Annette Mackey's Blog, page 5
May 18, 2012
Learning from George
George Washington: February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799
I became a fan of George Washington when I was in second grade. Actually, I saw the above painting on a book cover in my elementary school library. Apparently it’s out of print now. As a little squirt I was so enamered by the beautiful horse that I picked it up and began to read. It didn’t take me long before I realized that George was someone I wanted to know more about. And while I don’t claim to be an expert on his life, I do have a few thoughts worth sharing.
George Washington treated people with respect. It was one of his most distinguishing characteristics. He even created a book of etiquette that he was known to recite to himself. Donna Young took these fabulous sayings and put them down for children. She turned them into penmanship and spelling practice. You can find the link here: George Washington’s Rule of Civility. In modern society these points are sometimes forgotten, but it is my opinion that Washington was faced with no less difficulty than we. He lived in frontier America. He led a starving, ragged army. That fact alone is evidence that he faced more imbeciles than I ever will, and still he seemed to understand that it was important to treat people with courtesy.
Another point that awes me was Washington’s ability to understand complex social issues without becoming subject to social pressure. This is an ability he seems to have honed over time. For example, his perspective on slavery changed quite dramatically. As a young man he accepted the practice when he inherited an estate with a family tradition of slavery, but by the end of his life he had come to abhor it completely. I find the language of his Last Will And Testament to be quite telling. For those slaves that would have been forced into financial difficulty, he gave the option to remain on his estate as free men, apparently without charge.
I also find it interesting that while he was wildly popular in the public eye, Washington had no political ambitions. His only goal was to propel the genuine interest of the country. Unlike most politicians today he would have preferred to stay out of the public eye. Living at home was his life’s dream. But his country needed him and so he did what was necessary. In the process everyone came to love him. He was known for his strong character, for always putting the country’s needs first, and for being the kind of man people could trust. While his constituents would have turned him into a king, he refused the post, setting the precedence for all future presidents.
There are so many points that put me in awe of this amazing man, particularly his willingness to lead a poverty stricken army. Now that is a topic for a seven million word document. But I guess this is starting to sound more like a fan letter than an informative blog post. So rather than continue to blather my points, I’ll just post a few more interesting links.
Educational facts that are fun too
George Washington books for kids
April 3, 2012
Dare to dream
Years ago as I was leaving my childhood home to go out on my own, my dad pulled me aside and gave me some wonderful advice. He said, "If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will." I have thought on his words time and again. At first I didn't quite understand what he meant. It didn't take long. Once I was in my new college environment I began to see the wisdom in those words. By the way I'm not talking about selfish notions here. The scope of taking care of oneself is vital to health and wellbeing. Once I realized this a whole new understanding developed. I realized that if I believed in me, I almost always accomplished my goals. So that's my tid-bit of advice. I ask you, why would anyone want to give up? Is there some grand prize in that? I don't think so. And so I say to anyone who has ever had a dream, dare to believe. Dare to keep your dreams alive! Dare to face failure and try your hardest in the face of uncertainty. But most of all never, never, NEVER give up.
March 21, 2012
The Falls
Last year when my family went to Yellowstone we hiked down to the Lower Falls. And what an incredible sight it was! When that much water if flying off a cliff, the size of your life seems awfully small. While we were there I noticed a few bits of garbage beyond the fence. Obviously there was no way to retrieve it. Since litter literally bugs the heck out of me, I found it troubling. Then all at once it hit me. I was missing the entire moment. Here I was in front of this tremendously awesome sight, and I was focusing on these minute imperfections that no one could do anything about. It was one of those ah-ha moments that you never forget. The world is full of beauty, but half the time I'm running around trying to fix, fix, fix. Sometimes there really is peace in stopping to enjoy the moments of our lives. It doesn't take much effort. We just have to look at the bigger picture.
February 20, 2012
Michael Jordan explains the secret to success
They say, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I sure hope so, because I've been there a lot. Unlike Michael Jordan, no one has actually kept track of my stats. But I can tell you this, I am very familiar with failure. Practically in the same breath I can also add that I have had a number of successes. You would think that sooner or later failures would end. But they don't. No matter how successful, no matter how accomplished, failure just happens sometimes. It's a fact of life. So here's my moto: Dare to dream. Dare to try. Dare to face failure, so that you can succeed.
About Crows, by John Ciardi
One of my favorites.
February 15, 2012
Audrey Hepburn’s Beauty Tips
Reportedly, Audrey Hepburn read this poem to her children on a regular basis– possibly even nightly, which is why so many people have attributed it to her. However, it was actually written by Sam Levenson.
Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips
Many people have attributed this poem to Audrey Hepburn, but it was actually written by Sam Levenson.
Anne Frank: 12 June 1929 – early March 1945
I read The Diary of a Young Girl for the first time when I was in the vicinity of the fourth grade. It struck me so deeply that I started a diary of my own, and following in Anne's footsteps I gave my diary a name, Jenny. I'm sure you noticed the correlation. As an adult I am still in awe of this little girl, and highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
// ]]>
<a HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_... Widgets</a>
February 9, 2012
Music Blog
For those who are new to this site, the music studio tab is where I post music education materials. Believe it or not, it takes me a lot more effort to write these worksheets than it does for my students to complete them. So you might wonder why I spend all that time creating them — as you can see I have posted a lot! The answer is simple. Although there are many fabulous music method books currently available, most do not offer sufficient practice, especially with regards to rhythm. It's a gripe a lot of teachers have. Don't ask me why there are so few method books addressing this issue. It certainly doesn't change the need. Rhythmic proficiency is one of the greatest obstacles in a student's ability to sightread, and ultimate goal of independence. So I've done my part, small as it may seem. Print and practice. That's all there is to it.
January 25, 2012
The Kennedys
This is a three disk collection containing a total of eight episodes, each about 45 minutes in length. Over all the series is very well done. I give it five stars. There might be a quibble here or there with a few historical details, but nothing too dramatic. I was, however, disappointed by how many things were not included. The last two episodes in particular rush through some of the most important historical events during JFK's presidency. I would liked to have seen this as a ten episode series, but I guess it's better to be left wanting more, rather than less.
Below is a synopsis of each episode, which may contain spoilers.
Episode One: Joe's Revenge Hour I: This first disk is where we meet the family. We quickly learn that Joe Kennedy had early aspirations for the presidency, but loses the opportunity through mistakes he made as ambassador. In his stead, Joe Junior plans to fulfill his father's dream. Obviously that doesn't happen and the obligation falls to Jack.
Episode Two: Joe's Revenge Hour II: Jack has just been elected president, but is still living under his father's thumb. In flashbacks we learn that Jack had no initial aspiration to become president. He campaigns without heart to please his father until he finally finds his voice. It's a beautiful moment, and I found myself wishing I had been there. The flaws of the Kennedy family are portrayed in various roles, particularly that of unfaithful husbands.
Episode Three: Us Against Them: This is the episode where Jack makes his famous big blunder, the Bay of Pigs. It opens just before the inauguration. Rose Kennedy asks her daughter-in-law, Jackie, who has recently had a baby, what she will wear to the inauguration. Jackie mentions that she has eight weeks to get her figure back, and Rose snubs her by saying that it only took her four. (Oh, to be a woman.) We also see Joe Senior's influence continue. Joe insists that Bobby become Attorney General. Jack tells his father that Bobby doesn't want to be Attorney General, and Joe responds, "Well, I want it for him." And that's that.
Episode Four: Who's In Charge Here: Joe dabbles in the mob with both feet out of the pond. As Attorney General, clean-cut Bobby attacks the mob head-on. Sound like trouble? It is. Once again the presidency becomes off-limits to Joe, all the while the Berlin Wall goes up. Jack continues to battle health problems, particularly the old injuries he sustained during World War II.
Episode Five: Life Sentences: The civil rights movement is in full swing, though it isn't swinging smooth. Lindon Johnson seems to be the only cabinet member able to communicate with southern politicians. As the presidency prepares to support James Meredith's enrollment at Old Miss, as ordered by the Supreme Court, Joe suffers a debilitating stroke. The family members are left reeling as they try to cope with their unresolved feelings. Rose, in particular, is burdened by troubling memories. Simultaneously, law and order dissolve in Missouri as a near civil war atmosphere engulfs the university and threatens the state.
Episode Six: The Brink: Jack's indiscretions cause Jackie deep pain. She takes a trip to Virginia with the children just before the Cuban Missel crisis begins. Tensions run high as the entire cabinet works together to prevent disaster. This is truly JFK's finest moment, and true to form, Bobby is continuously at his side. Ethel and Jackie have a candid conversation, and Jackie returns to the White House as Jack brings the country safely through what could have easily become a nuclear war.
Episode Seven: Lancer and Lace: The episode opens with Walter Cronkite telling the world that the president is dead. The rest of the episode leads up to that point. Jack's affair with Marilyn Monroe is referenced, and as usual, Bobby is stuck cleaning up the mess. Jack commits more definitively to Jackie prior to the assassination, which is left to the imagination, or memory, and the families reaction to Jack's death is explored.
Episode Eight: Bobby picks up where Jack left off, protecting Jackie as if she were a blood relative. Jackie eventually remarries, stating the need to keep her children safe. Bobby is determined to carry on in politics, and becomes a presidential candidate. When the polls show him out of favor he turns to his mother for political backing. He begins to rise in the polls only to be assassinated a short time later. As he is dying he asks Ethel, "Was anyone else hurt?" And that's the end of Bobby. With such a gruesome end to the tale, the episode closes by going through some enthusiastic scenes that leave the viewer feeling like everything is fine.
