Archive for the 'NaBloPoMo 2007' Category

NaBloPoMo – Day Nineteen

HISTORY HAPPENED YESTERDAY by me (August 20, 1991)
Yesterday, the first thing Mom said when she got us up was “Gorbachev just got ousted!” A military group created a coup and Gorbachev is no longer in control.

President Bush ended his vacation at Kennebunkport, Maine early because of the coup and has discontinued aid to the Soviet Union.

I don’t know where this will lead us, but I do know that this is not a good situation. Right now, nobody even knows where Gorbachev is. I hope this works out before there’s another war.

…

THE COUP IS OVER by me (August 22, 1991)
In regard to HISTORY HAPPENED YESTERDAY Pg. 174, here is an update. Mikhail Gorbachev was returned to his seat of power yesterday. Everything seems to be going well.

I’m just afraid that this overthrow-near-success will be an excuse for someone else to try; maybe not only in the Soviet Union.

UPDATE ON SOVIET SITUATION by me (August 25, 1991)
Guess What?! Yesterday was the second day of a communism-free Soviet Union! Yesterday Gorbachev stepped down as a communist leader, but he is still president. As Mom said, “Who would believe this would happen in my lifetime.”

1990’s sure are full of change and so are Augusts. It seems like that if anything happens, it happens in August, but last year it was ol’ Saddam causin’ a fuss.

I wonder what else will happen.

Until I re-read this in my journal, I’d totally forgotten about this.  I mean, I know that the Soviet Union is communism-free…but it’s been so long that I’ve taken it for granted.

This makes me think about a lot of things I take for granted, whether it be things that happened before I was born or things that have happened since.

For example, as a citizen of the United States of America, I have the constitutional right to vote.  It doesn’t matter that I’m female.  The fact that women are allowed to vote in this country seems so logical and obvious, but it really wasn’t that long ago that this wasn’t the case.  In fact, I just did a search on the Internet, because I know we won the right to vote in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment, but I couldn’t remember the date…and whaddya know…August 26, 1920.  Another August.  Another huge change that in a mere 87 years would be taken for granted by so many people.

As a woman, mother, and citizen, I will try my hardest to make sure Claire understands how important and imperative it is to vote.

It does make me wonder what the future holds and what we’ll take for granted then.

NaBloPoMo – Day Seventeen

SHARING MY JOURNAL by me (May 12, 1991)
Tonight as we were traveling both to and from [a city by us], [my youngest sister and brother] were looking through this journal and trying to decipher some of the scrawled letters that crowd these light blue lines. As I was reading some of the passages to them, I realized that the impressions of the experiences in my life are remembered when I read what I wrote about the experience. (Wow, talk about a complicated sentence!)

I also realize how priceless this journal really is. It is no longer just a book composed of cardboard, wire and paper; it is composed of memories, laughter, hours of ink, and moments locked in time forever. It is no longer an assignment; it is a habit, a friend, a perfect someone to complain to.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journal is sharing it. So far, the only ones who have read anything in my journal (or had it read to them) are my family, some of my friends, the AP [Advanced Placement Writing class] students who read any journal re-writes and Mrs. [Crazy AP Writing Teacher].

NOTE: Mrs. [Crazy AP Writing Teacher], if you read this could you sign your name on this line? – [and she did!] – since the little “red marks” throughout the pages belong to your trusty pen and you introduced this journal to me. Your name belongs in here, too.

I will continue to write in this journal even when AP Comp. is completed for the year. (This will NOT be thrown in the recycling like some of the paper from my other classes!) The things I write (wrote) about will never come again, but they will never be forgotten – it’s fun just looking back through the things I have already written and a year hasn’t even gone by yet; imagine what it will be like to look back through these pages when years have gone by!

As we were looking through this [my brother] said: “Why don’t you write more about us, you know, when you sneak around and spy on us?”

After I explained to him that I do write about him, I told him that sneaking around again to spy on people didn’t sound like a bad idea. I guess I’ll just have to see where my journal takes me this time!

[This is the last journal entry for my AP class. Mrs. Crazy AP Writing Teacher has written the following note, with her red pen: “May 15, 1991 – You have, indeed, captured many moments…And I’m glad you’ll continue journaling. You’re an excellent student who kept me motivated this year.” And she signed it with her initials.]

Wow. First of all, I said in my initial post about Mrs. Crazy Writing Teacher that although she was crazy, I learned a lot from her, and she was encouraging with her comments. That made writing even easier. Part of me felt a little bad about referring to her as Mrs. Crazy Writing Teacher, but then I snapped back to reality and remembered just how traumatizing most of her class actually was.

And, it *is* amazing to me to relive the moments from my journal so many years later. The above entry is the last one I wrote for that class. From page 137 on, I started writing knowing that others wouldn’t necessarily be reading it. I never hid my journal, but I didn’t have to turn it in for evaluation. I wrote throughout the summer and my senior year and then on into college.

When I first started this blog, I’d honestly forgotten that I’d written for an audience. I remember writing this journal, but I’d forgotten that my teacher read it and commented on most of the entries. I was worried about how my voice would change when I started having “readers” on my blog and what would happen when people actually started following and commenting on my stories.

So far, the response has been positive. I have become hyper-aware of how I sound, and I’m trying to find a good balance between my sarcasm, perfectionism, and optimism.  I just assume that everyone I talk about will eventually read it and know I’m talking about them.  I don’t use specific names of places or people, because I still feel weird about that. (I’ve had a couple stalkers in my day, yeeeeeeeeeeears ago, but still…once it’s happened to you, you’ll never take it for granted again…) I have quoted some of my friends and family, and I think most all of them know that I’ve quoted them, but I don’t use their full names. (I’d hate to hinder their chances of being a Senator one day…Google finds the most amazing things!) I sometimes edit my posts after they’ve been published for clarity, grammar-related issues, and just because.

Whenever you put yourself out on a public blog, you have to be prepared for the ugly side of the Internet. When I was pregnant with Claire, I posted daily on a certain iCommunity, and the trolls could be ruthless! (Don’t know what an Internet Troll is? Read all about these nasty little creatures here.) It was so hard not to get caught up in all the drama. Because of that interesting experience, I always try to remind myself that there is no intonation in the typed word, and I try to give the benefit of the doubt. But, since this is my game, I have no qualms about taking my marbles home or playing with someone else. Ignoring or deleting comments and/or not responding was one of the hardest things for me to do without boiling over. I’ve come a long way, and I’m much calmer now.

That being said, I really like the people I’ve “met” so far doing this silly little blog thing. I love comments. I love reading other people’s blogs. The sense of community is very real to me right now, and I love it.

So, thanks for reading my blog, and thanks for sharing your comments and your own blogs with me. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know…

NaBloPoMo – Day Fifteen

As found on page 128 of my old journal:

THE WORD IN THE DICTIONARY GAME by me (April 3, 1991)
I’m in AP [Advance Placement Writing class] right now, and since I’m done with my assignments, I decided to write in my journal. But what do I write about?

It was just about then that I decided to play the Word in the Dictionary Game. This consists of randomly opening the dictionary and dropping your finger to the page. (without looking, of course!) Then you have to make up a sentence by using that word – sometimes it is easy because of the familiarity of the word and sometimes you didn’t even realize that such a word existed.

So, here it goes:

Obedience – I know that one, so I won’t write the definition. Here is my sentence:
*A pet should show obedience to its master.

Electrolyte – A non-metallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions.
*Can water be considered an electrolyte?

Vertigo – a dizzy confused state of mind
*After that Chemistry test I just took last period, my thoughts are in a vertigo. (I like this word – maybe I’ll use it today.)

Seltzer – I know the meaning of this word, and I also love the taste!
*I ordered a seltzer, because it is one of my most favorite beverages.

Mongoose – Mammal that feeds on snakes and rodents – I already knew what this was.
*The mongoose preys on snakes and rodents, a fact that comforts some people.

Here comes the trickiest part – using all of these words in a sentence. Here it is:
*After studying ELECTROLYTES in Chemistry, my mind was in a VERTIGO and I thought I saw a MONGOOSE drinking a SELTZER in an OBEDIENCE class.

Talk about an interesting sentence!

As nerdy as it sounds, this was a fun little game to play when I didn’t know what to write. Plus, after yesterday’s heavy journal entry about 1raq, I needed to write about (and read) one that was a little more light-hearted.

Oh, and today marks the half-way point of NaBloPoMo! (It’s also another special day…but you can check out a separate post on that.) Congratulations to those of you who have posted every day (including weekends) since November 1st! I love reading all my favorite bloggers!!

You all make me laugh, especially when I’m supposed to be working, and that’s not a bad thing!

NaBloPoMo – Day Thirteen

As found on page 72 of my old journal:

THE NURSING HOMES by me (December 17, 1990)
Yesterday my youth group went caroling at the nursing homes in [a city near us].  We only went to St. Francis and The Mayflower, because another group went to the Friendship Manor.

Seeing the elderly residents there made me think of a lot of things.  Why are these people here?  It made me sad to realize that these people had nowhere else to go.  Do these people realize what is happening to themselves?  Some feel a lot more than what we think they do.

These questions, and more, were spinning through my head as I slowly walked down the halls singing carols.  Later, I began to wonder about what would happen when the “baby boomers” would reach the age – or physical state – that would demand a nursing home.  That’s a lot of elderly people to take care of.  What about me?  Where will I go?  Will I end up like these people?  I certainly hope I will be in good enough condition to make that decision on my own.

I am reminded of the “Riddle of the Sphinx,” which states:  What being starts out on four legs, grows to two legs, and finally ends up with three legs?  The answer is: Mankind, crawls on four as a baby, walks on two as an adult and walks with a cane with they become older.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the only thing we needed when we got older was a cane?

Nursing homes still have this effect on me.  I understand the place they hold in our society, and I’m glad they are a viable option, but they still make me sad.  Every time I visit one I can’t help but wonder how each person got there.  Do they have family, or are they the only ones left?  Has their care surpassed the capabilities of their loved ones?  What will happen when more and more of the Baby Boomers reach this stage?

Whenever we’ve taken Claire with us to the nursing home, the effect she has on the residents is amazing.  They seem to perk up, and we are followed by a wake of happiness and curiosity.  She sparks something deep within their psyches, whether it be memories of a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, or an energy from a different time in their lives.  For a moment, though fleeting as it may be, they are in a happier place.

NaBloPoMo – Day Eleven

In case you’re just tuning in, for NaBloPoMo, I’m revisiting an old journal that I kept in high school and college. This entry starts on page 64 of my old journal. (I’m sixteen and am a junior in high school.)

TWO BITTERSWEET DAYS AND ONE IN PARTICULAR by me (December 4, 1990)
Today is the second bittersweet day off. Yesterday, most of [the state] was pounded by a blizzard that shut the whole state down. The [major city] airport, businesses and schools were closed – including [where I go to school].

I was glad to hear that we got a couple hours extra sleep and a couple days off, but was saddened to realize that on March 25 and 26, instead of basking in the glory of Spring Break, we will be trudging to school to make up these two days. Not only that, because we are snowed in and not at school, we had to help move the cattle from up at Grandma’s down to [my uncle]’s (my dad’s brother…), where there is more water in the winter for the cows.

[My two sisters] and I had to walk to Grandma’s because a huge drift (we’re talking mountainous – 4 ft! – here!) is blocking our road and our driveway. We get to Grandma’s only to find out that we have to wait at least 20 minutes for [my uncle] and Dad to come up with the tractor, and on top of that, we have to walk a mile to our stations.

Since I’m the oldest, I decided to take the hardest spot – guarding 2 roads (how I’m supposed to do this by myself was beyond my intelligence and the laws of nature.) [My youngest sister], since she is the youngest and the most inexperienced of the three of us, took [a neighbor]’s driveway (they live between my grandma’s place and the corner near [my uncle]’s) because it seemed to be the easiest place to guard. [My other sister] begged to have the next driveway because even though it was more complicated than [the neighbor]’s first driveway, it was easier than my station.

“The cattle will naturally want to follow [my uncle] around the corner because of the enticing aroma of the hay bail on the back of the scoop-shovel tractor that he is on,” I thought to myself as I was trying to decide the best place to stand so as to guard two roads at the same time.

After what seemed like an eternity, I could hear the jingle of the chains on the tires of the tractor, the bawling of the cattle and the harsh yelling of my dad, “Come-on git” and [my uncle], “Come-baws.”

The first bunch of cattle went around the corner just as planned – only a few cows challenged me, but I held my ground and wouldn’t let them go west or south. (They are coming from the north and need to turn east – I’m guarding the west and south roads.)

I think to myself, “piece of cake, no problem,” and then I realize that the cows have separated into, what I thought at the time, two groups. Along comes the second group and with them is one of the 3 bulls – the other 2 were with the first group. He stops and looks at me like “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I can see the headlines now, “High School Student Trampled in Confrontation with a Bull.” He finally decided I wasn’t worth the trouble and went around the corner.

“Great, all done, see that wasn’t so bad.” But wait, why is Dad still yelling? Another group of cows!? Up over the hill come the stragglers and scardy-cat cows who are totally confused about what is going on or couldn’t care less. These cows, instead of being nice cows by going around the east corner, decide to go around the west corner – “fine, that’s why I’m here, to keep them out.” But while I am contending with these cows on the west, a flighty one gets excited and runs south instead of east! Now, I ask you, is there any way that I can be two places at one time, especially when there are cows who intend to go both ways at once?!? The answer doesn’t matter because I already got yelled at, even though there was no way I could have changed the situation. We ended up getting the cow back anyway, so I guess it really doesn’t matter that I was unjustifiably reprimanded.

The best part of the day so far (considering it’s only after 2:00 PM now) would have to be riding home in the front scoop of the tractor. [My sisters] and I fit perfectly, so we weren’t crowded, but that breeze would have liked to frozen my nose right through my scarf. [My uncle] could not make it all the way to our driveway because of the huge drifts, but it was a fun experience just the same.

Wow. This was a long one, but well worth the read…for me anyway. I can still hear the chains and the cattle and my dad and uncle yelling. I can smell my scarf through the frigid winter air. I can feel the anticipation of facing the unknown. I can still see that bull sizing me up. I can still remember the joy and relief of seeing that group of cattle go where they were supposed to and the panic when I realized that it wasn’t over and things weren’t going as planned. I remember being very happy when that was done and we’d all escaped relatively unscathed.

To be honest, I never liked working with the cows. In my experience, they are not the loveable adoring creatures you see in children’s books. They are usually predictable, but often unstable creatures. And, some of them are just plain crazy. The only thing worse than full-on crazy is one that you think is predictable. It will get you every time.

Claire got to “meet” a real cow for the first time when we traveled back to the farm this summer. I don’t remember the first time I saw a cow, because before I moved away from the farm, they were just always there. Part of me wonders what it would be like to grow up not having the kinds of experiences like those in the above journal entry. Will Claire believe me when I say, “Well, when I was a kid, your aunts and I had to trudge a mile through the snow and then nearly got trampled by a herd of cattle!”?

Time will tell, I guess.