Hard to believe that I haven't written anything since April; that's what happens when the zest you had for life, the contentment you felt for what you have, the security you were enjoying and counting on, just goes down the drain. Things changed. The end of the school year was filled with disillusionment and a feeling of real remorse. I was saddened by the events happening in education and quite bewildered by the attacks on teachers. I was never so glad to have a school year come to an end, and I had high hopes for a summer of relaxation and forgetfulness. I was neither able to relax nor put out of my mind all of the ignorance and injustice that was going on politically. For the first time I had a real understanding and compassion for those who have ADD and ADHD because I was unable to focus for any length of time, to complete a task started, or to take myself through the process of accomplishing the simplest things I set out to accomplish. I tried all summer to just relish in my family and be thankful for my blessings in the hope of rediscovering the feeling of happiness that was just a natural part of my existance not so long ago. Didn't happen. There was always that dark cloud of discontent and confusion keeping me from being able to fully enjoy the many moments spent with family and friends that ordinarily would have been down right blissful. Summer ended; I won't say I entered the new school year with a positive attitude, but I did make the decision to be more compliant. I did not want to leave at the end of the day being frustrated and angry when that which was to blame for those feelings was beyond my control. I needed to feel happy. It's not working. Here's the crux of my problem; there are two major issues being ignored by all of our elected leaders and those who hope to be elected. The first is poverty. It is real, and it is keeping a multitude of children from ever seeing their true potential. I was watching a news show not long ago where a guest said that America is the land of opportunity for those who have money. This statement is true, and it is time everyone acknowledged that money equals power becuase it affords you opportunities. So if politicians really want to reform education and close the achievement gap then they need to address the issue of so many (and it is rising), children living in poverty. We need to take care of those who are needy, and we do that by providing assistance. That assistance does need to be more than a handout. It needs to be long term programs that afford change in communities, and this takes commitment to the ideals of a society that believes in the common good and not just what is good for me. What makes this most difficult is that for some reason we have come to see altruism as a form of volunterism by ordinary citizens instead of the role of those who govern. The second issue is that of accountability. Those who legislate would like the public to believe that teachers are soley to blame for the failure of our students. The general public, which includes students and parents, would like to believe this too. Without meaning to offend, it isn't true. I don't know when we became a society of "it's not my fault" but we did. I do know that in education and parenting circles in decades past we were admonished for destroying the self esteem of our children by expecting them to own their choices. We were basically led to believe that if our students or children failed, we had not prepared them well enough to make decisions that would not result in discomfort. How assinine! We are still paying the price for this ridiculous notion, and it seems to be escalating instead of going away. We live today in a world that would not have even been imagined by our grandparents, and there is no way we can fathom what is ahead for the generation of children that follow us, so we do them no favors by allowing them to believe that the choices they make have no consequences. The more our students, our children, are saved from failure the less they learn, and the less they learn the more vulnerable they are to failure. This reality needs to not only be recognized but embraced. As a teacher, I have not failed my students if they do not pass a test, but I have failed them if they are given to believe that their failure is due to me. To legislate success as deemed by a test score without acknowledging effort and desire minimizes the power of an individual to overcome his circumstances, and leaves way too many behind. This blog posting has been a journey for me and a bit of stream of consciousness writing. I thank those who have seen it to its end! I do feel that I am back, but I am not the same. Change, however, allows for growth and that is a good thing. Rosemary

Okay, a new name for my blog, a new look, and a new direction. Why? Because I am tired of worrying about my financial future. You see, I have been sharing the sacrifice under the current Michigan legislature and I am being targeted to take even deeper cuts to my finanial well being. The federal government majority is also taking aim at me, and they aren't requiring the same amount of sacrifice from those with an income that dwarfs mine. Since as a teacher I can look forward to a continued loss of income, I have decided to find a way to supplement that income. I have decided to start a business. Details to follow. Here is some information you should have in case you didn't see it in the paper. "As Congress was set to reconvene on Monday, House Republicans said Mr. Romney could go his own way on smaller issues that may help define him as separate from his Congressional Republican Counterparts. But, they said, he must understsnd that they are driving the policy agenda for the party now." And there's more! "We're not a cheeleading squad," said Representative Jeff Landry, an outspoken freshman from Louisiana. "We're the conductor. We're supposed to drive the train." And there's more! "Both Mr. Romney and House Republicans plan to increase spending on defense, and both have promised to cut tax rates and slash the deficit. That means sharp cuts to domestic spending. The Ryan plan would cut domestic programs under Congress's discretion, including education, law enforcement, and health research." So the train with all of the Republican conductors is speeding down the track that will put more money into fighting wars with foreign countries while turning our country into a land of ignorance, increased crime, and increased illness! We are no longer the land of opportunity but the land of dismal outlook and despair. Unless, you're super rich! Rosemary

Rosie's Ramblings #4 Another short one

Out with friends this afternoon laughing and catching up so now I am ready to veg on the couch. Laughter really is the best medicine, I feel relaxed and happy. I suppose the beer helped too, and now the wine! Oh, well it's a good night, may I have many many more! You too.

Rosemary

Rosie's Ramblings #3

I am going to try to post something everyday. Two years ago, when I started this blog I was very committed and posted faithfully. Last year, I started out with zest but lost my zeal. This year it is back to commitment and passion. Tonight I must get back to picture ordering so I will just say this; 2011 ended on a good note with family and friends celebrating new beginnings. 2012 will be a good year, I feel it and today I heard it. New grandchild's heart beats strong! Here's to new beginnings!
Rosemary

Rosie's Ramblings #2 Happy New Year.

I am my mother. I never thought that I would be proud to say that, but I am. Here's the thing, my mom was smart. My mom knew more than we gave her credit for, and we should have listened to her more. Now, I know this is the way it always goes, in life the one we find annoying and who makes us crazy becomes this saint who could do no wrong, when gone. That's not quite the case here. I still can recall my mother's every flaw, but now I do realize that I was often wrong in my feelings and my reactions to her. She may have been flawed, but she was not wrong as often as I told myself she was. My mom could definitely make me mad, but I should have been more patient, I should have been kinder. If she were here today would she get on my last nerve? Yes, I suppose she would. Would I resent having to spend time with her because she wanted to be with me? Yes, I suppose I would. It isn't until the person isn't here to get on your last nerve that you are so sorry you didn't always appreciate them or take the time to just enjoy being with them. I am my mother. Happy New Year and may this be the year that you find out who you are.
Rosemary

Rosie's Ramblings # 1 Wedding Reflections

Spectacular, that's what the wedding was. My daughter, Andrea, was the most beautiful bride ever, in a dress that was simply remarkable. It took just shy of one year to put together what was a day and a night to remember. It started with Andrea's hair and makeup, then slipping into pure lacy elagance and becoming truly a vision. Photos at the house, beaming, smiling, full of hope and promise, and looking lovelier than she has ever looked. Off to church, meeting and greeting guests while she stayed cloistered, waiting. So many family members and friends came to witness the nuptials, and I felt blessed by this. The church was full as was my heart. Then the moment, arm in arm Andrea with her dad coming down the aisle, she looking so poised as her father gently led her to her new love, and he then stepped back to let her future husband lead her forward. When a wedding is being planned all the details seem to be about the reception, but the marriage takes place before the party and it is the real celebration. Thanks to Father Ron, and Andrea and Joe wanting a marriage, not just a wedding, the service was fulfilling and meaningful. There was a full Mass, good singing, traditional readings and vows, candle lighting and flowers to Mary, a real wedding, a true marriage and then on to the party! I was anxious to see the room. Andrea knew how she wanted it to look, we had orchestrated her vision with every small detail. We had chosen the venue based on its beauty, we had worked with the florist to create what was in Andrea's mind. She had selected her colors, the chairs and centerpieces to create an ambiance of elegance and grace. I entered the room, not yet opening its arms to people, just being there. It was perfect. It was my daughter's vision. It was absolutely beautiful. I knew she would be enamored by her surroundings and that the night would be exceptional. It was. It started with toasts that bore tribute to a solid union between two very much loved individuals who were now one. When Andrea and Joe took the floor for their first dance as man and wife, all knew this was right. When Andrea danced with her dad, well there is no purer love, no words to describe the feeling of holding on while letting go. And then the party began in earnest, thanks to Andrea's cousins who are just so fabulous! The cousin's dance was the icing on the cake, it just made an already perfect beginning to a memorable evening that much more special. Then the night flew by. We danced, we drank, we laughed, we hugged, we drank, we danced, we laughed. Family and friends together, celebrating a beginning. For Andrea, I believe it was a night that was a dream come true. Her vision of what she wanted her wedding to be became a reality. For me, well, it was just spectacular, like my daughter.

Rosemary