cause essay "guts"

What if she meets some not-so-nice people? She's so trusting and naive, a perpetrators dream. When she was little, I was so afraid she'd be kidnapped. My social butterfly, she would talk to anyone, so of course I stepped up my defenses, always the watchful mother. I tried to teach her how to spot the "bad guys." I hope I taught her enough.

Will she call me every day? At least every other? I've worked so hard at this fine example of a mother/daughter relationship. It scares me to death to think of not being one of the biggest parts of her life. I tried to show her how to be one of the "good guys." I hope I showed her enough.

Then there were all of those skinned knees, broken hearts and flat tires. Coming to her rescue. Felling her pain and knowing that my help came from just being there for her. I hope I cared enough.

reaction to writing cause essay.....that way.

well, I'm sure there is some logical explanation that any ordinary, half-witted essay writer would figure out all on their own, but, (she writes with a tilt of her head) I don't get it. Perhaps I'm never going to get it. When I started writing the first section, I thought, cool, smaller assignment, quicker to complete, maybe I'll like this. I love puzzles and this could be considered a sort of puzzle....right? No. Too disjointed, the picture is fuzzy. Somewhat like putting a square peg in a....well you get the idea. Hated it.

outro for cause essay

There seems to be an era in each persons life, a time of abandon. Getting by on a wing and a prayer. A need to get through life's lessons with a "Whew! I made it!" And you prove to yourself that you did it with sheer determination....and the best part? Knowing that your Mother would be there for you no matter what, no matter how foolish or insane things may appear to the rest of the world, your number one advocate would be waiting, ready to pick up any stray pieces. I don't have any reason to be afraid for her. I taught her well and she has nothing to prove to me, only to herself.

Ahhh.... other students blogs.....

blogs by any other name.....journals, random thoughts, rantings, stories...A lot of nonsense to me. I'm sure the practice one receives from a daily dose of blogging is helpful to a writer, but I still can't seem to find much for reason in reading other peoples blogs. It's a luxury of time that most students can't afford. Especially us "Non-Traditionals" who work full time, go to classes full time and have a couple of kids, house, pets, homework, chores etc... But o.k., I read a few. I'm still searching for a point, I always seem to require a point. silly me.

I search reaction

Somewhat more practical of an assignment than a typical research paper. At least there is some personal value involved, and the information is more interesting to search for than an assigned topic. I'm looking forward to it.....no really I am!

cause essay 1

"Fort Fairfield!" I shrieked, "Why would you want to move to Fort Fairfield? There's nothing there but a few tired potato farmers and a broken down tractor! Where are you planning to work? There aren't any jobs! Do you know what it's like in the county during the winter?" I could hear myself, but I couldn't seem to stop. I went on and on and my beautiful and confident daughter just stood there with her head down, waiting...for me to mercifully...stop. "I know mum, but have you ever been there? It's beautiful! And there are some jobs, nothing great, but I'm only 19. I can waitress, or work in the hardware store. I have some awesome new friends from there and they said I could move in with them. I just want a fresh start." By this time, she was fighting to keep the tears at bay. She stated her case with some level of maturity, I'd have to give her that. "Please mum, try to understand." She pleaded. I sat down and it felt like I weighed a thousand pounds. The time had come. Snuck right up from behind and blind-sided me. BAM! I needed to be the mother now more than ever. She was being so irrational...for her, yet she was calling me the irrational one and begging to know why?! I knew why! I was afraid for her, I was afraid of losing her and I was afraid of not being right there for her when she needed me.

cause essay 2

I dreaded answering. The phone had been ringing off the hook for days and I knew it was just more questions from Jades friends that I didn't have the answers to.
"Have you heard from her?"
"Not yet." I'd answer quietly. I felt like I was losing my daughter. We'd been so close and here I was playing defense for her so she could get through whatever this was. Her friends were feeling the rejection too, getting ticked off because she wasn't letting them know what was up. I was just hurt. Knowing where your kid is mentally is so much more important than knowing where she is physically. I knew she was in Fort Fairfield, but I couldn't figure out why? She'd made some new friends and they seemed really nice but that didn't explain much. I knew she'd come see me eventually, once she got her head on straight. I needed to be the mom now more than ever. She was being so irrational...for her, yet she was calling me the irrational one and begging to know why?! I knew why! I was afraid for her, I was afraid of losing her and I was afraid of not being there for her when she needed me.

Pumpkin Soup

2 tbls. oil
1 large onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tbls. minced ginger
1 tbls. sugar
cook in oil until vegetables are tender then add:
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Add:
2 peeled and cubed potatoes or yams
4 cups of peeled and cubed pumpkin
6 cups of basic vegetable stock(canned is fine)
bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes
puree half of the soup in a blender then add back to pan
mmmm......mmmm
There's nothing better on a cool fall day than homemade pumpkin soup

Cats

The opinion is typically very strong. Either you hate them or you love them. I happen to love them....A LOT! I have 9 in all. 7 live with me, and 2 with my ex, but I still consider them mine too. He just got primary custody. I visit. I never intended to have 9 cats mind you. Fate just stepped in on a few occasions and left new kitties in my care. I take them in and foster them, get them the vet attention they need, then adopt them out. The best story is Charlie. She (well she looked like a boy kitty!) showed up on my doorstep, with a partially torn away zip-lock baggy over her head, secured with an elastic. Most of an ear was also torn away and she was pregnant. That was almost 4 years ago. She's still up for adoption, but I'm not too heart broken that she hasn't been taken. They say you're either a cat person or a dog person. I've only had a few dogs in my lifetime, I can't imagine having 9 at one time! I guess that would make me a cat person.

Autumn Equinox

It has slowly crept upon us yet again. Time to mow the lawn for the last time until spring rolls around, Yay! Carving pumpkins and picking apples. Leaves falling, crisp breezes blowing, sweaters coming out of storage trunks. The harvest moon, cornfield hide-n-seek, making relish, and apple sauce. Pickled beets by the gallon..... just for me. New wooly socks, hiking boots and picking potatoes. Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. A season of endings. A season of beginnings.

Jump!

The epitome of attention seeking behavior, there was a man in downtown Bangor today, who was standing on a roof apparently threatening to jump. Hmmmmm....the building is only 3 or 4 stories, I would imagine that, unless he landed on his head, he'd just end up with a couple of femurs jammed into his abdomen. Now there's a nice visual. There were various city personnel standing by to...I don't know...catch him? Lots of pedestrians standing around, just watching. We are such a peculiar race. Nothing better to do on a sunny Thursday afternoon than to watch some tormented suicidal bastard stand on a roof top and pace like a caged animal. Trapped I suppose, trapped somewhere in his head. He didn't jump. I wonder how many of the passers-by were disappointed. Who's more mentally ill?

Economic slow down?

Do you suppose? It would make sense. It's time, with a presidential election and all this threat of terrorist activity, people are scared. I've studied the buying trends and over the past year, people seem to be spending all of their saved earnings on stuff that they've "always wanted." I'm guessing that the thought on everyone's mind is "Why not? I've earned it, and with the way things are going, I may as well spend it now. We may not be around.....soon." We're becoming more and more fragile. Maybe the terrorists have already reached their goal. No more need for bombs.

Person

He sits sloth-like on the cold, cast iron bench across the busy Main Street. I try not to look as he picks his nose and his teeth, usually in that order. He pulls at his beard with one hand as he chews the fingernails on the other, then spits them on the sidewalk. Sometimes, he catches me watching him through my office window, he stands and tips his hat to show me his fine manners as he turns to shuffle away.

another road trip

Today our travels found us in western Maine. Central really. We were looking for a little pond, and some land that is for sale on the pond. Can you say Swamp? Big swamp. And the only access to the land is by boat, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, our camp now is water access only, but this place was virtually inaccessible. So on we went, in and around Dexter, through a Norman Rockwell painting or two. There are some really beautiful places in this state. Back country roads, where the people standing in their yards, watching us drive by, Wave. People don't wave everywhere. I bet most Mainers don't even know that.

A thing

Hour upon hour of cultivation. Grapes and wildflowers, vegetables and annuals of every color and size. My garden, my prize. A place of pure relaxation. Chaotic order I like to call it. Wild yet tame. Plants with names like Potentilla and Artemisia, pruned and primped. Grape vines that are older than I am, an apple tree older than that. Plants that will come back for me next year and some....that will not. Now is the season to cover and protect until the sun comes around again.

the little darlings

I can remember when I'd sigh with exasperation "I can't wait for these kids to grow up" And I'd huff, then turn on my heel and hide away somewhere until the sibling scuffles ceased and desisted to another part of the house....Now here I am dealing with adult children, or almost adult. Some days are better than others. My eldest darling is nearly 20, knows it ALL, lives (exists) on her own, and remains to be a constant challenge. My youngest, nearly 17, and in the "suck up" stage of her teens, isn't too much of a challenge right NOW, but there certainly have been many hours spent...dealing. I want to point this moment of emotion out to anyone who cares...when they're little, it's all about little problems. When they're big....well, you know.

Ramblings of a middle-aged college student

I've come to the conclusion that there are no conclusions. No ends, no completeness (a word)? No finishing. I thought I was done with college studies, and had no intentions of ever needing, or wanting, to go back. Yet here I am studying stuff and learning stuff I didn't think I'd ever give a hoot about. Business Law, computer ...StUfF...,Math and you guessed it! Blogs! It's still early in the game though, and I haven't learned all the new rules.... do you suppose there are a lot of new rules? Cliff notes maybe? Any advice from anyone?

Unique

I've been described as unique. It's quite flattering actually. I like the word, it's fun to say, and I feel privileged to be referred to as such. "people like you march to the beat of your own drum" my mother always said. and that was usually followed with some encouraging words added like..."You're an individual!" "You don't WANT to be like everyone else do you?" And I would look down and slowly shake my head from side to side. "I guess not." I'd softly respond. But deep down inside, I did want to be like everyone else. I did. As I grew older, and somewhat wiser, I continued to be odd, and to do things at my own pace and in my own way. I make my own music with flutes and key and voice. I use acrylic paint to put on canvas a collection of shape and color. I prefer my time spent with cats...7 of them. I learn stuff every day, sometimes in a class, most times in living. I've spent my career years counseling teens who've been labeled with things like "Obsessive" and "Socially Stunted" and "Unique" It's all part of just being. When everyone can just BE, the world will truly be a better place.
Alt. end1 I hope that they can come away with the security I did, and understand that "Unique" is the only way to be.
Alt. end2 The only reason why labels "Suck" is because someone, somewhere said they do. Labels are what you make them, and They can always be turned into a good thing.

More about blogging

I've been wandering my way around some blog sites, and It appears to be a gathering place for some pretty incredible writers. I've read stuff that made me laugh out loud, and some that has made me cry. There are some intense stories out there. It doesn't even matter if it's fact or fiction, it's unpresumptuous and fun to read.

Inventory/list/graf

Work Space

A 2- line phone base with handset

A 1- line phone base with handset

A laptop

A legal size notepad

Phone message book

an organizer basket with 5 compartments

Post it notes

Pens and scissors

various types of tape

Personal items (chapstick, gum and sewing kit)

an assortment of hardware

tape dispenser

Stapler

paper clips

daily planner

a cookbook

a fruit basket with 1 lonely green apple

Add 1 upright human being with a smiling face and a professional phone presence and stir. Standard receptionist recipe! Everything organized and in it's place. It looks like this person either has way too much time on their hands, or they're suffering with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It could be a combination of both. Anyone who can do secretarial work is probably very focused and organized, and perhaps completely satisfied with where life is taking them. ....perhaps.

Maine U.S.A.

It doesn't get much better than this folks! A gorgeous sunny day spent driving through northern Maine. Aroostook county ...Gods country( or Goddess )....The potato farm capital of the world. The leaves haven't started to change yet, that's when it's at it's most beautiful. We were due for a road trip adventure, and a break from the city life. Up through Lee, and Springfield. The Annual Springfield fair was in full swing, complete with tractor pulls and cowgirls! Then on up the road to Danforth, Houlton and Fort Fairfield. Million dollar views all around. It's interesting that most people from"away" think of Maine as Kennebunkport or Bar Harbor, both beautiful places without a doubt, but for anyone who wants to experience the real Maine? It's Aroostook and Washington Counties all the way!

blog blog blog!

I can't seem to stop talking about it! Everyone I see, I ask them "So have you heard about blogging??" I love the responses.....
"Huh?" "What?" "doing it for a class you're taking?" "Is it legal?" "It sounds obscene!"
So far it's been....odd. It would be really cool if famous people blogged! (Is that even a form of the word yet?) I could read the blogging (or is it blogs?) of someone like President Bush or Stephen King...that would be fun! Maybe someday everyone will blog!.....maybe there will be an international bloggers directory!....It could be a way of life for us all!...One can only hope.

whew! another day!

Well I've made it over the hump! Wednesday, "anything can happen" day. A lot has changed on the 'ol college campus since I was a young'un. I'm o.k. with the blogging thing now...it looked a lot more intimidating than it really is...cool. The 18-22 crowd seems to be a bit more focused on their studies than they were 10 or 20 years ago. It is the first week though, so we'll wait and see on that one. I've also noticed that along with that focus, there seems to be a lack of "friendly" faces. My daughter suggested that it's due to the fact that most college students' social life involves this...typing, or chatting. I'm encountering a whole college campus full of young people who have spent the last 4 or 5 years, or more, sitting at a computer chatting. (which I have no idea how to do) I chat with my friends. It involves facial expressions, laughter, body language, and lots of other visual and aural cues to elicit responses. I'm not saying that it's any better than the way to chat now, just a lot different, 'specially for an old broad like me. I'll adjust, but My My how things have changed. I smiled at a young lady I sat next to yesterday, and she looked scared...and there was no response other than to look down. Hmmm...I've worked in social services for years, studying behavior, and working to understand teens. I have a feeling I'll be learning more at EMCC than I ever did in any group home.

worst teacher

I recently relayed a memory to my mother about a geometry teacher I'd had in high school. I hated math, I hated Mr. Jenkins, I still do. I got kicked out of his class, and HE threw a book at ME! I spent years telling it just like that. I hated that man...how could he do that, throw a book at my head! It almost hit me! If he did that now he'd be in trouble! He was THE worst teacher of all time.....and he smelled bad too. Welllll....the truth be told, I was actually quite a smart ass as a teenager, no really. I can't even remember what it is I must have said to the man to get him that angry. It must have been a good one...I bet he remembers.