I took my daughter on the Metrolink yesterday to downtown Los Angeles. It was quite a cultural experience from visiting the amazing "The Last Bookstore" establishment to seeing the devastating amount of homeless living on the streets in filth and squalor. What to do? First observe then think. That's a good start, so here are some observations and thoughts today...

"The Evolution of Sports & the Cultural Implications of Physical Education" was a wonderful history of movement and PE book written in 1946 by Ramy B. Deschner and published by the Fred Medart Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, MO. Medart was the primary American company that made PE and sports equipment, but they did more than just make equipment--they also supported the elevation of culture through the physical activities of classical PE and sports and outdoor recreation. In this segment, I read the introduction and history of running and vaulting sections. It's not "just PE" when you get into the history of classical physical education--it's about elevating culture and educating people.

This is show #10 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite people to read and study.
Learn more about Ruth St. Denis here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis

I was running yesterday next to a guy about my age who was running about the same speed as me. As we ran down the hill to the river bike path, he chose to run on the pavement while I chose to run on the dirt path next to the pavement. It got me thinking about why I chose the dirt, and I thought this would be a nice share on the values of classical PE training and how I was mentored and coached by men who knew classical running form.

After my 17-year-old daughter drove us to the running shoe store on July 4th weekend in Los Angeles traffic, I was quite frazzled by the time we arrived. We were greeted by the most gentle "Toto" looking dog named Riley. We found out Riley had a special story about being there that day. I hope it makes you feel better because it did for us. :) *"Riley" photo by Ron Jones

One of my friends was overwhelmed that we were doomed. Another friend admits we are doomed and embraces what is left. What to DO?!!! I centered on Malcolm X today and his two key points during the Freedom Summer of 1964. They still ring true.

I stayed in town yesterday for July 4th because I was too tired to travel. This was the right thing today because I discovered all kinds of July 4th joy right in my own backyard from a local parade by classic car folks to BBQing with the neighbors to a garage band playing classic rock during the fireworks...it made me feel good about America. This is a show about an "uplift" from getting out and feeling the good instead of being indoctrinated by the bad in the mainstream media. *"Star-Spangled Banner" by Stanley Jay Tucker

On July 4, 2021, I thought it was appropriate to think back to my own family history and how my great uncle Stephen Heard fought in the Revolutionary War. He was personal friends with George Washington and a major fighting force recognized for valor in some of the most violent frontier fighting conditions. It's been a very long road to make America...let's look back at what it took to get here...and what we need to move forward--better, stronger, and with more unity. *Portrait of Stephen Heard by Georgia Capitol Museum

I'm sick of brand politics. What happened to a shoe company just making shoes? Or a car company just making a nice car? Today, the joy of purchasing a commodity has been replaced by second guessing whether or not the company aligns with your current poltical values, etc. It's fatiguing. I'd like to see a return to products as a priority--NOT politics because it's wearing us all out.

This is show #9 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite people to read and study. Today's reading was dedicated to the memory of Emily...may she have the eternal lotus light.
Learn more about Ruth St. Denis here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis