Another life claimed by silence

Three young children became motherless this weekend. 

Their mother, only 29 years old, died Saturday morning in a fire that destroyed the East Manhattan Ave. home. It was reported in the Toledo Blade that Misty McClung's death was accidental. However, it might have been preventable.

According to the article, the home did not have a working smoke detector. Were there detectors at all? If so, were the batteries dead or missing? I posted an earlier blog about this very subject June 22. The odds of surviving a house fire when there are no working smoke detectors is tragically low. 

Those poor children are now homeless and motherless. Misty didn't have a chance against the smoke because it first puts you into a deeper sleep, then suffocates you. It's the smoke that kills sleeping occupants, not the fire. 

I've covered enough fires to make me extremely paranoid. I want you to be paranoid, too, especially if you have children, pets, roommates, whatever. Please check your house or apartment for working smoke detectors. Read my earlier blog for more fire safety tips.  

If you don't have smoke detectors, buy a couple. They're cheap compared to your life. 

Processing film the old fashioned way

Black and white film. Unfortunately, it's a dying art form in our digital society, but not at Owens! More than 100 students are shooting, processing and printing black and white film this semester, proving the demand is still high. 

My 14 students processed their 1st roll of film Monday, and it was thrilling to see the excitement in their eyes when they witnessed the magic of Sprint, stop bath and fixer chemicals. 

B&W 1 is my favorite class to teach because students are taught to think and see for themselves. Therefore, shooting manually is a requirement. There's no better way than to learn ISOs, shutter speeds and f-stops. They learn to depend on their camera meters, rather than the back of their digital camera screens.

Next week: evaluating light. 

(Photos: Students processing their first roll of film in the Owens darkroom.)

Welcome Home!

Hello my sisters (and brothers)! 

Yes, I'm recovering from culture shock. I'm not the only one, though. About 3,000 other womyn are suffering a similar fate of adjusting to societal normalcy again. If you've ever been to The Land at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival in Hart, Mich., then you know what I'm talking about. 

Here are some of the numbers: 34 years in existence. 7 days long. 650-acre wooded land, owned by Lisa Vogel, who started the fest when she was 19. 3,000 womyn and children. Dozens of musical and comedic performers. 3 stages. Countless memories. Mich Fest = priceless. 

Mich Fest happens every August. Womyn from all over the world arrive to the Land to enjoy live music, freedom and each other. Upon arrival,  we're greeted at the entrance gate with "Welcome Home!" Tents and RVs are temporary living quarters. Free vegetarian meals are served 3 times a day. Every womyn is expected to work 2 4-hour work shifts to keep the fest going. This year I worked garbage and recycling. Other duties to choose from include childcare, kitchen, traffic, medical tent, stage set-up, etc. In other words, it's very organized.

The biggest draw, of course, is live music. 

Once you're on the land, you're free to dress or undress however you like. There's a sign at the exit gate that reminds you to put your clothes back on when you leave. And so the culture shock begins... 

Goodbye, Mich Fest. See you next year!