dulemba

Cuba: Beyond Mambo and Rock n' Roll

Recently, we had three amazing artists share their work all the way from Cuba: Ernesto René Figueroa, Esterio Segura Mora, and Ernesto J. Garcia Nodarse. They displayed their artwork in a show called "Cuba: Beyond Mambo and Rock n' Roll" at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum. Their works were distinctly different, unavoidably political, and thought provoking without apology. I had the accidental good fortune to have lunch with them the day before the opening, where I showed off my very poor Spanish. They're hosted by Virginia Tech professor emeritus Dr. Joseph Scarpaci, who worked as translator during their visit... thank goodness!
Opening night was a roaring success! Here are René and Esterio in front of René's drawings - blueprint like chalk drawings on oiled cement bags that I absolutely adored.

There were imaginary machines, photographs, paintings, ceramic plates, and collaged sculptures - they used whatever it took to express their feelings about living in such a rich but restrained country all their lives. It was quite the honor that they were able to get visas to leave the country and travel the US with this tour, and an equally big deal that our Wilson Museum was their first stop. Everyone had a wonderful time, including the artists! (Click the image to see a short video of them doing a celebratory Mambo!)

It's official! I am now Director of Graduate Programs!

in Children's Literature and Illustration at Hollins University in gorgeous Roanoke, Virginia; and I'm so looking forward to helping drive exciting opportunities for everyone! Many, many thanks for all the love and well wishes on Facebook!! I love that Hollins made an actual webpage advertising my new position! (Click the image below to see the whole thing.)

I've moved into a newly renovated ground floor apartment in an old Victorian house in the historic district downtown, close to all sorts of fun stuff, and I even have one of our program students as an upstairs neighbor - it's "Hollins South"!
It's taking a minute for me to get my feet under me in this new life chapter, but I have exciting things planned, which include getting my newsletter back up and running - so I hope you'll stay tuned! (And subscribe if you haven't already!)

It's been a minute and I have NEWS!!!

It's been a while since I last blogged. After my husband passed, I rather fell out of the habit. But life is offering me a new chapter and this one will put me back on the social media pony... I have taken on a new position! I am now the Director of Graduate Programs in Children's Literature, Writing, and Illustration at Hollins University. We're growing our program from the low-residency summer model to offering a year-round model as well, and I will be spear-heading the endeavor. (If you want to know more about it - please email me at dulembaeo at hollins.edu).
I moved to the gorgeous Roanoke, Virginia this past weekend and am settling into my new home - a ground floor apartment in an old Victorian in the historic district. I'm near all the fun things to do in the city and only a 15 minute commute to campus. The best thing is that Virginia has always felt like home to me. My earliest years were spent in Manasas, Virginia, and I used to visit my grandparents every summer in Lexington, just up the road from Roanoke. The first time I set foot on campus and saw all the bunnies and smelled the boxwoods, I had a deep sense of peace and it has never left me. I'm HOME! After working summer semesters in our low-residency MA/MFA/Certificate programs for ten years, I'm so excited to be on this beautiful campus full-time. I'll get to see the leaves change and maybe even some snow!
To start off this adventure, yesterday was Convocation - the "welcome back" ceremony for faculty, staff, and students. But this was unlike any Convocation I've ever attended. I felt like Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile as I lined up with my fellow faculty and walked to the chapel.

Here I am with Andrea Martens, our Print Professor, and Amy Gerber-Stroh, our Film Professor.

Seniors have the wonderful tradition of wearing customized robes to Convocation, and they go all out. I wish I could show you more, they were so fun!

President Hinton gave a rousing speech about how living one's true self with JOY is in itself an act of defiance - it was truly fabulous and we gave her a standing ovation. I'm so looking forward to working alongside this Rock Star of a University President!

Students sang Hollins' songs that have been sung since 1842, the year of the University's inception, led by Choral Director, Shelbie Wahl-Fouts.

Finally, we all gathered in the Quad where I was warned to stand back, because the students shake up bottles of champaigne (or bubbly cider) and spray it everywhere! Talk about JOY!

What a way to kick off this new position! I have so much to do, so many meetings to have, and so many book festivals, fairs, and events to attend to help spread the word about our new offerings, it's going to be an exciting ride! I hope you'll stick around to share my adventures with me, because, I'm BACK!!! Here I am with my good friend and the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum Director, Jenine Culligan, looking mighty happy indeed!!!

For those who don't know

If you've wondered where I've been, or why I've been so quiet... my dear husband, Stan Dulemba, passed away on November 2nd. While he hadn't been well for a long time, the end was sudden and unexpected. One is never ready for such loss. One of the best analogies I've read is that losing a spouse is not like breaking a leg - one does not "heal" from such a loss. Rather, it is like having a leg amputated. One must adjust to a new type of life and living. Which is what I am learning to do.
     Grief has created a "before" and "after" in my world, a division that I recognize in the eyes of others. I am now part of a club I never asked to join, but it is one of deep understanding and empathy. Grief is not contagious, it is life. And if we are lucky enough to love, we will experience loss and the associated grief. The alternative is, of course, to either die young, or to never love at all - neither of which is an acceptable alternative to my mind.
     And so, I am learning how to live forward while honoring the wonderful life I had with Stan. We had FUN and so many adventures, many that I've shared with you, dear readers.
     So, here is what I did and am doing to honor my husband. I found a company that turns your loved one's ashes into "Parting Stones," much like river rocks. I plan to leave them in beautiful and significant places around the world. There are so many parting stones in this very heavy box, it will take me the rest of my life to disseminate them all. But they will remind me to live, or as we often said, to live out loud. Stan's adventures will continue with me.

I took two of his stones to New York City for Christmas to Providence for New Years, and to Scotland in May, which I blogged about (click on the colored text).
The very first stone throw wasn't planned, though. My friends MJ, Andy, and I followed a path that runs along the ocean called "Cliff Walk" in Newport, Rhode Island. Grief was hitting me pretty hard, so I told MJ and Andy to walk on without me. I found a bench and contemplated... everything.

When they got back to me, I was in tears and had decided this was the perfect spot to throw out Stan's first parting stone. One problem, I have a crap throwing arm; so I asked Andy to do it. Among hugs and tears, Andy chucked Stan's first parting stone WAY out into the sea. It was perfect. It felt right. It felt significant. Here's the spot...

Video link. Stan's second parting stone, however, didn't go quite as smoothly.
I had planned how I wanted the second stone to go. I found a quote from Shakespeare's Two Men of Verona that I wanted to read. (Our wedding rings were engraved with a quote from the play.) MJ and I walked to the end of the beach near her home. There were large cement blocks reaching out like a jetty and I thought it would be lovely to throw Stan's stone from the end.

     As I started to climb out, MJ said, "I don't know, sweetie, that algae looks pretty slippery." I didn't even have time to repond.
     SPLOOSH!
     In I went to the ice-cold water. It was deep enough to go up and over and into my new Bogg Boots (waterproof on the outside). Somehow, I held onto my phone and it and the upper half of me stayed dry. But I was still so angry with myself. I felt stupid as I pulled off my boots, dumping out a gallon of water from each one (very I Love Lucy style), and wringing out my soaking wet socks. Once that was done, I attempted to salvage the moment. I read the quote and threw Stan's stone into the sea... but remember that crap throwing arm I mentioned? Yeah.
     Plonk!
     It landed about three feet from me. Not what I had in mind. So, in my wet rubber boots, I went to get it and try again.
     Plunk!
     At this point, it was obvious this had turned into a complete fiasco, maybe even a message from Stan to stop taking everything so seriously. MJ and I were in tears from laughing so hard as we walked back along the beach and came up with a more colorful quote to add to my "Widow's Toolbox" - a collection of helpful sayings to use to either respond to inapprorpriate comments from well-meaning folks or to just keep me sane.

     At any rate, it felt right in the end and I added the story to my diary where I'm keeping track of all his stones and the GPS coordinates of where I leave him. (The book of hand-made paper was a gift from one of my students - so lovely.)
     So, I am living forward, living OUT LOUD, and I will continue to have grand adventures. I can't think of a better way to honor my dear husband.

      Here is a link to his online tribute and here is a link to his Celebration of Life.

Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Day 12: My last few minutes in Edinburgh - I decided to leave one last Parting Stone at the St Vincent pub - where Stan and I made and met so many friends.

Will it be there forever? Probably not; but neither was Stan and neither will I be.

And last glimpses of the magic land of Scotland until we meet again... One last view of the rapeseed blooming...

and the bridges over the Firth of Forth. Somewhere down there, Johnny is waving at my plane. I will miss you, Scotland. I hope to return soon!

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh

Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh - so bittersweet. Lunch at Chez Jules, my favorite French restaurant in Edinburgh, always good for an inexpensive yet excellent meal; Peter Howson at the City Art Centre (where I once had art shown), this was the poster that made me want to see the show; bimbling about; the thistles outside the City Art Centre; Princes Street Garden to the left and to the right where the National Gallery sits; my man, Sir Walter Scott; the view from the bridge over Dean Village (beware roads that look like they intersect on Google Maps in Edinburgh, they might be very far apart indeed!; drinks with Kevin and Connie, then dinner at Dulce with amazing Ceviche Scallops!

Chez Jules - Lunch specials were 1, 2, or 3 course; although everything begins with a small salad, olives, salami, and French bread. I ordered the modules frites - YUM!

Most museums are free, but I really wanted to see an exhibit at the City Art Centre. (My "I'm With Her" protest poster was in a Zeitgeist show there several years ago.) The thistle is the national flower of Scotland.

The poster that made me want to see the show!

Princes Street Garden to the left.

Princes Street Garden to the right with the National Gallery (also known as the museum on the mound). The weather was SO GORGEOUS this trip!

My man, Sir Walter Scott at his monument.

View from the bridge over Dean Village.

Kevin and Connie - two of my favorite people! xxoo

I treated Connie and Kevin to dinner at Dulce as a thank you for staying at her Airbnb. The oysters were the most delicious I've ever tasted!

Ceviche scallops...they were simply amazing!

Day 10 in Scotland: Food, Museums, and a Friend

Day 10: Taking photos of some of my favorite places to eat in Edinburgh (I can't eat in ALL of them in one trip!); lunch with Hyab in the National Museum of Scotland; a fashion exhibit and Pict history; and a venison dinner at The Whisky Rooms.
Mum's is a great place to get the traditional haggis, neeps, and tatties. Being near the uni, it's also a favorite student hangout.

We used to jokingly call this The Red Lobster; although the comparison ended with the red lobster over the door. Cafe Royal is a Very Upscale place to order a Fruit de Mer (steamed seafood platter).

Maybe I'll have lunch at Chez Jules today - it's a French Bistro, as authentic as they come. LOVE it!

I was thrilled to see my all time fave crepe stand is still there - set up in an old police box!

Hyab and I met for lunch at the café in the National Museum. We were office mates during our PhD studies - we've all remained friends. Hyab is now doing amazing things, advocating all over the world about the treatment and experience of refugees. He's amazing. Together again!

I decided to spend a day in the National Museum of Scotland - one of my favorite museums in the world. Inside is a history of mankind and all the things we get into from the dawn of the planet to modern day. I could spend months here discovering new things! And being Scotland, it's FREE to visit whenever you like!

Fun stuff to look at is EVERYWHERE! Here's Dolly the first cloned sheep!

I took this one for Stan. He loved to watch Formula One.

The famous Lewis Chess Pieces with their wee goggly eyes. I love them!

This horse head dress would have been used for ceremonial purposes. Loki inspiration much?

There is so much to see, this trip, I decided to concentrate on Pictish History. They had no written language, but they did leave carvings, like this magnificent boar. Most of what we know about these people was told by their vanquishers, the Romans.

A WOMAN represented hunting on a Pictish Stone carving. SOME believe that the Picts were matrilineal or matrifocal (if not a full on matriarchy).

There was also an interesting fashion exhibit in the museum. These were SHOES if you can believe it!

I don't know how anyone was supposed to walk in these - especially the copper ones on the upper right. Yup - those are shoes too!

Sadly, I have yet to see the Bute Mazer in person - it was away for some scientific reason. I love it because of the lion in the bottom - how the artist rendered a creature they'd obviously never seen, but only been told about. So much creative practice can be inspired by this idea!

Afterwards, I wandered down to The Meadows, Edinburgh's version of Central Park. Students were laying out in the sun.

I ended up in The Whiski Rooms for some Ardbeg 10 and venison. (You can't get venison in restaurants in the US typically, which is a

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland
) I didn't get a photo of my meal - PAH!

Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!

Day 9: I found it ironic that I awoke to a reminder from Facebook of my life on May 27, 2015. SO much changed since that hopeful day.

Back in real time, I had lunch with Penelope at my all time favorite Fisher's - a Fruit de Mer! You can't even see Penelope for all the steam! OMG!

The Fruit de Mer had lobster, langoustines, scallop, Dungeoness Crab claws, clams, mussels, oysters, and razor clams. OMG YUM!!!! Although, we had to ask the waiter to bust into the claw for us - it was tough as a rock! LOL!