Miscellaneous Missives

Happy Halloween!

"Today we have gathered to see that cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and with all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people." 
~adapted from the Mohawk by John Stokes and David Kanawahienton Benedict Thursdays are quote/question day. My students start class by reading a quote and writing about it in their journal. Today's quote (above) led to great discussions for my first three classes. The discussion even included how the quote relates to us as a school community. When we were discussing greetings, one student mentioned that sometimes we even greet people with our glances and looks. I was impressed with the conversations until my fourth class started. After I read the quote, I started with the same question I had given the other classes ("What does the quote mean? How do we connect with it?"). Silence. Did I ment...

After being annoyed with the book I started yesterday, I wanted to make sure the same thing didn't happen tonight. I had a book on hold at Walker (love the new Hennepin County Library system with all of the Minneapolis Libraries). It is a book that seems to "pop up" in a many instances as a good book. Of course I didn't want to be stuck at home again tonight with a bad or average book, so I called Magers and Quinn to see if they had two other titles (new releases that looked good in Bookmarks magazine) as back-ups. They did, indeed, have both titles. I also decided to take my Blue Sky Guide (20% off) coupon (for used books) hoping that perhaps I could use it on my new book purchases. Plus, I took the book I was trying to read yesterday (that I paid $5 for on clearance) hoping that they would give me a dollar for it. Maybe it was because one of the clerks recognized me as I walked in, but they gave me $3.75 for the book and gave me 20% off my entire purchase. M...

Main Entry: laziness Part of Speech: noun Definition: unwillingness to work, be active Synonyms: apathy, dilatoriness, do-nothingness, dormancy, dreaminess, drowsiness, dullness, faineance, faineancy, heaviness, idleness, inactivity, indolence, inertia, inertness, lackadaisicalness, languidness, languorousness, laxness, leadenness, leisureliness, lethargy, listlessness, neglectfulness, negligence, otioseness, otiosity, passivity, remissness, slackness, sleepiness, sloth, slothfulness, slowness, sluggishness, stolidity, supineness, tardiness, torpescence, torpidness, weariness Antonyms: activity, diligence, hard work, industriousness, industry, liveliness from http://thesaurus.reference.com I am feeling mighty lazy tonight. In fact instead of making dinner, I went to Chipotle. When I drove in my garage, I went directly to my apartment because I was to lazy to walk the extra 15 yards (?) to my mailbox. Because I felt like doing very little, I turned on the TV and became instantly bo...

This being human is a guest house Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. ~Rumi It seems lately people are becoming overwhelmed with illness. I, myself, am still struggling to be fully well. Yesterday President Obama announced that the H1N1 virus as become a national emergency. Each day brings news of illness... a colleague's daughter, a friend's father, a church member. This is a time to trust in the Lord and remember that healing comes although it may not always come in the form we imagined. When life seems overwhelmin...

It seems I spend much of my weekends and weekday nights correcting papers. Recently I came across a blog called "The Daily Grind." The author of this blog like me is an English teacher, and he often writes about the same frustrations I'm feeling. Today's blog was especially fitting. I read it after I finished compiling a list of fifteen examples of run-on sentences and fragments from the students' letters they completed (edited and had a peer edit). After I corrected the papers, I checked my school e-mail. One was from a parent saying her son received all 'As' last year... Of course this same student (honors) turned in a paper with no end punctuation on ten sentences. The Daily Grind commented on the same thing in his blog today: "I had just finished pointing out that in two paragraphs of writing, he had yet to write a complete sentence. He either had a series of run ons or a series of phrases. The shock on his face was not contrived, and I...

During my prep period today I was visited by two people whom I have the utmost respect. Both were frustrated for different reasons. The first was an esteemed colleague, and I totally understood the frustration. It seems horrible, but I was a bit content that I was not the only one with concerns with our students' inability to think. The next person was someone who I am always honored to be a "sounding board." One thing this person mentioned in the conversation was, "I did a M..." This is translated, "I said exactly what was on my mind even though..." I'm not sure if I should take this as a compliment although I did. Maybe I should also admit that I was happy that on this Friday my day was frustration free.

Autumn by Grace Paley "What is sometimes called a tongue of flame or an arm extended burning is only the long red and orange branch of a green maple in early September reaching into the greenest field out of the green woods at the edge of which the birch trees appear a little tattered tired of sustaining delicacy..." I was frightened that fall would not show this year. It seems the trees realize it's fall. Maybe the weather could come through along with the trees.

Although I agree with the ad, I think it's horrible on many levels starting with the concentration on the woman's boobs. Is this the best Moveon.org could do? They also wanted money with this ad. Really? The ad is pathetic.

Yesterday before my having dinner with a friend and book club, I went shopping for a pair of knee high black boots. I have a pair, but they are not real leather. After trying on at least eight pairs of boots with a very helpful saleswoman, I felt a bit overwhelmed and frustrated. The last two pairs of boots I tried on fit perfectly. One was $167 in suede. Although it fit well, it was out of my price range and in suede. The last pair of boots fit perfectly and were stunning. This pair of boots was $227 which obviously was out of my price range, but something inside made me really, really, really want these boots. Because they didn't have my size, I asked her to call another store (Mall of America). Those boots are sitting on hold for me at MOA. However, when I read my devotions last night, the verse was from Matthew made me rethink the splendor of the boots. “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; a...

My day ended with catastrophe because I lost my box of Puffs. Actually my entire last class was horrible because I had to use Kleenex brand tissues because I lost my box of Puffs. It's probably more than the lost box of Puffs since I feel like my whole day was foggy. Since I am still fighting against this illness, I don't quite have a grasp on reality and small things (lost box of Puffs) turn into large things (utter catastrophe). Everything was compounded when I realized I also misplaced my Carmex. This is also major since I have a cold sore the size of my fist on my lip. I decided to solve the Puffs/Carmex dilemma and stop at Walgreens on my way home. As I was approaching the Carmex, a lady asked me if I needed help. I replied, "Sure, can you tell me who took my Carmex?" Of course she only made matters worse with her reply, "Did your husband or child take it?" She seems to be implying that I would be old enough to have a child that would be old e...

Although it's been a long weekend, I waited until this afternoon to do my school work. Now I must wait a little longer. Some would call it procrastination, but I tend to think of it as my love for Kitty Klaus. After all I have a decision to make. Do I move the cat from my papers and get to work, or do I geek on the computer a little longer? Maybe I should be asking if he is there because of my papers or because of the sun. My guess is these two questions could be answered with a little of both.

A friend posted this on Facebook today. It is a great story and a lesson for the human race. Enjoy.

Today I received an e-mail from Bill Clinton asking me to test my Global IQ. I will admit for the first few questions I was feeling brilliant, but my final score was 8/10. Take the quiz . Good Luck! Let me know how you did.

Yesterday was a workshop day. The afternoon was set aside for working with our PLCs (Professional Learning Community). My PLC is the language arts department at my school. I love working with this group. One of our tasks was to find writing prompts for Tuesday's National Day of Writing. We decided on picture prompts. Our PLC also has silly job titles. My job is scoring the group on our productivity, etc. As we were deciding on pictures, I told people to e-mail me, and I would choose the best picture as part of my job as scorer. It was great fun since the pictures were fantastic. Of course I added a picture of my own, titled "Cat Butt." When I opened the winning photo, I laughed; it's titled, "What's up with that guy." These pictures, along with the other six, should give the students plenty to write about.

Have I mentioned that I work with fabulous people? Last week many of the people I work with checked in via an e-mail, text, or phone call while I was out sick. A couple even calmed down an irrational parent (upset that I was conveniently home sick) for me at conferences. I appreciated this. It meant a lot to me. Today was my first day back after missing four days. Since my health improved, it was easier than I had expected, but it was more than that. Because I work with wonderful people who take care of me, it was easy and natural to be back.

This is how my mind works. I was sitting here this morning, skipping church, and thinking about how cold it is outside. Then I started thinking about my neighbors small (tiny) male dogs and how dreadful it must be for them to go outside to potty. The next image in my head was of the two little pooches rushing outside and peeing on the same tree at the same time. It would be a fabulous picture entitled perfect symmetry. Maybe I should have gone to church.

This was stated the day before Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. It looks like he called it. The Dems were voted in to make changes and health care is a great place to start.

This has been an interesting week. Monday I probably should have stayed home, but my temperature was normal (97.7º). Tuesday I stayed home and was miserable. Wednesday I called my clinic to make an appointment, but there were no openings. After calling the nurse line, I was sure I had the H1N1 flu (Swine Flu). As I entered Urgent Care, I was asked to put on a mask making it difficult to breathe (BTW- I had brought a towel to breathe into as suggest by the nurse line). I was given chest X-rays and an antibiotic. The doctor, who had no bedside manner, was difficult to read. She said I had a spot on my lung that could be pneumonia. Her demeanor was odd, so I didn't ask too many questions. I did ask if it could be the swine flu, but she insisted that my temperature would need to be 100º. When I explained that the 99.4º was over the typical 100º, she ignored my comment although she did say I would get an antibiotic with the pneumonia and like the H1N1, I shouldn't go back...

I have been a Rams fan since 1980 following them from Los Angeles to St. Louis. Although I have seen several games, I have never seen the Rams win in person. Over the years I have watched them lose more games than win although I have witnessed the winning of the Vince Lombardi trophy. Unfortunately I also witnessed the losing of the Vince Lombardi trophy by one yard and cried alone in my living room. It is not easy being a Rams fan. Their management is sub par at best. Today I am home sick (miserably sick from school). This illness was compounded when I learned, "Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh said Tuesday he is joining in an effort to purchase the struggling St. Louis Rams, owners of the NFL's longest losing streak." Are you kidding me? I can take some losing, but I can not cheer for a team owned (or even co-owned) by Rush Limbaugh. If this actually happens, it will be the last straw, and I will become solely a Green Bay Packers fan.

Two Sundays ago I missed church because I was out of town. Last Sunday I missed church because I could not get to church due to the marathon (blocking my path... not my running). Dad and I tried to leave early, but we did not leave early enough. I joked with Dad about the fact that they would miss me at church. When I checked my e-mail this evening, I actually had an e-mail from my pastor saying I was missed. It was a short e-mail, but it was sweet and definitely a positive part of my day.

My dad spent the majority of the afternoon installing a light in my bedroom closet. First I had to clear out the closet. This was not an easy task. It seems my little closet stores a lot. Next we found the wire. Three hours later everything was hooked up and ready to go. Oh, not quite... It seems the neutral wire didn't work. The joys of home ownership. The electrician must have left it in the wall even though it didn't work. The problem was it was hot, so we didn't know until everything was hooked up. After four trips to the hardware store, I have a new light in my closet. Fabulous! I can see everything in the closet (day or night).

As Dad and I prepared to go the farmer's market, I told him it could be entertaining today since a Neo-Nazi group planned on protesting at the YWCA (next door to the farmer's market). When we arrived at the farmer's market, every thing was peaceful, and I will admit I was a bit disappointed. While Dad ordered his crepe, I noticed a flier against the Neo-Nazi group. We asked the crepe people when the protest was supposed to start. They stated that the White Privilege workshop was supposed to start around ten, so we decided to make our trip to the hardware store and then cruise back past the YWCA. Fortunately we were not disappointed although we were confused. I started taking pictures of the groups on the corners, but I was confused by the green arm bands and the black man standing with the group. When I noticed the man in pink, my confusion reached another level. Why would a Neo-Nazi group attract a black man and a man wearing pink? Lucky for me, the man in pink ex...

I will admit that perhaps there is a itty bitty piece of rebellious spirit in me. Although it's extremely tiny, sometimes it gets the best of me. For example, each day I update a calendar online, including resources, for students. If students miss, they are able to access the daily journal and any other papers used online. Each day I take a little time to update it and keep it current. Today I received a work e-mail stating that all teachers needed to update their web page if 5% of the student body is absent (H1N1 scare). Immediately I was incensed and felt disrespected. This may seem strange since it's a procedure I currently follow, but I did not appreciate the mandate. Honestly, it makes me want to quit the daily updating of my web calendar. Crazy, huh?!