Tag: Mary Oliver

Where does the dance begin…

On By Margie.MercIn Baby boomer, Blogging, happiness, Psychology, RetirementLeave a comment

repost from April 26, 2016
—————————–

Where Does the Dance Begin, Where Does It End?  by Mary Oliver
is simply beautiful.snow daisy3-sm

Don’t call this world adorable, or useful, that’s not it.
It’s frisky, and a theater for more than fair winds.
The eyelash of lightning is neither good nor evil.
The struck tree burns like a pillar of gold.

But the blue rain sinks, straight to the white
feet of the trees
whose mouths open.
Doesn’t the wind, turning in circles, invent the dance?
Haven’t the flowers moved, slowly, across Asia, then Europe,
until at last, now, they shine
in your own yard?

Don’t call this world an explanation, or even an education.dew rose1-sm

When the Sufi poet whirled, was he looking outward, to the mountains so solidly there in a white-capped ring, or was he looking to the center of everything:
the seed, the egg, the idea that was also there, beautiful as a thumb curved and touching the finger, tenderly,
little love-ring, as he whirled,
oh jug of breath,
in the garden of dust?

Related:
Day by Day, Learning Continues

Nature is smiling

On By Margie.MercIn Blogging, Coronavirus, COVID-19, social distancing1 Comment

Nature is taking a break while humans are running for cover.

In the west, over the past three decades the pine trees have been devoured by pine beetles. The forest is filled with dead trees that change the color of the canvas from deep green to dead maroon. A lightning strike, a tossed cigarette, a careless spark will set millions of acres ablaze. Our forests have been dying.

horsetooth reservoir, fort collins

Twenty miles down the highway from me the county imposed a plant quarantine to contain the ash borer beetle. Now, six years later, the quarantine of transporting wood (think about the times we’ve loaded firewood from our backyard to our mountain camping spot…) has been lifted as the beetle has spread to other counties. Authorities knew from past experience that it could not be stopped, only contained. Sort of like the coronavirus.

For the time being, we’ve turned our attention away from nature and are staying inside, keeping our distance from man and beast. Well, maybe not from beasts but certainly from others.

While we (humans) are taking a break from all things social (work, school, entertainment, restaurants, fitness centers, travel, shopping, concerts, theaters, sports and gatherings of any kind)  – nature is blossoming.

The air is cleaner, waterways are clearer, fish are multiplying, highways are empty, smokestacks don’t smoke, fewer planes are flying so less sound from the sky, cruise ships are not sailing so less pollution in the oceans, oil rigs have stopped fracking,  and so much more.

Musicians are making more music.

Writers are writing.

Cooks are creating.

Weavers are weaving.

Bloggers are blogging.

Dog walkers have been replaced by dog owners.

Babysitters, nannies, and preschools have been replaced by mom and dad.

Yards are tended to by homeowners instead of lawn companies.

Even in the mist of this disruption, there is some good. In fact, there is much good.

There are fewer car accidents.

We are practicing better hygiene.

Family meals are a ‘thing’ again.

Conversations are real.

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, humans are taking a pause right now. We have the time now to decide who we are, who we want to be and what difference we want to make in the world.

Mary Oliver said it best when she wrote, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Nature is smiling.

Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, CO

Day by Day, Learning Continues

On By Margie.MercIn Write 31 Days Challenge3 Comments

Day 8 – I learned long ago about author and poet, Mary Oliver and how her poetry resonates with me. This poem, titled
Where Does the Dance Begin, Where Does It End? is simply beautiful.snow daisy3-sm

Don’t call this world adorable, or useful, that’s not it.
It’s frisky, and a theater for more than fair winds.
The eyelash of lightning is neither good nor evil.
The struck tree burns like a pillar of gold.

But the blue rain sinks, straight to the white
feet of the trees
whose mouths open.
Doesn’t the wind, turning in circles, invent the dance?
Haven’t the flowers moved, slowly, across Asia, then Europe,
until at last, now, they shine
in your own yard?

Don’t call this world an explanation, or even an education.dew rose1-sm

When the Sufi poet whirled, was he looking outward, to the mountains so solidly there
in a white-capped ring, or was he looking to the center of everything:
the seed, the egg, the idea that was also there, beautiful as a thumb curved and touching the finger, tenderly,
little love-ring,

as he whirled,
oh jug of breath,
in the garden of dust?

Day 9 –I learned that I can quiet a class of 28 students within seconds because they know that in order to play a game, they have to be silent. The guessing game, is often played during those few moments when the librarian is out of the room. “Ok, I’m thinking of a letter of the alphabet …”  I have one student next to me who gets to hear the answer. Then with each guess, I lean down and ask the student, “Was that the correct answer?” The student is my “proof” that I am not changing the answer. It’s quick, fun and a change of pace for these first graders. And, it’s a blast for me!

Day 10 – I learned that our elementary students need to know how to use the keyboard in order to succeed. I learned the keyboard in the 11th grade of school.

School based testing is completed on computers. No more fill in the bubbles using 2# pencils. Instead, they read the computer test online and answer online. If it’s a math test, they are allowed to use paper to solve problem, however, they are required to enter their work on the computer. Any stories they write or sentences they complete – all entered on the computer.

So, let’s imagine a third grader taking required school based tests. The stress involved with reading and understanding the passage is only one of the issues. When asked to write what they thought of the story or characters, now they have to know how to use a keyboard in an efficient manner. These kids are 9 years old. They are struggling with test taking and now, they need to know the basics of keyboarding. Heck, we’re not asking too much, right? Geesh!

Please understand that I think it’s great for my grandson to learn keyboarding as a first grader – I think it’s beyond great – however, for those that struggle with the keyboard should not have to deal with it during testing as well. Like many things in the school system, this isn’t about the student. It’s a money saving issue.  Alas…

http://www.typingtest.com/blog/touch-typing-lessons-in-primary-schools/

http://humbleisd.net/page/26888

https://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2014/03/21/new-florida-writing-test-will-use-computers-to-grade-student-essays/

Day 11 –

Found some great youtube videos – Sometimes, it’s just good to laugh. Check out the video on Donnalou Stevens website for a giggle or two!

http://donnaloustevens.com/