" Those who can do more..." 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about the teaching profession and what it's really about...  Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/



　
It's Aloha Friday.

"Those who can do more ?"Aloha folks,

An old saying goes, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
I believe that the saying should be "Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach."

I began teaching in September . . . 1965. I hung in there for thirty-four and one-half years. Probably more like forty if you count in overtime, for which I did not get paid. When I was teaching, teachers were expected to show up for Carnivals and Fun Days and spend the entire day working in order to raise money for the PTA or similar group. It was enjoyable, but it was time spent away from my family. I was also expected to prepare my classroom for Back-to-School night and I stayed after school for Parent-Teacher Conferences. It was what I had signed on for, and I fulfilled all my duties. Even sitting there in my room waiting time after time for a parent who didn't show, and didn't notify me that they weren't coming.

I've heard the word 'idealistic' applied to teachers many times. I started off idealistic, but I lost a great deal of my idealism in my first year of teaching. I was working in San Francisco, teaching students from the Bay View and Hunters Point areas. I was hired to teach English to 7th thru 9th graders in a middle school. When my students couldn't read the texts assigned by the District for their grade level, I did some quick testing of my own. I soon found that my average 9th grader was reading at a 3rd grade level, barely. I junked the District text (Robinson Crusoe) and began buying paperback books, high interest, low reading level. A little of my money; some free books through sales of Scholastic books to my students (one free book for me for every 4 or 5 books my students purchased). I gradually built up a library of easy to read books. Together my students and I made progress.

Then other things started to take my interest. Like the fact that we had to chain and padlock many of the doors leading out of the school, because too many bad guys were using them to get into the school to sell drugs and do other bad stuff. We had riots in the area, and they spilled over into the school. We survived them. But I finally had enough of inner-city schools when one of my 7th graders didn't come to class. At first none of the other students would tell me why he was absent. Finally I found out that he had cut school, gone to the elementary school next door, and had raped a 3rd grade girl in the bathroom there. I copped out. I applied for a job in the suburbs and moved my wife and son there with me. I figured things would be better teaching kids in the suburbs. Wrong. There were still lots of problems there. In my first year in the suburbs I discovered that the pudgy twin 5th grade girls in my math class were being regularly sexually abused by their father. In my third or fourth year an estranged husband came on site and shot his wife to death as she waited in the parking circle after dropping off their Kindergartner. About six years into my service at this suburban school a 6th grade boy killed a female classmate after she refused his sexual advances.

But there were also the good kids, the bright kids and the average kids. Kids who were just kids. Who were willing to learn, sometimes even eager, if you just helped them a little. Some of my students went on to become enormously successful. I'd like to think some of their success was because of my work with them. But I also know that most of those who succeeded would have succeeded even if I'd never met them.

There are still lots and lots of good bright kids in our schools. But they aren't going to learn if we keep cutting the school day, cutting the school year, cutting the school budget.

We have lots of truly wonderful teachers, though, as with any profession, there are some real duds out there. Some who are not dedicated, or much less idealistic. But we have good people in oh so many of our classrooms. It's just too bad that so many of those good people get pushed into Administration. Why? Because they can make more of a living wage as a school administrator.
We have some really big problems with our schools here in the USA. Solutions to those problems are hard to come by, and aren't accomplished overnight. But we keep working at finding answers. And one day we will.

In the meantime, this does apply to so very many of our teachers — "Those who can do more, TEACH."

Okay folks, see you next week.

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

 

ALOHA FRIDAY

June 1, 2012

"Local Superhero revealed..." 'Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog speaks tongue and cheek about Kauai's own Superhero...

editors note, this blog  is tongue and cheek and meant to bring smiles to peoples faces! To understand this blog you need to either  be familiar with the Kaua'i Garden Island news editorial page or just catch on quick, which I am sure you will. The people I speak of in this article  constantly echo each others thoughts, with that said I think you will get the gist of this with the knowledge that "ready fire aim" is a favorite quote of Mr. Mickens. Hope you enjoy....

 For those of you familiar with the Kaua'i Garden Island editorial  forum and know the regular letter writer's styles I have come to the conclusion;

 It's a bird, it's a plane it's Glenn Mickens and Walter Lewis are one in the same person.  Just Like like Bruce Wayne is actually Batman and Clark Kent is Superman,  Glenn Mickens is actually  superhero Walter Lewis.

Whether it's about bike paths, roads, the Kaua'i Marathon or politicians overspending, these men stand in unison with "truth, justice the American way."

 All I can say is "ready fire, aim!"

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"School days..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesdays)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today she guest blogs about  "School days..." and how truth and justice shall prevail plus as an encore(Hana Hou)  of  her daughter Blu singing her award winning song on YouTube- "Kalaheo shuffle."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT0YuQLhBVo
 Bettejo  also  publishes her own blog column.
You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

"School Days..."

This can be filed in the ‘how in the hell did I get here’ folder, but interesting, I think, because, surely, we are the living product of our past.

I graduated from Tamalpais Union High School in June 1947, at sixteen, and started to college in the fall as a pre med major. Hated it. I wanted to act,  I wanted to write, but my father wanted me to be a doctor and those were the days when father knew best. The first time someone handed me a frog to chop  there was  mayhem in the class.

But I did love Math, so I took a Freshman class in accelerated Math, four years of High School Math rolled up in one. Don’t think I missed a problem all year and was Dr. Llewellyn’s pet.  I could do no wrong, I was the littlest, the youngest, the only girl, all the rest of the class were young men returning to school on the GI.
Whenever one of those guys would go to the board to solve a problem and couldn't, Dr. Llewellyn would say, “Well let’s see if little Bettejo can solve it,” and ‘little Bettejo’ would. By the end of the year all those darling young guys hated me. So, in my sophomore year I said, “This is stupid, ” and changed my major. Drinkin’, smokin’ and boys became the order of the day.

At the same time I took Psych 101. Dr. Pencharz. She had the most terrible voice, wore a red wig and  didn't like me any better than I liked her. The kids in this class were serious students. Big guys, girls and boys, and for some reason or other Pencharz decided to make me the goat. The class, at her direction, would play tricks on me. The entire class would agree on something obviously stupid, and noisily, jointly, nastily attempt  to prove me wrong in my correct observation. I never caved. I stood my ground and faced that bunch.

I did not get good grades in this class – I’d almost always been an A student- so at the end of the year when Pencharz assigned  a term paper that would be valued at a third of our grade average, I reveled.  Pencharz knew herself well enough to know that if she didn't like you she couldn't grade you fairly so we numbered, instead of signed, our papers.

When the papers were returned, mine didn't. I went to the desk and said, “Dr. Pencharz, I didn't get my paper back.” “Did you do one?” she croaked.  I nodded.  ”What was your number?” I told her.
With that she reached into a lower drawer and pulled from a crisp manila folder what was probably the only A+ paper she’d ever given anyone in her entire life. “Who did it for you?” She said and snatched the paper from the folder and handed me a crumpled mess.Do you think this might explain my actions on-line?

All Americans, not just women, are facing a force they had better learn is real and fierce and dedicated. Powerful and rich. They’ll stop at nothing. They’ll stoop lower than a sunken hulk in the deepest sea; but, trust me, we’ll defeat them. The truth will out, it always does.

Encore blog, (Hana Hou) Blu Dux, "Kalaheo Shuffle..."  

I had the pleasure this past Memorial day to meet Bettejo's daughter Blu. Enclosed is her award winning song on YouTube; "Kalaheo Shuffle." Please take a minute relax and listen, it's a great song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT0YuQLhBVo


Bettejo has a blog of her own you can check out at ; http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com  


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.


http://www.bettejodux.com/



"Chutzpah..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks good friend and regular contributor is back explaining one of my favorite words, "Chutzpah!"
Unc is a reitred cinematographer living his twilight years on the island of Oahu. Chester served in the Korean war and enjoys the naturist lifestyle. He also wishes everyone a Happy Memorial day!

"Chutzpah" is a Yiddish word meaning gall, brazen nerve,  effrontery, sheer guts plus arrogance; it's Yiddish and , as Leo Rosten writes, "no other word, and no other language," can do it justice.

 

A little old lady sold pretzels on a street corner for 25 cents each.. Every day a young man would leave his office building at lunch time, and as he passed the pretzel stand, he would leave her a quarter, but never take a pretzel.

This went on for more than 3 years. The two of them never spoke. One day, as the young man passed the old lady's stand and left his quarter as usual, the pretzel lady spoke to him.  Without blinking an eye she said;

 

"They're 35 cents now."

Encore (Hana Hou) For a different perspective on what Memorial day means read today's, "Got Windmills blog by Andy Parx
"WHERE HAVE ALL THE COLLIE FLOWERS GONE..."
http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2012/05/where-have-all-collie-flowers-gone.html


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Another flying adventure..."'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." She talks about her recent flying adventure, all we can say is have a safe flight home... Enjoy...


Flying on a plane can be an eventful or uneventful experience. These days most airlines pack a plane with passengers so it is unlikely that you will have an empty seat between you and the other person. Recently flying from Buffalo to L.A. we chose to fly Southwest for their economical flight.

My husband and I always pick an Aisle seat across from each other for easy access and more room; our flight left Buffalo at 7am; grabbing a breakfast sandwich on the way to the airport, we were ready to fly the no frills airline. As soon as we took off, the stewardess offered us peanuts, pretzels and drinks. I knew I would be in trouble as soon as the guy next to me ordered two bloody marries and no food to start out with. Keep in mind, its 7:30 am and we have started the drinking already. Turns out his wife was sitting in front of him since they boarded late and had to take the empty seat available. She started drinking her breakfast as well. After a few hours, he began to get squirmy and edgy and ordered a couple more beers this time around, Still no food, just booze.

We had to change planes in Las Vegas and once again my husband and I sat across from each other. Again the plane was packed and a nice young woman took the window seat across from me, leaving the middle open between us. We hoped for it to be empty but no luck again. This time a middle aged Casanova decided to plunk himself down next to her; it didn't take long for him to get the skinny on her and try and be impressive at the same time. Although he was told she had children and a fiancé, it discouraged him little. At first it was comical and then it turned to be obnoxious; could this young woman not see through his array of attempts to impress her. The worst part was he began to cough and sneeze a lot and without covering his face. I had to make a 90 degree turn, put my feet in the isle so as not to face forward and try not to catch what he was sharing. I could not wait for that plane to land and jump out of my seat.

To add to the enjoyment, I think the pilot was training his co pilot to land the plane because on a beautiful sunny day this plane took forever to make its landing, weaving and dipping all the way to the ground…I had my little white paper bag ready just in case. Needless to say, we landed safely and I am now enjoying the warm sunny weather in L.A.

Another flying adventure to check off; hope the flight home is totally uneventful and peaceful but I have a feeling it won’t be.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher

Homosexuality, the choice is yours or is it...? ' Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog who possesses the same views as her Master and best friend James"Kimo" Rosen  and believes the gay lifestyle is a choice  most times... What's your view?

The question remains is homosexuality something you are born with or something you chose?

Homosexuals are now called, "Gay," a much kinder word. Gay to me is still someone light hearted and  brightly coloured.

 People say it's not a choice? I believe the majority of times it  is choice, sure some are born homosexual ,but not  all?  I know middle aged woman who were once married with children in a traditional  marriage and just gave up on guys.  I know guys who have had families then opted for a change in their mid life crisis stating, "they got bored and variety is the spice of life."
 Many men in prison change sides because there are no females present, which is a choice. The brain can be taught and programmed for many things...

 The choice is yours, or is it?

"Keep your brain working..." Sue Siegel (Source)

"Exercise your brain and try figuring this one out!  Enjoy..!"

Keep that brain working; try to figure this one out.... See if you can figure out what these seven words all have in common?
1. Banana
2. Dresser
3. Grammar
4. Potato
5. Revive
6. Uneven
7. Assess

Give it another try.... Look at each word carefully. You'll kick yourself when
you discover the answer. This is so cool.....
 No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.... Answer is below! 



Answer:

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word. Did you figure it out? .

"Taking Things for Granted..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about  how to cook da bacon...Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

ALOHA FRIDAY

May 25, 2012



　
It's Aloha Friday.

Taking Things for Granted
Aloha folks,

You never miss something until it's gone. I lost a dear companion today. A companion that had been with me for fourteen years. Fourteen years of service. Fourteen years of always being there for me. When I was hungry. When I was thirsty. When I was in a hurry.

Yes, my microwave died yesterday. My wife and I bought it when we moved into our current abode. And in checking it yesterday, when it suddenly refused to cook bacon, I found it was manufactured, created, one month before we moved in.
I was shocked, bereft, confused . . . but mostly in denial. I tried over and over to get it to cook the bacon. Nothing happened. Oh, the light turned on, and the turntable turned, but the bacon remained uncooked.

Suddenly I was faced with a problem that seemed almost insurmountable. How do I cook this bacon? And, more importantly, how do I reheat my coffee. For during my efforts to force one last cook session out of my microwave, my coffee had gone cold.
This may seem like a small matter, and it is. But it does serve as a reminder to us all. If we take things for granted, then someday we may have a nasty surprise. That which we have counted on, may no longer be there for us. Yep, this is an allegory.

In the meantime, I have an exorcist coming on Monday. An appliance service technician who will try to bring my old microwave back to life. Because I'm comfortable with this old microwave; even if I may have taken it for granted one time too many.

Okay folks, see you next week.

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

 

"Loyalty..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"The Beauty of Hawai'i is it's people..!"

The thing I admire most about Hawai'i is the loyalty and unconditional friendship between the Hawai'ian people.
On the contrary my race of  'Cauc-asians' (sic) have no such loyalty.My race of people are basically one man bands, no loyalties to anybody besides themselves. With that said, I find it ironic that people associate all Caucasians  of the same blood. It's not like we all went to 'Haole school' , in fact there are so many   different off shoots of Caucasian people, from Russian,German, Italian,Polish, French, English, Irish,Swedish, etc. The list is endless...


The  Loyalty of the Kanaka Maoli  to one another is something we can all learn from, after-all loyalty is everything! Loyalty is Royalty!


 Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Don't get fat..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesdays)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today she guest blogs about  listening to your body's needs and staying trim.  Enjoy... She also  publishes her own blog column.

You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

DON’T GET FAT

Fat’s s all over the news. It’s all over the place. Even Michelle speaks about it. Walk through any American city, any town, any street, and you’ll see them, the grotesques. Waddlers. Not just adults. Kids. This is not normal body fat, this is outrageous, disgusting, sick American fat and I think one can assume they all have heads to match.
On our discussion site on Kauai we have one very cranky gentleman who is overweight and suffers from hypoglycemia. Why is that?  Is it a disease? We know  his grumpy attitude is a  dysfunction. What is he doing wrong? What does his doctor say?
I have a theory . Many, if not most, of these poor people are starving to death. What? Starving? Look how fat they are. Starving people are skin and bones, we've seen them in third world countries; and  that’s a bit like saying, “What global warming? Look how cold it is. See the snow.”
The kind of fat/starvation I’m talking about is often caused by a lack of money, just as in third world countries, but here, with some paper in their pockets, people buy cheap, fast foods. Fill the belly. Stuff the junk in the  mouth. Chew. Swallow. Go to McWhoever’s and buy a cheap hamburger-with a bite of lettuce-for a couple of those long green paper things. Bread and beef fills their belly's- that’s for sure, look at them- and they’re starving. Their bodies are screaming for food. More food. Feed me. Buy a Twinkie. Grab a soft drink. Ease the pain of starvation.
Every body has nutritional needs. Not just a need to fill the belly, and, if these nutritional needs are not met, the body screams for it. But it doesn't say to the poor suffering victim of fat/starvation, “I need some B vitamins. I need some A. I need some C.” Well it does, actually, but the poor starving fellow doesn't get it. Doesn't hear it. He just stuffs some more stuff in his mouth, chews and swallows, and goes back for more.
How many of you eat microwave dinners?  Some quite delicious. Some quite expensive. Some even organic, so the label says. The label on the box lists all the vitamins, all the good stuff, but did you ever stop to read the fat content? Some of those ‘healthy choice’ boxes of stuff contain 30% saturated fat! Saturated fat! About the unhealthiest stuff you can stuff in your mouth, chew, stuff in your belly and-boy oh boy-watch that part of your anatomy bulge up a storm of sickness.
The answer? Find out what your body needs. In Adelle’s book, LET’S GET WELL,  in many books about nutrition, in the index you will find many obvious physical and emotional symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. Your body’s telling you something. Listen. Learn.  Don’t fall for fads. Or pills. If you fill your nutritional needs you won’t feel hunger. You can eat less. Be well fed and grow thin. Honest.

Bettejo has a blog of her own you can check out at ; http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com  


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.


http://www.bettejodux.com/



"The Night Nurse..." 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

Marvin Gross a financial planner and consultant  from Western N.Y. is back guest-blogging with another hilarious joke about the night nurse, enjoy!

A very tired nurse walks into a bank, totally exhausted after an 18-hour shift. Preparing to write a check, she pulls a rectal thermometer out of her purse and tries to write with it. When she realizes her mistake, she looks at the flabbergasted teller, and without missing a beat, she says:  

    'Well, that's great....that's just great..........some assholes got my pen!'

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

"I need vacation time..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." She talks today about the need to escape... Enjoy...



 "I NEED VACATION TIME TO PREPARE FOR MY VACATION..."

          I am about to go on  a vacation across the country for a few weeks; the anticipation is mounting day by day for I haven't had any time off for a year and desperately need some. 

My work days are full of responsibilities both personal and professional and I start the day at 5AM.  I have been spending the last few days making lists of what needs to be taken care of while I'm gone.  What I realized is that it takes a "village" to cover my duties while I am away...everything from taking care of my elderly parent to plant care, mail duty, clothing inventory for travel, medication stock up, travel arrangements, car / hotel rental and arrangements etc. 

My vacation will start from the moment I step foot on that plane for I will probably fall asleep as soon as the plane takes off, as it is a 7am flight...

I have found that vacations  are not restful when visiting family and friends.  Some day I hope to take some time and go to a quiet Island where I know no one and just chill-ax.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher

"Phone books ain't what they used to be..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Spend more time outdoors in da garden than playing around with electronic devices... Aloha check out my opinion article in the  (12-02-12) edition of the  Kauai garden Island news, "Phone Books are a thing of the past..." same article as this blog!

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-dec/article_604f3396-3c61-11e2-bb57-0019bb2963f4.html

Once upon a time the phonebook was the who's  who's of everyone in any given town anywhere. Fast forward to the 21st century with the advent of cellular phones, ipods, computers,magic-jack and Skype.

Phonebooks only list people with landlines,however cellphones, skype, magic jack and computer listings are not in the phonebook. Most listings posted in phonebooks are  either senior citizens like myself or commercial business's.

Phonebook listings are shrinking just as many parts of my anatomy. Many   whom still posses landlines are requesting non listed numbers.

I remember when I got my first phone and my name was in the phone-book, it was the unwritten coming of age.  Phonebooks were also used for short people making speeches and for the short boy  being photographed with a tall girlfriend, by  standing  on a phonebook  it gave the feeling of security, now phonebooks are like the dinosaurs of the past. 

 Social networking, cell phones,  texting and emails  have taken the place of landlines as phonebooks  graciously  and slowly phase themselves out of existence. All I can say is, "what's a short boy to do?"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-dec/article_604f3396-3c61-11e2-bb57-0019bb2963f4.html


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"The Fence..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Chester "Unc" Lau a frequent contributor to dakinetalk is the source of this tearjerker story. Unc is a  retired cinematographer  living his golden years on  the island of Oahu. "Unc served in the Korean war and is an advocate for the naturist lifestyle.

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously.

All the men, women and children of Piotrkow's Jewish ghetto

had been herded into a square.

Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father

had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant

through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our

family would be separated.

'Whatever you do,' Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me,

'don't tell them your age. Say you're sixteen.

'I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might

be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones.

He looked me up and down, and then asked my age.

'Sixteen,' I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers

and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children,

sick and elderly people.

I whispered to Isidore, 'Why?'

He didn't answer.

I ran to Mama's side and said I wanted to stay with her.

'No, 'she said sternly.

'Get away. Don't be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.'

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood:

She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once,

she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany .

We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night later

and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued

uniforms and identification numbers.

'Don't call me Herman anymore.' I said to my brothers. 'Call me

94983.'

I was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead

into a hand-cranked elevator.

I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number.

Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald 's

sub-camps near Berlin ..

One morning I thought I heard my mother's voice.

'Son,' she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel.'

Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream.

But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work.

And hunger. And fear.

A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the

barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not

easily see. I was alone.

On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with

light,almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree.

I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in

German. 'Do you have something to eat?'

She didn't understand.

I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish.

She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around

my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life.

She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the

fence.

I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say

faintly,

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day.

She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread

or,

better yet, an apple.

We didn't dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death

for us both.

I didn't know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that

she understood Polish. What was her name?

Why was she risking her life for me?

Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the

fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a

coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia ..

'Don't return,' I told the girl that day. 'We're leaving.'

I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say

good-bye to the little girl whose name I'd never learned,

the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down

and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed.

On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00

AM.

In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death

seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over.

I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A .M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people

running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers.

Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open.

Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers

had survived;

I'm not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been

the key to my survival.

In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had

saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none.

My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a

Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived

the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America ,

where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army

during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years.

By August 1957 I'd opened my own electronics repair shop.

I was starting to settle in.

One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me.

'I've got a date. She's got a Polish friend. Let's double date.'

A blind date? Nah, that wasn't for me.

But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the

Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma.

I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn't so bad. Roma was a nurse

at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too,

with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that

sparkled with life.

The four of us drove out to Coney Island . Roma was easy to talk to,

easy to be with.

Turned out she was wary of blind dates too!

We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the

boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by

the shore. I couldn't remember having a better time.

We piled back into Sid's car, Roma and I sharing the backseat.

As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much

had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject,

'Where were you,' she asked softly, 'during the war?'

'The camps,' I said. The terrible memories still vivid, the

irreparable loss..I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded. 'My family was hiding on a farm in Germany ,

not far from Berlin ,' she told me. 'My father knew a priest,

and he got us Aryan papers.'

I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion.

And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world.

'There was a camp next to the farm.' Roma continued. 'I saw a boy

there and I would throw him apples every day.'

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy.

'What did he look like? I asked.

'He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day

for six months.'

My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it.

This couldn't be.

'Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving

Schlieben?'

Roma looked at me in amazement. 'Yes!'

'That was me!'

I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions.

I couldn't believe it! My angel.

'I'm not letting you go.' I said to Roma. And in the back of the car

on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn't want to wait.

'You're crazy!' she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for

Shabbat dinner the following week.

There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma,

but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness,

her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances,

she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found

her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years

of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let

her go. (story by Herman Rosenblat)

Epilogue, by James "Kimo" Rosen

"I have seen this email circulating for many years, and it has always brought tears to my eyes as one of the coolest love stories in history. Even better than Romeo and Juliet. This story was promoted as a true story, in fact Oprah Winfrey was going to produce a movie etc, then the author admits it was fabricated, none the less, still a beautiful story...  here's the proof it was fabricated. You can find further information about this story by Googling Herman Rosenblat." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/books/29hoax.html?pagewanted=all

Please read the follow up story in the New York Times!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/books/29hoax.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all  

Herman Rosenblat. (He was Bar Mitzvahed at age 75)

August 1942. Piotrkow , Poland...

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

"Living Within Our Means..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about  the reality of politics... Enjoy!  Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/
　

ALOHA FRIDAY

May 18, 2012



　
It's Aloha Friday...

Living Within Our Means
Aloha folks.

Do you live on a budget? Most of us do. Whether it's a tiny, tight budget — like a college student living on Ramen every night, or a young married couple making four pounds of hamburger and a chicken last a week — or a larger more open budget — like Donald Trump limiting himself to one hundred million a month in expenses. We learn to live within our budgets. And if we, for some reason, exceed our budget one month? What do we do? Why of course, we cut back on our spending the next month. Or maybe we dip into our savings a little.

Yes, everyone lives on a budget. Except for politicians. I'm sure you've noticed, politicians never cut back when they go over budget. Instead they look for new sources of revenue, which usually means new taxes.

This morning I saw an article about a city near me where the local politicos are planning on instituting a tax on sugary drinks (what are those exactly?). They plan on taxing these drinks (mostly sodas) at the rate of one cent per ounce. Small Coke, such as I drink one per day, twelve ounces — twelve cents. Multiply that by the number of sodas consumed in a city every day. Multiply that by 365 days in a year. You're talking some real money. Oh, these politicos say they'll also vote (they get to vote on this, not you) about earmarking this money for sports activities and nutrition education. And a while after this new tax goes into effect, they most likely will decide to re-direct the money to other pet projects.

Politicians never, ever, cut back on their spending — unless it's something that they don't really care about, such as schools or the elderly. They keep their own salaries high. They keep their perks (health benefits, cars, meals, hotels, 'fact-finding trips'), at least until some watchdog group finds out about their abuse of these perks.

Do I have a solution? Sorry, no. This is a mindset of almost all who are in politics. Spend, spend and spend some more. And that 'some more', well when we need even more 'some more' then we just add another tax.

By the way, do you know the definition of Politics? It comes from two words. Poly, which means many. And Tics, which are bloodsuckers. You put it together.
Okay folks, see you next week.
　
　

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

"Special report on Gay Marriage..." 'Obama Da Dog'

'Obama Da Dog' articulates feelings about "Gay Marriage.!" However Obama is adamant and draws the line on cats and dogs living together...Ironically this is blog #666  such an appropriate title for such a number!

Special report!

Although Gay marriage has received a huge "YES," Kaua'i has become the island of "NO!"   No to Plastic-bags, no to Super-ferry, no to rice-cookers, no to to more roads,  no to GMOs, no to most new business and no to smart meters.

 
Marriage as defined in my Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus is;" The legal union of a man and women."

 I definitely know there is no such thing as "Gay marriage." Gay as described in the dictionary means lighthearted or brightly coloured... as in Fred Flintstone "we'll have a gay old time". Believe me, marriage is no Gay old time.

As for two people wanting to make each other miserable, I say fine with that.

I do draw the line at cats and dogs living together.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

"Beauty and the Beast..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today she guest blogs about  " what really is progress with a Bettejo flare..." Enjoy... She also  publishes her own blog column.

You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

THE BETTEJO PAGE

The date?  April 16, 1969. The place? The Honolulu Advertiser Letters to the Editor page and  the Dissent column.  The head ? Where to Go When All’s Gone written by Mrs. William Dux. That’s me. A cartoon of a woman holding back a long line of automobiles and captioned Beauty and the Beast and a very large picture of-guess who?- noting that Bettejo is the Who Has It Editor for the Aloha Magazine. Copied word for word…
We are lucky we live in Hawaii. We live in beauty. And it may not be too late to preserve it. It’s too late to do anything with Waikiki, but everyone-except the poor tourist who pays good money to visit a concrete madhouse-knows this already.

The problem with the tourist, particularly the ‘package’ tourist, is that, while you might lose one-disgusted-with the wretchedness that is that area-for every one you lose, at least three more pop up behind him.
The only people benefiting from this sort of mass movement are the airlines and the hotels, and I see no reason why the residents of Hawaii, the taxpayer, mus sit back and watch his beautiful world destroyed in order to fill the pockets of a very few alienated industries.

And don’t tell me those ‘package’ tourists spend money. they don’t Ask any merchant in the Waikiki area.
But it isn't a question of money. neither money spend nor money earned. Money is not the problem. the problem is the total destruction of an environment. We must plow up more trees, more land, more beaches, to house the hordes of people who visit us each year. We must cement more highways to transport them back and forth. We must build bigger airports to accommodate them.

Far-thinking men tell us we even need more cheap housing to house the multitudes of people we must import to serve the visitor every year. and where will it end?

Will it end when Oahu is one great airport, hotel. highway, ticky-tacky tourist complex?
It could end there. It could end there because there will always be those greedy enough to use the poor visitor-no matter how badly-to coax him to our cemented shores, bringing money, hopefully.
But what of us who live here? Who love the Islands? who wonder at the palms and the Pali, the monkey-pod and the shower trees? who love the sand the surf and the soft sea breeze? Will we sit back dumbly and watch the destruction as it takes place? will we climb quickly aboard the bandwagon-in the name of holy progress-and accept the fast buck offered which will wall-t-wall cement our own loveliness? and if ‘we’ don’t, will our neighbor? In the name of progress?

This is not progress. It’s regression of the most insidious sort.
LET ME ASK THIS: What is wanted? Money? If our environment is destroyed all the money in the world won’t buy it back. Not in our lifetime, anyway. Ever heard of a place called Lake Erie? Ever seen a picture of that man-made mess? It will take conservatively, a hundred years to return that stinking sink-hole to its former beauty.
Is that the fate to be bestowed upon this state? Willed to our children? If it is OI imagine some plan on making enough money to live elsewhere. You can be certain the airlines and the hotels will be going elsewhere. but where elsewhere?
Unless thinking people star moving, and start moving fast, there will be no elsewhere to move to.
What this city needs is a good, non-corruptible, imaginative, far-thinking brave (!), environmental engineer.
Up until just very recently, it was only the Great Ape who fouled his own bed.

Encore,(Hana Hou) Bettejo had an opinion article in today's (05-16-12) Kaua'i Garden Island news; "Mahalo to contributors..." Check it out!
 http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-may/article_74372cee-9f34-11e1-8557-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story

Bettejo has a blog of her own you can check out at ; http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com  


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.


http://www.bettejodux.com/



"How Lucky am I?" 'Shirili Green' (From her blog the Joy of Cancer)

Shrili Green lives in Anchorage Alaska and publishes a blog titled, "The Joy of cancer."Shirili is back guest-blogging, she guest blogged back in November and we are honored to have her back!
Photo above of Shirili and Mia, courtesy of Shirili Green
.
In 2007, Shirili Green was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was just 33 years old. After years of treatment, including a double mastectomy, she discovered the cancer had returned in 2011. It  spread to her liver and bones. The cancer, stage IV, is terminal. Shiri writes about the experience of living with the knowledge that she's dying...  May G-d Bless Shrili and her family... Shiri also narrates the enclosed video documentary of her situation; http://community.adn.com/node/158745

How lucky am I?!!

I got to spend the weekend with my darling Mia and her girl scouts troop- troop 350. We packed our sleeping bags, toiletries, some changing clothes and some cheese cakes that Derrick made, and we headed to Girdwood Alaska for the weekend. Together with 9 members of troop 350 and its two counselors, we spent the weekend in the Ashlock cabin. The ride was cheerful as the chorus of girls chatted and sang. The weather was miserable, unlike the atmosphere in Liz's suburban, but the gray clouds did not reflect our moods, and the showers did not wipe our smiles. As we were driving, I was reflecting on how very fortunate I've been to have this opportunity to spend this time with my child. The idea of spending the weekend with a happy bunch of 8 year olds did not immediately appeal to me, but when I stopped to think about it, I reminded myself that soon, I may not be able to spend such time with my child.

I had to remind myself of the joys of experiencing different things with Mia. I decided to ask Mia if she'd like me to join (I didn't want to assume that she wants her mother around all the time). To my great relief and joy, my darling child stated enthusiastically that she wants "mommy to come," and so I decided to go. I am so very fortunate to have gone. I'm honored to have been welcomed.

I had a delighting time observing the girls having fun. I feel blessed to have been there in the middle of the night when Mia got scared, and though I would prefer it if she felt more comfortable, I'm honored to have been there to comfort her little heart. I'm flattered that my growing child still wants my company, and that my soft caresses on her back still calm her down at night. I'm glad that she feels I'm her shelter, and I pray she'll continue to feel like this after I pass.

I pray that our time together and our experiences will help her cope when I'm physically gone and that she will be able to feel my infinite spiritual presence in her heart...

Check out Shirili's guest-blog of November 23, 2011, "What I Have."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-i-have-shirili-green.html

http://thejoysofcancer.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-lucky-am-i-i-got-to-spend-weekend.html#comment-form

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.