Halloween Fun in Eden

Looking for something fun and exciting to do this weekend? Can't wait till dark to show off your costume? Come on out to Freedom Park this Saturday, October 31, and enjoy the festivities of the 5th Annual Fall Festival. The event is sponsored by the City of Eden and Pine State Group, Inc. The event is open to all ages and there is sure to be something for everyone!




The fun begins at 10:00 am with Eden Parks and Recreation's Annual Pet Show. Dress your dog or cat up in the cutest (or scariest) costume you can find! Prizes will be awarded for several categories including "Best in Show". I'll be there as a judge for this event, so I hope to see you there! After the pet show, enjoy browsing the arts and crafts or let the kids have fun on the free rides that will be available. Be sure to enter the Costume Contest, which begins at 6:00 pm and start Halloween night out right with the Haunted Trail.

For a list of more events in our area, visit www.exploreedennc.com

Hope to see you there for a frightening good time!


These were this year's winners of the Pet Costume Contest! Congratulations to everyone and their furry friends!

Meet Jack...

"With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?" - Fernand Mery

It’s time to introduce you to a new adoptable pet from Rockingham County Humane Society. Jack is a beautiful cat that has been with us for a little over one year and he’s waiting on his furrrrrr-ever home! When I went to visit Jack, I was quickly reminded that cats are a little harder to photograph than other subjects I’ve had in the past. He was a little scared of the flash, but I told him I was going to “make him famous” if he would let me get a great picture of him. I rubbed his head, scratched his ears, and talked to him…He seemed to understand that I was trying to find him a great home. I played with Jack for awhile and he just purred and purred. He really is a sweet boy who will make a wonderful pet. Of course, a picture can’t do him justice-- you have to look into those bright orange eyes for yourself to see what I mean.



JACK
Rockingham County Humane Society’s
Featured Pet

Jack is a one-year-old orange and white short-haired cat. He is neutered and current on his rabies shot. Jack is a good boy and loves to purr. Jack has beautiful, bright orange eyes that are filled with love. He enjoys playing with string and chasing balls. He never meets a stranger and would be a great addition for a family with children. Jack is waiting for that special family or individual to adopt him. He would love to crawl in your lap and keep you company. If you are interested in adopting Jack or seeing any other animals available for adoption, please visit the Rockingham County Humane Society at 205 Boone Road in Eden, NC. Our adoption fee is $100 for puppies and dogs and $60 for kittens and cats. The adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, shots, and de-worming for all animals. The Rockingham County Humane Society is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11-4.

Strength for Running & Life

“If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do keep moving.” ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


While running today, I began to reflect on Friday’s lesson with my students at Dudley High School. My students and I wrote our thoughts about the old saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Students were encouraged to share their thoughts about what makes a person strong, what pushes a person to do good, or often times, heroic deeds. And on the other hand, what makes others go so wrong? (All of this will soon tie in with a unit I am planning on Homer’s The Odyssey where we will study strength and personal journeys. We’ll use our experiences in connection with the text to think about where we’ve been, where we are, where we want to be, and how to get there.)

As I rounded the corner at the 1.5 mile mark in my run, I glanced at my watch. 15:07. Not an Olympic qualifying time, but understand that two years ago, running this same stretch of road often took me 20 to 25 minutes. I can see that I’ve gained strength. My form has improved and I no longer need to puff my inhaler before I reach the top of that hill I just climbed.

God has granted me the ability to run and running has helped me to find strength in everyday situations. Running has helped me push myself to succeed, and that push for success has spilled over into other areas of my life. I use that time to reflect, ask questions, make plans… and then pray about those same questions and plans. Without a doubt, my faith makes me strong and it is an important part of my personal journey.

Along the next stretch of road I began thinking about the words my students shared with me in their writing on Friday. One student pointed out that the tough times in our lives are often what make us stronger. I couldn’t agree more as I remembered the time I was in a wheelchair for four months following a car accident in 2001. If someone had told me then that I would be where I am today, doing the things I do, I would have assured them they had my future confused with someone else’s.

My mind drifted further as I thought about the ½ marathon I ran in a few weeks ago. I spent the summer training for it and I finished the race; but, not without mistakes and upsets which included a fall that messed up my shoulder and ankle. Finishing that race was tough, especially after my fall. I was mad, aggravated, and I wanted to cry. In fact, I did cry for a moment. And then I remembered why I was there. I was there to RUN, not walk, not cry, and certainly not to pout. I remember touching my necklace and reciting the verse inscribed on the back: Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” And so, with God’s grace, I continued running and finished the race strong.

I was reminded of some things during that race that will help me be stronger in life. I am reminded that no matter how hard we train or prepare for life, there is no teacher as great as the real thing we call experience. Nothing could have prepared me for the hills of Antietam Battlefield that I encountered in that course other than the real thing. Along the way of life, there will be bumps and bruises… or twisted ankles and sore shoulders. The trick is not simply getting up after the fall, it’s the attitude we have once we are back on our feet. We have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually we cross the finish line. We should never plow over someone else in an effort to get there, yet I have found that finish line to be much sweeter when I smile along the way. The lessons learned during the tough times in life do make us stronger. Personally, I find great comfort in knowing that even in the tough times, I am not alone. I have a God who has blessed me with His comfort and surrounded me with a wonderful family and support system of friends.

And now, as I finish my run and my meandering contemplations about the struggles of life and what makes us strong, I know that I am not here to walk, nor pout, nor cry. I am here to RUN. I am here to do all I can in the time I have, however long (or short) it may be. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re all running the race of life. So, double-knot your sneakers and enjoy the run.

"I picked this to tell you I love you..."

My daughter and I were working in the yard today when she came running up to me with a dandelion in her hand. “Here Mama,” she said. “I picked this to tell you I love you.” My heart melted as I gave her a hug and a kiss. We went inside to find a vase for the little dandelion and I decided to take a few pictures of her with the special flower.


This little act of love shown by my daughter got me to thinking about a poem that my daddy shared with me years ago. When I was 17 or 18 years old, my daddy gave me a book of poems called “For You, My Daughter.” The book is a collection of poems edited by Susan Polis Schultz. I keep the book in the top drawer of my dresser, and now that I am a mother, I often pull it out and read a few lines. I am coming to the stage in my life where I can appreciate and understand the things he was telling me years ago.

Here’s one poem from the book that I will pass on to my daughter. This poem was written by Jan Michelsen.

Think freely. Practice patience.
Smile often. Savor special moments.
Live God’s message. Make new
friends. Rediscover old ones. Tell
those you love that you do. Feel
deeply. Forget trouble. Forgive an
enemy. Hope. Grow. Be crazy. Count
your blessings. Observe miracles.
Make them happen. Discard worry.
Give. Give in. Trust enough to take.
Pick some flowers. Share them. Keep
a promise. Look for rainbows. Gaze
at stars. See beauty everywhere.
Work hard. Be wise. Try to
understand. Take time for people.
Make time for yourself. Laugh
heartily. Spread joy. Take a chance.
Reach out. Let someone in. Try
something new. Slow down. Be soft
sometimes. Believe in yourself. Trust
others. See a sunrise. Listen to rain.
Reminisce. Cry when you need to.
Trust life. Have faith. Enjoy wonder.
Comfort a friend. Have good ideas.
Make some mistakes. Learn from
them. Celebrate life.
~Jan Michelsen, 1979

Thanks for sharing, Daddy. Before you know it, the day will be here when I will share this with Lydia. Thanks for teaching me to appreciate the delicate balance that life is.

A nice little poem...

"Autumn...A second Spring, when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus, French author and philospher (1913-1960)

I found this poem yesterday, but I have been unable to identify an author. I think it goes nicely with the theme of my blog and the season. It makes me want to go outside and breath the fall air on this chilly morning; or maybe go for a run and then enjoy a nice cup of coffe on the front porch! Hope you enjoy!

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things
It gives the shadows dancing shoes
It gives the bright leaves wings
When autumn wind goes running

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle
It turns a seed pod into a rattle
When autumn wind goes running

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

"A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave good bye." ~Unknown



Every year, my husband and I take Lydia to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Each year the trip is more fun because Lydia looks forward to picking out her very own pumpkin. This morning, when we set out to select our pumpkin, there was a chill in the air and I was reminded that Fall is really here. So, I’ve selected some poems to get everyone in the mood for Fall. I hope you enjoy the pictures we took today as well.

Lydia always likes to pose and have her picture taken among the colorful mums. As I took this picture, I was reminded of the following poem by Robert Frost. Until today, I had always thought of this poem as a Spring poem, but I now realize it applies to the gold colors found in nature during any season.




Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Here's another fall poem by Emily Dickinson. Emily has been my favorite poet since I was a teenager. I love the way she uses personification in her poem to describe the changes in nature taking place as Autumn approaches. Her poem reminds me that I am not the only one who feels the need to grab a jacket sometimes...

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.
~Emily Dickinson

Theatre Guild of Rockingham County...Showcasing Local Talent

My daughter and I spent this afternoon enjoying the final show of Disney’s Mulan, Jr. The production was performed by talented young people in our area who volunteer their time to the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County. As an old Theatre Guild gal myself, I can appreciate the work that goes into a show like this. It takes time and dedication from many talented people, including those who are behind the scenes.


Lydia and I loved the set, which was wonderfully painted and made us feel like we had taken a step back in time to ancient China. There were great costumes and visuals throughout the show and the singing was phenomenal! It was wonderful to see the budding talent we have right here in Rockingham County.


Pictured above is Jessica Wray (L) who played Mulan, and Peggy Wasmund (R) was Mushu. The photo is from www.tgrc-nc.com.

While this was the last performance of Mulan ,Jr., you can still see other great shows in the 2009-2010 season. Visit the Theatre Guild's website at www.tgrc-nc.com to see the dates for exciting upcoming productions including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Robin Hood, and The King and I. Try your hand at auditioning and you could be the next person under the bright lights! If acting is not for you, there are still plenty of other ways to participate in productions. The Tech Crew of the Theatre Guild builds the sets, hangs the lights, plays the music and sound effects, provides the costumes and props, and sets the stage. They are the people behind the curtain, and the show cannot go on without them!

The Lesson in Irony...

“You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn.”
~Alanis Morrissette
You Learn
jagged little pill


How many of you remember Alanis Morissette and her CD Jagged Little Pill? Think back to 1995 when the CD was released…for me (and many of you dedicated followers of my blog) it was our freshman year of high school. I remember all too well how I played the CD over and over; Alanis and her harmonica were definitely one of my favorites. Well, I never would have thought that the lyrics to one of her songs could be used to teach students about irony. But today, I saw it in action, and it worked!

To understand how the lesson worked in a ninth grade English classroom, you need to know exactly what irony is. The following is exactly what students learned today:

Irony is an implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.

Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea. Three kinds of irony are commonly recognized:

1. Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express. (When the author says one thing and means something else.)
2. Situational irony involves an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs. (A discrepancy between the expected result and actual results.)
3. Dramatic irony is an effect produced by a narrative in which the audience knows more about present or future circumstances than a character in the story. (When an audience perceives something that a character in the literature does not know.)

Now, how boring is that? To a group of sleepy eyed freshmen in first block, the answer is VERY BORING!!! But then, we passed out the lyrics to Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic” and you could hear the buzz begin in the classroom as they read over the words. “Who is Alanis Morissette?” one student asked. At that moment, I felt my age creeping up on me, but I couldn’t help but smile as I walked around the room overhearing conversations that were taking place. Students were given highlighters and asked to mark the different examples of irony found in the lyrics. Taking the task one step further, they were asked to converse with each other and identify the type of ironies they found. They were extremely receptive to this, and I watched as the student’s papers became a colorful collage of IRONY! They were laughing as they read the lyrics and discussed the assignment. And then the real kicker…the students watched the music video. I couldn’t help but laugh with them as we watched Alanis throw herself around in the car and talk to, well, multiple versions of herself. I thought back to when I was in the ninth grade, how awkward of a time that was, with my baggy pants and my Woodstock shirt that I am sure is now somewhere tucked away in the attic.

So, check out the lyrics and see if you can see the irony here...

Ironic By Alanis Morissette
An old man, turned 98
He won the lottery, and died the next day
It's a black fly in your chardonnay
It's a death row pardon, two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic?
Don't you think?

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought? It figures

Mr. Play-It-Safe, was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase, and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life, to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought, "Well isn't this nice?"
And isn't it ironic?
Don't you think?

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought? It figures

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out
When you think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up in your face

A traffic jam, when you're already late
A "No smoking" sign, on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams, and then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic?
Don't you think?
A little too ironic?
Yeah I really do think

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought?
It figures

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
And life has a funny, funny way, of helping you out
Helping you out

So, do I think students now understand the three types of irony? You bet they do!!! And later today, I even heard one student still singing the song in the hall. Maybe I thought this was a cool assignment because we used some old lyrics to a song I’ve heard a thousand times. Maybe the students thought it was cool because they got to use highlighters. But the fact is, the lesson was cool because it worked. They were given words from a “text” that they could relate to and make “real-world sense” out of…the video and highlighters were just a plus.
And today, on my commute home, I couldn’t help but dig out my Alanis Morissette CD and throw it into my CD player. I turned it up and jammed to the lyrics. It’s amazing that it has lasted this long without a scratch. What was even more amazing is that I still remember the words to the songs. I guess I really am a product of the nineties, because I still love that whining harmonica and the grunge-pop sound of the guitar. Who knew that I was studying irony all those years ago without even being aware of it? I can’t wait to use this with my students in the classroom!

Biscuit

"The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude." ~Robert Brault

Meet Biscuit....


I stopped by the Rockingham County Humane Society today to take a picture for this week's "Featured Pet", a short article and photo of a pet in need of a home that appears in the biweekly issues of Eden's Own Journal. Today I was greeted by Biscuit with a lick and what I could have sworn was an actual smile on that dog's face! It had been a while since I last saw Biscuit, but a friendly wag of the tail reassured me he had not forgotten me.

Rockingham County Humane Society
Featured Pet
Biscuit



Biscuit is an 11 month old Border Collie mix. He is neutered and current on his rabies shot. Biscuit is a good boy and loves attention. He loves to be walked on a leash and gets along with other dogs. He is very playful and would be a great addition to a family with children. Biscuit loves to have his ears scratched and he is sure to put a smile on your face. If you are interested in adopting Biscuit or seeing any other animals available for adoption, please visit the Rockingham County Humane Society at 205 Boone Road in Eden, NC. Our adoption fee is $100 for puppies and dogs and $60 for kittens and cats. The adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, shots, and de-worming for all animals. The Rockingham County Humane Society is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11-4.

Freedom's Run

"Running isn't about winning or losing, but the experience of it. That's one reason I like it." --Anthony Edwards

There I stood with my hair disheveled, wrapped in my house coat and sporting my big fuzzy slippers as I stared at my calendar that hung on my kitchen wall. The big red circle and smiley face drawn around the date for my half marathon glared at me in a mocking sort of way. It was only 6 days away, and there I was with a box of Kleenex in one hand and emergency room discharge papers in the other; papers that plainly stated in all capital letters: NO SCHOOL OR MARATHONS FOR 5 DAYS. I was bummed…totally disappointed that I had come down with the flu. What was I going to do? Would the grueling months I had spent training in the summer heat be wasted? Or could I possibly bounce back, ignore the doctor’s advice and run the half anyway? Well, three days and several cans of chicken soup later, I felt much better. I started to get the idea in the back of my mind that maybe, just maybe, I could still run after all.

The plans for the first weekend in October had been in the making since July, when my aunt called and asked me to join her in this undertaking of completing a half marathon. She wanted to walk a half marathon and had found the perfect race in her home state of West Virginia. I would run, she would walk, and her sister would drive down from New Jersey to walk as well. Three different women with three different goals…each woman and goal unique in its own way. I was sold from the get-go. I love a good challenge and wanted a chance to beat my 1st half-marathon time of 2:27. The rest is "history" so to speak. We talked our husbands into the trip and began training.

On the morning of the race, we caught the shuttle from our hotel to the starting line. I had never participated in a race of this magnitude and I was amazed at the number of people present. Runners and walkers were everywhere. Some were stretching, pinning their race numbers on their shirts, laughing, and talking as excitement filled the air. Almost 600 people took their places at the starting line to run the half marathon, and when the gun went off, the mass of people jolted into motion. I have never seen anything like it; everything around me seemed to bounce as the dense crowd filed into the street and took off over the scenic Rumsey Bridge, crossing the Potomac River. The sight was beautiful, and although I was just one in the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice the sun glistening over the water. It was a beautiful day for a run with perfect weather and hardly a cloud in the West Virginia sky.

I knew this race was going to be hilly, and I had tried to seek out hills while training for this race, but nothing could have prepared me for the first hill we came upon. I climbed it slowly and steadily, all the while reminding myself that there would be no shame in having to walk a little. (After all, I had just had the flu…) When I reached the top, I did stop, and I turned around and looked back at the monster of a hill I had just climbed. I stood there as people passed, trying to get a glimpse of my aunt and her sister, who I knew were somewhere behind me. Finally, I turned back around and started to run again. Turns out, that first hill was just one of many that I would climb that day.


I tried to take in as much of the scenery as possible. There were beautiful historic houses and the people were sitting on their porches to cheer for the runners as we came through the Civil War town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. My favorite part of the run was Antietam Battlefield. It was here 23,000 Americans either lost their lives or were wounded in the bloodiest day of our history. As I looked out at the rolling fields and I felt the warm sun and gentle breeze on my face, I took several moments to remember the men who fought for our county then and those who continue to do so today.

After running through Antietam Battlefield, I focused less on the scenery and more on my running. I found a good pace and stuck with it for the next few miles. The route along the C&O canal was in the woods, but it was flat. Leaves covered the dirt trail and I could see the beautiful Potomac River right beside of me. I cranked up the music on my iPod, thought about my husband and daughter who were waiting at the finish, smiled, and kept on running. I have to say, the hills of Antietam were difficult, but the run along the C&O canal was refreshing and invigorating. Finally, I saw the 11 mile marker and I picked the pace up even more. I was excited at this point, especially when I looked at my watch and saw that, despite the hills, I might actually make the 2 and a half hour mark. I crossed back over the Rumsey Bridge into Shepardstown and kept going to the finish line. And of course, my family was waiting for me there. 2:32 was my official time. Not the time I had hoped for, but I finished strong nonetheless.

We waited for my aunt and her sister. Both ladies finished strong and we all accomplished something that day. The theme of Freedom’s Run was “Health and Heritage”…something I think we all connected with in our own unique way. This course was challenging and I even stumbled and fell between miles four and five. I scraped my knee, my shoulder, and tore my favorite running pants. But I got back up and I kept running; after all, that's what I was there to do. I learned alot from the experience of this race. Everytime I run a race I learn more and more about the physical limits of my body and how far to safely push those limits.

I’ll post some pictures of the run at a later date. I used a disposable camera and have not had the pictures developed yet. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the rich history of our nation and the inspiration behind the historic places on the route, visit the website for Freedom’s Run. www.freedomsrun.org

And to my husband Robert, thank you for understanding my need to run. Thank you for driving me to West Virginia and for keeping our daughter occupied for hours while you waited for me at the finish line. Thanks for the celebratory dinner and cheesecake at Ruby Tuesday. Thank you for spending our fifth wedding anniversary as a “weekend centered around me”. Thank you for your support in every way. I love you and I couldn’t do it without you.