Stephen King's new bestselling suspense novel is Under the Dome. It's a riveting read about a small town community, the corruption, the hidden darkness within people that comes out during stressful emergencies, and the valent effort of a brave few to right wrongs. It shows how out of control people get and the lack of judgment and how people trust leaders without question. It shows how people don't think but act and act badly. It shows how crowds take on a life of its own and how dangerous it is to be in a crowd that's out of control. It shows religious people who weren't so religious on the inside or religious in their behavior.
As I was reading I thought of my favorite artist, Peter Paul Breugel and his crowd scenes of people. I thought about this book looking into the souls of all the people under the dome and looking at all that goes on. Then it made me think of how I feel when I see all the lights of Seattle at night and wonder about all that is going on behind the lighted windows--the drama, the families, the sadness, and people working late. I look forward to the next novel of Stephen King, the master story teller.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
2010
My main goal in 2010 is to lose weight, get healthy, and eat healthy. Without my health, I can't accomplish other goals.
My other goals are to read a book or two a week, write every day, work in my garden, quilt, and work on other knitting or sewing projects.
I subscribe to The Writer, Writers Digest Magazine, and Poets and Writers. I have what I need for encouragement, direction, and great advice. I have lots of great books to read. I have the time to write.
I want to expand my raised beds in my garden. Now I have seven raised beds that are four feet by eight feet made out of 2 inch lumber. They are 18 inches high. I want to plant more varieities of fruits, vegetables, grapes, berries, etc. I want to add flowers all over to make it beautiful all year during the growing season.
I volunteer to edit the Alsea Valley Voice. That's a large segment of my time during one week a month. That's my service to the community.
I need to watch out for my husband and concentrate on what I need to do here at home.
My other goals are to read a book or two a week, write every day, work in my garden, quilt, and work on other knitting or sewing projects.
I subscribe to The Writer, Writers Digest Magazine, and Poets and Writers. I have what I need for encouragement, direction, and great advice. I have lots of great books to read. I have the time to write.
I want to expand my raised beds in my garden. Now I have seven raised beds that are four feet by eight feet made out of 2 inch lumber. They are 18 inches high. I want to plant more varieities of fruits, vegetables, grapes, berries, etc. I want to add flowers all over to make it beautiful all year during the growing season.
I volunteer to edit the Alsea Valley Voice. That's a large segment of my time during one week a month. That's my service to the community.
I need to watch out for my husband and concentrate on what I need to do here at home.
Candycane Lane
There is an amazing street named Candycane Lane in Ravenna, which is part of Seattle. Ben and Amanda took us to see the Christmas lights on the evening of the 25th. We walked on both sides of the street along Candycane Lane. My favorite house was the one with the large sign that listed the kids who were naughty and nice. Under the nice list, the second name was "Anna Rose." This is the name of my granddaughter in Seattle who is almost one years old. The house instantly became my favorite. It made me smile and feel all warm inside, even though it was quite chilly outside with patches of ice on the sidewalk.
Photo Letters
I took lots of photos of family while we were in Seattle with family. We left on the 24th and came back on the 28th. It was a great visit.
When I got home, I created and mailed 25 three-page photo letters for family and friends of the trip.
When I got home, I created and mailed 25 three-page photo letters for family and friends of the trip.
Racha Noodles & Thai Cuisine
On Christmas day for lunch, we went to Racha Noodles and Thai Cuisine on Mercer Street in Seattle. Ben and Amanda brought little Anna and Daniel was with Jodee, his fiance. We had a wonderful lunch all together. I ordered Yum Veggies with brown rice, and jasmine green tea. It was delicious and I didn't have to worry about calories.
For dinner, Ben and Amanda baked a delicious turkey with all the trimmings. It was perfect with almost everyone at the table.
For dinner, Ben and Amanda baked a delicious turkey with all the trimmings. It was perfect with almost everyone at the table.
Trains
I love trains. I've always loved trains since I was a little girl.
On December 24th, my husband and I boarded a Superliner. We left Albany, Oregon at 1:30 p.m. and headed for Seattle to visit with our son and family for the holidays. I've never been on a Superliner before. It was a double-decker, complete with sleeping cars, and plenty of room. We sat upstairs in one of the last cars in coach. There was plenty of leg room. In fact, the lady across the isle, said that she came from San Diego and was headed to Seattle. She said there was plenty of room for her and her husband. He slept on the floor while she spread out on the seats above. The car ahead of us said "arcade room downstairs." I didn't check it out but I did go exploring a little bit when I was searching for the dining car. It had a formal dining car with reservations and a menu with $17.50 meals. There was also the snack station downstairs with plenty of delicious food to keep you fed during your time on the train. I also found a car where all the seats faced the large picture windows so you could gaze out at the gorgeous scenery and talk with family or friends. One mother was traveling with her daughter to Whitefish, Montana, which is close to Libby, Montana where I was born.
As I was riding on the train thinking as I looked out the window, I was thinking about all the stories on the train and all the people. I was thinking about a novel I might want to ride about a woman who never leaves. The idea reminded me of a wealthy woman from England on one of the cruises we went on years ago who won the cruise miles contest because she never leaves the boat.
We learned about Whitlock, Washington that was announced as the place with the world's largest egg!
I walked by a guy reading a screenplay and another sketching wonderful art. Another young woman had her laptop reading poetry she had written. People read books, and create. Grandmothers visit their grandchildren. Businessmen travel to their meetings. Students go to universities. People attend football games. All the passengers look interesting and have stories to tell. They travel by train because they don't have to fight traffic or the weather. They can spread out and enjoy the ride in safety. It's a great way to travel and my choice.
On December 24th, my husband and I boarded a Superliner. We left Albany, Oregon at 1:30 p.m. and headed for Seattle to visit with our son and family for the holidays. I've never been on a Superliner before. It was a double-decker, complete with sleeping cars, and plenty of room. We sat upstairs in one of the last cars in coach. There was plenty of leg room. In fact, the lady across the isle, said that she came from San Diego and was headed to Seattle. She said there was plenty of room for her and her husband. He slept on the floor while she spread out on the seats above. The car ahead of us said "arcade room downstairs." I didn't check it out but I did go exploring a little bit when I was searching for the dining car. It had a formal dining car with reservations and a menu with $17.50 meals. There was also the snack station downstairs with plenty of delicious food to keep you fed during your time on the train. I also found a car where all the seats faced the large picture windows so you could gaze out at the gorgeous scenery and talk with family or friends. One mother was traveling with her daughter to Whitefish, Montana, which is close to Libby, Montana where I was born.
As I was riding on the train thinking as I looked out the window, I was thinking about all the stories on the train and all the people. I was thinking about a novel I might want to ride about a woman who never leaves. The idea reminded me of a wealthy woman from England on one of the cruises we went on years ago who won the cruise miles contest because she never leaves the boat.
We learned about Whitlock, Washington that was announced as the place with the world's largest egg!
I walked by a guy reading a screenplay and another sketching wonderful art. Another young woman had her laptop reading poetry she had written. People read books, and create. Grandmothers visit their grandchildren. Businessmen travel to their meetings. Students go to universities. People attend football games. All the passengers look interesting and have stories to tell. They travel by train because they don't have to fight traffic or the weather. They can spread out and enjoy the ride in safety. It's a great way to travel and my choice.
Second Opinion on PBS
I watched Second Opinion on PBS this morning by accident. I've seen it before. I was switching channels but the dialogue caught my attention and I stayed. The Director of the Undiagnosed Disease Program from the National Institutes of Health was on the show. He spoke about the "enormous number of people here and abroad who come to them without a diagnosis." What caught my attention was when he said, "We fail most of the time." And then to make it worse, he said, "In fact, we would be proud of a 15% success rate." So 85% leave without a diagnosis. This goes back to the numbers about evidence based medicine which sites that 15% of medicine is evidence based and 85% is guesswork. A cooincidence? I think not. The panel of experts discussed this issue and seem to be satisfied with the fact that most of the time there isn't a diagnosis and that as long as you try, it's okay. One of the doctors said, "Even if you are wrong, it's okay because you continue to work toward it." Is it really? When it is your life and your bank account and your house up for sale because of medical bills, it is really okay? When are we going to start demanding excellence, answers, and competence within the medical community? Is it really okay to have to pay for zero answers, mistakes and failures? Wouldn't it be a money better spent to join a gym, eat healthy food, and hire a minimum wage compationate person to be encouraging and supportive?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders was the shining star standing up for single-payer health care in the Senate. If I were to rewrite the script of when he stood up to read the 700 page document in the Senate, I would have each Democrat Senator walk up to stand next to him in an unpresidented show of support for REAL CHANGE. If I were in the Senate representing Oregon, that is what I would have done and I would have encouraged others to stand beside me.
Bernie Sanders also negotiated great gifts for Vermont and so did Senator Baucus from Montana. Senator Sanders got $600 million in Medicare help. Senator Baucus got Medicare coverage for victims of asbestos exposure. Senator Dodd got $100 million for a new hospital at the University of Connecticut. Senator Nelson from Nebraska got a gift worth $100 million because now Nebraska is exempted from paying expanded Medicare costs. What did Oregon get? NOTHING!
Everyone forgets the lessons of 2008 and why President Obama got voted into office. I plead that Democrat leadership and people of conscience will rise up and stand strong against Republican bullies. And what happened to Senator Leiberman? Guess he got picked by the Republican party to be their spokesperson to carry out their agenda. Guess he got lots of money to pull it off.
I plead that Democrats in the Senate will grow a backbone, join hands, and not allow the hope of everyday Americans to be extinguished. We need single-payer health care. We need wealthy Americans and businesses to start paying their share. We need good jobs. We need quality education so we can compete in the world market place.
We need change--real change. Change cannot happen without a cap on greed and a harness on bullies who refuse to respect the rights of all Americans to dream and hope for a better tomorrow.
Bernie Sanders also negotiated great gifts for Vermont and so did Senator Baucus from Montana. Senator Sanders got $600 million in Medicare help. Senator Baucus got Medicare coverage for victims of asbestos exposure. Senator Dodd got $100 million for a new hospital at the University of Connecticut. Senator Nelson from Nebraska got a gift worth $100 million because now Nebraska is exempted from paying expanded Medicare costs. What did Oregon get? NOTHING!
Everyone forgets the lessons of 2008 and why President Obama got voted into office. I plead that Democrat leadership and people of conscience will rise up and stand strong against Republican bullies. And what happened to Senator Leiberman? Guess he got picked by the Republican party to be their spokesperson to carry out their agenda. Guess he got lots of money to pull it off.
I plead that Democrats in the Senate will grow a backbone, join hands, and not allow the hope of everyday Americans to be extinguished. We need single-payer health care. We need wealthy Americans and businesses to start paying their share. We need good jobs. We need quality education so we can compete in the world market place.
We need change--real change. Change cannot happen without a cap on greed and a harness on bullies who refuse to respect the rights of all Americans to dream and hope for a better tomorrow.
Survivor Samoa
I wanted Mick or John to win Survivor Samoa. Mick made it to the final three but he didn't get one vote.
Russell played the best game of Survivor ever in the history of Survivor but it's hard for me to respect his game play or like him. He found idols without clues. He manipulated, lied, and cheated. He poured out canteens of water. He burned socks. He called women "dumb ___" and played everyone. He outmanaeuvered, outplayed, and outlasted but he didn't win.
The game of Survivor is an amazing play of how people interact, choices, relationships, and how people react under pressure. I would love to be on the show and see how I do but I couldn't eat the disgusting "food" you have to eat.
Russell played the best game of Survivor ever in the history of Survivor but it's hard for me to respect his game play or like him. He found idols without clues. He manipulated, lied, and cheated. He poured out canteens of water. He burned socks. He called women "dumb ___" and played everyone. He outmanaeuvered, outplayed, and outlasted but he didn't win.
The game of Survivor is an amazing play of how people interact, choices, relationships, and how people react under pressure. I would love to be on the show and see how I do but I couldn't eat the disgusting "food" you have to eat.
Julia Sweeney
Over the weekend, I watched a documentary written and performed by the comic, Julia Sweeney called LETTING GO OF GOD. It's about her struggle with religion, all her endless questions, and her inability to find satisfactory answsers. It's all about how I feel. She's great, funny, and I like her just the way she is. She's telling the truth and unfortunately in this world today, you see very few religious people who live up to their own words that they say they believe in.
Danny Deckchair
Danny Deckchair is a comedy made in Australia that is fast paced, keeps you laughing, surprised, and interested. It's great writing and supposed to be a true story. It's about this guy who just doesn't fit in or is appreciated. He ties helium balloons onto a deck chair and literally floats up and into a different part of Australia where he is loved, appreciated, and blooms. It's a great story and a great movie.
I feel like Danny. Maybe I need to buy some helium balloons and see where they take me............
I feel like Danny. Maybe I need to buy some helium balloons and see where they take me............
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Applied Knowledge in Education
Classes where the knowledge is applied and integrates what is learned multiplies success in the classroom.
What classes do this?
Physical Education
Music
Drama
High school newspapers and yearbooks
What's sad is that PE, music, and drama are often eliminated in schools.
Here in Alsea, there is a wonderful English teacher, Patsy Jones who encourages her students to take photos, write, and put all their dreams into words. I know she is encouraging one student who is almost finished with a novel.
The Junior Class has just finished working on a logging calendar project as a fundraiser. Everyone worked as a team to make it happen and they are on sale now at John Boy's Mercantile in Alsea, Oregon for $15.00. Or write to the Alsea School at PO Box B, Alsea, Oregon 97324 or call 541-487-4305
What classes do this?
Physical Education
Music
Drama
High school newspapers and yearbooks
What's sad is that PE, music, and drama are often eliminated in schools.
Here in Alsea, there is a wonderful English teacher, Patsy Jones who encourages her students to take photos, write, and put all their dreams into words. I know she is encouraging one student who is almost finished with a novel.
The Junior Class has just finished working on a logging calendar project as a fundraiser. Everyone worked as a team to make it happen and they are on sale now at John Boy's Mercantile in Alsea, Oregon for $15.00. Or write to the Alsea School at PO Box B, Alsea, Oregon 97324 or call 541-487-4305
My son and his fiancee gave my husband and I flowers for Thanksgiving. They were beautiful. Flowers are always a wonderful gift. This wasn't the original order. There was a problem so my husband called. The company sent two dozen roses to make up for it.
It is my hope that I can plant enough flowers in my yard so that I can have flowers for most of the year.
Keith Obermann
I watched Keith Obermann last night on CNBC for the first time. My husband has been talking about him. I guess a few months back, he set up free clinics at several cities across the country to show members of Congress the great need for health care reform. Members of Congress refused to come to see what would happen. There were so many people who needed help, people had to be turned away. I'm not surprised.
What I am happy about is to see the great courage and strength of Keith Obermann who speaks out on the important issues of our time and stands up for people without a voice who desperately need help. I admire him. He's a hero in this time of so many who let money shut their mouth and stop them from speaking up against injustice.
What I am happy about is to see the great courage and strength of Keith Obermann who speaks out on the important issues of our time and stands up for people without a voice who desperately need help. I admire him. He's a hero in this time of so many who let money shut their mouth and stop them from speaking up against injustice.
Warren Buffet and Bill Gates
I watched a special presentation on CNBC with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates at Columbia Business School. The room was filled with hopeful MBA students who want a chance to have the life of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. I learned a lot from what they said but also from what they didn't say.
Warren Buffet said that in 2008, it was an "economic pearl harbor," and that the "dominoes were really lined up." He also said that "having sound principles take you through everything." Warren Buffet said that "nothing has gone wrong with our system," and there is "equality of opportunity."
I don't buy this "equality of opportunity." There is opportunity if your family has already in position with money and connections. If you have money, there are opportunities and if your family is connected to the "right" people, you have promise. I'm sure that it is true that every MBA student in the room has a great future. They are at Columbia Business School.
What about the other kids who are brilliant without the money and the connections? Not all schools are the best environment for gifted and talented children. Not all teachers are capable of teaching to the high end of ability. Most are clueless of what to do. Yes, there are many who try very hard, are sincere, and are doing their best. Is it really fair to expect a teacher to teach to a wide range of ability in a classroom with few resources? Bill Gates said that our educational system in this country is lacking and needs to be fixed.
U.S. News and World Report just listed recently the top 25 schools in the United States. There weren't any in Oregon!
After thinking about this event with these great men who have accomplished their dreams, I believe the answer is to work hard and never give up. Work hard to learn all you can and get as much education as possible. You have to be serious now more than ever before and use every minute to your advantage without wasting any time. Warren Buffet said "to do what you love" and success will follow.
If things don't drastically change in this country and if, as Warren Buffet says, that "greed is alive and well," then there is a significant number of people in this country without a future, without opportunity, without hope for a better tomorrow.
I'm going to concentrate on reading, writing, growing my own food, taking care of my home, and doing what needs to be done to watch out for my husband. Will I get to go back to school? Will I get to get my MFA in creative writing? Will I get a job where I am challenged and where I can grow? I don't know but I do know that it requires mentors who know answers and are successful at what you want to do in life.
Warren Buffet said that in 2008, it was an "economic pearl harbor," and that the "dominoes were really lined up." He also said that "having sound principles take you through everything." Warren Buffet said that "nothing has gone wrong with our system," and there is "equality of opportunity."
I don't buy this "equality of opportunity." There is opportunity if your family has already in position with money and connections. If you have money, there are opportunities and if your family is connected to the "right" people, you have promise. I'm sure that it is true that every MBA student in the room has a great future. They are at Columbia Business School.
What about the other kids who are brilliant without the money and the connections? Not all schools are the best environment for gifted and talented children. Not all teachers are capable of teaching to the high end of ability. Most are clueless of what to do. Yes, there are many who try very hard, are sincere, and are doing their best. Is it really fair to expect a teacher to teach to a wide range of ability in a classroom with few resources? Bill Gates said that our educational system in this country is lacking and needs to be fixed.
U.S. News and World Report just listed recently the top 25 schools in the United States. There weren't any in Oregon!
After thinking about this event with these great men who have accomplished their dreams, I believe the answer is to work hard and never give up. Work hard to learn all you can and get as much education as possible. You have to be serious now more than ever before and use every minute to your advantage without wasting any time. Warren Buffet said "to do what you love" and success will follow.
If things don't drastically change in this country and if, as Warren Buffet says, that "greed is alive and well," then there is a significant number of people in this country without a future, without opportunity, without hope for a better tomorrow.
I'm going to concentrate on reading, writing, growing my own food, taking care of my home, and doing what needs to be done to watch out for my husband. Will I get to go back to school? Will I get to get my MFA in creative writing? Will I get a job where I am challenged and where I can grow? I don't know but I do know that it requires mentors who know answers and are successful at what you want to do in life.
Burlington Northern
Burlington Northern is a freight carrier. Warren Buffet said at Columbia Business School that railroads are "environmentally friendly and the most efficient" for moving freight. It can move "1 ton of freight 470 miles on 1 gallon of deisel." It sounds great but I would need to compare what it costs to move freight using semis on freeways. If this is true, there should be an explosion of new rails across America to move freight.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I signed up for Facebook. When I started the process, I found a lot people already in my folder. Most of them I didn't know. I clicked on everyone anyway. I thought that it was great that I already had people who wanted to be my friend. My family said that I should only keep the people who I know so I deleted everyone I didn't know. We'll see how this works out. I'll just keep it how it is for now.
Dangerous Bridge
I've lived in Alsea for 8 1/2 years. There is a bridge on Highway 34 between Alsea and Philomath that I feel is dangerous.
The photo above is of the bridge crossing the North Fork of the Alsea River at Fish Hatchery Road on Highway 34 facing west on the way to Alsea. It is a blind curve when you come around the corner from Alsea because the brush isn't cut making oncoming traffic invisible. The bridge is narrow, too narrow. The sign says that no pedestrians are to walk on the bridge, however, I have witnessed several times when this rule was not followed. The sign "One Way Traffic for Trucks and Buses" is confusing. What does this mean? Who has the right of way--cars or trucks and buses? I have seen black skid marks on the pavement several times, especially during the summer on both sides of the bridge. One time when I came around the corner going east towards Philomath, I had to quickly stop at the side before the bridge because a logging truck was in the center of the bridge straddling the yellow line going towards Alsea. Years ago my husband came upon this bridge going east and found people walking on the bridge, cars parked on the bridge, and motorcycles were headed towards the bridge coming from the opposite direction. He crashed into the side of the bridge so he wouldn't hit anyone. This is not a safe intersection or bridge. It needs to be fixed.
What needs to be done to fix the problem? In my opinion, the bridge needs to be widened and a pedestrian walkway needs to be on the other side of the bridge railing. It's a fact that people need to go from one side of the bridge to another because this is a big fishing spot where people come from all over to catch salmon. The sides of the road needs to be cleared of all brush so you can see around the blind corner. The signs needs to be changed. In my opinion, this is a serious accident waiting to happen. Why do changes like this come only after several fatalities? Why can't people recognize the danger and fix it?
Ben Haber
My son, Benjamin Haber was in Kentucky yesterday running in the National Cross Country Championships. He ran for Seattle Running Company. He came in 5th on his team and he came in 140th over all. He called me from O'Hare in Chicago. I'm always proud of Ben. He runs back and forth to work every day. He's amazing. He said there were over 50 teams that entered.
Health Care
I've been watching Book-TV on CSpan 2 on Saturdays. They have been broadcasting live testimony in the U.S. Senate on health care. Yesterday Senator Orin Hatch from Utah spoke about working with Senate leaders in both parties. He is the strong voice that works hard to defeat needed change in this country for health reform and to keep the status quo. Republicans and Conservatives are fighting hard to prevent health care reform that would bring relief to those who need help. The Republican way hasn't worked.
I believe strongly that everyone deserves quality health care. I believe in a single payer system so that everyone gets preventative care and doesn't have to worry about cost. Insurance companies keep raising premiums. The cost of medical care keeps rising even though most hospitals are nonprofits. No one seems to understand that you can't have needed health care reform until you cut the costs, stop waste and fraud, and put a cap on greed. Health care reform isn't going to work until the rich and corporations start paying their fair share. Otherwise, people should just tell the truth that there isn't enough money to take care of everyone and that a large population of the sick, elderly, and infirm will die without care. Last year greed ruled. CEO's took millions in bonuses they didn't deserve. Ponzi scams ruled and billions were stolen from investors. Protection needs to be put into place so this will never happen again. Either people in this country are valued or they aren't. I believe that every human life has value and that everyone deserves to have health care. It should be a right, a basic human right.
Maybe the truth is that only the rich have the right to care. Maybe only the rich are valued and the rest of us don't matter.
President Obama was voted into office to bring about real change. Health care reform is needed. Real reform to help everyone. I believe that everyone matters and that major change is needed.
I believe strongly that everyone deserves quality health care. I believe in a single payer system so that everyone gets preventative care and doesn't have to worry about cost. Insurance companies keep raising premiums. The cost of medical care keeps rising even though most hospitals are nonprofits. No one seems to understand that you can't have needed health care reform until you cut the costs, stop waste and fraud, and put a cap on greed. Health care reform isn't going to work until the rich and corporations start paying their fair share. Otherwise, people should just tell the truth that there isn't enough money to take care of everyone and that a large population of the sick, elderly, and infirm will die without care. Last year greed ruled. CEO's took millions in bonuses they didn't deserve. Ponzi scams ruled and billions were stolen from investors. Protection needs to be put into place so this will never happen again. Either people in this country are valued or they aren't. I believe that every human life has value and that everyone deserves to have health care. It should be a right, a basic human right.
Maybe the truth is that only the rich have the right to care. Maybe only the rich are valued and the rest of us don't matter.
President Obama was voted into office to bring about real change. Health care reform is needed. Real reform to help everyone. I believe that everyone matters and that major change is needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)