October 19-20, 2015, Chino Valley
Some thoughts on a couple of rainy days:
Awakening under stars,
glorying in a shower.
Glancing at the news,
whilst thinking of my brood.
The clouds ride north with me,
and plot their mid-day reverie.
Some are stranded behind sand-bagged washes,
Most, though, tough out the day,
with galoshes,
and a will that overcomes the driving rain.
For, learning soothes, and ignorance
breeds pain.
Knowledge has sanctity.
Its lack, breeds angst,
you see.
October 17, 2015, Prescott- I have been nominated by http://www.writersdream9.wordpress.com (sorry, no hyperlink on Windows 10) for the One Lovely Blog Award. .
The rules of this are as follows:
1. You must thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
2. You must list the rules and display the award. (These are the rules. I have no idea how to cut and paste the award.)
3. You must add 7 facts about yourself
4. You must nominate 15 other bloggers and leave a comment on one of their posts to let them know they have been nominated.
Some facts about myself:
October 14, 2015, Chino Valley-
The little girl registered a mild objection to my changing the morning schedule, from “Science”, which she loves, to “Writing”, in which she has little self-confidence. I had something up my sleeve, which required the presence of the three students who were off being tested.
Outside our south window, there is a fallow garden plot. The school’s director has hinted at “how nice” it will be for the plot to be reseeded, and tended. The day has fallen into my lap. After, lunch, with all the children back in the room, I told them of my lesson plan. We would go out to the garden, and whilst there, brainstorm as to what could be planted. Each child was to make a wish list, with no immediate restrictions, other than that it must be something that will either grow or will help things grow.
After twenty-five minutes, in the garden, some of the eight-year-olds got restless, so we went back inside the classroom. The rest of our class time was spent with each student stating what was on her/his wish list and me recording and tallying the items on the white board. This is a huge deal for several of the kids, not the least of whom is the girl who bemoaned the lack of a science lesson, this morning.
There is much ahead. The students will now need to look up their plants, see what type of soil, planting specifics, watering level and frequency, climate and nourishment they will need, how to guard against pests, which animals best pollinate the plants, and how much work it will take to raise the intended crop.
This will be a major class project, and will be integrative learning, involving reading, math, science, social studies, writing and social collaboration. Add to this, all the rest that is on tap for the year, and we should see measurable growth in this class.
October 10, 2015, Prescott- I took three hours, this afternoon, to begin my series of hikes around Prescott Circle. It is a 51-mile loop, that connects several of our area’s natural wonders. As is my wont, I am doing the circuit in clockwise fashion. So, I started with Segment 10, which takes in a very familiar stretch: Pioneer Park. This is a huge greenbelt in northeast Prescott, with a rim trail that looks down on a series of groves, comprised of juniper pine and scrub oak. The park has 9 miles of hiking trails, in addition to Prescott Circle, which goes along the park’s northern edge, then dips down and passes through Pioneer’s ball field, before continuing on.
I have hiked in this area several times, but looking at it as part of a whole gives Pioneer Park a fresher meaning. The strength that comes from walking 9.6 miles round trip is an added benefit. Tomorrow, if my chores and acts of service are done, I will pursue the next segment, also in familiar areas: The Embry-Riddle Forest Preserve and Willow Lake.
October 6, 2015, Sedona- After dealing with more computer work, regarding a legal matter, I headed out for a day’s respite, stopping first at Mortimer Family Farm, in Dewey. The Fall is in full swing at this exhilarating place. As you can see, the pumpkins,alone, will delight dozens of school children this season.
My other purpose was to pick up one of their delectable sandwiches, along with a piece of Pumpkin Pie Fudge and a mocha espresso, for a roadside picnic. This ended up taking place at Crucifixion Point, a Forest Service Day-Use area, which was closed and locked. Nothing prevented me from parking outside the gate and enjoying a pleasant meal, though.
Then, it was off to Sedona. I stopped at the community college branch and inquired as to the road to Honanki, a Pueblo ruin on the West Side of town. I was told that I was not to go in there unless riding in a commercial jeep. I know this is a bunch of hooey, and figure the staff member must have some interest in the jeep outfit. Rather than waste time, I headed to a tried and true hiking path: Little Horse Trail and Llama Trail. Little Horse, which I last hiked three years ago, heads to Chicken Point (seen below) and Submarine Rock.
It also connects with a trail to the Chapel in the Red Rocks.
About 2/3 of the way to Chicken Point, I veered off Little Horse, and took Llama Trail. This brings the hiker back around to the south, towards Courthhouse Butte and Bell Rock. At one point, Llama Trail has one in a place that is equidistant from Cathedral Rock (west), Madonna and the Nuns (north), Courthouse Butte (east) and Bell Rock (south). I chose that area to pray, take a drink from my water bottle and write reminiscences of my July trip to California. Sedona has several vortices, and this felt like one of them.
While I was praying, I was greeted by some local residents.
Here are two shots of Madonna and The Nuns.
Courthouse Butte is not to be outdone.
Nor are Bell Rock,
or Cathedral Rock.
Llama Trail ends at Courthouse Vista, about 1 1/2 miles south of where my car was. So, in the interests of not being caught up in an approaching thunderstorm or out after dark, I took Bail Trail, a 1/4 mile connector, to Bell Rock Path, then back to Little Horse and my way home.
As it happened, I drove through the rain easily, and got home in time for another fine Arizona scene.
October 4, 2015, Prescott- I went to view the film, “The Martian”, this evening, it being one of three offerings that pique my interest, among the films being shown at our local Picture Show Cinema. I like that theater, because of the $5 Senior tickets. It is always crowded, as the General tickets are also economical.
“The Martian” focuses on Matt Damon’s character, and his solitude on Mars. An equally interesting backflow is the depiction of two strong women astronauts- the Commander (Jessica Chastain- always a force of nature) and the Engineer (Kate Mara). The men on the crew, including Damon’s character, look upon these two as equals, if not superiors.
I’ll not say anything further about the film. It’s too much worth seeing on your own. The thoughts it generated in me were that we have finally reached the time, as a species, when gender should have nothing to do with limiting who is a role model for whom. A strong woman is vital to the self-concept of young girls, AND there is much that boys can take away from her example. This shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Girls have looked up to men, as character models and teachers, for hundreds of years.
When I was at Hope Fest, yesterday, the Security Team was led by a young woman, who stood 5’1″. She had gravitas, a very strong sense of command. This is the sort of presence that will, over time, serve to erase sexism and misogyny. I have written, previously, of a time when my 50-year-old self worked under the supervision of an 18-year-old woman, who simply had deep knowledge of the particular situation, and was worthy of every ounce of respect I mustered. I would not have done well in that situation, without her leadership.
We are entering a fine New Age.
October 1, 2015, Chino Valley- I made my last visit to Del Rio School for a while, spending the day with a class of second-graders, with whom I have worked a few times in the past. I will actually miss this school, and several others, but throwing myself into the well-being of a specific group of children, day-to-day, for at least two months, and hopefully longer, is something I need to do. It’s necessary for my own sense that I can do good by a classroom, over a long period of time. It’s necessary for the children, whose skills are undeveloped, and thus seen by the Masters of the Universe as “low”.
In another iteration, I covered for a teacher on maternity leave, for five months. The children loved me, and I, them. I had the support of the school administration. The teacher, sad to say, did not like my work and made it very clear, especially at the end. I digress.
It was a good day today, and it will be another good day tomorrow, at Mile High Middle School, in Prescott. I can work in Prescott schools on Fridays, until the Winter Break, at least, so the separation is less than final. My first priority, though, will now be Mingus Springs’ third grade class.
October will see me back on the trails- the first few days of Fall Break- next week, and on several weekends hereafter. Son will be out here, at the end of the month, and I will make my now traditional visit to San Diego, at Thanksgiving time. My Faith also factors directly into the schedule: Besides being the cornerstone of my daily life, Baha’i events will occupy me, this coming Saturday, (as will community service, here in Prescott); at the beginning of November and on several days throughout the Fall. I can never tell when the needs of trusted friends may arise and take me off on an errand of mercy, as happened a week ago, today.
October is always a fascinating month- and not the least because of our fun traditions of Halloween. I have always enjoyed treating children, from my front door, over the years, in places like Toltec City, Tuba City, Jeddito, Salome, Phoenix and Prescott. This Halloween will find me at a friend’s house in Tucson, perhaps finagling front door duty.
The crispness of the air, and the changing leaves of the Northland, will also bring me and mine a renewed energy. I had my mid-year check-up yesterday, and all my vitals are in top form. Fall will be a great season.
September 30, 2015, Chino Valley- This was a good day to meet more of the parents of my eight-year-olds, to learn more of how I might best serve them, in two-weeks’ time, and to develop more rapport with a man who has been attending our Wednesday night information sessions. It was also a good night for Thai food.
Today would have been Penny’s 61st birthday. She and my sister regarded the last two days of September as a special forty-eight hours, and always sent special greetings to one another. I certainly concur with their assessment- no two women, of our age group, were ever more important to me. Now, there is a three-day stretch, as my youngest grand-niece was born two days ago.
It’s useless to speculate, as to what my wife would have done, had she lived, or more importantly, had she not fallen to the gradual wasting of Adult-Onset Polyglucosan Body Disease. I am sure she would have brought more joy and learning, to more children, and we would have continued to cast aside what few barriers there were between us- our marriage was always the most important thing.
Now, I feel her presence, telling me to return to full-time service as a teacher, for five years, or as long as I can maintain clarity and energy. I am also to remain fully active, so the things for which I have become known online, over the past four years, will remain a part of me- just in a less intensive, and more focused mien.
She is never far, and when our Ever After comes, all I can want is to deserve her pride in what I have done.
September 29, 2015, Chino Valley- I spent the afternoon up here, meeting parents of some of my students and going over materials and procedures with which I will carry on this teaching enterprise, starting October 12.
Today is my only sister’s birthday, so I gave her a call. She and her husband are in the midst of a long-desired trip, seeing fabulous wilderness, in another part of the country. It does my heart good to see this, with her life of service having in some ways eclipsed my own. Her four children and seven grandchildren stand in testament to this.
Sis has been my friend and confidant for most of our lives. She has survived challenges that would make a lesser person fold up the tent and head for cover. She has kept on, taken one day at a time, and has never lost her joie de vivre, or ever-present smile. She has never lost her love for family, or sense of what is right.
On this day, I can only offer thanks for her presence, and for her unwavering support through the tough years of my beloved wife’s decline. I am blessed with the best of families, and Sis is no small part of that. May these birthdays long continue.
September 28, 2015, Prescott- One of my outwardly less successful endeavours, over the years, was my principalship at Chilchinbeto Community School, between Chinle and Kayenta, on the Navajo Nation, in northeast Arizona. It was, in more ways than one, a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One of the silver linings, in that dark academic year, 1998-99, was the presence of Youth Empowerment Services, and Tom Riggenbach, who was my second-in-command. YES, led by Tom, has empowered the youth of the Navajo Nation, for nearly twenty years. Their Chuska Challenge, a bicycle marathon, through some of the Nation’s wildest and most beautiful country, has brought people from the world over into contact with local youth, in a far more up-close manner than is provided by jeep tours through Monument Valley, or the purchase of a rug at Hubbell Trading Post. The Dineh’s traditional love of running has also been rekindled, through efforts such as this.
Tom refers to the enterprise variously as Tour de Rez and Gran Forno (an Italian term for the type of bicycle marathon, typified by Tour de France. The Chuska Range is not for the faint of heart, and Tom has never been in that category. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, in the tumultuous aforementioned year, but I always commanded his respect, and he, mine. He has given a tremendous amount of his energy and drive to the betterment of thousands of Native American youth, and so it continues.
To the extent that I was able to encourage YES, and see the program expand throughout the Four Corners region, my time in Chilchinbeto was not misspent. I look forward to seeing many more years of Gran Forno in the Chuska.
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