Bird Droppings July 12, 2011
It is all about communicating

“I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn to the ocean, taken by is power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know – unless it is to share our laughter.” James Kavanaugh, San Diego, 1969

This passage is from the introduction to “There are men to gentle to live among wolves” by poet and author James Kavanaugh. I wish I had written this gem as it speaks so much to me. I went exploring this morning as I do often as the sun is rising, seeing flowers and trees in a different light. Sounds, colors, light and temperature all vary through the day and a flower in the morning may be totally different than one viewed in the sunset. Dew has a way of adding special effects to the leaves and grass. I have been a searcher for most of my life as I look back always wondering and always pondering. It is a wonderful new day ahead and much to see and do.
In about four weeks I will have students in my class room again. I will be walking down hall ways and talking with students and teachers and I wonder will anything be different than when I left. I wonder if teachers have studied how to be more effective and if students read and became more scholarly over the weeks of summer. Some teachers have attended graduate school and many will have attended leadership training programs teaching them how to better manage teachers and students and move them through the processes of education so that required tests get passed. A few may have opted for philosophy, literature, psychology, social studies or numerous other more liberal arts courses.

“An effective teacher is one who is able to convince not half or three quarters but essentially all of his or her students to do quality work in school.” Dr. William Glasser MD.

Dr. Glasser goes on in his book The Quality School to explain his ideas. I found it interesting one of his first references is to Dr. W. Edwards Deming who revolutionized industry in Japan. Deming was a US quality expert who US industry barely recognized and was contracted with by the Japanese to improve quality and in a few short years they over took and surpassed US industry in production as well as in quality. I can recall only a few years ago when a certain US car company used the slogan of “Quality is job 1”. A good view of quality is resale value of cars and trucks. Amazing how nearly all of top ten best resale vehicles are Japanese and four of the five worst are all from the same US auto maker. .

“There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.” Dale Carnegie

Carnegie provides a quick guide to life for teachers, parents, students, and children. I have always felt example is the key, in almost any aspect of life. I wish it were not so, but how we look and or are perceived is often how we are judged first in life. What we say can affect those around us and how they determine whether or not to believe us or not and always how we say it. What do we mean, looking at Carnegie’s words I wonder if some where there is more to communication?

“A world community can exist only with world communication, which means something more than extensive short-wave facilities scattered; about the globe. It means common understanding, a common tradition, common ideas, and common ideals.” Robert M. Hutchins

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” Anthony Robbins

Nearly opposites yet both hold elements are needed and in order for people to communicate around the world even in another town a common language a common set of words and ideas are needed to initiate thoughts. It is also knowing that each person may see the world different and be able to work around that and through that.

“The higher you go, the wider spreads the network of communication that will make or break you. It extends not only to more people below, but to new levels above. And it extends all around, to endless other departments and interests interacting with yours.” Donald Walton

I went by our super Wal-Mart yesterday looking for a very specific item a movie my son and I wanted to watch, no luck, but as we were walking out he and I had both been thinking the same thought. This store was becoming the focus for this community; people were not just shopping, but walking about looking and everywhere in doing so visiting with friends and neighbors. Wal-Mart had become a focal point for this town. I had been to a Wal-Mart Sam’s club recently talking with a manager and other staff; there is a network of communication within this company.
Yesterday as I emailed back and forth with several friends we discussed building a network of teachers and working that network, wouldn’t that build a powerful teaching tool. What about a parent network where issues could be in the open immediately and clarified and discussed rather than become a sore and fester. Communications such a crucial item in today’s fast paced world and so over looked. I was speaking with a research biologist, a Ph.D. yesterday about the state of education and his comment was it is all about parent involvement and how crucial it is. Today is a day where a week is nearly midway over so please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your heart.
namaste
bird

Doc Bird’s herb garden note:

I am a big basil fan and every season plant plenty. Actually I probably plant far more than I could ever use. The smell as basil is flowering is wonderful filling the entire garden. I try and grow several different basils each year but this recipe below is tonight’s dinner so I will comment tomorrow on how it turns out. I grill on a Green Egg grill and use mesquite lump wood charcoal.

Grilled Chicken with Basil Dressing
Recipe courtesy Giadia De Laurentis
Total Time: 55 min.
Prep 15 min.
Inactive 30 min.
Cook 10 min.
Yield: 6 servings .
©Television Food Network G.P.
All Rights Reserved.

Ingredients
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds, coarsely crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
1 large clove garlic
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions
Whisk 1/3 cup of oil, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, fennel seeds, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a heavy-duty re-sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken and seal the bag. Massage the marinade into the chicken. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day, turning the chicken occasionally.

Meanwhile, blend the basil, garlic, lemon zest, remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a blender until smooth. Gradually blend in the remaining 1/3 cup oil. Season the basil sauce, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.

Prepare the barbecue for medium-high heat or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to plates. Drizzle the basil sauce over and serve.