WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON?

It is very difficult to keep an optimistic outlook with all of the negativity surrounding us today. I personally have to work really hard at understanding the Light and the Dark (Shadow, Ego, Satan?), the Yin-Yang, and why it is sometimes necessary for one to experience the woes of the world. The Yin-Yang symbol represents the interdependence, indeed the interconnectedness of all things. It is a reminder that each is necessary to the whole -- the masculine and the feminine, the light and the dark, the fire and the water, and the negativity as well as the optimism. If we are never made aware of the ugliness present, both literally and emotionally, in our world, how are we to know what is needed to correct it?

What is needed is often based on our desires. What do we wish our world to be? What do we wish to experience not only in the world, but in our own lives? At the top of the list for most of us is (or should be) peace. However, it appears that our struggles to obtain "peace on earth" have been failing abysmally. Why? 

(Public Domain Image)

The answer may lie in the word "struggles". The struggles taking place often lead to war. On a personal level, it could be the break-up of a relationship.. or divorce. On social issues we often speak in terms of attack. We are waging "War on Drugs", a "Fight Against Breast Cancer", "Let's Fight Against Hunger", and "War on Poverty" among others. Not that these are not legitimate causes deserving of our attention and assistance. But these are not "peaceful" images of solutions being portrayed in our minds.

We worry about things like the rising incidence of gun violence. Is the answer to that to place more guns on the streets and in our homes and God forbid, in our schools? 

Today we heard of another nuclear test conducted by North Korea. Will that be followed by a proliferation of more nuclear weapons in other nations -- or perhaps aggression towards the North Koreans? Is the answer to the problem of the Iranians obtaining a nuclear weapon to agree to an invasion of Iran?

(Public Domain Image)

I do not have the answer to these questions, but I do believe that peace is possible. There is a law of quantum physics (the uncertainty principle) that boils down to "what you focus on increases". Could it be that we have all been focusing on the wrong images? Could we bring about change by prayer and imaging for peace? With enough people... Ah, critical mass could be obtained.

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If we pay close attention, there are good things happening right under our noses. A few years back a group of high school students started a club of sorts to counteract what they perceived as  a form of snobbery and unwarranted bullying in their school. They began to greet students in the hallways with compliments and acts of kindness. Even students who had been snubbed, didn't belong to the "right" club, or otherwise had been made to feel unworthy were recognized. This was so successful that in a few short years, it has evolved into an organization in many schools across the country, and is an active movement in the local elementary school here that my grandchildren attend. It is known as C-squared -- Coalition of Clubs. It was started to draw together different school organizations and clubs and eliminate the rivalry, and it has blossomed into a movement of compassion and kindness, meant to take the place of mean-spirited bullying. Members are nominated by teachers as being recognized as showing qualities of fairness, compassion, and kindness to others. I am very proud to say that my ten-year-old grandson Travis was made a member of this group this past semester. I have witnessed his compassion for others many times while watching him at play. Besides, he is also making wonderful grades and is on the A & B honor roll.

Organizations such as this are instrumental in creating a culture of caring, compassionate young people to go forth into the world with optimism and the ability to spread love. However, we all know that what goes into making these young people before they enter school is the role models they have in their homes. In my grandson's case he has a dad, my son Matthew, who is deeply involved with raising his children. Besides the ordinary things that good dads do, like teaching  them to fish or play golf, to play fair, go on camping trips, coaching a Little League team, or joining them for lunch at school some days, he belongs to an organization that keeps dads involved when their children are in school. It is called WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dad of a Great Student).  Originally inspired by a school shooting in Arkansas, it was formed to place dads in and on the school and its grounds. (I might add that these dads are not armed with guns, just love!) Their credo:

• (To) "engage men, inspire children, reduce bullying and enhance the educational environment"..
• "Is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive role models for the students and to enhance school security. Today, more than 2,659 active programs in 46 states participate in the WATCH D.O.G.S. Program."

Bravo to all the dads involved! Especially my son Matthew. They are making a difference, and the children for whom they are role models will certainly help to create a kinder, gentler world of peace.

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Now this is not the image that pops into one's mind when you think of a scientist, is it? The lovely young lady (appearing to defy the law of gravity) is my oldest granddaughter Audrey. After graduating from SMU last spring with a degree in Environmental Science and one in Biology, she has spent the intervening time working first at a Delaware State Park as a naturalist, lecturing the tourists on the flora and fauna present in the park. Her most recent internship was at a research facility in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii assisting for a spinner dolphin research project, the SAPPHIRE project. For more information, the project's website is:  http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/spinners. 

She wrote me this brief description of her stay there: "..a lot different from when I was in Maui! (Editor: Doing humpback whale research in January of 2012.) The hardest days are when we have to hike to a theodolite station, where we do our land-based research. We leave at 5 am and don't return until 6 or 7 pm, depending on the dolphins. We have a really intense hour hike each way, too.." "..I love working here. Every day is different. Some days we identify dolphins on the computer by matching their fins. It's a bit tedious but rewarding at the same time. On longer days, we hike to a cliff and take coordinates of the dolphin pods and tourist activity in the bay. We stay there as long as the dolphins are there, which on record days was 10 hours! It has definitely given me some perspective on the realities of wildlife research. We go on the boat to take photos of the dolphins. That's a lot of fun, but we don't do it too often, because they already have a lot of photo data. We also go on the boat to change the batteries and memory card of all of the acoustics loggers (records sound underwater). So we definitely stay busy."

Audrey with Resident Sea Turtle -- Hawaii

Since returning home from Hawaii in time for New Year's celebrations, Audrey has been working with a genetics research lab at West Texas A&M University studying the hybridization between two species of deer, as well as continuing some of the SAPPHIRE research back home analyzing the acoustics data for a Duke PhD student. This keeps her busy while waiting to hear from one of the universities she has applied to for admission to a graduate program. One of which was Duke, Nicholas School of the Environment in Durham, North Carolina. Lo and behold! While on a trip to North Carolina she got word yesterday that not only has she been accepted into their graduate program, but she's also received a scholarship. No one has worked harder or deserves it more! She will be working for a Master of Environmental Management degree, with an Ecosystem Science & Conservation concentration. Whew! I can barely write about it, much less understand it all. I have several pages of information forwarded to me by Audrey's mother, Carajean, that I will read diligently and do my best to fathom the work that so drives my granddaughter's passion. 

I am so very proud of Audrey, but especially so of her mother and dad who have given her the necessary role models and encouragement for her to launch on a much-needed career of work for our environment, both rescuing and preserving it for future generations. They also embraced Audrey's desire to become a vegetarian at a tender age, and now practice the diet as well. Kudos to you, Carajean and Branch!

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This has been a long read, I know. I have more to share about other grandchildren in a subsequent  blog. And, you know what? After working on this, I have more reason to feel optimistic about our future. 

Now, all together -- close your eyes, take a deep breath, and send images of 

Love and peace to the world,

Marilyn

LOOKS LIKE HOME, FEELS LIKE HOME

I am approaching the end of a long journey that started in August of last year, when the owners of my previous home wished to double my rent or sell the house I lived in. (The economy has taken its toll on everyone!) I was well into the process of settling my dad's affairs, after his illness forced him into a nursing facility in May. The next few months were probably the most stressful -- physically and emotionally I have ever experienced. There were many times I felt like just giving up. BUT, that is not my nature. I persevered, packing all 164 boxes for the monumental task of downsizing from a 3-bedroom, 1,200 square foot house to a 2-bedroom, 800 square foot cottage near the lake only three and a half miles from my son Matthew and his family. I moved on December 3rd, after having an estate sale at my dad's home in Mineral Wells the first of October and a garage sale of my own belongings the first week in November. Whew!!

As you can see in these videos, the first few weeks of labor have created some semblance of a cozy little home. (Little being the defining word!) Son Matthew and daughter Carajean contributed to the efforts of making order out of what at first appeared to be an impossible feat.  (With only the office/guest room yet to be worked on, I will soon be ready for some overnight guests!) During this time, son Craig filled in for me by visiting his grandfather at the nursing home, being there for Dad's 94th birthday!

Day 3 After Move-In

During the first visit from grandchildren Travis and Kelly, I let them decorate a small fiber optic Christmas tree I had left out of storage so it would add a little festive atmosphere during the holidays. No time for big decorations or outdoor lights! I enjoyed my neighbors' outdoor decor, though, as I kept my granddog, Jasmine, for two weeks while Matthew and his family spent the holidays with Carajean's family in Amarillo. Jasmine and I made many outdoor trips during those two weeks. The cheerful lights and decorations made our walks more enjoyable, in spite of the colder than normal temperatures! For the first time in my life, I walked a dog while holding an umbrella on two occasions! Jasmine didn't mind the rain and sleet, but Grandmommy did! She was good company for me, as the inclement weather kept us indoors most of the two weeks. I watched lots of Netflix, with Jasmine curled up on a pad at my feet. I wish I had taken photos of her while she was here, but Matthew took this photo on her first night home with her loving family. Boy and his dog were happy to be together again!

I am looking forward to living here and exploring the area around our little group of cottages, which were built sometime during the 70s as a retreat. There is a park across the street that is filled with children, pets, and laughter every time the sun comes out and there is no school. I've already witnessed many of the local wildlife, too!

I have been so busy putting one foot in front of the other that I've not really given much thought to New Year's resolutions. However, one I think I will make (notice I give myself an out!) is to write more prolifically on this blog, as well as catching up with old friends and school chums. My next post on this blog will be to brag on my grandchildren's accomplishments -- and they were many -- for the past few months.

In the meantime, may this year be the best ever for each of us, and may we know an abundance of 

Love and peace,

Marilyn

You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

"How many homemakers are neglecting their duties as patriotic citizens of our great America? Most of us are so preoccupied with tasks of being good wives and mothers that we have let our duties as citizens slip into obscurity.

Do you, wife and mother, know the difference between 'conservative' and 'liberal'? do you know what the Civil Rights Bill consists of? Do you really understand what 'disarmament' means? You ask, 'who am I to worry about our Foreign Aid Program? I have trouble enough balancing my monthly budget!'

I say all of these things are more vitally important to our domestic roles than most women know. It's time we wake up and realize that we do have just as much say-so in our government and its policies as the men! Our votes count, too!

You say you would like to do your part, but you don't have a college degree with a background in political science. All of this campaigning is a lot of mumbo-jumbo to you?

Well, open your ears and listen. Instead of spending this summer faithfully tuning into your favorite soap operas, make it a point to listen carefully to the news and the many commentators available. Know what's going on -- and where. Who's saying what -- and why.

Most important, though, open your eyes and read! Instead of glancing at the headlines and devouring the society pages,  read -- really read the news, and carefully study the editorials in your newspapers. Let your ladies' magazines and love stories stack up this summer. There will be plenty of time to read them after the elections in November. Instead, take advantage of the libraries and the numerous bookstores in our area to furnish you with your reading material for the next four months.

There are many excellent books on American history and government in case your knowledge is a little rusty. Ask your librarian to recommend some -- or better still, talk to some of our local officials and school authorities and ask their advice as to what to read. Read the literature you receive in the mail from the candidates for public office before you toss them in the trash. Many of them have written books on their own beliefs and opinions. It would be wise to read them as well if at all possible.

While you are being educated in history and government, talk about it. Discuss with your husband, friends, and neighbors what you read. Ask questions, get opinions, and gradually you will begin to form your own opinions.

I am speaking as one of the many housewives who say, 'I am too busy. Politics bore me.' Or even worse, the ones who trust others ('more informed') to make decisions for them at the polls. This is my first year to vote, I am ashamed to say. I have run through all the old and familiar excuses. However, my oldest child is starting to school this year. There is something about entrusting the molding of my child's personality to a handful of strangers that arouses parental suspicion. In my case, I want to know who decides what my child shall learn. 

As I searched for information on the subject, I began to realize that there was more to it than just scrutinizing teachers and school officials at the local level. So much depends upon how much authority the Federal Government has or will have in the future. What type of government we have will determine what my children will learn. Thus, my long trek towards enlightenment and becoming a better citizen as well as a wife and mother.

For the many wives in the same situation as I am, I offer my plan. I am struggling through this plan now. It's not easy, but if you are determined as I am, you will find time in your daily household routine for these methods:

1. Determine the important issues in this year's election. This is easy enough to do by reading the front page of your newspaper. A few this year are Civil Rights Legislation, Disarmament, and Federal Aid.
2. Open your ears and listen! (TV and radio news and commentaries.) This won't even interfere with housework, as you can iron, wash dishes, etc. while you learn. Know what's going on and where. Who's saying what - and why.
3. Read. Books on American History and Government. If in doubt about what to read, don't be embarrassed to ask the librarian for help - or even call the school authorities for their recommendations. Carefully read literature written or sent by mail from the candidates to learn their beliefs and opinions.
4. Talk, talk, talk! Discuss what you've learned with family, friends, and neighbors. Ask questions, get their opinions, and compare the answers you come up with.
5. Form your own opinions.

This is my plan. I intend to go to the polls in November knowing who and for what I am voting. Whether you follow it or have your own method of gaining political knowledge, I pray that we can intelligently make the right decisions.

And Lord help us if you forgot to pay your poll tax again this year!"

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The year was 1964. My how things have changed since then. There was no cable TV or Internet. Few women were in the workplace. And I was a politically naive young 24-year-old mother of two. I recently ran across this piece I wrote by hand while continuing my efforts to cull out unnecessary "stuff" I've hung onto all these many years. I decided to print it word for word. It will be a good laugh for many... but it might make a few young women of today realize how fortunate they are to have had concerned mothers and grandmothers during those tumultuous times nearly 50 years ago! 

The issues today are every bit as important, if not more so, than those we faced in 1964. It is every bit as important for each of us to get out and vote!

Peace and love,

Marilyn

Little treasures...

As I've mentioned before, I am facing a move in the near future. Since I will be "downsizing", I am forced to cull excesses that I do not need to hang onto. This necessitated going through not only my own files, paperwork, photos, etc., but also many of my mother's I have been left with, and now my dad's. Mother had scores of scrapbooks filled with mementos from all her family and friends. These are some I salvaged from those books:

The above paper was one I must have sent to my mother. Today I brag about my children and grandchildren on this blog. However, during their early childhood years, I sent school papers, photos, and memorabilia to grandparents and even great-grandparents. Little did I realize at the time I would someday be in possession of some of these "little treasures" in my own senior years. The above school paper was one written by my oldest, Craig, in 1969. He was 11-years-old at the time, with a five-month-old baby brother! Now how does one part with such a treasure? Or the one below:

This was written by my daughter, Carajean. It must have been during one of the summers she visited my mother's home. If you look closely, you can see the straight pin my mother left in that Carrie used to pin it to the dress. Judging from the printing, she was very young. The following was written a few years later:

Carajean was 12-years-old when she wrote this about her three-year-old brother and the family's Siamese cat, Prissy, going fishing in her aquarium. Carrie saved her money to buy her own aquarium, plants for it, and of course, she paid for her fish! Matthew used the net she cleaned it with to catch the fish, then tossed them to the waiting, hungry Prissy! I'm not sure if Carajean ever forgave me for not punishing Matthew more severely. This story will never die.

The Innocents - Matthew and Prissy - 1972

At this rate, I may never "downsize" enough to move anytime soon. There are at least two trunks full of such little treasures as these.

Peace, and more space, please,

Marilyn

HEALTHCARE AND THE ELDERLY..and more..

As I deal with an ailing, elderly father (93), and all of the facilities and people involved in his care, I am reminded of our aging population and the inadequacy of the healthcare system to accommodate the ever-increasing load. People are living longer, but that does not mean they are necessarily healthier or financially or physically able to take care of themselves. Families are not in positions to care for their elderly as they were in the past, when the nuclear family consisted of more than just one or two relatives in a home. Couples are choosing to have smaller and smaller families as well, so there will not be many children to rely upon when they grow old and infirm. Most of the time we are now having to depend upon nursing homes and long-care facilities.

Jarvis Moragne and Firstborn Grandchild

As a single person, with health issues of my own, I am dismayed at the quality of care that is available -- especially in small towns. As I sought a  place for my dad to live out his years with good, affordable medical care, I could not help but wonder where the baby boomers will spend their "golden years". We all must join in the vision of a future where there are adequate facilities for the elderly to approach their deaths with dignity and comfort. So many today are financially unable to afford such care.

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KUDOS:

"Today a federal judge in Galveston declined to allow the State of Texas to continue to suppress voters through restrictive voter registration laws that are the subject of a pending lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the laws violate the National Voter Registration Act of 1993."   

RASPBERRIES:

"...despite evidence that the law (Pennsylvania's Voter ID law) - which demands that citizens present strict, state-issued photo identification before voting - disenfranchises many voters, it was upheld."... (from Huffington Post)

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I have recently felt extremely isolated and more than a little depressed by my dad's situation and all I am attempting to do. Added to that is the recent announcement that the people who own the house I rent want to either double my rent (which they know I am unable to afford) or have me move so they will be able to sell the house. As a result, and hours I am spending alone doing necessary culling out of both my dad's and my own accumulated "stuff", I have kept the television set on more than I ever do. This is just for "noise" to make me feel a part of the world at large. As it is difficult to put on anything I might wish to "watch", I've turned to the cable news channels for company. I can listen and still accomplish my clearing out.

(by Bryant Arnold)

Oh, boy! This is the wrong time to be listening to what comes over the airwaves! Soundbites, political ads, commentators on both sides of the political spectrum, general gloom and doom on the economy, the violence taking place at home and in the world at large, and the election itself. One of the things I take issue with is the view that this is one of the dirtiest election campaigns ever! At least this morning I heard one newscaster give a rundown of "dirty" campaigns harking back to Thomas Jefferson in 1776 in the race between him and President John Adams. The following was written in a piece by Kerwin Swint, titled "Founding Fathers' dirty campaign" in 2008:

"Jefferson's camp accused President Adams of having a 'hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.'

In return, Adams' men called Vice-President Jefferson 'a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father." 

Now that's what I call dirty campaigning!!

All of which takes me back to the fall of 1952, and my introduction to political campaigns. For a few months that year my sister and I were staying with my grandparents who lived in Mt. Shasta, California. I was in the 8th grade in that tiny town. Our class was very excited when we found out we were to be taken by bus to a nearby town to hear our President, Harry Truman, speak from the rear of the Presidential Train. (I wonder if there is still such a train??) 

Now, mind you, my dad had just been mustered out of his third tour of duty with the U.S. Army, having served this time during the Korean "conflict". As an army brat, there was no one more of a hero in my eyes than General Dwight Eisenhower! When President Truman opened his mouth and began to speak what I thought were outright lies and slander of my hero, I was shocked and let my outrage be known. Thus was my introduction to politics! And what today is called "dirty tricks campaigns". Of course, years later I realized that Truman was stumping for Adlai Stevenson, who was the Democratic candidate running for the office of President. Who, as we know, lost to Eisenhower. Goes to show some people cannot be fooled by negative campaigns.

Years later, I also switched my political party allegiance, when I thought the Republican Party was veering far from the platform of my then hero, Dwight Eisenhower.

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This morning I tried to compensate for all the negativity I had been hearing by watching three religious church services. I have to say it helped tremendously. One sermon was even on the subject of "celebrating the diversity" in our humanity. We truly can agree to disagree. And disagree with more civility than has been shown by so many of our politicians of late.

We are all a part of the family of man. Even families have dissension from time to time, but we still love each other.. Don't we?

Peace and love,

Marilyn

LOOK OUT WORLD! HERE THEY COME!

Cameron Oliver Young. Age 5 years and 22 years. A precious memory of Kindergarten graduation and then a proud moment of college graduation -- Louisiana State University, Class of 2012. Cameron missed graduating Cum Laude by only .015 points! 

Since graduating in May, Cameron volunteered to help with the Special Olympics in Dallas, Texas. He was the MC for the events. Cameron's delightful sense of humor surely added to the joy of the day. As part of his graduation gift, Cameron will be making a trip in August to visit many of his friends in Europe. 

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Audrey Marlena Archer. Graduation Day from Kindergarten, age (almost) 5 years, and Graduation Day from Southern Methodist University, Class of 2012, age (almost) 22 years. 

As part of her graduation gift, Audrey and her good friend Hannah are trekking across the United States, arriving today in Delaware, stopping at many points of interest between Amarillo and her destination. Audrey will be working this summer with the Delaware State Park system as an Environmental Tour Guide, discussing with and educating the public regarding the flora and fauna of the State Park. She has applied, and will learn in August if she has been hired, to work with a group in North Carolina in the rescue and rehabilitation of Sea Turtles. 

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These cousins, born four months apart, have been close all of their short lives. Their parents threw a wonderful celebratory party for them in Dallas a few weeks back. Friends and family (with the exception of this sad grandmama, who had an ailing parent to tend to) gathered to send them off into the world. Having grown up in Dallas, Cameron had many of his childhood friends in attendance.

Beautiful, talented, and bright. These two are going to make special marks in our world. I intend to hang around and report their accomplishments for all the world to hear about!

I salute you two! With all my love and pride,

Fancy Grandmama

THE CURIOUS CROC CAPER

As most of you know, I have been away from home for the past two and a half weeks assisting my ailing dad. During this time, we had a good deal of rain here in Burnet. This is a portion of my back yard as it appeared, overgrown with weeds, when I returned home. In the rear by the tree, one of my outdoor shoes known as "Crocs", is ensconced in a nearly dry birdbath. The yellow, concrete one had been overturned. Upon examination, I saw that the shoe had been nearly destroyed by "something" chewing on it! The mate has disappeared completely!

There is a wide hole going into the crawlspace beneath my house that I have had chicken wire stapled over several times. A creature of some kind keeps working the chicken wire loose to access this space. I called our local animal control officer and explained what I had found. She appeared shortly, accompanied by a police officer who has an interest in the wildlife around here. I told them that my neighbor had seen a raccoon in my yard a couple of years ago. (See MORE MUSINGS, August 2010) We even set a trap when said raccoon began to raid their tomato plants. At that time, we netted a feral cat, and the raccoon ceased its nighttime forays. The policeman, who had 15 pet raccoons at one time, said he never knew them to chew up anything. When I told him I had found some leftover suet in the birdbath earlier this year, he said that did sound like a raccoon. They are often able to open doors to cages such as the one that held the suet.

Looking at the destruction of this hard rubber shoe, I am reminded of puppies who chew anything and everything when they are cutting teeth. I looked up some of the behavior of raccoons on the internet, and much to my dismay I discovered they can have litters of up to seven little ones!! 

We set a trap with cat food, hung a piece of bread with peanut butter and jelly (the officer said they have a sweet tooth) in the suet basket, and I awaited daylight. I was up at 5:30 with my flashlight trying to see what we had captured. It was a very large house cat! Probably someone's pet. The animal control officer came and reset the trap while I was gone this morning. I wonder what we will capture tonight.

My property is across a busy highway from a wooded, hilly area. In the winter, my former neighbor (a night owl who awakens easily) has seen deer in my back yard. Unfortunately, due to the droughts we have suffered in this part of Texas, the deer migrate to neighborhoods to feed and many of their fawns are hit by cars and killed.

Day 2 -- We have one smart raccoon, if that's what it is. This morning the peanut butter and jelly had been removed from the suet cage, the trap door was still set but the can of cat food was empty and turned upside down in the birdbath, and the second Croc was now missing, too! I have a call into animal control. Maybe we will try another tactic. I'll keep you posted.

Peace,
Marilyn