Rail or Road & megalopolis April 12, 2008

As I often observe school buses in my career life and on the roads; I think of these cheese wagons as the symbol for being part of “the machine”.  Many important events in our life have been scheduled around the school calendar; births, surgeries, vacations and weddings.

Way back in 5th grade, our class debated transportation systems.  Rail or Road?  I was on the “rail team”. I still remember the fun I had gathering information and making a “case” for trains.  Our teacher also impressed upon us that the eastern seaboard corridor would become a megalopolis in our lifetime.  Now living further south in this corridor, I see that she truly had foresight. (PS- There won’t be too many more school stories- I guarantee it- not that memorable or worth regurgitating.)

Virgina Lee Burton wrote The Little House in 1942.  It is a timely picture book with thoughtful implications for those of us living in “suburban sprawl.”  What is “progress” anyway? Her philosophy is still applicable today. http://www.virginialeeburton.com/books.html

Several family members asked me if I was going to retire soon. (due to my last posting.)  No.  It’s just that if I had followed the traditional path, I could be planning retirement  this very moment.  I’m not because I can’t and have had enough time off over the years with our young children that I am not ready yet anyway.  I am proud of our choices and lifestyle.  Still plugging away at being a working person.  Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that I am part of the “education machine.”  I still feel subversive deep within. Luckily, because I have left the classroom, I don’t have to do report cards or parent conferences anymore.  Being a librarian is  fun for many reasons.

I started teaching at age 21.  Oh my!  So much responsibility at a young age.  At age 22, I was married and had 2 half-day kindergarten classes; which meant 45-50 parent conferences and 45-50 report cards every 9 weeks; without the help of computers.  (Remember when Kindergarten was either morning or afternoon?  Students were assigned a time by neighborhoods; not by convenience for parents.)

Bear with me, I am going to make a point here.  Another classic children’s book that remains timelessly popular is The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.  I still find it inspirational! How many times have I read these two books aloud to classrooms of eager listeners?  More than I can count.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Engine_That_Could

Chug- chug-chug- Choo-choo! I think I can- I think I can- I think I can……