Keep the Art- Drop the Politics- Night at the Oscars

I enjoy the Oscars every year - I love movies and a good story and the Hollywood glam and what the actors will wear. I like to see when actors who win are humble and acknowledge others in their lives. Kate Winslet was a class act. Heath Ledger's family wonderful. Slumdog Millionaire amazing. However, I do not like it when actors use the Academy Award ceremony to push their political agenda.

Talk about art, talk about the movie making process, talk about people who helped you, talk about the privilege you had of being in the movie. Do not talk about politics which divide. The Oscars are a time to bring people together not tear people apart. I like Sean Penn but was very disappointed with his acceptance speech. Gus Van Sant the Portland director was not even mentioned by Sean.

I love the Academy Awards but wonder why certain actors and films are not nominated every year. What happened with Gran Torino and Clint Eastwood - what an amazing film – why was it not even given one nomination? I enjoy seeing the actors and the film makers walk the red carpet. I enjoyed the five pastor category winners talk about each of the nominees, which was something new this year.
Acceptance speeches are fun to watch and Kate Winslet has really grown as an actress from her Titanic days. Her speech was pure class, thanking the many people in her life, including her family. Slumdog Millionaire was a wonderful film and the winners were very humble as well. Penelope Cruz had a nice speech but the film she was in was terrible. Pure trash once again with women kissing women.

And, again, Sean Penn, though I think he is talented, I get tired of his politics and propaganda. Do not use a fun evening to push your political agenda on us. And, your wife standing by you. Can you thank her. She is a wonderful actress whom I loved in Princess Bride (Robin Wright Penn) and was not even acknowledged by Sean. He was too busy scolding the voters. Why the Academy succumbs to this is disappointing.

But, we keep watching and hoping for the best. Which is, focusing on art not politics. Hugh Jackman brought back art in his role as MC.

Outreach to Morton Washington with Youth Group

It's so good to get students out to serve in the community. Today, the Rolling Hills Youth group drove to Morton Washington to partner with Forward Edge in its outreach to a family whose house was destroyed by a landslide...my son Ryan and I met them later as we were at the Eagle Court of honor for Mitch Tofte [another blog entry for that story]--

But today, a two plus hour drive to give a family hope...and physical help. . .moving their furniture out of their home which was filled with mud from the mud slide. The home is ruined. Just like that...

Facebook | Your Photos - PHOTOGRAPHS FROM WEST LINN BOOK PUBLICATION CELEBRATION

Facebook | Your Photos - PHOTOGRAPHS FROM WEST LINN BOOK PUBLICATION CELEBRATION

A new book I am reading...Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life

I just got the new Kathleen Norris book, Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life and love it. Before this book of hers, I read Cloister Walk which I also like. I love books that make you think about life and spirituality and contemplation and quietness and prayer.

In this new book, Kathleen talks about Acedia, a term monks have used to describe a state of apathy and depression. She writes in a narrative style that interweaves her own experience of the spiritual life as well as and that of others’ reflections and thoughts on faith.

One thing that stands out is the idea of boredom and how we abhor the term. I know I have told my children you should not be bored or I will find something for you to do. But, actually, boredom is not in and of itself a bad thing, Norris points out. Boredom is a type of stillness and it takes stillness at times to draw closer to God. In our ever hectic chaotic lives, we want to fill every moment with something to do and somewhere to go and to be entertained, but that leaves little room for contemplation and prayer. Precisely, the point Norris is making. Wow, in our modern world of being plugged in 24/7, this hits home. We have tried to make it a practice to not use our computers on Sundays. To call the 7th day a day of rest in practice in our family. I have to work at it. To not go to the computer. But, how can I tell me children not to plug in on Sundays if I do not have the discipline to stay away as well.

Why I love International Films...seeing Snow at the Portland International Film Festival

I cannot stop thinking about the Portland International Film Festival going on these three weeks. Last week, I went to see the Bosnian Film "Snow" at the annual film event with a friend and I have wanted to go back to see other international films since then, including a German and Austrian one, but did not end up making it there. I have been talking to other people about international films, finding common ground with certain friends on this -- there is something about international films.

They are mysterious and paced differently and do not give away all the answers and sometimes leave you with more questions than answers and there is plot and layer after layer and, like good poetry, you have to come to your own conclusion by thinking about the movie and talking about it and musing.

"Snow" follows the tale of a handful of women in a village after recovering from War in 1997. Some of the women are widows and many of their children have been executed by Bosnian Serbs who live nearby but the children’s bodies have not been found. All the women have are their memories and their homemade items they try to sell with little success. Two businessmen arrive with an offer to buy the residents out which gives the villagers a tough choice. Other hopeful elements are interwoven in this Critics’ Week Grand Prize Winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Snow is this year’s Bosnian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

I found myself intrigued by this story of devastation after war, yet the film does not get political. Again, a difference that I see comparing American films with international films. American films tend, in general, to jam messages down people’s throats, while international films, again in general, will allow you to make your own conclusions or show several sides to a story.

Like good poetry – a bit of a mystery that intrigues and leaves you hungering for more.

When I mentioned my interest in the Portland International Film festival to my husband, he said he'd like to go with me, and so for Valentine’s Day [or the day before depending on when we can get a baby-sitter] we will find an international film to see. My husband mentioned two of his favorite films- which happen to be international - the 1986 French film "Jean de Florette" and its sequel "Manon of the Spring", two films that I had forgotten about but now that my husband mentioned them, I realize how much I too enjoyed them. The mystery of the heart and family and human nature were explored in those films.

The calendar for the PIFF is posted on line - . . . I will blog about which film we ended up seeing... stay tuned

Chaperoning My Son's Overnight Field Trip. . .

Okay, so there was a two to one ratio of parent helpers for my fifth grade son's overnight field trip to Astoria- how's that for parental involvement, and I confess, that when I heard that so many parents were going, I told my husband, well, perhaps they do not need me, but he said my son is looking forward to me going and I need to go . . . and I am glad I went-sleeping on the floor in a cafeteria is after all, priceless . . .

It was fun to be a part of this annual tradition at Cedaroak Park School and just talking to the parents and seeing kids outdoors interacting and learning first hand by exploring is wonderful - I love to see my children interacting with their classmates and their teachers.

My favorite part was walking to the Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment. They had originally discouraged us due to the mud, but I was able to check it out and, though I did fall once, I told Mrs. Grabow that it was worth the .75 mile walk just for the view-

I took photos but do not want to download right now. . .I need to get ready for the week ahead- just when I thought things would slow down, I get ready for my taping on the Paul Linnman 1190 KEX radio show in the morning.

You are correct Holly, I have not been blogging on my WriterMom blog. . .

Yes, Holly, I have not been blogging on my WriterMom blogs. . . you are correct, my Book Publication Celebration Preparations have taken up all my time. . .

My new writer friend Holly said I have not been blogging because I have been so focused on my West Linn Book Publication and its Celebration Party tonight and she is right- this book and the publicity surrounding it and planning the Book Publication Celebration has taken up all of my time.

And it has been a whirlwind, attending neighborhood association meetings and editing press releases and planning this party tonight- wow, so much to do for tonight. I did not want an ordinary book signing to celebrate my Images of America: WEST LINN publication. No, I wanted a party. A mingling. A gathering. A time where old friends could catch up and I could thank the many many people who helped me with this enormous All-About-West Linn project. And so it was. A mingling. The community room where we had the event at the West Linn Library was filled to capacity (143)and overflowing for much of the evening. Some estimated over 200 and up to 300 came through tonight. . .

And because of this book, I have met such wonderful people and yes, this celebration took up all of my time. My office is a mess –again-and my house-as I have focused on tonight. The decoration. The food. The helpers. The planning. The guest list.
And people came. People love this town. Over 200 at least came, so many people told me this. The room was packed, by the end of just the pre-event. My helpers Kathy and Midge and Marupong and Jennifer were busy setting up tables and helping the WFTV gal Melody and music was playing. . .I felt like I was sort of planning a wedding. So many areas to coordinate. I thank the entire community for its support of the book.

I am still buzzing from three hours ago when it ended.
I wanted to download the video my husband took and I read the guest book and so
many nice comments.
Still buzzing. . .
. . . I need to rest now. . .and maybe in a day or two get better at blogging. Yes, Holly, both here at www.oregonlivec.com which I have also neglected. I am glad I was missed on my blogs by at least one person!

PS- Holly, I was blogging on www.ImagesOfAmericaWestLinn.com so, I was not completely avoiding the modern way of communicating.

Images of America: WEST LINN Book Release Celebration Monday Jan 26, 2009

The West Linn Public Library is having a

Book Release Celebration for my West Linn book, Images of America: WEST LINN

Monday, January 26, 2009
6-7:30 p.m.

The West Linn Public Library is located at
1595 Burns Street in noneother than West Linn!

Everyone is welcome!! Here is the link to the Library website-
www.westlinnoregon.gov/library/cornelia-seigneur

It was just a year ago that I began work on the book and now it is in print- I am excited about the final product and sharing the book with the community.

About a storm. . .from The Shack . . .

A New York Times Bestseller, The Shack is sure to jolt your preconceived ideas about God. . . and, in the midst of the storm we recently had in the Portland Oregon area, he has a great take on storms. . . I love what the storm did for us. . . perhaps, there is even a greater message about storms in our lives. . .we had no electricity for two days and so we set up our old woodstove in front of our house and stayed warm surrounded by snow. We roasted marshmallows and made smores with hersheys chocolate bars and graham crackers, my 5-year-old's favorite treat around the campfire. The storm interupted our routine and I loved every minute of it. We played spoons by candlelight and lantern, we snuggled on the couch. My son read his books by flashlight. . . .

Here, an excerpt about a storm- from William P. Young’s The Shack


"There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules. And unlike illness, it is largely a corporate rather than individual experience. One can almost hear a unified sigh rise from the nearby city and surrounding countryside where Nature has intervened to give respite to the weary humans slogging it out within her purview. All those affected this way are united by a mutual excuse, and the heart is suddenly and unexpectedly a little giddy. There will be no apologies needed for not showing up to some commitment or other. Everyone understands and shares in this singular justification, and the sudden alleviation of the pressure to produce makes the heart merry." -

Snow Days Remind Us To Slow Down . . . Christmas Day MY Turn in Clackamas County Weekly Oregonian newspaper

(A shorter version of this was originally published in the Clackamas County Weekly section of The Oregonian newspaper, 12-25-08)

I love these snow days home with kids.

Since the start of the winter storm that hit Portland area Sunday, I have been loving this time of forced slow down for us.

Initially, when the storm hit Sunday, I had a very busy week ahead, with church and a Christmas Tea and a concert and parent helping at school and Christmas concerts and holiday events. But, beginning with Sunday, I bowed out of all of them and most were eventually canceled anyway. I was thrilled for the change of pace. Somehow, I breathed easier.

Every day, my grade school children have been watching the Television to see if school is canceled, and they wait till the W’s to come across the screen; they want to see it over and over again: “West Linn-Wilsonville School District closed.”

What is funny is that they have known the night before as it was texted to my older high school son’s cell phone and we have checked online.

But, my children were so excited anyway to see it on screen. These days off have been so fun for them. And for me.

I remember growing up in southeast Portland and how thrilled I used to get having snow days. Back then, it didn’t seem like they announced the closures of school until the actual school morning, so we’d get up early as usual and turn on the TV or radio to find our school mentioned as closed. The buzz was memorable.

And, now, I get to experience this time with my own children. Each day home with them is a new adventure. It’s been great getting all bundled up in our snow pants and jackets and gloves and scarves and boots, and getting the sleds out to go play in the snow. We have been walking down our street and we see other people out walking with their children in the snow. And on Highway 43, we have seen people strolling, a cup of Starbucks in their hands and grocery bags in their arms, meandering up and down the street.

Generally, in this area, you rarely see people out walking, but this week, people are forced to, and I enjoy it. It is what makes a community. You meet new neighbors when you walk places. And, you see parents talking to their children.
Someone asked me if I am going crazy having the kids home this week and I said, though sometimes I pull out my hair when they fight, I am truly enjoying this time.

We have made cinnamon rolls together and roll-out Christmas cookies. We have walked to neighbors’ houses and stopped for a cup of coffee and hot chocolate at Starbucks and gone sledding and walked to the park. We have played card games and watched Christmas movies and had tea with neighbors.

I have heard people worry that they are not getting their Christmas shopping done as they would have this week due to the road conditions, but I say, exactly. Simplify. Cut back. Do our children really need all the material items we were going get?
The memories we are making with your children is a much greater gift. It’s one big adventure the week before Christmas. Something different. Something out of the ordinary. Schedules melting away to a more simpler existence. Allowing ourselves to relax and not be so busy. Being closer to home together means slowing down together.

And, that is exactly what Christmas season is about. Slowing down. Taking time to bake with our children. Taking time to have tea with friends. Taking time to walk places.

The snow storm happening so close to Christmas is a good reminder that we should slow down not just when we have to. But because we want to. Indeed, because we need to.

Parents complaining about having kids home? Come on people

In today's Oregonian newspaper, a story highlighted how (working) parents were frustrated with having schools closed this week due to the stormy weather conditions. Parents, please. Say it is not so.

We have so little snow in the Portland area and so few snow days off from school in any years- parents and people need to just chill. And enjoy this amazing time with your children.

It is so pretty outside, the snow reflecting off the trees. Christmas a week away. Kids excited to have a few extra days off.

Schools are doing what they need to do to keep kids safe by closing. Perhaps parents should be doing what they should be doing- taking care of their children --and not complaining about having them home. I love having my kids home and the schedule less hectic.

Art brings Mother and Daughter together

Here's a story I wrote for today's Oregonian's Clackamas County Weekly-

The smell of fresh-baked pumpkin bread fills Kim Millen's home.
Her 21-year-old daughter, Andrea Millen, a senior at Warner Pacific College, decided to bake while home for the evening preparing for their mother-daughter art show that runs through Dec. 27 at the West Linn Public Library.



"This is a miracle, that she is baking," Kim chuckled.

The pumpkin bread joins an already full plate. Besides taking classes, Andrea works at Starbucks, is doing an internship and applying to the doctoral program in clinical psychology at Pacific University's School of Professional Psychology. And she's preparing for a January mission trip to Honduras.

With all that going on, Kim is thrilled by her daughter's interest in doing their first mother-daughter art show.

"We have always been so close, it seemed like a natural progression in the transition in our lives, culminating into this," Kim said. "I was really excited that she discovered painting. She has always been more into drawing -- she is very accomplished in that realm -- and she has just started painting."

Andrea grew up surrounded by the arts, taking dance, theater and music at a young age.

Kim, 53, has painted since high school and also danced; she has a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Arizona. Kim's mother, brother, aunt and cousins are all artists or art educators.

Kim has focused on watercolor for 35 years and more recently turned to acrylics, specifically abstract painting.

"I take all the feelings I have inside and put them onto paper. I paint the way I feel," said Kim, whose art is featured at local Starbucks. She also has sold her work at the Portland Art Center.

Andrea, who has focused on charcoal portraits of people and animals, is beginning in acrylics. The art show will showcase their various works.

Kim turned to teaching art when she started her family two decades ago. She taught at Community Christian School, among other locations, as well as to home-schoolers in her studio.

"I am passionate about children and sharing the wonders of integrating art into their lives," Kim said, adding that she is looking forward to teaching adults. "My passion is sharing with others the wonder of what connecting with art can do in our lives, whether that be just being able to view a piece with more open eyes or daily appreciate the world's beauty on a deeper level."

Ultimately, she says, "my happy thing is helping others."

Kim and Andrea say their favorite place to paint is the bathroom converted into an art studio in Kim's home. "I feel good in here," Kim said of the studio. "Andrea comes home to paint here. I like the closeness."

Andrea, a 2005 Riverdale High graduate, says her long-term goal is to incorporate art into therapy. Her internship is at the Salvation Army's adult rehab center for men in Portland, where she goes two or three nights a week.

"It has to do with clinical counseling. The men generally have the option of going through the program or going back to jail or back on the streets," she said.

Andrea says her passion is "just understanding why people do what they do -- behavior, thought processes." She hopes to be able to combine her creative outlet with a career in psychology. "Art is therapeutic. I hope to tie art into it."

Shannon McBride, a Lakeridge High School art teacher who is on the committee that chooses shows for the West Linn library, said she liked the concept of a mother-daughter art show.

"What I was particularly enthusiastic about as an art educator was having a younger artist represented," she said. "It is important for the kids that come to the library to see someone younger showing their work publicly. And I like the inter-generational connection, of a mother passing on her art to her child."