LIVING CHRISTMAS......

At one point in our lives, we were very active in a church near where we live.....and another lady "M" and I were in charge of the church's Christmas Gift to the area. It was a "Living Christmas". The entire Christmas story was told from prophecy to the birth. Visitors were led by a host to various locations within the church building where people dressed in clothing appropriate to the Christmas story told their part in the story using the Bible as their text. There was Gabriel the angel, the Shepherds, the Wise Men, Mary sang "Mary's Song" which was so awesome. After her song, visitors left the building and followed luminaries to the stable scene with live animals. M and I wrote the script, cast the characters, arranged for costuming and directed the production. It was attended by hundreds. Everyone who attended was very moved by what they had witnessed. When I think back on it, it was quite an undertaking, but I loved challenges. After I "departed", this event ceased to exist......................... It was a ministry which I was proud to have been a "part of".

HOW DID SHE/WE DO IT

Elementary School...we've all been there. For grades 2-6, I went to a 4 room school. 1 room was for 1st grade, 1 room was for 2nd grade, 1 room was grades 3 and 4 and the 4th room was for grades 5 and 6. In the double grade rooms, there were about 50 students. We shared an inkwell desk. There was 1 teacher...no teacher aides, no parents helping.....1 teacher/50 students/ 2 grade levels. The advantage for the students was ...when in the lower of the 2 grades, you got to learn alot of what you were to learn the next year.
The teacher concerned for the welfare of her students, did a math project, calculating how much "air" each student had in the classroom. I think she was trying to prove her point that there were too many students for her to teach. Can you even imagine the paperwork? and report cards??? Oh, the board asked her if she liked her job......she decided to stay....and breathe recycled air.
My sister went to grades 1-6 in the same school. In grade 7-12, we were taken by yellow school bus about 10 miles.
Yes, I still talk to classmates from that elementary school. It's great how we have bridged the years...and the most amazing thing is that we all turned out ok. I had a very successful high school education and graduated 21st in a class a little over 200. Why, I even went to college.....and my basic education was in a little country school that didn't even have indoor plumbing the first year I was there....... Amazing isn't it.
In today's society, we hear, class size...class size...class size. I believe, it's the teacher...teacher...teacher...and how much they love their jobs. If you don't love what you teach...how CAN you teach???

CHRISTMAS IS.........

As a public school music teacher for 28 years, I used to look forward to December and the holiday songs. When I was aware that there were Jewish children in a class that I taught, I always made sure to include Menorah and Dreydl songs. I thought it was important for Christians to understand a little about how the Jewish children celebrated Hannukah and for the Jewish children to understand a little about the Christmas season. Unfortunately what is promoted for Christmas is Santa Claus...but for the Jewish folk...the Menorah is their symbol. However, in a more fair comparison, the Menorah would most relate to the Manger Scene as both have religious roots.
It got to the point that with the diversity of religions that I stopped teaching songs of the "season"....as legal issues began to creep in. HOWEVER, Jingle Bells is NOT a Christmas song. It is a song about riding in a sleigh through the country side. I loved to teach the "signing" for this song. The same goes for Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and also "Frosty the Snowman". Old Frosty is just a snowman...and as far as I can intrepret it, these 3 songs can be sung all winter as no where in their lyrics does it even indicate the Christmas holiday.
Every year, when I was teaching grades K-3, I would have the 3rd graders put on a "talent" show. First the talent show was a "class" event. Everyone had to do something "musical"...it could be playing a song on glasses filled with water to playing the violin. From these "acts", I would select the very best and do a school wide concert.
One year, a boy chose to sing the Amy Grant song "Emmanuel"...he did a wonderful job. The lyrics from this song come from Isaiah 9:6. I agonized over whether or not I would post him to sing for the whole school. My rationalization was....he was good, very good. He was the only one singing...and those listening...could choose to think about something else, if they wished....but his talent and choice of song, should not be denied.
The next morning after the all school concert, I was called to the principal's office and told in very firm terms, not ever to do anything like that ever again as half the community was waiting for him to arrive at school that morning. As the scripture came from the Old Testament, I still, to this very day, don't understand the problem...however. the issue went from there, districtwide, committees were formed and rules cast in stone. Christmas Concerts became Winter Concerts, etc. and so on.
Basically, for all intensive purposes, any song relating to any religion was forbidden in grades K-6, however, each state has an ALL STATE CHORUS on the Junior High level and the Senior High Level and religious, classical, spirituals, are always in the repetoire. These grade levels can also include such music in their concerts. Is there a double standard?
And then I heard on the news the other day, that a music teacher was in trouble for having a class sing "Rudolph"......it never ends.

BECOMING A "BUTTERFLY"

I grew up the first daughter of a minister. I was expected to be the "example". It was made very clear that if I did anything unacceptable my dad could lose his job. I lived in a cocoon until I was about 20....when I broke out, I started to become "me". I was able to express myself.....I could fly. I must say living in an old frat house my sophomore year with 15 other girls was a great experience. Our house mother...lol...was a junior who loved to spend nights with her boyfriend and if we turned her in...she would have probably been kicked out of the college....so we were kinda free to do whatever...and some of the girls did.

I was in charge of the coke machine. It was really old at that time....rofl...but I made sure it was always filled with "bottles". Aluminum soda cans weren't around then. It was filled in a circular form which moved as the sodas were dispensed.

We had a mini kitchen as well as a "living room"...or entrance hall. It was a great year.

HOW FAR DO WALLEYES TRAVEL?????

In conjuction with the previous post, one of the things we loved about Wolfe Lake were the delicious walleye pike that we caught. They were sooo good.

For the past 30+ years, my husband and I have traveled to Pine Creek at the bottom end of the Grand Canyon Gorge in PA where my hubby loves to fly fish....however, when the trout quit "biting"....the walleye start. The walleye action has just been in the past couple years and they have pulled walleye out of that creek that rival most that we used to catch in Canada. We think fo the hours of travel to get to Canada to fish for walleye and we are catching the same thing, close to home. Interesting how times and environments change.

TIMES CHANGE.....

I think, all things considered, I had a really neat childhood. My parents heard about a place in Canada that had great fishing and was an inexpensive vacation for a family of 5 + 2 more...my mother's sister and her husband. So every year from when I was about 12 until like well into my wedded life.....we traveled up to Cabin 5 on Wolfe Lake...for 2 weeks, every August. We so looked forward to that vacation. We rented a basic cabin with a wood stove for two weeks....on a beautiful lake....full of big, big walleye. Every night, my dad and uncle would go out fishing....and each would brag about their catches. My uncle would make the best pancakes.
When Dick and I were first married, we joined them on this voyage. It was cheap...and we were counting our pennies. Then we ventured into going up without the parents and renting another cabin, which we enjoyed. Next it was a truck camper....and we stayed on the same lake, but parked it in a camper parking spot. We did that for years but stopped soon after my parents moved to Florida.
And now....many years later, we are sitting in Florida in the winter in a beautiful home on wheels...a motorhome.....which I thought would only be in my dreams.
As my brother, sister and I reminense, we usually go back to those days on the lake and probably will all visit there someday in the near future......... and use the indoor plumbing at the lodge there, that has a golf course and great meals. Of course, we'll have to walk by Cabin #5 and visit the fish sanctuary........

EXPRESSIONS

There was a time in my life where I had a great job. I directed a large church choir. When they sang, I felt like I was so close to God. I had to resign because of several conflicting opinions and my professionalism. Needless to say, I was so devestated....I would cry for days. As part of my therapy, self-therapy, I felt like painting. I had to get the emotions out....out of my body. I bought 3 boards and red, and black paint...and some soft blues and violets.
The first board was a picture of my broken heart. I felt like someone had just stomped and destroyed it. The second board is a screaming face...the anger....yelling uncontrollably signified by a round black face by a red open

mouth.... The third board was "smeared" pastels...indicating a calming feeling. The titles for the pictures are 1. Hurt 2. Screaming 3. Peace.

For some reason, I took these pictures to my classroom...and explained what each picture meant...and the sound that accompanied it....including a scream....and with the pastels....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....a release, relaxing feeling. I placed the 3 boards on the chalkboard tray. It more or less indicated turning anger into peace.

One student would get out of his seat and go up to the board and pick up each picture and emulate the sound. The other students were learning how to touch type...so students were always up and down out of their seats to record scores, etc. and to confer with me.
This was when this student was in fourth grade. When he was in sixth grade, he became more unmanageable for some unknown reason. Then I would hear how he almost strangled another student at recess. The teachers described him as violent. I was in disbelief. As this was a private school and after meetings with his parents he left the school and was getting special help. After he left, a teacher finally confided in me....and told me never to let on to anyone that I knew.....that this student had Tourette's.
I was always a "special" teacher who taught thousands of students...so I could easily pick out a student who needed some extra attention and positive "strokes". However, other teachers seemed to never understand that we were teachers too. This explanation by the teacher (in confidence) sure explained a lot of things. If only, I had known. I thought back to when he was in fourth grade....and the paintings....he was feeling it then...oh my.

I have seen this student grow up as I occasionally attend the church his family attends. When I see him, I always give him a special hello...and you know I think he knows that I understand and always did......and then there were the paintings. He was trying to tell us something then........................

CHANGING......

More on the Nashville trip. I was a featured speaker at this big Music and Technology Convention....the only female so honored. I had also had the opportunity in the past to speak at big national conventions....and after my session, I enjoyed looking at exhibits and other sessions....only to find...that I was bombarded with questions from people who were at my session. My privacy was gone....forget my agenda. I was there to serve the "people". I was so tired and so weary and had not been able to accomplish some of my goals in gaining more knowledge as well. I definitely was going to make a change.....and I did...read on.

So in Nashville, as soon as my session was over, I went directly to my room and changed clothes and jewelry....and crossed over a skyway to a mall across the street. I was sitting quietly eating lunch when a couple asked to join me. AFTER they sat down, they recognized who I was. We had a good laugh as I had already told them in my session, that when they left the room, they would never find me again at the convention so they had best ask all their questions now....lol. They said...you were right...when we asked to sit here, we didn't realize it was you. You changed your clothes...lol. I said..yup...and it worked!!!

REMEMBERING STEVE ALLEN

I was at the Philadelphia airport waiting to board a plane to Nashville to speak at a Technology and Music MENC (Music Educators National Conference) Convention. When the seat numbers were called, I was in line behind a gentleman with a very old, tattered jacket, with an even more tattered carry- on bag. I think this gentleman also wore a hat. I had been thinking....hmmm could it be, when the attendant quietly said "Welcome Aboard, Mr. Allen". He acknowledged and continued down the jetway to his seat in First Class. I, of course, headed to coach. I remembered that he had just been in Wilmington judging some sort of entertainment event....therefore his "presence" in the Philadelphia area.
Waiting for him in Nashville was his wife, Jayne Meadows, with her wide broad brimmed hat and a bit of makeup...lol. I so wanted to walk up to him and tell him how much I enjoyed his talent and entertainment but I restrained myself, as did everyone else. I think that very few people knew his identity, also but I imagine people from Nashville knew...but they are used to seeing him there. There was one person talking with them but it appeared to be a friend.
When you think of a "big star", you think of eloquent clothing, an entourage and a circle of security. He looked the "least likely" to be anyone of fame. Actually I was shocked at his appearance of sheer poverty, but I hope it was only a "diguise". It is a "reflection" I shall treasure forever.

HOW TIME CHANGES THINGS

Today I was waiting in the parking lot in our vehicle while my better half went into the store to find something he needed. It was an interesting time......time...is definitely the operative word.

On a different topic.....A lady and gentleman came out of the store and headed to their vehicle. The gentleman unlocked the door with the remote and climbed in, started the engine....while the wife got in "her" side and closed the door just as he was pulling out of the parking space...another second and her leg...well, you get the picture. I mean, he didn't even turn his head to see if she was safely in place. Made me think...back when dating...the gentleman would open the ladies car door and make sure she was safely in place before proceding to his spot behind the wheel.
I remember when my hubby worked at a Buick dealership and took me out into the parking lot to show me something. He had a "remote" in his pocket and when he pushed the button, the trunk opened...oh my. What a great idea. Now we take it for granted. As I was watching...a lady pulled into a parking spot...and her remote not only opened her van hatch...it lifted the door....and then closed and locked the door. That made me think....what would happen, if you pushed your remote for your vehicle and ALL the vehicles in the area...turned on their lights, etc. How to they program each remote to work a specific vehicle and to do specific tasks???? Someone has had a lot of sleepless nights.