Maine Teacher and Coach

Harry Talking

2010-05-10T21:15:00.004-04:00

Red Sox Spring Training Part 1

2010-02-20T22:21:00.005-05:00

Spring Training has begun for the Red Sox and I have a few thoughts on the upcoming 2010 season, after having watched the 3-hour live broadcast of the first workout for pitchers and catchers this morning.

First, it is great to see Peter Gammons joining the NESN coverage. He is absolutely a class act and an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge. Also, what other Major League team broadcasts live from Spring Training on multiple days?

Let's talk pitching. I don't think any other team can touch the Red Sox 1-2-3 starters. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and John Lackey (in whatever order you choose) are the best 1-2-3 punch in baseball. If Dice-K is healthy (which reports say he is), followed by Clay Buchholz and/or Tim Wakefield (who made the All-Star team last year), there is no touching the Sox for starting pitching. Also, their bullpen is as deep as I have ever seen it.

I am struck by the fact that Victor Martinez is so impressed by Jason Varitek's generosity in working with him last season. Tek seems to have no open resentment toward V-Mart, who has taken over Tek's starting position. What other professional athlete would be so mature?

NESN did a nice segment on Gary Tuck, the Sox bullpen coach. I did not realize how lucky the Sox are to have him. Not only does he do a fine job working with the pitchers, but he is one of the premiere catching coaches, working with the catchers. They say he may be the Major League's leading expert when it comes to working with catchers. Lucky Red Sox.

One person I am going to follow in the minor leagues this year is young Red Sox shortstop Jose Inglesias. The Sox have high praise for this young athlete out of Cuba. They expect him to be the Red Sox shortstop of the future. I'm going to make it my duty to keep an eye on his progress throughout the year.

An interesting tidbit I was unaware of: John Lackey's wife is originally from Sanford, Maine. That might have played a role in his signing with the Red Sox this off-season. Interesting.

I also want to follow The Houston Astros this year. Their new manager is none other than former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills. I have no doubt Mills will be an outstanding manager. The only question is whether the Astros front office is willing to give him what he needs for players.

I was also impressed with the number of position players who reported early in order to have a few extra days of batting practice and whatever else they can get in. I saw Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Yukilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Jeremy Hermida and Tug Hulett (a utility player who played a little bit with Kansas City last year). There may have been others, but those were the ones I noticed.

Coach Merrill's Prediction #1: Daisuke Matsuzaka will have a great year after being injured most of last year and he will win at least 14 games this season.

More predictions will follow in the days ahead.

Why we keep going back to Walt Disney World

2009-05-31T15:37:00.004-04:00

Cara and I have been to Walt Disney World three times in five years. We took Seth in June 2004. Just the two of us went in August 2007, as a second honeymoon. Then we went again in April of 2009. Nobody came out and asked us directly, but I suspect that a lot of people wanted to ask us why we kept going back.

Why? Why, when there are thousands of other places to go, do we keep going back to Disney? Very good question.

The answers to that question are numerous.

First of all, when you go to Walt Disney World, the experience is never the same twice. Yes, many of the shows and rides are the same as they have been for years. But others have had major renovations, and it is really fun to see the rides and shows and look for the changes. Others have had subtle changes. Still other rides and shows are all new. Disney is constantly adding new stuff, from Monster, Inc. to Toy Story Mania to Expedition Everest, to name a very few.

There is something very comforting in knowing that if you go to the Lion King Musical Show that it is going to be just as spectacular as the first time you saw it. It is fantastic to see the Peter Pan ride, the Snow White ride, the Beauty and the Beast musical, or the Carousel of Progress and know that you will have the same great experience that you had the first time.

It is also fun to see the subtle updates on things like the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Hall of Presidents, and It's a Small World. Or major changes, like Spaceship Earth.

And Disney is constantly adding new, exciting things, like Toy Story Mania, Soarin' (one of my favorites), Expedition Everest, and the American Idol Experience (one of Cara's favorites).

We also stay somewhere different each time. In 2004, we stayed at All-Star Sports. In 2007, we stayed at Pop Century. In 2009, we upgraded to a moderate resort, the beautiful Port Orleans Riverside. Each experience was unique and outstanding.

Even though we stayed for a week each time, we still never get to do everything we would like to. In 2009, we experienced several things for the first time, including Rafiki's Planet Watch, Rockin' Roller Coaster (just Cara), Finding Nemo Musical, O Canada, Fantasmic, the Magic of Disney Animation, the Little Mermaid show, and Buss Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Yet, there are still some things we have never done (Tom Sawyer's Island, for example).

I guess my last reason why we keep going back is simple. Do you have anyplace you always return to? My parents love Moosehead Lake, here in Maine. They go there just about every year. It is a special place for them. My sister-in-law, Sara, returns to Peru every few years. It is a special place for her, and now for my brother as well. I have relatives in Texas that always return to Maine. It is a special place for them. Walt Disney World is a special place for Cara and me. That's why we keep going back.

Snow Removal Etiquette

2009-02-23T14:40:00.006-05:00

This winter has left me baffled by the lack of snow removal etiquette displayed by my neighbors. Is it just me, or have things gotten worse this year? In the past, we have had large amounts of snow, without any issues with snow removal etiquette. I don't understand why it is an issue all of a sudden. True, some of the neighbors are new to the neighborhood. But some have been here for several years. This is what I have seen.

One of my neighbors, last year, used to shovel the snow out of his yard and into the middle of the road. This meant that those of us who live above him have to drive through that mess until the next time the plow comes by to clean up the snowbanks, which is usually a few days after the storm. Thankfully, he has stopped doing this. Now, he has a plow on the front of his ATV and plows the snow mostly onto the sides of his driveway, and actually cleans up the snow that gets into the road. Of course, he sometimes pushes that snow onto the lawn of his neighbor across the street, but this is an improvement over past behavior.

I watched this morning as another neighbor carried shovelful after shovelful of snow and dumped it across the road onto another neighbors front lawn while she was at work. How neighborly of him.

I am currently watching my neighbor across the road as he uses his new snow blower to blow the snow into the middle of the road. At first I thought it was just laziness, not wanting to readjust the direction of the blower. But then I saw him readjust the blower to purposely blow the snow into the road.

People, there are (or should be) some rules for proper snow removal etiquette.

1. Snow that gets removed from your driveway should never find its way to somebody else's property.

2. Just because a neighbor's yard is full of snow does not mean it is a dumping ground for more snow.

3. The road is not the proper disposal place for snow. There is a reason that snow plows spend so much time during snowstorms removing the snow from said roads. It is particularly improper to add more snow to the before-mentioned roads AFTER the plows have finished their snow removal.

4. Dump snow into other's yards as you would have others dump snow into yours.

Believe me, I know that we are all running out of places to put our (damn) snow. My snowbanks beside the driveway are all over six feet in height. But I sure don't want more snow from my neighbors.

Spring is around the corner. Ah, mud-season.

Reflecting on 2008

2008-12-31T16:00:00.005-05:00

I thought it might be a good idea to reflect back on 2008.

2008 was a time of minor change for me. A time for a removal of stress. A time of growth.

It was the first year I had started without Washington, my faithful canine companion, since 1994. In that respect, it was a time of sadness and a time of moving on. It was a time to see that pets' lives are so much shorter than our own and a natural cycle for all pet owners is the death of that pet. It's sad, but it is all part of the circle of life. That is the way God made this world, it is right that the world has death, but that does not mean it is easy.

2008 saw the end of the former leadership in my school district, and a new (although temporary) leadership put in place. With this new leadership, there was a major time of celebration within my school district, almost a freeing from bondage. I don't wish to underestimate the sense of relief when the new leadership was put in place (nor do I wish to get more specific). The district literally heaved a gigantic sigh of relief, those of us who survived and were willing to wait it out. The stress levels throughout the district have dropped tremendously.

2008 saw the long dreamed of deck added to the back of our house. I don't know how many times I stared at the back of my house, anticipating what it would be like to have a nice deck with a door leading onto it. And we were finally able to see that dream come true.

2008 saw a huge maturing of my stepson. I am very proud of the steps Seth has taken to get his life together. He has grown as a person in the last eight months or so, and he seems to be on the right track.

2008 saw me grow as a writer, publishing two new books, and re-publishing my first book, newly updated. Although I am not making more than change on the books, it is a great deal of fun and I shall continue to write.

2008 saw me return to an old love: painting. I have gotten a new set of oil paints and have begun to paint once again (I think it had been ten years since my last painting). I am very rusty, but I am having fun.

2008 saw me falling even more in love with my wife. I know I don't tell her often enough how much she means to me, but she is everything to me. I love her bigger than the trees.

Finally, 2008 saw Cara and me in the best shape we have ever been as a couple as far as finances are concerned. Do we still live paycheck to paycheck? Yes. What else is new there. But we occasionally have a little extra, which is a nice change.

Here is wishing everyone a fantastic 2009!!

Snow Days

2008-12-13T10:26:00.004-05:00

Oh, how I love a good snow day. One of the perks to being a teacher is that you get the occasional snow day, a day off from school due to snow or ice.

My wife and I had one yesterday, this being one of the ice-related varieties. I mean, what can be nicer than getting up at 5:15 in the morning, expecting to have to go to work, and finding out you don't. You have an unexpected free day, a day to do nothing. You can't go anywhere due to the weather, so you can't use it as an excuse to do some errands. You get to stay home where it is snug and cozy and relax, do whatever you would like, read a book, watch television, surf the Internet, play a game, anything indoors. If it is very snowy out, you will eventually need to clear the driveway and steps, but since you don't have to got to work, you can do it on your own time.

My problem is that by the time I get that phone call telling me there's no school, or by the time I see my school listed on the bottom of the TV screen on Stormcenter (love their theme music), I am wide awake. There is no way I can go back to sleep. My wife is the opposite. Which means I usually curl up in the recliner in the living room with my latest book (right now I am reading The Toomyknockers by Stephen King) and enjoy a few hours reading, drinking coffee (pumpkin flavored yesterday), and watching the snow come down (or freezing rain, yesterday).

Of course, the biggest drawback is that every time we have a snow day, it means one more day in June we have to go. Some people say, no, there are snow days built into the school calendar, we don't have to make them up until we go over a certain number. Bologna, I say. They are only there to remind people that we are likely to use snow days. If by some chance we don't use them (rarely happens), then we don't go those days. So essentially, every snow day is another day in June.

But, as long as we only have two or three or four snow days, it is more than worth it. Instant gratification, and all that.

Boston Red Sox Managers

2008-11-29T14:28:00.008-05:00

I am very pleased to announce the publication of my newest book, Boston Red Sox Managers. This book profiles all the Red Sox managers, from 1901 to the present. Included are Joe Cronin, who managed for 13 seasons, and Rudy York, who managed for one game. It includes the very first manager, Jimmy Collins, and the present manager, Terry Francona. And it includes all the rest, 44 managers in all.

This book is actually a part of a much larger book I am writing profiling all the Major League baseball managers, from the 1870s to the present. My original hope was to have the larger book finished before Spring Training, 2009, but I quickly saw that that was unlikely to happen, so I have decided to publish shorter books, categorized by teams, while I work to finish the larger book. The Red Sox, the team I have followed passionately since I was a boy, was the logical choice to start.

Boston Red Sox Managers by Brian Merrill is available exclusively on Amazon.com at a price of $9.95 per copy.

We're Bailing Out Car Makers While We Abandon Our Children

2008-11-20T15:08:00.010-05:00

I guess I don't get it. I don't understand how the government can be bailing out the auto industry when, here in Maine anyway, we are looking at an unprecedented $26 million cut in education in the middle of the school year. When the auto company CEOs are making $400,000 a year, and a fraction of that is being cut from a statewide school budget that is likely to deeply affect our children's education. When these same CEOs show up to testify to Congress, asking for billions (nor millions) of dollars in free money, and they show up having flown to Washington in their individual corporate jets. Isn't that like driving a limousine to a food cupboard?

Here in Maine, our governor has ordered $26,000,000 in cuts, not for next year, but in the middle of the year, well after school supplies have already been ordered, when schools are trying to figure out how they are going to pay the winter fuel bills. This is money that has already been promised to the schools that the schools have built their budgets around. What are the schools going to do? My school district is giving pink slips to all the education technicians, anticipating that some or all of them may lose their jobs somewhere around Christmas. (Happy Holidays and don't let the door hit you in the butt as you leave for good.) My wife's school is looking at having 30 to 35 kids per classroom for next year. In my school, we are already cut back to the point where we can only offer our students English/Language Arts classes every other day. Are we going to have to do that with Math, too? We have cut our reading instruction from last year to this year by two thirds, from 350 minutes a week to 110 minutes a week. And now we hear that there may be more cuts. Maybe the kids can get by with 30 minutes of reading instruction a week and English every third day. Maybe we can cut Math out completely. I've always heard its over-rated anyway.

But, we better make sure we bail out the auto industry. Some of those executives might not get their Christmas bonuses. Isn't this the same industry that was told to produce more fuel efficient vehicles a few years ago? And they refused? They said people wanted the big SUVs and Hummers. Now, which vehicles are sitting on the lots rusting before they have ever been driven?

But lets cut all those ed techs from the schools. What do they do all day, anyway? They only work with our toughest students: the kids who can't read, the kids who kick and bite and punch, the kids who didn't get any supper the night before because mom was passed out drunk and dad hasn't been seen since last January, the kids who swear at them all the time, the kids who aren't toilet trained. Who is going to work with them? The principals? The superintendents? Maybe the school board would volunteer to come in every day at lunchtime to catheterize that student that used to be catheterized by the ed tech? Lets get rid of some of our most important staff members, the ed techs, and see what sort of school we have left.

I'm not blaming the superintendent. His hands are tied. To have cuts in the middle of the year is an impossible situation. There is very little supply money left to cut. The teachers have signed a year-long contract, there are legal issues if they are let go in the middle of the year. That leaves the hourly employees. I understand his dilemma.

One solution: take one tenth of one percent of the money that may be going to bail out the auto industry and send it our way, toward Maine, toward education, and we might be able to keep our already cut to the bare bones schools going for a little while longer.

Hearing From a Former Student, Too Much Water and Seth Update

2008-11-13T20:41:00.006-05:00

I have three topics for this blog entry, as the title of the blog suggests.

First, I got an email today from a former student of mine. When I taught sixth grade, for a couple of years I taught science, in addition to math. I had very little background in science, so I taught what I knew: space. I did a unit on the space program as well as a unit on astronomy. My kids really seemed to enjoy the units. One girl in particular really was especially motivated by the space unit. She emailed me this week. She is going to school at Florida Institute of Technology, with an interest to perhaps work at NASA, perhaps as an astronaut. She was telling me about the program she is in. She has recently been at Kennedy Space Center, where she was taken out to a launchpad, with a Space Shuttle sitting there all ready to launch (scheduled for November 14). I was very impressed. I love hearing from former students, but I particularly like to hear from this former student. This is a young lady who set her sights on working for NASA from the time she was young, perhaps even in sixth grade. She has worked very hard, in school, by attending space camps, and now in college, to meet her goal. I have every reason to believe she will meet that goal. I wish more students could be as goal-oriented and hard-working as this young lady. I am so proud of everything she has done and, whether she ends up working for NASA or not, I will continue to be very proud of her.

Item number two: I discovered a water main break. I was home sick from work Wednesday (I am already feeling 99% recovered) when I noticed that the ditch in front of the house was filled with water. Except when we get heavy rain, this almost never happens, and when it does it drains quickly. I saw that water was coming out of the culvert that crosses under the road fairly steadily. This bugged me and a few hours later I went outside and took a closer look. The ground was beyond saturated along the ditch and, when I checked the other end of the culvert, no water was entering from the other side. To make a long story short, I ended up calling the water department on a hunch and sure enough, the water main was leaking about fifteen feet further up the road. They ended up shutting off the water to the whole street, digging a huge hole and fixing the leak. When I mentioned to Cara (by cell phone as she was on her way home) what had happened, she was impressed. But not with my discovering the leak, but by the fact that I actually called the water district myself.

Update on Seth: Seth is in Vermont working at Sugarbush Ski Resort for the winter. He is making snow for the resort, working very hard, and living in a small apartment near Sugarbush. He sounds very happy and Cara and I are very proud of him. His girlfriend is in Europe and will be back right before Christmas, so the separation is tough on him, but in the long run, it should be strengthen the relationship. I know when Cara and I were first dating, I was in Belfast and she was in Fort Kent and, looking back, I think it helped to strengthen our relationship. Not that I would want to do that all over again.

Forgive my Ignorance

2008-11-06T18:17:00.004-05:00

Being a white man from Maine, I had no idea of the impact that Barack Obama's Presidential election victory would have on people, particularly on African-Americans. I had no idea how much it would mean to blacks to have a black man elected President. Now, seeing the reaction of so many people, both black and white, but particularly black, on the news, in magazines and newspapers and on the Internet, makes me wonder where I have been. It makes me see that I was missing something.

I though I understood the significance of having an African-American man elected President. May times over the years, I have had conversations with my students at school about how far overdue this country was in elected an African-American or a woman to the position of President. Yet, I guess I grossly underestimated how much of an impact this would have on the African-American community. Where was I?

To see Jessie Jackson openly weeping on television, to see Oprah Winfrey's reaction on her show the next day, to see Condeleezza Rice interviewed, and to hear many black people interviewed on television sent chills down my spine. But the clincher was seeing Oprah interview Will Smith talk about how much it meant to him, personally. Where was I?

I can partly blame it on where I live. I live in Maine, in an area that is 99% white. In school, I can count on one hand how many black students I have in class each year, many years I have had just one, or sometimes none. We have no African-Americans on our teaching staff. There are no black people in my neighborhood. But, this is no excuse.

How could I not see how important it is to see an African-American elected President? How could I not see how important this is to a people who were enslaved for generations less than 150 years ago? How could I not see how special this would be to a people who only gained their basic civil rights 40 years ago? How could I not see? Am I blind?

In hindsight, I understand just how important this is. Many people interviewed said they did not think they would see this in their lifetime. I think I am starting to understand. The only thing I can relate this to is when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 after 86 years of coming oh so close. And yet, this comparison is not even close. It's probably insulting to African-Americans to even say it might compare. But I know how much the Red Sox winning meant to me. It brought me to tears. It was something I thought I would never see. Now, magnify that a thousand-fold and you might get close.

My ignorance is unforgivable. Hopefully my eyes have begun to open.

School Consolidation

2008-11-05T13:52:00.004-05:00

In MSAD 56 where I teach and in MSAD 34 where I live, we have just voted to consolidate our school districts. Despite much trepidation on the part of many people, the vote was really not that close and both school districts voted to combine, beginning in July 2009, less than a year away.

Not that the state gave us much choice. It is a law that schools must consolidate unless they are already a certain size. Then they left it up to the people to vote. However, if the people decided not to consolidate, the state was going to fine the school district a huge chunk of their funding. The loss of funds would devastate any school district that said no. I doubt MSAD 56 could have continued to function without the state funds. I suspect a third of the teaching staff would have been let go and the smallest of our three elementary schools would have been forced to close. Maybe even the smallest two. I suspect those of us who survived the cuts would have had more than thirty students per classroom.

Luckily, the people of both school districts made the only decision they could: to consolidate. For good or for bad, we will soon be one school district. I suspect the good will far outweigh the bad. Then again, I usually see the glass half full.

Voting

2008-11-04T16:18:00.006-05:00

I voted today.

You know, it feels good to vote. It feels like you did a good deed when you vote. I'll admit, I don't vote every year, but when I do it makes me feel good.

It does make disgruntled when I hear people say, "it is your civic duty to vote." Hogwash, I say. It is everyone's right to vote, not a duty to vote. If someone does not feel they want to vote, then they have every right not to. Many people make a statement by not voting. "None of the above." I often wish that was one of the choices. Especially this year in the Presidential category. I don't like any of the candidates. I chose one and voted for him, but I am not happy with my choice. I picked the one I felt would do the best overall job, but let's face it, anyone with any common sense would never run for President. Who would want the job. Have you ever looked at a photograph of a President when he (I use he, because we have not had a she yet) first takes office and compare it to his photograph as he leaves office? He has aged double the number of years he was in office. Have you ever compared Abraham Lincoln's photos from his first and last years in office. He appears to have aged 25 years.

Anyway, voting makes me feel good, even when the choices don't.

Fall Update

2008-11-02T13:03:00.008-05:00

I realized the other day that it had been quite awhile since I had updated my blog. I thought I should do an update, I had intended to blog once or twice a week, but I just could not think what to say. Then I thought, if it had been so long, I guess it is time to update on everything that has happened since my last blog, this past summer.

School has started up again with a whole new crop of eighth graders. Things are a little different this year. I am on the first all-male teaching team in the history of Searsport District Middle School. We are sharing a principle with the high school. We have a new superintendent. And I have my nephew Jake in class this year. All those things combined make for a different and unique year. Now, I don't mean that in a bad way, nor necessarily a good way either. It is just different. Having Jake in class is definitely good, although odd at times. I don't know how Jake feels, but I do find it strange to have him in class, although I am totally enjoying the experience.

Seth, my stepson, has finished his job at the Jordan Pond House and has moved to Vermont to work at Superbush Ski Resort for the winter. He has definitely grown up and matured a lot in the last year and I am very proud of all he has done.

Cara is as beautiful as ever. I know I don't tell her this enough.

I have a new book out. It is called From George W. to George W.: The Presidents and their Cabinets. It is available exclusively on Amazon.com and has been out since late August. Sales so far have been practically non-existent, but I'm hoping it will catch on at some point. I have a couple projects in the works for other books and am hoping at least one of them will be ready before the end of 2008.

Now that Halloween has come and gone (we had no trick-or-treaters), I am looking forward to the Christmas season, which, as I have posted before, in my opinion starts now and goes through the first week of January. To me, Thanksgiving and New Years are a part of the overall Holiday Season.

Cara and I have battened down the hatches. In other words, we spent yesterday getting the house ready for the winter. This includes putting plastic over a few spots on the house that are drafty, taking care of lawn furniture, flower beds, the gas grill, the kayaks, and a number of other outdoor stuff. Winter is on its way, whether/weather we are ready or not.

I am going to try and update this blog more often, even if the entries are short. Bye for now.

Summer, Slow Down!

2008-07-11T09:42:00.003-04:00

Summer vacation has just begun, but by looking at the calendar I see that it is one fourth over already as well. For those of us who teach, summer is a vital time to recharge our mental and physical batteries. Teaching kids, as enjoyable as it is, is both mentally and physically draining. We teachers need the summer to make sure we are ready for the ten-month long school year. And the summer seems to go way too fast.

Cara and I have already spent a week at Camp, the family camp on Center Pond where we love to go to relax, swim, kayak, read, and enjoy each other's company without the day-to-day chores of being at home. We are now readying ourselves for a 2-day yard sale, this Saturday and Sunday. Our dining room, living room and kitchen are loaded with tons of . . . stuff. Hopefully we can get rid of most of it, while at the same time make some money that we hope to put away for a possible trip to Florida next winter or spring. We still have not gotten anywhere on our new deck, which we thought would be done by now. Our carpenter/friend hopes to start next week. Cara's mom is coming for a visit next week and it will be nice having her here. Seth was home for a brief visit this week. We have the annual family reunion in just over a week. The following week I will be at a 3-day conference for school (so much for vacation). Cara and I hope to get back to Camp somewhere in there. The second week of August we will spend with my family at a camp we are renting on a small lake in the southern part of Maine. Cara hopes to get to her Mom's somewhere after that, before she starts back to school a week early this year (due to needing to get out early next spring in order to move her school to her new school before her old school is demolished). Whew! I can tell that this summer, as fast as it is going, may just fly by even faster. Let's hope not.

Camp Kieve a Positive Experience

2008-06-07T14:46:00.010-04:00

Last week the entire eighth grade at my school went to Camp Kieve for two days and one night. It was part of their Leadership School, an adventure-based education teaching kids to take healthy challenges. It involves kids climbing on a high ropes course, among many other activities. We actually stayed at Camp Kieve's sister camp across the lake, Camp Wavus. It is an absolutely beautiful campus, right on the lake, with the ropes course located out on a narrow peninsula, with water on all sides. One of the activities involves a giant swing, where students are hoisted thirty-five feet into the air and they swing out over the water.

As a long-time sixth grade teacher, I have always known that the Camp Kieve experience was a positive one, where students came back saying how much fun they had, etc. Until last year, I had no idea just how much personal growth each student returned with. They are able to challenge themselves at any level they choose. I have never seen a program where every student walks away having gotten so much out of the experience. Most were able to do things they never thought they would be able to do. Perhaps they climbed 15 feet off the ground. Maybe they climbed all the way up a tree and walked across a six inch wide pole, 40 feet off the ground. Maybe they paddled a canoe for the first time. Maybe they rode the giant swing. Maybe they just watched, but stayed overnight away from home for the first time. Whatever the challenge, no matter how much gumption it took to meet that challenge, no student was left unchanged. I strongly believe that this camp, this program, has changed the lives of many a young person. I have also been changed by the experience.

Turning 40

2008-04-23T14:45:00.004-04:00

Sunday I hit the big 4-0. That's right, forty. I am no longer in my thirties, but now I am in my forties. Wow. That is hard for me to say. I am 40 years old. It seems like just yesterday that my parents turned 40. Its hard to believe that time has flown by so quickly. What happened to my thirties? Or my twenties for that matter? 40 years old. Does that mean I have to start acting like an adult? I sure hope not.

I will say that the days leading up to 40, the days anticipating it, were much worse than actually waking up to 40. I dreaded my birthday tremendously. Yet, the morning I turned 40, it didn't feel any different. If anything, there was a bit of weight off my shoulders. It was kind of like, "Whew, it's finally here, and I'm not dead, I'm not decrepit, I'm actually feeling pretty good about it."

To celebrate, Cara and I had my parents, my aunt and uncle, my grandfather, my sister and her two boys, and my brother, his wife and their daughter over to our house. We had a smorgasbord of food and, of course, cake and ice cream. (My sister and my nephews made the ice cream, homemade, and it was unbelievably good!) I had a great day! It was a lot of fun! And it had been years since we had hosted any of our family gatherings, so that made it just that much more special.

40 really doesn't feel any different. Inside I am still about 10. Well, I sometimes feel like I'm 10. Cara would suggest that maturity-wise that would even be stretching it. I would definitely not like to be 10 again, because that would mean I had the teen years ahead of me, and I absolutely do NOT want to repeat those years! I guess I like 40. There is good and bad about reaching this age. But so far, 40 seems pretty good to me.

Ah, the Life of a Teacher

2008-03-13T15:30:00.013-04:00

Just a quick story about what happened at school this morning:

A student of mine that I will not name, a young man who is autistic, came into my room this morning. He congratulated me for my homeroom winning the "pizza party." My homeroom had the best attendance in our grade during our recent round of standardized testing, which won us a pizza party coming up this Friday.
When he said this to me, I immediately remembered that this young man had done some of his testing with my homeroom (even though he is technically not part of any homeroom). I asked if he would like to join us for the pizza party. His response was, "Of course! I would love to join you." I smiled at his enthusiastic answer and made sure he knew when the party was, which he did.
Just after he left the room, I overheard him talking to the lady who works one-on-one with him, saying, "I didn't even have to ask him!"

Another thing happened as well. This happened in one of the other teacher's classes, on the team I teach on, named Josh. A student had finished what the other students were working on, today, and Josh asked if he would find something else to work on while the other students finished up. He told the teacher that he had something he could work on. He took a folded piece of paper out and carefully spread it out on his desk. Josh observed that it was covered in tally marks, four lines with the fifth one crossing the other four, over and over all covering the paper. Next the student pulled out something else, something he unwrapped. It was a Tootsie Pop. The young man took a lick, then added a mark to his paper. He took another lick and added another mark. Josh already knew the answer but decided to ask anyway. Sure enough, the young man said he was doing a scientific experiment to see how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

Kitchen Remodel

2008-02-25T15:46:00.010-05:00

Cara and I are always trying to improve our home. We've redone floors, painted walls, and Cara has an icredible way with decorating. Thus, our latest redo: the kitchen. It was not a complete redo. We redid the floor a year ago. But over our recent vacation, we painted the walls and put in a new stone-tile backsplash behind the stove, then decided to extend the tiles to do a border around the top of the sideboard. Here are some pictures:

Condolences to the Ryan Family

2008-01-30T15:57:00.000-05:00

As a Boston Red Sox fan, it is only natural to be a fan of all those Red Sox pre-game commentators that I see on an almost daily basis from April to October every summer. One of my favorites is Bob Ryan, who is also a sports columnist for the Boston Globe. Bob's son Keith died at the age of 37 yesterday, while working for the U.S. Homeland Security Department in Pakistan.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to the entire Ryan family over such a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Snow, Snow, Snow

2008-01-06T15:09:00.001-05:00

It seems like we have gotten a huge amount of snow lately. According to the local weather forecaster, Steve McKay, Maine has not had a December like this one, as far as snowfall totals go, for at least 10 years. We had more snow in December 2007 than each of the previous 5 Decembers combined.

Now, I love snow. To me there is nothing like sitting in a warm house and watching the snow fall out the window. But even I am starting to get tired of scooping the snow out of the driveway.

Using my snow scoop is a fairly simple way to clear the driveway. But when you have to push the scoop up a 4-foot snowbank every time because you've run out of places to dump it, that tens to be rather exhausting. Especially when you get two nearly-one-foot snow storms in 3 days.

Luckily, the forecast is calling for a few days in the 40's this week. Hopefully, some of the snow will not survive. I need to shrink the snow banks so I have a place to put the snow from our next storm. And one thing I know about Maine, if it is only January, then there will defeintely be a next storm.

Family Tree Part 4: Descendants of William the Conqueror

2007-12-31T10:32:00.001-05:00

As I have researched the family tree, I am always amazed at the branches that I discover. Amazingly, there are no less than 10 branches that all go back to William the Conqueror, all of them through my grandfather, Raymond Mills. They are all fascinating to explore and I hope to show several of them on this blog. Today I will highlight one of the more interesting of them.

1. William the Conqueror (King William I of England), b. Oct 14, 1024, Falaise, Normandy; d. Sep 9, 1087, France.
m. Matilda of Flanders, b. abt 1031, Flanders; d. Nov 2, 1083, Normandy.

Note: King of England was an illegitimate child of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, who died in 1035 while returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. At only eight years of age, William became the new Duke of Normandy. By 1064, he had conquered and won two neighboring provinces Brittany and Maine. In the meantime, the childless King of England Edward the Confessor, whose mother was a sister of William’s grandfather—promised William succession to the English throne. However, when Edward died in 1066, his brother-in-law and most powerful of the English lords, Harold Goodwin, claimed the throne of England for himself (despite an oath he made to William to support his claim). The Witan, a council of English lords that commonly took part in deciding succession, supported Harold. William, angered by the betrayal, decided to invade England and enforce his claim.

William assembled a fleet and an army on the French coast, but due to unrelenting north winds, their advance was delayed for several weeks. In the meantime, the Norwegian army invaded England from the North Sea. Harold, who had been preparing for William’s invasion from the south, rapidly moved his army north to defend England from Norway. After defeating the Norwegians, Harold unwisely marched his troops back down to meet William, without a rest. On October 14, 1066, the two armies met in the famous Battle of Hastings. King Harold and his two brothers were killed in the battle, and since no one of stature remained to raise a new army, William’s path to the throne was clear. He was crowned King William I of England on Christmas Day.

2. King Henry I of England, b. abt 1068, Selby, England; d. Dec 1, 1135, near Gisors, France.
m. Matilda of Scotland, (dau of King Malcolm III of Scotland and Saint Margaret) b. 1080; d. May 1, 1118, Westminster Palace.

Note: Henry was the youngest son of William the Conqueror and brother to William II. When William II was killed while hunting with Henry, he seized the royal treasure and assended to the throne. In 1101, his brother Robert, Duke of Normandy, invaded England. He was halted by Anslem, Bishop of Canterbury, and his army withdrew. In 1106, war broke out again between the brother. Henry defeated Robert, and kept him prisoner for the rest of his life, while taking possession of Normandy. He had no male heirs, just a daughter named Matilda. Upon Henry's death, his nephew, Stephen, took the throne.

3. Empress Matilda, b. February 1102; d. Sep 10, 1167.
m. Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, aka Geoffrey "le Plantagenet" (son of Fulk V and Ermengarde Countess of Maine), b. Aug 24, 1113, Anjou (now part of France); d. Sep 7, 1151, Chateau-et-Loire, France.

Note: Empress Matilda (sometimes Maud or Maude; later Countess of Anjou and Lady of the English) was the daughter and dispossessed heir of Henry I of England. She was married to Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, and then to Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, by whom she became the mother of Henry II of England. Matilda was the first female ruler of the Kingdom of England. Her failure to secure that rule meant that her undisputed period of reign in 1141 was extremely brief. (Wikipedia)

4. King Henry II of England, b. Mar 5, 1133, Le Mans, Sarthe, France; d. July 6, 1189, Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, France.
m. Eleanor of Aquitaine (William X, Count Of Poiton, Duke Of Aquitaine and Aenor De Chatellerault), b. 1121, Chateau de Belin, Gironde, France; d. Mar 31, 1204, Mirabell Castle, Tarn-et-Garonne, France.

Note: Eleanor was the only woman ever to be married to 2 different kings (Louis VII of France and Henry II of England), and the mother of 2 different kings (Richard the Loin-Heart and King John). She was portayed by Katherine Hepburn in the movie The Lion In Winter.

Henry was the first Plantagenet King of England. He inherited Normandy, Anjou, and Maine. He gained the duchy of Aquitaine through his marriage to Eleanor. In 1152 he invaded England. The following year, he forced King Stephen to name him heir to the throne. He was crowned king following Stephen's death in 1154. He had Thomas à Becket murdered for not accepting his Constitutions of Clarendon, designed to limit clerical privileges. Henry's son succeeded him as Richard I, the Lion-Hearted. Henry was portrayed by Peter O'Toole in the movie The Lion In Winter.

5. King John of England (John Lackland), b. Dec 24, 1166, Kings Manor House, Oxford, England; d. Oct 19, 1216, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England.
m. Isabella De Taillefer (dau of Aymer De Taillefer and Alix De Courtenay), b. abt 1188, France; d. May 31, 1246, Fontevrault Abbe, Fontevrault, Maine-Et-Loire, France.

Note: In 1177, John was made lord of Ireland by his father. He made several bungling attempts to usurp the crown while his brother, King Richard The Lion-Heart was being held prisoner in Austria. He succeeded Richard in 1199, upon Richard's death. In 1200, he divorced his wife Isabel (Hadwisa) of Gloucester to marry Isabella of Angoulême. John had nearly all his English possessions in France seized by Philip II in 1204. In 1215, he signed the Magna Carta. King John is the villain of the legendary Robin Hood. John died in 1216 after a brief illness, and was succeeded by his 9 year old son, Henry III.

6. King Henry III of England, b. Oct 1, 1206, Winchester, England; d. Nov 16, 1272, Westminster, England.
m. Eleanor of Provence (dau of Raimond Berenger Provence V and Beatrice Countess of Savoy), b. abt 1233, France; d. June 24, 1291, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England.

Note: Henry succeeded his father John to the throne of England at the age of 9. He ruled under the regency of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. In 1227, he began his personal rule. Henry ruled England for 56 years. After his son, Edward, led royal troops to victory over Simon De Monfont's troops, Henry ruled in name only, as Edward held all the power. Edward became Edward I on his father's death.

7. King Edward I of England (Edward Longshanks), b. June 17, 1239, London, England; d. July 7, 1307, Burgh-by Sands.
m. Princess Marguerite of France (dau of King Philip III of France and Maria De Brabant), b. aft 1274; Feb 14, 1317, Marlborough Castle.

Note: Edward became King of England upon his father's death in 1272, even though he held power over his father for several years before that. In 1290, he expelled all the Jews from England. He spent 5 years fighting Welsh barons, who were subdued in 1283. In 1296, he began an attempt to take over Scotland. He was opposed by William Wallace, known as Braveheart. He defeated Wallace in 1298, but did not conquer Scotland. At the same time, he was also directing a war in France against Philip IV. He signed a peace treaty with Philip IV in 1303 and he married a sister of the the French King. He died on his way to crush a new revolt by the Scots. In the movie Braveheart, he is portrayed by Patrick McGoohan.

(Princess Marguerite was King Edward's second wife. His first wife, Eleanor of Castile, was the daughter of King Ferdinand III of Castile. Another branch of the family descends throught Edward and Eleanor's son, King Edward III.)

8. Thomas of Brotherton (1st Earl of Norfolk), b. June 1, 1300, Brotherton, England; d. Aug 4, 1338.
m. Alice Hayles (dau of Sir Roger Hayles and Alice Skogan).

Note: Thomas of Brotherton was the 1st Earl of Norfolk. His father died when he was 7 years old. Thomas' half-brother, Edward, now became king of England. The Earldom of Cornwall had been intended for Thomas, but Edward instead bestowed it upon his favorite, Piers Gaveston, in 1306. When he was 10 years old, his brother Edward II of England assigned him and another brother, Edmund, the estates of Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk who had died without heir in 1306.
In 1312 he was titled, "Earl of Norfolk" and on February 10, 1316 he was created Marshal of England. When his brother went to Scotland in the war, he was left Keeper of England. Thomas was known for having a hot and violent temper. He was one of the many victims of the unchecked greed of Hugh the younger Despenser, who stole some of the young earl's lands. He allied himself with Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March when they invaded England in 1326, and stood as one of the judges in the trials against both Despensers.

9. Margaret of Norfolk, b. 1320, d. Mar 24, 1399.
m. Baron John De Segrave, b. 1315, d. 1353.

Note; Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk (also Countess of Norfolk, Lady Manny and Lady de Segrave, later construct Plantagenet) was Countess of Norfolk from 1338 to 1399. She became heiress to the Earldom after the death of her childless brother, Edward, in 1334.
In 1338, Margaret inherited the Earldom of Norfolk when her father died, becoming the 2nd Countess of Norfolk. Along with this title came the office of Lord Marshal. To date, she is the only woman to have served in this position (or, as it was called in the future, Earl Marshal).
In 1350, Margaret and John de Segrave began seeking a divorce based on the premise that they were contracted in marriage before she was of age, and that she had never consented to marry him. Furthermore, she had begun a relationship with a knight of great renown, Sir Walter Manny, 1st Baron Manny, as she crossed the channel in October 1350 to meet with him in Calais, without the king's permission. The inquisition regarding this incident shows that Margaret illegally crossed the Channel and met with Manny's servant, who broke his lantern with his foot so she could pass unnoticed.
John de Segrave died in 1353, before their divorce could be finalized; the next year Margaret wed Walter Manny. Sir Walter died in 1371. Margaret never remarried, and as a widow was created Duchess of Norfolk for life in 1397. Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk, died in 1399 and was buried in the choir of the Grey Friars, London.

10. Elizabeth De Segrave, b. OCt 25, 1338, Abbey, Croxton, Leicestershire, England; d. 1375.
m. Lord/Baron John de Mowbray III (son of Lord John de Mowbray II and Lady Joan Plantagenet), b. June 25, 1340, Epworth, Isle of Axholme, Lincolnshire, England; d. Oct 19, 1368, Constantinople, Turkey.

Note: John de Mowbray was the 4th Baron Mowbray. As was the custom of lords at the time, de Mowbray served in the French wars. The 4th Baron took the cross and met his end near Constantinople, fighting against the Turks.

11. Sir Thomas de Mowbray I, Duke of Norfolk, b. Mar 22, 1366, Epworth, Isle of Axholme, Lincolnshire, England; d. Sep 22, 1399, Venice, Italy.
m. Lady Elizabeth FitzAlan (dau of Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and Elizabeth De Bohun), b. 1366, Derbyshire, England; d. July 8, 1425, Heveringham, Nottingham, England.

Note: Lady Elizabeth had four husbands and at least five children.

Note: Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk was an English nobleman.
On 10 February 1382, he succeeded his brother John as 6th Baron Mowbray and 7th Baron Segrave, and soon afterwards was created Earl of Nottingham, a title that had also been created for his elder brother. Three years later he was appointed Earl Marshal of England, and in that capacity he fought against the Scots and then against the French.
Lord Nottingham was one of the Lords Appellant to King Richard II who deposed some of King Richard's court favorites in 1387. The King's uncle, Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester, was imprisoned at Calais, where Nottingham was Captain. When Gloucester was killed in 1397, it was probably at the King's orders and probably with Nottingham's involvement. A few weeks later he was created Duke of Norfolk. His aged grandmother, the Countess of Norfolk, was still alive; she was created Duchess of Norfolk for life. When she died the next year he also became 3rd Earl of Norfolk.
Later, in 1398, Norfolk quarrelled with Henry of Bolingbroke, 1st Duke of Hereford (later King Henry IV), apparently due to mutual suspicions stemming from their roles in the conspiracy against the Duke of Gloucester. The King banished them both. After Hereford returned and usurped the throne, Norfolk was stripped of the Dukedom of Norfolk, though he retained his other titles. He died of the plague in Venice, on 22 September 1399.

12. Margaret De Mowbray, b. 1387, Norfolk, Essex, England; d. July 8, 1425.
m. Sir Robert Howard, K.G. (son of John Howard and Alice Tendring), b. abt 1383; d. 1436.

13. Lord/Sir John Howard, d. Aug 22, 1485.
m. Catherine De Moleyns, d. Nov 3, 1465.

Note: John Howard was created 1st Duke of Norfolk (of the 3rd creation) on June 28, 1483. The title had become extinct, firstly upon the death of John de Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk (1444–1476), who had been 4th Duke of Norfolk (of the 1st creation) from 1461 until 1476, and again upon the illegitimisation on June 25, 1483 of Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, who had been created Duke of Norfolk after marrying Anne Mowbray, the daughter of the late Norfolk.
John Howard was known as "Jack (or "Jock," hence: "Jockey") of Norfolk". He had the support of Edward IV of England who made him Constable of Norwich Castle, Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, Treasurer of the Royal Household. For his support of Richard III during the desposition of Edward V in 1483, he was created Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, and Lord Admiral of all England, Ireland, and Aquitaine.
He was married first to Katherine Moleyns (1424-1465), the daughter of William de Moleyns and Margery Whalesborough; and then to Margaret Chedworth (1436-1494), the daughter of Sir John Chedworth and Margaret Bowett. [1] Margaret Bowett's parents were Nicholas Bowett of Rippingale, Lincolnshire, England and Elizabeth La Zouche of Harringworth, Northampton, England.
He died at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The night before, someone had left him a note warning him that King Richard III, his "master," was going to be double-crossed (which he was): “Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold, For Dickon, thy master, is bought and sold.”
He was buried in Thetford Priory, but his body seems to have been moved at the Reformation, possibly to the tomb of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk at Framlingham Church. The monumental brass of his first wife Katherine Moleyns can, however, still be seen in Suffolk.
He was the great-grandfather of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the second and fifth Queen consorts, respectively, of Henry VIII of England. His daughter, Margaret, by Katherine Moleyns, married Sir John Wyndham. His son, Thomas, became duke after him. (Wikipedia)

14. Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, b. 1443, Stoke Newland, Suffolk, England; d. May 21, 1524, Farlingham Castle, Farlingham, Norfolk, England.
m. Elizabeth Tilney (dau of Sir Frederick Tilney), b. 1455, Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, England; d. April 4, 1497, Farlingham Castle, Farlingham, Norfolk, England.

Note: Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443 – 21 May 1524) was an English soldier and statesman. Howard went to Ipswich School in his youth. As the Earl of Surrey, Howard fought for King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, following which he was imprisoned for several years before having his titles and estates restored. He continued in the service of the Tudor dynasty. Beginning in 1497, Howard and the English repelled Scottish assaults at Norham Castle, a stronghold of the Bishopric of Durham, among others. In 1502, a treaty was signed between Scotland and England ending hostilities for a time, and Howard was able to rest from his military career for a while. He was appointed Lieutenant General of the North.
In 1511, Lord Surrey was appointed Warden-General of the Northern Marches. In 1513, the Scots invaded England to meet their treaty obligations to France under the Auld Alliance. At the Battle of Flodden Field, the English, under Howard's command, crushed the Scots. With victory, Lord Surrey was restored as Duke of Norfolk in 1514, which title had been forfeit since 1485 because of his father's support of Richard.
Thomas was the grandfather of two of King Henry VIII's wives, Anne Bolyn and Catherine Howard. He was also the great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I.

15. Muriel Howard, b. 1486, Buckingham Castle, Norfolk, England; d. Dec 14, 1512, Lambeth, England.
m. Edward Knyvett.

16. Anne Bourchier Knyvett.
m. Richard Sayre (son of John Sayer), b. 1508, Colchester, England; d. 1540, Amsterdam, Holland.

17. John Bourchier Sayre, b. 1528; d. Holland.
m. Elizabeth Hawkins (dau of William Hawkins [a confidant of King Henry VIII] and Joan Trelawney), b. 1532; d. 1595.

18. John Bourchier Sayer, b. abt 1561, Plymouth, England; d. 1625, Amsterdam, Ntherlands.
m. Marie LaMoral VonEgmont (dau of Philip LaMoral VanEgmont), b. 1561.

19. Richard Sears, b. 1590; d. 1676, Yarmouth, MA.
m. Dorothy Thacher, d. 1680.

Note: Richard landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts Colony from England on May 8, 1630 with the last of the Leydon (Leidon) Colony, from which the Mayflower Pilgrims were a part.

20. Lt. Silas Sears b. 1638, Marbelhead, MA; Jan 13, 1697, Yarmouth, Maine.
m. Anna Bursell (dau of James Bursell), d. Mar 4, 1725.

21. Josiah Sears, b. abt 1675, Yarmouth, MA; d. 1727, Provincetown, MA.
m. Mercy Howes (dau of Captain Stephen Howes and Rebecca Howes), b. 1679; d. May 20, 1720, Bridgewater, MA.

22. Josiah Sears, b. Aug 25, 1708, Chatham, Massachusetts; d. Jan 1722, Eastham, Massachusetts.
m. Azubah Knowles (dau of Col. Samuel Knowles, Jr. and Bethia Brown), b. Feb 6, 1714; d. March 1762.

Note: Josiah Sears was a cordwainer.

23. Mercy Sears, b. Aug 23, 1737, Eastham, Massachusetts; d. Between 1800 & 1810.
m. Capt. Archelaus Harding, Sr. (son of John Harding and Elizabeth Young), b. May 31, 1740, Eastham, Massachusetts; d. Mar 16, 1829.

Note: In 1790, Archelaus and Mercy were living in Frankfort, Maine.

24. Archelaus Harding, Jr., b. Jan 17, 1774; d. Dec. 25, 1859.
m. Hannah Moore, b. 1785; d. Mar 10, 1840, Prospect, Maine.

25. Hannah Files Harding, b. Mar 23, 1821.
m. Edward Avery (son of Enoch Avery and Margaret Shephard), b. June 1, 1812, Jefferson, Maine; d. Aug 31, 1886, Prospect, Maine.

26. Byron Cousins Avery, b. Nov. 13, 1853, Prospect, Maine; d. June 8, 1915.
m. Almeda Harriman (dau of Albert S. Harriman and Rebecca Ginn), b. Oct 15, 1857; d. May 2, 1919.

Note: Byron lived in the "old Harriman homestead at the Ferry on the west bank of the Penobscot (River) ... close beside Fort Knox" "Kept a country store in Prospect Ferry, with his father-in-law"
Almeda had a twin sister, Alfreda.

27. Evelyn Roberts Avery, b. 1884, d. 1957.
m. Percy Atwood Mills (son of Albert Reed Mills and Sarah Frank Douglass), b. Jan 23, 1882, West Brooksville, Maine; d. Sep 25, 1951, Bangor, Maine.

Note: Percy ran a general store at the ferry landing in Prosect, Maine. After the ferry stopped running following the opening of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, Percy moved the store up to the main road. Percy served as a selectman in the town of Prospect. Was a member of the Fort Knox Lodge and Riverview Rebekah Lodge of Bucksport.

28. Raymond Douglass Mills (my grandfather)

Top 100 TV Characters of All-Time

2007-12-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

I recently caught the tale end of a show that was counting down the top 100 TV characters of all-time. It was extremely interesting and, as I watched, I thought that I could put together a list like that as well. After much less work than I expected, in reverse order, here is my list:

The Top 100 TV Characters of All-Time
100. Captain Kangaroo (Captain Kangaroo)
99. The Church Lady (Staurday Night Live)
98. Jimmy Hughes (Yes, Dear)
97. Stephen Hyde (That 70's Show)
96. Dick Louden (Newhart)
95. Odo (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
94. Colonel Klink (Hogan's Heroes)
93. Josh Lyman (The West Wing)
92. Hurley (Lost)
91. John Locke (Lost)
90. Mr. Bean (Mr. Bean)
89. Dick Solomon (Third Rock From the Sun)
88. Frank Burns (MASH)
87. Herb Tarlek (WKRP In Cincinnati)
86. Les Nessman (WKRP In Concinnati)
85. Mister Rogers (Mister Rogers' Neighborhood)
84. Sawyer (Lost)
83. Greg Warner (Yes, Dear)
82. Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
81. Hyacinth Bucket (Keeping Up Appearances)
80. Shirley Feeney (Laverne & Shirley)
79. Rerun (What's Happening!!)
78. Debra Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
77. Richie Cunningham (Happy Days)
76. Michael Kelso (That 70's Show)
75. Latka (Taxi)
74. Louie Depalma (Taxi)
73. The Skipper (Gilligan's Island)
72. Frank Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
71. Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
70. Sgt. Schultz (Hoagn's Heroes)
69. Jim Rockford (Rockford Files)
68. Dr. McCoy (Star Trek)
67. Robert Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
66. Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls)
65. Radar O'Reilly (MASH)
64. Vinnie Barbarino (Welcome Back Kotter)
63. Alf (Alf)
62. Mork (Mork & Mindy)
61. Sam Malone (Cheers)
60. Ray Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
59. Alice (The Brady Bunch)
58. Laverne DeFazio (Laverne & Shirley)
57. Harry Stone (Night Court)
56. The Doctor (Doctor Who)
55. Mrs. Slocombe (Are You Being Served?)
54. Mr. Humphries (Are You Being Served?)
53. Quincy (Quincy M.E.)
52. Jed Clampett (The Beverly Hillbillies)
51. Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote)
50. President Jed Bartlet (The West Wing)
49. Max Klinger (MASH)
48. Dr. Johnny Fever (WKRP In Cincinnati)
47. Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld)
46. Al Bundy (Married With Children)
45. Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)
44. Peter Griffin (Family Guy)
43. Stewie Griffin (Family Guy)
42. Elaine Benes (Seinfeld)
41. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
40. Granny (The Beverly Hillbillies)
39. Thomas Magnum (Magnum, P.I.)
38. Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown)
37. Lou Grant (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant)
36. Roseanne Conner (Roseanne)
35. Charles Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie)
34. Jack Tripper (Three's Company)
33. Barney Fife (The Andy Griffith Show)
32. Kramer (Sienfeld)
31. George Costanza (Seinfeld)
30. Laura Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie)
29. Big Bird (Sesame Street)
28. Alex Keaton (Family Ties)
27. Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
26. J.J. Evans (Good Times)
25. Maude Findlay (Maude)
24. Columbo (Columbo)
23. John-Boy Walton (The Waltons)
22. Arnold Jackson (Diff'rent Strokes)
21. Kermit the Frog (The Muppets, Sesame Street)
20. Jeannie (I Dream of Jeannie)
19. Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)
18. Samantha Stephens (Bewitched)
17. Spock (Star Trek)
16. Frasier Crane (Frasier, Cheers)
15. Mary Richards (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
14. Cliff Huxtable (The Cosby Show)
13. Gilligan (Gilligan's Island)
12. Tim Taylor (Home Improvement)
11. Edith Bunker (All In The Family)
10. Fred Sanford (Sanford & Son)
9. J.R. Ewing (Dallas)
8. Ralph Kramden (The Honeymooners)
7. George Jefferson (The Jeffersons)
6. Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek)
5. Lucy Ricardo (I Love Lucy)
4. The Fonz (Happy Days)
3. Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
2. Hawkeye Pierce (MASH)
1. Archie Bunker (All In The Family, Archie Bunker's Place)

There you have it, as I see it. I welcome comments.

Here are some honorable mentions: Niles Crane, Boss Hogg, Hot Lips, B.J. Honeycutt, the characters from Friends, Ted Baxter, Gomer Pyle, Hogan('s Heroes), Mr. and Mrs. Roper, Peg Bundy, Xena, Thurston Howle III, Barney Miller, Webster and Grampa Walton.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

Family Tree Part 3: The Falconer Line

2007-12-18T16:19:00.000-05:00

1. William Falconer

2. John Falconer, b. June 23, 1740, Latheron Parish, Caithness, Scotland
m. Barbara Sutherland (dau. of John Sutherland) b. Feb. 12, 1745

3. James Falconer, b. August 4, 1773, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland; d. Bet. 1841-1851
m. Mary Morrison (dau. of Iye Morrison) b. about 1769, Durness, Sutherland, Scotland
Note: James was a private in the Caithness Fencibles stationed at Fort George and appears to have been discharged by 1797. In 1841 lived at Kinseally (Ceannsalie) on the NW coast of Eddrachilles which was cleared of the tenants for a sheep farm in the mid 1840s.

4. Hector Falconer, b. 1802, Scouriemore, Sutherland, Scotland; d. Sept. 15, 1887, Prince Edward Island, Canada
m. Mary Catherine Ross, b. 1806, Scouriemore, Sutherland, Scotland

5. Alexander Ross Falconer, b. June 11, 1834, Handa, Eddrachilles, Sutherland, Scotland; d. February 4, 1907, Prince Edward Island, Canada
m. Bessie Campbell Gunn (dau. of William Gunn and Christy Campbell) b. May 6, 1854, Prince Edward Island; d. July 13, 1933, Prince Edward Island
Note: Alexander was a minister in South Granville, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

6. George Alexander Ross Falconer, b. October 12, 1878, Prince Edward Island, Canada; d. July 16, 1965, Maine.
m. Mary Ann Curtis b. Feb. 16, 1891; d. May 28, 1974
Note: George left his family in Prince Edward Island, Canada, at age 13 or 14, as they could no longer afford to care for him. He immigrated to Maine, where he settled in Shirley Mills. He ran a fox farm on Boarstone Mountain in Elliotsville, Maine, which had a world reknowned reputation as one of the best.

7. Mary Wilberta "Mae" Falconer, b. May 16, 1923; d. January 15, 2006, Belfast, Maine
m. Raymond Douglass Mills (son of Percy Mills and Evelyn Avery)
Note: Mae grew up in Shirley Mills, Maine, and spent much time on Boarstone Mountain, where her parents were caretakers and ran a fox farm. Just after marrying Ray Mills, Ray was shipped off the Europe with the army, where World War II was winding down. After his return, the couple moved to Dexter, Maine, and began a family. Mae worked for many years as a substitute teacher, and as a secretary for Mac Stewart, an optomistrist. Mae and Ray moved to Searsport in 2003 to be closer to family.

8. Mary Jeanne Mills

9a. Brian Ray Merrill
9b. Allen Ross Ewing Merrill
9c. Karen Lynn Merrill Keniston

Family Tree Part 2: The Mills Line

2007-12-15T19:03:00.000-05:00

1. Mark Mills, b. England
m. Mary Eligood, d. 1700

2. ?Edward Mills?, b. 1686, Sussex County, Delaware; d. 1751, Sussex County, Delaware
m. Agnes Moore, dau. of Thomas Moore and Elizabeth Getting
b. 1690, Sussex County, Delaware; d. 1751, Sussex County, Delaware

3. Luke Mills, b. June 20, 1713, Jamestown, Virginia; d. July 1764, lost at sea
m. Hannah Lang, dau. of John Lang and Grace Brookings
b. Aug 15, 1715, Portsmouth, NH; d. 1748, Portsmouth, NH

4. Eligood Mills, b. August 25, 1744, Portsmouth, NH; d. Jan 6, 1832, Waterboro, Maine
m. Mary Dyer, dau. of Thomas Dyer and Elizabeth Melcher
b. Aug 13, 1753, Biddeford, Maine;
d. March 13, 1774, Portsmouth, NH, due to comlications from childbirth
Note: Eligood Mills was an officer aboard the privateer "Grand Turk", an early settler of Waterboro, York Co. ME, and a farmer. He was also a member of the Congregational Church of Limerick, Limerick, York Co. ME. He served aboard the Grand Turk during the Revolutionary War, when he was taken prisoner at Halifax, and held for 5 years (1777-1782).

5. Joseph Mills, b. October 18, 1771, Biddeford, Maine; d. April 1, 1836, Biddeford, Maine
m. Sarah L. Goodwin, dau. of Amaziah Goodwin and Sarah Butler
b. July 22, 1782, Limington, Maine; d. Nov. 18, 1828, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Note: Joseph was a farmer in Cape Elizabeth and Waterboro.

6. George Vaughan Mills, b. Nov 22, 1812, Cape Elizabeth, Maine; d. April 1, 1894
m. Dorothy Farnham, dau. of Gersham Farnham and Eleanor Varnum
b. Oct 9, 1816, Brooksville, Maine; d. March 1, 1855, Brooksville, Maine
Note: George Vaughn Mills' mother was a Quaker and he was brought up in that strict, reserved, almost silent faith. He loved a good joke and had a very hearty laugh. When his young wife died he was left with seven children, the oldest, Alice, sixteen years old. For two years he and Alice managed as well as they could to run the farm and acre for the children. Then he married the young womanwhom his first wife had told him she felt sure would be a good mother to the children. George, still a young man, became active in the affairs of the town - first as justice of the peace whereby he tried all cases which made necessary the holding of the court. Later, the people of his county selected him to represent them in the state legislature at Augusta. This he did with honor to his county and to himself. He loved peace and hated war more intensely than most people - due, probably, to his Quaker training. However, if there seemed sufficient reason for differing, he could do so in no uncertain terms. He stood for the finest and best in everything. His morning prayers were a regular institution in the home.

7. Albert Reed Mills, b. March 25, 1853; d. March 4, 1942
m. Sarah Frank Douglass, dau. of Joseph Douglass and Sarah L. Wasson
b. Feb 1, 1853; d. 1906
Note: Albert Reed Mills was the lighthouse keeper for the Goose Rock Lighthouse located in the Fox Island Thoroughfare between North Haven and Vinalhaven off the coast of Maine for 23 years. He got done 2 years before he would have been eligible for a pension, due to poor health. He claimed that the whole time he lived on Goose Rock, which had just room for the lighthouse, with no land at all, he raised his own vegetables. This is true if you consider the fact that all food and other supplies had to be raised out of a boat and up into the lighthouse. After his retirement, he moved in with his son Percy and daughter-in-law Evelyn in Prospect, Maine, where he worked in Percy's store at the Ferry Landing.

8. Percy Atwood Mills, b. Jan. 23, 1882, West Brooksville, Maine;
d. September 25, 1951, Bangor, Maine
m. Evelyn Roberts Avery, dau. of Byron Cousins Avery and Almeda Harriman
b. 1884; d. 1957
Note: Percy ran a general store at the ferry landing in Prosect, Maine. After the ferry stopped running following the opening of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, Percy moved the store up to the main road. Percy served as a selectman in the town of Prospect. Was a member of the Fort Know Lodge and Riverview Rebekah Lodge of Bucksport.

9. Raymond Douglass Mills, b. May 4, 1916
m. Mary Wilberta "Mae" Falconer, dau. of George Falconer and Mary Ann Curtis
b. May 16, 1923; d. January 15, 2006, Belfast, Maine

10. Mary Jeanne Mills, b. May 16, 1947, Bangor, Maine
m. Lionel Leroy "Bud" Merrill, Jr., son of Lionel Leroy Merrill, Sr. and Arlene Mildred Howe
b. October 28, 1943, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine

11. Brian Merrill, b. April 20, 1968
m. Cara Kelly, dau. Leighton Kelly and Patricia Gilmartin
b. August 5, 1967

A Christmas Blessing, Muppet-Style

2007-12-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

One of Cara's and my favorite Christmas movies is The Muppet Christmas Carol. Every year we plan which night we'll watch it and look forward to it for days. Cara calls it a real feel-good Christmas movie. In the movie, there is a scene where Tiny Tim sings a Christmas blessing to his family called "Bless Us All". The words are beautiful. Here they are:

Bless Us All
(Words by Paul Williams)

Life is full of sweet surprises, every day's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit
It fills me up with laughter, it fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much that we can share
With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other
Lead us toward the light
Let us hear the voice of reason
Singing in the night
Let us run from anger
And catch us when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyous tears
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all

Snow Day!

2007-12-03T09:25:00.001-05:00

It is 9:30 in the morning on a Monday, as I sit at my computer listening to the sound of the snowplow making its second trip up my street since it began snowing early this morning. We have a snow day!

It is not just the kids that look forward to snow days, it is also, and perhaps even more so, the teachers and other school staff that look forward to them. An unexpected day off! What could be better than that?

This is how it generally works at my house:

My alarm goes off at the usual time, 5:00. Instead of hitting the snooze button three times, I usually only hit it once before I am up. I stumble to the kitchen and turn on the small TV we have sitting on the bar. I hear the familiar music of Storm Center, the alternative music played on WLBZ-TV on days when a snow storm is under way. The news anchors, Lee Nelson and Sharon Rose, and the weather man, Kevin Mannix, are wearing sweaters instead of their usual attire. But my eyes are not interested in what they are wearing. They immediately fall to the bottom of the screen where the school cancellations are flashing. I'm looking for SAD 56 (my school) or SAD 3 (Cara's). Meanwhile, my ear is listening for the phone to ring, anticipating the call from one school or the other with the simple message: no school. Usually I see Cara's school on TV first and usually I get the phone call before Cara does. Cara, not waiting for the call from her phone tree, usually calls the next person in line once she hears from me that her school has come up on the TV. (I know, you aren't supposed to do that, but Cara doesn't care.)

Once it has been established that neither of us have school (and only once in seven years has one of us had school and the other not), Cara, who has not yet left bed, goes back to sleep. Me, I am too awake by now to sleep, and get my current book and sit in the recliner and read, while waiting for the coffee to be ready. I usually get a couple hours of reading in before Cara (the smart one) wakes up. Then we spend as much of the day as possible doing nothing. At some point, I will need to scoop and shovel the driveway, but I try not to think of that.

Why do we so look forward to snow days? We do have to make them all up at the end of the year. Most likely, instant gratification. Do we regret it in June when we seem to be the only school still in session? A little. But to be honest, I'd rather go to school a couple extra days in June when I get home from school and have 6 hours of daylight, than to go in the middle of the winter and get home and have 2 hours of daylight. There is something cosy about lazing around the house with the snow falling outside your window knowing there is nothing you need to accomplish today except whatever you feel like.

My First Ballet

2007-11-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

It's hard to imagine that at the age of 39, I have never seen a ballet. Until tonight, that is. Cara and I went to the Nutcracker, performed by the Atlantic Ballet Company at the Camden Opera House. Now, I must say, I am not the most cultured person in the world. Far from it. I've never been to an opera or a symphony. I did go to three presentations at the Maine Center for Performing Arts at the University of Maine at Orono many years ago. I'm not sure they would qualify as culture.

The first was a speech by Jessie Jackson, who was running for President at the time. I went with two friends, and one of them slept through it. It was highly cultural.

The second time was to hear Leonard Nimoy speak. You know, the guy that played Mr. Spock. Personally, I thought it was highly cultural, especially when the entire audience greeted Mr. Nimoy with the Vulcan salute.

The third probably did qualify; I went to see a musical, one of the classics, one where you know most of the songs, and one whose name I've forgotten. But it was highly cultural.

Actually, this was my second trip to the Camden Opera House. A few years ago, Cara and I took her mom and gram and Seth to see My Fair Lady. It was a fantastic show and it was highly cultural.

The Nutcracker had no words. I found that highly cultural. The music, a lot of it anyway, was familiar to me. It was classical music, written by one of those familiar classical composers, whose name I can't remember. But it was highly cultural. The lead ballot guy wore his tights rather, well, tight. Let's just say he didn't leave much to the imagination. I did NOT find that highly cultural. Disturbing, maybe. Cara might have found it cultural, however.

I felt bad that the Opera House was less than half full. I guess the people of Midcoast Maine don't know culture when they see it. People need to get out and try some of these highly cultural events more. You never know when it might culturize you.

Well Laid Plans

2007-11-27T17:39:00.000-05:00

I had planned to get to school early this morning and get some things prepared for today's math lessons. I was going to try out a new computer program called Noteshare. The way that works is that I prepare some notes ahead of time (in this case a chapter from a mystery that goes right along with our current Math module) and I can electronically "share" those notes with my students. They can all see the exact same thing on their laptops as I have on mine. I had the pages all ready to go, except I needed to use the morning to make sure it worked properly.

I arrived at work at 6:30 this morning, had just quickly photocopied some papers and was getting my laptop out, when the cell phone rang. It was Cara; her car would not start.

I rushed back home (about a 12 minute drive) and tried to jumpstart the car. After several attempts, no luck. It was not going to start. At this point we only had one choice. I would have to drive Cara to school (25 minutes in the opposite direction), then take the car to work. Or she would have to drive me to work and take the car. Obviously, choice number two was the only logical choice. As we started for Searsport, I looked at the car clock. It said 7:17. Students start arriving in my homeroom at 7:15. I called Milaine, our wonderful school secretary, and explained what had happened and that I was ten minutes away. Meanwhile, Cara had already let her school know she would be even later than that.

I arrived at school (for the second time today) at 7:26. My first class started at 7:28, giving me just enough time to take attendance for my homeroom. I did not even try to use Noteshare with my first class. I ended up reading aaloud the part I was going to "share" with them. I explained the predicament and they understood, even though they had been looking forward to trying Noteshare.

During my prep period following my first class, I checked to make sure I understood how to use Noteshare, so I could try it in my next class. I re-familiarized myself with the basics of Noteshare. I wanted to test it, but could not find anyone to test it with, but everything looked like it was working okay. When I tried it out in the next class, it would not work. My computer said I was sharing, but none of the students could find me on their Noteshare network. I'll have to find one of our computer guys and see if I'm doing something wrong.

All in all, it was not a very productive day. But things like that happen. That's life. You have to learn to go with the flow.

Family Tree Part 1: Merrill Line

2007-11-23T17:46:00.000-05:00

I have spent years doing research on my family tree, and I must admit I have had huge success. Today we will be looking at the Merrill line, starting with me.

1. Brian Ray Merrill, b. April 20, 1968, Lewiston, Maine
m. Cara Leigh Kelly, dau. of Leighton and Patricia Kelly,
b. August 5, 1967, New Milford, CT

2. Lionel Leroy "Bud" Merrill, Jr., b. Oct. 28, 1943, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
m. Mary Jeanne Mills, dau. of Raymond Mills and Mary "Mae" Falconer
b. May 16, 1947, Bangor, Maine
children: Brian Ray Merrill
Allen Ross Merrill, b. Aug. 3, 1970
Karen Lynn Merrill, b. Aug 17, 1971

3. Lionel Leroy Merrill, Sr., b. Mar, 16, 1907, Willamantic, Maine
d. May 17, 1971, Guilford, Maine
m. Arlene Mildred Howe, dau. of Ralph Howe and Nellie Carver
b. Feb. 5, 1908, Greene, Maine
d. April 6, 2001, Brooks, Maine
children: Joanna Merrill, b. April 17, 1939
Lionel Leroy "Bud" Merrill, Jr.

4. Preston Wilde Merrill, b. June 7, 1872, Parkman, Maine
d. Aug. 2, 1957, Willimantic, Maine
m. Maggie May Knowles (1884-1957), dau. of Edwin Knowles and Ella Jane Ferne
children: Lola Arabell Merrill (1903-1990)
Olive Evelyn Merrill (1905-2003)
Lionel Leroy Merrill, Sr. (1907-1971)
Opal Annalee Merrill (1909-2001)
Irene Iola Merrill (1916-2000)

5. Christopher Columbus "C.C." Merrill, b. April 20, 1834; d. June 1, 1917, Willimantic, Maine
m. Ellen Leavitt (1830-1907)
children: William L. Merrill
Sylvie Merrill
Emma Merrill
Maud Huff
Preston Wilde Merrill (1872-1957)

6. John Merrill, b. 1795; d. 1880, Parkman, Maine
m. Percy Smith
children: Howard Merrill, b. 1822
Elizabeth Merrill, b. 1823
John Merrill, Jr., b. 1826
Sarah Merrill, b. 1827
Zenith Merrill, b. 1828
Loring "Loren" Merrill, b. 1830
Esther Merrill, b. 1832
Christopher Columbus Merrill, b. 1834
Alonzo Merrill, b. 1835
Layfaette Merrill, b. 1837

7. Abner Merrill, b. Nov. 6, 1752, North Yarmouth, Maine
d. May 4, 1812
m. Elizabeth Royall (?-1840)
Note: Abner Merrill served as a corporal in a North Yarmouth company in the Revolution, but moved to Greene, Maine after the war.

8. Benjamin Merrill, b. Feb 22, 1728, Newbury, MA
m. Sarah Brown

9. John Merrill, b. Nov. 30, 1701, Newbury, MA; d. 1775, Falmouth, Maine
m. Anne Knight, dau. of Benjamin Knight and Abigail Jacques

10. Nathaniel Merrill, b. April 3, 1676, Newbury, MA; d. 1742, Newbury, MA
m. Hannah Kent, b. 1679, dau. of John Kent and Sarah Woodman
Note: Nathan Merrill was born in Newbury on 3 Apr 1676. He lived in the part of town later known as West Newbury. He is listed as a "snowshoe man" in 1706, one of the militia who were equipped with winter gear for forrays against the Indians. He and his brother Nathaniel are decribed as weavers in a 1721 deed. He married Hannah Kent on 6 Sep 1699, in Newbury. She was born on 10 Sep 1679, daughter of John Kent and Sarah Woodman, and died 3 Feb 1735/36 in Newbury. He died 29 Jul 1742.

11. Abel Merrill, b. Feb 20, 1643, Newbury, MA; d. Oct. 28, 1689, Salisbury, MA
m. Priscilla Chase (1648-1697), dau. of Aquila Chase and Ann Wheeler
Note: He served in the company of Capt. Thomas Noyes.

12. Nathaniel Merrill, b. 1601, Wherstead, Suffolk, England
d. Mar. 16, 1654, Newbury, MA
m. Susanna Willerton (1610-1672)

13. Nathaniel Merrill, b. 1571, Belstead, Suffolk, England
d. Feb. 28, 1626, Wherstead, England
m. Mary Blaxall (1574-1624)

14. John Merrell, b. 1545, Wherstead, England; d. Feb 1, 1599, Wherstead, England
m. Prudence Bird (1548-1609)
Note: John Merrell, yeoman, probably meant free holder, a farmer who owns his land.

15. John Meryell, b. 1495, Wherstead, England; d. Jan. 28, 1551, Wherstead, England
m. Katherine John (1507-1551)

16. John Meryell, b. 1475, Wherstead, England; d. Mar. 12, 1528, Wherstead, England
m. Anne Belchum (1475-1528)

17. Thomas Meryell, b. 1444, Wherstead, England; d. abt. 1480, Wherstead, England

Thanksgvings Apart

2007-11-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

This was the first year since Cara and I got married that we have spent Thanksiving apart from each other. The original plan was to have Thanksgiving at my parents' house in Searsport on Thanksgiving Day, then the next day Cara would drive the five to six hour ride to her parents' home in Allagash and she would have a late Thanksgiving with them, while I stayed in Belfast with Harry (our miniature pinscher). As do many well laid plans, things changed.

Cara's grandmother passed away about a month ago and this would have been Cara's mom's first Thanksgiving without her. Cara wanted to be there for her mom on Thanksgiving Day and decided to go up earlier than she had originally expected, which of course would mean missing the Searsport Thanksgiving. It would also mean missing spending Thanksgiving with Seth, home from college, who would not be too apt to drive the extra five hours to Allagash after driving two hours home from Portland.

So, this is what happened:

Monday night (of Thanksgiving week) after school, Cara and I drove to Portland to take Seth out to dinner. This would be the only time the three of us would be together for Thanksgiving. We got to see his new apartment and met one of his roommates before taking him to Vinny T's, an Italian restaurant that I would highly recommend. We had a great time, a nice visit with Seth, and managed to get home before nine o'clock.

Wednesday morning, Cara drove north. She met her mom in Presque Isle, where the two did some Christmas shopping together, and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. I spent much of the day at my parents' house, visiting with my brother Allen, his wife Sara, and their adorable two-year old daughter Rachel, plus my two nephews (my sister Karen's boys), Jacob and Kevin. We had a great visit. Seth arrived home from school that night.

Thursday, I woke Seth up at ten o'clock so he could meet his birth father in Bangor and ride with him to Millinocket to spend Thanksgiving with his dad's family. When I woke Seth, he let me know that his dad had just called him on the cell phone and cancelled due to weather. I, of course, immediately invited him to come with me to my parents' for Thanksgiving.

I went over early to Mom and Dad's and enjoyed visiting with Allen, Sara, Rachel, Karen Jake and Kevin, Mom and Dad, and shortly before dinner, with my grandfather and with Seth. We had a great turkey dinner. It was a bit strange in three ways. 1.) Cara was not there. 2.) Most years we also got together with the Leightons (my Mom's sister, and family) which usually doubled the number of people, but they weren't available at the same time as us this year. 3.) This was the second year without my grandmother, who had passed away in 2006. All things considered, though, it was still an awesome Thanksgiving. Cara had her Thanksgiving dinner at her parents, brother and sister-on-law that evening. I'm sure it was tough after the recent passing of her grandmother, but I am also sure they had a great time and the food was equally as delicious as the Searsport meal.

Friday, I spent some more time at Mom and Dad's and also went to my grandfather's apartment in Searsport, where we finally got together with the Leightons (Aunt Jan, Uncle Ron, Amy and Dan and their new baby Avery, plus newlyweds Sarah and Chris). Later in the day, I also got to meet Seth's new girlfriend.

Tomorrow, Cara comes home and Seth goes back to school. Christmas season has begun, my favorite time of the year. And it won't be long before the first snowfall will stick to the ground.

The First Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T07:37:00.000-05:00

Our image of the first American Thanksgiving celebration is not exactly as it happened. Yes, the Pilgrims and the Indians did eat together in 1621 and give thanks, but it did not happen the way we all learned in school.

First, it did not even likely happen in November. More likely it occurred in late September or October. In fact, some historians wonder if it was held in the Spring. However, it was more likely a Harvest Festival. Harvest Festivals had been held for generations by the English as well as by the Native Americans. There is also some evidense that other settlers in America had already held Harvest Festivals. This was, however, the first combined English/Native Harvest Festival.

As to the menu, it did not consist of turkey, stuffing, mashed potato, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. These were the foods available:

Fish: cod, bass, hering, eel.

Seafood: clams, lobster, mussels, and perhaps oysters.

Wild birds: mostly goose and duck, although possibly wild turkey, partridge and eagle.

Venison (deer).

Vegetables: Lots of corn (they had a great crop, although they used most of it to make cornmeal), squash, pumpkin, and some peas (although reports were that the peas grew poorly that year).

Fruits: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, plums, grapes, cherries.

Other foods: eggs, onions, walnuts, chestnuts, Holland cheese, maple syrup.

The reason that Thanksgiving is celebrated in late October actually can be credited to Abraham Lincoln, who declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. (It was later changed to the fourth Thursday by Franklin D. Roosevelt.) Lincoln probably was trying to coincide the date with the anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, which was November 21, 1620.

So, if you really want to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you should have it most likely in early October. The menu should look something like this: lobster, clams, venison, wild duck, squash, lots of berries, and plenty of eels. Yum!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T06:22:00.000-05:00

Cara and I watched "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" last night. We love to watch holiday specials, particularly Christmas specials, but I must say "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is one of my favorites.

The music alone puts me in the mood for Thanksgiving. (Not that it takes much.) Vince Guaraldi's music scores for the various Peanuts classics are amazing! And to me, this is his best. Cara loves "Little Birdy", although I just love the way he mixes his most famous music, "Linus and Lucy", into the music he wrote specifically for this special.

The special first aired on November 20, 1973 on CBS. Amazingly, it was the 11th Peanuts special to air. The first was "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in 1965. The special won an Emmy Award.

A few of my favorite scenes:

When Snoopy and Woodstock are cooking popcorn and toast, and Woodstock unknowingly sticks Snoopy's ear in the toaster, than proceeds to butter it.

When Snoopy wrestles with the uncooperative folding chaise lounge chair.

When Snoopy dishes out the Thanksgiving meal to each person, making sure each one gets two slices of toast, a handful of popcorn, some jelly beans and some pretzels.

The scene where Peppermint Patty invites herself to Thanksgiving dinner, even though Charlie Brown is supposed to go to his grandmothers. "Chuck" can't get a word in edgewise.

When Linus tells the tale of the first Thanksgiving, between the Pilgrims and Indians, then leads them in a prayer originally said by Elder William Brewster. I am particularly fond of the prayer, since I am descended from William Brewster.

When the gang is riding in the back of the station wagon (very unsafe by today's standards) and singing "Over the River and Through the Woods". I find it strange that nobody can seems to sing in sinc.

Finally, when Snoopy and Woodstock sit down to their own Thanksgiving dinner.

Two things have always bothered me by that final scene.
1. If Snoopy was capable of making a full Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey and all the fixings, why did he go through the ruse of making toast and popcorn for Peppermint Patty and her friends?
2. Did you ever notice that Woodstock is eating turkey? Woodstock is a bird. Isn't this borderline cannibalism?

Anyway, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" remains one of my favorite Holiday specials.

A Day of Decorating for Christmas

2007-11-18T11:25:00.001-05:00

Cara and I spent yesterday decorating the house for the Christmas season. We decorated 2 Christmas trees, put up many, many decorations, and set up several Nativities. And it was only November 17th.

Too early? Nonsense! Refer to my earlier post, "Too Early For Christmas" http://coachbmaine.blogspot.com/2007/11/too-early-for-christmas.html for my response to that.

Now, to what we did. We have two artificial Christmas trees we purchased last year. We keep them up so long that it is not practical to use real trees, even though they smell wonderful. To partly make up for the lack of scent, we often burn scented candles, either evergreen or balsam, or something similar. One of the trees is decorated with rustic, old fashioned decoration and Cara did an amazing job with it. That tree sits in front of our living room bay window and has colorful lights.

The other tree, the taller of the two, sits just on the living room side of our archway that separates the living room with the dining room. This one has all our other Christmas tree decorations. We added some new ones this year, including the Disney World 2007 decoration we bought to remind us of our trip there this past August. The decoration that brought tears to my eyes was the simple wooden dog bone decoration with the name "Washington" on it. Washington was my German Shepard/Golden Retriever/Wolf Hybrid mix that we had for 13 years and that died last month. Washington was a Christmas present to myself back in 1994, when I adopted her a couple days before Christmas when she was just a puppy. This will be the first Christmas without Washington since I first moved into this house the very day I adopted her.

Cara has a huge collection of snowmen, that invade our home this time every year. We have several Nativity sets we have set up. I have yet to set up my huge nativity, and I am searching for a space large enough for it. We also have not yet done the outside lights. That will come soon and will probably be my responsibility.

I will try to post some photos of some of our decorations in the next few days, including the outside when we get that part done.

Opposition to Everything

2007-11-14T17:04:00.000-05:00

One thing I am really getting sick of is this constant opposition. No matter what group there is or idea someone comes up with, there will be a group that forms to oppose them. It doesn't matter what it is, either. When a group decided to buy an old seafood processing plant here in Belfast, Maine to tear the eyesore down and build condominiums right on the water, there was a group that formed to oppose the project. When a group tried to bring much-needed jobs to Washington County here in Maine by proposing the building of a racino, there was a group that opposed the idea. When the Governor proposed the regionalization of school districts, there was a group that opposed them. There is a group that opposes the war in Iraq. There is a group that opposes the group that opposes the war in Iraq. When Wal-Mart wanted to build a store here in Belfast, there was a group that opposed them. When Plum Creek proposed a new development project on and around Moosehead Lake, there was a group that opposed them. When former President George H.W. Bush mentioned that he hated broccoli, there was a group that formed to oppose broccoli-haters.

There are people who oppose smoking, others who oppose smoking bans. There are people who oppose books written about magic, and others who oppose book bans. There are people who oppose change, and others who oppose lack of change. There are people who oppose abortions and others who oppose freedom of choice. There are people who oppose Republicans and those who oppose Democrats.

It seems nobody can have an idea, a proposal or even an opinion, without somebody opposing it now-a-days.

We need to be careful what we choose to oppose. At one time, there were people who opposed the abolitionist movement, the civil rights movement, freedom of religion, and the suffragist movement. People once opposed women, blacks, Jews, and anyone who was not blond-haired and blue-eyed.

There are even a few groups popping up who oppose everything. I call them professional oppositionists. They will oppose any movement, political candidate, land-use proposal, economic proposal, educational reform, or change going. They will oppose lack of change, too. For the right price, they will help any opposition group get started, then slowly pull out and let the newly upset opponents take over.

The opposition that makes me the most upset is the constant opposition of one political party by another. A Democrat can't sneeze before a Republican cries foul. A Republican can't fart before a Democrat is insisting it's a violation of pollution laws. No matter how good a new proposal is, the opposition party always opposes it. It could save the country billions of dollars while saving the taxpayers billions, and provide much-needed aid to the suffering, but the other party will find a reason to oppose it. If you don't believe me, watch C-SPAN for a couple hours and watch the votes. 99% are divided by party line. It disgusts me.

I have decided to form my own opposition group. I am forming the Anti-Opposition Group. I think it should be illegal to form a group in opposition to anything. I'm sure my group has no chance of getting off the ground. There is sure to be a group that opposes it.

Cow Falls off Cliff, Lands on Minivan

2007-11-08T17:47:00.000-05:00

I found an interesting article:

MANSON, Wash. (AP) — Charles and Linda Everson were driving back to their hotel when their minivan was struck by a falling object — a 600-pound cow. The Eversons were unhurt but the cow, which had fallen off a cliff, had to be euthanized.

The year-old cow fell about 200 feet from the cliff and landed on the hood of the couple's minivan, causing heavy damage.

A Chelan County fire chief, Arnold Baker, said the couple missed being killed by a matter of inches in the accident Sunday on a highway near Manson.

The Eversons, visiting the area from their home in Westland, Mich., to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, were checked at Lake Chelan Community Hospital as a precaution.

Everson, 49, said he didn't see the cow falling and didn't know what happened until afterward.

He said he kept repeating: "I don't believe this. I don't believe this."

Too Early for Christmas??

2007-11-07T15:26:00.000-05:00

As I was sitting in the teachers' room at school today, the discussion turned to Christmas. There was frustration by several people that the stores were already selling Christmas decorations, Christmas music was being heard on the radio, television commercials were featuring Christmas sales, some people had their Christmas lights up, etc. The majority opinion was that it was too early for Christmas. "What happened to Thanksgiving?" our secretary (I love her to death) said. I suggested that Thanksgiving was part of the Christmas season. That idea went over like a fart in church. Nobody could believe that people had already started celebrating. I didn't dare tell them that Cara and I were planning on putting up our decorations in another week.
But this is how I figure it. We should celebrate Christmas all year long. Several of my family members keep a Nativity set up all year. Some years I do too, although this year we did not. To me, Christmas is the best time of the year, and why not celebrate it longer than a couple weeks. I really do believe that Thanksgiving is a part of the Christmas season, as is New Years.
What is thanksgiving all about? Giving thanks to God for all our good fortune. Isn't that the point of Christmas, too. To think about all the good there is in the world, to forget the bad, to thank God for Jesus, and to spend time with family and friends. That sounds like Thanksgiving and Christmas to me. Both are a time for family. I love both holidays equally. It's not the receiving of gifts that makes Christmas special, nor is it the giving of gifts (although I love watching people open gifts Cara and I have picked out). It's the family time that is most important.
Family time is so precious to me. Each year it gets harder and harder to find times when the whole family can get together. This year, thanks to email, we have actually worked it out so that everyone will be able to be together from the afternoon of the 25th of December to the morning of the 26th. Most of the family is spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our respective spouses' families, as this time is equally important. Cara and I will use the morning of the 25th as travel time, making the nearly six hour drive from Allagash to Searsport. We will have spent several days with Cara's parents and her brother and sister-in-law. Most of my side of the family will also be able to spend Thanksgiving together. Again, very precious time.
As the family gets bigger, it also spreads out. So why not spread the Christmas season out as well. It is most precious time, so make the most of it.

Halloween, not my cup of tea

2007-10-31T18:19:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure why, but I've never cared for Halloween. Even as a kid, it was far from my favorite holiday. As an adult, I really don't like it at all.

Now, before you go calling me Scrooge or the Grinch, you need to know that I absolutely love just about every other holiday going. To me, the Christmas season begins in mid-November, encompassing Thanksgiving and lasting until well after New Year's. If my wife would let me, I'd leave the Christmas lights up until the snow has melted, which here in Maine is sometimes late March. I listen to only Christmas music during the Yuletide season. To me, a sense of peace comes over me during that time of year.

But Halloween is an invasion of privacy. Imagine the nerve of people forcing you to give out candy, or be forced to have a trick played on you. I have no problem with the origins of Halloween, but the modern Halloween has developed into a begging for candy festival. It is time someone revamp Halloween.

Red Sox Win the World Series!!

2007-10-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

Red Sox fans are beginning to get spoiled. Here the Boston Red Sox go 86 years between World Series titles, from 1918 to 2004, and they go and win another one 3 years later. We are definitely being spoiled... and LOVING EVERY MINUTE!!

And there could be more.

The 2004 team had a lot of veterans who were in the last year of their contract or their contracts were expiring the following year. The 2007 team certainly has its share of veterans whose contracts are coming to an end, but they also have a number of players that will be with the team a long time, as well as some very talented young players.

With Dustin Pedroia, Jaboby Ellsbury, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, and Clay Buchholz as young as they are, the Sox are set for a very long time. Papelbon, Ellsbury and Pedroia were key to the World Series win. Lester won game 4. Buchholz had the no-hitter this year in his second Major League start. Delcarmen is a force coming out of the bullpen.

The following players can file for free agency this year: Mike Lowell, Curt Schilling, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Timlin, Eric Hinske, Eric Gagne, Bobby Kielty, Matt Clement and Julian Tavarez. These are my feelings on who to sign and who not to. Mike Lowell is a must-sign. They have to. They should. I believe they will. I would not pay one cent to try to get A-Rod. No way, no how. He would destroy team dynamics, he can't hit in the clutch, and he simply is not worthy of being a Red Sock. I would offer Mike Timlin a one-year contract and see if he is interested. I would not re-sign Curt Schilling, as much as he has been a force for the Sox over the years. I would tell Gagne not to let the door hit him in the butt on the way out. Clement, no way. Tavarez, nope. I'd let Mirabelli go (Kevin Cash did an admirable job catching Wakefield this year). I would defineitely re-sign Eric Hinske, who fills such a valuable spot being able to back up first, third and the outfield corners. Bobby Kielty, I would probably let go, although I would not argue too much if they re-signed him.

Besides all that, I would trade Coco Crisp. Jacoby Ellsbury has proven he is ready for the big show, and Coco is too good a player to put on the bench. Out of respect to him, I would trade him. I'd renew Wakefield's contract for another year, as you can't argue with 17 wins, despite the health problems.

Lastly, I will address this to Theo Epstein and the owners and repeat what I stated earlier: you MUST re-sign Mike Lowell. Do not pull a Yankee and attempt to sign A-Rod. I honestly could not respect a team that would jeopardize team chemistry to sign one of the best and most expensive players in baseball, this player also being one of the most disfunctional and greedy. That would be a completely disresectful thing to do to Mike Lowell. Give Lowell three years at a great salary. You will not regret it.

Rainy Days

2007-10-27T13:55:00.000-04:00

I am sitting at my computer, staring out the window on a Saturday, as the rain pounds down. There is something I love about rainy Saturdays or Sundays, especially if you don't have to go out in them. I spent most of the morning reading. (I am currently reading the late Robert Jordan's "Eye of the World", the first of his epic fantasty series "The Wheel of Time".) I have no desire to do anything today, nor any obligation. What a great day.

The sound of the rain, the dark skies, the laziness of the day. Peace.

Red Sox Win Game 2

2007-10-26T17:26:00.000-04:00

Two game, two wins. So far, so good for the 2007 Boston Red Sox. And they have really looked good in those two games.

First, the 13-1 blow out. Josh Beckett looked outstanding in his 7 inning, 6 hit performance. He allowed just 1 run, 1 walk and struck out 9, including the first 4 batters of the game. Right now, I strongly believe he is the best pitcher in baseball. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez each had 3 hits and 2 rbi. Dustin Pedroia, who absolutely should be rookie-of-the-year, had a home run. Julio Lugo, who has struggled in the post season, belted out 3 hits. Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew each had a couple hits. It was a very impressive performance by the Red Sox.

In game 2, the Red Sox squeaked past the Rockies, 2-1. Curt Schilling, who most people say is near the end of his career and who is running with a near-empty tank, pitched masterfully. He went 5 and a third innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while walking just 2 and striking out 4. Mike Lowell was the standout on offense. First, he went first to third on a J.D. Drew single, in a brilliant baserunning move, after noticing the Colorado right fielder had backed up on a ball hit to him, just barely beating the throw to third base. He scored on a Varitek sacrifice fly to center field. Later, Lowell doubled in Big Papi, putting the Sox on top in the fifth inning. Another big play was when Jonathan Papelbon picked Matt Holliday off first base to end the 8th inning. Todd Helton was at the plate at the time. This was humungous! It was not as much a fantastic play on Papelbon's part, as it was a bonehead play on Matt Holliday's part, as he seemed to fall asleep on first. This was Papelbon's first pickoff in the Major Leagues ever.

With a 2-0 lead, the Red Sox appear to be in the driver's seat. However, the next three games are in Colorado. Anything could happen at this point. However, all the pressure right now is on the Rockies.

Autumn in Maine

2007-10-25T15:36:00.000-04:00

I'm not really sure why Fall is my favorite time of year. Maine has such great seasons. Summers are warm and comfortable, without too many hot and muggy days. Springs are great because the air begins to warm up and the black flies and misquitoes that "bug" people all summer have not yet arrived. Nothing beats a Maine winter evening as the snow lightly falls, while you watch out the window. Fall, however, is still my favorite.

There is something about the sound and smell of Autumn leaves that I love. The sound the leaves make as the wind blows them is so soothing. I love to walk through the fallen leaves, and listen. And the smell! Oh, how the smell of Fall leaves sets one's mind at ease, and brings a feeling of peacefullness.

You know, I'm finding it hard to explain why Fall is so fantastic. The chill in the air, the color of the changing leaves, the anticipation of... what? I just can't explain it.

Maybe it's just the changing of the seasons that I like. And Fall is perhaps the most drastic. Again, I'm not sure. I just know that Autumn is my favorite season, for reasons that escape me. It just is.

World Series Anticipation

2007-10-24T17:19:00.000-04:00

As an avid Red Sox fan, a diehard fanatic some would say, I have waited for and anticipated this day since 2004. Today, the Red Sox will return to the World Series, this time playing the Colorado Rockies. This is something I've waited all season for. I try to watch every game all year. Although I was not able to see every single one, I didn't miss more than a dozen, I would guesstimate.

These are my reasons why I think the Red Sox will beat the Rockies.

1. The curse was broken in 2004, so no more blown opportunities, a la Bill Buckner or Bucky Dent.
2. The Rockies do not have the experience the Red Sox do.
3. Terry Francona.
4. Big Papi and Manny.
5. Josh Beckett, the best pitcher in baseball currently.
6. 4 games at home.
7. The Rockies have had 8 days off, which is good for their pitchers, but very bad for their batters, which is where their strength is.
8. The Red Sox rarely have slumps, and they just got over one during games 2, 3, and 4 against Cleveland, so they won't be due again for a long time.
9. Jacoby Ellsbury. This young man is electrifying those who have seen him play, including his own teamates.
10. The American League has won, like, the last gazillion World Series.
11. The Red Sox defense.
12. The Red Sox won the 2004 World Series on the night of a lunar eclipse. Game 6 happens to be scheduled for Halloween. Thus, my prediction: The Red Sox win in 6.
13. My lucky shirt will be clean and ready to wear if the Sox get behind in the series, as it was for games 5, 6, and 7 of the Cleveland series.
14. The Rockies have won 20 of the last 21. Their luck is due to change, and at just the right moment.
15. Because I said so.

The Washington Years

2007-10-23T15:26:00.001-04:00

I recently had to have my dog of 13 years put to sleep. Her name was Washington.

As I was driving back from the vet after having to do the most difficult thing I believe I have ever had to do in my life, I turned to my wife and said, "This is the end of an era. The end of 'The Washington Years'." We got a chuckle out of that, which felt good, especially since we were both in tears at the time. But it was true. It has only been about 24 hours since Washy's death, and everything seems different. I can't put a finger on it either. Things just seem different.

You know, thinking back, I believe Washington picked me, not the other way around. When I went to a friend's to pick her out of the litter 13 years ago, I sat on the floor. All the puppies raced over and crawled in my lap. After 30 seconds, they got bored and reaced off. All except one, that is.

Washington was a gentle soul. She never harmed a flee. She never once barked in anger and I never ever saw the hair on the back of her neck stand up. It was not in her nature. Considering she was part wolf (less than a quarter I was told), that is amazing. Although, it is true she shed enough in any one day to make up a small chihuahua.

I am not saying Washington was a perfect angel. I remeber the first time she had trouble with her legs, about a year ago. She spent 36 hours not rising. I thought this was probably the end for her. She finally got to her feet and I decided I had better get her outside ASAP, since she had spent those 36 hours NOT using the bathroom. I thought to myself, she's sick and feeble, so there is no sense to hook her. She wasn't going anywhere in her condition. Next thing I knew, I was chasing her down the street.

Washington has been a part of my family since before Cara and I were married, twice as long actually. I got her on the very day I moved into my house. She was just a little pup at the time, with great big paws. She has been my faithful companion for 13 years. That good natured, smelly dog with the big smile and lots of hair, who left great big brown treats all over the yard will be missed.

On This Date: January 28

2007-01-28T08:11:00.000-05:00

On This Date, January 28

814 – Charlemagne died
1547 – England's King Henry VIII died and his son, Edward VI, became king
1788 – The first British penal settlement was founded at Botany Bay, Australia
1813 – Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published
1820 – Antarctica was first spotted by Russians Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev
1846 – At the Battle of Aliwal, India defeated the British
1871 – France surrendered in the Franco-Prussian War
1878 – The first daily college newspaper in America, The Yale News, was published
1902 – The Carnegie Institution was founded in Washington, DC
1915 – The United States Coast Guard was created by an act of Congress
1916 – Louis D. Brandeis was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming its first Jewish member
1921 – The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France to honor the unknown dead of World War I
1935 – Iceland became the first country to legalize abortion
1938 – The first ski tow in the United States opened in Woodstock, Vermont
1956 – Elvis Presley made his first appearance on TV
1973 – Barnaby Jones debuted on NBC-TV
1986 – The United States Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just after takeoff, killing all seven of its crewmembers, including teacher Christa McAuliffe
1998 – Gunmen held over 400 children and teachers hostage for several hours at an elementary school in Manila, Phillipines

Famous Birthdays, January 28:

Henry VII of England 1457, Pope Clement IX 1600, George Hamilton Hamilton-Gordon 1784, Alexander Mackenzie 1822, Sir Henry M. Stanley 1841, John Banner 1910, Jackson Pollock 1912, Alan Alda 1936, Susan Howard 1943, Barbi Benton 1950, Sara McLachlan 1968, Magglio Ordonez 1974, Jermaine Dye 1974, Junior Spivey 1975, Joey Fatone 1977, Daunte Culpepper 1977, Nick Carter 1980, Elijah Wood 1981

Buy my book, On This Date: A Day-By-Day Look at Historical Events by Brian Merrill.

Here are some links if you are interested in pruchasing this book:

http://www.lulu.com/content/537368

http://www.amazon.com/This-Date-Day-Day-Historical/dp/1430305010/sr=8-1/qid=1167167280/ref=sr_1_1/103-4993814-8234265?ie=UTF8&s=books

The first link is the direct link to the publisher, which is a little less expensive. The second is the link to Amazon.com. The book is also available at BarnesandNoble.com.

On This Date: January 27

2007-01-27T09:18:00.000-05:00

On This Date in History: January 27

1606 – The trial of Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators began
1825 – The United States Congress approved the formation of the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma
1870 – The first college sorority was formed, Kappa Alpha Theta, at DePauw University
1888 – The National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, DC
1926 – John Baird, a Scottish inventor, demonstrated a pictorial transmission machine called television
1945 – Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland
1951 – Nuclear testing began at the Nevada Test Site
1967 – At Cape Kennedy, Florida, astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee died in a flash fire during a test aboard their Apollo I spacecraft
1967 – More than 60 nations signed the Outer Space Treaty, which banned the orbiting of nuclear weapons and placing weapons on celestial bodies or space stations
1973 – The Vietnam peace accords were signed in Paris, officially ending the Vietnam War
1976 – Laverne and Shirley debuted on ABC-TV
1992 – Former world boxing champion Mike Tyson went on trial for raping an 18-year-old contestant in the 1991 Miss Black America Contest
1993 – Professional wrestler Andre the Giant died at the age of 46
1996 – Mahamane Ousmane, the first democratically elected president of Niger, was overthrown by a military coup
1996 – Germany observed its first Holocaust Remembrance Day
2001 – Ten members of the Oklahoma State University’s men’s basketball team died in a plane crash in Colorado

Famous Birthdays for January 27:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756, Lewis Carroll 1832, Edward J. Smith 1850, Wilhelm II of Germany 1859, Art Rooney 1901, William Randolph Hearst Jr. 1908, Donna Reed 1921, Troy Donahue 1936, James Cromwell 1940, Mikhail Baryshnikov 1948, Peter Laird 1954, John Roberts Jr. 1954, Mimi Rogers 1956, Frank Miller 1957, Chris Collinsworth 1959, Keith Olbermann 1959, Bridget Fonda 1964, Tracy Lawrence 1968, Josh Groban 1981

Buy my book, On This Date: A Day-By-Day Look at Historical Events by Brian Merrill.

Here are some links if you are interested in pruchasing this book:

http://www.lulu.com/content/537368

http://www.amazon.com/This-Date-Day-Day-Historical/dp/1430305010/sr=8-1/qid=1167167280/ref=sr_1_1/103-4993814-8234265?ie=UTF8&s=books

The first link is the direct link to the publisher, which is a little less expensive. The second is the link to Amazon.com. The book is also available at BarnesandNoble.com.

On This Date: A Day-By-Day Look At Historical Events

2007-01-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

On This Date: A Day-By-Day Look at Historical Events is a new book that was published last December. It takes a look at events in history and famous birthdays for all calendar dates, from January 1 to December 31. It was written by a Maine teacher, Brian Merrill, after years of research.

Example: On January 21:
In 1793: King Louis XVI was executed at the guillotine.
In 1799: Edward jenner's smallpox vaccine was introduced.
In 1908: New York City made it illegal for women to smoke in public.
In 1915: The first Kiwanis Club was formed in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1924: Soviet leader Vladamir Lenin died.
In 1944: 447 German bombers attacked London.
In 1954: The Nautilus, the first atomic powered submarine, was launched.
In 1998: Pope John Paul II visited Cuba.

Famous Birthdays for January 21:
Stonewall Jackson (1824), Telly Savalas (1924), Benny Hill (1925), Audrey Dalton (1934) Wolfman Jack (1939), Jack Nicklaus (1940), Placido Domingo (1941), Mac Davis (1942), Jill Eikenberry (1947), Billy Ocean (1950), Robby Benson (1956), Geena Davis (1957), Hakeem Olajuwon (1963), Charlotte Ross (1968), and Karina Lombard (1969).

Here are some links if you are interested in pruchasing this book:

http://www.lulu.com/content/537368

http://www.amazon.com/This-Date-Day-Day-Historical/dp/1430305010/sr=8-1/qid=1167167280/ref=sr_1_1/103-4993814-8234265?ie=UTF8&s=books

The first link is the direct link to the publisher, which is a little less expensive. The second is the link to Amazon.com. The book is also available at BarnesandNoble.com.

Summer Vacation

2006-06-11T21:24:00.000-04:00

Oh, the joys of summer vacation for all of us teachers! In what other profession can you enjoy two months off (mostly, except for curriculum work or recertification work or summer jobs because you can't make a living as a teacher). Summer is a much needed time to rejuvenate those batteries. And boy, do the batteries need to rejuvenate!

Not that those little darlings that we teach are the cause of low batteries. Well, okay, maybe they are the cause. Or at least one cause. Along with long staff meetings, curriculum meetings, committee work, workshops, PETs, standards, homework correcting, grade calculating, assessments, inventories, budgets, parent-teacher conferences, negotiations, book reports, evaluations, administrators, parent phone calls, technology, snow days, sick days, personal days, sporting events, concerts, plays, room unpacking, room packing up, grant writing, newsletters, plan books, grade books, fingerprints (here in Maine), open houses, parent nights, Maine Learning Results, MEA Tests, No Child Left Behind, priority lists, budget cuts, staff reductions, OSHA, DHS, staff training, DRA tests, SATs, step up day, assemblies, detention duty, recess duty, lunch duty, bus duty, field trips, school boards, professional reading, 504 meetings, gifted and talented, differentiated instruction, modifications, local assessments, not to mentions teaching.

Whew! Maybe I am ready for two months off. Do I smell something burning? Is that burnout I smell. Hopefully two months will be enough. Who says teachers are overpaid? I'm not sure there is enough money in the world to pay for all that we do. So why do we do it? Is it the two months off in the summer? Nope, certainly not. Two months isn't long enough, really. So why do we do all that we do for the pay that we get?

Because being a teacher, despite all the headaches listed above, can be very rewarding. Have you ever watched that light bulb go on inside a kids head after you have sat with him or her for five minutes trying to explain a difficult topic, that light bulb that starts in the eyes and quickly spreads to the mouth and then to the whole body, that light bulb that says, "I get it now!"? Have you ever seen that? That is called learning and THAT is why we teach.

Red Sox: Schilling, Lowell off to good start

2006-04-03T21:47:00.000-04:00

The Red Sox opened their season today with an impressive win over the Texas Rangers. Curt Schilling looked like the Schilling of old. That was very nice to see. One of this year's question marks is Mike Lowell, who had a lousy season at the plate last year, after 4 great seasons. He had a home run in today's game, which I see as a real good sign. He only hit 8 homers last year, after averaging 25 each year for the former four seasons.

Maine Hysterical Society

2006-04-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

I had the chance to see the Maine Hysterical Society perform last night at a fundraiser for the senior Project Graduation trip at Belfast Area High School. I laughed until I cried.

The Maine Hysterical Society consists of three men, Randy Judkins, Barney Martin and Steve Underwood, doing sketch comedy, much of which is what I refer to as "Maine Humah" (Maine humor). They do a combination of singing, comedy sketches, juggling, and just all-'round silliness.

Judkins plays Sunny Day, who parents named him that because it was. Sunny Day is a juggling, singing, funny guy. Underwood plays Russell Spurwink, a Maine hick who sings and tells jokes and is as good playing the straight guy as the goofball. Then there is Martin's character, Emmitt Pickitt, who does. As in the guitar. This numb-nut can also by goofy, yet can play a wicked good guitar, can sing descent, and can even get into the physical comedy.

The show was a riot, as these three very talented nutballs kept the audience in stitches. It was a two hour show and when it was over I kept asking myself where the time went. I could have watched another hour, and this is coming from a real homebody. I even gave up watching "Deal or No Deal" to see these guys (although I taped it, if I programmed the VCR right).

I'd go see them again, even if it went missing Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. If you ever get the chance to see the Maine Hysterical Society live (mostly), don't pass up the chance. They were wicked awesome.

My Grandma, who just passed away

2006-01-15T10:37:00.000-05:00

My Grandma, whose name was Mary Wilberta Falconer Mills, although everyone called her Mae, passed away today, January 15, 2006. I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but I think this is good therapy for me and will be good for me as part of the grieving process. If I am the only one to ever read this, I've accomplished my goal, which is to get down my thoughts about Grammy Mills.

First, the details about her death. She had been fighting breast cancer for years and for at least the last year we have known she was terminal. She had also been fighting Alzheimer's Disease, and I am actually grateful that it was not the Alzheimer's that eventually took her life, as I find that a cruel disease. At her worst, Gram tended to repeat herself and sometimes got relationships mixed up. Gram had been very lame for some time, but fell a week ago and needed to be helped in and out of bed, to the table and bathroom, etc. This past Friday, she was very uncomfortable and she suggested she be taken to the emergency room. They discovered she had pneumonia and admitted her. After further study, they discovered the cancer had spread to her lungs. They gave her just days to live. Friday night she was uncomfortable, but the doctor gave her something to let her sleep. Saturday (as well as Friday) she had numerous visitors, but she did not wake up all day (to my knowledge). Sunday morning, she woke up long enough for my Aunt Jan to tell her all the people who had visited her, she smiled, and stopped breathing.

It is going to be rough on my grandfather, Ray. They had been married 61 years.

I have some incredible memories of my grandmother. The hard part is figuring out where to start. The best place to start is at Camp. Gram and Gramp own a camp on Center Pond, in Sangerville, Maine. That is the closest place to Heaven as I have ever been. I remember spending the night with them, sleeping in the bunkhouse. Gram would sleep in the big bed, and my brother Allen, sister Karen, and I would sleep in the bunks. The sounds of the water, the frogs and the loons would always put us to sleep, eventually. Grammy would always wake before us and by the time we would got up and went over to the camp, she would have French toast, bacon and sausage waiting for us. Camp consisted of swimming, playing cards (cribbage, Australian rummy, or 63), visiting, and eating, often on the picnic table out back. Gram had that unusual swimming stroke, swimming backwards to the float with her head and feet out of the water. Many of us tried many times to duplicate her stroke, and some of us can come real close today, after many years of practicing.

When it wasn't Camp season, we three kids would also visit with Grammy and Grampa for weekends, at their house in Dexter. I remember many a Saturday night, getting into our pajamas and watching Lawrence Welk, while eating popcorn drenched in butter, and I do mean drenched. Gram would usually take us out to dinner at least once while we visited, sometimes to the Log Cabin in Newport, or T.J.'s in Dexter, or, my personal favorite, the Wagon Wheel, in Guilford. I would always have fried clams, and Gram usually did, too.

Who can forget Gram's whoopie pies? And all the other sweets she would make. All the care packages sent to grandkids or nieces and nephews at college, always with plenty of whoopie pies. In fact, Grammy would not let one person she knew go without. If someone she knew died, she'd be at their family's doorstep with a casserole. If someone was sick or injured, she baked something for them. If they were not nearby, she'd send them a card. Birthdays and holidays brought cards from Gram. Grammy was always writing letters or postcards. When I started college, if I didn't get at least two notes a week from Grammy, it was unusual. After college, when I was living on my own, I'd get notes or phone calls from her several times a week. I can imagine what Gram and Grampa's phone bill was like, with all the calls she would make during the course of a week. Of course, her phone calls would never last more than 2 or 3 minutes. She just needed to check in with everyone, to make sure they were okay. It gave you a great sense of comfort when Grammy called.

I remember going to Grammy and Grampa's and visiting with Gram at Dr. Stewart's Office, where she worked for many years. Usually it would be for a few minutes while she finished up with work at the end of the week. She was the optometrist's assistant and secretary, and pretty much ran the place.

I remember running into people when we were visiting Grammy, and having not just a few, but many people tell me just what a wonderful person my Grandmother was. And I certainly believe them. Sometimes it was someone who had Gram in school back when she was a substitute teacher. Sometimes it was someone she had sent a card to, when they needed it most. It was always someone whom Gram had touched in some way. And we seemed to run into them everywhere.

At Christmas time, Gram and Grampa would make the trek from Dexter to Searsport early in the day on the 24th. We'd attend the Christmas Eve service, in those days in Searsport, always a candle-light service. Then we'd have Christmas Eve dinner, usually at Jan and Ron's. Gram and Grampa would always sleep at Mom and Dad's. Christmas morning, when most kids would be awake by 6:00 waking up Mom and Dad so they could open Christmas presents, with us it would be Gram waking us kids up at 5:00. Of course, she would say it was to see if we needed to use the bathroom. Of course, once we were up, Gram would suggest we might just take a little peak. Of course, once we took a little peak, well, you can imagine the rest.

I always thought it was funny, too, how Gram would always hint about what she'd love to have for Christmas, and after Grammy and Grampa got back to Dexter on Christmas night and they'd unwrap their presents to each other, she would get just what she had been saying she really needed. I know Mom suspected that Gram was telling Grampa what to buy her or perhaps even buying it herself, so the next year she would offer to pick something up for Grampa so that Grammy would have at least one surprise. Mom or Aunt Jan would pick it up, wrap it and send it up to Dexter, usually on an early December weekend visit from the grandkids. Low and behold, Gram would come down at Christmas hinting about how much she would like or how much she could use the very gift that was under their tree waiting for them to get back to Dexter. It was pretty obvious that Grammy liked to peak at her presents.

There is so much more that could be said about my Grandma, but I've hit some of the highlights.

I know exactly what Heaven is like for Grammy. It consists of a small, bright yellow camp, with a screened in porch that overlooks a pond, loaded with fish and loons. There is a bunkhouse off to one side, waiting for grandkids, nieces and nephews. Fishing poles are hung at the ready. There is an endless supply of baking ingredients, for making all kinds of treats, especially whoopie pies. There is the most well kept outhouse a short walk from the camp, which Grammy can make easily, as her legs no longer hurt her. Cribbage boards and cards are in good supply. In fact, I'm sure Gram has already played a game of cribbage with Uncle Johnny. Even though this is Heaven, the camp would still need to be cleaned from time to time, as it wouldn't be Heaven if Gram didn't need to clean. It would definitely be spotless after Gram got done with it. And there would be plenty of kids to bake for and swim with. I'm sure it won't quite be heaven until that day, hopefully not for many years, when her whole family joins her there. And of course, she'll make sure the cribbage board is ready for Grampa, when the day eventually comes for him to join her.

We all lost a little bit of ourselves when Mae Mills died. But we are better people for having know her. We love you, Gram.

Johnny Damon, Drawn to the Dark Side

2005-12-21T15:20:00.000-05:00

You know, I really enjoyed watching Johnny Damon play center field for the Red Sox these past four years. His defensive skills, except for his below-average throwing arm, were incredibly impressive. His bat was incredible some years, like 2005, and fair others, like 2003. But he was definitely a fan favorite.

I would have been upset if Johnny had jumped to another team, but I would understand. I would have been really upset if, several years down the road, he had ended up playing for the Yankees, but I would have gotten over it. But to be drawn to the Dark Side, months after playing four years with the Red Sox, fighting the Evil Empire in so many classic battles...

To be a true Red Sox player, one must have a true understanding of the rivalry. One must have a sense of right and wrong. A sense of good vs. evil.

Johnny Damon was a hero to many in Red Sox Nation. He had a cult following. He was an icon. But so was Anakin Skywalker, before he was lured to the Dark Side by greed. Mr. Damon sold his services to the highest bidder. I thought Johnny was beyond that. Apparently not.

I have never been more disappointed in a baseball player in my life. Johnny Damon, a Yankee. How can it be so? Who would have guessed? But some people are not strong enough to resist the Dark Side. Luke Skywalker resisted, but it wasn't easy. George Bailey almost accepted a job from Mr. Potter in It's A Wonderful Life, but good won out. In Stephen King's The Stand, the whole story was about those who would give in to the Dark Side of Randall Flagg, and those who chose a harder life and to follow Mother Abigail and the side of Good.

Johnny is siding with Emperor Palpatine, Mr. Potter and Randall Flagg. He is choosing the easy way out, the evil way. But evil does not always win out. It seems to me that Johnny will someday see the error of his ways, but, by then, it may be too late.

Christmas Movies and Specials

2005-12-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, I could not wait to see those Christmas specials. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Santa Claus Is ComingTo Town, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Frosty. I absolutely loved them! I'd know exactly which ones would be on when and I'd plan my schedule (not that it was too busy at eight years old) around them.

Yet, here I am an adult, and I still can't wait. Only now, I have them all on DVD or video and I can watch them whenever I want. Thank God, I married a woman who loves them as much as I do. We spend from Thanksgiving to Christmas watching specials and Christmas movies every night we are home.

I'm not sure if watching them brings back memories of being a kid, or if it is something else. Watching them brings a sense of peace, a sense of goodwill toward mankind, a sense of family. It's hard to explain why I enjoy watching the Christmas specials so much. I like to sing along with the songs: "Put One Foot in Front of the Other", "I'm Mr. Heatmeiser", "Holly, Jolly Christmas", "Silver and Gold", "Christmastime Is Calling", "Thank You Very Much", and many others.

Here are some of our favorite Christmas Specials:
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Twas The Night Before Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fat Albert Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Here are our favorite Christmas movies:
Scrooge (the musical version of A Christmas Carol)
Christmas Vacation
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Ernest Saves Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carrey)
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
If You Believe
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)
Polar Express (a new favorite of our's)

And finally, here are a few of our less thought of Christmas "things" we like to watch:
Are You Being Served Christmas video
The Night They Saved Christmas
Little House On the Prairie: Christmas At Plum Creek
Little House On the Prairie: A Christmas They Never Forgot
Roots: The Gift
West WIng Christmas episodes
White House Christmas (an annual Christmas show on HGTV)
Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special
The Homecoming (the pilot movie for The Waltons tv series)

In closing, I have no idea why I love these shows and movies so much. But I do.

Little Dogs vs. Big Dogs

2005-11-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

I have always been a fan of big dogs, never liking little dogs at all, until recently. I always considered little dogs to be nothing more than cats in disguise. In fact, it wouldn't have surprised me if a scientist somewhere had discovered that little dogs were not even part of the canine family, but were actually their own species, or maybe even closer related to felines.

When I first got my dog, Washington, 11 years ago, I wanted a bog dog. A friend told me his dog, a German Shepard-Wolf hybrid, had just had puppies. He said he thought the father of the pups was a Saint Bernard. I thought wonderful, you can't get much bigger than a St. Bernard-German Shepard-Wolf mix. So I told him I'd gladly take one of the puppies. Later he told me he was wrong about the father, that it was a Golden Retriever. By this time I had already had my heart set on the puppy, so it did not disuade me.

Washington, as I found out on the day I moved into my first house, ended up being the largest of the litter, and also the gentlest. She was the only pup that crawled up into my lap when I went to pick her up. She has been a true blessing to me, a companion and friend, ever since. I was married 4 years ago and my wife and stepson joined my family, meaning myself and Washy. Washington is a 95-pound bear of a creature, who has never growled at a single person, and only barks when extremely excited.

This past June, we added another dog to the family. My wife wanted a lap-dog. Now this took some convincing in arder for me to accept a little dog into the family. But finally, I agreed. Washington was nearly 11 at that time, and had long wanted another dog for companionship, plus I knew she would not be around for too many more years.

After considering pugs and Jack Russells and cairn terriors and several other breeds, we settled on a miniature pincher. After answering an ad in Uncle Henry's magazine, we purchased Harrison. Harry, as he quickly became know, was 2.9 pounds when we picked him up. And he quickly became a joy to us, and by us I mean my wife, myself, and Washington.

Harry is both the lap-dog my wife wanted and the companion Washy has wanted. He is now six months old, closer to 10 pounds, and he rules the house. He'll go from chasing Washington (and vice-versa) around the house to sleeping in your lap, from barking at the slightest sound to crawling on top of you while you are laying on the bed or couch and licking your face. He is a joy and has quickly become a valuable member of the family. Washington loves him and he has helped Washington find the puppy inside herself once again.

I know I never thought I would like a little dog, but I was wrong. They can definitely be as loving and fun, and as much work, as a bog dog. I'm not sure which type I prefer. It is really a toss-up. Dogs are dogs, whether they weight 95 pounds or 10 pounds. They are truely man's best friend and I am truely glad to have both Washington and Harry.

Stunned by Theo Epstein's Decision with Red Sox

2005-11-02T18:45:00.000-05:00

I was absolutely stunned by Theo Epstein's decision not to accept the Red Sox's offer of $4.5 million over 3 years to continue as their general manager. He did an absolutely incredible job in his previous 3 years, and I have heard it said several times that this was considered his dream job. Why would he walk away? He has denied it had anything to do with a conflict with Larry Luchino, as was rumored. He said he just could no longer put his heart and soul into the job. I just can't imagine that could be all there is to the story.

I'm sure the hours are horrible, it is probably a 24-7 job. But come on. It's the Boston Red Sox. And he was in charge. He made all the decisions. It's every true diehard Red Sox fan's dream job. All of us who play fantasy baseball, or online or computer baseball games, its what we dream of doing. How could anyone who is that much a fan of the game of baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox, walk away from their dream?

I'm also worried that the timing on this is horrible. The Sox have free agents to try to re-sign. Spots to fill, both on tthe field and in the coaching ranks. The timing could not be worse. And the Sox's assistant GM was just signed by another team. This has me worried. They need to find someone fast, for a position that they should not rush trying to fill. With this dilemna, I'd say the only choice is to get an experienced interim general manager. One with experience, but who might or might not be interested in the position beyond temporary. They need someone with a lot of experience to come on board fast, knowing it might be temporary, but knowing there is a lot of work to do in the weeks ahead.

Maybe Theo would available?

Going to Conferences

2005-11-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

As a teacher, one of the things I hate the most is going to a conference. For one thing, I hate being away from my kids. (This is how I refer to my students.) All I do all day long is think of all the things I could be accomplishing if I was back at school teaching my kids. I watch the clock and think, "Oh, right now I'd be in the middle of first block math," or "Now I'd be walking the kids to exploratries."

Besides that, there is the hassle of making sub plans. This takes a long time to put together, first of all. Second, it's always busy work, because you can't expect even the best subs to teach a lesson and not end up doing it over again after you get back. So instead you give them something to keep them busy, so they won't give the substitute a hard time. Then, after you get back, you have all the correcting to do, the follow up on misbehaving kids, the room to clean up, etc.

All in all, I would much rather be at school. It makes my life easier and, besides, I rarely get much out of the conferences, anyway.

Halloween

2005-10-31T21:00:00.000-05:00

You know, I really hate Halloween. I consider it a horrible holiday. Think about it, kids go around from house to house begging for candy, and playing tricks on people who don't have any. Doesn't this sound like it should be illegal? In fact, any other day of the year, other than October 31st, it would be. Why then is it okay to do this on this one day of the year?

Don't call me a scrooge for disliking (loathing, actually) Halloween. I love Christmas, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day is awesome, but Halloween just bugs me. Before I was married (4 years ago), I used to plan to not be home on Halloween. Some years I'd hide in my classroom at school until very late correcting papers (I teach sixth grade). I'd arrange to get home well after the last "trick-or-treat-ers" had stopped knocking on people's doors. I'd let my sister know she could stop by the school with her two little boys to pick up their Halloween candy, but no one else would be able to find me.

Now, my wife makes me help her pass out candy. I'm in charge of grabbing hold of the dogs so they don't get out and she gives out the treats. I hate it. It's not like we get that many kids, either. Last year we set a new record: 4. But I still hate it.

School will be interesting tomorrow. The kids will either be riding sugar-highs, or sugar-lows. Either way, it will be nuts. I think November 1st should be a national school-day-off.