Picture this. A one room school-house, filled with almost every member of every family in the small Waldron Island community. Seventeen students in the school, from K-8. Two graduates this year.
It was Thursday night, June 12th, when the Big Event of the Year took place. Most Islanders would still be here past mid-night, with babies asleep on laps or on the floor, but this is a night
not-to-be-missed.
Following the Annual End of School play, "The Perilous Gard", presented by the Studentbody, with every child from kindergarten to 8th grade playing a part, the stage sets were removed, an upright piano rolled in, and music stands set up for a small ensemble of student musicians who proceeded to play "Pomp and Circumstance" while the two graduates marched in, having changed from their Old English play costumes into their dressy graduation clothes.
It is the custom that the Graduates take the leading roles in the End of School play, and this year was no exception. Naomi took the role of the Fair Maiden, and Zach played the Nobleman suffering a Magic Spell cast on him by the Fairy Queen. A complex play in every way--Old English sets, costumes and language, but capably delivered by this unlikely troupe of actors, most of them between 6 and 10 years old.
They pulled it off--Fair Maiden saves Handsome Nobleman--TWO hours of memorized advanced dialogue with few hitches--an impossible challenge, it would seem for this small school and such young kids. Had I been the teacher, I would have selected something like Snow White or Pinocchio. Familiar, simple, guaranteed acclaim. But then I remembered that last year they did MacBeth! On a outside stage. Full-on Scotland style, complete with kilts, castles, and the moving Birnham woods.
Optimistic and Ambitious? I guess so!! Still marveling at their performances a couple days later, I'm thinking that these kids, their teachers and parents are much like Bumblebees.You know the Scientists and Engineers at MIT have determined that due to their aerodynamic design and weight they can not fly. Fortunately for the Bumblebees, they have no knowledge of these findings, and so fly around with little or no regard to the reseach at MIT.
So there you have it--the Waldron Bumblebees. Doing the impossible.
I Love it when the Experts are proved Wrong!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
THINKING BACK---OLD BOYFRIENDS
Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation, and something just pops out of your mouth, and you have NO idea where it came from?
Driving North on I-5 yesterday, I thought back to the words that surprised me during a conversation with a bank teller the day before. While she punched in the numbers for my
deposit, we casually discussed the weather, more specificially the "Junuary" cold and rainy days we've been having of late. She said something like, "well, we have to make the best of it, and go ahead and have some fun".
I agreed, and then at that point these unexpected words came out of my mouth: "Hot Damn, Get It On", followed by a full explanation (seemingly necessary at the time) that this was a favorite exclamation of an OLD boyfriend of mine, a great big former Oklahoma Sooner Football player, by the name of Ward Ragsdale. I also informed her that he looked exactly like Dennis Weaver, the actor who played Chester on Gunsmoke, and later starred as TV's McCloud, a Texas cowboy in New York. Not unlike Ward himself, country boy in the city.
But Ward...He was an Okie who did well in the insurance business; he was the ultimate salesman--he inspired trust early on--and then eventually lost it all, thanks to the bottle. He was self-educated, street smart, called everyone "honey" with that ol' country accent, and at one time (unplanned, of course) we drove twin Thunderbirds. His was silver, mine was yellow. He did not suffer fools, and when he was done with someone he was done.
You never had an argument with Ward. He would just up and leave. No discussion. The next time you saw him, it would be as though nothing happened. No recriminations, no sorting out. Over.
His failed marriage and subsequent lack of family and roots probably left him too much drinking time, and he spiralled down and then out as he tried to stop a thief in a 7-11 store one night, and hit his head on a steel shelf.
Ever so often someone from the "old days" will bring up Ward's name, but there are also times, when--unbidden-- he pops up out of my subconscious too. Like while doing business at the bank.
Driving North on I-5 yesterday, I thought back to the words that surprised me during a conversation with a bank teller the day before. While she punched in the numbers for my
deposit, we casually discussed the weather, more specificially the "Junuary" cold and rainy days we've been having of late. She said something like, "well, we have to make the best of it, and go ahead and have some fun".
I agreed, and then at that point these unexpected words came out of my mouth: "Hot Damn, Get It On", followed by a full explanation (seemingly necessary at the time) that this was a favorite exclamation of an OLD boyfriend of mine, a great big former Oklahoma Sooner Football player, by the name of Ward Ragsdale. I also informed her that he looked exactly like Dennis Weaver, the actor who played Chester on Gunsmoke, and later starred as TV's McCloud, a Texas cowboy in New York. Not unlike Ward himself, country boy in the city.
But Ward...He was an Okie who did well in the insurance business; he was the ultimate salesman--he inspired trust early on--and then eventually lost it all, thanks to the bottle. He was self-educated, street smart, called everyone "honey" with that ol' country accent, and at one time (unplanned, of course) we drove twin Thunderbirds. His was silver, mine was yellow. He did not suffer fools, and when he was done with someone he was done.
You never had an argument with Ward. He would just up and leave. No discussion. The next time you saw him, it would be as though nothing happened. No recriminations, no sorting out. Over.
His failed marriage and subsequent lack of family and roots probably left him too much drinking time, and he spiralled down and then out as he tried to stop a thief in a 7-11 store one night, and hit his head on a steel shelf.
Ever so often someone from the "old days" will bring up Ward's name, but there are also times, when--unbidden-- he pops up out of my subconscious too. Like while doing business at the bank.
YOUNG AT HEART--OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS
This morning someone in our Yoga Class offered a Movie recommendation. It will be shown here at our little Orcas Sea View Theater this week-end, and it is called "Young at Heart". It is a Documentary revolving around a choral group of Octogenarians. The group has been together for some time, and their passion and dedication to and enjoyment of their music seems to be a key in keeping them young and vital--happy--and involved in life and living. Obviously they provide a model for those of us who are standing a bit lower on the age ladder, but are in the middle of those once anticipated "golden years".
In discussing this "Young at Heart" phenomenon, someone told me they thought one of the most important things in life for everyone--from little kids to old folks--was to have "chores". To be responsible in part for the on-goingness of the family or the house or the organization. As the nest empties, and spouses and friends die, it becomes incumbent on each and everyone of us to take on new "chores" or interests, and to remain vitally involved in Life as long as we are Living.
My Heart feels Young.....but....sometimes my body sends other messages! So, I gear down a bit. But then-- I'm reminded of my retired school teacher friend, who--just recently--followed her interest in crafts and card-making, and went ahead to launch a very attractive, professionally formatted Blog, complete with digital pictures, graphics and interesting text. Old dogs do learn new tricks!!
There are active, passionate Seniors in my Yoga Class, Meditation, Poetry and Play Writing Writing Groups, Book Clubs and Study Groups. And then there are surprise finds-- like the stimulating retired-engineer German conversation partner I met at Starbucks, who keeps me informed about International News as reported in the German papers, as well as sharing historical perspectives on growing up in Neuremberg. Some Seniors are still working--like me. But common traits apply: Active, Curious, Creative, Connected, Engaged, Learning, Optimistic.
Often I observe my four-year old grand-daughter playing, exploring, pushing boundaries and limits, absorbing, singing, laughing, crying. She is totally in the present, not concerned with yesterday or tomorrow. I think this defines "Young at Heart". I'd like to be just like her.
PS--It was the retired school teacher who led me, step by step 'til the wee hours of the morning, through all the machinations necessary for the establishment of my own blog!
In discussing this "Young at Heart" phenomenon, someone told me they thought one of the most important things in life for everyone--from little kids to old folks--was to have "chores". To be responsible in part for the on-goingness of the family or the house or the organization. As the nest empties, and spouses and friends die, it becomes incumbent on each and everyone of us to take on new "chores" or interests, and to remain vitally involved in Life as long as we are Living.
My Heart feels Young.....but....sometimes my body sends other messages! So, I gear down a bit. But then-- I'm reminded of my retired school teacher friend, who--just recently--followed her interest in crafts and card-making, and went ahead to launch a very attractive, professionally formatted Blog, complete with digital pictures, graphics and interesting text. Old dogs do learn new tricks!!
There are active, passionate Seniors in my Yoga Class, Meditation, Poetry and Play Writing Writing Groups, Book Clubs and Study Groups. And then there are surprise finds-- like the stimulating retired-engineer German conversation partner I met at Starbucks, who keeps me informed about International News as reported in the German papers, as well as sharing historical perspectives on growing up in Neuremberg. Some Seniors are still working--like me. But common traits apply: Active, Curious, Creative, Connected, Engaged, Learning, Optimistic.
Often I observe my four-year old grand-daughter playing, exploring, pushing boundaries and limits, absorbing, singing, laughing, crying. She is totally in the present, not concerned with yesterday or tomorrow. I think this defines "Young at Heart". I'd like to be just like her.
PS--It was the retired school teacher who led me, step by step 'til the wee hours of the morning, through all the machinations necessary for the establishment of my own blog!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Welcome to My Blog!!
Nearly midnite, my shoulders are draggin' and my brain is strained, but determined I am to launch my blog 'ere the village clock strikes twelve. Scientists are now claiming that old dogs can indeed learn new tricks, and if that applies to dogs, well, let us hope it applies to humans as well.
Lucky to have lived this long to see the amazing developments in technology, I am privileged and challenged to keep current with the things that my 10 year old grandson accepts as commonplace.
Lucky to have lived this long to see the amazing developments in technology, I am privileged and challenged to keep current with the things that my 10 year old grandson accepts as commonplace.
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