Unscathed and Unbit

Posted on June 25, 2025 by sheilawill

Ship Harbor is my favorite one-mile stroll along the Atlantic. No climbing any of the thirty peaks on Mt. Desert Island.

From that rocky coast of Maine, view the Duck Islands in the distance, a lobster boat crossing by. There Fritz Perls, the father of Gestalt therapy, offered workshop weekends. Wish I participated back in the early 1970s. I missed that experience. Somebody I know did.

Perls wrote the then-famous “In and Out of the Garbage Pail.” The psychologist with the long white beard, like god sitting on pouffy clouds, warned about “unfinished business.” The scientific community criticized him for not being scientific enough.

Unfinished business permeates old folks like me. Nearly nothing matters at this age except for the good health of family and friends.

Me, I want to take care of unfinished business before my time is up. Recently, I read in the Harvard Gazette that joy equals genes for establishing longevity. I hope so.

Outside of Southwest Harbor’s Liquor Locker this morning, I came upon the former owners of Holiday House children’s publishers. We were happy to see each other. Kate is now 87 and John is 90. I recall being angry at them once, years ago. I don’t remember why. No longer do I care about the reason.

Me, letting anger roll off my back? How wonderful. While my darling daughter and daughter-in-law tap out their work emails, or chill as my son takes his highly energetic kids for a swim at Echo Lake Sand beach. I repeatedly utter, “Okay,” also “yep” or even an occasional “whatever.”

Me, I love them so completely. And wonder how they will remember these days, these visits back to our life-framing Mt. Desert Island. When they are old and gray. Long after I’m gone.

Me, I’m happy that mosquitoes left me alone this morning as we treaded along Ship Harbor.

Posted in Baby Boomers, children's books, Family Matters, For Love of History, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Old friends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pencil Sharpening Means Renewal

Posted on June 8, 2025 by sheilawill

I’ve had my regrets in life. But I don’t regret getting so excited about the fourth anniversary of the 20-ft. pencil sharpening at Lake of the Isles, yesterday on June 7, which took place on the front lawn of the home of Amy and John Higgins. (I would like to meet them!)

It was the coolest event I’ve attended since moving to Minneapolis nearly four years ago.

Why a 20-ft. pencil? I never knew until yesterday, when my son, my two young grandchildren, and I strolled alongside cyclists, kayakers, dogs, canoeists, and children of all ages — some who held giant plastic pencils in the air, or others who wore pointy-pencil hats — to join the steady stream of people who made up the crowd of more than 2,000 in front of the Higgins’s house (we had to park on a side street five blocks away).

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/07/why-a-minneapolis-neighborhood-sharpens-a-giant-pencil-every-year

Everybody uses pencils. As John Higgins, our host said, the annual pencil sharpening event can serve as “a time of renewal.”

Pencil closeup photo

Prince's birthday

Prince's birthday

We’re all in this together. With such community levity, how could anyone dwell on the horrors going on around our country?

And for true Minneapolitans, it was a chance to celebrate Prince, the city’s musical icon, on what would have been his 67th birthday. Unfortunately, we missed the purple pencils handed out in his memory. Instead, we finished our celebration with homemade ice cream at Sebastian Joe’s. It was a very happy day.

Posted in America WTF?, Fight wimpiness, Managing Minneapolis | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Dream Count, A Recommendation

Posted on April 23, 2025 by sheilawill

After my children and grandchildren, after hiking in Tucson or on Mt. Desert Island, I love books the most. Since I’m the former owner of OZ Children’s Bookstore (1982-1997), you won’t be surprised to realize that books, nature, my dear family and friends, are what sustain me.

Why do I particularly love fiction by Nigerian women writers? I don’t know.

Dream Count by Chiminanda Ngozi Adichie is my latest love. It’s about four Nigerian women, three of whom are rich and one who’s a housekeeper. It’s about money laundering capitalism. It’s about relationships and a lot of sex/sex talk. It’s about a few good men. It’s about most men who need help from women to become full human beings.

Most of all, it’s about women who help other women, one of whom becomes a Robyn Hood to destitute women.

And it’s about a lot more. A mix of fiction and reality, from a different point of view that I’ve recognized.

“Democrats have always cared about Africa.” Not true, notes the author. Hardly anybody has cared about Africa.

“America has bamboozled us all,” says one of the book’s Nigerian protagonists, adding, “I was puzzled. From outside, America makes more sense. [Americans] want your life to match their soft-baked theories and when it doesn’t, they burst out with their provincial certainty.”

I still love America. What it has tried to stand for. Like my favorite 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which espouses Equal Protection Under the Law.

There’s this theory I’ve come up with. Perhaps other countries have suffered enough over a longer period of time than we in America have. Perhaps it’s our turn to suffer more — not just people of color, immigrants and poverty-stricken people — but all of us. In my view, we are living during the most terrifying time in our history. Any semblance of democracy, and our historic hopes for it, are dissipating. Squandered by an incompetent and evil bully in the White House.

Perhaps what I want to know from Nigerian women writers, is what they know about the world, most especially what they know about America.

Posted in America WTF?, politics, Read, Read, Read, The inconvenient truth about education, The Rest of the World, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

All My Rage Can’t Fit On This Sign

Posted on April 5, 2025 by sheilawill

It felt good to join 6,000-10,000 humans in front of the Minnesota State Capital today. We put ourselves out there to stop the rise of authoritarianism, the outrageous oligarchy knocking on all of our doors.

What creative signs Minnesotans came up with! I was impressed. Some were even funny.

I will continue to show up and speak out. Please join me, wherever you may be!

For your edification, a few of my favorite signs:

“Teach empathy, not hate.”

“It’s so bad even introverts are here.”

“IKEA has better cabinets than his.”

“No tariffs on penguins.”

“Know your parasites: dog tick deer tick luna tick (you know who)

“MAGA: Morons are governing America.” (Are they governing??)

“The Hague is waiting.”

“You wanted cheap eggs, but got measles instead.”

“As a woman I hope to someday have as many rights as a gun.”

Posted in America WTF?, Fight wimpiness, For Love of History, Managing Minneapolis, politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

No Equality Here!

Posted on February 21, 2025 by sheilawill

When I stopped teaching at Mt. Desert Island High School in 2002, I got cute with my students. Not realizing that any semblance of equality would be on the chopping block in twenty-five years.

“If we run into each other walking down some unknown street in some unknown city thirty years from now, I’ll ask you, “What’s my favorite Constitutional Amendment?”

“It’s the 14th Amendment!” teens holler out, because I’ve never let them forget what my favorite Amendment is.  The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship and equal rights to ALL people born or naturalized in the United States. It also states that ALL citizens have the right to due process and equal protection under the law. 

EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW!

Who fears the disappearance of this essential Constitutional right? It’s never been absolute but at least as country, we hoped to achieve it.

In this first month of Trump’s second presidential term we are witnessing the results of the monstrous Trump-Musk coup.

I have never been as afraid for the continuance of our fragile democracy. But I am today. I have lived through the Vietnam War, Watergate, the Civil Rights Movement, and Ronald Reagan’s trickle down economy, which fed the wealthiest among us.

Retired folks like me have the right to receive Social Security payments that we have paid into throughout our working lives. Yesterday — on the sacred-to-me third Wednesday of the month — I was afraid that the Treasury Department chaos instigated by Musk’s tech boys might hold back my check. Thank goodness, it arrived in my bank account.

Watching U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) gave me some hope.

Who understands that all the programs/jobs the so-called DOGE has eliminated is only about 5 percent of the U.S. budget? So how much is the cost-cutting saving? Not much. Rep. Crockett talked about this at an oversight committee hearing — see link above.

But the Trump-Musk unjust, scandalous blitzkrieg has already hurt millions of Americans. In one month! Think about that: the families planning to visit now partially closed national parks; seniors worrying about Social Security and Medicare; or the discontinuation of contracts that further academic research and assistance to poverty stricken individuals here and around the world.

Tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent among us? Government exists for ALL people, not for billionaires to gain more power.

These outrageous cuts, so rapidly hailed upon us by the would-be king’s executive orders, are not about cost-cutting. They are about designating Winners and Losers. Everything is a deal to this make-believe president. His actions are not about the real life American government that protects the historical safety net — or the truth — for ALL. Make some noise!




Posted in America WTF?, Fight wimpiness, For Love of History, Mount Desert Island/Maine, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Done with 2024

Posted on December 31, 2024 by sheilawill

It’s been a year. But this isn’t a political rant.

I no longer understand my country. I thought I did for most of my life. Money, materialism, compassion, empathy, and compromise. And more money. That’s what the mainstream is about these days.

I still believe that humans are basically good. I once met former President Jimmy Carter at an American Booksellers Convention. He had written one of his thirty-two books. I waited patiently (me?) in line to shake his hand.

“I believe history will treat you as one of our better presidents,” I told him. He took my hand in his and said, Thank you, I appreciate that.” I remember peering into his deep blue eyes. He lived many decent lives. I admired him and wonder when another similar president will hold the reins of democracy and concern about all Americans.

And I am so happy that reading takes up a big part of my life. Next on my list: The Public Burning by Robert Coover, “an outrageous novel about U.S. politics. Reality has finally caught up to it.” (NYT Book Review, December 29, 2024).

But this isn’t a political rant. I no longer understand my country.

I intend to pen more political writing like “Misogyny Amplified” https://www.startribune.com/misogyny-amplified/601180359 but this isn’t it. My heart isn’t in it. Not yet.

WHERE MY HEART IS

What this is a Happy New Year wish to my family and the people I love. I watch my grandchildren growing up and laud their parents, my son and daughter-in-law, who are giving them the most miraculous, happy childhood.

I am grateful to dear friends on Mt. Desert Island, Maine and in Antalya, Turkey and Berkeley, California and Fort Worth, Texas, here in Minneapolis, as well as in Tucson. Where we’re headed early, early tomorrow morning.

Following the sunshine in my life and on this planet. That’s where I’ll be. Because I don’t understand the rest of it.

Posted in America WTF?, Bopping Around Tucson, Family Matters, For Love of History, Old friends, politics, Read, Read, Read | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Misogyny Amplified

Posted on November 15, 2024 by sheilawill

My guest opinion in today’s MN Star Tribune: America broke my heart.

https://www.startribune.com/misogyny-amplified/601180359?fbclid=IwY2xjawGjhoVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfxS2ScokPK9Yj_9_j5RlSz8KtcW8kPmtwtEz6QnXe5Aj_0aORmRLw0UbA_aem_BO4b5PNQsOv2wLce3OFbcw

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Kamala Harris Will Be Our Next President!

Posted on November 2, 2024 by sheilawill

I live in the Democratic bubble of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ninety-nine percent of all political house signs are for Kamala Harris (I’ve only seen one Trump sign in front of a fancy mansion).

In our neighborhood (above photo)

A friend who recently returned from his Southern home state for a high school reunion, repeatedly heard, “I’m not voting for a Black woman.” Plenty of misogyny reigns. And racism.

Why do I believe Kamala Harris will win?

1. Trump is unleashing more vulgarity every day. Does he know he’s losing? Is he working his worldwide stage before heading to prison?

2. Is this Presidential election as close as the media report? The polls are too close; in effect, naturally inaccurate. If there are seven battleground states, will one candidate emerge as a winner? Yes, and it won’t be Donald Trump.

Plus, History is about surprise!

3. This isn’t 2016, when Hillary didn’t visit some traditionally Democratic states. We Democrats were overconfident. Hillary and followers spoke incessantly about being the first woman president. Kamala isn’t doing that. She is promoting her ability to lead, as a sane alternative to a very sick little man.

4. The Biden-Harris administration isn’t the primary source of inflation (the pandemic is), it has trickled down to consumer gas and food prices. “It’s the economy, Stupid” to millions of voters. I believe it’s finally registering to many that Harris’s suggested policies will help average Americans more than the super-rich. (Let’s hope a newly elected Congress will assist).

The truth is Trump would have the power to throw the Constitution out the window, and how will that help average Americans?

In these few days before Election Day, some voters will start to understand the horror of Trump’s plans as laid out in Project 2025. This has been an ultra-short campaign. There’s something about Trump’s familiarity that adheres to his irrational popularity.

5. Finally bonked over the head, character, lack of any moral compass, and Trump’s innate vulgarity will sway enough voters to give Kamala Harris the win. I can’t believe otherwise…

6. Who are the most dependable voters? Older Americans and women, especially Black women. Twenty-five year old dudes who like Trump will not vote in as great numbers. Even if they imagine Trump to be “The Man.”

And, who is running the more efficient, successful Get-Out-The-Vote operation, while Trump’s campaign has hired — for the first time — a company whose name I can’t remember? How passionate will those workers be?

7. How outraged are women at the overthrowing of Roe V. Wade by Trump’s ultra-Conservative Supreme Court stooges? Do Young women primarily want a Protector-in-Chief, i.e. a Predator-in-Chief at the helm? I think not.

8. Trump and his wealthy thugs want nothing more than to dissolve U.S. government for tax and power purposes. How long can we go on with all this hatred and division? Enough is enough. Enough of us want a President who will do her job. And help all Americans deal more positively with our lives.

Many angry Trump supporters, who have not succeeded at the American Dream, may find it difficult to change their minds after listening to his lies. They would have to admit they’re wrong. Many disheartened Americans have found community outside of the “Elite,” coastal, college-educated libs.

Community is everything. I get it. But the lunacy of Donald Trump?

If I’m wrong, if Trump wins, I’ll worry about my children’s and grandchildren’s futures (and yours) for the rest of my life. But I feel this in my bones. Kamala Harris will be our next President.

Posted in America WTF?, Fight wimpiness, For Love of History, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Books, Books, Books

Posted on July 12, 2024 by sheilawill

Have you seen the New York Times Top 100 Books of the 2000’s? Former Oz customers and friends still ask me about my favorite books, or what I’m now reading.

I have a few questions about the NYT list, although as soon as I woke up these past few days, I quickly opened to the website.

I don’t get the #1 placement of the Elena Ferrante novel, My Brilliant Friend. Will someone please let me in on the secret?

I get the #2 placement of The Warmth of Other Suns. The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration (1915-1970) by Isabel Wilkerson. What an eye opener about the plight of Black Americans in the twentieth century. Consider reading NYT super-columnist Charles Blow’s The Devil You Know. A Black Power Manifesto. He urges Black Americans to move to the South. He himself recently moved from NYC to Atlanta because he believes if more Black American Southerners turned out to vote it would increase their political power.

I was glad to see Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo at #22. Another stunner and eye opener that opened the door to lives I knew nothing about. I felt like a know-nothing “elitist” after reading it.

In my view, Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead should have been way up there. I haven’t been a fan of all her books; this one is her best. I couldn’t put it down. Perhaps more important, it rang true

I would switch a few author’s novels to ones not mentioned on the list: Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad was a terrific read but I found his thin volume Nickel Boys: A Novel a more compelling, surprising knockout, not an easy read but it’s stayed with me. Messed with my thinking, which I enjoy.

I haven’t read the two books on the list by Jesmyn Ward but I loved her latest Let Us Descend, with the most gorgeous, melodic, spiritual and fantastical writing. Thanks to Mary in my Minneapolis book group, who also suggested our latest book, Eve. How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon. So much interesting science that I never knew about! The author is so funny in her telling how women’s lives/evolution is based in history. I love that! Perhaps I’ll just ask Mary for future book suggestions…

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American professor, also wowed me. Otherwise, the NYT list offered some titles I now want to read, which I appreciate. Some titles struck me as “meh,” like The Goldfinch. I know many people loved it but the young boy’s plight didn’t ring true to me.

Oh. And I loved The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. I haven’t gotten into any of her other books I tried to read.

I most like books that have the power to transform, the power to shake up my thinking.

If you’re interested…

I’ve read 27 books on the list …

The Warmth of Other Suns  ●  The Corrections  ●  The Underground Railroad  ●  The Year of Magical Thinking  ● The Road  ●  Pachinko  ●  Behind the Beautiful Forevers  ●  The Overstory  ●  Atonement  ●  Americanah  ●  Fun Home  ●  Between the World and Me  ●The Years  ●  H Is for Hawk  ●  Postwar  ●  The Goldfinch  ●  Persepolis  ● Nickel and Dimed●  Middlesex  ●  Demon Copperhead  ●  The Plot Against America  ●  Olive Kitteridge  ●Exit West ●  The Sympathizer  ●  The Human Stain  ●  Station Eleven ●  Bel Canto

… and I want to read 19.

My Brilliant Friend  ●  Austerlitz  ●  Never Let Me Go  ●  The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao  ●  Outline  ● Erasure  ●  Salvage the Bones  ●  A Mercy  ●  Trust  ●  Life After Life  ●Heavy  ●  All Aunt Hagar’s Children  ● Secondhand Time  ●  The Passage of Power  ●Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow  ●  An American Marriage  ●  The Story of the Lost Child  ●  The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis ●  The Return

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I Dissent.

Posted on July 2, 2024 by sheilawill

If I were on MDI I would participate in a protest in front of the extremist Federalist Society’s co-chair Leonard Leo’s house in Northeast Harbor. He was instrumental in choosing three UnAmerican supreme court justices who overturned the rule of law in the United States yesterday.

I DISSENT.

Oh wait. If the evil one were president he could send in the National Guard to mow us down, which would be “an official act.”

I DISSENT.

I imagine a sea of signs saying “I dissent” all over Northeast Harbor. Who remembers the days when we protested in front of Casper Weinberger’s Somesville house when he was Reagan’s secretary of defense, from 1981 to 1987? This is way worse.

I DISSENT.

What’s happening in this country today is an attack on the Constitution and on every citizen and inhabitant of these divided states.

Please make your signs and get out there, or if the weather is way too beautiful, make giant signs to march with in Bar Harbor’s July 4th parade. 

I DISSENT.

Of course, those three SCOTUS dissenting women justices “were hysterical” in their decisions, noted right-wing patriarchs. “A Handmaid’s Tale” has already begun. 

I DISSENT.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments