So it is another crisp fall morning with a hint of rain in the air. It is my kind of morning and I am energized not for housework but my mind is working. Writing will happen today. I have an idea for a short tale for Story Circle Network Journal and my mystery has been traipsing around the attic in my brain where projects are stored as they mature. It is demanding changes. This weekend I intend to take it out and work on it.
Also today I am heading to a benefit at a pal's Photography Gallery. She is hosting a dog food take in and the food donated goes to the local animal shelter. There is no way I could pass this up as my dogs enrich my life. They greet me when I come home, harass me as I try to write and lie by my feet as I watch television. their love shines in their eyes and their distinctive personalities amuse me. Those who love dogs and have them in their homes will understand the reason I believe they are family. Consider adoption if you can.
Peppermint is being diffused in my house. The minty smell is pleasant, but I am finding it along with the fall crisp air is invigorating me. Other oils when diffused relax me. I used to view such things somewhat in doubt with one eyebrow raised. however now after trying it , I am slowly accepting that these while not cures do serve a purpose. The people of ancient times often had a wisdom we have to rediscover and adapt to today's life.
Well the mystery calls me and so goodbye for a moment people.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
thoughts on the unexpected gifts.-immigrant heritage
The middle school where I para has no school today as it is a comp day for parent teacher conference time. Yesterday was also a no school day but i went in for an hour to translate for Perla's mother. I watched as her mother who speaks no English visited with the teachers and how the pride bloomed in her face because her child was praised by one and all. Coming home i began to think about immigration and the land in which we live.
We are all descendants of immigrants. Your family may have come on the Mayflower or early as The Spanish had colonies in the New World before the English came to the northern half, or your ancestors may have come more recently through Ellis Island.They came looking for a better life. They came seeking streets of gold but finding none they worked to better themselves. They made that better life possible even when they were not welcome. The Irish,Italians( Who were called WOPs due to no passports), Armenians, Polish, Germans, Scots came and they stayed. We have towns that are mainly Swedish, German, Polish etc because the railroads which were built by Chinese and Irish workers loaded cars full of immigrants with the promise of land and dropped them off in cultural groups.Think Lindsborg, Ks, Gothenburg,Ne and McPherson,Ks.
These people actually lived what I see as the three step processor becoming American. The first generation were laborers often working s servants, builders, or farmers.they made sure their children had more education than they had and the second generation also pushed their children to more education. Not all followed the plan as some came as tenant farmers and eventually became landowners. My ex- husband"s German immigrant parent followed this path.But whatever path they chose they also enriched the life of our country by gifting us with their food, their art, their knowledge and their example of doing what had to be done. American life is richer with their contributions.
So now the immigrants are not as welcome because the children of the original immigrants have forgotten their roots and because they fear that "their American" culture will be lost. They do not consider What riches these people bring. They discuss how to rid our country of "These People as they gorge themselves on the tacos and burritos that those people brought to our culture. What an irony!
My story is and odd one. My father's family was in America by the time of the French and Indian Wars. They fought in the Revolution( both sides as some came as Hessian mercenaries and stayed) but my mother's parents were both immigrants to our land. So I am both American and second generation. I married the child of immigrants so my children are second generation from his side. I have pride in what they have accomplished but I realize it has been easier for them as they spoke English and their heritage of immigration came from an relier time.
Sitting with Perla and her mother I came to realize how hard it is for them with limited English to reach the goals that caused them to come here. I also know that this is not a time when hispanics are not welcomed with acceptance by all. Even Hispanics whose families have been here since the 1800's or earlier are lumped in the group by those who have forgotten we all were from an immigrant family. I watch a mother swell with pride at the child's good notes, and I know she will be good for the child and the country. I am therefore more aware of my immigrant heritage and proud of what my ancestors have done for me and my children.
America is richer because she welcomed new people to her shores. Like Christ who welcomed all who came , she gave them shelter and they helped her to become great. We need to remember this.
We are all descendants of immigrants. Your family may have come on the Mayflower or early as The Spanish had colonies in the New World before the English came to the northern half, or your ancestors may have come more recently through Ellis Island.They came looking for a better life. They came seeking streets of gold but finding none they worked to better themselves. They made that better life possible even when they were not welcome. The Irish,Italians( Who were called WOPs due to no passports), Armenians, Polish, Germans, Scots came and they stayed. We have towns that are mainly Swedish, German, Polish etc because the railroads which were built by Chinese and Irish workers loaded cars full of immigrants with the promise of land and dropped them off in cultural groups.Think Lindsborg, Ks, Gothenburg,Ne and McPherson,Ks.
These people actually lived what I see as the three step processor becoming American. The first generation were laborers often working s servants, builders, or farmers.they made sure their children had more education than they had and the second generation also pushed their children to more education. Not all followed the plan as some came as tenant farmers and eventually became landowners. My ex- husband"s German immigrant parent followed this path.But whatever path they chose they also enriched the life of our country by gifting us with their food, their art, their knowledge and their example of doing what had to be done. American life is richer with their contributions.
So now the immigrants are not as welcome because the children of the original immigrants have forgotten their roots and because they fear that "their American" culture will be lost. They do not consider What riches these people bring. They discuss how to rid our country of "These People as they gorge themselves on the tacos and burritos that those people brought to our culture. What an irony!
My story is and odd one. My father's family was in America by the time of the French and Indian Wars. They fought in the Revolution( both sides as some came as Hessian mercenaries and stayed) but my mother's parents were both immigrants to our land. So I am both American and second generation. I married the child of immigrants so my children are second generation from his side. I have pride in what they have accomplished but I realize it has been easier for them as they spoke English and their heritage of immigration came from an relier time.
Sitting with Perla and her mother I came to realize how hard it is for them with limited English to reach the goals that caused them to come here. I also know that this is not a time when hispanics are not welcomed with acceptance by all. Even Hispanics whose families have been here since the 1800's or earlier are lumped in the group by those who have forgotten we all were from an immigrant family. I watch a mother swell with pride at the child's good notes, and I know she will be good for the child and the country. I am therefore more aware of my immigrant heritage and proud of what my ancestors have done for me and my children.
America is richer because she welcomed new people to her shores. Like Christ who welcomed all who came , she gave them shelter and they helped her to become great. We need to remember this.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
????
Thursday and Friday are no school days at HMS7, but college classes still meet. Last week was the opposite - no college classes and classes at HMS7. Question Why could they not coordinate? Answer it does not really matter. while I may ponder this,the truths I like having a destination and something to do. So today I am off to the McPherson campus from 9-12 and then to HMS7 to be on hand to translate in my fumbling manner for those who need it to have a useful conference with teachers. Tomorrow I am off until speech meets at 2:30.
Another question I am pondering now is what do about plans for holidays. I actually have long Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations this though classes for the college meet part of the Thanksgiving week release of HMS7. My daughters live five or more hours away and travel this time of year is iffy for Kansas and Nebraska. Bad roads make travel unpleasant and nerve wracking but the road conditions may be great.It is the weather that is so changeable that makes me ponder travel. I love being with family but am ok with being alone with my fur babies if need be. Family calls me as I miss being with the girls and their crews. So there is a question of what to do?
This brings up another question, and this is a biggie? Should I Pack up and move closer to one of the three girls? I am happy here in Hutchinson. There are many senior activities, my cardiologist and family doctor are here, the hospital is blocks not miles away and I have part-time employment. I am independent, and that is important to me. One girl lives in a busy urban arena which is not my ideal idea of a place to abide but the other two live in small( and one is really really small) towns with none of the amenities of Hutchinson. Thankfully I think I can put this off for awhile or at least until my ability to be independent is in question. But it always on the back burner of my mental landscape.
Questions about life are something everyone has constantly in life? Answers are another matter.I think I will keep the questions for awhile as the answers are not apparent at this time.
Another question I am pondering now is what do about plans for holidays. I actually have long Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations this though classes for the college meet part of the Thanksgiving week release of HMS7. My daughters live five or more hours away and travel this time of year is iffy for Kansas and Nebraska. Bad roads make travel unpleasant and nerve wracking but the road conditions may be great.It is the weather that is so changeable that makes me ponder travel. I love being with family but am ok with being alone with my fur babies if need be. Family calls me as I miss being with the girls and their crews. So there is a question of what to do?
This brings up another question, and this is a biggie? Should I Pack up and move closer to one of the three girls? I am happy here in Hutchinson. There are many senior activities, my cardiologist and family doctor are here, the hospital is blocks not miles away and I have part-time employment. I am independent, and that is important to me. One girl lives in a busy urban arena which is not my ideal idea of a place to abide but the other two live in small( and one is really really small) towns with none of the amenities of Hutchinson. Thankfully I think I can put this off for awhile or at least until my ability to be independent is in question. But it always on the back burner of my mental landscape.
Questions about life are something everyone has constantly in life? Answers are another matter.I think I will keep the questions for awhile as the answers are not apparent at this time.
Monday, October 5, 2015
fall and all
The mornings have become crisp and have the nip of cooler fall days before the sun warms the day. Such days make my soul sing and I am in my element. Not for me the searing sun and heat of summer, I function better in the cool of fall and cold of winter. Perhaps it is because I am a fall born child,; perhaps it is because my body thermometer is set lower. Who knows but I never put on a true jacket until it is 30 or below during the day. I am happiest when I can be cool.
Fall lends it self to fanned pajamas , warm slippers, coca and good books. It is a cozy time and a slow time after the rush and hustle of the summer. No need to squeeze in a long trip or day trips---or yard work to constantly needing to be done. Weeds die off, flowers go dormant and only the leaves remain to be quickly mulched or Raked and tossed in bins. It is a time to stay home, bake bread, stir soup and enjoy the quiet of an evening before the rush of coming holidays.
Fall gives us time to contemplate life and our place in in it. The glory of summer is gone and the time to reflect on what has gone before and devise plans for future gardens and personal revisions.It is a brief time and is soon swept away by holidays but even they are more family centered than others. Halloween with excited children claiming ransoms of candy comes before Thanksgiving which is truly a family time with no required purchases other than food which one has to buy anyway.
Winter will come with storms of snow and chill winds and with it the rush of Christmas and New Year's. The quiet of fall will be gone once again but the memories of the time will be as golden as the leaves and sunsets of the season.
Fall lends it self to fanned pajamas , warm slippers, coca and good books. It is a cozy time and a slow time after the rush and hustle of the summer. No need to squeeze in a long trip or day trips---or yard work to constantly needing to be done. Weeds die off, flowers go dormant and only the leaves remain to be quickly mulched or Raked and tossed in bins. It is a time to stay home, bake bread, stir soup and enjoy the quiet of an evening before the rush of coming holidays.
Fall gives us time to contemplate life and our place in in it. The glory of summer is gone and the time to reflect on what has gone before and devise plans for future gardens and personal revisions.It is a brief time and is soon swept away by holidays but even they are more family centered than others. Halloween with excited children claiming ransoms of candy comes before Thanksgiving which is truly a family time with no required purchases other than food which one has to buy anyway.
Winter will come with storms of snow and chill winds and with it the rush of Christmas and New Year's. The quiet of fall will be gone once again but the memories of the time will be as golden as the leaves and sunsets of the season.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Today I have no classes this morning at the college so until noon it is my day. Steel cut oatmeal is cooking on the stove.I slept until seven and am still in my nightgown. It is lazy day or should I say more truthfully a lazy half day.
I have household chores to do that on regular days have been shoved aside. They are the ones that I do not enjoy or that that create a mess before the more ordered result arrives.
First, among these is a clean out of my closet. I usually have two levels of clothes too big or not worn in the year.Now there is a new category--too professional. Since I am no longer in the classroom as a teacher the dress pants and dressy shirts and tees are not needed. In fact, I now possess two tshirt blankets made earlier this year from the tshirts collected during my teaching years. Now the purge has stepped up a notch and it is somewhat daunting.I will do it.
As a para the wardrobe is much less formal. Jeans can be a daily choice. Shirts are the items that are causing a small dilemma. Some have not been worn for awhile but I like them. Still the truth is I will probably will not wear them again. So I will approach the closet and purge.
Next, it is a deep clean of my bedroom.For some reason it is often the room that gets just a dusting and a pick up. So it is on the docket for the clean up on the free days as this Thursday and Friday. Next week HMS7 has Thursday and Friday off so I can use the days to finish the tasks.
More important it is time to write and I intend to do so.
I have household chores to do that on regular days have been shoved aside. They are the ones that I do not enjoy or that that create a mess before the more ordered result arrives.
First, among these is a clean out of my closet. I usually have two levels of clothes too big or not worn in the year.Now there is a new category--too professional. Since I am no longer in the classroom as a teacher the dress pants and dressy shirts and tees are not needed. In fact, I now possess two tshirt blankets made earlier this year from the tshirts collected during my teaching years. Now the purge has stepped up a notch and it is somewhat daunting.I will do it.
As a para the wardrobe is much less formal. Jeans can be a daily choice. Shirts are the items that are causing a small dilemma. Some have not been worn for awhile but I like them. Still the truth is I will probably will not wear them again. So I will approach the closet and purge.
Next, it is a deep clean of my bedroom.For some reason it is often the room that gets just a dusting and a pick up. So it is on the docket for the clean up on the free days as this Thursday and Friday. Next week HMS7 has Thursday and Friday off so I can use the days to finish the tasks.
More important it is time to write and I intend to do so.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Morning Ramblings
There was no work yesterday and I spent the entire day thinking it was Saturday. Not a problem but now it is the real Saturday.So housework, laundry and grocery shopping loom. Also tomorrow I have set a meeting tomorrow of travelers tomorrow.
So there will be no quiet day staying in and doing nothing much.
To be honest, I enjoy being alone. I also enjoy being with people. But the alone time is a necessary evil in my life.
After being among the people at work etc 5 to 6 days a week ,I need one day when my doors are closed to the world. I rather think it is a result of being an only child of older parents. Mom was 29 and Dad was 30 when I came along which at that time was old for first time parents. I grew up in a quiet house made even quieter during the week as Dad was a traveling salesman. Mom worked and when I was old enough I worked but on weekends we were just us.Dad would come home and we would do family things.So today the weekend to me means downtime--time to read, do crosswords,binge on television and lately to write.
Being single at my age through choice not widowhood is fine with me. I am content with myself though at times I am a bit unhappy with myself as I suspect are all people. I like the independence I have to make my own schedule outside of work. I can read all day if the book captures me, wear pajamas all day, graze for hunger pangs rather than cooking, come and go as I please and avoid sports on television( though many women enjoy it,) Sounds a bit selfish and may be it is but I do not think it is a selfishness that forces itself on others.
Now do not get me wrong I enjoy people. Just this week I ate out two nights in a row with friends. We laughed, share stories, whined about little burps in our lives. I came home happy and glad of the companionship. I enjoy working because
I am in the world and doing the work I do( teaching and as a ESl para) fulfills my need to be involved and helping others. It can exhaust me both physically and mentally but my soul feels as if it has done what it is called to do. The world is fully in my life on the weekdays, It is an energetic state and satisfying.
I guess it goes back to a question of balance. Just as life has its ups and downs, it needs quiet and companionship. Life is not static;it is constantly in a state of change.The balance between these states allows us to both bloom and vegetate and to retain our sanity.
So there will be no quiet day staying in and doing nothing much.
To be honest, I enjoy being alone. I also enjoy being with people. But the alone time is a necessary evil in my life.
After being among the people at work etc 5 to 6 days a week ,I need one day when my doors are closed to the world. I rather think it is a result of being an only child of older parents. Mom was 29 and Dad was 30 when I came along which at that time was old for first time parents. I grew up in a quiet house made even quieter during the week as Dad was a traveling salesman. Mom worked and when I was old enough I worked but on weekends we were just us.Dad would come home and we would do family things.So today the weekend to me means downtime--time to read, do crosswords,binge on television and lately to write.
Being single at my age through choice not widowhood is fine with me. I am content with myself though at times I am a bit unhappy with myself as I suspect are all people. I like the independence I have to make my own schedule outside of work. I can read all day if the book captures me, wear pajamas all day, graze for hunger pangs rather than cooking, come and go as I please and avoid sports on television( though many women enjoy it,) Sounds a bit selfish and may be it is but I do not think it is a selfishness that forces itself on others.
Now do not get me wrong I enjoy people. Just this week I ate out two nights in a row with friends. We laughed, share stories, whined about little burps in our lives. I came home happy and glad of the companionship. I enjoy working because
I am in the world and doing the work I do( teaching and as a ESl para) fulfills my need to be involved and helping others. It can exhaust me both physically and mentally but my soul feels as if it has done what it is called to do. The world is fully in my life on the weekdays, It is an energetic state and satisfying.
I guess it goes back to a question of balance. Just as life has its ups and downs, it needs quiet and companionship. Life is not static;it is constantly in a state of change.The balance between these states allows us to both bloom and vegetate and to retain our sanity.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
balance
The past week has once again proven to me that balance is an essential of life. For example it can be a balance struck between work and leisure or activities that fill your life so one does not over ride the other. this past week has been the balance between the downs and the ups of life.
One week ago today I set out on Thursday morning to teach my English 100 comp class for Hutchinson Community College. It was beautiful morning and highway fifty,fondly known as the death road, was really not busy. I arrived and put my books down to sign in on the attendance for faculty computer when I noticed an odd look on the faces of the receptionists. My class on Thursday meets in McPherson some 45 minutes away. Back roads and maximum safe speed got me to my destination just ten minutes late. As I had called the campus,my class was still there. Still I felt rather like the foggy professor stereotype.
The following Monday I was again in Newton. this time to teach my ITV class from the Newton site and It was both the right place and the right time. Feeling the need of caffeine I decided to get a coke but discovered I had no change. So I used my debit card in the machine, grabbed my coke and taught for two hours. I drove home and when I got there needed my debit card number only I did not have my debit card. I ransacked my purse, books and jeans pockets not once but several times. I called the Newton campus and asked them to look. No debit card was located. I called my bank and cancelled it and arranged for a new card. Later that night as I took off my jeans I noticed something in the pocket --- way down deep in the pocket. Yes, it was he lost and now useless debit card.
Tuesday , the next day actually, I parked at the middle school where I am an ESL para and when I got out of the car my left leg felt wet. It was and my orange jeans were sporting a damp blue spot. My purse had a wet corner( do not ask me how) and a pen had bled through.( Vera Bradley purses can do this, I have found.) Soap, water, and the help of a fellow para diminished the spot but did not erase it all. I was aware of the blemish all day tough no one else mentioned it.
Those are the downs. The ups? Last night two girl friends and I laughed , gripe, told stories the way women do at a local steak house.It was belated birthday get together for my birthday and a relaxing night for all of us.One them gave me a gift and the steak house donated their birthday brownie and ice cream treat. Tonight another friend and I are meeting for supper and then checking out some of the Third Thursday venues in our downtown area.
Having reached my age Life's ups and downs, snags and sanity are part of the normal pattern. One balance the other but they often do not come so closely. The cycle between a down time and and up event may be years but it will happen. Teens and younger people often have learned this lesson. They are down down and do not see or expect the ups. the ups will come. It is a lesson that life teaches us and it is taught over and over. It is a balance.
One week ago today I set out on Thursday morning to teach my English 100 comp class for Hutchinson Community College. It was beautiful morning and highway fifty,fondly known as the death road, was really not busy. I arrived and put my books down to sign in on the attendance for faculty computer when I noticed an odd look on the faces of the receptionists. My class on Thursday meets in McPherson some 45 minutes away. Back roads and maximum safe speed got me to my destination just ten minutes late. As I had called the campus,my class was still there. Still I felt rather like the foggy professor stereotype.
The following Monday I was again in Newton. this time to teach my ITV class from the Newton site and It was both the right place and the right time. Feeling the need of caffeine I decided to get a coke but discovered I had no change. So I used my debit card in the machine, grabbed my coke and taught for two hours. I drove home and when I got there needed my debit card number only I did not have my debit card. I ransacked my purse, books and jeans pockets not once but several times. I called the Newton campus and asked them to look. No debit card was located. I called my bank and cancelled it and arranged for a new card. Later that night as I took off my jeans I noticed something in the pocket --- way down deep in the pocket. Yes, it was he lost and now useless debit card.
Tuesday , the next day actually, I parked at the middle school where I am an ESL para and when I got out of the car my left leg felt wet. It was and my orange jeans were sporting a damp blue spot. My purse had a wet corner( do not ask me how) and a pen had bled through.( Vera Bradley purses can do this, I have found.) Soap, water, and the help of a fellow para diminished the spot but did not erase it all. I was aware of the blemish all day tough no one else mentioned it.
Those are the downs. The ups? Last night two girl friends and I laughed , gripe, told stories the way women do at a local steak house.It was belated birthday get together for my birthday and a relaxing night for all of us.One them gave me a gift and the steak house donated their birthday brownie and ice cream treat. Tonight another friend and I are meeting for supper and then checking out some of the Third Thursday venues in our downtown area.
Having reached my age Life's ups and downs, snags and sanity are part of the normal pattern. One balance the other but they often do not come so closely. The cycle between a down time and and up event may be years but it will happen. Teens and younger people often have learned this lesson. They are down down and do not see or expect the ups. the ups will come. It is a lesson that life teaches us and it is taught over and over. It is a balance.
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