ShellieBellie Naps

Hey, don't ask me to shovel! I earn the dogfood by barking at the mailman.

ShellieBellie

Mother Nature has a Strange Sense of Humor

Mother Nature delivered her first gift of late-winter weather to the Madison area overnight. I think we got at least 4 inches of the white stuff. It felt like about a foot, though, as I shoveled the sidewalk. My old back just can’t do it anymore. Fortunately, I have a great neighbor who pops on over to help when he can. Thanks, James!

Here’s the regional update:

TONIGHT: *****BLIZZARD WARNING****** IN EFFECT FROM 6PM UNTIL 12PM SUNDAY. 7-13" OF SNOW POSSIBLE. STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH HEAVY SNOW TO CREATE REDUCED VISIBILITY, DOWN TO 1/4 MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. WHITE OUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE.
WIND: E 20-30+

Then throughout Sunday:

MODERATE SNOWFALL THROUGHOUT THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. 2-3"

It’s a good thing that my girls love the snow and play well in it on their own in the backyard. I don’t have to bother with long walks, hauling 180 lbs of dog on icy sidewalks.

Ok, Mom Nature, I’m not rolling on the floor laughing about this latest joke, but I am chuckling a bit.

Another Ode to the TaxMan

Ok, so I broke down and took my taxes to a tax preparer today. It really wasn’t that painful. I worked with a woman who was upfront about what she was doing, asked good questions, knew her software, and was open to learning from me, too. By the way, the 1040 instruction manual uses a great example about deducting sidewalk improvements as a “tax” along with your property taxes.

I still think it is sad that the forms and calculation-balancing process is so complicated. I also think it is just WRONG that so much legislation happened in the 11^th hour and couldn’t be reflected on forms and instructions in a timely manner. While I appreciate the legislation working in my favor, such late changes push people to pay preparers rather than do their taxes themselves. We should all be able to do the process ourselves! But, at least I can deduct the cost of tax preparation next year…….And, my stress in having to do all of the math has been significantly reduced.

Now, if only I could just get rid of this head cold…….

I Wonder as I Wander

As I searched through my archives for a particular childhood picture this evening, I came across this concert ticket stub. It threw me back to another time and place. A time of quoted poetry and Shakespeare (from Henry V to be exact). A time of shared books and music. A time of love, longing, and dreams of every possibility. And now, I can only wonder what ever happened to that certain someone who endured the speeding ticket on the way home from the concert; who shared the shock the next morning of hearing that SRV and his entourage had died in a helicopter crash just hours before; and who just disappeared while I went on to graduate school and other romantic mistakes. I just wonder…..

A Bitter Response

A certain person in my life has raised concern about the offensiveness of a previous post and the violent (and vulgar) language of the wording. I believe that the individual has misunderstood the context, intent, and tone of the piece. I find this troubling since this individual is one who should know me and my “tone” the most. Perhaps this individual has also not taken the time to understand the context before making and voicing his/her judgments. That requires attention to and honoring of the details of daily living. That simply is not possible in this situation, nor has it been prioritized in the last 20 years. As part of this distance, I am troubled by the individual’s obliviousness of my intense passion and respect for our First Amendment rights (in times of war or peace). If there is one entity of living in this nation for which I would risk life and limb, it is my intellectual freedom.

But, while the individual’s lack of understanding of intent and tone deeply saddens me, what really angers me in this exchange is that my “responsibility” as a teacher was raised, and with that, my professional integrity questioned. It is my responsibility as a teacher to challenge my students to understand the historical precedent and question the contemporary context. It is my responsibility to help them learn their rights (and their own responsibilities) and not to fear them. It is also my responsibility to create a new generation of critical thinkers who are willing to take educated risks that will prevent us from living through generation after generation after generation of WAR, death, and dishonor. To do so, we must experiment with language and tone in a variety of rhetorical styles and contexts. Etiquette of the past is not always effective--as the cited three generations of war and fear have proven. I am clear and highly professional in my approach within the classroom, and I resent my professional sense of responsibility being in question. And yes, I will admit that my resentment here is informed by the fact that I have made huge sacrifices in my personal life to be that teacher. I have given up social and financial stability, as well as my physical health to be the teacher I am. Questioning my professional integrity is of the highest dishonor and disrespect.

And one last thing … If we follow the principles of our Constitution, what a teacher says outside of the classroom/professional forum, as long as it is within LEGAL guidelines, should have no bearing on his/her professional role. If that is not the case, and public “opinion” has more power than legal statute, should we not view that as a form of mob rule? I happen to still trust in our legal system and the strength of our foundational principles. I won't step down and quietly walk away from my views in the public forum. Maybe that’s a generational thing. Maybe that’s because I wasn’t “of age” through all the lies of the Vietnam War. Maybe because all of the lies and illegal actions of the Iraq War haven’t come to the surface--yet. Time can only tell us that.

“If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” -- William Brennan: Texas v. Johnson

Notes from the Dog Park

Oh Heaven! Till and I went to the dog park with Mom this morning. It’s been a while. Mom’s been a little busy, and it’s just been too damn cold for even those of us with tons of hair to be outside for too long. So, with the temps over 12 degrees this morning, we finally had our time in the snow. I just love to chase that fuzzy little tennis ball around. It turns into a big sloppy puppysicle after a few throws. Best yet -- the other dogs just left me alone to run. That doesn’t always happen at the park; there are usually a bunch of yip dogs and stupid mutts who don’t back off when I tell them to. But the other mates this morning were smart enough to just let me be and focus– interesting that most of them were Labs. We are some of the smartest out there, you know.

It was fun to watch Till get some exercise, too. I’m not so sure it’s fair that Mom calls her The Cow. She’s just big boned. I thought it was pretty cool when a pack of dogs initially tried to stop my run, Till stepped in and did body blocks. I really love my new sister. She still farts a lot, but I can live with that. The other thing that was really fun to see was how Tillie runs along with her mouth shoveling up new snow to eat/drink. It’s kind of like watching a bulldozer in turbo speed. I wonder how she keeps her balance.

Well, I’m pretty tired after running so much. After Mom posts this for me, I’m going to take a nap. Tillie is already snoring.

Later….

ShellieBellie \

The Tax Man is Evil, Evil, Evil!

Very few things in life push me to the point of wanting to display serious violence in my gestures, language, and actions. Taxes are one of those "things." I’m working through my return information today, and I am ready to just go postal on the government. Tax Man, just come and haul me away now!

What’s the problem? Sure, I may have a bit of math phobia, but that’s not it! Supposedly the legislature passed 11th-hour renewals and revisions on tuition deductions, teacher supplies to the classroom credits, and other deductions that are NOT showing up on the forms or in the directions for the usual forms. Some of the instruction manuals on the IRS Web site are still the ones for 2005. That means, many of us who need to take those deductions are going to have to seek out professional preparers and cough up the cash to do our returns – or we risk errors and audits.

Doesn’t it seem a little unreasonable that the average individual is THIS frustrated with simple tax procedures? Wasn’t there legislation a few years back about “ease of paperwork” with the tax process? The “Message from the [tax] Commissioner” states: “Paying taxes is a unifying experience fundamental to democracy and the rule of law.” Unifying, my ass! Processing these forms is creating more of a need to cut up someone into little tiny pieces and blow their body parts out a cannon.

Can We Go to the Park Now?

OK, Tillie here! It's been a while since I've blogged. Mom's helping me out since she's the one with the thumbs. Is anyone else out there TOTALLY SICK OF WINTER? I know I have tons of fur, but even I'M cold lately. Good thing Mom let's me snuggle up on the couch and in bed with her. All I want to do is just get outside to the dog park and chase ball. And that's saying a lot coming from me. You know how fond I am of just hanging out with a pile of stuffed, headless purple Barneys. Even those raggedy things are losing their charm. I just want to run!!!! If I can't get out soon, I'm going to have to chew up a shoe or two. Oh, that would make Mom a little angry. I better just stick with ripping up a teddy bear. I'd rather dig up a flower bed right now. Where is spring????

Why Are We So Blind?

I was looking at the Iraq War ticker on the right-hand side of my blog page. The increasing amount gives new meaning to the term "obscene." Where would we be right now if our world invested that money in our children, our environment, and our future? Why are we so hell-bent on continuing the cycle of violence?

Snow Day

It is currently -15 on the old thermometer here in the Madison area, with wind chills estimated in the -20/-30s. Although official school district policy is to call off school only if the forecast for the wind chill approaches -50 for the entire day (according to the Web site), school was indeed, cancelled this morning. I hope all of my students and colleagues will have a safe and restful day.

What do teachers do on Snow/Cold Days? Well, first I do a very selfish happy dance. Then I think about the reality of the situation. I’m still getting paid for the day. A snow day means that I can actually plan curriculum, think about my craft, and breathe. I don’t just go back to bed. I pour another cup of coffee, throw a ball or two to the girls, and consider what work I should do first. Yes, the TV is on. Yes, an extra movie might get watched (uh, prepped for my film class), an extra meal made, and an extra trade rag read. But the point is, I am much more productive and reflective on these days than if I were in the classroom. When we have inclement weather, many parents keep their children at home where they are safe and warm – that is if they have the luxury to do so with heat in their homes, child care, food, etc.. I would certainly do the same if I had children and the resources to keep them safe. But, that means attendance in the schools is spotty. For my high school classes, it is virtually impossible to move forward with the planned lesson/activity because so much of what I do is sequenced and scaffolded. I usually have to resort to a backup (uh, entertainment) plan so the high number of absent students won’t be left behind. I have been teaching long enough to have those plans readily available, but it’s certainly not best practice.

It is a wise decision on the part of district administrators to consider the system of education along with the health and well-being of the children and the staff. A wise decision, indeed.

Yet, I also worry about those children and families who rely upon the schools as their source of warmth, security, and food during the day. Will those children be safe and supervised at home? Will their caregivers need to forfeit a day’s wages to stay home with them?

Are we asking these questions as a society?

La-de-da Day

Ok, it’s only 3:00 and I’ve already:

+ made chocolate-covered pecan caramel thingies;

+ made a loaf of banana bread;

+ finished the laundry;

+ vacuumed & dusted;

+ cleaned the bathroom;

+ made the bed;

+ watched a movie;

+ watched more crappy television;

+ planned two lessons for my education policy studies class (on school finance formulas);

+ planned out the rest of the week for all of my classes;

+ read a couple of chapters in a book;

+ read the Sunday paper;

+ taken pictures of my dogs;

+ worked on an art project;

+ ventured out in the frozen tundra to return videos, books to the library, and put gas in the car;

+ written this blog entry.

Time to snuggle in for the big game. I think I’m hoping for a Bears win.