Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Jan 21, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Happy Birthday Kathy Whirity: kathywhirity@yahoo.com , Maria Harden:  mharden@escape.ca

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 Generation Jones - Who We Are

 Robin Lee

Arguments for our existence:

1.  The majority of us don't feel like Boomers or Xer's

If you were born between 1954 and 1965, ask yourself this question: "Do I feel like a member of The Baby Boom Generation, Generation X, or neither?" Ask other people of this age which of the two generations they feel a part of. You will quickly find that the vast majority of people in this age group do not feel like Boomers or Xers.

2.  Our Generation did proclaim it's existence at the age generations typically do, but we were ignored

New generations typically assert their "differentness" when their oldest members hit their late teens and early twenties. Three times in the last 35 years, "new generation" choruses have appeared—in the early-60s(Boomers), the mid-70s (us), and early 90s(Xers). While the Boomer and Xer choruses resulted in media feeding frenzies, our attempts to assert our collective identity were largely ignored.

As early as 1972, for example, The New York Times Magazine ran a cover story written by 18-year old Joyce Maynard in which she proclaimed that she and her peers were the leading edge of a new generation, one qualitatively different than the Woodstock Generation. Her voice, like the others that followed in the mid-70s, weren't heard by a nation that wasn't ready to deal with a new generation. But for many of us in that new generation, it was a joke that we were being lumped in with the Boomers. It was obvious to us that we were a different generation.

3.  We have been mistakenly lumped into a flawed definition of The Baby Boom Generation.

The traditional 1946-1964 definition of The Baby Boomers is filled with errors: It ludicrously defines a generation by birth rates when actually generational personalities arise from shared formative experiences, not head counts. The first Boomers were born several years before birth rates happened to increase in '46. Time Magazine, for example, chose their 1966 "Man of the Year" as "The Generation under 25" and many of the most famous Boomers (Jim Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Abby Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, etc.) were born well before '46.

Nineteen years is too long. As Gail Sheehy (of Passages fame) has noted: "And given the acceleration of the life cycle, a generation is now encapsulated in ten to fifteen years instead of the traditional twenty."

4.  The massive confusion surrounding the birth years of Generation X reflects the difficulty of trying to divide two generations when there are actually three. 

   Some press accounts say that the first Gen X birth years were the mid-50s, while others start Gen X as late as the early 70s. In 1991, Gen X was defined as "twentysomethings".  Ten years later, Gen X is still described as twentysomethings, as if personalities abruptly change on thirtieth birthdays as generational membership cards are revoked. Writers as far apart as Jay McInerny (46 yrs. old in '01) and Linda Ealing (23 yrs. old in '01) are regularly categorized as "Gen X Writers". Even Douglas Coupland (whose 1991 novel gave birth to the label) ridiculed the press confusion in a 1995 Details essay when he chided : "The media refers to anyone 13-39 as Xers".  

5.  The Joneser's collective personality is clearly separable from that of the Boomers and Xers.

This fact reflects the very different formative experiences of each generation. Admittedly, determining generations is complicated, an inexact science, with inevitable blur on the edges. Nonetheless, broad accurate generalizations emerge with careful analysis. The three generations differ in many ways. One major difference is that Boomers tend to be idealistic, Xers tend to be cynical, and Jonesers tend to be a balance of idealism and cynicism. Attitudinal research bears this out.

6.  Generation Jones is the missing link in the cycle of fashion that reflects gererational change.

The predictable cycle of one generation's fringe style becoming the mainstream style of the next generation is visual illustration of the existence of Generation Jones. Fashion history tells us there had to be a separate generation between the Boomer hippie fringe and today's Xer mainstream. Mainstream Boomers dressed in a traditional, straight style. The tie-dyed, bell-bottomed, long-haired(men and women), etc. look was the province of the small(but highly visible) Boomer hippie counterculture. This hippie style became the mainstream look of Jonesers. Generation Jones had two main fringe subcultures—punk and rap. The main common denominator of punk and rap was a sense of pastiche—the mixing together of seemingly disparate styles.

This became the dominant fashion ethos of Xers. Not just the ascendance of body piercings, tattoos, etc., but an overall sense of sartorial anarchy, the "anything goes" pastiche in contrast to the mainstream look of Jonesers.

 7.   Common Sense

There was no new generation between the early-60s and early 90s?! During such dramatically changing eras?! How could it make intuitive sense that a 36 yr. old who was raised during Watergate and who is now entering the work force after just finishing her doctorate would be in the same cultural generation as her 55 yr. old father who was raised during the Howdy Doody Fifties and who is now a member of AARP considering his retirement years?
Or that that 36 yr. old could be in the same generation as the 23 yr. old multiple-pierced and tattooed student she taught last semester whose childhood was shaped by the Reagan Years? Common sense alone points to the existence of Generation Jones.

8.  The Boomers, Jonesers and Xer's were shaped by three different parental generations.

Boomers are mostly the offspring of The World War II Generation, Jonesers are mostly the offspring of The Silent Generation, and Xers are mostly the offspring of the Boomers.

ABOUT GENERATION JONES

Jonathan Pontell identified the existenceof this lost generation between the Baby Boomers and Generation X, andhe coined the term "Generation Jones" for it.

Robin Lee

onespiritx3@yahoo.com

~**~**~

The Christmas Card Mystery

Doris Fandal

On December 13, 2006, my husband and I received a
strange Christmas card.  It was a very pretty card and
inside there was a message that said, "P. S. I think
of you so often.   Would love to talk to you."  It was
signed Frank and Jodie.  I looked at Mickey and he
looked at me and both asked "Who is this card from, I
don't know a Jodie, do you?"   Then we started trying
to think who it could be.  Back to the envelope to
look for a return address. nothing there and the
postmark was blurred and unreadable except that it had
Shreveport stamped on it.  That was not very helpful
because a lot of our mail comes through Shreveport and
bears that mark.  The envelope was addressed to Mickey
and Doris Fandal.  Mickey said it must be one of your
friends; I don't know anyone named Jodie. 
The list started, well, we knew Frank M. but he died
several years ago and his wife's name was not Jodie. 
And there was Frank B., in fact there are two Frank
B's but their wives are not Jodie either.  Then there
was Frank who was a student at the university but he
died too.  Jodi in Ohio is my friend but her husband
is Mark, Jody in Arkansas doesn't have our mailing
address and I never met her husband.  The list grew
and grew but no one seemed to fit the names…did
someone remarry and her new husband is now Frank? If
so, who could she be? 
Mickey went on with his chores in the yard and I
stayed inside and tried to do mine but I kept going
back to the card and even e-mailed everyone I knew to
find out if my friends could help me.  I got a lot of
suggestions and a lot of "I have no idea." but no
help.  Who could it be?
As we sat down to eat supper, the card was right
there on the table in front of me and I started
guessing again.  Hey, I have a friend who lives south
of here in Alexandria and her husband's name is
Frank; but her name is not Jodie. Who could it be?  And
I couldn't remember their last name so I could call.
Things like this drive me "up the wall" and I was
near the top of that wall.  I knew I wouldn't sleep so
I made a few phone calls to old friends I had not seen
in a long time.  Still no help but talking to old
friends was fun.
I found my friend Joan's name in my college alumni
directory and I tried to call her even though her name
is not Jodie. BUT she is married to Frank and at this
point, I am following any and all clues.   At 10 p.m.
I finally gave up and tried to get some sleep.  Who is
Frank and who is Jodie?
Doris B. Fandal
December 14, 2006
   

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

When I Am Feeling Down

Cynthia Groopman

When I am feeling down,
Encircled by gray clouds and frowns.
From my memory bank, I mirthfully take,
A trip down memory lane into nostalgia land,
I shall joyfully make.
Thinking of childhood bliss,
Full of family, joy, love, hug and kiss.
Reliving moments of great happiness and fun,
When we would dance, sing, laugh and merrily run.
In my mind's ear,
When I Am Feeling Down, 
Oh, if only those happy times were to reappear,
My heart would sing with rejoicing cheer.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

A Very Special Box
Cynthia Groopman

A very special box my dear friend gifted to me,
It is lovely as can be.
When the box is opened, and we look inside,
Joy and gladness smiling brightly regally reside.
Love dances as sunshine caresses us brightly,
As melodically tones and mirthful song echo in our ears,
The contents of the box  are truly exquisite and so dear,
Spiritual richness is truly more valuable than silver and gold,
 Blossoming like a flourishing flower that splendidly unfolds.
friendship, festivity, kindness, and every good wish in the box you will find,
In addition, to blessings, faith and hope and peace of mind.



Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

Choices

Cynthia Groopman

Choices must be made in life,
Often causing frustration, anxiety and strife.
Guidance we need,
Wise advice we must heed.
Often we do not know which road to take,
Or what is the correct decision to make.
Experience teaches us a great deal,
Insights they reveal.
Upon God we must also rely,
Courage, hope, strength and faith will help us cope and try.



Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006 Cynthia Groopman

Readers Feedback

Carol, the story of Robin Lee is so true. That I learned here in Germany where everything takes forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you measure it with the "right away-immediate" system of the US. The first few time I went shopping with my husband I will get infuriate when the salesman will came back and said, the merchandise will be available in 3 weeks!  I complained many times and got extremely frustrated. Then, I learned that 3 weeks was fast service since usually took about three months.... Now, when I go shopping and they say "its in stock" I smiled and think to myself "improvement"  TANNIA.

Germans take time to smell the roses and take an afternoon nap too!

Hart: And walnuts make great fudge too. Sharon Bryant

There goes my diet again, TANNIA - The use of walnut article

Black walnuts have much more flavor than english walnuts. I have a giant black walnut tree by my front door. Tannia

Hi There,

I really enjoyed this article about walnuts..............they are one of the
nuts on my husband's diet.  Thanks for sharing........I printed it out to be
in his mean planner.

carol dee meeks

Carol,

Thanks for publishing my poems and my story. I appreciate that so much. In addition, I enjoyed the story about the walnut. it was deliciously written. I shared it with my friends. cynthia

Hello you all:

Just a quick note to let you know that God answered our prayers! I talked to daddy today and the cardiology report was good. The doctor said to take it easy and not to get upset. (That will be a difficult task for daddy since he has quite a temper, LOL).

Carol, thanks for all the prayers. The catherization surgery didn't happened. When the doctor opened him up, he discovered no obstruction. Yesterday was the follow up appointment and everything well O.K.  Praise be Jesus for this blessing. Amen

May the peace of Jesus Christ be always with you!  

Tannia E. Ortiz-Lop?s

tanniaortizlopes@yahoo.com

Storytime Tapestry Angels

Angels on earth, they exist they are out there.  Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes, civil status, and religion.  Their nature is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world.  Storytime Tapestry angels are no exception.  These angels are loyal members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt

Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker

Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley

Surinder Jandu

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;  Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Pringle, Sandra Lewis; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator