23 may 06

Greetings,

Tom and Stacie are in Killybegs, a port city in southern Donegal. They speak Gaelic now, in a sudden transformation of language magic. Did you know Gaelic is the only European language that is both a national language and also a minority language? Yes.

They will head west to the small village of Carrick and climb Slieve League at 1,972 feet. It is the tallest sheer cliff in Europe.

Many years ago, while working in Dublin and staying at the Youth Hostel in Carrick over Christmas, one afternoon I hiked three miles toward the Tillin pier near the sea under clear sky along the Glen River crashing, falling over boulders to meet the Owenee River near a stone bridge.

Down the road keeping pace with the Rustkin inlet. Sheep in fields, brown and white snow patches, thatched cottages, Slieve League snow mountain, sky, rivers, remnants of stone homes, gurgling streams in ditches, opening river wide mud flats the home of seagulls; those on land, others practicing aerial dynamics in wind. Fishing boats drawn up to dock, resting above mud flats, the sweep and curve of foothills leading back to Carrick.

A long hard climb through muddy fields approaching sunset, past abandoned buildings then a final assault through brown hills. The peak offered a fantastic view of the Atlantic along sheer slate cliffs. The sun poured into horizon’s gray clouds, distant islands covered in gray mist with a crescent moon in blue sky as birds arched winging above waves.

Peace.

(Editor's note: an extended version is filed in Journal and STC novel excerpts)

19 may 06

Greetings,

Stacie and Tom are off to Ireland - Eire - to visit his brother, Jim, an art teacher and painter and his family living in Ballycastle, Mayo. They've exchanged the desert heat of Phoenix for cool green Atlantic shores. Great!

Stacie is a fine writer and excellent photographer. She's posting to her blog from the Emerald Isle. It's here so you can follow their adventures. She loves food and Pinot Noir. Tom, a Yeats scholar, is a passionate fisherman. Catch and release. Bon appetite.

Peace.

Stacie & Tom in Eire

16 May 06 - MK 21

Greetings,

MK 21 appreciates Carpe Diem or "Seize the Day," our high energy theme in English class. We encourage students to practice creativity, courage, kindness and live extraordinary lives.

Behind our classroom is a secret rose garden. We cultivate it with love. "A Responsibility to the Thorns," a memoir excerpt is included for your spring gardening pleasure.

Peace.

13 may 06 - The Poet of Cairo

Greetings,

Poets and their poetry speak the truth. They speak for the oppressed. Some end up in jail, dead or forced into exile. Some stay where they are, where they live, write and sing. Michael Slackman in the NYT writes about Ahmed Fouad Negm in Cairo, Egypt.

"I am free," Mr. Negm said, as he scratched his head with long, carefully cut fingernails. "I am not afraid of anybody because I do not want anything from anyone."

Mr. Negm delights in being flip, caustic and dangerously politically incorrect.

"They are not rulers, they are dogs," he said of the Arab heads of state. "I challenge all our kings and leaders to step into the street without their guards for five minutes."

Peace.

A Poet Whose Political Incorrectness Is a Crime

12 may 06 - Tennis 101

Greetings,

After an enjoyable extended tennis "hit" under the lights with friends last night we considered posting some quick incisive spring suggestions on the game. Should you like to play, experiment or just chase a spinning object. We've taught the game for 20 odd years so...

Stretch before, during and after play is a smart beginning. Take it easy. Drink lots of liquid. If necessary, get your racquet restrung and buy new tennis shoes - the most important piece of equipment. Yes, cool new comfortable tennis shoes, not cross trainers or running shoes, so you can pivot on the balls of your feet.

We suggest when you get on the court you warm-up with mini or "short" tennis between the service line and net.

Get your feet moving and practice eye-hand coordination. No power. Control. See the ball.

(Most teaching professionals tell their students to "watch" the ball - ugh!) "See" is an active process. After you've established a consistent 10-ball rally in the mini arena, gradually move back toward the baseline. Focus on keeping the ball 3' above the net. Visualize a window.

Consistency and movement is the name of the game. Dance with the ball. Keep it in play. Get it back one more time.

Have fun. Make new friends. Laugh.

Peace.