BS: Settling in Guam

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 12:12 AM

I'm going to try growing my own tomatoes that way too. I'm just waiting to make sure we're past the season for sudden frost.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 08:24 PM

Hmm, no takers on the frost comment...

Wakana has been in Japan for the last few days but she's coming home tonight. She is escorting an exchange visit sponsored by the Rotary Club. Some of her students were selected to go.

I have missed her. She called the other day and is having fun. She bought a new laptop computer which will make her life a little easier. I bought her the last one after hers was stolen by the burglar back in 2004. It was not top of the line. She sounded pretty excited about her new machine. I guess the old one will go to school with her.

I've been cleaning and rearranging the kitchen. It's amazing how much crap we let build up there. We were running out of counter space. Now things are much easier to work with.

I've been listening to Barry Finn and Neil Downey on their CD Finn and Haddie. It takes me back to the Press Room and other places where I've heard Barry. I don't think I've ever met Neil.

I miss the old life sometimes. I love where I am now but I guess I'm feeling a little sentimental.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 10:07 PM

Ha, Naemanson. When I read your frost comment the other day it made me snort. I don't snort every day.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 11:53 PM

I'm glad our singing takes you back Brett but why were you heckling me? Damn near woke me out of a deep slumber.

You're gonna miss Mystic this weekend, we'll raise a song on your behalf

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 07:30 PM

Now we have a problem. On Sunday we discovered a group of people in our back yard. It was the owner of the next piece of ground, her cousin, and a realtor. The owner is selling the two lots on the other side of us, the farmer's lot. I guess we will need to try to buy it in self defense. We do not need another house back here. If someone bought it our front yard would be their driveway. Yuck!

Actually we have considered buying that piece before but we had hoped to have a few years to prepare for it. I guess it ain't gonna happen. So we need to marshal whatever money we can and get things lined up now.

Of course we were planning to go home for Christmas so this comes at an awkward time. Financially we are in pretty good shape. Only two loans, a mortgage, and no credit card debt. I hope we can do it.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:39 PM

Brett-

The wrong nearest neighbors can be a continuing pain.

However, if you buy the land yourself, you could resell it to someone you might want to live next to, and keep their driveway out of your front yard.

Oh, and Mystic was great! Check the thread.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 11:41 PM

Good luck with buying that land, Brett. That sounds like a GOOD plan. Good fences might make for good neighbours, but I'd prefer having none of the latter!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 01:27 AM

Buy the land Brett, I'm gonna need a place to pitch my tent

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 08:33 AM

Here in New Hampshuh I just acquired and hung up a pot of Tumblin' Tom cherry tomatoes -- they're cascading cherry tomatoes in a hanging planter. Two regular sized tomato plants already on the deck along with other salad fixin's. We may have 33 acres, but the only practical place for food-type plants is on the deck.

Look forward to BLTs on the deck with fresh picked tomatoes!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 09:32 AM

I've been talking with my kids using the Skype video phone. Kelli, my older daughter, was telling about her garden and I just turned the camera to focus on the four little pots with wet dirt in them. I planted tomatoes, cantelope and watermelon. About a week from now I'll be able to turn the planters over and hang them up.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 09:34 AM

She was not impressed with my "garden".

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 10:08 AM

nuffin' wrong with a small select garden!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 10:45 AM

The nasty little turtle buggers are eating the leaves off our cherry tomato plants again. I go out and squish a new pack of them each morning. I never ran into them before I settled here in Richmond, Maine. They are bugs that actually look like miniature turtles, and they have voracious appetites.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 09:08 PM

What's the song about having a bug squishing party?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 10:34 AM

Brett-

Yes, there was the bug squishing song composed by Dan MacArthur (one of Margaret's sons) discussed on this thread: a href="thread.cfm?threadid=13042">Click here!

No lyrics, though.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 05:34 AM

I went to Home Depot today. I spent way too much money. But I rationalized it this way.

Father's day is coming.

I am a father.

My kids cannot afford to get me what I want.

So I have to do it.

Consequently there is a new circular saw and a random orbit sander in my car. I'm afraid to unpack the car until Wakana goes to bed. She wasn't thrilled to see the drill press.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: maeve
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 06:22 AM

Yucky Bugs by Dan MacArthur

You just needed the correct title to work with, Charley.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 12:47 PM

To: Me, From: Me pressies are the best of all pressies cos ya get exactly what you want/need.

have fun

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: GUEST,Kelli
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 05:25 AM

Happy Father's Day, Dad. ;)

Love

Kelli

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 05:55 AM

I put the new tools to work. Didn't accomplish anything but it was fun.

Wakana took her chain saw out back to play with the trees. Score at day's end was Wakana - 4 Trees - 0.

My garden is up. Two of the tomato seeds have germinated as well as a cantelope seed. What's next?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 09:53 AM

On Father's Day I helped Wakana move a few rocks. I could just barely pick up the smallest one. We had to use levers to move the larger ones. She wanted them in a very specific place. I don't know why. She's just going to bury them in junk and crushed coral.

Today I let her persuade me to trim some branches off the mountain apple tree next to the house. Huh! "Trim some branches"! That is an understatement if ever I made one. The tree now looks like a green ice cream cone. And the yard is full of cut off branches.

Tomorrow I am going to make her a sawbuck o she can cut the remains up into firewood.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 10:10 AM

good to see an independent woman who can chop her own wood!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 03:44 AM

Yesterday Wakana and I went to the gym. The cardio room wasn't open so I couldn't use the stationary bicycle. We walked around the basketball court instead.

Today my formerly broken bone feels broken again...

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Jun 09 - 07:56 PM

Feeling better. My foot quit hurting. I think it was muscle spasms around the healing bone.

I finished building my saw horses and a convertible bench, one that folds up so you can use the back as a table, similar to half a picnic table.

Every time I go to Home Depot I check the paint department for their mistakes. When a customer orders paint the store mixes the color on the spot. If they make a mistake they sell the can for $5.00. If you are not too concerned about the color you can get a pretty good brand of paint very cheaply. The other day I bought three gallons of pale yellow exterior paint for $15.00. We used it to paint the bench. I also have, now, a gallon of light gray and a gallon of a funky orange. I'll use the orange inside my shed out back. It will brighten up the dump.

I am supposed to be starting on Wakana's bookshelves today. I'm procrastinating. I used the camera she bought me in Japan to take some pictures around the house. It has a movie function on it. I need to make up a DVD so my family can see the movies on their TVs.

Anyone know a good basic software that will do the job? I don't need to edit movies or try to create a masterpiece of cinematic glory. Nor do I need to copy (pirate) my collection of DVDs. Any suggestions that won't break the bank?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:56 AM

I found something interesting. I was researching Charles Causley's poem Armistice Day. There are a lot of slang words from the Royal Navy in it including the phrase "pneumonia suit". I found the following site which answered the question.

pneumonia suit You'll have to search the page.

The site has a lot of information about the navy that Tom Lewis and Cyril Tawney knew. Check it out.

Here is the poem:
Armistice Day
By Charles Causley
I stood with three comrades in Parliament Street
November her freights of grey fire unloading
No sound from the pale city upon the pale air
Above us the sea-bell eleven unloading.

Down by the bands and the burning memorial
Beats all the brass in a royal array
But at our end we are not so sartorial:
Out of (as usual) the rig of the day.

Starry is wearing a split pusser's flannel
Rubbed, as he is, by the regular tide;
Oxo the ducks that he ditched in the Channel
In June, 1940 (when he was inside).

Kitty recalls his abandon-ship station,
Running below at the Old Man's salute
And (with a deck-watch) going down for duration
Wearing his oppo's pneumonia suit.

Comrades, for you the black captain of carracks
Writes in Whitehall his appalling decisions,
But as was often the case in the Barracks
Several ratings are not at Divisions.

Into the eyes the stiff sea-horses stare,
Over my head sweeps the sun like a swan.
As I stand alone in Parliament Square
A cold bugle calls, and the city moves on.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 03:16 AM

It wasn't even a week ago that Wakana and I were sitting at breakfast talking about how well we are doing, how good life is, and how happy we are.

A lot can change in a short time.

I had received a notice from the school about a new president, a nun that has been working at the university. This was not unexpected. We had an older nun filling that task and she wanted out.

On Thursday I ran into one of the other teachers from ND. She told me that the principal had resigned with no notice and isn't speaking to anyone.

The teacher I spoke with is the world history teacher and she told me she is leaving ND to move back to the States. That leaves TWO openings in the history department, my ultimate goal.

I went to ND yesterday to find out for myself what was going on. I spoke to the former president. It was a very sad interview.

She told me there was a new president for the school. Apparently she and the principal butted heads right from the beginning. She told the nuns they have a vow of obedience but that she did not and she walked out.

This is, in itself, a shock. If anyone defined the unique qualities that made Notre Dame the school it is it was she. But it gets worse.

The former president was ordered to go on sabbatical. She had just come back from one recently. She doesn't know where she's going. She just knows she has to report to the headquarters in Milwaukee.

She told me that there had already been some conversations criticizing my classroom management. I guess it comes from my letting the kids listen to their music while taking tests and not paying a lot of attention to the proper wearing of the uniform. She said it "confuses" the kids. Hah!

So now my life is uncertain. And I'm feeling stressed.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 04:35 AM

bummer (to put it politely)

sending hugs

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 08:24 PM

I am sitting in the college library supposedly doing homework before my class begins but I am procrastinating. The battery on my computer is almost dead so I will have to shut down shortly.

There is still no light at the end of the tunnel as far as ND is concerned. I will apply for a job at Wakana's school and go to work for them if they'll have me.

I found some interesting sites while researching WWI and WWII slang for a paper I'm supposed to be working on. I will post the addresses later. One has the histories of ships, all ships, no matter whose, no matter where. At least that is their goal.

I have also been catching up on some Internet comic strips I used to read back in Maine. I have (had) ten years to catch up on. I am getting there. One is Sluggy Freelance. The other is Kevin & Kell. Sluggy is pure brain candy, not good for you but funny at times. Kevin & Kell is also very funny but it uses a world where the civilization is based on animals being intelligent. There are predator species and prey species living in a world with telephones and computers. Kevin is a large rabbit and Kell is a wolf. They are married. This does not sit well with the rest of civilization. When they go to a restaurant they have trouble because the staff assumes Kell brought Kevin as her meal. There are a lot of very silly and funny interactions that reflect on our society making it a social commentary as well as a funny comic strip.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:44 PM

Hang in there, Brett!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 06:25 PM

You've survived much else, Brett. I am sure you will figure this out,too. We're all thinking of you and Wakana.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 04:35 AM

I handed in the application at Wakana's school and was told they'd just hired a history teacher. No openings... I was disappointed but Wakana surprised me with the strength of her reaction. She cried most of the way home.

A couple of weeks ago I brought a copy of the first Harry Potter book in the car as we drove to town. Just for the heck of it I started to read it out loud. Now we never go anywhere without a Potter book in the car and I read out loud all the time. We are more than halfway through the second book.

Back when Kelli was very young I read the Lord of the Rings to her starting with The Hobbit. That was only four books. Now I am on a run through all seven potter books but it is fun. We get a laugh out of it and we also use it for some English lessons.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 11:41 AM

The day before yesterday I found out that I do have a job at Notre Dame this school year. On top of that I will be teaching American History! This is the job I've wanted since I got out of college in 1980!. Twenty nine years is a long wait.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 02:03 PM

Doing a Happy Dance! Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 08:10 PM

yah!

all things come to those who wait

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 11:24 PM

Brett-

Excellent.

"History is best taught by those who survive it."

You may quote me if you like!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Jul 09 - 06:54 AM

Charley, did you get my email about the workstations you built in your office?

I've been feeling kind of crummy lately. It's a gut thing. The doctor gave me some pills to take four times a day and they seem to help. Actually I'm overdue for today's number three.

I've been reading through the textbook I'll be using. Textbooks sure have changed since I was in high school. There are so many notes and added references that I cannot make out how the subject is treated. I don't know how to read this thing.

Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 04:45 AM

Still not feeling well. I didn't go to class today. I think I am going to lay off food for a while. Just small light meals from now on.

I've been working on my lesson plans. It's fun to see what I have to teach and how little time I have to do it in. The first ten chapters in the text take us from an unpopulated continent up to but not including the Civil War. There is a lot of information there.

I was sitting in a coffee shop today waiting for Wakana to finish her class. I was working on my laptop and got a message that someone had posted a message for me on Facebook. I flipped over there, read her message and then scanned down to see what else I had missed.

That's where I found out about Sandy Paton.

Next thing I know I have tears flowing down my face and I can't focus on anything. A friend walked into the shop, a colleague from ND, and saw me crying. My God this has been an awful year. I feel so bad for Caroline. I remember her watching over one of her grandkids (Kaelan?) using a little telescope because her eyes were so bad. And now she's alone. Life just isn't fair.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 08:54 AM

Brett-

I'm also very sad about Sandy Paton but he and Caroline certainly had a full and rich life. It is unfair, however, that they also lost a cherished grandson.

This has been a difficult year for losing valued mentors and other long-time friends.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 11:26 AM

Caroline will never be alone, Brett. Her extended family numbers thousands. She has her sons and her grandchildren. BBC is helping run the business.
She is a strong lady. She will grieve and move on. There are still good times ahead.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 05:19 PM

{{{{{BRETT}}}}}

Hope you feel better or find a doc who can help you to do so. Sounds as though the class will be a challenge, but you always seem to enjoy those; you get VERY creative in dealing with them and we benefit from your telling about it. Take care, friend,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 09 - 08:49 PM

Brett-

We haven't heard from you in over a month. Is that good news or bad?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Aug 09 - 09:03 PM

I've been wondering the same thing, Charley. Consider yourself 'poked', Brett. (Hate that (Facebook term - but I guess it's better than 'slapped'.)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: The Barden of England
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 05:43 AM

I've been missing the 'Tales from Guam' too.
John Barden

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 10:38 PM

Me,too.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 09:47 AM

Brett's probably so busy correcting homework that he doesn't have any time to deal with his thread.

Maybe we should throw a party!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 11:26 AM

party!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 11:08 AM

Well, it's time to roll out them tropical coolers. Make mine a dark and stormy!

This place looked a little untidy when I first posted in but it's looking better now. Even the mermaid looks more perky!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 05:48 AM

Hi guys,

Sorry about that but the new school year is kicking my ass. I am finally teaching history but I have my insecurities. I am teaching two classes of world history and three classes of US history. In world history we've finally started on the Egyptians. In US we are looking at Jamestown.

These kids have trouble. They really don't care. This morning I started with asking the perennial question, "Why do we study history?" I got the usual canned responses. So I pointed out Erich von Daniken who wrote Chariots of the Gods in 1968. He made a lot of money off people who believed him when he said that humans could not have built the pyramids. But we know who requested the pyramids, who designed them, who oversaw the gangs of men who worked on them, where the men lived, what they ate, where they are buried, and much more.

If you aren't familiar with history you may as well throw your money at any passing charlatan who wanders into town.

They seemed to like that.

This afternoon I was having trouble with two sets of kids in the back of the room. You know the kind, not interested and too distracted by the gossip of the minute. I finally stepped back there and told them I didn't care if they were bored or not. I didn't care if they wanted to make a mess of their lives. The world always needs more burger flippers. BUT! They are NOT allowed to make a mess of their lives (pointing over my back at the rest of the class. YOU WILL SIT QUIETLY AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE BELL TO RING! If I hear one word from any of you between now and then we will carry this conversation on 20 minutes after the bell.

They managed to keep quiet after that but it is a momentary respite.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 08:21 AM

Brett-

Well, you're welcome in for a drink as well!

What will you have?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 09:51 AM

400