(Not Silent) Retreat

It's a good thing I have my voice back because I spent the entire day yesterday talking.

And listening. And looking, clearly, at groovy graphics.

One of the things I do but rarely mention the blog is sit on the board of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. I believe, strongly, that without quality public education we cannot have a democracy.

Let me rephrase that- we do not have a democracy because we do not have consistent quality public education.

I was asked why I never write about it in the blog by some of the other board members. I guess it's because I didn't earn the position by being a stellar educator or a high level policy crafter, but because I knew the right people.

And I was a good friend.

After eight years, though, I am now someone who knows about pushing policy, creating change in educational funding streams and have enjoyed every minute of learning how along the way.

I will mention I was the ONLY one happy in the room yesterday as the sole Clinton supporter. When the gloom set across the table, I slowly raised my hand and said, Uh... I'm not sad.

I did not do a happy dance.

Well, I did in my head.

Yes, that is suppose to be my last name, I just have never gone through all the paperwork to have it changed. Note to self- get it done already.

Today is day two... which cannot start until I go out and hunt down a starbucks and get some real coffee.

What is it about the inability of a conference center/inn to not be able to make a decent cup of coffee?

And start another day of plotting to have New York and Massachusetts- and eventually the whole country- have quality public education for all.

Tempted...

I am tempted to remove that last post. Right now. Before too many people read it.

I am so ashamed.

It's Ku Klux Klan.

"from the greek kyklos, "circle" and clan" my friend writes me.

She didn't write "DUH." But I heard it.

Ten letters.

No extra L.

I used to say "nuclear" like George Bush, too.

I am not kissing my diploma.

I am burning it.

Failing Sixth Grade English

Um... I write for a living.

But I can't pass sixth grade English. I'm trying to help Ben with his similes homework.

She's as clumsy as a:
pig
dog
cow
ox

Ben circled pig.

I said, no it's ox.

Pigs are uglier.

It's not about ugly. It's about clumsy. And it's as much a figure of speech as it is a comparison.

No it's not.

Then you do the homework.

No, I need help.

He's as gentle as a:
lamb
kitten
mouse
dove

Dove, Ben circles confidently.

No, it's lamb.

Doves are more gentle... peace and all. It's dove.

Okay.

He looks at me. It's lamb? Really?

Really.

Finally, we finished the similes, some of which he refused to change because after all, what do I know?

I mean, Mom, you went to 6th grade a long time ago.

It's true.

Onto the Martin Luther King Crossword puzzle. I love crossword puzzles.

How do you spell "assassin?"

Ass,
ass,
in.

This leaves him howling in laughter. Too stupid for 6th grade similes but I am funny. of course, I typed it in Word first and spell checked it.

My confidence is shot.

"An organization of whites that sought to control blacks and keep them from gaining political power." 10 letters. second to last is the letter A.

Klu Klux Klan.

Mom, that's eleven letters.

Any ideas, folks?

I'm going to go dig out my diploma from college and kiss it. I'm so glad I'm done.