blog 13

My favorite poem was “The Colonel” because it seems so farfetched, yet really took place.

My least favorite poem was “Ode on a Grecian Urn” because it was too long, and hard to understand.

 

My favorite short story was “Orientation” because I could just picture this happening, and it made me laugh.

My least favorite short story was “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” because to me it was not a well written story. It was hard to follow, and I didn’t see the significance of it.  

I don’t really have a preference either way if next semester’s students should read Death of a Salesman. I do feel, however, if they need to write a paper on something that is contrasting, that there should be enough of a contrast to write about.

 

I did enjoy the Hollywood versions of the movies. I feel that there was a use in seeing them, that way you can get a sense of characters.

 

I don’t have a favorite or least favorite in-class activity. They were all equal to me.

 

I don’t think students should have to lead class discussions. I feel if a student wants to participate, great. If not, they shouldn’t have to. 

 

I really enjoyed the creative blog entries. I liked all of the poetry blogs because they let me express myself. My least favorite blogs would be the test prep ones.

 

 

 

Grandpa Willy

             Grandpa Willy was such a hardworking man. He was away from the house a lot, and we sure did miss him. We had the only house on the block surrounded by apartment buildings, bought and paid for. I remember one day, as we all were in the back yard, grandpa had us clean the car real good, telling us he had a big surprise for us. We looked in the back seat, and there was a punching bag that had Gene Tunney’s signature on it! We were so excited to have it!

              He always talked us up, saying we could do anything we put our minds too. He taught us how to shave, and how to dress when talking to business men. I remember this one time, I was going to go talk to Bill Oliver, and dad told me to wear a business suit. It was those moments that made me appreciate our time together.
             We did have our differences, but he meant well. I remember when I came home, he thought I needed to get a job and make money. He wanted me to be a seller like him, but I was too much of a free spirit.

             He and Grandma Linda made such a great home for us boys. He would always tell her “You’re my foundation, and my support.” I remember sitting in my bed many nights while grandma would hum grandpa to sleep. Their love was so strong and true.

Blog 14

Wednesday, May 5^th, 1949

Willy came home tonight. He says nothing is wrong, but I know different. He has been doing so many unusual things, but I suppose he is under so much stress from his job. They aren’t treating him right, and it’s not fair. He is a good man, why can’t they see that. He works so hard for his family, and they are treating him like he has nothing to offer. Thirty seven years he has given them. So terrible. The boys are acting so rudely to their father. I don’t understand why they can’t get their lives together. They are both so smart and handsome. They really should be getting great jobs, and having a family. We can’t support them forever.

Friday, October 10^th, 1929

Willy is on the road again. I am so proud of him! He works so hard for the family, but I am sure he is getting exhausted. I miss him so much. The house just isn’t the same without him. The boys miss him too. They adore their dad. He is such a great role model for them. Biff is doing so well in school. He is the football star! Willy and I are so proud of him, he is going to be someone great! Even Happy is excited for Biff. Hopefully Happy will find his own talent, and do great things too.

Lottery

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” deals with man’s ability to rationalize generally unacceptable actions. Old man Warner makes the comment on page 294 “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” He is rationalizing the action by there being plenty of food for the year. In his mind, if this were to stop, the town’s people would have terrible crops. He also talks about how the younger people who are questioning this tradition will want to just stop working. He thinks the younger people have no sense of tradition, and have no right to question it. If it was really that bad of a thing, it would have been changed years ago.

In my small home town, there was just an incident with the girls’ basketball team. Two of the star players were caught by another student drinking on the bus. The student went to the coach, and the coach swept it under the rug because they were on their way to districts. Winning was more important than disciplining these girls. Eventually the episode was exposed, weeks after the incident, so the coach was fired, and the two girls were kicked of the team for the remainder of the season. The towns people were upset that this girl had taken away two of the players, and possibly a shot at state. She was shunned by everyone, instead of being praised for doing the right thing. To this small town, the state trophy was more important, and would bring better publicity than doing what was right.

Facebook Blog Wallpaper

1.) We have arrived at the house today. It is run down, but the garden is beautiful!

2.) John has been working alot, but I am so thankful to have Mary here to help out with the baby.

3.) I want to clean up and redecorate the house, but John says it's not a good idea, since we are renting. The wallpaper is AWFUL! Oh well, in a few months we will be gone, and I can forget about it.

4.) Mom, Nellie and the kids came down and stayed for a week. We had such a great time, although Jenny took care of everything. I am so blessed to have her helping out.

5.) I love John, he's such a kind and loving husband. I couldn't have asked for anyone better.

6.) I am feeling better. John told me I had to "will" myself better, and he must know what he is talking about ;).

7.) The stupid wallpaper in the bedroom is making me go crazy! LOL I want to get rid of it so bad, but John says if I do, I will only complain about something else. I'm sure he's right!

8.) It is raining now, and the house is starting to have a smell. It is on my clothes, and in my hair. I can't wait for the lease to be up.

9.) John has to stay in town tonight for work. Jenny wanted to sleep in the room to make sure I was ok, but I told her no. We are moving tomorrow!

10.) I've decided to take down that wall paper after all. Wish me luck!


www.homedepot.com/...Wallpaper-Wallpaper.../Navigation?...

"Girl"

Eat your vegetables. Eat your dinner, don't be wasteful. Chew with your mouth closed. Scrape your plate, wash the dishes. Take out the garbage. Fold the clothes. Put your clothes away IN your drawers. Clean up your room. You don't need to live like a slob. Nobody respects a slob. Brush your teeth. Take a shower. Put on deoderant. Treat all girls with respect. Treat all women with respect. Help those who are less fortunate. Always help the elderly, and small children. Do not swear around ladies or children. NEVER swear around elderly people, that's disrespectful. Treat your teachers with respect. They are there to teach, not to be your friend. Do not fight, unless they throw the first punch. Get out and excercise. Go build a fort. But never wear your good clothes to play in. Be nice to your siblings. Be nice to everyone you meet, you may be the only one who is nice to them. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. Real friends don't make you feel bad. Be helful to your parents. Be helpful to your teachers. Be presentable at all times.

Dialogue

 

The house was settling down for the evening. The smell of dinner was permeating the air; mom and dad were discussing the day’s events. I was doing my homework, trying to figure out the difference between the radius and the circumference of a circle, when out bounced my brother from the back room. With every step, he coughed. Mom didn’t look happy.

“Ryan come here, you need to take some medicine.”

“NO!” Ryan yelled.

“Yes, you have to stop coughing.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I understand, but you have to take the medicine. Go get some water, that will help.”

“Ok,” he sighed.

Ryan starts to take the medicine, then goes to the sink and spits it out.

“That is terrible! I’m not taking that!”

“You have to, it’s the only medicine we have for you, the other one is night-time, and I’m not giving that to you at 5:30 in the evening.”

“I want the one that tastes like Kool-Aid.”

“We don’t have that one, this is it.”

“Then I’ll cough, I’m not taking it!”

“You have to! Take it now, and quit being a baby.”

My brother yells, “I DON’T WANT TO!” as he runs down the hallway to his bedroom, slamming the door. Mom is close behind, mumbling as she goes.

“Ryan Austin! You WILL take that medicine RIGHT NOW!”

“NO!”

Mom walks out, looking defeated. She continues her way into the kitchen, and finishes up dinner.

Ryan comes out, smiling and coughing, knowing he will not have to take the medicine, unconcerned about annoying us all.