Sweet Things

My ancestor Anna Marie Jensen had this experience: Her husband had died, so she traveled alone with her 5 year old daughter (like Elizabeth Panting that I got to portray in 17 Miracles). They were on the plains in October and hurrying before the first snow fell when her daughter got sick. In a journal it says "Finally, she slipped a hot hand into her mother's and whispered, I'm sick Mother; I can not walk any farther." The little girl named Mina rode in the sick wagon for a few days as "Anna Marie trudged along by the wagon where the child lay, it seemed that every revolution of the wheels bore down upon her heart, and at times it seemed that the load was much too hard to bear." Mina died that night. "The next morning a short funeral was held and the child, with one of Anna Maries' patchwork quilts wrapped around her, was laid away. It all happened so suddenly that they were miles away from the grave of her loved one before the mother realized her overwhelming bereavement. Every mile she traveled was taking her farther from the sacred spot which she knew she would never visit again. A man in the company whose faith was growing cold said to her, "There can't be anything in this religion for which we are suffering so much, or God would never have permitted such a thing to happen. It was foolish to have started on such a journey." Anna Marie said "I'm glad that I came. I do not know why I should be called upon to part with my little girl, but I will trust my Savior and carry on to the end, confident in His promise that I shall meet her again." Anna Marie reached the valley and married the captain of the handcart company (!!!), Christian Christiansen. One of their two sons, Ezra Christiansen is my great, great grandfather.

There is a fly in my classroom. You know what that means?

There are leaves on the trees too.

Men's Lacrosse is a brutal sport. One of these days I'd like to choose a group of special students and play with them. And smack them on the head with my lacrosse stick. I will wear shoulder muhpads and a helmet and they will not.

Am I really that person? Am I really fantasizing about the satisfaction of carnage?

This summer from June 1- 5 is the world science festival in NYC and one of the festivities is a seminar on olfaction. Is it wierd that I'd rather go to that than any choral festival that will be held this summer?

This has been a bonkers month. Can you say roller coaster? All sorts of them ... and multiple rides. Emotional, spiritual, meteorological, professional, motherly, ... a myriad of roller coasters so to speak. Some with high drops, some with fast spins, quick jerks, free falls, hanging upside down, throwing up, all of it.

After 15 years of teaching, I am still jaw on the ground surprised at some of the things I hear come out of the mouths of these precious ones.

Mic tape sticks to carpet.

Everyone should get a chance to sing a solo.

Why do I choose a cappella music for my students to learn? Why? Every year. Why?

Biting gnats bite. For real. I will testify. Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Well, more like head, shoulders, chest and back.

Douglas will be 17 on Saturday.