Sing!

The older get...the smarter I get.  Actually, my perspective about many things has always been not necessarily in the 'norm'.  I am grateful that I can think for myself without trying to follow the mainstream patterns.  What am I talking about?
I sing. It is probably what most of my students remember and their parents, too. The song, "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra was one that I easily referenced when kids thought they couldn't accomplish something.  I would play it for them from my CD of favorite tunes.  They would learn it and sometimes all I had to answer them with was...
"Just what makes that little old ant... think he can move that rubber tree plant?  Everyone knows an ant can't...move a rubber tree plant!!  But he has 'High Hopes!!"
Imagine my surprise when at my last assembly before retirement, with all of the kids from all three grades along with a bunch of their parents in attendance...heard the principal ask me to lead everyone in song one last time with "High Hopes".  I thought, 'Really?'
I agreed to lead it as long as my kids joined me in singing it along with anyone in the audience who knew it, too.
It was refreshing to hear how many were singing along.  There was safety in numbers, and the event was priceless.  It was a good time.
So, what exactly is my point?
Ask people to sing and they will tell you they can't sing.  To which I reply that everyone can sing...if the focus is not on whether they sound like a professional singer.  Singing is therapy and fun.
Have you ever sung along with Kate Smith belting out, "God Bless America" ?
Ask someone to draw or paint, and often they respond that it is not one of their strengths.  So??  
Why are there many people so hesitant to attempt to join in something because it won't be perfect...or good?  Media and/or culture has gotten the message out that we must be the same, wear the approved styles,  be the correct size,  etc., etc, etc
What do you think?  And ... do you sing?

Goes together like a ......

 WHAT GOES TOGETHER...

 is a matter of personal choice.  When I was growing up, whenever we had pork chops, there was always applesauce accompanying it.  And so, fifty years later, if there is no applesauce when pork chops are on the menu, it just isn't right!!! And it is seriously missed!

Many years later, shrimp cocktail was something that I tried and I have to say that without the red cocktail sauce...it just doesn't make it!

 

A couple of months ago, my son and family invited me to dinner.  A lasagna dinner was being prepared, and I was asked if there was anything I would like to go along with it.  I didn't have to think at all, and responded with,
"Fresh Italian bread and real butter!"
The crusty ends are my favorite and there is nothing that takes the place of real butter.


And lastly....mashed potatoes...mmmm!
I have never met a potato that I didn't like!
And I would never have gravy put on the potatoes,  because then I no longer taste the potato that I really love its taste..
Here are two of my favorite potato combos:
Mashed potatoes and sauerkraut all mixed together are an outstanding duo.  And mashed potatoes mixed with [sweet] red cabbage is awesome.  Obviously if you don't like sauerkraut [most people either love it or hate it!], then you won't be mixing them together.  The same is true for red cabbage, but I have found many people haven't given red cabbage a chance.  They are unaware of its taste, and choose to dismiss it without trying it.
Not just setting on the plate next to each other, they must be mixed together.
What are some of your personal duos?
I look forward to the feedback both about my choices, as well as yours.

Attitude is Power

P O W E R

"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the MOMENT.  It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather.  AS AN INDIVIDUAL, I possess tremendous power to make SOMEONE'S life miserable or joyous . I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or deescalated and that PERSON humanized or dehumanized.
                        Haim Ginott [as edited by Mare because I think it relates to everyone and every situation....Think about it.]

Here is the original quote which we received as teachers, and I found it to be so profound that I kept it by my desk to remind myself to be aware of 'POWER'...

Survey Said.....

A very interesting conversation over lunch landed on a discussion about 'birth order'. It reminded me of a favorite activity that I used as a prompt in the classroom in the name of a 'writing exercise' as well as a 'get out of your seat, move around, and share your thoughts' theme. Pointing to the four corners of the room: One corner was for 'first born', the second was for 'middle child', the third was for 'the youngest', and the fourth corner was where the 'one of a kind' otherwise known as 'only child' gathered. The students were then to confer with their group as to what they had in common, what they liked and disliked about their 'position' in the family, and lastly, what would be their choice and why... if they were given a voice in the matter. And then they documented it in their writing journal.
What a fascinating activity to participate in as well as observe the interactive process. Before I share any results, let me conduct a survey among my blogging friends. Where do you allign in 'birth order', and given the choice...what would you choose?

Kick It Up a Notch!

I have always maintained that 50% of whatever you say is HOW you say it. And I live by that belief. Sarcasm, unkind truths said in jest, and negativity promote more of the same. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, 'Is there anything good that would happen as a result of saying......'? If not, keep it to yourself. I have occasionally said on one or two occasions,

"Now, that's a comment that I may have thought in my head, but I would have decided to keep it there. Some things are left better unsaid!" You know, sometimes it is a matter of habit, and people are not consciously aware of how their words affect someone's state of mind, and then it gets carried on even further...like a domino effect.
Where am I going with this? It is a fact that I have complimented a person, often a stranger, because ...why not? Last week at the RSVP [Retired AND Senior Volunteers] Luncheon at The Holiday Inn, there was a gentleman playing a keyboard as background music as the 300 people found a seat and awaited the opening remarks. Many attendees were relatively oblivious, and didn't really 'hear' it because their focus was on the 'celebratory occasion' in progress. When the luncheon was over, my exit path led me right by the [75+] year musician who was packing up his music. So I stepped up to him and said,

"I really enjoyed your music."

A big smile lit up his face as he said, "Thank you very much."

I am not sharing this because I want any praise for being complimentary. I share it in an effort to light a few candles for people to say aloud what you may be thinking if it will bring on good will to someone.

Last week as I was pushing my [loaded] cart out of the grocery store, there was a 'Helping Hands" employee pushing carts back into the lobby. He looked at me and said,

"Would you like some help with that?"

"Sure. Thanks, that would be great!"

We chatted as I popped the hatchback on the van, and he said his day was just beginning and he was working two jobs. He lifted all of the bags into my car with a smile and a "Have a nice day!'

When at home and the groceries put away, I called the store to pay my compliment [forward] to management. A very friendly voice told me, "

"That's what is supposed to be happening and we appreciate hearing when it is happening. Thank you for calling and I'll be sure to make a note of it as there is an employee reward plan."

It took one minute to recognize and acknowledge a positive act of kindness regardless of the fact that it was an expected part of someone's job. I thought to myself...why don't I make that phonecall or 'on the spot' compliment to management more often? I know that they get many complaints, and the manager was pleasantly surprised to hear something good.

So, I pass it along in an effort to 'plant the seed' and germinate more examples,

"Say something positive." Let's 'reverse ' the customer service interaction from 'complaints to compliments.'

I would love to hear your comments of how you joined the wave. How were you able to pass it along? I welcome your ideas.

It's A.....Party!!!

Over the weekend, my son was invited to a couple's "It's a ...Party" celebrating the announcement of...'it's a boy' or 'it's a girl'. The sonogram had produced an answer to...'What's it gonna be?'
Party goers were supposed to wear something pink or blue depending on what their guess was for the newborn star who will be joining the planet in February. What a great idea, and a joyous occasion!
I think there are two unwavering groups of expectant parents: those who definitely want to know, and those who are determined to be surprised.
Sometimes one parent to be wants to know, and the other one doesn't. I can't imagine I could keep a secret from my spouse because of my well defined 'poker face'...NOT! My face says it all. I am not a good liar.
Thirty years ago, the option wasn't there to find out. I'm thinking that I didn't have even one sonogram in all nine months. I do remember the first time I could hear Jer's heartbeat at an appointment. And when he was born, I can see his face, too, as he was placed beside me!
I wanted to call my mom in NJ at 5:30AM to tell her, and the hospital people thought I should wait. What?? Huh?
Well, anyway...if I had the choice of finding out ahead of time, my guess is that I would want to be surprised. In the celebrating and toasting at the party over the weekend, the announcement was made:
Inquiring minds want to know!!
Would you want to know?

I don't get it.

The elected officials of all parties and all states are doing a fine job...just kidding!!!

I generally avoid discussions about religion and politics. In an effort to clarify exactly what my motivation is for this post...it is this:
'What the heck I am missing?'
And so, I am going to jump into the arena. It is because it has become basically unavoidable. Even short snippets of the news manage to further the great divide: that would be people who are willing to give this administration [mainly...President Obama] a chance to turn things around...and those who oppose any, many, and future attempts to change things [like the health care reform].
I keep hearing about how much the federal deficit will increase because of the health care reform which will help millions of Americans of all ages. There are rallies that while we are selling out our children's futures, the deficit is reaching...a gazillion dollars...
Here's my question:
Why is it that I don't hear the same ranting about the gazillion dollars that has gone to and continues to be spent on the wars [initiated by the former administration] and how they have already sent the deficit into orbit?
When the current deficit activity is tossed around the media, isn't it added to the deficit that was already there reflecting the spending of previous administrators? I am not understanding why that is not as talked about...Am I missing something?
Please take notice of the fact that I did not add emotional comment to the topics of the war or the health care reform. My question is about the deficit: Why are the current changes that will cost money... getting the flack for a future federal deficit... that was already in amounts which are unimaginable... from the past?

Dreams...the kind you are not conscious for!

It is a known fact that everyone dreams, and also that many people do not remember them. I have been known to have some pretty unique dreams. Many times I can figure out what prompted the idea, and other times...holy cow...what was that all about?

Take last night, for example. I'm thinking the connecting element was probably the fact that I had left my porch door unlocked so that a friend could to pick up some paperwork that I had proofread for her. And from that...

There was someone outside the door, who then quickly entered the house. She wanted to hide out for a bit because the paparazzi was always following her every move. Who was it? Jennifer Aniston!!! I was very surprised that she chose my house, and since she needed a rest, we [spouse and I...huh?] prepared the spare room for her. Stupid stuff like not being able to find a matching set of sheets, and the sight of the TV on its side was annoying. Really...far out.

Some past dreams vie for the 'far out awards' and have been known to cause laughter in varying degrees. It is a common dream to arrive somewhere without your clothes. Case in point was my anguished dream of standing in the front of my classroom and covering up my unclothed body by standing behind an opened-up Samsonite blue suitcase!! {I owned one.}

Another took place in June when there was a substitute teacher in one of the 5th grades. My dream: The two of us were out on the playground with recess, and we raised one hand so that the kids would line up in front of their homeroom teacher to go inside. I was very surprised [and embarrassed] by the sub's behavior because she was dressed in shorts and smoking a cigarette. And who do you suppose came walking across the field to where we were assembling the kids?? The superintendent of schools [!] who told us that smoking was only allowed in the faculty room. [not true, by the way...there was no smoking in the building, and I didn't smoke anyway!!] So we go into the building and walk through the hallway to find the faculty room and there is no door there.

I said, "Well it just can't disappear. It would be like losing one of the fifty states!"

Then we see it, go inside, and there is a mural on the wall of...The Last Supper!!

Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? Freud would have a field day analyzing some of my adventures.

School was often a regular theme: I [dreamt] that while trying to call in sick from a clinic in Mexico [was in the Soc St curriculum] I could NOT get a phone connection to go through. Another dream had me getting stopped by the police, and was written a ticket for a disorganized pocketbook!

On the serious side, in May of 1967, my brother unexpectedly died in a naval accident. When I graduated from high school the next month, I experienced the most vivid dream that he was there in the back of the church. Certainly, I was the only one who could see him.

Dreams fascinate me. They are intriguing, funny, bizarre, scary... What if we have a whole different life as we sleep.

I would be interested in your thoughts. And for Pete's sake, I can't be the only one who has had some pretty strange dreams!!

Why is change so difficult for people?

It would seem that people will go to great lengths...unbelievable balancing acts...to keep things the same. Change is scary...even to the point of remaining in a bad relationship rather than taking the leap of faith necessary to see that things could be better with a different plan.
I am actually referring to our education system. Years ago, the school year was based upon the farmers' planting and harvesting calendar. Not the case anymore. Yet when it was suggested that the school year should be extended, objections came from many camps and all sides.

What? Go to school in the summer? What about the kids' summer vacation? And, yes, many/most teachers wouldn't be keenly receptive, either.

Well, exactly what is the reason that school is open and mandatory[by law]?

It would be for the education of people.

What is probably the bottom line for maintaining/streamlining the way it is now? Money. $$$

Here's what I think:
'Alter' the school year so that there is NOT a 'summer vacation' which is a large amount of time during which the the kids lose momentum and skills. The first month they return often includes practice and review to get them where they were when they left[which for the most part includes many students below the education 'standards' that have been already been set.]

Maybe the yearly calendar could be rearranged: 11 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off. Another 11 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off. And then a third and fourth round of 11 weeks on with 2 weeks off. This stretches out the time and there are still 8 weeks recess for either family time[vacations, if lucky] and/or possibly kids needing remediation could be signed up for 2 weeks of enrichment.

Air Condition the rooms so that the heat is not an issue. Portable [mobile] room air conditioners are about $500 each and wouldn't require massive renovation costs to put in central air! To those who already have it, be thankful!!

It is difficult to achieve successful lessons when no one can get past 'the flippin'heat'. It reminds me of the phrase: When you are up to your ass in alligators, it is difficult to remember that the objective was to drain the swamp!

Actually...

The education system in the USA is currently at alligator levels.

The answer is not to cut staff creating bigger classes.

The answer is not to cut libraries or music and the arts.

I don't have all of the answers. I do believe that people would adjust to a reorganization of the calendar...if/when given the chance to get our priorities in order.

Priorities??

That would be where our students were not behind in Math and Science. Reading[with comprehension] and writing [ grammatically correctly] would be important and done well.

We need the parents with us by assuring that the kids get ample sleep and breakfast, along with good communication. We are, after all, on the same side. We care about the health and well being of the kids, the citizens, and our country.

So... regardless of Democrat, Republican, or independent party lines... how do we get people to work with us?.... for our future...before it's too late.

New Snapple facts with commentary...

1. One fourth of the bones in your body are in your feet. And if your feet aint happy...well, it can just ruin everything. The fashion world sports 5 inch high heels, and if you buy them...kinda self-de'feet'ing to those 26 bones, 33 joints,107 ligaments, and 19 muscles.

2. The tongue is the fastest healing part of the body. That is a good thing! What amazes me is how painful it is when you inadvertently bite your tongue. 'Ouch' just doesn't describe it.

3. The average American will eat 35,000 cookies in his/her lifetime. I knew that I was above average in many ways...this would be one of them!
Actually, I believe that I am at the head of the class!!

4. Penguins have an organ above their eyes that converts seawater to fresh water. Thank goodness for that! Probably in response to their cries of..."Oh come on...give us a break!!" After watching National Geographic's movie, The March of the Penguins, I was so depressed thinking about what a hard life they had. And if someone thought things were bad, I would say, "Things could be worse...you could have born a penguin!!"

5. Oysters can change genders back and forth. No way!!...Way!

It takes about a year for an oyster to mature. They start out in the male gender, and progress to the female gender at a later time. Isn't there a saying that goes something like...'With age comes wisdom.'

6. Broccoli is the only vegetable that is also a flower. My mom does not like broccoli and doesn't eat it. Often, when eating dinner, regardless of what vegetable is on my plate, I will ask Florence in a very thoughtful and benevolent kind of voice...Mom, would you like some of my broccoli? I catch her off guard all the time!

"No thank you." [everytime!]

7. Almonds are part of the peach family. Flo loves Jordan Almonds! That's the way to eat almonds, especially at the movies 'cause you can make them last a long time.

8. Strawberries contain more Vitamin C than oranges. I must remember to pass this info along to the squirrels and/or chipmunks that stole my strawberries right off the front deck. I have noticed that the chipmunks are particularly plentiful, plump, and perky!!

9. Apples, peaches, and raspberries are all members of the rose family. So much for the ..."A rose ...is a rose....is a rose. Turns out their relatives look nothing like them. In the end, roses...smell great...and/or taste good. Now we're talking apples and oranges....I mean apples and roses!

10. Fresh apples float because 25% of their volume is air.
So if you are bobbing for apples, and you don't see the apples bobbing, politely decline the invitation...and pass on it! They don't call them 'Granny 'Smith apples for nothing. They're old!!

11. The fingernail on your middle finger grows the fastest. I realize that this fact is about the middle 'finger', but I just could not resist this picture. How funny is that? And so, I wonder if the middle toenail grows the fastest, too!!

12. Bees are born fully grown. If I remember correctly, when we [people] are born...only our eyeballs are fully grown. Everything else continues to grow as we age.
I, for one, am sure glad that bees get no bigger!

That's the 'buzz-zz-z!

Until next time...bee nice...because nice matters.

A dozen Snapple facts...with commentary! [of course!!]

Once again, I apologize ahead of time for the puns that emerged from the 'right' side of my brain.

1. A group of twelve or more cows is called a flink.
Ink!!-a-dink-a-flink! So, where is the favorite place for the flink to meet...?
At the 'Moo-vies!'

2. Some bears build nests in trees for sunbathing and resting.
That way, you can get a tan without anyone kicking sand on you as they pass...which is...unbearable!

3. The oldest living animal ever found was a 405 year old clam, named Ming by researchers. Really? What is the formula for determining the age of a flippin'....clam? Let's ask Mr. Ming!

4. A lemon contains more sugar than a strawberry.

Sweet!!

The next Snapple facts are under the category of...huh??

5. Shakespeare invented the words 'assassination' and 'bump'.
You know how you should never assume anything because
it can make an ass out of you and me...So I'm thinking that Shakespeare assumed both 'asses' when he came up with assassination.

6. The quartz crystal in your wristwatch vibrates 32,768 times a second. Now wait 'just a cotton picking minute'!! No way, Jose!

I have trouble accepting that a second can be broken down into hundredths [as in the Olympic swimming stats]. Even 'Ripley's Believe it or Not' would have trouble with vibrations of 32,768/second!

7. If done perfectly, any Rubik's cube combination can be solved in 17 turns. Of course we know how clever squirrels are! They can solve it before you have the cube out of the wrapper!

This HAS to be my favorite picture of them all!!

8. Second Street is the most common street name in the United States; First Street is the sixth most common. What happened to Main St. or Central Ave?

9. The indentation in the middle of the area between the nose and upper lip is called the 'phlitrum'.

No comment...except...who 'nose' that word?

10. The ridges on the sides of coins are called reeding or milling.
My question is...why did we need to have a word for this?

11. The number sign # is called an 'octothorpe'.

I hear the Octomom has used octothorpes to keep the 8 kids 'recognizable'.

12. The most popular ice cream flavor is...vanilla!

I wouldn't have guessed vanilla was the most popular. My favorite flavor is 'coffee' ice cream. So, what's the scoop... about your favorite flavor of ice cream ?