Reflections on Retirement

Well, I finally am back. I started this with great intentions, but the frustrations of trying to upload pictures wore me out. And the press of life didn't help a bit!! A lot has gone on in the past few months - - a new grandbaby on the way, vacation Bible School, lots of local politics, a successful campaign to get a dues increase passed here, company, trips to North Carolina, and lots of time on facebook. To say nothing of the active social life here at the lake. What do you think of our kind of party?? Six to twelve boats lashed together in the middle of the lake with everyone bringing food and drinks - and stories- to share. And none of that accomplishing my original goal of leaving a trace of what I've been up to since retirement.

It's interesting about retirement. We retired folks never seem to get a vacation. Things like stock market crashes suddenly become much more important. And it makes it a lot more difficult to say no to good things that need to be done. There does not seem to be a good excuse to ignore the lawn anymore. And inertia can take over and keep us stuck in a rut of staying home, avoiding new acquaintances and adventures, and losing the luster of creativity. Sure we can take the occasional snow day ("The roads are too bad, I can't drive into Charlottesville for the meeting." "If the school is closed, the clubhouse is closed. Stay home and sew instead of going to quilters.") There are times I miss teaching a GREAT deal. Mostly I miss the interactions with the kids and the creativity of planning cool things to do. And of course, there are always the experiments. They kept life in the classroom very interesting. The students never seemed to catch on that a lot of the things we were doing to enhance their learning were experiments on my part. I was always experimenting to see what would work best, what would crash and burn (sometimes literally), and how to manipulate my students.

Manipulate my students? Shock!! Horror!! And not just manipulate the students, but also the other teacher, the student teachers and the administrators. SAY WHAT?!?! Yep! I admit it. I have been manipulating all kinds of people in my adult life. I was not very good at it in elementary and high school, but now I realize that I am excellent at doing it in adulthood. For example, did you know you can make someone else smile 85% of the time by giving them a big, sincere smile? Yessiree. And if someone is grouchy, a little knee jerk gushy kindness is enough to turn them around. If you ask a student what college they are planning to attend, suddenly something they may never have thought about before becomes part of their thought process. And if you tell them kindly they need to be respectful, it is taken far more seriously than yelling at them. My favorite is asking a disruptive student to see me after class ("No stealing class time discussing it now, see me later.") and then when we are alone, asking the student what I am doing wrong. "You aren't doing anything wrong!" "Well, I must be doing something wrong because you are giving me a hard time. Maybe the lesson is too boring?" "No." (usually reluctantly). "Hmm. If I'm not doing anything wrong, maybe you are having a bad day. Will tomorrow be better? I'll try to do better, too." And usually that was all it took. I guess they didn't have to be in my classroom for very long to know that I loved them just the way they were and wanted ALL of my students to enjoy science class. I sure miss those mind games in retirement.

And I SO miss the creativity. I was at the all day quilt in today working on a patchwork skirt made out of fabric from my trip to Africa. I have the idea in my head - - but not a clue if it will work or look anything but 'doofy' when I am finished. And it involves a bunch of patches sewn together - not usually my best thing - the intersections are the pits! But I have a lot of pieces and I want to put them together in a way to show the variety of fabrics I got - - without putting the lime green and red together. Eeeeuw. It's the creativity thing. When I was teaching, I was always inventing a new lab, or game or song. Some of my favorites were the spit lab (enzyme action - a great invention!), the garbage lab (brings reduce/reuse/recycle to a whole new level), and of course every year a new crime scene (microscopes) involving all the teachers in our team. It all was high drama. There were the clothes and jewelry that earned me the nickname of "the Friz". Every day was something that had to do with the lesson - microscope earrings, a protist sweater, the periodic table T-shirt, etc., etc. And the classroom had to be covered with posters, specimens, etc, that all taught in their own way. If you daydreamed in my class, it always took you back to biology in some way. And of course, there were the magic school bus rides around the world. We loved the unit on biomes, because we went all around the world and looked at plants, animals and climate in the different places. And no lumping prairie grasslands in with African grasslands, either. It was wonderful! Now I teach Sunday School most Sundays and I use the creativity with that somewhat. But an hour a week is limiting, and there is a curriculum which must be obeyed. However, they never reviewed the Bible playing Cranium before. I'll do another blog on Vacation Bible Schools past and present.

I've been blessed in the past few years being able to teach watershed issues in some of the schools. Probably not as much as I would like. I help at a day camp for the Albemarle County and Charlottesville City School fourth graders. When I am really fortunate, I get to do the class in the stream where we net bugs and learn how to assess stream quality. Sometimes I teach the class on the effects of man on our water or lead a nature hike. And sometimes we just play games from Project Wet - - with a Swenson twist, of course. This spring I was thrilled to be asked to visit a sixth grade classroom in the city to play "Macroinvertebrate Mayhem" with a friend's classes. And I enjoyed teaching a class for the local HS and governor's school last fall. In the spring, I taught a 15 minute class on caring for the watershed at Fluvanna County Fourth Graders' "Farm Day". Now I figured that since my competition was sheep, goats, rabbits, a pony, etc, that the kids would never take back much from my little class. So that week I went to get a manicure, and the manicurist mentioned that her daughter had been there and all she talked about was the class about the watershed. In fact, the Mom didn't even know that there had been animals there. Humph! Never in a million years......

Retirement. Hours and hours to.... play Spider Solitaire, or read a book, or sew, or watch TV. Good thing I have occasional trips, sewing projects, teaching gigs, and of course keeping up with everyone on facebook to let get me out. And another time, I'll blog on politics and life as a committee junkee. Meanwhile, I hope you are having a great day, and that you are looking for your own ways to express your creativity - retired or not.

I Won!!! I WON!!!

I am so excited. I won a contest. It wasn't even a drawing, but a contest with 24 entries. A writing contest in the land of John Grisham, David Baldacci, Jan Karon, Rita Mae Brown, Edgar Allen Poe, William Faulkner, Sneaky Pie Brown.... who knew??!!

Anyway, it was just a small contest, with a relatively small prize, but isn't it amazing how the small things can really polish up your day (or week)?? It's given me a small, if glitzy, glow, and pumped up my often deflated self esteem. I may even spend one of the coupons I won!! That is if I ever get over to the contest office to pick up my prize. I know I should do more writing. I have two plays and a book begun, but there they sit. This blog has been a little boost to my "get up and write", and maybe now the contest will give it a further kick in the rear.

So anyway, if you want to see the rest of the entries, go to http://vabook.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/name-a-great-place-to-read-a-book/ , but here for your reading pleasure is my winning entry to the "Name a great place to read a book" contest:

• Ida Swenson
  January 19, 2009 at 10:10 pm

  A mossy green log, preferably over a shady stream - not too far from the March Hare’s hole preferably- with dragonflies zooming by to carry away any mosquitoes - THAT’s the place to read. A place where civil war battles and hoop skirts seem not too far. Or knights in shining armor searching for medieval castles could step out of the woods at any minute. The dampness of the log would ease any pain from staying in one position too long, and the drowsy hum of the bees in the meadow nearby would would soon bring the dreams of the book into the reality of slumber.

And in case you are wondering.... I haven't heard from any publishers ....yet!

25 Things About Me

You know how it is when you go to your email (or facebook) and there's a "If you don't do this you'll get 25 years bad luck!" chain letter?? You really don't want to bother, you know you're not superstitious, and you don't have the time anyway. Now what. Does it mean you don't love the person who sent it to you? Does it mean you'll get 25 years of bad luck? Is it a for real story, or an internet scam? If you respond yes, will you really bug the friends you send it to because you've just cluttered up their mailbox and given them the gift of guilt? It doesn't matter how you answer the questions, tatters of guilt cling to you however you may respond.

My daughter-in-law, whom I love dearly for lots of reasons besides the gift of love she's given us in Abram and time with him, sent me such a message. All I had to do was write 25 things about me and send them to 25 of my nearest and dearest. 25??!!??

I am not the introspective type. Like many folks, I am afraid to look deep into my heart and see the filth that is really there. And yet, the message came on Sunday, after praying the confessional prayer in church and asking Christ to forgive me - - AGAIN! What matter if I confess aloud some of the things that are vain, sinful, and not quite as lovely within me? And if someone would take the egocentric step of starting a blog, why wouldn't they be willing to bare at least some of their soul? And besides some of the 25 things aren't BAD things.

And then there is the gift of introspection given to me by my daughter-in-law. She had shown me some deep things about herself. It would only be fair to return the favor - although I confess I could have just sent the 25 things back to only her.

And so here is my Ponzi scheme type confession that went out to 25 of you, my nearest and dearest. I apologize and absolve each and everyone from any and all guilt it may have brought to you. And I ask your forgiveness and continued love where you find true things which are less than beautiful.

25 things about me 8:52pm

RULES: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs (+) on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I wrote this out, was up to #26 and on a roll, and lost EVERYTHING except the tag list.
2. I love technology, I love technology, I love technology.....tired of that?? It's my mantra when my 'stuff' goes to that great computer in the sky.
3. I love Facebook - I have had so much fun reconnecting with my students, family, friends, house guests, etc, etc, etc. I'm addicted!!!
4. I love living at Lake Monticello!! Greene was great, but I've never looked back.
5. SURPRISE! I love to teach - not just kids, not just science, but EVERYTHING!
6. I love to perform - need an actress? singer? playwright? song and dance man? comedienne? I'm there.
7. I love to write! If I had self discipline, I'd finish one of the plays or books I've started.
8. If I had self-discipline, the thin person inside of me would finally make it out again.
9. I have planned my funeral, donated my body to medical science (but still haven't figured out how to get that final science lesson inside or on me for the medical students that dissect me), and written my epitaph: "Here lies Ida Baumgarth Swenson. Her hands are folded and eyes are shut, It hasn't been often she's stayed put. But if she now could send you greeting, She'd say, "I'm only asleep at another meeting."
10. I love Abram. He just amazes me. That mind just whirs, but that smile- - it just sends me through the ceiling.
11. I write poetry occasionally. Mom gave me a blank book and sometimes I stick my verse into it, in a file folder in my drawer.
12. Nature is poetry to me - sunsets, mountains and hills in mist, the deep dark woods, trilling streams darting with life, mmmmmmm.
13. I miss my grandma B. more than I miss my folks.
14. I wish I were closer to my son - and I don't mean distance. I'm relieved whenever we are on a friendly basis.
15. I love people, and I really love my nieces and nephews, my students, my friends, the out of sorts clerk at Sam's Club, the inlaws of my inlaws, ..... have I told you lately that I love you??
16. I love it when someone asks me how I can be in such a good mood, or love even the unlovely, cause it gives me a chance to tell them about Jesus.
17. I am really a control freak, but sometimes I learn to hide it.....mostly not.
18. I love Jesus, and really wish I were a better disciple.
19. I love to travel - really love it. I want to go to Arkansas, China, Ghana again and again, South America, Italy, Alps, back to Alaska to fish a few more times, ....or wherever God gives me opportunity.
20. Too much of my self-worth is tied up in awards, contests (did I tell you I won a contest this week?), points, making money, etc, etc.
21. I get pretty depressed sometimes.
22. I don't expect people to love me back as much as I love them, but I do get my feelings hurt sometimes.
23. In spite of my huge "to do" pile, I can't wait to see Jesus.
24. I'm not nearly afraid enough of some things.
25. I'll be happy when Kaylene gets her dog - but happier when Abram has more siblings.

Glaciers

In 2007, John and I girded our loins, packed the fifth wheel and took off for Alaska. There are tons of things I could write about that trip! The frigid cold weather this week reminds me that even though we are cold, the overall climate is warming quickly.

We drove past a lot of glacial valleys, but most of them no longer had glaciers. In Jasper National Park in British Columbia, we actually went out on a glacier that has shrunk considerably since the first explorers reported on it in the 1800's. The picture is from a glacier in Alaska.

Glaciers are astounding in terms of the amount of water that are stored in them. Few people realize that much of the world's fresh water is stored in glaciers. As they melt, the water goes into the ocean and you have probably heard the estimates of how fast the coastlines are raising, which cities will be under the ocean and when, etc. As we walked on the glaciers, the amount of dirt on them was also astounding. Some glaciers we saw only from the ocean looked blue and pristine, but up close layers of dirt were obvious. These glaciers were far from the nearest roads or other civilization, yet evidence of human interference was obvious.

As you are turning up the heat to battle the cold this week, don't forget where it is coming from. Is your energy heating the planet or contributing to the dirt?

Friends in strange places

She and her Mom were trying for the same flight to Accra, but they weren't going to make it from Richmond if they didn't go earlier. She and I had a great time in JFK airport, and then at the baggage carrel after we landed.

You never know how God will bless you when you head out in the morning. Today two friends I haven't seen in years made contact and now they'll be here this month. I love the IMing on facebook - it has a better intimacy somehow than email or even a letter. What a neat time to be alive.

Alton's visit

My nephew, Alton, suprised me!! Having at least 500 miles between us through his growing up years, we never had a chance to become close. His cousin, Eric, went with us on two trips west, but Alton was never allowed. So imagine my surprise when he asked to see us on his way to visit friends in Maryland. We had a great time!! We toured the University of Virginia campus - one of two UNESCO World heritage sites in the US- and then had supper on the Charlottesville downtown mall (always a treat). The next AM, we saw a friend be baptized at church, and then went to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. The weather was shorts and short sleeve shirt warm (at least to Alton who is used to the prairie blizzards and Michigan ice.). After Monticello, we went to Crozet and looked at the now cleared site where Evan Almighty was filmed. Then we were off to a party for the baptized friend. Most of the guests were Chinese, so we sang and prayed "in tongue". And the food was their very best traditional dishes. Mmmm - not your average carryout. I worried a little that Alton may feel uncomfortable, but he seemed to be having a great time, and especially appreciated the prayer and witnessing of those present. (We had several excellent translators.) What a blessing. Not only is Alton a VERY bright engineering graduate student, but a dedicated Christian as well. How lucky can an aunt get!?!?

Ghana, 2008 First Installment

Culture shock is running into things we don't expect. The first shock was trying to leave Richmond. The plane was delayed out of Richmond which meant waiting two more days for another direct JFK-Accra flight. It did mean another two days enjoying one of the prettiest falls we've had here. And it meant getting to know a cute Ghanaian-American two year old on the flight. My seat was the last one on the plane, so sleep was impossible and I arrived fairly brain dead at 8:30 AM Ghana time. But I took a shower, went to church, and out to lunch before a nap at our good friends, Joyce and Tim Crosby's lovely home in East Legon, Accra, Ghana.

The next day meant learning my way around the American International School and giving the first of two seminars on writing and using performance objectives in the classroom and with assessments. The teachers were very cordial and for the most part receptive. And the students in the Preschool – Grade 12 school were delightful. All the students, Christian, Moslem, or whatever, take Bible class and attend chapel once a week. American standards, textbooks and grading system are used in the small classes. For being only a little over two years old, the school is already building a fine reputation in the international community. The flags around the building represent each nationality attending – or teaching – at the school. A large outdoor pavilion serves as lunchroom, auditorium, and sometimes PE classroom. The lower grades, offices, and library are housed in the main building. An adjacent apartment building serves as the secondary building. And of course there are growing pains as the school has gone from 12 students to almost 150 in two years. A highly qualified special education teacher serves some of the students, and no student is admitted without taking a battery of placement tests. Missionary children receive their education at a greatly reduced price, while other children are charged tuition. Even so, many of the teachers must raise support at home to supplement their meager income.

The country itself reveals all of the poverty and infrastructure vagaries of Africa. The people are lovely and gracious, although there is always a fear of thievery. The large homes are surrounded by walls topped with razor wire or broken glass and have security guards. The electricity is erratic at best. Tim and Joyce are fortunate in having a solar power backup system, but it has to be managed as well. The internet is also very sporadic and makes communication something to be prized, not taken for granted. A backup source of water, such as a roof top cistern is a great idea! And the ditches… let’s just say that IF there are ditches, you would lose an axle if you accidentally went into one.

I didn’t get into the country side very much as I was busy at the school during the week. The rain forest is rapidly being replaced by farm land and fields. The chickens are everywhere, with eggs being one of their main sources of protein. A large rodent called a ‘grass cutter’ is one of the favorite foods and is threatened due to large amount of hunting. It is also being farmed by some to fill the demand. Fruits and vegetables are plentiful – pineapples sweeter than candy, papayas growing wild and of course bananas and some oranges. Tomatoes and cucumbers are available at roadside stands – well almost anything is available at the roadside stands including plumbing supplies. There is a mall in Accra with a ‘supermarket’, occasionally a movie theater, an ice cream store and various specialty shops. Don’t expect to find any of the big chain stores here, and McDonald’s and Starbucks have yet to find Ghana. We did enjoy some lovely meals at nice restaurants. Just be sure you ask if the water is filtered before they make the ice.

I'll update more later! I only took 383 pictures, so there is lots to tell.

Headline - Friz Makes The Internet!!

I've read others' blogs with interest and decided to try it myself. I hope to share my love for learning, express my faith in Jesus, and leave a record of all of that for my grandchildren, nieces, nephews and students. I hope you all find it interesting, and that it blesses you as your lives have blessed me. And I hope you don't think it is egocentric, but find it a way to learn more about many things.