quilt auction

So the FFC Quakers are selling a Mennonite Quilt... you have a chance to bid on it!

http://www.freedomfriends.org/FF-Donations.htm

good Friends

Peggy & I had the good fortune to visit with 2 of our favorite people today. Izzy Covalt is in the center in red, and Vail is on the right. We had no big agenda for our visit other than to visit. It was a delightful visit, and I am looking forward to another. Izzy has a very powerful personal ministry among many people all over the country-- so does Vail. Vail is currently deep into research for a writing project that I expect will be a deeply satisfying and truthful examination of Friends (Quakers) and the Bible. I am looking forward to it!! In the meantime, Vail is soon off to a scrabble tournament. Good luck Vail!!

HR 767 Bull tookey

This bill passed today. What a WASTE of TAXPAYER MONEY!!! Without even going into the merits of the bill, or the demerits-- the thing (the bill) was incomplete, and what they were asking for is to pass this bill so they can take the next few months to rewrite it/ complete writing it?! They are putting a "hold" on online charter schools so they can get some clarity on how to govern them, to create transparency, and to control quality. I can tell you that if the schools weren't providing a valuable service -- and trying to provide quality education for lower cost (under $5,000 per student per year) than brick & mortar schools ($10,000 per student per year) to the people they are serving they would not survive! They would be out of business.

Anyway, I am not very knowledgeable about the bill, (obviously no one is!) especially because I haven't laid my hands on it. I will tell you though, that the mishandling of this bill, and the passage of it-- by one frickin vote... is enough to make me think republican. I am ashamed that our public servants wasted hours debating and then voted for this bill. I am going to be reading the voting records and attendance records. This is the last week of the session for our lawmakers, and they seriously wasted time on this bill.

This bill caps the enrollment in the online charter schools-- while they are in process with determination of governance, etc., The number of students that they had enrolled in May 2009 is the max they are allowed, (during this 2-year process) they found it necessary to do this and to create a review committee to work on the process of governance, standards, and transparency issues. So they created a governing body to do what the state school board is already supposed to be doing. And the 900 students on the waiting list are SOL.

It isn't necessary to cap enrollment to do the work that needs to be done. I feel disgusted with our system and with the people that abused it today. I am a teacher-- an out of work teacher, but a teacher never-the-less. I pay union dues. Currently the online charter schools do not have their faculty unionized. Is this the core issue of what is going on? It is possible. Regardless, I saw a whole lot of talking, a whole lot of inserting government into a situation that already has working systems in place, governance in place, and if the state school board needed help, I have nothing against them asking for and getting the help and support they need from our legislators. On this one, as far as I could understand the letters and documents that were read today-- no-one from the State School Board was asking for help, only time to let them do their jobs.

So, why has this bill come up at all? It is absolutely appalling that I spent hours today-- (during only one day of this Multiple -day/week/month process), watching people trying to insert governance where there already is governance and oversight set up. If there is need for someone else to do this besides the state school board, no one spoke coherently to the issue. And now they are putting a cap on enrollment while they figure this out. Why the cap on enrollment, the freeze, the suspended animation for students, families, teachers, and schools is so important to the figuring out of the issues that are mainly non-issues.

One of the representatives today said that she thinks this is a bill that is a solution looking for a problem. I couldn't agree more. I suspect it is also causing as many problems as it will solve. I am a taxpayer. I cannot tell you why the House was spending time on this bill at all. What I heard today was that they wanted to pass this bill which isn't in its final form, but they want to pass this much while they work on crafting the rest of the bill. That is frickin' ASS BACKWARDS and I am sick of the blatant misuse of the system. If the bill is so important, then it is important enough to spend/take the time to craft the real bill. I am really sick of politics in Salem. There is such a thing as right order. Passing an incomplete and immature bill is not right order.

Okay, I feel a little better.

Butte Creek Falls, Oregon

Pictures from my hike with Peggy and Marge are here. This is on facebook, so if you don't have an account I am not sure that you can access them. Maybe you can let me know after you try.

catch up never catches up...

I am trying to catch up on my blogging... This is Derek Lamson leaving from Salem, Oregon on his pilgrimage across the states. I miss him, and I know he is having a lovely adventure. He had his axe stolen (guitar) and his church family made sure he got a new tune bucket. May she bring him many new and wonderful songs, and share great adventures! Here is a youtube of Derek singing his Tom Fox song. Here is his blog. He is headed from Western U.S. toward the Eastern U.S. Let him know via his blog if you or your church would like a concert. He is raising funds for CPT (Christian Peacemaker Teams).

Spring Garden Pictures

Pacific Northwest Quaker Women's Theology Conference

PNW QWTC co-clerks Sarah Peterson and Ashley Wilcox (L-R)

This photo was taken on our front porch in Salem-- I didn't get Sarah's
best smile with eyes wide open, but I wanted to put the word out-- the conference planning is coming along, and it is exciting to have new imaginations and vigor involved and taking leadership roles.

Both of these young women are amazing people. Both writers, Quakers, intelligent, with hearts for justice and caring for other people. I am looking forward to the conference.

If you want to check out the conference details here is the website. In the meantime, hold these 2 in the light and if you are so led to offer assistance for the conference, let them know! Ashley's blog is here.

Are you ready?

Okay, almost mother's day. Are you ready to get moving? I am part of the Women's Challenge-- are you? You can do this individually or as a part of a team. You can get your own team together, or you can join an existing team.

Here is the link-- once you sign up, you can track your goals, activity & progress. It is a "virtual" adventure in fitness, to help us do the real work of fitness.

If you would like to join my team it is called "Amazing Freedom", and you are very welcome to join us!

It is set up for walking and biking mostly, but any movement is good, and you can set up your own goals. The important thing is to move, and set attainable goals. If you are in Salem, Oregon, and you want to walk with us, let me know and I will send you emails about our plans for the week.

Yeehaa!

Back online

Hi Friends,
I have been having some internet and computer trouble, but I think it is worked out and working. Now I will put my photo software on my new computer and get back to blogging, singing, writing, creating, and sharing stuff with you. Whew!