Holidays

      Well, we have about two weeks until Christmas.  I am in shock at how quickly the time has flown  this first semester.  It seems the older I get, the faster time goes.  My elders have been telling me this for years, but being that they are older and youth possesses a tinge of arrogance, I have listened with only one ear.  They are right.  It is easy for this time of year to go by very quickly.  One of the ways to slow the time down is to take the time to remember tradition.  Each of us has our own set of traditions that have either been started with our own immediate families or started with the previous generations.

      These traditions are what root us to the family tree.  These, more than anything, shape our belief systems, build our stories, and define who we are and will be.  In my family, we have many traditions.  One of our traditions is that I host Christmas Eve dinner at my house.  I invite my family that lives near by or is town for the holidays.  If everyone comes, I usually cook for about 25-30 people.  It is wonderful to have everyone one at my home.  Another tradition is rolled into the food.  Like most, I make candy: chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered Oreos, and chocolate covered peanuts.  I make pumpkin roll, and the usual cut outs for my kids to decorate.  I also make snicker doodles.  These are a family favorite.  Christmas would not seem like Christmas without them. 
      About seven years ago, my grandmother passed away.  I was in the middle of making this cookie when my dad called to tell me his mom had died.  It was a very hard time.  I tell you this because whenever I make this cookie and continue the tradition, it is more than just baking.  It is about remembering those who have impacted us in ways we can never find the words to appropriately describe.  It is about slowing time to spend one more moment with the ones we love and to build future memories for our children.  My brother once made the statement when he was younger that he wanted a good "Look back to his future."  We all laughed at the illogical nature of the statement.  But it is true.  Everything we do is about a "look back to our futures." 
      Your blog this week is for you to explain one family tradition at this holiday time and what "look back to your future" it has given you.  What will you remember and what has it taught you?

You have many Ayn Rand quotes listed below.  She is the author of many books: Atlas Shrugged, Fountainhead, and Anthem to name a few.  Her books have created and caused many emotion filled conversations.  I would like to pick one quote from the list below.  Copy the quote into your comment box and then respond to it.  Do you agree or disagree?  Why or why not?  Does it ring true?  Why or why not.


It stands to reason that where there’s sacrifice, there’s someone collecting sacrificial offerings. Where there’s service, there’s someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master.


Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper’s bell of an approaching looter. So long as men live together on earth and need means to deal with one another — their only substitute, if they abandon money, is the muzzle of a gun.

From this simplest necessity to the highest religious abstraction, from the wheel to the skyscraper, everything we are and everything we have comes from a single attribute of man — the function of his reasoning mind.

Competition is a by-product of productive work, not its goal. A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

Man’s unique reward, however, is that while animals survive by adjusting themselves to their background, man survives by adjusting his background to himself. If a drought strikes them, animals perish — man builds irrigation canals; if a flood strikes them, animals perish — man builds dams; if a carnivorous pack attacks them animals perish — man writes the Constitution of the United States. But one does not obtain food, safety or freedom — by instinct.

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage’s whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.

Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received — hatred. The great creators — the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors — stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won.

I swear by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.

Watch money. Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue. When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion — when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing — when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors — when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you — when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice — you may know that your society is doomed. Money is so noble a medium that is does not compete with guns and it does not make terms with brutality. It will not permit a country to survive as half-property, half-loot.

So you think that money is the root of all evil? ... Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can’t exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?  —Ayn Rand

Stories and lessons

We all grow up with stories.  These stories are rooted in our families and the conversations that we have on a daily and seasonal basis.  I have shared with you before that I come from a family of story tellers.  We are always telling stories.  On Thanksgiving during dinner, my 91 year old grandfather told a story that caused my sister to turn five shades of red and me to stop mid gulp for fear of having my Diet Pepsi come out of my nose.  I cannot tell you that story, but I will tell you another. 

When my mom was a kid she would race her friend to school every day.  My mom came out of the house and was determined to win.  She jumped on her bike and headed down the street.  In her haste, she failed to see the uneven sidewalk and instead of gliding over it, she hit the sidewalk head on and flipped the bike.  She hit the ground, and her bike landed on top of her.  There, she was sprawled out on the sidewalk for all drivers to see.  As she lay there, the school bus drove by.  My mother looked the other way, and to the person driving by, she appeared to be unconscious.  At the same time, three men were on their way to the cemetery down the street to bury a family member.  They were in the limousine.  They stopped and picked my mother up to take her home.  My mom stayed home from school that day, but her sister had already left.  When her sister arrived at the school, the students who had observed the accident reported that my mother had died, and she had been picked up by the funeral car.  Needless to say, my aunt was hysterical with worry and fear.  The school called the house to confirm the story.  My mother answered the phone and assured them she was alive and well.  My aunt was comforted  once she heard the news.

In looking at this story, there is a lesson to be learned.  When my mother would tell it, the lesson would get lost in the laughter, but the lesson remained nonetheless.  The lesson could be to not allow pride to keep you from paying attention.  It could be that we should not jump to conclusions or make judgements until we know the whole story, or it could be that gossip never results in trustworthy information. 

Your assignment is to tell us a school appropriate family story.  Add the details--descriptions, thoughts and feelings.  Once you have told the story, tell us what lesson could be taken form your family story.  You must tell us the lesson.

I encourage you to read other stories posted this week.  These stories that we tell are about us and the community we live within. 

In a week, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving.  For many this is one of the only times we express our gratitude for those around us and for what we have.  This week's blog is a time for us to think about what we are thankful for. 

I am thankful to have a family that no matter my mood they are there for me.  They always accept me. I am thankful for the laughter and hugs of my children.  They are my smile.  No matter what my day has been like, my children remind of what is important.  I am thankful to still have my grandfather around.  He is the living embodiment of my family line.  He brings the history and stories of our past to the future.  He reminds me of what a man/father should be: strong, courageous, passionate about life, gentle, loving, an example for his family.  My grandparents were married for 62 years and my grandpa only ever had eyes for my grandma.  I am thankful for my husband and the family we have together.  I am thankful for all that I have worked for and earned through that hard word.  I am thankful that I get to go to work each day and be part of your lives, to watch you learn, to watch you prepare to embark on your greatest journey, and to watch you graduate at the end of the year. 

Your assignment this week is to post what you are thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the holiday season!

The music that we love

Music speaks to us in ways we cannot begin to explain.  It is not just about the lyrics, the artist, the notes written together to form a sound.  It is a conversation that takes place between the music and the soul.  It is the moment when you listen to a song and that song resonates with you like none other. 

We play the song over and over memorizing the chills that run up and down our spine, recalling the way we are transported to another world, internalizing the way we become consumed by a the music--wrapped in it knowing for the three to four minutes it plays we are held prisoner.  This is music.

My description my not be accurate for all of us.  I can only speak to the way music possesses me.  There are many songs that have become part of my DNA.  Many of them songs that others have not heard of or thought about.  One such song comes from the musical Les Miserables.   (Click Les Mis) Listen to the song.  It is not important to me that you like or respond to it the way I do.  What is important is that you think about your own song.

After you listen, respond by commenting on a song that is equally as important to you.  Explain why you like the song and why it is significant.  Is it the lyrics, the music, the moment when you heard it?  Sometimes the time and place we hear a song drives the song deeper into our emotion.  The last question you must answer is whether or not your song has "Musical merit."  Is your song respected in the music world?  Why or why not?  (The song I picked is part of a musical which is thought by many to be one of the greatest musicals written.  It has been performed by many and been around for over 25years.)

Happy blogging!!!!

Argument

Everywhere we look, we are faced with people, organizations, and groups making an argument.  We have looked at how these arguments are made and the techniques employed to persuade us.  We know that now with the election coming to a close, the debates, adds, and mailings are speaking the loudest.  This begs the question: what other mediums are trying to persuade us through their arguments?   

I would like you to pick one of the three songs presented here.  Listen to one and then, determine what argument is being made.  Once you have identified the argument, explain how they are trying to persuade us: facts and stats, author credibility, or emotional appeals.  Reference a specific part of the song lyrics or video that has helped you to come to this understanding.

Here are the three song links:
Cage the Elephant
Martina McBride
Common ft and Will.i.am

Happy listening!

A good story should...

We have all grown up with stories.  We tell stories at the dinner table, while driving in the car, or while walking with family members.  In my family, we are story tellers.  My mom would tell me stories while she brushed my hair or when we sat on the front porch.  These stories are what allow our family roots to grow together tangling each of us up in a common history.

As a little girl, we would visit my grandparents in Painesville.  Our ritual was to walk through the cemetery talking to each other, reading the headstones, and recalling other family histories.  One story that we loved to recount was the story of the man whose headstone read "not guilty." Additionally, we loved to hear about how my parents met, and how my dad lost his wallet in the Grand River while trying to impress my mother.  Stories help us make sense of the world.  They allow us to come to conclusion as to what is true and what is not true.  I want you to look at your list of things said to be true. 

Tell the story that helped you come to know this.  On my list, I wrote, "The more we let others into our lives, the richer we become in knowledge."  I believe this completely. Here is my story:

I have always been shy.  Social scenes make me nervous.  I am not good with letting others in my life nor am I good at sharing.  My husband, however, has always had a very strong group of friends.  When we started dating, I was welcomed into this very close-knit group whose history was so rich.  Every story told had all participating.  After twenty years, this group is still very close.  Our children are growing up together and we are there for each other even through the darkest of times.  Our futures have been written through our past relationships.  It took me a while to let my guard down and become  immersed in this group.  I am glad I did.  I have become a richer person through our friendships.  I know that should I ever need anyone of them all I have to do is ask.  They would be there for my family, my husband or just for me.  In letting them in, they have made my life richer. 

Take one item from your list of things known to be true and tell the story that helps to make it true. Your story must be school appropriate and true:)  A paragraph is sufficient.  Happy story telling!

This I believe

We will watch a Spoken Word Poet discuss what she knows to be true.  She will make the argument that we all bring knowledge that is either similar to others or our knowledge will teach others something new.  It is in what we know that we find our individual poetry.  Words have power. They allow us to take our thoughts and give them shape.  We allow them, our thoughts, to find rhythm, meaning, and a place when we combine them with other words.  It is the artful placement of language that gives it power.  

We all come from someplace different. We may reside in the same town, but our place in it is unique. It is unique in perspective.  My view of the world is very different from yours  because of my age, my gender, my level of education, my experiences in the world. We need to accept this and appreciate this.  

What I want you to do is list ten things you know to be true. Look at my examples.  Create your own list.

My list is as follows:
I know this much is true:
1. When we look back on our lives we see moments where choice was vital, and we may not always like the choices we made. The goal is to not make the same ones again.
2. The people we meet change us.
3. Parenting is hard. Helping to shape the lives of others is incredibly hard and important.
4. The more we let others into our lives, the richer we become in knowledge.
5. There is always going to be someone who is stronger, faster, smarter.  Humility is necessary.
6. On the other side of fear is courage.  Courage is pushing through fear.
7. Children teach us to pay attention to the world. Never out grow the inner child.
8. Knowing who you are and sticking to your beliefs is vital. Do not betray yourself.
9. Holding yourself and others to high expectations is a must.  However, we must forgive ourselves and others for imperfections.
10. Kindness should always be shown.  We never know how someone's day is going or what their life may hold.  Always show kindness!  

The Books We Love

As a kid, I learned to love books.  My mother ran a daycare in our home and would read to those kids and her kids constantly.  I loved listening to the stories.  We were/are a family of stories.  We cannot help but tell stories when we are together, walking through the park, or walking through the cemetery.  It is what we do. 

I came to books later than most, but love them passionately.  I always have a book in my hand or some other genre of literature.  One of my favorite books is Poisonwood Bible.  The book is filled with so many voices.  The family works for and against each other creating conflict internally while they face the conflicts that surround them.  Each chapter brings a different perspective.  Each character has a strong voice that is haunting.  When I think about this book, images still rise up and greet me even though it has been 14 years since I read it.  These images and voices are very strong and have changed the way I see family, religion and sisters. 

Your blog this week is to name and describe for us your favorite book.  Now if you do not have a favorite, please pick one that has had a lasting impact on you.  It may impact the way you think, the way you read, the way you see the world.  A paragraph is enough.  Explain why it is so special to you or why it has impacted you.

As bloggers, we must remember to respect the writing of our peers.  Should your post have anything deemed to be unacceptable by me, your post will be deleted and you will receive a zero and disciplinary action.

Spring!!!!

I am late. I apologize. Today after school I went for a walk at Hinckley Park. I love to go there and walk. I prefer to run/walk but I am not permitted to do any running yet. (Sigh) The sun lit up the world illuminating everything. Fallen logs rested in mud puddles and the geese were everywhere leaving behind parts of them that required me to step over strategically. The trail was filled with people like me happy to be outside basking in the sun. The sun makes everything feel better. It is inviting. As spring approaches, we will find ourselves outside more. This will in turn make us put off what needs to be done.
We are also approaching National Poetry Month. It is a time to celebrate the poetry that speaks to us. Whether we like it or not, the music we listen to everyday is poetry. The way the flowers waltz in the wind is poetry. The laughter of children tickled to the core over something no one else cares about is poetry.
What I want you to do is define poetry. Look around you; pay attention to what you see and hear. Is it poetry? Describe a moment you deem to be poetry in motion. (Sorry to use a cliche.) It may not appear to be poetic to any other person. What matters is that it does to you!

Poetry

Hello minions...muhahahaha! Just kidding! I was watching Despicable Me. So our blog this week is about a subject near and dear to me...Poetry!!!!! Oh, how I love poetry!!

Poetry is what we say when our hearts are full

when we come to words in moments where clarity

is a bird flitting about our head, a rarity--

lost and elusive. Here is where we twist and try to pull

hoping to make meaning out of all that is chaos

to finally remove ourselves from life's confining box.

Poetry is how we find the questions no one will answer

and pose the ones grown in sadness, in fear, the him or the her.

It is rooted in the belief that words can save us, keep us,

protect us, but instead what we find is a new breed of justice

sworn to uphold a belief. We walk with our heads a little bit higher

for these words together build within those who listen a fire

meant to consume, and in the end truly inspire.

What I want you to do for this week is post your favorite poem. If it is really long, just post a small part or it--a couple stanzas. Once you post it, tell us why it is your favorite. We all come to poetry for different reasons. Please share yours. Happy posting!!!!!

Books

For the last week and the next three we will be engaged in reading different books. These books all bring information about the human condition to each of the readers. We learn from the characters, the time periods, and the themes about the human condition. Take our topic of the human condition from the first weeks of school and apply it one book we have already read and discussed; once you have done this, apply this idea to your current book. See the example below:

The book Night, teaches us that as humans it is necessary for us to change and grow in order to overcome and survive the situations in which we find ourselves. This can be seen in the way Wiesel works so desperately to survive the camps and in the way he became a voice for all survivors. In the book I just finished, The Bluest Eye, we learn it is part of the human condition to see what others have and desire it while never truly seeing the beauty in our own lives. The characters live life defined by some one's idea of self worth never knowing their own worth. Through these two texts, it can be argued that being human is about change. We change in order to find value in life. For some, the change is for the good leading to knowledge, but for others, the change destroys knowledge. To be human requires us to change in order to survive.

Cleaning

This weekend, I was on a roll. I cleaned out a room, and many cupboards. Cleaning and I are not good friends. I resent her. I resent that I have to put books down to clean, turn off the television to clean, stop grading papers to clean, not go shopping--all because I have to clean! Despite my resentment, cleaning is necessary. It is the way we remove the clutter from our lives. It is the way we organize our chaos and how we purge the things no longer needed.

Perhaps my resentment of her comes from the fact that I am a keeper. Not a hoarder, there is a difference. I keep my kid's pictures that they draw, notes from high school, poetry that I find, etc. Cleaning makes me get rid of things. It forces me to make choices between what I want and what I can store. It forces me to prioritize when I am thinking about what I may need 20 years from now--hence the reason I was able to wear my sweatshirt from 20 years ago two weeks ago for throw back day.

As spring approaches, it is often customary to "Spring Clean." The goal is to sweep away what we do not need and bring in the new. I am thinking I want to sweep away the clutter in my life. By clutter I mean the things that break my focus. This might include the negative people who rain on my parade, or the things I do that take away my time. I want to fill my house with positive ideas, activities, and people who add instead of subtract from my life.

Write this week about how you wish to clean house and what you wish to add to your life. Do not add names of people. You may describe people as negative or sunshine. Focus on the positive.

Symbols

I have been reading a lot lately. More than usual, I guess is what I mean to say. Reading provides me with so much; I find comfort in the language, the characters, the ideas and how the author chooses to convey them. All of these are very much a part of me. The more I read, the more I am able to understand text. Makes sense...right? The more I read, the more I am able to pick up on vocabulary, symbols, structures, styles, characterizations, and the like.

These books are symbolic of not just my personality but for the way I think. I am a person who does not just see the surface; I am a person who looks below the surface through the nooks and crannies to find meaning, to see how things work. It can be an annoying part of my personality. Watching movies becomes a game where I try to examine every word, every image, every camera angle to see what meaning is being made regardless of how subtle.

Books are a symbol I embrace. For this blog, I want you to think about symbols. We know that a symbol is itself and something else. Books are a symbol. In themselves they are an item that contains pages, words, covers--front and back, meaning etc... As a symbol they represent knowledge, complexity, devotion, class, interest etc...

What would be a symbol for you? Why is it a symbol for you? Break the item down and apply it to your personality.

Dreams

The American Dream is a theme within our text. The American dream is unique to each citizen. It is rooted in the idea of freedom and the opportunity for material prosperity. However, there are many layers to the dream. Look at George and Lennie's dream. What does the dream entail? What is it made of? What has to happen in order for it to occur? Who owns the American dream in our text?

I want you to read the lyrics to the two songs below or if you wish to find the songs and listen you may. However you choose, examine the American dream in both pieces. How do they compare? What differences do you see? What is standing in the way of the dream? How are they the same at the core? What symbols do you see within each song?

The two songs come from two very different and talented artists. It is not required that you like the songs and please do not allow your own bias toward song preference to get in your way of analysis. Click the song titles to go to the lyrics. "I Have a Dream" by Common and "Rain on the Scarecrow" by John Mellencamp.

Happy listening!