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The Waking
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I cannot go.
We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.
Light takes the Tree, but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.
This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
--Theodore Roethke
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Joy's Updates - Straight from the Horse's Mouth.
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Sunday, October 31, 2004
Humor
George Carlin was on Inside the Actor's Studio on Bravo tonight. His website has funny thoughts scrolling around the bottom of it.
7:39:00 PM
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Quiz
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...
1. MOVIE - 10 Things I Hate About You is an adaptation of what Shakespearean comedy?
2. TV - What are the names of the two movie-mocking 'bots on Mystery Science Theater 3000? [I used to love that - hilarious!]
3. MUSIC - What British band was formed in 1980 by the surviving members of Joy Division? [Joy what?]
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What group performed such notable Super Bowl half-time shows as "Salute to the Big Band Era" and "Beat of the Future"?
5. BUZZ - What rock star's Paris gravesite is so popular that a full-time guard must be posted next to it?
6. FAD - Which "Jamaican" TV "psychic" came under indictment for fraud in July 2001?
from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...
7. PEOPLE & PLACES - Where did Woody Allen's purple rose grow?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - What is Jerry's father's name on Seinfeld?
9. HISTORY - What is the term for the right of the government to take property with the proper compensation? [part of Janey's area of expertise - she teaches property law]
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - Who is the carbon molecule "Buckyball" named for?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What NFL team is the only non-profit franchise?
12. WILD CARD - What two states have names with three vowels in a row?
1:24:00 PM
Monday, October 25, 2004
Little Hacker
New photo of Brendan asleep in the car after spending most of the day at the Hackers Convention in Nashville in the photo album.
10:47:00 PM
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Another Reason for the World to Love Us
Check this out. Wal-mart disregards where it builds its stores, who it runs out of business, which burial grounds it desecrates, and any symbolic importance.
4:41:00 PM
Quiz
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...
1. MOVIE - What actress played Tobey Macguire's mother in both The Ice Storm and Pleasantville?
2. TV - Who played the Melanie Griffith role in the TV version of Working Girl?
3. MUSIC - If it's been one week since you looked at tme, how many days has it been since you laughed at me? [any clue what song this is from? I don't]
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What college basketball coach is famous for throwing chairs onto the court during games?
5. BUZZ - What Beverly Hills 90210 star was seriously injured in a 2002 automobile racing accident?
6. FAD - What popular dance song tells participants in Spanish: "Give your body pleasure"?
from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...
7. PEOPLE & PLACES - What TV mogul admitted, "If I only had a little humility, I'd be perfect"?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - What is the skunk's name in Bambi?
9. HISTORY - Who is considered the first female poet in the American colonies?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - Who was the first scientist to discover a relationship between electricity and magnetism?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What father and son have both won the Indianopolis 500?
12. WILD CARD - What was the name of the ship Jason sailed on in quest of the Golden Fleece?
2:08:00 AM
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Countdown
I talked to Janie (principal of the school where I teach) and told her that I plan to retire at the end of this year. She acted disappointed which made me feel good. It's better to be missed than for them to wonder why I was still there. Then I told her I was just tired all the time but that I liked it at Creek Wood and enjoy working for her. I also said it was a really good place to end my teaching career and that I'd have good memories of it. This is true. It's a new building, the faculty has some neat people, and my schedule and students are good. It's like I told her, I'm so tired all the time and need to take care of myself. I'll enjoy spending more time with my children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
My plans are to become a shepherd with my border collie I'll name Mr. Coach Hatley (and call MC). It will be a cover for my money laundering business. Then when I'm arrested, I'll be in federal prison where all my expenses are covered which will help out my children, so they won't have to take care of me or put me in a nursing home. When I get out, my laundered money will be stashed in an off-shore account and will take care of expenses from then on or be left to my children. See? It's all worked out.
9:20:00 PM
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Dullness
Thanks to Chris, here is a link to The Dullest Blog in the World.
10:34:00 PM
Prine Time
I went to Earl's Friday, and we went to Paducah to Four Rivers Center to see John Prine. Leon Redbone opened for him. Their new center is very pretty with warm colors and great acoustics. The crowd was pretty rowdy in part because the built-in bars at either end of the lobby stayed open throughout the performance. Therefore, audience members kept traipsing around. This young couple in front of us (him in a cap and her in a cowboy hat which they exchanged about half-way through the concert so who knew which hat was whose) kept making out as they navigated around their hats. Then they'd jump up and yell, whistle, and wave their arms.
Earl and I wondered if this is the trend of audiences now or if it was particular to Paducah. We've been to performances in Nashville where the Bluebird has strict rules about talking during performances. No one wants a dead audience when they are performing; however, shouting out the next words of the lyrics and requests for songs during significant pauses while singing and telling stories isn't cool. I'm sure Prine has experienced worse on stage and handled it mostly by ignoring all of it. Once when song titles were shouted out for requests, he said, "I know them all." I guess they don't realize how well-planned the concert is and didn't understand that the guy who kept taking and replacing Prine's guitars was tuning them for the next songs. Oh well. It is good that younger people are coming along who enjoy him and that he has an audience of all ages.
At TPAC the bars are open before and during intermission. When people have to leave during performances, they are discreet about it. They talked out loud and were distracting at this one. I told Earl I wish we could have gone to the Ryman in Nashville the next night to compare the audiences. If any of you attended, please let me know. Four Rivers seating capacity is around 1900, and it was almost full. The crowd of around 6,000 at the arena to see Michael Moore wasn't as disruptive and they were being stirred up.
The important thing was the concert. Leon Redbone was his usual sardonic self and wonderful to see and hear again. John Prine sang songs I've loved for decades. He's one of my favorite songwriters. He sang "Hello in There," "Angel from Montgomery," "Paradise," "Sam Stone," "Dear Abby," and many many others both old and new. He introduced "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore" by saying he'd retired that song, had it stuffed and put on the mantle but that the president requested it, so he brought it back out again. He said the president didn't exactly request it in so many words but that he sure was asking for it. The audience cheered, and many of us remembered when that song was about Vietnam.
Thank goodness he can still sing after surviving throat cancer. He had squamous cell carcinoma and went to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment. He has to drink water really often because of what radiation did to his salivary glands. He told the doctors to worry about curing the cancer, and he'd worry about his vocal cords and that if he could talk, he could sing. And sing he does!! It was great to see him and enjoy his music again. I have the DVD of him in NYC when Iris Dement joined him and love it.
Rest of Visit
My college roommate and her husband live in Paducah. She's a retired teacher and he is still an elementary school principal. I called Barb, and we met her for dinner. Johnny (John now but still Johnny to me) went to the concert, so we saw him there and briefly at the restaurant. It was so good to see them again. Barb and I meet and pick up where we left off, but I hadn't seen Johnny in about 25 years. Barb and I compare grandchildren stories now. I'm so glad that bond is still strong and value her in my life.
Earl and I stayed at his parents' house in Clinton. I had the whole upstairs which reminded me of my room when I was at home in Charlotte. His mother died a few years ago, and his father is in assisted living now. Earl and his daughters are sorting through things. I understand that and need to do my own and will help Mother with hers when I retire. We went to see his father, and the place is really nice. Earl is in touch with him and his daughters daily.
Before I left to come back, Earl gave me some tours of places that mean something to him. We had breakfast at the pool room and met his cousin Bobby there. Then we went to a park that overlooks the Mississippi River which has a good view of it. Missouri is across the river where barges are seen moving things along. We went to lunch in South Fulton where Earl usually goes, so I could take in all his regular haunts.
I had a really good time, the weather was beautiful, and it's a boost to get away now and then. Now school starts back tomorrow. (sigh) I like being off and am so ready to retire. I'm planning to at the end of this school year (June 2005) and am beginning the countdown! Can't wait!!
1:53:00 PM
Hmmm
Back in 2000 a Republican friend warned me that if I voted for Al Gore and he won, the stock market would fall, we'd lose millions of jobs, and our military would be totally over- stretched. You know what? I did vote for Gore, he did win, and I'll be darned if all those things didn't come true!"
- James Carville
1:32:00 AM
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Quiz
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...
1. MOVIE - What is the name of the mouse that prisoner Eduard Delacroix trains in The Green Mile?
2. TV - Who could stop a ticking bomb with a hockey ticket and pick a lock using a light bulb and ice cubes? [say what?]
3. MUSIC - Who wrote the critically cursed poetry collection A Night Without Armor?
4. SPORTS & GAMES - How many yards does it take to get a first down in the ultra-fast NFL Blitz video game?
5. BUZZ - What controversial organization is Tom Selleck a spokesman for?
6. FAD - Whose charitable food line has the slogan "Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good"?
from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...
7. PEOPLE & PLACES - What colorful cable broadcasting mogul said, "Life is a game. Money is how we keep score"?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - What classic film fosters a theme based on the line, "No man was born to be a failure"?
9. HISTORY - Who described himself, during the Renaissance, as a man of "humble and obscure condition" while authoring The Prince?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - Which precious metal is suspended in ocean water at the rate of 38 pounds per square mile?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What international competition set a clear 1998 world record in a clean 14.34 seconds? [just weird]
12. WILD CARD - Which country, thousands of years ago, made the predecessor of beer called "barley wine"?
6:34:00 PM
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Test
I took this quiz twice because I couldn't decide on some of the answers. It probably means that I'm Pooh with sharp, pointy teeth or Rabbit on an SSRI. What do you think?
Which Pooh character are you?
Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!
Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!
3:04:00 PM
Terror Semantics
Is it just me, or does anyone else have a problem with the grammatical use of having a war against terror? Terrorism seems to be what the war is against which is ambiguous enough, but terror is an emotion. Besides, having a war against terror makes us more fearful, which would make it counter-productive. No one else seems concerned about this, but every time I hear it, I want to get out my red pen.
1:10:00 AM
Monday, October 11, 2004
Ahh, Fall Break!
I had a totally slacker day yesterday and enjoyed every minute. I slept late, didn't shower, wore totally comfortable clothes, and did nothing but surf the web, watch TV, and rest. Only ice cream would have made it better. I slept late again today and feel relaxed at last.
Superman
It was so sad to hear about Christopher Reeve's death. He certainly brought attention to spinal cord injuries and has been an inspiration.
Greed and Power
I know that companies need to make money but at what cost to others? Because the profit margin wasn't large enough, major drug companies aren't manufacturing the flu vaccines. Now for various reasons, there aren't enough. I wasn't planning to get one anyway since the one I had last year wasn't covered by the flu shot, but I'm probably in a group to get one. I'd just rather not. There are people who need them who will die from the flu now. I totally understand that pharmaceutical companies need to make profits in order to fund research. What they do is important and necessary. There are also many attempts that don't work and that it's expensive and a loss when they don't. They saved my life even though the chemo almost killed me, too.
I also believe that what's being done to food might have a correlation to cancer. With the extreme business types, it's all about more and more money and getting over on someone else. When Jackie was getting her MBA, she'd ask why people couldn't just make a living if that's what they wanted to do. It's all about sharks moving forward or dying. Small, successful businesses are bought or forced out by large ones who keep on and on until they are king of the mountain. I don't like all this and wonder what kinds of families they grew up in and what they think they have to prove to whom.
1:57:00 PM
Sunday, October 10, 2004
The Week That Was
During the first week of fall break I went to Nashville every day but Thursday. And here it is!
Sunday: Mother, Brian, Melissa, Brendan, and I went to Ellendale's for brunch for Brian's and my birthdays. Good food, great company, and lots of fun. Brendan is a nutty, exuberant child much like John Belushi! He talks and can say anything!
Monday: My appointment with Dr. Spigel went fine. It was a regular check-up, and I go for scans in December or January. I get nervous going to see him even when it's routine - operant conditioning, I guess. I've been taking Lexapro for my post-traumatic stress disorder and need to see a counselor for it. I've been asking people about their therapists and haven't really checked into it enough. Maybe I will next week. Anyone know someone good you've been to in our general area? The Lexapro helps with the PTSD but gives me a narrow range of emotions and makes me sleepy and tired. I am already tired enough on my own.
I also went to see my dental hygienist in Green Hills. The dentist looked at my teeth and decided this tooth he's been watching for years was ready for a crown. Not fun and expensive! Such a combination!
Tuesday: Back to Green Hills to the dentist for the temporary crown. I went to Wild Oats to get a few things and have lunch and then came home. I took a nap when I got back. After I got up, I checked email and wandered around. I guess it was around 6 pm. A policeman rang the doorbell to ask if I'd seen anyone at the house across the street throwing rocks at the back windows. I told him I almost never look toward their house since I'm usually in the back with the computer and TV. He mentioned something about seeing me moving around in the house as if to accuse me of taking too long to answer the door. I felt offended and wanted to point out that I wasn't under investigation but instead told him I'd been taking a nap and needed to put on more clothes. Sheesh!!
Wednesday: Molly and I went to Hillsboro Village since Rachel had a doctor's appointment nearby and shopped while she was there. I bought a new cloth purse at Pangea which is much lighter than my previous one. My shoulders, neck, and arms are suffering from that one since it starts out heavy - it's leather. I like it but put too much stuff in it. We met Rachel's brother Kirk for lunch at Jackson's. The sandwich I had was good. Then Rachel and I went to discuss options with the state retirement people. More on this later. She got better paperwork than I did ... and a folder. Hmph!
Thursday: Melissa and Brendan came down. Melissa got her hair cut at Terry's. It looks great! Still long but layered and stylish! Really pretty! I didn't take a picture of her but I will. We ate lunch at House Blend and then came here where Brendan enjoyed playing on the patio and with the cats. Columbo likes company and loves the attention but not Brigit.
Friday: I drove up to stay with Brendan while Brian and Melissa went to a dinner meeting. They're on the organizational committee for a science fiction convention to be held in Nashville - Xanadu, I think. I had a massage at 4:00, so Brian got some food for Brendan and me. We had fun.
Saturday: This brings me to today. I slept late yesterday and today. Linda and I met for dinner at Demos's and then went to the arena to see Michael Moore's Slackers Uprising Tour. The proceeds went to the Music Row Democrats who have a spot they are going to run on the radio. It's a song titled "Takin' My Country Back" and is by the Honky Tonkers for Truth. Here's the link to it if you want to hear it. Let's get it on the radio!
So this has been a busy week with quite a few things I enjoyed doing. I'm going to rest tomorrow, watch some movies, and get some laundry and other things done. I am going to vote Wednesday since that's the first early-voting day. Sheena and I are going to vote and have lunch.
I'm sure this summary of what I did this week was just fascinating to you. Sometimes it's good not to have excitement and drama in our lives even though it doesn't make very interesting blog material.
1:47:00 AM
Here We Are!
Check this out! Three out of four of our group made the website from the Plato Conference. We're at the bottom left of the photo on the top of this page with our backs to the camera. You can see my silver hair and red plaid shirt. Molly is at the bottom and Kimberly above her to the right.
1:42:00 AM
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Quiz
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...
1. MOVIE - Who played the young Vivi Walker in The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood?
2. TV - What show marked David Caruso's return to series TV after his NYPD Blue departure? [He is the reason I don't watch Miami CSI. His departure improved NYPD Blue to me and brought Jimmy Smits to the show!]
3. MUSIC - What '90's rock band was fronted by the twin sons of the late Rick Nelson?
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What company gives out an annual award to baseball's best relief pitchers? [this is pretty funny ... think about it]
5. BUZZ - What designer created Jennifer Lopez's plunging green 2000 Grammy Awards dress? [we all remember that dress she almost wore]
6. FAD - Who played the Crying Indian, upset over pollution, in the 70's Keep American Beautiful ads?
from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...
7. PEOPLE & PLACES - What mentor of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg recorded a video with U2 in his 80's?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - What actress wrote about herself when she sent out Postcards from the Edge?
9. HISTORY - What country's independence was at stake when Russia fought Britain and France during the Crimean War?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - What mainly adult indulgence do doctors say poses a considerable health risk to the increasing number of teenagers who've taken to it since 1993?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What beverage became the "victory drink" of the Indy 500, following a tradition set by the 1936 winner Louis Meyer?
12. WILD CARD - What hamburger chain, started in 1921, has five holes in its burgers so they will cook through without being flipped over? [I hate these burgers based on the one time I ate one ... gaggy!]
11:00:00 AM
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Photos
I've posted the pictures from the day at the play area last Saturday. One of them is good, but the other one is sort of blurry. He was in constant motion. The shoes he was wearing were before I read the Kangarules posted on the (yep) kangaroo. Brendan noticed the other kids and took off his shoes. This was after he made two of them cry because of his exuberance. We're working on this. He's 17 months old and learns fast, so there's definitely hope.
Others are posted from today at Ellendale's for Brian's and my birthday brunch. We ate outside on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I got some sweet and funny cards and can't believe I'm this old!! How did this happen so fast?
6:40:00 PM
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Quiz
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...
1. MOVIE - What does the word "Ocean" refer to in Ocean's 11?
2. TV - Who was nominated for an Emmy for the 1984 TV-movie The Burning Bed?
3. MUSIC - Which supermodel stars in Chris Isaak's steamy Wicked Game music video?
4. SPORTS & GAMES - How are the characters Sirrus and Achenar related in the video game Myst?
5. BUZZ - Who was Julia Roberts's first husband?
6. FAD - What English site had over 150,000 visitors between July 1 and August 30, 1998, its only time open to the public?
from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...
7. PEOPLE & PLACES - Which famous lover and adventurer retired and became a librarian?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - What facilitator of fright played an opera singer in the 1936 film Charlie Chan at the Opera?
9. HISTORY - Which twentieth-century American president survived two assassination attempts within one month's time?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - What particles cause the color in human skin?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What did a referee do in football, before penalty flags were used, in order to signal a foul had been committed?
12. WILD CARD - Which pro baseball team, formerly known as the Spiders, is now named in honor of Louis Soukoletis, a Native American?
1:19:00 PM
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