Every Day Above Ground

Objection Overruled

2011-02-20T19:24:00.006-06:00

This piece describes what teachers do. Please understand that teaching is not a job but a lifestyle. Teachers live their jobs and their students are never far from their minds. I will never understand why teachers are not respected and valued. Teachers spend more time with children than their parents, wipe their tears, boost their wilting self esteem, cheer them on, advise them, push them, discipline them, help them make wise choices. We fall asleep worrying about them and wake up knowing we can help them.

Does it matter what teachers make? No teacher went into education for the money but when a football player makes more throwing or catching a ball than a 1st grade teacher who teaches a child to read, priorities are out of whack. Even worse, that football player gets more respect than people who have taught populations to read, analyze, compute, question, calculate and other skills so necessary for a productive, independent life.

In "Objection Overruled" someone disses teachers because they don't make much money. More often teachers are criticized because they make too much money. But the point of the article, to me, details why teachers are, at the very least, worth their paychecks.

Objection Overruled by Taylor Mali

He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers: Those who can, do; those who can't teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company.

"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor," he says. "Be honest. What do you make?"

And I wish he hadn't done that (asked me to be honest) because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking; if you ask for it, I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. No, you may not ask a question. Why won't I let you get a drink of water? Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why.

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home; I hope I haven't called at a bad time. I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?" And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids wonder, I make them question, I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write, write, write. And then I make them read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful over and over and over again until they will never misspell either of those words again. I make them show all their work in math. And hide it on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you got this (brains) then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true. I make a goddamn difference. What about you?

Annabelle

2010-05-25T17:04:00.004-05:00

Twenty-five years ago today my daughter was born. My life changed that day and I don't mean in the typical ways. I learned to pick my battles; I learned to accept her for who she is, not who I thought she should be; I learned that it is often the little moments and not the big events that a child remembers; I learned when to listen and when to keep my mouth shut--basically because I learned to ask if my role in the conversation is to listen or to advise. And I have learned that an adult child is, oh, so much fun!

We did not always get along. Mothers and daughters don't seem to do well living under the same roof. But, she went to college, matured, and I feel closer to her than I ever have. She has many qualities I wish I possessed. At 25 years old she has a self confidence it took me 40-some years to gain. She embraces her individualism and is pursuing her passion.

My heart hurts with how much I love her. I am, also, immensely proud of the young woman she has become. Happy Birthday, Princess Annabelle. You truly are "my sunshine....you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you."

Pre-Summer Teaser

2010-05-23T10:45:00.002-05:00

Sunday morning, sun is shining, 80 degrees, slight breeze, birds chirping, sound of lawn mowers in the neighborhood, children's voices. Feeling content and happy just because of the weather.

Effectiveness

2010-05-21T10:32:00.003-05:00

D. is a 6th grade LD student whose mood fluctuates hourly. He can begin the day pleasantly and cheerfully but turn moody and work resistant for no apparent reason. His inability to shut his mouth when in the negative mood does not bode well for those of us attempting to work with him nor does it help him in any manner. He also has a mother who does not care about his work ethic.

By 7th hour on Monday he refused to do any work. I knew that in homeroom we were going to the computer lab to let students play computer games. Trying to "motivate" D., I stated that he would be allowed computer time only if he completed his assignment. No change in behavior.

As any parent knows, when carrying out a disciplinary threat, the adult suffers the consequences of the threat as much as the child. Banish a computer, cell phone, or TV and the parent endures a pouty, bored, snotty child. Teaching is no different. During computer lab time, D. continued to refuse to work, and I continued to strongly encourage him to change his mind. It would have been easier on both of us to just let him go on a computer. Since that didn't happen, neither of us left that lab happy with the other.

After the bell rang, and as drove home, I felt irritated at both D. and myself. Was it really worth the effort to try to get him to work when he clearly wasn't going to do it? Was I more involved in a power struggle rather than academic encouragement? Was it really my job as paraprofessional, rather than as the teacher, to consistently cajole (nag, threaten, bibe, harass) him into working? Or should I have washed my hands of him and let him sit unproductively? I concluded that the next day I would wash my hands of him and let him be.

Tuesday, 1st hour, D. cheerfully greets me and announces he is going to be better and willing to work. This will make it an easier day for both of us, so I am happy with this declaration. What I would love to know is whether D. woke up that morning and randomly decided to be positive or if my hassling him the previous day made an impact.

This is one of the basic educational unknowns....what actions taken by the teacher/parapro positively impact students. If I had ignored his unmotivated behavior would he have come to school Tuesday in that good mood or would he have continued bucking school work? I wish I knew......

(One old adage President Bush and Senator Kennedy forgot when promoting the "No Child Left Behind" bill is "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." We can provide educational experiences for children, but they must want an education and their parents must want it for them. Circumstances are vastly different for school children today than when we baby boomers were in school. Anyone not familiar with school children today may not understand the difficulty in educating students for no other reason than parental support is not behind the schools.)

Mother's Funny Bone

2010-05-08T21:54:00.004-05:00

A lighter side of Mother's Day:

"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." Phyllis Diller

"A suburban mother's role is to children obstretrically once, and by car forever after." Peter De Vries

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only 4 pieces of pie for 5 people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Tenneva Jordan

"Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life." Author unknown

"Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young." Author unknown

"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it." Chinese proverb

While humorous, there is also truth to these quips. But as every mother knows, survival in the toughest job in the world depends on a fabulous sense of humor! Here's to all the mother's in the world who laugh at themselves and parenting.

Women with Power Tools

2010-05-05T10:56:00.008-05:00

Except for the "cracks in the glass ceiling" attention when Hillary was running for President, women's rights is an issue rarely addressed any longer. Young women today do not carry the torch of feminism prevalent in the 60's and 70's, possibly because they grew up knowing more equal treatment. Women enjoy greater respect and broader employment opportunities today due to the strides made by Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem.

At my elementary school boys and girls had separate playgrounds. During high school, 1968 - 1972, we did not have Title IX, had to wear dresses to school until my sophomore year, my mother told me to let boys win at games, and we did not have co-ed gym classes. When I graduated from high school in 1972, females became nurses, teachers, or secretaries. Approximately 10 females out of my graduating class of 224 went to college.

Flash forward to 2010. Appearing at my door to clean up my flooded basement were three women. Three women who wielded power tools and hauled heavy industrial fans and dehumidifiers. After all these years I still rarely see women in such roles so was gratified and impressed to meet these three.

They explained to me that the restoration business is huge and there are many job opportunities. The young man who was coordinating the clean up efforts told me he preferred working with the women rather than the men. He explained that men often become cocky once they got used to the job, but the women always want to learn more. However, there is still progress to be made in some attitudes. The women told me about driving an hour to a job only to be told by the male homeowner to turn around because "no woman could do this job."

These women and all those people (males, too) in non-traditional gender roles give me hope. This is still a sensitive issue to me because I have too often been patted on the head, patronized, had my suggestions ignored only to have a male's same idea accepted. I have heard men say, "Women are taking men's jobs" or question a females sexual orientation because they choose a traditionally male profession. So, it is gratifiying to know that women are still pushing the boundaries and not letting gender limit their job opportunities.

Thank you Maria, Heather, and Carla for being the Paul Davis Restoration employees to show up at my door. Besides being extremely efficient, enlightening, and fun, you are role models for others.

Aging

2010-04-27T19:47:00.002-05:00

"The years had nibbled away the clear-cut contours and it was a high-risk strategy to get straight out of bed and count on looking fine. No, more than that: it was impossible."

Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan

Fortunately, as we age we no longer care as much about looking fine right out of bed!

Wisconsin Spring

2010-04-22T16:06:00.010-05:00

Spring doesn't come easily to central Wisconsin. We have had a few days in the high 70's and even an 80 degree day. After surviving 5 months of winter, residents are panting for green grass, flowering trees, sunny daffodils, and blazing tulips.

This branch is from an ornamental tree in my backyard. It is always exciting to see buds sprout out of dead looking branches.

One woman's weeds are another woman's flowers. I enjoy seeing dandelions in April -- they are little dots of sunshine in the lawn and a true sign of the season.

Most annuals cannot be safely planted outside until after Mother's Day. However, pansies are hearty cold weather plants, and I've taken advantage of that and have 3 pots of various pansies on the front porch. An early taste of annuals to come.

Watson accompanied me outside and is sunning himself while I take pictures.

He likes spring because he gets more frequents walks.

I've always contended I wouldn't miss seasons if I could live in a warm climate year 'round.....this spring had me questioning that. While I would sacrifice winter in a heartbeat, spring is THE breath of fresh air after arctic weather and truly a sign of rebirth.

31 More Days

2010-04-14T15:34:00.018-05:00

31 days of school left until summer vacation. Until then, a few more middleschool tales:

Have I told you lately how thrilled I am to know I can do 6th grade math? The other day we started learning mixed numbers and improper fractions. One boy was trying to explain how to figure out how many whole numbers are in mixed numbers (how many quarters in 5 1/4) and he said you need to do "backward multiplication." So now the class has a new term for division: "bacward multiplication."

Two boys want to come over to my house to pick up dog poop. They will only charge me $5.00 but would like me to make supper. When I informed them that about the only thing I have in the freezer to make for supper was frozen pizza they said that was even better. Now, I live in a different town then these boys, I'd need written parental consent, and I'm not sure I want them knowing where I live -- other than those three factors I'd love to have them over!

A 6th grader was busted for possession of pot. He had showed a few kids the stash, those kids narced, the police liason officer searched his locker, and he is now suspended pending expulsion. He is not the brightest kid plus is a bully whom I contend is a sociopath. The kids who turned him in hang out with him half heartedly but know he is bad news and often report him for bullying. They were awed at how stupid he was to have the drugs. A typical day for him was to sit in class and never do any work. The mother contends he is smart (none of us has seen one indication of this and believe all the swagger is to cover his lack of intelligence) but doesn't seem sure of what to do with him. He has no use for school (yes, a child who wants to be left behind), but I worry about what happens after suspension. The idea that he will be home schooled stretches the imagination. These are situations when I think vocational schools even at 6th grade would be more productive all around.

The LD teachers have arranged a fieldtrip to Miller Stadium for the 6 - 8th grade learning disabled students to watch a Brewer's game. Cost: $10.00. If a child cannot afford the $10 there will be money made available. One child is not going because the parent thinks Milwaukee is too far away (2 hour drive). Another cannot go because the mother doesn't want him getting home so late (5:00 p.m.) Another girl announced it would be boring so she isn't going -- we are all relieved by her disinterest! A father wanted to chaperone but staff assured him the bus was full. It was later explained to me no one was sure that dad could pass a background check! This trip will be educational beyond description. So many of these kids do not get to do such things, don't know how to conduct themselves in public places, don't get to go far beyond their home cities. It should be fun and very interesting for all of us.

Science test on biomes. (How many know, without running to Google, what a biome is?) We have studied this endlessly, yet a few items just escaped the little darlin's. Students were asked to name an animal that lives in the desert (same question regarding an animal in a tundra), describe an adaptation of that animal, and whether the adaptation is behavioral or physical. This was a pretty interesting unit and we watched videos from "Planet Earth" that repeatedly discusses such. Imagine, then, my amazement upon seeing students state that arctic foxes are desert creatures. Or that a humpback whale lives in the tundra.

School dress code states that shorts or skirts must be as long as your fingertips when arms are at your side. (That's kind of short although as someone who went to high school during the mini-skirt years and who is amazed I got through school with any modesty intact, the fingertip rule isn't all that unreasonable.) To get around the rule the girls have taken to wearing leggings under skirts and shorts. Leggings under shorts is one darn ugly fashion statement. I understand the "need" to subvert rules but please, leggings as a way to do it is a definite fashion don't. The ugliest so far was a girl in a white shirt, white shorts, and black leggings.

With the advent of nice weather the kids are outside more which means there are many 6th graders on crutches, with ace bandages, slings, and cuts and scrapes. It's easy to forget that not long ago sixth grade was considered elementary school and that this age group is still rough and tumble, play outside age. They certainly need to run off the energy whether it is after school or on the weekend. Each Monday brings another wounded child back into the school fold.

These students are still slightly in awe at hearing a swear word in a movie. "Hell" will bring a chorus of "that's a bad word" from the class. (Cracks me up because I'm pretty sure many of them could outswear me) In 7th hour yesterday D. returns from the bathroom, comes up to me and whispers, "In one of the stalls in the bathroom (boys) someone wrote 'b-i-t-c-h-e-s' (he spells this out) and drew pictures of balls and a dick." What cracked me up about this is how careful he was not to say "bitches" but had no problem saying "balls" and "dick."!! My preference would have been for the reverse!

Usually the end of the school year brings about squirrelier behavior than the months before -- from both students and teachers! So who knows what tales I'll have to tell in the coming days!

Apollo 13

2010-04-11T18:53:00.004-05:00

Right now NBC is airing a show on the Apollo 13 mission, and I never tire of this story. The explosion was catastrophic, stranding the three astronauts in space, but the greater story is the problem solving involved in saving them. It is touched on in this program but best illustrated in the Tom Hanks movie.

I cannot forget my astonishment during that movie when the engineers pull out slide rules to do math! Men were sent into space and no calculators were used? Astronauts were to land on the moon, and we were watching the news on black and white televisions! A square filter needs to fit into a round filter and duct tape is a crucial tool......that challenge resolved without the use of a computer.

Of course, I am old enough to remember life before calculators and computers but it is looking at this remarkable event in hindsight that is even more awe inspiring to me. Society is so entrapped by devices, and we seem to "need" our electronics to solve the simplest problems. (Now, maybe slide rules were more high tech than I realized...I avoided them like the plague) To watch historical drama be resolved with such simple tools reminds me that ingenuity, problem solving, and inspiration are the makers of heroes. It is interesting to contemplate whethe all of our electronics make us lazy. I'd like to think that today a handful of people could solve a life and death situation with simple tools, but I'm not sure.

(The background music for the NBC Apollo 12 show was Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Loved it!)

Spring Break

2010-04-06T21:52:00.005-05:00

Spring break: April 2 - April 11. Hoorah!!! I have nothing special planned, and spent today as a slug/sloth/lazy bum....exactly what I wanted. There is cleaning to be done, a dryer to possibly buy, and various other chores to do but today was for laziness. Since I am not writing from an exotic place, this entry is about the small happenings of my spring break days thus far. No need to go get the popcorn and prepare to sit at the end of a chair while the suspense builds. Just a glimpse into a simple, stay-at-home vacation.

Received the tax information from the accountant today. 95% of me believes paying taxes is what I do to have good roads (Wisconsin has well kept roads and highways), good schools (Wisconsin has one of THE top ranked education systems), police/fire protection, etc. and I don't waste time complaining about it all. I pay quarterly estimated taxes and on those four days I take a deep breath and wish I wasn't paying in; today when I read the information from the accountant I was not thrilled with the amount I will pay in now and each quarter this year. And while I have the money to pay the taxes(not through any planning ahead mind you), I need to vow (swear, pledge) to budget better for taxes. Wish me luck as I am not a budget-er.

The dog didn't get out of bed until 11:30 this morning. Granted, his schedule is off since my schedule is changed this week. Typically we both get up at 5:30 a.m. although he goes back to bed by 6:00 and probably doesn't get up again until I come home at 3:00 p.m. or so. But I was up for hours and he was still in bed this morning. After a brief visit to the lawn, he napped in a chair for most of the afternoon. My dog has a good life.......as he should!

On Sunday my princess visited and we decorated Easter eggs. While it was on Easter that we did this, art has no time table, you know. We had gone to Michael's craft store on Friday to pick up supplies and bickered in the aisle about what we needed. It was a role reversal -- I was the Ann of her youth and she was me as mom. Painting on Sunday was relaxing and fun. I am always and forever in awe of her talent and decorating eggs allows me to see how she creates. Her eggs are artistic while mine are elementary school simple. We were both true to our creative selves.

Spring arrived in Wisconsin a few weeks ago and welcomed with open arms. Tonight it is raining and there is even some thunder and lightening. It smells rain fresh and slightly wormy outside. Lawns are greening up, daffodils are blooming, sparrows are remodeling the robin nest on the fireplace vent. Even the green weeds growing in the landscaping are a sign of warm weather. Winter is a harsh season here, and spring is embraced probably more than any other season.

When on vacation I watch morning TV. Absolutely worthless morning TV. "Frasier" reruns top the list. I have seen these episodes numerous times and still laugh at the humor. This is followed by "The View." As long as Elisabeth Hassleback doesn't comment on politics and Barbara Walters doesn't speak, I like the show. I have to confess to tuning into "Millionaire Matchmaker" today and that was fascinating! Millionaires who can't find dates go to this bitchy matchmaker, pay her something like $50,000 to find them a date, and then viewers get to watch the dates. Tacky, shallow, voyeuristic, and fun to see! It really does show that money can't buy you love.....it also shows how absurdly immature the millionaires are.

Ah, I warned you this was about nothing exciting! But it is my vacation and I'm lovin' it!

Middle School Mania

2010-03-10T17:46:00.007-06:00

Life continues to be humorous/challenging/eye rolling/exasperating/fun at Maplewood Middle School. Survived last week's full moon but, as always, middle school life is always interesting.

* "If you mess with the bull, you'll feel the horns." Fransisco, 6th grade

* Dr. Suess books can make a 6th grader smile.

* The police liaison officer stated that bullying is reported 3 - 10 times before action is typically taken.

* Something is amiss when children are not afraid of being sent to the office. One student, when pressured to work, flounces off to the office. Okay.....why is he comfortable doing that?

*A boy who intentionally broke a 6th grade girl's finger received a 3/4 day suspension. Now, I am not privy to any police citations he may have received but less than a day of suspension seems lightweight to me.

*A student called a secretary a "fucking c--t". The secretary was informed that the student was really sorry. No punishment.

*A student spit in a paraprofessional's cup of coffee, unbeknown to her. He was suspended until he could be tested for any diseases -- the testing was at the insistence of the parapro. This boy is the brother of the above mentioned boy who likes to go to the office.

*Vince does not have a bedroom. He sleeps on the couch and often comes to school tired because he is awakened when people come home or kept awake by his brother playing Wii in the living room. The natural question asked -- the mom can afford Wii but not a bedroom for her son?

*D.K. is a follower. He has stated he acts up and doesn't do his work so he can be "cool" like a few other boys. His mother tells him he doesn't need to serve after school detentions and doesn't need to apologize for bad behavior. He has also told us him mom throws chairs at home. I don't want to meet this woman.

*L.B. hates school. She is an A student, well mannered/behaved, the kind of student I love. She hates school because in each class she must put up with immature, undisciplined, students who talk out, don't do their work, and are disruptive. She doesn't receive any positive reinforcement because too much time is spent reprimanding (ineffectively) the unruly students. The icing on the cake yesterday was the substitute in 1st hour allowing the behavior problems to work together but not allowing the good kids work together. I didn't get it either.....

*The middle schoolers raised $2000.00 in an African Benefit fundraiser last week. A worthy cause, indeed. It was mentioned, however, that the the general school population has a high poverty level, so why don't have a fundraiser for ourselves? We have students who have worn, torn, old clothing, not enough money for school supplies, etc. So....maybe a fundraiser for the locally disadvantaged would be a good idea.

I know that most of these paragraphs seem negative. But, this is a typical day with our typical students.

Endless Summer

2010-01-02T21:04:00.006-06:00

"In the midst of winter, I found, within me, an endless summer." Albert Camus.

I have recently decided that seasons are as much a time of year as they are a frame of mind. I prefer summer and fall to winter (spring is the season that allows me to breathe a sigh of relief and know that hope is eternal) because both offer the sun's glow, warmth, fragrances, easy access to the outdoors.

While winter in Wisconsin can mean a continual struggle against cold, snow, winds, and ice, it is a person's outlook that can make or break a spirit. In years past I have struggled with the shorter days, the gloom of continually cloudy days, the ever present cold. But, I have now decided this winter is mine to embrace for whatever positives I may find in it.

The sun was shining today; snow sparkled, the sky was blue, and it is the beginning of a new year. Snow brings a newly cleansed landscape and a snowstorm brings the hope of a snow day. Gray clouds make a cup of hot coffee or tea taste even better. Winter is reading books, curling up under soft throws, lighting candles, and looking at photos. Snow and cold make an adventure out of going outside -- one can make that positive or negative but an adventure is still an adventure!

Winter should be a time of reflection and appreciation. I live in a warm home with running water and indoor plumbing; pioneers lived with neither. Medicines ward off winter illnesses so our children may survive into adulthood. Even in severe storms emergency services are available. If my furnace dies or electricity goes off I still will be more comfortable and have more options than those pioneers or those in third world countries today.

Winter is......accept the Zen-ness of it all, look for the brightness, and appreciate what we have....don't yearn for what isn't.

(I am playing with a new toy.....well, new to me. The sun in this post is a drawing I made in power point. Making it was easier than posting it on the blog....still not sure how I finally accomplished that but I'm hoping to play around with it all some more. Another plus of winter is I'm easily amused!)

Goodbye Zero Zero

2009-12-31T10:09:00.004-06:00

Another decade come and gone. A decade of many changes.

Daughter graduates from high school, goes to college, graduates from college, enters grad school.
Son graduates from high school, enters college.
Divorce, loneliness, new relationship, happiness.
Move to Appleton, relief, comfort, zen-like knowing this is where I'm to be.

It isn't always major events, such as the above, that shape a life, but they are the most outwardly notable.

Over this past decade my belief that out of bad comes good has become even more firmly cemented. So has the knowledge that trusting my instincts is the best guidance for decision making.

I've learned that allowing myself to underachieve while still achieving works well --- type A personalities should give it a try. I am less stressed, no longer care about controlling a situation, don't want to be in charge. It has given me a brighter outlook on life and ability to enjoy most environments simply because I'm not in charge nor do I want to be.

I can accept aging. No, I'm not all that thrilled with jowly look on my face, the age spots that have finally appeared (but I don't regret any time spent in the sun!), or lessened metabolism. But, as this blog title states, every day above ground is a good day. There is a relief in accepting my body, it's working and non-working parts; accepting my essence rather than continually futzing, worrying, working on fighting, trying to improve, bemoaning what is me.

I will embrace this next decade. What better time to enjoy the here and now -- the moment, the experience, the simple sights, sounds, tastes. The beauty of aging and realizing that the decades ahead are limited is not worrying about the future but taking today for what it is.

My dears, Happy New Year, Happy New Decade, Happy Life!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T21:45:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Humorous Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T20:34:00.004-06:00

"I have strong doubts that the first Thanksgiving even remotely resembled the 'history' I was told in second grade. But considering that (when it comes to holidays) mainstream America's traditions tend to be overeating, shopping, or getting drunk, I suppose it's a miracle that the concept of giving thanks even surfaces at all."
Ellen Orleans

"I love Thanksgiving turkey....it's the only time in Los Angeles that you get to see natural breasts."
Arnold Schwarzenegger

"I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land."
Jon Stewart

"You know that just before that first Thanksgiving dinner there was one wise old Native American woman saying, "Don't fee them. If you feed them, they'll never leave."
Dylan Brody

Middle of the Week Day

2009-11-18T16:31:00.008-06:00

Moments from my Middle of the Week Day:

The most enjoyable part of the school day today was 5th hour social studies. The class is studying Canada and spent part of the hour filling in and coloring a political map (a map that shows lines defining countries, states, or territories). I worked with a group of 3 students ,and I did a map along with them. Drawing in the provinces (how many know what a province is?) was a bit challenging (we were given an outline of Canada) and figuring out where to put the Saskatchewan River tricky but then it was time to COLOR! Jacy didn't want to color, but I insisted because I love it so much, and, well, that was part of the assignment. (Jacy's been in a mood the last few days) I have always loved coloring and find it relaxing. To be able to color while also answering questions and joking with the kids was a perfect combination. (It helped that my most reluctant learner was absent)

Math is covering graphs and coordinate planes. The class had no problem with graphing but coordinate planes are challenging them. Or maybe it is having to use positive AND negative quadrants (anyone who knows my math skills is probably amazed that I know what a quadrant is!). Homework is an assignment using integers to draw a picture. I can't wait to see what the pictures are but explaining how to use the 50 sets of integers was challenging. I tried to remember what was stated in the short video the class watched prior to the coordinate plane explanation: "Integers are our friends." Well, I hadn't known that, but my day was just brighter knowing I have all these integer friends.

Homeroom (known as Connections) is the last 35 minutes of the day. Our 17 Connection kids are DONE by this time. Their attention spans are non-existent, hyperactivity (diagnosed or otherwise) has kicked in, and we try to corral and focus them --- not always with success. As frustrating as this can be, by the end Jeramie and I are laughing if for no other reason than relief that the day is done. Today was trying to get 7 of them study for tomorrow's science test (4 of them did listen--finally) then 3 worked on math homework -- back to the quadrant quandaries (come on, how often do you find an opportunity to use "q" in consonance?). Jeramie will be in Madison Thursday and Friday for state football finals (I mouthed "I hate you" to him from the doorway as I left) so the sub and I are hoping to survive the last two connections of the week.

Don't get me wrong...the majority of the students are nice kids and I enjoy them. But the disrespectful, cocky, jerk students take away from the class, disrupt learning, and suck adults' energy. In science there are 24 students and 7 of them are disruptive. I try to have contact with the good kids as often as possible just to keep my sanity and perspective. I also try to remember that the jerk kids just may grow out of this phase and become product adults.

How Many Know?

2009-11-16T18:37:00.005-06:00

My high school chemistry teacher was a brilliant man who should have taught college students. Eldred Judd was a sincere, kind, hard working teacher whose talents were sorely wasted on me. He had a speech pattern that was also wasted on us -- questions asked were prefaced, "How many know ------" So, dear readers, today's entry will be a tribute to Mr. Judd's questioning style:

How many know that
"Nothing matters but the weekend,
From a Tuesday point of view...." (The Kings)

How many know that talking about farting is almost as unappealing as the actual occurrence (that one's for you Ms. Ex).

How many know what a vacuole is? You may not, but this week 6th graders will be expected to know this on a test which leads to How many know how many times they've ever in their lives needed to know what a vacuole is?

How many know the national capital of Canada?

How many know that announcements 15 minutes after the start of class disrupts 6th graders for about 4 minutes? How many know that what is being announced is probably not worth the disruption?

How many know that the Mac computers in the library are a pain in the butt to use? Sorry, Ann, but NO ONE likes them.

How many know that "Dude" is a unisex proper noun? It's that or these children are seriously lacking in health ed. I've been called "Dude" numerous time of late. (How many know that adding "Ms." would make it more appropriate when addressing a teacher?)

How many know that I'm going to avoid the lounge at lunch time to avoid listening to a certain some one's self inflicted tale of woe?

How many know that shock collars around the necks of certain children would implement instantaneous behavior modification and allow for the sanity of educators and enhance the learning environment of the majority of other students? How many know that some will profess this notion to be distasteful because they are soooooo tempted by it?

Life Skills

2009-11-13T17:43:00.006-06:00

Children with learning disabilities function at many different levels in math and/or reading. During 3rd hour I take three lower functioning students to another room and work with them on basic reading skills. Two of these students (Dave and Hailey) have positive personalities and are hard workers; the third has low self esteem and "shuts down" at the snap of a finger when feeling the least bit challenged. This third child is a boy previously referenced in an earlier blog entry -- Vince.

Typically we work on sight words (for example, "I, am, were, because..."), vowel sounds (short a, short o.....), and blends ("bl", "ch", "sw".....). All three struggle with certain words, and I'm not sure why. "Were" is THE word they cannot remember. Every day we review it and the next day they cannot remember it. "Another" and "write" also prove difficult.

Vince and Hailey are mainstreamed in science and social studies where they learn about geography, countries, cells, periodic table and such, but neither Jeramie nor I think they understand what they are to learn. We believe they can benefit from learning life skills, so besides teaching basic phonics, I am teaching some life skills. Another teacher provided us with resource materials, and yesterday we did our first activity. I gave Vince and Dave (Hailey was at chorus) a note card and asked them to write their names, addresses, and phone numbers on it. Neither knew their addresses. Dave did not know his entire phone number. (Checking with Hailey later in the day revealed she knew all the info)

Okay, this was discouraging. The next hour Jeramie looked up the info for me, I wrote it on note cards, and today I had them fill out an pretend contest entry form. The instructions said $100,000,000 was the grand prize........Vince wanted to know if this was for real. Alas, no, but should he ever wish to enter a contest maybe he will have a better chance since he now knows how to fill out a form. Since they had the address info. in front of them the addresses were no problem, but Vince did not know how to spell his father's first name, and Dave wrote Mom and Dad in the blanks for "mother's name" and "father's name." I clarified what was needed --- he then asked me to spell their names.

Not sure how they got this far in life without knowing this info. but we're remedying the lapses. Next week we're going to spend some time on this and reading simple maps. The low skill levels of these children can be disheartening, but we are hoping that learning some basic life skills will ease their way into a highly competitive world.

12 Year Old Energy Level

2009-11-13T17:26:00.003-06:00

Whew! Happy it is Friday! The 6th graders have been wound up all week and took it up a notch today. Wound up means getting out of their seats at random to walk around the room, periodically breaking a pencil so there is an excuse to sharpen it, speaking to a friend while the teacher is talking, focusing all attention of a pencil/ruler/folded paper in front of them rather than paying attention to a lesson. If it were only a student or two in a class here and there I'd say "oh, well." That is not the case. I provide student support in 6 classes and each class has at least 3 students per class who exhibit the above behavior on a daily basis. Most of these are boys and they are not impressed/intimidated/cowed by any adult reprimands, cajoling, threats. The only time they settle is when an educational video is playing.

For some reason I was not at wits end today. Maybe I'm getting used to the behavior and weathering it rather than becoming irritated by it. I've also learned where to focus my attention during a class --- and thank my lucky stars I'm not the teacher! I've also developed relationships with our small group of mainstreamed LD students and enjoy working with them. They keep me sane. Most are nice kids who work hard and want to succeed. Those who don't are so low level we often discuss, worriedly, their adulthood fate.

So, even though the students provided some challenges today, I am in a good mood, not tired and looking forward to the weekend. Oh, and its payday!

Eloquence

2009-11-10T20:26:00.002-06:00

An eloquent President accords dignity and respectfulness to a solemn situation. President Obama's speech at Fort Hood today is reminiscent of past greats whose speeches historically endure.

Monday Evening

2009-11-09T19:55:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting in my big comfy chair in the living room, junk TV on the screen (Two and a Half Men, to be exact), a mask stiffening on my face. (I just KNOW this time I will wash it off and look 10 years younger -- yup, I can feel it in my bones.) The dog is freshly groomed (he was a very good boy according to the groomer) and smelling better than he has in weeks.

This weekend laundry was done, dishwasher emptied, Halloween decorations taken down (these accomplished while Dan was yelling at the Packers on TV), dog walked, groceries gotten. Garage was finally cleaned out, hoses put away, and bushes trimmed (huge hugs and thanks to Dan for helping with these things).

I love the mundane of my life. While the health care issues, the wretched economy, and the Middle Eastern wars loom large, I am happily ensconced in my snow globe world for the moment. So, for tonight I am not going to ponder the serious topics nor vent on annoyances. This is an evening to relish the cozy simplicities.

Gosh Darn It

2009-11-08T19:51:00.002-06:00

Gosh darn it isn't what I want to say and while I don't shirk from swearing, don't really want to see my favorite "f" word blasted all over my blog.

I had written a wonderful blog entry on education only to watch it vanish into cyberspace! Wah!!! (picture Charlie Brown crying in anguish) I do not have the energy to begin again tonight.

Sham WOW

2009-10-30T09:45:00.004-05:00

The Setting:

Third hour resource class. For the unknowing, resource is a study hall type class for the LD students. They can receive assistance on homework and/or work on subject areas that need strengthening. Wednesday was an activity day so the students did not have homework, and since it was the last day of a short week (teacher's convention on Thursday/Friday) they were wound up.

The Characters:

Seven 6th and 7th graders. Allen (names are changed) is autistic, David is CD or LD, Vince has a 70 IQ, Katie and the rest are high functioning but with reading difficulties. Jeramie, the teacher, is also the varsity football coach, and the team had won the first playoff game the previous evening. I am also in the room. At the beginning of class Allen and David are writing on an eraser board, wiping off what is written and shouting "Sham Wow."

The Plot:

The students are wound up and have no homework. The teacher/coach wants to watch the film of the game. The kids are more than eager to watch any kind of video so that is what we do. The following is the conversation during the video. (some of the coach's statements are combined)

J: Watch this play. The running back is great.
K: Mr. Korth, is there a guy named Jack on the team?
J: What's his last name?
K: I don't know. But I know a guy named Jack who plays football.
A: SHAM WOW!
D: SHAM WOW!
Me: What grade is the quarterback in?
J: A junior. There is only one senior on the team.
A: SHAM WOW!
D: SHAM WOW!
K: Why are there so many fat guys on the team?
J. is very engrossed in the video and doesn't hear the question.
K: Mr. Korth, why are there so many fat guys on the team?
Me: They're not really fat, K. (even though I think they are)
J: They are not fat, they are big. Football is a great game because there is something for everyone -- big, small, medium.
D: SHAM WOW!
A: SHAM WOW!
D: Are the Packers winning?
V: It's not the Packers.
A: SHAM WOW!
J: (to me) What are they doing? What's with the Sham Wow?
Me: They were doing it when I got in the room. Maybe they're dressing up as Billy Mays for Halloween.
J: There I am trying to get the ref's attention to call a time out, but I can't get him to look at me. I even run onto the field.
K: What is that on your head, Mr. Korth?
J: Headphones.
D: SHAM WOW!
A: SHAM WOW!

Okay, it was funnier when in the room listening to it all. The Sham Wow was so darn funny and those two were having a great time entertaining themselves and no one seemed affected by them. Maybe I'll start writing down some of the conversations I overhear during class times.....6th graders are still pretty uninhibited and silly. If I overhear anything good I'll post it here.

And while some might frown at the watching of a football video during class time, the kids enjoyed it and it kept them occupied. Another classroom had shown an animated movie the day prior and I know only too well how nuts irregular school days can be.

Impractical

2009-10-27T19:53:00.003-05:00

For your consideration:

A 6th grader has an IQ of 70, reads at a second grade level, and struggles to do subtraction.

How important is it that this student learn longitude and latitude, know the taxonomy of animals, describe the differences in an island and an archipelago, or the write the definition of an autotroph?

This real life 6th grader sits in regular classrooms and is expected to pay attention, do the homework, and take the tests. However, he does not have the ability to comprehend much of the information. The result is a frustrated 12 year old with low self esteem who is not learning much of anything. (The equivalent in my world would be sitting me in a calculus class, followed by quantum physics with a dose of organic chemistry thrown in.) Would it not be better to spend the time teaching him to read and do basic math while focusing his energies on life skills?

Even with all the differentiation, individualized educational plans, and learning accommodations (having tests read, extending testing times), such children are not getting what they need. Within the middle school schedule there is no time to teach basic reading and math. So, we send this boy and others like him through the regular schedule whether he can learn from it or not and then wonder why he shuts down. This student is not being taught ..... he's being shuffled through a system that doesn't know what to do with him, doesn't have the resources to help him, and isn't in a hurry to change.

(The above is not an indictment of the teachers who work with him and who are doing their best within an ineffective educational system. It is the system as a whole that is antiquated and in dire need of an overhaul.)

Names

2009-10-20T20:18:00.002-05:00

Many of us don't want to name our children names that are common and overly popular. Since a name plays a large role in a person's life, parents generally spend a great deal of time choosing one. But, it seems that some parents are trying too hard to be original. If the name itself isn't so unique, then the spelling of it is different. Here are some of the first names I've encountered at school:

Gunner, Tremaine, Stetson, Thalia, Eeva, Keontae, Chauncy, Kylee, Genisis, Rymer, Colt, Kloie, Shaw, Sir, Rylee.

I don't know about you, but I find these smack of the "trying too hard" syndrome.

Substitute

2009-10-18T13:21:00.005-05:00

I have agreed to take a long term paraprofessional substitute position at Menasha's Maplewood Middle School. This involves providing educational support for learning disabled 6th grade students in regular classrooms; I attend a math class, 2 social studies classes, and 2 science classes. When the students are working on assignments I circulate the room and an assist any student with questions -- parapros are not limited to helping just the LD students.

What do I enjoy about this job? 1. The interaction with students. Sixth graders are a squirmy, talkative, short attention spanned group but they are friendly, fun to chat with, and pretty respectful. There isn't much facade in place yet. 2. I am also learning 6th grade math. This may not sound like a big deal but for one who is math phobic/challenged herself this has been the most pleasant math experience of my life! 3. The 6th grade LD teacher, Jeramie, is excellent. He doesn't want the students enabled, he treats them with respect as they do him, and he stresses the importance of reading. 4. I have a friend who teaches 8th grade at Maplewood, and I know the principal; both have made me feel welcome. 5. I get to help kids learn without the headaches of planning, going to meetings, disciplining, or dealing with parents. 6. Working with LD kids (and watching one EDB boy) makes me appreciate even more the "normalness" of my own children!

What do I not enjoy about the job? 1. Getting up at 5:45 a.m. to be at work at 7:30 a.m. I am not a morning person but am adapting. 2. I live in fear of germs! H1N1 is a serious problem and kids are coughing all the time. Hand sanitizer is on every teacher's desk, classroom tables and desks are routinely wiped down. 3. It drives me nuts to watch kids not pay attention. I would love to have a video camera in classrooms to show parents how inattentive their children are in class. 4. It didn't take me long to remember that trying to focus and work with slow students in not my forte. I am good at it to a point and then I find myself getting impatient. So, my goal this week is to work on patience.

The teacher's I observe are good people who are patient and work hard to teach the students. I don't envy their job. Sixth hour science has 31 students in it. How in the world is the teacher supposed to teach to that many? The number of alphabet students in a classroom is epidemic (Alphabet students are the ones with labels: LD - learning disabled, ED - emotionally disturbed, ADD - attention deficiet disorder, ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, CD - cognitively disabled) and there are approximately 11 autistic students in the building. While having the resource parapros in the classroom to assist is helpful, I wonder how much some of these LD students learn. How will those who are reading at a 2nd grade level as 6th graders function after high school? Why are all these disorders so prevalent now?

While I may not want to teach any more, I find this job interesting and that being in a school setting comfortable. The length of my substitute position is up in the air -- I could be there another week or for a few more months. Either is fine with me.

One More Football Comment

2009-10-06T10:02:00.002-05:00

My daughter sent me this quote, and I love it so much because it states what I feel about professional sports:

"Sometimes people devote all their hopes and prayers to people who don't care about them at all. This is called professional football."

Packers vs. Vikings/Bret Favre

2009-10-05T11:04:00.005-05:00

Okay, anyone who knows me knows I don't take sports seriously. Whether it is the Olympics, a high school basketball game, a pro baseball game, or the badminton game I'm playing, it is a game. After the game I merrily go on my way and don't give the event any more thought.

Oh, how I wish Packer fans had my attitude. Actually, how I wish all sport fans had my attitude. Tonight's Packer vs. Viking game has reached a fever pitch. Apparently the grand rivalry between these two teams is legend (as is the Bear/Packer rivalry). Now that Bret Favre (the diva who used to wear green and gold) plays for the Vikings, the drama surrounding the game has invaded all media venues and local discussions.

I have married friends, one a Viking fan and one a Packer fan, who have fought so fiercely over such games that one ended up sleeping on the couch after a game. I know other people who dislike anything Minnesotan simply because the Vikings are from Minnesota. This is why the saying, "Get a life" was invented.

I find it amusing and irritating at the same time. Since I think professional athletes are paid too much money in relation to their social relevance, I find Bret Favre an overpaid pathetic attention monger. I hope he gets his clock cleaned in tonight's game simply because I'm hoping he can have some of his arrogance knocked out. (Just like I'd like to see Dick Cheney get his clock cleaned -- arrogance just isn't becoming) I find it amusing how wound up fans get over such games. I find it irritating that Packer games are placed on newspapers' front pages when so many more important issues face us.

Whatever the outcome tonight, I will go to bed and sleep well, happily awake tomorrow and worry about health care, Afghanistan, and the economy. But, I will not give the match up another thought.

Insurance Companies and Health Care

2009-10-05T10:13:00.004-05:00

I haven't said much about the health care issue simply because I don't understand what people aren't understanding about how desperate the situation is. Isn't it pretty simple? 1) Insurance deductables are so high that people cannot afford the out of pocket costs of preventative screening tests. 2) Even when employers "provide" health insurance, the employee portion costs so much that people struggle with the simple cost of living on their now reduced income. 3) COBRA sounds great but the rates are too high for most to afford 5) Physicians are not making health care decisions -- insurance companies dictate what medications and care a patient can receive.

Health insurance rates are so high that employers struggle with the costs, so employees who have health insurance now pay for a portion of the insurance costs. But, in order to afford the costs people choose high deductibles which means many cannot afford recommended preventative screening tests. If a person loses a job which means losing health insurance, the price of buying a single or family health insurance policy is cost prohibitive for many. However, a pre-existing condition will totally eliminate any one's ability to obtain health insurance simply because the company won't even consider someone with such conditions. How many get to age 50 without a pre-existing condition?

But, even if a person with health insurance decides they must seek medical care, it is not the physician who makes all the care decisions. No, the insurance company will dictate which medicine can be prescribed and what procedures are acceptable. Don't kid yourself that medical decisions are made by your and your doctor. Your insurance company is the entity detailing your health care. I laughed when Sarah Palin threatened "death panels" under President Obama's health care proposals. Darling Sarah, we already have "death panels" and they are the insurance companies.

I do not profess to totally understand the Public Option that send many into nasty, uncivilized protests, but I am pretty sure that without a public option the insurance status quo will prevail. If employers would readily dump their insurance coverage because employees would have a public option, what does that say? Employers should not have to offer health care and employees may even receive more take home pay if a public option was available. A public option doesn't mean you have to purchase it but for those of us rejected by insurance companies or do not have the money to afford their coverage, the public option would be a god send.

And don't give me the argument that the government can't run programs. Any bureaucracy has issues but the Post Office, Medicare, the Armed Forces, and public education -- while not without problems -- have served the public well. Of course there are issues. But the good done by these agencies outweigh the bad. If the private sector refuses to serve the public good then let the government have at it. Maybe that will be the nudge the insurance companies need to clean up their acts.

What I would like is to have the nay sayers offer positive solutions, the fear mongers to offer realistic concerns, the name callers to grow up. I would like the religious right to actually stop and reflect on "What Would Jesus Do", the socialism-phobes to take a look at European countries and see what does work for them/why/how, and everyone to stop thinking only of themselves. I do not believe we, as a country, can survive without caring for each other.

Goldilocks Healthcare Questionaire

2009-10-02T16:52:00.006-05:00

Raise your hand if you have no complaints about your health care. What do I mean by "health care?" Okay, lets take a Goldilocks approach to health care. Answer a) Too much b) Too little c) Just enough to the following statements:

I pay ____ for prescription medication.
Physician office visits cost ____.
The amount I pay in out of pocket medical expenses is _____.
Medical costs in general are ____.
Insurance payments are _____.
Insurance coverage covers ____.
Congressmen/women pay $503.00/year for health care received at the Capitol infirmary. That cost totally covers physical therapy, immediate medical attention (from specialists), etc. This $503.00 is _____.

Those of you who answered all questions with "c" can now leave the blog and contact your congressional representatives to tell them you truly want the status of health care in the US to remain as is. *

Those of you who answered even one question with "a" or "b" are the ones who are not happy with the health care status quo. No, no....now don't run away. Yes, the health care situation can be changed. (hey, you over there --- yes, you in blue shirt ---- don't shake your head at me) But, if you are not happy with the situation you should not be sitting idly by but should voice your health care wants and needs. In order to have insurance costs reduced, prescription costs affordable, health care procedures financially accessible to all those of us "a" and "b" answerers, we must raise our voices to show support for change. (Mr. Blue Shirt, stay after the meeting and Ms. Pink Blouse will show you who to contact and how.)

In fact, those of you who love to tell your health care/insurance company horror stories, there are now people who actually want to hear them. Oh, yes, they do! Rush right over to your phone or word processor and contact your President, Senators or Representative to tell them your story.

Thank you for attending and showing interest in the quiz. Now, get off your sorry butts, be proactive (while remained civil), and contact some politicians!!

*John Boehner, GOP minority leader, is holding meetings for "Just Enough" people in the Unicorn Room. Death panel discussion dates will be available.

Cori

2009-09-29T21:44:00.004-05:00

Being a friend does not always come easily to me. Since I prefer my own company, I don't need to be with others often and cannot abide people who want to suck me dry with neediness. I have let people into my life only to let the relationship slide. If someone accused me of having commitment issues I would not disagree. That said, there are a few people I consider great friends, and I had dinner with one of them last night.

I met Cori when Patrick was in kindergarten -- she was his learner's aide. I periodically helped out in the classroom and chaperoned field trips during which I would chat with Cori. The one constant in our times together was the laughter. Our friendship is going on 16 years and while we can go months and months without seeing each other, our bond remains strong. When we manage to connect, we talk about our kids, her marriage/my relationship, our dogs, the NL school district, sorrows and joys, but above all, we laugh. Last night I laughed so hard my face hurt.

Since we don't seem to see each other on a consistent basis, our get togethers last hours. We met at Chili's at 6:30 last night and when the restaurant lights came on we realized it was 10:30! As always, we are going to try to meet up once a month. We usually manage to do this for a few months and then something gets in the way and we are off schedule again. But our relationship is one that can't be judged on how often we see each other. Our times together are joyful and treasured.

While I'm not sure why we became friends way back when, I am blessed that this woman is in my life. We care for each other unconditionally and no matter how much time passes between conversations, we always find our way back together. Cori, I hold you in a very special part of my heart.

Yes, Dear

2009-09-09T20:29:00.002-05:00

My princess, Annabelle, has demanded I blog again. Her exact words were, "blog, damn it."

It wasn't my intention to quit blogging......summer was here, I didn't have any burning ideas or issues, and kinda had writer's block. But, the princess's wish is my command --- I will again write on significant issues, about random thoughts and flights of fancy.

Thank you, Annabelle, for being my inspiration!

Already July

2009-07-14T13:51:00.004-05:00

July already. While the summer temps have been cooler than normal, you'll get no complaining from me. We have had "San Diego" weather for much of the summer -- 70's, little humidity, breezy, sunny. It hasn't rained for a few weeks which means my lawn is slowly turning a crispy brown which is just how I like it. Translation: no having to mow the grass! Oh, the weeds are hearty and growing like, well, weeds but so be it.

I can't seem to focus too long on one topic which is why there have been no coherently written blogs. Oh, I've written my articles for Examiner.com and all but haven't felt a burning desire to communicate any profound thoughts here. Even some of the recent political hilarities provided by prominant Republicans hasn't spurred me to write. The Mark Sanfords and Sarah Palins can implode well enough without me.

How have I been spending the time?

1. Visiting shops and writing articles on them. I have met delightful shop owners, assistants, found bargains, and promoted these places on the website.

2. I have spent time with both children. Patrick is now in Ireland for three weeks and from what we hear, he is having a grand time! Learning Celtic (and the boy thought they spoke English there), dancing (I want a demonstration upon his return), drinking Guiness, and eating new food combinations.

Ann has been back and forth and is in the midst of packing up her apartment to make her move to Milwaukee. I spent an afternoon with her while she got a new tattoo and we had much fun. I cannot wait to have her closer so we can spend more time together.

3. My social life has been busy. Between graduation parties, a bridal shower (please, don't invite me), the 4th of July, and meeting neighbors I have spent more time with people than usual. It has been fun and an upcoming wedding this Saturday should be the icing on the cake.

4. Watson and I have discovered a dog park a few miles away. I know he enjoys the great scents and I love seeing all the breeds of dogs. Yesterday we met a shitzu mix sporting a mowhawk.

5. I have been reading a great deal. Finished two Steve Martini novels--Double Tap and Shadow of Power. Double Tap was good but in Shadow of Power I felt that Martini was lecturing me on his political and social views. Not that authors don't do that but usually are not so overt.

Beverly Hills Dead and Hot Mahogany were the two Stuart Woods novels read. Beverly Hills Dead was set in the heyday of movie studio rule in Hollywood and interesting enough. Hot Mahogany is a Stone Barrington novel and these novels are lightweight Stuart Woods. Predictable but still a comfortable read. The trouble with reading Stuart Woods is he will never top his novel Chiefs, the first book I read by him. Great ending.

Right now I am 3/4 through The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood and it is one of the few non-fiction books I've read recently. The book explores why and how some people survive events and others don't. It is a fascinating book and believe me, the next time I fly I'm going to reread certain sections!

6. Tomorrow is shopping and craft day with three teenage girls. Before you shudder at the thought of spending time with that gender and age group, let me assure you I enjoy these three....helps that that aren't mine! For now, these are like my psuedo-grandchildren!

Well, that is my life right now. Yes, it is a bit mundane but it is summer and that is enough.

This and That

2009-06-19T15:25:00.003-05:00

Rain clouds are moving in and there is thunder in the distance. I like an occasional rainy day during the summer.

The friendly Racine Police sergeant emailed to tell me my registration suspension has been lifted. Hurray -- no more criminal activity. Now he is working on getting rid of the ticket for driving while suspended.

Second graduation party of the summer tomorrow. I've heard some parents reminisce about returning to high school which I equate to visiting hell. Yes, it is briefly interesting to think how it would be if we could return knowing what we know now, but I have little desire to be 17 again. I have often thought that we spend a great many years recovering from high school!

North Korea scares the hell out of me. Even when Russia did its saber rattling way back when I at least thought the leaders were sane. Kim Jong-il has isolated his people more than the Russians ever did, and he is a Napolean complexed nut case. Here's hoping China has some leverage with him.

Summer offers a host of festivals in Wisconsin: Paperfest, Summerfest, Rockfest -- but Chickenfest cracks me up. Possibly all the good fest names were taken and someone from this former farming community decided to honor the lowly chicken. What it needs, but doesn't have, are chicken races, chicken costume contests, chicken imitation competitions, egg hatching betting, chicken dance marathons........

If Sarah Palin runs for President in 2012 I will initiate a media black out. That woman has so little substance she makes Bette Boop look deep.

Children should not be allowed to wander about restaurants unattended. While most times children are well behaved when out dining, of late I've encountered children who are allowed to run about, playing near other diners while their parents sit unconcerned. Why do some some people need to inflict their darlings on the rest of us.

I used to like the idea of reincarnation. Then I realized I could come back as an Afghanistan woman in a burqa.

Another robin couple remodeled the next and are waiting for their brood to hatch. How do I know these are different robins? They don't dive bomb Watson and me and their chirp is not as insistent. Not all robins are alike!

Typo Trouble

2009-06-16T09:32:00.002-05:00

I am a pretty law abiding person except when it comes to speed limits. Whether it is driving 25 mph through residential areas or cruising the 65 mph highways, I am usually going over those limits. I try to keep the speeding to a level where I'm going with the flow of traffic (a tip from a police friend), but also adhere to the philosophy that one must accept the consequences for behavior. Thus, I've always known that when I do get a speeding ticket I will deserve it.

My day of reckoning came June 7. The day was partly cloudy and the residential road clear. Upon sighting the police car I glanced at the speedometer and saw I was going 40 in a 25 zone. As soon as the police car started moving I pulled over and found my license. The surprise came when the officer stated that she had three things to discuss with me. 1. Speeding (no surprise) 2. the license plate sticker was missing (gee, this is the 3rd time a sticker has fallen off -- stick on more stickem, people) 3. the car registration is suspended. WHAT?

(As a side note, it should be noted that the officer was very nice throughout the discussion and that is much appreciated. In my limited dealings with police -- remember I said I am law abiding -- officers have been nice.)

Officer Laura of the Metro Police Department in Kimberly explained that I had an outstanding ticket from the Racine City Police. Hmmmm. I have never been in Racine but figured maybe the Milwaukee parking ticket I had forgotten to pay was handled by Racine. No, that's not really logical but bureaucracy works in strange ways. She gave me the number for Racine along with two warnings and a ticket: warnings for the missing sticker and speeding/ticket for driving after suspension. I figured I got off easily since she not only gave me the lower priced fine but wrote it up for Kimberly so it wouldn't go on my record. No points lost either.

I paid the Milwaukee ticket, emailed the DOT for a replacement sticker, and continued to merrily lead my life.

Not so fast. An email from the DOT burst my bubble and has me now acting in a criminal manner. The Department of Transportation and the local DMV (one of the circles of hell) refuse to give me a replacement sticker because I have not paid my Racine fine. I realize that at my age I don't always remember things that happen in my life but usually that involves misplacing keys, forgetting grocery items, driving past destinations. So, I called Racine Police Dept. to ask for clarification.

Lo and behold, a mistyped VIN number on a towed car has caused my registration to be suspended. A Pontiac was towed in Racine, the fine never paid, the registration revoked but I own a Subaru, it has never been towed, and I have never been in Racine. Vanessa, of the Racine Police, assured me she would work to rectify this situation. Officer Kurt Maurer from Racine called me for more information and also assured me he would not only get the suspension lifted but have Kimberly drop the fine.

This is all very good, but at this means that at this time I am driving with a suspended registration. And it also means I still must deal with the DOT/DMV for the replacement sticker.
In the spirit of civil disobedience I intend to continue this criminal activity and drive to the bank and post office today. (Does that mean it is criminal disobedience or would Thoreau/Emerson grant me poetic license?)

In the scope of life, this is all a minor inconvenience. I did receive the lessor fine which will turn into no fine, lost no points, and have people working to fix the issue. Plus, it makes a good story and this blog entry!

Wisconsin Foods

2009-06-05T15:08:00.013-05:00

There are foods that I'm told are uniquely Wisconsin. Most are fat filled, cholesterol laden, bypass precipitating foods, but we love 'em.

Bratwurst is a number one favorite. For those of you unfamiliar with this food, I must clarify the pronunciation: braht-woorst is the correct way to say it not brat-woorst. It always amuses us Wisconsinites when Illinois people mispronounce it. In other states an Italian sausage is comparable. The best brat is a grilled brat and some people boil it in beer prior to grilling (Wisconsinites love their beer).

I, myself, do not eat bratwurst. I loved them until 1973 when I worked at the Hillshire Farm meat packaging plant during college summers. I worked in packaging so saw, smelled, and handled bratwurst and hotdogs hours per day. It isn't how the brats are made that bothers me....it is the memories of freshly made brats, hanging on racks, and seeing the fat globs in them that forever turned me off.

Deep fried foods are always a hit here. Since we live in the Dairy State, deep fried cheese curds are a favorite artery clogger. Cheddar and mozzarella cheese curds are breaded and deep fried which melts the cheese inside the coating. These I eat because they are so darn tasty. I've also had deep fried pickles, deep fried green olives, and deep friend green beans. Sometimes it just seems cooks want to turn healthy foods unhealthy!

Friday night fish fries are a year 'round tradition. While this probably goes back to the Catholic tradition of no meat Fridays, Wisconsin does it right when it comes to Friday fish. Almost every restaurant has some kind of Friday fish fry and a favorite is perch. The fish is breaded, fried, and accompanied by tarter sauce, French fries, coleslaw, and buttered rye bread.

Venison is a popular meat and there is an especially large population of hunters in Wisconsin. Venison can be made into hamburger, steaks, sausage, and roasts but it must be cooked in certain ways so it doesn't taste gamey. Now, I do not like venison because I always think it tastes "funny." I do like the venison sausage although it does not agree with me. But, I have friends who use venison as a staple of their diets. I also prefer not to have looked into the eyes of my food prior to dining.....I like to think that any meat has always been in the packaged form from the grocery store.

Come state and county fair time the fat and calorie content of favorite foods goes up several notches. Maybe these foods are standard in all states at summer fairs. Cream puffs are a huge favorite at the state fair. I have not had the luxury of having one but always hear rave reviews.

Walking tacos are another hit. All the taco ingredients are mixed together in a baggie and its eaten with a spoon or fork while walking around the fair.

Stick food is interesting at fairs. Most of us are used to corn dogs on a stick and cotton candy but pork chops on a stick? Yup. Deep fried and stuck on a stick, the pork chop now becomes walkable.

Not all of our foods are unhealthy or fried. While not uniquely Wisconsin, they are grown here and thoroughly enjoyed by the state's citizenry. Door County cherries are a huge hit and a tourist attraction. This county is a peninsula into Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay. Cherry trees grow well in the climate and mid summer many of us head to the Door to pick cherries. Apple picking is another Door County activity.

Strawberry picking is a traditional family activity for many in the state. Pickers ride to the patches on a tractor pulled wagon, given a row to pick and containers for the berries and off you go! These are usually ripe at the end of June and part of the appeal is that you can eat as many berries as you wish while picking.

Last, but not least, dairy products. This state has excellent cheese. Cheddar is king and there is aged cheddar (the best in my book), medium, or mild cheddar. Another favorite of mine is pepper jack. This is a mild white cheese with biting pepper in it. Mmmmmm. Despite current diet trends in the nation, a cheese platter is usually standard at parties in Wisconsin.
There you have it! Wisconsinites are not necessarily the healthiest eaters in the Union, but our food is delicious!

Musings

2009-06-02T21:51:00.006-05:00

Nothing momentous, just thoughts, things, this and that.

*Did you know there are pelicans in Wisconsin? I didn't until today. As I was driving over the Fox River I saw a pelican -- one of those moments when I wonder if I've really seen what I've seen. Coming home I went to the ever handy Google, and lo and behold the American White Pelican (the ocean loving brown pelican is a relative) summers here. What's really neat is that this bird was once pretty scarce but is now making a comeback.

*A flower to one is a weed to another. I like dandelions simply because they are a sign of spring. They are a bright spot after grayness.

*Art truly is in the eye of the beholder. While visiting the Minnesota Institute of Art with Ann and friend Rachel (both art majors) we saw some Picasso pottery. While we did not see this particular plate, what we viewed was similar and I was underwhelmed by it. I was reminded that it is, after all, a Picasso --- I pointed out that I wasn't always impressed with Hemingway. Who decides something is a piece of art or a classic novel?

*What is so difficult about using a car blinker? I am going to turn each blinker impaired driver into a toad. Not a frog with the possibility of being kissed into royalty. No, a toad....warts and no chance of redemption.

*I get the Sunday paper so I can look through the sale flyers. I do read the paper, but I relish the flyers. I cut coupons which I then forget at home, I don't shop at most of the stores whose flyers I browse, but there is just something special about those glossy flyers.

*The E-Trade Babies commercials are my favorite TV interruptions. Those kids and the lines they "say" make me smile after even the 100th viewing.

*Wonder what prompted David Letterman to marry the mother of his son? His son is 5 years old. No, I don't really care, just watching his show as I type this and it came to mind.

*If I owned a hobby farm I would have a llama, donkey, goat, peacock, miniature horse, several dogs (all mutts), and rabbits. It sounds like so much fun!

*I have seen Dick, Lynn, and Liz Cheney on TV over the years and they do contentiousness, condescension, and nastiness soooooo well. Yikes, these are negative people. Liz Cheney was on "Sunday Morning" a few weeks ago and what a train wreck....nothing positive came out of her mouth.

*I must give a shout out to Toro lawnmowers. My new Toro mower is so easy to push, and it starts after one pull. Good thing as I'm mowing the lawn once per week. That will only last until mid-July when the lawn dries up for a few weeks. Some people water their lawn but not me. Good heavens, if I water it I have to mow it.

*I own three reusable bags that I bought so I could forgo plastic grocery bags. I actually remember to use them once in awhile. I gave myself a pat on the back when I bought them and now forget to take them into the store....to quote Kermit, "It ain't easy being green."

Ok, this is not the best blog entry. Sometimes an idea is better than the written matter but hey, this is just the way my brain works some days. :)

Mama Robin

2009-05-14T21:15:00.006-05:00

Robins built a nest on the fireplace vent. I don't care about the vent as I'm not using the fireplace, but my past experiences with guest robin families does not bode well for these babies.

At the New London house robins were hatched and left the nest too early and died. I had evidence that a neighborhood cat assisted in their demise. The next year a new set of eggs hatched and these babies fell out of the nest before they could fly and hopped off into bushes never to be seen again.

All the robins who choose my houses for nesting don't choose the best area of the house on which to build. The New London nests were in the small lilac tree right by the front door. This fireplace vent nest is by the garage door. Cute little bungalow that it is, the location is not prime.

Today I saw three hungry open beaks waiting for mama to bring them grub. Mr. and Mrs. Robin are diligently caring for their babies. But, oh, do the parents look tired! I was able to look at mom sitting on the nest and she has that haggard-sleep deprived look all new parents wear. She still had the spunk to dive at Watson when we returned from a walk, so I have high hopes that she will successfully raise her babies and they will all live happily ever after.

See, I don't do well with real life and baby bird death makes me cry. The robins worked hard to build the nest, they patiently sat on the nest to hatch the eggs, and now tirelessly flit about protecting and feeding their young. I don't know if bird parents feel sad when their children leave the nest or sorrow if they die. But, I want them all to grow up strong, fly away and raise their own babies. Bird fairy tales.....

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T10:06:00.005-05:00

Until I was 29 years old I swore I did not want children. Did not, did not, did not. Then one Sunday afternoon in late summer (yes, I remember the day) I realized I might be missing something.....something that I would later regret not experiencing. Nine months later my daughter was born and indeed, my life changed. For the better. Three years later my son made his appearance and my life became richer again.

I have had my struggles as a mother. To this day I wonder: did I yell too much, did I not pay enough attention, will my mistakes come back to haunt them? From talking to other moms I know these are common worries. And even though my children are legal adults, I try to balance my mothering so they know I am there for them, love them ,yet give them their space. I believe the three of us have charmed relationships. We usually talk at least once per week, I have learned how to listen, when to give advice, when to bite my tongue, and always tell them I love them. They confide secrets in me that sometimes I might not want to hear but am awed they trust me that much.

There was an all too rapid passage of time and in a blink of an eye my daughter and son became adults. Each age brought its joys and frustrations but my children were relatively easy to raise and are now admirable adults. There are moments I wish they were once again little and still held my hand when crossing a road, want stories read in bed at night, and think a kiss will make it all better. But, they are now admirable 20-somethings who are everything to me. They may not need me in the same way they once did, they do still need me.

I get to celebrate Mother's Day because I have two fantastic children who make me a better person than I could hope to be otherwise. I have shed tears about them, I laugh with them, I treasure each minute spent with them. I love them more than I ever thought it was possible to love.

To think I could have missed having my children makes me shudder. I'd like to think that the hand of Providence guided me into realizing I needed these two in my life; I'm glad I paid attention!

Value of Hope

2009-04-28T11:02:00.003-05:00

After 100 days in office Barack Obama is one of the most popular Presidents ever and holds a 61% approval rating. Of course there is criticism of what he has or hasn't done in this short time period, but there is agreement that the man has provided the country with hope. People feel an optimism they haven't felt for a long time.

Napolean Bonaparte stated, "A leader is a dealer in hope." If this is true, than Barack Obama is a true leader. Obama campaigned on the message of hope and change; at the time of his election this country was desperate for new leadership, a new vision, and hope. Part of Obama's success is from his essance, his ability to communicate, to remain unflappable, to stay in communication with the media and public. At the very least he gives the impression of working on issues.

The President is what this country needs at this time; he is fresh and has not spent decades entrenched in politics. Yes, he is a politician, but he not part of a political dynasty, is untainted by a long political past and scandal, and is a fresh face (in every way) for the country and world to see. And the country and the world is willing to be patient and allow him to the time he needs to make progress.

I am slightly obsessed with Barack Obama and his family, reading everything I can about them. I don't care that his PR machine is orchastrating photo ops. Every President has a PR machine. Michelle Obama is a fabulous role model, the girls adorable, the dog completing the "all American family" image. We Americans can be very shallow and if being distracted by this family is a way to make us feel better, I'm enjoying it. Every little feel good moment during this Great Recession is welcome.

I am still wanting to have dinner with the First Family. Heck, if hope is the name of the game, I will continue to hope. I am thinking of writing a letter inviting myself to dinner. I don't want to be invited to a formal event as that is not me. Just a little sit down family dinner ....

Suze Orman

2009-04-21T11:28:00.003-05:00

An update on my Needs post. I did skim the Suze Orman book at B&N and was underwhelmed. Nothing new that I haven't heard a dozen plus times before on the news, in magazines, etc. I'm not suggesting that this advice is useless but using it depends on a person's life outlook.

One faithful reader recommended that I continue to visit my children regardless of the cost, and I definitely agree. My children are the most important people in my life plus will be picking out my nursing home, so I want to continue my close relationship with them.

Another reader suggested I am either delusional or have an excellent financial planner. Both may be true. I do have a great financial planner and sometimes I even listen to his advice. I don't like reality so possibly the delusional description is true. But, believe me, my delusional world makes me happy, and I spent too much of my life being unhappy. Trust me, money doesn't make one happy; life may be easier in some ways, but happier? No.

Bottom line is unless I cut out my more expensive luxuries, I am not going to save much money. I'm not cutting out cable because I enjoy my plasma TV and all it offers. I'm not reducing my cell phone plan because it allows me contact with my children and the friends whom I actually enjoy. I am not reducing the temperature of the thermostat when I'm awake and at home because I refuse to be cold. I do reduce it at night when sleeping and when gone. I obsessively turn off the lights, don't run water when brushing my teeth, and don't rush to turn on AC although these are more concessions to the environment than to bills.

I do not live extravagantly, I don't have a lot of debt, and I live in one of the more reasonable cost of living areas in the US. I am a moderately conservative investor, so my retirement fund investments haven't suffered as much as others. Yes, I give more thought to money than I did even a year ago. I have cut back on some little things and do not shop are heartily as I used to but am not kidding myself to think they will make a huge difference. I am going to agree with the other faithful reader who reminded me that I can't take it with me. If I want a latte, then I'm going to have a latte. Life really is too short not to enjoy it. Does that mean I won't enjoy my later years because of my lackadaisical attitude now? Maybe. But, nothing in life is certain.

Needs

2009-04-09T15:24:00.003-05:00

What are needs? Besides the basic life needs. Someone I know finished reading Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan and apparently she gives suggestions on safeguarding your money. From what I understand, one should only purchase "needed" things. This, of course, led me to ask, "What is a need?"

Possibly, one person's need is an other's want.. or vice versa. Does a city dweller need a car if public transportation is available? Does a college student need a personal computer if computers are available at the university? These are possibly bigger needs v. wants.

I understand that having cable TV is a want. Purchasing books rather than getting them from the library is a want (although the book stores would sorely miss my revenue). Having my hair colored at a salon rather than coloring it at home is a want.

Shallow wants/needs are a bit harder to discern. Do I switch from gourmet teas to Lipton if Lipton is cheaper? Do I stop wearing mascara to save money? Do I stop driving 2-4 hours to see my kids because the cost of gas adds up? And do making any of these changes really result in significant savings?

I'm getting twitchy just typing this because I have long held the "my wants are my needs" philosophy. Yes, I've been spoiled. Do I think I need to strongly assess my wants v. needs? Yes, probably so. But, (she whined) it is so hard!!

I struggle with the idea of saving for retirement because I don't know how long I will live. What if the world really does end in 2012 (according to the Mayans), and I've been putting money away for naught. I understand that material things don't buy happiness. But if I'm going to bother with retirement funds I'd like to be able to experience the joy of spending them.

The way I see it, in order to really stick to needs, I must cut out cable, buying books and magazines, buy store coffee rather than gourmet coffee and tea, use only the card supplies I have rather than buying more. I could groom my dog myself, color my own hair, stop getting facials, massages, and pedicures (I don't get them often), not buy new clothes or shoes and use what I have. I would stop buying lattes, expensive eye shadow, candles, plants, and would stop going out to eat. But, would I enjoy my life as much? At age 54 am I to stop doing what I enjoy?

Hard questions for each to answer. I'm trying....I more often fail to say no to wants than I succeed, but I am trying. I'm going to save money by not buying Suze's book but may browse it at B&N. Maybe then I'll have a better grasp of the concept.

Taxes

2009-04-07T19:24:00.004-05:00

My family did not have much money when I was growing up. My father went to school on the GI Bill and my mother stayed home with us kids. My father became a teacher, my mother went to school to become a teacher; there was not much spare change for extras. My parents did not fight about the lack of earnings because my father believed it was senseless to argue about what they didn't have. My financial planner knows my parents so understands the origins of my nonchalance about investments. Understands, not appreciates.

This attitude carries over to my feelings about taxes. I took my tax information to the accountant today so he can prepare the documents that I am too phobic to configure. There should not be any surprises this year but whether I'm paying in or getting back, my reaction to tax time is the same each year. There is little I can do about taxes so to complain is a grand waste of my time.

We live in a country that provides much for its citizens and those provisions cost money. I appreciate the highways and roads, the educational institutions,the parks, protections provided by the armed forces, police and fire departments. I have freedoms people in other countries envy, and I decided long ago that paying my taxes was what I/we do to ensure our country keeps running. No, I'm not always happy with how my tax dollars are spent but that goes with the territory. Are there better ways in which to tax citizens? Maybe. But I don't expect to see a change in taxes during my lifetime.

I also like my accountant. I don't pretend to understand the tax forms and tend to understand the system intuitively. I have numbers and notes scribbled on pieces of paper, he cheerfully takes them, and doesn't make me feel stupid. I also called late last week for today's appointment and was assured there was ample time for him to do the taxes. That was great news! He charges half the price of H&R Block, I enjoy chatting with him, and he will get my taxes to me in time for filing.

Most friends think I'm nuts for this outlook. That's okay.

My Heart Hurts

2009-03-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

My worst nightmare as a parent would be the death of one of my children. I cannot imagine surviving that.

My high school next door neighbor died in a car accident when we were seniors in college. My mother told me it was not natural to have a child die before the parent. While probably not fully appreciating the comment at the time, it stuck with me, and as a parent I fully understand what she meant.

This morning my son called to tell me one of his friends died last night. The boy was a freshman at the same college my son attends and had been at Patrick's house two nights ago. I have known LM and his parents since the boys began playing soccer in elementary school. His mom, JM, and I had taken the kids to movies and swimming when they were younger. I ache for her.

Does it matter how one dies? In the long run, no. A child's death is horrific. But the rumors and innuendos that surround some deaths only exacerbates a painful time. Early reports indicate that LM died from a overdose. An overdose of what is not clear although alcohol seems to be the likely substance. Alcohol poisoning of college students is, unfortunately, not uncommon, but when it is one of your own, none of that matters.

I want to ease my child's pain, I want to comfort my friend, I want to show support in any manner I can. How I do that will become clearer as the day progresses, but for right now my heart hurts. It hurts for another chip in my son's innocence, for the sorrow leaving his girlfriend speechless, for the agony I know LM's mom is experiencing.

To my children: I love you with all my heart and wish to keep you safe. To my friends: I hope you never experience this pain. To all of us: always tell those you love that you care because we never know when it will the last chance to do so.

Favor

2009-03-27T09:08:00.006-05:00

I have undertaken a new project and am having great fun with it. While browsing employment sites I stumbled across Examiner.com which is a go-to site for local information and events. It is an interesting site which, at this time, covers 60 major markets across the country.

I am part of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, market even though my title is Fox River Valley Boutique Shopper Examiner. (quite the mouthful!) The geographic area I cover is Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh, and possibly Green Bay.

I have a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to take a peek at my articles periodically? Examiner.com is a pay per view site which means I am paid for how many times my articles are viewed. I am in the early stages of writing and have published 4 articles thus far. My aim is to publish 4 articles or more per week. Any constructive feedback would be appreciated -- yes, even criticism!

To find my website, click here. Thank you!!

Annoying Bird

2009-03-17T21:05:00.008-05:00

I enjoy watching birds although I won't go as far as to say I'm a "bird watcher." No, "Hark" in the woods for me, but as a casual observer I have favorites I smile to see.

Cardinals and chickadees are two favorites. Mr. Cardinal's (started calling the male cardinal that when the kids were little) song and bright color appeal while the chickadee's call and spunky attitude perk up winter days. Red poles, golden finches, and blue birds all have the color component going for them. So do blue jays and while they can be obnoxious, they are fun to watch hop about. Another favorite is the rarely seen orange and black oriole. That bird takes my breathe away.

In the "power bird" category red tail or marsh hawks and owls awe me. The soaring, swooping flight, keen eyesight, and larger size demand respect. While not a predatory bird, the great blue heron's size, long legs, and crooked neck give it a commanding appearance, and I always "ooooh" when I see one. Kingfishers and snowy egrets cause the same reaction. The above mentioned birds are just plain wow-worthy.

Now, there are a few birds that drive me crazy. I respect a crow's intelligence although when they caw at 6:30 in the morning I am less than thrilled with them. But today the bird highest on my annoyance list is the killdeer. This bird's instinct to run the opposite direction from their nest might make sense in theory but any human familiar with the bird is not fooled by this behavior. And while the killdeer is running away from the next it is yelling in its high pitched killdeer voice.

What did I hear this afternoon out my patio door (which was, Halleluia, open because it was 68 degrees outside) but the squawking of not one, not two, but three killdeer in the backyard. Aye yay yay. Is this threesome (birdy menage a trois?) going to nest in my garden area or at the base of the neighbor's trees? Their mating season begins in March, so they are probably scouting out birthing rooms.

Maybe I'll grow to love their endless hysteria. If not, I'll try to remind myself that at least its not a family of skunks who have adopted my yard.

Tulips

2009-03-10T15:03:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was spent recovering from the 6 inches of snow dumped on Appleton Sunday night. Today's gray, rainy, foggy and sleet/freezing rain weather is depressing. (my apologies, Annabelle, for writing about the weather) To combat the never ending winter, I went to a favorite florists/greenhouse. Ah, the earthy smell, green sprouting geraniums are a sign of spring and just what I needed.

I was looking for a potted, blooming daffodil plant but those won't be available for a few weeks. However, the suitable runnerup, a tulip bouquet, is now sitting on my coffee table. Some would not consider this a practical purchase in these tough economic times, but the mood uplift of these flowers is worth the price.

Dancing with the Stars

2009-03-09T20:21:00.005-05:00

I confess to watching "Dancing with the Stars," the only reality show I follow. Because I have two left feet and feel too inhibited to dance, the show appeals to my inner Ginger Rogers. (Who did everything Fred Astaire did but backwards and in heels)

There are dancers I automatically like, some whose performances are cringe-worthy, a few I want voted off as soon as possible. But, I sure give anyone willing to sign on for this show credit for their hard work.

What makes this show different from other reality shows? The contestants must learn a new skill and the judging isn't mean spirited. "The Bachelor" is nauseatingly predatory, "American Idol" has Simon who is arrogant and nasty, and "Survivor" is filled with back stabbing contestants. "Dancing with the Stars" is a a friendly, fun, glittery competition. It gives me the mind candy I like this time of year.

LMAO

2009-02-28T09:55:00.003-06:00

So many jokes are passed on through the internet that we read the same ones over and over. This morning I received a forwarded email that had me laughing aloud. I just had to share it.

The Best Smart Ass Answers of 2008 !!
SMART ASS ANSWER #6
It was mealtime during an airline flight. 'Would you like dinner?' the flight attendant asked John, seated in front. 'What are my choices?' John asked. 'Yes or no,' she replied.

SMART ASS ANSWER #5
A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets.
As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat, she said, 'Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub.'

SMART ASS ANSWER #4
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, ' Do these turkeys get any bigger?' The stock boy replied, 'No ma'am, they're dead.'

SMART ASS ANSWER #3
The police officer got out of his car as the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the officer said. The kid replied, Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.'
When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

SMART ASS ANSWER #2
A truck driver was driving along on the freeway and noticed a sign that read: Low Bridge Ahead. Before he knows it, the bridge is right in front of him and his truck gets wedged under it. Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, 'Got stuck, huh?' The truck driver says, 'No, I was delivering this bridge and I ran out of gas.'

SMART ASS ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2008 !!
A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. 'Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!' A smart-ass student in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, 'What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?' The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering.
When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said, 'Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand.'

Casual Observations

2009-02-27T15:27:00.002-06:00

Just some thoughts running through my head:

1. Sunshine makes everything better. This kind of goes hand in hand with a tan makes everyone look 10 lbs. lighter.

2. I love a good storm. In the spring and summer a thunderstorm is exciting. Some try to jack up the excitement level during tornado warnings by looking out the window watching the clouds swirl while looking for the funnel.
Last night we had a snow storm with howling winds. I curled up with a Greg Isles book and enjoyed the coziness.

3. I love the soundtrack to "Slumdog Millionaire." While I haven't seen the movie yet, I watched the Academy Awards, saw a dance expo on GMA, and have ordered the soundtrack. Am toying with the idea of ordering some tunic tops and caftans so I can float about in my clothes. I already own the hookah so am on my way to adopting a new heritage.

4. If I were to live by the saying, "What would you do if you could not fail?" I would be a performer. I would at least be a doo wop girl, work my way to diva status, and then star in some movies. Since failure isn't an option the fact that I have a lousy singing voice doesn't matter.
(A huge problem with being a famous performer would be having every move documented and having people invading my privacy. I just don't like people enough to have them in my space. Rather than carrying a little rat dog in my purse I'd have to take a bull mastiff with me everywhere.)
Being a pianist, author, figure skater, comedian,or nail polish namer would also be "no fail" jobs for me.

5. I've had four dreams about meeting Barack Obama. Hopefully prophetic dreams! How fantastic it would be to have dinner with the Obama family in a relaxed atmosphere, chit chatting about what not.

Ah, just zig zagging thoughts this afternoon.

Technology Addiction

2009-02-17T12:56:00.003-06:00

At one time in my life I shunned computer use. I had no need so why use a technology I found difficult to understand. Then came along Windows 95, and my entry into technology addiction began. Why, one can talk to people across the seas! Want to buy a shirt online at 11:00 pm -- here's my credit card number. I surf the web, keep a blog, store photos, file documents, bookmark favorite sites, and email my children via the computer. Am I addicted to my laptop -- oh, yes!

Computers allow for news inundation, instantaneous communication, and split second gossip dissemination. We don't have time to have information filtered when it is before us from a myriad of medias. Information isn't even substantiated before it is let loose to the masses so misinformation becomes fact when it shouldn't. There have been a few times I've had to do without my computer and those are the times I understand how much time this thing sucks out of my life. Maybe I need to designate one day/week a non-computer day.

Cell phone usage came later than computer usage for me. My first cell phone was bulky, had about 30 minutes of call time/month and was only to be used for emergencies. Service was dicey. I do not believe it had voicemail let alone caller id. Now my cellphone has more services than I know how to use, has caller id, various ring tones, takes and stores pictures, plays music, has a calculator, a clock, a video camera, and text messaging. It is always with me and that is the rub.

I first started carrying a cell phone when away from my children (they were of an age where they could be left alone safely and were self sufficient enough). I kept it on so if there was an emergency they could contact me. I will never forget when I first realized that cell phones were intrusive. I was in a dressing room at Dayton's when my cell phone rang. My son, who was well able to make a sandwich, use the microwave, and who had been raised to be independent called to ask what was for lunch. After explaining my location and that lunch was whatever he made, I turned off the phone realizing I did not always want to be found. I did not always want to be connected.

That feeling has not faded away. Was it really so bad not to have 24/7 access to everyone in our lives? What real emergencies do we have in our lives? I understand the significance of having a cell phone when driving at midnight on a lonely country highway, that a 16 year old who has just earned a diver's license should carry one, and that cell phones at Columbine helped the police but that is not the reason people really have cell phones. I have friends whose children call them 9 times a day about the mundane: what's for supper, have you washed my soccer jersey, why aren't you home yet? And my friends get exasperated at those calls! When it is suggested that the phone be turned off, the parents are astonished at the thought of being disconnected from their children.

I am a person who values my alone time. I like quiet, I enjoy solitude, and I don't particularly like talking on the phone for more than 15 minutes. I ignore my land line more than answer it, and I believe one of the greatest inventions of the last 100 years is caller id. That way I can choose when to answer my cell phone. Distinctive ring tones have aided me if I can't see the caller id (aging eyes), so I can identify the caller by the ring tone. Voice mail allows the caller to leave a message, or not, and I can contact that person in my own due time. I always answer my children's calls. Everyone else depends on my mood.

My children are enveloped in technology, cell phones in particular. My daughter rarely answers her phone (takes after her mother) but text messages often and receives texts even more often. She even has one of those phones that has a regular little typewriter keypad. I drew the line the last time I was with her and she started to text while driving -- with me in the passenger seat. I don't think so! Her brother should just have the thing surgically implanted in his hand. Until recently it was dicey as to what mood a call would find him since he never shuts the thing off. It seems I always called when he was sleeping (whether it was 10 a.m. or 3 p.m) and he was pretty ugly upon my awakening him. When I suggested he shut off his phone during naps he informed me that he uses his phone for an alarm clock......(the tone of voice used was one we parents know only too well --- "like how can you be so stupid as to not know that!")

I drew the line when we vacationed in Palm Springs last March. I asked both kids to turn off their cell phones during the day when we were all together because I wanted to enjoy them without interruption. (I do find it rude that people cut off the person sitting with them at dinner or during a face to face conversation to answer their cell phone. I apologize to store clerks if I end up answering a call when checking out. Do we really need to share/listen to other's conversations?) They agreed, and I can't help but think it was a moment of enlightenment for them -- they could live without the phone.

What if we end up like the characters in science fiction stories? "Star Trek" had the computer able to identify the location of everyone on the ship and crew members were always accessible by communicators. In later stories the Federation crews had communication chips implanted in their brains. No thanks. GPS is already evolving to the point that our locations can be the business of others and means there is little chance of escaping.

Yesterday I purposefully left my cell phone in the car while I ran errands. That felt good. I want to do that more often. Better yet, I should turn it and the computer off and have a little less technology in my life.

Book Stores

2009-02-09T17:40:00.006-06:00

Books have always been important in my life, and I tried to pass on the love of reading to my children. One way of doing that was when we made a point of stopping at bookstores whenever we vacationed with the kids. Whether it was a university bookstore (a move to acquaint Ann and Patrick with colleges and more deeply impress upon them the wonders of higher learning), mall bookstore, or mainstreet bookstore we made a point to visit it on vacation.

We found the Crow's Nest on the wharf in San Diego in the early 1990's and thought it delightfully revolutionary that it also contained a coffee shop. Hark, what an idea -- books to browse while sipping coffee! Fortunately this trend moved to the Midwest, a Barnes & Noble settled in Appleton, and I had a new favorite place. When in Toronto we visited Chapters, a two story book store; in Madison Canterbury Tales and Borders demand a visit (both with coffee offerings).

Ah, I love going to such bookstores, browsing books, sipping coffee, people watching.
I have rarely met a bookstore I don't enjoy and when a bookstore also houses a coffee shop a near perfect setting happens.

This Saturday we spent a few hours at Barnes & Noble; Dan skimming a computer programming book while I paged through a magazine and then began reading "The Reader." It is my understanding that bookstores such as B&N encourage people to spend time reading in the store because the longer customers are in the store, the more they are tempted to buy. I read half of the book and may return this week to finish it. A friend once asked if I felt guilty about reading a book there without intending to purchase it. Because I spend a lot of money at Barnes & Noble (the most popular family gift is a B&N gift card) I do not feel guilt.

On Saturday I left the store with the Barack Obama Vanity Fair.

Few Weeks Into the Presidency

2009-02-04T12:19:00.002-06:00

Just a few observations about recent political news:

Loved, loved, loved that President Obama said, "I screwed up." While it would be easy for us followers to make excuses, to blame Daschle for it all, question who the heck vetted these people, I am a firm believer that the person at the top is the one in charge and the one responsible. How refreshing, after eight years of a President who lied, ignored, overreacted, and bumbled yet never admitted mistakes.

I admit to not understanding the stimulus bill. Can someone explain to me how resodding the Mall, helping out Hollywood, and funding education on sexually transmitted diseases stimulate a desperate economy? The plea to quickly advance this bill because of the horrific state of the country doesn't move me. The first stimulus package did little to help and was injected without being properly thought through. I am happy to have a bill closely scrutinized by both parties and the public for a change. Why not pass a bill for only its initial purpose without loading it up with "wants" not "needs."

Kudos for the House and Senate for passing an expansion of the government children's health care which was vetoed by President Bush. The bill will be signed by President Obama later today. When Bush denied this program I wrote him a letter questioning his leadership. Happy to see the program finally gets the go ahead.

Nice to see that the White House has some muscle to flex with companies bailed out by federal money (your and my money). While this should have been clearly established as part of any bailout in the first stimulus bill and may even just be window dressing, I like the statement being made for all of us who will never see such salaries. Since the President has blasted executives Wells Fargo cancelled a Las Vegas retreat and Bank of America is selling corporate jets. Seems a no brainer that if an executive has not successfully led his company, he should not receive huge salaries let alone bonuses. Business won't attract quality leadership if not well compensated? If quality leadership got us to this point, gee, give me some not so quality leaders. Where else are these people going to work these days? Drive a company into the dust and now the execs can be rewarded accordingly. What ever happened to doing a job for the fulfillment of the work and belief in what work is done rather than only for the compensation involved? Yes, I realize that sounds Pollyanna-ish, but remember that I have taught. Say no more about working without adequate compensation but for the love of the job.

My last comment has to do with the American media fascination with the Obama's family spending on less glamorous clothing and furniture. Because the Obamas are not routinely dressing in Paris designs or purchasing custom made furniture, the media is fawning over the "inexpensive" purchases they have made. Let me assure the media that those of us in middle America find J.Crew and Pottery Barn expensive. Target, Shopko, and Walmart offer reasonably priced items to folks in the middle class.

How to Manage a Rhinovirus

2009-02-03T21:15:00.004-06:00

Gather Kleenex. Cough. Drink quarts of orange juice. Sneeze. Think about cutting off your head. Blow nose. Dose with Dayquil. Cough. Take a nap. Sneeze. Drink peppermint tea. Blow nose. Heat can of chicken noodle soup. Cough. Suck on cough drop. Curl up on couch and watch junk TV. Blow nose. Answer phone and assure friend you are alive. Hang up sure you're going to die. Rub Vicks into chest and under nose. Sneeze. Drink glasses of water. Suck on popscicle. Google do-it-yourself tonsilectomy. Gargle. Feel sorry for self. Cough. Dose with Nyquil. Go to bed to read waiting for drugs to make you tired. Pat dog and assure him he is your best ever friend. Sleep.

Narrow

2009-01-29T16:54:00.006-06:00

Mom always said to avoid conversations about sex, religion, and politics. How right she was.

My current social minglings are steeped with conservatives who were used to associating with only those of their own ilk. I came along (I socialize with the people because of my significant other. He has the good grace to look at both sides of an issue), and they quickly learned that not everyone agrees with their political or religious points of view. Not really wanting to discuss any of the aforementioned subjects with them, I never bring up such topics. Some of them, however, cannot seem to avoid them and being me, I refuse to let them off the hook without some accountability.

Recently I lived through such an occasion. President Obama has only been in office 16 days and already two of these conservatives have to criticize the economic road he is taking. I can understand concern over the stimulus plans and have my own misgivings. But, what astonished me was the assertion that our economic woes began with Jimmy Carter and that the present state of the economy had nothing to do with the past eight years of President Bush's reign. Huh?

While my mouth was still hanging open at that assertion, the one that rendered me almost speechless (speechlessness does not often happen to me although I'm beginning to think it should) was the claim that Barack Obama is not a moral person. Why, you may ask, do they not consider him a moral person? Because he is pro-choice. These people vote on that issue alone. (As you can imagine Bill Clinton was Satan to them) The answer to any liberal consideration from that moment on was countered with "I only answer to my God." Lots of wars have been fought on that premise, but then, this couple supports the "war on terror", i.e. invasion of Iraq.

At this point I stated that any further discussion on politics, the economy, or other issues was moot since their main concern was alleged morality. What puzzles me is the notion that immoral behavior does not seem to include torture, holding people at Guantanamo without due process, and lying. I did not have the gall to ask if God approved of those.

This morning I had coffee with a friend who happens to be conservative but with whom I question, discuss, and mull current affairs. She concurred that the morality/pro-choice/God stance is very narrow and not one to which she adheres. Guess I needed to hear that. One reason I like discussing such topics with her is I know she goes beyond Rush Limbaugh and Fox News for information.

While I am a liberal, I try to consider both sides which is what I expect of others. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen during that recent surreal discussion. Knee jerk reactions from either side is not healthy and at present it is dangerous. More than ever we need to keep open minds, set aside traditional differences, and try to work together to solve this horrible economic mess. I doubt only considering the morality of pro-life is going to get us the answers.

Gift of Watermelon Pickle

2009-01-22T17:27:00.004-06:00

When I was younger my father enjoyed the poem, "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity" by John Tobias. The title alone is so atypical of starchy English and early American poets that I found it immediately appealing.

This is not only the title of the poem but also the title of a poetry book in which the poem is contained. The verses included in this book are more modern poems which steer away from the usual themes of war and love and contain poems on less weighty although not necessarily less interesting subjects. "Apartment House" (Gerald Raftery), "The Toaster" (William Jay Smith), "The Garden Hose" (Beatrice Janosco), and "Steam Shovel" (Charles Malam) to name a few. This is one of my favorite poetry books.

Because the weather of this endless winter interfered with my spending Christmas with my extended family, I received Christmas gifts via UPS from my parents yesterday. My father, who often has a unique sense of sentimentality, included a jar of spiced watermelon pickle found at The Vermont Country Store. My dad was wise enough to include a copy of the poem with the preserve (although I immediately located the book). I know why he likes it and upon reading it after so many years of forgetting it, I am very touched by this present. Each child has extra special links with a parent, and I believe one link between my father and me is literature. I have many books that were gifts from him, and he always signed and dated them. While he did not technically gift the "Watermelon Pickle" book to me (I think I 'borrowed' it when I was teaching poetry and didn't return it), his name is stamped on the inside cover. While my father and I might not always understand each other, when reading the poem I felt a connection with him and an understanding that, much like the poem, I had forgotten. Thank you, Dad. I love you much!

Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity

During that summer
When unicorns were still possible;
When the purpose of knees
Was to be skinned;
When shiny horse chestnuts
(Hollowed out
fitted with straws
Crammed with tobacco
Stolen from butts
In family ashtrays)
Were puffed in green lizard silence
While straddling thick branches
Far above and away
From the softening effects
Of civilization;

During that summer--
Which may never have been at all;
But which has become more real
That the one that was--
Watermelons ruled.

Thick imperial slices
Melting frigidly on sun-parched tongues
Dribbling from chins;
Leaving the best part,
The black bullet seeds,
To be spit out in rapid fire
Against the wall
Against the wind
Against each other;
And when the ammunition was spent,
There was always another bite;
It was a summer of limitless bites,
Of hungers quickly felt
And quickly forgotten
With the next careless gorging.

The bites are fewer now.
Each one is savored lingeringly,
Swallowed reluctantly.

But in a jar put up by Felicity,
The summer which maybe never was
Has been captured and preserved.
And when we unscrew the lid
And slice off a piece
And let it linger on our tongue:
Unicorns become possible again.

John Tobias

Shallow Observations

2009-01-21T12:13:00.012-06:00

Yesterday's blog was serious. Today's will focus on the inconsequential things I liked about the Inauguration.

1. I loved Malia and Sasha's J.Crew outfits. Colorful, age appropriate, and probably fitting of each girl's personality. They seemed to be outwardly unaffected by the drama, and I have a feeling these two girls will keep their parents grounded.

2. Rick Warren's invocation did little for me. Maybe because I'm not all that into such things, and because I was bothered by his Christian only focus. (Fortunately, President Obama was more inclusive in his speech) I also found his pronunciation of the Obama girls' names creepy. As Jon Stewert pointed out on "The Daily Show" it was almost like he found them and their names to be . . . delicious.

3. Joe Biden. I just like Joe Biden and that ever present smile, his loquaciousness, his enthusiasm saying his oath. He has cut back on his candidness, which I understand, but hope he isn't shuttled to an office and kept out of sight.

4. The Reverand Joseph Lowery's benediction beat out the Inaugural poem. No, I don't believe poety has to rhyme and personally prefer poems that don't rhyme. But his benediction's conclusion was just fun and won't be forgotten. "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."

5. Yo Yo Ma seemed to be enjoying himself when playing John Williams' arrangement of "Tis a Gift to Be Simple" (an appropriate choice for the times). He smiled often and if a cellist can have a "skipping down the street" attitude, he had it. Itzhak Perlman looked serious but clarinetist Anthony McGill appeared to share Yo Yo Ma's fun.

6. Aretha Franklin's hat was stunning! She pulled it off and it was just one more small piece of the day that made me grin. The lady knows how to make a statement. Other memorable hats didn't have Ms. Franklin's panache but still showed the wearers' confidence. Both Spike Lee and President Bush 41 wore mad bomber hats; Not just everyone can pull off an inaugural mad bomber hat.

7. Rahm Emmanuel was caught on camera with his thumb on his nose and fingers wagging at someone, a grin on his face. I have read that he has quite a hardnose, bulldog personality but this moment showed a sense of humor. One probably has to have a sense of humor to survive his job.

8. Michelle Obama clearly wasn't listening to what Barack was saying when he said to the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball audience, "Doesn't my wife look great?" She started to applaud and then realized just what he had said and gave him a hand wave and look that we all have given when embarrassed at such public comments. It had been a long day which was only going to get longer and I'm pretty sure Ms. Obama only wanted to be home with her children on their first night in a new home. So, to tune out the man who had been talking all day was understandable, but the moment was so everyday-marraige-moment charming.

9. The look on Michelle and Barack Obama's faces when dancing their first inaugural dance showed the essance of their relationship. Smiling, looking into one another's eyes, they still love and respect each other. Kudos to them for being true to themselves in this and the aforementioned moments.

Exhileration

2009-01-20T16:47:00.006-06:00

Many of the feelings I had on election night are the feelings I have today. I had tears in my eyes and was awed at the inaugural events. There is a sense of exhileration about the change that has arrived with Barack Obama. While it has been fascinating to watch this man win the election, it will be even more interesting to watch him lead the United States.

Barack Obama represents a new generation, an openmindedness, a focus, and a positive nature not seen often enough in Washington. He inspires the hope that we can actually wade through the bogged down bureaucracy and make vital changes. In his Inauguration Speech Obama rarely said "I" but often said "we." The success of this country depends on all of us, not just those in Washington, and our new President put forth that expectation immediately. This is the man who energized his campaign via the Internet and has continued to access all those who kept tabs on his campaign on that electronic highway. He has empowered us to share in his success; any shortfalls will be ours also.

In his speech Obama brought forth several thoughts we must all bear in mind as the next four years transpire: "the time has come to set aside childish things. . .our country's greatness must be earned....For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.. .What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task." How clear the message that the tasks ahead are not just the responsibility of the President or Congress but responsibilities all citizens of the United States bear. If we are complacent, how can we expect any less from our leaders? Obama has set the tone and made it clear that only hard work, focus, and tenacity will turn around the direction of our nation.

But, this man is inspiring, and if we pay attention, stay involved, and own the work needed to make these changes, we all will live in a better world knowing we were a part of the change. Obabama is the kind of leader we have been missing for so long --one who looks to us to better ourselves, one who inspires and uplifts the country, one who wants to show us how to get where we need to go.

When there are tough times and mistakes made we must all refuse to sink to cynicism, negativity, and apathy. We must all take a breath, look for a new avenue to take, and forge ahead. FDR realized that if an idea doesn't work it is time to try something new; our 43rd President wouldn't admit to mistakes. The United States' dire circumstances will not change quickly or easily, so the American public is in for some tough times. The typical whining, self pity, and pessamism need not raise their ugly heads.

Let's all hang on for the ride because its going to be a bumpy one. For me,though, a few words from this new leader, and a flash of that infectious smile will be the encouragement to keep going and working for the country's best.

-40 degrees

2009-01-15T17:56:00.006-06:00

We in Wisconsin talk a lot about the weather. It doesn't matter what season, what weather, we work it into most conversations. Right now we're not only talking about it but trying to hide from it! Cold and snow are a standard part of winter. For skiiers, snowmobilers, and ice fishermen winter in this state is great. Five inches of snow does not stop us from going about our daily business -- we just may have to do it a bit more cautiously. School is cancelled if a drifting snowfall causes country roads to become dangerous for busses to traverse. We chuckle at news reports about Southern states that are paralyzed by an inch of snow because we are snobby in our hardiness.

However...... we are now dealing with -19F temperatures but with the windchill it becomes -40F! This is "Ice Road Trucker" cold. 150 schools canceled classes today, some are canceling or delaying the start tomorrow, and I have yet to leave the house. Several hundred people on the north side of Appleton went without power for little over an hour this morning; I shivered just thinking of it. These temperatures will continue through tomorrow, but by Sunday we are supposed to hit the balmy temperature of 18 degrees F with a tropical 28 degrees arriving on Monday! I'm going to look for the sunscreen and beach blanket.

To other frozen states, I send you warm thoughts. To those of you in 30+ degrees, send some of the heat our way!

Water Landing

2009-01-15T17:38:00.009-06:00

Kudos to the US Air pilot who successfully landed his plane in the Hudson River; he is unquestionably a hero! The story has been all over the media, but I am awestruck at the calm wisdom used by this Airforce Academy alumni whose decisiveness saved his passengers, crew, and probably people on the ground.

I am a nervous flyer who dislikes take offs. While this story doesn't endear me to flying, this pilot's success instills a hope that all my future pilots will act in such a manner. I don't envy a pilot his/her job anyway but these kinds of incidents reaffirm my belief that these are the people who are heroes. Unlike the movie stars who only act in roles, football players who only carry a ball or knock down someone who does, not fictional characters who only portray traits we wish we had. This pilot actually saved people by safely landing his plane and then walking through the plane twice to make sure no one was left behind.

The pilot also set the tone that allowed the passengers to maitain a coolness not related to the outdoor temperature. 155 people calmly left a sinking plane and walked onto land whole. Wow!

Photo from the Washington Post.

Snow Desert

2009-01-13T20:31:00.005-06:00

I live in a relatively new subdivision without any medium or full size trees or landscaping to block blowing snow. There has been a lot of snow and blowing this winter and recently I've noticed that my backyard has interesting designs in the snow caused by the wind.

Phone Call Relief

2009-01-09T12:59:00.003-06:00

I heard from my traveling daughter. She called at 6:45 a.m. today (it was around 3:00 p.m. in Egypt) and assured me she is safe and having a wonderful time. I could not hear all that she said but the call was clear enough to make out her calm, serene, and clearly happy mood.

The people are friendly, she is rooming with a 60 year old German woman, and an ATM ate her debit card. With only $100 American in her pocket a Minneapolis couple took pity on her and lent Ann $200. To show you how much she is loving the country she announced that she is not in Egypt to shop but to take in the culture and scenery!

My dear first born shared that she wakes up each day amazed that she is actually in Egypt and announced that she will be making a return trip. I had browsed her itinerary last night and checked the map to make sure the tour was not going near the Gaza boarder. While the military is ever present, Ann commented that she did feel safe. The only other shareable news I got was that the area around the Nile (the group took a trip down the Nile yesterday) is very lush but two miles outside the river is desert.

I have rarely heard this girl sound so calm. Maybe there is something special about the land of Isis and the power of the pyramids. I will have to find that out vicariously but, for now, I am pleased she is happy and safe.

A Mom's Job is to Worry

2009-01-06T22:37:00.004-06:00

As I type this my first born is winging her way to Egypt. At 23 she is an experienced traveler and has seen many Western states, some of the South, taken two cruises, visited Canada, and traveled to Europe twice. She is a confident, assertive, mature person and is traveling with a seasoned group leader.

I am her mother, so I am worried. Whenever she travels I have her in my thoughts more often than usual, but for this trip I am truly concerned for her safety. I have double checked the State Department Travel reports, understand that Egypt is one of the more stable Middle Eastern countries, and trust her group leader. But it is in the Middle East and while I was worried when she announced this expedition, since the Gaza/Israel debacle I am even more concerned.

My children are patient with my mothering. I preface my worries by telling them as their mother I have a need to share my advice/unease/concern; could they please bear with me, listen, and know I feel better for expressing my thoughts. My daughter listened to my concerns, assured me all will be well, and flew off to this vastly different culture. She will call me when she can (I am not an overbearing mother and do not excessively call my kids) to alleviate my fears, and I will assure her of my pride in her adventurous spirit and the opportunities she seizes.

When she returns in two weeks I will travel to see her and marvel at her photos, tales, and souvenirs. I will hug her a little longer than usual, thankful for her safe return. For now, your kind thoughts for her safety would be appreciated.

Happy January 2, 2009

2009-01-02T12:19:00.005-06:00

I saw two movies yesterday and both were thought provoking. I am lingering over them -- thoughtfulness is not a bad way to begin a new year. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is an eloquently introspective character film that leaves me pondering life's experiences, decisions, and judgments. It is a three hour movie which is only right for the story told. I had seen "Out of Africa" before but watched it again last night. Change, courage, and conviction are at the core of this movie and it, too, provides the food for a new year's thoughtfulness.

Both movies also chronicle the achievements of two people and that is something many fail to do for themselves. As young mothers, a friend and I who lived hours apart would write each other lengthy letters which were composed over many days or weeks. (This was pre-computer) A common lament was that neither of us seemed to accomplish much during a day, yet after listing how we had spent our time we could see on paper just how much we had actually gotten done.

We go about our lives working, raising families, helping friends, giving to the community but fail to stop and take stock of our accomplishments. No, most will not receive national or even local recognition for actions or contributions but that doesn't diminish their impact. Rather than just making a list of resolutions, each new year we should make a list of our accomplishments for the previous year, realize that we have made a difference in someone's life, (think "It's a Wonderful Life") and strive to make a difference again in the new year.

Raymond Moody's "Life After Life" notes that survivors of near death experiences relay the message that we are not judged on what we do in life but what we don't do. While I may not have always given as fully as possible, I find in reaching my 50's that it is easier to be kind and more giving of myself and my time. I also know I will not win prizes and accolades, but I no longer need or want recognition for good deeds. Doing them is gratifying enough.

I have wandered a bit in this blog but I hope it is not too difficult to discern my sentiments. New Years Eve and Day are times of reflection for me and those reflections are the basis for any goals for the New Year. Each day, let alone each new year, is a new start and if I have any resolution it is to strive to greet each day with an optimism, good intent, and thankfulness.

Happy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas (Tech Toy Version)

2008-12-22T22:24:00.006-06:00

On the first day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
A cell phone ringing.

On the second day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the third day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the fourth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the fifth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the sixth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the seventh day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell Computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the eighth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Eight Tivos taping,
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the ninth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Nine Elmos talking,
Eight Tivo's taping,
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the tenth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Ten surround sound systems,
Nine Elmos talking,
Eight Tivo's taping,
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Eleven DS games,
Ten surround sound systems,
Nine Elmos talking,
Eight Tivos taping,
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

On the twelvth day of Christmas my good friend gave to me
Twelve Blue-ray players,
Eleven DS games,
Ten surround sound systems,
Nine Elmos talking,
Eight Tivos taping,
Seven Garmins directing,
Six camcorders recording,
Five Ipods playing,
Four Wii consoles,
Three Dell computers,
Two HD TV's and
A cell phone ringing.

Grateful For.....

2008-12-21T13:29:00.003-06:00

It is -5 degrees F with a windchill of -25 to -35 degrees F. I'm watching the snow blowing and swirling out the patio doors as I type.

I am grateful for many things on such winter days: a roof over my head, my functioning furnace, wool socks, cozy throw. But I am most grateful for indoor plumbing.

Good Samaritans

2008-12-21T11:41:00.003-06:00

It is heartwarming when people can help others, but the good Samaritan role takes on a brighter glow during the holidays. On Friday I watched one stranger do several acts of goodwill to another, and I'm still enjoying the happiness.

I rang bell for the Salvation Army from 2:00 - 4:00 Friday at a Walgreens. The temperature outside was in the teens and the wind was blowing fiercely, but business was brisk. (I was fortunate to be ringing between the doors of the store so was able to stay warm) Around 3:00 an old, rusty truck with a handicap license plate parked in the handicapped parking space, and its owner limped into the store. The driver had long gray hair, glasses, a long gray beard (I will call him ZZ since it was a ZZ Top beard), a dirty, worn insulated denim jacket, dark jeans, scuffed boots, a brace around his right knee and he brandished a cane.

In short order he made his purchase, returned to the truck, and after repeated attempts, failed to start the engine. ZZ lifted the hood and tinkered with whatever one tinkers under truck hoods but could not start the vehicle. In time he was approached by a customer offering help. This person, who shall be known as GS (good Samaritan), dressed in slacks, leather shoes, nice ski jacket, gloves, but no hat, spent the next 15 minutes helping with the tinkering. Eventually ZZ came into the store looking for starting fluid. He came out purchaseless and rejoined GS. After a few more fruitless minutes they drove off in GS's van eventually returning with HEET and some spray for the carburetor.

Things got exciting when the carburetor spray started on fire and flames were coming from under the hood. Running into the store I tried to find a clerk and fire extinguisher but to no avail. As I was poised to call 911 the two men put out the fire with their gloves and some metal disk thingy from under the hood. For the next 30 minutes they continued to work on the truck, a fire started once again, was put out, but the engine never kicked in.

My bell ringing shift ended, and on the way to my car I stopped to ask if either wanted coffee but no one did. ZZ was on a blanket looking underneath the truck and GS stood by. The Samaratin informed me that ZZ is from Iron River, just got out of an Appleton hospital, and did have friends with whom he could stay until the truck was fixed. GS was going to give him a ride to that friend's house.

Seeing a stranger so dedicated to helping this obviously disabled man with this old old truck is what allows me to continue to believe in the goodness of people. GS seemed genuinely surprised when I thanked him for his kindheartedness, but I had seen many people walk by the truck and ZZ without a word. And I had watched as this hatless man stayed with ZZ for an hour in the freezing cold. It is easy to ring a bell for two hours, and it is easy to drop money into the red bucket. True charity is stopping to help on a cold cold winter day and giving time, patience, and assistance for a needy person.

I experienced the giving vicariously but it touched me. GS gave a gift to ZZ, to me, and to himself. I hope ZZ has many good Samaritans in his life, and that a stranger's kindness made his Christmas merrier. GS impacted my holiday, and I wish him as much joy as he gave me.

What I Learned Today

2008-12-18T16:07:00.005-06:00

Just a few simple lessons I learned (or re-learned) today:

If you have a cut or broken skin on your hands, do not apply Purel! It burns and stings if you do!

Turn off your cell phone. It isn't always a bad thing to not be found.

A&W root beer from an A&W is much better than canned root beer.

Some days it is better to just listen and not give advice.

Neutrogena makes some darn good hand lotion.

None of these are life altering, earth shattering revelations but today they are my lessons learned.

Children's Names

2008-12-15T10:25:00.005-06:00

I grew up in a generation of children named Kathy, Susan, Debbie, John, Michael, and Daniel. My name was considered unusual. My children's names are not exotic although not as common as one might think. My daughter was the only one in her school with the name Ann. There were a few other Patrick's in school with my son but not an overabundance. We tried to avoid the popular names. As a teacher I often experienced a classroom with four Christine's, three Jennifers, or three Jason's. We did not want our children to have the same names as many others.

The past 15 years have seen an upsurge of unique names, some of which are now common. It first started with naming babies after states: Montana and Dakota were front runners in the state name game. Kade, Hunter, and Madison which were unique years ago are now common.

I can appreciate a parent wanting to give a child a name that is uncommon because a name is an integral part of an identity. But, planting a different name on a child who for the rest of his/her life will have to spell it aloud or explain its origin is not what a child needs. Again, in teaching I slaughtered the pronunciation of Siobhan and Taylee (accent on the first syllable). During breaks in the teacher lounge on the first day student names would be discussed. Names such as Heaven, Norval, and Nived (Heaven's father was a minister, Norval was a family name, Nived was Devin backwards).

But what I heard on the radio this morning was so bizarre. In Holland Township, NJ, Heath and Deborah Campbell named their children Adolph Hitler, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation, and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell, a girl named for Schutzstaffel head Heinrich Himmler. Mr. and Ms. Campbell are Holocaust disbelievers whose living room is decorated with swastikas, and other German war memoribilia. This family came to the media's attention when a store refused to decorate a cake for little 3 year old Adolph's birthday. They have also refused to make a cake for JoyceLynn Aryan Nation. However, Walmart has consented to make the cakes. If you care to read more on this story, it can be found at http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122923112231930.xml&coll=3&thispage=5 The parents do not consider themselves racist and do not believe the names will cause their children harm.

Huh? Are they serious? Names are so important to a person's identity. That may be shallow on the part of society, but let's face it, we have preconceived notions of people from their names. While one may not want a name common to many others, to give a child the name of a historically odious person is cruel.

Ironically, German law insists that all German baby names must be approved by the German Standesamt, also known as the 'Office of Vital Statistics. (YeahBaby.com). While most do not want that much government involvement in their lives, people like the Campbell's do give me some pause. I wonder if their children upon turning 18 will rush to court for a name change.

Snow Globe Living

2008-12-12T10:58:00.007-06:00

I love Christmas. The decorated trees, garland, Santa decorations, shopping for gifts, outdoor lights, the spirit of the holiday. However, there are people in my life who do not share this Christmas joy. This year, rather than being beaten down by their bahumbug-edness, I have announced that I am living in my snow globe world, ignoring all Christmas nay sayers, Grinches, Scrooges.

Holiday music plays in the background of my snow globe; "It's a Holly Jolly Christmas" is number one on the list with "Welcome Christmas" (the fah who for-aze song) a close second. The snow sparkles, I'm warm and cozy with an inner glow and the only shaking of my globe is when I'm jumping for joy. If a Humbug comes into my space I just turn up the music and loudly sing along. I have an example from just this morning. I went to Shopko, which has two entrances, and Salvation Army bell ringers were at both entrances. I donated to the volunteer, did my shopping and at the opposite entrance the bell ringers were singing. Hmmmmmm. I made my purchases, exited the store, and encountered the same non-singing bell ringer to whom I first donated. I was almost out the door when I had a thought which I shared with him, "The other bell ringers are singing." He replied, thinking he had an excuse, "I know. I can't carry a tune."

Always wanting to expand my globe I told him I would put $5.00 in the bucket if he sang a Christmas song. As often happens with unsure Christmas celebrators, he hesitated with an uncertain look on his face. To help him out I started, "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and we sang two verses together. Since I believe my singing voice was worse than his, I hoped he felt more comfortable. When we finished the song I place my money in the bucket, clasped him on the arm and said, "See, there you go! Merry Christmas!"

I'm not sure he was totally enveloped in my holiday snow globe, but we gave it a good try. You never know what seeds of joy, Christmas, and happiness you plant. While I try to keep my globe intact, I don't mind letting others in to enjoy the warmth and Christmas spirit!

Sears Commercial

2008-12-09T17:06:00.004-06:00

Sears is broadcasting a holiday commercial that has caught my eye. Or rather, has caught my ear. The background music is very enticing, and I finally googled the commercial and came away with the song name -- "World" by Five for Fighting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-kpR32B-Uk&feature=channel

I became acquainted with this group's music a few years ago when I became enchanted with their song "100 Years." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-kpR32B-Uk&feature=channel

Five for Fighting's music has a pleasant light rock quality, but the lyrics secure its place in my heart. The lyrics are thoughtful and touch a very emotional part of me. While I have often felt that certain songs are ruined when used to promote commercialism (remember the "1812 Overture" and how it became the Puffed Wheat theme song), I must thank Sears for bringing my attention to "World."

December Bliss

2008-12-06T10:25:00.003-06:00

It is snowing, windy, gray outside, but I am yellow sunshine inside. This December I am singing "It's a holly, jolly Christmas" aloud, loving holiday decorations inside and out, and feeling a Christmas spirit I haven't felt in many years. I'm not wanting to analyze why at this time because I want it just to flow.

I smile at strangers and am saddened by their unspirited response, their consumption in their burdens, their untapped joy. But, by giving them a smile maybe I can plant a seed of holiday cheer. I have always loved Charles Dickens' "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." (A Christmas Carol) What better time to begin than in the month of Christmas!

Holiday Shopping

2008-11-29T18:15:00.002-06:00

I had written this article for the New London Press Star paper last year and felt it worthy of another reading.

Christmas is a conflicted holiday. No, I am not talking about the religious Christmas versus the Santa Clause Christmas. I am talking about “We wish you a merry Christmas” versus “Ba Humbug.” On one hand people contribute generously to those who struggle to provide for their families during the holidays. The Salvation Army’s bell ringers are a cheerful tradition and that organization promotes the Adopt-a-Family program. Bins for Toys for Tots are located in many stores, banks seek toy donations for local children, and food drives are common. There are always less fortunate families we can help at the holidays, and it is heartening to see communities open their pocketbooks to do just that. This is the “We wish you a merry Christmas” side of the season.

However, this spirit of goodwill doesn’t always remain strong once people head out to complete their Christmas shopping. “Ba humbug” tramples down the holiday mood when gift buyers encounter the typical December retail challenges. Anyone who has gone Christmas shopping knows that the stores are more crowded, clerks are overworked, certain products fly off the shelves becoming difficult to find, and driving in parking lots can require nerves of steel. My method of dealing with these situations is to refuse to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving and to avoid the mall after December 15. However, if you find this technique is not an option for you, I would like to offer six suggestions on how to make Christmas shopping more pleasant for all involved.

1) At any time of year it is foolish to shop when one is in a hurry but in December it is ludicrous. Waiting in check-out lines is standard fare this time of year, so if you find yourself in that situation why not spend the time daydreaming, strike up a conversation with another person in line, or take deep breaths and try to relax. You may find the lines less long if you avoid peak shopping times. Stores open earlier and stay open later and are less crowded during those uncommon shopping hours. The mall is often less crowded during the supper hour. Take advantage of these times and you may lessen your gift buying stress level.

2) Store clerks take a brunt of holiday shopper displeasure. Kindly remember those employees are hired to check you out of the store; they are not responsible for the lack of stocked items and do not create store policy. I have seen shoppers verbally abuse store clerks for no other reason than they needed a scapegoat for their holiday frustrations. I have also witnessed a shopper knock over an entire shelf of lotions and cosmetics in a small specialty store and walk out of the shop without apologizing or lifting a finger to clean the mess. If a clerk is rude or truly inept, contact a manager to discuss the employee. Otherwise, remember that the store associates are human beings who are dealing with many many stressed people and your yelling at them solves nothing. Heeding the Golden Rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) will guide you to appropriate behavior.

3) Shoppers can become self-absorbed and oblivious to those around them. The mall is more crowded than usual and navigating the hallways presents challenges. Adding to those challenges are the groups of people who stop in the middle of the hallway to chat, inconsiderately ignoring the roadblock they create. Whether in the hallway of the mall or aisle of a store, pay attention to those around you and the space you occupy. Move aside to talk so others can pass without wishing you bodily harm. Strollers need to be kept as unobtrusive as possible for the same reasons. There are times when taking small children shopping is necessary, but if a stroller is involved it is important not to block aisles or run up on a person’s heels with that stroller.

4) Good manners can go a long long way during the holiday shopping season. When you bump into someone a simple, sincere “Excuse me” is appreciated. Opening the door for a person whose arms are full is just a basic gesture of courtesy. And if the door is opened for you, remember that a “Thank you” is not an option, it is a must. If a person behind you in line has only one or two items and you have a cartload, it is a thoughtful gesture to allow that person to go ahead of you. Since you have paid attention to suggestion one, you will not be in a hurry and should feel good about your kind actions to a fellow shopper.

5) Smile. If you are crabby when shopping, force a smile. You may be surprised at how your mood can improve by your attempts to smile. It is as though you are fooling yourself into not being crabby! Smile at strangers and lift their moods. It is supposed to be a cheery, happy, jolly time of year and acting accordingly will go a long way into keeping Christmas in our hearts.

6) Internet shopping is a modern way of avoiding the holiday retail pitfalls. Shipping and handling adds to an item’s cost, you say? Yes, it adds to the monetary cost, but you are saving your sanity and your time by avoiding crowds and traffic. Many sites will gift wrap and send the gift right to the recipient.

After looking at this list I realize that these are tips that could be implemented year round! But this busy shopping season is the perfect time of year to begin using them. You may be pleasantly surprised that “Ba humbug” does not run through your mind as often, and others will appreciate your Christmas spirit. Let’s try to make the shopping as stress free as possible and concentrate on the joys of the holiday.

Much for Which to Give Thanks

2008-11-24T10:09:00.003-06:00

Last week a friend commented that there isn't much to be thankful for in today's economy. 401(k)'s are disappearing, the stock market is a dismal daily reminder of our crashing financial world, companies arrogantly beg for corporate welfare, the unemployment rate keeps rising, and there is no sunshine on the horizon for our economy.

I realize our country is facing dire issues. I understand that many families are facing horrific financial challenges while the holidays are rapidly approaching. But, I disagreed with my friend. There is still much for which to give thanks.

We have elected a new President who has recharged citizens and given the country a new sense of hope. With all the hardships facing our nation we still live in one of the greatest countries on earth. We have family and friends to love and support us. Our children are great sources of joy and pride. Our homes are heated, we have indoor plumbing, paved roads, and lawfulness. (These are things we take for granted and which many 3rd world citizens dream of) We have public education, freedom of speech, public assistance, heat and electricity in the winter even if we can't pay. Most of us have TV's, radios, MP3 players, cell phones, computers, microwaves, and a car. We have come to think that many of these items are necessities when they are actually not essential for our survival.

Maybe we need to make a list of all the tangible things we own and of the non-tangible things we have. I'm betting the non-tangibles are most important to us, but we forget about those more readily.

With all my heart I believe that things happen for a reason. Is it possible that our economic crisis will allow us to reevaluate what we need and what we want and then focus on what is truly important to us? As we sit before our abundant meals on Thursday may we reflect on what we hold dear in our hearts and find thanks for all we have.

Tivoli Dream

2008-11-11T10:10:00.003-06:00

Last night I dreamt another person and I were walking down the main street of Glenwood, Illinois, the town I lived in as an elementary/middle school student. We crossed the railroad tracks and passed a old, decrepit building emitting the most wonderful spaghetti sauce smell. I declared this place to be the Tivoli restaurant, an establishment my grandfather worked as an electrician and that my family frequented in my youth. My traveling companion and I entered the building, surrounded by the lucious cooking smells while also surrounded by run down conditions....poorly patched paneled walls, worn carpeting. After repeatedly asking if anyone remembered my grandfather, Amos Denham, we are finally introduced to a dentally challenged, middle aged red head who had known him and cheerfully led us to the basement so we could chat. While in the basement rats crawled out of a hole in the wall -- as in life, I was afraid of these aggressive rats . We were able to wrap the rats in blankets and coats and scare them off. The dream quality of the rats was that they were not only black and brown, but pink and lime green. It should be noted that they were just as frightening in the brighter colors.

I am not sure what precipitated this dream as I haven't thought or discussed that restaurant in years. I did have a conversation about my grandfather recently when during a political discussion with my son I commented that he had been a "Humphrey man." It has left a melancholy feeling this morning. While the dream brings to mind childhood memories and unearths forgotten places, it has left me with a melancholy feeling of missing my grandfather. Maybe the reason for the dream is to simply bring back to life someone who has left me.

A Face to Love

2008-11-10T10:28:00.003-06:00

Ahhhh, I am having writer's block so browsed Blogger for inspiration. Blogs of Note are fun to view and I found http://www.apiferafarm.blogspot.com/ this morning. I love animals and am touched to read this blog which should be shared.

One picture on the blog is of this donkey who has a face one has to love! If I had a hobby farm I would own a donkey, a llama, a goat, ducks, kitties, and many dogs. There is something adorable about all these animals and many more.

I know people who don't believe animals go to heaven. What kind of heaven doesn't have animals? A friend, who is very religious, once said, "If my dog isn't in heaven, I don't want to go either." I cannot imagine spending eternity without animals.

President Obama

2008-11-05T09:49:00.003-06:00

It is difficult to describe the overwhelming emotions I am feeling almost 12 hours after learning Barack Obama is my President-elect. I have tears in my eyes at the feeling of joy and hope and pride for the future of my country. This man, aided by the events of the last eight years, has brought about a historical voter turnout, has instilled a hope for this country that had virtually disappeared, and broken a barrier many thought would not fall away in their lifetime.

Voters under 30 voted 2-1 for Obama, and there is hope they will continue to be involved in politics; they have seen how their votes count and that they do indeed have a say in their country's events. May that youth keep at bay the cynicism my generation has let overtake us. May they continue to be involved, be vocal, be active in the process that can be frustrating, bogged down, and tedious -- but a process that allows us to vote for change and voice our opinions loudly and clearly.

There are hard times ahead of us, changes that need to be made, work that must be done, but we have a President who will lead us, scold us, encourage us, prod us, embolden us --- there is hope where there has been a hole in our hearts. We will now have a President who can work for the good of this country and will force us to work for that good--for we are all in this together. Giving this country back its strength and its pride is a duty for us all, not just the responsibility of the President. May we hold ourselves as accountable as we hold our President.

I believe Barack Obama is the man we need for these times, the man who will give us back our strength, pride, and encourage us to work for what we need. He gives me renewed hope and inspires me as no other has.

End of A Long Road

2008-11-04T09:13:00.001-06:00

Vote

2008-11-03T10:43:00.005-06:00

This is the bottom line.

No excuses, no indecision, cast your vote, voice your opinion,
take charge of your right.

Obama Posters

2008-11-03T09:33:00.017-06:00

Barack Obama instills an optimism for the country and renewed interest in the political process. I am more excited about this election than any election in my voting life. Part of the excitement is the choice of candidates -- rather than voting against someone I am voting FOR a candidate. If McCain wins I can stomach that choice (I cannot stomach Sarah Palin as VP, however). But, Obama offers a hope and opportunity for this country to regain international respect lost in the last eight years.

The posters created for Obama reflect the creativity, artistry and poetry people feel from him. In this blog entry are some of my favorites.

Political Break

2008-10-31T10:29:00.007-05:00

I interrupt the political blogging for a chicken break. Yesterday at Barnes & Nobles I found a chicken calendar. Not typically a chicken aficionado, I began to admire this creature after browsing through the barns at the 2007 Calumet Country fair. I never realized there were so many exotic looking chickens out there in farmland! Fluffy tops, colorful feathers, and flowing tails made chickens look like birds from paradise and not from the rural farm. Playing into my fascination with chickens was a story told by a son and mother at the fair. A 12 year old boy was showing a bantam chicken and had been involved in 4-H for a few years. The boy's father had died a year earlier and the mother, while disliking anything having to do with the chickens, decided supporting her son and becoming involved in his interest would help them both through their loss. She was as thrilled to be at the fair as he was!

Those of us living in a city and not involved in farm life tend to picture generic chickens, cows, horses, pigs, and rabbits. What the fair taught me is the diversity of these animals. The common Guernsey has uncommon relatives. The rabbit that feasts on my shrubs has designer cousins. The calendar pictures yesterday reminded me of the fun I had last summer and in these dismal economic times, that was worth more than the cost of the calendar.

Young Voters

2008-10-29T14:20:00.007-05:00

The young woman at the Steve & Barry checkout counter was non-verbal until she spotted my Obama Hope bracelet. She anxiously asked where I had gotten it and told me this election will be her first time voting. She was excited about voting and very excited about voting for Obama.

Seeing the youth vote grow by leaps and bounds this election season is fantastic! In the 1972 Presidential election (McGovern-Nixon) I was one of the new 18 year old voters. (Allowing 18 year olds to vote came from the fact that this age group was fighting and getting killed in Vietnam so they should be able to elect their leaders) I was thrilled at the opportunity to have a say in my country's leadership and have been a dedicated voter since. The youth vote was not active for many years and while I'm not sure why, young voters are again actively involved in this important process

The issues facing this country directly impact young voters. Money for college, employment possibilities, gas prices all affect them and they need to choose the President they believe will best solve our current national woes. While I am sure there are young men and women who back John McCain, there seems to be a large percentage of young people who are voting for Barack Obama. In fact, he seems to have inspired a renewed interest in voting among this group and many others. Whatever the outcome of this election, it is gratifying to see more people involved in this right.

Nine Days to Go

2008-10-27T20:32:00.004-05:00

Poster by Casey Brooks.

A Casted Vote

2008-10-24T16:47:00.002-05:00

I voted today. Since I am new to the area I needed to register and thought it better to register early since a 95% voter turnout is expected in this area. While I will probably be here on November 4 I decided not to take any chances and wanted to cast my vote so it can be counted. My daughter had a dream that for some reason she didn't vote and when she awoke Nov. 5 Obama had lost by 1 point! Not wanting such a dream to come true for us, I am happy to have done my civic duty.

It is incomprehensible to me that some people choose not to vote. Admittedly there have been times I've voted against a candidate rather than for one but still made the effort to vote. Some have said they don't like either candidate or don't know for whom to vote. Since indecisiveness is not one of my afflictions, I do not understand these sentiments. This campaign, in particular, has provided a plethora of information so a citizen would have to be making an effort NOT to access information.

Our right to vote is still historically new, and some of us have had the right to vote for even less time. To not vote is spitting on the very basics of this country and the basic tenets of the US. People in assorted countries in the world risk their lives to vote yet in this country citizens blithly ignore their personal involvemnt in this special process.

A citizen can complain about the bureaucratic mess that is Washington, D.C., may grumble that their vote won't matter, gripe that no one is concerned about the "little guy." If you don't vote, if you aren't involved in holding representatives accountable, if you don't stay informed then you, as a nonparticipant in the system, is just as responsible for this country's mess. By voting we have a say in who represents us in Washington and we have the right and responsibility to tell those elected officials how we feel about issues.

I have little patience for lazy citizens, and I still believe citizens can make a difference. In fact, I often relish being a thorn in an elected official's side. (Maybe if more people thought of it as a sport or we had betting on a fantasy congressional team more people would be interested.) Don't bother saying you don't have time for writing letters, emails or making phone calls --- we're all busy and those contacts don't take that long to make. Look at it this way. By abdicating responsibility for keeping informed on issues and not communicating your thoughts to your representatives then why shouldn't they abdicate their responsiblity to you as a constituent.

Happy Smurfday

2008-10-23T23:12:00.002-05:00

It is the Smurf's 50th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMURFS!

Real Americans

2008-10-21T19:51:00.002-05:00

North Carolina Republican Rep. Robin Hayes told McCain supporters that, "Liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God." Didn't we go through the formal weeding out of real and unreal Americans during the Joe McCarthy debacle? Hmmmmm, during the 1950's "real Americans" feared and rejected communism. I'm a little foggy on what Americans are fearing and rejecting today. I do know that Barack and Michelle Obama have come under the "real American" microscope because of an email claiming that Barack didn't put his hand on his heart when reciting the Pledge of Alliegence, he is a Muslim; Michelle admitted to not always being really proud of her country, and Fox News (holders of all things "really American") pointed out the terrorist hand bump used by the Obamas. Gasp!

This issue must be further explored. If "real Americans" work hard, accomplish, achieve, and believe in God then "unreal Americans" must be non-working, unaccomplished, unachieving atheists. Here I thought I was associating with liberal friends only now to realize they are all closet conservatives because they work, accomplish, achieve, and believe in God.

One more reason to vote for Obama is to end this ridiculous talk of "real Americans" versus "unreal Americans." Once President, Barack Obama can set this nation on the path of resolving real issues, helping the US continue to be a real melting pot, and celebrating real diversity. I think a country filled with only Representative Hayes's cookie cutter, like minded, Stepford population would be mighty boring.

(P.S. As a resident of Wisconsin I am always gratefully awed that we vote for a Democrat in Presidential elections. Joe McCarthy was from Appleton, Wisconsin; the John Birch Society is based in Appleton; the Republican Party was born in Ripon, Wisconsin.)

Designers for Obama

2008-10-20T17:35:00.003-05:00

http://www.designforobama.org/ is a site of campaign sign designs. As an Obama supporter it was worth a "look-see." Just another form of support for our new hope.

Body of Lies

2008-10-20T14:33:00.004-05:00

We saw "Body of Lies" starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio. Both men are gifted actors and usually headline thought provoking movies. "Body of Lies" is so thought provoking that I am still mulling it over today.

DiCaprio plays Ferris, a CIA operative who is sent to Jordan to track a high ranking terrorist. Crowe is a CIA chief based at Langley who is in charge of Middle Eastern affairs. The movie is intense, fast paced, and violent. It is also an insight into a part of the world I do not profess to understand. After watching this movie I am even more disquieted about the region than before.

"Body of Lies" underscores the violence in the region, the lack of trust between not only the US and Muslims but the lack of trust between Muslims. Lives are not sacred, human sacrifices are used for gain, torture acceptable -- by both Americans and Muslims. What the movie shows is that in the Middle East the veneer of civility and sophistication covers primal behaviors and cruelties by both West and Middle East.

Do I think the US presence in Iraq has lessoned terrorism? No. Do I think a surge in Afghanastan will lesson terrorism? No. What I think might lessen terrorism is our finding alternative fuel sources so we can wave goodbye to the oil sheiks, leave the Middle East to their own fighting, and concentrate on doing non-violent good deeds. I am tired of us spending time in a land of nations who have been fighting amongst themselves longer than anyone can remember.

Do history teachers spend more time teaching US students about the Middle East than they did during my school days? Why do we as Americans understand so little about a part of the world that impacts us so greatly? Because of our dependence on oil we are intricately tied to the Middle East yet we know so little about the culture. But,like many Americans I try not to give much thought to the Middle East, and this movie brought those thoughts to the forefront in a movie screen large way, and I can't get them out of my thoughts. Which is probably where they should remain.

HGTV

2008-10-18T16:13:00.003-05:00

One of my escapes is to watch HGTV. I don't have a natural decorating sense and am in awe of those who do. I have picked up decorating tips, color ideas, and accessorizing thoughts from this show. What also appeals to me is that many of the houses redecorated are not million dollar houses but middle class homes. This means the ideas and applications are within the realm of possibility for me.

House Hunters are episodes I find fascinating. House prices vary so much across the US and this program also gives glimpses of housing markets in other countries. From watching this show I realize that living in Wisconsin means my housing prices are very very reasonable. In central Wisconsin one can buy a decent house for $170,000. I have watched people on House Hunters buy run down, virtually unlivable homes for $300,000! There may be things I don't like about Wisconsin (winter) but cost of living is very reasonable.

I must not be alone in my addiction to this show because most women I know also love HGTV. I think part of it is an interest in seeing how others live....like taking a walk at night, looking into an uncurtained front window of a home and catching a glimpse of the room decorating. HGTV allows us to be voyeurs and spend legitmate time looking into the homes of others.

AIG Payback

2008-10-16T17:08:00.003-05:00

I contacted two of my Senators and one House representative regarding the $442,000 spa retreat taken by AIG bigwigs. (Senator Kohl voted for the bailout; Senator Feingold and Represenative Kagen voted against it) Taking that retreat on top of golden parachutes is a slap in the face to the average tax payer who cannot affort such vacations but who are footing the cost of the payout.

Senator Kohl and Representative Kagen's offices took my phone number and address so I can be contacted with a response. Okay. Senator Feingold's office at least talked to me about the situation. That aide told me he wasn't sure there was anything legal that could be done to AIG for spending the money on the spa but that the Senate is conducting hearings into the matter. I suggested that these unethical individuals who obviously have no moral compass will leave the Senate chambers laughing at how they got away with the scam.

Today it has been reported that Eastern Oregon Representative Greg Walden and 48 other U.S. House Representatives co-signed a letter to Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke demanding AIG refund any money it spent on a lavish retreat after it received an $85 billion bailout. I hope their demands are taken seriously.

My question is why AIG can't be asked for the bailout money to be given back? Why should people from that company be given golden parachutes and not expected to use that money to fund their own bailout? If the Senate demands the money what is AIG going to do---sue the government? Good luck with that.

The gall and cavalier attitude of those directors in taking that vacation should infuriate every taxpayer, elected official, and US leaders. The offenders should receive more than a slap on the hand; they should have to feel the pinch the average citizen is feeling.

For heaven's sake, Martha Stewert went to jail for her insider trading. I doubt her mistake cost thousands/millions their retirement funds. These executives who have thumbed their noses at us need to be punished.

John Cleese Poetry

2008-10-13T10:52:00.002-05:00

John Cleese wrote this poem about Sean Hannity. Sums up my opinion of Hannity!

Ode to Sean Hannity

Aping urbanity
Oozing with vanity
Plump as a manatee
Faking humanity
Journalistic calamity
Intellectual inanity
Fox Noise insanity
You’re a profanity
Hannity

Autumn

2008-10-13T10:16:00.005-05:00

Bursts of yellow, orange, rust in flowers and leaves
Cloudless sapphire skies
Hazy filtered sunlight, warmth tinged with crispness
Apple sweet and dry decay mingled
Scurrying squirrels over fallen leaves and acorns
Spices of pumpkin and leaf smoke

Appreciate the moment don't dread the future cold
Preserve a burst of yellow leaves to
View in dead white winter

Seasonal cycles give variety
But I could live forever in fall
Always bathed in golds and soft warmness.

Huh?

2008-10-11T17:15:00.002-05:00

Can someone explain to me how a governor can violate the trust placed in her by state residents but that such actions are not unethical. Can this behavior be allowed to go unsanctioned by the state's legislature?

Her French Son

2008-10-09T22:59:00.006-05:00

While in a local department store I walked past a mother wheeling a stroller, her 5 yr. old son walking by her side. The boy suddenly darted away from her to look and then attempt to smell a perfume bottle on the counter. The mom chided her son to come along and leave the perfume alone also mentioning that it is for girls. Skipping over to her he brightly said, "Ooh la la!" I looked at the mom, she looked at me, and we cracked up.

Puhleeze

2008-10-05T12:47:00.006-05:00

Fact check time. Finally free from her handlers' fetters, Sarah Palin's new mission is to declare Barack Obama a companion of terrorists. Golly, gosh, gee, tell me it ain't so, Sarah Louise! I cannot believe that after 20+ months of campaigning we are finally being told the truth about this bleeding heart left winger who wants to obviously lead our country down the jihad's path of destruction. Gosh, darn it, we had to wait until the maverick's maverick of the frozen tundra thundered into the lower 48 to save us from ourselves.

Puhleeze. The low level fear mongering so familiar to the Bush era raises its ugly head in these times of McCain's desperation to gain poll points. Whenever Bush's popularity dipped he elevated the Homeland Security rating -- the nation routinely went from a yellow (elevated) to an orange (high) rating depending on the whims of Karl Rove and his ilk. I was hoping this misuse of position was an antic of the past.

With only 32 days until the election, the major media is reporting that the McCain campaign is "taking off the gloves" and accusing Obama of terrorist connections for "palling" with William Ayers, a 1960's radical(founder of the Weather Underground) known for setting bombs in protest of the Vietnam War. No less than Time, the New York Times, New York Post, Chicago Sun Times and even Fox News have declared this claim untrue.

The key question is why the McCain campaign is focusing on fear mongering rather than spelling out his economic plans, clearly explaining his health care plan which would mean clearly explaining to the American public the difference between tax credits and tax breaks (I'd also like to know where a family can purchase a $5000/yr. health insurance policy), and explaining how he isn't going to raise taxes while supporting the Iraq War, bailing out Wall Street, and dealing with an $11 trillion debt.

Fear mongering appeals to the population who can't or won't fact check. Since I have met too many voters who believe any email that comes across their computer and who fail to fact check, I continue to hope that leaders and leader wannabes will take a higher road. I had high hopes for McCain (while supporting Obama) until he decided to become less maverick and more mainstream conservative.

It would also be worth noting that while William Ayers was a "protester" in the 1960's; using the word "terrorist" in today's society is tantamount to linking him to today's Middle Eastern terrorists.....and thus hoping to associate Barack Hussein Obama to terrorism. A new low and a great disappointment that someone as John McCain would use this tactic.

Music

2008-10-04T20:16:00.003-05:00

Since I have listed favorite books and movies it would be logical to list favorite songs next. However, I am unable to make that list since there are simply too many favorite songs (compositions) to list.

I can list my favorite rock groups/artists: Eagles, Eric Clapton, Sting, Moody Blues, AC/DC, Doobie Brothers, The Who, Sheryl Crowe, Sarah McClauchlan, U2, Bon Jovi, The James Gang, Traveling Wilburys, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd.

But, I also like certain songs by Ozzie Osbourne (Mama, I'm Coming Home), Molly Hatchet (Dreams), Poison (Every Rose Has Its Thorns), Bare Naked Ladies (One Week), Foo Fighters (Learn to Fly) and many other songs and artists.

I enjoy Loreena McKinnet who is a Celtic singer, Eva Cassidy who defies classification (and was a favorite of Ted Koppel),George Winston, and Vince Geraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack.

My parents enjoyed Russian composers and I grew up listening to anything Tchiakovsky, some Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Ravel and Verde were sometimes allowed to join the party.

I also grew up listening to show tunes and still know the lyrics to many of the songs from Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific, West Side Story and the drinking song from the Student Prince.

Recently I have found Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman which brings me to opera. I cannot say I enjoy more than those at this point but it is a start in a new genre for me.

I do not begin to understand rap or hip hop although can appreciate the rhythm of some in small doses.

Last, but not least, I am a sucker for Christmas music. My favorite seasonal standards are Joy to the World, Noel, Hark the Herald, Once in Royal David's City, Oh Holy Night, and Do You See What I See. Mannheim Steamroller is a constant for me during December.

Music enhances my mood and can set my mood. It is tied to memories and fills in the blanks of a day.

Favorite Movies

2008-10-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was favorite books; today is favorite movies.

Ferris Buehler's Day Off
Grease
Close Counters of the Third Kind
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mary Poppins
The Sandlot
The Sixth Sense
The Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge
Casablanca
Million Dollar Baby
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma
Sound of Music
Moulin Rouge
The King and I
Fiddler on the Roof
Miracle on 34th Street
Beverly Hills Cop - both movies

Let me explain why some of these movies are on the list. Ferris Buehler and Beverly Hills Cop have rule breakers as the main character plus both have a sense of humor. Both aspects appeal to me.

The "old" musicals have a special place in my heart. I love the music and the simple story lines.

To Kill a Mockingbird and Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge are based on a movie/short story. Mockingbird is the only movie I liked almost as much as the book. Occurance is better than the book and this is the only time I have ever said that about a written piece over a movie.

When flipping through channels The Sandlot, Ferris Buehler, Grease and Beverly Hills Cop are movies I will always stop to watch AGAIN. There is something about them that I love.

I have watched many a mediocre movie but there are a few reallyreallyreally bad ones that come to mind:

The Weatherman
Vanity Fair
The Goofy Movie (I fell asleep)

Favorite Books

2008-10-02T19:10:00.002-05:00

It is "Banned Book Week." I've written on this topic before so won't go into my opinion details again. However, I will celebrate reading by listing my favorite books. I have read a plethora of books in my adulthood and find reading my great escape. No money spent in a bookstore is wasted. Of all the books I have read, the following always stay with me:

Gone With the Wind (read it 5 times)
Atlas Shrugged (read it 3 times)
Brave New World
Ethan Frome
Winds of War/War and Rememberance
Beloved
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
In Cold Blood
Sons and Lovers
The Crucible (technically a play)
The Pearl
The Promise/The Chosen
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Others may come to mind after I publish this but these are ones that impacted me in some way.

Anyway, here's to reading --- banned or otherwise. Viva the first amendment!

Both Sides Now

2008-09-29T19:44:00.002-05:00

I went to see Barack Obama last week. It was exciting to hear the lead in speeches by state politicians and a chill ran down my back when Obama came on stage. It was also energizing to talk to others who shared my political beliefs. The Resch Center was filled with 6,000 people who shared my political beliefs.

In Presidential elections Wisconsin votes for the Democratic candidate; Milwaukee and Madison are the Democratic strongholds. I live in a part of the state that is a Republican stronghold. The John Birch Society is based in Appleton, Joe McCarthy's bust is still in the Outagamie County courthouse, and the Republican Party originated in Ripon. So to be with 6,000 other Democrats was not only unusual but refreshing.

As irritated as I can get with some Republican viewpoints, I admit that if everyone thought alike it would be not only boring but unhealthy. The difference in opinions keeps discussion alive, a chance for compromise, an opportunity to look at other sides of an issue.