Profile by Jordan Earle

Mom's granddaughter (and of course thereby, my niece), Jordan, wrote a beautiful little "profile" taking elements of my mother's life experiences.  Mostly accurate, with some artistic licence taken for story-telling...

==================================

Jordan Earle

Due: Sept. 10

Audience: Those interested in history/world events

Personal Interest Genre

   "Enjoy each day of your wonderful youth." These words of wisdom were 

given to me by a woman whose own youth was cut short by one of our nation's 

most widely known tragedies: The Holocaust. Standing just barely over five 

feet tall, with a contagious energy and warm smile that over the years 

has become a permanently fixated feature, Lisa Earle, prancing around the 

kitchen as though she is partaking in the day's most important task, prepares 

a traditional Jewish treat for me: Lox on a perfectly spread, sour cream 

smothered bagel. 

   "So, darling, tell me about your studies," she glowingly presses, 

as if any response I could muster would possibly be more interesting than 

the multitude of stories she has tucked away in a lifetime's supply of 

memories.

   Sitting in her living room is an adventure in itself, and as I glance 

around at my surroundings, I notice we are joined by eclectic pieces of 

artwork, sculptures, and books that have been accumulated from around the 

world.  With no choice but to inquire about each one, she modestly informs 

me that the colorfully ornate vase nearest me was added to the collection 

when traveling in Bolivia. Pictures of Lisa with famous opera singers, 

one of whom happened to be the great Pavarotti, line the walls of the nearest 

hallway.

   Born an only child to Selma and Arnold Neumann, Lisa entered this 

world in the charming, little town of Vienna, Austria. Eighteen years later, 

wide-eyed and full of curiosity, she was stepping foot onto American soil. 

Her first stop: New York City. 

   "After the Nazis entered Austria in 1938, on the very day of my 18th birthday, 

I lived with my family under Nazi control for a year," Lisa recounts, sitting 

across from me at the dining room table. "With Hitler and his gang present, 

living under his regime was difficult at best," she continues, telling 

me how Nazi soldiers often vandalized Jewish businesses and burned down 

the city's synagogues. 

   "In hopes of providing an escape and a better future for their only daughter, 

my parents sent me to America with the idea that they would eventually 

meet me there." Sadly, that reunion never took place. 

   Accompanied by uncertainty and just $10.00 in her purse, Lisa soon 

fell in love with the beauty and sense of opportunity that the city of 

New York possessed. It was here that Lisa picked up her love for theater 

and the arts, which she would later pass on to her children. 

   "I truly have an appreciation for classical music and stories that 

have survived time," her adopted daughter, Julie boasts, gazing at the 

picture of Lisa with Pavarotti.

   After several months in The Big Apple, Lisa transitioned to Silver 

Springs, Florida, after being accepted into a camp designed for refugee 

students. Lisa humbly recalls learning a variety of subjects including 

English, typing, and "beauty culture". 

   A young woman clearly intelligent beyond her age, Lisa then changed 

scenery yet again, as she was sent to Miami Beach, Florida after passing 

a State Board examination.  It was here that Lisa worked as a junior operator 

in a beauty salon. 

   "I earned $5 per week while working there," Lisa remembers. "Oh, how times have changed."  

   Midway through her twenties, Lisa met a person who would forever change 

her life: a man named Simon Ruden. Feeling the effects of the Depression, 

Simon had made his way to Miami in search of work. After 10 months, he 

and Lisa were married. 

   "Simon was the best thing that has ever happened to me," Lisa utters 

with adoration in her voice. With Lisa in the process of being fitted for 

wedding dresses, her parents were still in Vienna awaiting the end of the 

war, which would, in their minds, signify the reunion of their family. 

Oceans apart, yet very much present in spirit, they were able to see pictures 

of the wedding and Lisa found comfort in knowing that, though the distance 

between them was extreme, they knew of her happiness.

   "That thought is one that has consoled me countless times throughout 

my life," Lisa recounts, slowly smoothing the wrinkles in the placemat 

before her. 

   Simon and Lisa enjoyed the newlywed life for two years until he was 

called to serve in the Air Corps -- what the Air Force was called at that 

time. Before being shipped away to Europe, D-Day arrived, symbolizing the 

end of World War II. Lisa, however, received news that made it all bitter 

sweet: her parents had been taken from their home in Vienna and the Red 

Cross "had no knowledge" about their fate. 

   This uncertainty stuck with her until years later when the horrific 

truth came to light. 

   "I later learned that my parents were murdered in 1942, after being 

taken to an extermination camp in Russia," Lisa states, a far away look 

in her eyes. "Shot to death and dumped into those so well known ditches."

   On American soil and far from the turmoil in Europe, Lisa and Simon 

spent their days enjoying one another's company and the idea of their future 

together.  It was also around this time that Lisa joined the Miami Opera 

Guild Chorus. She referred to this period in her life as "my seven years 

in the exciting, magical world of opera!" and had the opportunity to appear 

on stage with well-known opera singers of the era, including Jan Peerce, 

Pavarotti, and many others. 

   The only thing that could top such an experience was the arrival 

of their first child. After attempting to have children of their own proved 

to be unsuccessful, Simon and Lisa decided to adopt. They named their 3-month-old 

Lenny. 

   Following the arrival of their son, other changes began to present 

themselves. Simon had gone to law school and become a respectable lawyer, 

and the couple built a home in Fort Lauderdale, next to the infamous Holiday 

Park Tennis Court. It was here that Chrissie Evert grew up and where Lisa 

would also learn the game that brings her joy to this day. 

   Upon adjusting to their new home, the couple joined their Temple 

and adopted another child-this time, a little girl named Susie. 

   "She was surely the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on," 

she recalls, gazing out of the red-draped living room window, almost as 

if looking hard enough might make Susie would appear. 

   When she was 5, however, Susie was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed 

away six weeks later. As if this wasn't heartbreaking enough, Simon soon 

contracted a similar cancer known as Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Four years 

later, he too left his existence in this world, as well as the love of 

his life, behind. 

   Two years before Simon's death, he and Lisa had adopted two more 

lovely additions to their family, David and Julie. They were only 2 years 

old when their father died. 

   "David and Julie are the greatest blessings life has ever handed 

me," Lisa quietly reflects with a look of contentment in her eyes. 

   Now a widow with three children, Lisa was faced with the daunting 

task of raising them alone -- a task she accomplished while at the same 

time pursuing an academic career. 

   "My strength outweighed my heartache," Lisa remembers aloud. She 

was motivated by a desire to make a living for her and her family, and 

to Lisa, going back to college saved her. When most people would have been 

crippled by grief and spent their days consumed with self-pity, Lisa spent 

hers reading and taking care of her family. 

   "Education, I believe, saved her," her daughter Julie convincingly 

adds. "She immersed herself in it to avoid the pain." 

   A great multi-tasker, Lisa recalls times that she'd study in the 

checkout line at the grocery store. With 10 years of being a single mom 

under her belt, Lisa met a man by the name of Jim Earle -- my grandfather. 

   "He was the best friend anyone could ask for," Lisa nostalgically 

claims. 

   In the military and a widower as well, Jim had five grown children. 

He joined Lisa's family as a strict, yet well meaning father figure and 

was understandably met with rebellion from her children, especially Lenny, 

who at the time was 24. 

   "Bringing Jim into our family was a difficult transition for us all," 

Lenny had stated when prompted about the subject. "And yet, in spite of 

it all, it was probably the most important transitive event for me." According 

to Lenny, it was Jim who encouraged him to start thinking of what desires 

he had for his life. 

   Lisa, adjusting to her own life as a married woman yet again, had 

received her Doctorate in Education and began to teach as a professor in 

the language department of a local university. Having a husband who was 

a retired marine officer, the couple was able to travel the world, visiting 

places such as the Philippines, Hawaii, and Taiwan, as well as her hometown 

of Vienna. 

   Things were looking up, and while it would appear to those in Lisa's proximity 

that she was invincible, she too has been faced with health issues in her 

life, including open heart surgery and endometrical cancer, which Lisa 

researched and was later able to use in her doctoral thesis. 

   "Medicine is an art, as well as a science and requires imagination and 

creative thinking in the process of research," Lisa contends, summarizing 

the main point of her thesis.  

   Since the remission of her cancer, Lisa has suffered several other 

ailments, such as a broken neck and arm, and is still walking around at 

the age of 92 with an energetic aura that her friends swear is impossible 

not to rub off within seconds of being in her presence. Deemed "unsinkable 

Lisa" by one of her cousins, she survived all of this while grieving the 

loss of yet another loved one, her late husband, Jim.  

   When asked what point in her life she would return to if possible, 

Lisa thought for a moment, that indestructible smile working its way up 

the corners of Lisa's lips. 

   "Each portion of our life story has different things to offer -- 

good stuff and bad -- and as we learn to accept those happenings, we grow 

in understanding and feel stronger every time in our ups and downs."

   Every story deserves to be told. And Lisa's, although equipped with 

its fair share of "downs", is one that is continuing to be written. The 

survival of the Holocaust was simply a chapter. 

Act While You Can

Act while you can: while you have the chance, the means and the strength.

                                                                                   -Talmud

Christianity vs Islam in Europe

On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 5:22 PM, Dave R wrote:

I fear that I can sometimes come across as hateful or spiteful towards Christianity.

In reality I am not.  I am angered by the insensitive conceit of Christians when they display the ignorance of assuming theirs is the best and only way for all others.  The article stimulating my little 'outburst' was exactly such a display of conceit - "surely Christianity is *better* than Islam".   

For what it's worth, all great religions have their moments of holding the attitude of "ours is the best and only way".  It isn't exclusive to Christianity.  Perhaps being in a mostly Christian country, however, I all too frequently get to see theirs :).

The belief that any single religious path is *the only*, *true* way to god or salvation or whatever, is ultimately a deadly, murderous one.  

Did we learn nothing from the Holocaust?  I try to push against it where I can.  

Outside of this aspect, there is a great deal that is wonderful and good in Christian philosophy, as there is Jewish, Moslem, Budhist, Hindu, etc philosophy.  

Love you :).

---D.

On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 10:52 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

Thanks for the Enlightenment, Dave!  Someday, you must consider teaching History, you really are a Thinker and Analyst Extraordinaire!!!  Buenos dias- yo te amo y hasta la vista! (Practicing my Spanish-Catalan, spoken in Barcelona :)))) Love you bunches!   MOM

-------Original Message-------

From: Dave R

Date: 11/2/2012 8:33:46 AM

To: Dr. Lisa Earle

Subject: Re: Fw: Fwd: IIF YOU DON'T OPEN ANYTHING ELSE, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!

So, for what it's worth, I think the cross-rattling fear-mongers should be pressed pretty hard with the comment that 1500 years ago, EXACTLY this scenario DID play out in Europe. It was called the Christianization of Europe with a resultant destruction of the existing pagan religions and cultures throughout the continent. And of particular! note, going Christian throughout the continent resulted in the Dark Ages which lasted several hundred years.
How easily, and conveniently, their own path through history is forgotten (brushed aside).
It is a shame that education is not more highly valued today in 'Christian' society.
Love you   :-).
---Dave.

On Oct 15, 2012 9:25 AM, "Dr. Lisa Earle" wrote:

-------Original Message------- Subject: Fwd: IIF YOU DON'T OPEN ANYTHING ELSE, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!! Subject: Fwd: IIF YOU DON'T OPEN ANYTHING ELSE, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!! I've seen this before, but find it most compelling. PLEASE READ THIS!!    Geert Wilders is a Dutch Member of Parliament In a generation or two, the US will ask itself:  “Who lost Europe?” Here is the speech of Geert Wilders, Chairman, Party for Freedom, the  Netherlands, at the  Four Seasons, New York, introducing an Alliance of Patriots and announcing the ‘Facing Jihad Conference in Jerusalem’.      Dear friends; Thank you very much for inviting me. I  come to America with a mission. All is not well in the old world. There is a tremendous danger looming, and it is very difficult to be optimistic.  We might be in the final stages of the Islamization of Europe. This not only is a clear and present danger to the future of Europe itself, it is a threat to America and the sheer survival of the West. The United States is the last bastion of Western civilization facing an Islamic Europe. First I will describe the situation on the ground in Europe. Then, I will say a few things about Islam. To close I will tell you about a meeting in Jerusalem. The Europe you know is changing. You have probably seen the landmarks. But in all of these cities, sometimes a few blocks away from your tourist destination, there is another world. It is the world of the parallel society created by Muslim mass-migration. All throughout Europe a new reality is rising: entire Muslim neighborhoods where very few indigenous people reside or are even seen.  And if they are, they might regret it. This goes for the police as well. It's the world of head scarves, where women walk around in figureless tents, with baby strollers and a group of children. Their husbands, or slaveholders if you prefer, walk three steps ahead with mosques on many street corners. The shops have signs you and I cannot read them. You will be hard-pressed to find any economic activity. These are Muslim ghettos controlled by religious fanatics. These are Muslim neighborhoods, and they are mushrooming in every city across Europe. These are the building-blocks for territorial control of increasingly larger portions of Europe, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city. There are now thousands of mosques throughout Europe. With larger congregations than there are in churches. And in every European city there are plans to build super-mosques that will dwarf every church in the region. Clearly, the signal is: “we rule”. Many European cities are already one-quarter Muslim: just take Amsterdam, Marseille and Malmo in Sweden. In many cities the majority of the under-18 population is Muslim. Paris is now surrounded by a ring of Muslim neighborhoods. Mohammed is the most popular name among boys in many cities. In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims. Many state schools in Belgium and Denmark only serve halal food to all pupils. In once-tolerant Amsterdam gays are  beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear 'whore, whore'. Satellite dishes are not pointed to local TV stations, but to stations in the country of origin. In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin. The history of the Holocaust can no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity. In England sharia courts are now officially part of the British legal system. Many neighborhoods in France are no-go areas for women without head scarves. Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels, because he was drinking during the Ramadan. Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run from the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II. French is now commonly spoken on the streets of Tel Aviv and Netanya, Israel. I could go on forever with stories like this. Stories about Islamization. A total of fifty-four million Muslims now live in Europe. San Diego University recently calculated that a staggering 25 percent of the population in Europe will be Muslim just 12 years from now. Bernhard Lewis has predicted a Muslim majority by the end of this century. Now these are just numbers. And the numbers would not be threatening if the Muslim-immigrants had a strong desire to assimilate. But there are few signs of that. The Pew Research Center reported that half of French Muslims see their loyalty to Islam as greater than their loyalty to France. One-third of French Muslims do not object to suicide attacks. The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported that one-third of British Muslim students are in favor of a worldwide caliphate. Muslims demand what they call 'respect'. And this is how we give them respect. We have Muslim official state holidays. The Christian-Democratic attorney general is willing to accept sharia in the Netherlands if there is a Muslim majority. We have cabinet members with passports from Morocco and Turkey. Muslim demands are supported by unlawful behavior, ranging from petty crimes and random violence, for example against ambulance workers and bus drivers, to small-scale riots. Paris has seen its uprising in the low-income suburbs, the banlieus. I call the perpetrators 'settlers'. Because that is what they are. They do not come to integrate into our societies; they come to integrate our society into their Dar-al-Islam. Therefore, they are settlers. Much of this street violence I mentioned is directed exclusively against non-Muslims, forcing many native people to leave their neighborhoods, their cities, their countries.  Moreover, Muslims are now a swing vote not to be ignored. The second thing you need to know is the importance of Mohammed the prophet. His behavior is an example to all Muslims and cannot be criticized. Now, if Mohammed had been a man of peace, let us say like Ghandi and Mother Theresa wrapped in one, there would be no problem. But Mohammed was a warlord, a mass murderer, a pedophile, and had several marriages - at the same time. Islamic tradition tells us how he fought in battles, how he had his enemies murdered  and even had prisoners of war executed. Mohammed himself slaughtered the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. If it is good for Islam, it is good. If it is bad for Islam, it is bad. Let no one fool you about Islam being a religion. Sure, it has a god, and a here-after, and 72 virgins. But in its essence Islam is a political ideology. It  is a system that lays down detailed rules for society and the life of every person. Islam wants to dictate every aspect of life. Islam means 'submission'. Islam is not compatible with freedom and democracy, because what it strives for is sharia. If you want to compare Islam to anything, compare it to communism or national-socialism, these are all totalitarian ideologies. Now you know why Winston Churchill called Islam 'the most retrograde force in the world', and why he compared Mein Kampf to the Quran. The public has wholeheartedly accepted the Palestinian narrative, and sees Israel as the aggressor. I have lived in this country and visited it dozens of times. I support Israel. First, because it is the Jewish homeland after two thousand years of exile up to and including Auschwitz, second because it is a democracy, and third because Israel is our first line of defense. This tiny country is situated on the fault line of jihad, frustrating Islam's territorial advance. Israel is facing the front lines of jihad, like Kashmir, Kosovo, the Philippines, Southern Thailand, Darfur in Sudan, Lebanon, and Aceh in Indonesia. Israel is simply in the way. The same way West-Berlin was during the Cold War. The war against Israel is not a war against Israel. It is a war against the West. It is jihad. Israel is simply receiving the blows that are meant for all of us. If there would have been no Israel, Islamic imperialism would have found other venues to release its energy and its desire for conquest. Thanks to Israeli parents who send their children to the army and lay awake at night, parents in Europe and America can sleep well and dream, unaware of the dangers looming. Many in Europe argue in favor of abandoning Israel in order to address the grievances of our Muslim minorities. But if Israel were, God forbid, to go down, it would not bring any solace to the West. It would not mean our Muslim minorities would all of a sudden change their behavior, and accept our values. On the contrary, the end of Israel would give enormous encouragement to the forces of Islam. They would, and rightly so, see the demise of Israel as proof that the West is weak, and doomed. The end of Israel would not mean the end of our problems with Islam, but only the beginning. It would mean the start of the final battle for world domination. If they can get Israel, they can get everything. So-called journalists volunteer to label any and all critics of Islamization as a 'right-wing extremists' or 'racists'. In my country, the Netherlands, 60 percent of the population now sees the mass immigration of Muslims as the number one policy mistake since World War II. And another 60 percent sees Islam as the biggest threat. Yet there is a greater danger than terrorist attacks, the scenario of America as the last man standing. The lights may go out in Europe faster than you can imagine. An Islamic Europe means a Europe without freedom and democracy, an economic wasteland, an intellectual nightmare, and a loss of military might for America - as its allies will turn into enemies, enemies with atomic bombs. With an Islamic Europe, it would  be up to America alone to preserve the heritage of Rome, Athens and Jerusalem. Dear friends, liberty is the most precious of gifts. My generation never had to fight for this freedom, it was offered to us on a silver platter, by people who fought for it with their lives. All throughout Europe, American cemeteries remind us of the young boys who never made it home, and whose memory we cherish. My generation does not own this freedom; we are merely its custodians. We can only hand over this hard won liberty to Europe’s children in the same state in which it was offered to us. We cannot strike a deal with mullahs and imams. Future generations would never forgive us. We cannot squander our liberties. We simply do not have the right to do so. We have to take the necessary action now to stop this Islamic stupidity from destroying the free world that we know. Please take the time to read and understand what is written here, please send it to every free person that you know - it  is so very important. __._,_.___

Knee Infection

Ok, so mom has a tendancy to pick at rough skin. She does this sometimes until she opens the skin and bleeds.  There is a never ending battle between her and Julie, with Julie telling her to "Stop Picking!", and mom eventually going back to it (often without realizing).

Now, one of her knees is displaying signs of infection - it's swollen, a little painful, and warm to the touch.  We think it is likely got an infection from being picked at. 

Whatever the cause, with her blood-counts low and her immune system consequently weak, we are concerned.  She's going to the local doctor (P.A.) today to have it checked out. 

-----------
Ok, she's on antibiotics now. Next Dr visit is Tuesday.

Jordan's Request - Grandma Lisa

On Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you have time, can you send Jordan a short Paragraph or two about Your perspective on her Grandma Lisa. She is again writing a term paper about me and it might help. Julie also sent a short summation about my influence on her life...I thought, I forwarded this to you previously.

LOve you, MOM



-------Original Message-------
From: jordan earle
Date: 9/2/2012 11:36:20 PM
To: Grandma Lisa Earle
Subject: Grandma Lisa

Hi!

How are you?? Hope that you're feeling a little better than you were the last time we talked. I've been meaning to contact you to let you know that I'm using you as the subject in an upcoming story I have to write for school.

I'm taking a lot of my information from the term paper I wrote a while back -- not sure if you remember -- but I need a second source. I was thinking that maybe Julie could give me a quote or two in her words, as she is a very relevant source. With that being said, the question I was thinking of asking was in regards to how she feels your life experiences serve as an inspiration in her life, her outlook, etc, as well as any words in general that she would like to share from her perspective as your daughter. Hopefully this isn't confusing. The story is due next week, so I'm trying to cover all my bases now.

Thanks so much!! I will hope to hear from you soon. :)

Love,
Jordan :)      






-------Original Message-------
From:  Dave R

Wow, heavy request to fit into a short little paragraph "or two"...
Let me see.

Lot's of inspiration really, like my whole life. Here are a few paragraphs not so well worded, and less complete than I might otherwise like.

To start off with, adoption and the way you told us about it left me feeling like I never missed anything as a result of it. Being raised Jewish gives me perhaps my most treasured experience of all. The wisdom, carefully and rationally crafted over centuries of cultural and intellectual study and debate, even now I find myself often amazed by it. Also the perspective of being not part of the mainstream is very valuable. It's so very different from the 'minroity' side wrt being able to see how some majority viewpoints that otherwise might not even be noticed, can actually be unkind, thoughtless, or offensive. It really drives home the need to consider multiple sides of issues.

Stories of the Holocaust I listened to growing up, knowing that it was real and so tragic for you. But somehow it wasn't until many years into adulthood, when family, relationships, community, culture became important to me (perhaps due partly to being away from them), that I connected very personally with those Holocaust stories from you, and how personally painful I now/finally find it to hear other similar stories and tragedies from that nightmare.

The loss of Simon was an ever present and powerful influence. Stories of him and his character were always something to live up to, instilling in me the compulsion to be better, do the right thing, be helpful, reach for "Tikun Olam" (healing of the world) where possible. The sense of loss you felt, while never particularly dwelt upon by you, was nonetheless clearly felt, and even today dramas and story lines where love is forced apart move me deeply.

Your intellectual curiosity was a profoundly influential trait to me. Even though eventually I found my questions beyond your ability to answer, and my interest in polemics as a method of learning about and exchanging ideas were not your way; the kernel from which all of my continuing interest in achieving greater learning, understanding, and wisdom came, was from you and your own unending curiosity.

And Jim picked up on this pursuit of knowledge and education with me to take me even further. Your bringing Jim into our family was a difficult transition for us all. There were many things that should have been better about that. And yet in spite of it all, this was probably the most important transformative event for me. Jim cajoled and encouraged me to fulfill my better potentials in education. He motivated me to begin thinking about what I want to do for a living. You and he sent me to Admiral Farragut Academy where I found self confidence, and was on my way to a fulfilling life.

And then there is the immigrant. You came here from a completely different background and culture. You made successful assimilation into this new culture. At the same time, with your curiosity about life, people, and cultures, and with your connections into the worlds of both theater and university, you developed a network of friends and acquaintances, that was eclectic. And what a wonderful eclecticness! Large parties with the most interesting people, accents and opinions from everywhere, music, singing, laughing and joking, politicking... what a canvas to grow up watching. Your bon-vivance is the most inspiring thing about you. I miss those time so much, and even though I am no match for your skill at this, I try hard to at least achieve some small part of this ever inspirational embracing of life.

You are in me more than can perhaps be believed.





-------Original Message-------

Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:
Not too many people have the priviledge to read or hear such kind and thoughtful observances by others of their influence and meanings on their lives and pile such accolades of wonderful attributes on a person....That usually has to wait for certain Eulogies given at their funeral, which I hope, won't be for me for awhile...:))) As you say, I love LIFE and all those wonderful people around me, whom I love more then words can express, therefore I try to hang around ALAP (as long as possible...).

Therefore , I should be grateful, that Jordan chose again to make me the subject of her term paper and asked this time, that she wanted some objective descriptions about me and my life from their perspective, such as my children or friends. I forwarded your so wonderful Email to her and hope, she will glean more material for her assignment! Your message, therefore was really a double blessing...

In the meantime, I must reread and reread again you precious words and will try to comment on some of your expressed feelings!

I love you, my dear, beloved son!
MOM






-------Original Message-------


From: Lenny Ruden
Date:  September 14, 2012 9:05:16 AM EDT
To:     "Dr. Lisa Earle"
Subject: How Lisa Earle has influenced my life....


Hello, my name is Leonard Ruden, and this is how my mom, has influenced myself and my family...my mom is my mom ,is my mom...i have no other...as far as im concerned,she has, is and will always be, my real mother...she is the only mother i know...we all know she survived the holocost...and the losses she experienced....this has already been expounded upon by my siblings...Many things describe my mom, patience, courage,forgiveness,loving,the quest for knowledge and independence. All these things have not only been my mottos, but have been passed on and imbedded to my sons Christopher and Michael and my step daughter Angela...and as a result, my children are exemplary..as i have learned, in life we usually get the test first, then we get the lesson later...Sometimes her independence scares me, i wish i could feel so independent, i guess that all comes eventually. her tools in life are her stamina,happy nature,even at times when shes not feeling well....She always comes out on top..Through the internet, my mom has been able to access information and stay in close contact with friends and family...that is my mom and in love her! Here are her most famous sayings..

All Gods children have problems......

Enjoy today....

Getting older is not for sissies...

So they say....

Probably the best thing mom does, no matter when or how many times i call her, she ALWAYS says, THANK YOU FOR CALLING..... THIS IS MY MOM! Thank You for being you !!!!

Sent from my iPad
Leonard Ruden,  RN.



-------Original Message-------
From: Dave R

Very cool write-up Lenny.

I'll have to add your own quote about 'lessons coming later' to my Blog. I like that one a lot :).





-------Original Message-------

From: Lenny Ruden

It's true........unfortunately, in life and in experiences, we get the test first, something happens, then we learn the lesson.......thanks, all the best to Pam....bet you never thought I possessed such profound wisdom.!
love,
  your older brother..

"18plus4" - Death by a Million Tiny Scratches

On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 7:09 PM, Dave R wrote:

Hi Mom,

  Finally found that poem.  It was in another blog.  Here it is, pretty heavy stuff...

Love you!

---Dave.

 

 

======================================
"18plus4"

A beauty deep in her core.
Of energy and spirit so rarely found before.
But the long ago cost of being had forged a shape to her heart.
Her pain and its rage unrelenting, my love she unthinking ripped apart.

She won't fight fair, her rage reddens the air.
It leaves an ever widening chasm as it tears.
Staining slowly crimson red on all our years.

One tiny scratch, and then Another. 
Drip. Drip - Strong am I, the anger to withstand.
But the blood falls thick on rich dark soil.
Drip.  Drip - Difficult are her demons to disband.
After far too long the earth begins to spoil.

Drip. Drip - More frequent now,
while the tears of my soul keep asking why.
And the strength of my love fades now each day into the sky.

Drip. Drip.
Finally the blood claims its cost.
18 plus 4.  A lifetime is lost,
Death by a million tiny scratches.
No longer this cold crimson pain willing to sustain.
I'm taking my dirt now to go find warm, healing rain.

--- Here are a couple more I wrote up during that same amazing year ---

===========================================
"Zombie Lovers"

Dead People.
Zombie Lovers.
Emotional Infants.

I loved.
18+4. I counselled and yet still bled.
So OK.
18+4. I learned and knew Enough had been said.

I know I'm not the only one out there.
She is waiting too, somewhere.
I wait.

Oh this is so nice and so unexpected.
But I can see my heart just isn't interested.
I wait.
 

She is waiting too, somewhere.
Another shows me how to grow,
And yet even I can tell, oh Hell no.
I wait.

She is waiting too, somewhere.
Another and I lose my head,
but she's unclear and full of dread.
And it's 18+4 all over again. 
It hurts but I'm grateful for the pain.

And still I return to the wait.

There's another now,
My soul opens and I know it isn't too late.
This time I know what to say,
And so the romance we play.

She smiles. Her smile is so bright.
And as we talk her soul feels so light.
No zombie lover who can't escape the game.
She takes my hand, while I'm thinking the same.
Yes.  Finally this is completely sane. 

==========================================

"A Glimpse of Something Bright"

 

Time...
...time
She came into sight, a glimpse of something bright.
A smile in the air. Transfixed, I had to stare.

Casual warmth we spoke, it felt sweet, my soul awoke.
Her soul shined, Her shimmer did blind.
Love.
I felt life hum, saying the best is yet to come.





 ==========================================

"Something Bright"

 

I say Hi.
You turn smile and say Hey.
You open your mind to me.
I drink it deep.
We catch a glimpse of something bright.
We take a walk.
  We eat
  We dance
  We talk.
You take my hand.
I say I love you.

 

 

 

 

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 12:15 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

Thank you  for sharing....these are deep, sensitive, beautiful, sometimes heart breaking words...I think I understand....

 

Did you write all of them in 2010 or a bit  before?  ...so much truth in poetry - what a medium to use innermost emotions....

 

As I told you, I think you have surely a way with words, quite a gift!  Use it and count your blessings!

 

Love you,   MOM

 

 

 

 

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 12:38 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

...I also wanted to add,    I am so grateful that you had your work to sustain you during that rough period... 

 

How about some more poetry about your happy present and future? Or is most poetry written in times of need and hope?

 

Also, if you could, please send me a link to some of you blogs you might want to share with me!  Would love to read it... 

 

Love, MOM

 

 

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 2:11 PM, Dave R wrote:

That is a good question.  I looked back into the blog to find when I posted those writings.  They are all dated the same day - August, 2010.
These writings were not each composed at any 1 sitting.  They evolved over a few days, weeks, and even months. So the August 2010 date is clearly simply when I posted them to the blog so as to not lose them. 

I believe I wrote them originally back in the mid to late 2008 time frame.

You know, a friend of mine once made an interesting statement regarding meaningful writing and poetry.
He was living in NYC at the time (moved from S.FL where we worked together).  He was dating my friend Zari Sussman.
Eric Chacon.  Really smart and deep thinking kinda guy, I liked him quite a bit.

Well, we were sitting in a coffee shop in the City one evening, just he and I, and chatting about various interesting and deep things, as usual.
He was a techie like me, but has always wanted to be a writer.  Now I don't remember his exact words, but the basic gist of it was this:  He came to NYC to find heart-wrenching life experiences, in the hopes that he would become a better writer. 

Quite a statement.

So I definitely found that being in the middle of pain and anguish was a huge huge huge inspiration to composition.
Happy times not so much.  So, other than these few on the opening of my relationship with Pammie, I've not written anything further that's worthwhile.
So I would conclude that yes, poetry is mostly associated with need and hope. 


My most entertaining blog is this one:
   http://davesrantsravesandthoughts.blogspot.com/

Others include:
   http://daveandpamela.blogspot.com
and
   http://mommavienna.blogspot.com

I think you should have permissions to see all of these. Let me know if you don't.
Love you!
---Dave.
 

Former Hewett School headteacher Walter Roy dies – share your memories

Mark Shields Friday, July 6, 2012
6:10 PM
Share your memories of former Hewett School headteacher Walter Roy, who has died aged 87.
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Tributes have been paid to an inspirational headteacher and trade unionist who believed education did not begin and end in the classroom.

Dr Walter Roy CBE was the first headteacher at the Hewett School, in Norwich, following its formation in 1970, and oversaw the education of thousands of Norwich children before his retirement in 1990.

A committed democrat and defender of teaching, Dr Roy became a prominent voice on educational matters at county and national level. He died in Graz, in his native Austria, on Wednesday at the age of 87.

Rob Anthony, associate headteacher at the Hewett School, said Dr Roy left a legacy to which the school continued to aspire.

“Because he was the first head, he set the standard of the school and the way it works.

“You can still see that now: caring for the children and pushing them all. That was a real strength of his, and he really did work hard for every child.”

Dr Roy arrived in England aged 13, a refugee from the Nazi regime in Austria, and was part of the British Intelligence during the Second World War.

After the war ended, he stayed in England and trained as a teacher, working in Hertfordshire before arriving at Hewett Grammar in September 1969.

The following year he oversaw the merger with Lakenham Boys’ and Lakenham Girls’ schools to form Norwich’s largest school.

He had three children with his first wife, Marjorie, and following her death, married Ariane in 2002. He moved back to Austria in 2007.

Dr Roy was involved in education at regional and national level through his work on the national executive of the National Union of Teachers, Norfolk’s education committee and the East Anglian Examination Board.

His daughter, Kate Russell, said he had interests out of work – when time allowed.

“He was a season-ticket holder at Norwich City, and used to watch them with my brother,” said Mrs Russell, 55. “My parents had a holiday bungalow in Cromer where they spent time. He also loved walking, the Norfolk coast, and had an interest in opera.”

Dr Roy became a CBE in 1976 and published Teaching Under Attack in 1982, highlighting funding cuts in the profession.

A keen traveller, Dr Roy was president and co-founder of the Sonnenberg Association, fostering links between young people of different countries.

Marion Morse, chair of the Hewett governors, called Dr Roy “a great showman”.

“He very much believed in education being more than just passing exams,” she said. “He was a keen supporter of music, sports and arts – and we try to pursue that ethos to this day.”

Terry Cook, a senior Norfolk County Council education officer, said Dr Roy had led the school with distinction, and championed young people and teachers alike. He added: “He will always be remembered with great affection in Norfolk.”

What are your memories of Dr Roy? How will he be remembered? Leave your comments below the article or email mark.shields@archant.co.uk

=====================
Comments
20 comments




=====================

Dr.Lisa

Friday, July 13, 2012

A Farewell to my beloved Cousin, Walter! He was really more than a Cousin; he was more a brother to me, who gave me love, strength, advice, support, when I most needed it in my own turbulent life.

Our families shared the same living quarters because of the situation then in Vienna, our place of birth. In the depression era, there was an unbelievable shortness of homes or apartments, so we doubled up....Although he was 5 years younger than I, we became "buddies" and shared so many activities, playing chess, cards, outings into nearby parks etc. etc. He was always so mature for his age and even as practically a little toddler, he was "fun" to talk to....

He left an imprint on every life he touched...especially as a teacher, for so many young people in his professional life as a headmaster for a huge High school in Norwich! Tremendously enamored of the arts, music, the theater, he went all out to instill in his flock the Love for cultural activities, his Choir, whom he took to other parts of Europe to delight the music lovers with young English voices.

He was basically a quiet, gentle man, who only spoke up, when it really mattered (and very strong and powerfully, then) - I believe, he hated "small talk", except with his beloved English Club, which he initiated, when he returned to his native Austria, after his first wife passed away. He loved LIFE and clung to it till his bitter end - he is now in a better world, a place without pain and suffering, a place, where we will all travel to, sooner or later and then I hope, we will all be able to enjoy again his remarkable presence and be re-united with this so special, unique man, who has left us with a certain emptiness in our daily life .

He truly left his mark in the world, the here and know! And he will live on in our hearts and memories, forever! Good Night, Sweet Prince....and may a host of Angels lay thee to thy rest (Thanks, Shakespeare, for your proper words of Farewell!)

Your Cousin, Sister, Friend, Lisa


===============================
Monika Mörtl-Schuster

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

As a close friend of Walter Roy, who lived in the same village as myself in Austria, I am mourning for a highly respectable, witty and sophisticated man.
Monika Mörtl-Schuster.

 
 
===============================

Karen Aldridge

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Dr. Roy was an extraordinary headmaster. He was always there when you needed him and always around when you hoped he perhaps wouldn't be! God bless.

 
 
 
===============================
bluemum2
Monday, July 9, 2012

So sad to hear this news. He was an inspiration - Kept a distance, and yet his presence always very keenly felt. At this time, 27years ago, I would have been in Austria, on one of several music trips I went on, whilst at Hewett. He was a truly great Head, who had a made the Hewett School one of the best. I will always have great memories of the school, and of Dr Roy. RIP



(I think I may have met this person. I would have been in Austria with Walter and one of his choir groups at around that time. Hmm. Interesting.)

Ingrid & Egon Correspondence

2012/7/5 Dr. Lisa Earle


...sharing....Ingrid und Egon waren Walter's so gute Freunde...



-------Original Message-------
From: Ingrid Schwab
Date: 7/5/2012 1:53:44 PM
To: 'Dr. Lisa Earle'
Subject: AW: Walter

Liebe Lisa, wir sind unendlich traurig , daß Walter nicht mehr ist, aber nach dem sein bester Freund Pessy gestorben ist, ist es mit ihm abwärts gegangen, dann hat er noch seinen Sohn Simon gesehen, der ja erst am Sonntag heimgefahren ist. Monika und ich waren ja alle paar Tage b ei ihm zu Besuch, und es war immer so ein auf und ab, einmal war er super drauf, hat Pläne gemacht und das nächste mal ist er fast abwesend auf der Couch gesessen . Leider haben Monika und ich , ihn am Dienstag versäumt, es gab bei uns ein furchtbares Gewitter mit Hagel und so sind wir erst gegen 6 Uh Abends hinunter gefahren, 10 min. vorher war der Hausarzt da und hat ihm, damit er besser Luft bekommt, eine Morphiumspritze gegeben und so hat er schon geschlafen wie wir gekommen sind, leider! In der Nacht ist er ja dann gestorben. Ich muß sagen, für ihn war es das beste, denn für einen Mann der TAT ! der immer bestimmen konnte und tat was er wollte, war der Rollstuhl schon furchtbar. Ich denke er hat jetzt seinen Frieden. Ich habe mich aber innerlich schon jedesmal wenn ich ihn gesehen habe , verabschiedet, denn man wußte ja nie wie lange es noch geht. Schade ist nur, und das ist meine persönlich Meinung , daß sein Körper jetzt der Wissenschaft übergeben wurde und Ariane zu Hause im Wohn zimmer eine Feier macht. Das hat für mich nichts offizielles , nichts feierliches , aber es kostet dafür auch nichts.

Ja Walter fehlt uns allen , aber ich hoffe , daß , wo immer er jetzt ist, es besser hat.

Liebe Grüße,
Ingrid



-------Original Message-------
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 05. Juli 2012 16:47
An: Ingrid Schwab
Betreff: Walter


Liebste, treue Ingrid:

Wir sind natuerlich noch ganz in Schock ueber Walter's Tod. Wenn moeglich, bitte lass uns wissen, wie die letzten Tage mit ihm vorgegangen sind. Wann hast Du ihn zuletzt gesehen (mit ihm gesprochen?) Du und Egon waren doch, glaube ich, seine besten Freunde! Ich hoffe, dass es dir sowie Egon weiter gut geht - ich denke so oft an Euch, ein so wunderbares Paar!

In tiefer Trauer,
Alles Liebe,
Lisa

----------------------------------------------

On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 10:32 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

Dear Ariane:

I wish I could be with you on Saturday at the gathering to memorialize Walter...If you think it is proper, do read my little eulogy to his friends and give them all, especially his beloved "English Club" people, my love and hugs...

All my Love ,
Lisa

---------------------------------------------
A Farewell to my beloved Cousin, Walter!

He was really more than a Cousin, he was more a brother to me, who gave me love, strength, advice, support, when I most needed it in my own turbulent life..

Our families shared the same living quarters because of the situation then in Vienna, our place of birth. In the depression era, there was an unbelievable shortness of homes or apartments, so we doubled up....Although he was 5 years younger than I, we became "buddies" and shared so many activities, playing chess, cards, outings into nearby parks etc.etc. He was always so mature for his age and even as practically a little toddler, he was "fun" to talk to....

He left an imprint on every life he touched...especially as a teacher, for so many young people in his professional life as a headmaster for a huge High school in Norwich! Tremendously enamored of the arts, music, the theater, he went all out to instill in his flock the Love for cultural activities,his Choir, whom he took to other parts of Europe to delight the music lovers with young English voices.

He was basically a quiet, gentle man, who only spoke up, when it really mattered (and very strong and powerfully, then) - I believe, he hated "small talk", except with his beloved English Club, which he initiated, when he returned to his native Austria, after his first wife passed away.

He loved LIFE and clung to it till his bitter end - he is now in a better world, a place without pain and suffering, a place, where we will all travel to, sooner or later and then I hope, we will all be able to enjoy again his remarkable presence and be re-united with this so special, unique man, who has left us with a certain emptiness in our daily life . He truly left his mark in the world, the here and know!

And he will live on in our hearts and memories, forever!

Good Night, Sweet Prince....and may a host of Angels lay thee to thy rest (Thanks, Shakespeare, for your proper words of Farewell!)

Your Cousin, Sister, Friend, Lisa

Email from Ariane

----------------------------------------------

From: Walter + Ariane Roy
To: Lisa
Date: Jul 13 (3 days ago)

Liebste Lisa

Ja, wer hätte das gedacht, dass du Walter überlebst... Gut so. Walter hat es am Ende geschafft loszulassen. Der Überlebenskampf war so traurig mit anzusehen. Ich habe ihm, denke ich, doch etwas helfen können. Er wollte immer wissen, was nach dem Leben kommt, deshalb konnte er nicht loslassen. Er hatte Angst vor dem Tode. Gut, dass wir immer miteinander sprechen konnten, bis zum Schluß. Er war dann einfach mein . Wir hatten eine gute Zeit während seiner Krankheit und viel Glück mit den zwei Mädchen, Emilie und Simina. In der Nacht als er einschlafen konnte, habe ich ihm gratuliert: , habe ich zu ihm gesagt, gratuliere!> Das hätte er auch zu mir gesagt....Emilie hat dann zwei Kerzen angezündet. Wir mußten ja von vier Uhr in der Früh bis 9 Uhr warten, bis der Leichenwagen kam. Es waren vier liebevolle Männer, die ein feierliches Zeremoniell vor dem Toten und dann wieder vor dem Sarg gemacht haben. Der Wagen fuhr dann ganz langsam weg.

Walter hat bekommen, was er wollte: Er wollte in SEINEM Haus sterben, an Herzversagen und nicht an der Ausbreitung des heimtückischen Krebses. So war es dann auch.

Und nun bin ich in seinem Haus voller Erinnerungen an ihn und unsere Urlaube. Das schmerzt. Da sind die vielen Fotos mit dir und ihm....Alles Vergangenheit.

Zeit zum Trauern bleibt wenig! Wenn ein so bedeutender Mann stirbt, löst das ein aus: Ein Strom von E-Mails von Leuten in England, die alle mit und unter ihm gearbeitet haben und in lobenden Worten und tiefer Bewunderung über ihn und seinen wichtigen Einfluß berichten. Nebenbei laufen die Formalitäten mit Banken, Behörden etc., die einem den letzten Nerv nehmen. Damit muß ich wohl noch über viele Monate auskommen müssen. Dann sehne ich mich kurz zurück an den bescheidenen Lebensstil meiner Eltern, wo keine Testamente nötig waren, wo ein sparsamer Vater immer für genügend Geld sorgte. Es gab weder Einfamilienhaus noch Auto, noch Fernsehen...


Liebste Lisa, danke für deinen so gut gelungenen Text, den ich morgen sicher vorlesen werde. Leider sind viele Freude der Englischgruppe auf Urlaub. So werden wir in einer kleinen Gruppe von Walter Abschied nehmen. Sicher schicke ich dir dann einige Bilder.


Jetzt muß ich mich halt an dich und deine liebe Familie klammern um noch mit euch und durch euch Walters Seele weiter und besser zu spüren.

Großen Dank für eure Unterstützung, eure Warnherzigkeit, die mir so viel Trost spendet.

In Liebe
Ariane mit Horst und Florian (Beide sind eine große Stütze und helfen mit ihrem Optimismus für die Zukunft.)

Russian war with China

Brilliantly funny :)).

On Sat, Jun 2, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote: >

The commanding officer at the Russian military academy (the equivalent of a 4-star general in the U.S. ) gave a lecture on Potential Problems and Military Strategy. At the end of the lecture, he asked if there were any questions. An officer stood up and asked, "Will there be a third world war? And, will Russia take part in it?" The general answered both questions in the affirmative. Another officer asked, "Who will be the enemy?" The general replied, "All indications point to China ." Everyone in the audience was shocked. A third officer remarked, "General, we are a nation of only 350 million, compared to the 1.5 billion Chinese. Can we win at all, or even survive?" The general answered, "Just think about this for a moment: In modern warfare, it is not the quantity of soldiers that matters, but the quality of an army's capabilities. For example, in the Middle East we have had a few wars recently where 5 million Jews fought against 150 million Arabs, and Israel was always victorious." After a small pause, yet another officer - from the back of the auditorium asked, "Do we have enough Jews?"

The Family Patriarch Passes

-------Original Message-------
From: Walter & Ariane Roy
Date: 7/3/2012 11:51:44 PM
To: Lisa Earle; Julie Ruden
Subject: Walter

Dear Lisa and Julie

Tonight Walter died at 4 o'clock in the mornig. He is redeemed.

Love Ariane and boys



-------Original Message-------
Dearest Ariane and boys:

Thanks for letting us know...Somehow, we thought he could beat his troubles once more, he was so strong and willful with his wonderful mind and loved life!.. He now is in a better world, where we all will meet someday...

Sadly, lovingly, Lisa


-------Original Message-------
From: Lenny Ruden
Date: 7/4/2012 8:54:12 AM
To: Dr. Lisa Earle
Subject: Re: Walter

I'm so sorry he was a very special person and will be missed greatly... please send me arianes email and I will respond

Sent from my iPad




-------Original Message-------
From: Julie Ruden
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 10:00 AM
To: 'Walter & Ariane Roy'
Subject: RE: Walter


Dearest Ariane, Horst & Flori,


SUCK OUT LOUD!!!! SOoooo SORRY!!!

Last night in Lake Placid, FL we had fireworks - the finally (biggest display) was just before 10PM and I was thinking of Walter and that we would call you’all this morning..

It is America’s independence Day today NOT yesterday - but we had fireworks while Sir Uncle Walter Roy was passing over... Well done he’d say and he will always be celebrated on our July 4th with fireworks!!!

Where will Walter be buried? I understand you are very busy, please take care of each other and be in touch soon! Let us know what you are doing.

Ariane - you & the boys are wonderful and have much life & love ahead of you!!! Think about coming to America when you are able to start to think again J I couldn’t see my keyboard to type an hour ago because of the tears - it will take awhile before your head clears.

You should not make changes for 1 year if possible... You will be in the best frame of mind and soul after 1 year... this is the best advice I can give you!

Much Love & Stay in touch

Julie








-----Original Message-----
From: Walter & Ariane Roy
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM
To: Julie Ruden
Cc: Lisa Earle
Subject: Re: Walter

Dearest Julie

Thank you for your helpful words. A wonderful coincidence indeed, the independence Day! Walter went away in peace with a deep satisfaction. He was affraid of death, wanted so much to know what comes after life. But after the death of his best friend John Passey he lost the wish to live. He didn't talk very much with us the last few days. The afternoon before his death he held my hand a said: I am ready now.. 8 hours later he did his last breath which was loud enough to wake up the care. She was in panic and woke me up. I saw then only Walters body, his sole had already gone.

I am so glad that the end of Walter's life was according to the wish of both of us.

Coming to America some time is in my dreams but it will be a question of money. You must know Walter and I have no money left ( the cost of his care and all medical details by now is up to 5000 €!!! = 6300 USD)and I have to live with half of Walter's pension now. In 2015 I'll get a little pension from Switzerland. Hope my finacial situation will be more relaxed by then. We will see if I can hold the house. Worst case: selling the house!

Walters body is now in the University of Graz for science (I will do the same with mine.) So there will be neither burial nor cremation. We will have a little ceremony in our house on the 14th July with all our closest friends. This was our wish. Kate, Walter's daughter, will organise a big Memorial service in Norwich at Walter's Hewettschool in October. So everybody who wants to say good by can do it then.

Hug you and Lisa... (My keyboard is wet too)

Love Ariane and boys









-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Lisa Earle
To: Debbie Weiss; Kenneth W. Aschheim
Sent: Wed, Jul 4, 2012 7:54 am
Subject: Fw: Walter

To let you know: Forwarding sad news....He was 87....He was the first cousin of your Grandma, Roszi...

Hope all is well with you!
Love, Lisa







-------Original Message-------
From: Debbie(Aschheim) Weiss
Date: 7/4/2012 3:38:50 PM
To: Dr. Lisa
Cc: Rachel Weiss
Subject: Re: Walter

Dearest Lisa and Julie:

I am sorry for the loss of Walter, and for your loss. He was a very devoted cousin to you. Although I did not know him well, it was nice meeting him at Paul Dutch's wedding, which I attended in Nottingham (and I have very fond memories of the trip). He was a very kind man and I guess his family is correct --- he is redeemed.

How are you doing? I hope you are feeling well.

We are doing very well. Racheli is spending the summer in Israel. She will tour for 5 weeks. She spend last week with David and got to do a lot of babysitting for Eitan (now 9 months old!) She had a blast. She will then spend 2 weeks after the trip with her friends and also with David. She is very independent, and felt/feels very comfortable bumming around on her own.

Daniel is hanging around taking a summer school course and will help a sick lawyer friend in July and August. He will dorm at Brooklyn College next year.

Robert and I are traveling to Italy to celebrate our 30th Anniversary and Robert's 55th Birthday.

Keep well and keep in touch.

Love, Debbie and Robert







-------Original Message-------
From: Dave Ruden
Date: 7/5/2012 3:38:50 PM
To: Debbie(Aschheim) Weiss

>...Racheli is spending the summer in Israel. She will tour for 5 weeks. She spend last week with David and got to do a lot of babysitting for Eitan (now 9 months old!) She had a blast. She will then spend 2 weeks after the trip with her friends and also with David. She is very independent, and felt/feels very comfortable bumming around on her own.

She reminds me of her mother :).
Nice to hear things are well for you all.
Happy Anniversary to you both and happy birthday to Robert!
Love,
---Dave & Pam.







-------Original Message-------
Dear Ariane, Horst, and Florian,
I am so sad to hear about Walter's passing. It has been difficult to bring myself to find the right words to say. Walter was an inspiration to me in ways I do not believe he ever knew. Visits on occasion as children with our mother created an appreciation of culture and experiential differences that has nested deep inside and burns strongly in me each day.

Walter was a quiet man, but with a keen mind, and strong well reasoned opinions and beliefs which when appropriate, he would expose and discuss. I think my early childhood visits with him imprinted much of this in me. To observe, think, make opinions and conclusions on ones own terms, without a blind following of the mob.

And at the same time, Walter was a man who greatly loved the passions and energies of life. I did not realize this about him until much later. He was not afraid to engage life. In so many ways, we were kindred spirits in this, as I too love the energies and passions of life, and love those who have the freedom of spirit to live them. Although where Walter seemed to know how to engage this passion by instinct, it has been something I have had to learn. And here too Walter was inspiring to me. As I came to know him more fully, I learned a quiet personality does not mean disengagement from life's energies. He so loved Julie and my mother because they have strong life-energies. He liked my ex-wife because she too was full of intense life energy (although I think he could see the problems that caused her). I believe he saw also this wonderful passion for life in my wonderful new wife, Pammie, and appreciated the sensibility she brings with it was finally the right mix for me.

And I am certain that it is your own ebullience and your love of the experience of life that drew him to you. You are the kind of spirit he and I love to have near us, love to draw strength and inspiration from, love to share life with. I hope you are happy in knowing that you have enriched his life. I know that he certainly has done so for me.


All our love and sympathies, and looking forward to visiting with you and the boys someday soon - on this continent or yours.
---Dave and Pam.

Denver

-------Original Message-------
From: Dave R
Date: 6/20/2012 11:33:03 PM
To: Dr. Lisa Earle
Hi Mom,
Denver is good. Mostly locked inside, but we get out at night for dinner. Meet Pammie last night - some of her colleagues, some of mine. Had a good time. Been hot until today. Was 65 at noon (.vs. 97 at 10 pm yesterday). Last working day tomorrow. Them wait for Pam's last working day on Friday. Planning on a concert Fri night. Hope to enjoy it!
How was your day?
Love you.
---Dave.



-------Original Message-------
On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 6:18 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

Glad all is well in Denver-hope, the concert will be enjoyable- who is playing?

We had almost 20 people here at the book club, mountains of food (you know Julie...) and interesting discussions - too long for me to sit for 4 hours, so I conked out and went to rest in bedroom, before all left...the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be (((

However, I survived - did not get much sleep, must rest today, maybe!

Be well, both of you, and enjoy the rest of your stay in Denver! Are you staying at the same location ?

LOL and Hugs, MOM

Thought of the Day

-------------------------------------------------------

On Jun 21, 2012 8:06 AM, "Dr. Lisa Earle" wrote:

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Without the freedom to criticize, there is no true praise.

-Pierre Beaumarchais, playwright (1732-1799)

-------------------------------------------------------
On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 11:58 AM, Dave R wrote:
Hmm! Critically speaking, that's profound.
;-)
---Dave.

Book Club

On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 4:46 PM, Julie Ruden wrote: Mom’s book club meeting went good 19 people in the living roomish… it was cozy!! I’m bushed! Kisses to Pammie and squeezes you both! Love you to BEYOND!!! Julie - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thought of the Day

On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 9:06 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

"Submission to what people call their 'lot' is simply ignoble. If your lot makes you cry and be wretched, get rid of it and take another." 

Elizabeth von Arnim

Inge and Gadi, Kenny and Sue

-------Original Message-------

 

From: Kenneth W. Aschheim Date: 06/08/12 02:05:30 To: Dr. Lisa Earle Subject: Re: 25 Incredible Pictures One World Trade Center Under Construction

Hi Lisa. Sorry I have not call or written. Have been traveling a lot and I am actually now in Israel. At Gadi daughters wedding. Saw Inge last night. Will call when I get back to NY.

-------Original Message-------

 

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 3:21 PM, Dave R wrote:
Wow, busy guy.
Who are Gadi and Inge?
---D.

-------Original Message-------

 

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 4:15 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

Gadi and his mother, Inge, are the same category Cousins to me as Kenny and his late mother, Edith Aschheim. I don't know if you remember her and her late husband, Kenny's Dad, David Ashheim..

They live in Israel, Gadi was born there, he is a brilliant Professor of Physics at the Einstein University in Tel Aviv, I believe. I met him and his first wife at Kenny's wedding many years ago. Gadi's Grandfather and my mother were first cousins...

Love, MOM

Thought of the Day

On Sat, Jun 2, 2012 at 10:59 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

 -- Aristotle

Thought of the Day

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On Sun, May 6, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:
...Wow!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

- Karen Kaiser Clark


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On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 5:21 PM, Dave R wrote:
Wow indeed!
Sounds like the premise underlying my entire 1st marriage!
---D.

Swimming in spite of neck

Julie for mom in the pool with her neck brace. She so totally Rocks!

Fw: SCHMALTZ (part 2)

On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 12:28 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:
...priceless!!! 
Thanks, I really enjoyed this treasure...Love, Lisa

-------Original Message-------

...priceless!!!  Thanks, I really enjoyed this treasure...Love, Lisa   

 

 

 

 

-------Original Message-------

      Growing up Jewish

•     If you are Jewish, and grew up in a city with a large Jewish population, or are gentile with Jewish friends or associates, the following will invoke heartfelt memories.

•     The Yiddish word for today is PULKES (PUHL-kees). Translation: THIGHS. Please note: this word has been traced back to the language of one of the original Tribes of Israel, the Cellulites.

•     The only good advice that your Jewish mother gave you was: "Go! You might meet somebody!"

•     You grew up thinking it was normal for someone to shout "Are you okay?" through the bathroom door when you were in there longer than 3 minutes.

•     Your family dog responded to commands in Yiddish.

•     Every Saturday morning your father went to the neighborhood deli (called an "appetitizing store") for whitefish salad, whitefish "chubs", lox (nova if you were rich!), herring, corned beef, roast beef, cole slaw, potato salad, a 1/2-dozen huge barrel pickles which you reached into the brine for, a dozen assorted bagels, cream cheese and rye bread (sliced while he waited). All of which would be strictly off-limits until Sunday morning.

•     Every Sunday afternoon was spent visiting your grandparents and/or other relatives.

•     You experienced the phenomenon of 50 people fitting into a 10-foot-wide dining room hitting each other with plastic plates trying to get to a deli tray.

•     You had at least one female relative who penciled on eyebrows which were always asymmetrical.

•     You thought pasta was stuff used exclusively for kugel and kasha with bowties.

•     You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

•     You were as tall as your grandfather by age seven and a half.

•     You never knew anyone whose last name didn't end in one of 5 standard suffixes (berg, baum, man, stein and witz).

•     You were surprised to discover that wine doesn't always taste like cranberry sauce.

•     You can look at gefilte fish and not turn green.

•     When your mother smacked you really hard, she continued to make you feel bad for hurting her hand.

•     You can understand Yiddish but you can't speak it.

•     You know how to pronounce numerous Yiddish words and use them correctly in context, yet you don't know exactly what they mean. Kaynahurra.

•     You're still angry at your parents for not speaking both Yiddish and English to you when you were a baby.

•     You have at least one ancestor who is somehow related to your spouse's ancestor.

•     You thought speaking loud was normal.

•     You considered your Bar or Bat Mitzvah a "Get Out of Hebrew School Free" card.

•     You think eating half a jar of dill pickles is a wholesome snack.

•     You're compelled to mention your grandmother's "steel cannonballs" upon seeing fluffy matzo balls served at restaurants.

•     You buy 3 shopping bags worth of hot bagels on every trip to Stamford Hill or Edgware and carefully shlep them home like glassware. (Or, if you live near Chigwell, Manchester or another Jewish city hub, you drive 2 or 3 hours just to buy a dozen "real" bagels.)

•     Your mother or grandmother took personal pride when a Jew was noted for some accomplishment (showbiz, medicine, politics, etc.) and was ashamed and embarrassed when a Jew was accused of a crime… as if they were relatives.

•     You thought only non-Jews went to sleep away colleges. Jews went to city schools... unless they had scholarships or made an Ivy League school.

•     And finally, you knew that Sunday night and the night after any Jewish holiday was designated for Chinese food.

    Zei gezunt!!

Fw: SCHMALTZ

On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 12:28 PM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:
...priceless!!! 
Thanks, I really enjoyed this treasure...Love, Lisa

-------Original Message-------

...priceless!!!  Thanks, I really enjoyed this treasure...Love, Lisa            -------Original Message------- If you get this and you are not Jewish, I cannot even begin to explain it to you! This goes back 2 generations, 3 if you are over 50. It also explains why many Jewish men died in their early 60's with a non-functional cardiovascular system and looked like today's men at 89. Before we start, there are some variations in ingredients because of the various types of Jewish taste (Polish, Litvack, Dutch and Gallicianer). Just as we Jews have six seasons of the year (winter, spring, summer, autumn, the slack season, and the busy season), we all focus on a main ingredient which, unfortunately and undeservedly, has disappeared from our diet. I'm talking, of course, about SCHMALTZ (chicken fat). SCHMALTZ has, for centuries, been the prime ingredient in almost every Jewish dish, and I feel it's time to revive it to its rightful place in our homes. (I have plans to distribute it in a green glass Gucci bottle with a label clearly saying: "low fat, no cholesterol, Newman's Choice, extra virgin SCHMALTZ." (It can't miss!) Then there are gribenes - pieces of chicken skin, deep fried in SCHMALTZ, onions and salt until crispy brown (Jewish bacon). This makes a great appetizer for the next cardiologist's convention. There's also a nice chicken fricassee (stew) using the heart, gorgle (neck), pupick (a great delicacy, given to the favorite child, usually me), a fleegle (wing) or two, some ayelech (little premature eggs) and other various chicken innards, in a broth of SCHMALTZ, water, paprika, etc. We also have knishes (filled dough) and the eternal question, "Will that be liver, beef or potatoes, or all three?" Other time-tested favorites are kishkeh, and its poor cousin, helzel (chicken or goose neck). Kishkeh is the gut of the cow, bought by the foot at the Kosher butcher. It is turned inside out, scalded and scraped. One end is sewn up and a mixture of flour, SCHMALTZ, onions, eggs, salt, pepper, etc., is spooned into the open end and squished down until it is full. The other end is sewn and the whole thing is boiled. Yummy! My personal all-time favorite is watching my Zaida (grandpa) munch on boiled chicken feet. For our next course we always had chicken soup with pieces of yellow-white, rubbery chicken skin floating in a greasy sea of lukshen (noodles), farfel (broken bits of matzah), tzibbeles (onions), mondlech (soup nuts), kneidlach (dumplings), kasha (groats), kliskelech and marech (marrow bones) . The main course, as I recall, was either boiled chicken, flanken, kackletten, hockfleish (chopped meat), and sometimes rib steaks, which were served either well done, burned or cremated. Occasionally we had barbecued liver done to a burned and hardened perfection in our own coal furnace. Since we couldn't have milk with our meat meals, beverages consisted of cheap soda (Kik, Dominion Dry, seltzer in the spritz bottles). Zei gezunt!!                       .