Inspiration to All of Us

Jaime Escalante was a role model for teachers. The effects of day to day disillusioning that occurs in any classroom--more so in urban areas--didn't phase him.

His belief in the students to overcome their environs was stronger than the effect of the environs themselves. Not all teachers can do that. Many of us, if not most--are worn down quickly as our rose-colored glasses that we deny we are wearing get crushed and tossed on the trash heap.

Jaime refused to acknowledge that the environment could undo or outdo his nurturing, and enriching efforts. He won.

He will certainly be blessed in multiple ways in his new Home.

Come Out With Your Heart Open!

This post will seem very obtuse.

What will it take to get someone out of living in their head to 'being' in their body?

It is a mystery to me. I lived in my head, while at the same time extremely aware of my body. I worked very hard to lose a lot of weight and tone up the flab. You would think someone that focused on the lower portion of self would not be living in their head. I was.

While in that state, I was an emotional disaster. Another reason one would think that it would not be possible to 'live in your head', I did.

Sometimes it takes a major crisis to bring one down to reality--a car wreck, a death in the family--but those things can also serve to drive us deeper inside ourself.

What does it take? If I can remember--when it happens-- I will let you know.

Yvonne (Dabney) Wadley -- You Are Remembered

Dear Yvonne,

Welcome to your new existance! Your mother, father, son and brothers and sister are there to greet you. It is their turn to care for you the way you cared for them. What a joy it must be to see Denny again. I miss him very much.

Your last days were as difficult as your mother's. For that I am saddened. You deserved better.

When the family needed a level head and a responsible person-=-you were there.
When your children needed a strong support - you were there.
Your insight and honesty were welcome and desperately lacking in all others.

I will ask that you be blessed in the world you have entered. Remember me to those that it may matter...I remember you in loving embrace.

Barbra (Dabney) Badger

Thank you. Please enjoy. Won't you join us?

"Pardon me"... And I don't mean the sarcastic over-emphasized EXCUSE ME. If I were speaking it to you--my pardon me would either be accompanied by a smile or the fiercest version would be said with a strong stare and tone of determination.

"If I may"-- to add my opinion in the conversation-- AFTER I have actually listenedto yours.

If I feel stronger than that-- I should walk away and speak another day. If I think you are speaking an untruth--on purpose--I will wait for you to hear your own voice. If I think you are speaking an untruth told to you by others, I might smile and say- "Perhaps"
If I think you are listening to me-- I may offer what I believe to be a fact that differs from yours.

We owe these courtesies to each other as 'ordinary people', how much more do our leaders.

I don't have cable or satellite TV. I have never seen American Idol, Glen Beck and I avoid vitriolic voices whenever possible. It seems these 'role models' are having a great influence on how people speak to each other when opposing views are involved.

The subjects are judgemental in one way or another, divisive, and contentious by nature. These avenues of discourse are not helping us come together in a way that is enriching and uplifting.

So simple and still so true--"If you don't have something nice to say--keep still."

Fringes

Extreme ends tapering off into oblivion
Eccentric, avant garde, decorative threads
Out of the norm in thought, concepts, beliefs

Sometimes the two opposing extremes
Sound alike in thier vitriol--not a coincidence
Afterall they come from the same place

The edge of sanity and beyond logic

I love fringes on some things-- the decorative kind.
For adornment they are better on someone else.
For decor I used to like them a lot more.

For religious, political, social, artistic, and other forms of personal expression--
no thanks.

Iowa Farm Girls

These ladies are setting a standard that will establish a title -"Iowa Farm Girl".
That will stand for courage under duress, stamina in deprivation, generosity in lean times, self-restraint, honor in the face of ingratitude and ability to take the lead and know when to follow.

Iowa Farm Girls can be wise or wiseachers, as necessary. They can be independent in all things. The hard man-work is no hindrance to getting the job done. It has always been so.

Iowa Farm Girls start when they can walk; scooping a hole with an old teaspoon, drop in the seeds and on to the next; reaching under ol' mother hen taking the eggs and carrying them in; tossing the grain to all the rest, replacing some hay for the nests.

Roosters will fly at them with their spurs and the girls learn not to be deterred. Boars and rams will threatened and charge, dad will teach how to defend her.

As she grows and mom gives what she knows for milking, canning, cleaning the fowl
Dad will teach driving, maintaining mechinery and all
Tools she handles will be both culinary and carpentry
Iowa Farm Girls do it all with artistry.

These concepts may be long past,
But I venture to say
Whatever the challenges offered today
The result is the same--

Iowa Farm Girls take up the gauntlet
Pay no mind to 'gender'
Do what needs to be done, say what needs to be said
Manage, supervise, teach the unteachable
Fly the plane, drive the truck, or make the bed.

Taking the reins in every sense of the word
Whining will not be heard
Standing firm for principle and morals
Won't argue over the title of 'girls'.

For what they were--they will always be
Strong, determined, courageus and free
Their mothers, grandmas and aunts
Were the models who taught them the dance

Taking turns leading and holding back
Ready to step up to fend off attack
Ready to give care to neighbor and friend
Ready to serve a country and defend

Do not take for granted too long these gems
Do not overlook their contribution
They will not speak up too loudly for themselves
But they will not be ignored on some shelf.

Honor the WASP, the WAC and the WAVE
The service, the sacrifices they gave
They came from all around the nation
To defend the flag we unfurled

Rise up these humble souls
These beautiful, generous,
Iowa Farm Girls

Welcome! Come on in ...

Welcome! Come On In…

Certain songs are meant for certain times of a day.
Songs that fix your head-and smooth the way
Few of us would want to hear
76 Trombones when its time to go to bed.

On the other hand its fun and timely for
The William Tell Overture
When getting on the on-ramp with nobody else there.

The perfect song for the perfect moment is a prize
For being faithful to the sound track of our lives.

There was a place some time ago
Made of concrete and wood,
Outside an enormous oak tree stood.

Inside warmth would greet you at the door
Good food, hot coffee and smiles
Who could ask for more?

Set back from the street—easily missed
But grown children of families brought their children
Friends met friends and reminisced.

It was—not a restaurant—but a diner.
No lost souls, except for mine
Dwelt behind the Welcome sign.

At the end of a long day
When dark or just barely

Few nights did I not go in—
Very, very, rarely
Warm air wafted
Music would play
“Make the world go away…”

Pin ball machines clanging
People laugh and chatter
Cooking smells and coffee
Here comes Edna with a platter!

As soon as I was settled in
With the other familiar faces
Another perfect song came from the juke box—
perfect for these kind of places

Someone played C 3
Soothing me down through my weary bones
The melody caressed me
Mellow notes and tenor tones
Nowhere else in world would I choose to be

“Welcome to my world…
Won’t you come on in…

“Yes”, I said
Over and over again.