Lee St. John's Blog, page 11
July 25, 2016
Do Not Call Me. I'll Call You.
Our lake friend had a cute story she shared with me not long ago. It derived from her becoming a grandmother - twice- in rather rapid succession. Her daughter and her son had babies just a few months apart. Now, I think that’s grand. They will have first cousins close to their age.
My third cousin and I were extremely close growing up and attending the same high school where we connected in cheerleading and represented our high school in regional and state girl’s trio which accounted for many hours spent together. We also were active for many years singing in our church’s girl’s trio. Our sons were close in age, also, and they are still tight.
Do you know this nursery rhyme?
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
This traditional nursery rhyme’s lyrics and words were first recorded, presumably, in A.E. Bray’s TRADITIONS OF DEVONSHIRE (volume ll, pp. 287-288 in 1838). The poem was used to introduce a child to the order and the different days of the week. The wording in this poem guaranteed to ensure that a child would take a keen interest in which day of the week they were born on and to carry on the tradition of fortune telling by days of birth which had circulated in Suffolk since the 1570’s. Sunday was traditionally referred to as the SABBATH DAY in the Christianity religion. Very lovely rhyme if you were not born on a Wednesday.
I was born on a Sunday. My husband was born on a Friday. Our oldest, THE HEIR, was born on a Tuesday. Our youngest, THE SPARE, was born on a Saturday. If you do not know which day of the week you were born, check out this site: http://www.springfrog.com/calculator/...
Our LAKE-FRIEND laughed when she mentioned the exciting news of her new grandbabies closely born because it was almost a repeat of a story HER mother told. LAKE-FRIEND’s mother was experiencing almost the same scenario. She, too, had two children who were expecting babies around the same time. And when one of her children called on a Thursday morning to announce her grandchild’s arrival, she was totally awestruck. Such wonderful news! Grandbaby #1 arrived safely and mother and baby were well.
The next Thursday morning she received another phone call. Again marvelous news and more excitement over the arrival of grandchild #2! LAKE-FRIEND’s mother was pleased with her children delivering healthy and happy newborns. There was not a better gift than to have everyone doing well and the thought of the new additions to her family.
But this was enough excitement for GRANDMOTHER. And she said, “Loved getting all this tremendous news these past two weeks, but if anyone calls me NEXT Thursday, I am NOT answering the phone!”
My third cousin and I were extremely close growing up and attending the same high school where we connected in cheerleading and represented our high school in regional and state girl’s trio which accounted for many hours spent together. We also were active for many years singing in our church’s girl’s trio. Our sons were close in age, also, and they are still tight.
Do you know this nursery rhyme?
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
This traditional nursery rhyme’s lyrics and words were first recorded, presumably, in A.E. Bray’s TRADITIONS OF DEVONSHIRE (volume ll, pp. 287-288 in 1838). The poem was used to introduce a child to the order and the different days of the week. The wording in this poem guaranteed to ensure that a child would take a keen interest in which day of the week they were born on and to carry on the tradition of fortune telling by days of birth which had circulated in Suffolk since the 1570’s. Sunday was traditionally referred to as the SABBATH DAY in the Christianity religion. Very lovely rhyme if you were not born on a Wednesday.
I was born on a Sunday. My husband was born on a Friday. Our oldest, THE HEIR, was born on a Tuesday. Our youngest, THE SPARE, was born on a Saturday. If you do not know which day of the week you were born, check out this site: http://www.springfrog.com/calculator/...
Our LAKE-FRIEND laughed when she mentioned the exciting news of her new grandbabies closely born because it was almost a repeat of a story HER mother told. LAKE-FRIEND’s mother was experiencing almost the same scenario. She, too, had two children who were expecting babies around the same time. And when one of her children called on a Thursday morning to announce her grandchild’s arrival, she was totally awestruck. Such wonderful news! Grandbaby #1 arrived safely and mother and baby were well.
The next Thursday morning she received another phone call. Again marvelous news and more excitement over the arrival of grandchild #2! LAKE-FRIEND’s mother was pleased with her children delivering healthy and happy newborns. There was not a better gift than to have everyone doing well and the thought of the new additions to her family.
But this was enough excitement for GRANDMOTHER. And she said, “Loved getting all this tremendous news these past two weeks, but if anyone calls me NEXT Thursday, I am NOT answering the phone!”
July 18, 2016
BRAIN FOG - Everyone Needs a Mrs. Wiggins!
July 18, 2016 - Who remembers Mrs. Wiggins from the 1970's Carol Burnett Show? What a fiasco she was at her job. Yet, Mr. Tudball still needed a secretary.
I sometimes think we could all benefit from a personal assistant or secretary. Especially those forgetful middle schoolers or high schoolers. Teaching in the middle school I had to take the course THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNER to keep my 6-12 grades teaching certificate current for five years. While teaching Gifted students and learning more about brain development because of my classes, I became convinced it might be necessary to help those who are "in a fog" have some kind of personal organizer.
Our county gave our students an AGENDA to write down due dates for assignments but if you lost things, like most did at that age, then losing the AGENDA was one of those items at the top of the list. I had an entire collection of left-behind AGENDAs in my room at the end of the day. Believe me, I remember many excuses from even the most gifted students about why their homework wasn't turned in on time (or at all!).
The teen brain - in a quick rundown - is still under construction. A teen is much more drawn to the immediate reward of a situation than adults are. They are much less likely to think ahead and think about the future. The future can be just an hour later. And the male brain takes a LONG time to work it's way into an adult version. Most recently I read - hold on to your seat - around 27-29. (I still have a child that is 22 and holding out hope for a quicker entry into adulthood.)
My family just got back from the lake where my oldest brought along one of his best friends since middle school and visiting with him again after not seeing him for a few years, the memories of his middle school behavior flooded back because I was also his teacher. "J" has been the topic of several of my conversations and stories over the years because he is certainly HIGH VOLTAGE and his mind NEVER shuts off. He is also a delight.
I fondly recall one day when he was in 6th grade. I have no idea the discussion going on in the classroom but I do remember "J" politely raising his hand and when called upon he said, "Last night when I stayed up past bedtime reading the 'M' volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, I noticed...." I do not recollect a thing after that preface. This brilliant student read FOR FUN volumes of the encyclopedia.
We would take "J" on vacations with us during his middle school years and one time the conversation going on in the back seat of our car was the discussion between two 13 year old boys and "J's" analysis of the different war fronts during WWII...where and what the Germans, the French, the Americans, etc. did in their respective theaters. I mean, 13! And my husband would listen in and turn to me and say, "He's right." I thought middle school boys might discuss fishing or video games. "J" was a history resource.
But he rarely turned in his homework, even when he used the school AGENDA for organizational help. I called his mother, a friend, and told her I had an idea. Let's get "J" a secretary. Maybe she could pay some really organized GIRL to call "J" and remind him outside of class about the assignments that were due. It would be a win-win! A middle school girl would have some extra money. "J" is reminded of what is due in school. MOTHER doesn't have to have a heart attack when he doesn't turn in his work and gets a ZERO in the teacher's grade book and has to have to have a parent conference with TEACHER a zillion times during the school year. MOTHER doesn't have to be involved AT ALL! I mean, if both of my children had needed help like this, I'd have done it. Mine were just mildly forgetful (worrisome enough). But "J" was one of those genius students (still is) who on our lake trip, thought during his visit he had lost 1) his only pair of prescription glasses (that if he HAD lost them, he really could not see and was leaving in a couple of weeks to work in China for a year and would have a tough time trying to secure another set before then) and 2) couldn't keep up with his phone the entire weekend.
And his age? 30. I still LOVE this man/boy! But God, please bless him in China.
I sometimes think we could all benefit from a personal assistant or secretary. Especially those forgetful middle schoolers or high schoolers. Teaching in the middle school I had to take the course THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNER to keep my 6-12 grades teaching certificate current for five years. While teaching Gifted students and learning more about brain development because of my classes, I became convinced it might be necessary to help those who are "in a fog" have some kind of personal organizer.
Our county gave our students an AGENDA to write down due dates for assignments but if you lost things, like most did at that age, then losing the AGENDA was one of those items at the top of the list. I had an entire collection of left-behind AGENDAs in my room at the end of the day. Believe me, I remember many excuses from even the most gifted students about why their homework wasn't turned in on time (or at all!).
The teen brain - in a quick rundown - is still under construction. A teen is much more drawn to the immediate reward of a situation than adults are. They are much less likely to think ahead and think about the future. The future can be just an hour later. And the male brain takes a LONG time to work it's way into an adult version. Most recently I read - hold on to your seat - around 27-29. (I still have a child that is 22 and holding out hope for a quicker entry into adulthood.)
My family just got back from the lake where my oldest brought along one of his best friends since middle school and visiting with him again after not seeing him for a few years, the memories of his middle school behavior flooded back because I was also his teacher. "J" has been the topic of several of my conversations and stories over the years because he is certainly HIGH VOLTAGE and his mind NEVER shuts off. He is also a delight.
I fondly recall one day when he was in 6th grade. I have no idea the discussion going on in the classroom but I do remember "J" politely raising his hand and when called upon he said, "Last night when I stayed up past bedtime reading the 'M' volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, I noticed...." I do not recollect a thing after that preface. This brilliant student read FOR FUN volumes of the encyclopedia.
We would take "J" on vacations with us during his middle school years and one time the conversation going on in the back seat of our car was the discussion between two 13 year old boys and "J's" analysis of the different war fronts during WWII...where and what the Germans, the French, the Americans, etc. did in their respective theaters. I mean, 13! And my husband would listen in and turn to me and say, "He's right." I thought middle school boys might discuss fishing or video games. "J" was a history resource.
But he rarely turned in his homework, even when he used the school AGENDA for organizational help. I called his mother, a friend, and told her I had an idea. Let's get "J" a secretary. Maybe she could pay some really organized GIRL to call "J" and remind him outside of class about the assignments that were due. It would be a win-win! A middle school girl would have some extra money. "J" is reminded of what is due in school. MOTHER doesn't have to have a heart attack when he doesn't turn in his work and gets a ZERO in the teacher's grade book and has to have to have a parent conference with TEACHER a zillion times during the school year. MOTHER doesn't have to be involved AT ALL! I mean, if both of my children had needed help like this, I'd have done it. Mine were just mildly forgetful (worrisome enough). But "J" was one of those genius students (still is) who on our lake trip, thought during his visit he had lost 1) his only pair of prescription glasses (that if he HAD lost them, he really could not see and was leaving in a couple of weeks to work in China for a year and would have a tough time trying to secure another set before then) and 2) couldn't keep up with his phone the entire weekend.
And his age? 30. I still LOVE this man/boy! But God, please bless him in China.
July 8, 2016
You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
July 8, 2016 - Between teaching careers I took a break and worked in sales. I eased back into education permanently by revisiting the classroom through substituting. Having had enough experience in teaching before I left for a decade, I knew all about the role of "substitute teacher" - no respect. In high school the students have figured out that - and usually correct - you have no background in education and will just be a babysitter for the day. Their mentality is "How much can we get away with?"
But since I did have 4 years previously in the classroom, I was thinking what they were thinking and decided to beat them at their own game.
In the early 1990's students' parents had to sign a waiver if an image of their child could be used in any media - school calendars which had pictures of the students in the county schools highlighting various activities, newspaper stories of school events and students' awards, and any kind of video recordings that might be used in the media. Some parents signed the waiver, others did not.
But nothing was said of audio recordings. So, every middle or high school I walked into that morning to "babysit", I first stopped by the media center, asked for a tape recorder and blank tape, walked confidently into the classroom with both, and set the recorder at the front of the classroom for all eyes to see. When the bell rang to begin the class period, before I took roll, I proceeded to tell them the reason for the recording device. I was going to audio tape their voices and behavior in the classroom and give it to their teacher along with my notes about this particular class. I would place my notes and the tape in her teacher box so she would have it immediately when she checked for an update of how things went the day she was absent.
After that announcement, IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE CLASS, I pushed the RECORD/PLAY button at the same time to begin the recording. I pushed the buttons with grandeur to dramatize the moment so they were aware that their behavior was being monitored starting at that moment. Everything was transparent
And, believe me, it worked. Sometimes when the class was a little rowdy and I had to call down a student or two, first - their voices could be heard on tape, and second - I'd mention, "Abigail, Abigail? You need to settle down a bit." (Notice I said "ABIGAIL" and not "JOHNNY". I am so tired of Johnny's name being overused as the misbehaved child....plus also using a boy as the representative wild student.
Once, the recorded behavior that I used enhanced a case about a student who was disruptive with his REAL teacher.
I tell mothers today about how they can whip (hopefully) their children into line immediately at home or even more importantly - IN PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could have taken my own advice. My boys are 30 and 22 respectively. In those 8 years there were inventions that did improve my mothering capabilities from the oldest to the youngest. But what I needed most hadn't been invented yet...the photo options of the cell phone.
Why did I need this phone function and what do I tell mothers today about WHY they should administer this video recording on their own children? Because when children, like my own did at times, start acting out - record it. Then there really is no discussion when you disagree over the behavior you wanted changed. The child ( I think you could do this step even as young as 3? ) sees his/her action that you wanted thwarted and instead of " intentionally not remembering" or "really not remembering", the incident is captured to hone in on the behavior you want improved.
You're welcome.
But since I did have 4 years previously in the classroom, I was thinking what they were thinking and decided to beat them at their own game.
In the early 1990's students' parents had to sign a waiver if an image of their child could be used in any media - school calendars which had pictures of the students in the county schools highlighting various activities, newspaper stories of school events and students' awards, and any kind of video recordings that might be used in the media. Some parents signed the waiver, others did not.
But nothing was said of audio recordings. So, every middle or high school I walked into that morning to "babysit", I first stopped by the media center, asked for a tape recorder and blank tape, walked confidently into the classroom with both, and set the recorder at the front of the classroom for all eyes to see. When the bell rang to begin the class period, before I took roll, I proceeded to tell them the reason for the recording device. I was going to audio tape their voices and behavior in the classroom and give it to their teacher along with my notes about this particular class. I would place my notes and the tape in her teacher box so she would have it immediately when she checked for an update of how things went the day she was absent.
After that announcement, IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE CLASS, I pushed the RECORD/PLAY button at the same time to begin the recording. I pushed the buttons with grandeur to dramatize the moment so they were aware that their behavior was being monitored starting at that moment. Everything was transparent
And, believe me, it worked. Sometimes when the class was a little rowdy and I had to call down a student or two, first - their voices could be heard on tape, and second - I'd mention, "Abigail, Abigail? You need to settle down a bit." (Notice I said "ABIGAIL" and not "JOHNNY". I am so tired of Johnny's name being overused as the misbehaved child....plus also using a boy as the representative wild student.
Once, the recorded behavior that I used enhanced a case about a student who was disruptive with his REAL teacher.
I tell mothers today about how they can whip (hopefully) their children into line immediately at home or even more importantly - IN PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could have taken my own advice. My boys are 30 and 22 respectively. In those 8 years there were inventions that did improve my mothering capabilities from the oldest to the youngest. But what I needed most hadn't been invented yet...the photo options of the cell phone.
Why did I need this phone function and what do I tell mothers today about WHY they should administer this video recording on their own children? Because when children, like my own did at times, start acting out - record it. Then there really is no discussion when you disagree over the behavior you wanted changed. The child ( I think you could do this step even as young as 3? ) sees his/her action that you wanted thwarted and instead of " intentionally not remembering" or "really not remembering", the incident is captured to hone in on the behavior you want improved.
You're welcome.
July 6, 2016
The Augusta Masters
4/5/16 – Azaleas, pimento cheese sandwiches, and golf
It’s the Masters in Augusta this week and a couple of things come to mind.
My dad loved golf and I loved golf because my dad loved golf. A college boyfriend’s parents inherited the coveted tickets (badges), which meant they went every year. Lucky them.
I’ve been twice. First – with college boyfriend, who also invited my parents for the weekend play (special!) and second with NANOOO (see SAK – Confessions from a Southern Girl’s Closet AND SAK – Anecdotes from a Southern Girl’s Attic).
NANOOO and I went during the week (before the cut).
In 1976 when my parents and I went, my mother was not standing really close to the green, but still close enough that her laugh at just the wrong moment disturbed the pro before putting and he looked up in disgust. He didn’t know, thank goodness, it was us. BUT WE did! I was totally embarrassed. Would college boyfriend invite us (me?) back? (Never did – but it might have been because we broke up – not because of my mother’s ill-timed laugh). And the golfer, Raymond Floyd, went on to win the tournament that year anyway. What was the big deal?
I knew I always wanted to date/marry a golfer and I did. While we dated in the early 1980’s, I secured tickets from a family friend but future-hubby had to work and could not attend. So, I took NANOOO, a girlfriend who appreciated the game and not just the time-honored tradition pimento cheese sandwiches at Augusta National.
Recently, while on book tour, I met a gentleman from Atlanta who grew up in there in the 1960’s and as he put it, “…with a silver spoon in my mouth.” His parents were members of East Lake Golf Club. In passing, he told me about his playing golf as a young man and how his father was surprised he was not a better golfer than he was. He insisted to his father that he really hadn’t played much golf since taking lessons around the age of 5 at East Lake. He mentioned he would be a better player had he kept it up.
His father then added, “But still. You should be better at this game than you are because you took lessons from Bobby Jones.”
It’s the Masters in Augusta this week and a couple of things come to mind.
My dad loved golf and I loved golf because my dad loved golf. A college boyfriend’s parents inherited the coveted tickets (badges), which meant they went every year. Lucky them.
I’ve been twice. First – with college boyfriend, who also invited my parents for the weekend play (special!) and second with NANOOO (see SAK – Confessions from a Southern Girl’s Closet AND SAK – Anecdotes from a Southern Girl’s Attic).
NANOOO and I went during the week (before the cut).
In 1976 when my parents and I went, my mother was not standing really close to the green, but still close enough that her laugh at just the wrong moment disturbed the pro before putting and he looked up in disgust. He didn’t know, thank goodness, it was us. BUT WE did! I was totally embarrassed. Would college boyfriend invite us (me?) back? (Never did – but it might have been because we broke up – not because of my mother’s ill-timed laugh). And the golfer, Raymond Floyd, went on to win the tournament that year anyway. What was the big deal?
I knew I always wanted to date/marry a golfer and I did. While we dated in the early 1980’s, I secured tickets from a family friend but future-hubby had to work and could not attend. So, I took NANOOO, a girlfriend who appreciated the game and not just the time-honored tradition pimento cheese sandwiches at Augusta National.
Recently, while on book tour, I met a gentleman from Atlanta who grew up in there in the 1960’s and as he put it, “…with a silver spoon in my mouth.” His parents were members of East Lake Golf Club. In passing, he told me about his playing golf as a young man and how his father was surprised he was not a better golfer than he was. He insisted to his father that he really hadn’t played much golf since taking lessons around the age of 5 at East Lake. He mentioned he would be a better player had he kept it up.
His father then added, “But still. You should be better at this game than you are because you took lessons from Bobby Jones.”
