Littering

There are times I wonder if we are teaching the right things to our kids. As I sat at my desk the other morning before school reviewing my plans for the day and checking email I happened to look out the window. My window is on the north side of the school and I have a scenic view of the playground. 

On the blacktop area I saw an empty and discarded juice carton. I am sure that it was tossed by a child wanting to play without a stop at the trash bin. Several other kids walked passed the carton without seeing it. Then came a couple of boys who treated it like a hockey puck and played with it a few moments before putting it back near to the place they had first encountered it. More kids passed the carton as they answered the call of the bell to come in. More kicking, stepping on and avoiding the carton. 

Finally the playground was quiet and deserted and there sat the carton. I was about to turn away and hit the bathroom before teaching when I saw some moms come towards the door of the school. One of them stopped and looked at the carton but continued walking while shaking her head. Than another mom came and with a quick flick of the side of her shoe got the carton out of her path. 

There sat the carton alone and deserted, dirtying up the look of the area. The trash can stood about ten feet away.  How often do I ignore a simple thing like picking up a piece of trash or giving a person a smile or listening ear? God gave us charge of this world. We have to be faithful in little things so that we can better handle bigger things. What are we teaching the children?

Taking a Fall

I fell today. Now I sit here with ice on my knee hoping that the swelling will go down soon. The fall proved once again what a klutz I am. It happened at church. I have been at church a lot this week.  To raise money for our building fund we held a rummage sale. Since it was partially my idea I helped - a lot. 

It was fun. I love talking people into buying things that they really don't need but in their heart of hearts really want. There was a lot of stuff that got new homes today. While we were cleaning up I took a load of boxes to the dumpster. On my way back across the parking lot I tripped over a stone or my foot or something that might not have even been there. While I was catching my balance my foot found the curb and the expectation of catching my balance was no longer an option. I fell and I fell hard. Now I have a swollen knee and lovely black and blue marks. 

Life contains falls - falls of many different kinds. A physical fall can slow us down. An emotional fall can bring us to a screeching stop. I find that taking a hold of a stretched out helping hand is the first step to getting up.  Getting up is the hardest part.  Once I began to move I felt a bit better - sore and ouchy but moving forward. Life does not stop when a fall occurs.  It is how we react that matters. Personally I feel that I have to do what the old song says (after crying a little) that I have to " pick myself up, brush my self off and start all over again " in this case with a little bit of a limp. 

Traditions

Traditions plays an important role that keeps us grounded and connected. Traditions are comforting and predictable. Traditions change within the context of staying the same. Each time we practice a tradition it is not exactly the same as the last time but the practice of the tradition remains the same. 

Carol and I have developed a few traditions of our own over the years. Today we celebrated and practiced the tradition of APPLES.  We head up to Farmington which is about 2 hours north of us. Along the Animas and San Juan rivers there are families who have made a business of growing orchard fruits. 

Today was beautiful. It was warmish but in a fallish sort of way. The cottonwood trees wore their yellowing leaves with a graceful and stately poise. We passed a field of pumpkins, and smelled roasting chilis at the farmer's market. It was the perfect day for getting apples. 

We got to the Kerby orchard during the late morning. Carol and I went into the apple barn and there they were - gold delicious, red delicious, cameo, honey crisp, gala, and rome. The older Mormon lady who helped us was interested in the fact that we were from Gallup and were getting apples for friends as well as ourselves. We chatted and talked apples, weather, houses and other topics of life. The interlude was delightful and felt like a real piece of Americana.  

Now I can see the future -  one that is full of apple pie, apple crisp and most of all wonderful, delicious applesauce.  Apples - can't get much more American or real than that. 

Wild Wild West

I generally do not think of myself as living in the wild west.  Yes it is a bit warmer here at times. I see many people in cowboy hats and boots but that is just the norm. There are certain things that do give me a jolt and make me realize that I live in a unique western place. 

I think that when - there is a bear up the tree in front of the post office on campus  OR  there is a rattle snake in the big tires on the playground  OR  I go to a rodeo and find out that one of my former students is a top bull rider. 

I thought it again the other morning. I arrived at work about 7:40. As I approached the parking area by the elementary playground I saw a very unique sight.  One of our new administrators was riding his mountain bike across and through that playground. Now in and of itself this is not a strange or unique thing. What you have to picture is that he was herding and rounding up a group of free range or possibly wild horses. Seeing a man on a bike weaving in and out and around herding these large beasts off of the playground is indeed a unique sight.  I laughed and laughed. It was a kodak moment that I was bummed about not being able to capture for posterity. 

If you are interested in getting a taste of the wild wild west come on down to our part of the world. I will see what I can scare up for you.