Katherine J Krein

Shakespeare Sunday

AI generated image with the prompt: “Prim-rose path with gate”

I was looking through my medicine cabinet this morning when I saw the Prim-rose Oil hiding in the corner. I have not used it in a long time, and I decided to look up “primrose” in my dictionary, even though I knew it to be a yellow flower.

Right below the “prim-rose” entry was the entry “prim-rose path”. This turned out to be far more interesting. This phrase was made famous by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. According to my dictionary, it means “an easy or pleasurable way of life, especially one that leads to disaster.”

I pursued this idea further and discovered a great webpage: https://nosweatshakespeare.com/blog/what-is-the-primrose-path/

At this website I learned that Shakespeare used this metaphor in more than one place. I also learned that Shakespeare’s idea goes hand in hand with the bible verse: Matthew 7:13. So, I looked up this bible verse. It states: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”

I am not a Shakespeare expert nor a Bible expert, so I will leave the comparison for you to explore, and to draw your own conclusions. I do think the lovely primrose should not be maligned for it is those who knowingly walk the wrong path with evil intent that are at fault. It matters not whether the path has flowers or whether the gate is narrow or wide.

A Change of Seasons

First day of fall surprise– Two blooming “Going Bananas” day-lilies.

Last night desire was running with the undercurrents in the room.
My senses were on high alert. That sensual feeling that seeks me out now and then was reaching through the invisible walls around me.
And then I fell asleep.

I woke to the first day of fall which can also be called autumn.
Out my window I was surprised to see two bright yellow day-lilies blooming once more.
It does not look like a change of seasons from the past.
The rain last night brought renewal in its wake.

I also spotted a little chick-a-Dee and a tufted Titmouse.
I have not seen either in quite a while. It is a joy to watch these birds in flight.They look like they are jumping through air.

Katherine Phlox back from the mid-summer browning.

Another surprise this morning was the blooming Katherine Phlox.
It had dried out in our summer heat. I had cut it down and watered it well, and then it was forgotten. Today it is blooming again.

I have a feeling that this fall will be full of renewal.
Happy Sunday!

Sally Ride Dr.

This is an AI generated image. The prompt was “general dynamics artificial intelligence.” I was curious how AI would picture artificial intelligence.

I pass Sally Ride Dr. almost every day I drive home. Occasionally I take a different route. This past Friday I finally wondered what was located on this road. I looked it up to discover a General Dynamics location was there.

I knew the name Sally Ride because she was an incredibly accomplished woman who worked for NASA as an astronaut for several years. She had a long and impressive resume. Sadly, she is no longer alive, though her legacy lives on. Today I discovered one of her projects which coincidentally is specifically for middle school students. Here is the link: https://www.earthkam.org/about .

The name of this drive has been in my mind all weekend. I learned that Dr. Sally Ride graduated from Stanford University in 1973 with a double major in Physics and English. She continued at Stanford, earning her Master of Science and doctorate degrees in physics in 1975 and 1978. In 1977, Ride answered a newspaper ad placed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

After learning this I think they should rename the road: Dr. Sally Ride Dr. This would make me smile.

I am a little hooked on using the AI image generator. I wanted a picture here, so I indulged my curiosity. Here it is alone at the office working unassisted.

A Castanet Celebration

Young woman dancing flamenco with castanets.

I went to Spain with a student group when I was in high school.
During this same period of time, I played several percussion instruments.
My husband tried to teach me Latin ballroom dancing. This was long ago.
My love for watching and listening to Flamenco dancing and its music has stayed with me.

In anticipation of Hispanic Heritage month, here is a mini celebration of the castanet.
Castanets, also called clackers, are a percussion instrument often used in flamenco dance.

This is an AI generated image. The prompt was “dancing with castanets”. It successfully created the dancer, though it never was able to create the castanet as I envision them used in dancing.

Apple Season

As we enter September, the relief of cooler weather will arrive. This morning the thought of apples came into my mind. Fall is full of festivals and apples in Virginia.

I stayed up late last night finishing the book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I picked it up Friday at a thrift store along with his book, The Girl Who Played with Fire. After finishing his first book, I will have to wait to read his second. The book is a thriller, and it took my mind into a horrible darkness that can reside within some humans. The dragon theme has now been fully played out. I am ready to move on.

Twenty twenty-five is the year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Perhaps this thought brought apples into my mind.

“Virginia is for Lovers” is an advertising slogan that was created in 1969. It has greatly helped tourism in my state. Virginia has an abundance of apple festivals in September into October. Here is a link if you are interested: https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/farms-and-agriculture/pick-your-own-farms/apple-picking/

Moving into the theme of apples, festivals, and love brings my mind into much lighter territory.

The apple is also a symbol for education. Out of curiosity, I asked the AI image generator for an apple cut into fifths. Here is its first attempt. I realized I needed to be more specific. I asked for one apple cut into equal fifths. Finally, I asked for the heart of an apple. The image above is the result. This is my favorite.

Unofficial End of Summer

Labor Day is around the corner. It is a celebration of American workers. In 1894 Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

American workers, and most likely workers around the world, have to struggle for fair treatment and decent wages and benefits. Leaders at the top give generously to themselves, and often it is the worker that gets the short end of the stick.

An official holiday does not fundamentally change this. It is basically a PR move. However, we all can enjoy a parade or a picnic. Though, not all workers enjoy a day off. I feel fortunate to be getting a four day weekend from school work. I still have to work for my family 24/7, so technically it is not really time-off the clock.

Labor Day has also acted as an unofficial end of summer. This is changing since by the time Labor Day rolls around, I will have been back to work for about three weeks. There are those who want school to follow a year round calendar. Most children want and need a summer break to rest and play. However, child care can be a problem for working families.

On a lighter note, the end of summer leads us into cooler weather and darker colors. Summer white darkens to a winter white and continues along the spectrum to tans and beiges, and then brown. Flowers in hats are acceptable year round. Though perhaps, the straw should be changed to felt, and this makes me think of Octoberfest. Something to look forward to.

Have Faith

This is another AI generated image. This one was prompted with the words “sea witch”.

This summer I have read books about dragons and witches. I discovered the writing of Ursula K. Le Guin and her EarthSea books. Most recently I finished reading her book, Lavinia. I revisited the writing of Kelly Barnhill. A few years ago, I read her book, The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Since this is “the year of the dragon”, I had to read her book, When Women Were Dragons.

I have come a long way since I started writing for therapy. I used to read mostly nonfiction. Now I read mostly fiction. Historical fiction is good, but to truly escape reality you need to read fantasy.

Once I set the books down the reality of my life always comes back to me. The themes in my real life are persistence and resilience. My real life requires me to have faith. Having faith that the sun will rise and set each day is an easy faith. Having faith that humans can work together for a better world requires a stronger and more active faith.

I start back to work tomorrow. I need to have faith that I can make a positive impact on the lives of middle-schoolers by helping them to grow stronger and smarter, and to have faith that we can all work together for a better world for all of us.

Remember Your Roots and Vote

Charlotte’s Web

My mother's first name was Charlotte. She was never called by this. She was called June.
It seems as if Charlotte has become a popular name these days.
My sister's name is Diane and my daughter's middle name is Diane.
After finding the book about Diana I have been reading a little bit more about the royals.
Prince William and Princess Kate (Catherine)have a daughter named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Princess Diana's younger brother, Charles Spencer, has a daughter named Charlotte Diana.
Chelsea Clinton's first daughter is named Charlotte.
My name is Katherine, spelled with a K.
The coincidences are weird. I have not decided if it is a good weird or a creepy weird.
It does not really matter because it is what it is, and your perspective depends on your position.

Monarchs in the light. Another picture from the past in Kathy’s garden.

The Year 1981

I recently picked up this book at a Goodwill store. I admired Princess Diana, so I bought the book.

As I was reading a little news today I had the thought to look up this day, July 29th in history.

As it turns out Princess Diana and Prince Charles (now King Charles) were married on this day in 1981.

This summer a new thrift shop opened up near where I frequently fill up my car’s gas tank, so I went in to check out the store. I headed straight for the books as is my usual routine, and I found this book about Diana. I am not one to spend too much time reading royal news, however, Princess Diana and I were not that far apart in age, and I had admired her.

Another important event during the year of 1981 was my college graduation. During my senior year in college (1981) I was dating a young man who by coincidence looks a little like one of the sons that Princess Diana and Prince Charles would later have. I will post a picture so that you can judge for yourself.