Comparing messes

5-31-11 transformation brain
Today, I’m still sticking to my cleaning project. I’m not sure IF I will be finished today, but I’ve scheduled a therapeutic massage later this afternoon, as a reward to myself. I hope the large bulk of cleaning is done by then…. But this project may spill into Wednesday.

It is interesting to excavate my art closet. It contains historical layers of my creativity over the last 12 years or so. Stuff from my unsuccessful attempt at watercolor phase, my calligraphy phase, my first drawing class phase, my early pastel phase, my pixel art phase…. And so on and on!

Last Friday, Greg and I arrived back in my hometown in time for supper. Then we walked over to my Elementary School, Jefferson, which is being torn down. Tearing down the only Elementary School on the south side of town, is not making neighbors happy, since it is not only a waste of a good building, but it is unknown what might get build on this 9 acre lot.

Talk about a mess! The good news is that they are trying to recycle some of the materials. Greg did some inspection and said from his Civil Engineering point of view, this was a well built new addition back in 1970, with the original structure build in 1960.

Here is a picture of our childhood gather spot…. “The Big Rock”…. Now buried in a pile of tree debris. This rock holds special memories for many of the kids who attended Jefferson School, and there is suppose to be an attempt to save it and move it outside of the Charles City museum….. if it is not too large to move.

Here are a few other pictures for those friends formerly from Charles City. Click to enlarge-
 
 

Equal rights under the law

4-18-09 humble brain
One more blog on the topic of gay marriage in Iowa.

My church friend Ted whom I mentioned in my blog on Monday 4-6-09 was interviewed for an article in the Des Moines Register newspaper. Wednesday it appeared. For those of you who would want to read more about Ted, this is a well written article which captures Ted perfectly and the story of his unconditional love for his daughter.

My role as activist and advocate for equal rights pales next to Ted's bright light.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090415/OPINION01/904150328/1166/OPINION01

I thought this Opinion article in the Des Moines Register was also good.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090415/OPINION03/904150330/1110


Lastly, here is my Letter to the Editor I sent into the Des Moines Register this week. I was attempting to use my "creative thinking" to come up with a new view of the topic. If one side wants ABC and the other side wants XYZ..... maybe we should be looking in a new direction of AJZ ?

Author Stephen Covey ("The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People") believes in "Think Win-Win" and "Synergize".... there is often a 3rd, 4th or more solutions to a problem... a person just needs to think out side of the box!


My Letter to the Editor:
I support state laws that are fair and equal for all Iowa citizens. Those who oppose gay marriage and call for a Constitutional amendment might be onto a good idea. A fair amendment actually could be the win/win resolution to this issue once and for all. I'm proposing that Iowa Law needs to be amended by replacing every reference to the word “marriage” with the words “civil union”. This would make it clear that civil rights are for all committed couples who live in Iowa and is a separate issue from religious doctrine. Churches would then be free to continue to choose which couples they approve of for the holy sacrament of marriage. ..... JSB 4-13-09


Now on to other areas of interest. ..