Humor is where you find it.

From my friend Jerry,

Summer Classes for Men at
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday, August 17th 2008

NOTE: Due to the complexity and difficulty level of their contents,
class sizes will be limited to 8 participants maximum

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2

The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat
and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost
Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live: Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy: Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries
and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses,
diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

A review of Estee Wells book, Dimensions.

Dimensions by Estee Wells

Dimensions by Estee Wells is the adventure story of two boys, Daniel and Austin. They are in high school, stars on the soccer team, and best friends. Austin struggles with doubts about God since his father recently left their family. Daniel struggles with fears about change.

With the help of a strange old man, Edic, whom they meet in another dimension, they both find answers in ways they would never have imagined. They also find the key to their struggles in the accuser and deceiver, Gordock, the Evil One. However, Austin’s special stone his father gave him when he was five helps reveal strength and power only God could provide.

The characters are well developed. The struggles of the teenagers-- mentally, physically, and spiritually, are accurately portrayed.

The Bible says we are not to question God (see Job 38:1-41 and beyond), but we ought to bring our troubles to Him in prayer. It also says we are not to be afraid (II Timothy 1:7), but to trust God (Proverbs 3:5). This book shows doubts and fears being experienced and, with God’s help, being resolved. Because of the example vividly portrayed in a fictional situation, I feel teenagers could relate to it and learn while enjoying an action-packed book.

The author recommended this book for readers 8 to 13 years of age, but I think it might be better for 10- to 15-year-olds, because of the age of the characters and its allegorical nature. This young author has done an excellent job and I look forward to reading many more books by her. -- Linda Demorest, http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/

<Book Jacket:
Poor Austin Omera. His folks have separated, his mom turned into a workaholic, and his high-school life in Wilmsburg, Indiana is dull. “Everything is just so dumb. What point is there to living?” he wonders. Even his best-friend Daniel can’t cheer him up.

Enter Samala, a messenger from the 'Holy One'. She takes Austin and Daniel to another place in time to meet Edic, the keeper of the Book of Prophesy, who lives in a land terrorized by the evil Cramerites. Their leader is Lucifer whose goal is to destroy all believers in the kingdom. Then Austin discovers that he is “the Chosen One,” the one to help the lost prince of Halian regain his throne. Is their an allegory brewing here?

These teen time travelers move between dimensions discovering far way places, people, and challenges. Adventure abounds. Whenever the evil Gordock and his yellow-fanged beast Spiron appear, they destroy anyone affiliated with the Holy One. A small but powerful stone, the Orb of Light, is the only thing the beast is helpless against. When the Chosen One holds it against the beast… Could Austin save the day?

The underlying theme of Dimensions is faith doubted and faith renewed. It allows the reader to see their world in a different light.

Available at http://www.bakertrittinpress.com/

Friendship and new beginnings

Welcome to Monday Musings.

It is my opinion that blogging is an egotistical revelation that you assume others believe you have something worthwhile to share.

Approximately 10 years ago I posted “Monday Morning Musings” for several months. I tried to use the same title again, but it’s either lost in space or someone else has similar desires.

There are several things I hope will happen with this verbal exchange.
I hope,
1. It will be an exchange among educators – licensed and all others. (Have I left out anyone?)
2. It will be engage us on issues that directly concern learners. (Is that inclusive enough?)
3. It will stimulate creativity.
4. We will ponder the problems and share ideas for helping the growing number of aliterates, those who can read, but don’t want to.
5. There will be some humor, empathy, nonsense, and other categories.
6. It will help you find a positive answer to two vital questions for students of all ages:
a. Are you having any fun?
b. Are you learning anything?

From time to time I will include some of my poetry and doggerel along with other pointed comments. I sincerely hope this will be a blessing to someone other than myself.

I’ll start this new endeavor with the topic of friends. I prize them highly. I have hundreds of acquaintances, but my friends are considerably fewer. I hope to hear from both groups.

Please, let me hear from you before next Monday. Okay?

MY FRIEND

Friendship is not measured by counting days
. . . or months . . . or years.
It is the blending of two lives
. . . two laughs . . . two fears.

Moments shared may seem a lifetime.
Years may fade to just one hour.
Life with all its joys and sorrows
Is made rich through friendship's power.

At our best or at our weakest
A friend accepts us as we are.
Motives then need no explaining;
A friend will seek to hide our scar.

Scars we have - each one a plenty.
Who knows better than oneself?
But a friend will help to heal them,
Help us keep emotional health.

Foes may cause us great confusion;
An acquaintance may do us dirt,
But a friend will try to help us
Though sometimes the help may hurt.

You may search the whole world over.
You may search your whole life through.
Don't take time to be discouraged
If you find your friends are few.

We all use the term so lightly
Scarcely thinking what it means.
Yet, how few there are around us
Who will help us reach our dreams.

Let me not cause you to stumble
Or give you reason to pretend.
Let me see you stronger, nobler
Just because I am your friend.

Marvin G. Baker

I’ll be watching for you!

Aliterates and Creative Kids

Have you ever considered what reluctant readers and creative children have in common? The first group don't want to do it, and the second group always wants to it (whatever you're working on at the moment) a different way. Is there some connection?

Can they help each other satisfy somebody?

I'll be watching for you!

Marvin

It starts February 15, 2009

Watch for the first real blog on the 15th.

Four lines from one of my poems says what I hope will be true.

"Let me not cause you to stumble
Or give you reason to pretend.
Let me find you nobler, stronger
Just because I am your friend."

I'll be watching for you!

Marvin G. Baker