Henny’s magic
See Background on Ernest and Henrietta Poethig
My sister Margaret is wasting her talents on the feds. She is a photographer, costume designer, script writer, and culinary adept. She adorns barbies with elaborate, imaginative outfits and photographs them with backdrops. Then she gives the dolls to her friends’ daughters, nieces, grandchildren since she has no kids of her own.
Sometimes she outdoes herself. My partner Victoria is a Roman Catholic Woman Priest. Margaret decides to create Pope Vicky, inspired by the fashionista inclinations of Pope Benedict. Half a year later, she astonishes us with an intricately robed Pope Vicky, a costume box set out with vestments (33 buttons), and the means to “confect the eucharist”. Go to Pope Vicky’s People, an active FB site. Margaret also published a Pope Vicky booklet. We host the Pontifical barbie in an honored place.
In 2011, before Margaret and her partner Dick embark on a California vacation, she creates Henrietta Poethig, my father’s mother.
Henrietta-- Henny--died in 1946 of TB when she was 45 years old. We had two photos of Henrietta. In the first, she stands with dad’s father, Ernest, on the roof of their tenement in New York city where my father as Richie and his sister Erna grew up. In the second picture, Henny poses cross-legged in a hula skirt, holding a ukulele. She grins into the camera. No party without Henny.
For dad, the story is thick with guilt. He was planning to attend College of Wooster, a dream come true for the tenement boy from Germantown who met the Presbyterian God at Madison Avenue Church's Goodwill Sunday School. Henrietta, in the last years of her illness, counsels him from her hospital bed. Go, she says. Soon after, she dies. Erna turns 12 the day after her mother dies. Aunt Helen takes her in. Ernest is on disability and expects Richie to support the family. It’s a terrible, terrible time. But Richie doesn't stay. He leaves New York for rural Ohio. He changes his name to Dick. Somewhere not far below the skin, he is still dealing with that abandonment.
So, Margaret gathers old pictures of Henny and fashions her from cloth, wood, and paper mache, an astonishing likeness. Henny is still 45 and joins her granddaughter on a holiday, posting emails to us, picture perfect.
Something unusual happens. Henny incarnates.
We shift from the imagined to possible. A lapse of time, a parallel world in which other futures occur. It’s not a surprise that Henny comes alive. Puppets, statues, ritual objects do it all the time. We'd just never been so close to the magic. Later, Margaret also creates Ernest and together they visit the Occupy encampment at Zuccoti Park. Margaret collects the photographs and creates a short book, Henny’s Big Western Adventure. We are still caught in their spell.
What follows are the email posts from their trip, the pictures of Henny, and our exchanges.
See Background on Ernest and Henrietta Poethig
My sister Margaret is wasting her talents on the feds. She is a photographer, costume designer, script writer, and culinary adept. She adorns barbies with elaborate, imaginative outfits and photographs them with backdrops. Then she gives the dolls to her friends’ daughters, nieces, grandchildren since she has no kids of her own.
Sometimes she outdoes herself. My partner Victoria is a Roman Catholic Woman Priest. Margaret decides to create Pope Vicky, inspired by the fashionista inclinations of Pope Benedict. Half a year later, she astonishes us with an intricately robed Pope Vicky, a costume box set out with vestments (33 buttons), and the means to “confect the eucharist”. Go to Pope Vicky’s People, an active FB site. Margaret also published a Pope Vicky booklet. We host the Pontifical barbie in an honored place.
In 2011, before Margaret and her partner Dick embark on a California vacation, she creates Henrietta Poethig, my father’s mother.
Henrietta-- Henny--died in 1946 of TB when she was 45 years old. We had two photos of Henrietta. In the first, she stands with dad’s father, Ernest, on the roof of their tenement in New York city where my father as Richie and his sister Erna grew up. In the second picture, Henny poses cross-legged in a hula skirt, holding a ukulele. She grins into the camera. No party without Henny.
For dad, the story is thick with guilt. He was planning to attend College of Wooster, a dream come true for the tenement boy from Germantown who met the Presbyterian God at Madison Avenue Church's Goodwill Sunday School. Henrietta, in the last years of her illness, counsels him from her hospital bed. Go, she says. Soon after, she dies. Erna turns 12 the day after her mother dies. Aunt Helen takes her in. Ernest is on disability and expects Richie to support the family. It’s a terrible, terrible time. But Richie doesn't stay. He leaves New York for rural Ohio. He changes his name to Dick. Somewhere not far below the skin, he is still dealing with that abandonment.
So, Margaret gathers old pictures of Henny and fashions her from cloth, wood, and paper mache, an astonishing likeness. Henny is still 45 and joins her granddaughter on a holiday, posting emails to us, picture perfect.
Something unusual happens. Henny incarnates.
We shift from the imagined to possible. A lapse of time, a parallel world in which other futures occur. It’s not a surprise that Henny comes alive. Puppets, statues, ritual objects do it all the time. We'd just never been so close to the magic. Later, Margaret also creates Ernest and together they visit the Occupy encampment at Zuccoti Park. Margaret collects the photographs and creates a short book, Henny’s Big Western Adventure. We are still caught in their spell.
What follows are the email posts from their trip, the pictures of Henny, and our exchanges.
Henny's Western Adventure Day 1
Margaret Poethig
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Hi all,
Henny sends her greetings from Death Valley:
"Hi Kids! I'm off on my Big Western Adventure with Dick and Margaret. First stop Death Valley. Looks just like it sounds. Did you know this is where Borax used to come from? Hard to imagine anything useful coming out of a place like this. I had boxes of that stuff at home.
We went down into the valley below sea level and didn't drown. Still, at a 115 degrees on that salt flat I thought I was about to die. I think my varnish started melting. Good thing I brought my umbrella. And look, I made a new friend!
There are some rocks down there called "Artist's Palette." We drove around them twice waiting for the light to be just right. You can't really tell in the photo, but there was blue and magenta and pink and green--all the colors like they were painted on the rock. Margaret will send some of Dick's photos later--he ought to be a professional photographer.
We stayed in the valley overnight--I think the temperature got down to a balmy 90 degrees.
More later,
Henny"
P.S. Margaret put my glasses away in a safe place and then couldn't find them. Sounds like something I would do! That's okay, I see just as well without them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henny's Western Adventure Day 1
Johanna Poethig Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:09 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Thanks for the report Henny! How's Margaret handling the heat?
xox, johanna
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henny's Western Adventure Day 1
Margaret Poethig Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:21 AM
To: Johanna Poethig
Margaret wasn't sure she was going to make it back to the car from the salt flat. She had the hair-brained idea that we would also go see Devil's Golf Course, Devil's Cornfield, and the Race Track, but she thought better of it after Badwater Basin stop.
Margaret Poethig
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Hi all,
Henny sends her greetings from Death Valley:
"Hi Kids! I'm off on my Big Western Adventure with Dick and Margaret. First stop Death Valley. Looks just like it sounds. Did you know this is where Borax used to come from? Hard to imagine anything useful coming out of a place like this. I had boxes of that stuff at home.
We went down into the valley below sea level and didn't drown. Still, at a 115 degrees on that salt flat I thought I was about to die. I think my varnish started melting. Good thing I brought my umbrella. And look, I made a new friend!
There are some rocks down there called "Artist's Palette." We drove around them twice waiting for the light to be just right. You can't really tell in the photo, but there was blue and magenta and pink and green--all the colors like they were painted on the rock. Margaret will send some of Dick's photos later--he ought to be a professional photographer.
We stayed in the valley overnight--I think the temperature got down to a balmy 90 degrees.
More later,
Henny"
P.S. Margaret put my glasses away in a safe place and then couldn't find them. Sounds like something I would do! That's okay, I see just as well without them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henny's Western Adventure Day 1
Johanna Poethig Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:09 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Thanks for the report Henny! How's Margaret handling the heat?
xox, johanna
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henny's Western Adventure Day 1
Margaret Poethig Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 8:21 AM
To: Johanna Poethig
Margaret wasn't sure she was going to make it back to the car from the salt flat. She had the hair-brained idea that we would also go see Devil's Golf Course, Devil's Cornfield, and the Race Track, but she thought better of it after Badwater Basin stop.
Day 2 of Henny's Western Adventure
Margaret Poethig
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Hi all,
I have had a very long day! The kids got me up before dawn so Dick could photograph the sunrise at Zabriskie's Point. This was our third trip to Z's Point--the first time to scout it out for the photo shoot and the second time to search the parking lot for my glasses. This was the best visit--a gorgeous way to start the day.
When we were at Z's Point yesterday, there was a film crew scouting the location too. They were already there when we arrived this morning, filming a gal in a scant pink dress, waiving her arms around with a man in a turban at her feet throwing feathers into the air. Margaret said they must be filming for Bollywood. Speaking of people from India, I think the entire Indian subcontinent is taking a vacation here too.
On our way out of the Valley we stopped at the dunes. If you ask me, this is what the desert is supposed to look like. Margaret and I had some fun while Dick wandered off looking for sand where no one had made a footprint yet. (As soon as Dick sends me some of his photos, I promise to share them with you.)
After the Valley we stopped at Mono Lake to look at the tufas. I can't wait to use that word in a sentence when I get back to New York.
Finally we made it to Lake Tahoe--what a beaut! Being Labor day weekend the place was packed...with people from India, of course!
How do you like my new blue dress?
Love,
Henny
P.S. Margaret finally found the safe place where she had put my glasses.
Margaret Poethig
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Hi all,
I have had a very long day! The kids got me up before dawn so Dick could photograph the sunrise at Zabriskie's Point. This was our third trip to Z's Point--the first time to scout it out for the photo shoot and the second time to search the parking lot for my glasses. This was the best visit--a gorgeous way to start the day.
When we were at Z's Point yesterday, there was a film crew scouting the location too. They were already there when we arrived this morning, filming a gal in a scant pink dress, waiving her arms around with a man in a turban at her feet throwing feathers into the air. Margaret said they must be filming for Bollywood. Speaking of people from India, I think the entire Indian subcontinent is taking a vacation here too.
On our way out of the Valley we stopped at the dunes. If you ask me, this is what the desert is supposed to look like. Margaret and I had some fun while Dick wandered off looking for sand where no one had made a footprint yet. (As soon as Dick sends me some of his photos, I promise to share them with you.)
After the Valley we stopped at Mono Lake to look at the tufas. I can't wait to use that word in a sentence when I get back to New York.
Finally we made it to Lake Tahoe--what a beaut! Being Labor day weekend the place was packed...with people from India, of course!
How do you like my new blue dress?
Love,
Henny
P.S. Margaret finally found the safe place where she had put my glasses.
Day 4 of Henny's Western Adventure
Margaret Poethig
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Today I felt the blood coursing through my veins. I was "on the edge" in more ways than one. All day strangers kept coming up and snatching pictures of me without us even being aware. But that's not what really got me going.
First we strolled over to Yosemite Falls--the tallest in the United States of America. Margaret and I teetered and tottered on the rocks like everyone else to get a closer look. I couldn't wear my glasses because we were sure they would fall into the drink and be lost forever.
(Afterwards we stopped at Bridalveil Falls--Dick captured the lacy spray at the top with his good camera work.)
The day was hotter than expected so I changed into my shorts and off we went to Glacier Point for a spectacular view of the High Sierras--Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, and other icons of Yosemite Valley in the landscape behind me. The high winds swept me off a rock, but Margaret rescued me and I was no worse for wear.
Margaret wanted to go to Taft Point to see the fissures in the granite. My heart was in my throat as I sat on the edge looking into the dark crevasse. As I was sitting blissfully taking in the whole Valley scene, I almost got picked off by a great bird--that was a little too close to call for even thrill-seeking me!
We raced back down the mountain to catch the golden rays of the setting sun on the Valley peaks. With Dick's great big camera he managed to capture the craters of the moon! Great going, Dick, I said. Such things I could never have imagined in my day.
Henny
Margaret Poethig
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Today I felt the blood coursing through my veins. I was "on the edge" in more ways than one. All day strangers kept coming up and snatching pictures of me without us even being aware. But that's not what really got me going.
First we strolled over to Yosemite Falls--the tallest in the United States of America. Margaret and I teetered and tottered on the rocks like everyone else to get a closer look. I couldn't wear my glasses because we were sure they would fall into the drink and be lost forever.
(Afterwards we stopped at Bridalveil Falls--Dick captured the lacy spray at the top with his good camera work.)
The day was hotter than expected so I changed into my shorts and off we went to Glacier Point for a spectacular view of the High Sierras--Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, and other icons of Yosemite Valley in the landscape behind me. The high winds swept me off a rock, but Margaret rescued me and I was no worse for wear.
Margaret wanted to go to Taft Point to see the fissures in the granite. My heart was in my throat as I sat on the edge looking into the dark crevasse. As I was sitting blissfully taking in the whole Valley scene, I almost got picked off by a great bird--that was a little too close to call for even thrill-seeking me!
We raced back down the mountain to catch the golden rays of the setting sun on the Valley peaks. With Dick's great big camera he managed to capture the craters of the moon! Great going, Dick, I said. Such things I could never have imagined in my day.
Henny
Henny at Yosemite (click to enlarge)
Day 6 of Henny's Western Adventure
Margaret Poethig
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Hi kids,
We made it through the Central Valley of California to Watsonville for a short visit with the lovely gals Kerry and Victoria. Kerry cooked us a delicious chicken dinner, and in the morning we took it easy, mostly checking emails and surfing the internet.
Later I put on my fanciest outfit and visited my dear old friend Barbie, now Her Holiness Pope Victoria I. Pope Vicky has just returned from China, where she visited Aunt Harriet, who was a Christian missionary in the 20th century. On the way back she stopped in Bali, where she received a beautiful new tiara from a local village temple.
We talked about what a gift time travel is, and then Vicky wanted to hear all about my Big Western Adventure. She said she envied my normal life and at times wished she had one too. I guess being an iconic figure isn't always a bed of roses. Still, she looked stunning and I told her so.
We posed for an official portrait. I can't wait to frame it and hang it where everyone back home can admire it. Now, off to Palo Alto for a visit with Dick's and Margaret's friends Jim and Nancy.
Henny
Margaret Poethig
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Hi kids,
We made it through the Central Valley of California to Watsonville for a short visit with the lovely gals Kerry and Victoria. Kerry cooked us a delicious chicken dinner, and in the morning we took it easy, mostly checking emails and surfing the internet.
Later I put on my fanciest outfit and visited my dear old friend Barbie, now Her Holiness Pope Victoria I. Pope Vicky has just returned from China, where she visited Aunt Harriet, who was a Christian missionary in the 20th century. On the way back she stopped in Bali, where she received a beautiful new tiara from a local village temple.
We talked about what a gift time travel is, and then Vicky wanted to hear all about my Big Western Adventure. She said she envied my normal life and at times wished she had one too. I guess being an iconic figure isn't always a bed of roses. Still, she looked stunning and I told her so.
We posed for an official portrait. I can't wait to frame it and hang it where everyone back home can admire it. Now, off to Palo Alto for a visit with Dick's and Margaret's friends Jim and Nancy.
Henny
Day 6 of Henny's Western Adventure
Kathryn Poethig Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM
To: Margaret Poethig
Oh I love her travels!
K
-- Day 6 of Henny's Western Adventure
Eunice Poethig (dad) Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 1:33 PM
To: Margaret Poethig
Cc: Erna, Kerry, Victoria Rue
Marg:
Good going. I'm glad Henny had a chance to meet her granddaughter Kathryn and granddaughter-in-law Victoria. Also she was hob-nobbing with her holiness Pope Victoria I. Time travel is a wonderful thing, especially when you can manage it in the spiritual realm. Knowing the kind of spirit good ol' Henny possessed, she is really revelling in all these places and people she meeting. Keep on rolling, Mom.
Dad
Kathryn Poethig Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM
To: Margaret Poethig
Oh I love her travels!
K
-- Day 6 of Henny's Western Adventure
Eunice Poethig (dad) Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 1:33 PM
To: Margaret Poethig
Cc: Erna, Kerry, Victoria Rue
Marg:
Good going. I'm glad Henny had a chance to meet her granddaughter Kathryn and granddaughter-in-law Victoria. Also she was hob-nobbing with her holiness Pope Victoria I. Time travel is a wonderful thing, especially when you can manage it in the spiritual realm. Knowing the kind of spirit good ol' Henny possessed, she is really revelling in all these places and people she meeting. Keep on rolling, Mom.
Dad
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Hi kids,
Today Jim and Nancy took us over to the Cantor Arts Center on the Stanford University Campus. One painting took me right back to Yosemite Valley!
This lovely museum boasts an extensive collection of Rodin sculptures. I felt oddly at home there. One museum staff member even asked if I would be donated to the museum! I was flattered, but I told them I didn't want to give up my wardrobe.
Henny
Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Hi kids,
Today Jim and Nancy took us over to the Cantor Arts Center on the Stanford University Campus. One painting took me right back to Yosemite Valley!
This lovely museum boasts an extensive collection of Rodin sculptures. I felt oddly at home there. One museum staff member even asked if I would be donated to the museum! I was flattered, but I told them I didn't want to give up my wardrobe.
Henny
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:20 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Really REALLY you should make this a Henny Blog. Its so clever and we're all in love with Henny -- in a different way than Pope Vicky, maybe because she's also our grandmother.
It's just too good for only us.
On a headier note:
I'm also reading about the vital materialism - and this is really it. Jane Bennett''s Vibrant Matter (which I lent to mom) refers to this. Appadurai's older book The Social Life of Things (we would never call Henny a thing and that's already the point). But you are clearly a vital materialist, Margaret who assumes her creations have an inner life. I'm thinking back to Sam's baby bear story too.
xoxoxo
Kerry
PS Henny actually was solicited!?
Kathryn (Kerry) Poethig, Ph.D.
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:24 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Hey, I think I'll write about this myself, maybe even start my own blog about it - baby bear (who is already live to Sam), Pope Vicky, Henny, and Maceda projects and how they have affected the family. Keep all those emails I may need them (with permission). It starts with your barbies, but these we love.
sos
K
---------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?Johanna Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:29 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
It's a "heady" "Henny " concept to be considered as a work of art. We are all works of art? The museum staff was pinoy/pinay I assume?
xoxox,
Johanna
-----------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Margaret Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM
To: Johanna Poethig
Pinoy, of course.
------------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Nancy McClenny Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
Cc: Margaret Poethig
Go Margaret,
Nancy
------------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Margaret Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
I'm definitely going to have to stop making dolls and start reading some books!
Too many vital materials to work with, too little time...
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:20 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Really REALLY you should make this a Henny Blog. Its so clever and we're all in love with Henny -- in a different way than Pope Vicky, maybe because she's also our grandmother.
It's just too good for only us.
On a headier note:
I'm also reading about the vital materialism - and this is really it. Jane Bennett''s Vibrant Matter (which I lent to mom) refers to this. Appadurai's older book The Social Life of Things (we would never call Henny a thing and that's already the point). But you are clearly a vital materialist, Margaret who assumes her creations have an inner life. I'm thinking back to Sam's baby bear story too.
xoxoxo
Kerry
PS Henny actually was solicited!?
Kathryn (Kerry) Poethig, Ph.D.
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:24 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
Hey, I think I'll write about this myself, maybe even start my own blog about it - baby bear (who is already live to Sam), Pope Vicky, Henny, and Maceda projects and how they have affected the family. Keep all those emails I may need them (with permission). It starts with your barbies, but these we love.
sos
K
---------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?Johanna Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:29 AM
To: Margaret Poethig
It's a "heady" "Henny " concept to be considered as a work of art. We are all works of art? The museum staff was pinoy/pinay I assume?
xoxox,
Johanna
-----------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Margaret Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM
To: Johanna Poethig
Pinoy, of course.
------------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Nancy McClenny Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
Cc: Margaret Poethig
Go Margaret,
Nancy
------------
Day 7 (part 2): Henny Contemplates What Is Art?
Margaret Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
I'm definitely going to have to stop making dolls and start reading some books!
Too many vital materials to work with, too little time...
Day 7 (part 3): No party without Henny
5 messages Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Hi kids,
As soon as we arrived in Oakland, California, we were whisked off to Chris's 58th birthday party. We all had salty-sweet-and-sour drinks called Margaritas. I'm going to have to tell brother-in-law Bill about these drinks (he was the bartender at the Donist Restaurant on East 86th Street). I think Margaritas would have been a big hit with the Yorkville crowd.
I enjoyed gossiping and posing for pictures with the girls. As Cousin Carlie Rehling used to say, "There is no party without Henny." And so it goes.
A cute Filipino man, Jose Maceda, arrived a little later. He brought a sweater for the chilly Bay Area weather, which he graciously let me borrow when the sun went down. In case you are wondering why I'm wearing my hiking boots, it's because I left one of my dress shoes at Kerry's and Victoria's. Anyway, Johanna said the boots were high fashion on the West Coast and after seeing the party crowd, I didn't doubt her!
We had dinner on the patio--fortunately they had lamps that gave off heat and warmed all of us around the table. After dinner, Jose played his Filipino bamboo instrument for us. Such a sound I have never heard! It was marvelous.
The party went on and Johanna and I compared noses. I was surprised to hear the girls refer to it as "the Poethig nose." But I told them my side of the family should get credit for something. The girls promised me they will call it "the Schoelzel nose" from now on.
I'm so sad my Big Western Adventure is too soon coming to an end.
Henny
5 messages Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Hi kids,
As soon as we arrived in Oakland, California, we were whisked off to Chris's 58th birthday party. We all had salty-sweet-and-sour drinks called Margaritas. I'm going to have to tell brother-in-law Bill about these drinks (he was the bartender at the Donist Restaurant on East 86th Street). I think Margaritas would have been a big hit with the Yorkville crowd.
I enjoyed gossiping and posing for pictures with the girls. As Cousin Carlie Rehling used to say, "There is no party without Henny." And so it goes.
A cute Filipino man, Jose Maceda, arrived a little later. He brought a sweater for the chilly Bay Area weather, which he graciously let me borrow when the sun went down. In case you are wondering why I'm wearing my hiking boots, it's because I left one of my dress shoes at Kerry's and Victoria's. Anyway, Johanna said the boots were high fashion on the West Coast and after seeing the party crowd, I didn't doubt her!
We had dinner on the patio--fortunately they had lamps that gave off heat and warmed all of us around the table. After dinner, Jose played his Filipino bamboo instrument for us. Such a sound I have never heard! It was marvelous.
The party went on and Johanna and I compared noses. I was surprised to hear the girls refer to it as "the Poethig nose." But I told them my side of the family should get credit for something. The girls promised me they will call it "the Schoelzel nose" from now on.
I'm so sad my Big Western Adventure is too soon coming to an end.
Henny
Day 7 (part 3): No party without Henny
Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Oops, I forgot to attach the nose picture.
Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Oops, I forgot to attach the nose picture.
----------Day 7 (part 3): No party without Henny
Chris Brown Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM
To: Margaret Poethig
Hi Henny,
Thanks for celebrating with me, and inspiring my pal Jose to also show up!
Seems like you two really hit it off! What a reunion!
Chris
Chris Brown
Music Department Head
Mills College
---------------
Day 7 (part 3): No party without Henny
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 1:53 PM
To: Chris Brown, Margaret Poethig
Well, Henny you once again were the life of the party. And what a time you've had -- we're only glad you decided to bring Margaret and Dick along, they're such good photographers -- and you're so photogenic. You've made new friends (Maceda) and reunited with the old (Pope Vicky) - 'one is silver and the other gold' is right for their hair coloring.
Thanks to you, we've viturally hiked the high trails, posed with Rodin, sipped with birthday boy Chris...
Surely they need you back in Washington for a little pick-me-up as we all remember 9/11 with a kind of "chronomania".
Happy trails,
Kerry
-------------
Day 7 (part 3): No party without Henny
Johanna Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 2:05 PM
To: Kathryn Poethig
Cc: Chris Brown , Margaret Poethig
I would like to know what Henny thinks about "Chronomania" since she flew back home on 9/11?
JP
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
6 messages Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:03 PM
To: Johanna Poethig
Cc: to all
Johanna,
Here I am poolside at Mills College in Oakland, contemplating chronomania. In particularly, I am considering how "time’s messianic cessation [does not] necessarily constitute the hallmark of revolutionary praxis; instead, in the proleptic and analeptic constellations of September 11, technocapital and state power have subsumed ... the kairotic time of the religious imaginary."
As of this writing, I have arrived safe and sound, having traveled the red-eye, cozily in Baggage Class, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, a fitting end to my Big Western Adventure.
Love to all,
Henny
--------------Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Erika Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:08 PM
To: Margaret Poethig Johanna Poethig
She looks very relaxed!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
---------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:40 PM
To: Erika
Cc: Margaret Poethig
Well, it's pretty clear that Henny is not a chonomaniac.
-----------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Subject: Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Eunice Poethig (dad) Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 7:46 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
Kathryn:
Kindly explain to your ancient father what "chronomania" is. I'm I glad or not that my dear mother Henny is not a chronomaniac.
Dad
------------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Erna Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 8:23 AM
To: Erika,, Margaret, Johanna
Cc: All
Erika- Yes, my mother did look relaxed in this shot- I have loved her adventures and I am sure she would have been whooping it up, were she alive to be a party to them. Margaret is extremely talented and she has touched my heart deeply with Henny and her adventure ( and her " nose" was not too far off- it was long and thin- like mine) Your father's obviously was from someone in our past! She was quite conservative, but not afraid to speak her piece- I was only 12 when I lost her - which was a shame , but as your father will attest - she spoke her conservative mind out and I believe she would have been "ticked" at all the liberalism in the world today ( That is why your Dad and I are so different - I stayed with the conservative- he chose liberalism- To each his own - that is what keeps the world going. We do not love or respect each other any less though our views are miles apart. ) I thank you Margaret for taking " Henny' on her adventures- something she would not have been able to do in her life. I agree with your sister- Henny should have her own blog to keep us all abreast of her adventures. Thank you for bringing this bit of joy into my life. Keep Well , Be Happy and just as a parting dig.. Vote Republican!
Love you- Aunt erna
--------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Johanna Poethig Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 9:41 AM
To: Erna
cc: all
Dear Erna,
I spoke to Henny and she actually believes in Science and is so distressed about the state of the economy brought on by Republican policies. After talking with her about my job working for a State University she agrees that our students deserve an education and she would like to see the US go more in the direction of today's Germany which has one of the strongest economies because they tax fairly, they support Unions, they educate their people, they make things with expertise and they take climate change very seriously and invest in alternative energy etc. I guess times have changed her!
love,
Johanna
6 messages Margaret Poethig
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:03 PM
To: Johanna Poethig
Cc: to all
Johanna,
Here I am poolside at Mills College in Oakland, contemplating chronomania. In particularly, I am considering how "time’s messianic cessation [does not] necessarily constitute the hallmark of revolutionary praxis; instead, in the proleptic and analeptic constellations of September 11, technocapital and state power have subsumed ... the kairotic time of the religious imaginary."
As of this writing, I have arrived safe and sound, having traveled the red-eye, cozily in Baggage Class, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, a fitting end to my Big Western Adventure.
Love to all,
Henny
--------------Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Erika Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:08 PM
To: Margaret Poethig Johanna Poethig
She looks very relaxed!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
---------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Kathryn Poethig Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 5:40 PM
To: Erika
Cc: Margaret Poethig
Well, it's pretty clear that Henny is not a chonomaniac.
-----------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Subject: Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Eunice Poethig (dad) Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 7:46 AM
To: Kathryn Poethig
Kathryn:
Kindly explain to your ancient father what "chronomania" is. I'm I glad or not that my dear mother Henny is not a chronomaniac.
Dad
------------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Erna Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 8:23 AM
To: Erika,, Margaret, Johanna
Cc: All
Erika- Yes, my mother did look relaxed in this shot- I have loved her adventures and I am sure she would have been whooping it up, were she alive to be a party to them. Margaret is extremely talented and she has touched my heart deeply with Henny and her adventure ( and her " nose" was not too far off- it was long and thin- like mine) Your father's obviously was from someone in our past! She was quite conservative, but not afraid to speak her piece- I was only 12 when I lost her - which was a shame , but as your father will attest - she spoke her conservative mind out and I believe she would have been "ticked" at all the liberalism in the world today ( That is why your Dad and I are so different - I stayed with the conservative- he chose liberalism- To each his own - that is what keeps the world going. We do not love or respect each other any less though our views are miles apart. ) I thank you Margaret for taking " Henny' on her adventures- something she would not have been able to do in her life. I agree with your sister- Henny should have her own blog to keep us all abreast of her adventures. Thank you for bringing this bit of joy into my life. Keep Well , Be Happy and just as a parting dig.. Vote Republican!
Love you- Aunt erna
--------------
Day 8: The End of Henny's Western Adventure
Johanna Poethig Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 9:41 AM
To: Erna
cc: all
Dear Erna,
I spoke to Henny and she actually believes in Science and is so distressed about the state of the economy brought on by Republican policies. After talking with her about my job working for a State University she agrees that our students deserve an education and she would like to see the US go more in the direction of today's Germany which has one of the strongest economies because they tax fairly, they support Unions, they educate their people, they make things with expertise and they take climate change very seriously and invest in alternative energy etc. I guess times have changed her!
love,
Johanna
Zuccoti Park with Henny and Ernest
Visit to Zuccotti Park
11 messages Margaret Poethig <[email protected]> Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Dick and I and some friends went to Wall Street's Zuccotti Park today, where at first glance the police seemed to outnumber the protestors. It was rainy and very crowded, and everyone had a camera. Many of the cameras were pointed at us!
Margaret proposed a movie featuring Henny and Ernest.
11 messages Margaret Poethig <[email protected]> Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Dick and I and some friends went to Wall Street's Zuccotti Park today, where at first glance the police seemed to outnumber the protestors. It was rainy and very crowded, and everyone had a camera. Many of the cameras were pointed at us!
Margaret proposed a movie featuring Henny and Ernest.
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