Category Archives: Essays

Musings and personal thoughts on life, family, memories, and events.

Essays, Writing

Megalodon Fossil Tooth

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(If only my granddaughter’s tooth brushing was this joyful.) AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/XQYWuY (Example of what the tooth looked like that my grandson found.) https://images.app.goo.gl/EmtGmtXMyrbHvq2t8

My grandson Julian (6 years old) found a giant fossilized megalodon tooth in the backyard today. He brought his prize to show me, and it was quite impressive. It is probably the biggest limestone shark tooth I have ever seen. I suggested he go show Grandad (91 years old) and get a second opinion. I don’t think Grandad played along as well as I did, so Julian took it back outside to do some more excavating and promptly misplaced it.

Speaking of teeth, Charlotte (my 10-year-old-in-8-days granddaughter) has a loose one—I believe it is #8, a canine. She likes to wiggle it in the mirror and point out that she only has 2 baby teeth left in her mouth. How time flies. I remember when she was first cutting her little tiny teeth on her bottom gums and we were super excited. Now she’s old enough that I spent over an hour on the phone with Apple tech support trying to get the parental controls set up on her phone so we could figure out which objectionable content to allow and which to block to help with internet safety. One issue was that I apparently set a password years ago and forgot it. We tried everything we could think of, but the Apple people were stumped. There was no fixing it. We finally gave up and decided it was unsolvable. A few hours later, on a whim, I typed in 1,2,3,4, and it worked. So embarrassing.

Julian brought me half a Mini Coke with a straw in it yesterday.

“Here you go, Ema. You can drink this because I joined the army and can’t drink sugar anymore.”

Woohoo! I like this game. Apparently, Charlotte was his drill sergeant and got him drinking water only. She had him working out and doing obstacle courses all day long. I bet his little muscles are sore today.

Charlotte convinced Julian to wear a bonnet to bed the other night like she does. Her curly coils have to be protected by a silky wrap at night to keep them from getting frizzy or damaged. Julian has the complete opposite texture hair. But with Charlotte’s application of who-knows-what-goo and some little twists here and there, Julian awoke with one or two curls on his head. He was very proud of them. I was impressed he made it all night in the bonnet.

This morning, Charlotte made Julian the Coraline breakfast special. I have never seen the movie Coraline, but Charlotte is obsessed with it. Julian lucked out. All by her little self, she made an egg and cheese omelet, 3 slices of bacon, and toast with jelly. It was a masterpiece. This is the same girl who melted onto the floor in a puddle the other day when I asked her to push the vacuum a few times. She literally did one strip of carpet before collapsing from the difficulty of the task. The next time she acts helpless, I’m going to remind her how capable she is when she wants to be.

Julian pulled a prank on us today. He was at the top of the stairs, and Charlotte and I were in the kitchen area.

Suddenly, we heard his pitiful little voice whimpering, “Help me, help me. I can’t see. Everything’s dark. I can’t see. I need help.” He was really laying it on thick.

Charlotte headed his way to see what kind of a bind he had gotten himself into this time. She returned just as quickly, marching with her hands on her hips, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Julian appeared around the corner with his sweatshirt pulled up over his face like he was either trying to put it on or take it off; I’m not sure which. He was laughing so hard at his own joke that he ended up making us laugh, as well.

Grandad informed me that he was taking Charlotte to McDonald’s. She convinced him to take her to McDonald’s so she could spend her own allowance money on French fries. I tried not to be irritated. She already asked me and I said no. I told her to go make her own fries out of the perfectly good potatoes and oil we have here at home. They are easy to make in the air fryer. Grandad is a pushover when it comes to that girl. He was my grandfather first, and he never would have stopped what he was doing to take me to McDonald’s when I was a kid. He would have lectured me on saving my money and not begging all the adults all the time to take me places.

But honestly, I love that he has softened and spoils my grandchildren rotten (his great-great-grandchildren.) Every kid deserves at least one adult in their lives that is wrapped around their little finger. Mema was my person (Grandad’s wife of over 70 years and my grandmother.) She would do anything for me. Knowing that kind of love made me a strong woman who knows how to ooh and aah at shark teeth rocks and 10-year-old-in-8-days loose teeth for my own grandchildren. It all comes full circle if we put in the time and effort to be present in each other’s lives. And Charlotte is right that McDonald’s fries are way better than homemade. The girl knows her fries.

Rebekah Marshall @Home Studio

Essays, Writing

President Jimmy Carter

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The most famous person I have ever met is President Jimmy Carter. In 2010, he was visiting Austin at Book People on Lamar signing his book White House Diary and I waited in the long line to meet him. I had to go through security and do all the rigamarole required to meet a former president. It was worth it. I have not finished reading the book as it is a bit dry in parts, but it is a prized possession of mine.

He is one of my hero’s because of his humanitarian efforts. He just celebrated his 99th birthday, making him the longest-lived president in our nation’s history. He is also the 4th-oldest person alive currently who has served as a nation’s leader. The other 3 are Guillermo Rodriguez, former President of Ecuador – 100, Khamtai Siphandone, former prime minister, chairman, and president of Laos – 99, and Tomiichi Murayama, former prime minister of Japan – 99.

My husband and I sent a picture and well-wishes to contribute to the mosaic birthday card this year. Click this link to see all the people who sent in images and wishes. https://www.cartercenter.org/news/upcoming_events/promo/jimmy-carter-99th-birthday.html

Essays, Writing

Discouragement

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I had what felt like a setback last week.  I can’t really go into detail, but was required to remove my books from a library, change aspects of said book, and accept feedback I did not want to hear from people I did not want to hear it from.  Sigh…

I have allowed this incident to discourage me to the point that I have not written since then.  I sat down with a cup of tea and tried to write a poem this morning and couldn’t get through it.   Now it is almost bedtime and this post will have to do as my attempt at putting myself back into writer mode.  A blog at least counts as something.

I know many writers have faced discouragement, rejection, rewrites, and edits that destroy the soul of the work.    They have to pull themselves out of funks and get back to the craft.  And I will.  I am temporarily in mourning.  This depression will not get the best of me.  It is simply a detour on my journey.  I will find my way back.  This post is a start.

Essays, Writing

Tea Party

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I went to a lovely tea party at the Christadelphian Hall.  My mother and granddaughter sat at the table with me and enjoyed a delicious spread, a variety of teas, and fun conversation.  A Bible class was led by Maritta Terrell pointing out metaphors for spiritual life in the form of tea.  Ideas like the following:

  1.  It is what’s inside that counts.  The tea bag itself is not significant.  It’s the tea leaves that create the flavor.
  2. Hot water is needed to steep the tea.  Just like we are tested at times to see what we’re made of.
  3. It takes time to steep tea.  We need to be patient with ourselves.
  4. Additives make it even better.  I prefer cream and sugar in mine.  Our connections with others add to our experience and make life better.

I am not a member of the Christadelphians anymore, but I am thankful for the foundation of discipline, critical thinking, ethical standards, and examples of faith that have helped to shape me.  I was asked when I would return as a member by a dear friend at the tea party.  I explained that my current status as a feminist makes such a likelihood improbable.

But these people are my family, my past, and hopefully part of my future.  If they will accept my presence without complete agreement with their views, I will continue to visit and connect.  I love tea parties!

Essays, Writing

1st Day of Pre-K

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My granddaughter Charlotte started school today.  I got up extra early to do her hair and help in any way I could to get the family out the door on time.  I believe all went according to plan so Charlotte and her entourage began their trek on time.  Three adults and her baby brother accompanied her on this momentous morning.  I’m so glad everyone made a big deal about the beginning of this educational journey that she has begun.

As a teacher and a lifelong learner, the first day of school for any kid is cause for celebration.  What is more exciting than diving into a world of unlimited intellectual expansion?  Becoming a part of a cohort of learners with whom you will share the experience?  Entrusting your development to a human being who will forever be remembered as larger than life?

Monday will be my 42nd first day of school.  I look forward to this next batch of youngsters that I will have the opportunity to learn from.  Every year feels full of potential, full of hope, and most certainly full of anticipation.  I know some of my students may not have the same joyous energy of expectation for the first day of school as me.  That’s ok.  Exuberance is contagious.  I’ll share mine.

I’m so glad my daughter and other family members circled around my granddaughter and walked as a village to her school.  She has a long, fabulous, winding educational road ahead of her.  As one of her great-grandfather’s said, “Today Pre-K, before you know it, college!”

 

Essays, Writing

Musical Bribery

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Music is a fantastic way to bribe (ahem) encourage high school students to behave in the classroom.  Nobody is allergic, it won’t send anyone into a diabetic coma, and it is free if you have YouTube!  I let each student pick a song to add to our ever-expanding playlist.  It can be any genre as long as the lyrics are appropriate for a classroom.  I am fairly conservative with my judgment because I don’t want my principal walking in to “I Wanna Sex You Up” type lyrics.  Also, my classroom is in a psychiatric treatment center and we have to be aware of patients’ triggers.  If the song is screamy or super energizing, we might save it for an exercise break, clean up time, or as part of a game.  I don’t play Lamb of God’s Set to Fail when we are in the middle of a test.  Common sense needed.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc-C3Iove3I

As long as students are working, giving best effort, and meeting expectations, we play our class playlist.  If not, the music gets turned off.  I love it when I hear kids policing each other.  “Stop talking to me or she’ll turn off the music.”  “Do your work or she’s going to turn off the music.”  It brings joy to my heart.  Another one I’ve heard is “Be nice to her, she lets us listen to music.”  I wonder if music has helped keep me from getting punched in the face all these years…

One of the coolest effects of music chosen by students is all the new songs I have been exposed to because of their varied tastes.  I never would have found some of these songs or artists on my own.   These may not be the clean versions, so if you are a teacher, be sure to listen to them for yourself before playing them for your particular group of kids.  Students introduced me to the following:                 Weak by Wet.                                                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L2tfNrKsYI                                Steve Lacy’s      C U Girl                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KJIUXbfARk                               This Too Shall Pass by Ok Go                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juX7VJIMsqc                               High Tops by Del Water Gap                                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksrb33z3boo                                         Alec Benjamin’s My Mother’s Eyes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q_15W7eBH8                                   Color Blind by Diplo (featuring Lil Xan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ResGBWo10GQ                                  Juice WRLD’s Lucid Dreams                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fh64GbFSw4                                      Long Black Train by Josh Turner                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZtwxc423jg                                          Falling Down by Lil Peep and XXXTentacion    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0jIW_pgGzE

Those are just a few from the last semester that I thought were worth sharing.  Since I mostly listen to easy listening/70’s/80’s/Pop music, it introduces me to some of the new stuff kids like (or old stuff I’ve never been exposed to.)  And I get to share some of the songs I like with them.  Many have never heard songs I choose by Prince, Bob Dylan, The Who, The Beatles, Blondie, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Duran Duran, The Cure, U2, etc.  They are intrigued, though, often write down the name of the song and band and want to look it up when they get home.  It fosters a back and forth that is purely enjoyment based.

I may tweak my system a little this year, but will definitely still be using music in my classroom to foster interest, good behavior, and a little bit of buy in to our classroom.  It’s like saying, “I get you.  Your taste in music is noted and appreciated.  Let’s share it with everyone.”

(The picture above is Lil Xan, a current musician? some of the kids like.   All music was once radical to somebody.)

Essays, Writing

Teacher Dream

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I dreamed that I used Sawyer’s new classroom for summer school and still had my desk and some supplies in there on the first day of school.  La Casa was my first period class, so as they were coming in the room, I asked them to help me move.  Several of the boys picked up my desk and carried it out the door.  Eagles were coming in one door as we were leaving out another.  It was mass chaos.  Jim Perryman was teaching a SAMA class in the middle of the hallway because he couldn’t find the new SAMA room.  I was horrified because now the kids would see all our secret ninja moves and be able to get away from us in holds.

Skip to me walking into the wrong room and Lacy grabbing me to let me know she put some library books in my room that a girl was returning.  I told her I wasn’t sure where my room was.  She said, “Well, when you find it, there are books in there.”

Skip to faculty meeting.  President Obama is our principal and he is chewing us out.  I think it is still the first day of school, I don’t know where my desk has gone off to, or my students for that matter, and I still don’t know where my new classroom is.  He is furious because no one entered their progress report grades.  Apparently, school has been in session for 3 weeks and no one has entered a single grade.  He gives me a very pointed look and I am devastated because I have disappointed principal Obama.

Essays, Writing

Convocation

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Some coworkers and I have traveled to San Antonio to stay the night in a hotel.  Tomorrow is our convocation – that is a fancy name for first day back to work for teachers.  We will all come together in a conference room or hotel ballroom of some sort and listen to speakers motivate us, tell us how wonderful we are for choosing our profession, how special our kids are, and how unique our school district is because of our mission.

I happen to love these sappy moments of reveling in the greatness that is a room full of teachers gearing up for a new school year.  It feels like a locker room pre-game.  Everyone is excited and talkative, getting pumped up for a win.  The band is warming up, the cheerleaders are doing a dance routine, the crowd is buying snacks and settling into their seats…

Do they still pray before sports games?  They did when I was in school in the south and I always loved the moment an entire crowd grew silent, listening to someone’s plea for safety and sportsmanship, hoping GOD would take the time to drop by for the game.

That is how these things feel to me…almost holy.  Some teachers have confided in me that they hate these events, find them silly, wish money were spent more wisely, feel demeaned by team-building.  I guess I am fodder for the peddling preacher that is a school superintendent.  I want to believe that what we do is holy.  I want to believe that GOD is in my classroom filling the space between outbursts and anger, fear and refusal.  That the kids whose lives will touch mine will be bathed in grace and sent back out into the world nourished…or at least comforted.

I hope every teacher out there preparing for our next batch of kids gets the chance to feel encouraged, valued, and inspired at their convocation.  It is a uniquely teacher-y thing that I for one am glad exists.

 

Essays, Writing

I Started a Publishing Business!

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Marshall Press

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Today was exhausting!  I am about to fall in bed, but must share the victories of my day.

  • Set up my address for Marshall Press at the post office.
  • Got my dba (doing business as) paperwork filed with the county for Marshall Press (which is good for the next 10 years.)
  • Opened a bank account for Marshall Press with a company VISA and everything!
  • Set up my account with my new banking information for publishing with Kindle Create / Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
  • Purchased marshallpress.net domain name for the next 10 years from NameCheap.
  • Created an account on Bluehost for my marshallpress website to be hosted for the next year.
  • Created an account with FreeImages to be able to use lovely images on my sites.

There is still more to do, but that is all for one day.  I am going to relax in my comfy quarters for the last night of my retreat and enjoy one more glorious morning of tea and writing when I awake.