Notes from Blackdog Bog

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Get me to the estate on time!

Once again, providence has smiled on this humble scribe. I had the good fortune to be a guest at the nuptial celebration of two fine young individuals – Brynne and Shawn – at a glorious venue surrounded by friends and family of the couple.

Sunshine and gusty winds welcomed about 150 of us to the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Michigan. We got a good chuckle when the wind nearly whipped the bride’s veil off her head while her father was giving her away and the impossibility of lighting the unity candle during the outdoor ceremony. The celebrant assured the newlyweds that “wind” like “love” is a force that can’t be seen but definitely can be felt. Knowing these two fine newlyweds, I see no omens in the unlit candle.

If you’ve never been on the grounds of this historic estate in the greater Detroit area, you are missing beautiful architecture, superb customer service, and a tale of personal success contributing to the broader welfare of society. From their website (http://www.meadowbrookhall.org/explore/history/meadowbrookhall):

Meadow Brook Hall is the historic home of one the automotive aristocracy's most remarkable women, Matilda Dodge Wilson, her second husband Alfred Wilson, a lumber broker and their four children, Frances and Danny Dodge, and Richard and Barbara Wilson. It exists as an indirect product of the achievements and good fortune of her first husband, automotive pioneer John F. Dodge, co-founder of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company who quickly prospered in the burgeoning auto industry before his tragic death in 1920, leaving Matilda one of the world's wealthiest women. This fortune not only built one of America's finest residences and country estates, it also supported numerous Detroit charities and organizations, and made possible the founding of Oakland University.

Meadow Brook Hall was built during the country place era, a time when wealthy American industrialists pursued rural life in settings of great beauty. It represents one of the finest examples of Tudor-revival architecture in America and is especially renowned for it superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale of 88,000 square feet. Inspired by the country manor homes in England, it was designed and built by the Detroit architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman and Grylls between 1926 and1929, at a cost of nearly $4 million.

Carefully preserved with original family furnishings and art, the 110-room mansion is elaborately detailed with carved wood and stone, ornate plaster ceilings, Tiffany stained glass, custom made hardware, and filled with fine and decorative art. Although the interiors reflect various historic styles, the house is equipped with every "modern" amenity appropriate to the active lifestyle of the Wilson's and their children.

Meadow Brook Hall was built on the 320-acre farm estate John and Matilda Dodge had purchased years earlier as weekend country retreat. The Wilson's expanded the estate to include 1,500 acres and several residences. For the Dodge and Wilson families, the farm estate provided a splendid setting for recreational activities and pastimes such as equestrian sports, motoring, and gardening and developed into one of the finest agricultural complexes, producing the finest lines of pedigree livestock.

After the ceremony, we mingled on a patio overlooking a beautifully groomed golf course while white-gloved attendants brought a tasty mix of hors d oeuvres and snappy mixologists poured celebratory libations. A multi-toned alert called us to a rich and beautifully appointed tent where we gathered, applauded toasts (and roasts!) to the happy couple, and dined on spectacular grub. Everyone was happy.

Through the course of the evening, a miscellany of music fought for attention with forks clinked on glassware demanding the happy couple revel in public displays of attention. Our table laughed and recounted our ties to the couple. Each table had a booklet into which we could offer thoughts and good wishes to be read by the couple on various anniversaries. As we were table four, the plan is that they will read our comments on that anniversary.

The bride’s parents spent some time with us and I loved seeing their eyes glisten with happy tears as we recounted the beauty of the day. And then I received one of the greatest compliments ever. The mother of the bride, Paulette – a truly special person in my life – said that no one in attendance was on the margins. That is to say, everyone invited was unanimously chosen by the bride, groom and immediate family.

I’m smiling recounting the many splendid details of the evening and feeling humbled by “making the list.” All happiness and good wishes to Brynne and Shawn!

Photo from:

http://www.oakgov.com/historic/assets/images/photogallery/lg_meadowbrook_hall.jpg

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Bugs

Back from vacation . . . didn’t really go anywhere, but took a break from the blog while getting a few things in order. Thanks for your patience.

Rains finally came after a prolonged drought ravaged local crops. It hasn’t been a happy year for agriculture with early fruit blossoms being decimated by late frosts (it’s estimated that between 85 and 90% of Michigan’s apple crop was lost), and weeks without rain severely stunted the corn in my little corner of the world.

Families would probably be well advised to buy a side or quarter beef now and wrap it well for the freezer – food prices will be skyrocketing next year. If you are a hunter, get a second tag for some additional venison or stockpile some ducks, pheasant and geese. It may even to time to think about scoping out where to plant next year’s garden. I’m going to learn how to can foods and triple the size of next year’s garden.

By the way, sorry if I’m sounding less than rosy – but I truly believe that hurricanes and cartels pushing up gas prices, the drought pushing up food prices, and likely a tepid economic recovery for the next 24 months (regardless of who is elected) calls for preparation.

Oh, I’m not advocating going to the mattresses or wrapping your head with tin foil, but just think we, as a culture, are far too focused on the present. For many, “live for the moment” is the mantra. Recently, I mentioned to a friend that I wouldn’t take a vacation unless I could do it without leaving any traces of it on a credit card. Her response was “but what if you couldn’t prepay for something and it was a great opportunity?” Her slack-jaw response when I said that I wouldn’t go told me we had different values.

I just realized that my points were far more eloquently expressed around 600 BC by a fellow called Aesop in his fable about a grasshopper and an ant. A retelling of the original is available here: http://www.umass.edu/aesop/content.php?n=0&i=1.

I’ve discovered that this tale has been reengineered over the years by various authors including Jean de La Fontaine (1621 – 1695). La Fontaine was a widely read French fabulist in the 17th century and a recognized man of letters in the day. In his version, the basics are the same, but there is a suggestion that the ant is a cruel character for not sharing his larder with the unprepared grasshopper. For the original French version and a translation, see:
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=5699.

Around 1800, French fabulist Jean-Jacques Boisard (1743–1831) brings a cricket into the mix who chides the ant: “Hoarding is folly, enjoyment is wise” since we all die in the end. As an aside, Boisard lost his job and pension due to the French Revolution.

A number of other responses have depicted the ant in different ways – one where the grasshopper was invited from the cold and told to play his fiddle as payment (picked up in the Disney version) and discovering the need to work hard. A second depicts the ant losing his stores and rebuked by a bee for not previously helping the grasshopper. Recurring iterations chide the ant for a lack of pity or Christian charity.

I see some real parallels to the current social and political debate in this fable. To characterize the grasshoppers as deserving to die in the cold is inhuman; similarly, to conclude that the ants are greedy or lacking compassion is grossly unfair. Hoping ants get some comeuppance for working hard and anticipating the winter is mean-spirited – as is choosing not to share voluntarily with those in need.

We hope that the grasshoppers in our lives start to anticipate the future and act accordingly. We also hope that the ants in our lives choose to do what they can to help others. I am opposed, however, to forcing the grasshoppers at gunpoint to be responsible and am loath to force the ants at gunpoint to be generous.

A whole bunch to consider.

Some history found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ant_and_the_Grasshopper

Illustration by Milo Winter (1886-1956)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Greatest Hits


Nothing to do with the column, but I loved the title!

Whew.

July has taken its toll on this poor scribe. You may have read about the burglary, but I spared you my whining on the extended power loss (and ensuing generator failure) during 100 degree weather and, just three days ago, the complete melt down (smoke, sparks, flame - quite a show!) of the air conditioner's compressor. I learned of pettiness in the workplace and discovered just how mean people can be. The lawn is dead and I don't feel so good myself (h/t the late, great Lewis Grizzard). I'm glad July is spent . . . I sure am.

A year ago, however, I launched this small enterprise without any particular plan and have found that a) writing has helped me emotionally and challenged me intellectually and b) how meaningful the encouraging words from readers are. Thank you.

I recently went back and reread the year's worth of posts and found some of them quite fun. So, for what it is worth, herewith, links to my favorite posts from the last year. Thank you for reading.

Jessie and Rose

A fun tale of two delightful Wyoming ladies.

A different sort of Christmas Story

Merged fiction and memory.

Happy Birthday Dad

It is my Dad, after all.

What hero has changed your life?

I still get a tear when reading this.

Grassroots Civility

My hope for this election cycle.

Feasting

Who can't appreciate Papa?