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Skyewriting ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? - it is the same the angels breathe." ~Mark Twain ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash - at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the "newness," the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance." ~Thomas Merton ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Why I'm Here~ ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive." ~from Six Degrees of Separation "Writing can be a creative and invigorating way to make our lives available to ourselves...We may discover that the better we tell our stories, the better we will want to live them." ~Henri Nouwen You can also read my poetry at "Invalid Item"  I'm so glad you dropped in! Peace and Blessings  ~Mandy~ |
| Yesterday, I dropped my daughter off at a friend's house so the girls could attend a youth group activity that included a hay ride and s'mores. Since she was going to enjoy a fun afternoon/evening, I had decided to take advantage of the solitude and enjoy a little "me" time. Before pulling out of the drive, I had a brief conversation with her friend's mother that went something like this... Julie: What are you going to do this afternoon? Me: I'm going to Boone to ride the train and take in the fall colors. Julie: By yourself? Me: Sure...Why not? Julie: Looks at me like I have three heads and isn't quite sure how to respond. Me:Breaking the awkward silence...I don't have to leave for a while. After you drop the girls off, you're welcome to join me. Julie:DEEP SIGH...(I can tell she wants to go)...No, I better not. I have housework to do. Me: Are you sure? It's a beautiful day and the leaves won't be as colorful next weekend. Julie:Ponders a bit...I'd love to, but I better not. Me: I'm not leaving until 3:15. You know my cell number if you change your mind. Thanks for dropping the girls off. I never received a call from Julie. I wish I'd been more persistent...Why do we, as mothers, have a tendency to always put ourselves on the backburner???? So...at 3:15, I departed by myself, allowing 45 minutes for the 30 minute drive to Boone. Highway 17 is a two-lane highway and I ended up behind a very slooooow moving pick-up truck complete with trailer for most of the journey. Usually, there is ample opportunity to pass such vehicles. Suffice to say, I've NEVER seen so much traffic on this particular stretch of road. I didn't lose him until I was five miles from my destination and pulled into the train station just in time to watch the train pull away from the platform. I was more than a little disappointed and certainly miffed. However, I was determined that I was going to enjoy MY afternoon, so, I improvised. Boone, IA, is the birthplace of Mamie Doud Eisenhower. I'm ashamed to admit that, despite having lived in Iowa for most of my life, I'd never visited this landmark before...I decided it was about time that I did. Mamie only lived in Boone for 1 year, before moving to Cedar Rapids, IA, then to Denver, CO, and finally to San Antonio, TX, where she would meet her famous husband. However, her grandparents and uncle remained in Boone, where she maintained ties for all of her life. Her maternal grandparents emigrated from Sweden and the house contains much of their furniture. The museum/library in the basement contains thousands of memoribilia, articles and books...I could spend a full day reading and sifting through these treasures. That will have to wait...I arrived an hour before the museum was to close. But knowing what I've been missing, I'll certainly be back. Several clichés apply..."When life hands you lemons, make lemonade"...or..."When one door closes, another one opens." In any case, I did enjoy my quiet afternoon and put together the following slideshow of Mamie's birthplace... http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll77/mandy_howe/?action=view¤t=e0ca1b78... |
| It's been a cold, damp week in the heart of Iowa. The gray skies and bone chilling rains have caused me to feel a bit lethargic and irritable. However, this weekend is promising sunny skies and brisk temperatures. Perfect autumn weather and a reminder of why this is my favorite time of the year. I always look forward to the month of October for several reasons, but in keeping with the ever-popular Blogville "list of five," I'll keep my list to a minimum...  Over-size sweatshirts and favorite sweaters...I have an old, brown sweater that's overstretched and covered in pills. I've worn it for God only knows how many years and it's not particularly flattering, but it's warm, comfortable and familiar. I live in it on the weekends. Annual trips on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad...Each year, I make a trip to Boone, IA, to ride in a 1920's passenger car, pulled by a steam locomotive. The highlight of the trip is chugging along a bridge that spans the Des Moines River Valley from 156 feet above the valley floor. One advantage to the wet weather...The foliage is especially spectacular this year. It should be quite a view.  Time to break out the down comforter... I'm not a high-maintenance person and my tastes are very simplistic. However, I did allow myself this one indulgence and I've never regretted it. I especially love agenda-free weekends when I can hibernate underneath with a good book to keep me company. Annual trips to the Cumming apple orchard...Pick your own or purchase a bag of fresh, crisp apples. They have a wonderful bakery and once a year, I indulge in a warm apple dumpling with cinnamon ice cream...Yum! Unfortunately, I just learned that this is the final year that they'll be open. I'm heartbroken.   Sipping something warm...Mulled cider, hot cocoa with marshmallows (or the occasional shot of Bailey's), cinnamon tea and creamy soups. I've never been much of a wine connoisseur, but I always enjoyed the glühwein served at the Christkindlmarkets in Germany. Recently, I was thumbing through a Midwest Living magazine during my lunch hour and was thrilled to find the following recipe...GLÜHWEIN 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 2 whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 1 orange 1(750 ml) bottle red table wine(Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, etc.) Combine wine, water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and the juice of the orange together in a heavy pot. Bring up the heat, but do not boil. Add the orange peel and simmer 15 minutes. Remove peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Serve immediately in preheated mugs. What aspects of fall do you look forward to? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have a great weekend, stay warm and enjoy the season! |
I'M PROUD OF MY HONOR STUDENT We're all familiar with the bumper sticker plastered to the mini-van, driven by the soccer mom who lives vicariously through her children. Though I don't drive a mini-van (Well...not anymore) and I don't care for bumper stickers, I was admittedly, for several years, one of those moms. EVERYTHING I did centered around my children. I provided daycare in my home so that I could afford to stay home with my children. I was an Assistant Cub Scout leader, a Brownie leader, taught Sunday School and was actively involved in the PTO. My identity became "Brandon's mom" or "Emily's mom." Belatedly, I've learned the importance of balance...Developing my own talents and pursuing my own interests while still remaining interested and somewhat involved in my children's activities. I know how vital is for me to maintain my own identity. However... There are still moments when I feel the need to revert to my old habits and boast of my children's achievements. Now, before I gush about the wonderful attributes and virtues of my daughter, let me share a few things...  My children are diametrically different. My oldest, Brandon, is gifted...intellectually, musically and artistically. However, he has been a challenge since the day he was born. He doesn't recognize how rare his gifts are and makes choices that continue to frustrate me on a daily basis. I always lament that I have one child who keeps me humble and one who keeps me sane. Unlike her brother, Emily isn't "gifted." However, what she lacks in talent, she makes up for with diligence and determination.During her early elementary years, Emily was assessed to be at risk for reading difficulties.Em was painfully shy when she was younger...so much so, that I had serious concerns about her self-confidence and ability to stand up for herself, should the need arise. During her first year of pre-school, she didn't say a word to her teacher until the final month of pre-school.As a young child, Emily hated to get dirty. In fact, she would cry if she got dirt on her hands. I was always a tom boy, so I never did understand this. That being said, my not-so-little-girl has not only put my concerns aside, she has far exceeded her mother's hopes and expectations. It appears that the 2008-09 school year is going to be her year, so please bear with me as I brag just a little bit. Emily studies hard and consistently challenges herself. She is currently receiving seven A's and one B+ (in art). As the quarter draws to an end, she's actually disappointed...She was striving for a 4.0.My little over-achiever just completed her third reading contract for the school year...The first one isn't due until next week. After a recent volleyball game, Em was approached by one of the high school volleyball coaches who said he was impressed with her and invited her to participate in a winter tournament league. He also told her that if she attended camps and continued to work hard, she has the potential to make the junior varsity team during her freshman year.This is Emily's fourth year playing the clarinet, which she continues to play for concert band. Just last year, she also began playing the alto-sax for Jazz Band. Not only did she catch up to her peers who had been playing longer, she learned, recently, that she earned the first chair position during try-outs.Emily is very concientious when it comes to money. Like all girls, she's into fashion. However, she doesn't mind shopping at Plato's Closet (a trendy second-hand shop) or scoping the clearance racks. She's already looking for creative ways to earn her own money to pay for summer camp and this morning, she's helping with a bake sale to off-set the cost of her tournament fees.I'd like to be able to take full credit for raising such a wonderful young woman, but I'm well aware that luck plays a large roll in who our children become. I've been fortunate. She fell in with the "right" group of peers and she possesses a certain self-motivation that I'm actually envious of. Yes...I'm very proud of my daughter. As a final thought, I'm including a link to a verse that I wrote to honor Emily. I love you kiddo! http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=358897152&blogID... |
Carolina Blue  is feeling much better and hoping to be out of the hospital by Thursday.  He's very appreciative of all of the thoughts, prayers and kind words he has recieved throughout his ordeal and is hoping that he'll feel up to sharing his account of the past week in "Invalid Item" this weekend.Stay tuned... We've missed you, Ken! |
| I received news this afternoon that Carolina Blue is hospitalized. It's not life-threatening and he is on the mend, but he may be hospitalized for a while. He is checking emails, so I'm certain that any c-notes or e-cards would be appreciated. You're in our thoughts and prayers, dear friend. |
| Today was a beautiful autumn day, so I took my lunch to the local park to escape the flickering fluorescent lights, reflect a bit, and enjoy some alone time. My interest was piqued by a couple who were picnicking nearby. The object of interest was a large bass drum. As I ate, I kept glancing at the drum, wondering what on earth it was doing in the middle of Dewey Park. As the couple prepared to leave, my question was answered. The gentleman strapped on the drum, began playing a rhythm, and from out of nowhere, four boys came running quickly. The family began packing up their belongings, but before they could leave, I just had to approach the gentleman and ask a question. Sure enough...Each boy has his own unique drum call and there is a separate rhythm when all four are being summoned. Very creative...and easy on the vocal chords too! I was impressed and amused.  When I was young, my mother tired of straining her voice to no avail, so, she purchased an air horn. My sister and I could be several blocks from home, and yet, there was no doubt when it was time to come in. It was terribly embarrassing, but effective. When I began dating, she also became an expert at flicking the front porch light on and off if she felt my date and I were lingering for too long in the driveway...Even more embarrassing!  I'm sure most of us who are parents, or who have parents, are familiar with the "dinner call." Of course, today's kids don't stray far from their electronics, so a simple tug on an electrical cord will usually get their attention... and their cell phones can be tracked too!  And,as a final thought...Let's not forget those state fair husband and hog calling contests! Ladies, I'll leave any thoughts or comments on this one up to you!  |
| My daughter, Emily, and I are saving our pennies...literally. We have a half-gallon milk bottle in which we collect pennies. Currently, it's about 3/4 full and we're hoping to fill it and cash it in well before Christmas. Once upon a time, we may have used the money for dinner out or a movie...Those pennies do add up! However, despite its flaws and the current economic situation, we feel extremely blessed to reside in the United States. Therefore, we've decided to put our pennies to use by giving to someone in need. I'm very particular about the charitable organizations that I support and I firmly believe in giving a hand up rather than a hand out. That's why we've decided to support Heifer International. Heifers for Relief was founded by Dan West, a relief worker from the Midwest, who distributed milk rations during the Spanish Civil War. He became distressed when rations ran short and he looked into the eyes of starving children. As a result, he returned to his home and began efforts to empower those in need. In 1944, 17 heifers were shipped from York, Pennsylvania, to Puerto Rico, providing unlimited milk supplies to families who had never tasted milk before. Each family receiving a heifer agreed to pass a female offspring to another family in need and they, in turn, agreed to do the same. Over sixty years later, this tradition continues, and Heifer International has helped approximately 8.5 million people in over 125 different countries. Gifts are no longer limited to heifers, but include colonies of honey bees, sheep, pigs, chickens, llamas and even trees and elephant grass to prevent erosion, as well as, many others. Each family continues to "pay it forward" and so each gift keeps on giving. Gifts begin at $10, so even on a shoestring budget, it's very affordable. If you're interested in a making a difference with infinite possibilities, I encourage you to learn more about this organization. Following is a link for those interested in more information. http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.195980/ Is there an organization that you support? One that empowers others? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day...Teach a man to fish and feed him for life." -unknown |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** My quirky and creative son, Brandon Recently, my good friend, Carolina Blue , posted a blog entry entitled "Invalid Entry" . In his entry, he made the following reference to No Child Left Behind...We see it in the schools. There's a relentless trend towards leveling. Education is no longer about getting the most out of each child's potential. The emphasis now is leaving no child behind, even if it means the rest of the class has to stagnate to make sure the less-gifted reach the median standard. Teaching classes to achieve a satisfactory score on a standardized test so that federal government financing is not put at risk leads to the demotivation of good students and mediocrity being the acceptable norm. As both a parent and a para-educator, this statement resonates with me. No Child Left Behind is the brain-child of U.S. Senator, Edward Kennedy(D) of Massachusetts and U.S. Representative George Miller(D) of California. This federal law, enacted in 2001, mandates that schools receiving federal funding assess all students, in certain grade levels, annually. Standardized tests are given to the students in core subjects and proficiency ratings are reported to the federal government. Each school district is held accountable for achieving certain proficiency ratings with marked improvement each year, or they risk losing funding. In theory, this ensures that each child will receive a good education and that standards for teaching will continue to improve. However, there are many flaws in the plan, beginning with the standardized test.... In keeping with The Tenth Amendment, each state administers its own standardized test. This means that criteria varies from state to state. Therefore, districts nationwide are not necessarily held to the same standards. Every child is assessed. In our school building, nearly one in five (18%) of our students is a Special Ed student. Since proficiency scores are averaged, this significantly lowers our proficiency ratings. Standardized tests are not necessarily an accurate measure of a student's abilities or performance in school. Some students do well in the classroom, but suffer from test anxiety. Others may not perform in the classroom, but do quite well on tests. Students are spoon fed a "one size fits all" curriculum with one objective...high proficiency ratings on standardized tests. This doesn't address the individual needs of each student. In unique classrooms, such as ours, severely disabled children are required to take alternate assessments in core subjects. This takes away from valuable time that we could be working on more functional goals, designed to meet their individual needs. And the list goes on and on... Perhaps the best illustration I can offer on the failings of No Child Left Behind is that of my own son. Brandon is a very intelligent and creative individual. Throughout school, his composite scores on standardized tests were always in the 90th percentile and above. His reading and language arts scores were always in the 98th or 99th percentile. For their efforts, his school district received a nice little pat on the back for a job well done and their annual funding from our federal government. However... Brandon dropped out of high school after falling two years behind in credits. His grade point average was 1.25. I hold him accountable, of course, but I hold his school district equally accountable. There are, of course, many factors. Brandon is diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). He is also a self-guided, kinesthetic (tactile) learner. His classes were divided into 1-1/2 to 2 hour blocks, the first half designated for lecture time and the other half for work or study time. If you can imagine Robin Williams sitting through a lecture that drones on and on, then you have a fairly good image of what these classes were like for Brandon. These types of classes are also designed for auditory and visual learners. They do little to hold the attention of a hands-on learner. Brandon was very fortunate to have two very innovative teachers during his secondary school years who engaged the students in lots of hands on projects and activities. For these teachers, he gave 101%. He also did very well with the few correspondence courses that were offered through his school district. He was able to work at his own pace and usually finished ahead of schedule with A's and B's. In hindsight, he would've been more suited for a Montessori program, had one at the secondary level been available. When Brandon earned his GED, his scores were in the 90th percentile nationally and he didn't miss a single problem on the language arts portion of his test. In a nut shell, he was bored out of his mind. He wasn't being challenged and his individual needs weren't being met...But try telling that to the federal government. Recently, I participated in an hour-and-a-half interview with a school board member. She was asked to contact students and parents of students who hadn't completed high school. Her job was to gather data and ask what the district might have done differently to keep the student in school. When I shared Brandon's story, I learned that a more hands-on curriculum had been presented to the school board and that they had dismissed it. I made a decision then and there to vote in the next school board election, hoping to wipe the slate clean. Children are individuals and should be taught as such...It's time to quit trying to fit square pegs into round holes. I'll end with a short video. The images are beautiful and it illustrates my views as to how we should approach education. Enjoy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN7QfjIcVvA |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The office staff, one of my students, and I donning our cardinal and gold for the big Iowa vs. Iowa State game. I'm wearing the gold in the center. Go Cyclones! Lately, I've been in a bit of a funk. I've allowed the gray and rainy weather to set the tone for the day. I've also grumbled all too often about my job recently. The powers that be decided to cut one associate from our classroom this year, creating an extra workload for the rest of us. I'm not typically one to complain, and it finally dawned on me that my attitude is largely to blame for my blue mood. I woke up this morning and realized that I have a lot to be grateful for. Therefore, I've decided to begin each day by making a mental list of five things to smile about. Following is my list for today... 1) I really do love my job. I enjoy the kids and the variety of duties that we perform each day. The other day, we chatted with the technician who makes wheelchair adjustments for our students. Last spring, he and another technician visited Jamaica with donated wheelchairs, several parts and their tool kits. In one week, they fitted 179 needy residents with wheelchairs. I get to work with some really cool people. I also witness the kindness and compassion displayed by peers of our students on a daily basis. It's not just a job...It feeds my soul. 2) Fall is in the air. Autumn is my favorite season and the signs are everywhere. White pelicans have converged on Saylorville Lake, as they do every September. There is a chill in the air and the leaves are just beginning to turn. I love so many things about this beautiful season...warm, comfortable sweaters and sweatshirts, crisp, chilly mornings, brilliant displays of color, the smell of burning leaves, mulled cider or hot cocoa with a shot of Baileys, fresh, picked apples from the orchard, and the list goes on... 3) My daughter's volleyball team is enjoying a winning season. OK...So last night was the first match of the season, but I'm an optimist. They won two out of three games. Last year, my daughter, Emily, was very aggressive on the court, but only so-so at serving. Last night, she didn't miss a single serve and scored several points for her team. I was impressed with the improvements that she's made...It was a very proud "mom moment." 4) I enjoy spending time with my friends. Last weekend, I saw Mama Mia with a friend and we laughed our @$$es off...I highly recommend it, especially for women over 40. Tomorrow, it's breakfast with a trio from work. And..in early October, I'm especially looking forward to a Kansas City get-away with a good friend, sans kids and itineraries. As my kids get older, I'm really looking forward to a little more "me" time. 5) I enjoy little surprises and today was full of them. I read alfred booth, wanbli ska 's blog "Invalid Entry" before leaving for work and was pleasantly surprised to find that he'd combined a verse that I'd sent him with a photo from Special Kay . The resulting collaboration is beautiful and deeply appreciated. I also received several heart-warming emails today...There must be something in the air. And to top off the evening, I did something I don't usually do. On a whim, I purchased a scratch off lottery ticket and won $155! It won't change my life, but I'm going to use it to pamper myself a bit...Something I don't do often enough. Lots of surprises...lots of smiles.And...I know I said five, but I have to add one more. I love solitude, and tonight, I have the entire house to myself. YIPEEE!!! OK...Now it's your turn to share. Tell me five things you have to smile about today. |
| This morning, I read an entry by larryp that touched my heart. "Invalid Entry" details his reflections after visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota and the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre. If you revere the sanctity of human life and nature, I highly recommend taking a moment to review this piece. After reading this entry, I was reminded of a children's book. Brother Eagle, Sister Sky is an account of Chief Seattle's message to the U.S. Government's demand to purchase territory in the northwestern United States during the 1850's. The historical accuracy of the speech has been debated, but the illustrations by Susan Jeffers are detailed and beautiful and the message is not for children alone. http://www.goodfriendsgoodbooks.com/2007/12/brother-eagle-sister-sky.html After re-reading Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, I was struck by another thought. We as adults tend to disregard the children's section of our local bookstores as being for, well...children. If we're not shopping for a child, we overlook that particular genre. However, I can think of several examples of children's literature that contain parables and life lessons that can be of value to adults as well as, children. One of my personal favorites is The Mountain that Loved a Bird by Alice McClerran. The book contains collage art by well-known author, Eric Carle. It's the story of a mountain who is befriended by a bird. This friendship leads to the mountain's transformation from a cold, lonely existence to one flourishing with life and happiness. http://aeoe.org/resources/books/reviewed/mountainthatlovedabird.html Another enjoyable read is The Dandelion Seed by Joseph A. Anthony. In this book, a solitary dandelion seed is reluctant to venture out into the world. The story details the seed's adventure as it finally lets go. Once again, the illustrations are amazing and this story would make a wonderful gift for a graduate. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Dandelion-Seed/Joseph-A-Anthony/e/978188322... If you have a favorite children's story that isn't just for children, I invite you to share it. And, the next time you venture out to your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, browse around the children's section. You just might discover a gem that you may never have considered otherwise. |
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