Love Surrounds Us / Heart Healthy Diet / Friday: At School

The Miracle of Life blossoms into Beauty.

Thoughts of love
surround us.
And all around us,
in every moment
of every day,
with every beat
of every Heart,
the Miracle of Life
blossoms
into Beauty that
WE
can behold.

The Eternal Light
of Love
chases away the last vestige
of the dark
of night.
And we come to see
evermore,
the wonder of our Birth
into Hope,
into Love
and Life,
and into the
Light.

“All
things become visible
when they are exposed by the Light,
for everything that becomes visible
is Light.”
– Ephesians 5:13

We are remote
from the possibility
of comprehension.
But the Human Heart
can
take pleasure and delight
in the magic and the wonder
and the mystery
that is this
Life.

               A Many Splendored Thing.

Life
is at best,
but a brief journey
through Seasons
that come and go,
the passage
through which
few
are ever fully aware,
ever really know.

Yes.
Seasons come
and then they go,
and we are here
and gone.
Your smile,
faint in the glow
of beautiful memory,
much like
your Life,
seemingly long,
glimmering like a Rainbow,
but lasting
like the Dawn.

             Glimmering like a Rainbow.

But the Miracle
of this Life
lies in the Mystery
of the Clear Eternal Light,
that when you Pray,
will find you
and guide you,
and never
let you lose
your way.

“This is the message
we have heard from him
and proclaim to you,
that God is light
and in him is no darkness
at all.”
– John 1:5

Let us
Dream the Dream,
and keep on
Living
to Walk
in the Beautiful
Light of God’s
abundant Love.

                      Lasting like the Dawn.

 Yes,
the tides of fortune
are awash and aplenty
upon our shores.
And the initial Life
of material existence
is filled with illusion.

“Our concept of Beauty
suggests a greater Meaning
in a Universe capable of producing beings
that not only appreciate Beauty
but strive to achieve greater and greater Beauty.
You are made to think, know, and create like God,
because God wanted to share
that experience of Being
with some other than Himself.”
– Sarah Capello

But deeper
than the Ocean
is God’s Love
for you.

I Pray
you will come to see
the Peace and Hope
and the everlasting Joy
such knowing
will bring.

God’s Love
is truly
a Many Splendored
Thing.

Goodnight.

             Let us dream the dream.

Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
read more

Ready to start your heart-healthy diet? Here are eight tips to get you started.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Although you might know that eating certain foods can increase your heart disease risk, it’s often tough to change your eating habits. Whether you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt or you simply want to fine-tune your diet, here are eight heart-healthy diet tips. Once you know which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit, you’ll be on your way toward a heart-healthy diet.

 1. Control your portion size

How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Overloading your plate, taking seconds and eating until you feel stuffed can lead to eating more calories than you should. Portions served in restaurants are often more than anyone needs.

Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions. Eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods. This strategy can shape up your diet as well as your heart and waistline.

Keep track of the number of servings you eat. A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such as cups, ounces or pieces. For example, one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup, or about the size of a hockey puck. A serving of meat, fish or chicken is about 2 to 3 ounces, or about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. Judging serving size is a learned skill. You may need to use measuring cups and spoons or a scale until you’re comfortable with your judgment.

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits

 Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.

Featuring vegetables and fruits in your diet can be easy. Keep vegetables washed and cut in your refrigerator for quick snacks. Keep fruit in a bowl in your kitchen so that you’ll remember to eat it. Choose recipes that have vegetables or fruits as the main ingredients, such as vegetable stir-fry or fresh fruit mixed into salads.

Fruits and vegetables to choose	Fruits and vegetables to limit
Fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits Low-sodium canned vegetables Canned fruit packed in juice or water	Coconut Vegetables with creamy sauces Fried or breaded vegetables Canned fruit packed in heavy syrup Frozen fruit with sugar added

3. Select whole grains

 Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. You can increase the amount of whole grains in a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions for refined grain products. Or be adventuresome and try a new whole grain, such as whole-grain farro, quinoa or barley.

Grain products to choose	Grain products to limit or avoid
Whole-wheat flour Whole-grain bread, preferably 100% whole-wheat bread or 100% whole-grain bread High-fiber cereal with 5 g or more of fiber in a serving Whole grains such as brown rice, barley and buckwheat (kasha) Whole-grain pasta Oatmeal (steel-cut or regular)	White, refined flour White bread Muffins Frozen waffles Corn bread Doughnuts Biscuits Quick breads Cakes Pies Egg noodles Buttered popcorn High-fat snack crackers

4. Limit unhealthy fats

 Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for how much fat to include in a heart-healthy diet:

Type of fat	Recommendation
Saturated fat	Less than 7% of your total daily calories, or less than 14 g of saturated fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet
Trans fat	Less than 1% of your total daily calories, or less than 2 g of trans fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

The best way to reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet is to limit the amount of solid fats — butter, margarine and shortening — you add to food when cooking and serving. You can also reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet by trimming fat off your meat or choosing lean meats with less than 10 percent fat.

You can also use low – fat substitutions when possible for a heart – healthy diet. For example, top your baked potato with low-sodium salsa or low-fat yogurt rather than butter, or use sliced whole fruit or low-sugar fruit spread on your toast instead of margarine.

You may also want to check the food labels of some cookies, crackers and chips. Many of these snacks — even those labeled “reduced fat” —  may be made with oils containing trans fats. One clue that a food has some trans fat in it is the phrase “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredient list.

When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats, found in certain fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories.

An easy way to add healthy fat (and fiber) to your diet is ground flaxseed. Flaxseeds are small brown seeds that are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have found that flaxseeds may help lower cholesterol in some people. You can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor and stir a teaspoon of them into yogurt, applesauce or hot cereal.

Fats to choose	Fats to limit
Olive oil Canola oil Vegetable and nut oils Margarine, trans fat free Cholesterol-lowering margarine, such as Benecol, Promise Activ or Smart Balance Nuts, seeds Avocados	Butter Lard Bacon fat Gravy Cream sauce Nondairy creamers Hydrogenated margarine and shortening Cocoa butter, found in chocolate Coconut, palm, cottonseed and palm-kernel oils

5. Choose low-fat protein sources

 Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs are some of your best sources of protein. But be careful to choose lower fat options, such as skim milk rather than whole milk and skinless chicken breasts rather than fried chicken patties.

Fish is another good alternative to high-fat meats. And certain types of fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood fats called triglycerides. You’ll find the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Other sources are flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil.

 Legumes — beans, peas and lentils — also are good sources of protein and contain less fat and no cholesterol, making them good substitutes for meat. Substituting plant protein for animal protein — for example, a soy or bean burger for a hamburger — will reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.

Proteins to choose	Proteins to limit or avoid
Low-fat dairy products such as skim or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt and cheese Eggs Fish, especially fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon Skinless poultry Legumes Soybeans and soy products, such as soy burgers and tofu Lean ground meats	Full-fat milk and other dairy products Organ meats, such as liver Fatty and marbled meats Spareribs Hot dogs and sausages Bacon Fried or breaded meats

6. Reduce the sodium in your food

 Eating a lot of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reducing sodium is an important part of a heart-healthy diet. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day (about a teaspoon of salt)
• People age 51 or older, African-Americans, and people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease have no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day

 Although reducing the amount of salt you add to food at the table or while cooking is a good first step, much of the salt you eat comes from canned or processed foods, such as soups and frozen dinners. Eating fresh foods and making your own soups and stews can reduce the amount of salt you eat.

If you like the convenience of canned soups and prepared meals, look for ones with reduced sodium. Be wary of foods that claim to be lower in sodium because they are seasoned with sea salt instead of regular table salt — sea salt has the same nutritional value as regular salt.

Another way to reduce the amount of salt you eat is to choose your condiments carefully. Many condiments are available in reduced-sodium versions, and salt substitutes can add flavor to your food with less sodium.

Low-salt items to choose	High-salt items to avoid
Herbs and spices Salt substitutes Reduced-salt canned soups or prepared meals Reduced-salt versions of condiments, such as reduced-salt soy sauce and reduced-salt ketchup	Table salt Canned soups and prepared foods, such as frozen dinners Tomato juice Soy sauce

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

 You know what foods to feature in your heart-healthy diet and which ones to limit. Now it’s time to put your plans into action.

Create daily menus using the six strategies listed above. When selecting foods for each meal and snack, emphasize vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Choose lean protein sources and healthy fats, and limit salty foods. Watch your portion sizes and add variety to your menu choices.

 For example, if you have grilled salmon one evening, try a black-bean burger the next night. This helps ensure that you’ll get all of the nutrients your body needs. Variety also makes your meals and snacks more interesting.

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

 Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. A candy bar or handful of potato chips won’t derail your heart-healthy diet. But don’t let it turn into an excuse for giving up on your healthy eating plan. If overindulgence is the exception, rather than the rule, you’ll balance things out over the long term. What’s important is that you eat healthy foods most of the time.

 Incorporate these eight tips into your life, and you’ll find that heart-healthy eating is both doable and enjoyable. With planning and a few simple substitutions, you can eat with your heart in mind.

Friday:

We will meet at school
on Friday
from 8:30 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m.
and work with our Director,
George Rodriguez,
on our upcoming
Shakespeare production.

IMPORTANT  DATES:

May 5                 At School (Play rehearsal)
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

The magic and the wonder and the mystery that is this Life.

 

That’s All I Ask of You / Coping With Workplace Stress / Friday: At School (Shakespeare Play Rehearsal)

“We must know
that we have been created for greater things,
not just to be a number in the world,
not just to go for diplomas and degrees,
this work and that work.
We have been created in order
to Love
and to be Loved.”
–  Mother Teresa

God has been invited to come in.

My Dear Friends,
from this moment
Life can begin
again.

Imagine yourself
as another living Being.
And God
has been invited
to come in
and forgive you
of all your sin,
and rebuild the Life
that housed all your previous
days,
all the moments that for you
did exist.

             Life can begin again.

The first thought
that flies past you,
is that you cannot understand
what He is doing.

No.
No one can ever
really understand.

“Great is our Lord,
and abundant in power; 
his understanding is
beyond measure.”
Psalm 147:5

Because
the past
no longer exists.
Only tomorrow
is real again.

  The pain is no longer here to stay.

The pain,
from so many years,
that never
seemed to go away,
in one moment,
on one precious day,
is no longer
here to stay.

“For which cause we faint not;
but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed
day by day.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:16

 .
God is preparing
a place for your
Heart.

Far
beyond forever,
will He stay
in Love with you.
For
He will never
not Love you.
And all
He asks in return,
is that you Love
Him.

Is this
not what we ask
of others
in Life?

“No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide eyed fears.
I’m here, nothing can harm you.
My words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom.
Let daylight dry your tears.
I’m here, with you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you

Say you Love me
Every waking moment.
Say you Love me
Oh, I do Love you
that’s all I ask of you.

Anywhere you go
let me go too.
Love me,
that’s all I ask of you.”
–  Andrew Lloyd Webber

Yes,
finding a way
to be,
is as simple as
“I Love You.
Please Love Me.”

Goodnight.

               I Love You.

Coping With Workplace Stress
by Diana Louise Carter
read more

 in Esperanza
(Hope to Cope with Anxiety and Depression)

click here for more

Taking steps to strengthen your resilience, plus seeking treatment if necessary, will help you handle cranky customers, toxic co-workers, and other on the job stressors.

After a really stressful day at work, Katie, an RN, spends a little extra drive time in her car.

“Once I leave the office, work stays here. I try absolutely my best not to take it home,” says Katie, who lives in Alabama. “Even if you have to drive around for a few minutes by yourself.”

That’s what professional counselors call a “calming ritual” – something that may come in especially handy for nurses like Katie, home health workers, bus drivers, social workers, and people employed in restaurants, real estate, personal services, and manufacturing.

Those are among occupations with the highest rates of depression, as ranked by two studies – one published in 2010, the other in 2014. Authors of the later study identified “frequent or difficult interactions” with the public or clients, high levels of stress, and low levels of physical activity as characteristics the jobs had in common.

No matter the profession, strains like cranky customers, uncivil bosses, unpredictable work schedules, unreasonable deadlines, and the 24/7 electronic tether of our mobile devices can challenge anyone’s well-being.

In the American Psychological Association’s 2012 annual Stress in America Survey, 65 percent of respondents listed work as their top source of life stress – but only 37 percent said they were “doing an excellent or very good job managing stress.”

Katie says hospital nursing is so demanding it’s sometimes hard to take a break to regroup.

“You’re the person who goes between the doctor and the patient,” she notes. “All of it kind of gets put on your shoulders. If it all goes wrong … nurses just catch most of the blame.”

Katie prefers to practice in a small clinic where the pace and workload are more comfortable. A case manager for an outpatient mental health and substance abuse program, she’s a fan of adult coloring books— “they’re actually very calming” – and journaling for stress relief.

CREATIVE CHANGES

Expert advice for dealing with job stress tends to fall into two categories: steps you can take at work, such as using all your allotted breaks or advocating for different duties, and steps you can take outside work to better your health and enrich your life satisfaction—getting more exercise, for example, or pursuing hobbies that make you happy.

Steven implemented both types of solutions when the demands of his brewery job in upstate New York contributed to an anxiety diagnosis in 2007.

Steven, 57, had to follow complicated and precise recipes to craft huge tanks of “malternatives” like fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages and hard lemonade. Once he was formally reprimanded for using an ingredient from a new supplier that hadn’t been certified yet, which meant the whole batch went down the drain. He found himself overthinking all the steps in making beer coolers.

He was able to implement one creative change in his work flow to reduce his second-guessing: He would line up ingredients before he started and as each was added, he’d remove it from the bench.

There were other aspects of the job came he couldn’t control, however. His schedule rotated through day, evening and night shifts—a documented risk factor in depression and anxiety. He would frequently be called away from one task to attend a process elsewhere in the brewery complex, which made it harder to meet his production deadlines. Cost-cutting layoffs shrank his department from five employees per shift to three.

To counterbalance on-the-job aggravations, Steven pursued nature photography on his own and with a meet-up group.

“Photography helps,” says Steven, who took a disability retirement last year due to a bum knee. “Taking walks, occupying yourself, looking around. Your mind isn’t replaying all that went on in work again.”

RESTORING RESILIENCE

The American Institute of Stress notes that job pressures in and of themselves may be less important than how individuals fit with the work environment. For example, there are people who thrive in pressure-cooker situations while others have a lower tolerance for overload.

What’s happening outside of work can make a difference, too. At times, life stressors plus job stressors may add up to more than an individual’s natural resilience can handle. That’s when buttressing your reserves with activities that strengthen your physical self (especially good sleep), reinforce a positive perspective (such as reframing problems), and dilute tension (yoga, anyone?) become even more important.

Allison got caught in a period of institutional upheaval shortly after starting a new job at a prestigious music conservatory in Rochester, New York.

“We had to downsize my department. I had to fire people to cut costs. I had to outsource services at the same time I was learning the job,” recalls Allison, who was hired to oversee publications and public affairs.

In her personal life, Allison was dealing with her mother’s declining health and her marriage was slowly unraveling. Diagnosed with depression, she worked with her doctor and therapist to come up with coping tools.

“My doctor suggested maybe doing art or exercising. I swam laps. I would sit quietly at night and listen to the radio and draw mandalas. I would paint,” says Allison.

As the environment at work worsened, Allison decided on a more radical solution: Leaving that job to look for opportunities where she could be self-employed.

The “take this job and shove it” approach may be the best option in some circumstances, but for many it feels like an impossible choice. Robert W. McLellarn, PhD, often counsels people who are stressed out because of their jobs.

“They feel like they have to keep going to keep the paycheck,” notes McLellarn, a licensed clinical psychologist in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in treating anxiety.

McLellarn says that taking some sort of action short of leaving a bad job can be a stress reliever. For example, pursue the skills or training needed to get a more fulfilling job. The goal is to feel less stuck.

“Even giving people some strategies, some ideas, some hope that this can change is rewarding,” says McLellarn.

 WORKPLACE ALLIES

Assuming clear guidelines from human resources and a sympathetic supervisor, negotiating accommodations can be an on-the-job option. Opinion varies on whether it’s wise to divulge mental health challenges, and a lot depends on an individual’s particular situation and comfort level.

Genella of Brandon, Manitoba, coaches individuals on managing stress and advises companies on how to establish “psychologically safe” workplaces through her consulting firm Partners in Discovery. Although more employers are recognizing the bottom-line benefits of reducing burnout, she acknowledges that ignorance and stigma haven’t disappeared.

“People understand if you have a cast on your leg, but if you’re stressed, people still think it’s a character flaw,” says Genella, who has dealt with depression and anxiety herself.

Similarly, Genella points out, people can see that someone with a broken leg needs an elevator to go between floors, but they may not know what sort of supports to offer for a person with depression or anxiety. 

Genella says Canadian law acknowledges addiction issues, but hasn’t codified accommodations for mental health.

Protections assured by the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act may come into play if symptoms interfere with job responsibilities, according to Job Accommodations Network, a program of the U.S. Department of Labor and academic and industry partners.

Lisa of Brooklyn found an ally when she went to work part-time as an admissions coordinator at a law school in New York City nine years ago. Lisa, 46, has lived with sometimes disabling anxiety since her teens. Her department head allowed her to switch around her schedule if a panic attack erupted on a day she was due in.

When Lisa feels overwhelmed at the office, she takes a bathroom break to practice deep breathing exercises. She also finds prayer calming.

Having a strong support network at home keeps Lisa fortified for work demands. She finds that in her husband and parents, who live in the same apartment building. Weekly visits with her beloved nephews, ages 5 years old and 4 months old, have become a vital tonic.

“I call them my sunshine boys,” she says. “They should just bottle babies and give that as depression medication.”

Genella, meanwhile, thrives on the “unconditional gratitude, acceptance and love” of her dog, Tucker.

“When you have those, you can’t have a stress response at the same time,” she asserts. “I suggest that a person find out: When you are stressed, what works for you?”

WORKPLACE STRESS: SWITCH GEARS

It’s important to leave work and all its worries behind once you get home. Creating a destressing ritual can help you move into a new frame of mind. That could be something as simple as changing into more comfortable clothes or having a cup of tea while reviewing the mail.

DOLLARS AND SENSE

If it’s not addressed, chronic work stress can have a negative impact on physical health, family relationships, and life satisfaction. It can tip vulnerable individuals into depression or anxiety, or trigger those already dealing with mental health challenges.

Quite apart from the personal toll, there’s a financial backlash for businesses. One widely quoted statistic puts the annual cost of job stress to the American economy at $300 billion.

That includes the estimated burden of accidents due to fatigue and inability to concentrate, employee turnover, and loss of productivity due to absenteeism and “presenteeism”—in attendance bodily but unable to work at normal capacity.

According to the Harvard Business Review, studies show that presenteeism due to chronic illnesses—including conditions like allergies and arthritis – costs employers two to three times more than direct medical care.

Looking specifically at depression in the workplace, the advocacy organization Mental Health American cites a figure of $51 billion annually in indirect costs to the U.S. economy.

In Canada, more than 30 percent of disability claims and 70 percent of disability costs can be traced to mental health issues, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada. However, such payouts may yield a rich payback.

In a 2009 survey of 3,000 Alberta workers found that 255 people (or nearly 10 percent) confirmed they’d had a depressive episode in the year before they were interviewed. Those who had received treatment were significantly more likely to report being able to function at a highly productive level at work compared to those who had not sought help

 TOXIC WORKPLACE ANTITOXINS

Sometimes job stress doesn’t come from the work itself but from the people you work with. In her book Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace, Christine Porath, PhD, chronicles the toll that a toxic workplace can take on employees and employers.

Productivity tends to decrease and work absences tend to increase. If workers burn out and leave, businesses face the expense of replacing them. People are likely to carry workplace stress home at the end of the day, with poisonous effects on their health and relationships.

Whether a single bout of yelling or constant “micro-aggressions” by a difficult supervisor, the effects “can stick with people for decades,” Porath says. “It takes a cognitive toll even if you just observe it.”

Minimizing face-to-face contact can be a legitimate strategy, such as steering clear of committee work with a co-worker who pushes your buttons. Some other recommendations:

For a reality check, discreetly ask co-workers whether they’re having similar problems. Try to evaluate where there’s an objective issue affecting everyone, like unreasonable deadlines or constant disrespect, or whether you are particularly reactive.

Try talking with your supervisor about specific behaviors and situations that are making you feel stressed. Some may welcome the feedback, others may react negatively.

If your supervisor is not receptive to your concerns, consider moving up the chain of command or turning to the human resources department or a union representative.

If unclear job expectations are creating stress, ask to work with your supervisor on developing written guidelines you can both agree upon

 FEEL THE BURN(OUT)

The Mayo Clinic lists these signs of job burnout:

• Have you become cynical or critical at work?
• Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started once you arrive?
• Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
• Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
• Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
• Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
• Are you using food, drugs, or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
• Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?
• Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, backaches or other physical complaints? 

  No one can ever really understand.

Friday:
Our plan to travel this Friday
has been postponed due to
inclement weather.
We will meet at school
on Friday
from 8:30 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m.
and work with our Director,
George Rodriguez,
on our upcoming
Shakespeare production.

IMPORTANT  DATES:

April 28             At School (Play rehearsal)
May 1                TUITION DUE for 2017-18
May 15 & 16      Shakespeare Production at Stage West Theater
May 22 – 26       Adventure Trip
May 26               Last Day of Semester.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.

Love Does That / Adventure Trip Next Week / This Friday: At School

“Love is the offspring
of Spiritual affinity
and unless that affinity
is created in a moment,
it will not be created
for years or even generations.”
– Kahlil Gibran

Life is the first gift, Love is the second, and Understanding the third.       – Marge Piercy

From the metal of clay
are made
we.

Of all things
ever created,
we were so Loved,
we were Lovingly made
to ever
be.

“The righteous
will possess the earth,
And they will live
forever on it.”
– Psalm 37:29

       Under a beautiful canopy

To share
the same Loving thoughts
as the One
who made you and me,
One who Loves us beyond Belief,
is living
as though one river
flows
from Sea
to Eternal Sea,
Gracefully moving
through you
and me.

Love is ever fluid
to those in need,
as rivers of affection crest
and overflow,
and rush with a mighty force
through the Divine Being
that dwells inside
every Heart that sings.

God’s Grace
is denied to none
and cannot be swayed
from ever flowing
to those
whose Heart is in Love,
and in
Prayerful need.

Like drops of rain
falling freely
through the sky,
all the tears
we cry
fill the seas of life,
and then run dry.

             To guide your feet

If you get to where your going
before the end
of your day,
before the tears run dry,
and things that do not matter
come to know your name,
your Heavenly Father
can show you the way
and
by the Grace of God,
you will never be
the same.

The Path to Salvation
lies under a beautiful
Canopy,
upheld by a mighty Forest
of unbelievably beautiful Belief,
planted in the Heart by God
to shelter you
from the storms
and assuage your grief,
to guide your feet,
and shade you
beneath beautiful clouds
of relief.

      Beautiful Clouds of relief.

In forgiving,
we forget
what now never was,
never is,
never again can be.
By the Light of God
you now can see,
and finally feel
truly free.

“Love is the immortal flow of energy that nourishes, extends and preserves. Its eternal goal is Life.”                            – Smiley Blanton

My Dear Friends,
if you look at
one star in the Heavens,
just ONE,
and gaze long enough,
everything else just disappears.
What you are left with
is ONE,
and only one,
bright and shining star
in the field of your vision,
in your mind,
in your Heart.

Everything else just disappears.

Such is the nature
of our reality,
of our Heart,
of our mind’s eye.

Try it sometime.

“Love is the strongest force
the world possesses,
and yet it is the humblest
imaginable.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

And if you look
with your Heart
at one other Heart
just ONE,
and for long enough,
everything else just disappears.
What you are left with
is one,
and only ONE,
precious thought of another.

Such is nature of
Love,
that it can remove everything else
in the Universe,
everything below,
everything above.

“I can see the distant light,
hear the music all surrounding,
That shatters the silence so heavy to bear,
Lifts my soul into the night,
fills my heart with Love abounding,
And brings me the peace
we all surely will share.”
– Cleo Laine & John Dankworth

Try it sometime.

In Loving someone so intently,
everything else
simply disappears:
your sorrows,
your fears
your pain and suffering,
your unbearable grief,
your heartaches and tears.

And when you awake
from what you believe
is a dream,
you
will have also
disappeared.

Such is the nature of our reality.

Love
does that.
It removes you,
from you.
And suddenly,
you are
what you come to
Love.

And a child
is re-born.

And Life
and Love
live again.

And you know
the words
to your Song.
And in the beauty
of the Dawn,
once again
you sing along.

Such is the nature of our mind’s eye.

Such is the
Love of God
for you.

If you look to the Heavens,
and Pray for the Love of God,
and for long enough,
everything else just disappears.
And what you are left with
is One,
and only One,
bright and shining Star.
And the Love of God
shines down
upon you.

Goodnight.

Everything else just disappears.

“Everyone says love hurts, but that isn’t true.
Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts.
Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love,
but in reality love is the only thing in this world
that covers up all pain and makes someone feel
wonderful again.
Love is the only thing in this world
that does not hurt.”
– unknown

“Man is capable of loving
and the ultimate form of love is
Holiness.”
– Sorin Cerin

IMPORTANT  DATES
May 16-20 Adventure Trip to Little Rock, Ark.
May 20 Last Day of School
(See William’s Weblog at andersonschool.net for trip details (posted Wed. at 7:00 p.m.)

                                    Spring Trip Itinerary

It’s time for our Spring Adventure Trip, and we are headed to Little Rock, Ark.  Little Rock has a big role in history. Here, we will learn about Central High School’s place in the civil rights movement, explore the Clinton Presidential Center & imagine a world free of hunger & poverty at Heifer Village.

*  Be sure to have ALL forms signed, dated and witnessed (where required) and turned in to Dr. A. by Friday, MAY 13. NO, you may NOT participate without these forms properly completed.

Monday       Meet at the Train Station at 12:30 p.m.
Do NOT be late! Do NOT drop off your child without Dr. or Mrs. Anderson present!

Depart Fort Worth by Train   1:20 p.m. (Meet at the Train Station)
Arrive Little Rock                 11:30 p.m. We will be picked up by bus for transport to the hotel (and later to other Arkansas Destinations)

Tuesday       Farmer’s Market (River Center)    7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch                                          12:00 p.m.

Tour of Clinton Library                1:30 p.m.

Heifer Village                               4:00 p.m.

Wednesday  Historical Bus Tour 10:00 am (4 hours).  * Meet in the Hotel Lobby at 9:30 a.m.

Thursday     Museum of Discovery               10:00 a.m.
Maritime Museum                       1:00 p.m.

Friday        Transportation to train station 2:00 a.m. This is NOT a misprint. Wake up & get on board!

Depart from Little Rock             3:10 a.m.       (Now you can sleep.)

Arrive in Fort Worth                   1:25 p.m.

Additional events include: Peabody Park, Big Dam Bridge, and River Lights in the Rock.

The itinerary is susceptible to change. A hot breakfast is included at the Hotel. Lunch and dinner will be additional expenses, and we ask all students to order from the children’s menus, which are more reasonably priced.

Departure for Little Rock is at 2:20 p.m. on Monday, May 16, from the Fort Worth International Transportation Center, 1001 Jones Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Meet at the Train Station with your luggage at 12:30 p.m. Do  NOT  be  Late.

Please check with Dr. Anderson to be sure he has ALL current telephone numbers to reach you. It is CRITICAL that we be able to contact you in case of an emergency.

Our sincere gratitude to Gina Moreland for planning this wonderful trip.
Thank You!

Thank You
Bill  &  LeVonna

“Love is the voice under all silences,
the hope which has no opposite in fear;
the strength so strong mere force is feebleness:
the truth more first than sun,
more last than star… “
– E E Cummings

While I am Whispering Amen / Hamlet is on the Horizon / Get in the DARK / Jan. 5 (Tuesday) Second Semester begins

     While I am whispering Amen.

Christmas is about giving,
And receiving
The Love of Christ.
It’s a celebration
Of living,
And of the Gift
Of Life.

My Dear Friends,
God brought us into this world
As a child,
And He wants His child
Back again.

          We are all children of God.

“See what great love
the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called
children of God!
And that is what we are!”
– I John 3:1

He Blesses us
By bringing children
Into our lives.
And in many ways, some unaware,
Childlike are we,
By pretense of our being.
Try as we may
Not to be,
We are all children of God,
Even on Christmas Day.

      We can become a child again.

There is an infinite
Number of days
Between now and forever.
And an infinite
Number of ways
To ever and ever
Say “I Love You”.
Do not count them,
Live them,
And Love the time away,
And say
“I Love You”
Each and every day
In countless ways.

  He wants His child back again.

To turn our time around
And begin again,
To see infinity
In a drop of rain,
And a rainbow
In our tears of joy,
To finally stop the pain,
Become His child again.
And in our very precious lives,
Our childhood will remain.

       It’s a celebration of living.

When we know,
When we finally know,
In our brief
And shining moment,
In the time we have left
To call this Life
A living thing,
My breath can sound
Like something
I would sing,
Long enough to form
A single precious thought
About another
Beautiful, living, breathing thing.

About you.

Never will Love end, it only begins over and over again.

And in my voice,
In its last offering,
Will you hear
Above all and every other
Living thing,
A perpetual lullaby
I sing,
“I Love You”
Over and over again.

For never will Love end,
It only begins
Over and over again.
It is a beautiful song that sings,
The sound of a Human Heart,
Beating in Time
With God,
Who breathes precious Life
Into every living thing
Over and over again,
While I am Whispering Amen,
Amen,
Amen.

Students and pets are exhausted after reviewing five Shakespeare plays.

Our wonderful Director
of Shakespeare,
George Rodriguez,
has announced the selection
by our students
of the play they will perform
in the Spring.
And the winner is:
Hamlet.

        Tim McDermott

The Anderson Private School and
The University of Texas at Arlington
share a mutual pride in four of our former students
graduating with degrees from U.T.A.
on December 18 from the
College of Liberal Arts.
Alexander Anderson was awarded the Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Samuel Taylor Brown was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Timothy F. McDermott was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
and Austin Tyler Gansky was awarded the Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance Concentration).

   Sam Brown

Our sincere congratulations go to these wonderful scholars.
We are very proud of you!

Dangers of Exposure to Light at Night

Sleeping while exposed to light at night
causes a dramatic drop in blood melatonin levels,
setting the stage for growth and proliferation
of breast cancer cells.

An interesting study in the
December 1, 2005 issue of Cancer Research
provides new information that
might partly explain why this is.

This study provides evidence
that may partly explain why breast cancer
is five times more common in industrialized nations
compared to less developed countries.
It may also explain why visually challenged people
have lower rates of cancer than people
who have no problems with vision.

So my Dear Friends,
Don’t be in the dark
About this.
Well, actually,
You do need to be
In the dark!

You know what I mean.

Let us prevent
Needless suffering.
There are so many things
You can do.
And to live in deep regret
Need not be one of them.
Spend a few moments
In thoughtful research and study.
And then do
The common sense things.

And thank the Lord,
Our God,
Who gives us precious Life,
And Blesses us
In countless ways.

This is not a common housefly.

A Celebration of Existence / “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare at Stage West Theater

Dedicated to a Precious Mother
One who has suffered beyond belief
And
Lost her wonderful son.
With all my Love to
DEBBY HARRIS

Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.                        – Rabindranath Tagore

 I had a new student, who was older, ask me
A few years in the past,
“How could my life become this?
What is this living for,
If only to have my heart hurt so much
And be buried so deep?”

The pain some of our children share
Is often not really known or understood.

The emptiness created by so much misfortune,
As many young lives have experienced,
Can be filled with such love
As your heart can hold.

Everything is a Celebration of Life.

God will never fail you
In your search for Love,
Should you ask.

And so, I Pray
That you Pray.
God will open up the hollow space
Created by transgressions against you,
And fill you with His Spirit
And His Strength
So you will truly live,
To Love others,
As He Loves you,
Yes,
To celebrate Life.

I have witnessed the love
Shared by so many children.
I have seen it in their eyes.
I have witnessed pure joy
Brought to everyone,
By the unconditional Love
In a child’s heart.
Yes,
I know a good heart when I find one.
And so do you.

 The emptiness can be filled with such Love as your heart can hold.

As you find joy and forgiveness
In your own heart,
The spirit of your goodness
Will become a part of everyone
That so desperately need your joyful spirit.
I truly long to see your precious life
Reflect the Soothing Colors
Of our Artist’s Loving Hand.
For you are not only a Gift from God,
You are His Child.
And you are deeply Loved.

And after all the deeply heartfelt memories
Of having special moments
With your precious child,
I want you to know something –
That life is a song –
The beautiful music of our brief time.
Celebrate the memory of those precious moments.
Honor our Father in the Heavens above.
Find joy in the precious Gift of Life.
Tell the child
Standing near to you
To come nearer.
Whisper of the Love,
The deep abiding Love,
That dwells within,
The Love you feel
For only her
Or only him.
This Love flows through you.
It is Everlasting the Love of God.

I truly long to see your precious life reflect the Soothing Colors of our Artist’s Loving Hand.

Close your eyes
In Prayer of Thanksgiving.

“If the only prayer
you ever say
is thank you,
it will be enough.”
–  Meister Eckhart

Discover the Bountiful Love of God
In your heart.
He is alive.
His Love is as alive as you,
It dwells within.
Now you may stop searching,
For His Love is you.
You can feel it, in your heart.
In His heart.
In Prayer.

Now you have lifted
Those in need,
From their knees.
Celebrate!
You are alive.
You are in Love,
You are deeply Loved,
And there is Joy within.

You may stop searching, for His Love is you.

 The presence of your Love
Showers down upon everyone
Your life touches.
The heart of your Loving Spirit
Becomes a part of everyone
In your presence.
Your brief life can become
A triumph of the Spirit.

You can celebrate everything.

“Each of us is the result
Of a Thought of God.
Each of us is willed.
Each of us is Loved.“
– Benedict XVI

Even the flowers of the field celebrate.

  My friends,
The whole universe
Is a celebration of existence.
Look around,
Even the flowers of the field
Celebrate
With a rainbow of vibrant color,
With aroma to delight.
You and everything in Life
Have a rhyme, a reason.
You can celebrate breath
With every breath you take,
You can celebrate everything –
The bountiful sunshine, the precious rain, a warm smile, even a frown.

Celebrate life in different ways:
In the food you eat,
The air you breathe,
The people you meet,
In everything you do,
If you see the world
With the eyes of a child.

Boy  Scouts  of  America   sites

National Eagle Scout Association

Order of the Arrow

National Scout Jamboree

BSA Foundation

Boys’ Life

Scouting Magazine

B. S. A. quicklinks

William Anderson, age 14, at Philmont Scout Ranch (far right). I highly recommend a Scouting experience for every child.

Philmont Webcam

Tooth of Time Traders – Philmont official store

Philmont Videos

Promote Philmont!

Working at Philmont

Philmont Staff Association

We enjoyed our trip to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival thanks to Nick Meagher, father of Gavin and Wyatt.

On May 4 & 5 (Monday & Tuesday) we will have our Anderson School Theatrical Production “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare at Stage West Theater.

We truly enjoyed our first class ride.

Theatrical performances will be  at 7:30 p.m. on both days.
Tickets for Tuesday are $20.00 each and may be purchased at
the door. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the Preview Performance on Monday evening. Additional contributions made to help fund our production are needed and sincerely appreciated.

On MONDAY we will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Stage West Theater located at 821 West Vickery Blvd., for rehearsal. (Mon. from 9:00 a.m. –  5:00 p.m. Dinner, on your own, is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Our actors, like Natalie, enjoyed being interviewed by the press.

On TUESDAY we will meet at the theater at 9:00 a.m. and remain until 5:00 p.m. We will break for dinner at 5:00 p.m. and meet again at 6:30 p.m. at Stage West for the evening performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Please provide funds for LUNCH (approx. $5.00 – $10.00 each). Students may not leave the theater without the permission of the Director, George Rodriquez and Dr. or Mrs. Anderson. Do not just disappear as Dr. A’s heart is weak from lack of exercise, way too many pastries, and over exposure to many children over many eons (yes, many!). You understand.

Our own “Lady” Diana performed beautifully on stage.

Uniform pants with a belt & red monogrammed school shirts are required. PARENTS / GUARDIANS / FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS are invited to be with us and observe, but PLEASE do NOT interfere with rehearsals.

DINNER ON BOTH DAYS IS FROM 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on your own.
ALL actors please report back to the theater at 6:30 p.m. for final preparations on Monday & Tuesday. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE!!!

OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE goes to Dana Schultes and the wonderful staff at Stage West Theater. Our productions could not exist without the dynamic and extensive support of this wonderful Theater. Our community is truly blessed by the Stage West Theater. read more
Thank you!

Riley also performed off stage as the “Perfect” baby sitter. It’s a natural ability.

And a VERY VERY SPECIAL THANKS to Director George Rodriguez. You are truly appreciated and deeply Loved by EVERYONE! Thank you!

IMPORTANT DATES
May 1 – Tuition Due for 2015-16
May 4 & 5 (Mon. & Tues.) Anderson School Theatrical Production “Twelfth Night” At Stage West Theater

The audience, including Wyatt and Jack, were captivated.

The story of your life will be read by someone’s heart / Words To Avoid / Civil War Museum / Shakespeare

“There is something otherworldly
about our existence here
– something more than matter,
more than the body and mind –
something fundamentally and profoundly abstract.
– it is not at all obvious,
indeed scarcely noticed by the great majority of us
as we go about our daily lives.”
― Guy Murchie,
The Seven Mysteries of Life

 

There is a reality that science cannot define.

I have discovered over the years that there are forces at work no one can imagine, and never comprehend. I found such an indescribable power in Love. I found it in the Love expressed through the life of my Mother. Her love abides with me every day. It is the single, most formidable and pervasive force I have ever encountered.

And now I understand that such Love is a universal constant, a Spirit that fills the darkness of the Heavens and the spaces in life. It lives within each of us and is in every living thing.

Marie Anderson

It is the reality that science cannot define and yet, is that which everyone seems, instinctively to need. The poets and songwriters know what the realm of physics will never comprehend, that, as Joe Henry so beautifully intones,

“Love is seeing all the universe in one,
in the brotherhood of creatures.
It lives within each part and is the whole.”

My, how my Mother loved her little boy! She taught me in life, and teaches me in death, that love is all that is left. And all that love you keep with you. Each morning I awake from a beautiful journey, as she touches me with the flower of her love in my hand. And, as she takes my hand, I remember her in beautiful dreams that never end. It is a vision of her goodness and it sustains me as I grow old.

My friends, your Love will be the only thing that will remain. Everything else will dissolve, just disappear. In the end, the Love felt by others is all that shall remain. Nothing, no, nothing else will matter. The story of your life will be read by someone’s heart. And that story can go on and on and on. Just as the Love of God is Infinite, your Love can remain.

The reflection of our being is on the other side of this existence. What you do today will be mirrored in other hearts tomorrow. In a very real way, the story of your life begins the day you leave. And only you are the author of this story.

Every day is a page. And every sentence can begin with a smile and end with a warm embrace. Your trace in time is written indelibly.

Let it be a Love story.

Now this is a comfy spot!

Decoding the restaurant menu:
Words to avoid for healthful eating
By Ronda Elsenbrook

Ronda is a registered dietitian at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. With the Houston chapter of the American Diabetes Association they have partnered together to BEAT Diabetes. Click here to read article.

This is his favorite car, which provides a nice place for a nap.

What we eat at restaurants can cause health issues. Too many carbohydrates, too much fat and too much salt can lead to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol issues.

Restaurant menus are designed to entice your sense of taste, not tell you whether the foods they’re advertising are healthy.

The worst chain restaurant dishes are:

Fried foods
Calories in restaurant foods
Healthier fast food options

Carter explains his science project.

Restaurant Code Words: Crunchy, tempura, battered, crispy, breaded, crusted, golden, sizzling

If you’re making a healthy choice, you’re probably not purposely choosing a fried food item. Look for words like crunchy, battered, crispy, breaded, crusted, golden, tempura; some of these options are a double-whammy on your caloric intake because the item is fried with an additional carb-based coating.

Fried foods may taste great, but tend to be high in fat and calories – and deep frying robs food of nutrients. A grilled, baked or roasted 4-ounce chicken breast (the size of a deck of cards) will run you about 170 calories, whereas the deep fried selection can pack a whopping 370 calories.

        I like this one!

To make matters worse, many restaurants (usually of the fast food variety) use partially hydrogenated oil because it can be reheated and reused over and over again. Partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fats (the worst of the fats) which raises your LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers your HDL (good cholesterol), leading to a higher incidence of heart disease.

High-sugar foods

We enjoyed our time at the bookstore.

Restaurant Code Words: Teriyaki, BBQ, glazed, sticky, honey-dipped

Powdered doughnuts may be self-explanatory on a menu, but options labeled as Teriyaki, BBQ, glazed, sticky or honey-dipped could also be high in added sugars. It is wise to ask if sauces of any kind are made with sugar, including salad dressings and vinaigrettes.

This was everyone’s favorite sign.

Watch out also for meals that are high in carbohydrates. Carbs turn into sugar when they are broken down by your digestive system. The usual suspects are items like pasta, potatoes and rice, but even menu items like “healthy” couscous, quinoa and faro are high in carbs and should be eaten with the same moderation as traditional offerings.

How much sugar is in that drink?

High-calorie foods

Dining at McKinley’s is always fun.

Restaurant Code Words: Loaded, stuffed, creamy, cheesy, gooey, smothered, melted, rich, velvety

It’s funny how adjectives describing foods can elicit Pavlov’s law in even the most rigorous health fanatic. That’s the point. Foods described as loaded, stuffed, creamy, cheesy, gooey, smothered, melted, rich and velvety are triggering a “feeling” that you get when you eat that particular menu item. Don’t fall into the trap!

These “comfort foods” may take you back in time to a simpler place where a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich on brioche could right all of the wrongs in the world, but the one wrong it won’t right is the number of calories packed into one bite.

The new car show was exciting.

Something described as “loaded” or “stuffed” is going to also be loaded or stuffed with calories — and no one wants to feel like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Eating out costs you 200 calories

Healthier options

Restaurant Code Words: roasted, baked, braised, broiled, poached, rubbed, seared, grilled, steamed, sautéed, spiced, seasoned

Chefs at local restaurants everywhere are catching on that Americans are looking for healthier options when dining out. Restaurants that specialize in foods that are “made-to-order” or that focus on locally sourced foods will likely have more options.

The cars were thoroughly inspected.

Words like roasted, poached, baked or grilled are your best options – just don’t order the grilled 26-ounce rib eye steak. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the menu, and if nutritional information is available, read through and choose the meal that will balance your health with your desire for something tasty.

OUR TRIP THIS WEEK:
CIVIL WAR MUSEUM (morning)
Shakespeare Review (at school in the afternoon)

Mrs. A and Rylee looked at many new cars.

On Friday, 11-14-14 we will meet at the Texas Civil War Museum
(817-246-2323) 760 Jim Wright Freeway (Loop 820).

Drop-off will be at the Museum at 10:00 a.m. Pick up will be at the SCHOOL at 3:15 p.m.

FINANCIAL $8.50 for students & $10.50 adults. This fee funds our docent program, slush fund for confederates reenacting the war and not fully accepting of Robert E. Lee’s surrender, and entrance to the museum This is a group rate. Please pay Dr. Anderson.

 Emergency Tele: 682-777-1908

The BMW i3 was Dr. A’s favorite.

LUNCH: We will dine at a nearby restaurant. Please provide funds.
GIFT SHOP: Yes! They have a GREAT gift shop with items related to the war we have not necessarily lost!

Uniform pants with a belt & red monogrammed school shirt are required. Polish your shoes, the rebels are recruiting this week. This fabulous museum can be enjoyed by the entire family,

Students are NOT to leave the Museum or restaurant at any time for any reason, including the need to secure a ride, go off to war & whip the Yankees (which also requires a uniform, powder and gun) or use the restroom, without the approval of Dr. or Mrs. Anderson.

         Sticker Shock.

MUSEUM RULES * No loud talking, running, or jumping or one of the Anderson school staff will get you. Stay with your chaperone at all times. If Dr. A seems jittery, he has had enough! Just offer him coffee with extra cream.

* Use clipboards for worksheets. Do not lean or write on exhibit display cases or walls or, you guessed it, Dr. A.
* No food, drink, candy, or gum is allowed inside. Give these items to Dr. A., he knows what to do with them (gulp).
* The museum has video surveillance & alarms so don’t be alarmed and please smile.
* They reserve the right to refuse service and rough up those who do not wish to follow the rules of conduct. Now, there are exceptions and one of them is Dr. A. He is a good guy and won’t remember the rules, and he already looks roughed up.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

We will return to school following lunch to REVIEW  SHAKESPEARE PLAYS and prepare to vote to select one for performance in the Spring. We will spend the afternoon getting introduced to William Shakespeare and his plays, that we have not previously performed on stage. Our Director, George Rodriguez, will conduct the lesson. Pickup will be at the school at 3:15 p.m.

IMPORTANT DATES
Nov. 24-28 (Mon.–Fri.) Thanksgiving / Fall Break (Yes, we give thanks for the break)
Dec. 3-5 (Wed.-Fri.) Texas A.G.T. Conference (NO school)
Dec. 12 Visit to a really “Green” off the grid house
Dec. 19 Last Day of Fall Semester
Jan. 23 Fort Worth Stock Show (It was called the FAT stock show. But, Dr. A lost a few pounds.)
April 28 Scarborough Renaissance Festival (Drama Competition play is “Twelfth Night”)
May 21 Last Day of School (visit Dr. A in the cardiac ward as he recovers from the school year)

Creating Renaissance Men and Women / “Ender’s Game”

The Anderson School is dedicated to creating “Renaissance Men and Women” through a classical education blended with an emphasis upon higher level thinking skills.

Yes, she sleeps there still. And her nose still misses the door by, well, a nose!

I have always defined a Renaissance person as one who is capable of doing anything with virtually nothing, which reminds me of starting a private school. But the ideal of the Renaissance Man evolved into a cultural movement that spanned the 14th through the 17th century. It began in Italy and spread to the other countries in Europe. The term Renaissance man or woman refers to a person of many accomplishments – one who has numerous interests and is accomplished in many areas and is well educated, highly cultured, and proficient.

Yes, our children bring their puppies to school.

I know it is asking much of ourselves, but it is now necessary to take giant steps back in time.  This is becoming much more apparent, if our children are to survive what is rapidly evolving into an overly complex and incomprehensible future. With drop-out, drug and

Kylie’s puppy is “Lucky”

alcohol addiction and suicide rates so unbelievably high and accelerating, we need to do something different! Folks, we need to do something other than losing the precious lives all around us. Did you know that the top ten jobs that were in demand in 2010 did not exist in 2004. We are preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems we do not know exists. The U. S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have 10-14 jobs by the age of 39. One fourth of our workers have been with their current employer for less than a year. One half have been there less than five years. It is not now possible to predict what specific jobs to prepare for. The future is uncertain and totally unpredictable.

But there is hope, in knowing that our children can be molded and shaped into new, resurrected Renaissance Men and Women, armed with the broad knowledge of a classical liberal arts education and in firm possession of a high self-esteem, garnered from years of joyful living. ucollege.edu/news/2010/01/10/training-jobs-dont-exist

Philippe Arrighi teaches French Language, History and Culture

There are about 540,000 words in the English language – about five times as many as during Shakespeare’s time (many of them created by William). One week’s worth of news contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a LIFETIME  just two hundred years ago. More new information will be discovered this year than in the previous ten thousand years. Technical knowledge is doubling in less than two years, which translates to a strange phenomenon: it implies that students beginning a four year technical degree will discover that what they learn in their first year of study will, to a great degree, be outdated by the third year of study. In philosophy we recently discussed an astute observation of Albert Einstein,

“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

Yes, we enrolled  Kylie’s friend.

This commentary comes from one of the few people principally responsible for such, “a dangerous place to live”. But his keen discernment is an accurate assessment. We must do something! Even if it involves turning the clock back. So the Anderson family decided to forgo the fads and fancies of corporate driven curriculums, which will become outdated and virtually worthless in less time than it takes for me to find my car in the parking lot of yet another rapidly disappearing and obsolete phenomenon – the shopping Mall. The truth is: everything is becoming outdated and obsolete – even you and I. And the real fear that I have is that our children are in such danger. So what can we do? We need to answer this question, before the mushroom-cloud shaped ghost of Einstein haunts us on a scale that compares favorably to forever.

The solution requires an uncommon measure of common sense. And this must be coupled with the courage only Love unparalleled can provide. In the compassionate wisdom of Leo Buscaglia we find the key:

“When man has love he is no longer at the mercy of forces greater      than himself, for he, himself, becomes the powerful force.”

So let us look deep into our own hearts to find the compassion to be

Dr. A is awake!

courageous and turn back the clock, so that we may seek salvation for our children – salvation found in the stunningly beautiful minds of those who have come before us. Let us embrace the greatest philosophers and the very best teachers we can find. And these phenomenal beings are found in antiquity. And they, and their truly inspiring ideas and ideals, have been patiently waiting for a long, long time. So close that politically correct, highly controversial and financially inspired state adopted text book and place it where it may never be discovered again (do not use a clay jar – they last too long). I call such dumbed-down objects de-un-art: intellectual pollution. They have been aligned with the priorities of the failed, “No child left behind” fiasco. And, if you know anything about the textbook adoption process, you will have similar sentiments. The truly great and inspiring textbooks have existed for hundreds to thousands of years. So quickly (and I do mean quickly)  travel to another soon-to-be rapidly disappearing outdated technology, the neighborhood bookstore, and blow the dust off of a great play by William Shakespeare or any work by a noted historian or philosopher of glorious times gone by. You shall never regret rediscovering the romantic and beautiful, “Splendor in the Grass” of the world we once knew. And you shall find solutions to problems we will assuredly encounter. Or you can stumble along looking for a pathway covered by the weeds of ignorance and arrogance.

Look! A politically correct tree.

Please feel free to utilize our Anderson School Reading List found under Academics on our website: www.andersonschool.net. These works are classical, philosophical and historical in nature. The knowledge to be gained from them is the foundation for a lifetime of learning. It was compiled with the kind assistance of the highly recommend Walsingham Society of Christian Culture and Western Civilization walsinghamsociety.com, Oxford University and our own teacher of Language Arts, LeVonna Anderson. These Classics of Western Language and Literature are the true textbooks for all time. In our classical liberal arts curriculum, our children have acted in numerous Shakespeare plays, under the direction of noted actor and director, George Rodriguez. They study the great classics of Western civilization, together with the Classical Languages of Greek and Latin, under the guidance of Classics Professor Harry Lacey.

Professor Lacey teaches Latin, Greek & Epic Literature.

They are engaged in critical thinking activities, discussion and reasoning with Mrs. Anderson on a daily basis. And they question everything in Philosophy with Dr. Anderson and are tutored in mathematics through calculus. Our goal of producing Renaissance men and women, classical thinkers, is to prepare and arm our children with the vital tools of higher level thinking skills and the wisdom of the ages they will need in an uncertain and dangerous future.” The Classical curriculum offered at the Anderson School is similar to what was offered to previous generations, dating back to that provided the Romans and Greeks. This is, in our not-so-humble opinions, what is needed to be mastered in order to become a true modern day Renaissance Man or Woman. It is what is needed to thrive and, importantly, survive. At the Anderson School our goal is nothing short of salvation.

Believe it or not this is an oil slick on the Caspian Sea (or an eerie message).

On FRIDAY Nov. 15, 2013

we will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Half-Price Books, located at 475 Sherry Lane, north of Ridgmar Mall –Telephone: 817-732-4111. At approximately 10:15 a.m. we will travel to the FOOD COURT in the Ridgmar Mall to enjoy lunch. Following a quick lunch, we will walk to the RAVE 13 THEATRE located in the Mall at 2300 Green Oaks Road, telephone (817) 566-0025, to enjoy the highly acclaimed new movie Ender’s Game, (Rating: PG-13, for some violence and intense depiction thematic material) / Run Time: 1 hour. 54 minutes and starting at 11:15 a.m. Younger students will view another film with the blessing of Mrs. A. PICK UP will be at the theater at 2:00 p.m. The starting time may change, please be patient. Dr. A may become anxious but popcorn will help.

Emergency Telephone 682-777-1908

If you arrive late, we shall have departed with your child(ren) and will return to school. Please call if you will be late. Students are NOT to leave the bookstore, food court or theater without the approval of Dr. A (wake him gently with the smell of warm popcorn if necessary)

FINANCIAL: We have been told Tickets are $5.00 but this may be incorrect – please pay at the Box Office. Please provide funds for a good book and funds for lunch. Refreshments: Yes!

Uniform pants with a belt & red monogrammed school shirts are required. PARENTS / FRIENDS / NEIGHBORS, are invited to participate on our trips.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Nov. 22               Modern Art Museum
Nov. 25-29         Thanksgiving/Fall Break (No school)
Dec. 5-6              Texas Assn. for Gifted & Talented Conf. (No school)
Dec. 13               Museum of Americas (in Weatherford)
Dec. 20               Last Day of Fall Semester
Dec. 23 – Jan. 7  Winter Break Holidays (better known as Christmas Holidays)
Jan. 24                Fort Worth Stock Show (earlier known as the FAT stock show, but Dr. A lost a few pounds)                                        

A. n . d . e . r . s . o . n

Where precocious children are nurtured, appreciated & eat a lot of popcorn!