Miscellaneous Missives

This sankalpa belief seems difficult, so I'm continuing to use the interweb to find the essence of Sankalpa.  According to one site ,  "Stryker explains that kalpa means vow, or 'the rule to be followed above all other rules.' San , he says, refers to a connection with the highest truth. Sankalpa, then, is a vow and commitment we make to support our highest truth."  Basically, it seems that I need to find my inner purpose, I am, instead of my outer purpose, I want.  Allowing who I am to guide my choices not what I want.  I'm not sure that I can truly wrap my mind around this process.  One thing I need to do is slow down and feel what is important to me.  Since I've been recovering from "the illness", I have had some time to slow down, perhaps a good step toward sankalpa.   According to One Woman and A Little Leeway , one aspect of sankalpa is letting go.  I love Christmas decorations and the joy they bring, but Christmas is over....

Beannacht ("Blessing") On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window and the ghost of loss gets in to you, may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue come to awaken in you a meadow of delight. When the canvas frays in the currach of thought and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come across the waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home. May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak to mind your life. ~ John O'Donohue ~ ( Echoes of Memory ) Yesterday I bought two dresses and a turtle neck (to go with one of the dresses).  When I bought them I knew it was not keep...

I'm a sucker for a blog challenge.  When I read about the Sankalpa Blog Challenge last night, I decided I was in (then out, then in, then half-way in...).  This morning after a bit of research I decided to try because I have an honest out if I don't succeed!  According to one source (I use source loosely), " With a sankalpa , the self-loathing that comes from dwelling on past transgressions can begin to dissolve."  In other words, I'm not going to get frustrated and become self-loathing if this only lasts a couple of days or if I can't figure out all twenty-four.  One Woman , originator of said challenge, says we can focus on letting go.  Today my focus is on letting go of two ugly Christmas presents, one of which I've been trying to give away for a couple of weeks, a winter coat which has been hanging unworn in the back of the closet, three pairs of cords (two big... new smaller ones coming and purchased before challenge), and several pairs of new hos...

The last time I posted was on Sunday.  Sunday was the first day of my "sick leave".  Many refer to this time as Winter Break or Christmas Break, but for me it's been sick leave.  My headache and fever gave me a bit of a scare on Sunday, so I headed for the doctor on Monday.  After doing several tests I was sent home with a cough syrup prescription and told it was a virus (not antibiotic would help).  On Monday (Christmas Eve) I started feeling sorry for myself because I was missing church and festivities with friends, so I posted to Facebook: Don't feel sorry for me because I'm sick. Feel sorry for me because the lady at the grocery store told me how to make my own soup instead of showing me the frozen soups. Don't feel sorry for me because I'm sick. Feel sorry for those who will now miss out on my humor and wit. Don't feel sorry for me because I'm sick. Feel sorry for me because the cat won't share the blanket. Tuesday's pl...

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  It is also known as "Mary Sunday".  I realize it's not meant for me, but it seems in bad taste that I have an extremely high temperature and horrific headache on Mary's Sunday.  It seems I shouldn't have gone to church, but as usual I appreciated the service.  For communion we sang the words (Tableprayer:  The Winter Name of God) instead of listening to the communion words.  Well, some people sang, and I listened.  My favorite part was "Abba of Jesus, our God in heaven, give us this day the bread we need to live.  Do not remember our sins against you, forgive us all as we ourselves learn to forgive.  Abba of Jesus, save us from trial and keep your people far from evil ways.  Yours is the kingdom, the pow'r, the glory through end-less days."  We also ended the service by singing Let it Be because Mary said, "Yes, let it be."  This Mary does not say yes, let it be.  This Mary says, "...

"Don't You Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia Those days are gone, now the memories are on the wall I hear the songs from the places where I was born Up on the hill across the blue lake, That's where I had my first heartbreak I still remember how it all changed My father said, "Don't you worry, don't you worry, child See heaven's got a plan for you Don't you worry, don't you worry now" Driving home, to Iowa, last night I listened to the radio.  Since I had to change stations a couple of times, this song came up several times.  It's part of my December mix and has a lot of radio play, but I haven't tired of it (yet).  I grew up in an area of lakes, so I think it's fitting ("up on a the hill across the blue lake; that's where I had my first heartbreak").  This morning, in this are of lakes, the sunrise was incredible as I returned from the gym, so I stopped for a picture.  Taking sunrise pictures seems to be ...

not part of the tour yet adorable It seems winter has officially arrived (blustery and cold).  Last night I joined a few inspirational women at the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts for the Winterlights :  Festivities Around the World.  I really didn't want to attend this " Meet-up "because I was tired and cold and crabby.  Upon arrival I stated my apologies for having to leave early.  My plan was to skip out half way through the tour and go to the gym.  Alas, the tour was wonderful, and I enjoyed my evening while staying for the entire tour.  Our docent, Sue (a former teacher), was absolutely charming.  Instead of merely giving us the tour, she guided us through the exhibits adding in ideas for our classrooms.  It truly was delightful.  She even waited for members of the "Meet-up" to finish their beers before we proceeded on the guided tour of art representing holidays celebrated around the world. Also not part of the tour, b...

I'm a bit bummed that tomorrow is the last day of school before break and the last day of our life on Earth. 

Front of One of my Favorite Ornaments It seems I have a bit of a sweet tooth.  Of course, I've always known this, but the counting calories and recording them in MyFitnessPal over the last several months has proven interesting.  Using MyFitnessPal has taught me a fairly practical lesson.  As long as I go to the gym and workout, I can eat all of the sweets (or at least a good share) I want.  Yesterday I had a dentist appointment scheduled.  In the morning I called to cancel the appointment after giving it some thought (some, not a lot).  First, I wanted to go to the gym and not the dentist.  Second, it's the holiday season, and I plan on eating an overabundance of sweets between now and the new year.  Finally, it's the dentist, and I really didn't want to go, so I rescheduled for the middle of January.  Back Dear Santa, "Claus" is rather stuff... How about "Dear Fatty"?

I grew up with guns.  In fact, my father used to take my brother and I to our grandfather's farm (only field and grain bins, no houses) to shoot shotguns and pistols.  My dad reloaded shells (shotgun and pistol) in the basement of our house.  Basically, I feel as though I have some gun knowledge.  Of course I think the NRA is full of crazies and believe that it is absolutely ridiculous that assault rifles are legal, but I do feel that I am somewhat knowledgeable about average guns.  Well, this morning I realized this was indeed not the case.  A student accidentally (long story, no danger) brought a bullet to school.  When he found it, he immediately reported it to the teacher.  Teachers were asked to keep students in their rooms.  Everything was investigated, and after some time (40 minutes?) students were released to their next class.  Not long after the incident, the teachers of the involved students were being debriefed.  They...

White Owl Flies Into and Out of the Field Coming down out of the freezing sky with its depths of light, like an angel, or a Buddha with wings, it was beautiful, and accurate, striking the snow and whatever was there with a force that left the imprint of the tips of its wings — five feet apart — and the grabbing thrust of its feet, and the indentation of what had been running through the white valleys of the snow — and then it rose, gracefully, and flew back to the frozen marshes to lurk there, like a little lighthouse, in the blue shadows — so I thought: maybe death isn't darkness, after all, but so much light wrapping itself around us — as soft as feathers — that we are instantly weary of looking, and looking, and shut our eyes, not without amazement, and let ourselves be carried, as through the translucence of mica, to the river that is without the least dapple or shadow, that is nothing but light — scalding, aortal light — in which we are washed and ...

Last weekend I bought three different kinds of oatmeal.  I'm trying to find my favorite oatmeal.  Of the three I bought, I prefer the McCann's Irish Oatmeal the best, but I'm not sure that it's worth the extra money.  Maybe the  Irish blessing on the side of the box, "May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door," is worth a few cents more.  I'll probably stick with the Whole Foods brand that I was using when this experiment is over, but it is fun to see the difference.  Plus, it's encouraging me to have oatmeal in the morning instead of hot chocolate (well, at least on the weekend). 

Landfill Harmonic film teaser from Landfill Harmonic on Vimeo .           I didn't think I should post of tragedy without posting some joy. "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." - Mr. Rogers Since I was in the computer lab today helping students with their writing, I was disconnected from what was happening in Connecticut.  I did know it happened because of an e-mail , but I didn't know the specifi cs.   After school I was in the hall with other staff members talking while I was looking at my phone.  I s aw a news br ief ing about the shooter and the number dea d.  "How does anyone shoot kids?" I quest...

After my after school gig, I planned on rushing home to work out before the middle school musical rendition of Annie.  I don't want to go to the musical, but I know it's the right thing to do.  Although I knew it was going to be close, I worked it out, so that I would still be able to work-out, shower, and arrive at the musical on time.  Then some asshat parent called because I made her kid sign in unprepared today.  It's the first time he's signed in (all year).  He would need four more to get a detention.  It was NO BIG DEAL until she called and wasted twenty minutes of my valuable time explaining how he was hurt by the situation and didn't want a negative mark against him.  Hey lady, I'm missing the gym because of your phone call about an inconsequential sign in.  He now has a negative mark.  Teach your son to chill and you, my dear, have a glass of wine.  Don't worry.  I'm not bitter.  I was able to eat three chocolate...

I stole this from Anne Lamott's Facebook page.  If you're not following her, skip reading my post, open up Facebook, and follow her.  She's real, spiritual, and funny.   "... I would cancel December--no aluminum trres, no Almond Roca, no Salvation Army Bell Ringers, no Rudolph the F-ing red nosed reindeer.  But then a tiny memory comes back. I believe in Prayer. I believe in Prayer. Oops, that sort of slipped my mind.  I live by the bouyency and second winds of Grace, of Goodness, divine Love, and it is Advent, when we celebrate, in the dark and the cold, that the light is returning. The capital L light, shards of it all over the place when we just remember to keep an eye out for it--to wake back up, to stop hitting the snooze button. As Wendell Berry said to me at the Book Depot nearly 30 years ago, in bleak, doomed mid-December, "It gets darker and darker and darker; and then Jesus is born." So I hang my head, and say, "I need help...

Since I didn't ride my bike much in October, I used the same workout mix for October and November.  It's December, and I've already ridden my bike twice (Yesterday was the second time although I'm fairly certain it may be the last time until it thaws.).  Tonight I went to the gym and realized I needed new music for December. Your Body                          Christina Aguilera Live While We’re Young   One Direction Vertigo                                U2 Die Young                          Kesha Locked out of Heaven       Bruno M...

My Christmas card endeavor has been a colossal fail. 1) I don't have any pictures of me from the year 2012 with the exception of my lame school picture. 2) I didn't order enough cards, so I have been crossing people off the list which is also kind of lame. 3) I ran out of address labels, so I am using some (Halloween/Fall theme) that I received from a charity organization. 4) I don't really have an address book (not even on the computer... only phone... kinda), so I've already had to call, text, and/or e-mail several people for addresses. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?!

One of my feeds on GoogleReader is Free Technology for Teachers .  I love the resources I find on this site.  Today I used an Aesop's Fable site that I found looking at the site.  My find today was Word Mover which actually originated with NCTE . Blog #75 may be a bit weak, but... 1) I have ginormous headache. 2) I'm skipping book club tonight and feeling guilty. 3) I have Diet Pepsi to drink and Ibuprofen to take. 4) I actually made a poem as an example using Word Mover. 5) I kicked butt in the Fall Blog Challenge... bring it winter!

A couple of weeks ago I posted about using the Rams' overtime tie (= loss) as a teaching experience.  At least one student was listening.  Today he stopped my to tell me that the Rams' made their field goal (I knew this!) yesterday and won the game in overtime.  "They followed through and didn't lose," he said.   That's all I have today.  I don't really have anything to say, but I'm close to finishing my 75 posts.  At least I have one fall picture that I took at the beginning of the challenge and never used.  It counts!  Besides, yesterday I had a poem, a video, and pictures.  Yesterday should have counted as two. Yep, I got nothing!  I do need and appetizer for which I can buy ingredients and prepare in 45 minutes or less for Wednesday's book club, or something I can make tomorrow and take on Wednesday. DISCUSS.  LEAVE IDEAS AND RECIPES.  MAKE SOMETHING FOR ME, AND BRING IT TO MY WORK ON WEDNESDAY.  Thursday...

Lines Written in the Days of Growing Darkness by Mary Oliver Every year we have been witness to it; how the world descends into a rich mash, in order that it may resume. And therefore who would cry out to the petals on the ground to stay, knowing as we must, how the vivacity of what was is married to the vitality of what will be? I don't say it's easy, but what else will do if the love one claims to have for the world be true? So let us go on, cheerfully enough, this and every crisping day, though the sun be swinging east, and the ponds be cold and black, and the sweets of the year be doomed. Today is the beginning of Advent, and I post while I light the first candle of my advent wreath.  To begin advent, I attended yet another exquisite service at church.  Our Advent theme is "Holy Darkness, Holy Night," and we were invited to "open windows and doors that allow us to fly."  The pastor said that advent was more th...

Today was the day of my best birthday gift ever!  My friends came over and repotted all fifteen of my plants.  I sat and watched.  It was glorious, absolutely glorious.  Plus, homemade angel food cake was part of the deal.  When I was little, I would always have angel food cake because it was my favorite, so I was able to enjoy this little piece of heaven ("angel" food) as part of today's celebration.  Although I'm not really a fan of my birthday, a day like today makes me think about changing my birthday philosophy!  Thanks J and S... you rock! 

  Photo Card View the entire collection of cards. Typically I send out Christmas cards as a way of staying in touch with people.  This year I perused my pictures and realized I had no pictures of myself to add to the card.  I figured it would be a good year to stop the tradition of mailing cards to people. Today I received my first Christmas card and decided, "What the heck?!  Let's send out cards this year."  It's officially December and time to get into the holiday spirit.