The Laboratory of Tree Ring Research at the University of Arizona in Tucson was started in 1937 by AE Douglass, founder of the modern science of Dendrochronology. I found out about this place while looking for tree ring images on the Internet. I immediately thought,“what a cool place this would be to offer a workshop”! With a little more digging, I found out the Lab had an outreach coordinator named Pamela Pellitier. An exchange of emails and a few phone calls later, and a Life Ring's workshop was set up for Saturday, October the 22. I arrived in Tucson on the morning of the 21st to set up the work space and get oriented. The first thing I saw as I walked into the building, was a gigantic slice of wood on display in the main foyer! Incredible! Next, I met Pamela and she showed me my work space. I unloaded my supplies, mixed up my adhesive blend and scooped it into individual containers for each of my 8 students. Then it was off to Pamela's house to meet her family and set up camp in her silver Airstream. I had supper that evening with her husband, John and two children. They both wanted to sit by me at supper which started a bit of a squabble! I felt like a visiting Rockstar! After a delicious meal, we talked about life and family and I got a tour of their extensive backyard. Pamela said they had coyotes around and rattlesnakes but she hadn't seen a snake on their property in 10 years. Good! I said! After supper and conversation I was pretty tired, so John went out to the camper to turn on the fan and cool thing down. Minutes later, I heard a loud, persistent and unfamiliar sound. Pamela knew just what it was and leaped out of her chair! Under the Airstream was an angry Rattlesnake! Non emergency, wildlife control was called in, ( I thought it was pretty important)! The unwanted guest was removed and relocated. So much excitement and my workshop hadn't even started ! I didn't get a great night’s rest between the heat and dreams of a hissing camping buddy but Saturday's workshop went off without a hitch. My students turned out to be a fairly international group. 4 of the 8 were from different countries. 2 from Russia, 1 from Sweden and 1 from England. All of them understood and excitedly embraced the Life Rings concept. Each piece, each story, was individual and unique. All of the Rings, along with the written stories are now on display at the Tree Ring Lab. Included in the show is one of my Grandmother's Life Rings from the “Life in a Dress” series ( it would surprise Grandma Palmer to know some of her homemade church dresses would be hanging in an educational institution in Tucson). The whole experience was a resounding success. I saw people connecting through art and stories, I saw art and science blending together and last but not least, I never heard that persistent, rattle again!
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LEAP 366
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