Friday, November 7, 2008

The road goes ever on and on...

I recently came across this passage from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King:

"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."


Tolkien's success as a writer, I believe, lies in the fact that he combines intricate and compelling characters and story lines with elements of human nature that everyone can relate to.

True, none of us have ever been or will ever go to Middle Earth. True, we will never encounter a fight such as the one these characters encountered (thank God). But regardless of those facts, Tolkien wrote about human nature, and human nature hasn't changed much in the last several thousand years.

We all want to live in a society that is good, rather than one which is evil - regardless of your political stance. I'm sure that there are many Republicans out there who are leery of the coming change in Political administrations. I'm sure that even those who are dissatisfied with October's election results agree that there need to be some big changes in our government.

Regardless of what you believe and who you support, the Founding Fathers designed a government which relies on the people in order to work. In other words, it is our responsibility to each other to help keep the government in check. It is our responsibility to the government to make sure that the elected officials are working toward an end result we can support and believe in.

I relate to Samwise Gamgee. I will never be the "hero" of any tale. I certainly have no intention of running for office; however, I will always be in the background, supporting those who are fighting for what is good and right. I will always be looking for that "white star of hope, twinkling" even if it only twinkles intermittently.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Obama comes to LaCrosse

Up until this point, I have been extremely silent about politics on this blog. I should remark that it has been both deliberate and difficult. As an instructor, I feel it is my job to teach you how to think, not what to think.

I must, however, break from "policy" for this post. On Wednesday, October the 1st, Senator Obama came to speak in LaCrosse, just 5 blocks from campus, and I walked to the rally with several of my co-workers. I've been reflecting on the experience ever since.


I had the good fortune of being raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. With New Hampshire's "First in the Nation" status, I have had the opportunity to listen to, and often shake hands with most candidates for the highest office in the land. My mom and dad loved to attend the rallys, and I often went with them. I remember discussions around the dinner table where we would all reflect upon our thoughts about various candidates. I grew up in a house where canvassing neighborhoods with pamphlets and calling voters before the election was a perfectly exceptable way to spend an autumn evening or a Saturday. I often wonder what my dad would make of this election.
As a writing and speech instructor, I certainly was moved by Senator Obama's speech. He not only knows how to construct a powerful speech (and he does write them himself) but he also knows how to deliver a speech. I must say that I find the prospect of having a president whose speeches I can hold up as examples to my students extremely appealing.
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It was more than that though. Yes, I was caught up in the charisma and enthusiasm of the moment. Yes, I left the rally feeling full of hope and enthusiasm for America, but it was more than that.
After reflecting for a few days, I realized that I still felt excited. It is an excitement that is greater than what one feels as one is caught up in the fervor of a speech. I'm excited for America. I really believe that we are at a turning point in our nation. In the past eight years we have gone from a national surplus to a tremendous deficit, we are trapped in a seemingly endless and costly war (costly both in economics and in human lives), we have lost the respect of most all of our allies, and we are on the verge of an economic collapse, similar to the economic collapse this country experienced in 1929.
I believe that we need a change, and I believe that Senator Obama can deliver that change. I believe that Senator Obama has a vision that will lift this nation out of our current decline, a vision that will allow the middle and lower class to live better and more productive lives. I believe that Senator Obama intends to try to fulfill his campaign promises. In the words of my husband: "I think this guy is the real deal".

I remember my father talking about the hope and enthusiasm he felt as John F. Kennedy ran for and won the presidency. I can’t help but think about some of the similarities between these two men. I wonder what my dad would make of Senator Obama. I'd like to think he would feel the same hope I feel.
I would never be so bold as to tell you who to vote for. That should be your decision alone. I will, however, encourage you to make sure that you do vote. Please make sure that you are registered to vote and that you visit your polling place on November 4th.
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*Thanks to Brenda and Dan Rooney for the fantastic photos!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Mighty Mississippi


I begin and end each work day with a 35 minute drive long the Mississippi River. Often, it is the best part of my day, I have the rare occasion to gear up for my day or to wind down at its end. The scenery on the drive is stunning, regardless of the season. It is quite easy to see how the "Big Muddy" has become the stuff of legend and lore.

In some places the river seems like a simple channel of water, then I will become surprised when I drive a stretch of the road that is elevated and I can see just how vast the river is. Those channels only appear small due to the number of islands and sandbars on the river. I can understand why Mark Twain put 'Ol Jim and Huck out on the river. Even though they didn't "travel" on this section of the Mississippi, I can picture them setting up camp on any number of these sandbars. Heck, many people still do.
I am often amazed by serenity of the river; my favorite time is when the temperature of the air drops below that of the water, and the river gets a misty fog on the surface. There is something so mysterious and peaceful about the look of it. I love seeing the mist rise from the water like opaque ghosts dancing above the water. In all my years of living on the ocean, I never saw anything like it.
I love the fact that if I should desire to, I can hop on a steam-driven paddlewheel boat and cruise up and down the river; if I want something more peaceful, I can hop in the kayak and paddle off on my own. I tend to enjoy a slow boatride - I'm not one of those who prefer power boats or jet skis. I'd rather take in the surrounding landscape, sight a heron or bald eagle, or simply slow down and breathe.

If you get a chance today, go down to the river and enjoy!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Summer's End

Wednesday, August 27th, marks the first day of the fall semester. While it is hard to think about packing up the boating and swimming gear, putting away the golf clubs and gardening gloves, it marks the start of another exciting journey. You may be anxious about starting the semester. Many of you may be nervous about taking a college level composition course. Know that you are probably not alone. My guess is that many of your classmates feel the same nervousness and anxiety.

I'd like you to think about the following passage. It is often misattributed to Nelson Mandela, but it was actually written by the motivational writer and speaker Marianne Williamson, and appears in her book A Return to Love. Regardless of the source, the message is very powerful:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

The message here is clear. Each of us possesses the strength, the intellect, the power to offer the world amazing things. It is our responsibility to work to our full capacity and to achieve all that we are able; when we do, others work to their top capability as well.

Together we will figure out how to become liberated from our fear. I am excited to work with each of you this semester.