Late Spring

Last week I proctored at Cooley and was able to read The Sun Also Rises and Pale Horse, Pale Rider. The irony is the news of a possible swine flu pandemic that has killed 149 and sickened thousands in Mexico and put the US on a state of alert, and the subject of the 1918 plague in Pale Horse. Lansing schools have also announced the closing of Moores Park School, where I was on Friday, and Grand River. Budgets are leaving all aspects of our society in situations that set us back 70 years in decisions on wages, health benefits, and priorities of survival. The closing of business', schools, and churches may only be a foreboding for lost pensions, social security, and other programs that depend on prosperity and good will to succeed. Phillip pitched a 7 inning complete game Saturday against Lakeview and got his first varsity win,15-6. The second game was stopped by a sudden storm that featured microbursts and heavy rain that flooded the field and caused its cancellation. They are currently 3-1 with 6 games being incomplete due to weather or darkness. Gramma had her 85th birthday Saturday and is a wonder of energy and beauty. Jane's Trigeminal Neuralgia has been bothering her again causing her to have extreme pain in her jaw. We are going to be very busy the next month so it could be triggered by stress or the changing of seasons as its initial onset was 2 springs ago. Life goes on and we cope or fight on until there is no alternative as change will always be a constant and we must go with the flow. We have just had our first temperatures in the 80's this weekend, and only hitting the 70's for the first time this year last week, we know everything comes in time and it can be sooner or later.

April 58

April Fools for the 58th time. I spent the morning at Waverly East and then worked out a real account with Comcast for the Internet as time had finally caught up with us over the weekend. We went to Finleys for my free dinner and I took all the congratulatory calls for my birthday. We still haven't had but one day of real spring weather as it is still cool. We have been busy working and that is good with record unemployment and GM's future still hanging in the balance. I've been to Holy Cross every weekend for mass to support Father Maurice. Plant 3 is becoming so bare you can almost see to Saginaw street from Willow,with only the front wall standing. Change is the constant that holds, divides, unites and releases us. Time goes on and to strive we must grow with life's challenges mixed with wisdom attained. The cycles of life, the seasons, aging, growing, fading, and eventual dying, go on with only the characters changing in due time. April Fools! MSU is in the NCAA finals against UNC.

Snowy Cold Winter

We had 3 more inches of snow to give us 65 for the winter. Normal snowfall is 54.5 and we have had few days that have been much above freezing. Lukas is working at the high school 3 days a week for his Teacher Ed class helping with Math mostly. The economic stimulus has been passed now we'll wait to how much it helps in our nation's recovery. Beefus, the white monkey, has taken a liking to TV and computer screens as well as becoming a fetch cat with socks. Jane and I went to the premier of the movie Living Accused at the Lansing Mall this week. The movie was made by Artis White who Jane learned was the State Policeman suspected of killing his wife while she was entering Potters Park 8 years ago. The movie was about 4 people who spent jail time for crimes they were later found innocent of. GM stock fell to a 74 year low of $1.52 yesterday, which dates back to the Great Depression. A year ago that stock was worth $25.54 and now GM is asking for another 30 billion from the government to avoid a bankruptcy that would have an impact on everyone. There is record unemployment numbers already and banks are on the edge of failing and being nationalized. Welcome to reality America, rich or poor if we are to survive we all must face this danger seriously. Easy credit must end and we must live within more reasonable means or we all will be under the same scrutiny of suspected criminals.

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.