Thanks for Noticing Me~

 This is supremely my most beloved goblet. I utilize it at daybreak to hold the coffee I consume. I make use of it during the day to devour water and I employ it in the evening to savor my tea. This chalice is a gift from one of my former students whom I absolutely adore. ‘M’ is a fantastic young lady (read about her here) and I take pleasure in her company.

I find the beaker irresistible because it has my preferred colors: pink, purple and of course, Carolina blue. I am a passionate fan of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, but most of all, I love it because printed on the surface of the mug are the words ‘Thanks for noticing me’. The metaphor of the gift from a special needs child doesn’t escape me.


In light of the post I submitted entitled Titles and Labels which generated very thoughtful and profound comments; thank you my friends, the theme hasn’t faded from my mind. Interestingly enough, a certain reflection came to light as I stared at the phase on my stein: ‘Thanks for noticing me!’
 

Isn’t that precisely what we all want? Regardless of how we are or may be labeled as a result of dress, mannerisms or actions to be noticed, or recognized--a basic human need is to seek and gain the attention of others.

Just look around-do you know someone who screams ‘notice me!’ with their antics? How about the ‘drooper’ as my son calls the individuals whose pants sags far below their underpants? What about the child who acts out by spitting or touching an object when already told ‘no’? Furthermore, think of the gun wielding individual who threatens suicide. We knowingly or unknowingly ‘label’ individuals who are different.
As an adult, most of us have learned adequate socialization skills to be more subtle in our endeavors, but nonetheless, when we find ourselves exhibiting certain actions or conduct to obtain a result, don’t we all want to announce; Thanks for noticing me!?
I know I do~

"When we talk about understanding, surely it takes place only when the mind listens completely - the mind being your heart, your nerves, your ears- when you give your whole attention to it."

by Jiddu Krishnamurti



Pages of my life...

Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph...

Preserve your memories~~

they're all that will be left of you-

by P.Simon

Miscellaneous Moments...

...of the beach~



First Day of Middle School...



Your 'other' family visiting from Ohio~



Fun at the pool...



Saying good-bye to Maddy and her family...



...not happy faces!

A boy and his best friend~

Another beach Vacation~

My boys...

"Good days are to be gathered like grapes, to be trodden and bottled into wine and kept for age to sip at ease beside the fire. If the traveler has vintaged well, he need trouble to wander no longer; the ruby moments glow in his glass at will.”

by Freya Stark



Titles and Labels...

This daybreak as I was traveling the journey through my Blog List- reading and commenting, I unexpectedly became captivated with titles of the blogs I frequent: Joyful Reflections, Brian's Home, Let your Light Shine, The Rural Journal, The Run*Around*Ranch Report and Simple Southern Happiness to identify a diminutive number of the varied posts I visit.


I attempted to surmise the contents of the blog with the title; did the title define the blog? Or did the blog define the title? And on either account, was the innards a fair tagging of the person who authored the journal of beliefs, thoughts or feelings?

This concept of labels intrigues me because as a result of branding people we make snap judgments of folks be it fair or unfair. As a special education teacher, my students need to carry a label to even ‘be’ one of my students. When I am searching for my latest read amongst the shelves of many; I glance at the title and make a quick deduction of whether the book sounds intriguing, boring or absorbing purely on the heading.

Furthermore, I once misjudged the parent of a student who rode a motorcycle, wore black leather and a lengthy ponytail with tattoos up and down his arms and piercings galore. I wrongly assumed he was a gruff less than loving parent to his child with Down’s syndrome. When I learned otherwise, I admittedly spoke of my mistake to him in a revealing conversation.

Good, bad or indifferent, we conduct this seemingly hasty process with individuals. We see someone’s dress, their outer appearance, listen to their words and decide whether the person is worthy of our time to embark in conversation, put forward a lending hand or reveal details of our lives.

No doubt, often times this is necessary to protect and shield ourselves from harm. Does it serve any other purpose to our benefit?

Truthfully by nature, I am a very guarded, calm and quiet person. How many times have others viewed me as stuck up or snobbish to which I am neither? Moreover based on my self-preservation and introvert characteristics, do folks assume I’m less than intelligent and have little to share or contribute? These are truly thoughts to ponder.

In closing, I propose two questions for you my readers;

1.) How do you avoid falling into the trap of labeling others?

2.) Have you been misjudged in a way that has been a detriment to you and your life at any particular time?

"We love labels. We really do-- as a society, I mean.

It's so much easier to understand the world around us if we name it, tie it down,

and distance ourselves from the parts we don't like...

We all want to be loved, we all want to love, and we all want”



Signs of Spring...

Spring is...

blossoming crocuses...

daffodils displaying their greenery...

open windows with kitty's breathing in the fresh air....

a 'Welcome Home' sign for migratory birds...

trees budding...

perennials flourishing....

driving with the roof-top down...


"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world."
~Virgil A. Kraft

Blogfest Follow-up...

In accordance with Blogfest yesterday I asked my son Nicholas what his answers would be. I laughed at some but also marveled at his intuitiveness and insight of a youngster of eleven years. He continues to amaze me, but then again I am partial. This video was taken at his band concert last week. He is the second from the left.

So without further ado, my boy's answers....

1.What is your favorite word?  "They are all important when trying to get your point across"
2.What is your least favorite word? "any words said in anger"
3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? "watching people play sports"
4.What turns you off? "commercials that show abused animals" (I couldn't agree more!)
5.What is your favorite curse word? "is 'hate' a curse word? but I can only say it when I'm talking about Duke"
6.What sound or noise do you love?   "people cheering for me"

7.What sound or noise do you hate? "being hollered at"  (which let me tell you, we've NEVER been able to even raise our voice at this child because he interprets ALL of it as yelling, but we hardly ever even have to :)
8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? "an architect and an athlete"
9.What profession would you not like to do?  "a sanitation worker"
10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Well, I wouldn't want him to say, 'you've come to the wrong place!'...as he pointed down :)

In closing, I'm still not feeling great from this crud and I've picked up an eye infection; UGH!! He is also recovering from a cold as well, but he made me lunch yesterday and brought it to me on a tray. It was the most precious event ever. I was presented a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chicken noodle soup, grapes and a cookie. I should have taken a picture because it was so sweet however that would have taken away from the moment.

He was so proud!  as was I!

Blogfest...

I've never posted two blogs in one day however after I posted spring poetry...because I want spring and all it encompasses to get here FAST! Anyway, I then  realized Nicole was hosting a blog fest and it looked fun so I have to answer the following questions.

IF you want to sign up for the blog fest and participate, go to Nicole's site and become a part of the fun~

1.What is your favorite word?  'Cripes'


2.What is your least favorite word?  when people use 'Jesus Christ' as an expression

3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? nature

4.What turns you off? violence

5.What is your favorite curse word? well, the F-word but only on the golf course, but typically I try not to swear~

6.What sound or noise do you love?  falling rain, squeaking tennis shoes on the basketball court

7.What sound or noise do you hate?  a crash, or glass breaking

8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  Umm, a photo/journalist or an art therapist working with abused children

9.What profession would you not like to do?  a Vet...I can't stand to see animals suffer

10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  I want God to say, 'You done good, girl!'

Happy Spring...and poetry of old~

Yesterday

while taking a walk,

I glanced up

to see the clouds-

but instead

I caught the glimpse

of a rainbow.

Why?

It wasn't raining,

and the sky was clear.

Was it there to

greet the spring?

(Mar, 1977)

'Triad'

These be

three spring things;

grass growing greener...

flowers blossoming...

after a storm,

a rainbow!

(Feb., 1977)