Out of Date

Boy, I really am feeling out of date.  After the English Writing class on Monday, I felt that everyone in the room was speaking a different language than I was.  The computer terminology bantering around was fast and furious.  I wondered if we had read the same article!  Postmodernism, modernism, del.i.cious tags, pomo, articulation applying to being”hinged”…Huh?  I’m learning lots, which I guess is part of the purpose I’m in school (the other main reason is to get my college diploma).  But it is hard for me to accept that I am so far behind the “times.”  I need to keep it in perspective; I know.  And I AM in school – learning.  So good for me!

A Hurting Friend

Today a friend – can I call someone I know only superficially a friend – told me she may have lung cancer.  I ache for her and am sad knowing she has this health problem.  She is a lovely woman.  But she doesn’t yet know if she does have cancer, only that there is a spot where there shouldn’t be.  Next Wednesday she will undergo a biopsy.  Until then, I’m sure she is living in fear of the unknown – a terrible unknown.  It’s not right that someone should have to wait weeks to have the necessary tests; weeks filled with uncertaincy and fear.  But here I am, listening to her talk about her problems and there really is nothing I can do for her except listen.  I know that listening is important, but it is frustrating for me.  When someone I care about has a bad cold I make chicken soup.  If someone needs a ride, I can offer one.  And when someone is moving, I can make dinner for them.  But here I am left with the knowledge that may mean life or death to a dear person, and there isn’t anything I can do for her.  This will be a long week for her.  I will think good thoughts for her – whatever that is worth!  And I will call her to see how she is doing.  Perhaps that will help her pass the time that must be dragging by. 

Learning about blogs

I’m checking out all kinds of blogs. I really was surprised to find a NY Times blog, and Washington Post blog, tv news blogs, etc. It seems that blogs have totally penetrated the main-stream, along with the computer geeks. When did all of this start? Who developed the first blog? Where was I?
The bigger question is why is this medium so popular? What appeals to bloggers to blog and to those who read and comment to blogs? I will keep an opened mind to this as I search more on-line, reading more blogs, and listening to those who participate on a daily basis.

Gleaning

I am a gleaner – in the true meaning of the word.  I go into the fields of Whatcom County farms and pick the left-over produce that the farmer doesn’t want or declared as excess.  I am part of Small Potatoes, a gleaning organization that is dedicated to bringing fresh, organic produce to people in need.  This program is so satisfying to me.  I find myself out in the county early in the morning surrounded by views of snow-capped mountains. Or I’m slugging my way through rows of corn that tower over me with the rain pelting down and the mud covering my boots. I am interacting with people who value the work,  the exercise, the process of finding good food that would go to waste if we weren’t there gleaning.  It is the “something for nothing” concept that intrigues me.  It is so worthwhile to share this food with people at the food banks .  It makes me happy to be part of this process.

We also have a food farm where we grow our own vegetables.  I’ve learned to spread manure, make rows for planting, plant seeds and seedlings, weed, and finally pick the produce.  Fresh lettuce, kale, onions, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, beets – the list is so varied.  Our climate and soil allows us to grow food so easily and quickly.  We started the farm last June and  that summer we had food to share.  All of this happens because there are people who share their knowledge and their time. The food farm is a product of many people in the county coming together and working for a good cause.  Maybe we can’t end hunger but we’re sure trying!

Frustration

My computer has been taken over from a ZLOB.  It redirects my requested searches to market-based web sites and sex sites.  I had a computer tech fix the computer yesterday and today I’m having the same problems.  Obviously, he wasn’t able to remove the problem.  Hopefully, he will find time tomorrow to come by and repair it for good. 

Having my computer invaded by some alien, unwanted “thing” makes me feel violated.  I am helpless and must rely on someone else to “rescue” me.  Not a good feeling.

January 16, 2008

Last night I went to an Obama get together.  I can’t say that I am “for” Obama, but rather that I am keeping an open mind.  I wonder why I am not excited about any of the candidates, like I was for Kucinich 4 years back.  But back to the gathering last night.  It was held at Cafe Akroteri in Bellingham.  I’ve not been there before and I liked the ambiance.  And the food looked good.  We should go there for dinner sometime soon.

I didn’t know what to expect from the meeting.  The Democrati debate was on tv and for the first hour we all watched it – hard to do as the noise level was high.  Afterwards, there was discussion about the Washington Caucus on Feb 9th.  Since I had been to one 4 years ago, I was familiar with the procedure, but since it is a rather complex process, it was good to hear the specifics again.  There was no talk about Obama, no one trying to convince anyone to support him, no one asking for donations.  Perhaps Stephanie, the person in charge, believed that all who where there were already supporting him.  Perhaps I was the only one undecided.

Learning curve

My second post – and I’m frustrated with not knowing how to do things.  How do I delete?  How do I answer someone?  I’m sure I’ll learn, in time, but I’m at the frustration level right now. 

So this blog is to deal with what I’ve learned today – or yesterday.  Every class I attend teaches me something.  This morning I was in my American Indian Resistance class and since I’ve not studied American Indians previously, I’m learning quite a bit!  Different slant than the average, “normal” history class.  Here we are learning about the Indian resistance to assimilation.  The teacher discussed the Indian boarding schools, the land-grabbing by the US gov’t and their rationalization behind it.  As a country, we’ve been the bully for a long time!  We haven’t learned anything through the years.  We still push our beliefs, our life-style, our form of gov’t, our love of material goods, on other societies.

Day 1

Here I am – blogging (I think!).  I seemed to have signed up and am typing my first entry, but I am hazy about what happens next.  I will “publish” this and see where that leads me.