I have to say that presidential elections bring the best out in me. This one is turning out to be the most hate filled one in my lifetime. President Obama isn't even running but that doesn't stop Republicans from lying about him. The entire Republican cast of characters is loony--seriously. Every day I can place a quote on my Facebook page that is outrageous. Today, one of the best was the Ted Cruz suggestion of Phil Robertson for UN Ambassador. I can hear it now as Phil takes out his duck call before he speaks. And then there was yesterday, when he suggested as President he wouldn't coddle those soldiers with celiac disease. Did he bother to check if it was a real disease, hell no? Having resided in Texas for 26 years before recently returning to my home state of Pennsylvania, I can tell you Cruz is not who we want for President. Even his college room mate despises him. He's a Catholic who doesn't think the Pope has a right to comment on who is acting like a Christian. Seriously, if the Pope can comment then none of these candidates should be commenting either. Ted has done everything in his power to strip rights from women. I don't know about you, but I sure do not want to go backwards. Cruz is downright creepy. One of the creepiest things he's ever done is read Green Eggs and Ham during his supposed filibuster, although I don't know if that was worse than his Darth Vader imitation.
But, let's not forget the rest of the Republican presidential hopefuls. Next post I think I'll take a look at John Kasich.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Friday, July 4, 2014
Sign Posts
Happy 4th of July! At this point in my life I see it as a signpost that marks the halfway point of my summer. I am well aware today that in a little over a month, I go back to my job as school librarian in Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District. There are a myriad of things that are different about this 4th, however. First and foremost, this coming school year will be my last as a professional educator (not that you ever stop educating). I launched my career in February of 1971, so I've spent considerable time educating young people. My first class of fourth graders are quinquagenerians now (there was only 10 or 11 years separating us). Despite taking time off to be with my own babies, I've still guided kids in every decade since 1971. It's been a rewarding adventure. Regardless of all negative attention education gets these days, I wouldn't change a moment of interaction with my young students. I take great pleasure in hearing and reconnecting with former students. It is amazing the things they remember about their year with me. The end of this school year will come with a bittersweet sadness, but also great anticipation of what will come as I embark on retirement.
I've been busy sewing this summer. Lots of projects in the works. Counting down the days to the start of school means I won't be able to devote hours on end to my creations. Here's a picture of one of my most recent.
I am working on some shirts to give away as prizes to students in my summer reading contest. I am also creating some decorations for my grandson, Robbie's first birthday. Goodness these remaining summer days better pass slowly.
Modano is the other reason for summer to stretch on. No, not Mike Modano, although I do like him. So much so that we named our new puppy in his honor. "Mo" is a delightful yellow lab mix. His parentage is somewhat mysterious as we have no idea who his father was. Our dog trainer rescued a pregnant lab and she gave birth to 9 puppies. Mo was the runt of the litter--but size isn't everything. What he lacks in stature he makes up for in personality. He is the sweetest, friendliest and most willing to please dog I've ever owned...well aside from my sweet Bella. They are getting along quite well, with Bella taking on the role of big sis with gusto. I will miss not spending my days with them when I go back to work.
Summer allows me to spend time with my beautiful grandsons, one almost 12 and one about to turn 1. LOVE our movie dates with Dylan and being able to care for Robbie when he isn't feeling well enough to go to daycare is wonderful too. Both are handsome boys who light up the room with their smiles. In addition, I've gained a granddaughter in Ellie, my son-in-law's daughter.
Much as I'd love the summer to last and last for the three reasons I've already mentioned, I am hoping it flies by too, bringing us closer to hockey season! CAN. NOT. WAIT. for that first game on October 9. We have tickets for 22 games and I am going to love every single one! The new line up of players should guarantee a fabulous season and get us past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
I've been busy sewing this summer. Lots of projects in the works. Counting down the days to the start of school means I won't be able to devote hours on end to my creations. Here's a picture of one of my most recent.
Modano is the other reason for summer to stretch on. No, not Mike Modano, although I do like him. So much so that we named our new puppy in his honor. "Mo" is a delightful yellow lab mix. His parentage is somewhat mysterious as we have no idea who his father was. Our dog trainer rescued a pregnant lab and she gave birth to 9 puppies. Mo was the runt of the litter--but size isn't everything. What he lacks in stature he makes up for in personality. He is the sweetest, friendliest and most willing to please dog I've ever owned...well aside from my sweet Bella. They are getting along quite well, with Bella taking on the role of big sis with gusto. I will miss not spending my days with them when I go back to work.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Not too many words, just pictures. Finally got the camera of my dreams...and I am trying to use it as often as possible. It takes the best pictures and it so incredibly easy to use. My favorite subject is of course my puppy, Bella. She is marvelously photogenic, when you can get her to slow down. Since we were getting ready for the holiday last weekend, I took several pictures of my holiday decorations.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Football!
September 1, 2012
D2 football began last night. This is the time of year when I hate being so far from my alma mater, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. We played in Massachusetts last night and we won, 44-28. There are some things that still concern me, but it was the first game and I think adjustments will be made in future games. We are definitely a rushing team...and sometimes that is bothersome to me, but it keeps the Huskies competitive without a doubt. To all my D2 friends, I invite you to view the picture of the latest north Texas high school stadium. Wouldn't we all love to have this stadium for our D2 teams. This is the brand new, Allen ISD high school stadium.
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On other notes, the first week of school is in the books. All went smoothly, although we are really growing. Not sure of the final count, because I am certain more students will arrive after Labor Day, but we are looking at approximately 580 -600 students with Pre-Kindergarten added in. That's a lot of classes visiting the library so I will be busy!
Once home from work, my days and nights are filled with Bella Zeta. What a beauty she is becoming! Now four months old and about 30 pounds, we are getting a picture of just how big she will become. We're thinking close to 80 pounds. Her personality is lively, but not aggressive. She's friendly, inquisitive, and definitely the smartest dog I've ever owned. Now that can be good and bad. She does respond to commands fairly well and I think once she comes back from professional training she'll be the IDEAL dog. Not that I don't love her already!
D2 football began last night. This is the time of year when I hate being so far from my alma mater, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. We played in Massachusetts last night and we won, 44-28. There are some things that still concern me, but it was the first game and I think adjustments will be made in future games. We are definitely a rushing team...and sometimes that is bothersome to me, but it keeps the Huskies competitive without a doubt. To all my D2 friends, I invite you to view the picture of the latest north Texas high school stadium. Wouldn't we all love to have this stadium for our D2 teams. This is the brand new, Allen ISD high school stadium.
.jpg)
On other notes, the first week of school is in the books. All went smoothly, although we are really growing. Not sure of the final count, because I am certain more students will arrive after Labor Day, but we are looking at approximately 580 -600 students with Pre-Kindergarten added in. That's a lot of classes visiting the library so I will be busy!
Once home from work, my days and nights are filled with Bella Zeta. What a beauty she is becoming! Now four months old and about 30 pounds, we are getting a picture of just how big she will become. We're thinking close to 80 pounds. Her personality is lively, but not aggressive. She's friendly, inquisitive, and definitely the smartest dog I've ever owned. Now that can be good and bad. She does respond to commands fairly well and I think once she comes back from professional training she'll be the IDEAL dog. Not that I don't love her already!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Spinelli's Bella Zeta
There's been a big change at our house. It comes in the form of a little package named Bella Zeta. Bella Zeta means beautiful little girl in Italian, and she definitely fits her name! We picked her up on Sunday, FAther's Day, even though she was a gift for me. She is such a precious little friend. Her mother, Tara, is a Standard French Poodle. Her daddy is a an Italian Spinone.
She has a delightfully pleasant personality, very laid back like her Spinone ancestors, but quite playful as well. She has the most expressive blue-gray eyes I've ever seen in a dog. They say that Spinone eyes are noted for their human like quality and Bella definitely has those eyes. When she looks at me, I melt.
Her first trip to the vet was perfect...no problems. She's already had her first dose of heart worm medication and is scheduled for two more visit to round out her puppy shots. I think I might cry on those days, just as I did when my kids got shots.
And lest you be fooled by her diminutive size, she'll grow...to about 50-70 pounds and 22-26 inches high. More to come!
She has a delightfully pleasant personality, very laid back like her Spinone ancestors, but quite playful as well. She has the most expressive blue-gray eyes I've ever seen in a dog. They say that Spinone eyes are noted for their human like quality and Bella definitely has those eyes. When she looks at me, I melt.
And lest you be fooled by her diminutive size, she'll grow...to about 50-70 pounds and 22-26 inches high. More to come!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
How does this happen?
Being a Pennsylvania native, I have carefully followed the unfolding scandal at Penn State. Several things have really bothered me as I watch the news coverage and videos. What is predominantly on my mind is the failure to consider the safety and welfare of these children that were abused at the hands of Mr. Sandusky while Penn State administrators and coaches knew about it and did nothing.
I've taken the time to read the twenty plus pages of the grand jury indictment. If you haven't read it, you should. You can find it here. I am appalled at the number of victims already uncovered, with the hint that there may well be more. Perhaps the most disturbing fact is that McQueary, then a graduate assistant at Penn State, witnessed a rape of a ten year old boy in the locker room shower of the football facility. Not only did this 27 year old do nothing to stop what was happening, he apparently had to call his dad to ask what to do next. Really? At 27, being a teacher and a mom, I am confident that I would have intervened, even if I needed a baseball bat, and I also would have called the police—that night.
Joe testified to the following in the grand jury testimony:
Joseph V. Paterno testified to receiving the graduate assistant’s report at his home on Saturday morning. Paterno testified that the graduate assistant was very upset. Paterno called Tim Curley (“Curley”), Penn State Athletic Director and Paterno’s immediate superior, to his home the very next day, a Sunday, and reported to him that the graduate assistant had seen Jerry Sandusky in the Lasch Building showers fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy.”
Something of a sexual nature? McQueary testified that he reported what he had seen to Paterno. Read the document to see exactly what McQueary saw. Here’s my next big question. Even if you only heard the words “sexual nature” and “young boy,” wouldn’t that be enough for you to immediately call your superior, not wait a day? And speaking of his superior, am I the only one who is a bit shocked that Joe had enough clout to make his superior come to him, not the other way around? I know I probably shouldn’t be shocked, but I have been out of Pennsylvania for over thirty years.
It was wrong and both of these men knew it was wrong. Yes, Joe notified the proper university officials, but did he ever ask a question about what they did about it. He apparently did not, because several years later, Mr. Sandusky was still recruiting for Penn State. In fact, reports indicate that Mr. Sandusky went on recruiting visits as recently as this past spring, during the grand jury investigation.
Another disturbing fact is that reports of sexual abuse surfaced long before this report by McQueary. According to MSNBC: “ … in 1998, Sandusky was investigated after he was accused of "behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner" with a boy in a shower at the football team's facilities, the grand jury said. The report said an attorney for Second Mile who was also university counsel, Wendell Courtney, was aware of the allegations.” The entire article can be found here. He was observed again in 2000, in the showers of a Penn State facility by a janitor. The janitor tells his immediate superior who advises him to file a report, but since the janitor was a temporary employee, it doesn’t get done. So, 2002 was not the first time that Penn State facilities were used by Mr. Sandusky to abuse young boys, nor was it the first time he was observed or investigated.
Sandusky is arrested on November 5, 2011. Joe makes a statement on Sunday, November 6, 2011, released by his son Scott in which he states: "If this is true we were all fooled ... we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers." Joe goes on to defend his actions in going to administrators and not following up. On Wednesday, the day after his press conference was cancelled, Paterno announces his retirement effective at the end of the season with this pre-emptive warning to the board. "At this moment the board of trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address." (Atlanta Journal) Wednesday evening Joe Paterno is relieved of his position as head coach of the Penn State football program.
What occurs following this is what disturbs and grieves me most. The outrage displayed by the students, alumni and fans of Penn State for the firing of the legendary Paterno, far overshadows anyone’s grief for what has happened to the victims in this scandal. How and why do you side with a man who covered up the acts of a depraved person? The same man who was, until this past week, suggesting they allegations may not be true. Joe, you have at least one eye-witness on your staff and quite probably there are more who were afraid to speak up. Angry mobs overturning a mobile news van, blaming the media for Joe’s dismissal are the scenes displayed across the country and world-wide. When one Penn State grad stands outside the stadium bearing two signs that say, “Put abused kids first,” and Don’t be fooled, they all knew. Tom Bradley, everyone must go.” He is ridiculed, cursed, slapped, showered with beer and over the course of an hour, only one person stopped to agree with the man. (Washington Times article) While the fans inside the stadium seemed reticent and sad, outside the stadium people were still loudly protesting the firing of JoePA. I’ve heard of mob mentality before, even seen it first hand at anti Vietnam rallies while a college student, but I have never witnessed people so concerned with the future of a football program and the 60 year career of an 85 year old man who had clearly not done enough to protect these young victims. Several former players have been heard defending Coach Paterno's actions, saying he did what he had to do. Maybe as suggested in Micah 6:8, he should have done more.I sincerely hope that the board continues to clean house at Penn State. They did the right thing for the student body and the university. Not until the house is clean, can this football program move forward with the pride of Nittany Lions.
I've taken the time to read the twenty plus pages of the grand jury indictment. If you haven't read it, you should. You can find it here. I am appalled at the number of victims already uncovered, with the hint that there may well be more. Perhaps the most disturbing fact is that McQueary, then a graduate assistant at Penn State, witnessed a rape of a ten year old boy in the locker room shower of the football facility. Not only did this 27 year old do nothing to stop what was happening, he apparently had to call his dad to ask what to do next. Really? At 27, being a teacher and a mom, I am confident that I would have intervened, even if I needed a baseball bat, and I also would have called the police—that night.
Joe testified to the following in the grand jury testimony:
Joseph V. Paterno testified to receiving the graduate assistant’s report at his home on Saturday morning. Paterno testified that the graduate assistant was very upset. Paterno called Tim Curley (“Curley”), Penn State Athletic Director and Paterno’s immediate superior, to his home the very next day, a Sunday, and reported to him that the graduate assistant had seen Jerry Sandusky in the Lasch Building showers fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy.”
Something of a sexual nature? McQueary testified that he reported what he had seen to Paterno. Read the document to see exactly what McQueary saw. Here’s my next big question. Even if you only heard the words “sexual nature” and “young boy,” wouldn’t that be enough for you to immediately call your superior, not wait a day? And speaking of his superior, am I the only one who is a bit shocked that Joe had enough clout to make his superior come to him, not the other way around? I know I probably shouldn’t be shocked, but I have been out of Pennsylvania for over thirty years.
It was wrong and both of these men knew it was wrong. Yes, Joe notified the proper university officials, but did he ever ask a question about what they did about it. He apparently did not, because several years later, Mr. Sandusky was still recruiting for Penn State. In fact, reports indicate that Mr. Sandusky went on recruiting visits as recently as this past spring, during the grand jury investigation.
Another disturbing fact is that reports of sexual abuse surfaced long before this report by McQueary. According to MSNBC: “ … in 1998, Sandusky was investigated after he was accused of "behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner" with a boy in a shower at the football team's facilities, the grand jury said. The report said an attorney for Second Mile who was also university counsel, Wendell Courtney, was aware of the allegations.” The entire article can be found here. He was observed again in 2000, in the showers of a Penn State facility by a janitor. The janitor tells his immediate superior who advises him to file a report, but since the janitor was a temporary employee, it doesn’t get done. So, 2002 was not the first time that Penn State facilities were used by Mr. Sandusky to abuse young boys, nor was it the first time he was observed or investigated.
Sandusky is arrested on November 5, 2011. Joe makes a statement on Sunday, November 6, 2011, released by his son Scott in which he states: "If this is true we were all fooled ... we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers." Joe goes on to defend his actions in going to administrators and not following up. On Wednesday, the day after his press conference was cancelled, Paterno announces his retirement effective at the end of the season with this pre-emptive warning to the board. "At this moment the board of trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address." (Atlanta Journal) Wednesday evening Joe Paterno is relieved of his position as head coach of the Penn State football program.
What occurs following this is what disturbs and grieves me most. The outrage displayed by the students, alumni and fans of Penn State for the firing of the legendary Paterno, far overshadows anyone’s grief for what has happened to the victims in this scandal. How and why do you side with a man who covered up the acts of a depraved person? The same man who was, until this past week, suggesting they allegations may not be true. Joe, you have at least one eye-witness on your staff and quite probably there are more who were afraid to speak up. Angry mobs overturning a mobile news van, blaming the media for Joe’s dismissal are the scenes displayed across the country and world-wide. When one Penn State grad stands outside the stadium bearing two signs that say, “Put abused kids first,” and Don’t be fooled, they all knew. Tom Bradley, everyone must go.” He is ridiculed, cursed, slapped, showered with beer and over the course of an hour, only one person stopped to agree with the man. (Washington Times article) While the fans inside the stadium seemed reticent and sad, outside the stadium people were still loudly protesting the firing of JoePA. I’ve heard of mob mentality before, even seen it first hand at anti Vietnam rallies while a college student, but I have never witnessed people so concerned with the future of a football program and the 60 year career of an 85 year old man who had clearly not done enough to protect these young victims. Several former players have been heard defending Coach Paterno's actions, saying he did what he had to do. Maybe as suggested in Micah 6:8, he should have done more.I sincerely hope that the board continues to clean house at Penn State. They did the right thing for the student body and the university. Not until the house is clean, can this football program move forward with the pride of Nittany Lions.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I'm Back!
Who'd have thought I'd been gone from writing this long--certainly not me. Some family problems have filled my days and nights with worry and a little stress, but things are looking up and it is time to write again. That said, heat is on my mind.
I like heat...there's something to be said for spicy Mexican or Indian food, a hot cup of cocoa after a snowball fight, a steamy shower upon waking in the morning. However, I do not like endless days and nights of 90+ degree weather. Who wants to walk in 95 degrees? I long for breezy weather and cool mornings to walk. It also wouldn't hurt if when the sun set, the temperature fell to someplace in the sixties, with low humidity. I long for a lovely porch or patio to share the evening coolness with friends and family.
Such a place does exist, but it isn't here in Dallas. I am so ready to go home to Pennsylvania...where such things do exist. Yes, there are hot days, but a limited number. Yes there are snowy cold days, but that's when I'd enjoy a lovely fire with my feet up and a good book. I think the lure of retirement has me hooked. More to come as I begin planning my journey.
I like heat...there's something to be said for spicy Mexican or Indian food, a hot cup of cocoa after a snowball fight, a steamy shower upon waking in the morning. However, I do not like endless days and nights of 90+ degree weather. Who wants to walk in 95 degrees? I long for breezy weather and cool mornings to walk. It also wouldn't hurt if when the sun set, the temperature fell to someplace in the sixties, with low humidity. I long for a lovely porch or patio to share the evening coolness with friends and family.
Such a place does exist, but it isn't here in Dallas. I am so ready to go home to Pennsylvania...where such things do exist. Yes, there are hot days, but a limited number. Yes there are snowy cold days, but that's when I'd enjoy a lovely fire with my feet up and a good book. I think the lure of retirement has me hooked. More to come as I begin planning my journey.
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