Our first Senate meeting of the year. I am honored to be included in such august company. These are colleagues I respect, wise people who always put forth ideas for me to explore and consider, expand my worldview, challenge my thinking.
Now I am allowed to make a contribution too, allowed to weigh in on topics of concern as representing the library in conversations. It is all a bit heady. I am afraid I will put my foot in my mouth, or say something so kindergarten that people will pass me off as too new. Now is the time to listen, absorb, comment only when I truly have something to say of value that has not been mentioned by others.
I do find that my perspective as a librarian, because we are one of the few places on campus where everyone intersects, tends to be broader, to see issues cropping up early on. We have done much work in addressing customer service protocols and it turns out I can offer comments of substance. Whew! That's a relief. Not just my ideas or opinions, but valid data for consideration.
I have never been much on politics, but I am learning. Mostly I am learning to listen better, to hear all the sides, all the voices, and to hear beneath the actual voiced issues to the broader topics initiating the current conversations. And lucky for me, my librarians colleagues are willing to converse with me about the long standing concerns that will play major roles in the upcoming decisions.
How fortunate to be a novice with such excellent support!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Choir At Last
I am so happy to be together with my choir! I love singing sacred music with them. I have been studying scores for awhile now, wanting the season to be enjoyable for them, filled with uplifting music that they will enjoy singing, music that will augment the services.
I think we have a good lineup, but as with every season, its a bit like beginning with a whole new choir. The balance and sound is different depending on who is singing this year and who has to step out for sanity reasons. Life is no less complicated when you are retired! I am so thankful for the ones who hang in there, despite how easy it would be to drop out for one reason or another, and all valid reasons.
We stretch and warm up, humming, yamming, me-may-ma-mo-mooing, and lip trilling. Yes, we are back. After last year's challenging season with my masters degree recital, this will be an easier year, but filled with good music. I have discovered that we have never sung "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" and I ordered a new arrangement that I think they will like. We will sing it for our cluster choir event.
Ooo - it promises to be another stellar year. I can't wait.
I think we have a good lineup, but as with every season, its a bit like beginning with a whole new choir. The balance and sound is different depending on who is singing this year and who has to step out for sanity reasons. Life is no less complicated when you are retired! I am so thankful for the ones who hang in there, despite how easy it would be to drop out for one reason or another, and all valid reasons.
We stretch and warm up, humming, yamming, me-may-ma-mo-mooing, and lip trilling. Yes, we are back. After last year's challenging season with my masters degree recital, this will be an easier year, but filled with good music. I have discovered that we have never sung "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" and I ordered a new arrangement that I think they will like. We will sing it for our cluster choir event.
Ooo - it promises to be another stellar year. I can't wait.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Top Heavy
While wandering around following Sugar on morning jaunts, I happened to glance up at the tall pines near our building. The very top of the trees are so laden with pine cones that the branches are bowed under the weight of them. I wonder they don't snap off and come tumbling down on my head. Why doesn't the tree grow cones on the lower stronger branches?
As I investigated further, it occurs to me that the top branches, though smaller, are younger and more vibrant. They can be flexible because they have not yet grown rigid. And they are supported by the stronger older branches beneath them. Ah-ha!
Just like with human families. The younger people can tolerate having babies and dealing with little children better than the older people more set in their ways. They have the strength and energy to keep up and the flexibility to roll with the punches. Yes, they are also supported by the older, stronger (hopefully wiser) adults who bear them up in their work. Nice. Good plan.
Now if I could just turn out to be one of those strong, supportive parents, that would be grand. Working on it, but I have to admit, its a challenge.
As I investigated further, it occurs to me that the top branches, though smaller, are younger and more vibrant. They can be flexible because they have not yet grown rigid. And they are supported by the stronger older branches beneath them. Ah-ha!
Just like with human families. The younger people can tolerate having babies and dealing with little children better than the older people more set in their ways. They have the strength and energy to keep up and the flexibility to roll with the punches. Yes, they are also supported by the older, stronger (hopefully wiser) adults who bear them up in their work. Nice. Good plan.
Now if I could just turn out to be one of those strong, supportive parents, that would be grand. Working on it, but I have to admit, its a challenge.
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