Once Upon a Time……….

    For those of you who follow my writing, you are probably thinking right now that this column is going to be about a childhood book or story, some childish adventure, or maybe some crazy fairytale. But in this particular writing today I am taking a moment or two to look back to a time in life when events and living with those around us were much different to what it may be like today, or at least how it feels.

   Growing up in the 1950s and 60s was not a time in the history of the great American dream without conflict and disagreement. There were conflicts and wars around the world. There were times when not having an adequate paying job or a steady income made life, living, and raising a family difficult.

    There was a great deal of disagreement among many who were in government as they attempted to lead and help to grow and make the American dream come true. But back then, even with all the disagreement, there always seemed to be an understanding and belief that eventually there would be compromise and people would find new ways to understanding each other and come to some levels of agreement, and as a result, the country and the dream would come true, and the American democracy would become a model for others around the world.

  Those days of the 1950s and 60s are now well in the past and while some of the memories of those days are still clear in my aging memory, I am having a difficult time understanding what we did not learn back in the day, or have forgotten, that might have helped us avoid where we are today. The conflict, disagreements, and everyday anger we see plastered over the news is at a frightening level and as a father and grandfather, I worry about its impact and effect on the future lives of the next generations. What have we done wrong? What have we overlooked? What have we forgotten?

   If you have followed any of some of my earlier postings, you may remember that often I refer to the “baby boomer” generation, the generation for which I am a part. But one only needs to read the obituary pages of the local papers to discover that many of the names on those pages were members of the “boomers,” and that their life experiences, memories, and learnings of that time are becoming fewer in number.

   The history and growth of our country does read like a book, a “once upon a time  story book”, where each and every person plays a part in its growth and development. Looking back, there have been a number of opportunities where lessons could have been learned, but recently, in some cases, it appears as though those lessons were either overlooked or forgotten and we currently struggle with what appears to be a time of distrust  and dislike for anything or anyone that does not agree with our individual opinions and beliefs.

   With a generation that is becoming fewer in number each year, those “once upon a time” opportunities are becoming fewer in number and I realize that the next generation will step up and have its own remembrance and memories  upon which  to build and pass along to the future. But I sincerely hope that as time passes, the ability to share differing opinions, ideas and thoughts is restored in a way that allows for healthy growth and dialogue between friends, neighbors, and the community. From differing ideas and beliefs and the ability to listen and share can come a world rich in understanding and positive growth.

   So for today and maybe tomorrow, I encourage each reading this to take a moment, sit down with a pencil and paper (remember pencils) and begin….”Once upon a time …….”

 

In 500 Words or Less…

    I was recently asked how and why I started to write and I will admit that it did not come easily.  And why did I select the title of 500 Words or Less, especially since most of my work extends well beyond the five-hundred-word limit.

    The  number 500 echoes in my mind from the  many days and years in school, some sixty or more or years ago now. In the Dark Ages, as my grandchildren often refer to them, I did not truly understand why we were told the essays in English class could be no longer than five hundred words. Sometimes what I had to say was so important it would require more than five hundred words. But in keeping with the assignments and the teacher’s directions, we dutifully would sit there and count the number of words on the paper. And if we were over five hundred words, if we went over the mark, that was where we would have to stop, even if it meant stopping in the middle of a sentence.

    Truthfully, sometimes I thought my summer vacations, a topic we seem to write about endlessly year after year when returning to school in the Fall, was so exciting that it required more than five hundred words. And then there was David, who often  sat next to me  in class. He would write about his sister with her head hanging over the toilet for hours because of the flu.  Certainly that was worth more than 750 words, although she didn't think so.

   What would I do if I became president was another popular subject, especially in election years. The title alone contained eight words. Jason, the class comedian, always managed to fall well below the maximum   number of words for his essays on this topic. What would he write? His essays always consisted of just one word.” NOTHING.” By the way, he was recently elected to the state legislature a few years ago in New Jersey.

   Once I became a teacher. I understood why teachers often limited the length of the essays. One teacher, twenty-five students per class and six classes created an enormous amount of reading and correcting. And if we expected to get the assignments back to the students with a grade back during the semester, it was important to work within the limits.

   The sophomore year in high school was a turning point for many of us. Our English teacher’s  name was Mr. Furst told us that if we could not get our point across in five hundred words or less, it probably wasn't worth saying or writing. (We always ask him how his last name could be Furst.? He would explain it to us  while we spent time in detention after school for making fun of his name.) The one lesson I think most learned from his class was to be concise and get to the point. No rambling. We became believers. Even today, I often believe that sometimes the  less said the better, whether it be in a written document or a public speech.

   Although on occasion I stray from the lessons taught by Mr. First, I still make every attempt to limit the length and to improve the quality of the message. Using vocabulary, words,  that creates pictures in the mind can be very effective. Often the best pictures are not really pictures but are words we put together to tell the story.

   I have been writing  for many years now.  My attempt with my weekly columns over time has been to share a variety of topics and events, and maybe even help you recall some of your own memories and experiences. While my goal back 10^th grade  was to accomplish story telling  within the limit of five hundred words back in the days of English class, I have found over time that it is often much more difficult to limit the number of words, often because there is too much to say.

    Now, in case there are any questions, you will not see me sitting with paper and pencil counting each word on the page. The computer does that for me now. Life sometimes seems so much easier today. By the way…what’s a pencil?

Thinking About the Past, Present and Future

   It was a relaxing Sunday afternoon. With my puppy sitting quietly next to me on the porch and listening to music on my phone, a song grabbed my attention because it was almost as if there was a special something special or 

I've been lately thinking about my life's time

All the things I've done, how it's been

And I can't help believing in my own mind

I know I'm gonna hate to see it end

I've seen a lot of sunshine, slept out in the rain

Spent a night or two all on my own

I've known my lady's pleasures, had myself some friends

And spent a night or two in my own home

I have to say it now, it's been a good life, all in all

It's really fine to have a chance to hang around

And lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire

While all my friends and my old lady sit and pass the pipe around

Talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in

How sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care

How long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow?

What about our dreams and all the memories we share?

The days they pass so quickly now, nights are seldom long

Time around me whispers when it's cold

The changes somehow frighten me, still I have to smile

It turns me on to think of growing old

For though my life's been good to me there's still so much to do

So many things my mind's never known

I'd like to raise a family, I'd like to sail away

And dance across the mountains on the moon, yes I would

I have to say it now, it's been a good life, all in all

It's really fine to have the chance to hang around

And lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire

While all my friends and my old lady, sit and watch the sun go down

Talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in

How sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care

How long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow?

What about our dreams and all the memories we share?

Songwriters: John Denver. For non-commercial use only.

 

And The Answer Is…..

   Today’s world seems to be filled with more questions than answers. Wars and conflicts are raging around the world and they cannot seem to come to peaceful resolutions. People in leadership positions is constantly fighting with each other about a safe and secure future. There has been a significant rise in attacks on personal freedoms and how to respect the rights of others.

   I know there are many who believe that they have the answers to many of today’ problems. Whether it be controlling mass migrations by those who are seeking a better way of life, controlling the amount of carbon or other unhealthy substances being put into the air or mixing with the soil, there are those who claim to have the answers and will take almost any action to prove they are correct and have the solutions.

   Now, visiting a local coffee shop may find a group of elderly men in one corner and women in another corner discussing all of the current local and world events. Each shares  their individual  ideas and in some cases this can lead to raised voices and the pointing of fingers. No. I am not talking about the current groups representing each one of us in this country  in Washington, although if the shoe fits, it might be.

   Recently I was part of a small group involved in a discussion about the current state of affairs and some possible outcomes for the future, yet to be identified. The discussion ended respectfully with everyone agreeing that these are difficult times and that it would take a great deal of work to get back on a path where people could find ways to respect and work together for the future generations to come.

   Now, what I am about to share really did happen and as a result caused me to stop and think for a moment or two, wondering what the true meaning and why at this particular moment, this happened.

   I got into my car to head home and as I often do, I turned on one of my favorite radio stations and the song that filled the airwaves was being sung by one of my favorite folk groups . And the title of the song? Blowin In The Wind. The song was written by Bob Dylan in the ancient year 1962 and was sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary. And the words are as follows….                                  

           How many roads must a man walk down
         Before you call him a man?
         Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
         Before she sleeps in the sand?
 

         Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
         Before they're forever banned?

         The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
         The answer is blowin' in the wind.

         How many times must a man look up
         Before he can see the sky?
         Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
         Before he can hear people cry?
         Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
         That too many people have died?

          The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
          The answer is blowin' in the wind.

          How many years can a mountain exist
          Before it's washed to the sea?
          Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
          Before they're allowed to be free?
         Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head
         Pretending he just doesn't see?

        The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
        The answer is blowin' in the wind.

                                  Words and song originally by  Bob Dylan

   As I listened to the song, I honestly felt that the timing of this, especially after the discussion sitting around the coffee table just minutes, had to be some type of message. And thinking about the year the song was written, 1962, with many of the issues and questions asked in the lyrics raised questions for me. Have we really changed in the last 62 years?

   Many reading this may say that to believe that the answers are out there ‘blowing in the wind’ may be a bit foolish, but maybe the message for me from the timing of this song on radio is that we need to keep talking, sharing the positive experiences and lessons of past generations for the next and new generations. Yes. We need to learn from history and often that is very difficult to do.

  

 

 

 

Is It Really More than Just Two Letters?

 

   Recently I was doing a bit of tossing out and reorganizing some books and paperwork and ran across the bound copy of my doctoral dissertation. It has been quite a while since I had completed the research on my topic.

   Each morning, beginning around 5 AM and for the next couple of hours I would shuffle papers and looks through books and a pile of photocopied articles in an attempt to gain some information and ideas that would help me put my thought together about the research I had selected to study.

   After about 2 hours of work almost every day, I would dress and prepare to go to my office and begin another day of work. This process lasted for many months as I was determined to complete the work and earn my advanced degree. Periodically I would send copies of my work to my professors for their review,  input, and suggestion and finally the day came when I presented my work to the committee who  would eventually approve it and grant me my degree.

   It was a long process, especially the researching parts because I was taking on this challenge in a time when computers were just becoming popular and many of us were not in a position to personally own a computer or a word processor. The research was done most often in libraries, looking through books, newspaper, and professional journals and developing my own research tools, asking  teachers and other school professional to take time out of a busy day to answer questions and submit ideas and thoughts about teacher and student learning styles.

   It has been a long time since I completed my dissertation work and during that time research methods, procedures and information gathering has changed tremendously. In this particular situation I am referring to something now  called artificial intelligence, or simply put, AI. And as I learn more about AI, I sometimes wish it had been around to make my work a bit easier back in the day on my dissertation. Maybe!

   So what is the difference between human intelligence and Artificial Intelligence?

   The difference is really quite simple. Human intelligence uses the brain, memory, and cognitive abilities while AI relies on the data provided by the human. Human intelligence is based on the ability of humans to learn, to reason and to problem solve. Based on what we may wish to believe, artificial intelligence does not have that ability or capability just yet. AI can take vast amounts of data and produce different models while human intelligence is learned from experience, simple observation, instruction and change.   While human intelligence can adapt to new situations and environments, artificial intelligence, to date, aims to build only on current human behavior to perform human-like actions. So again, humans use the power of the brain to think, to remember, and the ability to observe whereas AI relies strictly on the data and specific instructions fed into the data system for it to be effective.

   Now, there is a great deal of fear in today’s world about the pending power and control that AI will have in present and future learning. Will students just be able to type in a few words or sentences regarding a specific classroom assignment and within seconds have a written assignment to be handed over to the teacher. Will the teacher know the level or degree of learning achieved by the student completing the assignment or is it something he or she just pulled off the internet out of AI.

   The current debate rests with the understanding that while AI is a helpful tool, it has yet to take over the potential power of the human brain. It does has the potential to become an extremely useful tool in storing and examining data that is fed into it. But remember, it is still the human brain that has created AI.

   While I may, on occasion, have wished for the help of AI as I completed my research and study for my dissertation, the research and writing helped to improve my ability to think, problem solve, observe, and improve my memory.  In addition, I also know that some of my work was used and expanded by others who continued to advance work in classroom student- teacher learning, all contributing to what we now call today  AI.

 

Coming To An End…

   The year 2022 is rapidly coming to a close. The last few weeks of each year are often filled with a lot of excitement, celebration and family fun. The days and weeks finishing out each year can be very busy and depending upon your personal beliefs and family backgrounds, religious celebrations, and other cultural beliefs they can add to the pleasure and excitement of the time. But with the ending of an old year and the beginning of a new one, there is one additional tradition that has spanned over four thousand years of history. Yes…4000+  I am referring to the making of the New Year’s Resolution.

   From the early days of the Babylonians to this year’s New Year’s eve parties of 2022, many have and will continue to look back on the past year, identify the successes and failures and come up with a new list of resolutions for the new year. And as this tradition has evolved and changed over the generations from being more religious in nature to more individual and personal in nature, the process has pretty much stayed the same. It begins with a simple question one askes themselves… what mistakes did I make this past year and how can I learn from them?

   On the lighter side of life, a number of those resolutions seem pretty simple. My New Year’s resolution is to lose weight or maybe it’s time to throw out some of my old clothes. But on a more serious note perhaps the resolution may have something to do with breaking up with an old boyfriend or girlfriend or getting a new job because your boss is making life a bit too uncomfortable for you.

   Now I will admit that I have not been the most effective in keeping my New Year’s resolutions. If I could get through the first three or four weeks of the new year I might consider it a success, but sometimes old habits are difficult to break. (That would make a great New Year’s resolution)

   Perhaps, after doing a bit of research, I found there may be some steps to take and points to consider to be more successful. First, pick one area or one thing you would like to change and make sure that it is something that, if you work at it, you can achieve. I will never make the NFL.

   The second point to consider is to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute. In addition to putting additional pressure on yourself causing a bit more frustration, there may be some things you want to change but need additional time and preparation.

   Pick a start date. Changes do not need to be made on New Years Day. By picking a start date it gives you time to get your mind in the right place. And in addition to a start date, develop a timeline. Give yourself enough time to meet any unforeseen challenges and be sure to give yourself credit to the small wins along the way.

   One of the better activities to consider when attempting to establish a new year’s resolution is to look back at some of the failures and mistakes from the previous year. Mistakes and failure are not always bad. They can teach us some very important lessons for the future. The important point here is to be sure you learn from those mistakes and avoid making them again.

   So now… the really important question. Should you tell someone what your New Year’s resolution is? That is a difficult question, because if you tell them and you fail…..well you know what I am thinking. But perhaps they can also provide support if needed. On occasion, in the past, I would write my resolution on a sticky note and post it somewhere, generally out of sight of others, but in a place where I could see it on a regular basis to serve as a gentle reminder. And another possibility? Keep a journal.

   As the countdown to 2023 begins, if you are planning to follow the long-term tradition of coming up with a New Year’s resolution for the coming year, remember that as the thousands of other before you did, remind yourself that the goal is to spark a positive change in your life. It doesn’t need to be big. It just needs to bring you some personal satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment, no matter how small or insignificant the change may be. It’s about you.

   So with this year coming to an end, I wish you all a very happy and wonderful New Year and look forward to 2023.

 

Some Thoughts On Being A Grandparent…

   Being a grandparent can be a constant reminder of how old one has become. But setting that aside for a moment, it can also serve as a reminder of how much fun life can be watching the children of your children grow up. Grandpa and grandma get to see, while watching their own children raise their own families, many of the joys and challenges that may have been missed, forgotten, or just overlooked. Being a grandparent is an entirely unique experience and I am glad that I am having the opportunity to watch and in many cases learn how growing up in many ways has changed from sixty-five plus years ago.

   But on a personal note, it is heartwarming and exciting to see the grandchildren transition from childhood to adulthood, preparing to take their place in life, whether it be attending college and preparing for a career, taking some time off to explore the constantly changing world or just simply give grandma and grandpa a call or stopping by to see how things are going.

   If they were to ask my advice, which I might or might not do, there are a few lessons and memories that I would pass on, because these are items that have not really changed over time and are still part of growing up.

   Each day is a new beginning and success is based, in large part, on the lessons and experiences learned from the day before and while some of those experiences may have been successful, there may be some that one might consider failures. But remember that failures, although they may hurt and disappoint at times, are nothing more than lessons to be learned.

   One of the more challenging parts of growing up and growing older is to have a better understanding of how and why you feel the way you do. One day you could be incredibly happy and the next day you may spend most of the day in tears and not understanding why you are crying. There may be days when anger fills the heart and mind but then within a few minutes the anger is replace with a love and compassion you may have never experienced before.

   And while you struggle to gain an understanding of what has happened, keep in mind that life is like a file cabinet and a storehouse for previous attitudes and emotions that, without notice, can come to the surface when we least expect them. A forgotten memory, a line from a television show, or the words to a song can stimulate strong feelings and emotions for no obvious reason, only that those emotions and feelings live within each of us for years. Did I mention looking at old family pictures, especially the ones at the local beach or playing in the backyard with the countless number of pets over the years.

   As I began to think about being a grandparent myself, I thought back to the days while my grandparents were still alive and the experiences and opportunities we shared together. It was a different time and the generations were vastly different back then and while I don’t remember many specifics of what we did together, what I do remember is just being able to spend time with them, whether it be by talking on the phone or visiting them in person. And even to this day, often I will pick up a photo album or two and look at the pictures. And the fact still remains that no matter how old I get, not only am I now a grandparent, but I remain a grandchild to those who came before me within the family.

   So to my four granddaughters, I wish for them the best for a good and healthy life and hope that their lives will be filled with the joys and excitement that I was able to experience. Laugh when you need to, cry when you must, even if you don’t know why, forgive when it is needed, and learn from the lessons that life has to offer. And always remember that I will always love each one of you.

I need to add a brief addendum here. I know there will be some who will never become a grandparent for whatever reason. But through friendships with others who have become grandparents, meeting the family members, sharing a friendship and sharing stories, one can gain a sense of the grandparent experience. 

      

  

  

  

 

And The Answer Is…..

   Today’s world seems to be filled with more questions than answers. Wars and conflicts are raging around the world and they cannot seem to come to peaceful resolutions. People in leadership positions is constantly fighting with each other about a safe and secure future. There has been a significant rise in attacks on personal freedoms and how to respect the rights of others.

   I know there are many who believe that they have the answers to many of today’ problems. Whether it be controlling mass migrations by those who are seeking a better way of life, controlling the amount of carbon or other unhealthy substances being put into the air or mixing with the soil, there are those who claim to have the answers and will take almost any action to prove they are correct and have the solutions.

   Now, visiting a local coffee shop may find a group of elderly men in one corner and women in another corner discussing all of the current local and world events. Each shares  their individual ideas and in some cases this can lead to raised voices and the pointing of fingers. No. I am not talking about the current groups representing each one of us in this country in Washington, although if the shoe fits, it might be.

   Recently I was part of a small group involved in a discussion about the current state of affairs and some possible outcomes for the future, yet to be identified. The discussion ended respectfully with everyone agreeing that these are difficult times and that it would take a great deal of work to get back on a path where people could find ways to respect and work together for the future generations to come.

   Now, what I am about to share really did happen and as a result caused me to stop and think for a moment or two, wondering what the true meaning and why at this particular moment, this happened.

   I got into my car to head home and as I often do, I turned on one of my favorite radio stations and the song that filled the airwaves was being sung by one of my favorite folk groups. And the title of the song? Blowin In the Wind. The song was written by Bob Dylan in the ancient year 1962 and was sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary. And the words are as follows….                                  

           How many roads must a man walk down
         Before you call him a man?
         Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
         Before she sleeps in the sand?
 

         Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
         Before they're forever banned?

         The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
         The answer is blowin' in the wind.

         How many times must a man look up
         Before he can see the sky?
         Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
         Before he can hear people cry?
         Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
         That too many people have died.

          The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
          The answer is blowin' in the wind.

          How many years can a mountain exist
          Before it's washed to the sea?
          Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
          Before they're allowed to be free?
         Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head
         Pretending he just doesn't see?

        The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
        The answer is blowin' in the wind.

                                  Words and song originally by Bob Dylan

   As I listened to the song, I honestly felt that the timing of this, especially after the discussion sitting around the coffee table just minutes, had to be some type of message. And thinking about the year the song was written, 1962, with many of the issues and questions asked in the lyrics raised questions for me. Have we really changed in the last 62 years?

   Many reading this may say that to believe that the answers are out there ‘blowing in the wind’ may be a bit foolish, but maybe the message for me from the timing of this song on radio is that we need to keep talking, sharing the positive experiences and lessons of past generations for the next and new generations. Yes. We need to learn from history and often that is very difficult to do.

  

 

 

 

Lessons from Mother Nature

   As life begins to return to some degree of normalcy after the recent winter storm, it sometimes forces one to begin to look at things a bit differently, seeking out the answers to many of the age old questions about why, when, and where. Why did this happen now? It’s December and it was a major rain and windstorm. It is more often a blizzard like-snow storm at this time of the year. Why did it happen mostly during the middle of the day instead of some other time, often deep into the night? This storm seemed to hit many different areas causing many to lose power, lose parts of their home and shut down many businesses for several days, while other places, only a mile or two down the road, were able to remain open and continue to provide services, food, and heat to those who the storm had shut down.

   This particular day, three days after the storm, was bright and sunny but a bit cold and there was a slight breeze. But I had some errands to run so I started the car, turned up the heat and got on the highway. It became pretty clear to me after only a couple of miles that others passing me were in much more of a hurry to get to their destinations, while I was maintaining the appropriate speed limit, being the law abiding citizen that I am.

   The road was clear of trees and debris but it was interesting to see the sizes and the number of trees that had been toppled by the 60 mph and higher winds that had accompanied the heavy rains. And even on this day, three days later, water was everywhere.

   But you may be asking what caught my attention. I have seen many storms before in my lifetime, but what became very interesting to me was the type, the size, the root networks now exposed above the ground surface and the perceived age of the fallen trees. The twenty miles of highway on which I was traveling cut through a fairly wooded area with all types of trees of all ages, heights, from very tall pines and other large types, to the still very shrub like one. But the wind and storm did not appear to pick favorites to pull from the ground. Size or type did not appear to be immune to Mother Nature.

   As I continued on my journey I began to notice that what many of the fallen trees had in common were smaller root systems, the foundation that would keep the tree in the ground and provide the nutrition to grow. But what was a bit puzzling was that a number of the trees that had suffer from the ice storm of years ago, all the dead ones, were still standing, branches and new growth long gone, but still lining several miles of the highway untouched by the recent wind and rain, acting as reminders of the past.

    On my own property at home and within the confines of the neighborhood several trees had fallen in the storm and being nearby I took a more detailed look at the root system that had been lifted out of the ground.  I was surprised at what I saw or did not see.

    I know we are not trees but there are some that have compared the growth of trees to the grow of people. What both may have in common is a history, a common family background and a good solid foundation, family roots. Now it is easy to think about trees and plants with a solid root system. With humans, we tend to think more in terms of our roots, beliefs, and character. For me, trees can have character too. But it are those beliefs, the character and support, that get us through those challenging times in life. There are times when we are confronted with difficult and challenging situations, but our strength and determination through those times comes from our beliefs, our character and often our roots. Now, they may not be the ones we plant in the ground, but they are the ones that help us grow into the individuals we become.

   I am not a tall pine tree or a stubby maple, but I will continue to look at the trees that have blown over because of a storm and think about what could have been done to help save them. But what I do understand is that while Mother Nature tries to teach us to be alert about what is going on around us when it comes to the weather and the trees, her message also can apply to our everyday life as a human and build upon our strengths of character and what we believe, our human roots.