Summer Prep

I am often asked what teachers do with their summers.  There are even some people who think ALL school teachers have the months from June- August to do whatever they want. I can assure you that MY employer expects me to work the whole summer (except for those days I use for my vacation—which usually means scout camps, girls camps and other things like that) and I try to comply with their desires. 

My number one priority is to get things ready for students and have lessons prepared to teach.  Sadly, because we rotate our curriculum every year, I have to relearn and redo all my lessons…I mean, who can remember what you taught 4 years ago.  Saving old lessons works to a certain extent but usually I find that my view of what is important to teach has changed in the ensuing years.

 

 

(My work desk and accoutrements)

(I know, it is a bit of a mess but that’s how I work best)

The subject for this coming school year focuses on the Doctrine and Covenants.

Sometimes this can be the most difficult part of the standard works to teach.  Unlike the other books, there is not a story line or theme to the message.

There is just a collection of revelations, given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, that facilitated the organization of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ahhh, but that is where we are very mistaken in our assumptions.  For, there is a story line to each of the sections in this great volume.  It just isn’t always in the text.

Ancient prophets who recorded their revelations and visions from God used the “journal” style to pass the information on to their people.  Even some of the modern prophets have used this method for latter-day revelations (see D&C 138).

Joseph Smith was careful to record all the things he considered to be the mind and will of God and those who compiled those writings into a book did so under his direction. 

But the context and reasons for the revelations are not always included in the text of the scriptures.  It takes personal effort and study to be clear about WHY things were given to the Prophet. 

That’s why it is good to use some of the books, written by men of the Gospel, to help in our understanding.  There are lots of them to help but I have been enjoying this one as I prepare this summer. 

Here are a few other parts of my prep that are going on this summer:

Getting the classroom ready.

 

Attending the Temple (though, not this one)

 

OK, maybe a few means three or more but I couldn’t find the right pictures to represent the other things.  Just use your imagination and you will come up with some ideas on how I spend my summers.  And NO, I don’t just sleep all day!!!

Growing From Sorrow

Short post today. 

 

Take a few minutes and read the following attachment from

Jerry Johnston.

He’s onto something.

Scouts and Mountains

Last week I spent 6 days in the mountains with the Boy Scouts at their annual summer camp.  I enjoy camping but over the years I have had to adjust some of my gear to accommodate my ever changing physique.  No longer can I sleep directly on the ground and function the next day…there must be some sort of pad to protect my fragile form.

If you look carefully…..ahead and right, on the bottom bunk……. you will see blankets on top of an air mattress.  What you can’t see is the foam pad on top of the mattress to add comfort to my resting place.  You also can’t see the ear plugs I wore every night so I didn’t have to listen to the snoring of the whole gang.  They CLAIM that I snore but there is no proof.

My role on this campout was to serve as the Chief Cook for the troop.  This is a serious role because an army that doesn’t eat well cannot function well in their merit badge challenges!!!

 

Many think peanut-butter sandwiches aren’t much of an effort for a gourmet cook like me but those babies were made with special care and craftsmanship.  And the kids actually ate them!!!

Young men are made at these events.  And sometimes older men learn about themselves and their limitations.  The next photo is of our Scoutmaster who had just given a lecture about knife safety and then proceeded to demonstrate the negative. 

The cut went deep into the meat of the hand but is healing up quite nicely.

Camping in the Uintah’s can be an adventure when it comes to weather.  One minute it is beautiful and clear and the next………..Pea sized HAIL!!

(Notice it is the same hand?!!  And no, he didn’t get infection, despite his best efforts.)

Everyone had a great time and the boys came away with 61 merit badges (9 boys).  Here are a few random pictures to give a feel for the week.

Adirondacks instead of tents            Three boys canoeing                  Same three boys sinking
                  
2nd knife incident                        Boys seem to have a fascination with latrines!!??#&#%#^

             

I told the scouts of my experience catching animals when I was their age.  No one believed me (not even the adults) so I set up a trap to catch a chipmunk… a Nutcracker (bird) got careless and became my prize instead. 

Now they believe me!!!

Dad’s Creed

I know it’s late but I have been pondering this subject for a few weeks and finally got around to writing.  Forgive my tardiness but not the message.

For the past 33 years I have had the privilege to wear a title that has become a defining tag for who and what I truly want to be.

Matt and Hayden wrestling with Grandpa

My little boy mind was constantly intrigued by the duties of a Dad (where does he go all day, how come he never has to do the dishes, where does he buy more kids?).  Admiration for my own Father was such that as the years passed (except for a few in the teens when my intelligence was…??? well, you know) there was a hope that my experiences would be similar to his.

Missy & Josh with a few vagrants from the street

 

Thirty plus years later I have a perspective that is unlike the wildest dreams of youth (which in the 60’s and 70’s could be pretty wild).   But the defining lesson of fatherhood came in the heat of a difficult time.

 

Becca and Katie in the park

When one of our children was struggling with life and it seemed there was no hope for parental success, an idea came to my mind.

Ellie meeting a chocolate cupcake

 

Logan consuming the cousin of Ellie’s cupcake

(Don’t you love the boots?)

 

There is never the option to give up, but the heart had become tired and weary and the mind was on the verge of ejecting all hope into the void of despair.

 

Little Emma and her Momma

 

 

And---the thought came to my mind that has buoyed me up and given me strength through five children and 12 (so far) grandchildren.  This was a true revelation; one that was accompanied by the comfort of the Holy Ghost and filled with the love of a kind and gentle Father.

 

 

Hayden digging in the ‘dirt’

 

 

The words formed in my mind and have come back, again and again, as a confirmation of my duty in fatherhood and an assurance that there will be help along the way.  The message was:

 

 

Parker really loves his food??!!!             Aubrey skating on her b-day.

 

You cannot give up on this child!! 

Katie learns to drive                              A young Pele' wannabe?  No, Bryce!

 

 

Because I have never given up on you.

 

 

             

 

That is the essence of a Dad. 

At least, that is the essence of MY DADS!!!

One Wonderful Dozen

Misery is a meeting that goes on too long but you can’t escape.

I am in misery RIGHT NOW!!!

There is an HR guy here and he is droning on about…..well, I’m not sure because I am typing this blog entry.  But it isn’t very interesting.

Here’s something that IS fun and delightful.

 

Introducing Emma Claire Whitmer

Daughter of Heather and Josh Whitmer

Grandchild #12

for

Teresa and Mike Whitmer

Vital Stats:

6 lb. 13 oz.  19 in. long

Heather seems to be recovering well and Josh is very proud of his new little lady.

Matt hasn’t really given an opinion as yet. :-)

The clan continues to grow and we are so proud (pleased if you listen to Pres Benson) with the fine people the Lord has sent to be with us. 

 

Pixilated Ideas

Some time ago we purchased a new camera to take the place of our aging Canon S1 IS.

 

We loved the old S1 but it was starting to have some issues so we replaced it with the newer SX10 IS.

Marvelous camera with lots of bells and whistles.  But it is also sort of large and bulky.  Not really an easy camera to carry around.
And I have been a little disappointed with the quality of some images (could be user error but all cameras should be smart enough to overcome that).

Sometimes I like to have pictures for my blog or lesson presentations but it is hard to have that big fella (camera) hanging around all the time.  I would also like to be able to get some pics of fishing trips and outdoor activities.

So I was thinking it might be nice if I got a smaller, more compact version of a camera that I could carry around wherever I went.  That would let me record events as they happened and eliminate the need to lug around a heavy, bulky “nice” camera.

Here are a couple of examples that I have found interesting.  They are supposed to be “proofed” against all kinds of problems so they might survive my falls and stumbles in life. Josh can testify that it would help to have something waterproof when we go out!!

                      

(This one is the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020)          (Canon Powershot D-10)

(And here is the Pentax Optio WS80)

Now, I know that some of you may think I am looking for a Father’s Day gift but that is not the purpose of this post.

My sole intent is to elicit any comments on the type of small camera I should be saving to buy to meet my needs.  Please do not limit your suggestions to those above…I really want something that will be small and workable.

I’m actually looking forward to new ties and socks or a new yard tool or something much more useful for Father’s Day.  This camera business is just ‘dreaming and saving’ fodder.

So, please take a few minutes and ‘review’ these and other cameras and give me your opinions on which you might suggest.

Anonymous

I read something the other day that said it is important to check your name on the Internet periodically.  The reasoning is that you might find something that could cause problems or indicate someone was trying to steal your identity. 

So, in keeping with wise counsel, I Googled my name and waited for something to come up.

And waited…….

And Waited…….

And WAITED……………………….

Sixty-Five pages later (yes, I became obsessed because I really wanted to see if I showed up) there was a reference to my name…………………

In a link to Josh’s personal blog that he hasn’t updated for quite some time. 

Not one link to my own blog or any other place where I might be referenced. 

Guess that shows how popular I really am!!

Maybe it’s a good thing!-----No one seems to be trying to be me. At least for now. (Hope this doesn’t jinx me). 

So, I am simply an anonymous person on the great worldwide-web.  And I’m pretty OK with that. 

Here’s to anonymity and the comfort it brings.

Yard Sale

There are a lot of things I would like to change about myself!!

Nothing new in that.  In fact, it means I am similar to the vast majority of the world.

Constant effort has eliminated a few of my annoying characteristics but there remain a “grundle” of things that REALLY could use some fixing.

So, in the spirit of spring cleaning and summer yard sales, I am putting up for bid three of my most glaring weaknesses.  Recognizing that there are innumerable things that could be offered in this auction, I have decided that I am only willing to part with the ones I find most egregious.

 

1. First on the list is the penchant for finding fault and judging people and things without regard to circumstances:

In many ways, I have succumbed to th e wiles of the world and become one who looks at the outside of a person instead of looking on the heart.  Every time I read Moroni 7:18 I feel a chill that makes my neck hairs stand straight up.  To think that Christ will judge me the same way I look at some of my brothers and sisters in this life creates no small disturbance in my heart.  So, I am willing to part with this “treasure”, which is giving me a vicious heart disease, for a small price.  Actually, I will give this to the first person who offers a bid, so hurry or you will miss a real deal.

2. My second item up for bid is a long lasting and extremely well polished ability to know everything:  

While there has been some progress on this particular failing, there is such a long ways to go for it to be a non-issue that I believe I will just give up and jettison the whole thing right now.  Anyone who feels like they just don’t have what it takes to be “all-knowing” (at least in a worldly sense) will find this purchase to be a great boon to their self-esteem (or maybe that is EGO that will be boosted).  Let me warn you, though.  There will be times in your life when you find you have been outwitted by what you might consider “lesser mortals” but that really will have no bearing on you because you KNOW-IT-ALL.  Please act fast because this one is very enticing and should probably go quickly.

3. The final part of our sale is given with a little trepidation because it has become such an integral part of my life.  If I am not mistaken, this little gem is really the source of my previous two product lines:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, gather round and see what we are bringing to the table for your consideration.  YES, I know you are amazed, but this is, by far, the most developed and best kept of all the attitudes priced for your pleasure today.  Before you is laid out the most excellent examples of PRIDE ever seen in this generation.  In many ways, this little pride-fellow has been the benefactor of a judgmental attitude and an ability to know-all.  I would even suggest that you really can’t have any one of these items without taking on the other two.  SO, I am willing to present these as a package to the highest bidder who responds in the next 3 days.  You will find great service in all these things  and you will do wonders for helping a poor, wandering soul who is trying to clean out his house/life.

There are no warranties for any of these products but I promise that I will transfer ownership to the winner of the auction IMMEDIATELY… Even before payment is received…and if payment is not received I will not require you to return your purchase…once it is out of my life, it’s yours forever (unless you can convince someone else to take them off your hands).

So Hurry and get your names in so I can take care of your order.  E-mail, phone, write, or just holler really loud and I will get things rolling.  Don’t delay!!! I really need help!……REALLY!!!

Shy People

As many of you know, I spend my day time with high school students.

Some days they are wonderful folk.

Other days they are folk that just make me wonder!!!

For the past few weeks we have been trying to get pictures of all the seniors so we can create an end of the year slideshow.  Most of the kids are pretty accommodating but from time to time we have a truly shy person who is reluctant to have their image put on camera.  I’m OK with that and will generally find a way to get their picture in a quiet manner.

 

It’s the people who pretend to be camera shy that are so hard to understand.

 

For instance, one young man is a star football player who has worked hard to get his image out to the community but refuses to stand still long enough to snap a quick shot.  Or the school singer/comedian/star actor who is suddenly reluctant to allow us the privilege of his photo for our show.

 

OOO, I’m too embarrassed to let you take my picture!!!

I’m not coming out of the bathroom until you promise not to take my picture.

 

It’s pretty ridiculous because we all know they would be offended if they weren’t included in the final product of our efforts.  So what did we finally get with these two?  Check it out!! 

 

Yes, that is a senior boy, cowering in a stall in the men’s room of our building.

The other ‘victim’ was even less cooperative so I won’t post his efforts.  But it was considerably worse than this photo I took of a “shy” girl in the same class.

This young lady finally gave in and we have a nice shot of her for the show.

 

Teresa often accuses me of not looking good in pictures (what do you expect for an old guy?) because I don’t smile right but at least I am willing to have my face recorded for posterity.  Sure hope these young people open up and stop acting like something they are not.  Especially when it is only themselves they are hurting.

Hateful Ranting—City Stuff—Epiphany?

I know it is not nice to hate things but…

Some things deserve all the hate we can muster.

Eggs (taste like sulphur)

Eggplant (bad experience as a youth)

Liver ( like chewing sand)

Duck/Goose (too greasy)

Okra (food of the devil)

And a few other things that I won’t mention right now.

This past week I also discovered that I really don’t like (notice no hate) something else:

Code Enforcement Inspectors

These are the people who have no life except to wander around neighborhoods and make things miserable for residents.

Before anyone accuses me of wanting our area to become a mess, I understand what a Code Inspector does and why they are hired. And I agree that they are a necessary part of life.

What I don’t understand is why they can’t be civil when they perform their tasks.

And while I’m at it!!!

Why isn’t the city held to the same standard as the residents.

We have to keep our yards neat and comely but the sidewalks (owned by our city) are a mess.  We have tried for more than 7 years to get our sidewalks fixed and the only answer we receive is:

“You’re on your own.  We don’t have time to fix sidewalks.”

If my driveway looked like the city’s sidewalks, I would have a visit from my favorite Code Officer and would  be required to have things repaired in 14 days.

Maybe someday it will be clear to me why this is so and I can do another post about the epiphany I received.  But my guess is that things will continue on as they are and someone will eventually have an accident and sue the city.  Then maybe they will have time to fix things.  And then my taxes will go up because….well, you know what I mean.

Enough rantings for today!!!