In Common

No matter where in the world you are,  no matter what language is native to your tongue,  no matter your profession, no matter your station in life......  we share in common the ability to learn to read.  Takes practice for each of us to develop the skill to read,  but it is a skill we can share in common.

“Read Across America” celebrates and promotes this great truth and life skill!  “In May 1997, a small reading task force at NEA (National Education Association) came up with a big idea.  "Let's create a day to celebrate reading," the group decided.  "We hold pep rallies to get kids excited about football.  We assemble to remember that Character Counts.  Why don't we do something to get kids excited about reading? We'll call it 'NEA's Read Across America' and we'll celebrate it on Dr. Seuss's birthday." And so was born on March 2, 1998, the largest celebration of reading this country has ever seen.”  (from the NEA archives)

Yesterday was March 2, 2012 and therefore - READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY!  It was my joy to join the more than 3.2 million teachers and educational professionals here in the United States in observing this special day with their students.  Read with them and watch our younger generation READ!

Holmes" students gather to share Read Across America

It was an especially awesome event for the students of Holmes Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The 400 plus students gathered in their gymnasium to all read together at the same time.  All together and with their peers and new friends at the American Corner in Tetovo, Macedonia!  The 5600 miles separating the two groups of students was erased as together they listened to principal Haeven Pedersen read Dr Seuss’ “Up, Up”.  (You can visit KLKN’s website and see their coverage and here more about the event: http://www.klkntv.com/story/17068228/unique-project-for-read-across-america-day )

By the blessing of skype - Lincoln to Tetovo

As KLKN shares, Holmes is also hosting a book drive -  gathering books (children’s books)  to share with their peers in Macedonia.  What began as a Holmes project, and a hope for a couple of hundred books has grown providentially.  More than 15 schools in LPS are now participating and more than a thousand books have already arrived at Holmes.  HOW AMAZING!  Fundraising efforts are under way to collect the money needed to ship this growing mountain of books to Tetovo.  Shipping costs will exceed $2 a book - you can do the math.

Logan shares the Holmes' story with the KLKN tv crew

Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.  Never take for granted your ability to read!   Never take for granted the opportunity to assist another in strengthening their skill of reading.  I hope you never pass an opportunity to boost reading .... in your home, in your town, your state, in our nation or across the world.

For every person, but especially to our younger generations and in a republic who is only 19 years into their independence - knowledge is power; reading is knowledge.

Christmas Music -- Thursday, December 8, 2011

Oh my word!  Sometimes projects get out of hand, especially around the holidays.  You can get an idea, a vision, or a desire of something you want to do or get or give or create for the holidays, but it just gets out of hand!  Well, maybe some of you are more wise, strategic, or restrained - but for me; it happens. 

Sometimes things get out of hand.

There are some Christmas season traditions and rituals that are yearly on our calendar.  But each year there is something different, unique, and splendid that makes its way into our routine.

There was the year of crocheting afghans.  I am not sure, but I must have created at least a dozen.  Oh my word, that was a lot of yarn and time and tired fingers!  But once started, I had to finish.

Then there was the year of the 130 handmade Christmas cards.

And many of you might remember 21 years ago my excessive use of hairspray which resulted in a Cass’ hair catching on fire Christmas Eve.

And yes, I confess there are more than 400 ornaments on my Christmas tree.  Some of you might think 2400 lights on the tree is a bit out of hand.  But, graciously Tim participates!

Well, this year - its Christmas music.  I love Christmas music and love listening to it the month of December.  But I confess, the repetition in the play lists of most radio stations leaves me a bit bored by the tenth of the month.  For years, we have played cds on shuffle while at work.  But the accumulation of sawdust in that environment  has really messed with the cd carousel’s ability to recognize, read and play.  Therefore, I am stuck with the radio.

No,  I am not! 

Oh my word - I have a computer, I have iTunes, I have 30 years of accumulated Christmas music, I have a drawer full of cds.  If I import, create a playlist, and connect my computer to the speakers..... we can have our own splendid Christmas music playlist with fewer repetitions than we endure with radio listening.

And so it began with a concept; wrapped in simplicity, with a finite plan.

Do you know how many hours it takes to import a drawer full of cds into iTunes?

Oh my word, I have been at this ALL WEEK!  Ane while waiting for importing, I ponder “What other songs might we enjoy?”  Then I grab another cd....

The playlist is currently  1248 songs, 5.1 gigs, and will play for 72 hours and 3 minutes!

Yes, things can get out of hand!

But, I may finish this project on Tuesday.  Cindy will bring her favorite cds to work (that might not already be in this collection) and I will import them to add to our collection.  And then one last time I will ask myself “what else should I include?”

Please let me know if you have any suggestions to be incuded in my playlist.  I don’t want to forget something.  Yes, I already have imported the Messiah, the Nutcracker, Fred Waring’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, Mannheim Steamroller, TransSiberian Orchestra, Gene Autry,  Elvis,  Il Divo,  Mark Lowry, Carly Simon,  Harry Connick and his dad Ray Conniff,  Etta James,  Nora Jones,  Lori Line.....  the list is obviously long.   Yes, even Sheryl Crow.  Yet, there will be no better time to add one more song than on TUESDAY!

Just A Drop in the Bucket -- Monday, December 5, 2011

A phrase that I imagine most of us have heard and maybe even used a few times......  Just a drop in the bucket.   Sometimes it is used to voice a  comparison that may be reflecting  a tiny bit when held in light beside another.

Walking through the snow, cold wind, and on ice from my car into the grocery store is a drop in the bucket when I think of Jen walking distances in the Macedonian winter for her  groceries and water

The first taste of winter and its snow  here on the plains may well be a drop in the bucket as we move through the winter season making our way to spring.and other we have heard

Sometimes, we can even feel like we are a drop in the bucket....  as one little drop.....  how do I make a difference in this world?  Am I just a drop in the bucket?

Here’s the reality of some drops in the bucket.

Have you hear about the Secret Santa who was in the Philadephia area this past week?  Oh my word!

There is a man... one man.... to some he may seem like a drop in the bucket...  who each year listens to the news and watches the statisitics and chooses an area where he feels the people are living in economic struggles, depression, and a sense of down turn.  Then dressed as Santa Claus and armed with $100 bills he sneaks into the area.  He walks among the people.  He listens in the coffee shops.  He finds those he wants to share with and hands out $100 bills.  After investing up to $20,000 in a neighborhood, he quietly fades away back into his normal  daily life, in his home community.

This man has been living the Christmas season with this same ritual (just in different cities and neighborhoods)  for many years.  He sneaks in, sneaks out....  leaving behind encouragement, hope, and in some cases the money needed to retain utilities, buy groceries, pay rent.

A drop in the bucket who lifts burdens, lighten loads, eases struggles.

Then, there are the drops in the Salvation Army bell ringers’ buckets.  Every coin matters.  Every donation adds to the whole and serves great need.  But there are a few drops in the bucket that make the counters pause and take a deep breath.   Recent reports share that someone has dropped a solid gold coin, its worth in excess of $5000.  One drop in the bucket was a note saying that “others are in greater need than I” wrapped around a piece of jewelry.  Throughout this Christmas season,  the stories of the drops in the bucket will continue to make their way to our awareness.

Yes, we all can take part in being drops in the bucket...  we affect what fills the bucket.

In our neighborhoods, communities, states, nation and to the world, every little step,touch, effort, investment in others makes an impact.

It matters.  Every drop in the bucket matters.

How can we be drops in the bucket?

Where You Stand - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Where you stand determines a lot about where you go.

Oh my word, that sounds rather direct and easy.   Almost so trite that it deserves a sarcastic response, maybe even a “DUH”!

Yes, the reality is that Jen can go to Skopke,  Macedonia fairly easily and regularly because she currently is standing in Tetovo, Macedonia.  For those of us on the east side of the great pond,  we are most likely not going to be able to go to Skopke this week.  Although, I confess I am very anxious for the week when I can go to Skopke!

And, I can easily head to Omaha, Kansas City, Kearney, and Weeping Water whenever I feel the need because of where I stand.   For Jen, it would take a 25 hour flight to be able to then drive easily to these locations.

Where you stand determines a lot about where you go.

Think about the more abstract application of this truth regarding how we live.

If you want to be successful, happy, healthy, maybe even a bit wealthy - you can not get there if you are standing in negativity, bitterness, self pity, or laziness.  Where you stand determines a lot about where you can go.  You know where laziness will get you - NO WHERE!  You know where negativity will get you -- lower than no where.

So take a deep, cleansing breath and look into the mirror.

Where do you want to go?

Where are you standing?

Does your location or your frame of mind need to be changed if you are going to be able to go where you want to go?

Do your patterns of behavior or choices need to be changed if you are going to be able to go where you want to go?

If you want to be in better shape - get off the couch.  If you want to lose weight - step out of the bakery.  If you want a healthier planet - get out of your car and walk.  If you want peace on earth - get out of self centered decision making.

After your time looking into the mirror, if you feel a need to change your course or location to be able to change your destination -  then......

Just like the man at Walmart demonstrated,  if you want something to be different - do something different! 

Here we are at the end of another month, and too soon at the end of another year.....
 make ready to go where you want to go, even if it requires changing where you are standing.

Different - Monday, November 28, 2011

If you want something different, you have to do something different.

If you want something to be different, you have to do something different.

Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but sometimes we need a reminder.  Sometimes we need a shake up.  Sometimes we need to look into the mirror.

Oh my word, I could write about Black Friday shopping - now there’s something different!  I could write about line cutters, elbow throwers, fighters, self seekers, and manipulators - all of which I experienced in my first Black Friday shopping experience of Thanksgiving night.  I could tell you I am not sure I will shop Black Friday again, especially at Walmart and especially for 600 thread count sheets.  But instead I want to talk to you about a quiet, faithful diligent man and his wife and their impact on the Black Friday culture.

If attendance had been taken in Walmart on Thursday evening, it could have rivaled that of Memorial Stadium.  The store was packed.  Moving through the aisles was not possible.  It was a bottle neck in every direction. Patience was needed for waiting your turn to move a head 6 inches to a foot at a time.  Patience and dignity was needed to maintain sanity.  While many were pushing, shoving, and demanding for themselves, there was one man acting as a calming force in the fervor. 

 From the end of their cart, he steered his wife and their load; he watched the crowd and gently moved forward.  Hundreds of shoppers were trying to form one line for one cashier and check out.  Pushing was only surpassed by the length of time between moves.  As the hour passed and we were not to the register yet, he built a shield to allow those of us (about 4 customers) who had been shoved aside and cut off.  He stood firmly yet gently against the shoving and aggressiveness.  He gestured to us to be next at the cashier and then the next few customers around us as well, watching out not for himself but for the fairness of others.

He was a difference maker in contrast to the selfish nature of the crowd!  What an impact!  What an impression he made.  He wanted the crowd mentality to be changed to civility.  He made the change.

If you want the world to be different,  you have to be the change.

I don’t know this man’s name, his career, his address....  but I know his legacy!  He is the change the world needs for the return to dignity, propriety and nobility.

Grocery Carts -- Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Do you ever look at what is in the grocery cart next to you in line at the check out?

Well, I do.

In fact today, one of the craziest days of the year in supermarkets, I had plenty of time to check out other carts’ contents even before getting to the check out lane.  I chose to go to Super Saver because they had some specials I was wanting for specific recipes to be enjoyed over the holiday weekend.  Super Saver is a large store and its aisles are wider than many stores which should have made for a smoother experience on this huge grocery shopping day.  But even so, the store was packed with shoppers.  The aisles were jammed with carts.  It resembled a holding pattern over a busy airport.  At the end of each aisle you had to wait in line to make a turn.  I spent more time standing still in the aisles than I did searching for what I had on my list.  I am not as familiar with where things are at Super Saver as I am in my regular grocery, so I spent time searching, overlooking, and then returning to several aisles for second, third and fourth time searches.

So, as you can see I had plenty of time to check out the other carts and what they had on their lists to buy for their holiday.  I saw the usual turkey, stuffing mixes, canned vegetables, potatoes,  sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pie fixins.  But I also saw a couple of things that really made me smile and wonder what the holiday plans and meals were going to be for these particular shoppers.

One cart had only three items in it.   That alone is a bit unique, but the three items were the same ingredient.  A one ingredient meal....  or did someone have to make a return trip to the grocery for a forgotten item ....  I think neither is the case, and I admit - this would not be the meal of my choosing.  All the young man had in his cart were chitlings.  Three very large bags of frozen chitlings!  They are not my favorite....  I had to grit my teeth at the thought of that meal.

Cart Two:  Again, I just have to chuckle at the thought of what would be made from its contents.  This woman had four cases (that’s 48 jars) of marshmallow creme filling her cart!  A massive salad?  An enormous dessert?  300 banana splits?  What on earth would anyone do with that much marshmallow creme?

Seeing such unique cart loads did make my time more entertaining as I searched for bacon (real bacon) bits and then had to make my way all the way back through the crowded store for the forgotten bag of potato chips.  Green bean casserole (Cheans as it is named in our family) would not be the same without that crunchy topping!

All in all, it was a great experience.  After all, who could ask for anything more than can be found in so many grocery stores here in Lincoln, across the state, and throughout our nation.  We are about to celebrate gratitude and we truly have a lot to put on our blessings' lists!

We live with the freedom to choose what goes into our cart....  from chitlings to marshmallow creme!  We live with the economy, that while it is slow, allows us to have all these choices right at hand!  We live with safety and freedom that allows my greatest shopping frustration to be looking for a parking place and forgetting potato chips!

Truly blessed.

May tomorrow’s holiday give you an opportunity to look around and recognize how and where your cup over flows.

In my prayers of gratitude I will also name Jen as she gathers with and shares with fellow Fulbrighters in the great nation of Macedonia.  Surrounded by ancient history and gracious people, they will be given the opportunity to celebrate a very American holiday!  Yes, the holiday is American but the gratitude in the heart is international.

May blessings flow for each of you tomorrow!

Mystery Solved - Sunday, November 20, 2011

Oh my word, happy day!  Mystery solved.  

Well no, the mystery solved is not any of the great mysteries of the universe.  Well no, the mystery solved is not the key to world peace.  Well no, the mystery solved is not even the key to curing world hunger.  A bit of peace will come for me and I am not going to be hungry, and I am delighted I have once again proven I am never too old to learn!

More than five years ago, I discovered this wonderful frozen biscuit - Grands (made by Pillsbury) Southern Style Biscuit.  In the frozen foods of the grocery!  YEAH! How convenient!  From freezer to oven to table and delicious!  These biscuits were very delicious and light and amazingly great.  I do enjoy biscuits and having southern blood in my veins, I am kind of picky about my biscuits.  In fact, I am so picky about my biscuits I don’t even try to make them from scratch, because they never measure up.  If I am going to eat the calories, carbs, and white flour - the biscuit must be great!

These frozen Grands were so great I even took them to my mom!  How convenient for them as well.  Even the snow and ice and bitter winter wind chills could not stand in the way of there being hot, fresh, delicious biscuits on their table.  She could even just take two out of the package and bake them fresh for a meal!  What a treat!  What a delight!

These biscuits are not always in stock in our grocery.  This may sound really petty, even compared to my thrill over a great biscuit, but one of my great shopping frustrations is not being able to find the same product, in the same store, more than once or twice.  Where did Starfruit Citrus Vitamin water go?  Where did the great pickled garlic go?  Not to mention, where are the biscuits?

Eventually I did find the biscuits back in the grocery frozen foods.   Bought them.  Baked them.  Yuck, they were not the same!  Sorry Grands, but they were heavy, tough, and not nearly as flavorful!  Second shopping frustration, products with the same name and packaging don’t stay the same!  Why can’t well enough just be left well enough!  Some changes are not for the better.

Since so much time had passed between the experiences of finding great biscuits and then finding the Grands again, I wasn’t even sure I had remembered the right style of biscuits.  There are several to choose from, so one by one I tried them all.  Yuck!  My disappointment mounted.  In fact, it became a search - a mission - to figure out the biscuits.  What kind were they?  Was I imagining things?  Were the delicious wonderful convenient Pillsbury biscuits just a mirage?

Years passed without solving this mystery.

Two years ago, Cass and Bo were visiting Bo’s family in Georgia and while there Cass got to eat wonderful biscuits!  She asked Bo’s mom about them.  Had she made hem from scratch?  NO!  They were from the grocery, frozen and just baked at home.  They were Grands Pillsbury Southern Style Biscuits!  WOW!  Hope renewed.  Maybe Pillsbury had chosen to change their recipe back to the one of years gone by!  So, back out on the frozen food trail I went, searching for the better biscuits.

Disappointment.  I found them, bought them, baked them, but they were no better than the ones of the previous few years.  Definitely not the great ones I remembered!  Was Georgia getting better frozen biscuits than Nebraska?  Were we going to need to have them shipped?

This past week, I had a hankering for some comfort food.  I decided to make creamed turkey and decided to try to choose the best possible biscuit choice to serve as the base.  Thought about just going to McDonalds and buying a couple of their sausage biscuits and taking out the sausage; because McDonald’s biscuits are really, really good.  But, there in the frozen foods of the grocery store were Grands Pillsbury Southern Style Biscuits and on sale!  I decided the discounted price was an omen!  I bought them to try one more time!

Success!  Yummy!  These Grands were the same delicious biscuits of five years ago!  WOW!  Hallelujah!  The creamed turkey had a fitting companion!

I was so excited about the biscuit find, I decided to make biscuits and gravy (along with the Bacon Explosion - tha's a story for another day!) for Saturday morning brunch for the Nebraska -  Michigan game (that’s a story we will just avoid).  Kopetkas and Cass and Bo were coming and I would unveil the return of biscuit greatness!  Great biscuit joy!

Well, the gravy was good and the bacon amazing but the biscuits were bad!  What on earth was the deal?  Same brand and style of biscuits purchased from the same grocery store in the same week....  but unrecognizable! They were polar opposites from the ones I baked earlier in the week!  How disappointing!   What went wrong - not just with the Huskers but with my biscuits?

Good biscuit on the right......  bad biscuit on the left!

With leftover gravy, I decided to bake a couple of biscuits this morning before Tim headed out to Ravenna.

Sunday morning and an epiphany!  Mystery solved!

For more than five years I have been baking them INCORRECTLY!   How I ever got them right is amazing.  How I figured out the link between repeated greatness is amazing.  That I baked them correctly earlier in the week is astounding.  That I was able to figure it out this morning is a delight!

The manufacturer’s baking instructions clearly define how to properly bake the biscuits but somehow I had omitted one KEY point.  The biscuits need to touch when baking!  I repeat, the biscuits need to touch when baking. 

Somehow, I was thinking I needed to bake my biscuits like cookies - leaving room all around each biscuit!  And that is the only difference between these two extremes of biscuits!  Let your biscuits touch and they will be amazingly wonderful!  Mystery solved - Grands (made by Pillsbury) Southern Style Biscuits from the frozen food aisle - let your biscuits touch when baking!

How often is it in life that such simple little differences make the huge difference in outcome?

Lesson learned.  Point taken.  Read the instructions.  Check your methods.  Check for the details, twice if necessary.  It all matters.

Hope you enjoy some great biscuits today....  and that you can solve a mystery!  They are just biscuits, but their lesson is powerful.    Hope you never spend five years fumbling around in the darkness....  when the answer is so near by!   Do I feel a bit inept?  Yes, of course!  But I remind myself - learning is a blessing.  Patience is a virtue.  Perseverance is key.  You can move forward even when you feel like you are just hitting your head against the wall.  Stick with it.....  great biscuits can be ours!