Strawberry Fields of a Different Sort, New York City |
Serenity of the Sea
Sunday, June 30, 2013
June 30,2013 Strawberries#Freezer Jam
Saturday, June 29, 2013
June 29, 2013 RAK at the Grocery Store
Assorted Modes of Transportation, New Orleans |
Friday, June 28, 2013
June 28, 2013 Making Curtains
It is such a pleasure to have a skill that benefits others. I watched my mother sew my dresses when I was young and all girls wore dresses to school. I continued the tradition through high school making nearly all of my clothes. Nowadays most of my projects are given away. The majority of young people don't learn how to sew, but they appreciate the unique design of a homemade item. Today, I made curtains for a family member. They are fully lined with a whimsical print that made me smile while working with it. The project took several hours; however, it was well worth the effort because they will always remind the recipient that they were crafted with care.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
June 27, 2013 Potatoes#Community Garden
Community Garden |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
June 26, 2013 Puppets#Alf
ALF Being Protected by Cabbage Patch Dolls |
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
June 24-25, 2013 RAK at Campground
“Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” | |||
John Muir
The past two days were spent camping in the quiet woods next to a beautiful lake with the loons crying their haunting call. The peacefulness, the tranquility, the solitude make it easy to relax and unwind from the daily grind. Possibilities for random acts of kindness are abundant. There were scraps of litter to collect, returnable bottles to deposit in a wooden box for a scholarship fund, and extra firewood to leave for the next camper at our site. I also paid it forward at the antiques/wood/ice/ beverage store on the corner beside the tiny cluster of homes near the campground. I asked the clerk to tell the next firewood customer that their wood had been purchased. She enjoyed assisting with this plan. Go explore nature; you will return feeling refreshed.
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Sunday, June 23, 2013
June 22-23, 2013 Celebrating Education#Lifelong Learning
A Few Of My Retired Friends |
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21, 2013 New Adventures#Farewell
Farewell |
Thursday, June 20, 2013
June 20, 2013 Teachers Changing Rooms
Dismantling the Classroom |
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
June 19,2013 Work Boots
Assorted Boots |
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
June 18, 2013 Summer Camps for Children
Summer Camp, Oregon |
Monday, June 17, 2013
June 17, 2013 Gifts from the Classroom
Memories from the Classroom |
Sunday, June 16, 2013
June 16, 2013 Father's Day
Winter Hike with Dad, Adirondacks |
Saturday, June 15, 2013
June 15, 2013 End of Career Celebration#Retirement
The Best Colleagues |
Friday, June 14, 2013
June 14, 2013 Relay for Life
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~Mother Teresa
So often people believe that they can't make a difference in their community, their nation, or the world, but there is power in the individual; when one joins another and they grow in number, big changes can happen. Tonight I participated in the Relay for Life gathering when hundreds assemble to raise money and their voices to celebrate those who have beaten cancer and remember those who have lost their battle to this disease. My donation was small; however, when it is added to all the others, a large sum is collected to fund research. It is important to come together and support one another in a concern which affects so many of us.
~Mother Teresa
So often people believe that they can't make a difference in their community, their nation, or the world, but there is power in the individual; when one joins another and they grow in number, big changes can happen. Tonight I participated in the Relay for Life gathering when hundreds assemble to raise money and their voices to celebrate those who have beaten cancer and remember those who have lost their battle to this disease. My donation was small; however, when it is added to all the others, a large sum is collected to fund research. It is important to come together and support one another in a concern which affects so many of us.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
June 13, 2013 Finding Ride Home
Students on School Bus |
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
June 12, 2013 Morning Rendez-Vous #RAK
Children Cooling Off, New York City |
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
June 11, 2013 Students Making a Difference
Students setting up run course to benefit Heifer International |
to reach them. One student has been collecting bottles of toiletries to donate to a group who could distribute them. She and I discussed at length who would benefit from these supplies. After some research on the Internet, I told her I would make a phone call to see if our local aid group was interested. This afternoon I dropped off a large basket filled with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, and soap at our Village Office where they will be given to those who need these items. I applaud the efforts of this teenager to help her fellow citizens. Her commitment to her community is commendable.
Monday, June 10, 2013
June 10, 2013 Pizza for My Seniors
My Seniors |
Sunday, June 9, 2013
June 9, 2013 Friends of Point au Roche
Mary, Greeter at Park Today |
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Saturday, June 8, 2013
June 8, 2013 Iris Bouquet
My Irises |
Friday, June 7, 2013
June 7, 2013 Doughnuts for the Juniors
One of the pleasures of my job as a teacher is that I am often able to work with the same students for several years. This allows me to watch them develop from immature ninth graders into confident, caring, and bright upper class men. Today I said goodbye to my juniors. We have shared much over the past three years, and they know our bond is strong. They were delighted to see the doughnuts on the edge of my desk today, and these treats vanished quickly. These students have left their mark on me and I hope I have made a difference in their lives, as well.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
June 6, 2013 Paying Compliments
My year long project is about random acts of kindness that I perform to brighten the lives of others. But today, during a school assembly, the tables were turned when I was presented with a beautiful scrapbook filled with messages from students (current and former) and my colleagues. I was overcome with emotion which rendered me nearly speechless and on the verge of tears of joy. I am approaching retirement with much a mix of feelings that this public display of appreciation was overwhelming and deeply cherished. Words of thanks do not do justice to express how much I value these personal notes. Please understand that I have been touched profoundly by this gift.
My own RAK today was sincere and basic. I took the time to tell a server in a Starbucks how beautiful her dress was. She beamed as she retold her co-worker my comment. Later, I complimented a salesclerk on her cute, chic haircut. She also, seemed genuinely touched by my words. Paying compliments is so easy,
and the rewards are recognized immediately.
My Students, Pisa, Italy |
and the rewards are recognized immediately.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
June 5, 2013 Youth Hockey
Rural settings often are perceived as void of beneficial activities for young people. However, we are fortunate to have volunteers who are willing to organize and coach youth sports in our area. Children have a plethora of options from which to choose. One organization in particular is the local youth hockey group which was created more than forty years ago to offer a fun program for boys and girls to teach them the basics of the sport. This association was part of our lives for twenty years as our boys spent thousands of hours on the ice.These people became our friends and our family; hockey parents are always there for each other. I heard today that the program is in need of equipment for the little skaters, so I made a donation. It is so important to give back to those groups who have left a deep impression on its members and the community.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June 4, 2013 Roadside Clean-up
One of our active high school organizations, Key Club, was performing their annual clean up of the major state highway in our area. I heard the announcement asking members to gather in the lobby to make their plans. I was sorry that I hadn't known about the activity earlier because I would have enjoyed assisting with the effort. As it turned out, I was able to offer a little aid to two of the participants. While driving down the road, I saw these students walking toward the highway they were to clean, so I offered them a ride. At least, they didn't have to walk the last half mile, and they had more time to gather the litter.
Monday, June 3, 2013
June 3, 2013 Haitian Heroes
“Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”
from Haitian Heroes website
I came upon a large scale photo exhibition in New York City on Central Park West yesterday. I was drawn to the pictures of children with colorful clothing, smiling brightly while the background is filled with drab and dusty images. Each photo is accompanied by a personal story of difficulty, but continued hope for a better future. This is part of the Haitian Heroes project which is an organization whose goal is to reconstruct schools in this country because, as we know, education is the key to unlock the potential these youngsters possess. I made a small donation to this group and encourage you to check out their website at www.haitianheroes.org.
from Haitian Heroes website
Gallery, New York City |
Sunday, June 2, 2013
June 1-2,2013. New York City
Spending time in New York City offers many opportunities for acts of kindness. There is always the occasion to hold the door for people, let someone pass in front of you getting on the subway, or making room for those pulling rolling suitcases on the crowded sidewalks. I couldn't resist giving a little money to the old man shuffling in his slippers between the cars in the traffic jam. One of my favorite actions is to offer to take photos of groups with their camera. They are always so happy to have everyone in the party included. Yesterday one couple thanked me in Chinese (I think), and this morning I got a reply of gracias from a mother and her daughter! Little deeds which bring big smiles.
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