We are...

the world.  We are the children.  At least this Thursday we will be.  For the uninitiated, the second Thursday of every month is our WARTA (Watertown Area Retired Teachers Association--Thank god we don't live in Flandreau!) meeting.  And we are the program.  As I write, Cath is preparing a PowerPoint to take them through the Dark Continent Adventure we had earlier this year.  As arm candy, I will, on occasion, add an aside (SURPRISE!) as we share what has to this point in time been our most exotic experience.  It strikes me as odd.  I so thoroughly enjoyed the experience while we were there.  Everything went as assigned.  We saw giraffes!  We saw lions!  We saw et.cet. (an animal similar to a civet!)  But the further I get from the actual experience, the more I enjoy it!  Like life, at the time things happen they are simply there.  As one of our retired teachers proclaimed on her bracelet this past week, "It is what it is!"  But in retrospect, it is so much more.  Imagine a couple old farts going to Africa.  That by itself is amazing.  Imagine a couple old farts going to Africa and returning with no physical mishaps or impairments!  Again, amazing.  Imagine a couple of old farts going to Africa and living an experience neither of them ever imagined.  Amazing.  And now that we're home, we get to share that experience with others who may never be fortunate enough to go!  Hopefully, we will do it justice.  Hopefully, we will do it justice in 30 minutes or less!  And as long as I get to talk about the tsetse fly (and the fact that I didn't swat the one on Cath until I had taken a picture...and we are still married!) life will be good!  In retrospect, it is!  What it is!  And you are loved!

When I come back....

--I want to come back as a chipotle pepper.  They have an amazing ability to add a phenomenal taste to the end product AND spice it up a little as well.  Wouldn't it be nice to have that said about you?
--I want to come back as a dog in the Zubke household.  Then I could pee on the floor and be forgiven.
--I want to come back as a set of Mardi Gras beads  Think about it!
--I want to come back as an internet provider  I could REALLY tick you off but you would continue to pay for me!
--And on that same note...I want to come back as a politician.  Same reason as above!
--I want to come back as a Kleenex in the pocket of a pair of pants that isn't discovered before it goes into the washer.  Then I could turn myself into hundreds and hundreds of little reminders!
--and I hope I do, I hope to remember what is important.  It ain't things.  It ain't money.  It ain't fame.  It's all about the choices we make in the people we trust.  Nothing can equal the impact those choices make on the rest of our lives.  I have been AMAZINGLY clever in my choices (translate "clever" to lucky!) and understand how blessed I am.  Hopefully, you can say the same.  Because you are one of my choices.  And you are loved!

Geezer bus trip--the "poem"

For all who are geezers, or geezer wanna he's, I strongly recommend a road trip.  It is a hoot!  Below is a doggerel to "prove" my point.  Know you are loved!
Geezers, coots, and fudge to boot!

Day 1
It comes as no surprise I'm sure
For every boy and girly
This group of teachers now retired
Allows us to leave early!

It's on the road to Kansas C
The trip it takes no guts
But what it truly takes my dear
Is callousness of butts!

Missouri valley is stop one
For senior drinks consumed
Another stop the schedule has
My bladder is well tuned

What's that you say?  There is no stop?
We say so what's the dif?
Our coach it is a modern joy
It has it's own small biff!

A treat for supper is arranged
A treat, or so it seems
The ladies come prepared--the norm,
It's beano, tums, and beans!

Then back for rest...rejuvenate
And here the ladies do
A mitzvah for the mem'ry poor...
Hotel?  One letter!  Q!

Day 2
A late start for this group, I'd say
Of this I am quite sure
Our step-on Karen's made the plan
For us, a three hour tour!

Italian is the luncheon plan
Milano's gives us food
Then wander through the Hallmark store
For some the shopping's good.

The evening ends with "young" Dyan
A dinner theatre coup!
At 76 she's lookin' good
Shows what "some work" can do!

She shares a story from her past
On Cary she did pee
Probably it wouldn't work
On Cathy's aching knee!

We head back home for beauty rest
For author, pray it works
Tomorrow we are promised plants
And Truman soda jerks!

Day 3
It's on the bus some earlier
The morning should be nifty
If only we could say we've found
Elusive highway 50!

Botanical the gardens be
The chapel quite serene
The lunch is quinoa carrot soup
And thankfully no bean!

Then on to Independence, MO
But not as planned you see
The congress it has failed to work
but still will get their fee!

But ever diligent our guides
They do as change demands
We once again voice fervent thanks
We're in their caring hands!

At supper time we travel far
For Orleans food that's fried
And music that is soft and sweet
The beignets we have tried

Then back to Q and off to bed
At least that's true for some
Pianos beckon just a few
But we, our day was done!

Day four
The day it starts with baseball league
Along with all that jazz
Then on the road to Leavenworth
To see the things it has

Our timing fine our luck it holds
For on the bus we're dry
The thunder roars, the rain it pours
The storm it passes by!

For lunch the ladies have a plan
A sandwich and a treat
It's truly truth to advertise
That suz's place was sweet

Then tour the town and see the sights
For me 'twill be a thrill
To not end up where I could be
That's Peckerwood the hill!

The Harvey girls do serve us meal
And barbershoppers sing
Then through some neighborhood we roam
To Lied lodge bus does bring!

Day 5
This morn we take the scenic route
To orchard for a ride
The hay is spread with plastic bags
So we are dry inside!

The afternoon it's Tammy's turn
The trees she does explain
Enthusiasm reigns supreme
True teaching is her game.

Then back to apples and to trees
Around the grounds we go
The weather we appreciate
For back at home it's snow!

The evening's plans gang aft aglae
As best laid plans will do
The weather truly calls the shots
For us it's nothing new!

Day 6
We're on the bus, we're heading home
But oops we hit a snag
The numbers with the lodge don't gibe
So Pat will stay and hag (gle).

But we, we're off to do our deed
The sky is bright, not dark
And we will fauna, flora see
From Lewis and from Clark.

And then toward home the bus does go
To weather quite unsure
But we? We hearty people be
Dakotans true and pure

And when we lay us down to sleep
We'll know it's not a myth...
It's not the journey nor the end
It's who you travel with!

So thanks to all our traveling mates
We think you're very dear
Let's mark those calendars right now
To go again next year!

Life long learning

A concept which I have espoused since I started teaching.  I've never been. "Just the facts" kind of person.  I understand (or at least I have convinced myself that I do!) the need for some memorization...whan that aprille with the sura sota...(that would be the first line of Canterberry Tales, in Middle English...something that has served me innumerable times in my life...not!)...I truly believe it is the process.  The ability to commit things to memory is more important than the things!  My goal as an educator was always the process, not the stuff.  It is for this reason that I truly believe the need for performance assessments.  Don't TELL me what you know.  SHOW ME!  And as I age, this becomes so much more important.  The things I learn now need to be performance based!  Show me HOW to do something.  Example...I already know how to make pie crust...flour, salt, fat, and liquid.  But I have recently learned how to make it better.  Substitute vodka for water.  That only becomes learned when I process...I actually make it!  And you know what?  It works.  Just knowing it is okay.  Doing it makes it real!  Of course, you understand this soap box has been ascended while traveling with a group of sixty, seventy, and eighty year olds who ARE lifelong learners.  All former education professionals, or closely related to one.  And all who have showed me the need to experience the concept.  We just came from wine tasting!  Now tell me, how would I have known I didn't like Eidelweiss wine if I didn't process????  Hopefully, you will continue to perform, and remember you are loved!

I love food!

This will come as no surprise to anyone.  I do not eat to live...I live to eat!  And trips do not count as normal "try to eat healthily" episodes.  Unfortunately, this is our second trip in less than a month, so frequent flier miles are not the only thing I am amassing.  But ask yourself this question.  Confronted with beignet and hush puppies, dirty rice and creamed crab over chicken breasts, would you opt for a green salad?  If you answered that rhetorical question yes, we need to talk!  Upon arriving home, I will grudgingly atone for my sins.  I will commit to the two months necessary to remove the padding it only took me five days to accrue.  I will run.  If possible, I will bike.  I will eschew carbs and mainline cole slaw! And all the while, I will be flashing back to anything deep fried!  That being said, I look to the bright side.  We have three days before we get home!!  Life IS good or as Hallmark says, "Life is a special occasion", and you are loved!

76?

Geezers rule, especially when you get to visit the New Theater in Overland Park, Kansas!  As part of our Geezer Groupie experience, we want to see "Fox on the Fairway" last night starring Diane Cannon!  According to the expert on the bus, she is somewhere in her mid seventies!  She didn't look it!  In fact, for a minute I wished I could look like that when I'm that age, and then I remembered Ms. Lucy's advice...be careful what you wish for!  (even mom finished sentences with prepositions...it's genetic!).   Should that wish come true, an operation would have to ensue...and several trips to the lyposuctionist!  More importantly, I realized how lucky I am to be in the shape I am.  I can motate.  I have some cognizant ability left.  I can enjoy food with gusto.  And I have the world's greatest family and friends.  I think I'll "settle" for what I have and celebrate the good!  And so should you!  ezbz has spoken, and you are loved!

Now I lay me

Hopefully down to sleep!  But maybe not.  I'm perplexed.  I thought the purpose of elected representatives was to represent.  And yet, we are at an impasse because neither party can figure out they are not elected to behave like children fighting over who will be king on the hill.  I learned a LONG time ago that I am not always right.  I don't have all the answers, and it's much easier to coexist by compromise than by bowing my neck.  I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but if I can figure that out, why can't they?  No!  Instead, let's disrupt the lives of the people for whom we work.  I'm sure the pundits can put it in better terms.  I'm sure there are those who support this ploy.  I'm sure there is a more eloquent way to put this, but boys and girls, knock this crap off!  Grow up.  Play fair.  Do your jobs.  Find a way to work together, or let someone who has the country in first place consideration take your place!  It's only right!  Then maybe I and the people I love, will get some sleep!