Thanks To A Long-Ago Teacher

I have been doing a bit of writing lately

OK, I've been doining quite a lot of writing before and after the recent remembrance of the events of 9/11. As I finished a post for next year's 9/11 remembrance, I realized how grateful I am that my middle school English teacher, whose name I don't rememer some some 60 years later, recognized and encouraged my writing skills.

Because of her, I joined the school newapaper, The Scoop. In high school I wrote bout the Russian club of which I was a .member. In graduate school, I wrote news releases for the local humane society where I volunteered and served on the board of directors. I also had several articles published in the city newspaper where I lived. I founded a donor magazine and provided articles and photographs for the publication. I received awards from the Dog Writers' Association of America. 

Seventeen years ago I started this blog. I have only a small following, but I didn't start the blog because I need thousands or millions of folllowers. I write it, as I always have, because I love to write.

People read my blog from countries throughout the world -- Russia, Vietnam, France, Canada, Brazil and dozens of others.

I'm sure my unamed English teacher has passed on, so there is no way to contact her and let her know what her encouragement has meant to me over the decades. 

So if you ever had a teacher who made a big difference in your life, and if that teacher is still alive, I think it would be great to thank that teacher for having an impact on your life.

A Sad Anniversary

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks on the United States. 

And unlike the idiot vice president of this country, who noted that we will soon be celebrating September 11, most sane people will not be celebrating this day. We will commemorate the day. We will reflect on the horrible loss of life that happened that day. We will shed tears as we recall there we were on that terrible day. But it sure as hell is not a day to celebrate.

Some 3000 American residents, some of them immigrants, lost their lives in those dastardly attacks. And life for the rest of us has never been the same. Little things, such as having to remove a jacket or take our shoes off or limit liquids or gels that we can carry onto the plane with us to 3.4 ounces and to be screened and patted down as security precautions in the airports, those are all a result of the events of September 11.

I worked for the federal government in California on September 11, 2001. As I approached the gates of the compound where I worked, I was surprised to see a long line of cars waiting to get in. One of the smaller gate was closed. Traffic at the main gate was seriously backed up. When I finally got to the gate, a guard, and the facility always had guards at the gate, asked which building I was going to. I told him, he closely inspected my badge, and then he inspected my car for explosives. Then I was cleared to drive to the building in which I worked, building N204.

I have written about this day previously. Nearly everyone at our center, except for people deemed essential, was sent home. I stayed and managed the public affairs office’s response to the events of that day. I drafted talking points for our senior management. I coordinated talking points with headquarters. I fielded countless questions from local reporters.

I didn't have time to process the events of that day or to grievee until I finally got a day off work a few days later. I remember foing for a walk during my lunch break one day, as I usually did. All flights had been canceled, so when I heard an airplane about to land at the airfiled we shared with the US Navy, I was panic-sticken. Fortunately, I had learned at a sentior staff meeting that morning that a military flight was expected, so my panic quickly subsided.

Even today, 25 years later, watching video or reading about that day brings me to tears. 

I read something this morning that bears repeating: The best way to honor those those on 9/11 is to be the people we wear on 9/12. Americans, regardless of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity or any other things by which we sepearate ourselves, came together. Grief and anger united us. Indeed, the entire world, even our supposed enemies, came together with the United States.

As NBC News anchor Lester Holt said as he wrapped up the network's coverage of the events of 9/11, "What has happened to us?"

Be Well, Happy and At Peace

May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 

I really like this quote that the venerable Buddhist monks use to close their Facebook posts. This is the group of monks that walked some 2,300 miles across part of the United States in the name of peace. They have done similar walks in other countries. This group of monks is based in the Dallas area. 

The monks are Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American. During their walks, they aim to spread mindfulness, non-violence and inner healing. They are accompanied by Aloka, known as the peace dog. Aloka is a former stray dog from India.The group's spiritual leader walked most of the route barefoot despite winter weather.

It was amazing to see how people were drawn to the monks. Everywhere the monks walked, they were greeted by crowds of supporters.

They also published the following: May all beings everywhere be free from hatred, be healthy, be safe, be peaceful and at ease in body and in mind, and may they meet no obstacles in their daily lives 🙏

What a lovely thought, especially during this chaotic, greed-filled time in our country country. Many find peace and solace in their dogs, so it shouldn't be a surprise that so many have been drawn to Aloka.

May he be well, happy and at peace. And may he have many more years of helping the monks spread their message, a message this world is sorely in need of hearing at this time.

The Sparkle Is Gone

Dolly Parton died August 25 at age 80.

She was, in the words of one person on social media, "a truly good person." Those four words sum up Dolly Parton's legacy. I have not heard or seen anybody speak ill of her. She was beloved by liberals and conservatives, by young and old, by people who love country music anb by those who can't stand it.

She was a singer. She was a songwriter with more than 3,000 songs to her credit. She was an actress. She was a philanthropist. Her Imagination Library mailed some 3 million books for free to children from birth to age five. She was kind. She believed in acceptance. She supported the LGBTQ community. A devout Christian, her religion was personal. She never tried to impose it on others. But she lived the most Christlike life of anyone I’ve ever heard of.

There is a burgeoning movement to make 9/25 Dolly Parton Day. The city of Nashville, Tennessee, where she lived, is hoping to rename the city airport after her. I mean, if an airport can be named after the felonious president of the United States, how about naming the Nashville airport after such a good, kind and generous person?

I have never liked country music, but I would listen to Dolly‘s music. She wasn’t the old style country music with all the twangy guitars, so I could listen to her. But I think much of my willingness to listen to Dolly Parton sing was the knowledge of what a great person she was. She was funny. She was self deprecating. She was kind. She was compassionate. She stayed well away from politics. She was a dog lover. She cared about the environment. She was a wonderful, generous philanthropist. She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University to aid in the development of what has become known as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. When people in her part of Tennessee were suffering in the aftermath of a mess massive flood, she donated lots of money. She was a big advocate of the LBGTQ population.

She was an extremely successful woman, breaking down barriers from the very first days of her career. She was an astute businesswoman. She grew up in extreme poverty, the fourth of 12 children in the family. Yet she never forgot where she came from. The people of eastern Tennessee remained close to her heart for her entire life.

One person online described her as being goodness without self righteousness.

The world will be a sadder, crueler place without Dolly Parton in it.

Fly Free, Jackie

Jackie, a bald eagle with thousands of followers online, died recently.

The foks at the Ojai Raptor Center in southern California worked tirelessly to save this cherished symbol of America. Her cause of death remains unknown, although she was severely anemic  She was involved in a fight with two other eagles, although reportedly her illness was unrelated to the fight. She was rescued as she struggled to make her way through water.

Jackie and her mate, Shadow, were followed by thousands of people in the US, and by millions globally via a 24!7 web cam.

Jackie and Shadow successfully raised  14 chicks between 2018 and 2026. Jackie was believed to be 14 yeas old. For more information about the eagles of Big Bear Valley, Calirofnia, check out www.friendsof bigbearvalley.org.

Maybe, just maybe, this majestic symbol of the United States suffered and died as we sit by and watch this country suffer and grow ever weaker.

Is This Crazy?

 Is this crazy?

From time to time I get a mouse in my house, usually but not always in the pantry. This usually happens as the weather cools. This isn't the case now, however, with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. But we are in a serious drought, so I suspect the little rodents are seeking water and food.

Last week I set out a trap baited with unsalted peanuts, after finding a bag of peanuts with a hole chewed in it. When I checked the trap a day later, I saw a mouse inside. I drove it to a sparsely populated area about 3/4 mile away, and it scampered away.

I put peanuts in the trap but saw no more mice for aboutaweek. But this morning as I reached for a new roll of poop bags before heading out to walk my dog, I was shocked to see another trap with the door closed. There was a mouse inside, although the trap was not in a place where I typically put a trap. And I have no recollection of putting it there

I grabbed my headlamp and headed out in search of a good release site. When I removed the release door, nothing happened. Then a dead mouse tumbled out.

I have no idea how long the mouse had been trapped without food or water. I don't want mice in my house, but I won't deliberately hurt one. That's why I use live traps.

I left the little mouse where it was.

I'm sorry, little one. 

To Make A Difference

You have the power to make a difference. 

I love these words from the late Dr. Jane Goodall. 

She strongly believed that there is always hope ... but only if we take action. She encouraged everyone to take that first step, no matter how small. Each of us holds the power to make a difference. 

Don't eat meat one day a week. Turn the light off when you leave a room. Walk or ride a bicycle for short trips. Take reusable bags when you go to the grocery store. Recycle everything you can. Think about the consequences of the choices you make.

When I die, I want to know i did something to change this world for the better. I read this quote in a book about people who rescue dogs from southern states. The author of this quote transports unwanted dogs from southern states to pre-approved homes in the Northeast, working with a variety of rescue groups. I read that his efforts have saved the lives of some 30,000 dogs. Now that is the way to make a difference!

I know that I have made a difference to my daughter, whom I adopted from Russia when she was 11 years old. I have made difference to the 15 dogs I have adopted over the years. I have made a difference to the people who received the food I and so many others have donated.

What I have done over the years -- adeoptions, donations of food and money, and my time --are but a drop in the bucket compared with what is needed. It often seems overwhelming and a real uphill battle. But our donations, our kindness, do make a difference. And yes, we don't have to be rich or famous to make a difference in another's life.

I have admired Jane Goodall for decades, and I can think of no better way to honor her than to follow her example.