Thought for Today

I got this absolutely beautiful Power Point presentation from my friend Terry, Not sure just where he got it but it is full of beautiful thoughts and pictures and I am going to be sharing some of them with you over the next week or 10 days. (I know spread it out because you don't have anything you want to write about.) I hope you enjoy. This one is why I would rather have a party for someone now or give them flowers now than have a big funeral and talk about someone after they are gone. It is why I do not have a funeral planned after I am gone. Talk about me while I am still here.

If I have forgotten to tell anyone that I loved them today just rest assured that I do.

Jon was over tonight (He discovered that it is icy out) and is still here writing a letter on his computer. He and I watched a predictable movie on Encore and then watched the third Matrix movie. I had seen the first one ages ago and we watched the second one on one of the new movie channels on my set the other night so he brought this one over and we teased Bailey and watched his movie. I think I am going to have to watch all three of them over again back to back. There is a lot to them.

There was one scene towards the end when the sun was coming up over the city and I got to thinking about the Sun and the light it sends our way. It is so bright that we can't look at it directly but we are totally dependent upon it for our energy. Everything we have comes from the Sun. The plants that grow our food make it through a marvelous process called photosynthesis. Every bit of our energy comes to us from this enormous ball of fire and because of the right combination of things we have plants and animals and as a result are able to put "food on our families" (Thank you Mr. Bush for bringing that wonderful statement into the language) - And on top of all of that we have beautiful sunrises and sunsets (which we can look at) to enjoy. Today I went down to Des Moines to help stuff some envelopes for a fund raiser and I missed the sun. The sky was a uniform grey colour (English spelling) and there was also some mist and fog. I kind of like it but I much prefer the blue skies and clouds which we need to have return. Thanks for stopping by. ARTYAL and give a rose and a kind word to someone and tell them that you love them. Hugs, j-bear

Thoughts at Random

I am more often an observer than a participant. I admire those who get out and knock on doors and call people and take abuse. I remember marching in a civil rights parade when I was in college. I remember an old man riding his scooter by and yelling n****er lovers at us. I didn't understand racism then and I don't understand it now. I also remember watching the hippies in their tie-dyed shirts and shifts in the smokey hazy field at a love in in California when I was visiting my aunt. I was sort of going around from place to place observing and watching what they were doing. Not smoking pot or anything else. Just watching it and soaking the experience up.

I remember watching the TV when the first man stepped onto the moon. I can still bring back the feeling of that evening. TV made me more of a participant than just an observer. But I was still observing. TV has brought a lot to us and made us participant/observers. I am very grateful for it and for it helping me to be a witness to history.

Last night I was a participant and an observer. I was a participant in that I have been blogging about this election for a long time. (In fact some people are happy that they feel they can read my blog again now that the election is over.) I have been unhappy with the direction our country has gone for a long time. For the last 4 years I have worn a black band on my wrist with the words "Not Me" stamped on it. It signifies that I did not vote for George Bush. I was also a participant in that I voted (want to guess for whom?) I was an observer because I watched the election on TV. I was working on Lodge things and needed to get things done. But when they announced that Barak Obama was the President-elect I actually had tears well up and the emotional moment is one I shall always remember. Why? Not because I think he is perfect. But because I think he will work to restore our country to the place in the world that once again commands respect and works for solutions for PEOPLE and not for greedy CEO's. There is much I expect from him. I hope he delivers.
One very special reason that there were tears is because for the first time a black person has been elected to the presidency. To me that is important. In the 38 years I taught school I had many occasions both in and out of school to interact with black people. I learned early on that people are people. I grew up in white Iowa and do not remember many black people in my youth. When I was in eighth grade I played with my first black friend.

When I was teaching in Cedar Rapids (Marion actually) I was involved with community theater. the play was "Rasin in the Sun." If you are familiar with that play it is an all black cast. I worked back stage (always my favorite place) - I watched the director give notes to the cast after each rehearsal and the actors reacted just as the white actors had. I came to the conclusion that everybody is the same. Just because one person has brown eyes and another has blue eyes does not make them any less a person. It is a miniscule gene which makes my friend's skin darker than mine (or lighter). Nothing makes that friend no more nor no less a person than I am. We are all the same.

Over the years I have observed people who are racist. I have also observed people who were not racist who used racist terms and did not know it. I can remember a music teacher having the students sing a song. "Jump Jim Crow." I explained to her that Jim Crow was a racist song. Her response was "Oh you see racism in everything!" So I got the dictionary out - photocopied the page with Jim Crow on it and put it in her mail box. I don't think they ever sang that song again. Shame on the music company that published it in the Music Book.

My cousin walked over to a man in a restaurant one time and told him that she would rather have her children hear the word "fuck" than the N-word. I admired her courage greately. I have done some things also. My friend and Brother Ed Powers asked me if I would sign a petition for a black man to join my Lodge. I became the second line signer on the petition for the first black man to join my Lodge. I stood with L. Ray Chamberlin when he stood up to the Supreme Rainbow for Girls and forced them to drop their racist "no blacks" rule. I remember wondering how boring an all white rainbow would be.

Over the years I have done some things. (Not nearly enough) I have observed many more. But last night I was very proud of my country. I watched the faces (black and white alike) with tears pouring down their faces and I was grateful that we have come this far. We have more to do and further to go along the road to equality. There is another segment of our population who are regularly denied their rights and are the victims of hate much as the blacks have been. I do not understand this at all. I do not and will not ever understand why people can't live their lives in love and allow others the right to live theirs in the same way. The pursuit of happiness is deliniated in the constitution along with life and liberty. If that happiness means joining oneself to another person they should be allowed to do so.

I love the colors of Fall. I do not like the promise of winter.

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

This is what it is all about. The children.
We must work to leave the world a better place for them

Facebook. I have deactivated my Facebook account. Someone asked why. I guess I can say because I found it annoying. I felt that the comments I made were read by people and misinterperted and I just generally decided that I didn't need the extra stress. I felt like I was spying on people (I know they put things up there) and I guess that in some ways I wanted to be a little more private. I was feeling an obligation to putting something in the "Jay is" box and I didn't like that.

My friends can e-mail me or g-mail chat with me (I was finding it annoying to have a g-mail chat going and a Facebook Chat going at the same time.) or we can i-chat on the Mac or (horrors!) they can call me on the phone.

I didn't really understand it. I think it is for younger guys so I will leave it to them.
This was the sunrise this morning as I drove to work. And I do mean work. Instead of just sitting there and answering the phone I actually got to do something. I wrote letters for the MOK and entered a lot of checks into the Quicken and of course answered the phone. I worked there for two days an really liked doing it. I even got there before Shane and unlocked the building. I am honored that he trusts me to do this.

Last night while watching the election (and being disappointed in the Republican booing of Barak during McCain's gracious speech) I worked on the dues that came in for Arcadia Lodge. It takes a lot of time. Tomorrow is our stated meeting and I have a Dr's appointment (just a regular check-in) I get to go to three doctors and I like all of them.

Jon and I went to the House of Chen for supper tonight. We had a good meal. The House has moved and is now down on East Lincolnway. The place is not as nice as it was up in the Mall but the food was excellent. Jon is still hear using my Internet connection. He took Max on a walk tonight and wore him out and brought him back full of burrs which had to be cut out.

So that should catch you up on me (if you are interested) and what is going on. Hope you like the pictures. Two sunrises. I go back down again on Friday and then Saturday the Met had Dr. Atomic at the Movie Theater.

Thanks for stopping by ARTYAL, Hugs- j

Give Your Roses Today

I am not complaining but I just thought this was cute.

I was up till 2:30 last night doing the big post on yesterday. I like to get thinks like that up. I took lots more pictures and if anyone wants all of them just send me an e-mail and let me know. I did send them to a lot of people.

The entire day was a "high" for me. I think that one of the neat things about the idea of a reception is that it is a way we can let someone know what they mean to us. Some people come to them to be seen or because they feel they have to because of their position. I'm not talking about them. I am talking about those who come to let the honoree know that he is special to them.

The brother from our lodge who attended is a good friend of Don's son in law Lucas. (pictured on the right.)

He was there not because the Grand Master of Masons in Iowa was being honored but because his friend's father who has become his friend was being honored. There were a lot of us there for the same reason.

I was there for the same reason. I don't usually attend receptions but Don has become a friend. He and I have ongoing discussions about things Masonic because of this blog and he gives me things to think about. We often agree and sometimes disagree but we remain brothers and friends. I was there mostly because I like him and wanted to let him know I appreciate him as a person.

I think that is important. We need to honor people with our compliments and praise while they are here with us and let them know they are important to us. I don't care who you are you deserve to know that people like and appreciate you. I know Bailey likes me because of the way he greets me when I come home from a day or an hour of being gone. You know what I mean.

I always scan the obituaries in the paper and I see a lot of them which are not really obituaries. They are little "tributes" to a person who has passed many years ago. They often mention things of a personal nature - "telling" the dead person how much they are missed and how they will always be alive and in their thoughts. Perhaps they did tell the person how much they meant to them when they were alive, but I have s suspicion that many times they are doing this out of guilt because they didn't tell the person what they thought of them when they were alive. It's OK it it makes them feel better but I feel sad for them because I wish they had the satisfaction of knowing they had shared those thoughts when they were alive. Give them that rose today. I had a landlady in the 60's when I was at Linn-Mar. She was a great person and several times I caught her writing a note or a post card to one of her friends which simply said. "I thought of you today and it made me smile." What a wonderful thing to do.


I have made it a practice to let people know that I care for them and like them and I hope the message is taken for what it is. A sincere expression of appreciation for my friends while they are still with me. I am so good (ha) that I even tell complete strangers that I like their dress or shirt or what they did or the way they relate to their child. Whenever I can I try to "pay it forward and spread some sunshine. Sometimes it is just a smile. Often I fall short and let opportunities slip by and that means I am human. I also try to forgive myself and others. Sometimes that is hard to do. But I try.

My friend Bob, sent me another picture. It points up that we have beauty in our state every day. We just need to see it when we are stopping to smell the roses.

He wrote the thoughts below this picture which he calls "Sentinel of Time"

These old windmills have much character and aesthetic beauty,

particularly when silhouetted against a sunrise or sunset. Many have
been in place for decades, no longer operating, but still there....a

sentinel of time, amidst the fertile lands!

Enjoy the rest of the day and all of next week. Hugs from J-bear!

Labor Day

Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It was meant to commemorate the working man and became an official holiday in 1894. It is celebrated on the First Monday in September. Now I may have told you one thing you didn't know but there really isn't much else to say about it.


It is the day of the dog swim at Carr's Pool and the closing of the pool. The dogs enjoy that and I am sure the kids watching will also

Labor Day was always a "catch up" day for teachers. We had one or one and a half weeks with the kids and this four day week because of the Labor Day holiday gave us time to make sure the had a good handle on our new class and had begun to know the kids and their parents. It also messed up our schedules. It especially messed them up when we had the Ten-day schedules and all of the "special" (so-called) classes would switch the day of the week and we would have to revise our thinking and our plans. until the next holiday. I don't know who it was that thought up that "bright/wise" idea (must have been an administrator) but I never liked it.

The kids would finally realize that yes, they did have to go to school and no, it wasn't (by some miracle) going to be canceled for the year so they might as well make the best of it. So they would begin to work on their plans for their Halloween costumes. Yes, they started that early, even in sixth grade. They are good at finding other things to think about than classes and learning. I suppose it fosters creativity.

Then, or course, the Christian right got a hold of this innocuous little holiday and did their best to cancel it. I will never forget the disappointment of my nephew when the display he and his group had been working on for table decorations were not allowed to be finished or used when "some lady" (his words) made Mrs. Haggard (principal (but no pal)) cancel the Halloween decorations and parties because it was not "Christian." And this is a public school! Oh well she won her little victory, the kids were disappointed and it was one more nail in the coffin of my opinion of the "Christian" right (or wrong if you prefer).

Speaking of Jonathan - tomorrow is his 25th birthday. Feel free to send him a birthday e-mail. JoncoleJ@gmail.com.

We both have the same middle name. We used to drive our mothers (his and mine) with a little litany we said - What's your name? Then we'd give out names - "discover" that we had the same middle name and say "Wow, we must be related!" It would drive them both up the wall and we (or at least I) had fun doing that. Eventually he grew out of it. I never did. That is one of the advantage of having a child like (don't say childish) mind.

Have a great day today and don't labor too much. Speaking of Labor the kid next door has finally gotten a chain-saw and chopped down the lovely bushes on the south side of the yard. Privacy is gone but Max will be able to see more to bark about. Be loved. Hugs, j

Peripheral People

I get up every morning determined both to change the world and to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult. -E.B. White, writer (1899-1985)

The above quote was from my word of the day e-mail that I subscribe to. It does not describe the way I woke up this morning but I thought I'd share it anyway. Actually I woke up thinking about Peripheral People. These are the people around the outside of our lives we never quite connect with. We see them but we don't register who they are or what their lives may be like. We don't really look at them.

Most of the time I keep almost everyone in this category. Don't get me wrong I love people. I love to watch them and I interact with them quite well (most of the time) but I just don't let them into who I really am. Actually this blog is a way to change that. Most of my regular blog readers know me better than members of my family.

You have heard the statement about being "alone in a crowd" - I can do that. It's easy. You just say Hi, smile and never quite connect. Some people call it being "private." I've been that way for years. Until now. Actually I am probably still that way to a great degree but I am working on changing. Last summer a young Mason insisted on getting to know me (probably to his sorrow) and introduced himself to me twice. We started to talk and as I got to know him and his family I now consider them as my "family" Because of that I have "enlarged my tent" as the pastor said last Sunday and I have "lengthened my ropes". There are now a lot more people who know Jay Simser than before. (I am not sure that the tent stakes are any stronger than before, however).

Anyway I have always had a lot of "acquaintances" but not so many "friends" - My mother had "friends" I have always kept people at arms length - except for a few of them. Even those I love haven't always been invited into my tent. Now thanks to one person, insisting on being friends with me and showing me that I am valued I am opening up more and am feeling more fulfilled. I thank him. I don't know if he will read this blog entry or not but it is here and it expresses the heartfelt gratitude I will always have for him for those hours we sat and visited last summer. I hope we can do it again sometime.

Because of his persistence I telephoned someone I thought I might like and met him for coffee at Starbucks one day. We talked for over an hour and I feel much closer to him also. I hope the feeling is reciprocal. I have always felt close to a few people and there are some of them who are like sisters to me. But lately I haven't let many in. That is changing.

Two people who are now in my "tent" are Amy and Lee. I have gotten to know them better and am very comfortable with them. I loved them before. Now I like them - a lot. There is a difference. Last night Amy suggested that if they had a baby (sometime - no news yet) I could come to Dallas and move in. I suggested I could be "Uncle Nanny" - It was in fun but I am honored that she would suggest something like that.

I have one thing in common with my mother when it comes to babies. I am nuts about them. So last night I dreamed about taking care of babies. I was taking care of a baby, trying to mop the floor and control the dogs at the same time. No it can't be the bed I am in. I am in the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. It was given to Amy and Lee by a cousin on Amy's grandfather's side and I won't tell you what it cost but it is the most expensive bed I have ever slept in. At least four times the cost of my bed at home and it wasn't cheap.

So there I am taking care of the babies and Mom is in the next room running the shower and I have to get to school so I leave un showered and the next thing you know I am looking for a shower at the school so I can clean up before I teach. The school is always one of the old schools in Ames - either Beardshear of Roosevelt. They were my favorites. So you can see I am going slowly nuts. I have not had dreams I could remember for ages and I get down here and dream, wake up early thinking of Peripheral People (there should be a poem in that phrase) and how I could blog it.

Hope you all have a great day (2500 hits. Some from Europe and Asia also. Blogging is mind-boggling) Be Happy and Loved - Hugs. j

Hump day musings

I was going to write a poem today but it was not a good one. Lately none of them seem to be worth the electrons they are written on. So I trashed it. It was all about feeling sorry for myself (again) and I don’t so it wasn’t coming well. Usually a poem writes itself.

I had to go to Des Moines today to pick up my tux pants. Gas was 20 cents a gallon cheaper at Costco than it is in Ames. I am slowly getting ready for the trip to Texas. I do plan on taking the computer with me so I will probably be able to blog.

I got the petition from the young man today on my way out of town. He had seen the emblems on my car and I now can say that my car emblem and my belt buckle have both brought in Masons. Of course, I no longer wear the belt buckle as the belt I have now does not allow me to exchange buckles. Next year's Grand Master is working on a project to have Masonic License Plates. I have seen them in other states (See above)and look forward to getting one.

We have a degree tomorrow night and then a week from Thursday the Secretary Emeritus is going to sub for me. (I still have to have everything ready)

I checked the number of pills I have and discovered that I need to have the prescription filled before I go so I have to do that. There was a problem with the prescription so I am not able to get it at the time I wanted to but it seems to be OK now and I can pick it up. The maddening thing is that you have to push buttons and go through computer menus every time you call in. Sometimes you just want to deal with a person. By the time you get to a person you can be very frustrated (at least I can).

Max and Bailey’s barking will NOT be missed. They have both been barking at every little thing today. Of course it is so nice out that I have the windows open so they hear everything. The lady next door moved to a retirement community in Ft. Dodge so her house is vacant – except for the men who are working over there clearing things out. I don’t know what she had in there but they have taken two of the huge double sized dumpsters out of there. They have emptied it twice and are working on filling it up a third time. Of course they started this morning at 6:30 AM and that started the dogs barking. Who needs an alarm clock when you have Bailey and Max. Oh well, I would miss them.

I am sure they are throwing some “good stuff” out but I already have enough “good stuff.”

It is raining and thundering outside so Bailey thinks he has to bark at everything. I must go out soon to pick up my pills and my cleaning. Tomorrow I pack. I always hate that part of going someplace. I have been invited to come to Indianapolis to attend a Lodge meeting. He didn’t tell me what time it meets but it would be fun to go. I think they wear Tux to meeting and eat at a fine restaurant and have toasts. I am tempted. Long way to go. Perhaps if the price of gas comes down?? Be Loved. Hugs.

Tuesday Randomness

“Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is
the very purpose of life and not something you do
in your spare time.” Marian Wright Edelman

My friend Barb just sent me a note asking me to vote for her as she runs for ISEA Retired Delegate to the National Education Association. I had already sent my ballot in voting for her. She exemplifies the quote above. Marion Wright Edelman is a great American. You should go and read about her. Thanks Barb for reminding me about her.

I wrote three (little) poems today. They are important to me because I have not written a poem for a year or so. Perhaps the muse is returning. I share them here.

(1)
When I woke up this morning I was dreaming of a smile.
The smile on your face that expressed your feelings of friendship.
It brightened my whole day and I just want you to know
That smile was a gift to me – even though it was only in my dream.

(2)
Have you ever noticed as you drive down the road
The little cars passing you are all painted red!
Usually driven by someone with a look of dedication on their face
Dedicated to being in first place or winding up dead.

(3)
I love those photos I took. - Moments and Memories.
You can see the love of a Father for his son.
The joy of the Mother as she holds this miracle she loves
This child of God they made together -
This gift from Father-Mother God that lights up everyone’s life.

Bailey got groomed today and he got a new collar. He looks beautiful.

I found out what happened to the lady (Bernice) who lived next door. Bernice's daughter was outside the house when I came back from running errands and she told me that Bernice had moved to Friendship Haven in Ft. Dodge. Her other daughter lives in Ft. Dodge so she will be near family. One mystery solved. The enormous dumpster in the front driveway was the clue.

Speaking of garbage. I found out that I am eligible for a Senior discount with WasteManagement Thanks to Aunt Jo for cluing me in.

The old computer has been fitted with a new hard drive and my nephew is taking it off my hands. I hope he gets am much good out of it as I did.

I found a Tarot Card site where you take a little test and it tells you which Tarot Card you are. I am the Tower.

You are The Tower

Ambition, fighting, war, courage. Destruction, danger, fall, ruin.

The Tower represents war, destruction, but also spiritual renewal. Plans are disrupted. Your views and ideas will change as a result.

The Tower is a card about war, a war between the structures of lies and the lightning flash of truth. The Tower stands for "false concepts and institutions that we take for real." You have been shaken up; blinded by a shocking revelation. It sometimes takes that to see a truth that one refuses to see. Or to bring down beliefs that are so well constructed. What's most important to remember is that the tearing down of this structure, however painful, makes room for something new to be built.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I don't know anything about Tarot but I really like the "makes room for something new to be built" part of the quote. Have a great evening. Hugs, j

Telephones and Random Rants

I am not crazy about telephones. One of the things that annoys me is that people think they can call you any time they want and you should answer. I have friends who never answer their phone. They just let it go to voice mail. I should do that. My mother would leap up at the sound of the telephone and make a dash for it.

Another annoyance is the business person who is waiting on me as a paying customer and leaves me to answer a telephone. I have been known to walk away and they lose the sale.

People driving down the road on cell phones are a danger to everyone on the road. The ones who walk around talking loudly on their cells are just annoying.

I don't like to talk on the phone. One of my former students calls me up and while I would enjoy visiting with her she seems to always call when I am right in the middle of watching a show.

I did put myself on the "do not call" registry and that helped but I still get annoying political or charitable solicitations. I just respond that "I don't respond to telephone solicitation" and hang up. I know they are just making a living so I do try to be cordial... That is the word my Aunt Fran used when she had to speak to someone she didn't like.

Today the Neilson people called me and I did say that I would be a Neilson family and let them know what I was watching for a week on TV. That is going to be done by e-mail so it should be all right. The best way to get in touch with me is by e-mail as I usually answer that and check it often.

Refund
My cousin Tracy suggested that I see if I could get an NEA discount on my computer. I called the Apple Store and after going through their menu I got through to someone and yes I was eligible even though I was retired. So before I went to Acanthus I made a trip out to Costco to get gas and then went and got my discount. $166. Thanks Tracy.

I already save a lot on my car and home insurance through Member Benefits. It is great to belong to the greatest Union in the world. Those menus that you have to push are also annoying. I made a mistake and called the Credit Union before they opened. I had made a deposit and the girl put the money in the wrong account so it had to be transferred and I couldn't do it from home banking. Their menu of available responses is particularly annoying.

Acanthus Dinner and being "ditched"
They had a dinner to honor the Shrine Potentate tonight. He is a Past Master of Acanthus so the place was filled with members and ladies. I enjoyed my dinner (especially the peach cobbler) and the company immensely but I was disappointed that all of the officers took off and "ditched" me after Lodge. I tried calling my friend to see where everyone was but he is the one who doesn't answer his phone so I just came home early. Very disappointed and not nearly as much fun.

The Secretary down there told me I need a hobby. It seems he read my blog until 1:30 in the morning. (It is not for nothing that I subtitled this "the most boring blog on the Internet.") I guess there must have been something interesting in it for him to spend that much time reading it. I used to write poetry but for the past few years the muse has not hit me. Therefore, I decided to blog. One, it gives me an outlet. Living alone I have no one to complain to. Two, my sister moved to Missouri and this gives her a chance to keep up on what is happening in my life. I do like it that there are so many hits on the counter but no one really ever comments. So, except for the occasional jab I don't know if anyone really likes my blog or not. Some friends do mention it to me.

Anyway it is fun.

Jon came over to let the dogs out but since I was home he didn't have to. He cut his finger again.

It was 88 degrees today. Too hot. Supposed to be cooler tomorrow -The June bugs are back.
Whenever I hear them I get a creepy feeling. When Ginny was a baby we went on a picnic one June. I know that there were June bugs on the fried chicken and I ate some. Ugh - Be Happy.

Secretary's Day and Random Musings

My friend Bob Kelly took this picture and sent it to me for Secretary's Day since he knew I was a secretary. I think it is an absolutely beautiful picture. You can see more of his pictures at his Blog, Bob's Photo Adventures. He is a very creative photographer and I have "stolen" several of his pictures to use as backgrounds for my ever changing desktop.

I went to Des Moines (again) today to the Des Moines High Twelve Club meeting.  I was curious about the High Twelve Club. I got to sit with some of the guys from Acanthus and I enjoyed myself.


When the politicians who spend millions of dollars to get elected to a #150,000. a year job, look you in the eye and tell you something you don't have to believe them. Don't worry I am not that naive. I didn't believe them anyway.

Speaking of politicians. I am really not enthusiastic about any of them. John McCain announced today that he was running for President. I watched him on The Daily Show last night. He was rude, and argumentative and no way would I vote for him. I told someone that I really didn't want any of them to win. If they want to be President I don't want them in there.

Mitt Romney appealed to me for awhile. I liked the fact that he had saved the Utah Winter Olympics. However he has changed his tune to appeal to the conservative element and so I don't trust him. I guess I will sit it out to see who it all shakes down to and when they make their nominations I will decide. Rudy looked good in a dress but I am not sure he has a chance to get to the Oval Office. Fred Thompson was number 3 on the poll on AOL and I found that amazing. I know he was a Senator but I don't particularly like his character on Law and Order.

I guess that John Edwards is my front runner but his hair looks too good to be real.

One thing that irritated me at the high Twelve meeting was the table grace. To me a table grace should be a time to give thanks for the food we are about to eat, the chance to come together to be in a fraternal way. This was a sermonette about how we need to get God back in the schools. I just get upset with those who think that it is all right to post religious doctrine in the schools and claim that this will solve all of societies problems. America is a multi-cultural society and that is what makes it great (if it still is after Bush has trashed us all over the world) the idea that all of us fit together in a kind of crazy quilt which is beautiful and comforting. All of the religions should be respected and if (so-called) Christians have their way we will have prayer and Bible readings in the school and those who are Muslim or Jewish or Hindu or Wicca or some other religion will not be respected. I think that religious instruction is good but it belongs in the home and in the church not in the public school.

Both yesterday and today when I drove down and back to Des Moines I drove in rain. Not gentle rain but hard driving rain. Now we have flood watches out. Some of the creeks were out of their banks. I was reminded of the Floods of 93.. I remember them well. I had been to the Iowa Research Lodge # 2 meeting and had met S. Brent Morris
who was the speaker and author of the book "A Radical In The East" which the Lodge published that year. It is being re-issued as the book for last year and the book for this year is Chris Hodapp's Solomon's Builders. Research Lodge is the best bargain in Freemasonry and you can join for only $15.00.

I also got into a discussion about Capital Punishment (I am against it) - all in all it was a very stimulating meeting.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. I used to celebrate Earth Day by having my students design a project they could do to improve the environment. Some of them cleaned up areas which were full of waste junk. They kept track of the different types of material they found and graphed it to share. They took before and after pictures of what they were doing.

Others planted flowers and kept track of the growth of the plants. Some of them even got their parents involved and graphed the amount of oxygen the plant would add to the environment. Many times they planted the flowers around their homes but at other times they did it in a more public place.

The idea was to get them to think about their environment and their own personal impact on it. We took the entire month to do this and at the end we had presentations to share what we had done. Oh yes, the presentations had to be prepared using recycled material. No fancy paste board for this one.

Some of the students really "got into the idea" and others did the minimum. Typical for fifth and sixth grade (or any other age for that matter). I always enjoyed seeing what types of projects they would come up with. It was open ended and they could design their own project and carry it out. I never tried to assign much homework but this project was entirely done outside the class day. It didn't hurt them to do it and hopefully they gleaned something from the experience that made them better custodians of the environment.

The Ames Community Schools used to have a project called Project Eco and three times a year classes would be taken to the woods to study nature. Nancy Kurrle was the Eco lady and she was marvelous. It did not matter what age of student she had with her she related to them and taught them a lot. She now teaches at the Ames Middle School and she is just as creative and gets her students outside to study the environment. She is a passionate teacher and she communicates that passion to others. I was lucky to have had her as a partner when we went out on these trips.

I think the impetus for Project Eco was the Sixth grade overnights which we used to do at the 4-H camp over by Luther Iowa. These were the idea of another passionate teacher, Laverna Larson. We would take the students out and we would have a great time. One of the days we would have projects designed by the teachers and the second day we would have experts who would come in and help share their love of the environment. It was one of the greatest times each year. A lot of work but well worth it.

We would go, rain or shine, and the fact that it is raining right now with the attendant new rain smell may be what brought this to mind. I love rain, especially heavy rain in the woods. We would climb down to the creek for some of our activities and if it was pouring down rain we would get wet. I mean drenched. There is nothing more beautiful than a may forest in the rain. We don't usually go out when it is raining but I am ever grateful that I had the experiences I had as a teacher in the Ames Schools. It is sad that they no longer do these activities. Today's students will not have that chance and they will be poorer for it.

Below are some Earth Day links. Read them and then design your own Earth Day project. Preserve, protect and defend your environment. We can't do everything but we can all do something.

The Wilderness Society Earth Day site

Earth Day Network
Kaboose Earth Day (for Kids)
EPA Earth Day site

Random Rants

Religious expression

You know, I am pretty religious. I believe in God and I believe that He communicates with us by nudges or angel thoughts which come to us when we need it but I don't believe that Jesus plays golf with us. Of course, I guess he could but he didn't carry a golf club as the Scots hadn't invented it yet. Some guy from Iowa won the Master's Golf Tournament last Sunday (Easter) and I am glad for him. Why, oh why, did he have to go on record that he "felt" Jesus right there beside him when he was finishing the course? And he is not the only one. Athletes and others are always screaming "Thank you Jesus" when they win something.

I just don't believe it! I go back to when Jesus said "Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees" and went on to tell them that "they had their reward" -- they were the ones standing on the street corners telling everyone to look at them to see how pious they were. I get irritated by these folks and also by T-shirts and bumper stickers purporting to tell me that "When the Rapture comes, this car will be driver less."

I also think that answering machine messages telling me to leave a message and "God Bless You" fit into this category. I think these people want us to believe they are righteous and holy and many times they are not. I see evangelists who tell us to "come to Jesus" and to "hate the sin but love the sinner" who would just as soon kill the sinner. I really think they are in for a big surprise when they pass to the next level of awareness.

My mother had a deep faith. She did not always go to church but she always treated others as she would have wanted to be treated. I never remember her putting any one down. I never remember her calling anyone a name. Her parents were like that also. They lived their faith. They didn't wear it on their shirtsleeves. I try to be that way also but I fall short. I am grateful to God for everything I have experienced and have been given. But I try to express it quietly. I wish others would also.

#2
Letters to the Editor
I generally look these over and I have noticed that there are certain people who just have to write their thoughts and get them in the Newspaper - over and over again. I like to express my opinions also and have found that putting them in this blog has almost completely gotten rid of my need to send a letter to the Editor. Besides the dumb editor never put them in the paper either. Perhaps more people should try it. Very therapeutic.

#3
2 Cents worth
That a column in the paper where people can call in and leave short one line (usually pithy) comments on just about anything. They are kind of fun and they are anonymous so you never know who it was that said something so you just have to call in and respond. It is kind of fun.

#4
TV -
There is so much junk on TV that it is easy to skip watching things. I think in my case it is just habit. Be that as it may be I do love Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, NCIS, Boston Legal (especially), Numbers, Criminal Minds and The Closer. I really don't like the reality shows that put people on and give them things just to watch them cry. I think Judge Judy has a terrible ego and she is uncivil to those in her courtroom. I like Rosie but I liked her better on her own show. I wish I were able to watch Torchwood but I am too cheap to get BBC America. Also the Tudors (Showtime) or Rome. I did rent the first season of Rome and will rent the second when it comes out on DVD.)

#5
Movies
There have been some really good movies this past year. I love going to movies. (Always sit on the back LEFT.) However there is a lot of just junk out there but I don't go to them so it doesn't bother me.

I guess that is enough for me for today. It was a beautiful day. I had a very productive time of it. I have 112 letters addressed and ready to go. Went to Lodge practice and of course read Second Reader at Church. I'm happy - You be that way also. j

Thursday Musings

When my grandparents had their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary they took a family picture. You can see that it was a large group of people and they were literally the glue that held everyone together. The Scottish and Irish heritage was clannish and we all got together whenever we could.

Things have changed. Last Christmas half the "family" went to Minnesota and half went to Texas. I stayed home with the "boys" and Cassie. It was a different feeling. Now it is Easter and yesterday I got invited to the family get-together. I have decided not to go. I have had an incredibly busy week and next week will be the same. I am still dieting and since I have to read at church in the morning I think I will just stay home. Probably not very nice of me but that is the way it is.

Lodge tonight went well. I have minutes to write and other things to do so I am going to make this short and get busy. Oh yes, I heard from Linda W. today. She was trying to get information about where our Church Lecture was going to be held and I could not tell her. I do know that it is part of the College for Seniors and there will be a lot of people in attendance. I have two meetings that day so I won't get to attend. I had a nice visit with her. She is so busy that she doesn't get to respond to e-mail but she sounded great. It was good to talk to her.

Cold today, Not just chilly. Stay warm and be happy. j

Nephew

My nephew Jonathan had his picture on the front page of the Ames Daily Tribune tonight. He works at the Flying Buritto and he and a co-worker were chopping onions. It was kind of neat to see him there.

He came over today and picked up his dog and took him on an excursion to Pine Lake. I think they had fun. Max really adores Jon and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Max behaves well for Jon and watches him constantly when he is over here. His cat also lives with me and she earns her keep by keeping the rodents out of the house. I enjoy having both of them here.

I have enjoyed watching Jon mature into the man he is today. He has a lot going for him and I am very proud of him. He and I used to go on trips when I was a delegate to the National Education Association. He has been to New Orleans, twice, Atlanta, Orlando, and Washington, DC. Of course we went to Savannah, Memphis, Charleston and points inbetween. We also took a trip to St. Louis one time when the Assembly meetings were in Minneapolis. They were great trips and I am lucky to have had him to take with me. Seeing these places with him made it much more enjoyable Being an Uncle is one of the greatest things in the world. All of the joy and none of the responsibility...

I love road trips. It is so much better than flying. This summer my friends and I are going to drive to Houston by way of San Antonio to attend the United Grand Imperial Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine. I have usually driven to these myself and it will be fun to have Glenn and his wife Freddie to travel with.

The numbers keep going up on the counter so I know that somebody is reading this. Hope it is not to boring. And oh yes, the snow is melting and I feel Spring in the air.