Hello! From Somewhere in the Summer!

...and a hearty "summer shout-out!" Settled into the groove of taking it easier and making plans for the fall? Yeah, right, Mr. F. Can't believe it's July already! 30 days down...60 to go! So, how's the summer going so far? Me? Doing the summer projects list and waiting for a couple of mini-teaching gigs...and, then, off to the Cape in August...it's been constructive & productive, I must say.

Our "esteemed" President and major ruling party are really keeping its constituents on their toes...nutty and frustrating to say the least!

So, share your summer stories...keep in touch! Hope to hear from some of you!

"The Emperor's Club"

I meant to show you this film as the year began, but, I think the film will have the same impact as we close the school year. As we view it, please "blog" with your reactions to what the film offers to you. Any and all opinions appreciated. Remember - the more you blog, the more you earn! I'll be checking! This is my LAST generous offer to you!
Blog 'til the cows come home!

"Inspiration..."

"Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough is the key to a more satisfying and balanced life."

     Do you believe the "secret" to a joyous life could be so simple?

"Would It Be Terrible If People Had to Buy Less Than They've Been Buying?"

      Henry David Thoreau - you remember him - living in Concord, MA, long  before the current economic upheaval of the 21st century, had experienced a similar economic crisis in the 19th century -  a largely self-sufficient rural economy was just beginning to give way to an economy based on mass production and consumption.  He sensed its danger.

      "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are ... positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind," Thoreau advised.

     Henry David Thoreau, more than a century before Home Depot or Lowe's, built his own 10-by-15 foot cabin at Walden Pond for $28 in materials.  His furniture consisted of a table, a chair and a bed.  For a short time he kept three ornamental pieces of limestone on the table, but decided these were superfluous, throwing them out when he found he had to dust them constantly (Holt A 12).

- from The Record

      

     Have we accumulated too much?  Have we recently thrown something out?

"Three Rules for Success!"

1. Dream Big!

     Never think "small".  Choose the wildest, most rewarding path in life and go for it!

2. Work Hard!

     With your Dream in mind, work hard everyday - the reward?  Your Dream!

3. Learn Something New Everyday!

     Knowledge is nourishment for your mind - feed your mind!  Your Dream, then, becomes easier to achieve.

4. Stay Focused! [Scott M.]

LITERATURE Prompts - "The Seven Ages of Man," p. 206

1.  Before you read the poem... In your limited experience in the so-called "stages of life," through what stages does an individual pass in her/his life on the way to...?

2. After you read the poem... List the stages Shakespeare writes in his poem.

...A total of TWO posts...required for a "quiz" grade!

"PANDEMIC" - Growth of the Federal Gov't!"

      Ha! Thought I'd discourse about the "swine flu" pandemic?  Wrong!  There's a more frightening "disease" spreading in this country - the unprecedented growth of the Big Government!  Is that all right with you, though?  Maybe you wish for more government control of your life, and, it is control!  Already, we work for the Federal Government - don't believe me?  Do your research!   hey, as long as you don't mind throwing shovelsful of your income into a govenment black hole and allowing others to make decisions about how to spend your income - then go for it!  Or, more rules and regulations!  Cool [Im' being facetious, of course...]!  The pandemic is sweeping the nation, "infecting" millions, with no known cure, as long as the Democratic party hoards the "antidote" and refuses to dispense it to those crying in the wilderness for a "cure"!

     Do you really to be a shareholder in a car company, with your tax dollar$ paying the unions' healthcare co$t$ and salarie$?  If the Feds have anything to do with that decison - you will!  and on and on...