H3 - Homework

With the new school year beginning everywhere last week and this next week. I have been hearing the word "homework" uttered on many occasions - and usually not with love. Homework seems to be universally disliked by students, parents, and even teachers. It makes one wonder why it is so univerally practiced.

My own grandchildren seem to be of opposite opinions when it comes to homework. Taylor dislikes it to the extreme. His mother tries to assist him, and fitting that into her busy schedule requires heroic effort. Avery can hardly wait for her classes to begin tomorrow. Of course, more than anything, she loves to read and to write. Obviously both talents are strengths with her, so school work fits her like a glove. However, even she has sometimes complained when too much work is assigned.
I hope that her experiences at college will not find her so overworked that she cannot enjoy the excitement of learning.

I must admit that homework has never been on my list of favorites. I don't think I was ever required to do much of it in elementary or even high school. I know that I went to college not owning a typewriter, or the knowledge and experience of writing research papers. I remember that my first paper in college was a struggle, and I wrote it out in long hand. Could today's student even imagine such a thing!

Oh, and doing research was such a hit and miss affair. I can remember trying to find resources at the Ball State library, only to find most materials already checked out. And then, of course, I commuted from Anderson to Muncie, and held down a job besides. So I often was left to search out some out of date material at the
Anderson Public Library. I think my bull shit writing allowed me to make a passing grade. I remember one professor wrote a comment on my paper, "Your writing ability indicates more intelligence that the content of this paper." Well, I can only hope that that statement was true. I was trying to make some point out of a very meager supply of resources.

As a parent I disliked homework, too. I was so tired from teaching all day, that I really didn't want to monitor home work all evening. Fortunately our children were a pretty independent lot most of the time. I do recall falling asleep while listening to my own children read aloud. Isn't that a terrible sin to admit?
Once I stayed up until about 3 AM typing a research paper that Randy had written. I tried to untangle a very hard to understand paragraph. His teacher didn't care for the revisions. She actually visited the library and checked out his resources. It seems I altered the meaning tooooo much! I'm sorry, Randy. I'm glad you graduated in spite of your mother's assistance.

As an elementary teacher I HATED homework. The kids disliked it, their parents expected it but disliked it at the same time, and I hated grading it, trying to get all of it turned in, and explaining it to parents. But all the other parties seemed to feel that fifth grade students needed to develop this discipline. I did my best, even sending home a weekly newsletter to explain what we were doing and when things should be turned in. It did some good. I simply didn't give home work grades as much weight as that work done in class. After all, the parents probably did a lot of it, anyway. Even my beautician complained about homework the other day. Her grandson just entered fifth grade in a departmentalized situation. It seems all his teachers had assigned homework on the same day. He had spent hours, according to Dorothy, the night before finishing his work. That often happens where several teachers are involved.

Amd then, I think about how much I enjoy my computer. I can spend hours digging out information that I really want to know. I can type up ideas like this blog, or notes, or letters in a jiffy, proofread the same, and print them out in a whiz. Oh, how lucky are the scholars of today! How lucky are their teachers! The work turned in must surely be of a higher standard.

And I think how I love to start a project, when I am really interested in some subject, how I will work into the night, how I resent taking time out for meals. Oh, if students could just find where their passion lies, homework could be a joy.

I guess that is my wish, my prayer for today's teachers and students. Put the effort into finding meaningful subjects so that the work can become a joy. Plan, so that work doesn't feel like overload. Try to feel the excitement and joy in really learning about something that you love. And, Eureaka! Education has happened!

I3 - IU Eye

This morning we made a "once-every-six-months" trip to Carmel to see my eye doctor, Dr. Cantor. He is located in the building called IU Eye, or maybe it is now called The Glick Eye Institure. I'm not sure, but the Glicks seem to finance many things that happen in Indianapolis. Anyway, Dr. Cantor is a glaucoma specialist and a teacher with Indiana University. He always has a resident along with him so that I get at least two, if not three eye exams all rolled into one.

Today's accompanying doctor was introduced as a "fellow", although she is definitely a woman. I guess "fellow" means she is one step higher in the educational process than a resident. She wore a regular Dr's jacket like Dr. Cantor's that said she is
Dr. Arnold. Interesting that she is a black woman who said her home is in central Asia. She did her medical schooling in Moscow, Russia, and further education in Northern Minnesota where she will be returning to take up her career. She defies all stereotypes.

These accompanying Drs. give you a really thorough eye exam, keeping those blinding, painful lights flashing in your eyes much longer than is comfortable. Then they write, write, write in your folder, leaving you wondering what they have found so note worthy. Then when Dr. Cantor comes in, he is Mr. Smooth when it comes to flashing lights. His exam is quick and painless. Either he really knows how to do the exam, or he really relies on the more thorough exam of his students. But I always appreciate that he is very positive about my poor eyesight. Today they told me that everything looks the very same, that my eyes have gotten no worse, and that everything looks good. WHEW! I am always expecting some dire outcome.

I do always half learn more than he intends by listening in on what he tells the resident or fellow. A year or so ago he told the resident that I had a "Leak in the roof of my blip or bleb or something." He had told me that there was a small leak where my new duct was, and I used antibiotic ointment for a year until it healed. But it has been a lot more fun to tell people about the leak in the roof of my blip.
I have NEVER met anyone with that same condition!

Today he told Dr. Arnold that he should probably do a ten dash two to my left eye, but that I still had a small area of vision there that is pretty clear. Now I am wondering - just what is a ten dash two? And do I really want one? I guess I should have asked, but I was pretty happy to hear that my eyes are holding their own, getting no worse, and that I didn't need to return for six months.

I always go away feeling much appreciation for Dr. Cantor and his skills. I also appreciate the good people who keep his office running so efficiently. They are all such capable and friendly people. With something as important and delicate as one's eyesight, it is a great relief to put its well-being into such capable hands.

H3 - How to Have a Happy Weekend

Here are my "H" rules for how to have a happy weekend:
1. Hurrying is absolutely forbidden.
2. Have only your favorite foods.
3. Hear only the music on your best love Satellite radio channels.
4. Heart to heart visits with favorite people should be included.
5. Hitch up your favorite pants and tee, AND your most comfortable shoes.
6. Hang on to your sweetie for company.

And guess what? That's exactly the kind of weekend we had. My sweetie cooperated by not rushing into any activity. We took our leisurely time getting to Muncie, including naps into the days' schedules, we chose some of his favorite acitivities, and some of mine.

Yesterday we had our favorite BLTs for lunch at Cammack Station, and a delicious brunch today at Stacks in New Castle. The rest of the time we fixed just what we wanted at home and loved it all.

Did I mention that we have a new car? I'm sure that I did. And we are really enjoying its comortable ride and the great sound system. On our drives yesterday and today we listened to music on our favorite satellite radio stations. I think that every other song was performed by Chet Atkins, and the rest were the Carpenters. But Chet had to be the smoooothest guitar player of all time, and I think he recorded every song ever written. And the Carpenters? Well, her voice is like silk. What a shame that she died at such a young age. We heard her recording of "Don't Cry for me, Argentina." It surprised us. We thought she died before that musical happened.

Of course, we wore our most comfortable clothes and shoes. How else could we make it all around the antique mall. Also, they go well straight from naps to the next mission. And I don't think anyone gagged when they saw us.

Heart to hearts? Well, God bless phones and computers. I had conversations with some of my favorite people, and you know who you are! Also had very enjoyable visits from Judy and Jane. It was great to hear all about Judy's trip to Aftica. And Janie and I learned more about Macular Degeneration than we ever wanted to know watching the free video from the Low Vision Specialists. But I do hope that it helps Jane and Clyde in dealing with this new developement in his health. It certainly is a condition that runs in our family, so I want to keep up to date on things that may be facing me, besides my glaucoma.

Oh, and even though it does not begin with an "H", one highlight of the weekend was seeing the movie "The Blind Side." It is such a sweet story, and all the more so because it is a true story. I loved Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw as the parents.
The story of their adopted son, Michael Oaher is so heartwarming. It is a happy movie, not a sad one, but you watch the whole movie with tears in your eyes. Sandra Bullock deserves all her awards, and the movie deserves all the raves.

All in all, one very happy weekend.

G3 - Grateful for the Green Kids

I've been enjoying all the conversations between my nieces and nephews on Facebook. And I have also been enjoying the times that I have been able to see them lately. The three nieces and one nephew are children of my brother, David, and my late sister-in-law, Linda. I appreciate them so much for the good adults and the good parents that they have grown up to be.

I think I also need to say that I am grateful to their mother for being the force that held their family together. She was always "there" for her children, and obviously gave them the values that have allowed them to be the kind and loving people they are today. I also am grateful to their dad because he obviously gave them his lively mind and quirky sense of humor.

You see I grew up as the fifth and youngest child, and the only daughter in my family. I must say that my brothers were mostly very good to me and protective of me. But the conversations in our family were lively and very, very funny. All my brothers possessed the quirky kind of sense of humor I am talking about. Now, being with my nieces and nephew, and reading their on-going dialogues on Facebook, carries me right back home and being with my brothers. So, thanks, Green Kids, for
allowing me these trips back in time. It is a most unique gift to receive.

So, thanks, Green Kids. I know your parents are very proud of all of you. You have turned out to be the nicest kind of people----and also very, very funny! I am proud of you, too, and love you all very much.

F3 - Family, Forever, and Future

Family has always been most important to us. All our decisions and actions have always revolved around what is best for family. We were always looking ahead, planning, saving, thinking about education for children, training for careers, providing those things necessary for good health, happiness, and fulfillment. It was all about the future and what the future would hold.

Whoa! I think the realization has struck that the future is now! The future for Don and I is certainly a much shorter time than the past. We are digging our heels in and trying to slow the passing of time. Now, when we look to the future, the possibilities don't seem so inviting. Perhaps this is the reason that older folks spend so much time reminiscing - the past looks rosier than the future.

I prefer to, and try to simply live in the present as much as possible. To experience this day and all it has to offer. In "Winnie the Pooh" Eeyore falls into the river. Pooh asks him if was a joke or an accident. Eeyore says, "I didn't ask myself if it was a joke or an accident. I just floated to the surface and said to myself,'It's wet'. If you know what I mean." Eeyore had the right idea. He wasn't stressing about the past or the future, he was just living in the present.

In our kitchen we have a mug that holds pencils, pens, and scissors. On the side of the mug it says, "Celebrate the day!" Last week when I took that mug from the cabinet to use as a pencil holder, I had no reason other than to organize the clutter on the cabinet. But maybe something guided my hand to that particular mug, because I think it should be our new guiding light for living day to day. Life is made up of zillions of moments worthy of a celebration, if we would just stop and notice their worth.

I don't remember the date of that day when I first noticed a guy named Don sitting in the back of the classroom, or the day when Randy came home and said his teacher said a good school would be the U. of Cincinnati, or when Cheryl decided to work at Marsh, or talk to Whitey Ellis about a special ed. job. I don't remember the date when Rod bought that first computer and spent most of the night programming it to play music. But all of those moments were worthy of great celebration, they certainly were life changing.

Yesterday I celebrated our efforts at the "Back to School" sale at the library. We helped place some wonderful materials into the hands of parents, teachers, and kids, and for rock bottom prices. And all the money we made will go back to the library and its work. I celebrated the nice long visit that Cheryl reported having with Grandma. I know that both sweet ladies loved that time together. I celebrate their joy in one another. Today I am celebrating a beautiful quiet time at home. Don gets his Colts game and the PGA golf championship. I will check in on these events now and then. And I get to enjoy my office/craft room - time on the computer, time to do some sewing, time to enjoy the sunlit view from my window!

We don't remember dates, we remember moments.

E3 - See Everything Eye to Eye?

At the Golden Living Center where Mother and Dave reside, they have been redecorating the main lounges and hallways. They have removed old wallpaper, and painted all the areas with fresh, clean colors. They have also added some very attractive new framed art posters in the hallways. I have been enjoying reading the inspirational sayings on these posters as they add them to the finished areas.

The other day, one of these inspired me so that I stood there in the hallway and copied down what it said. This is a quote from someone named Johann Friedrich Schiller. He says:
"There is real power when individuals come together with a single purpose, real strength when they stand shoulder to shoulder, and work toward the same goal. Unity does not mean you will have everything in common, or see everything eye to eye. It is agreeing you cannot reach your destination alone. Even the weak become strong when they are united."

I think this says much about life. It really speaks the truth. When I have read about great projects that have come to fruition, witnessed such happenings, or have been a part of a successful event, I realize that just such a cooperative effort caused them to happen. And we all know that any time two people confer, there will always be two view points and opinions. But being able to rise above selfish aims, and stand shoulder to shoulder toward a common goal allows for a successful result.

Even in the raising of a family or carrying out the day by day routine of family life, shoulder to shoulder gets it done. Don and I certainly don't see eye to eye on many things. But we know to consult one another, talk it out, do some research, form some common ground, and agree to proceed together. As I look back on our marriage, it amazes me at some things we have accomplished. But it could only have been done because we stood together. And when we can't get it done, we know we have kids, and family to help us..........shoulder to shoulder.

When I look back on the city of Anderson, and its schools, I realize that probably the biggest blockade to stand in the way of our ever having the kind of school system we want and need, is that having three distinct high schools and areas that feed into those schools has caused a great division of effort, and enormous partisanship. People can't give up their loyalties to things of the past, in order to form a school system that will best serve the future.

The recent success of the united high school band, winning first place at the Indiana State Fair, should stand as an example of what can be done when we forget former school loyalties and stand together shoulder to shoulder and become one strong unit. I say congratulations to Mr. Fletcher and these dedicated students for showing adults the way to "get er done!"

Let us remember to love and appreciate our old schools for all that they have given us, and all they have meant to us. But let us remember to put that devotion in the perspective of history. Let us keep the history of our schools dear in our hearts, and then put that aside and look to the future. If the citizens of Anderson can put aside their partisan loyalties, stand shoulder to shoulder, and work toward the goal of providing the very best education for all our students it would be awesomely amazing what we could accomplish!

D3 - Driving Day

I know that the calendar says that today (or maybe yesterday since it is just after midnight) is Saturday. But, let me tell you, it has indeed been Drivingday.

I had plans made in my own mind when I went to bed last night that I would get up early this morning and see if we could go do some shopping. It was the first Saturday in a while that we didn't have other things to do. And I needed to get craft supplies for a couple of projects, the back to school supplies for my adopted child, and I wanted to check out some jackets for myself. If we did this shopping in the morning, then Don could have the whole afternoon for manly pursuits (like watching golf) while I worked on crafts.

Surprise! Surprise! Don thought we should drive to Muncie and see Mother and Dave, just to see if they were okay. Mother has had a hard week, with some physical problems, but We have visited every day, and she was back to her old normal self yesterday. And recently Don had expressed the opinion that he didn't think we needed to go every other day as we had been doing. But, oh well, if he thinks we should, then we would go.

Well, we weren't in Muncie long until I discovered the real reason for driving to Muncie. You know how men are. Don has been bitten by the buying a new car bug. So we spent all the rest of the day driving to car dealers, talking to car dealers, and looking at cars! I love the car we have, but it is out of warranty, and is getting a few miles on it. But we spent my supposed shopping and craft day, driving and driving, talking and talking, looking and looking. Finally, in the afternoon, when Don was getting good and ready for a nap, he announced that he thought we should put this decision on hold....wait until next week to shop again.

Grrrrrr! Is it only because I am such a saint that I haven't even contemplated causing him bodily harm? He did allow me a few minutes on the way home to run into to JoAnn Fabrics, and then complained because it took me sooo long. Like I
said, "Grrrrrrrr."

Even this evening when we drove to Middletown to see if Greg had opened his new restaurant (he had, and we ate there), we had to drive all around MrCrocklin Ford. Then instead of returning home by 236, Don detoured over to highway 67. I should have known. We came right out at Pierce Chevrolet. The only thing that saved me was that Pierce's lot was cleared of cars, and they were hosting a political hog roast. We made a quick U turn and got out of there.

We headed to Anderson with all intentions of going to the casino, and we did end up there for about an hour. But first we had to thoroughly peruse Ed Martin's many car lots.

Well, I am headed to bed now with visions of Toyotas, Nissans, Impalas, and Malibus dancing in my head. Which brings up the recurring question: Why are cars painted only masculine colors? I want a pretty car! I want a baby blue, or aqua, or pearly green one.

TOMORROW I WILL SHOP! CAR DEALERS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY!

C3 - The Courting Swing

We have an old porch swing that has been demoted and moved to the yard. I love the swing, but there just isn't room for it on the porch. Other summers we have sat on it a bit, but we have hardly used it at all this year, preferring instead the mosquito-less screened-in porch.

I bought the swing with money given as a retirement gift by fellow teachers at Southview School. It seemed an appropriate use - you know, retire and sit on the porch and swing. Well, we did a lot of other things, but the swing did get a lot of use. It first resided on the deck at the lake. Out place was at the top of a hill, and it felt like you were swinging in the tree tops. Well, actually, you were. We loved it there in the morning and evenings looking down the hillside. All the grandchildren loved swinging in it too when they visited us.

When we sold the lake place, the swing came home and resided on our front porch at 123. Here we had a great view of the neighborhood as we swung back and forth. Sometines you saw more of some neighbors than you wanted to see. But the swing saw a lot of use, came out each summer, got a new coat of stain, and swung on and on.

When we moved here to 634, as I said, it was moved to the yard. We like to sit in the yard, and the mosquitoes like for us to sit in the yard. You do get a new perspective of house, yard, and scenery. However, we have found that the landscaping around our porch that looks okay from the porch, looks pretty tacky when viewed from the swing. We don't really want to take it out until the porch needs to be redone. So, we don't often sit in the yard.

So, why do I call the swing a courting swing? Well, Don and I are certainly past courting. But many of nature's other creatures have found our swing most attractive.
First, in late spring and early summer, Mr. and Mrs. Mourning Dove sat on the back of the swing every evening and did their courting. So sweet. Then, too Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal spent some time there. Although, they are busier birds, and didn't sit so still side-by-side. Now, the Kingfishers live in our yard. But they are a whole different story. All they seem to do, is fly about chasing one another, diving into the creek, and arguing constantly. At least it sounds like arguing.

But, yesterday morning, I saw a new courting couple. With my poor eyesight, I thought I saw something moving on the swing. When I looked through the binoculars, I thought it was a huge, beautiful Monarch butterfly. Later, the one huge butterfly became two regular sized butterflies. I realized that it was actually two butterflies and they were.........ummmm......courting?

B3 - Better or Better Not Change the Beds OR A Better Day Tomorrow

This morning first thing I pulled all the sheets off the beds and tossed them into the washer, and then the dryer. Cheryl was coming for her every other week cleaning of our house, and then she will remake the beds with clean sheets. Nice!

While Cheryl cleans she likes for us to go somewhere so she can make a clean sweep, so to speak, with no interruptions. That works well for us, too. So we planned to head for Muncie and visit Mother and Dave. Before we left, we had a phone call from the Golden Living Center that Mother had had a little fall when she got out of bed to go to the bathroom - no injuries, all was well. This was just the first in a whole series of events that didn't go so well today.

When we arrived in Mother's room, we were greeted by a not-very-happy Mother. She seemed disoriented, shaky, and just plain fuzzy headed. Here, too, the beds were all stripped for laundering and changing. They had also opened the blinds wide, and pulled back the curtain separating Mother from her room mate. Evidently the room was to get a good cleaning today. But this was upsetting Mother completely. She told us at least ten times that they took all her covers, and where was she to sleep.
Each time we told her again that things were being washed and they would remake her bed. She would say okay, and then in a few minutes worry again over the missing sheets and blanket.

When we took a little walk, Mother seemed tired and shaky. I think she was missing her morning nap that she takes after breakfast. When we gave her a cup of coffee, she took a sip and it went down the wrong pipe so that she choked and spit it all out. All in all, it was a most fretful visit.

Then we went to the skilled nursing side to get Dave, and brought him down to the dining room for his coffee and roll. That all went well until the alarms starting ringing for a fire drill. We then had to take him to a new location behind the fire doors. Finally, when we were sure that all was well, we returned him to the activity lounge and headed for home. Just another in a series of miscues.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, that on the way over we drove through a downpour! It was just a day for things to go wrong. I hope our next trip to Muncie will be calm and serene.

A3 - Avery A-weigh!

Pardon my Navy vernacular. Remember the navy song, "Anchors Aweigh?" Aweigh means lifting anchors and heading out from homeport to the big open seas - I'm sure an exciting time for every sailor. But also a time of homesickness and trepidation.

Yesterday the whole family (except for Jon, who was working) met in Bloomington for lunch and to tour the beautiful campus. Debra and Rod were in Bloomington on another mission, and suggested that we all meet there for lunch. What a good idea! I had only been to Bloomington a couple of times, and then didn't really see the campus. And since granddaughter, Avery, is starting school there as a freshman in a few weeks, we were all curious and excited to see where she would be living and going to classes.

Yes, indeed, we might as well admit to ourselves that little Avery is really grown up. She will soon be pulling up her anchors and heading out on this exciting educational voyage. The word "weigh" isn't often thought of in reference to
Avery, because she certainly isn't very big in the weight department. She seems tiny at 5'2". She is very slim, being a vegetarian. She is, just like the song, "Five foot two, eyes of blue." And a dainty little blonde.

But this tiny little girl has always managed to make her presence known wherever she has gone. I don't mean that she made a big splash, but she has always been a positive force effecting the world around her. When you think of Avery you think of someone who always strives to do what is best. She is just a natural leader and teacher, and influences others in a kind and tactful way. I can only imagine that she will do as well on this big IU campus as she has done in her other schools.

So, Bon Voyage, Avery. We were happy to be with you yesterday and to get a taste of your new environment. Now when I wake in the morning and go through my day, I will be able to picture you there in Bloomington. And we will certainly plan to visit for lunch again. Farm Bloominton was a great place for brunch!