Friday, February 22, 2008

Word Power

Senators Clinton and Obama are having a little difference on the power of words. The conventional wisdom is that Obama is a master of words and Clinton claims words are not enough. They are both right, I think. Words can inspire but they usually need to be backed up by action.

This morning in the student union Emily, me, and another member of the writing class were discussing politics. But we soon got off on words. The other guy, a senior from New York City, is taking a class on the History of the English Language. He said that most of the words we consider "dirty" today have a long history in English going back to Angle-Saxon times. I did not know that. Having been in only 4 states, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, I thought all "dirty" words came from toughs in New York, or someplace back East. Of course, I didn't say that out loud because I think the other guy likes Emily, like I do. So I hope she prefers the well built guy from the tiny town over the smooth, smart, sleek guy from New York. Incidentally some people from my tiny town called catholics "fish eaters." When I go back to my little town I had better be prepared.

But back to words. In addition to the "dirty" words there are words that are used in different ways. I think some words are illegal to use against other people like the N word. I'm not sure it should be a crime but it should not be used. Other words called ex.....(I don't know the exact definition) are used when you make a mistake and hit your hand hard with a hammer. You don't say "Aw,shucks". Other words are becomming unacceptable. Meg, Jack and Alice's daughter, does not like her kids to say a person is "fat." That is in bad taste, Meg believes. (Don't tell her, but they still use that word).

Sometimes we use words when we know they are not the right words. For example, when you look at a picture of a friend's kids you always say "how cute" even though they may look like another species. When Jack, Meg's son, makes a really bad play in baseball the parents yell "good try" when if he had really had his head in the game the other team would not have scored 3 runs. Or when little Jack hits a wrong note on the piano, big Jack says "good, but you missed a note or two." And I hope the very smart kids in my highschool who called me a "dumb jock" were just using words in a different way.

So, I agree with Obama at least on this point. Words are very important because they point something out but also tell what the speaker may be thinking. Now I don't control the words that are used around the house where I live. But if I had the power I would like to misuse three words. I would like "dad" to mean Jack, "mom" to mean Alice, and I would very much like "son" to mean me. The words would not be correct, but maybe someday they will be used that way and it would mean a whole lot to me.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Anna. A Perfect Day.

As I state in my last essay I live with Jack and Alice and their kids and grandkids, although I am not related to them. They have provided me with a large bedroom and very large bath for no charge.

Now Jack is an excellent piano player. At 75 he may have slowed down a bit, but his piano playing is still great. He used to give programs around the city, but now concentrates on giving programs at retirement centers. He plays the classics, but also has a great love for "parlour" music. As he explaned to me "parlour" music was music played in gatherings at homes before the development of the radio and phonograph. Each of the guests in a home would perform on the piano or sing a familiar song for the others.

Today these songs are mostly forgotten, but when I hear Jack play them they are very pretty. When he does a program at a retirement home he devides the songs into different categories. Operetta, neapolitan, Irish, sentimental songs and hymns. He can play over 150 songs by ear )without printed music). Songs like "Because", "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," "Seranade" from The Student Prince, "Anazing Grace." "I'll Take you Home Again Kathleen" and many more. He always sens a list to the retirement home a week or so in advance so the residents can pick their favorites all of which he has arranged. He throws in a couple of Bach Inventions, what ever those are, which are very diffisult, to start with; he says in case their are a couple of Bach fans there. I think for a little show off. Well whose perfect.

I have gone to three of these programs, and notice one kind of strange thing. He always closes his program with a song called "A Perfect Day."

Jack is a light sleeper and with some recent health problems, sometimes wakes at night and plays the piano for an half hour or so. He is always careful when he does this to make sure the playing will not disturb Alice or me. 5 days ago I was in bed but not asleep when I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. The door openened slightly and I heard Jack whisper "Kid, are you asleep." He calls me either "kid" or "man". I was not asleep but said nothing. The door shut and I could hear Jack going down the stairs to his huge grand piano. It was a cloudless night and the moon would shine through the giant oak trees that surround our house. Very softly I heard Jack making some slight changes to the pieces he was playing. Then I recognized he was playing "A Perfect Day". I laid in my bed feeling secure and cared for (I should say loved, but I am still immature enough to let that word not come easily.)

On the table next to my bed was one of his programs sheets that had the words of several songs including "A Perfect Day."

Well, this is the end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a journey, too;
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong,
With a wish that is kind and true.
For mem'ry has painted this perfect day
With colors that never fade,
And we find at the end of a perfect day
The soul of a friend we've made.

Yes, I know this is corny (or I have enough sense to say corny since this will be read by college professors).

I have looked at these words several times since that perfect day for me. And I wonder if the writer of the song and Jack might have a different meaning for "day" than I or young people have?

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Anna. See comment

Anna see my last comment. Frank

Monday, February 11, 2008

Helping the least of them.

Anna We got our last set of papers today. Last time there were 2 A's(sp). This time there were 3. Emily did not get an A this time. Dr. Ellison said she might be spending too much time on romance. Emily blushed, but when Dr. Ellison said Frank is still our poet laureit, whatever that is, she gave me a kiss on the forehead right in class. My face must have been red as a beet. He especially liked Master of my Fate and Jack but he said all of them vere excellent. Dr. Ellison said he was going to have to seperate Emily and Me because unitarians and catholics don't make good matches. Again thanks a million. Your grammar tips are great but your encouragemeant means so much. I hope your friends and church members know what you have done for me. You deserve praise more than I can say. I almost called your Archbishop to tell him about you but then thought he might think I might be crazy. Jack suggested the title of this blog to show how far I had come with your help. Frank

Friday, February 8, 2008

An Example

I saw on television the other day, and I've heard Jack and Alice, the people I live with, say that more and more children are living with their parents, even after college. And, of course, much older people often live with their children. I think the term that is used for a situation like this is extended families.

Well I'm kind of in an extended-extended family. Jack and Alice are not my biological parents, nor have they adopted me. When you are 23 you don't get adopted. But it is fun to live with older people, Jack,75, Alice,65, although she looks 40, their daughter, Meg, and her husband, Jim, in their mid 30's, and their two kids, Jack and Joe, because we really are one family.

Jack and Joe, the grandkids, are 10 and 4 years old. But they are not pests as kids this age can be. Well one qualifier. I've (sp) seen so many episodes of Star Wars, sometimes I feel like I am losing it. But I really enjoy my time with Jack and Joe. I get to be Jack's mentor(sp) in football, basketball, and baseball and ocassionally help Jack with his homework. Joe counts on me to help build his play castles, and he gets to explain to me 'spongebob squarepants'.

Both boys go to a catholic school because Alice and Jack want them to see something, as Jack puts it, bigger than just themselves. But I'm no philosopher, so I won't go further on this.

But this week a couple of things happened that kind of made me laugh and think. It is Lent, and at Jack's school the kids in his religion class had a assignment. The first question was "What am I going to give up for lent." Well Jack's first answer was "I will give up having breakfast in bed" The teacher must have fainted. Well he doesn't have breakfast in bed but ocassionally his parents will let him take his cereal bowl into his bedroom if there is something he just HAS to see on TV. And when he does this he sits on the side of his bed. Okay, I guess that is breakfast in bed. The second thing he was going to give up was cussing. His mother,Meg, was surprised and said "Jack I did not know you cussed. Jack replied;" sometimes when I am playing football with my friends, and we miss the ball we say "crap". I have not told Meg, but he knows a couple of other "bad" words.

Then the work sheet said ".At lent we try to help others. What could you do to help someone else.?" Jack's answer was "Well I will try to be extra nice to those who had to give up some of their favorite things for Lent." I'm not sure of his logic here.

And then Joe. In my room at Jack and Alice's they have made sure it had an extra nice, large bathroom. I was taking a shower and did not lock the door to the bathroom. I just stepped out of the shower au natural(I'm not sure those are the right words, but I will act like I know). The door opens, and there stands 4 year old Joe. I scrambled for a towell, but before I could get one Joe said "Uncle Frank will you help me set up my castle?" I was embarassed. But Joe thought nothing about it. I wonder when they learn to be ashamed of their bodies or at least learn you don't go around Au natural, as I think smart people say.

So I have to say Jack needs a little work on being logical. But I hate to say Joe will have to lose his innocence. But there is a lot to learn right here at home with my extended-extended family. And, of course, the greatest of these is love.


Anna, do you think this is alright. Just an example. Frank

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

News and Question for Friend in Oregon

Anna I just turned in my papers and am hoping for the best. Let me give you a little news and ask your opinion on something. My parents are moving to Houston and they called Jack to see if I could stay with Jack and Alice to the end of the semester. Jack told them I could stay as long as I wanted. I love my parents, but I want to stay here. Is not there an old saying about dying and going to heaven? That's(sp) the way I feel about the last year or so. Emily and I are doing fine, a little closer but still safe. I have real friends now. Jack, Alice, the rest of their family and a great lady from Oregon. To have people really care for you, not just use you is a great thing.

My question is this. On Monday evening at college they have a writers group limited to 10 students and 2 professors. I was one of two sophmores picked. There are 4 juniors and 4 seniors. I am really honored but to be picked they had to read some of my writing. So now another teacher knows my past. I do not go to a school connected with a religion but am afraid the teachers might be turned off by me as bad news if they know my full story. The panel that picked me are not the teachers of the group. And maybe I am getting ahead of myself. Do you think I should accept or say something like I have to work on Monday night? I have gained so much confidence by people helping me I would not want to lose that. Could you give me your frank opinion. Dr. Ellison says you write short things like we do in his class but you can write on anything. I'm not sure what I could write on. If you have a minute give me your advice please.
Thank you. Frank