Miscellaneous Missives

I appreciate Andy Rooney. The last part of his short commentary resonates with me. "I wish we could dedicate Memorial Day not to the memory of those who have died, but to the idea of saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future if we don't find some new way, some new religion maybe, that takes war out of our lives that would be a Memorial Day worth remembering."

Another Everyday Poem by Mary Oliver Every day I consider the lilies-- how they are dressed-- and the ravens-- how they are fed-- and how each of these is a miracle of Lord-love and of sorrow-- for the lilies in their bright dresses cannot last but wrinkle fast and fall, and the little ravens in their windy nest rise up in the pleasure at the sight of fresh meat that makes their lives sweet-- and what a puzzle it is that such brevity-- the lavish clothes the ruddy food-- makes the world so full, so good Today's church service was started with this poem by Mary Oliver. I marvel at the Earth and how everything depends upon each other. We were asked to remember what our work is in this world, to remember what song we carry. Although I realize Memorial Day is a day to remember those lost in war, I also remember those who have passed that had nothing to do with war, whom were nothing but kind, gentle and peaceful like the lilies in the field. My neighbor growing up was like a grandm...

I love my condo and it's location. It's close to Uptown and the lakes, and quite close the Midtown Greenway. A small trail by a tiny pond connects my condo to the Greenway. Today as I was walking to the Greenway, I noticed several baby ducks. It seems there's always ducks on the pond, but I don't recall babies. They don't seem too concerned about the presence of people. On a day like today many must be following the same path. While others go "up north" this weekend to enjoy a bit of nature, I have my own backyard. As I was taking their pictures, I realized one duck (top picture) was far from the momma and her babies. Maybe it's the "ugly duckling."

After school I went to give blood, and it was fantastic. My iron was great, not merely borderline good enough to give (or too low to give as the numbers frequently say) but in the middle. Then my blood came gushing out instead of the normal you almost didn't make it in time. Life was good. Then I went to my scheduled Genius Bar appointment at the Apple store. I was forewarned that the Genius Bar did not serve drinks and perhaps there weren't necessarily geniuses present. This proved true on both accounts. First the store's ac was not working. Many of the workers literally had sweat running down their faces. This made me feel sorry for them. The "genius" helping me was friendly, but not real prompt or helpful. Finally, after almost two hours, my computer was taken to another genius then the manager. I was given a new computer and sent home. Now I am "back to the drawing board" as I once again need to try to migrate my files to my new computer....

This morning I asked the lady at the Caribou (4? and Nicollet) what was going in next door. "I don't know, nor do I know about the bridge or the station under the bridge," she replied curtly and quickly. Honestly, I didn't quite know what to say, but I realized she felt bad about the bombardment. Promising I'd have a better question tomorrow, I smiled and left. Today I've been thinking about questions and more importantly answers, so... 1) No, tomorrow is not my last day of school. I have ten days (two weeks and one day) to teach. 2) No, I do not have any "Big Summer Plans." 3) Yes, it nice having my summers off (deserved yet nice). Any other questions?

On the way home from work I checked my messages to find out that golf was canceled for tonight. Instead of going home, I drove to the Apple Store to purchase my new MacBook Pro. My iBook was purchased in December of 2003. It works fine, but the battery only lasts a two hours and the letters are rubbed off the keys. I was super excited about my new computer. After digging through my electronics box in the basement, I found the ethernet cord to migrate information from one computer to another. A little over three hours later, I think I made a poor decision. When I went to connect my iTouch, it wouldn't let me because the version of iTunes on my new computer wasn't a new enough version. What? I have deleted all iTunes files off the new computer and am using the disk to try to add iTunes back. This is becoming a bit too frustrating. There are also problems with the new computer staying connected to the internet although my iBook is having no difficulties. Needless to sa...

Recently I purchased the book Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn. "This gripping bestseller, first published in 1966, has continued to captivate readers with its wide-ranging yet intimate portrait of America sundered by racial conflict." I have been contemplating downloading it from Kindle to my iTouch since the paperback book I've been carrying around for a week weighs two pounds (Yes, I weighed it). Today I discussed this aloud which meant the idea was no longer merely floating around in my brain. I now have the book itself ($12.89) and the Kindle edition ($9.99). No more excuses not to start reading. Maybe I'll start it tonight. Two? two pounds, two copies, and oh... This weekend I am going to buy a new laptop. Today I received an e-mail saying it comes with a free iTouch (charge when purchase/rebate check later). Soon I will have two touches. Maybe I can make a deal with someone, or maybe someone will be receiving one as a gift (maybe someone with an Oct...

This morning's Pentecost service started with the typical Pentecost scripture which always seems to bring a chuckle (it's not even 9am of course, so they can't be drunk). Added to the scripture were poems and verses about the wind (including the Holy Spirit). This was followed by a sensory activity based on trees. We were asked to close our eyes and picture a group of trees. This led us to an individual tree including all senses relating to the tree. My journey did not start out peaceful. I could only think of the white seeds floating around sticking to my screens and everything else. As the speaker continued my journey became more peaceful. Later we blessed a tree near the church which was planted to replace a large tree taken by diseases. I appreciate the uniqueness of the service, but it doesn't take away all this white mess. When I left for my walk today, I passed a neighbor who was trying to sweep up the mess near her door. Commenting on the never endin...

I did give it a try, but I did not do as well as the person who posted the Youtube video.

It's been a slow blogging week because nothing much is happening. Yesterday I updated my FB status proclaiming I didn't care if it rained all weekend. Basically this was completely true. When it's nice outside, I really don't feel like doing the chores that need to get done inside, and my bathroom needed cleaned. I admitted that I kind of wanted a bit of rain over the weekend while I was getting acupuncture. My acupuncturist found this selfish and said I should go home and get the cleaning done, so I had the weekend open. Finding truth in this statement, I updated my FB status again, "Mary Moeller had to have her right hand amputated and needs help cleaning her house especially the bathroom. Can you help?" Can you imagine my sadness when no one volunteered to help? I have a hand amputated, and no one will help me clean my bathroom. I thought I had better friends. Today I'm still dealing with the complete depression caused by my friends' inse...

My lunch was spent with two student who did not have their assignment finished for class. They were finishing their assignments, so they could start the next assignment which is due tomorrow. When they finished the first assignment, I handed them the second. "Are you going to have this done for class tomorrow?" I questioned. "Yes," they both answered almost simultaneously. "Forgive me, but I don't believe you since you told me this yesterday and still came to class without a finished assignment," I started. "Why should I believe that you will be ready for tomorrow's assignment?" I finished. "I learned from my mistakes," one of the students replied. Ahhh, good answer! Yea. I still don't think the assignments will be ready for tomorrow, but I appreciated the answer.

You tube is celebrating five years. Incredible. Tonight I was going to post my favorite Youtube video to celebrate, but I couldn't think of one favorite video. Instead I decided to go to Youtube and figure it out. Needless to say I still don't have that favorite video, but I wasted some time searching. What are your favorite Youtube videos?

I drove home to see my dad since I hadn't seen him since he returned from his month cruise around South America. We hung out and did some chores on the farm. I was lucky enough to help him with his war against the mice in the garage and to spot a dead one. Also part of the blessed day was the ability to see the dead gopher he shot. To add to the bounty, he took me to see the carcass (no skin merely bones) of a deer I had missed on my daily walk. Life on the farm sure is swell. We also used the pickup truck to try to fix a fence "done in" by the snow plow (maybe, we think). It was actually more successful than I had imagined. We had a great time enjoying each others company including, of course, a trip to the Taco House.

Yesterday morning I received an e-mail from the district regarding the textbook purchase. The textbook purchase is the result of a three year standard revision process of which I was a part. I joined the steering committee because our last textbook was pathetic. The e-mail I received yesterday proved that my time was wasted. It's a long story, but I did tell my principal I was responding to the district person and trying really hard not to use the words incompetent, stupid or sucks. I decided to work out yesterday evening before leaving for Okoboji. My drive was filled with my singing to a variety of songs I was shuffling on my iTouch. This morning I awoke to the birds chirping and took a walk. One of the ponds on my dad's property had swans swimming. Although they seemed out of place, they seemed content. I felt a similar feeling as the stress from yesterday has melted. Maybe it will stay that way until I meet with the district guy on Tuesday.

Click on this link !!! It is well worth it. If the link doesn't work, look for the video, Lewis Black-- Glenn Beck has Nazi Turrets. Good stuff my friends.

This morning I took work to a student who was in ISS for being rude to at least two teachers. As I was talking one on one with this student trying to give him work for his second ISS day tomorrow, he looked strangely at me and stated, "You have gray in your eyebrows." He was a bit confused about getting his point across since I was probably looking at him a bit stunned, and proceeded to point out his own eyebrows to ensure my understanding. Finally he stared at my eyebrows, and exclaimed, "Cool." On my way home I studied my eyebrows in the mirror. It seems I have some blonde in my eyebrows, but I don't believe it's gray. I disagree with his observation.

Today driving home a billboard caught my eye. It has a picture of a baby pig and a puppy. It was titled, "Why love one but eat the other?" It's catchy, but I don't know that it is the best way to share the message of eating vegetarian. After viewing the billboard, I thought of legitimate reasons to eat vegetarian. None of these are portrayed in the picture however cute it is. I actually googled it when I arrived home. Although I am not vegetarian, the message of MFA (Mercy for Animals) is actually accurate, "Choose Compassion. Choose Vegetarian. Pigs, cows, and chickens experience pain, suffering, frustration, pleasure, and joy just like our beloved dogs and cats. Yet, to produce burgers, nuggets, omelets, and hot dogs, billions of farm animals are subjected to extreme confinement, painful mutilations, violent handling, and merciless slaughter. Please widen your circle of compassion to include all animals by leaving meat off your plate." It's too...

First I would like to say that I have no business posting to my blog. I should be getting ready for work, but I don't want to. Workshops make me crabby, and I would rather be home on this cold, rainy day reading one of the three books I have started. Truthfully my day started fairly well with my new blender which I would like to introduce you to. The blender actually will give me five more minutes in the morning since it is more powerful than the last one. It is also made of glass instead of plastic which can't be bad until I drop it on the floor and it breaks in shards unlike the plastic one that last its handle. As you read this, are you wondering if I'm really procrastinating by blogging about my new blender instead of getting ready for work? Yes, I also wanted to show you pictures of my healthy breakfast. Oh, maybe I should get ready. Do I really have to go?

This afternoon three of us with no mothers and no children went out for our annual Motherless Day meal. I love that we are able to celebrate our friendship in this manner. Today's choice of restaurant meant margaritas which was great considering our opening conversation. It seems on the front page of today's Star Tribune was an article about the difficulty of firing bad teachers. I, of course, don't get the Star Tribune, but I do look at its news feeds online. Interesting that an article important enough to be on the front page didn't make any of today's feeds. As soon as I returned home, I also looked at Startribune.com. It is not mentioned on this site. Again, if the article is important enough to be on the front page of the Sunday Mother's Day edition, shouldn't it be mentioned on the online site? I think there has been enough teacher bashing lately. I find it in poor taste that they would choose to put it on the front page. Maybe the opinion p...

After driving home in the dark and rain on Thursday after Jesus Christ Superstar (amazing), I realized that I can't see in the dark when it's raining. I might have driven better after inhaling a bottle of wine and driving in the light. Yesterday I spent all day trying to decide what to do about my drive to Iowa. Should I work out and hope it's not raining or should I skip working out to assure my drive would be in light. My decision was worth it. I was able to work out and spend only a short time in the dark with no rain. This morning I decided to walk down my dad's gravel road to see if the geese were nesting. Since it was a miserable 38º, I added one of Dad's insulated sweatshirts and headed out with my camera. I walked and walked and slipped and walked. It's wet and muddy. Although I saw geese and ducks, I didn't see any nesting. I got nothing except muddy shoes. Maybe I should have attached the picture of that disaster. BTW- Why did you read t...

Tonight's book club discussed the book Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad . It may be a bit of a "preaching to the choir" book, but I remember feeling a bit empowered when I read it. I can make a difference. I need to keep doing what I'm doing. I am the ripple in the huge pool of water. Tonight as we discussed the book, I found myself being a bit negative. Look at BP and the oil spill. Last night Rachel Maddow had a story how this current oil spill is nothing new to our country. Presidents for the last forty years have had oil disasters. All have made the same comments. We need to be less dependent on oil. We need to preserve our environment. This left me disheartened. Someone recently has said that conservatives engage in conservative media and become more conservative while liberals engage in more liberal media and become more liberal. Truth is found in this statement. I don't have a problem becoming more liberal,...

I dislike and disrespect Minnesota's governor. He is arrogant and his latest comments are infuriating. "He said Thursday that public employees, specifically teachers, are 'over-benefited and overpaid' and need to have their incomes cut." In a recent article , the truth is revealed. Minnesota teachers rank 24th out of 50th in teacher pay. Our all important test scores are not as low as 24th, but he doesn't seem to mention any of this. Maybe he should listen to Taylor Mali's poetry slam presentation about what teachers make. This is an old Youtube video which many may have seen, but it seems relevant again (always). BTW My students are doing their poetry slam tomorrow... Let's hope it goes well.

I've always thought of myself as one who is more of a leader than a follower. It seems this is a falsehood. First, I felt the need to join a literacy blog challenge only knowing one of the bloggers. Following the "smart kids" actually gave me ideas. Being part of the group was enjoyable. Most recently one of the smart kids tweeted something about #1b1t. Of course since I have now become a follower, I wanted to know more. KC, the smart one, gave me some information and I went to Google and Twitter to find more. It seems a guy named Jeff Howe had an idea. According to Crowdsourcing , "I have a dream. An idea. A maybe great notion. Actually, as Auggie March might say, "I got a scheme." What if everyone on Twitter read the same book at the same time and we formed one massive, international book club?" The book is American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Yesterday I reserved a copy from the library. Today I decided I needed to be ready to read on May 5th wi...

Last night I was tired of reading and geeking on the computer, so I turned on the television. While flipping through channels, I lucked into the beginning of the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Last year I watched it too. Why isn't this more publicized? It's funny stuff (birth certificate, Arizona) and endearing (love of his wife). This video is part one of two. If you're entertained, find the second part on Youtube. Unfortunately there is very serious matter in the Gulf. I am sickened at the devastation to the environment and the people of the area. Some are now saying this is Obama's Katrina, maybe/maybe not. Obama needs to say no to drilling instead of going ahead with it. These are crazy times.

My morning was productive to quite productive with the normal Saturday chores, walking, and Bodypump. The afternoon is becoming dramatically less productive. Honestly I don't want to do anything which will probably hold true into the evening. I did accomplish my trip to Home Depot to follow through with my idea. My gas tank for the grill is starting to leave a rust ring on my deck and my grill is starting to leak a little grease onto my deck. To alleviate these problems, I decided to buy ceramic tile (cheap alternative) to place under the grill and gas tank. Voila, the problem is fixed (I hope... certainly fixed for today) for under five dollars. To celebrate the first of May I would like to share a little ditty I learned last night at the birthday party of a friend: Hurray! Hurray! The first of May/ Outdoor screwing starts today/ Happy Spring