Flat Scalzi is in Ontario, in case you didn't know!

This entry is for those who are wondering who or what is Flat Scalzi. If you get this as an email alert, click on the link to my blog. Once you get here, I will have links to his adventures in Canada.

He had a rather long journey, which nearly drove him mad, but he recovered. Not before transforming his host Paul into a similar Flat Person.

 

Then the Flat Ones had a conversation, and Flat S showed up decked out in, of all things, a curling uniform? I thought he looked cute in his green plaid tam and maple leaf jersey.

There was a reference to Ski-doos and igloos I didn't get. What's a ski-doo, anyway? Maybe it was an inside joke.

 

Then there was the entry in which Flat S and Flat P talk about their favorite beverages.

 

Finally, Flat S is mailed off to his next destination... is he going to New Jersey?

However, he forgot to transform Paul back into his flesh and blood self.

Okay, enough silliness! I am hooked on the travels of Flat Scalzi. How often does someone get to have their alter-ego, albeit paper, flit about the country in an envelope, and visit his Journal-land friends? I think it's quite an honor to be flattened out, folded up, and sealed up in a brown envelope, then dropped into the nearest Post Office box and sent off into the world via air mail.

If you get this alert twice it is because the pictures didn't copy and I had to go back into the journal and re-edit. I apologize if that happens.

 

Weekend assignment: Recently purchased music

 

This weekend assignment from By The Way: What are some of the most recent music albums you have bought? Name up to three. Note that I said "bought" -- I want to know what music you've liked so much that you've actually shelled out cash for them.

Extra Credit: Did you buy these albums on CD, or did you get them online through iTunes or another music service? http://journals.aol.com/johnmscalzi/bytheway/entries/5856

Recent doesn't necessarily mean last week, last month, or last year, does it?

I haven't bought music this year, that I can recollect. However, I scanned my CD's to find what I "recently" bought, and it's definitely not mainstream.

Also, I have never bought music online. I suppose one day I will attempt it, but it isn't an area that I have explored since first learning about the opportunities and available treasures on the internet.

So, I'm down to naming just three, eh? I'll try without going into the history of my changes in music tastes over the past 35 years, which, indeed, there have been some major changes. I'll save those words for another entry, however.

Yanni's Ethnicity album is probably my most recently purchased album. I bought it at his Ethnicity concert tour in North Carolina about a year ago. A friend and colleague of mine from school attended it, and by the intermission, we were both applausing with tears in our eyes. The man makes beautiful music. One song is called The Promise. I don't know if you'll be able to hear it by clicking on this link or not, but give it a try. It's just a tiny sampling, not the entire song. Watching Yanni play his seven keyboards, and dancing as he directed his orchestra of musicians from all over the world, stirred my soul.

Another that I bought several years ago (I'm telling you, my definition of recent isn't measured by months) is Spirit: A Journey in Dance, Drums, and Song. There is a huge live production in the makings, but I didn't attend a live production. I found out about Peter Buffet when I tracked down the music CD for Dances with Wolves. One of the scores during the scene where Dunbar is dancing around his campfire, alone, as he misses his new friends, gave me chills. I discovered the song was not on the DWW CD. I was so disappointed. A few months later, I was watching a PBS show about Spirit: A journey in dance, drums, and song. I heard the same haunting tune, although slightly disguised in a slower rhythm... still, it was the same tune. And the dance production was awesome. I taped it. I love the sounds, drums and voices of the Native Americans lifted in song.

My favorite of the three, and one I listen to nearly every day is called Songs from the Potter's Field by Ray Bolz. My favorite is Give Me Your Hand, about a young man who slips and falls as he is climbing a mountain. He calls out for help. He hears a voice say "Give me your hand, I'll lift you up, don't be afraid, you just have to trust. I have been there, in the place you stand. There's no need to fear, that's why I'm here, give me your hand." The young man reaches out for him, and is rescued. When he asks his Savior what can he do for him in return, he is told just be there for the next person who comes along and needs your hand, and "There are many others to be saved." That's just a summary, but it's beautiful, in the lyrics, the tune, the instruments. The entire album is one any person who loves hearing stories of Jesus in modern day life put to song. Every song on the album is my favorite. Hey Little Brother is a meaningful retelling of the prodigal son. Never Lost has this helpful reminder for the chorus: "As we step into the next moment, or into eternity... never lost., He knows where you're going. Never lost, even though the wind is blowing. And there may be some stormy seas He says you must cross. But with Jesus by your side, you're never lost."  Roar is aboutthe Lion of Judah and asks the question "Are you ready to hear the Lion of Judah roar?"  The Potter's Field are the words "In the potter's field, love is truly spoken. Nothing is concealed 'cause everything is broken... in the potter's field..."  Beat of the Drum makes me dance!

So what were your last three music purchases? Leave a link if you write about it, or you may leave a comment with your response. Name up to three.

Another critter to study. What is it?

Friday again!! Love those Fridays, particularly one that went well. This morning, in our 5th grade reading class, the students got to try a recipe for Dogs in a Blanket, which they read about yesterday. For most, it was the first time trying homemade sauerkraut... I'm sorry to say, that most of the kids did not find the sauerkraut as tasty as I did. Seems only the teachers and two other students cared for the sauerkraut, but then, most of the kids here are true Southerners, quite unfamiliar with sauerkraut on wieners. Here, chili-dogs are the norm. At least, the kids were willing to try it before they said they didn't like it. After ward, they were given a moment to be reflective and tell what they liked or did not like about this non-traditional recipe. What they liked was that they were eating in the classroom, that it was something they had never tried before, and that it wasn't even lunch yet. What some didn't like was the texture of the kraut, and that they had to share!

Later, just as we were about to begin my Wilson Reading class (#11-13), in walks a boy with a caterpillar he had found while playing outside. He willingly held it in his hand for the photo above with his buddy who was with him when he found it. We decided to begin a photo file on it just in case we get to keep it in the butterfuly pavilion and watch it cocoon like we did the polyphemus.

We couldn't figure out what it was at school based on the available information. I haven't gone on the internet yet to identify it. Will do so tonight.

Does anyone know what it is? Let me know if you do.

Yeah, it's been a pretty good day for this nature girl!

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS FLAT SCALZI?

If you are following the journeys of Flat Scalzi, then here are three noteworthy entries:

One is a map charting where he's been... we can only wonder where he is going. Rumors are flying!

The other is where he is now... in Canada, for goodness sake! Seems he got a little bored, maybe even a little "loopy" while traveling north to Ontario.

It seems Paul was transformed into a Flat version of himself... they ought to be good company for each other, don't you think?

(Yeah, I know, silly, but I had to.)

Turning Points

I am at a turning point once more.

I can remember other turning points in my life. The obvious ones come to mind:

when I met my husband in 1974 (which led to our marriage, but the meeting and "courtship," or dating as we called it back then, was more dramatic and spectacular than the wedding);

when our son was born in 1978, and parenthood changed everything about me, about us, for the better I might add;

when Steve built our house in 1981, I didn't see his vision of our home until after it was built -  my faith in him was restored;

I quit my job as a State employee in 1985 to stay at home with my only child. The years that followed were wonderful and indulgent and sweet. The time I spent with my son and his friends as they grew up was priceless. I could never have done the things we did had I been working full-time. I thank my husband for thinking it was a good idea, too.

Those were the turning points that took place on the outside, but there were others that happened on the inside, for reasons explained only by faith and intuition:

when I first became aware of God as a personal companion and Savior, I was about 16 years old. The awareness came to me in a dramatic dream of being rescued during a dark storm. It was only the awareness, as I took no action to follow up on it because I didn't understand it at the time. Looking back, I see that it was a message of reassurance to trust in Him while my dad was in Viet Nam. He took my fear away. Dad came home to his wife and seven children alive, albeit there were some major anxieties that took time for him to get over.

when I realized I could tap into my dreams to learn more about myself in this world, and to find the strength and courage to do things I had fear of doing ( I was about 35 years old).

when I became depressed one year, and found that I couldn't even save myself (1993). That's when Jesus became very personal. I turned to Him and emptied my heart for him, and in turn, He filled mine with His. I became very involved in our church as a result, started teaching Sunday School, began to act with more compassion.

when another dream story/message was followed by my husband saying the words that changed the course of my life, "You could teach" in 1996 (that was followed up by my going back to school to get the degree I needed). I began teaching in 1999 at the school where I am presently.

Yes, it seems that 1996 was a bigger turning  point than I first thought.

Specifically, May 18, 1996 at Louisburg College, during a Christian Personhood Conference for the United Methodist Women.

The guest speaker was Evelyn Laycock. Her words turned me around in a way that I hadn't been turned before. She had told us that we didn't have to try so hard to look for God or Jesus, because He was looking for us.

What a revelation that was for me! I had been looking for Him for years, ever since that dream when I was 16. I was trying to find him in my life, in me, but I was never certain that I had found him in my life. I could see him in other people's lives, but couldn't see him in mine. I had wondered if I was blind to spiritual matters, if I had a character flaw?

But then to hear her say that I could stop looking for Him because He was looking for me? I was a parent... I could understand that analogy: I knew what it was like to search for a lost child. I had told my own son that if you ever get lost, "STOP! where you are and wait for me, and I will come find you. I will not stop looking for you. Wait for me!"

I realized right then and there that that was exactly what I needed to do. I had to stop looking for Him, to be patient, to wait, and He will find me. He will find me!  He will show me the way home.

Here's what I found out about Him: He was always there with me, but I didn't recognize Him. I didn't notice Him because I was too busy taking care of things for myself, I was too busy looking at the world through my eyes and not His. I was selfish and narrow-minded, and my heart was closed to Him.

Irealized that in May of 96. By the end of summer of 1996 I had had another one of those dramatic rescue dreams. In one I was rescued, and in the other, I was the rescuer. The implications were far-reaching. It gave me great confidence. Jesus had found me and rescued me, and in turn, I was able to rescue another.

When my heart was opened, I was able to see again. I was able to find Him all around me and in me. He was working through me, and using me in ways I hadn't thought was possible. This coming from a girl who nearly professed the belief in no God at all.

It's time for me to stop again so I can find him once more. I know He's there, but I've been using my eyes again, not His,and I've been filling my heart with my desires, not His.

I'm at a turning point once more, so I very much need to stop and listen, to be still and wait upon the Lord. I need to know which path He wants me to take. I am standing at the crossroads, waiting for Him.

What are your Turning Points? What events turned your life around, turned you in a different direction than you had been going? What surprises did these new directions bring for you? Did you ever think you made the wrong turn? Are you at a Turning Point now?

If you write about it, leave me a link in the comment section. I think this is a worthy topic!

Pursuing my mother's happiness.

My mother seems to be happy and healthy at this time. I didn't blog about it as soon as I got back from Alabama (we got home on the 15th) because I had to email all family members first, to let them know the details, then there was all that unpacking, then it was Easter Sunday, then school started back up... it's been a busy week, what with Flat Scalzi being here and then the moth emerged... so I put the Mom entry on hold until I had time to think about what I wanted to say.

Since I had mentioned her in a few previous entries, I should at least mention the results of our time together last week when my husband and I drove to Alabama.

I think the pictures say more than my words can.

Not everyone in my family is pleased that mom has moved to Alabama, and I understand especially my sister's point of view. Her moving has resulted in more than a separation by miles. It seems to have separated a few hearts as well.

I remember a mother who gave a whole lot of her time, her love, her spirit, and her courage to making sure her seven children grew up healthy and strong. The happy part was for us to pursue. She helped us get to adulthood, and you know, that counts for something in my book. Now she is pursuing her own happiness. I wish her well on that one.

When a person loses her husband, daughter, and granddaughter within a five year span, then she loses her home, you have a major crises situation. When that person is strong-willed and independent, you are not going to contain her, control her, or even bribe her to live with her children. No matter how much they want to take care of her. Right now, she obviously doesn't need that kind of taking care of.

Hallmark would have us believe that every mother is an angel, their cards describing the mothers of our hearts. When I think of my mother, I only think of the good because that's what is important. All her goodness, all her laughter, and all her time spent working so we could have the things we needed growing up. There were times my mother was the only angel I knew.

My mother would be the last person to see anything about her life as angelic. She would laugh at the idea that she was an angel for anyone. Yet, I know many people who say "You're mother is an angel.," because of some act of kindness she did for them. Yes, sometimes my mother was an angel.

She has never claimed to be perfect, and she doesn't always do what is right in the eyes of her children. Whoever does? Lord knows I haven't always done what is right in the eyes of my son, either. I'm sure one day we'll have that talk and I'll be saying, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that one... you're right, I shouldn't have done that." I hope he will forgive me for my many mistakes, misjudgments, misunderstandings, and misdeeds.

Who ever has lived a life free of mistakes, absent of lies, without doing or saying something that hurt another? Not anyone that I know of can claim that kind of life except Jesus. And it is because of what I know about Jesus that I can forgive and be forgiven. Therefore, so is my mother.

Despite any wrongs, real or imagined, done directly or indirectly, I have to say that my mother has every right to pursue her own happiness as well. She's raised her seven kids. If she chooses to live away from her family, so be it. Someday, she may choose to return to be the grandmother we all want her to be. But will anyone let her be the kind of grandmother she wants to be?

My husband says it this way, "Toni is Toni. She is not going to be any different to make someone else happy." I have to accept that. She is as unique an individual as any other I have met. Why should her maternal relationship to me change the way I think about a person's right to live their life in pursuit of what makes them happy?

When she is ready to leave where she is now, I want to be there waiting for her with open arms and welcome her back home. That is not a new idea. That story was told two thousand years ago.

Classroom computers and laptops

Yes, Barbara, we do have computers in every classroom. In fact, some classrooms in our school have two, three, or four computers. We even have a computer lab, and I do have pictures of that as well, except none of them are on my home computer so I couldn't insert them for this entry.

In the course of a school day, the students will use the computers to research a topic for social studies or science. They use them to take reading assessments after they have read a book, and they use them to write their essays if there is a handwriting problem.

Many students go on the computer to work in programs that will help them sharpen their reading skills, math skills, or just listening skills (which ultimately helps their reading and spelling skills).

The computer above is in my classroom. While we are working on decoding skills, comprehension skills, math skills, or writing skills, someone is usually on the computer for a fifteen minute session of math skills practice and/or review. Students take turns each day, rotating through a list until all have put in their time. Over a period of time, from days to weeks, the teacher can pull up the results of their efforts, and can see if there has been progress in particular areas or not. For example, I can see if John has made any gains in the area of adding fractions, or in the area of multiplying two digits, etc. This kind of information helps me determine which area of focus in math would be most beneficial for John.

Students do spend time on the computers in the classroom. Often the teacher will bring in what we call the Tech Cart. That's a self-contained unit on wheels, which includes an overhead projector, a printer, and up to twenty laptops for students. The students can watch on the overhead screen while a teacher demonstrates a lesson, then they can each go off on their own little research assignment on their individual laptops.

We have two of these TechCarts, and the teachers must sign up for them in advance to use one in their classroom. I've seen some pretty exciting lesson plans come from the use of the Tech Cart, from exploring animal habitats throughout the world to discovering the beginnings of our own country.

In the Computer Lab, where students go as a classroom once a week for specific instruction or to work on class research projects, the Lab instructor often introduces them to a new program, a specific educational website, or shows them how to find what they are looking for. Students at this age are so quick to learn computer skills. I've had students show me how to use the computer because they have more experience with the Apple computers than I do. They know how to save and print their works, and they know how to access their favorite websites within seconds of getting on the computer. Scrolling through web pages and clicking on links is old-hat to them, but we still have to be mindful of where they are going. There's always a kid or two who will try to go somewhere that  has nothing to do with where we want them to be!

We even get to do a little spontaneous research from time to time. On Cinqo de Maio, for example, a Hispanic student came to me and asked me what that was. I was surprised that he hadn't heard of it, so we did some research right there on the spot. I got him started, and he did the rest, printing out a five page article that he could take home with him.

Another time, my 4th grade reading group wanted to know what happened to the elephant Mary that they had been reading about. Mary was an elephant who painted on canvas. It was very interesting, but the story ended without telling us what became of Mary. I suggested we go on the internet, we did a search of the author of the book, and of the family who kept the elephants. The girls found a website about the family with photos of all the elephants, and stories about them. They composed an email, and we sent it to the elephant's owner, using my school email address, of course. Every day the girls asked if we had gotten an email back from them. Three weeks later, we did. They learned what happened to Mary: she had died since the story had been written. But the good news was that another youngster seemed to be following her footsteps as a painter! The girls were so excited. They are now elephant lovers, and they can tell you the difference between an Asian elephant and an African elephant.

Yes, we use computers at school daily, but I'd love to see computers in every home. The benefits to the student who is curious and wants to know more about something when the question comes to mind is priceless. Imagine: they ask a question. Parent says, "I don't know... let's go find out."

Internet research leads to all kinds of discoveries. There's a vast arena for learning out there, beyond games and videos.

Maybe someday it will be more affordable.

A little surprise left in my classroom.

It's Friday!! Need I say more?

When I leave my classroom each day to go home, I have to leave my door open for the cleaning ladies. They lock it when they are through sweeping it.

I don't like leaving the door open like that. I worry the lady might forget to lock the door before she leaves. If someone were to break into the building, my classroom would by wide open to burglary, and many of my personal belongings, including books, supplies, and materials that I have paid for, could be stolen, not to mention the nice Apple Computer, the laptop, and other valuable books and materials that belong to the school. Fortunately, it has never happened.

The most that has ever been stolen from my classroom was six years ago when a pack of twelve yellow highlighters that I had purchased at Office Depot, when they were on sale, had disappeared from my desk. Found them in a 4th grade student's desk. Of course, he denied it when confronted, but after spending 20 minutes with the principal, he confessed. I forgave him, and never had another thing missing after that.

This morning, however, I walked into my classroom and discovered that before the cleaning ladies locked the door last night, a student had visited my classroom. He didn't take anything. Instead, he left me something, along with a note to explain what he had done.

I had left the butterfly pavillion in my classroom overnight. The polyphemus beauty had flown off onto her brief nuptial adventure yesterday morning (see previous entry for details: http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/entries/1091 ).

But with the spring weather comes lots of critters, and the kids have been bringing me their discoveries, either to ask me what it is, or to ask me to put it in the butterfly pavillion to keep it. I allowed a couple of caterpillars to remain.

It seems that yesterday afternoon, after I had gone home, and my door was still open, a certain fifth grade student who goes to our after school day care program, found several fat tent caterpillars. He placed them in my net-like habitat, and left me a note that read: Dear Mrs. Gilmore. I found some more catapillers. I put them in the cage. He signed his name.

How sweet (said with a note of sarcasm) ... now there are two tent caterpillars cocooning in the habitat, with three more looking to do the same. Pesty, leaf-eating caterpillars that will turn into little reddish brown moths in three weeks...

I just don't have the same heart for these little ones as I did the polyphemus. Maybe it's because there are thousands of the tent caterpillars and they are so easy to find. Just walk anywhere outside and you'll step on one or one hundred. What a mess they make in the parking lot and on the sidewalks.

They cause unsightly defoliation of a tree when numerous, although trees usually recover from the onslaught and put out new leaves. You've seen them: after they hatch from their egg mass of up to 400 eggs, they build a silken nest in the crotch of a tree limb. They seem to prefere wild cherry, apple, crabapple, hawthorn, maple, peach, pear, and plum trees.

However, don't confuse them with the webworm, which weave their loose, webby nests around foliage in the tree. TC usually do their work in the early part of the season, while the unsightly webworms stake out later in the season.

Yippee! Yet, for the sake of education and the kids who found the little squirts in the first place, I will keep them, and we will use the cocoons as a topic for learning, only this time, we won't have to wait six months.

Do you see how students contribute to the teacher's learning? Look at the research I have to do so I can tell them about what they have found! Yes, I do direct them to the internet to do their own research, but not every kid has internet access, nor does every kid have a computer at home. Someday, yes someday, that will be as common as the TV is now.

Don't you think?

Polyphemus' First Flight

"There she is! There she is!" one of the second graders called out in her loudest voice. Immediately, every second grader was running toward me as I approached the playground, carrying the butterfly pavillion with the fully developed moth inside. Their teacher had told them I was coming in during their recess time (10 am), and that we would let the moth go at that time.

An hour earlier, I had noticed the moth trembling all over. I couldn't explain it except to wonder if it was just sensing the air, the strange noises, or was it a sign of restlessness and the need to fly. Or maybe even a greater, reproductive need?

She trembled once more as the kids admired her, before I unzipped the top of the pavillion to bring her out. First I had answered their questions. They wanted to hear how she could possibly have fit into the cocoon, how did she get out, did I watch her come out, and will she have babies?

I answered them all, including telling them that she needed to fly as soon as possible, to find a safe place to hide, and to find a mate. Then she would find a special tree on which to lay her eggs, and then she would die. They didn't like hearing that part.

I wanted them to learn her name: Polyphemus. I asked them to say it. Their first attempts were hilarious. One kid thought I said Jalapenos! I heard Mollypeemus... Pollapeemus... Pollypenus... yeah, the teacher and I had a chuckle or two over their attempts.

The kids all seemed to understand that this was a joyous occasion, and when she flew up to the tree, they all started clapping with no prompting. Totally spontaneous applause, an appreciation of beauty and the miracle of life, represented in the first flight of the Polyphemus moth.

Once she flew out of eyesight, the kids happily went on to the business of playing in the playground. I knew some of them would be looking for another fat green caterpillar to put into my butterfly pavilion. In fact, several kids have already brought me the tent caterpillars they've been finding all over the school grounds, and now there is a fully cocooned tent caterpillar at the top of my pavillion.

Later, my moth expert, who happens to live less than 40 miles away in Hillsborough, emailed me and said she usually lets her moths go in the evening, when there is less chance of the moth getting caught by a predator, like a bird.

I hadn't even thought about that! What if, while witnessing this wonderful event, a bird had swooped out of nowhere, and grabbed our moth right out of the air, flying away to share its find with its hungry chicks? That would not have been a pleasant turn of events, to say the least, although it would have lent itself to a discussion of the local food chain.

I'm glad we didn't wait 6 months while our caterpillar transformed into a beautiful moth, only to watch her get eaten up in an instant. Yet, those are the facts of life. Yes, those are indeed the facts of life.

In the 6th photo you can see the two girls who had found the fat green caterpillar back in October. They had a special reason to be happy: what they had thought was just a big, fat, green worm six months ago had changed into something beautiful that could fly.

I'm hoping that in the next month or two, one of those wide-eyed children will find another caterpillar. Or two or three!

Polyphemus Moth makes her debut!

Here she is! Ms. Polyphemus, a member of the Giant Silkworm Moth family. She is just under 20 minutes out of her cocoon. She's been in the cocoon since October 18 last fall. I first wrote about her in my blog back in October.

I took the cocoon with me last week on my trip to Alabama because at that time I had no idea when it would come out. I figured if it did emerge while in Alabama, I could let it go as these kinds of moths are native to the East Coast all the way up to Canada, and even as far west as Texas. I even purchased a butterfly pavillion while in Alabama to keep the moth in until I could release it.... seems like that was the best move I could have made.

I was expecting a Luna Moth. Luna caterpillars look much like Polyphemus caterpillars. I really wasn't sure which one I had based on the pictures I had in books and the ones I found on the internet. I knew I would have to wait for the day it emerged.

I had to display great amounts of patience keeping this critter. There were times when I completely forgot about it, during the cold winter months. I didn't worry about it until spring warmed up our region, about three weeks ago. That's when I became concerned whenever I did not hear any movement inside the cocoon. As long as I felt it wriggling and scratching inside, I knew it was alive.

However, these past three days, I thought it might have just died because for some reason it could not get out. I even thought about cutting it out, but then I remembered the story about the woman who tried to help the butterfuly out of its cocoon and the butterfly did not build up the strength it needed to spread its wings because it didn't have to work to get out. I don't know how true that story is, but the message wasn't lost on me. I did not touch the cocoon.

About 4:00 today, in my classroom, I remember hearing crunching sounds coming from the cocoon... never had I heard that before. So I took the cocoon home with me, and set it in the dining room. An hour later, I peeked in on it, and there was the moth already climbing up the stick I had glued the cocoon to. I ran for my camera and carried it outside while there was still enough outdoor light.

I took quite a few photos, many of them blurry because I did not have the camera on the correct setting for closeups. I was so excited that I had snapped several pictures without changing the settings. Finally, I realized my error and corrected it.

According to information I have found, the moths mate the same night they emerge from the cocoon. They do not eat as adults. The live for one week. The females live for two reasons: to mate and to lay their eggs. The males have only one reason to live. You have one guess.

I know she is a female because of the size of her antennae... male antennae are wider than females. Hers seemed quite narrow by comparison to pictures I've seen of the males. So, tomorrow, I will take her to school, show the kids, tell them some things about the moths, and then we'll let her go so she can get her life cycle going again.

Possibly I will get some photos of her release in the playground area where she was found as a fat green caterpillar just six months ago.

One more surprising fact... I read at one of the internet sites that Polyphemus moths often don't emerge from their cocoons until May!! I hope her early arrival does not mean she gets there before the rest of her species! Imagine going to the party and finding out that you had the wrong date, and no one was there but you.Now imagine that your entire future of generations relies on you arriving on time. If you are late, you leave no offspring. If you arrive too early, you leave no offspring. You have a one week window of life to do what you must do, and if you don't find your mate, you will leave no offspring.

That's what our Polyphemus moth is up against this week, and why I must let her go as soon as possible.

I took all the photos above with my own camera except for Pictures #1, and 16-19, which came from the following website:

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/polyphemus_moth.htm

Cocoon Emergence at Last...Pictures at 8:00!

The moth has emerged and I'm taking pictures now ... it began to come out sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 pm this afternoon. I'm still in the middle of photographing the event... he looks great, but it's not a Luna after all. I think now it's a Polyphemus or Cecropia... will look it up asap. Come back later for the latest pictures.

It's beautiful!

Goodbye, Flat!

I took Flat with me to school today. You can imagine the questions from the kids. They thought he was a cool dude. I told them about him, and showed them the book, The Ghost Brigades, by John Scalzi. I explained it was science fiction for adults.

Two of the boys got so excited when they saw the cover of the book. I thought it was because it was a science fiction book, and that the space ship on the cover reminded them of Star Wars or some other movie, but after I asked one boy to tell me what he liked about the cover, he said, "It's a Sci-Fi book! Sci Fi!"

This little boy is Hispanic... but he recognized the Sci-Fi symbol on the cover... from the Sci-Fi channel, I think.

I did not take photos of Flat with the children, of course, to protect their privacy rights, but I did get pictures of him at various essential points in my classroom. He was exhausted from the day in my classroom.

Then, we said our goodbyes, and I packed the little guy up to go on to his next destination. He's on his way tomorrow...

Flat Scalzi is Here in Graham, NC!

Well, imagine my surprise when I got home last night and found in my mailbox none other than Flat Scalzi!!

I had been expecting him, and was hoping he'd get here in time for Easter Sunday, and he did.

The first thing I did after I introduced myself was to make the poor guy some new clothes. Actually, he needed only two new tee shirts: one, a Carolina Blue t-shirt to honor one of our great universities here, the one my son is attending, the University of North Carolina ("go Tarheels!"). And the other T in orangish yellow for Easter.

So I gave Flat a tour of my yard, then introduced him to my dogs. Max took to him right away. Considering Max and Misty had been away all week, living with my son in Chapel Hill while my husband and I made a five day trip to Foley, Alabama and back again, they were on the quiet side. Bringing a stranger into their home, and asking them to spend time with him, was asking for a little more than Misty was willing to give. Fortunately, there were no attacks. And the dogs didn't attack him either. Flat seemed to like the little dogs.

I brought Flat into my office room, and he noticed quite astutely that I was reading his flesh & blood counterpart's latest best seller, The Ghost Brigades.

Yes, I explained, in fact, I was able to catch up on some reading during the past five days. Now I am reading exclusively this novel until I complete it. I told Flat that I thought it was clever that John had developed a new convention symbol for dialogue communicated via the BrainPal. (for those who don't know what I'm talking about, the symbol for such dialogue looks like this:  ::Not unlike quotation marks, used in the same manner.::) In fact, I could have sworn Flat was communicating to me that way most of the time he was here.

I asked Flat what was his favorite part of visiting the Gilmore household.

::The weather, indeed. Spring is everywhere! Also, it's very peaceful and restful here. I think John and his family would love North Carolina:: he responded.

I apologized for not being able to take him anywhere exciting, like to a ballgame, or the Outer Banks, or even to our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

::No problem, Bea. Actually, it's nice not to do anything for a day or two. I like to kick back and blend in with nature once in awhile.::

He seemed to enjoy the Easter stuff I had ready for him, and said that he was glad I didn't give him any candy. I asked him why.

::Consider the needs of the envelope. I need to be flat. Saves on postage for you, too, if I don't weigh as much!:: he laughed.

He agreed to pose with me for a picture, which I had to take by myself. Still, it turned out pretty decent.

I asked him where he would like to go next. He whispered it in my ear.

::The rest of you will have to wait and find out where I show up next! Check out Teeisme57's blog to find out where I am. She's keeping a map of my travels as they are reported to her, I think.::

 

(Afterword: Tee's journal is updated periodically, so the link above will take you to her journal, but on any given day you may have to scroll down to the Flat Scalzi Tracker entry to find out where he is. It's still worth checking! For today, at least, he's at the top of her journal page. Bea)

Going To Alabama...

Just want to let everyone know that I am heading for Alabama this morning...

I won't be able to make any journal entries here, but I will have my paper journal with me.

My mother lives somewhere in the vicinity of Foley, Alabama, and my husband and I are going to visit her. Mostly it is to see how she is doing, to see if she is okay. I haven't seen her since the last time I went to Georgia, back when she lived in Georgia. That may well be over a year ago.

I've been talking to her over the cell phone, on the average about once every 3 weeks, and she tells me she is okay, but I need to see for myself. She is 72 years old. Four years ago, my father died, and since then she has had to face the challenge of living on her own. Two of her children, and a few of her adult grandchildren and great grandchildren, live in Georgia, two of her children, and a few adult and near-adult grandchildren, live in California, then there's me in North Carolina and her grandson, and a son who lives in Florida, off and on, probably more on than off. She has grandchildren and great grandchildren in Connecticut and Arizona. Her own brothers and sisters, are spread out in Connecticut, a brother in Georgia, and a sister in California.

Basically, this means she has no family living in Alabama. That is my concern. I know she will be making friends, but I want to meet them too. I want to know who's going to take care of my mother if she gets sick, who's going to call me if she needs me and she doesn't think about to make that call. I want to know that someone near her, who cares for her in any sense of the word, but hopefully in the Christian sense at least, will call on her and ask her how she is, invite her to join them for dinner, or do something in a social way with them. I want to see if the place where she lives is "safe" - relatively speaking, to make sure she has all the basics, that even though she has abandoned everything she ever held dear in her life until her husband died, that she is still capable of taking care of herself.

Her welfare is a family concern. No one has yet to see where she is living, so they will know more after I've been there.

I'm hoping to find that she is, indeed, well. That she has enough money to pay her bills and buy her food and keep her home warm or cool throughout the year. I'm hoping she has already found doctors and dentists to replace the ones she has left behind Georgia. I'm hoping many things for her, which is why I pray for her every day.

I've asked the Lord for traveling mercies, so if you all would pray for me and my family, I would appreciate it. It will take us about 12 hours to drive there, though we are not going to try and make it all in one day.

I'm taking the cocoon with me... yes, it's still a cocoon, and though the little critter inside is very active, it hasn't shown any sign of chewing its way out yet. If it does  come out while we are traveling, I will take pictures of it, then let it go. Giant Silk Moths are at home anywhere in the southeast. Alabama isn't too far west that it couldn't find a mate during its week-long adult life-span.

Good news: Flat Scalzi is heading for North Carolina!! If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out Coelha's journal entry. I think it will be a fun visit, and I may even get to take him to school with me. I know he'll love the fish pond. Too bad he couldn't go with me to Alabama... he might have lightened the trip for me. At any rate, I suppose I will try to finish the book written by his flesh-and-bones counterpart. Then we can have something to talk about. I promise that he will have a relatively peaceful visit... after reading about some of his past escapades (warning: adult content at that link inolving dolls!!). I think he will need a rest!! LOL!  TTFN, bea

The Rope

I just read an amazing story called The Rope. Click on the link to get to it. It's short, but its message is important.  I know some of you already read her blog. I'll definitely be a regular visitor from now on.

Theodore Roethke and Dreams

I was perusing through my old visual journal, dated April 1998 - December 1999.

Perusing, for it slowed me down to an even slower pace than when I came to realize that this was a Monday and I wasn’t in school!  (Deep breath of appreciation here.)

I had just completed the entry of Motherhood, the poem about Judas Iscariot’s mother’s reflections after her son died.

I had found that poem in my visual journal, 1998-99 (see photos above for details), and that lead me to ponder and reflect on other entries I had made that year. I decided to take some pictures of the pages because I really like the combination of pictures, photos, and drawings combined with my own words, and the words of those I admired. A later entry will explain my visual journal, and how it helped me find the lighted path.

The next poem you’ll read is by Theodore Roethke. I didn’t even know who he was when I copied the few lines back in 1998 (detail of that page is first photo above). I didn’t know that there was more than the first three lines.

I just knew something in those words resonated within me a deeper meaning, something I knew about but could not voice into my own words. It had to do with waking up, with realizing I’d been “asleep” throughout most of my life. It had to do with a time of personal change and transformation: over a year before starting that particular journal (April 1998), I found myself walking a path that lead me into the teaching profession. I had graduated from Elon College in the summer of 1999, and began teaching that August.

“I learn by going where I have to go.”

Today is a day of discovery. I decided to look up Roethke’s name, and that’s how I found out the poem went beyond those three lines. I copied them into my journal for your own enjoyment and pondering, and so that I can read it as often as I‘d like. I read a biography of Mr. Roethke as well. If the name doesn’t ring a bell with you, maybe My Papa’s Waltz does.

Actually, every year during the week prior to the day we celebrate our Risen Savior, I make discoveries, and I always write about them in my paper journal. I’m making an attempt to make them public in my blog this week.

Usually, following Holy Week, the days of His Passion, and Easter Sunday, something changes for me… something really important happens. It never fails that something will be different by Easter Sunday.

It’s called 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 have to 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 died of a heart attack in 1963. Before this fatal incident Roethke wrote 61 poems that were published after his death in The Far Field in 1964, which won the National Book Award, and in The Collected Poems in 1966.

 

All the above information, including the poem, was taken from Theodore Roethke - Poems and Biography by PoetryConnection.net

What do you think of the poem?

Have you ever tried visual journaling?

A Mother's Point of View, a Poem, and Judas

The poem that follows was published in 1936 by Eleanor Agnes Lee. I found it first back in 1998 in my book, Best Loved Poems of  the American People. I found it again, today, on the internet at this website called OldPoetry. 

It's called "Motherhood." I read it during a church service on Mother's Day one year. It seems appropriate to read it again during Passion Week/Holy Week.

Motherhood

Mary,the Christ long slain, passed silently,
        Following the children joyously astir
       Under the cedrus and the olive tree,
       Pausing to let their laughter float to her —
       Each voice an echo of a voice more dear,
       She saw a little Christ in every face.

       Then came another woman gliding near
     To watch the tender life which filled the place.
     And Mary sought the woman's hand and spoke:
     " I know thee not, yet know thy memory tossed
      With all a thousand dreams their eyes evoke
      Who bring to thee a child beloved and lost.

    " I ,too, have rocked my Little One.
        And He was fair !
      Oh, fairer than the fairest sun
      And, like its rays through amber spun,
        His sun-bright hair.
      Still I can see it shine and shine."
      Even so, the woman said, "was mine."

    " His ways were ever darling  ways"-
       And Mary smiled -
      So soft, so clinging!  Glad relays
      Of love were all His precious days.
       My Little Child!
      My vanished star!  My music fled! "
      " Even so was mine," the woman said.

       And Mary whispered: Tell me, thou
        Of thine." And she:
       " Oh, mine was rosy as a bough
        Blooming with roses, sent, somehow,
          To bloom for me!
        His balmy fingers left a thrill
        Deep in my breast that warms me still. "

         Then she gazed down some wilder, darker hour,
         And said, when Mary questioned, knowing not:
         Who art thou, mother of so sweet a flower?" —
         " I am the mother of Iscariot."

Agnes Lee, Best Loved Poems of the American People, copyright 1936.

 

I watched the National Geographic program last night, The Gospel of Judas. It did not change anything I believe and know about Jesus. One can easily read all four Gospels and glean from that a picture of Judas Iscariot, not necessarily evil in himself, but someone placed into a role that he eventually regretted and could not live with.

Many people misunderstood Jesus' mission, his purpose on this earth. Many thought he would be their warrior king. When this did not appear to be the case, those that had originally followed and supported him had to make some choices of their own: to continue to follow him, or to abandon their teacher. Judas had a far more serious decision to make.

I remember back in 1973, when the album Jesus Christ Superstar came out. I bought it. I was a junior in college. Had not seen the movie nor the play, but the music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Weber were moving, powerful, and helped to tell the story of Jesus the man. The only thing missing was in the ending... I don't recall there was anything about the Resurrection... it made me think that Jesus was just a man after all. Not a God. And that Judas did what he had to do because Jesus told him to. In one scene, Judas sings tragically that he is "damned for all time!" and then he hangs himself. Fortuntately, I continued for more answers, and did not leave Jesus on the cross, a dead man.

The special that was on last night paints a sympathetic portrait of the man we have come to associate with the betrayal of Christ. It doesn't necessarily raise Judas to be faultless, but, from what I understand, it portrays him to be following Christ's request. In other words, he too, made a sacrifice of his own life, and certainly a sacrifice that left him in a critical, negative light. Evidence found in this gospel seems to say that Judas had more faith in Christ as Lord than the other disciples. It tells me, understandably so, that Judas believed in Jesus the Christ, but did not fully understand the concept of the Resurrection. (Who in his time did? How many of us today struggle to understand it? How many times have I betrayed my Lord when I could have boldly followed?)

Had he known what Christ knew, I don't think he would have killed himself. He would have rejoiced in the return of Jesus on the third day, and he would have known of the role he had to play. Do we understand our roles as Christians today? Do we know what we have to do? Do we do it every day?

For me personally, the answer is, regrettably, no. I don't do what Jesus asks me to do every day. I am weak, tired, selfish, and lazy when it comes to being a good Christian. I try. Sometimes I shine, other times, I'm in the dark. But I will never stop trying... someday, I hope to get it right.

Did you watch The Gospel of Judas? What do you think? Does it change what you believe about Jesus? Does it confirm what you believe about Jesus? Maybe it doesn't matter. You don't have to respond to these questions here... but do think about them.

You can also read about the lost Gospel of Judas at NationalGeographic.com.

The subject of Mavarin

I thought I should make an entry before I disappear into the world of Mavarin. I started reading Karen Funk Blocher's novel just last night, and now I'm hooked. I know that once I get started tonight, I won't want to push away from the computer. Except for the necessities, of course.

You see, the first two chapters of her novel, Heirs of Mavarin, are online at one of her websites. Though not yet "published" in the hard-back book sense of the word, she has submitted it to an editor, and I don't really know how much I am allowed to say about it without giving away personal information, but you can either read her thoughts about it in her blog, Outpost Mavarin, along with her thoughts about life in general, or you can read the first two chapters from the novel for yourself in Messages from Mavarin.  (Karen, I hope you will correct me if I am incorrect in any of these facts.)

Mavarin (pronounced Mayvarin, I believe, with a long /a/ sound),  is just one country in a world where live humans (royalty and common villagers,  magicians and traders, blacksmiths and tanners, among others I haven't even met yet). In the not too long ago past, a creature called a tengrem was created by a mage, and now there are I don't know how many of them in the world. A tengrem is part human, part horse, part wolf,  not too terribly ugly, somewhat resembling those mythological creatures that were part man, part horse... the name escapes me now. They are intermittently intelligent, and can speak the human language.

Yes, there is magic in this tale, and swords, and religion. There's even a language, and a history of the languages of this world. All lovingly created and explained in other links to Mavarin. Illustrations of the characters, and their histories, are included if you need to see the author's image of them. I don't need illustrations to help me get through a story, but I find myself referring to them as I come upon each main character in the story, just to find out how Karen envisioned them.

Since I've only read most of the first chapter, I can't tell you too much more in detail about where all this is going, but I can say that the first chapter gets straight into the action and drama of what I am certain is going to be a grand tale of self-discovery and transformation.

Here's what Karen has to say about Mavarin:

"The question of what makes us who we are lies at the heart of my first two novels, Heirs of Mâvarin and Mages of Mâvarin. Mâvarin is an “otherworld” equivalent of the Eastern United States, except that the River Misip is roughly where Appalachia ought to be. It is a place where magic works (for some people and against others), but literal monsters didn’t exist until a generation ago. Most of all, it is the home of Rani Fost and his two best friends: Del Merden and Del's twin sister Crel. Their respective journeys have more to do with self-discovery than with surviving magic and treachery, finding a lost king or getting back to where they need to be--although there's plenty of that, too."

                                                                                from Welcome to Mavarin

 

My taste for reading ranges from biography to fantasy and science fiction, from history to historical fiction, and lots of other genres in between. Currently, I am reading John Scalzi's Ghost Brigade, just finished C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew, almost finished with Frank McCourt's Teacher Man, and sitting on the side waiting for my attention are Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Rice's Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt. For real adult (albeit tame) fun, I'm halfway through Jennifer Robeson's Sword Singer.

Glean from this information what you may, I just like to read, and I like to have a variety on hand.

Think of it as a smorgasbord of aromatic foods, some spicy, some sweet, some pungent, some salty... all tasty... spread out on the table. You get to choose what you like on any particular day to suit what you are hungry for. You might want to sample sweet food for several days, then realize you want something salty or something spicy. You just never know what you will want from one day to the next, so you keep it all available. You don't have to clean your plate before tasting the tempting treat on another dish. When you have had enough, you leave, and come back again when you are hungry. I like having choices. (This does not mean that I don't occasionally start one book and read it exclusively.)

Actually, I don't even fantasize about food like that. I'm pretty bland and routine in my choices for food, but when it comes to reading, I do like a variety. And I do like to try new material, new genres, new authors.

There, my true confession. A little bit of everything. I'm even getting ready to dive into Vacation Bible School reading materials (Group's Fiesta!) as well.

Karen is my new author.

If you want to get a peek at her novel, just click on the link above. If you want to break the tradition of what you are reading, and if fantasy isn't on your list of favorite genre, still give her site a visit. I think you will be surprised. You might even find yourself hooked, like I did. If you are already a fantasy fan, then wait until you havesome free time, fix yourself a cup of tea or other soothing beverage, get comfortable, and settle in as you prepare to enter a world of magic, mystery, and myth.

Karen Funk Blocher is definitely an author worthy of your reading time!

Well, I have to go for now. Got some reading to do in Mavarin country!

Pray for Diego

A friend of mine, Betty, has been faithfully praying for a little boy and his family who are resolutely fighting a rare form of cancer. In fact, she has our entire church praying for him. Every Sunday, during the Prayer of Petition, we hear the name "Diego Santiago."

Diego is five years old. His lungs have tumors in them. His doctors have been treating him, and despite some grim reports from some doctors, other doctors are trying treatments that have begun to shrink the tumors.

His mother records in an on-line journal of the ups and downs of little Diego's ordeals, of her own highs and lows which, not peculiarly, coincide with her son's.

I began to visit her journal, and was drawn into her world of helping Diego live a happy, healthy life. Her faith in God has carried her every step of the way. She hides nothing from her readers: all her doubts, fears, her hopes and dreams... all are on the journal page.

Not only regarding Diego, although everything is regarding Diego. She manages to extract from her daily trials and tribulations words of wisdom which she gracefully and gratefully shares with the world. She is witnessing firsthand the presence of God in her life, and miracles are happening frequently in young Diego's life.

There is not a greater pain than watching your little child suffer, and there is not a greater joy than in knowing the Lord is working through the doctors, nurses, strong men in uniforms, and countless strangers across the country who are praying for this boy's healing.

Yet, Diego's mother continually reminds us that we should never stop praying. She says boldly, "Be relentless with your faith!"

Relentless.

When was the last time I was relentless about anything?

I draw strength from Cookie's words, from her faith in God. I think if you were to visit her journal, you would find something you didn't expect. But I want you to find out for yourself. Please take a moment to click on this link.

When you get there you will have to create a password for yourself to enter the CarePages. It takes just a minute. This link takes you to DiegoLand at CarePages.

Mrs. Santiago gave me permission to make this entry, and to provide a link. It is my hope that more people will add Diego, his family, and his doctors, to their prayer list. I believe that prayer is a powerful healing tool.

Yes, it's definitely spring!

How lovely to get home by 4:30 this afternoon and walk barefooted about the yard, taking photos of springtime wonder until the camera batteries died out, while Misty tracked some critter into the old, long-unused dog house, and Max faithfully followed my every step.

There is no better day than Friday, and no better Friday than the one on the verge of a ten-day vacation time called Spring Break! The excitement buzzed through our halls all the day long. Teachers seemed more tolerant of the noise level in the cafeteria, some classrooms held egg hunts, while others used the last hour of the school day for spring cleaning.

VBS workshop training tomorrow morning. Can't wait. Lots to do. Will return tomorrow.

 

 

 

Springtime and time change!

I felt normal today.... despite the heaviness I had in my chest, and the coughing during the night, today I felt pretty decent.

My dogs invited me outside to view the wild violets that have graced our yard all week, so I brought my camera with me and took a few pictures just to prove that what appears to be weeds during the rest of the year are really a yard full of wild violets. They're beautiful this time of year, and the pictures above don't do the color justice.

Other plants are also establishing ground quite nicely. Spring is definitely here.

I sprayed some water on the moth cocoon and gave it some air. It's in a huge glass cookie jar in my garage until Monday. Then I'm taking it to school for it's anticipated emergence.

Just a reminder: don't forget to set your clocks forward tonight. Ugh!! Steve is going to suffer more than I. He has to get up at 4 a.m. for work tomorrow. Poor guy. I miss him when he doesn't get the weekends off.

Today I've been planning and preparing for the VBS training workshop coming up on Saturday the 8th. Went to the dollar store to find some items like baskets and serving plates in bright fiesta colors. Bought some poster board to make five signs, and some colorful placemats. We need scissors, and markers, and lots of other things, but mostly, we need enthusiasm and a desire to make VBS a memorable experience for the kids and the leaders.

Thank you for your comments. I'm well again!