immediately joined in, Patty, in good voice, yelling, "Help!", and Jeff, a retired teacher and coach of "track & field" took off with great speed.  He hadn't run in years, but proved it was still in him!  Rick didn't hear us, and was confused when he turned around and there was no sign of the three of us.  

Other bystanders did join in the chase, including a musician with great running ability.  3+ blocks later,  Patty & I caught up with the others at a pub, where we were told that a short blonde fellow had run into the building.  As she & I turned the outside corner, we inadvertently blocked the escaping thief.  He had been "flushed" out of the bathroom, where he had locked himself in, but had wriggled free of Jeff and the others.  At that moment, he was re-captured along with one of his other companions (who was already being held).  The young thief said that he had tossed away the iPhone.  Two new friends and I re-traced the chase path, looking under cars and in the top of trash receptacles, but to no avail.  But when we returned, we discovered that others had also gone searching and had found the phone, intact, along with my last photo taken----a blur of color as the theft took place.

I called Rick, who then re-joined us.  The police came, took the report, and escorted the two 15-year olds (it turns out...) in their car.  Also found on the thief was a wallet loaded with cash and credit cards (not mine....)  The group surrounding us were thrilled over the citizens' arrest.

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have given chase.  It was an instinctive response. I am always very careful with keeping my belongings protected and out of sight and warn others to do so also, but it only takes one slip up.   As it turned out, what could have been a very bad experience turned out to be a very positive one.  The generous support of friends and strangers was heartening.  I confronted the two boys, probably sounding more like a concerned mother than a theft victim, that they were "never to do that sort of thing again!"  Most likely not a terribly effective lecture, but I imagine they will remember that people rise up together to stop wrong-doing.  Maybe the consequences will help turn them in a better direction----one can hope.  

The following night, in front of our entire group, Rick presented Jeff, Patty, and me with our new "Dublin Track & Field" T-shirts.  He probably best summed it up when he said, "No one gets between Gail & her camera"!

Creativity Unleashed!!

Yesterday we held our 2nd annual Art Paint-in for the neighborhood kids.  We converted our kitchen into an art studio and pulled out the art supplies.  I showed them some ideas and then let them go wild!  There was incredible enthusiasm, and one of the little boys exclaimed, “I really am an ARTIST!

I had tried out some of these project ideas with some of my painter and writer friends a couple of days before.  The reactions were remarkably similar from this older group of friends!  It makes me smile to realize that all you need to release creativity is offer an open, encouraging environment, provide materials, demonstrate a few ideas, and then the group excitement and activity becomes contagious.  My role simply becomes sort of a cheerleader, and much of it is simply staying out of the way.  Too much of “me” would not allow enough of each individual to pursue their own experience.  A little interaction, a lot of enthusiastic (and genuine) appreciation is all that is needed.  Oh, and a little encouragement to bring out the quiet one....and a gentle reminder to the over-enthusiastic to share the materials.  

"Testing....1,2...." Dreams within Dreams

What a strange dream!  And yet it seemed to hold lessons for me.

I was in a classroom, and we had huge exhibits set up in front of us, rather like a museum.  We were taking a test, a final of sorts.  The questions were in essay form, and they did not seem to fit what we had read and been taught.  They were exploring a new level of our knowledge.  It seemed the most important thing was to be able to find links, progressions, in the objects in front of us. The test ultimately seemed to be about what we could observe and how we could connect the parts insightfully and creatively.  I wrote at great length for the first question, not realizing that there were two more to come.  And so of course, I came under time constraints.  That seemed to be the next test:  Could I stay calm and clear-headed in the face of the brevity of time left to me?  There were also questions about the color/tone of the objects (sort of an emotional knowledge or understanding).  I was fairly panicked about the time element---trying to figure out if there was a way that I could somehow extend it.  Then it started to dawn on me that I could simply walk away because this was just a dream.  No consequences to be exacted because I had not completed the test.  My life was elsewhere. 

I awakened with relief, only to start facing the tests of my day ahead.  Could I make sense of the questions posed----they didn’t necessarily relate to my orderly idea of the material I should be tested on.  The important part seemed to be what I could observe and how I could insightfully and creatively respond to every situation.  Could I help connect the disparate parts in some meaningful way?  Also working within time constraints----could I remain calm and clear-headed?  Could I understand the emotions of those around me? Could I even ultimately be okay not answering all the needs and questions posed to me, knowing that my fuller life is actually elsewhere?

Dreams within dreams.....how many layers to this great adventure of life?

Windows on Winter Solstice

It is December 21 today, Winter Solstice, and we are having our exterior windows cleaned at this very moment.  This seems a fitting thing to do, letting as much light in as possible on this darkest of days! 

I like this metaphor on several levels.  First of all, it is wonderful to recognize that we can receive the help that we need in getting the light through.  I am grateful to the man who is making this possible.  I also know that we will need to do the cleaning on the interior side--again, a most fitting metaphor as we are responsible for clearing away the dust and debris that clouds our vision from inside ourselves. 

And the source!   God gives us the light, generously, faithfully.... Sometimes it seems less than we desire, but daily it is replenished, and seasons wax and wane and circle ‘round.  People through history  have recognized the importance of welcoming the turning back towards the light. Winter solstice has been celebrated with gatherings of song and feasting throughout the ages.  How fitting that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of year----His presence brings light into our darkness and hope for the days to come.

May you all see with brightness and clarity through this season and beyond!

Wow!  I can blog again! Several months ago,  I created a new website: www.gailspeckmann.com, but somehow in the process my blog connection disappeared.  I created the website through iWeb on my Apple, and I love how it turned out in every other way except for this frustration.  There are now over 100 prints available on my website, along with the originals. And I will be able to keep it updated myself----very empowering!  I think I'll go ahead and try to publish this to make sure it is working....

New

New Blog

Farewell to Stewart, our Beloved Collie

Yesterday we had to say our sad good-byes to our Stewart.  She was 12 years old and has brightened our lives with her loving spirit since the moment we adopted her just before her 1st birthday.  Here is a true story I wrote about her from a year ago---offered as a small tribute to her.

STEWART’S BIG ADVENTURE

Stewart, our 11-year old female collie, has slowed down quite a bit in the past few months. So a week ago we started her on a daily regimen, including ascription, glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil. She has perked up considerably since then and has taken to re-asserting herself over Tinker , our 1 ½ year old collie) as the “alpha dog”.



A few days ago Stewart and Tinker traveled with Rick and me to the lake cabin of good friends. They kindly lent us the use of their cabin while I was in Door County teaching a painting workshop. We put up flags in the yard to remind the dogs of their running space (as we have done with the “invisible fence” in our yard at home). Tinker surprised us by being very cautious and circumspect about not crossing the boundary. Stewart seemed somewhat oblivious to the border and wandered in and out, though never too far.



Yesterday morning as Rick was loading the car, and I was inside finishing the packing and tidying, Stewart took off through the woods. It was extremely windy, and the waves crashing on the shore drowned out all but the nearest sounds, and, from a dog’s perspective, also scattered all scents to the wind.



Rick and I began a 2 ½ hour search for Stewart through the deep woods and along the roadside. We became acquainted with neighbors all up and down the line. Lovely, generous people, who stopped to help us search. Sightings were reported, eventually from both sides of our cottage location. Stewart, though a very friendly dog by nature, was afraid to approach the strangers with their offerings of food. Rick and I called, we whistled, offered “car ride!” with excited voices, promised fabulous treats. These were to no avail, but eventually through helpful reports, we were able to find her. In the end, we figure that she covered over 3 miles---this from the dog who typically has preferred a prone position! It was undoubtedly the biggest adventure of her life!



All I know is that I’m going to start taking what Stewart is taking. Perhaps you’ll spot me, a woman with silvering hair, running through the woods. Alongside the road in a car drively slowly with windows rolled down, Rick will be calling, “Come home, Gail….Come home!