tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333890692024-03-06T23:38:14.207-06:00Breathings of the Heart...“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
~William Wordsworth~Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-35931584814856279752010-10-03T19:25:00.000-05:002010-10-03T19:25:57.631-05:00A Time for Change...<div style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been a BlogSpot blogger since 2006. It has been the home to many a penned word through my journey to where I am today. As many of you, who read often, have noticed I have not written very much in the past year. In hopes of reviving my lost passion, my husband guided me to purchase my own domain name bringing autonomy to my writing. It is with great excitement that I launch my new blogging site at<a href="http://www.breathingsoftheheart.com/"> Breathingsoftheheart.com</a> I have now transferred all of my writings from this site to the new domain and have added a new post today. Please follow me to the new site....</span></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.breathingsoftheheart.com/">Breathings of the Heart</a></span></div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-11831425169410539772010-05-04T22:24:00.001-05:002010-05-04T22:28:30.298-05:00Seasons of Solace by Janelle Hertzler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE6bhMebcMMJUzODCBlSUUPXd6dmwUmCyeltWOXXL9VoGnE394KLFgO3AumLyJVRfE6M2jIJWWs3O-EsXA-LXubp516MixXgdO67V4fDgQnO4pUNjDcsOpfSeGzHlgFn1tjW_/s1600/book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE6bhMebcMMJUzODCBlSUUPXd6dmwUmCyeltWOXXL9VoGnE394KLFgO3AumLyJVRfE6M2jIJWWs3O-EsXA-LXubp516MixXgdO67V4fDgQnO4pUNjDcsOpfSeGzHlgFn1tjW_/s200/book+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b> I was fortunate to review Janelle Hertzler's book<i> Seasons of Solace. </i>Here is an interview with Janelle I want to share with you. I found this book of photography and poetry to be of great solace to me as I still live within the parameters of grief. Janelle's interview with me should be posted on her website this week: http://www.journey-through-grief.com/bereavement.html</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">******************************************************************************</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Tell me about your book, Seasons of Solace.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Seasons of Solace</i> could be compared to a journal through my grief following the death of my husband to a drunk driver. The book is made up of poetry and photography from my experience. The poetry is narrative, slice-of-life style of poems that give windows into the raw emotions of the grief journey. The photos are images from nature that speak to some element of my emotions at various points along the way. I didn’t set out to write a book. I set out to find a way to express my pain and find healing. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The poems and photographs in the book are beautiful. How did you get started with poetry and photography?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A year after my husband died, I was sitting by a river watch my son play with his cousin. Sitting there, my attention was drawn to a brilliant, red leaf lying on the stones. I was struck by how beautiful it was in its final weeks of being a leaf. It touched something deep within me, and I couldn’t leave without taking a photo of it. It began a journey to find images in nature that spoke to my experiences.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV8dCgCgG8wbdmBB-DIh6G2fPBaLfXnDEaIxQCmzSGrpqSPuRsa3O7FYiZipMjumqK2XAmfPNJd6fcYBH1rggjkcEsY56U6KSjopp37CcZ6UeDo-V6iwtLVhkDSxCjcRXE2IO/s1600/the+three+of+us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV8dCgCgG8wbdmBB-DIh6G2fPBaLfXnDEaIxQCmzSGrpqSPuRsa3O7FYiZipMjumqK2XAmfPNJd6fcYBH1rggjkcEsY56U6KSjopp37CcZ6UeDo-V6iwtLVhkDSxCjcRXE2IO/s200/the+three+of+us.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I began writing poetry around the same time. I was taking a graduate class in the area of trauma healing. Our professor told us that we create literal grooves in our brain as we tell ourselves the same story over and over. She then invited us to various exercises that helped us tell our stories in new ways. The one that stuck for me was telling my story in less than 100 words. It evolved into poetry because you can say a lot more with 100 words of poetry than in prose. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Why did you choose to use these mediums to tell your story?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There is a story about a dancer who is asked the meaning of a particular dance. She responds that if she could explain it in words, she wouldn’t have had to dance. That is what the photography is for me. There is so much in grief that truly defies words and thus, for me, photography was a visual medium that helped me touch some of those word-defying places.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Poetry creates images with words. For me, full sentences and paragraphs couldn’t hold the vividness and depth of my emotions during grief. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>How did writing the book help you on the path to recovery?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Shock and trauma can cause a lot of emotion to be trapped inside the body. Many of the images in the poems are scenes from the early days of shock that I lived through over and over as I replayed them in my mind. The photos and poems in <i>Seasons of Solace</i> were a way of validating that emotion and documenting it outside of my body, so that I don’t have to carry it around with me anymore. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is freeing to know that I can open a journal and go back to my story any time I need to, and then I can close it and move on with my life. This isn’t to say that I do not still have bad days, but these experiences can also be recorded and held in a space outside of my internal being.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>What is the main message you want readers to take away from the book? And how have readers responded to the book so far?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A friend of mine loaned his copy of <i>Seasons of Solace</i> to a recent widow. A week later when he was visiting, he asked if she was finished with it. She asked him if she could keep it a while longer because she pages through it every day. So he gave it to her. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My hope is that <i>Seasons of Solace</i> provides a reflective and healing space for people in whatever loss or difficulty they are facing. Although based on my own story, the poetry touches on universal themes of sorrow, anger and struggle to find healing. The nature photography allows pain and beauty to mingle, reminding us that nature is continually renewing itself and bringing forth new life. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-85106545685884344342010-04-06T22:20:00.000-05:002010-04-06T22:20:11.079-05:00Blowing Out the Candle...At Least At One End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPye7Oj_9fwB3eOsZ5M-y9bSXW7XcoE22q7mFd8DDvTbdc3l4vy7ZVgtF1WRIdawPRuBN0CtSxI819sHt7tol9imBeXPvKO6fHVvxkIDiSFr3aWO0_aypuLh6XbemN6-2jmQXg/s1600/candle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPye7Oj_9fwB3eOsZ5M-y9bSXW7XcoE22q7mFd8DDvTbdc3l4vy7ZVgtF1WRIdawPRuBN0CtSxI819sHt7tol9imBeXPvKO6fHVvxkIDiSFr3aWO0_aypuLh6XbemN6-2jmQXg/s200/candle" width="200" /></a></div>I tend to over do it. No matter what I do. I don't set out to overextend myself. It just happens. There are so many areas of my life that I value. From my career to my family and friends to my interests I want to make sure I give a “slice of life” to all of these ventures. The trouble comes when all these “worlds” collide because I have not chosen a balanced path—hence--where I find myself today. <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I just returned from a short vacation where I was able to gain a bit of perspective. I am in a different place than many of my friends. I am the only one of my close friends who still has children at home. Chanman is in every sport and active, which I love, but it takes a certain energy to keep up. Carpool, games, meetings and practices scatter every day. Then, I am a full time educator who needs to spend time planning and preparing for my students. Additionally, I am co-president of our Education Association and feel this is an significant leadership position. Just when I think I may be released from the ministry to those who have lost a mate, I realize this a major passion in my life. Not to mention the aspects of laundry, house work, exercise, keeping my marriage fresh, nurturing my spiritual life and being whole for my family and friends. SOMETHING has to change.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As I type these things I know that there are many of you who can so relate to what I am saying. The time has come to set priorities. It's time to stop burning the candle at both ends. The time has come to create a balance which can create a sane existance.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">One thing that I need to let go of is stuff that doesn't matter-those peripheral obligations and relationships that may be worthy, but are not at the epicenter of my values. Next, I must decide what ventures I want to expend the most amount of energy. These areas are easy—my family, my friends, my classroom, my health and my passions. My goal should be to expends the greatest energy to the areas that will make the greatest difference years from now.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In practical terms this means some things will have to go, even some major commitments. I don't like making commitments and then changing my mind, but I believe this to be necessary. Do I think this is the last time in my life that I will be faced with making these decisions? Probably not, because this is not the first time. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
Apparently Buddha had it right "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly". I am choosing to begin to live “wisely and earnestly” and to burn out the candle, at least at one end.</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-50737079935096036932010-03-14T21:41:00.000-05:002010-03-14T21:41:27.495-05:00Learning to Lose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IZ2Cm2SdZxs3ljbNifvLcMypOEDoRJKXaoRT6jR3JdK2R10q_WCY8rxchUVlQvgPE07ZjMleZS_Jp1kAbdVSrAXfwqBhONmXUt2ssCHT8qY_JzvmybHw0uTQvKceGVTGPVTj/s1600-h/chandler+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IZ2Cm2SdZxs3ljbNifvLcMypOEDoRJKXaoRT6jR3JdK2R10q_WCY8rxchUVlQvgPE07ZjMleZS_Jp1kAbdVSrAXfwqBhONmXUt2ssCHT8qY_JzvmybHw0uTQvKceGVTGPVTj/s320/chandler+2.jpg" /></a></div>It is difficult to be in the stands during a game when the score is close. Nail biting begins, hearts begin to race, palms begin to sweat; sitting anxiously I await the outcome. It is even worse if one of my children happens to be on the team. <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Chandler's middle school basketball team advanced to the regional finals this season. As the game went into its first overtime, I began biting my nails. When the second overtime clock began ticking; my heart began to race. But when the game went into triple overtime, I thought I was going to have to be removed by stretcher. At the end of the game we were left heartbroken; the boys lost by two points. Following the ceremonial, congratulatory team handshake the boys walked off the court, disappointed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I wanted the basketball team to win that game, but not as much as Chandler. He could smell victory. It was right there for the taking, but in the last seconds it slipped away. For the first time, I saw 14 year old boys, who I had known since kindergarten, in tears. Loss is hard!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On the way out of the gymnasium, a grandfather of one of the players stopped me. He said, “I know sports is beneficial for these boys. They learn teamwork and perseverance, but most of all, sports teaches kids how to lose.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I had never thought of sports in this light. As parents, we instinctively hope our children never have to deal with great disappointment, yet in our gut we know they must. It seems that children who are “rescued” from heartbreak and loss tend to “crash and burn” at the first sign of disappointment.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Imagining that the ride home with Chandler would be difficult, I began preparing my motherly pep talk which surely would change his disappointed affectation. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Instead, with head held high he jumped into the “mommy bus”, promptly announcing, “We have nothing to be ashamed of. We played a great game.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I know that living through the small disappointments in life, gives way to developing the resilience needed to deal with huge ones. Strength and confidence comes not only from victories, but from knowing you can handle defeat. Perhaps true victory occurs when we experience loss and still are able to hold our head high and move on. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When Don died, my greatest fear was that my kids would be broken, but life had already taught them loss and disappointment. Though perhaps smaller in measure, the lessons were real nonetheless. When we are faced with adversity, heartbreak, disappointment or loss, victory is often found in the lessons learned.</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-15760358224894832232010-02-25T19:22:00.003-06:002010-02-28T09:22:35.430-06:00<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div id="container"><div class="hfeed" id="content"><div class="hentry p1 post publish author-mark category-poetry y2009 m11 d02 h01" id="post-377"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhH5I72q_HeEjmSXe9xFrgmJeTyi85dnQDQioyUAtQhgUiZTCTL8dVEMztl5czaeFKod3auwEcbpJSom2XJbQDYyGgGuPlynYeTiQQ6amD1fX5Jvp7_SrCHAp1Ckhqv7TlXi_/s1600-h/william_ernest_henley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhH5I72q_HeEjmSXe9xFrgmJeTyi85dnQDQioyUAtQhgUiZTCTL8dVEMztl5czaeFKod3auwEcbpJSom2XJbQDYyGgGuPlynYeTiQQ6amD1fX5Jvp7_SrCHAp1Ckhqv7TlXi_/s200/william_ernest_henley.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><h2 class="entry-title">Invictus </h2><div class="entry-content"><i>OUT of the night that covers me,<br />
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,<br />
I thank whatever gods may be<br />
For my unconquerable soul.</i><br />
<i>In the fell clutch of circumstance<br />
I have not winced nor cried aloud.<br />
Under the bludgeonings of chance<br />
My head is bloody, but unbowed.</i><br />
<i>Beyond this place of wrath and tears<br />
Looms but the Horror of the shade,<br />
And yet the menace of the years<br />
Finds and shall find me unafraid.</i><br />
<i>It matters not how strait the gate,<br />
How charged with punishments the scroll<br />
I am the master of my fate:<br />
I am the captain of my soul.</i><br />
<br />
by William Ernest Henley<br />
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<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=13fd32c4-f866-8831-abc1-31c530cfbe4a" /></div></div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-89958414286941059352010-01-25T23:26:00.002-06:002010-01-25T23:48:14.266-06:00WWJD - Haiti<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Facebook can be a riveting social networking tool. At times I find it fascinating and uplifting; other times I find it irritating and bothersome; then there are the times I find it down right infuriating. Tonight happened to be one of those moments.<br />
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There are many “cause” posts going around on Facebook-- paste "this" to your status if you support autism; paste "that" if you know a breast cancer survivor; paste "this" if you support children with special needs. I don't have a problem, in theory, with any of these “cause” posts, other than their lack of creativity or personal voice; they do serve as a "shout out" to causes important to the poster. HOWEVER, there was one of these cause-type posts today that has me dumbfounded and yes, my “panties are officially in a wad”. Here it is:<br />
<b><i>America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, </i></b><img height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1DhCTQwTE2gtnobgO7JOOfd3t-03_ed3BPMqfZkaxnxAqZI-fwzfr-8h-zxYE0BEJeeVCD0haarNEgtkcnQToZVEA3mUMrtzpQ9V4AZeH0jubvzmNSa0K7eyy4dIdI6EwT3k/?imgmax=800" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 800px;" width="246" /><b><i>and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. What about the people of USA?(99% of people won't have the guts to copy and repost)</i></b><br />
Perhaps this is because 99% of Americans plain don't agree. What confounds me most about this post is when professing Christians, those who are called to be Christlike, post this as their status. <br />
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Someone please explain to me the Biblical basis for such convictions. Why is giving to Haitians mutually exclusive from taking care of those in America who are in need? Haiti is a nation, perhaps the poorest in the world, who is experiencing a most horrific calamity. With 150,000 dead and over a million homeless, their need is greater.<br />
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This fact does not absolve us from our responsibility at home, it simply means that for this moment in time we need to shift our focus globally. We have equal responsibility to both our nation and our global community. Can you imagine if Jesus were an American, perhaps your neighbor, do you think you would hear him say “know what, we need to be helping our own, not those people in Haiti”. Seems downright silly, doesn't it? Such attitudes don' seem to pass the WWJD litmus test. <br />
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1 John 3:17-18 <b><i>If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.</i></b><br />
Seems to me scripture is crystal clear. We have a responsibility to all those who are in need, WITHOUT judgment, without engaging some human filter of “who is more worthy” of our assistance, and without strings attached . It is also clear that we are to do more than talk-words are not only cheap, they don't get the job done. Which brings me to my own soul searching questions: when was the last time I had a homeless American in my home for a dinner, worked in a soup kitchen, helped at the local shelter or even did without, so that others might have food on the table? <br />
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Prov. 14:31 <b><i>Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God. </i></b><br />
My contention is that by abdicating our global responsibility and doing NOTHING for the Haitians we would be supporting their continued oppression therefore "insulting God". Shouldn't the richest country in the world be a the forefront of humanitarian aide to the poorest country? Moreover, shouldn't those who love God and are called to be Christlike; those rich in grace, who bask in the benefits of mercy be the first in line to give generously to those in need? How do we honor God? What attitudes honor God? What actions honor God? What responses honor God?<br />
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If interested there are many relief organizations that are known to be responsible stewards of the monies collected for Haiti: <br />
<a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross </a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncm.org/haitiearthquake">Nazarene Compassionate Ministries</a> I add this one as I know every dime donated goes directly to the Haitian relief<br />
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</div></div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-86443553922784147252010-01-03T22:54:00.011-06:002010-01-04T00:07:20.056-06:00Marsha's Most Memorable of 2009<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div align='left' style='margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;'><big><big><font face='arial'><span style='font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;'/><b>Most Memorable:<br/><br/>Event of the Year:</b> Our Cruise in July―what a wonderful week.<img width='154' height='114' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWdrd864MSn1YGmOq3LPWC4O_Ak3qVzBgv17R_0LNKJ2crpPdkCmURFR4AKl__rTjjFySODUAxtxr17lHdnb2ENhqS_-T0ae8EVJpFEV2PmqWZMCpi3i1l49yZcztX40MZ1vg/?imgmax=800' style='max-width: 800px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;'/><br/><b><br/>Family Event:</b> Would have to have been our Christmas with <i>Kiva</i>. That experienced touched everyone.<br/><b><br/>Read:</b> <i>The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society</i> by Mary Ann Shaffer and more... Set in 1947 it is a composite of correspondence between author Juliet Ashton and the folks of Guernsey island. I loved the strong wome</font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'>n and the unusual way the authors chose to present the story.<br/><b><br/>Movie:</b> <i>T</i></font></big></big><i><big><big><font face='arial'><b><img width='121' height='183' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0Xs3eyqG2FqVKUHcRXGJ4V1MtFyXN8fq3dC-iEpmYC-nW9M-XcjqF6L9y7ZukGifQOun65QYp6dljF3iAW2jX9lEMThmRCo_lWwntOgPmZmTJeEwkCJVHXbxAFsO_aXeG6ei/?imgmax=800' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/></b></font></big></big></i><big><big><font face='arial'><i>he Blind Side</i> – I didn't expect to like this one so much, but enjoyed it on a multitude of levels.<br/><b><br/>Tel</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b>evis</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b>ion:</b> <i>House/24</i> – no change from last year.<br/><b><br/>Accom</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b>plishment:</b> Finishing the United States Air Force Half-marathon in September.<br/><b><br/>Monthly</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b> Events:</b> My Book Club-I am always excited for our monthly meetings. We have experienced lots of life together since we began 7 years ago.<br/><b><br/>Music in</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b> General:</b> Train – <i>Save Me San Francisco</i> – Just the right amount of funk, soul and rock. Favorite song is <i>Hey Soul Sister.</i><br/><b><br/>Classical Music:</b> David Garrett: <i>David Garrett</i> Favorite song: <i>Thunderstruck</i><br/><b><br/>Christian Music:</b> 33 Miles – <i>One Life</i>. I love the marriage of pop and country. Favorite song: <i>I Loved You Then</i><br/><b><br/>Educat</b></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><b>ional Tool:</b> SmartBoards: We had them installed at school this year and now I can't imagine teaching without them.<br/><b><br/>15 Minutes of Fame:</b> The Herald and Review article about Ginny and me. It was centered around a subject I would have </font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'><img width='198' height='121' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUThlTIWxBL8Qe_sBTKENl1YZtMf9LeeDZ-yfRcwtfNjpil2Shrmd3PUmHYRJ5m9khOzCc1MP0m1-E0r9fleqPgkdubLug9JHqOMVYnQXGo16YUAaEK3rNQWZ0WMtpoLhIzDL/?imgmax=800' style='max-width: 800px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;'/></font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'>NEVER thought someone would write about me---running. Go figure.<br/><b><br/>Memorials:</b> Mamaw was missed at Christmastime especially. She went to be with the Lord in July. Nancy Cooper, a wonderf</font></big></big><big><big><font face='arial'>ul friend and educator passed unexpectedly in September. I miss her every day.<br/><br/>Now it is your turn--share your most memorables of 2009! Don't forget to post a link or just add your list to the comments!<br/></font></big></big></div><div align='center'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNiWL-7sAbaVG7qSnzNxBjP7z6MjMBq9oNPaVViF7YopPHLyDDZ0u7aYlySvUCIMCct89V0KoXXwr_f-rindi5DS8pjxsPENnShUg1GqE9CQr-iCZvpqjxwavKUJCyJlUYplW/?imgmax=800' style='max-width: 800px;'/><br/><br/></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=83317c77-b3ae-86f0-a357-d80e34ba4b16' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-46059841772231100602009-12-30T10:48:00.015-06:002010-01-01T10:32:30.127-06:00A Global Perspective at Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbL6aHUrO8ALu0MFUnTlVtbVJe0jYTZMwaZLMeew2S_gQ62a38H0Tkj__wHll59vq4IK6iCp05TKdw8IpNwHHQ81xdFbNpF08lZFLcH9hQMQm4_cAUdJRiBlTIjXTizbNCmxw/s1600-h/kiva_logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421076082169380450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbL6aHUrO8ALu0MFUnTlVtbVJe0jYTZMwaZLMeew2S_gQ62a38H0Tkj__wHll59vq4IK6iCp05TKdw8IpNwHHQ81xdFbNpF08lZFLcH9hQMQm4_cAUdJRiBlTIjXTizbNCmxw/s200/kiva_logo.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">My brother, Evan has always been the global thinker in our family. He has his finger on the pulse of those less fortunate both in his neighborhood and abroad. He is a children's pastor who leads the kids under his influence to take action globally, especially in Uganda. Through a variety of activities, his children have become personally connected to the plight of the poor in Uganda. More than that, they are “learning to do good” while developing a global perspective. What a gift!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was no surprise that Evan introduced the idea of “micro-financing to end poverty” to my brother Marc several months ago. I only have to hear “micro-” and my eyes begin to glaze over and by the time I hear “financing” I am totally checked out, but I will try to explain it in “Marsha-ese”. Micro-financing is LENDING funds to the rural poor in developing countries, usually in the form a small loans (smaller than banks are interested in loaning). This is often the only way they would be able to establish or maintain a business that has the ability to lift themselves out of poverty. Loans are repaid and can then be re-loaned to other individuals. The concept is quite amazing, and has real potential to put a major dent in extreme poverty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Marc began to research this concept and came across an organization that actually </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">connects people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating extreme poverty. Kiva is “the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe”. If you want more information check out the about page on Kiva's website (the video is great). <a href="http://www.kiva.org/about/how">About Kiva.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This Christmas, the Abla side of our family decided that we would take the amount of money normally spent on gifts for each other and instead invest at Kiva. So, last night all 12 of us, kids included, squeezed into our family room, sat around the Christmas tree began to invest in real people around the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Creating our family account was an ordeal in itself. What would we call o<span style="font-weight: normal;">ur group? You can only imagine the suggestions with the names </span><b>C</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">uttill </span><b>R</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">oat </span><b>A</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">bla </span><b>P</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">rice (no, we did not select CRAP as our Kiva name, but you know it was discussed. Check us out anyway at <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lender/cuttillroatablaprice9024">Cuttill Roat Abla Price</a> ). With the family photo snapped and uploaded, we only had one more step to complete our profile. We had to finish the statement<span style="font-weight: normal;">, “I loan because...”. I don't think any of us had actually thought much about why, but our answer came when Evan recited Isaiah 1:17 </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Learn to do good: Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead fo<span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">r the widow.” </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> This scripture became our hymn, as well as our Kiva group slogan. We invite all to join this group at <a href="http://www.kiva.org/team/isaiah117">Isaiah 1:17</a></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once our family account was initiated, we pressed the much anticipated “lend” button on the site. Waiting anxiously for the multitude of needy folks to pop up, we became instantly disappointed when we found NO loans were available to be funded! WHAT? We waited and waited—still—none. Then, all of a sudden, one profile came available. In unison we yelled at the computer operator “CHOSE THAT ONE! CHOSE THAT ONE!” and that's how Jhudy, a small grocery owner from Peru, became our first investment. As we read about Jhudy's life and circumstances, excitement began to grow in the room. Jhudy was a real person with a real desire to make her life better and overcome poverty through entrepreneurship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We followed the same process to fund the next seven loans and each time the kids would read about these people and become a bit more engaged in the process of investing. Once all of our initial monies were spent, several more loans became available. It was at this point that my sister-in-law announced, <span style="color: black;">“Hey, Marsha. Here is a widow with a daughter from </span><span style="color: black;">Tajikistan who is seeking a loan to invest in seeds and mineral fertilizer to improve the quality of her produce.” Well, she had me at “widow” and Begidjon Khairova became the first loan we were able to choose ourselves and the final loan of the evening. Funny thing was, everyone still had their laptops or iPhones out researching other loans on the site. Zack had created a “group” on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=267104219907&ref=mf">Facebook</a> and everyone had created personal accounts on Kiva.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">You know, I don't remember our family EVER being so engaged during any Christmas gift exchange in the past. Somehow opening presents wasn't even missed and in the end we were able to say, “Merry Christmas Begidjon.” “Merry Christmas Norma.” “Merrry Christmas Riza.” “Merry Christmas Jhudy.” “Merry Christmas Cotzojay.” “Merry Christmas Mariela.” “Merry Christmas Sherali.” “Merry Christmas Olivia.” “Merry Christmas Zulma.” And a very Merry Christmas to our family who has always invested in each other, so it only seems natural to invest in others.</span></span><br />
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</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-14694248528937673642009-12-03T19:09:00.008-06:002009-12-03T19:25:29.712-06:00Best Young Adult Books of the Decade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RsI_qy0TN-tHFSNK4t4rxfJGof5tYHev1a8uPlWNDj0TtkPoxVgbXHumu0kxUKzWjqn9diZfPpQ0NgOHBfkhDShOTzLsh29l6zx_cL4VOf1VNLs_O_rOqVG0-7DVLYtRALWY/s1600-h/books46099.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RsI_qy0TN-tHFSNK4t4rxfJGof5tYHev1a8uPlWNDj0TtkPoxVgbXHumu0kxUKzWjqn9diZfPpQ0NgOHBfkhDShOTzLsh29l6zx_cL4VOf1VNLs_O_rOqVG0-7DVLYtRALWY/s200/books46099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411185949620888626" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">As you all know, I am a strong believer that if you are to become an accomplished writer, you MUST read good literature. I recently returned from a BER seminar entitled “The Best Young Adult Books of the Decade and How to Use Them in Your Program (Grades 6-12)”. After posting the fact I was attending this seminar, many friends and educators asked if I would post the information on my website, so here it is. Dr. Scates gave book talks on over 75 books during the day, so the list here does not do justice to the great literature out there for young adults.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">First, I will post the presenter, Denni Kay Scates’s list of:</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;font-size:130%;"><b>Top Ten Young Adult Books for Grades 6-8.</b></span></span></p><ol><li><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Elijah of Buxton</b> by Christopher Paul Curtis </span> </p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Invention of Hugo Cabret</b> by Brian Selznick (Adventure)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cirque Du Freak</b> (series) by Darren Shan (Fantasy; Horror)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>To Dance</b> by Sienna Cherson Siegel (Science Fiction; Graphic Novel)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Death by Eggplant</b> by Susan O’Keefe (Humor)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Click Here and Find Out How I Survived 7</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> Grade</b> by Denise Ve</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">ga (Humor)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Waiting for Normal</b> by Leslie Conner (Realistic Fiction) </span> </p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Guys Write for Guys Read </b>by Jon Scieszka (Short Stories)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Dairy Queen</b> by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Realistic Fiction) </span> </p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>A Baseball Card Adventure Series</b> (ie. Babe and Me) by Dan Gutman (Fantasy; Series)</span></p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">After listening to the book talks, I made a list of the:</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in">“<span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;font-size:130%;"><b>Top Ten Young Adult Books I Want to Read”:</b></span></span></p><ol><li><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Point Blank: an Alex Rider Adventure</b> by Anthony Horowitz (Adventure)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>From Baghdad With Love: a Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava</b> by Jay Kopelman (Memoir)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>How to Be Popular</b> by Meg Cabot (“Chick” Lit)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Historian </b>by Elizabeth Kostova (Fantasy; Horror)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Code Talker</b> by Joseph Bruchac (Historical Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Fire From the Rock</b> by Sharon Draper (Historical Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>24 Girls in 7 Days</b> by Alex Bradley (Humor)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters</b> by Gail Giles (Mystery)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Dairy Queen </b>by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Realistic Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life</b> by Wendy Mass (Mystery)</span></p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">Here is my two cents; books that I have found to impact my students and my teaching:</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;font-size:130%;"><b>Marsha’s Top Ten List of Young Adult Books</b></span></span></p> <ol> <li><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Touching Spirit Bea</b>r by Ben Michaelsen (Adventure)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Running Out of Time </b>by Margaret Petterson Haddix (Historical Fiction/Fantasy)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Flying Solo</b> by Ralph Fletcher (Realistic Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Jack on the Tracks</b> by Jack Gantos (Humor)</span></p><br /></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems</b> by Kristine O’Connell George</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Sideways Stories From Wayside School </b>by Louis Sachar: (Humor)This book is below the middle school level reading-wise; however, is rich in humor and lends itself to impromptu plays</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Guts</b> by Gary Paulsen (Biography)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Stormbreaker </b> by Anthony Horowitz (Adventure)</span></p><br /></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Silent to the Bone</b> by E.L. Konigsburg (Realistic Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Writing Magic </b>by Gail Carson Levine (Non Fiction): One of the best books to encourage young writers. </span> </p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">If you are interested I have a catalog of ALL of the books BER recommends for students 6-12. It is lengthy, but it gives a brief description of the books. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">In addition I will also include Dr. Scates’s Top Ten for Grades 9-12. SOME, but not all, of these books MAY contain some mature situations, so use your d</span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeOKI2LpTWBmjsyGraKryEmSz2tt7LGFl9IWA4hjt476ewTiaCE8Dc-SzbfNlm5mKC6xOk7KUrvmW0OBD5ZxYIwM2T3LjJ4Qgy9AWqAVp6Yp3VPe5zXz8IMsZaMCVb1_HQGJQ/s200/read+bed.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411184636730281394" /><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">iscretion. They are sure to ignite great discussion with your teenager (we could all use that). Most of the books on the list are perfectly fine and the reading level is greater than some of the 6-8 books:</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Top Ten Young Adult Books for Grades 9-12</span></b></span></p> <ol> <li><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>The First Part Last</b> by Angela Johnson (Realistic Fiction): Bobby’s carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes a father and must care for his baby daughter.</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Three Cups of Tea</b> by Greg Mortensen (Memoir)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Twilight</b> by Stephanie Meyer (Fantasy)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>American Born Chinese</b> by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Book Theif</b> by Markus Zusak (Historical Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>24 Girls in 7 Days</b> by Alex Bradley (Humor)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Click</b> by Nick Hornby and others (Mystery)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Wreath for Emmett Till </b>by Marilyn Nelson (Non-fiction: Picture Book): This book is about a man who was killed in a brutal, racially motivated lynching in 1955. It is told in sonnet form and has very sophisticated language-it should spark lots of conversation.</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>My Sister’s Keepe</b>r by Jodi Picoult (Realistic Fiction)</span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><b>Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Ar</b>t by Scott Hunt</span></p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in"><span style="font-family:Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;">Now it is your turn, as readers of this blog, what are the young adult books you have found to ignite the love of reading and/or left an impact on you as an adult? Use the “comments” to leave your suggestions. Be sure to list the book title, author, and why you think it should be added to the list.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-56864207543839918542009-10-26T18:17:00.001-05:002009-10-26T18:20:58.151-05:00Contrived and Predictable Has it's Merits!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamaiTXG56l-4ShmiffTiHqaaFt4j9omPhpZMq-T0n6eLHqbBPFjOLsIegD-CjDJwFYgJRwDeHUqK1OcEw5N1rq1pav2Vj6N6RVKlRamMoFfZWKgk4mwsvNfViZLAzjQc388rR/s1600-h/night-at-the-movies.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamaiTXG56l-4ShmiffTiHqaaFt4j9omPhpZMq-T0n6eLHqbBPFjOLsIegD-CjDJwFYgJRwDeHUqK1OcEw5N1rq1pav2Vj6N6RVKlRamMoFfZWKgk4mwsvNfViZLAzjQc388rR/s200/night-at-the-movies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397052447179291058" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I love movies, but believe when it comes to choosing and enjoying them I have the maturity of a teenager. Case in point: I have been to three movies in the theatre within the last few months: </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Inglorious Basterds, District 9 </i></span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Proposal</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">. I must learn that if a film critic finds a movie “intelligent” or “a multilayered, rewarding work” I should steer clear of it at any costs. But if the review states that the show is “…as predictable and comforting as a Happy Meal” or “shamelessly derivative, contrived and predictable” these movies are right up my ally.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">When I leave a theatre, I want to feel as if I have been entertained. I want to have laughed, cried, clenched my seat in fright, or even resisted the urge to cheer on the hero/heroine. I want to be engaged in the story—to be sucked in. I don’t want to feel compelled to think about what societal message the director might be portraying or what hidden symbolism embodies a character’s actions.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I pride myself as a “thinker”, but when it comes to the cinema—I seem more interested in piffle. Of the tree before mentioned movies, the only one I really enjoyed was </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Proposal</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">. Chucked full of contrived and predictable plot lines with a healthy dose of shoddiness, </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Proposal</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> made me laugh, caused me to forget stressors in my life for a moment and step into a bit of romantic fairy tale.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">It is for this reason I am a terrible movie-mate. My best friends enjoy those highly intelligent, mind stretching, award winning films while I just don’t want to put that much effort into the pastime. Why does all this matter? Quite frankly, it doesn’t mean anything at all. I just felt the need to proclaim my propensity for mediocre movies aloud, accept it as a part of who I am, and cease guilty about it. There, I said it (or wrote it).</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">So, this weekend we purchased, On Demand, three movies: </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>X-Men Origins: Wolverine; <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><i>My Life in Ruins; and Ghost of Girlfriends Past</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">. For the first time in a long while, I enjoyed every last one of them. I got my money’s worth, didn’t feel cheated of the time, and was entertained -- just like any other teenager on the planet.</span></span></i></span></p>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-63746058831344595952009-10-24T21:01:00.001-05:002009-10-24T21:12:14.667-05:00Writing Wherewithal!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKECTm5AYcDINQb59nRmSh6Qt6Zos8UBbtE59iuRhBGSzi5CILFbRUW85kt5f4Ow7LnkSLyDvr5Rn1IXsY0PsYe5pzve3TAoM2RWJBxVXwqyzeXKm59Zy9ih-oB9lXRQy3lRKv/s1600-h/writers_block_400.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKECTm5AYcDINQb59nRmSh6Qt6Zos8UBbtE59iuRhBGSzi5CILFbRUW85kt5f4Ow7LnkSLyDvr5Rn1IXsY0PsYe5pzve3TAoM2RWJBxVXwqyzeXKm59Zy9ih-oB9lXRQy3lRKv/s200/writers_block_400.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396354575521960466" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Writing is definitely a craft. Like an athlete, a writer must practice in order for their talent to be honed. It has been over three months since I have written anything for publication and it is quite obvious that by allowing this craft to become stagnant, it has become laborious to revive. But here I sit in the dark with my computer, and I wonder if restoration is possible. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">It isn't that I have nothing to communicate, it is that I can't seem to find that allusive “balance” I am constantly seeking. Everything I see, do or experience is fodder for a blog, but lately I can't seem to compose. The words are there, but the wherewithal to do the work is not.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I have always been an advocate that teacher's of writing must write themselves. It is important that we understand what our students are experiencing when they write. Perhaps her lies an epiphany—sometimes it is simply too difficult to write, or too arduous or perhaps inconsequential. I am really not sure which tag properly identifies my motives, but I feel compelled to come out of the fog.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The lack of motivation to write is like being separated from one you love—it is a feeling of abandonment and torpidity. Salvaging this union will no doubt take hard work and practice. I am unafraid of either, but both take an incredible amount of time and energy. It is time to step up to the plate, but why does it seem so difficult?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The problem is simple and I know it. I have become lazy. Sometimes, it is easier not to write at all than to expend the amount of energy it takes to compose well. Perhaps it doesn't matter if the writing is great or significant—perhaps sometimes it just matters that you DO IT! Quite a lesson for writers, no matter what their age. </p>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-58749183516573036962009-07-29T08:12:00.002-05:002009-07-29T21:32:17.102-05:00What a Fool Believes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZis5G5yiKIJz6-OgwhRjeyGsVX0QJXByFanVZEdSm7jGU1YDvOagOXYE2Rce4z42en81I3nmdVWPTsrQoXn6GIpse-vTAyJ9hqcFII5y9kzyraPpVz0QKdw9yPDOeI_j7EwQ/s1600-h/Doobie+Brothers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZis5G5yiKIJz6-OgwhRjeyGsVX0QJXByFanVZEdSm7jGU1YDvOagOXYE2Rce4z42en81I3nmdVWPTsrQoXn6GIpse-vTAyJ9hqcFII5y9kzyraPpVz0QKdw9yPDOeI_j7EwQ/s400/Doobie+Brothers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363622399014840962" border="0" /></a>Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's harder than you think.<br /><br />YOUR ARTIST: Dooobie Brothers<br /><br />Are you male or female: Evil Woman<br /><br />Describe yourself: Minute By Minute<br /><br />How do you feel about yourself: Disciple<br /><br />Describe where you currently live: Chicago (or kindof close)<br /><br />The first thing you think of when you wake up: Here to Love You<br /><br />If you could go anywhere, where would you go: China Grove<br /><br />Your favorite form of transportation: Flying Cloud<br /><br />What is the weather like where you are at: Rainy Day Crossroad Blues<br /><br />Your best friend is: Closer Every Day<br /><br />Your favorite color is: White Sun<br /><br />If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Black Water<br /><br />What is life to you: Dangerous<br /><br />What is the best advice you have to give: Don’t Be Afraid<br /><br />If you could change your name, what would it be: Mamaloi<br /><br />Your favorite food is: South of the Border<br /><br />How I would like to die: Dedicate This Heart<br /><br />My soul's present condition: Echoes of Love<br /><br />What are you going to post this as: What a Fool Believes<br /><br />Now it is your turn---Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-16031064960721153612009-07-28T13:02:00.002-05:002009-07-28T13:07:12.420-05:00Theology according to “Saving Grace”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p_cqjYsJ7s-6S3Ciq-qYVoSyX8bWc-Mja-kmtJBqDhBToOew2izF2_RZcO4iwjEdJGhB1F1W71VG8v5ZdG9rju6kRbyVr7WAGe83MNp-yOBc87l8kluppLKCBbZp0oJcI4lA/s1600-h/saving_grace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p_cqjYsJ7s-6S3Ciq-qYVoSyX8bWc-Mja-kmtJBqDhBToOew2izF2_RZcO4iwjEdJGhB1F1W71VG8v5ZdG9rju6kRbyVr7WAGe83MNp-yOBc87l8kluppLKCBbZp0oJcI4lA/s400/saving_grace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363573212088838546" border="0" /></a>If you haven’t watched “Saving Grace” on TNT, it is an interesting spin on God and his relationship to us. This message is often conveyed through an angel named Earl. The premise of the series is that God sent an angel who offers a jaded Oklahoma City police detective (Grace Hanadarko) the chance to redeem her life following a drunk driving accident in which she kills someone. Her character is extremely flawed, which is why I guess I can relate to her so well. I don’t always agree with the theology expounded in the television program, but I often gleam some understanding through Hollywood’s feeble attempts. If nothing else, it often sparks major discussions within our household. The following scene takes place in a Jewish temple. Here is a short discussion between Earl and Grace concerning prayer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> All kind of prayers, popcorn prayers, Hebrew prayers, screamin’, cussin’, questionin’: all prayers<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> Prayers in here may be important, but ‘please let me score a touchdown, please help me find a parking place’ what about that crap<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> You don’t think God can handle the big and the small<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> Some dope prays for the light to turn green same time a family prays for their sick baby—light turns green baby dies—why doesn’t he save the baby?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> I don’t know God makes the decisions not our desires.<br />Grace: Really, GOD makes the decisions?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> Yes<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> So, ok God decides to kill 6 million jews, machete a million Africans?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> God decided to give you all a choice the people who gassed 6 million Jews and Machete a million Africans made that call<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> But God is the decider he could have stopped them<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl: </span>He can do anything he wants. He could have created each one of you to worship him, but what would be the fun in that. He wants you to come to him on your own, to pray because you want to<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace</span>: But why would I pray to someone who stands by and does nothing when he could do everything?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl: </span>Is that what you want? If God did everything then what would you do?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> Dance…Laugh...same things I have always done.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> Dancing has always been one of my favorite prayers.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> I still don’t see the point of prayer<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">It prepares you to see God in any situation</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grace:</span> I don’t feel it—not the kind of prayer you are talking about.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl:</span> What do you think summoned me?<br /><br />Prayer is an interesting aspect of our relationship with God. What is the point? I believe the answer actually comes from Earl “It prepares you to see God in any situation”. My prayer life was never as active as it was after Don died. Perhaps I was longing to see God in my situation perhaps I was in the cussin’, questionin’, screamin’ mode. What I learned is that we are not promised a life without struggle, difficulty, or suffering. What we ARE promised is that God will be there to see us through, so that what we go through isn’t in vain; so that we can not only see God in our situation, but we can find the strength to make it meaningful.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-53906205002692154272009-07-26T00:47:00.006-05:002009-07-26T11:27:37.869-05:00In the Most Unlikely Places<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoFqiP1YMiOEaOrEYlFvQMu7mI0q7LjnHCWfB6rhthl3T308zQhbLgHrCtIzKlH2geCsTJ10JoSdzu3VS4hdp64fDYMxIWfcIM2pnJhPPt_c-HUmH48uybM-Wp2mku0xNC9P7/s1600-h/IMG_0089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoFqiP1YMiOEaOrEYlFvQMu7mI0q7LjnHCWfB6rhthl3T308zQhbLgHrCtIzKlH2geCsTJ10JoSdzu3VS4hdp64fDYMxIWfcIM2pnJhPPt_c-HUmH48uybM-Wp2mku0xNC9P7/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362645919314718578" border="0" /></a>There are times in our lives when God seeks us out, grabs our attention and causes us to assess our walk. Sometime he does this in the most unlikely of places—let’s say, for example, on a cruise ship.<br /><br />On the morning of our final day at sea, Kent and I headed to the dining room for breakfast. As fate (or divine intervention) would have it, we were seated next to a couple we had enjoyed the company of the previous morning—a career Navy officer and his wife (Tom and Anne). After exchanging greetings, another couple was seated next to them. Mike and Claudia were from Ohio, newly married, and on their honeymoon.<br /><br />We learned Mike was a high school history teacher and football coach. Of course I felt an instant connection (it’s a teacher thing). We talked NCLB, IEP’s, PBIS and RTI—until we realized the others, eyes glazed over, were not following our acronym saturated conversation. The converstion then turned to more general issues about education and life in general. What impressed me about Mike was his obvious passion for his vocation. You might think this is normal in young teachers, but often it isn’t the case. It wasn’t long until I sensed that his passion went beyond the classroom into the lives of his students. I was right.<br /><br />Routine conversation led to the fact that my brother was a children’s pastor and my father a minister. Mike openly shared that he and Claudia fostered a small group for high school students through “Young Life”. We then began to discuss ministry and the role it played in our every day lives. The Navy officer, Tom, began to speak about the church they had left in Memphis when they moved to Maryland and how they hadn’t found anywhere to land since the move. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke of the purpose that seemed lost in his life. They had lead a Divorce Care small group in Memphis and were actively involved in their faith community, but since moving found it difficult to find a new church home. He spoke passionately of specific situations where he and his wife were able to minister to others going through the pain of divorce and how energized they had been during that time in their lives.<br /><br />A fervent Mike, wanting disparately to encourage this Navy officer, shared the analogy that God was like the water flowing though a water slide. He is always there—flowing through our lives. We can either jump in and take the ride or sit on the side and simply watch the water flow. Tom responded with a grin that replaced the tears, “Seems we need to jump back in the water,” he replied.<br /><br />As we stood to leave our two-hour breakfast, the standard, “Have a nice day” was replaced with, “I promise to pray for you.” WOW—right there in the middle of the Carnival Liberty dining room, God was present.<br /><br />It may seem as if the Navy officer and his wife were the ones ministered to the most, but that just wasn’t the case. Each of us were ministered to, challenged and encouraged throughout the morning. My own spiritual walk had been in need of resuscitation for some time. Little did I know that God would provide the intervention my soul needed in such an unconventional way; providing a jumping IN point where I could capture, once again, a glimpse of the dream HE had for my life. It was time to redirect my actions to encompass the core values of my soul.<br /><br />What did this encounter mean for me personally? It means setting new focus. leveraging my time, energy and resources (McManus). It means refusing to waste time on "stuff" that doesn't really matter and focusing on "stuff' that not only will matter today, but will have a lasting effect tomorrow. I walked away from breakfast that morning feeling more energized that I had been in a very long time.<br /><br />When we got back to the cabin, I grabbed my iPod, towel and headphones then headed to the deck to grab some sun. The events of the morning freshly on my mind, I placed the earphones in my ears, hit “shuffle” on my iPod and laid my head back on the deck chair. I shouldn’t have been surprised at the song that began to play. It sealed my deal with God. Tears streaming down my face on the sun deck of the Carnival Liberty, God continued to minister...<br /><br /><object height="322" width="403"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bTEo8j40mcA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bTEo8j40mcA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-29706496633948921362009-07-23T17:43:00.002-05:002009-07-23T17:45:53.597-05:00SCUBA and Life Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMtr6nLf1IYesSreJIqNb65ge4Io3SQabWWV-6h6Ve3A1bIaW_tK2bPq3KKcAbAponhmqQnW8J_1WSsuxs7RM3939q5UMdRuqv6thr9cCT5uJnpNmJ5FQj4tVbT_26P6LS9NJ/s1600-h/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMtr6nLf1IYesSreJIqNb65ge4Io3SQabWWV-6h6Ve3A1bIaW_tK2bPq3KKcAbAponhmqQnW8J_1WSsuxs7RM3939q5UMdRuqv6thr9cCT5uJnpNmJ5FQj4tVbT_26P6LS9NJ/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361790509802994066" border="0" /></a>My husband loves to SCUBA dive-it is truly one of his passions. He often teases that my willingness to become certified was a condition of marriage. I completed my certification at Crystal River in Florida not long after we started dating. It was an inland venue and though the manatees were quite awesome, the water was cold and the fish were—well—rather unattractive. It was at this point I informed my husband that if he intended for me to continue this diving business he would have to take me somewhere with warm water and pretty fish.<br /><br />Fast forward two years and we sign up for two dives on our cruise through the Caribbean this past week. The closer the time came to dive, the more apprehensive I became. It had been over two years since my last dive. What if I forgot my training? What if I made a fool of myself, or worse one of Kent? What if something went terribly wrong and I didn’t know what to do? It was unmistakably clear: FEAR had its grip on me and was reluctant to let go. What “fear” failed to realize is that I am just obstinate enough to fight it. I understood it wasn’t necessary for me to be courageous—as much as it was to appear courageous.<br /><br />Aboard the dive boat appearing to be calm, cool and collected, I donned my BC, regulator and tank. I strapped on what I thought to be enough weight to take me to the appropriate level to begin the dive. Hoping it would be like riding a bicycle; I jumped in with enough partial confidence to get wet. There were two impending roadblocks: #1. I wasn’t descending (not enough weight) and #2. I couldn’t clear my ears. After reaching 50 feet or so (only by pulling myself down a tow and feeling my ears push so hard into my brain that I was sure brain matter was oozing from my ears), it was apparent the dive would have to be called. I was disappointed in myself compounded with guilt that Kent would be unable to continue this dive (dive buddies stay together no matter what-at least the good ones do). When we finally reached the dive boat, shed our gear, and wiped the blood from my nose; I sat pensively.<br /><br />When I am disappointed in myself—which is far too often—I need time to contemplate, hash over in my mind what happened and seek resolution. It was the encouragement of my dive buddy and that of the dive master that finally broke my reverie assuring me many folks have to call dives for similar issues. I wasn’t a failure; I just needed to regroup and give it another shot.<br /><br />I have never been known to run from adversity. I do; however, tend to step back, regroup, and even distance myself. Not this time. If I was going to continue to be a SCUBA diver, I HAD to go on the next dive. I had to overcome the fear and press on.<br /><br />Guided by the dive master, I added several more pounds to my weight belt. Stepping off the back of the boat with cautious confidence—down I went, gently clearing my ears with each breath. I was diving—success—at last.<br /><br />Isn’t this how life’s difficulties can be at times? We intend meet them head on, but without much forethought or preparation expecting everything to go off without a hitch. We dismiss the importance of reviewing what we already know, accepting the wisdom and encouragement from friends and most of all we tend to press on without the “life Master”.<br /><br />How much easier it is to navigate difficulties when we fully consider the wisdom of our past, embrace the support of those who have already walked the journey, but most of all pursue God’s leading in our circumstance. That’s when we triumph over adversity. That’s when we realize life is not about us. That’s when our reward is crystal clear, blue water and pretty fish.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-53665529470914781172009-07-21T08:17:00.007-05:002009-07-21T16:41:46.487-05:00Marsha's Cruise TipsThis will begin a series of several post concerning our cruise. Some of them will provide practical information, some short vignettes and some musings from aboard the Carnival Liberty 2009.<br />will….” or “next time I won’t….”. This time I decided to make a list of Marsha’s Cruise Tips:<br /><br />• Boat Drill: GO LATE, seriously wait about 20 minutes before going to your muster station. IF you don’t you will be stuck in the back of an extremely hot group of grumpy people with HOT lifejackets on. Save yourself the grief and be fashionably late.<br />• Get a cabin with a balcony if at all possible. I know you say you won’t be in the cabin that much, but it makes all th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgEuh5Oy6C9mjWfYb5ILuuKyvBJoc4RZXCr6DTxlAIOtOI7JdZzEteWSiljYVtidwjz74YOPf2cdDLBnl3ewmTeLM1dZyfQ3cdUonwCXu4d8vaVkiUDNUxlRDxp-juOw2Lp07/s1600-h/IMG_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgEuh5Oy6C9mjWfYb5ILuuKyvBJoc4RZXCr6DTxlAIOtOI7JdZzEteWSiljYVtidwjz74YOPf2cdDLBnl3ewmTeLM1dZyfQ3cdUonwCXu4d8vaVkiUDNUxlRDxp-juOw2Lp07/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360902903039554642" border="0" /></a>e difference in the world when you are there.<br />• If you want good food all week—just plan on eating every meal in the dining room. This is one area that has really declined since my last cruise three years ago. The “Lido” deck buff<br />I have been on three cruises, but this was Kent’s first. Every time I go, I always say “next time I et style food was mediocre at best. They do have 24-hour pizza that’s pretty good, but the food in the dining room is always great.<br />• Buy only ONE soda card to share per two people. You might have to be a little sneaky passing the card back and forth, but it saves bucks.<br />• Don’t buy all those photos taken by the ship’s professionals. They are really expensive. Just buy one as a souvenir and take snapshots. Candid pictures will mean more anyway.<br />• Go to dinner the first evening about 10 minutes late. This will save you the hassle of the first night cattle call/find your table mess. Just wait and walk right in—fashionably late again.<br />• Room service is complementary—so take some empty Ziplock baggies with you in your suitcase and on days that you have shore excursions order pbj’s, fruit, chips for breakfast from room service and take them with you for the shore excursion.<br />• In Jamaica, don’t leave the boat too early for your excursion. You only need about 15 minutes and if you get there earlier you wait in a REALLY hot building.<br />• Remember that the shore excursions are reasonably priced comparatively, but what you get by booking them through the cruise is that you are covered under the cruise insurance (huge benefit if you dive) and the boat won’t leave without you if you happen to be late.<br />• Don’t forget to take cash (esp. small bills) with you on excursions for tips or emergencies.<br />• For those of you who enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage—according to our table mates they NEVER buy alcohol on the ship. Apparently, they bring their own—checked bags are never “checked”, so a little bubble-wrap protects the product and you’re set for the week.<br />• Remember you don’t have to do everything and doing nothing is doing something—at least on a cruise.<br />• If you don’t enjoy meeting other people, interacting with other people, sharing life for a week with interesting folks from around the world—find another vacation a cruise just wouldn’t be your “cup of tea”. On the other hand if you enjoy people a cruise can be the best vacation ever.<br /><br />Feel free to add things I may have overlooked or forgotten.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-82976884773115896212009-07-05T18:17:00.010-05:002009-07-21T15:40:22.540-05:00In Loving Memory...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavLdo5_15fUBnuWMfTI71wMUeTfQ_mr1ABAto9x-Hh4dYqzFsUPNB_9SpMic744Pia6OFV-xHdrx6gwasS0Gj5GXbe3gzI8nbg0iu4g2rdgdx_opLKSHsHTl6HnFl0VkhKCnp/s1600-h/img243.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavLdo5_15fUBnuWMfTI71wMUeTfQ_mr1ABAto9x-Hh4dYqzFsUPNB_9SpMic744Pia6OFV-xHdrx6gwasS0Gj5GXbe3gzI8nbg0iu4g2rdgdx_opLKSHsHTl6HnFl0VkhKCnp/s400/img243.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355119686716102498" border="0" /></a><br />Margaret "Mamaw" Ellen Abla went to be with her Lord Sunday July 5, 2009. She was loved passionately and will be greatly missed.<br /><br />Here is the obituary for the newspaper. It is rather impersonal, but a more personal picture of "Mamaw" is forthcoming.<br /><br />Margaret Ellen Abla, 89, left this world to be with her Lord Sunday the 5th of July, 2009 at Mckinley Court Nursing Home. “Mamaw’s” final days were spent surrounded by the family and friends whose lives she had touched in many ways.<br /><br />Margaret was born in Lamar, Colorado to Ross and Maggie Curry, she was one of six children. In 1937, she married Glen Abla and began her life of ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. Following their retirement, Margaret made her home in Denver, Colorado. She moved to Decatur in 2003 where she was a joy to those fortunate enough to have shared her life.<br /><br />She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene. Margie enjoyed family gatherings, shopping, discussing politics and Monical’s Pizza. Her love for the Lord was evident by her dedication to the ministry and her love for those around her. “Mamaw’s” smile often lit up a room, especially when sharing one of her many stories about her life as a pastor’s wife and evangelist.<br /><br />A celebration of the life of Margaret Abla will be held at the Decatur First Church of the Nazarene 7:00pm Tuesday evening with visitation one hour before the service from 6-7.<br /><br />“Mamaw” has left many memories to be treasured by her beloved children Edwin Abla, his wife Janice of Decatur, her daughter Sharon Miller and husband Bill of Parker, Colorado. Her memory will also be cherished by her grandchildren Marsha Cuttill-Price, Marc Abla, Evan Abla, Scott Miller, Lauren Miller, Lindsay Miller and Michael Miller along with her many loving great-grandchildren and friends.<br /><br />The family appreciates your continued prayers and support. They request any memorials made in honor of Margaret Abla be contributed to Compassionate Ministries, Decatur First Church of the Nazarene.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-25365895305760647542009-06-24T11:00:00.004-05:002009-06-24T11:10:47.249-05:00Meme #978<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO19RG-1GnQ9ZxOi4o4joAuhjj0zb5hA8BRx2_T0e3DO93Wfvi9Mp8BwNoPBCoAUJ0uNYcPi0T7-PynALdrbCJi7sYv7Y0q-xX9LFi44WEGVCrpKzdH-bPCIwJ6jof5w6h8g5P/s1600-h/mosaic34514574e65ee5b170da7e35eadf80ed3fa5bdb8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO19RG-1GnQ9ZxOi4o4joAuhjj0zb5hA8BRx2_T0e3DO93Wfvi9Mp8BwNoPBCoAUJ0uNYcPi0T7-PynALdrbCJi7sYv7Y0q-xX9LFi44WEGVCrpKzdH-bPCIwJ6jof5w6h8g5P/s200/mosaic34514574e65ee5b170da7e35eadf80ed3fa5bdb8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350926798431356594" border="0" /></a>Taking another break from an all-too-serious piece I am writing on nursing homes, I ran across this meme from <a href="http://penthaslist.blogspot.com/2009/06/to-z-meme.html">Alicia</a> and <a href="http://anniegirl1138.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/a-blog-starter/">Ann</a>. I am going to answer it with a few changes. I like the idea of an occasional meme as they are much easier (not to mention short) to write, but they still develop the craft. I am thinking of borrowing Ann’s Monday Meme in my classroom next year, but here it goes The Alphabet Meme…<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A – Age:</span> I am 47 (or will be in a few weeks). I have traveled a very complicated road to get here. Of course it wasn’t what I expected, but it has been fulfilling. Sometimes I feel really old and sometimes I don’t feel any older than I did when I was 20.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B – Band listening to right now:</span> My iPod has the most diverse music on it and sometimes I hit shuffle just to see what happens. It usually goes: country, pop, classic rock, new age, contemporary Christian and classical (I even have some bluegrass).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C – Career future:</span> My career is education; notice I didn’t say teaching because often I am the student. I thought I wanted to go into educational administration-even got the degree, but then I think your job becomes “beans, busses and basketball”-not education. I still want to be about education.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D – Dad’s name:</span> It is Edwin-my son’s middle name as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">E – Easiest person to talk to:</span> Kent is the easiest person to talk to about anything, coming in a close second is Ginny, but that has developed over years and years. I am a pretty open book with my close friends and used to be with others, but over the past few years I tend to shut myself off more if I find I have trust issues.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">F – Favorite song:</span> I don’t have a favorite, but I can chronicle my life by songs. If a song comes on the radio or my iPod I normally have a life experience connected to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">G – Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms:</span> LOVE the Gummy Bears.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">H – Hometown: </span> This is always an interesting question. Technically I don’t have one. My father was a minister and we moved quite often, but I always say I “grew up” in Hasting, Nebraska. It is where I spent my teenage years – what a great place to raise a teen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I – Instruments: </span> I play the piano—not well, but can get by. I took violin lessons through high school.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">J – Job:</span> I have been working since I was 15. I sold shoes for the most part. I was a bank teller (not a very good one), walked beans and rogued corn—the rest have been associated with education in some form and I wouldn’t call them “jobs”.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">K – Kids: </span> I have 6 of those—two sons; 3 step-sons; 1 step-daughter<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">L – Longest car ride ever: </span> I am not sure as we drove everywhere when I was growing up, but it would have to be the summer we drove from St. Louis, Missouri to Miami, Florida.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">M – Mom’s name:</span> Martha Janice, but folks only know her by Jan or Janice. It is also my middle name.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">N – Number of people you consider your closest friends: </span> There are about four gals who I trust explicitly and accept unconditionally. They have been there through thick and thin—life and death—and I am proud to call each of them my friend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">P – Phobia[s]: </span> I used to have a dental phobia, but that is changing. I don’t particularly like to fly, but am stubborn enough to NEVER let it stop me from doing so.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q – Quote:</span> “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”<br />-Alvin Toffler-<br />This is what NCLB is NOT getting right now. It isn't about the "test", but about learning, unlearning and relearning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">R – Reason to smile</span>: I am loved. (This is a great answer Ann)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">S – Song you sang last:</span> “Brave” by Jamie O’Neil<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">T – Time you wake up:</span> That’s a good question: during the school year—5:50AM—during the summer: not so much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U – Unknown fact about me:</span> I am SCUBA certified.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">V – Vegetable you hate:</span> Peas—yucky—texture issues.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">W – Worst habit:</span> Biting my nails—I hate it, but there are several more bad habits I harbor<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">X – X-rays you’ve had:</span> Over the years—about every x-ray known to man, but I have never broken a bone—yet…<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y – Yummy food:</span> California rolls and crab legs are my favorites.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Z – Zodiac sign:</span> I am a Leo—and I don’t get the zodiac thing but here is today’s horoscope—rather interesting for those of you who know me well:<br />“Because you may often be impulsive, concentrated and spontaneous, you could find yourself representing your company, lecturing or teaching. A well-trained sales person could do well to learn your techniques because you tend to rush in where others fear to tread. Your energy is magnanimous. There is something essential that starts or causes something else to happen--a reaction or response when you promote a product, instruct or lecture. Others will benefit from your experience and your leadership. You may be able to enjoy and value your own life situation today. There is much laughter and merriment in your home this afternoon and evening. A visitor may compliment you on your tastes or belongings”<br /><br />OK--now it is your turn. Be sure to link back or let me know when you complete the meme.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-33690779157987878612009-06-23T08:30:00.003-05:002009-06-23T08:30:03.845-05:00Seriously?My 13-year-old has a subscription to “Electronic Gaming Monthly”. It is one of few written materials he actually reads. So last week, he received the following in the mail:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5im8UF0oNb61C8xD_RVlUPnh36Agh9u-25RdIZ5Pf4uMzkqx4ElwI_NVl4QKwScnn6m7L0_v8XlWQeCkOsTwqdCBSKfod4EHj2HqmjI9RWy5IkDuszEEy558zAJj-ehrRYn1B/s1600-h/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5im8UF0oNb61C8xD_RVlUPnh36Agh9u-25RdIZ5Pf4uMzkqx4ElwI_NVl4QKwScnn6m7L0_v8XlWQeCkOsTwqdCBSKfod4EHj2HqmjI9RWy5IkDuszEEy558zAJj-ehrRYn1B/s200/IMG_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350309638744867138" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you squinting your eyes to read, it says:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Welcome to Maxim!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This note is to inform you that Electronic Gaming Monthly has ceased publishing with the January 2009 issue. The balance of your paid subscription will be fulfilled with Maxim. If you are already a subscriber to Maxim, the balance of your Electronic Gaming Monthly subscription will be added to your existing Maxim subscription.”</span><br /><br />Now, here is my take on this absurd replacement:<br />There are going to be millions of extremely happy adolescent boys, but on the other hand a million really ticked off parents. Mark me in the latter group. Seriously, is this an equal substitute for a gaming magazine?<br /><br />Besides scantily clad women on almost every page, the articles in this magazine include: “The Drinking Man’s Guide to Summer”, “Fantasy Island”, “I Like to Punish People” and “The Sex Checklist: What bedroom taboos should you encourage your girl to break”. So, apparently the balance of my 13-year-old’s gaming magazine with be filled with the adolescent equivalent to soft porn.<br /><br />For those of you wondering, of course I have crafted a written response to this absurdity stating my mind and demanding a refund, but why should I have to…why wasn't there someone in the magazine’s marketing team intelligent enough to say “Know what guys—this is simply a bad idea.". Seriously?Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-80127331807931011312009-06-22T10:17:00.001-05:002009-06-22T10:19:47.452-05:00Educational Alternatives Provide Opportunities for ALL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqm8gkyO4wb06LE9tbcHO9fM-CCc8e1cP6HnaPgL6IwhfKzBbP8Ib-ZhkhtqdjonARjX5W-uuJQEhZhOSoiX2O0VPoAGgbMs1EgDbh0uRcvve5-tH6SF9xssjn0Hg9k2BI01k/s1600-h/homeschool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqm8gkyO4wb06LE9tbcHO9fM-CCc8e1cP6HnaPgL6IwhfKzBbP8Ib-ZhkhtqdjonARjX5W-uuJQEhZhOSoiX2O0VPoAGgbMs1EgDbh0uRcvve5-tH6SF9xssjn0Hg9k2BI01k/s200/homeschool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350171917735874930" border="0" /></a><br />I have been a public school educator for 25 years. When it employs dedicated teachers and is the conduit for proven best practices, I believe whole-heartedly in the public school system. I am also unafraid to admit that public school isn’t for everyone. Alternatives to public education fulfill a void, yet are often viewed with disdain by those who do not understand the value of such options. There has never been a better example of this fact than my nephew. The middle of three brothers, he is one brilliant fourth-grader. The problem is that school just didn’t challenge him. The small school he attended didn’t offer enrichment programs and what’s worse his teacher didn’t like the fact that he “worked ahead” and would become disruptive because he was—bored. I was fearful the school was going to devastate his enthusiasm and his natural lust for learning. So, one evening while talking with my brother, I asked if they had ever considered home schooling him. Startled, he answered, “Oh my, we have been thinking about this, but were not sure if it was the right direction to go, but now that you as an educator brought it up, perhaps we need to think about this option more seriously.”<br /><br />The choice to home school my nephew was not a haphazard determination. My sister-in-law didn’t think she was the “home school type”. She sold herself short—she is actually perfect for the job: organized, creative, intelligent and extremely resourceful. After researching curriculum, joining a local home school network and soliciting help from professionals, my nephew is now being home schooled and is thriving. He is encountering learning as it was meant to be for him. It is so much fun to examine the artifacts of his learning experiences including science experiments, erupting volcanoes, crystals, cell models and what not. He is learning “Grammar with a Giggle”, journaling, creating and exploring science. What’s more he is happy and enjoying his education once again.<br /><br />My stepson is another example of the fact that “public schools are not one-size-fits-all”. He was an adolescent when his mother died. Life experiences, along with disillusionment with his high school academics left him without much success. After spending more time with him, I suggested to his father that perhaps my stepson should take the GED and get on with his college experience. He did just that and passed the GED the first time with honors-all this without studying (except for the writing, which after a 20 minute refresher he passed a couple of weeks later). Yes, the child is brilliant, yet public school wasn’t for him. He now can enter college at the appropriate age and continue from there.<br /><br />It’s not that I think our schools are in dire straights and in need of massive reform, quite the reverse. My assertion, contrary to the tenants of “No Child Left Behind”, is that not every program, every occupation, every club is suited for everyone. Even with the best intentions, programs, educators, administrators, parents and students not ALL children learn the same way or at the same proficiency level.<br /><br />Do schools need to be held accountable? Sure. Does the education system need to try harder to engage learners? You bet! But a government mandate that considers every child able to achieve at the exact same level is not the answer either. The answer lies in the fact that a child’s education is multifaceted. It should take into consideration the individual, the strengths of the school, and the expertise of the educators involved. We often sell short the alternatives to public education, when for some kids; those alternatives are the only way they will never be “left behind”.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-21981664250899204652009-06-16T10:30:00.001-05:002009-06-16T10:33:59.822-05:00The Jungle TestWhat to do when you have nothing to write??? Find a filler:<br /><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="350"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are Dramatic</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/thejungletest/jungle.jpg" height="100" width="100" /></center><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are colorful and charismatic. You get and hold people's attention.<br /><br />Right now, you are seeking peace and tranquility in your life.<br /><br />You are drawn to people who are energetic and blissful.<br /><br />You feel like there are a few minor things in your life that need to be changed.<br /><br />You find that any decision you have to make needs to be slept on... often for multiple nights.<br /><br />Now it is your turn:<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/thejungletest/">The Jungle Test</a></div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-88933553478721718832009-06-15T21:43:00.003-05:002009-06-15T21:50:57.717-05:00THE MEME....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-YvP6BmzJ-lGun4FQe0C9d2QYlFaQDgnBcOKOJsIf5L4OGQgiu8dfAi4h4I5mTB-TFDIUWGEEMEDSPBf44pg-jThK3PV567SLkBx8Fip0ygGnmGaMIYeRvaWg8C7UIb6Trtf/s1600-h/mosaic34514574e65ee5b170da7e35eadf80ed3fa5bdb8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 449px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-YvP6BmzJ-lGun4FQe0C9d2QYlFaQDgnBcOKOJsIf5L4OGQgiu8dfAi4h4I5mTB-TFDIUWGEEMEDSPBf44pg-jThK3PV567SLkBx8Fip0ygGnmGaMIYeRvaWg8C7UIb6Trtf/s200/mosaic34514574e65ee5b170da7e35eadf80ed3fa5bdb8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347751195706026322" border="0" /></a><br />DIRECTIONS:<br />- Go to Google image search.<br />- Type in your answer to each question.<br />- Choose a picture from the first page.<br />- Use this website (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php" target="_blank"><span>http://bighugelabs.com/fli</span>ckr/mosaic.php</a>) to make your collage.<br />- Save the image for use in this note.<br />- Tag the people whose mosaics you want to<br /><br /><br />Here are the questions...<br />What is your name?<br />What is your favorite food?<br />What is your hometown?<br />What is your favorite color?<br />What is your favorite movie?<br />What is your favorite drink?<br />What is your dream vacation?<br />What is your favorite dessert?<br />What is one word to describe yourself?<br />What are you feeling right now?<br />What do you love most in the world?<br />What do you want to be IF you grow up?Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-56057677974282202092009-06-08T12:16:00.003-05:002009-06-10T08:21:25.482-05:00Growing Old--Gracefully?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEjjThTtlSB802jSwmDCmvDH19CcoqL-KIT6R9UGuEUtk784mkAoePbikf6h3SSYMvugR8nTFhNa0KuvJ3NLJ1jXOSuTsEHadkv9g9zxa2v-G3WEM2Bs4zise_gQGa-ECPCro/s1600-h/gray-hair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEjjThTtlSB802jSwmDCmvDH19CcoqL-KIT6R9UGuEUtk784mkAoePbikf6h3SSYMvugR8nTFhNa0KuvJ3NLJ1jXOSuTsEHadkv9g9zxa2v-G3WEM2Bs4zise_gQGa-ECPCro/s200/gray-hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345006988147327874" border="0" /></a>I have been thinking about aging recently. I don't do this often. I am not in any way obsessed with growing older, but there are times in my life when the inevitability of aging wears heavy on my mind and heart. It isn't that the alternative is appealing either because I have no desire to relive youth, at least not without the wisdom I possess today, but lately I have been thinking about what it means to age gracefully.<br /><br />I remember when my mother was the age I am today. I thought she was old. When my grandmother was my age—she was ancient, but when I look at my peers, they don't appear old to me. On the contrary, I think my friends are more active and in better mental and physical shape than they were years ago. We hold memberships to the health club, or at least have purchased Wii Fit. We buy whole foods, and take a multitude of vitamins and herbs researched to make our lives healthier. On the other hand, we do converse more about individual aches and pains than we did when we were young, although we speak equally of current events, politics, theology and education. We read books about how to keep our bodies and brains active over the latest John Grisham novel, but even that is not unusual. So what’s the deal with getting older?<br /><br />My mother turns 70 this year, which seems impossible to me. Her life is inspirational. At 70, she still teaches kindergarten at an intercity school that boasts a 98% minority/95% poverty rate. The only signs of aging I see in her are that she complains more about being “tired”—well, I think she has earned that privilege. She walks on a regular basis, reads veraciously and remains active at her church. At times, she has more energy than me. She just doesn’t seem old to me, perhaps she really isn’t. Maybe age IS relative.<br /><br />I am a better mother now than when I was younger. I know I am better wife than I was in my 30’s, and am convinced I am more conscious about my health than I was then. I don’t; however, obsess about the outward signs of aging as much the internal ones like the inability to remember someone’s name I ought to recall or where I put my car keys.<br /><br />Aging gracefully has more to do with one’s mind-set than anything else. Perhaps what needs to be measured in aging is the significance found in the now; those who are touched by how we live and the value we’ve added to the world. As Joan Baez so eloquently stated, “You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now.” That’s aging---gracefully.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-29223042113210184422009-06-08T11:26:00.003-05:002009-06-08T11:36:59.606-05:00Give Me Words to Speak....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhPQuvHLBCcTv8CaEibQd4XrEGQYGXjBAPIVO1DvbTlD_AvvbnPQzWXci0vchLE1i6yq-V1BVcmUVqFOCtLhw72sBZ5t5AFSRNrc1IqXANlUeFsIIZAuFLGowxuvJcO2sAK-v/s1600-h/dryspell2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhPQuvHLBCcTv8CaEibQd4XrEGQYGXjBAPIVO1DvbTlD_AvvbnPQzWXci0vchLE1i6yq-V1BVcmUVqFOCtLhw72sBZ5t5AFSRNrc1IqXANlUeFsIIZAuFLGowxuvJcO2sAK-v/s200/dryspell2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344996052087765698" border="0" /></a>The past couple of months I have felt like the songwriter Aaron Shust with the lyrics to Give Me Words to Speak...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Give me Words to speak</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Don’t let my Spirit sleep</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Cause I can’t think of anything worth saying</span><br /><br />Finding the words again has been my quest...and I think I have arrived at least temporarily. 50-Something Mom's Blog has been quite patient and I have two pieces ready to go for them and am working on a couple for this blog.<br /><br />What I have learned in the midst of this dry spot is that I feel incomplete when I am not writing. There is a certain balance writing gives to my life. It isn't that I care about publishing, but I miss the interaction with words and the making sense of life that happens here (at least for me).Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389069.post-29965298837929716832009-04-18T16:14:00.002-05:002009-04-18T16:19:54.763-05:00Project 365<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHW3AcmhfuPMJWlfPmX6s55BlDubhPZnaHnuZfU8eIem6vichP9cpWkZuvOxaXs4sQjeaCGXF2EIvcXaP_NwvX4rV7AMlqrtyi9twnotINfoNogui-b_LNZ05Ya9xAr5vdoyc/s1600-h/project+365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHW3AcmhfuPMJWlfPmX6s55BlDubhPZnaHnuZfU8eIem6vichP9cpWkZuvOxaXs4sQjeaCGXF2EIvcXaP_NwvX4rV7AMlqrtyi9twnotINfoNogui-b_LNZ05Ya9xAr5vdoyc/s200/project+365.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326144128344501042" border="0" /></a>A colleague of mine introduced me to <a href="http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/">Project 365.</a> At first I wasn’t interested at all because I am “scrapbook challenged”. I seriously—HATE to scrapbook, BUT I love to take pictures and love to write--thus appreciating the possibilities of such an exercise. I contacted my BFF’s daughter, who is an Internet mastermind and an amazing photographer, with this idea. Of course, she had an electronic answer to my dilemma within 24 hours (thanks Nicole). So begins my project—365 days of photos and musings. I am amateurish when it comes to structure, but I hope this will help me organize and creatively present the mundane and the occasional profundity that is my life. If you are interested here is the link: <a href="http://shuttercal.com/calendar/mfmsteach/">Marsha's Project 365</a>. If you would like to join us--simply sign up and add me as your friend.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892880057977848604noreply@blogger.com7