Written Words

September 13, 2012

One of the great memories of my childhood was opening the mailbox to find a letter from my grandmother. Even better was a letter from her that was addressed to ME.  I knew her handwriting before I could read the words.  Most of us remember learning to print and then the excitement and terror of learning to write in cursive.  We were all taught the basics of the curves and loops and lines and connectors, all of us trying to make our letters look like the models on the board or the paper.   Even as we struggled with trying to make each letter perfect, our personalities and quirks began to come through in our writing and we each developed our own style.
The onset of the digital world has caused the demise of this particular art form, as keyboards replace pens and pencils.  Most of the students I have now have never been taught cursive writing and struggle to read it.  Do I think we should go back to a time when everything was handwritten and we didn't have access to the many wonders of the digital world?  Of course not.  But, I do find it sad that such a beautiful and personal way of expression may someday be a thing of the past.

The Morning After

September 12, 2012

The day after...the sun came up, the flags dropped to half staff and we began our new normal.  The nation was in shock.  Did this really happen or was it a shared nightmare?  The answer?  Yes, it really happened and we were living in a shared nightmare.  The frantic search for survivors continued, the tears flowed, travel came to a standstill, and the world watched us stumble, then catch each other and stand back up.  We mourned, cried, prayed, sang, held each other up, and began to rise again, determined that terrorists would not bring us to our knees.  People from all over the world prayed and cried with us, and sent us messages of sympathy, hope, and encouragement, and offers of help.  We learned of a man named Osama Bin Laden, of whom many of us had never heard, and of his plans - how he used our own willingness to welcome non-Americans against us.
The day after...our world had changed forever.

9/11

September 11, 2012

This picture is from June of 1996 - who knew that capturing the towers in the background would be important only a few years later.
My 9/11 story is not particularly exciting or unique or memorable.  On that morning I was at school teaching Math to 7th graders and knew nothing of what was happening until after both towers had been hit.  I walked through the teacher's lounge and glanced at the television to see smoke billowing out of the towers; I stopped to see what was happening and was stunned upon hearing the basics of the story.  At that point I went back to my classroom, got my phone, and went outside to start calling family members since I wanted to make sure I knew where everyone was (particularly Mom who had been traveling off and on for several months and had mentioned going to New York City).  It took a while, but I finally got through to everyone.  When I got home that afternoon I turned on the tv and just sat and watched...and watched and watched.  I couldn't take my eyes off of it for days.  On Thursday we knew that Tropical Storm Gabrielle was headed our way and she hit us head on Friday.  It was a relief when the power went out because then I couldn't watch tv any more.
There's no real reason for this (I had no personal connection to anyone in New York, Pennsylvania, or DC), but I was a mess for months.  I found myself crying for no reason, snapping at people who didn't deserve it, and my poor sleeping habits got even worse.
However, I found such inspiration in the heroism and patriotism surrounding that day and the days, weeks, and months that followed.  Heroism in the form of the First Responders, the coworkers, the members of the church that survived and became a sanctuary for the weary and the mourning and the rescue workers, and people from all over the world who banded together to help in any way they could.  The way we banded together as a country was beautiful.  People from all walks of life worked together, prayed together, and held each other up in this time of crisis.  I have always loved this country and the way we came together gave me such hope.
Always remember.  Never forget.  Love one another.  Help each other.  Hold each other up.

Back Home Again in Indiana

May 27, 2012
Today is a sad day for me as I am sitting at home in Florida watching the Indianapolis 500 on TV instead of sitting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway watching the race in person.  I have watched this race my entire life as Speedway is my mom's hometown and my dad has always been a race fan (my theory is that if he had been given the opportunity, he could have been a pretty successful driver).  My grandparents house was a mile or so from the track, mom now lives across from the track, and we have family and good friends all over the area.  When I was in 4th grade we spent several weeks in May with my grandparents.  Strangely enough I had never been to the race itself until about 10 years ago.  It has become an annual pilgrimage that is not as much about the race as it is about spending the weekend with family and friends, walking up and down Georgetown, relaxing, and having fun.  Of course, attending the race is part of the fun and is hard to describe to someone who hasn't been to it.  The energy of the crowd of several hundred thousand, the festivities prior to the race, the parade of members of the Armed Forces riding around the track waving to the crowd, the whine of the cars, and so much more add to the excitement.  It truly is the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!   Our plan is to be back there next year.

Coasters

May 26, 2012

Yesterday at Legoland I went on all four of the roller coasters with Catherine.  That may not seem like a big deal, but for me it's HUGE.  Roller coasters scare me.  I really dislike the feeling of going downhill quickly and all that twisting and turning makes me feel like I'm going to go flying off into space and then crash into the ground.  The four coasters at Legoland are geared more toward children, which makes them just about my speed!

Excellent Adventures

May 25, 2012

We like to go on adventures.  Today's adventure took us to Legoland.  Yes, three adult children wandering around Legoland - Wayne, Catherine, and myself.  It was a lot of fun - pretty low key, lots of lego creations to see (including this WELCOME sign), a few rides, a very hokey but fun ski show, and part of the original Cypress Gardens.  The MiniLand, where places such as Times Square, Kennedy Space Center, part of Las Vegas, and Daytona Speedway have been recreated in Legos, was quite interesting.  All in all, an excellent adventure!

Road Trip

May 24, 2012

During the summer of 1997 (or maybe 1998), Daddy was racing the AHRMA circuit on his vintage Penton that he had rebuilt.  One of the races was at Mid Ohio Raceway.  He invited me to go along on a quick trip for that race.  We took off from Savannah, GA late one afternoon and drove all night, arriving at Mid Ohio in the morning.  Daddy registered, we looked around at the vendors, and then found a hotel to get some sleep.  The next morning we were at the track for his races, spending the day there.  At one point a woman came up to me and asked if I wanted to register to race as they needed another woman in the event.  She made sure I knew that if I raced I would get a trophy no matter what since they were giving trophies to the top three in each category and there would be only three women!  I didn't race but I sure was tempted!!  Daddy placed well in his races.  We got up before daylight the next morning and headed to Orlando, arriving that night.
It was a very quick trip but so much fun!  We talked and laughed and just generally enjoyed spending the time together.

The Magic Bean

May 23, 2012

Another of the fun sights from our Chicago trip 4 years ago was this bean-shaped mirror ball in Millenium Park.  It was fascinating and drew quite a crowd.  You can see yourself reflected in it from quite a distance away.

Racing

May 22, 2012

In June, Wayne and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary.  The first Christmas we were married, I gave Wayne the gift of driving an Indy car.  After looking at all of the choices of tracks and the possible dates the following summer, he settled on Chicagoland Speedway the week of our first anniversary.  So, we spent a week in Chicago sightseeing, attending a Cubs vs White Sox game at Wrigley, and Wayne got to go to driving school and drive this car!  Yes, this is really a picture of him driving the car.  It was worth the whole trip to see the look on his face when he got out of the car!

Cookie Cutter Teachers

May 21, 2012

Through thirteen years of public school (Kindergarten through 12th grade), four years of college for an undergraduate degree, several years of working toward (and obtaining) a Master's degree, four courses granting me a certificate to teach gifted students, countless professional development courses, and twenty-eight years of teaching beside hundreds of other teachers I have seen just about every type of teacher there could possibly be.  Each one of them taught me something, and I think the most important lesson I learned is how to get along with many different types of people and how to do things many different ways.  I had teachers who taught through lectures, discussions, outlines, notes, small group work, whole-class instruction, one-on-one instruction, and hands-on activities.  Some of them had classrooms with tables and some with desks.  We sat in rows, in small groups, at tables of two or three or four, and in large circles.  Some teachers were approachable and some were not.  Some teachers cracked jokes and some did not.  I learned from every one of them.
There is a movement afoot to create what I call "cookie cutter teachers".  We are all supposed to teach the same lesson on the same day in the same way with our rooms set up in small groups.  Each lesson must have a "productive group work" component and all "whole group instruction" is seen as an example of poor teaching.  Please don't misunderstand - I don't think working in small groups is always bad.   I just don't think it is the be-all-and-end-all of teaching methods.  Nor do I think it is the best method for all teachers or for all students.  I know teachers who use it successfully.  I also know teachers for whom it is not an effective tool.
My contention is that teachers should not all be the same.  If we all teach exactly the same way, how will children learn to adapt and get along in a variety of situations with many different kinds of people?

Romance

May 20, 2012

Candles and crystal, champagne and strawberries, moonlight and roses...all of these are common symbols of traditional romance.  I have nothing against any of these and, indeed, enjoy all of them.  They're all beautiful ways of showing love and creating an atmosphere of romance.  When I was younger, I thought these were the best ways of showing love, and I was often disappointed.  I have found over the years that love and romance take on many forms, and all are significant and fill my heart.  Some of the best of the last few years are the assurance that Wayne will be here at the end of the day and will love me no matter how good or bad the day was, flowers "just because", Wayne fixing poached eggs three nights in a row because I was sick and that's all that tasted good, a walk on the beach, holding hands, knowing I'm not expected to be perfect, spending the evening just being together, and Saturday mornings eating breakfast together and reading the paper to each other.  Oh, and candles and crystal, champagne and strawberries, moonlight and roses...

Armed Forces Day

May 19, 2012

Happy Armed Forces Day!  Today we celebrate all who are a part of our Armed Forces and all that they do.  What DO they do?  Members of our Armed Forces keep us safe, preserve our rights (even our right to protest against them, which upsets me more than I can say), put themselves in harm's way, leave their families to protect the rest of us, and try to help people in countries that often don't want their help.  This is a picture of my dad, Frank L. Walls, and he is one of my heroes.  Thank you to all who have served.

Reading

May 18, 2012

Catherine is a reader.  She has loved books since long before she could read (truly, since before she could walk!).  There have been books in her life since she was born...we gave her books for every occasion and read to her at every opportunity.  As a toddler she would bring us books to read to her.  As she grew older, she would "read" them to us.  One of my fondest memories is of Catherine climbing into Great-Grandma Susie's lap  with a book and proceeding to "read" the book to her great-grandmother since her eyesight prevented her from reading to Catherine.  To Catherine, it wasn't a problem - it didn't matter to her who did the reading as long as there was reading!

Why?

May 17, 2012

Our Tech Magician (well, I think he's a magician since he manages to fix anything I break) sent this picture to us.  My understanding is that a student did this to one of the laptops available for student use.  I truly don't get it.  Why do a few students find the need to destroy equipment, which ruins the opportunity to use it for other students.  Sad.  Stupid.  Criminal.

Storm Clouds

May 16, 2012

On the way home from school today I was surrounded by storm clouds.  When I see clouds like these, I have a desire to be out in an open space where I can take picture after picture of them.  I could feel and smell the rain in them, and a couple of hours after getting home and settling in for the evening, these clouds unloaded their cargo!  It rained hard for quite a while; the only thing that would have made it more glorious would have been the addition of thunder and lightning.  We'll have plenty of that during the summer months, though!

Godparents

May 15, 2012

These are two of Catherine's Godparents: Berry and Clayton Penhallegon.  Before Catherine was born, we had great discussion about her Godparents.  We were unable to narrow the list down, so she has four Godmothers and two Godfathers.  In addition to Berry and Clayton are Maria Williams, Sarah Griffin, Sonia Sullivan Clifton, and Cole Sullivan.  All of them have been an integral part of Catherine's life.  All of them have guided and supported her in all of her endeavors and have loved her unconditionally since before she was born.

Mother's Day

May 14, 2012

Yesterday was Mothers' Day, but Catherine's graduation took precedence!

I have mixed feelings about this day.  Don't misunderstand; I think it's great that we have a day to celebrate mothers.  However, the commercialism of the day and the Let's Make Everyone Feel Guilty and Inadequate nature of the media make it a day of obligation instead of a day of celebration.   I've always disliked the "you better get Mom flowers, take her out to eat, buy her lots of gifts-just-for-the-sake-of-getting-her-a-gift" idea of this day.  The price of flowers is always jacked up for this day, the restaurants are packed and noisy and falsely happy, and gifts are, to me, often uncomfortable.  Over the past 22 years there are several Mother's Days that stand out in my mind as particularly beautiful.  This year was one of those, as I got to spend the day with my Mom and with Catherine, while celebrating Catherine's commencement from Sewanee and her entrance into the "adult" world (and I got this nifty mug that I absolutely LOVE).  Two years ago I was feeling a little down as the weekend approached.  However, it turned out to be one of the best MD celebrations because Catherine surprised me by coming home for the weekend and staying until Monday.  My choice of celebrations for that Sunday was to take a picnic and go to the beach for sunset with Catherine and Wayne.  Another year Catherine came to me with a "menu" of choices for my breakfast in bed, which she fixed and then crawled into bed to eat it with me.   One year, when we lived in Savannah, my request was for an ugly tree in the front yard to be dug up and replaced with a Maple tree, which Steve and Catherine did!  There have been many memorable celebrations, but those are the highlights.
The greatest gift I ever got for Mother's Day was the year I got Catherine two months before the day we celebrate mothers.

Commencement at Sewanee

May 13, 2012

It has been pointed out to me that one day last week I used a picture that I had already used once, so today gets two pictures!
Today was a double-whammy celebration - Catherine's long-anticipated graduation from college and Mothers' Day.
When we got up this morning, it was raining and quite windy.  So, we dug out the umbrellas, donned sweaters and jackets and headed out the door to stand in line outside All Saints Chapel.  We stood in the rain with several hundred other people until the doors were opened.  Everyone was relaxed and friendly, even standing in the rain, and a group of Sewanee students walked down the line with trays of coffee for anyone who wanted it.
The service started with the University trustees, faculty, and 341 members of the graduating class of 2012 processing to "For All the Saints".  There was a Salutatory in Latin and the Valedictory Address, followed by the reading of Awards and Prizes (55 awards/prizes, of which 3 were awarded to Catherine), and then the students filed out of the chapel in order to come back in as their individual names were announced and receive their diplomas.  Vice-Chancellor John McCardell spoke to the class of 2012, charging them, among other things, to go forth and love one another - both "because" and "despite", and to both remember and hope, to take pride and to show humility.  He then gave them a charge in Latin, as is traditional at Sewanee, the translation of which is "Chosen and now honored youths, see to it that you bear yourselves with uprightness and integrity, to the glory of God, to the honor of the state, and to the good name of this University.  Farewell, and my God bless you."  This was followed by the Alma Mater, University Prayer and Blessing, and the procession of the faculty and the graduates to the singing of the hymn tune "Austria" with words written by Thomas Frank Gailor.
It was a beautiful service, full of tradition and meaning, just as so much of life at Sewanee is steeped in tradition, and made me think once again that I would love to go live there and be a student.
There were so many feelings as I sat there:  a heart full of love and pride for Catherine, awe at the music and ceremony and tradition, and a combination of sadness and joy that Catherine has come to this place in her life.
After the service there was a picnic lunch - since it was still raining, the tables were set up inside several of the buildings.  We went back into the chapel for pictures and then off to a grad party for one of Catherine's friends.  Before we left the chapel I went in search of The Rev'd. Annwn Myers to thank her.  Four years ago when we were getting ready to leave Catherine at Sewanee I walked by Annwn's office in tears.  She stopped me, pulled me into her office, and hugged me, asking if I was OK.  At the time I told her I wasn't but that I would be because I knew Catherine was in the right place.  Today, when I thanked her for her kindness that day, she told me she remembered it and she and I both cried again.  That kind of love and compassion is one of the reasons Sewanee has been such a beautiful experience for all of us for the past four years.  Sewanee is an institution of higher learning, yes, but it is so much more.

Baccalaureate at Sewanee

May 12, 2012

Here we all are (Catherine's Entourage) after the Baccalaureate service at Sewanee.  It was a beautiful service. The speaker was former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III.  His message to the class of 2012 was for them to be rebels in their chosen fields.  He cited Jesus and our American Heritage as examples of revolutionary thinking being a part of our "genetic code".  His message was one of hope and encouragement, and challenged the graduates to take action.  I found the message to be inspiring and full of passion, patriotism, and the reality of our Christian heritage.  Mr. Baker's message was relevant to all of us who were listening.

Short Road

May 11, 2012

This is Catherine's home for the next year.  It's a great space:  3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a galley kitchen with an amazing amount of cabinet space and a breakfast nook, laundry room with a washer and dryer,  bonus room, living room/dining room combo, and a cute little deck with a grill!  Right now the inside is a jumble of boxes with a few pieces of furniture, but Catherine has great plans and is excited about the possibilities.
My first apartment was shared with a roommate and was smaller than this, but I was just as excited about having a space to call my own that wasn't a dorm!

It's Almost Time

May 10, 2012

Today we arrived at Sewanee, where we'll be for the next several days.  Today and tomorrow are dedicated to helping Catherine pack up her room and get everything moved to her rental house.  Saturday and Sunday will be Baccalaureate and Commencement.  Monday we will finish up whatever packing hasn't been completed and then head for home.  It promises to be a busy, exciting, stressful, and emotional time.

Staff Appreciation

May 9, 2012

This is Teacher Appreciation Week (which at McIntosh Middle School and many other schools) has been renamed Staff Appreciation Week.  So, we've been fed lunch twice and breakfast once, which is always nice.  It's nice to be appreciated.  In all the years I've taught, the times I  have felt the most appreciated have been when I've been visited by or have received notes from former students and they've told me what they're doing, how they're being successful, and how something I did made a difference for them.  Those times make a huge difference to a teacher.  As a student, I know I didn't do that enough.  There were many teachers in my life who made a difference for me.  Teachers who helped me to become the person I am today.  I am thankful for the many different teachers who spent time making sure I had the right skills, encouragement, and tough love that shaped my knowledge and character.

Four Years?

May 8, 2012

In August of 2008, we left Bradenton after school one day with a loaded rental van and drove through the back end of a hurricane to take Catherine's belongings to Sewanee, Tennessee in order to move her into her dorm.  It was a wild ride and an emotional weekend.  I knew she was where she needed to be and that the next four years would be good for her, but I was struggling with her being so very far away.   Over those four years I have seen her struggle, triumph, and grow in so many ways.  Today, we got an email from Catherine informing us that she had finished her last paper and was now finished.  On Sunday, we'll be there to witness her graduation.  I'm a very proud Mama!

SuperMoon

May 7, 2012

This is the second time in the past year that we've had a "SuperMoon", a moon that appears 14% brighter than the usual full moon.  It was absolutely gorgeous; bright and very clear.  I was disappointed in the pictures I took.  This is one of the areas of photography where I need some instruction.  One of these days I want to take some classes so I can work on this type of photography.  But, photography fail aside, it was a beautiful moon and I enjoyed looking at it.

Reflection

May 6, 2012

During worship today, inspired by a portion of the sermon, I began thinking about the different ministries in which I have been involved at different times in my life, and reflecting on what my ministry(ies) is(are) at the current time.  That evolved into thoughts of whether or not I am actually serving in the capacity that God intends for me to be.  Is it time to let go of something?  Is it time to take on something new?  Is it time to step out of my comfort zone in my quest to follow Jesus in His direction rather than my own?  I didn't come to any conclusions, which is probably good since I think it is time to pray and listen before deciding.

Shopping in the Age of Technology

May 5, 2012

I will probably have my "girl card" revoked for saying this, but I'm a terrible shopper, especially if I have to go alone.  I'm never sure that what I'm trying on really looks right.  So, I decided that today I was going to take Catherine along with me while I shopped.  Keep in mind that she's 10 hours away from me.  I picked out a couple of pairs of shoes and then used my phone to send pictures to ask her which ones I should get - pictures of the shoes themselves and then pictures of the mirror image of each shoe on my foot!  It worked out well, but it definitely wasn't as much fun as having her with me!  However, for now, it was a shopping win using technology.

A Place to Belong

May 4, 2012

From the time I was in 2nd grade until I graduated from high school, I played softball - a couple of years I played on two teams at the same time.  It was part of who I was, and one of the groups that gave me a place to belong; a place where I felt comfortable.  It taught me teamwork, cooperation, leadership, and patience.  Every year I looked forward to the beginning of the season - the sore muscles, the excitement of a new season, the smell of grass and dirt and leather and bubble gum, and the satisfying "thunk" of hitting the sweet spot on the bat (yes, "thunk", because a good wood bat beat an aluminum one any day in my book).  I was never the best player on the field - I was slow and didn't have a great deal of power  - but I loved playing and I worked at it, and I had a decent arm.  My first few seasons I played the outfield, mostly right and center.  Due to a rough practice field one year, I developed a few of grounders (too many of them hit a rough spot and popped me in the face) so the coach decided to cure me of my fear by putting me at catcher.  I fell in love with the position and, except for an occasional stint at 1st base, stayed there for the next 8 or so seasons (and my knees know it now!).  I played Little League, for Lockhart Jr. High, and for Edgewater High School.  Many of us on the LJHS and EHS teams started playing together way back in 2nd grade, and some of us are still friends today.  The only real drawback to going to Troy State for college was that there was no softball team until the end of my last year, so, sadly,  my career ended when I graduated from high school.  

The Simple Things

May 3, 2012

Once in awhile, when life just seems to be too complicated and overwhelming, I try to find time to be thankful for the things that truly make me happy.  When I look at the list, I find that the things that make me happiest are the simplest ones.  My ever-growing list includes balloons, flowers (of all colors and varieties), a good book, spending time with Wayne and Catherine, the first sip of coffee, rain, sunsets and sunrises, rainbows, singing, comfortable jeans, a baby in my arms, hugs, and laughter with friends.

Runaway Truck Lane

May 2, 2012

On the way down the mountain from Monteagle, TN, there are several of these runaway truck lanes.  As I was watching a multitude of  trucks creep down the mountain roads, several thoughts ran through my head.  One is that running downhill is always scary and can get out of control quickly!  The other is that there are times throughout every year that make me feel like I need a runaway Terri lane.  When I get in the middle of doing four or five things and know that there are four or five more that are approaching quickly and I don't know how I'm going to get it all done I begin to feel as if I am running down a hill, going faster and faster with no brakes, and I know I can't stop until I crash!  With any luck, there's a soft landing and not a wall I'm going to hit.

Once Again

May 1, 2012

And, she did it again.  Tonight was the concert of the two A Cappella groups of which Catherine is President and Director.  She chose the music, arranged some of the pieces, held auditions for the groups, held rehearsals,   arranged for the venue, set up the catering for the reception afterwards, and tonight she directed them in a great concert.  Oh, and she sang a solo that was fabulous!  There were well over a hundred people in attendance.   The whole evening was impressive and I'm very proud of this grown up who will always be my little girl!

And the point of this is...

April 30, 2012

I used this sign as inspiration a couple of days ago.  This morning as I drove by it, it didn't look quite the same as it did on that day.  Vandalism is something I simply do not understand.  It shows a complete lack of regard for other people and their property, and is such a senseless thing.  How, exactly, is it fun to destroy something? I wonder if this was an act of disagreeing with the sentiment, being angry at the business to whom this sign belongs, being angry at someone else and taking it out on this sign, or someone just out having "fun".  Whatever brought this about, it makes no sense to me.

Love, Second Time Around

April 29, 2012

Today was a special day, as Frankie and Paul celebrated the beginning of their new life together.  Each of them had gone through a period of sorrow and loneliness until, out of the blue, they found each other.   Today's celebration was a blending of two families and friends and there was plenty of hugging, kissing, and laughter, mixed with happy tears and an abundance of food and drink.  Frankie said, "I'm so happy I don't know what to do!".  Enjoy, my friend, enjoy.

Firsts and Lasts

April 28, 2012

This is my beautiful niece, Natalie.  Natalie is the baby of our family, and this is her Senior year of high school.  It's been her year of "lasts", and tonight is her Senior Prom.  It's so easy to still see her as the littlest one:  the one the others sent to ask for snacks because they thought she had a better chance of a "yes" response, the one who decided at about age 3 what her "style" was and what she would and would not wear, the one who carried snacks in her play purse just in case she needed them.  Natalie is our artsy creative one with an eye for beauty and design, and, like the other two, an excellent student.  She will be a Gator beginning this summer.
In the summer of 1989, my sister, Diana, and I began our adventure of firsts and lasts when I became pregnant with Catherine.  Two years later Diana was pregnant with Robert, and two years later Natalie made her appearance.  First teeth, steps, words, days of preschool, kindergarten, loves and heartbreaks, music lessons, sports, school dances, Honor Society, college applications and acceptance letters.   Two years apart we've seen three different first days of Middle School, three first days of High School, and, soon, the third first day of College.  And, the lasts...the last soccer game, the last band/chorus performance, the last Prom, and the last graduation.  It feels sad, until the realization sets in that it's the start of a whole new set of firsts...college graduations, jobs, houses, weddings, grandchildren, and so much more.
So, here's to firsts and lasts.  And beautiful sons, daughters, nieces,and nephews.

Interested?

April 27, 2012

Love.  We all want it, and most of us want to give it.  But, we also have a tendency to take it for granted and begin to neglect it.  Love takes work and attention in order to thrive.  In order for a relationship to survive, the love that was there in the beginning needs to be nurtured and fed.  How many of us, after a period of time in a relationship, stop doing the little things that made it special in the beginning?  We begin to believe that the love will always be there and we stop paying attention to the details...the listening, the positive comments, the expressions of appreciation and gratitude, the flowers or cards for no reason other than "because", and all those other things that happen in the beginning of a relationship and then begin to fade away.
Express your love - verbally and non-verbally - as often as you can, and keep that love alive.

A Fresh Start

April 26, 2012

As Eddie Rabbit sang, "I Love A Rainy Night". I also love a rainy day. It's a comforting sound to be safe and sound inside my house and listen to the rain fall.  I especially like waking up in the night or early in the morning and hearing the rumble of thunder, the rush of wind, and the splatter of raindrops while I'm snuggled under the covers.  And, then there comes the fresh beauty of the world when the sun breaks through the clouds and shines on the rain-soaked flowers, trees, and grass.  The raindrops sparkle and shine as if to say, "Hello, there, Sun, it's a brand new day!".

Mine, Mine, Mine...

April 25, 2012

Whenever I am at the beach I find myself watching the seagulls and taking an abundance of pictures of them.  On our most recent evening at the beach, the seagulls were particularly plentiful and quite vocal.   They were raucous and seemed almost frantic.  My take on it is that it was mating time.  They appeared to be chasing each other and doing quite a bit of standing in groups and crying out.

Light

April 24, 2012

This picture shows a beautiful contrast of light and shadow.  As I take pictures, I find that I look for interesting light patterns, shadows, contrast, reflections, and silhouettes. Those add so much interest to a picture.  Many of my pictures are taken in the same place, but no two look exactly alike because of the differences in the light and shadow.  Quite a few years ago Catherine and I spent two days at the Grand Canyon.  While there we took advantage of two tours - one at sunrise and one at sunset.  I was fascinated at how I could look at the same section of the Grand Canyon for 15 minutes and see what appeared to be many different places, all because of the way the light shined on it.
Another favorite is sunrise at the beach.  It's eerie in the dark.  Then the first few rays of light appear, full of hope and promise for the day.  Then more and more light shines until there is full sunlight.  It's beautiful and different each time.  A true gift.

Look Out For That...TREE

April 23, 2012

This looks like an adventure waiting to happen!   Or, in some cases, an accident waiting to happen.  A tree with a homemade ladder, and a rope hanging from the other side looks like a childhood dream.  A place to climb and swing away.  A spot to sit and think or dream or read.

Just Sittin' and Rockin'

April 22, 2012

One of my dreams for the future is to have a house with a big porch on which I can have several comfortable rocking chairs.  There's nothing quite so pleasant as sitting in a rocking chair with a cup of coffee or tea and a book early in the morning.  Or, an evening spent with friends enjoying a glass of wine while we sit and rock and share our lives.  Someday...

My Little Songbird

April 21, 2012

Tonight was Catherine's Senior Voice Recital for her degree in Music.  It.  Was.  Amazing.  I've been listening to Catherine sing since before she had words, as she made singing sounds as a baby.  She made up songs as she played and made up words to tunes she had only heard once.  As we drove down the road running errands or taking trips, Catherine would sing about the things she saw along the way.  In Elementary school she wrote an abundance of songs and performed them for me.  In Middle School she continued writing songs and performing them.  Two of those performances were particularly memorable.  The first was when she and a friend performed one of her songs at the school talent show.  The second was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  Catherine wrote a song after September 11.  On the year anniversary of 9/11, Catherine and her friend sang this song A Cappella in the gym in front of the entire student body, faculty, staff, and guests.  The poise she displayed humbled me.  There were numerous performances throughout high school and college, all of which I sat through with a goofy grin on my face.
I was so proud of Catherine tonight.  I laughed.  I cried.  I did the goofy Mom grin.  And she sang.  And sang.  And sang some more.  My hope for her is that she'll always have a song in her heart and on her lips.

Rest Stop

April 20, 2012

Over the past four years we have made many trips from Bradenton  to Sewanee.  We've learned that if we leave right after work, we can usually get about halfway before we have to stop for the night (if we leave early in the morning we can go the whole way).  Halfway is Tifton, GA and we have often stopped at the Hampton Inn there.  However, that one very popular so we've also become frequent flyers at the Hampton in Adel and, occasionally, have gone as far as Cordele.  Always the Hampton Inn, though.  They're friendly, the rooms are always big, they have the most comfortable beds, and the free breakfast is great!  Yeah, I sound like a commercial, but personal recommendation is the best!

Growing up Fast

April 19, 2012

In just a few short weeks, the tiny little fuzzy chicks have become children well on their way to teenagers and then adults.  As I was watching them this morning, I wondered if the parents have the same feelings human parents do (in a much shorter time span).  Feelings of love, fear of bad things happening to our "chicks", indulgence as they do the crazy things they have to do in order to learn what is and isn't acceptable, pride in their accomplishments, joy in their cuddles, a mixture of gladness and sadness as they leave the nest, and all the other feelings we know so well.

Are We Done Yet?

April 18, 2012

When you get to the STOP sign, you have come to end of this session.  Finally, we got to the last STOP sign this afternoon and we are done with FCAT.  Well, 7th grade is done - 6th and 8th have a little more to complete.  So, tomorrow we'll take a little break and do something that is educational but not strenuous.  Then, we'll get back to the business of learning Math.  Sadly, at least five of my students will say to me, "Why do we have to do this?  FCAT is over!".  We seem to be to the point in school where students think that the only reason they learn things is for FCAT and not because the LEARNING is actually important.  But, I will keep on teaching and pulling them along in the hopes that someday at least a few of them will look back and realize that they learned math that they are using in their adult lives.

I Wonder

April  17, 2012

When I was in 5th grade I decided that I wanted to become a teacher.  From then on, that was my goal, and only one person that I can recall tried to talk me out of it.  Mr. Pete Smith, my high school Biology teacher did his best to convince me that I didn't really want to be a teacher and that there was something else out there I could do instead.  He gave me many compelling reasons, but when I finally asked him in exasperation, "If you're so against anyone becoming a teacher, why are YOU one?".  His reply was, "Because I love it."  His advice to me went unheeded and I continued my quest to become a teacher, never considering that there might be something else I would enjoy doing for a living.
Don't get me wrong - I love teaching.  There's just something amazing about watching a a child/young teenager learn something new, especially when s/he struggles and struggles and then, suddenly, that lightbulb of awareness comes on and his/her face lights up and there is that declaration of "OH, I GET IT!", accompanied by a huge smile.  But, still, I wonder what I would have done if I had not chosen to become a teacher.
I truly don't know what other field I might have pursued.  At the time I was in high school and college, I didn't think I had any other marketable skills.  But, I knew I could help people by being a teacher.  I have a lot of interests - scrapbooking (a business, yes, but not one I've been able to turn into a career), photography, writing, baking, traveling, and others - but none of them are things I feel I could do full time.
And, so, I continue to teach and to try to make a difference in my little corner of the education world.

FCAT

April 16, 2012

Today was the first day of the 2012 FCAT.  I have a variety of feelings about it.  I am not against standardized testing.  In fact, overall, I think it's a good idea to test students on a yearly basis to see how they are doing academically.  The first year I taught in Florida was the year of the pilot test for the FCAT. The idea of the math portion of this test was, in my opinion, a good one.  It consisted of three types of questions:  multiple choice, gridded response, and extended response.  I was particularly pleased to see the extended response questions as these questions required students to show work and explain how they arrived at their answers - a practice I was already using with my students.  The test was rough around the edges and needed quite a bit of improvement, but it was a great concept.
Over the past 15 years, the test has morphed into the monster it is now.  The extended response questions have been eliminated due to the time and cost of grading them.  The other questions are now so involved and convoluted that it has become more of a reading test than a math test.  The security surrounding the giving of the test now makes me feel anxious and as if I'm doing something wrong when I know I am not.  Students who have been in this country for less than a year and speak very little English are required to take the test IN ENGLISH.  How, exactly, does this show their math skills when they can't read the questions?
I can remember taking Standardized tests as far back as Elementary School, but I don't remember it being such a huge deal or such a media circus.  In fact, I'm pretty sure it was never reported on the local news that the schools were giving tests during a particular week.  We were lined up and taken to the cafeteria where we sat in every other chair at the long cafeteria tables.   Someone stood up in the front with a microphone reading the directions and we then proceeded to take the test.   Then it was over.  And, it was ONE way of evaluating us rather than the ONLY way of evaluating us.
Standardized testing (now called High Stakes Testing) has become big business for test makers and scorers.  It has also become a way for the media, parents, administrators, all levels of government (local, state, and federal), and anyone who has ever set foot inside a school (which, as we all know, makes one an expert on education) to beat up on teachers and students.
Standardized testing is a good tool, but it is only a tool.  When a student doesn't perform well on a test, it is as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, their emotional state on that day, the number of days they've been absent from school (20+ days of absence in a semester probably makes a difference in what you know), their attitude each day in class, their effort each day in class, their behavior each day in class, how many schools they've attended in the current school year, parental support (of the child, of education in general, of teachers), and much, much more.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

April 15, 2012

This morning I had the privilege of singing an offertory solo in church - "How Can I Keep From Singing", which includes the chorus, "No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I'm clinging.  It sounds an echo in my soul.  How can I keep from singing?".  As I was reading over the words, it occurred to me that my soul has every reason in this world to sing all the time.  I live in an amazingly beautiful place in an even more beautiful country.  I am surrounded by flowers and beaches and year-round sunshine, and have easy access to other types of scenery, land forms, and weather.  Also surrounding me are loving, caring people - my family, friends, church family, co-workers, people I've known my whole life and those I've known for only a short time.  But, more than any of that, I have a God who loves me and Lord and Savior who said, "I am with you ALWAYS" and died for me.  God, the Rock to whom I cling, is the one who makes is impossible for me to keep from singing.

Mom's Time Out

April 14, 2012

Saturday morning...a time for quiet, for coffee that can be consumed slowly while enjoying every drop, for reflection, and for gearing up for the day.  I'd like to say that every day begins like this, because it SHOULD, but it doesn't.  Most days begin with a rush to get ready, trying to gulp down enough coffee to jumpstart my system as I run out the door.  In my reflection time this morning (which includes time on Facebook catching up with everyone), I read a plea from a friend that got my brain revved up on overdrive about how we, as women, have been trained by society to think and behave.
Basically, we have been raised to believe the old adage that "idle hands are of the devil" and that we are not allowed time to ourselves.  For many women, this is what a typical day looks like (realizing that many of us don't do ALL of this, but we do a lot of it):  get up, perhaps throw in a load of laundry or clean some part of the house, wake up child(ren) and get them ready for school, fix breakfasts and lunches, pay bills, take child(ren) to school, go to work, spend lunch time working out or running errands, leave work, work out or run errands, buy groceries, pick child(ren) up from school or activities, fix dinner, help with homework, take child(ren) to activities, supervise bathtime, read books with child(ren), put child(ren) back to bed, take care of sick child(ren), clean house, sign permission slips and fill out other papers for child(ren), plan weekend activities, plan summer activities, do more laundry, and so on.  Now, to be fair, many have husbands/significant others who take charge of some of this (and some of us are lucky enough to have a husband who takes charge of a LOT of it).  The difference is that when something doesn't get done, men don't have the same feelings of guilt and remorse that women do.  Women tend to take care of everything and everyone else while neglecting ourselves and our need to have quiet, alone time to do NOTHING.  Yes, I said NOTHING.  Think about it.  When was the last time you allowed yourself to send the child(ren) to another room, ignore the chores that were calling your name, pour yourself a cup of coffee/tea/wine/whatever and just BE?  We, as women, don't do that very well because we feel guilty if we do.
Here is my contention.   It is our duty to do this and to tell our child(ren) that this is what we're doing.  They need to know that when they grow up, it's OK to have alone time to do something they enjoy or to simply do nothing, and that this will make them better, more productive people.  We need a balance of alone time, play time, and work time.  

Rocks

April 13, 2012

All of my life I have had a fascination with rocks and stones (what IS the difference, by the way?).  When I travel I usually bring home a rock I have found.   There are rocks sitting on my bookshelves that I collected as a child and that have moved with me from place to place since then.  I think it probably frustrated my parents that there was often a rock in my suitcase when we packed to come home from a trip!  I don't just pick up any rock I see, though.  I look for rocks that are unusually colored, patterned, or shaped.  This picture was taken in Arizona in the hills behind my dad's house.  The green on the rocks is copper.  At one time this area was a copper mining area.  Several of these rocks came home with me!  I put them in my checked luggage so I didn't have to try to explain to security why I was carrying rocks!

Love

April 12, 2012

Today is not special in any way...it's not our anniversary or his birthday, Valentine's Day, or another day that usually evokes messages of love.  It is, however, a special day at my house, and that's because every day is a special day.  I know that no matter what kind of day I've had (good or bad), what kind of stress there is going on for either of us, how busy we are, or anything else, I am going to come home to a man who loves me, takes care of me, tries to make me feel better even if there's something he can't fix for me, and makes me laugh.  Wayne is the BEST and I feel very blessed to be married to him.