PANDEMIC CAUSED EXTENSIVE LEARNING LOSS

FOR NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS

That is the headline for the Durham Herald for March 4, 2021.   The Pandemic affected all students, across the board.  All grades, across the board, negative impacts.  "For all grades,  almost every subject (Except English II), and especially for Math, Science, and Biology."

For economically disadvantaged students, and all other students, especially reading in grades 4, 6, 8, and 5.  Even AIG students were negatively impacted.  According to Michael Maher, DPI's executive director of the Office of Learning Recovery, "this is not on the backs of teachers, principals, or superintendents."

Since learning has been so disrupted over the past two years, schools across the country are striving to get students caught up.  Some of the issues that students have been grappling with are:  quarantine rules,

PAULI MURRAY -- LEGAL CAREER

THE WALLER CASE

https://www.aaihs.org/gender-civil-rights-and-the-case-of-odell-waller/

The Netflix documentary,"My Name is Pauli Murray," beautifully captures the life of Pauli Murray.  The film was released in 2022.

Friend to Eleanor Roosevelt and a lifelong activist, Murray 

 Jan. 13, 2022:  

DISCOVERIES!

2022!   Still adjusting to writing 22 and not a bit unhappy to see 21 fly. 

Currently obsessed with Hugh Mangum.  And his breath-taking photography.  Sarah Stacke's book is triumphant and I just discovered this blog by Elizabeth Avedon.  Wonder if she is Richard's daughter?

https://elizabethavedon.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-or-night-archive-of-hugh-mangum-by.html.

INSPIRED MUSIC

INSPIRED MUSIC

Beethovan's Ninth Symphony never ceases to inspire me.   Undoubtedly the greatest symphony ever composed, it uses Schiller's poem, "An die Freude" as its centerpiece:

"Joy, bright spark of divinity,

Daughter of Elysium,
Fire-inspired we tread
Within thy sanctuary.
Thy magic power re-unites
All that custom has divided,
All men become brothers,
Under the sway of thy gentle wings."

Also, anything by Telemann!

WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED TO WAYNE DYER?

 

WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED TO WAYNE DYER?

      I've had two of his books gathering dust for the past couple of years.  One is "Feeling Good", which is mostly about depression.  In fact, depression is mentioned constantly throughout the book.  Along with guilt.  A therapist recommended it to me and I bought 2 copies, one large print.  What a waste of money -- it feels good to unload them.

     Albert Ellis accused Dyer of plagerism in regard to Dyer's book, "Your Erroneous Zones."According to Ellis:

 that book is "the worst example" of plagiarism of Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT).^[4] In a 1985 letter to Dyer, Ellis claims that Dyer had participated in a workshop Ellis gave on REBT before Dyer published his book, in which Dyer appeared to understand REBT very well. Ellis adds that "300 or more people have voluntarily told me... that [the book] was clearly derived from REBT." Dyer never apologized or expressed any sense of wrongdoing. Ellis admonishes Dyer for unethically and unprofessionally not giving Ellis credit as the book's primary source, but expressed overall gratitude for Dyer's work, writing: "Your Erroneous Zones is a good book, ... it has helped a great number of people, and ... it outlines the main principles of REBT quite well,... with great simplicity and clarity."^[5]

     I admire Ellis a lot and took his course in grad school and attended a conference where he was the keynote speaker.

     I had no idea that Wayne Dyer had died (2005).  Otherwise I would have avoided my salty language.

The 100 Things

 100 things I'm grateful for:

1.  I haven't fallen

2.  Chatted w/ Ed this am in MA

3.  Finally got my bed made up

4.  Watched a doc on the Harlem Hell fighters yesterday

5.  Asked for help w/ getting the docs in to archival sheets

6.  Durham Church

7.  All the great folks in my fam

8.  being a grandma

9.  indigenous cultures

10.Julie

11. Tofu in fridge to lessen the tendency to eat unhealthily

12.  Memories of Mimi

13.  Got a request out today

14.  Chat w/ John last Night

15.  That passage from the Beaumont Bull

16.  Andy's in Lisbon

17.  No calls or texts this morning - yay!

18. Beautiful apt.

19.  that's quiet and peaceful

20.  opening other angles to WW1 -- i.e. it failed, not the "war to end all wars" -- Daddy discussed this with John

21. De-colonization is a global term

22.  the public library here

23.  lots of energy today

24. not rushing

25. WW1 songs

26. getting my flu and booster shot next week

27.  20 breaths even tho I only got to 10

28.  Sangha tonight

29. Blythe's bf produced a film showing on uTube now

30. sorted thru some docs that are going to UVa, about JT Kincanon

31.  John Hope Franklin Center -- need to get there

32. memories of Dee

33.  feeling content

34.  off to the gym in 10 min.

35.  hitting the library tomorrow

36.  it's all about love

37. my strength

38. Apple support

39. Gaylord

40.  the Royal Albert Hall

41.  I didn't get Covid

42.  My hands feel strong today.

43.  Jackie Shelton Greene

44,  Renewed Netflix

45.  Watching Windsor now.  Description of the Prince of Wales, as the Princess Di or David Beckham of his day

46.  glad I got got the gym, if only for 15. min.

47.  thankful I got to see Q Elizabeth II when I did, on her "Silver Jubilee" == what a great memory, really, I'=m amazed that I did that!  Taking a bus to Wimbledon, Centre Court.  Virginia Wade was the only time a woman from Britain won Wimbledon! Wow...

48.  my son and the current Prince of Cambridge were born around the same time, special!

49.  I'll always be an admirer of Diana

50.  She changed the monarchy for ever.

51.  Glad we have Harry now.

52.  got to bed early tonite but then again, I feel like I'm "coming down with something"

53.  Grateful I stopped romanticizing WW1

54.  Daddy was let down afterward

55.  Maybe the process won't be so anxiety producing from now on.

56.   We're having a freeze here tonight...good time to stay cozy in bed.

57.  Spoke with new employees in the office.  One woman is from Iran.  Her family moved to Germany.

58.  Opened up the "big table" to work this morning

59.  I find winter soothing.  Leaves are falling.

60.  Over 300,000 Black people fought in WW1.

61.  I really think I should get another cat.  A dog is out of the question.

62.  Jack is 12 now.

63.  I'd still like to volunteer at Windsor

64.  Very lucky to have my brainy bro...he is like a rock

65.  The Windsor doc on Netflix now

66.  Spoke with Penny, a reference librarian at Small Library of UVa.  Lovely chat with her.  She went to Kent State for library school, has been at Small for about 8 years.  From Northern Ohio, knows about Wright-Patterson AFB.  The Base is in Fairborn, where I was born!

And where daddy worked volunteered during WW2.

67.  "Beauty from Ashes" -- I think I'll take that verse from the Bible as the title for my paper.  Isiah 61:3

68.  Got a refund for my credit card today.

69.  Hid scattered papers

70.  Listened to Telemann this morning

71.  got to the gym for the second day in a row

72.  gonna try to get down to Lilly Library tomorrow.

73.  Queen Elizabeth is doing a little better

74.  Her grandson, Prince William, aka the Duke of Cambridge, completed a project recently called "Earthshot," a take-off on Moonshot, the Apollo Mission.

75.  Coffee

76.  Multi-media, even if I don't know how to do it.

77.  Adequate light in my apt. for projects

78.  "Churchhill's Black Dog" -- on his depression

79.  My notebook of arthritis exercises

80.  The Arthritis Foundation and the work I've done for them

81.  Frederick Büchner.  -- the importance of being open

82.  NEDA

83.  My Fleetwood Mac tee-shirt

84.  Doobie Brothers

85.  Steely Dan

86.  Venice, the group

87.  "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"

88.  I just got 2 new books on documentary photography

89.  Telemann

90.  Africaans

91.  Tears for Fears -- loved them in the 80's and by god they are still performing

92.  An email from Alex today

93.  the desire to mail the old letters to UVA

94.  Gail Cooper, wonderful librarian at UVA

95.  Charlottesville

96.  the Wright Brothers

97.  Pumpkin pie for dinner

98.  Intuitive eating

99.  calm

100. deep breaths.

101. my Blackwatch blanket

CENTER FOR DOCUMENTARY STUDIES - Robert Pluma, instructor

 

CENTER FOR DOCUMENTARY STUDIES Robert Pluma, instructor

October 30, 2021 - Robert Capa

Capa was a Hungarian Jew born in 1913, who became the most renowned war photographer.  His most famous shot, called "Falling Soldier," was taken at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.  There is some controversy about the photo, as some critics believe it was staged, which I believe is nonsense.  

Capa stated that he was in a trench at the time and held the camera above his head.  He wasn't even sure what he had taken.  However, the photograph has become an enduring image of war.

"Capa" means shark in Hungarian and was the name of the street where Robert Capa grew up. His real name was Andre Friedman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM  ("Falling Soldier")

credit:  Met Museum, Web Archive

There is another photograph/film (almost) equally as famous as Capa's, which was taken on 911.  It is called "The Falling Man" and was filmed by Richard Drew.  It was a front page image in newspapers around the world.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM ("The Falling Man")

credit: Time Magazine

Robert Capa moved to Berlin in 1930.  He fell in love with Gerda Taro (real name:  Gerta Pohorylle) who became his professional partner.  They published their photography under the name pen name "Robert Capa."

October 30, 2021 :"On Becoming a Bad Ass" (again)

I'll have to admit that the CDS course is more difficult than I had imagined. That's probably due to my tendency to procrastinate, because the subject matter makes me feel a bit anxious.  And I'm a bit of a techno-phobe.   I hated doing the spreadsheet.  But got it started.  It will be cool to be able to search for a particular photo, maybe I'll even fall in love with spreadsheets.  As Erin said "I love me a good spreadsheet."  She loves my cussin.'  It is, frankly, a great outlet.  You cannot hold it in.

Now, why do humans procrastinate? Personally, I think it might be due to fear of failure.  Dan Ariely of Duke gave some short videos on this topic.  Here's an idea, give yourself a deadline.  Then, reward yourself.

Ok, I can do this.  I can set a timer for 30 min.  My reward will be exercise, so I'll be "killing two birds with one stone."  

I can also tell my self doubt to fuck off.  I've done really hard projects in the past, abeit  20 years ago.  And they turned out well.  Like the Library of Congress project and the Master Trainer one.

Starting the timer now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23yQR0V0cq4 (I'll Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow w/ Dan Ariely)

The value of knowing:  I must say, I'm awfully glad I invested in Audible a couple of years ago.  At the moment I'm listening to an eyewitness account.   Arthur Lee Gould was a British pilot during World War 1.  My favorite part so far comes in chapter 5, where Lee describes what he is wearing, including silk under gloves.  Not least of his attire is his "Sam Brown" belt.  Brother John explained the Sam Brown and our father is wearing one in his photograph.

I hadn't realized that Brits wore Sam Brownes also --- till listening to "Open Cockpit".  The author describers the challenge of taking a pee while fiddling with the belt and buttons and "obstinate underclothes" and using a funnel (chapter 5 at 15:10).  But gather the biggest challenge was trying to stay warm in the open cockpit. 

November 1 2021

Just spoke with Holly and she gave me some good advice with tech issues and agreed to be my collaborator with the CDS project.  She's been interested in the project all along.  Here is another collaborator, my brother, John.  

Nov. 4, 2021. Spoke with Penny, a reference librarian at Small Library of UVa.  Lovely chat with her.  She went to Kent State for library school, has been at Small for about 8 years.  Since I spent a significant portion of my life as a librarian, this interested me.  From Northern Ohio, Penny knew about Wright-Patterson AFB.  The Base is in Fairborn, where I was born!

And where daddy worked /volunteered during WW2.

Penny referred me to Molly Swartzburg, archivist at Small...I need to talk with her b/c there are some special things to consider when mailing archives.

CALL MOLLY!

November 8, 2021 -

What is it about Telemann?  First of all, he's from the Baroque Era.

He was incredibly prolific, self taught, played a lot of different instruments.  Very calming music.

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POSSIBLE Titles:  The Sorrow and the Beauty. Beauty from Ashes.

THE VILE  ? AND THE SPLENDID

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November 10, 2021

SHIPWRECK explore this and look up "Rise Again", the song

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/edmund-fitzgerald-wreck-lake-superior/846814

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November 10, 2021

Anxiety:  

Today is November 10 and tomorrow is armistice day, or Remembrance Day as it’s referred to in Europe.

I experienced a lot of anxiety today due to pain from the Covid shot, as well as arthritis .  Anxiety is an Absolute Bitch. It’s probably more intense today because of the 2 cups of coffee I drank.   But in my opinion, a nice hot cup of coffee with my favorite sweetener is just so damn good!

Anxiety is a problem for me all of the time which is why I take an anti-anxiety med and have done so for 20 years or more.  Anxiety became more pronounced for me during the Covid pandemic. Also trumps shenanigans and untruths about the virus, i.e., saying things like it’s just like the flu, we’ve got it under control, And this asshole so misled our country.  

The CDS project has also caused anxiety, ie, Will my project be good enough, which is kind of surprising considering how enthusiastic I was when I signed up for it. The subject matter, war, my father, my family, causes me anxiety.  World War 1, so much suffering then.  and daddy's plane crash ---which led to his having what we refer to today as PTSD.  Then it was called psycho-neuristhentia...That term is no longer used.  Way outdated!!!

A lot of my anxiety is related to what happened About three years ago... I had to have a knee replacement, my third, because an infection had developed in the implant. I couldn’t get in to see my surgeon and actually got the short shrift from him ----but after about six months of suffering, I finally did get in to see him and at that point I decided to get a different surgeon, And to hell with DUKE medicine. I did however end up with a really gifted and skilled surgeon from Duke who rose to the challenge. He knew what I had been through and showed a lot of compassion, plus he’s funny, and really handsome -- which didn’t hurt. He was honest, explaining that he could not guarantee a successful outcome (meaning a knee that would BEND) -- but the outcome was indeed successful and a year later, I attended a weeklong dance workshop in Connecticut. 

In 2020, my car was stolen, which was pretty traumatic.  So I’m without wheels, and because I love socializing and special events. I began to feel isolated and depressed.

This little kitty:  https://www.petfinder.com/cat/mummy-53536475/il/mokena/naws-humane-society-il391/

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November 11, 2021 Armistice Day

Meditative Music, =Chanting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0j4yTY_eGI&list=RDS0j4yTY_eGI&start_radio=1&rv=S0j4yTY_eGI&t=8609

Armistice Day in Europe 

Not the war to end all wars....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0j4yTY_eGI&list=RDS0j4yTY_eGI&start_radio=1&rv=S0j4yTY_eGI&t=8609

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November 12, 2021

Day after Veterans' Day.  I had an idea to visit/volunteer at the VA Hospital in Durham.  Will have to check that out, as they may not be allowing volunteers now b/c of the pandemic.

Made a new friend today, Kingsley.  He's in med school studying radiology.  I told him about my project and he related how he too had studied WW1 poets, and was touched by their beautiful style of writing.  We traded phone numbers and he was sympathetic toward my getting my car stolen last year.  Very recently, it has really started to wear on me.   I love Toyotas and Fiats.  Don't know if Fiats are any good, really, but they sure are cute!

November 15, 2021

First, five things I'm grateful for:  my bro, Holly, Erin, nearing the end of my paper, good food to eat today!  Also, a beautiful spot outside to collect my thoughts and relax, even in the cold. 

Also, lest I forget: cheap (but good) wine, a yummy dinner, a desire to visit France when the time is right.  Issodoun is high on my list!!!  Every year, they honor the men and women who trained there during WW1.  They constructed a memorial, and have a ceremony on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day over there).

I am fucking tired.  Time to "take five" and chill a bit.

November 21, 2021

Finished my paper -- it's about 10 pages.  I'm satisfied and relieved.  Still need to add photos.

For future success and satisfaction with writing,

I need to:

Learn Microsoft better

Take a tutorial on iMovie

Learn Excel (library has classes)

Had an idea to use iMovie for my CDS class

Install a new keyboard

Go to Frontier and work.  it's too distracting in the apartment.  or Lily Library would be great.

Get a mouse.

Set my alarm to wake up earlier...DONE!

Jan. 13, 2022:  

DISCOVERIES!

2022!   Still adjusting to writing 2022 and not a bit unhappy to see 21 fly by.  

Currently obsessed with Hugh Mangum.  And his breath-taking photography.  Sarah Stacke's book is triumphant and I just discovered this blog by Elizabeth Avedon.  Wonder if she is Richard's daughter?

https://elizabethavedon.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-or-night-archive-of-hugh-mangum-by.html.

Feb. 21, 2022

Feeling a little blue today b/c of a death in my extended family.  George Keplsey, age 93, former editor and reporter for the Roanoke Times, for like 50 years.  Sent my essay on "WW1 coming to Southwestern Virginia" to his journal.  Here is his obit:

Obituary

PRINT

Our father, George Andrew Kegley of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Lewis Gale Hospital after a brief illness.

He lived 93 exceptional years, through his writing for the Roanoke Times for 44 years, historical and church publications, and most importantly, volunteering beyond the norm for so many good causes, touching the lives of far more folks than we will ever know.

As Robert Frost wrote in “After Apple Picking,” But I am done with apple picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples: I am drowsing off. 

Dad never knew an apple that wasn’t a friend nor worthy of pressing into cider. Many friends and family assisted with cider making over the years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Louise Fowlkes Kegley. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, James Kegley and Fred Kegley of Wytheville.

He is survived by four children, George Andrew “Andy” Kegley, Jr. (Nan) of Wytheville, Mary Louise Kegley “Sissy” of Roanoke, Robert Kegley (Melissa) of Wytheville, and Richard Kegley (Kristy) of Atlanta; nine grandchildren, Calder Kegley (Megan) of Charlottesville, Grace Kegley of Charlottesville, Reed Kegley of Little Rock, Arkansas, Nathan Guerrero (Francesca) of Arlington, Maria Guerrero of Porto, Portugal, Emma Thomas (Gavin) of Philadelphia, Amy Fleming (Scott) of Suffolk, and Katterine and Clara Kegley of Atlanta; seven great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Finley Kegley of Charlottesville, Sara and Hugo Guerrero of Arlington, Hazel Louise Thomas of Philadelphia, and Chase and Beau Fleming of Suffolk; nephews, Rick Kegley of Wytheville and Dan Kegley of Chilhowie; niece, Sally Kegley Little of Gate City; and sister-in-law, Nancy Kegley, of Wytheville.

The Graveside Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wytheville, Va. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at a later date.

Memorials in George’s name may be made to Blue Ridge Literacy, Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM House), St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and The Historical Society of Western Virginia. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.

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REFLECTIONS ON THE CDS PROJECT

Gettin' 'er done!  Idea to make a video and put it on YouTube.  I found a student doc on YouTube yesterday on Pauli Murray from a documentary. Center at Fort Scott, Kansas.  The work is by students, guided by teachers.  

I'm thinking now about the impact that this Duke project has had on me.  For example, Robert Pluma's website.  It begins with a map that serves as the gateway to his project about the Missions of San Antonio.  The map is a dramatic entry.

https://www.robertpluma.com

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March 13, 2022

Just took a "deep dive" relating to Roanoke's history by reading a section from a book on "Google Books" about the city's violent past in the 1890's. Good god!  Lynchings!  I had no idea!

We'er trying to decide how to proceed with the article's final form, since George Kegley has passed.  It looks like someone at the Historical Society in Roanoke will place it in the journal.