My Heathens

Today and tonight we have a guest canine in our home and my two regulars are acting like a couple of heathens. We have a fourteen month old male cocker spaniel visiting us as we transition him to a new home. The Mom who bought him as a new pup is moving back north to a location that she says does not allow dogs on the premises at all. She advertised on Craig's list and gave him away but the lady called to return him after two weeks because he does not like kitty cats. The original humanoid Mommy was so upset I volunteered to take him and find him the "bestest" home possible, so I have him now.

He is precious and well behaved. He is mostly black with brown on his footsies. He is AKC registered, microchipped, and came with all vet / shot records, registration papers, a supply of dog food, his crate, toys, treats, car seat, and all supplies you can think he needs I do not think I will have a hard time finding him a new home. Do you??????

A Dad For Eternity

This Sunday is once again Father's Day. Across this nation fathers, good and bad, will be honored by their children. As my Mom used to tell us, once a Mom or Dad always a Mom or Dad.

As one expects, our hearts turn to our own fathers. My Dad lived for almost eighty-two years. He has been gone since January 1989. My Dad was ten years and five months older than my Mom. After his death I put in extra time and visits trying to get my Mom interested in living and going on. I failed in that endeavor. She passed away almost three years later of her own physical ailments. But back to Daddy.

My Dad had been raised with all of the manners of a southern gentleman; a sterling example! He really did not have much tolerance for the lack of manners. Generally speaking, he was a quiet man. He often told us somewhat kiddingly, that there is a time to "speak only when spoken to." I think he meant that we should remember that, when as children, we were in the presence of adults.

He and my Mom had a love bond that young couples today could only hope for, in my opinion. Together they had five children. I am the oldest of those who survived. I do not know much about the first child, however the second was a son who lived less than four hours. I was the third. I guess they were worn out by then because my brother was born six years later. My sister came along five years after that.

My Dad has been gone a while but I still remember! One of the strongest principles he taught by

example was that of honesty. My father was honest to a flaw if that was possible. No clerk would ever give him incorrect change. Even a penny was important when it came to being honest.

He wasn't always vocal about things but you should never have gotten the idea that he didn't have his own opinion about things --- he just didn't always vocalize them unless you asked or there was some reason.

I remember that my Dad thought it was important to one's appearance to keep your shoes neat, polished, and shined. I am often reminded of him as I notice other men's shoes. A little shoe polish goes a long way! My Dad was quite neat in the manner in which he cared for his clothing. They were neatly folded or hung and as he used to tell us, "a place for everything and everything in its place."

My Dad was right handed with really pretty blue eyes and blond hair. Only one of his children is right handed and has blue eyes. No, not me!!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! I love you. You are mine for Eternity and so is Mom!!

P. S. And oh, Daddy, forgot to tell you, I have some doggies now!!

Solving the Budget Crisis

So... yesterday the president visited us again in North Carolina. This time he made a call on Cree in Durham. As I understand it Cree is the company that makes the new light bulbs, squiggly and all, which save electricity. During this downturn the company has prospered and moved on hiring people, making a solid profit, and moving forward. Thus, the president was using them as an example of the way entrepreneurs or companies could be innovative and help the economy grow by providing jobs.

Today the CBS morning show did another of their "town meeting" type shows on the economy. They also did one about two weeks ago. These shows unfortunately provide another platform for politicians to criticize one another as Democrats, Republicans, and the sub-group Tea Party (iers.)

One BIG question that builds in my mind about all of this is: IF all of these people know and have the answers as they seem to think, AND knowing that the economy of this great nation is floundering without a fix---- why can they not put aside partisan politics and work together as a group to come up with solution(s) that would heal this big, big wound afflicting so many so that this nation and its people can move forward without such suffering.

It seems like a small price -- (putting aside partisan politics).

Why should one group feel that they have the exact answer and not have shared and offered sincerely? A nation so blessed with economists should have a group (brain bank) considered the brightest and best who could sit down together and come up with solutions putting aside political policy and loss or gain of face.

So much has been said in this state about the former administrator of UNC-Chapel Hill who has been beckoned to Capitol Hill and his strength in the area of economics. Then running for president we have once again none other than the man who pulled the floundering Salt Lake Olympics together with his business acumen and skill, Mitt Romney. These are but two talented individuals.

Political games should be put aside where the economy is concerned.

That's it from "The House of Schnauzer" at the moment.

Mastering Life

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.. It's the way it is..

The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference.

And sometimes I am not at all pleased with the way I handle life and its happenings. Anyone else ever feel that way?? Often when I get behind a particularly stressful time in my sojourn here I look back and say to myself, "how could I have handled that better?" I could really get down on myself at these times and I am not foolish enough to try and convince any one that I do not, but the better path is to assess it for what it is worth, learn from it, and move on. If only I could get that through my thick skull.

However, I have come to the conclusion that there are experiences in life which "temper" us. Whether we prefer it or not these experiences change us in ways that color our thinking and thus change some aspect of our lives, sometimes drastically.

Moving on is often difficult. Sometimes when things are particularly hurtful it is helpful to move away from them and push them as far away as possible. I have learned to compartmentalize those things and either deal with them in small parts or at a time when I am more able to cope with them. I had to do that with Ken's death. My therapist told me that I should always be certain that I come back and deal with those things, however.

Ah, sometimes I think I just think too much. Time to rest my thinker for now.

That's all folks! ......for now.

Like The Little Engine.....

When we get to be my age we start to be concerned about longevity. While I do not feel that I give an undue amount of thought to this area of my life, I suppose I should.

However, I do think I am one who perseveres and in spite of the bruises I can be fairly resilient.

Thinking in this vein reminds me of the story of the little engine that could ... I think I can, I think I can.

The following is a copy of The Spoken Word from last week's Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast.

I really copied it to my blog for my own benefit.

Thinking We Can
June 5, 2011 Broadcast Number 4264


Recent research suggests that persistence and resilience are good predictors of longevity. Perseverance in the face of difficulties puts us on the road to happiness and well-being, and what keeps us on that road is a positive attitude.

A young man learned this important lesson as a high school tennis player. He had worked hard during the off-season: his goals were clear and his resolve fixed. But his hard work did not produce the results he had hoped for. Instead of victories, the season was filled with setbacks and challenges. His first reaction was anger, but then in time and with good counsel, he realized that tennis did not define who he was or determine his future. He began to shift his perspective, change his attitude, adjust his goals, and look on the bright side.

Over a hundred years ago, a little-known poet, Walter D. Wintle, wrote a poem called "The Man Who Thinks He Can." In a timeless way, it captures the simple but powerful effect of resilience, persistence, and positive thinking.

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t;
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Love’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But [sooner] or [later] the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

Musings on Politics in Education

News today from the state legislative body furthers a bill into legislation which prevents the largest teacher association in the state from collecting their dues through the teachers' payroll. All other professional organizations in the state will still be allowed to do so. Republican legislators make no secret of the fact that this piece of legislation is directed at the teachers' group primarily because they have supported mostly Democrats with their political action committees. That last statement is not just conjecture -- the discussion of this was overheard when the Republicans neglected to cut off their microphones as they discussed and planned this strategy. Wow, what gall!! It may have happened but I have never known of a group of so-called professional law makers to be so openly punitive.

I am reminded of a doctrine which says that when men receive a little authority, it seems to follow, that they will begin exercise it unjustly over others. Another word that comes to mind is spite. Who wins when we spitefully use our authority over others? What is gained?

As these things have been discussed in the news media it has been said by those governing, we are just giving them back what we got when the Democrats ruled. Gee, what examples we set for youth and those who listen, watch and follow.

It is not my aim to align myself with one political group or another in what I write here, but to objectively attempt to look at the big picture and what we are trying to accomplish. With teachers their primary aim should be what is best for children.

With the legislative body their primary aim should be what is best for children.

Spite used against teachers does not promote an attitude of cooperation on what is best for children.

Another irritating point thrown around pertaining to schools is that of merit pay. While it sounds like the panacea for solving money problems or the answer to separating the wheat from the tares, Nay, not so!! I have never known a human who could totally separate their true feelings from the evaluation process and be honest. I have known and been involved in a few situations where the evaluations of teachers were done with the negative feelings of an evaluator becoming far too involved and entwined in trying to assess the job being done by a teacher. Usually it becomes a labor of nit-picking on the part of the evaluator.

Individuals having never been subjected to this type of job evaluation look on it favorably. Once involved in the process they begin to see its unfairness. It is very difficult to be objective when evaluating people you just do not like for one reason or many reasons.

I believe that when it is perceived that an educator is doing an inadequate job the evaluator should be someone who does not know the individual personally and can evaluate objectively. A framework for evaluating (with scaffolding) can be constructed such that an objective outsider can assess effectiveness in a classroom along with other factors such as student achievement.

Ethically Challenged

I am probably not different from any one else who is in a continual state of astonishment these days at what seems to be a perpetual parade of elected officials getting themselves in some kind moral indiscretion, denying it, and then admitting under some guise to having committed the act. Usually (when admitting) it is something quite worthy like " the devil made me do it." The casualness with which individuals handle moral behavior is astonishing.

It makes one wonder whether all politicians or those seeking office are ethically challenged.

The most recent, of course, is one who tweeted lewd pictures to some dame and claims he did not do it, only to admit today that he is guilty plus. And then, over the weekend the former congressman from our district was indicted for only some small portion of greater heartbreak, indiscretions, and perhaps broken laws of which he is guilty. ( Much of the detail {of this case} is known thus I will not repeat.) Another department having members who were obviously ethically challenged in recent years and months has been the state highway patrol. These are but a few examples of many today who find themselves severely lacking in the practice of ethics and yet hold positions or jobs of authority governing the rest of us.

I can not speak for other citizens but I find it severely disturbing that those with responsibilities to protect and govern cannot themselves keep moral and ethical laws to the degree that they can be examples to both old and young alike.

Missing Ken

This week has been another one of Those Weeks!! "Those Weeks" are the times in my 'after Ken' life that I am more acutely aware that life without him truly sucks! It does all of the time actually but when I have to do things that normally he would have done or taken charge of I am so, so reminded that I am alone in the bloody universe with decisions that need to be made and to take care of myself. I have a male friend who is always "auditing" my decisions. He often tells me that I "get taken" just because I am female. I do not doubt his word but I try really hard to do my homework and watch out for myself. Sometimes I make decisions just to keep myself safe and they may cost me $$$ but that is the way the system works.

But back to this week's business. My dishwasher and disposal gave up the ghost and have to be replaced. So I have been "doing my research" and finally bit the bullet and bought both for my home in Raleigh. I had previously bought a dishwasher for the coastal home. (It has never been used because the house is on the market and no one lives there).

Then there is all of that "stuff" about installation and whatever kind of kit you need to install. I never had to think about those things when Ken was around. In fact there was so much I never had to think about when Ken was here. My sister recently reminded me that I never vacuumed when he was living. She is correct -- I didn't. But Ken didn't cook either. He was good about taking care of the dishes and pots and pans, though. We both worked and split most tasks. However, we did a tremendous amount together.

Sooo, all of you Grumpy Gretas, don't complain about your husband. Things can get worse!

My Pet Peeve

Here I am back again with my opinionated opinion about happenings round and about.

I was reminded today by an irritating advertisement that some folks have no shame. I have often over the last several months listened to a tv ad about HRT's! (At least I think that is the acronym used.) It is aired on a local station (WRAL) every now and then. It features one of several ladies who are just so, so astounded at the change taking place in their lives since they have submitted to treatments by these "whatever hormones" they are taking. Why their lives with their husbands has just zoomed up there on "makin' whooppee" scale til it is just like when they were newlyweds!! (Now what fool wants to get on TV and tell this bombastic tale??!!!) Evidently they paid these poor females enough to get them to air their "more private" activities with the entire listening area. I don't know why but this is the most irritating ad of recent time to me.

Reminds me of language arts lessons taught to fifth graders about advertisement techniques and strategies. Generally at that level the techniques taught were persuasion, bandwagon, propaganda, and testimonial. Now there are a few more secondary strategies poked in there like statistics, sense appeal, humor. nostalgia, and transfer/fantasy.

When teaching this objective I used to find it helpful to tape some advertisements and have my students watch them in order to recognize and identify their components. Need I say this isn't one I would ever tape and use but I am certain that even the most less astute students could see through this objectionable advertisement. I will save my more descriptive adjectives for another day. That's All Folks, for now.