HerlandVoice-1994-11-v11- no11_ocr.pdf
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- HerlandVoice-1994-11-v11- no11_ocr.pdf
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November, 1994
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Recipe for a Wonderful Retreat
- 90 or so women in a variety of shapes, ages,
colors, and talents
- crisp autumn evenings and sunny afternoons
- spice liberally with changing forest colors
left the sidewalks decorated with brightly colored chalk portraits of
some of the goddesses in our community. Virginia and Denise led a
workshop to discuss the Bible and Homosexuality.
Some of Oklahoma's finest musicians and our favorite poet,
Judith Rycroft entertained us at the open mike. We were treated to the
songs of Janis Galloway, Donna Williamson, Cutchula Fuller, Peggy
Johnson, and Nancy Nesser. Jan McDonald gave a special demand
performance of "I Am My Own Grandma." Barbara Cleveland and
the Arrhythmias got everyone to making music with their drumming.
Saturday night was filled with song starting with the Therapy
Sisters own patented form of musical group therapy. Around the
campfire, we sang along with Mary, Peggy, Janis, Cutchula, and Sue.
Sunday morning's leaving"time came too soon. We said our
so-longs and promised to meet again and make the magic again at the
Herland Spring Retreat at Roman Nose State Park, May 19 - 29,
1995.
*
Carefully gather all the necessary ingredients. Season with the
sounds of women's song and an African drumbeat. Mix well in a
secluded, lake-front group camp set in the hills of Eastern
Oklahoma and enjoy!
By all accounts the Herland '94 Fall Retreat was a great
success. For one short weekend, ninety women gathered at
Arrowhead State Park and created our own small community of
mutual respect and affirmation -- a too brief glimpse of what the
world could be.
Driving toward Arrowhead State Park late Friday
afternoon, we watched storm clouds lined with pink and lavender.
They soon cleared leaving a sky bright with stars and the justpast-full moon.
The main hall was a hub of Friday evening activity.
Women arrived all evening -- from Ada, Dallas, Eufaula,
Norman, OKC, Stillwater, Tulsa and Wichita Falls. Retreaters
pitched in setting up the books for sale, cooking supper for the
arriving women, building the campfire, and making the
campground our own little village for the weekend. Gathered
around the campfire, retreaters sharing stories and songs renewed
old friendships and made new friends .
Everyone got involved in making the fun happen.
Jingles and all the kitchen volunteers made sure we could start the
day with a hearty breakfast. Anne shared her art of making
intricately designed paper snowflakes in an impromptu workshop
and soon the main hall was decorated with the designs created by
the learners. Kathy organized a softball game and got the athletes,
wanna-be-jocks, has-been jocks, and even never-been jocks
playing together. The "Goddess Within" workshop led by Joni
Volume 11 Number 11
VOTJE
NOV
Harland Sister Resources
ER8
2312 NW 39, OKC, OK 73112
MU§IC
ld~Vl~W
Need a
CHRISTMAS
Gift Idea?
by Jill Garner
STONES IN THE ROAD
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
When I decided to write music reviews, my goal was to
write only about lesser known musicians to expose people to
names they might not otherwise know. However, I like Mary
Chapin Carpenter's latest album so much that it has inspired me to
break that tradition. If you're looking for light happy songs like
Carpenter's former radio hit I Feel Lucky, you won't find them
here, although her new single Shut Up and Kiss Me comes closest.
What you will find on this album are a lot of great songs that show
off Carpenter's talent at songwriting combined of course with her
wonderfully deep, clear voice.
Many of the songs on this collection rival the lyrical
brilliance of songs such as I Am a Town and St. Christopher from
her past albums. Stones in the Road has a different feel to it from
her past albums though, maybe because there are more songs of
love than I've ever heard Carpenter do. This Is Love is my favorite
song lyrically. A love ended but forever enduring is beautifully
captured with lines like ''The love that smashed us both to bits
spent its last few hours, Calling out your name, I thought this is
the kind of pain, From which we don't recover, But I'm standing
here now with my heart held out to you, You would have thought
a miracle was all that got us through, Well, baby all I know, all I
know is I'm still standing." Another standout song on the album is
John Doe No. 24, a story of a deaf-blind man who was shuttled
around mental hospitals for several years before dying
anonymously. With only her acoustic guitar and Branford
Marsalis on the saxophone, the song gives me goosebumps every
time! hear it.
Jubilee, with Shawn Colvin providing backup vocals, is
a great song that delivers a powerful personal message to me to let
go of the past. ''There's only so long, You can take it all on, Then
the wrong's gotta be on its own." Saying that Carpenter has a way
with words would be an understatement in my opinion. Whether
longing for love in Outside Looking In, mourning its loss in
Where Time Stands Still, celebrating passion in Tender When I
Want to Be and Shut Up and Kiss Me, or singing of the joys in
living life to its fullest in Why Walk When You Can Fly,
Carpenter's words move and thrill me in ways that music you love
should.
If you're looking for country music, you may be
disappointed with this album. Carpenter has never been
"country" anyway and calls herself an acoustic musician with pop
and country influences. And this is not an album with a lot of
light catchy songs. But this is Carpenter at her introspective best,
writing songs as well as the best of the best songwriters, and
singing them beautifully the way she does so well.
Also, I recently caught Alison Krauss' show at Poor
Davids Pub in Dallas and it lived up to my highest expectations.
For those of you who missed my article on Krauss, she has a voice
that I can't get enough of hearing, plays the fiddle beautifully, and
has a very talented band, Union Station. Krauss could be a hit in
country but has chosen to stay with the music that she loves,
bluegrass. The next time she appears in a bluegrass festival near
you, run, don't walk, to catch a show you won't forget! ~
2
Her/and Voice
November, 1994
It is never too late to purchase the Herland Legal
Defense Fund cookbook Family Cookin'. This book is filled with
some pretty scrumptious recipes that will challenge your taste
buds!
Proceeds from the sale of Family Cookin' are used to
help defray the legal costs of lesbian mothers caught up in child
custody battles in Oklahoma.
Great recipes, good cause, and all for the incredibly low
price of $7. Get your copy today from the Herland Bookstore
while supplies last! ~
When is
the Next
Coffeehouse?
Tentatively, we have scheduled the next, great
Coffeehouse escape for November 26. Plans are not finalized yet,
however, so be sure to keep your ears open! As the date draws
nearer, you may want to give Herland a call at 521-9696 for
details. ~
Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148
lndlvldual,
Couples & Fam Uy
Therapy
Published by: Harland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th,
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Circulation: 1200
Advertising Rates: Business card $15; 1/4 page $35; 1/2
page $60; full page $100
The Voice is offered as an open forum for community discourse.
Articles reflect the opinions of the author and not necessarily those
of Harland Sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and letters to the
editor are welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full name
and address. Upon request, letters or articles may be printed under
a pseudonym or anonymously. Subscriptions to The Voice are free
upon request. The Voice is printed on recycled paper.
1l'I1'I1l~N'I1I () N
1
l\1 ())fl~N \T)~'l S:
Are you a Veteran? More than 14,000 women living in
Oklahoma have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Many of us have chosen for reasons of our own, I guess,
to not make use of our benefits. Except for the educational
benefits which I used to further my education when I first left the
service, I never really thought much about my veterans'
"benefits".
Some of these benefits are worth checking in to. Y~s.
there is the inevitable paperwork and red tape, but it isn't really
that bad, and there have been some changes. The VA is
encouraging women veterans to come in and claim what is
rightfully theirs, and there are some relatively painless ways to
explore this arena. One is to check out the Women Veteran
groups in your area. Another way is to call or drop in at your
nearest "VET CENfER'. The VET CENTER should not be
confused with the VA Medical Center or VA Hospital. The VET
CENTER is, I have personally found, very user friendly and
pretty darn good about getting things moving and producing
results. Here, in the Oklahoma City area, there is even a woman
counselor.
You may wonder what this might have to do with you.
You weren't in combat, never got a purple heart... etc. Hey, I'm
here to tell you that you didn't have to be on the front lines to
deserve to utilize your benefits.
Were you sexually assaulted, raped or harassed while
you were in the military? Were you injured? Hospitalized?
Would you like to try to upgrade or change your discharge?
Check it out! The VA is doing a lot of work with PTSD (post
traumatic stress disorder) and Agent Orange. Much more
attention is being given to women's health problems.
There is also the issue of the Persian Gulf Veterans and
their unusual health problems. More than 41,000 women filled
combat-support positions during Operation Desert Storm - the
largest single deployment of military women in American history.
A Persian Gulf Registry was established by the VA in 1992 and
any women vets who served in Desert Storm who may be
experiencing health problems should not hesitate to contact the
VA or the closest VET CENTER.
Women veterans in the Oklahoma City area, or
anywhere in Oklahoma can call Marilyn Coulson at (405)
270-5184 or stop by the VET CENTER at 3033 N. Walnut. ~
Writing Retreat for Women: Norcroft, a project of Harmony
Women's Fund, bas been established to provide space and time
for women writers to concentrate fully on their craft. It is a
writing retreat, not a workshop; there are no instructors. Located
on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Norcroft offers residencies
of one to four weeks for four women writers at a time. Each
writer bas a private room in the lodge, as well as a writing shed in
the woods. Residencies, including lodging and food, are provided
at no cost to residents.
Norcroft is committed to nurturing a full range of feminist voices;
heterosexual and lesbian women of all races and ethnic
backgrounds, of all ages (21 & over), sizes, and abilities are
encouraged to apply. (Please note, facility is not fully accessible
to women using wheelchairs or with other disabilities. Please
contact them for particulars). Previous publication is not a
requirement for acceptance. 1995 residencies are available from
April 29 through October 28.
Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 1994. For
further information and application forms, contact: Norcroft,
P.O. Box 300105, Minneapolis, MN 55403; Telephone:
612-377-8431.
Lesbian-only counseling group, Wednesday evenings. Call Jo
L. Soske, MEd/MHR/ICADC/NCC/LPC at 364-5708.
Reminder: Academic Dykes will have a potluck at 7 pm on
November 5 in Stillwater. The program will be reading of
Marilyn Frye's essay, Lesbian 'Sex' from Lesbian Philosophy and
Culture.
Peace Fest will be held on November 19 at Saint Lukes from 10
am - 5 pm. Herland will have a booth set up with lots of new
books. Come on by !
•.
~
MEMBER
Sarah J. Rucker
Certified Massage Therapist
Therapeutic Massage
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Reflexology
By Appointment Only
(405) 943-4210
3
Her/and Voice
November, 1994
Wt1ntler/111t
by Vivien Ng
I have often wondered why I love to travel so much, why
I always feel compelled to move on to the next place, to the next
experience. I have also wondered whether my wanderlust is only
a symptom of a deeper yearning, one that is so deep that I have yet
to put a finger on it, let alone divine its meaning. I do know that I
am happiest when I am on the road, when I am in transit from one
place to the next. Just the other day, I found myself sitting by the
window at the airport in Memphis, waiting for my connection to
points further north. The huge red tail of the plane that would take
me there was barely visible beyond the jetway. The steady rain
. that had started to fall was quickly transforming the ground
outside into a pockmarked pane of reflective glass. About twenty
feet from me, a string quartet was tuning up and then began to
play the soulful music of Mozart. I put away the book that I had
brought along to read, pulled out my journal and wrote these
happy words: "I am content!"
Even as I wrote these words, I knew that this
contentment was ephemeral, that it would soon give way to
another sentiment, another mood. Soon, I would become anxious
to get on the airplane, to climb the heavens and land at a place I
had never been before. I wrote in my journal:
"Sitting in airports brings out the Buddhist in me, especially the
part of me that comprehends Buddha's teaching about the
impermanence of things. In another hour I will be gone, my
presence here in Memphis having had no impact whatsoever. So
what is this trip all About? When I was a girl of nine, I loved to
spend my nights sitting in the backyard to gaze at the stars.
Always, my stargazing would soon give way to thinking about the
meaning of existence. I remember being troubled by the thought
that my life on earth amounted to no more than a fleeting moment,
hardly long enough to make a difference. I wondered whether
there was really any point in trying to accomplish anything in this
life. I don't remember how I got over this phase but perhaps in
spite of my Catholic upbringing I was a latent Buddhist after all."
But I am not a Buddhist. The Buddha also taught the so-called
Four Noble Truths -- that is, life is suffering; this suffering has a
cause, which is craving for existence and sensual pleasures; this
suffering can be suppressed; the way to suppressed suffering is
the practice of the Eightfold Path. Maybe I can someday do
something about my craving for "existence," but I don't think I
ever want to extinguish my desire for sensual pleasures. (Why
bother to be a lesbian when I can't have fun?) In spite of my
misgivings I still find certain elements of Buddhism extremely
appealing.
At the risk of committing the sin of trivializing the tenets
of Buddhism, I must say that the notion of impermanence has
proven to be very useful to me, as when I try to explain to others
my reluctance to make long term commitments. Of course, at
these times, I fail to mention that according to Buddhism, once we
accept the "truth" about impermanence, it follows that we deny
4 Harland Voice
November, 1994
the existence of a permanent self, we destroy all our selfish
desires and self-interests, we give up our egoistic pursuits, and we
renounce the quest for personal pleasures.
I don't know why I love to travel so much, why I feel the
compulsion to move to the next place, to the next experience.
Maybe I shouldn't dwell too much on it and just accept it for what
it appears to be: my unbridled enthusiasm for life, my innate
ability to relish every moment, every new experience. Life is too
short to worry about these things. -:.C
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Saturday, November 12, 8:00 p.m., at the Neon Moon
come out and enjoy an evening of music and comedy to benefit
Berland Sister Resources. Boulder comedienne Nancy Norton
will lead you on a delightful, high-energy journey to Neurotic
Headquarters. A nationally touring headliner, Nancy reveals
what it's like to grow up in the Ozarks (not everyone there lives in
a trailer park, there's a waiting list), be a nurse, get married, get
divorced, come out to conservatives, and be just smart enough to
know she'd be the dumbest member of Mensa Witty, fun, and a
little insane she makes Ellen Degeneres laugh!
Opening the show for Nancy will be Stacie, an
Oklahoma City singer who has been making quite a name for
herself in music circles. With a dynamic voice, Stacie delights
audiences with a blend of her own tunes and covers of top hits.
Don't miss this chance to hear one of Oklahoma City's finest
performers.
Tickets for this great show are available at Berland and
at the door the evening of the show. See the enclosed flyer for
more details!
-
COME OUT!
To
COME OUT!
e ~, Z~- 01' at;~· an et1ening of the most
ouii-spoken entertainment around!!!
1
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The ~~:ut;-Rageous Comedy of:
NANCY NORTON
Nancy is a Nationally touring
comedian who will take you on a
delightful and hilarious journey into
neurotic headquarters!
The:~~ut-Standing
Music of:
STACIE
~~
This local singer has created one of
the freshest sounds in music today.
Saturday, Not1ember 12th, 8:00 pm
l\~AI
Advanced tickets available at Herland
2312 N.W. 39th
Nrr zsos
JJw 36
~
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual
Support and Education
Provided by Red Rock
Red Rock Mental Health Center in Oklahoma City is
currently facilitating support and educational/social groups for
gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and adults. Support groups are
held weekly at Red Rock (4400 N. Lincoln Boulevard). For more
information on these groups, please call Betsy Murphy or Kim
Johnson at Red Rock at 425-0399. The groups are free and open
to the community, although some screening may be required to
ensure compatibility of participants.
In addition, educational/social activities are facilitated
weekly for both youth and adults. The youth group meets at
OASIS Resource Center on Sunday evenings from 7:30 - 10:00
p.m. Upcoming activities include a candid discussion of how
drugs and alcohol affect our goals in life on November 6, Joan
Foreman, with RAIN, will address the issues of caring for people
with AIDS and volunteerism on the 13th, Mormonism and being
gay or lesbian will be discussed on the 20th, we will hold our own
Thanksgiving Rainbow Potluck on the 23rd, and Simply Equal of
Oklahoma City will join us on the 27th. Educational/social
activities for the adults are facilitated on Thursday evenings from
7:30 - 10:00 p.m. at the Triangle Association. Upcoming
activities include P-Flag discussing what parents really think
when their kids tell them they are gay or lesbian on November 3,
watching "And the Band Played On" on the 10th, and Terry
Dennison from Planned Parenthood will continue his series on
intimacy and friendships on the 17th. All activities are free and
open to the public.
Red Rock Mental Health Center also offers HIV/AIDS
prevention and education for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual
community, free referrals for counseling and substance use
treatment and individual and group therapy for individuals with
HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. For more information, call
Betsy or Kim at 425-0399. ~
'Ifian/(
~OU
Pat!
Herland Sister Resources would like to express their
warmest thanks and gratitude to Pat Reaves for her untiring
efforts with The Voice. Pat has spent many hours over the past
years editing and preparing the newsletter for print and is now
stepping down from those duties.
Not to worry though! You can expect to continue
receiving uninterrupted issues. The responsibilities of getting the
newsletter fit to print has been passed along to another. You may
notice a few changes with this issue, but please bear with us as we
iron out the wrinkles.
Please note that while we try to accommodate everyone,
it is sometimes impossible to make everything fit! In such an
event, we will include items in which we have space available to
print. ~
5
Harland Voice
November, 1994
at Berland
Look for these and other great new titles at Herland
Sister Resources:
I'll Be Leaving You Always
The Case of the Not So Nice Nurse
Girlfriend Number One
In Herl Am
Who Cares If It's A Choice
Herland Sister Resources is open every weekend, Saturday and
Sunday only. When shopping for Christmas this year, keep us in
mind We have many titles to choose from! ~
VICTORY
,.,,
Colorado
Most of you know by now that Amendment 2 was ruled
unconstitutional by the Colorado State Supreme Court late last
month. However, the state Attorney General intends to file an
appeal with the United States Supreme Court.
What you may not know is that this ruling by itself does
not stop other states from putting similar initiatives on their
ballots. There are two such initiatives nationally that are being
voted on during the November 8 elections, Oregon and Idaho.
Keep a watch on the results of these two questions! ~
Creating Change Conference Set
for This Month
If you haven't already made your reservations to attend
this skills-building·conference in Dallas, Texas do so by calling
the Southland Center Hotel for room reservations at
800-272-8007.
Hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the
conference will feature numerous workshops designed to help us
build stronger communities and overcome the obstacles we face.
For further information contact Sue Hyde at (617)
492-6393.
~
"
I
Friday
Wednesday Thursday
4
2
3
5
8
g
12
Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
Make a gobbler
Doc Herland says:
grateful, eat a Tofu Burger for
Thanksgiving.
Both your bodies
will be healthier.
or not. It's just a suggestion.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
7
6
The Sodomy
Follies
8 pm
at. Gushers;
a fundraiser
fbr the
ACLU
13Cre.iline
ChanSle
Conference
.
Karen
silkwood,
RIP
f974
2~
~
Herland
Board
Meet.in£!, 4:30
121
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Harvey Milk
assasinat.ed,
197e
14
DAY
CreatinEI
Chanee
Conference
in Dallas
CAll Weekend)
16
Her land
Le£Sal Defense
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MeeUne
6:30
Herl and
2~
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Happy
Hannukah
17
18
p-
The
Nancy Norton
Comedy Sho11J
8 Dill
..
<---Dallas
Conference
continues
19
FALL PEACE
FESTIVAL
jQ - 5
at. St.. Luke's
bet.111een
14th & 15th
Georpla
O'Keefe
.S87 - i986
21. 22.
The30'0th
Birthday of
Voltaire
1694 - 1778
11 vETERAN'S
10
ELECTION
DAY
Your right.
to vote is
hard 111on and
valuable.
Exercise it!
Saturday
on Robinson
23
24~
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Billie Jean
Kine
Born i943
29
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25
2=
Coffee House
at Herland
ca11~2t-9e9e
THANKSGlVING
30
for details
Elizabeth
Cady
Stanton,
U.S.
Abolitionist
and Campaigner for
Women' s Rights; Co-organizer of the
1848 Women's Rights convention in
Seneca Falls.
November 12, 1815 1902.
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
2312 N.\\I. 39t.h Street.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
405/ 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays to - 6; Sundays t - 6
NonProfit Org.
U.S . Postage
2312 N.W. 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
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