A Full Day

This post is too long. The interesting parts are in black.

After the weekly prayer meeting, at which I was the only attendee, a bunch of feelings hit me at once. I'm homesick and lonely, envious of everyone who gets to spend time with their loved ones. I miss my family and friends! I'm a bit depressed with the lack of activity in this Bahá'í­ community. I'm hard on myself for not doing more about it and for my personal development. So I had an emotional breakdown. It felt good though. I wanted it to happen. It's been a long time since I had "a good cry" as Margot would say.

Well, look at that. I'm letting myself be soft, publicly. Who'd a' thunk it?

Next I visited Robert, the older, deepened Bahá'í­ "shut-in." He was appreciative. I helped his granddaughter read a prayer and read her a story about `Abdu'l-Bahá.

Tomorrow we're making fish soup, so I bought the ingredients this afternoon. When I stopped by the Centre for my Obligatory Prayer on the balcony, I LOCKED MYSELF OUT! I imagined having to wait for Halva to show up and having him make some phone calls so Albert could bring the key. But fortunately, I've been planning for such a situation. I had been wondering if I could squeeze through the panes of the balcony window. It just so happens that I can – after taking off my shorts, staining my shirt and some minor damage to the window and my foot.

Upon my return from shopping, I found Cleon the Jehovah's Witness waiting outside. We had lunch together and discussed this and that about the Biblical prophecies of "the last days" that have been fulfilled.

An excursion to town with Cleon and Halva exposed me to the Kittitian gentleman's game, checkers. They are intense here! It was like those chess-in-the-park scenes from Searching for Bobby Fischer.

Halva and I each called family and friends from Kuwait to New Hampshire to St. Croix to wish them a happy (Gregorian) new year.

Becky invited us out to Sandy Point to go to church with Cory and her. That's what a lot of Kittitians do for New Years. Either that, counting down in town, or sleeping through it. (New Years isn't as big here as in the States.) The music was powerfully loud. (Kittitians seem to really like their loud music and huge sepakers.) The preacher's sermon, while seemingly about new year's resolutions, was actually about the changes that Bahá'u'lláh has initiated in the world. At the end he called each person to be annointed by him. Not for me. I'm not about to place a fellow human above me, pertending he is responsible for my relationship with God.

The four of us lit a dud firework. Halva and Cory debated Christian theology. Becky really wants to do Book 2: Arising to Serve!

Lessons in culture

My friends Tandeka, Debora and Salman (and Sahar whom I haven't met) made it into the Portsmouth Herald... Click here!

Away for the Holidays

This is the first time I am spending the holiday season away from family. Miquela and Cristina took a break from their years of service to see their families. I really do wish I could see my family in Jersey and my friends at Winter School. At least `Abdu'l-Bahá said, "...separation is only of our bodies, in spirit we are united. Ye are the lights which shall be diffused; ye are the waves of that sea which shall spread and overflow the world."

The guy on the radio is giving valuable advise between the songs. It's strange because each one answered the exact thoughts and prayers that where going through my head just before he said it.

• You've got to love yourself before you can love others. "Think about it."
• You must focus on the positive things you've done, not your mistakes
• Instead of holding yourself back by tell yourself you can't, focus those energies on doing it. Don't look for motivation from others; find it within yourself. Growth is doing things you've never done before, things you never dreamed you could. Look into your heart and you'll find the tools you need to accomplish anything.
  

Current Music: "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt (I love that movie!)

Jaz Plays Jazz

Today I did half my laundry and started the huge project of deep cleaning the kitchen. I'm sick of these unwelcome roaches and rats* mice.

Tonight I drove Jaz to the Marriot again. On the way he told me that a couple of Harry Belafonte's songs, including "Banana Boat," were stolen from Kittitian canefield workers and songwriters who didn't study copyright laws. He also told me that true calypso is something only West Indians can perform. It's ingrained in the culture.

I stuck around to hear him play for a bit, while I read some more of Gary Matthews' The Challenge of Bahá'u'lláh. Boy, he is good! He mostly plays American music at the hotel beacuse that's what the guests like. The place is packet with toursits! Attention potential Caribbean tourists: if you're planning on liming in the hotel, having some drinks at the bar, visiting the casino, you might as well stay in the States. If you're coming to the Caribbean or anywhere for that matter, see the real country. I'm sorry, but it's ridiculous to see all these comparatively rich visitors relaxing while a couple miles aware many people are starving or at least living at a lower standard of living.

Anywho, I'm happy to have such a musical evening!

To top it off, I spoke to some of my dearest and bestest friends in the world tonight over Skype! I am happy!

*I can't help the urge to alliterate

Current Music: "Lazy Days" by Enya

Becky invited me to the beach with her, Cory, and friends from Sandy Point. Nikki was there. Halva showed up. We had a lot of fun playing volley ball and football. and playing in the sand. A little later Nikki picked me up. After stopping by her house in Bird Rock (There is such an great view of teh sunset, the bay and Basseterre!), we went for a walk to Frigate Bay and back. We talked about religion, jobs, pets. I'm happy to make another friend. I've been wanting to find a moderately active activity, so I hope I'll get more chances to walk with her and her friends. We got a lift back to her place from a kind man. Then he took me home to New Pond Site. His car was like the "sardine" truck from Crusin' World. Good times.

J'ouvert

I woke up at 4 am, intending to go to the J'ouvert Morning Jump-Up in town – one of the main parts of Carnival, but decided against it and went back to sleep. I wound up going in the late morning with Halva to catch the tail end of it, and found out what J'ouvert is. Dozens of speakers are piled on top of these gigantic platforms. A band and its groupies are positioned in and on each of these structures. You can feel the sound pounding your chest from 50 feet away. These edifices are pulled by tractors around and around a few blocks in town. The streets are completely packed with people drinking and jamming. More than once were Halva and I right next to an almost-riot that was broken up by the stick-carrying SKNDF. Until I get my pictures up, check out these.

It was good that I went, though. As the Jump-Up was winging down, Halva and I were standing next to an older couple. The man had taken of his shirt and his wife was fanning him. I offered my water, which he drank and poured on his head. He was loosing consciousness. Someone called the ambulance. I bought them two more waters. I tried to find him later by calling the hospital, but they didn't know who I was talking about. At least I was able to help.

Christmas

Zzzzz. Ring! Ring! "Good morning. Bahá'í Centre." "Hey, Leif. It's Jaz. I'm coming over on the eight o'clock ferry." "I'll be there." When I get there, there is no Jaz. I wait for the next ferry which delivers the Williams family. Lloyd calls and clarifies that I'm to pick up Jaz on Market Street and take him to the Marriot. I want to hear him play sometime.

After picking up Millie's pawpaw casserole from the Caribe Queen, I went to Donsie's house for Christmas dinner, which was actually served around 2 pm. I was redirected to pick up Lloyd and his in-laws who were on an island tour in Albert's bus when the something went wrong with the spark plugs. The dinner was very good. I didn't mingle with the core family of the house, but I played with Mauréley (Donsie's granddaughter) and chatted with Vera (Millie's Bermudian sister).

Poor Halva. I'm pretty sure the sweet, kind gentleman spent the day by himself. He came by the Centre and asked if I could look up the phone number of a friend of his from the states. My pleasure, but my Internet connection stopped working.* He wanted to call his family in St. Croix, but that didn't work either. Because Christmas is culturally the time for everyone to be with people who care about them, it must be really hard for him. He's not the only one. I saw old men alone in town. Of course, I was kind to him, but I wish I could have done more to make him feel loved.

*The Cable & Wireless help desk is closed until tomorrow. Nothing I've tried has worked to fix it. I'm pretty sure God took the Internet away from me because I am too attached to it. I'll pray for detachment. It should do me some good.

SERIOUSLY!

The junior calypso show was amazing last weekend. It showed how much potential this island has. It's all there in the hearts of those junior calypsonians and whoever wrote their songs. Tonight Halva and I went to the ferry terminal for part of a real adult calypso show. First I had on toursit goggles and thought it was fun. But everything about it was mediocre (if that!) in comparison to the junior show. It started over two hours late. The band was not up to snuff. The lyrics were horrific – about nothing.

I'm sorry to be critical, but Kittitians can do better than this. I know because I have seen plenty of evidence.

The worst part – I am ashamed for not leaving the second it started – was a song performed by a woman called Foxy, "Are You Ready to Whine?" She asked for a brave volunteer. She urged the 11-year-old boy to dance, lifting up his shirt. He did. She grinded ... my Lord, the poor boy! I can't bear to type it, but you get the idea. The so-called "men" of the audience laughed and cheered. I am so mad that it was allowed to happen. Here in a "Christian" nation. On Christmas Eve.

On a lighter note, Halva greeted several people in town with a clearly heartfelt "Seasons Greetings." That made me happy.

Cleanliness & Guyanese

Darlene demands that every building that caries the name of Bahá'u'lláh exhibits the high standards of cleanliness and orderliness to which He calles His followers. So we are scrubbing the Bahá'í Centre thoroughly. I hope to keep it is tip-top shape. It won't be easy. I never kept my room organised for long in my life, but I hope to keep such a loft reason as my motivation. If such is true of a Bahá'í Centre, so it should be for a Bahá'í. I hope I can remember this back home and at Rutgers.

Desond and his daughter Maurice from Guyana stopped by the Centre just now. It's the second surprise visit from a foreign Bahá'í since I've been here. She'll be here for two weeks. I hope to meet with her more. Maybe she can help with children's classes on Saturday.

Carnival Time

More and more exiciting things keep happening – too much for me to include in a post without being long winded. I'll give you a brief overview. Alas, I must leave out many details.

The children's class was a pandimonium. All our plans always go out the window. We need powerful flexibility and need to match our plans up with what actually happens each week. I hope to start "Walking the Straight Path" with Teanna and the Millingtons or whoever else might come.

Saturday night was the start of Carnival. Halva, Becky, Cory, Cristina and I went to the (free) junior calypso competition in Warner Park. They sang wonderful songs about unity, education reform, a "Crime-Free Nation", and the "Signs" (of revelation) They are so intune with Bahá'u'lláh's message, it's ridiculous! Hearing the band that accompanied the calypsonians, made me want to play my trombone again. I wish I could play like them. God knows if I'll persue that in the future.

Despite uncertainties, the camp Ruby told us about actually happened. A gentleman from Trinidad trained about half of the volunteer counsellors on Sunday. The "Moving to Excellence" camp was on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The lunch being hours late made for a miserable Monday. But the next two days were enjoyable for everyone involved, I think. I taught "We Are Drops" to the third grade class. Both the students and the teachers copied it down for themselves! [UPDATE: Pictures]

Cristina's father is Christian. So she went home to spend time with family for Christmas, leaving Wednesday afternoon from Nevis. We took a dip in the cold Caribbean water with the camp organiser Mr. Ragoonanan after the last day of camp. That evening Ruby treated Darlene, Ruth, Ragoo and me to dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. The evening ended with sparkling apple-grape juice at the Bahá'í Centre. I felt like a ten-year-old that got to go out with his older brother and his friends because there was no one to baby sit him. I didn't understand 80 percent of the discussions because of the accents, but I had fun being out with the older "kids" having fun. I did hear Ragoo say, "Stay sweet, Leaf."

Tomorrow I will take Darlene to the airport. She returns to St. Maarten for now. Darlene is wonderful. She is reading Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh: Volume 4 and sharing such great insights. I love her. She makes me happy. I am also thankful for the chance to be by myself after being with others for so long. It will test what I have learned about cooking, teachings, living in St. Kitts.

Becky invited me to go Chirstmas carolling in Sandy Point. I saw some of the children I met at Becky's tutoring session and at Ruby's camp. I also met two Windsor students. I'm already making new friends! Yay!

Watch the Sunrise over Planet Leif's Head

"Wrongly imprisoned Baha'i dies in Iranian jail"

How could I post about Wi-Fi and not mention this, and still consider myself a Bahá'í blogger?

On Monday, the day before the UN passed another resolution against the persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran, Dhabihu'llah Mahrami died of unknown causes in an Iranian government prison. Bahá'í World News Service reports:

Mr. Dhabihu'llah Mahrami, 59, was held in a government prison in Yazd under harsh physical conditions at the time of his death.

His death comes amidst ominous signs that a new wave of persecutions of Baha'is has begun. This year so far, at least 59 Baha'is have been arrested, detained or imprisoned, a figure up sharply from the last several years.

Arrested in 1995 in Yazd on charges of apostasy, Mr. Mahrami was initially sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment after an international outcry and widespread media attention.

... I'll post another update soon. We're busy, busy, busy.

Update: Amnesty International: "Iran: Inquiry needed in the death of Bahai prisoner of conscience"

Kenya, Can Ya ... ?

This afternoon I sat in the suite of the women from Kenya with three boys. We were watching TV and making conversation while our female companions were busy trying on clothes – Cristina and their mother and grandmother, respectively. The boys are from Las Vegas. Their mom grew up in St. Kitts. Their grandmother commanded silence and touch-nothing-ness by threatening with the belts that are on sale. The youngest boy, 3, seemed on the verge of tears, but we had some quality discussion about whether or not him pinching me hurt, and that my food is in my tummy, and that you can't see it even when you go "AHHH." The older two (first and sixth grade) and I consulted the moral dillemna portrayed in Ed, Edd n Eddy. Which is more important: getting free candy before the store closes or saving your friend who is being carried away by stampeding chickens?

I got the card of one of the women. The other one has been to the Bahá'í World Centre. (I have to wait until 2009.) If I'm ever in Nairobi I hope to meet up with them.

Look, Mamma. No Hair.

Halva cut my hair Wednesday - not bad for only using scissors. Darlene says I have a nice head.

That night we went to the Christmas party for the Bible study. We forgot to take pictures. It was a fun evening with Christmas carols, a potluck dinner, stories and jokes.

Today's training session didn't happen because the guidance counsellor organising it was shipped out of town for a conference. In the evening, we went to a Christmasy event at the circus in town. When I kneeled next to Haile, he threw his arm around my neck! I wish I could see him more. I got to talk Luba, Gene's husband. He's Rasta and has a great view that we all are searching for truth and need to overcome the obstacles that humanity has inherited from its ancenstors. He seems like a great dad. There were two Kenyan sisters visiting to sell some crafts. We talked with them for a good while. Now that I've started traveling it's fun to talk with other travelers. Check out the pictures!

You know, from last night's party and meeting people tonight I see that I'm less shy and more willing to start a conversation with a stranger - something I used to rarely do. But being the stranger in a new country, I'm forced to overcome it. I'm thankful.

Update: I just added a new post for 5 December, complete with a puzzle!

Update

Saturday was the children's Arts Day – a fun substitute for regular classes to get them interested in coming again. Most of the regulars, plus Irene's boys, were there. We prayed then baked a cake with the children. They selected a prayer or quote that they liked and then decorated them (visual arts). Next they prepared a way to present it (performing arts). Update: Check out the pictures here!

Gene and Yahzon came to see the presentations. Afterwards, Yahzon hung around for dinner and the Christmas concert Teanna was in. We had a "discussion," in which he told us our Faith was "stupidness" and "Balala" "preaches against Yahweh." Unfortunately, Kishorn and Jamal (young children) were there to hear the animated discourse that was contrary to Bahá'í beliefs and could have been very confusing for them.

Cristina and I made a pact with Yazon. Every morning and evening we will pray: "Father Yahweh, is what Jason is telling us the truth? In Hamishea Yashua's name I pray." (He chose the phrasing.) And he likewise asks whether Bahá'u'lláh is legit.

On Sunday morning we went to the Jehovah's Witness service Cleon invited us to. He wasn't there. The are very friendly people. Cristina was really moved and wrote a short story about it. We got there late, but the chunk we were there for was an interactive Ruhi-level-one review of something written by the Watchtower society. There's more about that, but I don't feel like writing it. That day we also had Feast at the Centre. No one else came, but we still studied the Ridván 2005 letter together.

Darlene returned yesterday!!! We went to the beach. It's been a few weeks since we last went. The water is "cold". I started reading "Building Momentum."

After we had Feast at Ernie's house, Yahzon came by the Centre as scheduled. As promised, Darlene's response to him will give an adequate picture of her. While C and I had been rather supine in talking with him and taking time to follow him through all the scriptural references, Darlene was direct. She asked the right questions to cut through the confusion and see that there is not enough common ground between our beliefs to carry on a sensible discussion. Despite this, he continues to talk at us. He tells Cristina that she's going to "come home" soon. He considers her his bride.

Thank God for Bahá'u'lláh!

My Day as a Chauffeur or Continuous Confirmations or The Friday Night Lime

Today was non-stop.

Halva came by in the morning to work on his jewellery. I drove him into town to pick up his pliers. Lavonne came to visit. I drove with her to pick up fish soup, drove with halve to pick up conch chowder, ate, drove Lavonne to work at the Marriot, drove by the Honeyman, and dropped Halva in town.

Cristina and I then met Becky at Sandy Point High School (half hour away) for a Young Leaders meeting. They're creating a music video about unity. We weren't really doing anything, so I was a little annoyed. Just as I got up to leave, some of the students started a conversation with us. That was fun. We exchanged emails. C and I would like to start a discussion group with them if they're interested. *cough* Ruhi! *cough*

While Becky was teaching a friend to read, C and I explored the library. Looking over some diff. eq., I was both excited about getting back to studying next fall, and reminded that I need to review a lot to be comfortable with my math and phsyics knowledge again.

Then, dinner and a movie at Becky's apartment with Becky, Cory, C, Trista and Amika. Barbecue chicken, Fruta (!), banana pudding. Johnny English. (Ahhh, Mr. Bean.) I'm really glad we got to relax on a Friday night with friends.

Halva left his umbrella and cell phone at the Centre. After I dropped off Cristina, I drove out to Frigate Bay where to works some nights to deliver them. He had already left, but I really enjoyed the time I had together with the radio. DANCE PARTY FOR ONE!

I've been getting plenty of guided driving practice with Halva and Cory sharing with me the.

I heard the front gate open. Armed with an umbrella, I expected to find a prowler. Instead it was a woman running from her "boy", who when he found her seemed abusive. I wanted to call the police to report a domestic dispute. Doubting there being a response, I didn't. :-/ Maybe I should be stronger in my idealism.

I see what you mean.

I was infuriated when a friend implied that I am an infidel. I couldn't stand him. I had to take some time to myself to work through it and figure out how to forgive him. 'Tain't easy. It was then that I read a prayer lit by the dimming daylight. I began imagining the thoughts of the faithful in past Dispensations as their society was forgetting the diving guidance.

now the sun is setting
it's getting harder and harder to see your word
we're reaching for thy cord, but we can't find it
they dropped a veil between us and you
when the light is gone, what will we do
i long for the light, yet am enshrouded in darkness
i'm clinging to the memory of ...

I'm eternally grateful that I live when I do.

Alex's Birthday or Pearl Harbor

This morning's Book 2 session with Ivan didn't happend because of his busy schedule.

My haircur didn't happen because Halva offered to do it later. I don't know how you females handle it. I can't stand my hair being four inches long (on top).

Crisitna and I planned (read: consulted hardcore) details for Saturday's children's class / fun day. The theme is "Art is a Gift."

We got a glimpse into Rebecca's life today. It's not much different from ours in that she is responsible for creating her own projects. In Sandy Point, we dropped by her appartment (very nice!), helped at a tutoring session (pre-school through first form), and attended a pat and present Young Leaders meeting. One of the former Young Leaders is interested in learning more about the Faith, and all of them are interested in using "Breezes of Confirmation."

We raced back to arrive at Bible study 45 minutes late. They were just getting started with a the "praise party" (my term, not his) that Andy prepared for the year's last meeting. I was really excited that the song "We Are Marching in the Light of God" was part of the program.* Berrel, a woman in the study group, offered to come and have breakfast with me while I'm at the Centre by myself over Christmas break.

I didn't believe Gail at the pioneer training session in May. But, you know, she's right: I really do cherish every word of the letters, IMs, emails, and conversations with all of you, my dear friends and family back "home."

*Thank you, Mona, Ahva and Anisa, for teaching me the bass part at Green Acre!

Butterfly Effect

Wow! If Vida, Emily or LD had agreed to go on a year of service with Cristina and I back in June, we quite possibly could have been on the same island where a volcano just burst into life.

Update: Whew! "Vanuatu volcano's all show, say scientists"

"Yahweh = Jehovah," said the Bahá'í.

They really are the same word. The Hebrew word "יהוה", indicating the distinctive personal name of God, may be justifiably translitereated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah."

Yahzon (or Jason) came over today for our rescheduled weekly visit. We all went out with Halva to take pictures of a nickel seed tree. When we got back to the Bahá'í Center, Jason's friend Cleon happened to be walking down the street. Eventually we all had some discussion inside over dinner. Cristina and Halva made our delicious vegetarian pizza.

From what I can tell, Jason is either a Messianic Jew or a member of the Assemmblies of Yahweh – a cross between Cristianity and Orthodox Judaism. Cleon revealed after dinner that he is a Jehovah's Witness. (No hyperlink or explanation is needed, I'm sure.)

Both of these new friends are teachers of a faith that distinguishes itself from other denominations by insisting that God only has one name as which it is allowable to refer to Him. (I admit that this is an oversimplification.) While having different approaches, both fully intend to convert Cristina and me to their faith. Both showed us their religion's website (www.watchtower.org & www.yahweh.com) and have invited us to their weely service.

They seem very similar to me. I hope we can keep the dialogue going once they realise Cristina and I aren't interested in converting.

High School Nostalgia

Can you name all six high school subjects this drawing uses knowledge from?

What started as an investigation of triplets and tuplets turned into running through the halls of high school memories. I can't thank people like Mr. Berkey, Ms. Higgins, Mr. King and Mr. McCulley enough for their passion for their subjects and for their encouragement that urged me along in my early youth. ...as I talk as if I'm an old man.

We did Book 1 with Irene and Teanna in the afternoon.

We came up with an idea for a children's class party to get them excited about coming again.

Today I got a postcard from Alisa!!!

Ruhi Gets Rolling

We lost two core activities and picked up one. Attendence at devotional gatherings has rarely been more than Halva since the huge one in September when Ivan had a seizure. Children's classes attendence has tapered to none yesterday. The remedies for these will come later. Perhaps they will come out of the handful of study circles that just popped up.

I already mensioned the Book 1 starting at Irene's house tomorrow. Yesterday we formed a group with Rebecca, Carla and passer-by Halva, picking up Book 2 in the middle. The meeting was fun, exciting and magical and formed new friendships. Today's lovely home visits arose interest for a Book 1 with Ernie, a Book 2 with Ivan, and a Book 7 (!) with Robert, which should all start in the coming week or so.

I'm really excited about finally getting into Ruhi. I see potential to stir up the heads, hearts and hands of the local Bahá'í community.

Oh! I finished All Flags Flying! this afternoon. It was quite delightful. I love how Bill Sears tells of the limitless joy pioneering gave his family and hundreds and thousands of people they met in their 15 trips around the planet. ("Move over, Marco Polo" is one of the chapters.)

Why Fight Wi-Fi?

I have an editorial comment about "Wi-fi venture tests Philadelphia", an article on BBCNews.com this morning.

Perhaps I am not seeing the whole picture, but this I feel it is worth viewing the situation from the stance of Philadelphians. I understand that there may be legal issues about what is fair for ISP competitors, but we need to remember that companies are not people. The rights of people should be of greater concern than the rights of companies. Based on the rates given in the article, Internet users could be saving $20 - $50 per month ($240 - $600) per year. That is a significant chunck out of a family's budget, especially in a such a low-income area as the City of Brotherly Love. If the city government is willing to give its citizens less expensive Internet access, which could decrease their financial difficulties, competition for ISP's seems to be a minor issue.

Rethinking

I Skyped with my mom tonight. I am beginning to reorganise my piorities. Not the big ones (education, serving God, and future family), but the specifics. For the past year or so I have been a little narrow minded. I wanted to do nothing but study circles and service at Green Acre. But I realise that I need to seriously think about making money during the summer and college and choosing a major and career that will let me be financially stable.

is what I was going to post yesterday. This afternoon Cristina and I were chatting about pioneering, careers, the future – the real doozies. Yes, it is important to plan for these things. But, come on now, I'm still in the first half of this year of service. I have put my life on hold to be of service to the people of this Federation. I'll keep these big things in the back of my mind, but I want to make the most of my time here. All my thoughts and energy should be directed to planning and acting for the upliftment of Kittitian and Nevisian individuals and society.

[SMACK! I got a mosquito.]

Lesson learned: I see now that I have a tendency to hold back socially or from ambitions because I am uneasy with not knowing how things will work out. Quoted in All Flags Flying!, the Guardian says:

Today the need is so great on the part of humanity to hear of the Divine Message, that the believers must plunge into the work, wherever and however they can, heedless of their own shortcomings...

In teaching and all that I do I need to forget any inability I think I have and go for the gold. (By reading Bill Sears' book, I'm adopting old corny phrases. It'll pass when I get into the next.)

Every night so far no fewer than 11 canine voices royally and loyally announce our presence as I stroll around the block to escort Cristina to Donsie's house. Tonight, though, not a single one released so much as a growl! Maybe it's a good omen...?