Category Archives: Education

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 21

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Historical, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Striving

July 12, 2026- I heard Hana crying, this evening, so I went down to see what was going on. She was in the crib and wanted to get out-but it was bedtime. Her Daddy was right there, calmly waiting her out. She was excited that I had come in the room, but Papa was not rescuing her from her parents’ rules.

I went for a walk, instead, after saying “Goodnight” to her. Outside, the air was clean and cool. There was a small “rainbar” off to the east, as I walked along Red River Road, through a small section of Hoblitzelle Park, as far as the elementary school where Hana would study, if we stay here that long. (We’re doing fine here, but the kids are always looking for better opportunities-as well they should.)

While Aram was still at Drill, this afternoon, the three of us went to downtown Plano, with Yunhee and I enjoying iced maple lattes and a Cruffin, whilst Hana chilled in her stroller, just taking in the sights and sounds of Lemma Coffee House. After that, we walked over to Bibliobar, the small eclectic bookshop, where I gleaned, and purchased, a story about a little girl looking for home. It will be nice to read to Hana, as she grows.

HANA’S NOTE- Papa is usually indulgent, so I tried to get him to take me out of my crib-but, nothing doing. He backs my Mommy and Daddy up-darn!

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE- 1964 I was in full puberty in Grade 8-actually, I had been for the previous two years. I was also gawky and had buck teeth, so not really boyfriend material. I made my share of friends though, once over the nervous tics that only put a wedge between me and the rest of the class. Grade 8 came to an end, in a peaceful way. The arsonist was caught, by good old Mr. Casey, after he tried to set fire to Veterans Memorial School, where we had transferred after the East Wing Fire and where Bill had transferred to work as custodian. The firebug was a classmate of ours, mentally ill and a loner. He got some of the help he needed, after that run of destruction.

My youngest brother, Brian, came along right after I “graduated” Grade 8. Being thirteen and a bit emotionally awkward, yet, I wasn’t the greatest big brother in the world-still focused on teasing David and on my own concerns. Brian and I grew to love one another, and in truth, we were the “Challenge Bookends’ for our parents. Me, by a series of bad choices’ and he, through no fault of his own. His life of physical and mental challenges was anchored by his loving nature, though, and he gave of himself as much as he could.

Grade 9, back on a normal high school schedule, after the reconstruction of the East Wing, was chaotic in other ways. The number of competent teachers we had this year: Two- the English instructor, the venerable Mrs. Adlington and the P.E. teacher, the unconventional, but very effective, Mr. McNeil. The other four need not be mentioned by name. Three were nice enough people-but incompetent. The fourth was just a nasty individual. I got along better with most kids this year.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 20

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Striving

July 11, 2026- Hana was in her glory, this morning, as she had her Mommy to herself. She delights in my presence, yet, as one might expect, Mother is supreme. While they played and Yunhee fed her lunch, I went on a few errands-at Plano Farmers Market and H.E.B. Gas is a bit cheaper at the latter place than anywhere other than Costco-which is on the southwest end of town. My errands were on the northwest. I got lobster rolls for the three of us adults, as there was a food truck out of Dallas that offered wild-caught lobster, from the Gulf of Maine. That is a once-in-a great-while treat, as you might imagine.

Once back, I played with Hana for a while, showing her again about sitting with both buttocks on the floor. She managed to do that, for several seconds, and began to hop a bit. During the course of the day, and for the past few days, Hana has been vocalizing a lot more also. The cadence of her sounds suggests a message, an urgency, that is also reflected in her face. When we appear to understand that she is serious about the matter, she is pleased and we go through the anticipated needs she may have-food, milk, a clean diaper, exercise-or just someone to be with her. My granddaughter is a social being, much like her father and grandmother.

HANA’S NOTE- Of all the stories that Papa reads me, I like the princess stories the best, especially if the girls have to actually do something. I won’t be a lazy girl. That would be boring.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE, 1963- The first half of this year was not at all bad. I had a generally good experience in the rest of Grade 7. We spent a lot of time at the ocean (Lynn Beach) and at a pond (Breakheart). I had a good summer with the Boy Scouts also-a fair amount of camping. I left, though, at the end of summer-feeling hamstrung by my poor swimming ability. Aquatic skills are required for higher ranks in the Scouts.

Eighth Grade, though, brought hardship. A few bullies made a big deal about my autism, which was not really yet a diagnosed thing back then. I was just “weird”, in their view. I managed to do fairly well, academically, except for Math, where we were set to learn the binary system. The first quarter was terrible,but with tutoring from a next door neighbour, I made it back to ‘B’s and C’s’, the rest of the year. The Math teacher backed me up, when I stood up to the bullies. After that, things were okay for me, personally. For the school as a whole, though, it was one disaster after another. Someone set the old Junior High on fire. It burned to the ground, for the most part, leaving only a small section-which was renovated and became an elementary school. We were sent to the East Wing of the High School. There, we did double sessions, sharing with the freshman high school students. We went during the morning and the 9th graders went in the afternoon. The East Wing would itself later be destroyed by arson. While we were still there, though, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, TX, by a still indeterminate number of shooters. I have, on balance, a sad remembrance of 1963.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 18

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Historical, Personal Values, Social, Striving

July 9, 2026- It came close to 100 F, today. We went on a shortened walk, along a shady area of Greenfield Avenue, early this morning-even before the road crew began their work of replacing warped sidewalk panels. Hana didn’t mind the walk; she fell asleep in the stroller.

Her receptive vocabulary seems to be increasing. She responds with “Yeah!” after I make a comment about something one of her parents says over the phone. She is also very vigilant about where we are, when she knows we are at home. She doesn’t outwardly worry too much when we are out of the house, as long as one of us is with her. I explain where I am going, when I have to leave her sight for a minute or two. She is always in a safe place, when that happens. She understands and plays nicely until I get back.

Much of our time together is spent with me reading to her, or telling her about things that she can observe. I also talk about the items that her mother leaves for her to have for lunch. This evening, when Yunhee was late getting home, I fed Hana some yogurt and cucumber, She finds yogurt a bit strange in taste, but she eats it willingly.

HANA’S NOTE- I crawl over to Papa, from inside the play pen, whenever I see him reading his book. I just want to make sure he still sees me. He always smiles when I crawl over to him. I like being close to the ones I love.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE: 1961- Fifth Grade saw two of the Felton School’s custodians pass away, within five months of each other. Neither man was that old, but the schools, in those days, used old-style boilers. Working in an old basement couldn’t have been too healthful The second custodian, Mr. Hazel, was succeeded by Bill Casey, a much younger, and healthier, man, who also took an interest in the well-being of us students.

In Grade 6, our teacher, Mrs. Arkins, was also the building Principal. As such, she was a mild disciplinarian, but a fair teacher. I learned about decimals and per cents, and reached Grade 8 reading level. We studied about weather patterns, made more vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, and studied about the “Old World”-Eurasia, Africa and the Pacific Basin-including Australia. I continued to excel in spelling, but then found myself “zoning out” more, when it came time for parts of speech. Somehow, I caught up on that topic, by December.

My best friend, until June of that year, was a girl whose father had played for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, before starting his own business in Saugus. He found an opportunity to build a stronger enterprise in Buffalo, so they moved.. I befriended the family that moved into their house, but I missed Ellen.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 17

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

July 8, 2026– “AMPA!!” My granddaughter called to me, while she was in the playpen and I was in another room. She keeps close tabs on loved ones.

These things also happened today: A spammer called me and left a voice mail: “Gary, can you hear me?” I deleted the call and the voice mail. I do not answer anyone who hides behind a number.

Aram dealt very well with a private matter that was making him nervous. He handled it himself, as I knew he could.

Hana fed herself some of the beef and spinach that could be easily picked up with her fingers. I told her I was proud of her. I, of course, fed her the rest of the meal.

We went out for our walk, before the temperature got too hot, just before her lunch. The sidewalks are being replaced at the cul-de-sac corners, so the first part of our walk involved sharing the cul-de-sac with a couple of vehicles. We had enough room to pull off to the side, until they went by. The rest of the sidewalk was open.

After her lunch, I brought Hana into the kitchen, while I fixed mine. When she saw the container of sliced watermelon, she said “watermelon!”, in a hopeful manner. I told her I’d have to ask her mother first. Yunhee said, this evening, that she thinks watermelon is too sweet for Hana right now. The girl was sitting there and more or less shrugged her shoulders.

HANA’S NOTE- So many yummy-looking things in this house. I get a few of them. Mommy says NO to sugar and salt. Those must be not good for me. I would eat them anyway, so I am glad my grownups keep me safe.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE, 1960- Grade 4 ended, with me knowing all multiplication and division tables, cold, as well as the steps for long division. Mrs. Kimball, it turned out, had been dealing with a serious health issue. She would only teach a few more years,

My second brother, Glenn, came along, right after school was out for summer. All three of us boys were in one bedroom, after he reached six month, and was in a crib. That was while I was in Grade 5. Miss Hanlon, our teacher, told us that a man and a woman working together can accomplish a lot more than two men or two women. I saw this in action, with my parents, especially once Dad went back to day shift. Miss Hanlon taught us more about kickball, which the previous two teachers had started letting us play. I was never very good in sports, but I could at least kick the ball to the outfield and catch it fairly well.

John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States. We were all proud because he was from Massachusetts and was fairly young.

Saddest of all, though, we lost our Grandma. She was the one who kept Cheryl and me feeling secure, when both of our parents had to go grocery shopping on Saturday mornings, when we lived on Central Street. She would come to visit us on Adams Avenue, taking the bus to the corner and walking up the street, always wearing a full dress. I missed her terribly.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 15

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Education, Family, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

July 6, 2026- After a fitful sleep last night, my granddaughter slept much of the day, and still had no trouble drifting off to sleep this evening. She doesn’t seem sick at all. She is highly intuitive, though, and like her grandmother, is jolted awake by what appear to be intense dreams. She can’t tell us what they are about, so all her parents can do is hold her until she feels safe again.

It is just as well that she needed so much rest. The folks drove off with the stroller, as we’d used it for yesterday’s outing, and just forgot to bring it back inside. So, Hana and I were stuck inside for the day. She can only sit and listen to stories for so long, and the play pen gets old after a few hours. She does like sitting and watching me take care of certain tasks,cleaning the kitchen or folding her clothes. I explain what I’m doing, so she can put words to actions. She indicates understanding by saying “Yeah” or “okay”.

HANA’S NOTE: I don’t know what to call it, but there was a scary thing that made me scream in my sleep, last night. Daddy was there to make me feel safe. I felt better during the day, since Papa was also there to protect me, in case the scary thing was real.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE-1958 During the second half of Grade 2, we started more study of science. Mr. Eddy, the Superintendent of Schools, came by a few times and told us that the United States would have a Space Program and would also be sending rockets into space. We also started having air raid drills. Some of us thought Mrs. McCarrier had said earache drills, but we got under our desks anyway, when the siren went off. I never had earaches, so it struck me as just a few minutes of pretending I was hiding in a fort.

Grade 3 brought us under the tutelage of Miss Nugent, a young, very pretty woman. She was , more importantly, an excellent teacher of multiplication and I had Tables 1-6, 8 and 10 mastered by December. Mom made me practice my cursive writing at home Between Mom and Miss Nugent, I also made progress in reading and was at Fifth Grade level by December. I realized one other thing- I was definitely drawn to pretty girls and having a lovely teacher didn’t hurt.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 14

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Historical, Matters of Faith, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

July 5, 2026- The fireworks were so much fun for people, the past two nights, that there were a few sets going off tonight. We just went about our business. For Hana, that meant sleeping soundly through it all.

She is focused on her sitting up, which is getting longer, with less help. She knows now to use one hand to prop herself and can stay upright for 4-5 minutes, before wanting to move on to something else-and then sitting up again.

Our focus today was an early birthday celebration for Aram, who has chosen to work on Tuesday, his actual birthday. Hana understood that it was Daddy’s special day. When I left, in mid-morning, for a Baha’i devotional, she was puzzled as to why I was leaving the house alone. I promised that I would be back in time for the family outing.

At noon, we all went to a place called BBQ Chicken, and enjoyed two varieties of said item, Hana sat patiently in her stroller, while the three of us ate. We then went to Daiso, a Japanese dry goods store and picked up a few things-among them, a rain coat for me and a body bib for Hana. I also stopped in at 85 C and bought mini pineapple cakes for Aram’s birthday celebration. It was a nice afternoon, though probably less than exciting for our girl.

HANA’S NOTE- I was confused when Papa went out alone, after my parents said we were all going somewhere. I asked Papa why he was leaving, and he said it was to a devotional, whatever that is. Anyway, he came back right at Noon, and we went for Daddy’s birthday. This is the first time I have heard the word birthday. Yesterday was “America’s” birthday. I would like t meet that lady someday. She seems pretty popular.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE-1957 During the second half of First Grade, Miss Lavin took us, on foot, to the Saugus Public Library. She rang her bell the whole way down Central Street. We were all guided by police officers, who stood at each intersection. It was a nice introduction to the Library and I got my first card that day.

In the summer,I was given my First Communion, a Roman Catholic sacrament. It was my first time wearing a suit and tie, also. For the next six years, I had to go to Sunday school, every week after Mass.

Second Grade started in September. Mrs. McCarrier was our teacher. She showed us subtraction and two-digit addition, plus how to tell nouns from verbs and articles. We began the SRA program, a reading enhancement tool. I did well in it, but didn’t get along with the instructor, who had no patience for students who read at a higher level. I never understood her reasoning. In October, our Principal. Mr. Lynch, told us about the launch of Sputnik, a Russian satellite, which was the first rocket launched into space, That was our first school-wide assembly.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 13

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July 4, 2026- Today is America’s 250th “birthday” as an independent country, marking the Declaration of Independence. Of course, five years of struggle ensued, before the Continental Army, with help from France and the German state of Prussia, defeated the British Armed Forces, which had their own help from the German state of Hesse.

Hana was feeling independent today, and so got everyone out of bed, fairly early this morning. It is our dry season, so the sun shines brightly very early into the east-facing windows, one of which is facing her crib. She will face her parents’ bed and call to them. Usually, on a weekend, that means time in their bed, and if she is in the mood fro crawling around, as she was this morning, there is no sleep-in. I am up by 6 or 6:30, anyway, so hearing her on the baby monitor at that hour was not difficult.

We largely spent the day at home, tending to cleaning issues. I got to Farmers Market and Saved by the Bagel, this morning. I got our watermelon, which will be enjoyed tomorrow, as sweet cantaloupe- the best I’ve had in years, was our mid-afternoon treat. We went to HMart, in the afternoon, to get the meat that Yunhee will need for the week’s meals. Aram “won” a blue dinobear for Hana, at the HMart Grip and Grab Arcade (only in Anime is there a dinosaur-bear hybrid. It is made to look cute and plush, though, so Hana took to it right away.

She has also started to stand straight up (with support), when her clothes are being changed. I get the feeling she is trying to help. She will need to convince her father of this; he wants her to lie still-though it is actually easier to put on an outfit, when standing. She is still working on sitting up, also, thus giving the impression of a child working overtime on developmental activities.

HANA’S NOTE- I don’t know much about birthdays, but my family has been talking about Daddy’s birthday being in a few days. America’s birthday is today. Who is she and why does everyone have the day off?

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE; 1956- I walked to the Felton School, for First Grade, two days after Labor Day. Mom walked me there, with Cheryl beside her, and David in a stroller. Our teacher, Miss Lavin, taught us to print our names and to spell Felton School, as well as Saugus, and several other words. She also taught us to add and subtract single digits, and built on what Mom had already taught me about reading. David surprised me one day, when I went home after school and he showed that he could walk. My reaction was-“Look out, world!”

The Hana Chronicles: Month 6, Day 4

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Posted by on in children, Education, Family, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Striving

June 25, 2026- Hana sat up twice today, on her own. She called to me, both times, so that I knew she had reached her goal. Of course, she will build on this and be able to sit without support, for several minutes at a time, well before reaching 7 months.

In setting tasks for herself and practicing diligently, until she completes the task, Hana is a mirror of her grandmother. Penny always had a project or mission to accomplish. In many ways, Yunhee,, always doing some work on behalf of her daughter, is likewise setting the example. Hana notices what is being done on her behalf and part of her already wants to emulate purposeful activity. In her large playpen, my granddaughter is always on the move.

In my own sphere, any thoughts of slowing down have been quickly disabused. In keeping watch over this dynamic little girl, I will be just as occupied as in the days of community service and travel. Then again, slowing down was never my intention when I came here. Whether there is one grandchild, two or three grandchildren, the joy of passing the baton will be long in playing out.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 5, Day 30

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Entertainment, Family, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

June 20, 2026-

The play pen doubled in size, this afternoon, an advance gift to Hana as she reaches six months. Her mom and dad worked hard on this, and she appreciated it on a certain level. She will have a lot more room to exercise and is very close to being able to sit up. without assistance. That would be a fine gift to Aram, for his first Father’s Day.

She has also resumed sleeping on her back, which will be more restful for her spine. It could be her body’s cue for both sitting and trying to stand up, but we’ll see. Solstice energy may also be coming into play here.

My day was fairly quiet- a trip to Farmer’s Market and over to Staples, for photocopying in advance of my hosting of a devotional tomorrow. We looked at our two trees in front. One of them will at least need to be trimmed. The days of yours truly going up on a 12-foot ladder, saw in hand, are most likely over- if only for son’s peace of mind. We will hire a tree specialist.

As we took a brief stroll, this evening, the strains of South Asian music-either Indian or Pakistani, could be heard coming from the ramada at Hoblitzelle Park. This bodes well for the summer nights ahead. We could go over and sit for a while, as Hana gets older. For now, though, it’s bedtime at 7 or 7:30.

The Hana Chronicles: Month 5, Day 29

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Education, Family, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 19.2026- Juneteenth, and the skies were raging! We awoke to heavy thunder and lightning, with about 3″ of rain falling, during the course of the morning. Aram went into work, driving carefully, on roads that were not yet waterlogged. The flash flood watch came a little later.but we were happily inside, until the rain stopped. There was no walk for Hana today, though. The stroller does not need to be pushed through mud, which usually runs onto sidewalks and gullies that form on the inside lanes of surface streets.

It goes without saying, that I will encourage Hana to resist any unlawful authority. I will tell her to respect and obey her parents, teachers and police. I will tell her that anyone who disrespects her person has not earned her respect. I will tell her that there is a system for reporting unprofessional behaviour by those who are vested with authority, and that her parents and I will be the first people to whom she should report such things.

This is the legacy of Juneteenth, that no one need consent to slavery under another human being-or group of humans. This is so, no matter the economic, political or social status of the would-be enslaver. Not all enslavement is plantation-based, as we see from the Epstein files and other accounts of human trafficking. No one deserves to be under another person’s thumb, no matter the initial enticement.

My granddaughter will know this, from the time she can walk.