Miscellaneous Missives

I have used "grabbing at straws" to explain my exploration of alternatives to having surgery to repair my dog bite scar. Since I've been using this idiom often (and incorrectly), I decided to figure out where it came from. It seems "grasping at straws" comes from Thomas More who used and refers to a drowning man grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save himself. Today I tried another alternate treatment, the La Fleur Reparer. According to the ABT (Advanced Biomedical Technologies) it is a "cellular energizing system lifts and tones muscles for greater symmetry, while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. It also encourages blood flow & circulation, reduces excess fluids, activates the lymph for detoxification, reduces cellulite, and successfully treats stretch marks and scars." This treatment is expensive ($60 per half hour), so I hope it is successful. Supposedly I will be able to see a change within three treatments, and after eigh...

Although some have mentioned that it is a waste of the President's time to bring Gates (black professor) and Crowley (white police officer) together to talk about the recent confrontation, I am impressed as, of course, are those in the beer industry. I am not, however, awed by the choice of our President's beer. Bud Light? Certainly he could have made a better choice. Maybe it's political since it's an American beer but Bud Light??? It would have been a better choice to choose a DC local brew. My friend Siobhan's husband could have brought some of his brew to the White House. Gates had an interesting choice with Red Stripe, and like Crowley (probably only in choice of beer), I am a fan of Blue Moon. Typically I prefer a glass of wine or other adult beverage, but I do like an occasional cold beer. Bud Light is never on the drink list, maybe a Stella Artois, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Blue Moon, or a local brew, but not the swill our President will be drinking t...

Playing golf today was miserable, but my trip to Northern Sun (may be worth a post tomorrow) was enjoyable. Although I did not purchase this button, I found it rather entertaining.

Maybe it goes without saying, but I love summer. Typically I am a fan of the low to mid 80s, but I will admit today's 77º was ideal. Today was almost perfect... morning workout, visiting friend, reading in the sun with a light breeze, late afternoon nap... According to the news, this weather is more typical of September. The weather forecaster went as far as saying it was close enough to September weather that she opened the door looking for the school bus this morning. This brings me to the only problem with summer. Those outside education hate the fact that teachers are free from school for a majority of summer. Their jealousy causes them to do crazy things such as bringing up school buses and sending out school supply fliers before August begins. Maybe if they realized how many summer days are filled with workshops, training, classes, planning, and the like, they would resist the need to bring up school related things. Of course, I can deal with these mentions of schoo...

Recently I was asked how I decided whether to purchase a book or check it out from the library. I thought this was a wonderful question and had to admit that I wasn't really sure. One thing I realize is that I tend to purchase more than I borrow. If I'm not sure if I'm going to like the novel, I go to the library. This often happens if I've read a short review (often from my Bookmarks magazine.) and feel I should read a book. Today a colleague recommended a book, so I immediately went to hclib.org to check it out. When I realized there were five copies and 151 requests, I decided to call Magers and Quinn to see if they had a copy. Obviously a book with 151 requests warrants a purchase. It is definitely financially savvy to use the library, and I'm happy my tax dollars support the library system. Sometimes, however, I am a little disgusted by library copies. For example, the book I finished had a thumb sized stain of something brown (I'm hoping chocola...

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Today's church service was opened with this poem by Wendell Berry. When I heard, "the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief," I took notice. It seemed fitting. Maybe it's because I'm the oldest, but I often feel the need to protect and pull together those around me. Perhaps it's because of my tumultuous childhood. Unfortunately, my family is not good at communicating our thoughts and feeli...

Instead of posting about my depression caused by the clouds blocking the sun or my day of cleaning, I decided to post the forwarded e-mail. The words are not my own although I did add some comments, in italics, as I went. Since there were an overabundance of exclamation marks, I deleted those too. As I mention, I tried it once. I did wonder if it worked in reverse and asked the lovely young lady who forwarded this to me. She said it did, and I believed her. It's a strange little phenomena. Use it at parties to entertain others. HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT? This is hysterical. You have to try this. It is absolutely true. I guess there are some things that the brain cannot handle. HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT? You have to try this please it takes 2 seconds. I could not believe this. It is from an orthopedic surgeon... ( no source... forwarded e-mail ). This will boggle your mind and will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot ( I tried it...

In my classroom I don't allow the 'S' words (sucks, shit, and stupid). Shit is obvious, but sucks and stupid seem too negative. President Obama used the word stupid yesterday, and it created a huge controversy. Of course I believe the word choice was unfortunate. Honestly, in my opinion, the incident was handled poorly, but stupid carries too much negativity. The incident also brings racial profiling to the forefront which is important. Many people seem to think that since we have a black president that prejudice has ended. This is not true. Stupid also is fitting that it received more press coverage than his initial conversation about health care reform. Obviously stupid is not a word I typically use, but I find many things to be stupid. I would prefer to use misguided in many situations although stupid does fit sometimes. Today I found a blog post to be stupid (misguided, humorous, ridiculous...). It was mentioned on the NYTimes blog, Paper Cuts. It is a post, ...

I often say that Kitty Klaus can be naughty. He is not allowed on the kitchen counters and seems to do well when I'm inside. The problem is when I am sitting on the deck off the kitchen. Several times this summer I have had to go yell for him to get down as I hear him get on the counters. Since I always have the screen door open, he knows I am outside and can hear him. Tonight I didn't hear him. When I went inside to refill my iced tea, I called for him. He didn't come, not surprising, so I went looking for him. After checking all of the usual places, I decided to ignore him and go back outside. As I was reaching for the door, I saw him. Either he flew to the cupboard on the top of the refrigerator, or he jumped up onto the counter to get to the top cupboard. Any thoughts?

Small Bodies by Mary Oliver It is almost summer. In the pond the pickerel leap, and the delicate teal have brought forth their many charming young, and the turtle is ravenous. It is hard sometimes, oh Lord, to be faithful. I am more boldly made than the little ducks, paddling and laughing. But not so bold as the turtle with his greasy mouth. I know you know everything-- I rely on this. Still, there are so many small bodies in the world, for which I am afraid. Wednesday is my golf day; I play in the morning and evening. One small creature inhabits the golf course that I don't always get to see. I always wonder where he/she is hiding or if he/she is OK. All season I've been waiting for a glimpse. Today the mink greeted us on at least two holes. Our first meeting was early in the round. As I walked to my ball which was nestled between the trees, I was able to come close to this cute little animal. The mink is certainly more entertaining than the typical ducks, geese, and...

As I was driving to Okoboji, I received a message that said Reverend RD had left a gift for me at a local store. Rev. RD is a former pastor of a church here in Okoboji. Since he helped procure some crates for me years ago, I expected a crate. When I arrived to pick up my gift, I was shocked to see a plastic (sturdy plastic), St. Louis Rams, lawn chair. "Oh RD," I said to the lady who had delivered it to me. "It's certainly unique." I'm going to deposit it in the dumpster, but it is "the thought that counts." The gesture was very sweet. The chair...? Now I need to think about how to word the thank you note. As I was taking the chair to the dumpster, I came into the territory of a protective mother bird, Killdeer. Typically she flies in the opposite direction and acts as if she is injured, but she didn't see me coming. I didn't see her either, so she let out a shriek that scared me. Instead of making a straight path to the dumpste...

Today I hit some of the commercial tourist spots while I was home in Okoboj with my friend who is visiting from Texas. We went to: the Central Emporium, The Three Sons, Black Walnut Candy (? don't really know the name... saltwater taffy), and Bob's Drive-In. Another tourist activity was visiting the Big Bugs which are only in the Lakes Area until October 4th. Since we didn't see all of the bugs, I will probably go back next time I visit. They have a brochure that tells about the real bugs that they imitate, including: order, metamorphosis, diet, and fun facts. We saw four: praying mantis 18' x 20' x 2' grasshopper 11' x 4.5' x 4' ants 25' x 12' x 10' dragonfly 17' x 17' x 1' "Praying Mantis are not really praying, they are preying..." "A grasshopper can jump 20 to 50 times its length." Wireless Watch: Tonight I am eating a mini pizza and Godfather's and using their wireless which kind of sucks! I...

After the last three or four days of miserable weather, today was beautiful. Nothing compares to the beauty and peacefulness of sitting on a dock in the sun talking with wonderful friends. Today was that day. It was enhanced by the pleasure of being able to eat both lunch and dinner at the Taco House with different sets of friends. If it wasn't for the brief health care reform/the United States is lacking religion/our country will soon turn into a dictatorship/... conversation with one of the women I was visiting, it might have been perfect. Of course this was brief because I have little time for people who are not well read and informed. Would it be prejudice to mention my friend is from Texas? The conversation went back to a lighter topic. At least I had the lake with waves and people to watch during the semi-heated discussion. Internet Update I've decided to make the lack of internet an adventure. Yesterday it was the Welcome Center. Today it's the Java Joint. ...

It seems that Dad lost internet connection with the last storm. Even though we had recently had a conversation about the importance of wireless at his house, he didn't tell me that it had not been connected. I am currently sitting at the Welcome Center in Arnolds Park. We'll see what happens for the next few days. I've already helped with directions while sitting here!

Since I didn't work out Wednesday or Friday, I decided to tackle both yoga and Body Pump this morning, and I will admit it went well. My afternoon reading tied these workouts together is a strange manner. First I read my Oprah magazine. There is always a page (Live your Best Life: Instant Inspiration) with a wonderful saying and a beautiful picture. Today's quote was from Carol Ann Duffy from "Prayer." "Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer utters itself. So, a woman will lift her head from sieve of her hands and stare at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift." Although I'm not sure what minims sung by a tree means, I found the quote fitting. In yoga there are short opportunities of meditation. I tend to use these as little prayer times after all prayer is focused meditation. More often than not "a prayer utters itself." As I sat to wait for Body Pump to start, I was alone in the gym sitting on the floor. Prayer came to me ...

Today has been hectic. I've rushed from one activity to another without taking a breath. We picked berries then I came home to shower and change while they cleaned my rug before I went to lunch. After lunch I stopped to get groceries for the dinner we are taking to friends. When I came home I quickly cleaned out the fridge, so I could place the entire bag of new groceries inside. Since I'm going out of town, I don't need much. Besides the lettuce was getting bad two days ago. Instead of putting the lettuce in the trash, I put it down the disposal. It didn't go down the disposal. The disposal was still running, but stuff wasn't going down. Instead of panicking, I called my dad for advice. I figured it was plugged, and I would have to undo the plumbing. Dad told me what to do, and I now have an unplugged T and J bend. The water goes down freely!

As I was thinking about picking blueberries this morning, I couldn't help but this of Lita Ford's blueberry song. Although it's not necessarily fitting for blueberry picking, I couldn't help but think of it. I was kind enough not to bring my iPod and sing for my fellow pickers. "I call him heaven, I call him earth I call him lover, stick my fingers in the dirt I call him dangerous, Dangerous Dan I call him over, take him anyway I can He call me Blueberry, Blueberry, Blueberry, very blue He call me Blueberry, Blueberry, Blueberry, very blue..." "...Blueberry, very blue I'll be blue for you He call me Blueberry, Blueberry, Blueberry, very blue I'll be blue for you He call me Blueberry, Blueberry, Blueberry, very blue He call me Blueberry, Blueberry, Blueberry, very blue I'll be blue for you..." I have picked blueberries once before in Alaska on the ground. These blueberries were more bushes. It was fun although I want more berries, so I...

All eyes have been on Franken since he was sworn in. He has been depicted as a crass, belligerent, obnoxious man who was not worthy of the office. Since July 7th people have been waiting for him to "crack a joke." Today he did so with intelligence and compassion as he talked to Sotomayor. Many have seen this clip when he asks, "Didn't the White House prepare you for, for that?" Another clip shows the beginning of the questioning (conversation). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjiwI_S2qpc

I will admit all of these aren't entertaining, but two or three are worth it. This might be as entertaining as my day gets.

Many know that my back has been causing major pain this summer because I frequently whine about it. Today I went to get an epidural steroid and anesthetic injection in my spine. Three years ago when I was having similar pain in my back I received the same injection (The same wonderful person drove me again this time!). I'm fairly certain the tech three years ago was not as attractive as the tech (Matt) that I had today. Plus I'm fairly certain Matt let me leave earlier than I was supposed to after I commented on forgetting my book and commented about the magazine selection (commented = whined). The doctor was not as attractive yet seemed to be thorough and to know what he was doing. While he was doing his initial examination he was checking my strength and reflexes. When he was checking the strength of my arms, I winced. I then had to explain that Body Pump went a little crazy on the triceps. My triceps are quite tender (I whine.). My hope is the injection works as we...

It seems Sotomayor's experience is less important than her race and sex. At least the Republicans realize there isn't much they can do, and she will be confirmed. Personally I hope Obama's next nominee is more liberal and more controversial.

Yesterday my day was spent enjoying local food with friends. I find a mystery in friendship, and sometimes am in awe at the complete differences in mine. It is my believe that friendships entail a variety of connections. For example, I went to the farmer's market in the morning to enjoy the simplicity and wonder of local food with an older lady from church. If I was to list my friends, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't place her on the list. We had a lovely time, and it was enjoyable to see the market through her first time eyes. Today she brought me parsley she grew (looks better than mine!) in appreciation. It made me think that in many ways she is a friend. In the evening a closer group of friends and I went to the Corner Table and enjoyed an extravagant five course meal of local, organic food accompanied by a wine with every course. We spent over three hours eating and conversing. Although the food was absolutely fabulous, it was the time spent with friends tha...

This morning I took my recyclables to the bins. I tried to carry out two small bags of paper/cardboard and this bag of other recyclables. It seems this bag had been reused one too many times. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse!

If you are not in education, you probably don't want to read this post. I have had to work the last three days (Wednesday, Thursday, and this morning). Two days were spent at the Minnesota Department of Education, and this morning was spent with my fellow language arts teachers (OK... 2 1/2 days). All three of these days were quite productive, and I was paid. These days, however, do interrupt my summer schedule. 7:00 am walk 8:30 am back exercises 9:00 am ice back 10:00 am breakfast 11:00 am ready water bottles and apply sunscreen 11:30 am sit in sun and read 2:30 pm return to house and think about eating 3:30 pm mundane chores, give cat attention, etc. Actually, starting next week I'll be adding (hopefully) a 6:15 am trip to the YWCA and deleting the back exercises (finding a better way to alleviate back pain... exercise, walking, steroid injection). Anyway, one can easily see how working gets in the way of my daily schedule.

As we were playing golf last night the clouds grew dark and ominous. Rain seemed eminent. I placed my metal club on the cart and invited the lightening to come. Although it seemed a little macabre, I said, "At least we would die doing something we enjoyed." Dying today at work wouldn't be doing something I enjoyed. If I worked in a chocolate factory, it might be a different story. It seems this really happened in New Jersey. A man died in a vat of chocolate. (Although I can't get the link to work, feel free to google "man dies in vat of chocolate." It's true!). I guess death by chocolate is more than a dessert.

It seems the applause took longer than the ceremony. I was impressed that he used Paul Wellstone's Bible. Let's hope Al Franken leads with Wellstone's passion and understanding.

I share a garage with my neighbor. Neither one of us know the combination to the garage door keypad. Today I followed directions given to me over the phone and tried to change the code, so we could use it. This did not work, so I called back to see how much it would cost for them to come out. It seems it would be approximately $100 dollars including the fee to get here and $25 per quarter hour. Twenty-five dollars for 15 minutes. Are you kidding me? Now what?

I may be unpatriotic, but I was a bit disheartened to see many "Happy Fourth of July. God bless America." greetings on Facebook this morning. Of course I love my country and God and all that, but I think America can do better and should strive to do better. Imagine my delight when I saw an article entitled, "This July 4th, Rebel and Agitate for Change. It starts, "Agitators created America, and it's their feisty spirit and outright rebelliousness that we celebrate on our national holiday. Are you an agitator? You know, one of those people who won't leave well enough alone, who's always questioning authority and trying to stir things up. If so, the Powers That Be detest you -- you ... you ... 'agitator!' They spit the term out as a pejorative to brand anyone who dares to challenge the established order. 'Oh,' they scoff, 'our people didn't mind living next to that toxic waste dump until those environmental agitators got them ...

A friend e-mailed this to me a couple of days ago. I thought it was fitting since today I started the weekend with a massage. My back has been fighting me all summer. I've resorted to a combination of the following: chiropractor, massage, back exercises, icing,and walking. If one doesn't work alone, certainly the combination will be successful.

This morning I decided to walk to Target instead of walking around the lake. It would be a chance to get an errand done and my walk in one. As I walked out the secured front door to the duplex, I realized I didn't have my credit card. When I reached back to grab the door, I realized I didn't have my credit card, my phone, or the keys to my place. First I tried to buzz my upstairs neighbor. Typically I would have called him, but I didn't have my phone. He did not answer the buzzer. Next I walked around trying to find some opportunity. I noticed some guys working in a nearby garage and asked if I could use someone's cell phone. Of course this required silly banter with the three men until one finally handed over his phone. My friend, L, has keys to my place, so I called her. She must be out of town or out for the morning because she didn't answer her phone. Walking back to my front door, I was starting to become frustrated. Again I tried to buzz my neighb...

I often listen to a novel on my iPod when I am walking or driving long distances. Recently I started listening to the novel Native Son by Richard Wright. For some reason, I have never read this classic novel, and I feel embarrassed by this as I listen. I am half way through and completely enthralled with the novel. Although Bigger has done horrific things, I somehow also tend to sympathize with him. As I listen to the story, I am saddened that I am not reading the book because I can sit and read, but I cannot simply sit and listen. What is going to happen next? This doesn't happen often when I am listening to a book on tape. My belief is that it is the story that is engaging not merely the narrator. Today I walked into Mager's and Quinn listening to the novel and purchased another book by Richard Wright. Hopefully the remainder of the book and the next book will be as absorbing.