Just so y'all know, this journal went "friends only" a ways back. It is because I am a teacher, and don't wish to post publicly in most cases.

If we're already on each other's friends lists, this doesn't matter to you.

If you're not on my list, and would like to be, please comment here and let me know who you are (please), and I'll be happy to add you.

I read today that historians fear that we're losing who Dr. King really was. As his life went on after winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the Civil Rights Movement, he expanded his focus to concerns about poverty and he was violently opposed to the Vietnam War.

In fact, he was killed while in Memphis, TN to help striking sanitation workers.

I still remember the goosebumps I got watching video of his "mountaintop" speech made the night before he died. I was in the Lorraine Motel, which is now the National Civil Rights Museum, and an excellent place to visit. Listening to this speech, you really wonder if he knew it was his last night on Earth.

Here are a couple quotes from that speech, and a link to the whole speech. It is worth reading.

http://www.afscme.org/about/1549.cfm

But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a away that men, in some strange way, are responding — something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same — "We want to be free."

It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence.

And the last paragraph...it's just amazing.

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Five for Fighting (a band I know very little about) just joined the good guys in my mind.

Take 4 minutes, click the link below and watch the video. For every person who does, Autism Speaks will get 49 cents. They do good work advocating for kids who have autism.

So, if you have the time, please watch the video, and appreciate how much you have.

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Some years, I teach about MLK, and there is this lovely two-week (roughly) period where the kids really are a little extra-kind to each other.

We finished the unit today (mostly). Yesterday five of my fourteen kids got into physical fights at lunch, and another four were telling me about socially nasty behavior.

Ever feel like you're just paddling upstream against the wind? :-)

Actually, I am having the kind of week that reminds me of a kitschy sign in my cousin's kitchen. It reads: "Raising Children is like being pecked to death by chickens." So is teaching them, at times.

This week I have banned all collectible cards from our classroom. I am tired of seeing them when I am trying to teach. Can you believe the kids find Yu-gi-oh cards more exciting than verb tenses? I know, I was shocked too. The icing on the cake was the fight that broke out yesterday over card ownership.

I also am preparing a pop quiz for our next guided reading session. They tend not to pay attention, and I'm sick of fighting with them over it. So, this week, we'll do it, and then I will ask them to clear their desks and give them a little quiz on the story. Should be loads of fun, but it needs to be done.

Oh, and I have to say, when cheating on a writing assignment, it is generally best not to POINT OUT that your paper is the same as your neighbor's. The offender did this -- he put his paper in my box and said "Mrs. Melton, (kid A) and I had a cowinkiedink (sic). I first pointed out that the word is coincidence, then asked him to enlighten me further. First it was coincidence that his paper was the same as his seatmate's. Then they had agreed to work together. Kid A said "no -- he was copying off me." So, kid A was told that he should tell me the next time he sees someone stealing his work, and kid B got an all expenses paid trip to the principal with me as his date. He also got the valuable prizes of a chance to re-do the assignment and a personal chat with his mother and me. The NEXT time he gets a zero, but this is an 8 year old. They do get chances to do the right thing.

My class is generally noisy and on the fine edge of respectful. Today the principal passed out report cards, and she said when she was done: "Well, report cards look pretty good, but I know that you've been misbehaving lately and you are driving Mrs. Melton crazy, so you all should work on that. I had to bite my lip to not laugh. They looked suitably (and charmingly) cowed.

Actually, last month they were trying to melt my head by staring at me intently (long story -- it was in a book we read). I told them I was immune. It was still a fun game for all of us.

So yeah, my life at school really isn't always the subject of a heart-warming tv show called "Our Mrs. Melton." Just in case y'all thought it was ;-)

Maybe I'll get lucky and we'll get a snow day or two hour delay out of all the snow supposedly coming our way. That would be nice.

But I still love my kids. And that won't change. Pecked to death or not. :-)

Here is an excellent article on the reality of living on food stamps.

http://citypaper.net/articles/2006-08-10/cb.shtml

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers on my friends list, and to all who nuture, guide and care for others.

The House voted today to cut funding for public broadcasting. If you care, call your Senators and sign Move On's petition...

http://civic.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting//

A very happy Mother's Day to all my friends who are Moms, and all my friends who nuture others in their own ways!

A quick wish for a blessed Passover for my Jewish friends and a blessed Triduum and Easter to my Christian friends. I am off to one of my favorite liturgies of the year -- Holy Thursday.

I also am frantically putting the finishing touches on the Night Prayer service for after. Ah, planning. :-)

Happy Spring to all those who aren't Christian or Jewish!

After thinking and talking some more, I remembered a couple more standout days of 2005...still in no particular order.

Our entire trip to the Bay Area in June was pretty darn fantastic. We spent our anniversary in the city we honeymooned in, including eating in a favorite Italian restaurant. That was nice.

Seeing the Indigo Girls twice in the summer was pretty wonderful, especially the Seattle show. We were outside, on the water under a full moon with great music. Also, I attended the Seattle show with a good friend and her guy, which was a rare treat (I'm usually by myself and meeting up with other diehards at the show).

Seeing the band Hem around Valentine's Day last year was very nice. I really enjoy them, and it was spontaneous, which made it better.

Holding a friend's baby (who came prematurely) was also an experience I'll always remember. I'm glad she's doing well now!

In the words of a dear friend and last night's party host:

"Happy 2006, people. May we have more peace than we did last year."

It's a good idea.

2005 was actually pretty good for me. Not so good that I was sad to see it go, but it wasn't a bad year for me personally. It was pretty terrible for a couple of my friends, and the Gulf Coast in general. So, I wish everyone better times in 2006, and a peace-filled year.

I also hope people start taking environmental problems more seriously, myself included.

I had a couple of great days in 2005. Here they are:

1. The day Ralph and I drove Highway One from San Fransisco to Monterey Bay. We saw gorgeous scenery, went to the otter feeding and show at the Monterey Aquarium, hung out on the boardwalk, ate fried artichokes, saw the sunset over the Pacific Ocean and went to the amusement park at Santa Cruz on the way home. Perfect day in every way.

2. The day I was teaching one of my Martin Luther King lessons and I asked the kids "Who else teaches us to try to choose love over hate and peace over fighting?" I teach in a Catholic school, and was expecting the kids to make the obvious connection to Jesus (they usually did). Imagine my surprise and sudden need for a kleenex when I called on A. who looked right at me, smiled and said "You." I was shocked and pleased by this. The 2004-2005 group was a great class who gave me more than I ever could have given them.

3. Well, the last day of school was mostly bad. We all thought I was leaving and the teacher I was replacing was coming back. As a goodbye gift, the kids gave me a swavoroski crystal bracelet with 14 colored stones and the rest clear -- everyone's birthstone is on the bracelet. They also gave me a card explaining that this way, they'd be with me no matter where I went. I had to leave the room for a minute, having totally lost it. This was okay :-) I came back and was fine, and able to say all the things I'd planned and a few I didn't.

4. Finding out in July that I was going back to the same school, same grade. I really hope I get to stay there permanently.

5. A lovely birthday dinner and trip to see The Nutcracker the night before my birthday this year.

6. Going to the Columbus Irish Festival with some dear friends in August. It was hot and humid, but the company was great!

7. Watching this year's third graders perform their Christmas Musical. They were so precious, and did a good job too!

A belated wish for a Blessed Solstice/Yule to my friends who celebrate.

Merry Christmas to my friends who celebrate.

Happy Chaunukah to my friends who will begin celebrating at sundown tomorrow.

Happy something or other to anyone I've missed. :-)

A parent made this stuff for us and it was really quite good. It's not the usual kind of thing I make (uses cool whip, not whipping cream), but it's good and really quick to make (five minutes tops). Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

1 large can Libby's Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix

2 8 oz containers Cool Whip (I used a light version and it tastes fine)

1 large box Vanilla Pudding


Dump all ingredients into a bowl (try doing so in the order they're listed in). Using a mixer or wire whisk, mix well.

Serve with gingersnaps or vanilla wafers. Or, mound it in bowls and serve it as "Pumpklin Mousse."


I just made some for my family for tomorrow afternoon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A happy ending for some kids who survived Katrina...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9230423/

This should be spread widely. Thanks to Jeliza for the link.

I am appalled beyond words at the situation in NOLA and other places hit by Katrina.

http://www.emsnetwork.org/artman/publish/article_18337.shtml


Also, snopes.com already has info. on various stories that are coming out of this tragedy.

I've had a serious case of guilt over this whole situation, because I know that had we been in NOLA, we'd have gotten the cats, our credit cards, a few irreplacable things (like, photo albums), some clothes and other necessities, maybe hit the bank and gotten out. Most of the people left when the disaster hit couldn't get out. And the government that is supposed to protect us failed them in every way.

Sure, we're donating money. We can't leave our jobs to go to Texas and help out personally (it has crossed my mind, but that would be bad for the kids I teach and Ralph's project at work). It all makes me kind of sick.

God Bless the Londoners, especially those directly affected by this morning's bombings.

I am so happy I can barely think straight! I just got a phone call from the principal at St. Joe's where I taught last year.

THEY NEED ME BACK IN THIRD GRADE THIS YEAR!!!

I am so, so happy about this!

If you haven't heard, funding for public broadcasting is in danger. You can read more and sign a petition at

http://www.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/

Please consider signing if you haven't already. I'd hate to see Ernie and Bert forced to wear Pepsi or Count Chocula t-shirts so that the show can stay on air. And don't even get me started about the importance of NPR news in the current media climate.

Thank you.

Your brain: 140% interpersonal, 160% visual, 80% verbal, and 20% mathematical!

Congratulations on being 400% smart! Actually, on my test, everyone is. The above score breaks down what kind of thinking you most enjoy doing. A score above 100% means you use that kind of thinking more than average, and a score below 100% means you use it less. It says nothing about how good you are at any one, just how interested you are in each, relatively. A substantial difference in scores between two people means, conclusively, that they are different kinds of thinkers. Matching Summary: Each of us has different tastes. Still, I offer the following advice, which I think is obvious: Don't date someone if your interpersonal percentages differ by more than 80%. Don't be friends with someone if your verbal percentages differ by more than 100%. Don't have sex with someone if their math percentage is over 200%.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 97% on interpersonal You scored higher than 90% on visual You scored higher than 72% on verbal You scored higher than 8% on mathematical

Link: The 4-Variable IQ Test written by chriscoyne on Ok Cupid

I got this from Phraugie...

Comment here with your name and I'll tell you something I adore (or at least mildly like) about you. Afterwards, copy and paste this into your own journal.

Seems like a fine way to brighten a few days :-)