Monthly Archives: November 2015

The Road to 65, Mile 347: Staying Calm in Chaos

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Posted by on in children, Education, impediments

November 10, 2015, Chino Valley- It rained hard, and hailed, in early afternoon.  The last time that happened, my students freaked out and I had to be very firm with them.  Today, also a day before a mid-week holiday, all I had to do was calmly remind them that there was no need to flip out, because of weather. We were all safe and warm, and they decided there was no need for excitement.  I’m very proud of the kids, and see steady progress in a number of areas, both emotional and academic.  They made birthday cards for their last teacher, who retired a month ago, and as it happened, she came by today, so she got the cards.  Nothing could have pleased her more.

I am also making headway with the close-knit adults, and was invited to their Christmas party, in mid-December.  The only impediments to my staying on, it seems, are Pearson Testing Services and the State.  The former is notoriously slow to verify  passing of its exams, and Arizona won’t act until Pearson does.  Eventually, I will get my certification, though, and being calm in the midst of chaos will again pay off.

The Road to 65, Mile 346: Advocacy

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Posted by on in children, Education, Family

November 9, 2015, Chino Valley- I has now been almost a month, since I took on this work.  As I expected, several people have come on my sites and chided me for coming “out of retirement.”  My affairs and choices are mine alone, though, so I take my hat off to those who have stood by my side.  The boo-birds aren’t going to be anywhere around, when I am in the oldest stages of life, and I am determined to not be the least burden to my son and other family.

The bottom line is, I am working  harder than I have in years, because the group of children needs a tireless advocate.  I can go on like this, for at least five years, and longer, if necessary. So, for the next month, and most likely longer, here I am.  I don’t have to be anyone’s favourite.

The Road to 65, Mile 345: Best Laid Plans

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Posted by on in collaborating, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal goals

November 8, 2015, Prescott- I started today by attending breakfast at the American Legion Post, a standard for me on Sunday mornings, over the past four years.  My usual table mate and conversation buddy was not there, due to illness, but there were several others at table, who were fine company.  Many people are ill, at present.  My phone had several messages, pertaining to a paternal aunt who is chronically ill.  Fortunately, she is bouncing back.

Afterwards, I joined a reflection and planning meeting of our local Baha’i community, and made some solid plans for the next three months.  Several people made their needs and wishes known, and we will do our best, as a wider community, to go forward together.  The coordinator plans well, so the meeting kept flowing.  Our next three months ought to be full, and fulfilling.

My energy level was a bit down, after yesterday, so I chose to do laundry, and little else, after the meeting.  Change of seasons, and of temperature, zaps me for a day or two, and early to bed- for a few nights- will make things right again.  My plan to hike Segment 7, of the Prescott Circle Trail, will be brought to fruition next Saturday- if the weather holds.

The best laid plans have to be as flexible as all else in the universe.

The Road to 65, Mile 344: Small Circles

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Posted by on in children, Education, Inner Struggles, Personal goals

November 7, 2015, Flagstaff- I rose early, for a Saturday, so as to get up  here to Northern Arizona University, and take two of the three exams I must take, in order to obtain certification as an elementary teacher (1-8), in Arizona.  I have several other certificates:  Secondary Teacher, Guidance Counselor and Principal.  The position I am now filling, as a substitute teacher, however, is not something I can continue to do, long term, without credentials.

I also think it is high time I moved through the self-doubt cloud, and showed my true abilities, both to myself and to the world at large.  My spirit guides keep saying, “This day of yours will not be followed by night.”  I know this means that the present opportunity will not be taken from me, by shallow politics or my own tendency to trip myself up.

This time, I will be okay, work-wise.  This time, I know how to navigate the small circle which runs the school.  In the past, I gave too much energy to my being an outsider.  That status might still be extant, but the children are who matter most.  I will be standing, at the end of the term, and at the end of the academic year.

The Road to 65, Mile 343: Brief Return

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Posted by on in Family, Hiking and Nature

November 6, 2015, Prescott- Aram spent two days here, and we got all of his possessions packed and loaded for his return to San Diego.  He is standing on his own, in a full-fledged way. I could not be prouder of the powerful, clear-headed, forthright man he has become.  There are times when I wish I could stand as tall, figuratively, but I know it has come hard for him.

We ended his time here with an hour or so hiking in the Granite Dells, north of Watson Lake.  This is an exquisite side trail to Prescott Circle, and one of which I could never tire.

Here are a few scenes.

Granite Dells, north of Watson Lake

The above is the first sight of the Dells, along the Flume Trail, a vigourous hike, which takes the high road to Watson Dam.

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                   The sad part is, there is no flow to Granite Creek here, and it’s algae ridden.

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                                      I was able to make the trail, without a walking stick.

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We spotted a leak in the feeder pipe, attached to the dam.  At least the structure itself is not leaking.

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The next order of business was to head for the overlook.  The Dells and Watson are a divine match.

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                                       I took a rest, among the boulders away from the trail, a bit.

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                          A lone butte, across the road from the trailhead, keeps watch on the Dells.

Our adventure ended around 3:30, then Aram headed back towards his place of maturity.  I tucked into a fine meal at the Legion, and enjoyed a drum circle with friends, later this evening.  It’s been a fantastic day.

The Road to 65, Miles 341-42: The Flow

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Posted by on in children, Education, Family

November 4-5, Chino Valley-  My son arrived on Wednesday evening, for a two-day visit.  Of necessity, he was on his own, for the better part of Thursday, as I had to care for the little ones.  Tasks ranging from administering spelling and reading tests, to enlightening a curious child as to why it is not a good idea to blend marker ink into a cup of drinking water, and call it “Blue Lemonade”, occupied me for the seven hours I devoted to work.

My days are certainly at once exasperating and exhilarating.  Children go through minor crises, and as long as the adults in their lives deal with these at the “minor” stage, they are just fine.  Besides, they notice the skillsets employed, and take these into themselves, for future reference.

My day starts an hour earlier than it used to, and in the dark.  Somehow, though, the tasks I face are de rigeur, and not as draining as they once were.  I chalk that up to the improvements wrought by my essential oil supplements, and the guidance offered me from the world beyond, both on a daily basis.

Son’s presence has made a happy difference, also.  He is taking his stored possessions off my hands, and is ever a source of both intellectual and emotional support.  We indulged in Thai cuisine, this evening, and I was able to offer him a comfortable mattress and warm place to sleep, albeit in the living room of my one-bedroom abode.

Life, no matter what the day’s agenda or the events which bring it to fruition, has come to resemble a flow.  The water within is clear, and envigourating.

The Road to 65, Miles 339-40: Effervescence

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Education

November 2-3, 2015, Chino Valley

Although this deals with two days, I will be succinct.  I feel several changes welling up within me, all of them good.  Some are in reaction to a couple of friends distancing themselves further.  Others have to do with my current working environment:  An odd mix of laid-back, mixed with urgency; innovation, blended with the religious conservative’s passion for order.  I am in a good place here, among some very effervescent people, both children and adults.

The tendency of my eight-and-nine-year olds is to chat, almost incessantly if I were to let them.  Creative work comes second to chatting:  The drawings and the storytelling would be captivating, even to me, were I not after a bigger kettle of fish.  Third grade is a year that has been singled out by the powers that be, as a year that should see measurable intellectual growth.

I believe such growth is happening.  It is obscured by three forces:  Immaturity, which will pass; self-unconfidence, which will dissipate, with a measure of specific praise; and the rudiments of questioning authority, which should only, in my view, be strengthened, and channeled.  “Why, why, why?” states the sign on the upper wall.

We may be able to measure a child’s growth with standardized tests, but the measures will be limited.  Howard Gardner admonished us, long ago now, about recognizing, and honouring, each person’s specific intelligence type.  Gardner was working with populations of Gen-X’ers.  Since his initial research on Multiple Intelligences, more work has been done, with Millennials, and now members of “Generation Z”.  Where he identified five main types of intelligence, many now recognize twelve types. As  we become better-versed in Brain Research, more Intel-types might be parsed.

I am glad to be back in the game, and will remain, whether my role is a “temporary guest teacher” or as more permanent staff.

The Road to 65, Mile 338: Saints and Mortals

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Posted by on in Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Matters of Faith

November 1, 2015, Prescott- 

Day of All Saints

Time to reflect

Transgressions sometimes taint

If one is not circumspect

Day by day,

hour by hour,

Make amends

No matter how much adulation

Showers.

An ephemeral presence am I

in this mortal frame.

Daily circumspection

shall this inner beast

Tame.

The Road to 65, Mile 337: Such Is Halloween

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Posted by on in Entertainment, Historical, Inspiration

October 31, 2015, Phoenix- This day was the first Halloween I have spent away from home, since 1991. The current generation of children are more likely to be confined to one narrow space, or another-either a prescribed street, populated by well-heeled folks, who put up elaborate decorations, or a carefully-arranged event, often (ironically) faith-based.  The turnout on my street, last year, was exactly eight trick-or-treaters.

I had business here yesterday, and elected to stay down in the city, especially after getting invited to a large house party.  The day proceeded as a drive around several Memory Lanes, starting with breakfast at a family restaurant, close to our old house.  It was called Fast Eddie’s, for several years.  Now, it goes by The Cracked Egg.  The Irish Omelet was hot and well-prepared, and the servers congenial.  I like the former name better, but everything else is just fine.  I drove by our former home, finding it occupied by a family who seem to be doing well.  Then, came a visit to Penny’s grave site, where I placed a dozen roses, and reflected on all that we managed to accomplish together, often in spite of ourselves.

After a couple of hours in Sunnyslope’s Acacia Branch Library, and a bit of shopping, I took a couple of strolls around Steele Indian School Park, named for the former Bureau of Indian Affairs residential school, whose vacant buildings are preserved at the site and for Horace C. Steele, a businessman, whose charitable foundation made the park possible.  Several families were enjoying the bright late afternoon, including a few who were fishing the small pond.

After a second stroll, this one at Park Central Mall, which was once managed by my late friend, Mike.  The place was mostly closed for the evening, lending an eerie, but not disconcerting, aura to my time.  It reminded me of a similar walk, last year, at the huge, but silent Frankfurt Messe.

Upon arriving at the aforementioned party, I found myself being greeted by Gomez and Morticia Addams (aka my friends, Jens and Maggie).  There were nearly a hundred people on site, but I seemed to be the only one with a plastic mask (Chewbacca, from “Star Wars”), which precipitated a lot of good-natured chuckles, from the older guests, and eye-rolls from the hipsters.  The food was nice, though, and Maggie’s intense decorations were, as usual, phenomenal.  Three small outbuildings, and the grounds in between, contained theme-park quality displays.  After a few lengthy conversations with some old friends, and new acquaintances, it was time to watch, as Gomez and Morticia offered their signature tango.    We were not disappointed.

I had to head back to Prescott, shortly after 10, but I will recall this much-needed time, reconnecting with old haunts (no pun intended) as a time for grounding.  The coming, very busy two weeks will go much smoother, for the break that was taken.

The Road to 65, Mile 336: Testing

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Posted by on in children, Inspiration, Matters of Faith

October 30, 2015, Phoenix- I came down here, shortly after finishing my laundry.  The first order of business was picking up a list of requirements for me to at long last secure an Elementary Teaching Certificate.  I have several other credentials:  Secondary Teaching, Guidance Counselor and Principal.  Now, towards the final phase of my career, it is high time to complete the circle.

I will need to take three 11/2 hour exams, hopefully on a Saturday, which means heading up to Flagstaff, since Yavapai College, in Prescott, only offers tests when I am working.  Flag is a pleasant spot, and I can head up there on a Friday night, after whatever I am doing is finished.

Anyway, afterward, I spent some time with Aram and his good friend, in north central Phoenix, basically getting updates on various matters, and setting tentative plans for next week.  It’ll be good to have him in Prescott, for whatever fleeting time I can spend with him after work, and then, there will be Thanksgiving weekend, when we can both relax.

Tonight was another bit of “old home week”, as I joined a few friends on the west side of the Metro Area, at a house which Penny and I frequented, once a month, for nearly five years.  The family is one whose children I also watched grow into adulthood; the youngest will graduate high school in May. Some find this a “test”.  I find the attainment of adulthood, by those whose births and childhoods I have witnessed, a supreme confirmation.  They will do well, these Millennials, and so will the next generation, coming right behind them.  Isn’t this part of the wonder of humanity?

I ponder much, in my modest little room, at the Travel inn.