Glimpses of Glory

Because the day begins with a beautiful sunrise doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be "a walk in the park," "a piece of cake," or "a yabadabado time."  To sailors long ago, a red sky in the morning was no portent of good times to come in the hours ahead, but instead it  elicited trepidation."Red sky in morning, sailors take warning." There always have been sayings for just about everything, and some seem more "on the money" than others, but they don't direct our path or carve out our days. It seems that we direct our path.


That's an awesome responsibility that can be burdensome at times. That's why in spite of all that happens in a day, finding joy in God's glimpses of glory, and recognizing His signs of peace remind us that we aren't really walking our path alone, but are co-creating our lives in the power of an almighty, loving creator; then it's easier to accept "bad eggs," and "spilled milk" with more joy than anxiety, more love than pettiness, more goodwill toward ourselves and, in turn, toward others.

           From my childhood memory verses I remember this, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path." It's from the King James Version, but I don't remember where its found at the moment.
Find joy in this day and in, even, the smallest glimpses of glory.

Peace. Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

These all look to you 
to give them their food
in due season;

when you give to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand, 
they are filled with good things.





Bless the Lord, O my soul,
Praise the Lord!
From Psalms 104

Peace. Love, Linda

Time: thoughts and adages

 Today, Darren and I drove through Lakeland on the way home from a road trip to a trike shop in River View. We took this picture of the apartment building Darren lived in when I first met him. It was winter and very cold when he lived there, but I remember the apartment being warm and cozy. Unbelievably, it looks exactly the same as I remember thirty years ago. It was as if time stood still.


This is where I lived in Lakeland at the corner of Lexington and Ingram. It looks very much the same, too. Although, I remember the stoop being much larger than what it actually is, and the paint is peeling more than it did in 1981. Time changes things.






I took this picture this morning before we left for Tampa. I almost got a full shot, but...










in a blink, he was gone. 
Time is fleeting.










Like the sands in the hour glass...
 (You finish this one.)


Like a wave upon the sand, time never ceases moving.

Like ephemeral wisps of clouds, time is untouchable.
Why?          

Because it doesn't exist.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,

the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:13                            Peace. Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits--
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life,
who crowns you with steadfast
love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed
like the eagle's. Psalms 103: 1-5

Peace. Love, Linda

Post Arbitration: What was that all about?

It seems as if life would change dramatically after something as eventful as arbitration, but it hasn't. The birds still sing in the morning; I still sweat in the heat, and the grass still needs to be cut Monday. I'm  waiting. Both sides have to write briefs. Then, they both exchange briefs and give them to the arbitrator. Finally, he renders a decision. The deadline for everyone to finish briefs is July 30th. I like Holly's comment, "Good grief!"

A few events of the day, April 16th, I deem meaningful:

The star witness we canceled the last arbitration date for could not be there, so a substitute sat in for her. I wish the "not so star witness" well, but that did not surprise me, somehow. I'm seeing a cookie walking down the street.

Michelle Vanderlay, from the union, sat in on the proceedings. The union withdrew their grievance toward the district at the last minute. Both lawyers were planning to proceed,anyway. I would love to see that union agenda. In the words of a little girl I overheard looking at a big cookie walking down the sidewalk on highway 50 many years ago, I can only say, "What is THAT all about?"

The superintendent was gracious and kind to me and said he had "an open door policy." He proceeded to focus mostly on elementary test scores that had nothing to do with my case. Whew! I'm having a cookie incident flashback.

My immediate boss, Scott Fritz, said he had to get me out of the building (hence, banishing me to the rubber room) because I made the team uncomfortable by saying things such as "they were Nazi's." He indicated that my team members went to him and  told him these things. I thought my team liked me. Sigh. I see a big cookie. I hear a questioning voice.

I knew Helsby, the district's attorney, was going to try to paint me as a subversive  "under miner".  I had practice with my meetings with Stewart Singer. I was not surprised by any of his questions. The little girl's image is fading, but I can still see that fat cookie walking down Highway 50. What WAS that all about?

I finally told my story to an objective party. He is older and was getting worn by the late afternoon, but something about him seemed square. I appreciate that in an arbitrator.

Final thought on questions:  A good question is worth its weight in gold.
Here's what happened.
Since I used "Academic Freedom" from my contract as a basis for much of my grievance, Helsby asked me if I believed it was absolute. I said, "No." He asked, "If someone were undermining the District Superintendent's goals, do you think 'Academic freedom' covers them?" I replied, "If someone were deliberately undermining the Superintendent's goals, I do not think 'Academic Freedom' would cover that." Helsby then ended his questioning, and my wise lawyer asked me three final questions I appreciate. He understands me.

1. Q."Do you believe asking questions is undermining an initiative?"
    A. "No."
    Q. "Do you think talking about problems and looking at the issues arising is undermining an initiative?"
    A. "No."
    Q. "Do you think seeing issues and troubles arise in an initiative and keeping your mouth shut because of     fear or other reasons is undermining an initiative?"
    A."Yes."

I rest my case.

This verse comes to mind, "All things work together for good for those who love God according to his purpose." Another thought, please pray for the absent "star witness". She's battling breast cancer. I wish her peace and healing.

Peace. Love, Linda

Day 2 of Arbitration: I have a voice

I have to get ready in a few minutes for arbitration "Day 2".  There is a strange irony at work. I spent seven years sharing with teachers the message, "You have a voice." I believe that public education will move forward as it should when that message is grasped. Even the best teachers I  know often lack the courage to speak up. Looking at my situation, I might say I understand why, but I long for more to come forth with their convictions about what should happen in the classroom. They know. They are there.

Yesterday, our teacher's union, which would not support me moving forward with my arbitration, filed a grievance against the district saying they have no right to be in arbitration with me. I filed the arbitration, not the district. The union declares they are the gatekeepers. The law says I can move forward on my own, so I did. I have little time, and this is not my best work, but I hope I am not the only one here who sees how wrong this is. The district shut me down and put me away for speaking up, and now the union is trying to shut down my arbitration.

What horrible message did I put out to start this battle?  I wrote these words in an email, "Students deserve "real world" writing across the curriculum."

In a phrase becoming passe but one that seems appropriate...my bad.

O  Lord my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers,
and deliver me.

I will give thanks to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Psalms 7: 1,17

Find joy in this day. I request your prayers for wisdom.
Peace.
Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

so you will live in the land,

and enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the  desires

of your heart.

                                                                               

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication

shine like the light,

and the justice of your cause

like the noonday.

Psalms 37:3-6 

Peace. Love, Linda

Simon Says

I had an odd dream this morning and woke up thinking about several things. Not all of them were connected to the dream, but it seemed they erupted from the dream thoughts. I remembered playing a game as a young girl called "Simon Says."  You may have played it, too. Simon stood at the end of the room or yard and everyone else lined up at the opposite side of the playing area from Simon. The object of the game-get to Simon first to become SIMON.

The game begins with Simon saying something to everyone such as, "Simon says take one baby step," and everyone takes one baby step. Simon might say to take a giant step or a small hop. Whatever Simon says, the other players vying to be Simon must do. So, how does one person get to Simon before the others if everyone does the same thing? That's where my memory gets somewhat blurred, but I think that Simon wasn't watching all the time. Instead, he or she gave the command facing the opposite direction of the other players. The players are left to their own devices to obey, and obey they must. Except for one aspect of the game that made it competitive. Players disobey Simon and even run for the Simon finish line, if they choose, but it must be done while Simon is not looking. Simon turns at any second and nabs a "cheater" pushing to the top and sends them back to the starting line. Free thinking is allowed, even encouraged, as long as Simon doesn't SEE it.

For some reason this morning, maybe because my arbitration is getting closer, June 16th, I thought how amazing that someone developed a child's game so uncannily close to the daily politics of corporate America or Government work. Was that deliberate on someone's part? Hmmm...

Simon says, "Jump!"

Gotcha!

Peace. Love, Linda

My June

The front yard's vibrant-green, clean, etched and
my oak tree in the back is painting winter gaps with a brush dipped in deep-tree green
as the little sticks at the tip-top ends,
stress sticks from storms past,
fall to the ground in the summer winds.









The newly potted tomato plant in my old-brown barrel
appears ready to share fruit,
and the song birds are singing their show-time best,
especially in that early spot of morning when the sun peeks
just above the tops of the trees in the field behind the house.
 



The air sticks to my skin as I barely crack open
the back door;
the sky can't clear itself
but for a few hours at a time.
It's grayish and blue and damp
with moist clouds that float for a few 
then dump their cumbersome load
on the vibrant-green, clean, etched lawn
and the oak tree in the back yard
and my newly potted tomato plant.





The rain prompts the song birds to crescendo-
and so they do.

"The earth is the Lord's and the beauty thereof." From my childhood collection of verses.
Peace. Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

When the young man went out, he lifted up his face to heaven toward Jerusalem, 

and praised the King of heaven, saying,

"From you comes the victory; from you comes wisdom, 

and yours is the glory. I am your servant.

Blessed are you who have given me wisdom;

 

          
     I give you thanks, O Lord of our ancestors."  Esdras 4:58-60

    Peace. Love, Linda