Monthly Archives: February 2012

Gregory is a Chopin Ballad

Posted on February 29, 2012 by jyourist

My dear friend Gregory was diagnosed with early onset of Altzheimers when he was only 55. Since then pieces of his brilliant self have fallen away, including his amazing ability to play the piano. He had a concert grand piano … Continue reading →

Posted in Altzheimers, music | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Glass Slippers by Kay Ryan

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jyourist

Despite the hard luck of the ugly stepsisters, most people’s feet will fit into glass slippers. The arch rises, the heel tapers, the toes align in descending order and the whole thing slides without talcum powder into the test slipper. … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry, relationship | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

De Duva

Posted on February 27, 2012 by jyourist

I saw this spoof of Ingmar Bergman in 1969(?) as the short (remember those?) before the film Easy Rider. A student of mine came into short films last Friday wanting to see this because his father had told him all … Continue reading →

Posted in movies, short films, videos | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Breakfast Buddha and Parinirvana after a spinach feta omelette

Posted on February 26, 2012 by jyourist

(Top two photos by JB.)

Posted in Buddha, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Blind as well

Posted on February 25, 2012 by jyourist

My mother is coming home from rehab this Sunday. She has been there since last November after an emergency colon surgery where two feet of her colon was removed. She has undergone quite a bit of physical therapy at the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, death, family | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Each day you start over

Posted on February 24, 2012 by jyourist

“You can take my order,” the woman in the dark coat said. My student answered, “I just want to put this order in first.” “You can take more than one order at a time,” I chimed in. “That’s what I … Continue reading →

Posted in school, social justice, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

All kinds of research going on

Posted on February 23, 2012 by jyourist

In class today we were quietly reading some material on labor and the Pullman strike which afforded me a chance to touch base with some of my students regarding their research papers. (We will be working on preparing for a … Continue reading →

Posted in history, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

“Burned Man” by David Huddle

Posted on February 22, 2012 by jyourist

When I was twelve, a man was burned not quite to death at my father’s factory. Recovered enough to walk the town, he didn’t know what to do with himself—a ghost whose scarred, fire bubbled face made you look away, … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A different kind of turnover

Posted on February 21, 2012 by jyourist

The Breakfast Club has evolved into a group of boys. There was one girl I wanted to join but she has been very sick lately and absent a lot from school. Another girl is unable to make our early morning … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, school, sports, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Reanimation Library

Posted on February 20, 2012 by jyourist

I have always been intrigued by the graphics of previous generations. There is something haunting, compelling, provocative, sometimes downright humorous about these images. I have often used them in my own art work and have a collection of such books … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, creativity | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments