🏫 2023 August FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

AUGUST is 2/3 of the way through the year.  My how the months fly by when you’re older.  Life’s been good, interesting, and a challenge at times, but I’ve learned a lot and appreciate the “weather” of the years.  I hope you’ve had good “weather” with some challenging “weather” throughout your life.  Without the contrast, it would be dull and void of experiences which turn into wisdom if you learn from them.

Soon school will start for some of you and for the children of some of you.  As a retired teacher of many levels of education, except for college, I can identify with what I’m going to share with you below.

ELEMENTARY:  Okay, we’ve got some extra wiggles to work out before we can begin our lesson.  MIDDLE SCHOOL:  As a reminder, the weather is getting warmer.  Let’s all remember our deodorant.  HIGH SCHOOL:  For the love of Pete, put some clothes on!!!  This is a classroom not a beach party!!

The high school one reminds me of a moment when one of my girl students asked me if I wanted to see her new tattoo and piercing.  I had my back turned and answered, “Alright.”  When I turned around, she had pulled her jeans down passed her navel and showed me the tattoo and pierced area around her navel.  I was a bit surprised she’d do that and told her, “Oh my, Brittany, that’s too much information for this old teacher.”  She laughed and went to her seat.  I, mentally, tried to block out the whole scene.

A friend of mine has sent me some published statements made by the VP of the United States.  They really don’t make much sense, if you read and think about what she’s said.  On one particular one is---“IT IS TIME FOR US TO DO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, AND THAT TIME IS EVERY DAY.”  I responded with, “We have been doing what we’ve been doing when we have been doing what we’ve been doing.”  I heard from him about my statement; he put 8 laughing faces icons as his reply.

Ahhh!!!  I sat down to a delicious cup of courage-induced liquid this morning to deal with another day.  There’s nothing like 16 oz. of freshly brewed, hot, dark brown, wake-up-girl, ground caffeinated beans.  I thought as I looked at the cup, “This morning’s liquid courage from Brazil is brought to me by Whitesnake’s ‘HERE WE GO AGAIN’ with Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND’ overtures.”

Brenduhh came over all in a twit.  “Trute, I was talking with someone about an issue and they started an argument with me.  I tried to explain my position, but they just would not listen.  They got mad and said, ‘Oh Brenduhh, just clear your mind!’  I just quit talking to them.  What do you think?” as she explained the issue and her perspective.  I listened and told her she had a valid point in her perspective and to just go on with her plans and thinking.  I didn’t want to tell her ALL of what I was thinking-----“If you cleared your mind, it wouldn’t take long.”

I enjoy watching and listening to BORED TEACHERS.  It’s on Facebook and has various statements and actions from administrators to teachers.  The teachers’ replies run the gamut of funny to serious.  One entry was about lesson plans being expected.  I taught for a long time and found lesson plans to be a good guide for me at times and definitely for a substitute.  Of course, some of my lesson plans in the book looked like flight patterns at a busy airport.  Here is my reply to the lesson plans statement:  “Lesson plans helped the substitute when I was gone, and, also, helped me. BUT, when I was told I had to have DETAILED plans with book name, objective, prediction of outcome, and expected results----------THAT WAS AN INSULT. One time I wrote for Book name---The only red one on my desk with the subject clearly printed on it;  Objective----Get these terrorists to listen and learn; Prediction of outcome-----survival at its fittest; Expected results------leave school unassisted by law enforcement. The principal was not amused. I guess the broom stick up their butt was uncomfortable.

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”  Albert Einstein theoretical-physicist

I stopped in to see Aint Daisy, recently.  I had been very busy helping a dear soul try to change a certain aspect of their life which caused them unhappiness and confliction.  “Hi, Aint Daisy.  I’m sorry I haven’t been over to visit this week.  I’ve been busy trying to help Sara Grace change an issue in her life which makes her unhappy.  She was trying, but another person had criticized her and her efforts so much by mentioning her past mistakes that Sara Grace was a mess.  I need a little advice from you, please.”  I told Aint Daisy about the issue and my efforts and suggestions I gave Sara Grace.  The wise one listened intently, rocked a bit, squinted her right eye, and then spoke:  “Don’t mention a person’s mistakes when they are trying to change.  That’s like throwing rocks at them while they climb a mountain, or throwing mud on them when they’re trying to get clean in a shower.”  I chose to mention that to the person who was criticizing and bringing up the past. ‘More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.

Talking to a friend who was trying to lose weight, I jokingly mentioned rice cakes and what can be done with them.  She scowled and said, “Your joke is tasteless!”

I received a package from AMAZON.  I looked at the address label to make sure it was for me.  This is because I’ve played the game called “Guess what’s in the package and check the address label because I can’t remember what I ordered or when.”  I hope I’m not the only one playing this game.  Gods!!!!

I went to Wal-mart the other day.  To my surprise there was a sign over the self-check out which said, “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.”

When Walmart started selling their brand of wine, there was a contest to name the various kinds.  Here are the entries:  12. Chateau Traileur Parc 11. White Trashfindel 10. Big Red Gulp 9. Grape Expectations    

8. Domaine Wal-Mart "Merde du Pays" 7. NASCARbernet 6. Chef Boyardeaux 5. Peanut Noir 4. Chateau Des Moines 3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!  2. World Championship Riesling And the number 1 name for Wal-Mart Wine: 1. Nasti Spumante

I saw a sign from Illinois Dept. of Transportation the other day.  It said, “Use your turn signals---the original instant messaging.”  If only people would obey the signs and use their turn signals, it would help so much with the swearing I have to do.

I was listening to a gal sing at a certain church.  I knew her and knew she found and uttered notes which weren’t written.  I’ve studied music and, when I was young, worked with a semi-professional opera singer.  So, the unwritten notes performed were a little difficult to listen to.  A friend of mine was with me and knew my background.  After the performance, my friend asked, “So what did you think?”  Being as diplomatic as I could, I responded with, “It brought tears to my ears.  I’ll probably not forget the performance, but I’ll try.”

“When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”  Euripides

I think of this when one of my children has been hurt physically or emotionally.  A mother aches right along with her child no matter how close or far they are from her.  And that “mama bear” protective mode, well, it does not wane-----at least for me it doesn’t.

Brenduhh came over and told me she was going to pay $250 to get all the toxins out of her colon with a cleansing.  I told her to save her money because Taco Bell has a deal for $5.00 or an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Tootles y’all.  Have a great month.   Always, Trudy J