I have talked with people who have taken a vow of silence, some as long as a week, for religious or other reasons.
Others have fasted.
I have fasted for as long as a day, but never silence any longer than during the night, and possibly not even then.
Have you ever taken a vow of silence? How long? What were your reasons?
Have you ever fasted? How long? What were your reasons?
I think these are important rituals to practice.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Illinois Marathon in Champaign Saturday May 1
Approximately 15,000 people will be running and many more will be watching this Saturday.
If you are in or near Champaign, Illinois, come to the marathon Saturday May 1.
If you are in or near Champaign, Illinois, come to the marathon Saturday May 1.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Song Sung Blue - a film to see!!!
We were so fortunate to be able to see at the Evertfest today the film
entitled Song Sung Blue which chronicles the ups and downs of Lightning and Thunder, a singing duo from Milwaukee.
This 2008 documentary film is one you will definitely NOT want to miss. I cried, I laughed.
Check it out!
entitled Song Sung Blue which chronicles the ups and downs of Lightning and Thunder, a singing duo from Milwaukee.
This 2008 documentary film is one you will definitely NOT want to miss. I cried, I laughed.
Check it out!
Changing course
The Balloon Garden: A Fantasy for Young and Old
By Debra L. Karplus
It was June and the flowers were in full bloom. Jupiter Grade School was closed for the summer. The children had gone home and would not return until September. The principal’s office was lifeless. The hallways were silent. All the classrooms were dark and empty. The bulletin boards were barren. The chalkboards were a dull green with no evidence of homework assignments. The desks were arranged in tidy straight rows and were free of textbooks and papers and pencils. No Little Mermaid backpacks or Star Wars lunch boxes could be found in the cloak room. No school buses could be seen anywhere near Jupiter Grade School. The teachers from Jupiter Grade School complained that they were bored and had nothing to do.
Then, Mrs. Path, the science teacher, burst out with an idea. “Perhaps all the teachers from Jupiter Grade School should go on a field trip?” she suggested.
Mrs. Tripp, who loved teaching social studies seemed to relish the idea but questioned, “Where shall we go?”
Mr. Hite, who taught math, summated “I think we should all go visit the moon. None of us has ever been there.”
“Could we go there is a space ship?” chimed in Mr. Ayres, the music teacher.
“That’s a superb idea”, interjected Mrs. Path.
Mr. Widget, the school custodian, constructed the space ship from supplies in the janitor’s closet. Miss Frame, the art teacher created parts of the space ship with paper mache, pipe cleaners, and crepe paper. She painted it with bright yellow acrylics, and decorated the back with fancy black racing stripes. Mr. Steer, the school bus driver, agreed to pilot the space ship.
So, the teachers from Jupiter Grade School prepared for their field trip. They packed all the clothes they would need. They also collected some of their books. Mrs. Tripp’s navy canvas briefcase contained an assortment of necessary maps so that they would not make any wrong turns. Mrs. Path carried her laminated chart of the solar system so that they could find their way. Mr. Hite stored a scientific calculator in his powder blue colored shirt pocket, so that they could measure the number of miles they had traveled. And, Mr. Ayres packed a boom box and gathered some of his favorite CDs to share while they traveled, including Frank Sinatra singing “Fly Me to the Moon”, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, and the Beatles “Ticket to Ride”. Miss Rice, the lunchroom lady, made ready sloppy Joes on whole wheat sesame seed buns and potato chips and small cups of chocolate pudding with tiny flat wooden spoon-like utensils so that the teachers on the space ship would feel nourished.
The teachers met on the playground at Jupiter Grade School. The students from Jupiter Grade School gathered nearby and waved good-bye to their teachers, as the students happily frolicked on the swings and slides. The teachers stood tall and proud as they promenaded onto the space ship.
Mrs. Stay, the second grade teacher, could not participate in the field trip because she had forgotten to bring her signed permission slip. Mr. Ride, Jupiter Grade School’s well-respected principal, took attendance to make sure all the other teacher’s were aboard the space ship and were properly wearing their seat belts.
The space ship carrying the teachers from Jupiter Grade School shut its doors and departed from the school. As the space ship left the earth, the teachers peered out its tiny windows in awe. Mrs. Path pulled out a spiral notebook from her khaki backpack and began to take notes as the space ship sped through layers of clouds and traveled far beyond the planets and the stars.
The teachers from Jupiter Grade School were so animated and were feeling joyful. They agreed that they had stowed all the necessary articles for their long awaited field trip to the moon. Mrs. Tripp’s maps were extremely helpful to prevent them from making any wrong turns. Mrs. Path’s laminated chart of the solar system was also very useful for aiding the teachers to find their way. Mr. Hite’s scientific calculator was beneficial, too, for measuring the miles they had traveled. And Mr. Ayres certainly kept his promise of providing appropriate entertainment for the journey with his eclectic assortment of CDs.
The teachers from Jupiter Grade School were finding great pleasure in the music from the CDs as they soared through the skies at great speed in their space ship. They began to harmonize to the music. They clapped and they danced. It seemed they were no longer even paying attention to the maps that Mrs. Tripp had carried onto the space ship. They were no longer studying Mrs. Path’s laminated chart of the solar system. And, they were no longer making use of the figures on Mr. Hite’s scientific calculator. Much time had passed. Many miles had already been traveled.
And then, rather spontaneously, the teachers made the deduction that they had, in fact, made a turn in the wrong place and had veered off in the wrong direction. As they looked out the tiny space ship windows they now noticed that nothing looked familiar. It seems they were no longer headed toward the moon. This realization caused a hush amongst the teachers from Jupiter Grade School as they pondered, with an unexpected seriousness, what they should do.
They decided to hold an assembly to make some decisions about what to do. Mrs. Path, the science teacher, thought they should experiment by continuing in a new direction. Mrs. Tripp, who loved teaching social studies, suggested they go back to where they started and get back on their intended route. Mr. Hite, who taught math, thought they should travel along the hypotenuse since it would be shorter than the sum total of the routes.
Then, Mr. Ayres, the music teacher, had a look of astonishment appear on his wrinkled brow as he peered out the tiny space ship window. In the distance he spotted something. Initially, he was unable to determine what he was looking at. First, he noticed shapes. Then, he spotted colors.
As they traveled further he could see that there were miles and miles of many bright colors. It seemed to be a huge bountiful garden of many colors, but then he concluded that what he saw were not flowers at all.
And they were moving. Not really moving, but bouncing. No, not really bouncing, but bobbing. “What could all those colors be?” asked Mr. Ayres to Miss Frame in wonderment.
The space ship continued to soar beyond the planets and the stars. As the space ship approached the garden-like colors, Mrs. Tripp made the discovery of what they were all really looking at. “A balloon garden. That’s what this is, a balloon garden. Those colors we see are balloons. Millions of balloons! They are all the balloons that boys and girls from all over the world have lost.” Mrs. Tripp wisely acknowledged. “From birthday parties. From carnivals. From Afghanistan. From Monticello. From Anywhere. From Everywhere. All the lost balloons must end up here!” she remarked with strong conviction. Some of the balloons were red. Some of the balloons were purple. Some of the balloons were yellow. Some of the balloons were twisted into funny animal shapes. Some of the balloons looked like flags from faraway countries. One of the orange balloons had “Go Illini” printed on it in large blues letters and was shaped like a football.
Some of the balloons were attached to long white strings. Some of the balloons were attached to colorful curly ribbons. And some of the balloons strings were attached to each other in a loose knot.
The space ship neared the place where all the colorful balloons were floating. The space ship gradually slowed down and then finally came to a halt and became silent. The teachers from Jupiter Grade School felt a bit wobbly as they marched off the space ship with curiosity.
As the teachers from Jupiter Grade School approached the millions of balloons, they reached out. And then they carefully transported each and every balloon one by one onto their space ship. Much time had passed before they had gathered all the balloons.
And then, the teachers of Jupiter Grade School embarked onto their space ship. And this time they actually used the maps that Mrs. Tripp, the social studies teacher, had brought. And, they actually used the laminated chart of the solar system that Mrs. Path, the science teacher had brought. And, they actually used the scientific calculator that Mr. Hite, the math teacher had brought. And, they joyfully listened to the CDs in the boom box that belonged to Mr. Ayres, the music teacher. And, they successfully navigated their way back to earth.
And, when the teachers of Jupiter Grade School returned to earth, they distributed each and every balloon one by one to the boys and girls all over the world who had lost balloons.
The teachers had big smiles across their faces. Their summer field trip had never taken them to the moon as they had planned. But they were able to bring happiness to all the boys and girls from all over the world who had lost balloons.
And so, to all students of life, your homework from the teachers of Jupiter Grade School is to remember that even if you are not on the path that you had intended to travel, life often takes you to a much better destination.
By Debra L. Karplus
It was June and the flowers were in full bloom. Jupiter Grade School was closed for the summer. The children had gone home and would not return until September. The principal’s office was lifeless. The hallways were silent. All the classrooms were dark and empty. The bulletin boards were barren. The chalkboards were a dull green with no evidence of homework assignments. The desks were arranged in tidy straight rows and were free of textbooks and papers and pencils. No Little Mermaid backpacks or Star Wars lunch boxes could be found in the cloak room. No school buses could be seen anywhere near Jupiter Grade School. The teachers from Jupiter Grade School complained that they were bored and had nothing to do.
Then, Mrs. Path, the science teacher, burst out with an idea. “Perhaps all the teachers from Jupiter Grade School should go on a field trip?” she suggested.
Mrs. Tripp, who loved teaching social studies seemed to relish the idea but questioned, “Where shall we go?”
Mr. Hite, who taught math, summated “I think we should all go visit the moon. None of us has ever been there.”
“Could we go there is a space ship?” chimed in Mr. Ayres, the music teacher.
“That’s a superb idea”, interjected Mrs. Path.
Mr. Widget, the school custodian, constructed the space ship from supplies in the janitor’s closet. Miss Frame, the art teacher created parts of the space ship with paper mache, pipe cleaners, and crepe paper. She painted it with bright yellow acrylics, and decorated the back with fancy black racing stripes. Mr. Steer, the school bus driver, agreed to pilot the space ship.
So, the teachers from Jupiter Grade School prepared for their field trip. They packed all the clothes they would need. They also collected some of their books. Mrs. Tripp’s navy canvas briefcase contained an assortment of necessary maps so that they would not make any wrong turns. Mrs. Path carried her laminated chart of the solar system so that they could find their way. Mr. Hite stored a scientific calculator in his powder blue colored shirt pocket, so that they could measure the number of miles they had traveled. And, Mr. Ayres packed a boom box and gathered some of his favorite CDs to share while they traveled, including Frank Sinatra singing “Fly Me to the Moon”, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, and the Beatles “Ticket to Ride”. Miss Rice, the lunchroom lady, made ready sloppy Joes on whole wheat sesame seed buns and potato chips and small cups of chocolate pudding with tiny flat wooden spoon-like utensils so that the teachers on the space ship would feel nourished.
The teachers met on the playground at Jupiter Grade School. The students from Jupiter Grade School gathered nearby and waved good-bye to their teachers, as the students happily frolicked on the swings and slides. The teachers stood tall and proud as they promenaded onto the space ship.
Mrs. Stay, the second grade teacher, could not participate in the field trip because she had forgotten to bring her signed permission slip. Mr. Ride, Jupiter Grade School’s well-respected principal, took attendance to make sure all the other teacher’s were aboard the space ship and were properly wearing their seat belts.
The space ship carrying the teachers from Jupiter Grade School shut its doors and departed from the school. As the space ship left the earth, the teachers peered out its tiny windows in awe. Mrs. Path pulled out a spiral notebook from her khaki backpack and began to take notes as the space ship sped through layers of clouds and traveled far beyond the planets and the stars.
The teachers from Jupiter Grade School were so animated and were feeling joyful. They agreed that they had stowed all the necessary articles for their long awaited field trip to the moon. Mrs. Tripp’s maps were extremely helpful to prevent them from making any wrong turns. Mrs. Path’s laminated chart of the solar system was also very useful for aiding the teachers to find their way. Mr. Hite’s scientific calculator was beneficial, too, for measuring the miles they had traveled. And Mr. Ayres certainly kept his promise of providing appropriate entertainment for the journey with his eclectic assortment of CDs.
The teachers from Jupiter Grade School were finding great pleasure in the music from the CDs as they soared through the skies at great speed in their space ship. They began to harmonize to the music. They clapped and they danced. It seemed they were no longer even paying attention to the maps that Mrs. Tripp had carried onto the space ship. They were no longer studying Mrs. Path’s laminated chart of the solar system. And, they were no longer making use of the figures on Mr. Hite’s scientific calculator. Much time had passed. Many miles had already been traveled.
And then, rather spontaneously, the teachers made the deduction that they had, in fact, made a turn in the wrong place and had veered off in the wrong direction. As they looked out the tiny space ship windows they now noticed that nothing looked familiar. It seems they were no longer headed toward the moon. This realization caused a hush amongst the teachers from Jupiter Grade School as they pondered, with an unexpected seriousness, what they should do.
They decided to hold an assembly to make some decisions about what to do. Mrs. Path, the science teacher, thought they should experiment by continuing in a new direction. Mrs. Tripp, who loved teaching social studies, suggested they go back to where they started and get back on their intended route. Mr. Hite, who taught math, thought they should travel along the hypotenuse since it would be shorter than the sum total of the routes.
Then, Mr. Ayres, the music teacher, had a look of astonishment appear on his wrinkled brow as he peered out the tiny space ship window. In the distance he spotted something. Initially, he was unable to determine what he was looking at. First, he noticed shapes. Then, he spotted colors.
As they traveled further he could see that there were miles and miles of many bright colors. It seemed to be a huge bountiful garden of many colors, but then he concluded that what he saw were not flowers at all.
And they were moving. Not really moving, but bouncing. No, not really bouncing, but bobbing. “What could all those colors be?” asked Mr. Ayres to Miss Frame in wonderment.
The space ship continued to soar beyond the planets and the stars. As the space ship approached the garden-like colors, Mrs. Tripp made the discovery of what they were all really looking at. “A balloon garden. That’s what this is, a balloon garden. Those colors we see are balloons. Millions of balloons! They are all the balloons that boys and girls from all over the world have lost.” Mrs. Tripp wisely acknowledged. “From birthday parties. From carnivals. From Afghanistan. From Monticello. From Anywhere. From Everywhere. All the lost balloons must end up here!” she remarked with strong conviction. Some of the balloons were red. Some of the balloons were purple. Some of the balloons were yellow. Some of the balloons were twisted into funny animal shapes. Some of the balloons looked like flags from faraway countries. One of the orange balloons had “Go Illini” printed on it in large blues letters and was shaped like a football.
Some of the balloons were attached to long white strings. Some of the balloons were attached to colorful curly ribbons. And some of the balloons strings were attached to each other in a loose knot.
The space ship neared the place where all the colorful balloons were floating. The space ship gradually slowed down and then finally came to a halt and became silent. The teachers from Jupiter Grade School felt a bit wobbly as they marched off the space ship with curiosity.
As the teachers from Jupiter Grade School approached the millions of balloons, they reached out. And then they carefully transported each and every balloon one by one onto their space ship. Much time had passed before they had gathered all the balloons.
And then, the teachers of Jupiter Grade School embarked onto their space ship. And this time they actually used the maps that Mrs. Tripp, the social studies teacher, had brought. And, they actually used the laminated chart of the solar system that Mrs. Path, the science teacher had brought. And, they actually used the scientific calculator that Mr. Hite, the math teacher had brought. And, they joyfully listened to the CDs in the boom box that belonged to Mr. Ayres, the music teacher. And, they successfully navigated their way back to earth.
And, when the teachers of Jupiter Grade School returned to earth, they distributed each and every balloon one by one to the boys and girls all over the world who had lost balloons.
The teachers had big smiles across their faces. Their summer field trip had never taken them to the moon as they had planned. But they were able to bring happiness to all the boys and girls from all over the world who had lost balloons.
And so, to all students of life, your homework from the teachers of Jupiter Grade School is to remember that even if you are not on the path that you had intended to travel, life often takes you to a much better destination.
Autism Awareness
About Autism
April is National Autism Awareness Month. This disability is more common than one might imagine.
That child who appears smart, yet socially different and sometimes has language deficits, may be someone with Autism.
If you suspect Autism in a young child, ask your pediatrician or some other professional who understands Autism.
April is National Autism Awareness Month. This disability is more common than one might imagine.
That child who appears smart, yet socially different and sometimes has language deficits, may be someone with Autism.
If you suspect Autism in a young child, ask your pediatrician or some other professional who understands Autism.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Petals & Paintings exhibit at Krannert Art Museum
The Krannert Art Museum featured an exhibit, Petals & Painting, where floral designers created pieces to match paintings of different styles and eras. Very cool!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
National Volunteer Week
This is National Volunteer Week. I have been very busy this week attending events that recognize and honor those of us who help with events.
The most recent article I had published was in Dollar Stretcher, Benefits of Volunteering.
But, it didn't really impact me, until I started reorganizing my T-shirt drawer, or should I say, drawers. (There are now TWO of them!)
I am not sure what to do with all those T-shirts. Most carry with them, many fine memories of volunteering experiences.
The most recent article I had published was in Dollar Stretcher, Benefits of Volunteering.
But, it didn't really impact me, until I started reorganizing my T-shirt drawer, or should I say, drawers. (There are now TWO of them!)
I am not sure what to do with all those T-shirts. Most carry with them, many fine memories of volunteering experiences.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Ebertfest in Champaign
The annual movie festival of favorite overlooked films of Roger Ebert is this week and the town is buzzing.
Follow the fest on twitter and on the Ebertfest website.
Follow the fest on twitter and on the Ebertfest website.
Be careful on the Internet!
I love Dick's Sporting Goods here in Champaign. They have many useful items at good prices. That's the reason I attempted to use their web site.
But, by mistake, I failed to type in the entire store name, only the first word.
Oh my goodness. Wrong site!
Be careful!
But, by mistake, I failed to type in the entire store name, only the first word.
Oh my goodness. Wrong site!
Be careful!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Earth Day
This week is Earth Day and, in many states, Arbor Day.
What are some ways that you can help the planet?
What are some ways that you can help the planet?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Strawberry plants need straw
As the garden evolves this spring, I am adding to it daily.
Yesterday, I found a large bag of straw that a neighbor was giving away. It's perfect for my new strawberry plants
that I put in a few weeks ago. They really seem to be thriving.
Yesterday, I found a large bag of straw that a neighbor was giving away. It's perfect for my new strawberry plants
that I put in a few weeks ago. They really seem to be thriving.
, an a capella quartet from Chicago, in concert last night.Saturday, April 17, 2010
Grow soybeans in your garden
I'd love to grow soybeans in my backyard garden.
Has anyone done this successfully?
I need some advice.
Has anyone done this successfully?
I need some advice.
Champaign Mayor Jerry
Wow, Jerry. Nearly 5000 hits on YouTube.com in one day! You are making Champaign a famous place.
Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC4LBdSnhkE
Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC4LBdSnhkE
Friday, April 16, 2010
My Favorite Mile - Los Angeles Marathon
I have much respect for people who can run marathons. The Los Angeles Marathon was last month and has an intriguing web site, www.myfavoritemile.com, My Favorite Mile.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
How to Grow Garlic
Well, thanks to Uncle Larry's good advice, I now have garlic growing in the yard.
I bought some garlic at the grocery, and put the separate cloves into the soil. Three weeks later, I have plants about a foot tall. Amazing!!!
I bought some garlic at the grocery, and put the separate cloves into the soil. Three weeks later, I have plants about a foot tall. Amazing!!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Grapevine support
Being a scavenger and quite frugal, I was determined to build something free and functional and reasonably attractive, to support my grapevine.
Voila! At the News-Gazette, where I frequently pick up free pallets (skids). Saturday, they had some really fancy pallets, so I put a bunch in the back seat of the Honda Civic, brought them to my garden and erected the perfect grapevine trellis. I am quite pleased with the results. Before long, I will be opening a winery. (Grin.)
Notice some of the extremely tidy firewood pile in the background and the tomato fences awaiting the May 1 tomato planting.
Pajama Game - musical at Champaign Centennial High School this weekend
WOW!!! I was lucky enough to get to see the previews of The Pajama Game, a musical production, and boy, is it ever gpod!!!!
Local folks, be sure to get tickets.
Local folks, be sure to get tickets.
Remembering Mable Thomas of Champaign
How surprising and sad that we have lost Mable Thomas. The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette has the details about Mable. She was a hard worker and a good person. She will be missed.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Grape trelliss
I need ideas to support the grapevine that I planted in my garden. This is its second season and the plant looks robust.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Most kids movies are difficullt for grownups to sit through,but Diary of a Wimpy Kid was extremely well done. I recommend it!
Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid and compare it to the movie.
Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid and compare it to the movie.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Earthquake in Baja Mexico
Folks in Los Angeles just felt this 6.9 earthquake.
Did you feel it?
How far away were the quakes felt?
Did you feel it?
How far away were the quakes felt?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Republican versus Democrat
When a seven year old asks, how do you explain the difference between Republicans and Democrats? The question really took me by surprise from such a young person!
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