Lesson 872: White

 Good evening, Readers!

A typical greeting

to my typical Friday night blog

during a not-so-typical time.

The pulse of the nation 

still vibrates strong this week,

loud claps of approval

and of thundering opposition

 overpower falling leaves

and pet pics

and book recs

and sports scores

all the typical blog fodder.

Instead I simply write.

Black words

on a white surface

to convey my thoughts.

Not to find favor 

win friends

or influence people 

(thank you, Dale Carnegie, )

A week and then some

 past my disappointment

I know I can do two things:

the first--easy,

Resist.

Ask my family,

it's what I'm best at.

I will resist any policy that

takes away from what I hold dear--

our choices,

our schools,

and our precious planet.

Second,

much harder,

 Readers,

do not to fall prey to color schemes

of the red hats

or the blue bracelets!

Be the white.

The blank spaces

absent of photos tonight

make up our important white stripes,

the space between

the red

and the blue,

the glue 

that holds us all together.

Be the white,

refuse to be labeled by mass media 

as a bold color,

defined by the boundaries 

of your state.

Instead

be the cement,

the caulking,

the mortar between the bricks.

Be the voice of reason

in a reason-less

and renegade world.

There is a common ground,

and it lies in the white.

Stand in the stripes

and be the white

and I'll stand with you.

Eloise

Lesson 871: Sorting

 Hello, Readers!

I hope you got done sorting your candy

and found more treats 

than tricks on Halloween!

What a change in the leaves this week.

The tubes have been removed beneath the Clark School tree.

I named her Wisdom.

She's so pretty.

The landscape is becoming increasingly brown.

Pennsylvania will always be green to me--

not red or blue.

That is one thing I cannot stand in election season--

being labeled a color.

I much prefer a color blend

than hard line black and white.

I love a good fall red--on leaves

NOT on.....

balloons tied to lamp posts!

The prankster still hasn't come forward.

I need some leads, locals!

Help me out

so my houseful of Penn Staters 

can get some revenge!

Let's hope it's on the football field on Saturday!

I have to rest up for the game,

so Eloise is calling and early night-night.

Eloise

Lesson 870: Kindness and Decency

Hello, Readers.

It's been a Super Week beneath the Super Moon.

We continue on with our march through fall.

The fall sports seasons are ending.

Heads of Seniors continue to find their way into my home.

#51, Out!

Lots of sideline hugs were handed out tonight

as the Huskies took control of the Bridge

in the rekindled backyard rivalry

between Harbor Creek and Iroquois--

Battle of the Bridge.

Last weekend we traveled to Marienville.

The morning was breathtaking.

My favorite capture is HERE--Click to see Friendy Wendy in the morning mist

Friendy Wendy and I played outside with our cameras all day!

It's so nice to have a friend who likes what you like

and you can have fun with.

We're kind of like  Paris and Nicole,

but Moms of Suburbia,

which is NOT a simple life.

If you enjoyed the airhead version of Paris Hilton

in this reality tv show,

here are some highlights.

Top 10 Funniest Simple Life Moments CLICK HERE

I listened to her audio book this week.

It was a big eye-opener,

and I learned so much about Paris,

the Hiltons,

and rich-kid reform schools.

It was very, very good.

So much so,

I bought a hard copy to keep in the Lamp Post Library,

currently under construction.

Here is a recent pic of Paris

from her ABC interview.

See below if you want to learn about

what has captured my attention this week.

 CLICK HERE for Paris Hilton ABC interview

Her words are witty

heartfelt,

and often heartbreaking.

My favorite line comes from Chapter 18--

I believe kindness and decency will win eventually

 because it is good business.  

The market for assholes is simply unsustainable.

Speaking of....

Onto the 2024 Presidential election.

I've voted for Republicans,

Democrats,

and a couple of Independents

in my voting history.

This election is now beyond political party.

The choice for me is clear.

Don't be a Hater.

Nobody likes ta Hater.

Remember the advice from Paris:

The market for assholes is unsustainable.

Eloise

Lesson 869: Extaverted Introvert

 Hello, Readers!

Welcome to the Lamp Post!

The Huskies are marching out to Corry tonight,

for our first chilly-night name.

It feels like fall.

And looks like fall!

I spied this guy this week.

What a beauty!

After my long days spent with kids,

teens,

and talkative teachers,

I like to head out for a walk with my camera.

Fall is so pretty to photograph.

 Now that it is darker earlier,

I'm stacking up my books 

like a squirrel collects nuts.

I'm almost finished with this challenging read:

A sign of a good book is lots of tabbed good parts.

I took my time with this one,

story centered on Vietnam female nurses,

who did not get fair recognition of their service.

I picked up these two at Werner Books last night.

Any thoughts on these, Readers?

I'm going to link a school project with this book--

I'm very anxious to read it.

I started this one,

which also looks very good.

It's proving to be,

because I already have six tabs in the first 20 pages!

This is very good!

I bought a signed copy for my library!

It's heavily tabbed for such a short book.

Did you notice the book tabs match the color cover scheme?

People who love to snuggle up with books

and prefer walks with pets over people 

are thought to be introverts.

Yet, I work in an extraverted profession!

The correct term for the blend is this:

I don't like this term as much

because it sounds like that sleep aid.

I first heard the term Extraverted Introvert spoken on the 

Today Show by Jenna Bush Hager.

She claims she is one,

and I think I am, too.

There are several quizzes out there,

but this is the one I took.

Take the Quiz CLICK HERE

I'd love to know how you tested,

since I'm a teacher, you know.

Post below the blog link!

It's time for me to recharge and rest

on our trip out to Corry.

Mr. Retired Lamp Post can drive,

and I'll look out the window at the peak foliage

and watch for deer to shoot...

with my lens, of course.

Eloise