A Hard Day at the Office!

MaryBeth, Sidney's trainer, told us that Sid had a particularly good training day yesterday and as the picture above attests, he and his pal were pooped at the end of it all. We are happy that MaryBeth's training methods focus on positive reinforcement and reward, instead of old-fashioned coercion and use of force.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by Irish writer, John Boyne, is a wonderfully poignant and powerful story about two nine-year-old boys named Bruno and Shmuel, and a barbed-wire fence that initially separates the boys, whose lives are worlds apart. Set during the Holocaust, the book describes the evolution of their unlikely, and ultimately, tragic friendship. My Uncle Joe gave it to me when Jerry and I were in Dublin in August. It is a beautifully written book that Uncle Joe loves and so do I. I would strongly recommend this book to teachers and their students.

The Southwest Arts Festival

This morning Jerry and I attended the Southwest Arts Festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. It couldn't have been a nicer day with sunny skies and temperatures of over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. An annual event for the past 21 years, the three-day show features over 250 acclaimed artists of traditional, contemporary and abstract works of arts. I loved the work of Laguna Beach artist, Shelley Rapp Evans who designs Spirit Keepers, wonderfully exotic figures thought to bring good luck and protection. Her Spirit Keepers are made from simple and unusual materials, many of which are found. Michael and Christine Love Adcock's baskets and ceramics are exquisite. We had an interesting chat with Michael who explained how some of the grass materials on the baskets and ceramics were harvested and then applied to the vessels. The work of Arizona artist, Kim Seyesnem Obrzut captured our hearts and imaginations. As Obrzut says, "I talk with my hands, the clay is my voice..."

This morning I woke up to find that my husband,in addition to giving me some wonderful gifts, had written me a poem for my birthday. I have his permission to post it here. And I just want to add that while I love all the presents he showers on me, it is his presence in my life that I love best.

Jerry's Poem

GOOD MORNING, LOVE. YOU ARE NOT GETTING OLDER JUST BETTER....

You make me laugh; you make me cry...
But I will never question why I fell in love with you.
Your smiles are bright; your eyes just shine.
I go to bed each night knowing that you are mine.

Your laughter fills the air each day; your wisdom helps me find the way.
That's why I love you more and more each day.
Esther, you are my pride and joy.
I love you.

Tomorrow is Robbie Burns Day

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.


If you have ever sung the beautiful and poignant Auld Lang Syne at midnight on New Year’s Eve, you have paid tribute to one of the worlds’ greatest poets. Tomorrow, January 25, is Robbie Burns Day, one of Scotland’s most famous and prolific writers (forerunner to JK Rowling who has blown everybody out of the water). Burns is the author of almost 600 poems, including My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose, A Man’s A Man for A’ That and the whimsical, To A Mouse.

Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, is traditionally served to celebrate the bard’s birthday. A few years ago when I was in Scotland presenting a paper at a conference, I had a chance to taste some traditional haggis (a combination of a sheep’s stomach pouch, oatmeal and various spices), which Burns reportedly loved, as his poem, Address to a Haggis attests. I was less than enthusiastic about it, but to be fair, it’s probably an acquired taste. Happy Robbie Burns Day!

Want to read an interesting book? I just finished The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and her students. The teacher, Erin Gruwell, young, White and naive is slotted to teach a group of supposedly "at-risk" and "unteachable" Black, Asian, and Hispanic students from the "wrong" side of the tracks. Written in diary format, and based on a true story, it describes how a first-year English teacher and 150 students used writing to change themselves and the world around them. The first-hand accounts by the students are full of love, laughter, tears and resiliency. It's a great book on so many levels. I suspect the book wil be required reading in many faculties of education. It'll be interesting to see how the book translates into film. It's on my list to see!

Mr. Sidney M. Doodle Enjoying Puppy Boot Camp!

Body Language

In the school picture below most of the girls are sitting with their hands cupped neatly in their laps, whereas the boys have their arms crossed and extended. Interesting how at such young ages we are socialized into our roles as little boys and girls.

A School Picture

I found this picture on the net. Who are these children? Where did they go to school? Where are they now? Did they like their teacher? What antics do they recall from so many years ago?

When I visit antique shops, I am always drawn to the photographs of strangers. I wonder who they are, where they've been, and what their lives were like. I see them at the important points in their lives, often in their best attire posed and smiling for the camera. I see them at their weddings, in school photos, with sports teams, with newly christened children, at graduation ceremonies, and in army attire. Did any of them ever think for a minute that their images, and those of their family and friends, would one day grace the (often dusty) shelves of thrift shops?

MORE Tales Out of School : The Sequel

A number of years ago, I compiled a book about teachers and what people remembered about them. People wrote about things that had happened months, years, decades and in some cases over a half-century ago. The stories described a broad range of human emotion – the shame of having to wear the same dress again and again, the pain of seeing a classmate disgraced as he was forced to eat the crayon he was chewing on, and the absolute joy of being read to. There were memories about classrooms that came to life because of a teacher's humour, punishments that “taught” lifelong lessons and remarks that were quoted years later to children and grandchildren.

It seemed that almost everyone could relate because no matter what our sex, age, or political viewpoint, a teacher has been a common denominator – a benchmark – and a shared collective experience for most people within our society. I was reminded of my former psychology professor who, no doubt trying to prepare us for the onslaught of public opinion about teaching and teachers, had warned: “Better get used to it. Everybody thinks that they’re an expert on education and teachers because they've all gone to school or known somebody who did!”

As I have noted and written about many times, teachers and all of us need to realize the impact a teacher can have – for better or for worse – on young minds. Teachers affect our lives more than they realize. Often the way we view the world, each other and ourselves is the direct result and the lasting legacy of a teacher.

For this reason, I am doing a sequel to my original book, Tales Out of School, which is now out of print. This is where you come in! I will be collecting some new stories for my book. If you would like to have your story of a teacher who made a difference (positive or negative) in your life included, please let me know and I will send you guidelines for submission. Thank you, too, for passing on this information to others who might be interested in taking part in the project.

Welcome, Sidney!

Dog Days!

In early February, Jerry and I will be picking up Sidney at the Palm Springs Airport. He'll be travelling all the way from Washington and we are very excited. Sidney is our new furry companion. He is a labradoodle, a cross between a labrador and a poodle. Right now, he's in a three-week training course that covers some of the basics in (a dog's) life such as bathroom routines and walking on a leash. We can't wait! Above are some pictures of Sidney.

Notes on a Scandal

A couple of days ago I went to see Notes on a Scandal. What an eerie and unusual film. While the story was sensational and a little overblown at times, it was the characterization and acting that kept me riveted to my seat. Judi Dench and her portrayal of a spinster teacher was superb. I can understand why she'll likely be nominated for an Oscar. I'll be surprised if she doesn't win. Cate Blanchett was also amazing in this suspenseful story of two teachers who are not your average or everyday educators! Max Lewis, an actor with Down Syndrome, also starred in the film and his remarkable and cheerful presence was unforgettable.

Back On Line

Well, after a whirlwind few months I am finally able to start posting again. Stay tuned!

Da (I think they mean) DUD Vinci Code

We had read the bad reviews. We saw how the movie was panned in Cannes. Yet, wanting to stay open and hoping to prove the reviewers wrong, once again, we relented. After all, Ron Howard was a terrific director and we both had thoroughly enjoyed Cinderella Man (which hadn't garnered great reviews either).

And so it was that we found ourselves one Friday in a theatre waiting for the Da Vinci Code to begin. The movie had only been out a week or so, but judging by the fewer than 20 other souls in the theatre, that seemed to be code for not faring well in the "word of mouth" category. Not a good sign.

Still, we wanted to give it a chance. After all, we had read Dan Brown's novel and even though I hadn't enjoyed it as much as Jerry had, I thought with Ron Howard's touch it could translate into a pretty good film. However, fifteen minutes in, we looked at each other and wanted to leave. Even with the splendid backdrop of the Louvre, the movie was flat and well, boring. We stayed, thinking (fingers crossed) that it could only get better, but it didn't.

Everything about the movie (even the usually great Tom Hanks couldn't save it) was flat and two-dimensional. The dialogue was stilted, the momentum painstakingly slow, and the story convoluted. We apparently weren't the only ones who felt this way. I saw three people get up and leave mid-way, but of those of us who stayed, the woman a row in front had the best coping strategy: she had fallen asleep. Her irregular breathing with the occasional "shhh" from her companion when her snoring reached near crescendo levels proved to be way more entertaining than any drama unfolding on the screen.

To date, I have yet to meet anyone who enjoyed the movie. So, if you haven't gone, save your money.

Lake Louise, Alberta

One of the nicest things about living in Calgary (and there are many) is the close proximity to Banff, Lake Louise and the awesome Rocky Mountains. Sometimes planned, but mostly on a whim, Jerry and I will decide to take off for a trip to the mountains. In a little over an hour we'll find ourselves in some of the most beautiful places/spaces on the planet. On a recent trip we saw a variety of wildlife including deer and elk. We stopped and quietly took pictures without disturbing them as they munched on grasses a few feet away.

A long week, but a good one

We arrived back in Calgary Monday night around 10:00 - a day earlier than planned. Jerry was in the "groove" as he called it, and the driving conditions were splendid. The only unfortunate thing was that I didn't take any pictures of the wonderful mountain and sky scapes that surrounded us as we travelled, but their images are indelibly etched in my head - not that that helps any of you reading this account.

I saw my mother at home before she went into the hospital on Tuesday. Many people called to wish her well with the surgery. Although the phone was ringing off the hook at times, my mother really enjoyed speaking with everyone. It struck me how important it is to call people when they are going through difficult times. So often, and I have been guilty of this more times than I care to admit, we feel that we are intruding. Sometimes, too, at least in my case I didn't know what to say. If my mother's experience is any indication, I've learned that the calls demonstrated that she was being supported and cheered on. And one doesn't have to say much- just letting the person know that she is being thought of is key.

The operation on Wednesday went very well according to the doctors and nurses. After coming out of the recovery room, I was surprised and relieved to see that she had good colour, was alert, feisty and in excellent spirits.

Mum was surprised and grateful that the pain was, in her words,” not as bad as I thought." Thankfully, this was the case. Mum is now at home after spending two nights in the hospital. She is walking around on her own and eating well. Not bad for an 85-year-old! When the tests from the surgery come back next week, my mother and her doctor will decide the best course of action in terms of treatment and radiation options.

Tomorrow I will visit her after I go walking with my husband in the morning. It is a good feeling being back in Calgary after almost 7 months away.