Gopher Stew

Public Service - Jury Duty

2009-11-05T08:50:00.000-05:00

Most of us dred that greeting, "Congratulations you have been selected..."

Yes, it is important but we do not always welcome the interruption in our daily lives. However, we want justice for all and so we serve. Or is it the fear of penalties?

Regardless, I am here at the Palm Beach County Courthouse and learning the process along with the others. So far it has been a good experience... the staff has been friendly and helpful, conversations with others have been interesting, and the coffee shop has great tea.

One group has already been called and the rest of us await the orientation. Other than the disruption to my normal work day and having to adjust my students schedules.

I'll keep you posted on the progess.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Train travel

2009-10-21T18:09:00.001-04:00

I'm doing my part for the enviroment: bicycle for short trips, carpool whenever possible which means 2-3 days per week, fuel efficient car (33 mpg), and the commuter rail about 4-5 trips a week. So what is the most fun? Bicycling followed by the train.

Trains bring out the kid in me! There is a wonderful feeling of... take the train and leave the traffic behind.

Well this is my stop. Catch you on the next trip.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mobile Life

2009-10-13T23:03:00.001-04:00

Yes it has been some time since my last visit. Technology keeps interrupting me. This is strange to write as technology should make life easier. However there is always a learning curve.

As an educator and inquisitive person I welcome the challenge. But as a person with a full time job, a house, hobbies, community involvement, family, and friends... Time is precious.

As I type this on my phone I ponder where technology leads.
Where is technology leading you?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

September Resolutions

2009-09-17T22:11:00.002-04:00

I've decided that fall resolutions are more likely to fail than New Year resolutions. We await the start of fall, school, and new routines... so when it arrives we jump onto the bandwagon. However, we often overload and must scale back our grand plans. So, I too must scale back.

The resolution to blog daily is admirable but truth is there is not enough time in the day. Blogs are creative efforts which requre inspiration, dedication, and plenty of time. However, time is limited in my life and I always end up "robbing Peter to pay Paul". (What is the source of that statement? I'll leave that to another time.)

One could say the success of a resolution comes down to knowing yourself and setting limits. But if we never branched out to change our limits then we would never make another resolution. So, in the fall we are ready for a change; a change in weather, habits, and activities. This harkens back to our school days and old habits do not die easily. At year end we are supposed to review and adapt our lives but in truth it is a weak tradition. So, set the easy goals for the year end but tackle the tough goals in the fall.

What tough goals did you set for yourself this fall?

Respect

2009-09-09T20:44:00.005-04:00

Our society has become one where most people are out for themselves and care little about respecting other individuals. We are all victims of a lack of respect and saddly are all culprits in the deed. We have become accustomed to being lied to by our elected officials, the heads of corporatatios and schools, entertainment, journalism, our neighbors, and yes, even ourselves.

It is time to turn this around and move respect back into a place of honor. Consider those who have gone before us and hold a place of honor and high esteem in our society... Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mother Theresa, among others. What sets these apart? A determination to make a difference and a respect for others.

So, why do we listen to those who ridicule and drag others down? Are we so insecure that we revel in the trashing of others? I listen to the dis-respect exhibited on the TV and radio and wonder "When did it become popular to belittle?" I hear the disrespect and distane for President Obama and it tells me the country is trouble when the general public does not respect our leaders. Are we transfering the past onto the present? Perhaps and if so it is time to live in the present and look to the future by learning to give others the respect that is due them.

Acknowledge the problems of the past but move to the future with a postive and respectful attitude. Can we do it? To borrow a line from President Obama, "Yes we can!"

Labor Day Celebrations

2009-09-08T17:54:00.004-04:00

Last evening, Labor Day, I hosted a backyard picnic for several neighbors. Did you realise the impact of neighborhood gatherings is amazing. Gatherings are a time to meet informally; a time to share conversation, food, and build community. You quickly learn who is 'in the know' and what is happening; of course it helps if you invite the 'right' people. It is always difficult to figure the 'right' people

But getting back to Labor Day, the economic melt-down impacted everyone at our table. No, the economic meltdown and after effects were never mentioned; no need to we are all living it. There were eight people at the table: one lost his job, two small business owners barely keep their doors open, the electrician wonders how much longer he will have a job, the medical lab technician knows she has a job through March, and the three teachers were thankful to have a job that relies on enrollment staying steady. We noted that crime is up as we recounted the local crime and drug sales. The conclusion was crime and drug sales rise in relation to the increase in unemployment and homelessness.

Let's celebrate Labor Day by working to lower the un-employment rate.

Do you agree?

Natural Cycles

2009-09-06T11:57:00.003-04:00

How often have you pondered the cycle of life?

We observe it daily but the average person rarely contemplates the cycle. And yet everything has a natural cycle - the tides, seasons, sun, moon, even humans.

This is fresh in my mind due to trimming a shrub and replanting the garden this weekend which have become fall rituals in answer to the natural cycle of nature. Last evening the full moon rose through the clouds, natural cycle. Then my sore arm, stressed from playing music, garden work, and the contra dance, reminds me it too has a cycle that requires rest. However, we do not often consider rest a natural cycle because we live in a 24x7 world with little down time. Perhaps we should harken back to an earlier time when people did take a natural break... or was that only fiction.

Monday Sept 7th we celebrate Labor Day to commorate the end of 12 hour work days and poor labor conditions. The first celebration was September 5, 1882 in New York City to protest the work conditions (NPR article) and eventually became a national holiday to celebrate the social and economic contributions of the labor force (Dept of Labor). Regardless we now have a natural cycle holiday that resulted from the need to change the unnatural cycle of 12 hour work days.

Yes, natural cycles abound it is only for us to observe and become aware. And it is our right to replace the unnatural cycles with natural cycles. So today I challenge you to examine your life, your community, your country and replace the unnatural cycles with natural cycles.

Becoming a Blogger

2009-09-05T08:20:00.003-04:00

My new commitment for the fall is to become a blogger.
My inspiration?
The book ProBlogger by Darren Rouwse and Chris Garrett. As a computer user (who isn't?) and a Professor of Computer Science at Palm Beach Community College it only seems natural to air my thoughts.

So, what keeps me from being a frequent blogger?
Answer#1: Time
Somehow there are not enough hours in the day to do everything but I keep trying. The problem is what to give up and the only option I see at the moment is sleep. However, giving up sleep is not wise as there are so many sleep deprived people in the USA. While in college I experimented with 4 hours sleep a night and the final result was 5-6 hours was optimal. As I age it seems I need 6-7 hours. This brings me back to the topic at hand... blogging.

Answer#2: Content
We all have a wealth of information but it is not of interest to everyone. My life varies from exciting to dull (as most); when my life is exciting there are ample topics but in dull times when there is plenty of time I am not always inspired. The best plan is to create a mini-series and after several of those I will be in the habit of blogging.

Thank you for reading. Now, off to my next challenge... a topic for a series.
See you soon,
Marg

Travelin' Down the Road

2009-04-03T20:22:00.002-04:00

Well, live has been busy and my intent is to keep you updated but life gets in the way.

This evening we are driving to the Will Mclean Folk Festival in Dunnelon which is always a fun weekend. The festival honors Florida Songs and the artists who write them. Last year I was honored to perform on the main stage, jam with friends, and host a harp workshop. This year I'm thrilled to volunteer, help in the banjo tent, and host a harp workshop.

It is a weekend to catch-up with friends and 'family', trade some tunes, gather hugs, and camp! What could be better?

Somehow we have lost the simple joys in our rush to gain more and be more. Sometimes being less and doing less is more. Think about it... if you are always rushing to center stage you never have time to drink in the surroundings. Yes, someone needs to fill the stage but it doesn't always have to be you. Last weekend I had my opportunity to be the star at a festival in Jupiter (Riverbend Park) so this week I can appreciate and enjoy the 'stars'.

So, enjoy where you are and get ready for the next curtain call!
Speaking of which, I've posted a few mp3 recordings for your listening pleasure. You can find them on my website, Heart Strings!
Later... Marg

Giving Thanks

2008-11-30T17:25:00.002-05:00

Where has the time gone?
For one thing, I've been busy... my days have been full and blogging fell off the list. But I'm back!

Yes, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, time was spent with family and friends. Over the years I've noticed the lines between family and friends tends to blur. This is probably a good thing.

I am thankful that others cooked so I could travel and later play music. Of course, I did take food but it was simple compared to the turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes. The afternoon found me with close family and cousins where we laughed, told stories, and shared delightful dishes. Later, a special treat was spending the evening with Pam, a close friend.

Friday I was thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my sister, neice, and mother. And most thankful that I did not go shopping!

Saturday was busy between playing music at the St. Augustine Farmer's Market with friends, a drive to Citra, and a long visit with Bill's family. The leaves in central Florida are beautiful this time of year and I am thankful for the beautiful memories of the leaves, watching the football game, and sharing left-overs with more family!

It is amazing that the most important aspects of life are those that are almost free. They involve friends, family, nature, and simple music. Yes, I live a blessed life and am thankful for the time to step back and remember what is truely valuable.

Happy Thanksgiving (belated)

Back to Work!

2008-08-22T12:22:00.001-04:00

Did you think I forgot about you?

No, but is has been a busy month.

So, what have you missed?

Jury Duty… Two weeks of US District Court duty. This was relatively easy as my duty was all phone duty. The first week and a half there were no cases. Finally on Wednesday of the last week there was a case but my number was not drawn.
Kitten… Did I mention a kitten adopted us the end of June? It was not our plan and the three older cats (13, 14, & 15) were not thrilled but SlipJig (new kitten) was thrilled with us. After "Jury Duty" ended I was able to arrange the spay surgery. She is now back to her normal self and this morning caught a dragon fly, two lizards, and a spider.
Bicycle… the new bike is wonderful and I'm more committed than ever to bike commute (with the help of Tri-Rail). The person who stole my old bike did me a favor (in the long run). And they helped keep the economy stimulated in the short run as I bought a new bike. Yes, we did eventually find the old bike at the shopping center.

Work/School:

It is good to be back at PBCC although I do enjoy having time to work in the yard and around the house, go to the beach, play music, and bicycle. After 25+ years of teaching school you would think it is boring… but never. Difficult, trying, frustrating, and rewarding but never boring! Thank you to my students.

That is today's report which covers the last month. Hopefully the next report will be sooner rather than later.

Summer Rain

2008-07-31T15:00:00.006-04:00

There is nothing better than a summer afternoon rain to give a break to a hot afternoon after two weeks of dought. You know the rain that comes down in buckets, cleans the air, and makes you want to run out and play in the puddles. That is exactly what is happening outside my window right now. Beautiful. Perhaps it will inspire a song or a poem...

Speaking of songs... yesterday the Old-Time Jammers from Pompano finally made YouTube. Pretty good as I have not posted a harp video yet and I've been playing harp longer than the Old-Time group has been around. But I diverge. You can find the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoFkVkHdN74 and I'm the banjo player in the beginning! With my summer hair!
For a different picture of me and my partner Bill, you can check http://www.efolkmusic.org/ArtMusic/ViewArtist.aspx?a=0&AID=1680. While there have a listen to some of my harp music.

Well, the rain is almost over and the humitidy is starting to build... this is south Florida. Enjoy the links.