Hair piece

The news of the day involves a certain loved one who is manifesting some kind of desire to return to a more primitive level by cutting his lovely locks in the shape worn by earlier residents of this continent, namely Mohawks. Permit me to express here my "hair piece".
Hair (its color, length, shape, texture) is an especially vivid expression of the "inner man", so to speak. Perhaps it's fitting that our crown should depict the thoughts (or lack thereof) which are occurring just below the surface to which those threads are attached. Consider the coifs you see on a daily basis. The "bed hair", the "hat hair", the various unnatural shades, the intentionally startled look, the unintentionally awakened look, the Elvis, the 'fro, even the slick smooth-shaven look. Each has its purpose, consciously or unconsciously, hefted onto the unsuspecting public by the wearer. We are subjected to wrath, apathy, vanity, and all kinds of poor taste just by entering a public place and being forced to look at all those heads out there! Some inspire awe and admiration, others pity or worse. Just check your reaction next time you see some really revolting hairstyle on a passerby. The viewer is left to wonder sometimes about the intent of the display.
The care with which one prepares his pate to enter the public arena reflects his personality to a degree. It tells a tale, whether the bearer intends it or not. Hair is a unique "appendage" in that it is so close to the face, it tells volumes about people without them even realizing it. The extent to which a person takes advantage of his/her assets and uses the hair as an appealing accessory indicates some forethought and planning.
My "piece" and my "peace" concludes with this thought: each person has opportunities to bring what God has given us to places where others can appreciate it, each of us can use our gifts for good or not, and each can make various impressions by the way in which we cut and style our hair. May the outward expression reflect what the inner man intends, and may it somehow benefit those who view it.

Time to Dive In!

I feel better now. I've been to my classroom for the last time this year. I put away all the peripherals of my 6 student computers, threw away lots of papers, cleared my desk, packed away LOTS of books and other equipment, grabbed some books to read over the summer to prepare for next year, and generally got the place in some kind of order. It could use a LOT more work, but I'm going to stop with this for now. There are other people to see and other things I can be doing for a few weeks here.
My summer plans include: spending time with Mom and Dad, reading a novel as well as some of my school books, enrolling in a Toastmasters class, hosting a celebration for Scott's graduation, celebrating my Dad's and my birthdays in some unique way, helping David on his AT hike in July, painting a few things around the house, straightening up a lot of things (AFTER Scott moves out), and just RESTING some...
The next big thing is getting to Memphis for graduation, then hosting the party on Saturday evening with family and friends at the local park pavilion. That will be fun. I've already ordered the cake and it will be fabulous. I'll try to post some pictures -- that's another one of my summer goals.
Things are looking up! David's knee is getting better after his cartilage repair, Scott is getting ready to start work and move out of here, Todd is working hard, being appreciative, and thinking about his future, and Mom and Dad are doing OK. Time marches on.
I feel like I am awakening from a long dream. I want to do so many things -- to do the things I can already do, but better; to try a few new things; to keep my life simple, but real. I'm not considering taking up any new hobbies, mind you. I just want to improve, to deepen my understanding of certain things. For example, I've always enjoyed speaking in front of people, but I have a certain friend (who resides in Russia) who had a great time at Toastmasters, so I hope to try that and get better at public speaking. I am also focusing this summer on the wonders of teaching reading -- what can I do to help the students I work with? how can I make it easier for them? what are some of the new "secrets" to unlocking this mysterious mental puzzle? I'm going to seek those out.
Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Gotta get some graduation presents in the mail to some people. Our house is ready for company, my classroom is ready for the summer work crew to wax, and my mind and heart are ready for new depths. Time to dive in to summer!

Nearly Done

Just 3 1/2 more days with students, then 1 1/2 of work, then I'm out for the summer!! I can't wait! I've got to turn in all the grades tomorrow, so I'm really supposed to be doing that right now...oh, well. I had fun chaperoning the 7th and 8th grade "Prom" last Friday night. The kids are so cute, just starting to realize that they look good in dresses and suits, just starting to look sideways at the opposite gender. The neat thing about the way people dance nowadays is that anyone can dance with anyone else, so no one gets embarrassed about being left out. Everyone was hopping. Several of us teachers even got into the act when the DJ put on some "oldies" like "R-E-S-P-E-C-T". We like that one.
It's fun to have Scott home these days, although I don't have much time to talk to him. He's busy buying a new house and doing things at church, and I'm busy finishing up the school year. He created a whole slide show for the Senior recognition banquet tonight. It's just really neat to have him around. Makes me miss Todd (more than I already did). Maybe he'll come in more.
They both gave me nice things for Mothers Day. David fixed lunch and I got to relax and visit with both of the boys AND with my Mom. That was so special for me!
Now we're getting ready for the big graduation ceremony in Memphis. This family is having lots of graduations this year! Three in May and one in August. And my brother-in-law in Texas graduated this month, too. Good times.
This time next week I won't have to hurry to bed, but for now, I do...

The Great Race

Today I ran 13.1 miles with my best friend in the Country Music Half Marathon. In spite of the pain, I'd have to say it was a very good experience. We left home about 5:20 a.m., parked near the finish line about 6 a.m., caught a shuttle to the start line, stopped at an indoor facility, found some free coffee (about 1/4 cup) and cookies, made our way to the start line, waited only five minutes, and got started a little after 7 a.m.
The weather was perfect for a run: low 60's and overcast. It was raining when we left home and as the race began, but it was light and sporadic. There was some mud and a few puddles in the streets. I had a Clif bar on the way and no caffeine until the coffee sample. At mile 6 I ate one Gu and another one at mile 9. I ran slowly with my buddy the first 4 1/2 miles, then jogged and walked the rest of the course. I'd intended to walk the whole thing, and thought I'd be lucky to finish in less than four hours. With him egging me on, we both finished in three hours, eleven minutes! If I'd started where the race planners had put me, I'd have started an hour after the first runners started. However, my "running coach" had permission to stand in the 2nd corral, so I stood up there with him, thus getting almost an hour head start.
I got a whole different perspective of the race than I've had in the past. I got to see the front runners and a lot more spectators than I saw in 2004 and 2007. My legs are hurting now because I'm out of practice running, but the actual run was not that hard -- except for when my knee hurt or quads were aching. I think a couple of days of rest will help a lot. I'm really pretty excited that I was able to finish that quickly. It was inspirational to be with the runners rather than the walkers. I saw more young, energetic folks actually moving on. Although I was one of the slowest ones, I put forth more effort because I was surrounded by them.
When we finished, they gave us a medal and lots of food. I limped to the car and had to do some stretches, but I will always remember the day that my finely tuned athlete could not run and decided to walk with me. You see, the only reason he was beside me is because the doctor told him that he has some torn cartilage in his knee and he should run slowly today. It was his first time to do the Half instead of the whole Marathon. He was seeing different scenery than he usually sees at this race, too, because he's usually finished in half that time and usually goes twice that far. He barely broke a sweat. Because he naturally goes a lot faster than me, this is probably the only time that I'll ever get to do a race with him by my side. I tried extra hard to go as fast as possible, and I'm really inspired to know that my body can do that without training. It makes me want to train some and do it right next time.

Test-Weary

Three of four days of standardized testing are completed. One more to go on Monday. The stress level is tremendous, and the relaxation afterward will be quite welcome. Day One, on Tuesday, was an ordeal of two parts of the Reading section, 1 hour and 45 minutes each. We didn't have lunch until nearly 2 p.m. I forgot to drink any water from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., so I was truly exhausted by then! It took a while to catch up. I don't remember being this worn out by the test before, but then the stakes have risen each year.
The dreaded nclb monster, otherwise known as No Teacher Left Standing, latches onto your leg and pulls you sideways until you feel helplessly dragged from reality. Reality is a room full of hopeful faces, newly arrived from more than twenty countries. Reality is people who work extra hard and study hours on end to make it in this confusing country. Reality is knowing that they can read material at a first or second grade level and comprehend things that they have studied before. Then, you're standing over them with a thick booklet of questions in a strange language and demanding 1) that they be quiet while they search page after page of text for meaning, 2) that they make circles on a page, clear and dark, without any stray marks, to indicate their understanding of that text, and 3) that they finish quickly. You who have been their supportive, welcoming, smiling counselor through times of adjustment to this land of contrasts, are now a fire-breathing dragon who snaps and growls, continually presenting that crazy booklet and the corresponding circle-covered answer sheet. To what end? To help that child? To further his or her education? Not really. To keep your school from being taken over by the state. To prevent the retired teachers, otherwise known in this state as exemplary educators, from appearing daily on your hallway. To maintain funding. To satisfy some lawmaker somewhere.
And so, in a "catch-22", surreal way you give the test to people who don't understand the test so that those who interpret the test can be sure that you've given the test, the whole test, and nothing but the test, to anyone within range. You measure what they know by asking them questions in a language they don't know and then those who've measured tell the state that this teacher hasn't taught these students anything. What a concept!
It's enough to make a person want to laugh uncontrollably, just to keep from crying. What's really hilarious this year is that I get to "explain" the process to my co-worker, a new teacher whose never been through this lunacy before! We just roll our eyes and keep on going. Just another day spending your tax dollars! Ha! Ha! Ha!
And pretty soon these test takers will be out there, fixing your food, mowing your grass, driving cars and trucks around you, doing all kinds of things. They are very capable and bright, and THEY are the reason I keep going to the school building every day, NOT those funny people up in those offices who create the test, legislate who takes it, read the results, and then decide what kind of teacher I am (or my colleagues are) based on the results.
What's really amazing is that sometimes these kids DO make really good scores. In spite of the odds. And, in the long run, I'm glad they get the opportunity to show what they know. It's just tiring and seems to be pointless. Maybe it serves some purpose. It's hard to tell from here.

Stayin' Alive

Yes, I AM still here. Sorry to be silent for so long.
I still share this humble abode with a wonderful, finely-tuned athlete and a sneaky, gray striped cat who must be about 18 years old.
We ride in to work together every day, the athlete and I, and listen to talk radio about whatever sport is going on that week. We watch the seasons change and observe the traffic patterns to learn about these strange creatures who spend their lives going back and forth to make enough money to live in these big houses that they rarely see in the daylight.
Sometimes, I get to spend a few delightful moments with my aging parents in their mansion over on Hilltop. They keep on eating right and laughing about the things they can't remember and having fun with the "Reaching the Top" gang. It's great to have them nearby.
And our offspring never cease to amaze us. One will be living here again soon; the other calls occasionally and comes through when he can. They are both amazing men in their own right, living out their individual American dreams.
Just this week we've learned that we will have another great-niece or -nephew by Christmas! One on his side in October, on my side in December! Each of those by our eldest nephew. What will this mean for the future of our generations?!? When we first met, it was one week after the birth of his nephew. My first nephew was only a few months old at the time. It seems to have some sort of "ripple effect"! Within a few months we were married, and within another year and a half we had the next grandchild on both sides.
Maybe history will repeat itself...
For now, we are thrilled with the simple pleasures of a blossoming spring as our lawn awakens, our peach trees bloom, the daffodils unfurl, and we move closer to new beginnings in certain phases of our lives.
Hope all is well with you and yours. (Hope no one needs CPR when they see that I've finally updated this blog!!)
Happy Spring! Happy New Beginnings to All!

"We're off and runny" -- Gpa

So much is happening, can't sit down and tell you about all of it, so here's a brief recap. We went to California and my honey qualified for the big race in April in Beantown. Something he's ALWAYS wanted to do. I'm so proud of him. During that trip west, we visited several scenic points and left our hearts in a famous city, above the blue and windy sea. I do love driving around there just as the sun rises, watching the city wake up from Telegraph Hill. Such a great place!
Then came Christmas in the mountains with all the cousins, in-laws and outlaws. It was a beautiful cabin and most everyone had their own bedroom. It was a treat for me to have my folks and his folks all in one place, to watch the snow gently sifting down, to drink lots of decaf and watch movies together, to open handmade stockings (thank you, Aunt Rose!), and to catch up on news. We had a big time commemorating Gma's 76th birthday.
Back at home, there was Scott's 25th birthday (a quiet celebration at home) and New Years Eve (likewise). A few days of doing things around this tiny hamlet, and then it was back to the "rat race" in the big city.
Someone near and dear took a tumble, though, and ended up in the hospital with a broken pelvis. The genteel lady that she is, Gma is recovering in grand style, surrounded by Get Well cards, flowers, great food, and loving friends and family. It may take a while, but she is patient and faces the challenge with plenty of hope. We were able to spend a couple of days up there, helping out with chores and visiting.
Today was a welcome breath-catching time to clean and organize a closet and go through a lot of old photos. Also sang at a funeral, had a massage (one of my Christmas presents), and visited with my folks some more.
Thus, whether we think about it or not, another year has begun. I have a lot of hopes and dreams for this to be another great year personally, but it remains a frustrating one professionally. "Finding balance" is my theme. Being in the middle, that is a constant quest. No matter! Life is coming at us, so let's just run with it.