Monthly Archives: September 2012

“Knock Knock” by Daniel Beaty

Posted on September 30, 2012 by jyourist
Posted in family, growing up, poetry | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

“Forgetfulness” by Billy Collins

Posted on September 29, 2012 by jyourist

The name of the author is the first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of, as if, one by one, … Continue reading →

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

Welcome and intimate nourishment

Posted on September 28, 2012 by jyourist

Last night, as I walked from the garage toward the house after having been at school past 5:00 taking part in an intense union meeting, I was warmed by the sight of the softly lit back porch. The back door … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, family, food, Japan | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Jogging juggler and polar explorer

Posted on September 27, 2012 by jyourist

Yesterday during the break in the Yom Kippur service, about three o’clock, a few of us took a walk along the lake. It was a beautiful brisk day. I wore my tallit outside to help keep me warm. That was … Continue reading →

Posted in Judaism, transformation | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

For Yom Kippur: “The Journey” by Mary Oliver

Posted on September 26, 2012 by jyourist

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice— though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. “Mend my … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hard-boiled eggs

Posted on September 25, 2012 by jyourist

Yesterday was the funeral of my aunt, my mother’s older sister. She was 90 years old. The quality of her life for the past 5 has not been good. She had lost her words (aphasia) and had some dementia. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, death, family | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Ennui

Posted on September 24, 2012 by jyourist
Posted in family, transformation | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Burping the car

Posted on September 23, 2012 by jyourist

Friday night I took this photo from the front seat of a tow truck which was lifting our car onto the truck’s bed. I had been waiting about an hour for it to arrive, putzing around the car-picking up trash, … Continue reading →

Posted in cars | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Picking up crumbs off the floor

Posted on September 22, 2012 by jyourist

Scones yesterday morning in advisory. Because we have advisory in the carpeted drama room, we needed to get the crumbs all picked up before drama classes could begin. “OK. Everyone pick up a crumb or two.” “Where’s the vacuum cleaner?” … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Governors Faubi

Posted on September 21, 2012 by jyourist

Today we did a role play of the school board in Little Rock in 1957. The class was divided into 5 groups each representing a different interest responding to the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v Board of Ed that … Continue reading →

Posted in race, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment