notice of event tomorrow!

Wow! Doesn't look like anyone else has been using this blog in a while.
Anyhow, for whatever it's worth, thought I would post this notice of an exciting event
I just found out about. It's tomorrow night, but I'm sure will combine poetry & music in a way that will provide incredible spiritual sustenance. I told Margie already, knowing she's a Rumi fan. It would be great to see someone else from our cohort there! Hope your summer's wrapping up well:

August 2007
Reading in Austin, TX, with Robert Bly, ANGELS KNOCKING AT THE TAVERN DOOR - August 11th A Saturday night reading, 7-10 pm, with Robert Bly at the Texas School of the Deaf, 1102 South Congress Ave., in Austin, TX. The musical group, Mundi, will be accompanying the poets, as well as Kourosh Taghavi. $30 General seating, $50 preferred seating, $15 students with ID at the door. Tickets are available online at www.texasnafas.org or you can send a check to Texas Nafas, 11511 Juniper Ridge Drive, Austin, TX 78759. Free secure parking on campus. On August 10th there will be an intimate dinner with Coleman Barks and Robert Bly as a fundraiser to benefit Texas Nafas. For more information on this dinner please contact Farid Mohammadi by email at farid@texasnafas.org.

Another group shot

Group Picture

A picture of the Shrine

Here is the picture. It isn't hard to put pictures on the blog. I will try to send more. Love, Donna

News from Colorado

Hi friends,
We're in beautiful Colorado. It was 68 degrees today in the mountains. I want you to know I feel a little guilty- knowing you are suffering in Texas. One of the amazing things I saw today was a shrine of sorts along side the road. People had placed objects on a barbed wire fence. And behind it was a rock formation with natural crevices and people had put statues and crosses in the nooks. It was so peaceful and simple and random. I thought about all of my Courage friends and our symbols. I felt moved and put my pinky ring on one of the barbs. I want to learn how to attach photos to the blog so I can send a picture of it. I'm also seeing pinecones everywhere!!!! I miss all of you and I hope everyone is ok. Love, Donna

Hi from gypsy Donna

We are off again to visit the west coast. We are in Wichita, Tx and hope to see the mountains of Colorado tomorrow. Life is never boring. Has anyone ever heard of a dog attacking a couch to get at a kitten? Well, you have now... Caleb got a new kitten-Boots so cute. Our mental dog tried to get it when it hid under the couch and tore the fabric, stuffing and tack strips off one whole side and down the front. I said some very bad words at that dog. I will have a newly upholstered couch when I get back.
We got Caleb back from camp and he had a super time. He is browner and blonder now.
I am now the proud owner of a brand new super duper weed whacker. I felt so powerful. Weeds watch out.
I still want to go to big bend and bring my friend Terry. She wanted to make sure it was ok and she wouldn't be intruding. I will fly into Midland and rent a car Thursday night and go home on Sunday night.

Who's Going to Big Bend?

I'm working on a spreadsheet (or database) to help Nola get all the financial aspects of the Big Bend trip organized. So far the following have indicated that they are going on the trip:

- Nola, Trevor, Laine
- Jacquelin and Alexandria
- Anna
- Hart
- Martha
- Arci
- Donna and friend(s)?

Anyone else interested? Please respond (to this blog or by email) and let me know whether or not you can go and if so, what you are thinking so far as to what days...

After this initial round of responses, I will publish something with a little more detail as far as cost and who might be able to travel with whom based on days there...

Thanks for your help with this!

Love and Peace,
Jacquelin

My life is boring. I admit it. I get up in the morning, go to work (after a shower) (I want to make that perfectly clear!), come home, do homework, and go to bed to start all over again the next day. But wait!!!!! On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I get to go to school for 4 hours each night.
We have a rookie professor for this class. Someone forgot to tell him that he does not have to keep us every second of the allotted time! He follows everything that Concordia gives him to do. UGH! I am never going to make it. We have 12 projects to do. Count them, 12. We have a total of 8 class periods. Have you done the math yet? Yes, you got it. I am learning sooooooooooooooo much. I do feel smarter!
I have had lunch with a couple of different people in the last 2 weeks. It is nice to be able to sit and chat. I think we are going to try and keep it up for the rest of the summer. Of course, they end up coming up to my office. It is not like I have any time off!!! I love my job, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job!
Next time we do a lunch thing, I will give a shout out. Maybe we can get a group going.
Welcome back to the real world, Donna.

This is Pat

Hello everyone

Hi friends, We are back in Austin. I can't believe the amount of weeds in my yard!!! Good grief it is like the rain forest. Peter and I had a super great time in NC. We went rafting with four 13 year old girls-just lucky- on the French Broad River. It was beautiful. We also did a spa day. Peter has been feeling good as long as he doesn't do too much in one day and is very careful about what he eats. I spent a week with my dementiated ( new word) mom. She doesn't like being in the Alzheimer unit at all. We pick up our 11 year old Caleb from 3 wet weeks at Camp Longhorn tomorrow.
The foster kids are here for the night, they are so sweet and just hug and hug us.
I don't know who everyone is on the blog because of the code names- can you tell me your real name?
Love to all of you.
Can I bring a friend to Big Bend?

chickens have courage, too!

Not to ramble on so much this time -- though I did think that was part of the point of blogs (Get with it guys! Didn't mean to scare you all off!!) . . .
I merely felt compelled to share my delight upon receiving in the mail last week a rather large package return addressed from "Pilgrim's Pride". Imagine my excitement!
At first, my hope was obviously that I had received a live chicken in the mail -- or at least a recently slaughtered one (maybe next time?).
My second wish was for a t-shirt for the company (though I hate to tell people about how my size has gone up in the last year, so just as well probably).
Well, ya'll, it turned out even better - I received a whole cornucopia of stuff: first of all, a nifty laser-pointer -- something I've always wanted, never had, and can actually use every day in making presentations -- and also scaring and annoying children and random people!!! Also, a hat (now that's a little offensive -- are you trying to say I need something on my head?), a rubber-chicken key-chain or something (I already have a keychain, but I will carry this critter as a "pocket pal" anyway, just so I feel like I have a friend), and lots more than I can even list here!
Thank you, Lyric!!!!
And please post to this thing, guys! I miss you all! Wha's the matter, are you on vacation or something??? How boring . . .

lovely day

Well, I am headed in for the first day of the 2nd session of summer school shortly (at least I can be relieved not to be missing a sunny day at Barton Springs or Hamilton Pool!), but I had a lovely day yesterday, and just thought I'd finally log-in to share.
By the way, I'm sorry I didn't make it to "Happy Hour" at Habanera (so I hope there's another one -- great location). But I'm really excited about Big Bend -- thanks, Nola! I'll begin saving pennies ASAP (that's if I ever get anymore -- hence summer school!).
Anyhow, yesterday . . . nothing huge.
Just did a few things I usually don't get to do -- all for me!
Well, the 1st thing that got me out of the house (at 10 -- that's already sign of a good day!) was to attend a contemplative prayer group I have occasionally gone to. Actually, I had only been to the Thursday afternoon group that meets at the same place on Thursday afternoon, and that not in far too long. The facilitator was just about to leave town for a summer retreat, so it was sorta "hello again" & "goodbye for a while," but the SILENCE was just so wonderful. Why do I ever let myself get away from this practice. There were some cards with something called the WELCOME PRAYER, which I will gladly post if anyone is interested. And one of the three people there was also an organizer for something this Saturday called the Harvest of Justice conference (www.harvestofjustice.org) which I was pleased to learn more about.
This was followed, miracle of miracles, by my heading over to Gold's Gym -- where I had not darkened the door in months and months, for a great two-hour work-out. Halleluia!
Then I went home, and straightened out some overdue personal business. Oh, like finally getting "current" with SallieMae about my student loans. They've been on my backs for months and months. This debt is my most gargantuan financial hurdle, by far. No, I'll not be able to pay it off in this lifetime at the rate I'm going -- but at least I finally sat on hold during business hours long enough to discuss options with someone who was not in a call center in Bangalore. This will probably help with my credit as I inch toward the long-awaited objective of moving out of my shitty old apartment to a little bigger, slightly less shitty apartment by the end of the summer. That will be huge! Unfortunately, I recently learned that it's "adopt a cat" month the rest of the week at the Austin Animal Shelter -- hopefully, that won't complicate things too much.
Then one of my dearest friends from Travis -- um, I mean "Neverland," (there are fewer & fewer, it seems -- either this ogre is scaring them off, or someone else is), called because we'll be teaching together starting today.
No sooner did I hang up with her than I listened to a gripping report on NPR about two poor teachers at high schools in Philadelphia (rest easy, the other one, Lyric!) who got the crap beat out of them by students. Did anyone else hear that? How much courage we have to do what we do! Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to be a giant green (albeit lonely) ogre!
Finally, I checked my bank balance on-line, and whulah! (sp?) a final reimbursement check had been deposited. Hurray -- back in the black until payday! Naturally, that meant a trip to Vulcan video for two-for-one night.
First, however, I had to head down to the Paramount for one of the Summer Classics I had most been looking forward to: "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" by the recently departed maverick genius director Robert Altman. His "Nashville" has long been on my list of top-ten films, but this is one from about the same period of his career that, amazingly, I had never seen. And, guys, it was just wonderful, every minute! Warren Beatty could do more acting with his eyelashes in those days (1971) than most of our leading men today. With Julie Christie! Cinemotagraphy by Vilmos Zsigmond (the best in the business, ever) -- and I really nice, seemingly new print, too, I might add. AND songs by Leonard Cohen (I had no idea!) What more could you want?
Well, I could go on about the film (try me!), but the fact is: I DID get more!!!
Who should have met me at the door -- but that adorable little "Tap Wonder"!!!
I got to hear about her trip to NC, and meet her dashing husband.
OK, gotta run. Just had to blather on about that nice day. Hope your all having some, too!
Be nice to have more days off, wouldn't it, but as the cliche has it, "I owe, I owe . . . ."

Big Bend Trip

OK everyone - I've been working more on the trip. Trevor and I are leaving after work Wed Nov 7th and returning Tues the 13th. Everything is still very rough right now but I have us booked for the river Fri night (more guides are signing on each day!) and I know plenty of rooms are available right now at our first choice for lodging. I also have us penciled in for group rates at restaurants in the evenings. Overall, for Thurs (I imagine most of you won't want to come Wed night - we will to prepare for the river trip) through Tues, I estimate everyone would pay roughly 450 for the entire trip. That does not include liquor, breakfasts, lunches, or gas (we voted on all of that at our last retreat). It does include rooms, dinners, and the entire river trip (park fees, river guides, all food on the river, raft fees). OK - I am flinching waiting for the responses. I really think that the 450 is a high estimate but I am feeling around in the dark. I really need to know who can come and who can come on which days. It is going to be a big but fabulous endeavor. I am just bursting at the seams over the whole thing.

Now - if you only want to come for a few days, I have rough estimates for each day. Here is what I have now, early in the game (all amounts are per person): Thurs night 8th, camp at LaKiva, dinner at KaKiva ~ $40.00 (if anyone wants a hotel this night, I've got plenty of info but if we camp this night, we'll all be together and we'll save lots of money), Friday day and Fri night - on river ~ $120.00 , Sat on river & Sat night dinner with Trev gigging with band and lodging ~ $120.00, Sunday hiking in park, go to hot springs, Trev play with different band at another club with dinner, lodging ~ $70.00, Monday ghost town tour, trip to Lajitas or all the way to Presidio (includes state park tour) & Mexico? Dinner and lodging ~$70.00. I am still fleshing out alot. Please give me feedback and help me make the best decisions for our trip. I want to make this ideal for everyone - help me! Love you! - Nola

Habana Happy Hour

Thank you, Jacqueline for your kind words. I had such a great time. I never tire of that place. When should we schedule another? Anyone have a place they love? - Nola

The Heart of Texas

Well...we made it back today. I am so glad to be home...in the Heart of Texas.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we made it back safe and sound.

Sounds like I missed the first happy hour. Hope you all had a wonderful time. I will make the next one.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing summer.

Hello, everyone! I (apparently) did it (signed in), even though I had to pass dragons and demons and say secret passwords, etc. I feel like Harry Potter.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the Habana experience, too. The best coffee ever! Steven, please keep us posted on your upcoming NY Times article. I'm glad to know another educator that does activist learning with his kids. I'm sure there are others out there, too. Please share, o.k.? It encourages.

My wife is slowly recovering from her hysterectomy; I am helping, as well as actively looking for a studio space. Anybody know a large garage or storage space available? All I need is four walls and some light.

Thanks to all of you for being there!

John

Special Ed Testing

dear friends, I would like to learn more about how to get students tested for emotional and learning difficulties. I would like to learn about medicaid services too. I know when I had the foster kids it was easy to get them into therapy. Does the system also offer testing in Texas? Love, Donna
I am relaxing and having a good time.

Happy Hour at Habana's

I want to speak for us all, but in keeping with our touchstones I'll say: I had a GREAT time!
Nola, Carolyn, Laurie, Margie, John, and myself all made it out to wonderfully inviting Habana's to visit awhile and chat. Of course, the Mojitos were flowing and I certainly did my share to have one for each of you ;-)
Nola introduced us to the most delicious cuban dishes as we experimented with plaintain, yucca, rice and beans, cuban-spiced chicken wings, and the tallest, fluffiest Tres Leches that I've ever seen! We missed those of you who could not make it and sent well wishes your way.
Thank you again, Nola, for such a wonderfully fun suggestion and to each of you who came.
To you all, I greatly look forward to next time...

Love and Peace,
Jacquelin

Quote

Thanks for giving the correct source for this quote. Many times it is attributed to Mandela, who used it in his speeches. But it originated with Williamson. It certainly is powerful.

News from North Carolina

Caleb is so awesome. he deserves a place on this blog.- A quote from Caleb.
We spent the last two days driving around the mountains. I walked the Appalachian Trail. OK, only a few hundred yards. I wish I could bring all of my students out here it is very beautiful. We saw waterfalls that take your breath away. We stayed in a cottage by Wayah Creek and listened to the sound of water all night. I went to some great thrift shops and bought some old books. I am a little nervous about being at Peter's sisters house in Raleigh. I pray for the touchstone- presume welcome. I worry that Caleb will do something stupid. She is a child therapist- and I know she analyses him-thinks he's ADD and should be on drugs...... I love you all. Donna

Something to share...

I LOVE this quote! Enjoy...

Our Deepest Fear

by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Love and Peace,

Jacquelin

Greetings everyone!

Thank you, Laurie, for this blog, and the opportunity to stay in touch in this way. I look forward to many interesting stories and discussions. Steven

Hooray! I did it!

Great job, Laurie
This is wonderful. Can't make Happy Hour on Thursday. I have class.

Amazing!

I am "on my toes" with this. I have amazed myself at how easy this is! Muchos gracias, Laurie. Later.

Amazing! I did it!

I've not used a blog before but it wasn't too hard to get on board!

Mucho gracias, Laurie.

Ed

Hello

Hello guys. I am very happy that we are doing this blog- I am staying in touch and learning something new. Donna

Woo-hoo! We're IN!

Yes, thank you Laurie!

Hey all, I'll be at Happy Hour on Thursday on time or EARLY! Hope to see you there!

I'm loving this contact that we are maintaining so far. Can you believe that half of the emails I've received over the last few days have been from you guys! I LOVE IT! Let's keep it going...

Love and Peace,
Jacquelin

Thanks, Laurie!!!