Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Dignity Of Earth And Sky

 

"Standing at a crossroads, Dignity echoes the interaction of earth, sky, and people.  She brings to light the beauty and promise of the indigenous peoples and cultures that still thrive on this land.  My intent is to have the sculpture stand as an enduring symbol of our shared belief that all here are sacred, and in a sacred place."  ~ Sculptor and South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere

I stopped at a rest area in Chamberlain, South Dakota, on Interstate 90, perched on a bluff above the Missouri River.  This sculpture, a Native American woman named Dignity, sits on the edge of the rest area with the river to its back.  

There is a plaque at the rest area that tells the making and meaning of Dignity.  It reads as follows:

"Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City, South Dakota, announced their gift of Dignity to the State of South Dakota in 2014, in honor of the 125th anniversary of South Dakota statehood. 

The statue was erected in September 2016 at this site, where it overlooks the Missouri River.  The statue measures 50 feet (15.24m) high, 16 feet (4.88m) deep, and 32 feet (9.75m) wide.  The star quilt held by the woman has more than 100 blue diamond shapes that move in the wind "like an Aspen leaf".

Three Native American women from Rapid City, SD, served as the models for the sculpture.  The artist, Dale Lamphere, began by first drawing the form and then sculpting a one-eight-scale model.  The sculpture was created in an isolated area near the Cheyenne River, east of Rapid City, SD, and later moved to the installation site.  The statue boldly proclaims that South Dakota's Native cultures are alive, standing with dignity.

The permanent collection of archives to expand on the story and impact of Dignity resides at the South Dakota Hall of Fame Visitor and Education Center in Chamberlain."




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2020: 
When Life Gives You Lemons
2019: Istanbul Cobble

2018: Circulating The Morning Air In The Lonestar State
2017: It's The Real OLD Thing
2016: Stopping In Style
2015: Patiently Waiting
2014: Find Out Where You Can Dine With Giraffes
2013: Sputtering With Excitement
2012: Water May Not Be The Only Liquid Nourishing These Flowers
2011: Nappy Time
2010: Dick. Not A Dick. Which One Are You?
2009: First The Poultry, Now This
2008: California Moon
2007: Ryno And Rob
2006: Living The Dream
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn't start until May 2005!

Monday, March 08, 2021

Room For Waiting

When we go to shipping ports around the country, some of them do not allow passengers.  Even if that passenger is the other driver.  It's crazy.  Especially since, in our case as with other people, we hold a TWIC card for the specific purpose of proving you've had a background check and passed the clearance checks required to actually enter the ports.  

Once, many years ago in New Jersey, the security people at the port check-in booth threatened to call the police if I didn't get out of the truck and wait outside the port.  And they meant OUTSIDE.  I sat on a shitty concrete wall in a dusty parking area.  A woman.  Alone.  In a port in New Jersey.  I was pissed and we complained.  After we delivered the container, they called us into the office and the manager of the facility personally apologized to me. 

And that's when I learned to hide in the truck for any future visits to ports.  

The most recent port we visited was the Norfolk International Terminals in Virginia.  We had been there before and they let me in without an issue.  I had a TWIC card and they allowed me entry.  But this time, even though I explained that I wasn't a passenger, I was a driver, and I showed them my TWIC, I still had to wait.  For TWO hours, while Ed went in and retrieved the container.  

I can't really complain though, as the facility was very nice.  I was the only one there, so it was quiet, and there were at least 40 feet of benches on either side of the room - I could have spread out and napped if I was inclined.  They had a bathroom (clean!), vending machines, air conditioning, accessible power outlets for my phone charging cord, and very friendly staff.  

I sat and read the news, played Words With Friends, and practiced my Italian on the DuoLingo app.  The time flew by.  

But as nice as it was, I still think I'm going to go back to being a stowaway.  I'd rather nap in my own bed, eat my own snacks, and pee in my own bathroom.  

Shhhhh....don't tell anyone.



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2020: A Year Long Carnival
2019: Four Balanced Women
2018: Five Spices And A Few Cuties
2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire
2012: Looking For A Coffee Fi
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!