There might be a theme running in this week's posts!
Are our youngest children ready to write? Sure they are! Give them the tools and let them try. On the first day of kindergarten read a great story with characters and a plot. Talk about the story and how it might relate to something they have done. Explain that they are going to write a story about something they have done. They will draw pictures and if they want to write words. When they are done they will share their work just like the author who wrote the book they listened to. Give them each a small book that is 2-3 pages of white paper folded and stapled. Show them how it works and set them loose.
If you don't believe me get a book by Katie Wood Ray on the art of teaching writing to our youngest learners. Two favorites are: In Pictures and In Words and About the Authors. About the Authors has a DVD available that is comprised of clips from the classroom where Katie does her research. They are not polished, professional videos but film she took while researching to help with the writing process. As she showed them at talks people wanted them so the publisher put together a DVD. I have gotten to know the children in the DVD as if I was in the class!
If you really want proof that this works and kids are willing to write go to a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom and try it. Read a book like A Pocket for Corduroy and let them talk about how the character is feeling. At the end let the children talk for a moment about a special toy they have and how they'd feel if something happened and it was lost. Then explain that they are going to get a book so they can write a story about something they care about that shows how they feel. It doesn't have to be this prescriptive but it may help if they are new to writing their own stories. Make sure they have pencils, colored pencils, and other tools they may need for writing. Remind them that they will get to share their stories at the end of the writing time. Give them time and circulate to check in during the writing time.
You will find they don't need a prompt or a template for getting their ideas on paper. A kindergarten child with very little experience may just draw a picture of the toy and maybe himself. Allow him to share his story by encouraging him to tell the story from his picture(s). He will realize that there is a story and the details can be relayed. With practice he will begin to increase his stamina and details as he realizes his work is valued and is like what is being read each day to the class.
I've seen this work! I know the children have much more than we give them credit for. With the tools, the time, and the encouragement they will become writers. As you circulate and conference you will be guiding them toward all the necessary parts of writing like: spacing, letters, words that match pictures, etc. Always include time to share their work and keep the work in their reading bins or a special library in the classroom so it is public.
Let them read and let them write and they will grow in both areas. Act as a supporter and guide as they learn the basics of reading and writing.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Let them Read!
I've been working in education a long time in many roles and lately I've been wondering why don't we let our youngest students read? Sure, we teach reading. We control reading. We supervise reading. What I wonder is during school how much do we let children read?
In one of my jobs we were doing an audit on reading instruction across schools. One of things we asked teachers to do was record how much time during the school day children spent reading. When we met there were lots of questions about what we meant. Was word study reading? Was silent reading counted? People tended to think (with our youngest children) that reading instruction is what we meant. When we clarified by saying how much time do kids in your class have a book in their hands and they are reading. How much of this is uninterrupted or independent of the teacher. Most of the kindergarten and first grade teachers felt the children weren't able to do this type of reading because most of them didn't know how to read yet.
Not every child comes to school with the tools to begin reading. Some developmentally aren't ready, some haven't had any experience with books and text. This shouldn't stand in the way of handing a child a book and saying you can go sit on the rug and read. When he or she responds, "I don't know how to read." you can say, "Just pretend." In most cases the child understands the concept of pretending and will happily sit down with the book and look at pictures. Isn't reading the pictures a form of reading? Sure it is.
Once the child has spent some time with a book have children share what they are reading. This can be in pairs, in a circle, etc. The focus of this is letting others in the community know what is out there and why someone else might enjoy that book. The children will learn to tell about what is in their books by the pictures (and in some cases the words). Great chance for the teacher to see if children are understanding that pictures contain meaning as well as words. If you have a large selection of materials there should be something for every child. Some will gravitate toward nonfiction and some fiction. Some may choose old favorites that they already know. All of these books are for revisiting and sharing. Eventually the child will attempt the words and will have some knowledge of what should be expected by having read the pictures and shared what he/she learned.
This time for reading should be daily and the time expanded as the children mature. The teacher may be stopping by and checking in to show interest and gather data for instruction. The teacher may be running a reading group with a small group. This is definitely a part of a workshop model for reading instruction. No matter what you call your scheduled reading instruction time children should be interacting with books that they are interested in and have chosen. In their same collection of books there may be ones they've used during instruction and are practicing but this time should allow children to choose what they read.
It's important that our youngest children are being given time to read everyday. Don't worry about a book level or whether they can read the words. Give them time to explore with books and pretend. That pretending will lead to reading and the openness to get better because it is something they WANT to do not something they HAVE to do.
In one of my jobs we were doing an audit on reading instruction across schools. One of things we asked teachers to do was record how much time during the school day children spent reading. When we met there were lots of questions about what we meant. Was word study reading? Was silent reading counted? People tended to think (with our youngest children) that reading instruction is what we meant. When we clarified by saying how much time do kids in your class have a book in their hands and they are reading. How much of this is uninterrupted or independent of the teacher. Most of the kindergarten and first grade teachers felt the children weren't able to do this type of reading because most of them didn't know how to read yet.
Not every child comes to school with the tools to begin reading. Some developmentally aren't ready, some haven't had any experience with books and text. This shouldn't stand in the way of handing a child a book and saying you can go sit on the rug and read. When he or she responds, "I don't know how to read." you can say, "Just pretend." In most cases the child understands the concept of pretending and will happily sit down with the book and look at pictures. Isn't reading the pictures a form of reading? Sure it is.
Once the child has spent some time with a book have children share what they are reading. This can be in pairs, in a circle, etc. The focus of this is letting others in the community know what is out there and why someone else might enjoy that book. The children will learn to tell about what is in their books by the pictures (and in some cases the words). Great chance for the teacher to see if children are understanding that pictures contain meaning as well as words. If you have a large selection of materials there should be something for every child. Some will gravitate toward nonfiction and some fiction. Some may choose old favorites that they already know. All of these books are for revisiting and sharing. Eventually the child will attempt the words and will have some knowledge of what should be expected by having read the pictures and shared what he/she learned.
This time for reading should be daily and the time expanded as the children mature. The teacher may be stopping by and checking in to show interest and gather data for instruction. The teacher may be running a reading group with a small group. This is definitely a part of a workshop model for reading instruction. No matter what you call your scheduled reading instruction time children should be interacting with books that they are interested in and have chosen. In their same collection of books there may be ones they've used during instruction and are practicing but this time should allow children to choose what they read.
It's important that our youngest children are being given time to read everyday. Don't worry about a book level or whether they can read the words. Give them time to explore with books and pretend. That pretending will lead to reading and the openness to get better because it is something they WANT to do not something they HAVE to do.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Is This Normal?
I truly believe there is a hidden writer in me and tonight I began to think about this because of what I believe may be a weird habit. I have a tendency to here certain phrases or names and start picturing a story that uses the phrase or names. Sometimes I take the time to write whatever it is in a journal or on a piece of paper. I wish I did every time because when I come across these notes I immediately picture the story that came to me at the time. When I don't write them down they are lost because I didn't rehearse the idea and get the names/phrases more solid in my memory.
Tonight was one of my long days because I am co-teaching a course that begins when the school day ends. We were watching a video of a lesson and the little boy was adorable. He was five years-old, in overalls, and had an old man name (my opinion), Harold. The teacher's name was Amanda. As I watched the video and tried to focus I kept thinking, "these are great names for a children's book." I started jotting ideas in my journal and soon Amanda became Antoinette and the was story emerging. Now it's been a few hours and I'm still haunted by these characters and my story that involves a little boy named Harold and a baby hippo named Antoinette!
Why I chose to write about this tonight is because this happens to me all the time. I have pieces started in several places and the characters visit me off and on when something reminds me of them or the story. There's Bernie and Duffy (therapy dogs), Rhubarb the Prom Queen (a baby born in the rhubarb patch), Roger the Rooster, and many more. I like to think the stories are aging and will be ready to tackle soon. I'm not sure when soon is but I believe it is getting nearer because I have been searching out these pieces of paper and revisiting these stories. Maybe this writing challenge is helping me get more comfortable with continuing some of my ideas and taking one (or more) to final pieces.
We have a school vacation next week and I am always hopeful I will get tons of things accomplished. My to do list is growing but maybe I'll focus a particular time each day to writing of ideas I've had for picture books. Maybe. . .
Stay tuned.
Tonight was one of my long days because I am co-teaching a course that begins when the school day ends. We were watching a video of a lesson and the little boy was adorable. He was five years-old, in overalls, and had an old man name (my opinion), Harold. The teacher's name was Amanda. As I watched the video and tried to focus I kept thinking, "these are great names for a children's book." I started jotting ideas in my journal and soon Amanda became Antoinette and the was story emerging. Now it's been a few hours and I'm still haunted by these characters and my story that involves a little boy named Harold and a baby hippo named Antoinette!
Why I chose to write about this tonight is because this happens to me all the time. I have pieces started in several places and the characters visit me off and on when something reminds me of them or the story. There's Bernie and Duffy (therapy dogs), Rhubarb the Prom Queen (a baby born in the rhubarb patch), Roger the Rooster, and many more. I like to think the stories are aging and will be ready to tackle soon. I'm not sure when soon is but I believe it is getting nearer because I have been searching out these pieces of paper and revisiting these stories. Maybe this writing challenge is helping me get more comfortable with continuing some of my ideas and taking one (or more) to final pieces.
We have a school vacation next week and I am always hopeful I will get tons of things accomplished. My to do list is growing but maybe I'll focus a particular time each day to writing of ideas I've had for picture books. Maybe. . .
Stay tuned.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine's Day!
Is it really necessary to create a day to show how much you love someone? Shouldn't this be something we do everyday to people who are valued? I was thinking about this today as I worked at our little cooperative store and a few people mentioned they were buying chocolate for their sweeties. One person made a point of explaining that he was buying a different kind of chocolate to make their evening ritual a bit special. Evidently they enjoy a certain type of chocolate each evening but tonight it would be something different. I'm sure his wife knows she's special to him but this was his little way of honoring Valentine's Day.
My plan had been to make a special dinner for Bruce. Something he truly enjoys. As I planned and bought the ingredients I realized this is something I do almost daily. I love to cook and I love to make food that others enjoy. When I told Bruce the menu he said I shouldn't tell the boys since they would want to come home. He knew it was a favorite meal for the family. I explained that I would repeat it when they were home for spring break! It doesn't mean that tonight isn't special but it kept reminding me that perhaps I don't need a calendar to tell me to share my feelings since I do it pretty regularly (often through food!).
This brings me to my next revelation. . . Perhaps food is too big a focus in our life. Most holidays have a special meal related to the day. Birthdays are always times the honored person gets to pick his/her favorite meal. Our summer reunions with my side of the family always have the same main food (and we expect it). Bruce's side hosts a family gathering each spring and it is always the same menu. Food is a big part of our family's way of showing love. Maybe that's not true for others but it is certainly true in my family and my husband's family.
One thing we don't do regularly is say, "I love you." I hear other people end every phone call with, "I love you," but we don't. I'm sure my children and my husband know I love them, so perhaps it's not necessary. No one has every complained. I believe my actions demonstrate my love when I talk to my boys or visit with them. Is it necessary to say, "I love you" regularly for someone to know it is true? I don't think so and I doubt at this late stage I will change. I guarantee that I love all my boys and believe they are secure in that knowledge. For now I'll continue to cook and feed my family as one of the ways I show my love.
P.S. Update on my writing challenge -- Yesterday I wrote a review for a reading organization newsletter. I didn't post it here since it will be published in the newsletter but I considered it meeting my challenge for Saturday. Friday was a bust! I was exhausted from my travel and just relaxed after dinner.
My plan had been to make a special dinner for Bruce. Something he truly enjoys. As I planned and bought the ingredients I realized this is something I do almost daily. I love to cook and I love to make food that others enjoy. When I told Bruce the menu he said I shouldn't tell the boys since they would want to come home. He knew it was a favorite meal for the family. I explained that I would repeat it when they were home for spring break! It doesn't mean that tonight isn't special but it kept reminding me that perhaps I don't need a calendar to tell me to share my feelings since I do it pretty regularly (often through food!).
This brings me to my next revelation. . . Perhaps food is too big a focus in our life. Most holidays have a special meal related to the day. Birthdays are always times the honored person gets to pick his/her favorite meal. Our summer reunions with my side of the family always have the same main food (and we expect it). Bruce's side hosts a family gathering each spring and it is always the same menu. Food is a big part of our family's way of showing love. Maybe that's not true for others but it is certainly true in my family and my husband's family.
One thing we don't do regularly is say, "I love you." I hear other people end every phone call with, "I love you," but we don't. I'm sure my children and my husband know I love them, so perhaps it's not necessary. No one has every complained. I believe my actions demonstrate my love when I talk to my boys or visit with them. Is it necessary to say, "I love you" regularly for someone to know it is true? I don't think so and I doubt at this late stage I will change. I guarantee that I love all my boys and believe they are secure in that knowledge. For now I'll continue to cook and feed my family as one of the ways I show my love.
P.S. Update on my writing challenge -- Yesterday I wrote a review for a reading organization newsletter. I didn't post it here since it will be published in the newsletter but I considered it meeting my challenge for Saturday. Friday was a bust! I was exhausted from my travel and just relaxed after dinner.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
30 Minutes!
Traveling seems to mean delays. I'm on my way back to Vermont after a week of assessment work in North Carolina. It's always interesting to participate in these opportunities but the hassle of flying always makes me question the sanity of travel!
The flight to N.C. was delayed but I didn't miss my connection so it all ended fine. Today I arrived at the Raleigh/Durham airport VERY early because our meeting ended early and I decided it would be just as easy to be at the airport. Thank Goodness. My flight was delayed which meant I'd miss my connection but I was there early enough to get on an earlier flight and be sure of making my flight. Once in NYC I settled in and readied myself for a 3 hour wait (the 4 hour layover was reduced when the flight from NC left late due to crew issues). That 3 hours has turned into 5 1/2 due to high winds. This means I'll arrive (hopefully) in VT at 12:30 a.m. and get home around 1:30 a.m.!
But why did I name this post 30 minutes? Time seems to be the topic as far as travel and now I learn that my free Internet access is only for 30 minutes. I'm typing fast in hopes of getting a blog post done and not getting behind again on my challenge! Seems to be a theme -- time and delays.
I found it interesting when I realized I had only 30 minutes of access I completely froze about what I'd write. I had been thinking about topics while I ate my pizza in preparation for getting this done and yet when I saw -- 30 minutes -- and a timer started I froze. Perhaps that's how most of us feel when put in a situation that is usually relaxed (writing for pleasure) but becomes pressured (writing in a timed situation).
My timer has disappeared so in the interest of not losing this blog post and getting it posted I will close and continue my wait and hope I get out of NYC tonight and I don't have to sleep on this filthy, hard floor! (Sorry if there are typos, no time to edit!)
The flight to N.C. was delayed but I didn't miss my connection so it all ended fine. Today I arrived at the Raleigh/Durham airport VERY early because our meeting ended early and I decided it would be just as easy to be at the airport. Thank Goodness. My flight was delayed which meant I'd miss my connection but I was there early enough to get on an earlier flight and be sure of making my flight. Once in NYC I settled in and readied myself for a 3 hour wait (the 4 hour layover was reduced when the flight from NC left late due to crew issues). That 3 hours has turned into 5 1/2 due to high winds. This means I'll arrive (hopefully) in VT at 12:30 a.m. and get home around 1:30 a.m.!
But why did I name this post 30 minutes? Time seems to be the topic as far as travel and now I learn that my free Internet access is only for 30 minutes. I'm typing fast in hopes of getting a blog post done and not getting behind again on my challenge! Seems to be a theme -- time and delays.
I found it interesting when I realized I had only 30 minutes of access I completely froze about what I'd write. I had been thinking about topics while I ate my pizza in preparation for getting this done and yet when I saw -- 30 minutes -- and a timer started I froze. Perhaps that's how most of us feel when put in a situation that is usually relaxed (writing for pleasure) but becomes pressured (writing in a timed situation).
My timer has disappeared so in the interest of not losing this blog post and getting it posted I will close and continue my wait and hope I get out of NYC tonight and I don't have to sleep on this filthy, hard floor! (Sorry if there are typos, no time to edit!)
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Pets
This post is coming out of the blue! Quite often when I sit to write something I've been thinking about, an observation or something hot in the news that disturbs or interests me, is what enters my head to get the writing started but tonight I'm just reflecting on owning pets. It seems a bit weird for this topic to enter my head as I sit in a hotel room to be thinking about pets but that's what is invading my brain.
I grew up with pets. We always had a dog and it was always small. The dog I grew up with was Beau. He was a miniature poodle that we got when we moved to California. I was in third grade and Beau was my best friend. He lived into my college days as a deaf, mostly blind, smelly old dog. It didn't matter how nasty he got he was a part of the family and I couldn't imagine not having him.
During those years we had an occasional cat, bird, hamster, gerbil, and even rabbits. My parents were pretty agreeable about our pets. Even though others came and went Beau lasted the longest. My dad enjoyed having a dog around but he and Mom had found it much easier to be child and pet free once we all left.
Once I married I wanted pets again. Bruce had not been raised with pets due to his brother's allergies. When we got our first cat, Homer, he broke out in hives and showed every sign of being allergic. With a lot of Benadryl and acclimation he adjusted and lived in harmony with Homer. She lived to the ripe old age of 17! During that time we tried a dog. Not a good match for Bruce. I was convinced he'd come around but instead I changed my feelings. I very much enjoyed my cats but dogs were just too needy. They expected too much and were vocal or acted out when they didn't get what they wanted. Cats on the other hand just expected regular feeding and a cozy lap on their terms.
Over the years I realized that I might not be one of those people who needs something extra to need or rely on me. Dogs are constantly reminding you that they need attention and want to be noticed. Like a toddler they follow you around, get vocal when you turn your back, make demands and get naughty when those demands aren't met. I don't need that!
I've decided if I am going to have a pet it will always be a cat. I used to tell Bruce that if he died I would get a dog. I'm sure that is not the case anymore (hopefully I won't have to face that anytime soon!). We currently have two cats, Cleo (15), and Sadie (10). I realize it won't be long before these two will no longer be with us. As I contemplate this I think about our life as we age. Children are mostly out of the nest and next the cats will be in their next hunting ground which will leave just Bruce and me in the house together. I'm not sure this prospect bothers me nor do I think it will be necessary to have pets.
Once again I am wondering what brought this to the top of my list for thinking about and writing about as I sit in my hotel room in Durham, NC in February! I know I won't get any argument from Bruce when I admit that a pet free house won't be out of the question.
I grew up with pets. We always had a dog and it was always small. The dog I grew up with was Beau. He was a miniature poodle that we got when we moved to California. I was in third grade and Beau was my best friend. He lived into my college days as a deaf, mostly blind, smelly old dog. It didn't matter how nasty he got he was a part of the family and I couldn't imagine not having him.
During those years we had an occasional cat, bird, hamster, gerbil, and even rabbits. My parents were pretty agreeable about our pets. Even though others came and went Beau lasted the longest. My dad enjoyed having a dog around but he and Mom had found it much easier to be child and pet free once we all left.
Once I married I wanted pets again. Bruce had not been raised with pets due to his brother's allergies. When we got our first cat, Homer, he broke out in hives and showed every sign of being allergic. With a lot of Benadryl and acclimation he adjusted and lived in harmony with Homer. She lived to the ripe old age of 17! During that time we tried a dog. Not a good match for Bruce. I was convinced he'd come around but instead I changed my feelings. I very much enjoyed my cats but dogs were just too needy. They expected too much and were vocal or acted out when they didn't get what they wanted. Cats on the other hand just expected regular feeding and a cozy lap on their terms.
Over the years I realized that I might not be one of those people who needs something extra to need or rely on me. Dogs are constantly reminding you that they need attention and want to be noticed. Like a toddler they follow you around, get vocal when you turn your back, make demands and get naughty when those demands aren't met. I don't need that!
I've decided if I am going to have a pet it will always be a cat. I used to tell Bruce that if he died I would get a dog. I'm sure that is not the case anymore (hopefully I won't have to face that anytime soon!). We currently have two cats, Cleo (15), and Sadie (10). I realize it won't be long before these two will no longer be with us. As I contemplate this I think about our life as we age. Children are mostly out of the nest and next the cats will be in their next hunting ground which will leave just Bruce and me in the house together. I'm not sure this prospect bothers me nor do I think it will be necessary to have pets.
Once again I am wondering what brought this to the top of my list for thinking about and writing about as I sit in my hotel room in Durham, NC in February! I know I won't get any argument from Bruce when I admit that a pet free house won't be out of the question.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Status Update
I'm behind! It's the story of my life and I'm too old to change. Don't try to tell me that you are never too old because I'm pretty happy with my life just the way it is. This doesn't mean I am planning to give up on my writing challenge, I'm just not going to beat myself up over something I'm not that bothered by.
What I have found since I took on this challenge is that during the day I am thinking about what I want to write about! That is good. What is bad is that I'm not taking the time to write down those thoughts so when I sit down to write at the end of a busy day I have something to reference to remember what I was thinking about! As I age I really need to make lists and keep them where I can find them.
Earlier today I saw a Meme (idea/thought/picture with words that spreads within a culture) with a picture of Temple Grandin and the quote, "We're focusing so much on academics that we've TAKEN OUT things like art, sewing, cooking, woodworking, music, and othe rthings that INTRODUCE kids to careers." I was thrilled since it goes with an earlier blog post on my pet peeve that "content" is the be all and end all. If you can't process all this "content" because you have no reference points because you've never done anything except learn "content" it's a waste of time. Experiences is what the children need in order to make sense of all this "content." Whew!
This is coming the same week that I'm spending my time in Durham, NC working on assessment items for the yearly "how are we doing as educators" test! Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with taking the pulse of education through assessment but there has to be more than one measure to prove something is working. There has been too much emphasis for too many years that a once a year test can determine a "good" school and a "bad" school.
As an educator I see a side of society that I'm afraid not everyone sees. I certainly didn't know there was so much dysfunction in the world until I started teaching. Maybe my family protected me or perhaps people tend to flock toward people with similar beliefs and structures and my flock was seemingly functional. I was shocked when I first started teaching (a long time ago) how much neglect there was. It has only gotten worse. Our current political gridlock is a very good indicator of just how low our society has come. I don't generally write about politics but I just learned Trump won the NH primary for the Republican party -- REALLY? I am appalled that a majority of voters believe his hatred and arrogance are what we need to run the country. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised since the fascination with families like the Kardashians should explain it all. What happened to looking up to people who made a difference in the world in a positive, helping humanity type of way?
I'll end with a nice conclusion that returns to the introduction which reminds me not to beat myself up over some things that I may not control or that I may not want to change. I will just try to stay positive and find the good in others so that I don't allow myself to become hateful and a part of the disease. I've read that optimists live longer and are healthier. Good-night, sleep tight, have a wonderful day tomorrow.
What I have found since I took on this challenge is that during the day I am thinking about what I want to write about! That is good. What is bad is that I'm not taking the time to write down those thoughts so when I sit down to write at the end of a busy day I have something to reference to remember what I was thinking about! As I age I really need to make lists and keep them where I can find them.
Earlier today I saw a Meme (idea/thought/picture with words that spreads within a culture) with a picture of Temple Grandin and the quote, "We're focusing so much on academics that we've TAKEN OUT things like art, sewing, cooking, woodworking, music, and othe rthings that INTRODUCE kids to careers." I was thrilled since it goes with an earlier blog post on my pet peeve that "content" is the be all and end all. If you can't process all this "content" because you have no reference points because you've never done anything except learn "content" it's a waste of time. Experiences is what the children need in order to make sense of all this "content." Whew!
This is coming the same week that I'm spending my time in Durham, NC working on assessment items for the yearly "how are we doing as educators" test! Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with taking the pulse of education through assessment but there has to be more than one measure to prove something is working. There has been too much emphasis for too many years that a once a year test can determine a "good" school and a "bad" school.
As an educator I see a side of society that I'm afraid not everyone sees. I certainly didn't know there was so much dysfunction in the world until I started teaching. Maybe my family protected me or perhaps people tend to flock toward people with similar beliefs and structures and my flock was seemingly functional. I was shocked when I first started teaching (a long time ago) how much neglect there was. It has only gotten worse. Our current political gridlock is a very good indicator of just how low our society has come. I don't generally write about politics but I just learned Trump won the NH primary for the Republican party -- REALLY? I am appalled that a majority of voters believe his hatred and arrogance are what we need to run the country. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised since the fascination with families like the Kardashians should explain it all. What happened to looking up to people who made a difference in the world in a positive, helping humanity type of way?
I'll end with a nice conclusion that returns to the introduction which reminds me not to beat myself up over some things that I may not control or that I may not want to change. I will just try to stay positive and find the good in others so that I don't allow myself to become hateful and a part of the disease. I've read that optimists live longer and are healthier. Good-night, sleep tight, have a wonderful day tomorrow.
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