Slow Horses, The Moment with Rick Rubin, and Money on Jane - Today's Tea and Three

Tea and Three with Mike B.  - December 8, 2023

What I’m paying attention to today while the tea’s brewing.

Watching Slow Horses on Apple TV. I’ve read and reread all of Mick Herron’s Slough House/Slow Horses books and enjoyed the first two seasons the Apple TV adaptation. After three episodes, I’m ready to declare season three, based on the novel Real Tigers,  the best yet. What I love about the series is that it starts with the framework of the novels, but adapts the plot, situations, and characters to better fit TV storytelling conventions. So far, season three is unspooling at high-tension, break-neck speed. Like the books, the series is addictive. I immediately want more after finishing each episode. Thankfully, production for season 4 is already underway. 

Listening to Brian Koppelman’s spirited interview with Rick Rubin on The Moment. What starts as a discussion of creativity, music, and the best rock and roll drummers  (AC DC’s Phil Rudd gets a lot of love) shifts, perhaps playfully, to the nature of what is real. While I’m willing to go down many rabbit holes with Rubin, I’m more likely to accept Rudd as the world’s greatest drummer than I am to believe the earth is flat. Rubin’s Book The Creative Act: A Way of Being was one of my 2023 favorites. 

Anticipating new music from Money On Jane. Information is scant, and believe me, I’ve searched, but Money on Jane appears to be a secret project coming (hopefully) soon from musicians Angelo Petraglia and Eulene Sherman. Coming out of Nashville and name-checking references like Dylan, the Velvet Underground, and “Brian Jones-era Rolling Stones” may sound like a bold promise. The brief samples that can be heard on the band’s Instagram page indicate Money on Jane may be ready to back it up.  

This post may include affiliate links. Written by humans for humans. 

Chip Taylor, The Iliad, and Happy Birthday Jon B. - Today's Tea and Three

Tea and Three with Mike B.  - December 7, 2023

Here’s what I’m enjoying today with my cup of tea:

Remembering a night at the Saxon Pub. Listening to Chip Taylor’s new song, “The Other Side of the Moon,” brought back memories of the Hill Country Live’s March 16, 2012, SXSW Showcase at the Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas, with my friend Kevin. The dream lineup included Chip Taylor, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Roger Alan Wade, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Shooter Jennings, and Billy Joe Shaver. A great evening of music. And if you’re looking for an achingly beautiful, sentimental song, listen to “The Other Side of the Moon.”

Listening to “3,000 Years of the Iliad.” Emily Wilson discusses her translation of The Iliad with guest host Constance Grady on The Gray Area (Vox). Wilson’s translation of The Iliad is one of my favorite books of the year and one I’ll return to often in the future. 

Celebrating the birthday of the amazing Jonathan Barzacchini. You may know him as Jon B. One of my favorite people, one of my three favorite storytellers, and oh yeah, my son. Happy birthday, Jonathan. 

This post may include affiliate links. Written by humans for humans. 

Walk On, Dino

Noble, sweet, and handsome Dino.

We said “goodbye” to Dino last week. Our sweet, handsome, noble boy was just 10 years old. A fast-moving cancer claimed him. I’ll have a Dino-sized hole in my heart for some time, but I will fill it with his memories and all the love and joy he brought to our home. 

We adopted Dino from a rescue in Winfield, Illinois, in 2015. He’d been on the run in rural Indiana when the rescue found him. A part of our family since, he endured dozens of foster dogs, the loss of one dear packmate, Daisy,  and three new packmates Lucy, Roy, and LuLu (rest in peace), with kindness and grace. Though sometimes, I swear I could hear him thinking, “Hey guys, what’s with all the dogs?”.  

He was our walking buddy. On walks around our neighborhood, Dino was always on guard. But get him into the village and Dino chilled. He loved to go to our Depot Market, kind of a combination flea and farmers market. And people at the market loved Dino. I joked with Susan that I often benefited from the “Dino Discount” at the market. People were so charmed with him that they’d almost give their goods away. 

Dino did have his triggers. Deer and squirrels, of course, But cats and workers wearing reflective yellow, orange, or green vests set him off. I always wondered what it was about reflective clothing that triggered him. Now, I’ll never know. 

This cancer seemed to us like it moved fast. But likely, it had been progressing for some time. In September, we noticed a limp and began treating him for arthritis or a leg strain. Weeks later a choking incident led to the discovery of his cancer. At the exam, the veterinarian at the animal hospital ordered X-rays to make sure he didn’t have anything lodged in his throat or stomach. The X-ray revealed that his lungs were filled with either an infection or cancer. I’ve never rooted harder for an infection. It took a few days for the test results to come in, ruling out infection, and confirming cancer. Our veterinarian said that with the state of his lungs, we likely had days or weeks with Dino. Turned out it was days.

Dino on his last morning.

It’s almost like once Dino knew we knew the diagnosis, he went downhill quickly. His back legs weakened. He couldn’t walk even around the block. He was restless, had trouble breathing, and seemed to be in constant discomfort and pain. We scheduled an appointment with our vet. It was time.

On his last morning with us, I took Dino out on our deck so we could enjoy the autumn air together. Every time we go on the deck, Dino wants to go into our gazebo. Usually, I’m doing something on the deck, so I’d say, “No, Dino, not today.”

On this morning, he again went toward the gazebo door and this time, we went in. I brought along Jim Harrison’s Complete Poems and thought I’d read a few to him. Harrison loved dogs and many of his poems included references to them. His poems have also brought me comfort in difficult times. 

I opened the massive volume to a random page and began to read. The verse I turned to was this stanza from “Sonoran Radio”: 

The cow dog licks her cancerous

and bloated teats.

Otherwise, she’s the happiest

dog I know, always smiling,

always trying to help out. 

I couldn’t get through the stanza without sobbing. That was Dino. Always happy. Always gentle. I read a few more poems. Did some more crying. And mostly just stayed there soaking up his presence this one last time.

Along with walks and naps, one of Dino’s favorite pastimes was standing guard at the tall windows in our kitchen, alerting us to passing deer. During his final days, he’d silently watch the deer. Too tired and in too much pain to stand or bark. That last morning, beside him in the gazebo, I wrote these lines:

Now that you’re gone

I will stand by the window

And bark at the deer

In your honor

That’s just one way I’ll remember Dino. Though I’ll miss him on my walks around the neighborhood, I’ll also keep his memory close in my heart and with every step. My life is better for knowing this sweet, gentle, noble, and handsome boy. I’ll try to continue to live up to his example.

Walk on, Dino, walk on.

More Dino Stories:

• Happy Adoption Day, Dino

• Remembering Dino, Our Runaround Dog

Dino, Our Runaround Dog

Dino, our sweet, handsome runaround dog. Rest in joy, my friend.

We said “goodbye” to our sweet, handsome, noble Dino this week. I’ll have more to write later about his passing. For now, I wanted to share this happy adventure from the summer of 2015

When Dino joined our pack, he had a habit of bolting. After a few months, it seemed we were making progress. But he’s still giving me gray hair. Here’s just one of the adventures of our runaround dog.

I’ve craved an early morning, long walk with Dino for weeks. He needs the extra activity and I need the exercise. The weather or schedules or sleeping in has undone my plans these past few weeks. Not today though.

I woke early and slipped the dogs out of the bedroom without disturbing Susan. My plan was to feed both, take Daisy out for a quick pee, and then go on a long jaunt with Dino. 

My plans were undone by Daisy’s mournful gaze. “Take me too, Dad,” she seemed to say. I can’t resist those big eyes. 

So, I packed water for myself and the air can to curb Dino’s barking. I hooked up both dogs and we started down Roslyn.

My plan was to take a left on Summit, but the deer were up early (the early deer get the acorn?) and one of them was staring me down. What we’ve heard from friends and neighbors is that you have to beware of the staring deer. It’s usually a buck and they will often charge. So we three trotted past the deer, on down Roslyn. All seemed well.

We headed up Van Buren, toward downtown and Dino decided it was time for him to poop. Picture this, I’m leaning over to pick up his poop. To do so, I transfer the end of Daisy’s leash -- the big, bulky retractable reel -- to the same hand in which I’m holding Dino’s leash. I fish a plastic bag from my pocket and bend over. Just for an instant my grip on Dino’s leash loosens, he pulls, he bolts, the leash slips from my grasp, and he’s gone. 

Down Van Buren, right on Barrington Avenue, left at the Depot, and through the Depot park in the center of town. Daisy and I are giving chase as best we can. I know I can’t keep up, but I’m trying to keep him in my line of sight.

And I swear at least twice, he looked back at me as if to ask, “Hey Dad, are you coming?”

By the time he reached the corner of River and Jackson Street, I was gassed. Daisy and I jog, barely, to the spot where he turned right on Jackson toward the Fox River. Keep in mind, it’s just past 6 a.m. on a Sunday. There’s no one around except for me, Daisy, and runaway Dino. Then a gray pickup pulls to a stop at Jackson coming from the way Dino ran. 

I start to ask the driver if he’s seen a dog. Before I could, he rolled down his window and said, “Hey, are you looking for a big black poodle?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Well, he’s down the street in a parking lot and it looks like he’s waiting on someone.”

I thank him and head down the street. Before I can take two steps, here comes Dino up the street toward me looking way too pleased with himself.

Now, I’ve seen this trick before. He’s gotten off leash and ran back toward both Susan and me only to bolt past us and continue the merry chase. 

I braced myself to try to tackle him, but this time was different. He stopped just in front of me, sat down, and let me take his leash. I alternately praised and cursed him, but was so grateful that he returned. 

The three of us headed back to the picnic tables near the Depot so I could get a drink of water and get my pulse back somewhere near normal.

Since then, Dino has settled (somewhat) and we have had no runaway or run-around incidents. And I’m thankful that this time he at least met me halfway. 

Stay safe, stay well, and keep a tight grip on the leash. I know I will. And Dino, I miss you, buddy. Long may you run.

Ghosts by Ed McBain

Something a little different: My quick review of Ed McBain's (aka Evan Hunter) 87th Precinct novel Ghosts. This is 34 of 55 in the series. It’s a fun mix of police procedural, crime thriller, mystery, and ghost story with a little flirty romance tossed in for good measure. First published in 1980, the novel now has a great period feel (got change for the payphone?)

What's your favorite 87th Precinct novel? Get your copy of Ghosts on :

• Bookshop

• Amazon

• Amazon Audiobook

  (paid links)

Saturday Morning Discoveries

Yes, Saturday mornings are for errands and chores. But Saturday mornings are also for discoveries. Here are a few from my adventures with Susan on a recent Saturday in October.

Discovery one: I’m going to miss the rummage sale at the First Congregational Church in Huntley, Illinois. The church holds its sales on the first Saturday of the month, May through October. The finds are eclectic. The prices are low. Fifty percent off everything for this last sale of the season (except DVDs, which were $1). It was almost like they were paying me to take stuff. See you in May. 

Discovery two: Huntley needs more ATMs. When we visit the Huntley Farmers’ Market, my routine is to stop by Best Price Tobacco and Gifts to get cash from the ATM there. This day, the machine was either out of cash or off the internet. Either way, I exited empty. Since most of the vendors at the market are on a cash-only basis, I stopped at the post office for stamps and quizzed the woman at the counter about alternative ATM locations in town. Turns out, she’s had the same issue. A man behind me in line overheard our conversation and suggested I try the American Legion post. “They have slot machines,” he said. “And where there are slots, there’s an ATM.” The good news is that the American Legion was right next door. The bad news, the doors were locked tight. Evidently, the market for early Saturday morning slot players in Huntley is as sparse as ATMs. I finally surrendered and drove a mile to use a local bank’s ATM. If you’re looking for a get-useful-quick scheme, you may consider going into the downtown Huntley ATM business. If you do, please text me the location. 

Discovery three: I’m addicted to the black walnut cookies baked by Mike from Sleep Hollow Fresh. We first met Mike at the East Dundee Depot Market. He’s since moved on to the Huntley market. More business even if East Dundee outranks Huntley 5 to 1 in ATMs. This year, Mike began selling black walnut cookies made from his grandma’s recipe. Outside of Susan’s chocolate chip cookies and just about anything from Wild Willow Cookie Company (more on them later), these are my favorite cookies. And all my life I believed I didn’t like walnuts. I bought three packages, one for me, and two to freeze to take my father-in-law when we visit Ohio later this month. Mike speculated that only one package would make it to Ohio. We’ll see. 

Discovery four: Kerosene provides a fun Saturday morning live music experience. I love local live music at a farmer’s market. On this morning Rachel, Danny, and Bill, aka Kerosene, were in the town square playing catchy country rock. Check out Kerosene. 

I can’t wait to wear this shirt by DBMDesigns by Denise.

Discovery five: DBMDesigns by Denise shares a message I can get behind. In fact, I bought one of her “Think Right. Do Right. Feel Right” shirts. Peace, love, kindness, working together to make even a corner of our world better. Those are the messages Denise features on her products. If you’ve ever visited my Mike’s Moons Shop or read my posts here, you know I agree. Denise recently closed her Etsy store due to a lack of sales, but she says the farmers’ markets have been good for her business. 

The Irie Cup’s Mango Mist brews a tasty cup of iced tea.

Discovery six: I love The Irie Cup’s new shop in Huntley. I first tried Irie Cup’s teas at the Dundee Depot Market. They then became regulars at the Huntley market. Earlier this year, they also opened their shop near the Huntley town square. Today was my first trip to the shop. It featured free samples of seasonal tea and a large selection of teas and accessories. The shop also has inside seating, great music on the sound system, and a relaxed vibe that’s perfect for shopping and sipping their teas. The Irie Cup’s shop would be one of my regular hangouts if it was located in my town. I’ll return whenever I visit Huntley. 

Will I decorate or demolish this great pumpkin?

Discovery seven: I will enter the Dundee Depot Market pumpkin decorating contest on October 28. You may ask yourself, “Mike, how is this a Saturday morning discovery?” I’ve decorated maybe a half-dozen pumpkins in my life. And that’s using a broad definition of the word “decorate.” Usually, my decorations turn into disasters. Perhaps possessed by the spirit of the Great Pumpkin, I’ve decided to enter this year’s contest. Lucky for me, I discovered Pete’s pumpkins at the Huntley farmer’s market. I had my eye on a nice medium-sized pumpkin. Susan nudged me to one of the larger ones. I have to admit, the one she chose is a beauty. I’m planning on going at it with stencils and spray paint. I did confirm with the contest organizers that every entry qualifies for at least one prize. So, I have that going for me. Stay tuned to see if my pumpkin becomes decorated or demolished. 

The addictively delicious OG from Wild Willow Cookie Company.

Discovery eight: After choosing our pumpkin, we left the Huntley market and headed to the East Dundee Depot Market. Our first stop at the Depot Market was Wild Willow Cookie Company’s booth. I can’t claim this as a new discovery. We’ve been enjoying Wild Willow’s amazing cookies for years. The discovery for me was how much I missed them. See, Wild Willow used to set up at almost every Depot Market. Now, they make about one a month. Intentionally or unintentionally, Wild Willow is learning about the power of scarcity. We purchased five of Wild Willow’s gluten-free delights, including two OGs, a favorite in our household. Yes, that’s on top of Mike’s black walnut cookies. Are you sensing a cookie theme to my discoveries? Lucky for me, Wild Willow also sets up at many local festivals and events and you can order their one-of-a-kind cookies online.

Discovery nine: Organic golden delicious apples at the Depot Market. When you buy a pound, you get a free apple! This was an unadvertised special. And they were golden and delicious. Maybe the apples balance out all that cookie action. 

Discovery postscript: Three fun finds at Saturday’s Depot Market:

• Typewriter ribbon. This will help my quest to become more analog. 

• A travel Spirograph. 

• Ten dice in an unopened package. Perhaps a stocking stuffer for someone in our family and friends' Yahtzee league.

Those are most of my recent Saturday discoveries. This doesn’t count all the wonderful people and dogs we met along the way, the conversations, and the smiles. I’m grateful for this community of creatives, growers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and just good people who enrich my life on a Saturday morning. Most of all, I’m grateful for my partner in discovery, Susan, aka Wired Lotus. After all, there’s a reason we refer to days like these as Susan Saturdays in our home. 

Amazon Adventures with Jon B.

This is my son Jonathan or as much of the YouTube fishing world knows him, Jon B. I taught him everything I know, which took about a week and a half. He’s continued to learn, grow, and become an inspiring angler and storyteller, in fact, as I’ve shared in presentations and workshops, he’s one of my three favorite storytellers. Here are the first three videos from his new Amazon (the rainforest, not the store) series.

I Am Proud of You

Mike Barzacchini photo

This sign on the Harper College campus expresses what I want to say to you. I'm proud of the week you've had, your accomplishments, new learnings, and connections. Some of it may seem insignificant now but just wait. Your small ripples this week will make waves. Whether you're embarking on a long weekend or grinding through take a moment to reflect on the people and moments that matter. And get ready to ride that wave.

The Value of an Integrated Approach to Advancement

Reflecting on the past year's outcomes and digging into this year's goals, I'm grateful to be part of an integrated advancement team at Harper College. Our ability to plan, innovate, and achieve together adds richness and depth to our work. This article by Deborah Brody from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education provides an excellent overview of some benefits of an integrated approach to advancement.

Chasing the Next Big Fish

My son, realizing a childhood dream one cast, one story at a time.

Found in an old notebook, written by me 17 years ago. Jonathan definitely followed this advice (at least the first part). He's fished and filmed on six continents and as I write this, he's back in South America casting for the next big story. He inspires me to continue to follow my dreams and try to catch my next big fish.

Incommunicado

We have so many ways to connect today, yet many of us feel isolated and alone. Reach out by phone, email, or a card in the mail. Your effort no matter how small may make the difference to someone. Life is short. Someone needs to hear from you. Connect.

Here are three short verses on the subject with more than a little tongue in cheek. One even includes a very dates “party line” reference.

Not able to make any calls,

Jack didn’t realize the party line

was invitation only.

Henry had a problem

With commitment.

Even his love letters were

written in disappearing ink.

Stay connected.

Shopping Small at Saturday Summer Garage Sales

Susan and I often visit local #garagesales on summer weekends. This past Saturday, we came across two young #entrepreneurs selling their beaded bracelets. Of course, we purchased a few. The two fishing ones pair nicely with my #keepfishingneverstop wristband. I love supporting small businesses, especially the smallest and growing ones. By the way, I learned from the artist herself that FLB stands for Fish. Lake. Beach. #shopsmall #localartist #buylocal #fish #lake #beach

Lost and Found Memories with Dad

Photo by Monty Allen on Unsplash

Summers before I could drive, I’d often accompany my dad when he’d run errands for the hotel he managed. Invariably we’d get lost and invariably it would lead to an unexpected adventure or discovery.

Keep in mind, this was before GPS or map apps on smartphones. We’d set off to a neighboring town with hand-scribbled directions, sometimes a worn map, and the utmost confidence that we were on the right track.

I remember one time we were on a mission to find some kind of part for some kind of machine. Probably an ill-tempered ice maker. We ended up in the next town over in an unfamiliar neighborhood. After passing the same intersection the third time, Dad pulled over to the curb. He put the car in park and reached above his head to manipulate an invisible, imaginary antenna. “I don’t think my radar is working,” he said.

“I don’t think my radar is working,” became a standing joke between us whenever we found ourselves lost when he was driving, or years later when I was driving him. Here’s the thing I remember most about getting lost with Dad: It never made him anxious or angry. He greeted these experiences with joy and humor, and for good reason, too. Often, our misdirection led to a discovery, a roadside ice cream shop, or a tasty lunch at a previously unknown local diner.

Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. - Henry David Thoreau

When I get lost, may I experience it with joy and good humor, just like Dad, and see it as an opportunity to discover something new about myself and the world around me.

What discoveries have you made by getting lost? Share your adventures in the comments and happy travels!

A version of this article was published as a post in the Mind Tools LinkedIn Group.

Addendum: Two more stories about directions and my dad:

• When arranging a place to rendezvous, Dad would often start by saying, “I’ll meet you at the corner of ‘walk’ and ‘don’t walk.’

• Dad once gave me a baseball cap that had two bills jutting out in opposite directions. The words on the cap read, “I’m the leader. Follow me.” Somewhere along my life’s journey, I lost that funny hat. I’d love to still have it and I’d cherish an opportunity to get lost again with my dad.

When Do I Get to the Important Stuff?

The plumbing springs a leak. Laundry piles up. The dogs need a walk. It’s time to change the oil in the car. And that’s just the tip of the responsibility iceberg. 

When do I get to the important stuff? The stuff that matters? The book project? The t-shirt design? The blog post? The answer is that if I want to, I will. 

One of my favorite quotes is from the writer Robert Haas: “Take the time to write. You can do your life's work in half an hour a day.” Words I try to live and work by.

Keep pushing that important project forward, even if today between the dogs, laundry, and wet floor, you only get a few minutes to spend on it. 

If I practice focus, intention, and consistency every day, especially on the most challenging ones, something interesting happens. I finish.

A version of this article is also published on LinkedIn.

Maxed Out?

How’s your MAX week going? The HBO Max to Max transition gives me that New Coke feeling. It seems like a big idea cooked up by too-smart folks in a hermetically sealed conference room or Zoom call.

Is it smart or strategic to ditch the equity of the long-established HBO brand as part of the flagship name and replace it with the generic “Max” that puts some of us old enough to remember in mind of Cinemax? Time will tell. Or maybe it won’t. On Puck’s “Powers that Be” podcast, Julia Alexander and Ben Landy share their insights on the big Warner Bros. Discovery rebrand and add that perhaps Max is just a placeholder name until the next megamerger. Everything is temporary.

Postscript: If you’re a Max subscriber, you can watch my favorite show on television. The season two finale of Somebody Somewhere airs (streams? appears?) Sunday evening. And if you’ve never watched SBSW, you can quickly catch up on seasons one and two over this holiday weekend. I’m envious of the adventure that awaits you. Bridget Everett is a national treasure.

Related reading:

• Why Did HBO Max Become Max? Behind the Streamer’s Relaunch Strategy (Variety)

• Somebody Somewhere Is a Sunday-Night Sigh of Relief (Vulture)

Half Moon. Full Heart.

Moon half-full, glass half-full, heart overflowing as I begin the week. Wishing you a week filled with what matters most. (Mike Barzacchini Photo) #goals #mondaymotivation #mondaythoughts #letsgo

AI May Not Steal My Job, But It Will Change It

Will AI steal my job? I don’t think so. At least not completely. But I’m pretty sure it will change the way I work and what I do, just like desktop publishing, email, and the web changed my job before AI. Not to mention social media and smartphones.

AI may be the most rapid change quake we’ve experienced in a while and it may potentially impact more types of work across more industries. It’s important to remember, similar change quakes have happened before.

Can you imagine what it was like in the late 1800s when light bulbs, automobiles, and telephones all came into wider use at just about the same time? I’m sure there were more than a few stable hands, lamplighters, and telegraph workers who fretted about their employment at the time. And I’m just as certain that many found meaningful work in the midst of these changes.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not soft-selling AI. This has the potential to upend the way many of us work. Jobs will be lost. But what are the opportunities that will open up? Opportunities to think more strategically, focus more on understanding the customer journey, and develop ways to provide exceptional service — just to name three.

We’re only at the beginning of a fledging AI revolution, with much to learn. Scary? A little. Exciting? For sure. I’m looking forward to how AI will reshape our future collectively, as well as how it might impact my own work and career.

And if I’m wrong and AI puts me out of work permanently? Well, I guess that means I’ll have more time to walk the dogs.

A Few AI Resources and a Pretty Good Playlist

Overwhelmed or confused by all the news about AI and ChatGPT? It's a fast-evolving landscape, but here are a few resources to help navigate where we are now.

HubSpot has put together a playlist on Spotify of AI-related podcasts (along with some spiffy lo-fi music).

I also recommend a recent episode of the Plain English podcast which puts a lot of the AI discussion in perspective, along with describing what Google is up to and explaining the difference between replacement and additive technologies.

Here's a guide to using AI for content operations. You may need to create a free HubSpot account to access it.

The Content Marketing Institute and On24 are offering a free webinar on content marketing and AI on Feb. 15. If you're interested, you can register here.

The Moon, Last Night and Tonight

February 1, 2023, Waxing Moon, Mike Barzacchini photo

February 2, 2023, Waxing Moon. Mike Barzacchini photo.

Snow moon. Storm moon. Hunger moon. February moon waxing high in a frozen sky.

A Conversation with Artist, Musician, and Friend Ruth Ward

Earlier this month, I recorded a conversation with artist, musician, and friend Ruth Ward. She shared her thoughts on career rebirths, the importance of consistency, and living the art life.

A conversation with Ruth Ward