September 11 Postscript

I forgot to mention a lovely thing that happened the other day while I said my prayer at the edge of our creek. A hummingbird whizzed by me and starting drinking from some flowers at the water's edge. It stayed where I could see it, just a couple of feet away, for a minute or two, then zoomed off. It's the first one I've seen in quite awhile, and its timing, I felt, was an omen of hope.

Also, thanks to Kevin Adams, an information specialist in New Zealand, for sharing this selection from a poem recited during ANZAC ceremonies, which commemorate the Battle of Gallipolli. I found them very comforting.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Just to let you know that I am with you on this day.

A quiet sky?

I was upset to learn of the huge inroads West Nile is making among the midwestern bird population. Until this year, I didn't even know mosquitoes bit birds (see, information professionals are not all-knowing, we just know where to look for answers!) Crows and jays are particularly susceptible, although bald eagles, hawks, and owls are also affected. Apparently when birds contract West Nile, they just die--there's not much they can do to fight it off. One of the biggest worries is for endangered birds, whose small numbers may just be wiped out.

Click http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/4056510.htm for the full story.

Friday Five!

1. What was/is your favorite subject in school? Why? History; it embraces every aspect of human life--language, culture, religion, etc. It studies both the ancient and recent past, and helps us understand the present and future so much more.

2. Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Mr. Amos. He had the patience to spend 45 minutes teaching me to stand on my head. He pushed us without breaking us in PE. In history and social studies, he had a "Famous Amos" test where we got extra points for creative writing. He took the fact that his classroom was pink gracefully. And he made it clear that he'd had learning problems as a kid and that different kids learned different ways, so he was one of the most supportive teachers I ever had.

3. What is your favorite memory of school? Eating popsickles and playing with four-o-clock seed "grenades" during Field Day. It's something they did in Louisiana where you had three-legged races, bean bag relays, etc. I was good at the bean bag relays, because the top of my head is a little flat and you couldn't knock one off if you tried, unless I had my head down.

4. What was your favorite recess game? Poison. It had a series of moves played in a four-square block, with one square as the poison square that you couldn't go into. I also loved dodgeball. I was very good at it. For all that I got hit with other types of balls, I could apparently see the big red one better.

5. What did you hate most about school? The other kids. I was picked on, harrassed, beaten up occasionally, that sort of thing. I was a geeky know-it-all with few social skills, and the youngest in the class because I'd skipped a grade. But the only person I ever hit was a neighbourhood bully who was picking on a four-year-old. I learned to mostly read during recess as I got older.

Well, that's enough for now. I think my asthma attack is over (fall weeds, ugh!) and now I can work on the closet (dust, ugh!) Happy Friday the 13th!