Early 2009

On Tuesday this week Barack Obama became the 44th president. I was at Riddle School in the resource room and we watched the inauguration from about 11:30 until the students went to lunch. It has been cold here with last Friday's school being canceled because of the -25 degree wind chill. I found out 2 weeks ago at Holy Cross, that they were going to merge with St. Marys because the Franciscans are leaving. The following Sunday we quickly learned Holy Cross, my home parish for 58 years will be shut down, which saddened many after the initial shock of last weeks announcement. Mr. Blanco has been gone for 3 months now and considered MIA. His place has been taken by Beefus and La'Orange who are living the high life. I got new glasses last week that are of a different style and lighter than I had and Jane says makes me look younger. Luke has begun a new term and I've found GM has suspended the dependant tuition refund plan due to their financial problems. The new year left MSU with another bowl loss and their basketball team has been winning but far from really being a top 10 school. It's easy spending extra hours in bed on days without work and I have to push myself to keep up on blogging or even reading. In Latin they say leave her on a stormy day so this the calm before the storm.

Vernal Equinox

We just had a snow day leading into winter break as 8" fell Friday and today it was blustery with blizzard conditions and cold! We approach Christmas with an economy near failure and much anxiety as to the new years prospects. But this season in its best perspective can bring the peace and renewal humanity needs. There is a power beyond us that we must put our faith in and serve others without greed or personal desire. I read the Christmas newsletters from family that merely sound of bragging in a competition instead of just informing of the years blessings or trials. I'm glad Jane is back to work and it has been good so far. I am thankful to be able to teach and share with different students. I am proud all my sons are doing good and growing in their pursuits and pray continued success of opportunities. May our new president be guided in right paths to the many challenges to be faced. I did vote for Mr. Obama as a matter of belief he would best represent our country's interests. If it is the shortest day of the year then I've went on too long.

All Saints Day

All Hallows Eve has passed and it's November now. Day light savings time will end tonight, thankfully, as it is now dark in the morning when I leave for school. I don't mind the shorter day end because there is still plenty of time after school to get around. I was at Willow yesterday for their Halloween parade in the afternoon as the Gym teacher. The staff dressed for a slumber party and the students were Hanna Montanas, Dorthy from Oz, mermaids, monsters and MSU students had come dressed up to give out treats in the gym. This allowed me to take a supervisory role and enjoy an easy half day. Jane leaves for Florida tomorrow with her parents for 5 days. We had 6 trick or treaters last night including April's kids and Andy with Sandy Red Riding hood. Deep thoughts tend to evade one when they've been buried in dreams randomly pieced together in evaluated musings. Some reflection though needs to be solidified for future proof of one's sanity as time quickly leaves us another year passed. Last weekend we were in Remus for Jim and Betty's 50th anniversary mass and then to their house for Mancino's and visiting with family. Leaves are falling completing the cycle of life as we also rise and refresh our daily lives in the circle game. May we all be little saints following the Truth to honor God in a world that can seem lost in selfishness and blind wandering.

I've Transferred, Kiss AOL Goodbye

After trying 10 times I finally saved my journal to its new web site. The words of the unknown may now continue to drift aimlessly through the mind fields of my thoughts. I have been dealing with my new employer PESG without too much problem so far though their system is far from user friendly. I've been able to find subbing jobs but it requires a great deal of effort to check online or usually my calling and reentering my ID and password multiple times to get to each school system. Luke has found his classes more difficult this term and dropped his Math class for a grade. Phillip still has his bad attitude and is working hard for good grades his senior year. Jane is still on unemployment after Fabianos bankruptcy has been complicated by our economic crisis, preventing them from reopening. The world is entering one of those periods of turmoil and uncertainty created by the greed of the Israelites who have turned from God to pursue their selfish pleasures. The pride of man is written in the dust with true believers left to prop up and bring mercy to the sinners. Help us Oh Lord and thank you for keeping us free and on a righteous path. It looks my computer table is covered in that dust also! As our children will pay their future for our vanities today in unending taxes, a sad legacy.

But it's August now

  I proctored at Cooley 30 hours  last week and did laptops and the extended handwritten exams.  I read Catcher in the Rye, Trout Fishing in America, and Travels with Charley while proctoring.  I also am in 3 of the schools systems with PESG, still waiting for Waverly.  Jane was laid off from Fabianos, who also are now in chap 7 bankruptcy and will get her first unemployment check soon.  You now apply by phone or online and also have to create a resume at Michworks.  Phillip tried out for football, one day before quitting even though we doubted his commitment all along.  We hope to get new siding and must have the dormer redone and roof checked for leaking as the insurance wrote us a check for the hallway damage.Jane has went to 2 of the Blues on the Square concerts with me as well as 2 Wednesday night Lansing Parks concerts.  We currently have 10 kittens from 4 litters as the cats proliferate in the garage.  August is the end of summer and the return to school and as time goes on now a happy time for me,as opposed to youthful days.  Year round school now sounds like a great idea when teaching brings my enjoyment and income.  It seems like such a short time but 7 Augusts ago I retired from GM and the 32+ years I dedicated to them.  Without it being too hot this year I anticipate the Fall and the waning years of life and my final contributions to society.  But thank God for all He has graced me with and any chances I've had to make the world a better place for others.

Walk Paths of Dark and Llight

I have subbed 3 times for Lansing's summer school.   We spent a week at Grand Haven again, this time with only Phillip until Thursday.  Then Simon, April, Luke, and her kids joined us.  We had a big storm the day before and the rain was as thick as snow blotting out sight of the beach.  Friday was the 4th of July and we all spent time on the beach and then enjoyed the fireworks from the hilltop.   I've discovered Pandora Radio on Comcast and have been introduced to bands and music I never had heard before on my Moby Grape and Electric Prune stations.  Phillip has also installed a wireless router so now the internet is working faster than ever at home.  It is getting hotter but overall it has been a pleasant summer.  Trip down the slanted by-ways of imagination to The Deep End with Nick Michaels.   The sunrise come she will, gives light to the daily tramp of adventure or wasting bringing the sunset and the mastery or mystery of darkness.  Pandora's box opens the world of music and journeys of days to come and past.  What little originality that exists washes away with the tides of time and reality.   Close out the paths of indecision and open doors of perception locked with stolen words that pass unnoticed in the night.  Awake from docile thought and proceed to the new Jerusalem all who are lost , lonely, and weary of the new age now passed.  Travel the paths of dark and light and live until time itself passes.

Moores Park

It is almost the end of the school year.  I'm here at Moores Park School and the students have 3 specials this afternoon, so since I can't get on my e-mail account, I decided to blog.  We do have high speed Comcast Internet at home now which has helped, but it's not as fast as here.  Phillip's baseball banquet is tonight.  He made about 5 relief appearances this year and 2 starts but got no decisions or any hits batting.  Waverly's record was 8-27-1 so you can guess the team overall didn't hit or field that well.  The class I'm in is a 1st/K split and 4 students are absent so that helps.  Jane turned 55 yesterday and Luke has completed 1 year at LCC doing quite well so far with his classes.  Jon is interning at Legal Aid  10 miles from the university this summer while working at the library on his off days.   Gasoline went over $4 last week and the price of a barrel of oil over $133, this will definitely hurt an economy on the brink of recession.  The weather has still not warmed up which I really don't mind while teaching.  There have also been a record amount of tornadoes in the central and southern states this year as we have been free of serious storms.  I drive by the old Oldsmobile plants either torn down or in the process of being so and see the voids that will never be filled job wise here in Lansing again.  Time waits for no one and my words only fill time.