Hurdles

Can you believe that it is week 17 of 2010 and it feels like so many things have happened in so few weeks? Wow! We thought we said goodbye to the recession blighted old year of 2009. Now there is still financial crisis and recession which continues to shock the world, the growing fiscal deficits which call for the increase dependence on the World Bank and IMF.   Many have sleepless nights over environmental risks; many mention ‘going green.’ Also there is the unpredictability of the weather leaving billions homeless and millions dead. There is ethnic strife, famines, increased civil wars, ongoing guerilla conflicts. So far this is quote an exhaustive list but far from complete, the losses of 2010 are profound. In contrast, hey, the upside is that gold has regained popularity with Central Banks across the world.

On a more local level when we visit the grocery stores we see prices increasing.  To understand the conundrum that we are in we need to take a step back and see ourselves. We would be faced with obstacles no matter what. Let us put it this way the more mountains we climb the stronger our legs become, the fitter we get and the better we feel. Do not be sidetracked, be encouraged, and be excited by ‘tough times’ because these impediments would make us be the giant we all would like to become.

Folks have a wonderful day!

Wooden Bench

I saw the above image this week and it struck a chord with me. From the image I recalled the days when we would fight to pair up and carry those long wooden benches from the woodwork classroom on to the open veranda for spelling lessons, story time or to play games. This particular spot was well sought after by each class in the final hours of school (2-3p.m).

The school’s conventions prescribed that a teacher had to send a student to see if anyone was on the veranda before going there. When we as students found out that no one was there we would race to open porch.

The veranda had a view overlooking the ball field, a pond, the village of Gerald Bottom, livestock grazing the field, a look at the Silver hills Mountain range and the ocean all in 180 degrees. There was something fascinating and refreshing about learning in the open air. As we advanced on to higher grades our seating arrangements were more personalized and sophisticated.

Your alluring presence

Dark Skin

Domineering physique

Amid extremes

An open eye, open mind

An art to treasure

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Poem written by Brenda L. McCartney

Pack light