Future Generations

"One must conquer, achieve, get to the top; one must know the end to be convinced that one can win the end - to know there's no dream that mustn't be dared." M. Jenkins

So my 11th and 12th graders comes on friday morning all keyed up.  It seems that their first two teachers of the day decided to allow them to discuss/debate during the hour long blocks.  Before even getting to my classroom/trailer, I was being pummelled with requests to allow the same.  Basically, I had no choice.  Their minds were made up and I let it ride.  I told them that with this freedom came responsibility; and that they controlled my trust and their fate of it continuing. 

The topic started out as God and stuck pretty close to spiritual/religious tones.  The following are quotes.  They are not in perfect order.  There were a couple of conversations going on at once and a lot of talking over one another.

A few thoughts:  these students seemed very dogmatic at times, surprisingly transparent around their peer whom they barely knew, and hell bent on getting their point across. 

"Please.  A supernova created the earth."

"The Bible is the book of life." as student's foot tapped violently under his desk

"Well my school says the earth was created by the big bang.  And I am a student, so i should believe my text book."

"I have my faith and they have their faith."

"God can."

"3 words: G O D."

*by the way I love it when a 10th grader uses the word "sublime" seriously.

"Jesus raised people from the freaking dead."

"When I got in a car wreck I almost died.  Doctors were working on me.  God was not working on me."

" I mean, I haven't read the complete Bible but..."

"I will give you one thing...all the people that have a near death experience see a light at the end of the tunnel."

"God could have tooken the breath out of you, giiirrrlll."

"It's just the American way."  (said with stoner tone)

"I made my own religion.  Its called MEOWism.  Think about it.  Cats created the earth and rule over humans.  If you have cats you know that they control the household.  It makes sense."  *i told her that i would sign up if she promised me 9 lives*

said while pounding fist on desk  "I believe in reincarnation.  You come back as a person or an animal.  If you are bad you come back as a cockroach or something."

"Jesus drank wine all the time.  He even turned water into wine.  He just didn't get drunk."

"Girl, you are going to hell, girl."

"You so country."

"I don't want to spend all of this life worshipping God if I gotta do it for all eternity."

said as a warning  "Man, if you are luke warm God will spit you out."

"Oh don't even get me on the gay subject."

"The problem with males is that they don't know how we think."

"So can scientists explain love?  NO!! Only the Bible can."

"Dude we are only answering questions with other questions."

"I have no problem being your friend, but...."

"Gayness is in your brain and your hormones.  Its how your brain is setup."

said sarcastically with hands raised  "maybe something will happen in my future life that will make me praise the Lord."

"Oh my gosh, I get a new car when i graduate."

*the word "like" was used over 2000 times and the phrase "i mean" over 1000*

"I'm just going from my head right now but i think this is scientifically correct..."

"Being an atheist and believing in atheism are not the same thing."

"I understand.  But you need to go inside yourself and find your own religion."

Well that's what I could copy down.  You can insert some Bible verses in as you like for the angry youth grouper that was sweating 10 minutes into this debate/discussion.

Where Were You?

"All of a sudden there were people screaming. I saw people jumping out of the building.

Their arms were flailing. I stopped taking pictures and started crying." 

Michael Walters, a free-lance photo journalist in Manhattan.

September 11, 2001…most of us remember where we were and what we were doing.  I was in the math and science building at Troy University…a place I spent many hours during my four years there.  My quirky math teacher made the announcement, but if I’m honest I didn’t really know where the World Trade Center buildings were located, but I knew it wasn’t good.  Class was cancelled and I went the closest place I could to watch a TV…the Adams Center.  I was relieved to find Bare and Brian there watching the coverage…they caught me up on the news and were both pretty close to joining the armed forces that day.  At that point I realized the magnitude of the situation.

May 1, 2011…fast forward almost 10 years… I will always remember where I was when I learned that the world’s most wanted terrorist was killed.  I had been home for a week after living in Montana for only 3 months.  It had been a great trip and I decided to wait until the last minute to fly back before going back to work Monday morning.  While sitting in the Minneapolis airport late that Sunday night waiting for my last flight, regular programming was interrupted to let us know President Obama would be making an announcement.  We knew it must be of extreme importance, but we had to board.  As we boarded the plane, several fellow travelers asked the pilots to please find out what was going on.  And he did, the pilot updated us after Obama told the news.  It was a weird feeling to be on a plane when I learned of his death.

Where were you that September day and Sunday night?

Underdog Team. Underdog Town: a book review

"All you have to is show up.  Everyone with balls makes the team, I don't mean the family jewels.  I mean guts, I mean backbone, I mean heart." 
                                  excerpt from Blind Your Ponies written by Stanley Gordon West

Blind Your Ponies follows the Willow Creek Broncs; a basketball team with a reputation for failure.  Willow Creek is a small town set underneath the shadows of the Tobacco Root Mountains in southwest Montana.  Stanley Gordon West admits that this book is fiction, but has a lot of truth interspersed.  The year is 1991 and the Broncs are facing another season with the memory of 5 win less seasons in the immediate past.  But as much as this story is about a team, it is about a town- a town that seems to have the same reputation as the team.  You see, the winters in this part of the U.S. are brutal.  Cold, windy, snowy...constantly.  The surrounding towns have very little to do or look forward to so they turn to their town's team.  Nothing makes for a long winter like a losing team.  And this team of 6 has little hope of an early spring.

The story wouldn't be all that interesting without the characters involved.  West sucks you in from the start with tragedy that strikes the head coach years before Willow Creek is even a thought to him.  Most of the characters involved have their own difficulties to deal with and use basketball as an escape. Its neat how the town itself is a character; fading away with its own losing.

Sam Pickett is the head coach and believes that is life is a record of how to become and stay a loser.  It started in middle school when a port-a-potty was turned over while he was inside.  These events have created a closed off soul unwilling to let himself love or believe.

Tom Stonebreak, 6'4", is a senior and has never won a game.  He is a true cowboy.  The kind of guy you may be afraid your wife would leave you for.  He decides to forgo his senior season and prepare for the rodeos coming in the spring.  His drive and toughness seem to be perpetuated by a longing to prove himself to his abusive, alcoholic father. 

Peter Strong, 5'11", has just showed up to live with his grandmother; leaving Minneapolis following his parents divorce.  Neither of his parents could keep the guy so they shipped him out; his girlfriend in turn found her another man.  I like the way West puts it as his grandma describes his situation: facing "the howling void of eternity alone".

Olaf Gustafson, 6'11", flies in as an exchange student from Norway.  The buzz around town is filled with hope when they hear of his size; but are sorely discouraged when they find out he has never played before.  He has a Yoda-like grasp of the English language and has the basketball skills of a child learning to walk.

Grandma Chapman is the redemption in the story.  Full of hope and optimism, she believes things are looking up.  Alot like the town, she has seen some tough years.  However, a certain event in her life has given her perspective.  One line says it all: "She never again valued herself by the opinion of others, wishing she had been strong enough to live her whole life that way."

The book is full of ups and downs.  It will give you hope one minute and leave you in a funk the next.  I guess that is what I like about good books: they put you in a place, leaving you with the emotions felt in the story.  This book takes you to Willow Creek.  You'll feel the coldness of the winter and smell the mustiness of the old court and find yourself gripping the pages like a fan on the edge of your seat.

The Simple Things & Times

Andy: Now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what.                -Toy Story 3

While people are talking about cars being covered in pollen and allergy season being in full force in Alabama…my car is covered by soft white snow here in Montana and winter has not given up yet!  Snow is in the forecast, and needless to say, this is an adjustment for this south Alabama girl.  The cold and being far away while my hometown mourns the loss of a beautiful woman and child definitely made me miss family and friends, so my husband’s recent visit was much needed and restoring for me. 

We spent most of our time doing the simple things that we love...cooking, watching movies, reading, and hanging out with the Williamsons.  I guess these are the things that married couples do who don’t have kids.  In January before Bare left I told him to tell me one thing he wanted me to learn to cook, and all of things, he came up with lamb chops.  I attempted, and they were pretty tasty.  Now, it’s been requested from the other Chris that I learn to make Beef Wellington.  These boys have fine palates, but I am hoping Tyler Florence will treat me well with his recipe.

Cowboys seem to be a theme lately…from the brave Woody in Toy Story 3 to Marlboro Man in the book Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond, the famous Pioneer Woman/Blogger.   Molly (Happy Birthday, by the way!) recommended it, and it proved to be a great easy read!  Toy Story 3 came through Netflix…wow, what an emotional, touching movie even though the Evil Dr. Porkchop and Lotso the bear were somewhat disturbing.  It too, made me miss the comforts of home and especially miss our fun and active nieces and nephews! It made me remember the simple times of childhood and the pleasure of using your imagination, which is something most of us forget to do when we “grow up.” 

I was so thankful Bare got to come and these were some of the simple things I loved about him being here:

When he shares his Milky Way Dark with me…when I should have just bought my own

Trying new recipes

Watching Toy Story 3 and Community

Snow skiing together

I’m heading home in a few weeks  and I’m looking forward to these simple times…

Meeting my nephew…William Triston and playing with the other four

Cooking with my grandmothers and aunt

Visiting with my friends

Going on boat ride with mama and daddy and eating a chili dog from “Wilson’s Landing”

Spending time with my sweet sister

Natalie:  Now Bare, he’s been my best friend for a really long time.  He’s brave, like a husband should be.  And thoughtful, and smart.  But the thing that makes Bare special, is he’ll never give up on you…ever.  He’ll be there for you, no matter what. 

I think Bare’s friends and family would agree with this as well.  I love you and see you soon.

Big Sky Country

"Home is where you can scratch where it itches."  unknown

So I have been meaning to write for a while now and for this and that haven't managed to come up with anything.  But now here I am in my wife's apartment with a computer that locks up and makes a lot of noises.  Normally this would frustrate me to no end but I am with Natalie for a week or so which makes this bobo laptop ok with me.  We haven't seen eachother for a few months so I have been "itching" to get out here.  Even though i am currently typing and the bachelor is bird-dogging two ladies at the moment.  I hope he picks Shantell.  (insert sarcastic sideways smiley face here)  Anyway, for reasons and happenings over the last few weeks it makes being here even sweeter.  Honestly it is kind of hard feeling at home or settled since she has moved.  (and everyone says ahhhh)

I figured that I was leaving the balmy south, where pear trees are blooming and untanned arms and legs are creeping out, and heading to Montana where there are blizzards and gray skies.  Not so.  The weather has been great and mild according to the locals.  Mild is highs in the forties.  I feel a little over dressed since everyone else is in tee shirts but I am not a local yet and the wind bites like... (can't think of anything to use as a similie but the bite is sharp).  Thanfully we have been able to get out some and play.  Mostly with our friends we met this past summer.  Interestingly they are from Mobile and Panama City.  This is them: Chris and Amy

Here are a few pics:
This is the Ruby River.

Chris W. with a fish on.

I lucked into one as well.

A Ruby River Brown.

These are a few of us skiing.  Wasn't able to get any of me actually skiing because I spent most of the time on my rear.

Then we tried our hands as photogs and attempted some scenic shots.  These are a few of our favorites.

And then we took it inside to the place where we could both have fun.  A place that can be totally frustrating and cause much conflict....


the kitchen!!!!  We tried a few new dishes and I think we succeeded. 

The first is Natalie's Lamb chop. 

And this is my pan-seared tuna with tempura vegetables.

We still have a week to go so maybe there will be more to add to the trip.  But for now the dude just got slammed by the "woman of his dreams" and its my turn to catch up on some Community.  bye now.

Horror Movie

I have always heard people say, “I love going to the movies by myself.” With a somewhat productive day behind me I decide to be a big girl and try it for the first time this afternoon…even though I was hesitant.  There was nothing I really cared to see in the theater but with the Montana rate of $5 for the matinee I thought why not? I even treated myself to refilling our bucket that an aggravating teenager talked me into buying when Bare and I went to see True Grit (great movie by the way).  The amazing deal was you pay around $8 for this completely oversized bucket and then it only cost $2.50 to refill it for the rest of 2011.  I thought it was a great deal at the time…when there were 2 of us to share it.  Kind of regretting my decision right now…no, I didn’t eat the entire bucket, but I did decide to go with the large diet pop (that’s Montana talk) as well.

I arrived at least 10 minutes before the start time…Bare would be so very proud of me.  We are ALWAYS the first to arrive as to get the best seats and so we do not miss any previews.  There was no one else in the theater, so I sat right in the middle…so far it was perfect!!  Then the “others” starting arriving, most of them arriving late and one guy standing up in right in front of me…taking his precious time, taking off his jacket and checking his text messages before he sat down.  THEN…the “ONE” arrived.  As he walked by my seat he kicked it…oh great.  He didn’t sit directly behind me, but three seats to the left of me…just enough where I can turn and give him “the look” several times throughout the movie…and yes, he deserved it…so here’s one of my miserable movie experiences EVER…

·         He started off by eating his popcorn like it was an apple…I didn’t know someone could make that much noise with popcorn.

·         He laughed the ENTIRE movie…the kind of laugh like Eileen’s date had on Seinfeld that time…and he repeated all the lines he thought were hilarious throughout the movie.

·         He sang most of the songs really loud including "Every Breath You Take" by The Police…yes, I turned and looked at him at this point.

·         Then I almost LOST it…he chose a point in the movie when it’s really quiet…and not once but three times…he “coughed up a phlegm wad” ( used that term because my husband hates when people say “hock a loogie”).  Yes, at that point I was horrified for the poor girl with him, and I am trusting that she ends it TONIGHT!!

·         To finish off this great first experience, as Adam Sandler is telling Jennifer Aniston how he feels…so predictable of course, the “ONE” decides to guess at the punch line and say it really loud before Adam does…like he figured out the movie and the rest of us didn’t…yes, I looked at him again!!

The movie FINALLY ended…Bare and I usually are the last to leave the theater, but tonight I did not have the patience.  I practically ran to my car and flew out of the parking lot towards my apartment…even deciding to run a redlight in the process.  I just wanted to get as far away from that guy as possible.  I’m not sure if I’m worked up due to that guy alone or if my large diet pop added to my agitation.  All I know is it will be awhile before I go to the theater by myself again.

Him and Her

“It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.” Author Unknown

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances. If there is any reaction, both are transformed.” Carl Jung

She loves lists…he does NOT!

She listens…he persuades.

She is suspicious…he is trusting.

She is the thinker…he is the feeler.

She makes plans…he is spontaneous.

She loves change…he prefers the known.

She likes to bake…he likes to eat and grill.

She prefers cilantro…he prefers basil.

She loves soda…he wants coffee.

She wants shrimp…he wants oysters.

She loves cheesecake…he loves ice cream.

She votes for Chick-fil-A…he votes for McDonald’s.

She prefers nights…he prefers mornings.

She wears jeans…he wears khakis.

She reads books on medicine…he reads books on everything, literally.

She likes cards…he likes emails.

She likes a down comforter…he like a quilt.

She prefers to carry-on luggage…he prefers to check luggage.

She takes pictures of peoples’ faces…he takes scenery pictures.

She listens to Amos Lee…he listens to Fleet Foxes.

She loves shopping at thrift stores…he loves tying flies and fly-fishing.

She likes the library…he loves the bookstore.

She grew up watching The Sandlot…he grew up watching RAMBO.

She wants to learn to sew/smock and play the piano.

He wants to learn to draw and play the piano.

She wants him to learn to fly a plane.

He wants her to learn how to row a drift boat and spell.

They Both:

Follow the rules, keep secrets, and are rarely late

Do not care for crowds or the spice dill

Enjoy dinner with friends and encouraging, challenging conversations

Love margaritas, Mexican food, asparagus, and Chinese food from food courts

Want to be outside and love watching storms form across the Big Sky horizon

Love spending quality time with family and being an aunt/uncle

Enjoy photography, football, concerts, and traveling

Require a box fan for good night’s sleep

Listen to Coffee House on Sirius

Prefer Network television and Netflix to cable or satellite