History Books We Never Read in School
Only when we know all sides of history can we move forward. These books explain the systematic and destruction of native peoples on our continent. When we acknowledge our collective crimes we can then embrace a more fair and just future. James Loewen’s book Lies My Teacher Told Me is a good place to start. In it, he shows how most history textbooks distort and water down history in order to sell more books in California , Texas and Florida. Truth can be debated, but only when we see all the evidence and see that history is a rich tapestry of stories, not a list of dates,places and hero’s defined by those who won.
Robert Frost. (cousin of Jack)
Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech,[2] Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early 20th century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes.
Frequently honored during his lifetime, Frost is the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He became one of America's rare "public literary figures, almost an artistic institution".[3]
Eric Aho Exhibit at Bates College
Last February , lanscape painter, Eric Aho came to Stoneham to cut ice and reproduce an image in a Marsden Hartley painting. Things did not go as planned but this October 28th Bates College in Lewiston will be exhibiting the work of 8 contemporary artists whose work is influenced by Hartley.Eric’s art will be included in the exhibit. For more info click on the link above. If you want to go to the opening, call me at 802-345-9193 and maybe we can carpool.
Special Report from Uvalde, Texas
I have been bringing my kindness celebration, the Forcefield for Good, to the children of Uvalde and San Antonio Texas for the last 2 weeks of September. So many people from town have asked me to report on this for the Chronicle so I will be including some dispatches on my work there in the coming issues. To be in a place like Uvalde, that has experienced such a profound and horrific tragedy, does something to how you see other people and our role as community members. After a day there it was clear to me that the worst tragedy brings out the best in people. Fred Rogers said, to always look to the helpers. He was right. I could not help but think of my Stoneham neighbors and how they are there for each other in times of need.
Eva Mirales was a Force of Nature
Just before I left town, I spent an hour at the 2 murals of the 2 teachers who were lost at Robb Elementary. I filmed the 3 women who were close friends and colleagues. They stood in front of the murals telling stories, laughing and crying. Eva and Irma came alive more with each anecdote. I am going to edit the video and give it to them as a gift. It struck me that when you lose a teacher the profound loss extends to all their students and colleagues. I thought of all the lessons not taught, all the children who lost an advocate in a system that can make them smaller. Eva Mirales, who was a crossfit trainer and weight lifter was also a fierce advocate for every child’s needs. In other words, a real badass teacher,
Practicing Kindness at Elementary Schools
A 3 year old opens her heart to the world. I got to work with most of the children that were affected by the tragedy. Healing is slow and circular. Teachers are dedicated to creating the safe spaces that create love and healing and learning. I did three workshops with teachers and know that the main reason they returned is not for themselves , but for their students. To call teachers heroes sounds like pandering most places, but not in Uvalde.
Memorial at Robb Elementary
The first place I stopped when I got to town on Sunday night, was the impromptu memorial at Robb Elementary school. I was overcome with grief and sadness at the the sight of all the outpouring of love expressed in all the stuffies and flowers and prayers. The memorial is guarded 24/7 by the Texas State police. The building will be torn down in the coming year and a more permanent memorial built on the site, but this will always be the real memorial. News stories never really penetrate the surface when it comes to such horrific loss. To stand there among the heaps of colored offerings sent from people all around the world is to know that love endures, even on the worst days. Love lasts.
Fly Away Farm: Local Food Grown by One Family
10 years ago our a young family started growing organic vegetables and we all got healthier. Jenn and Justin Ward started Flyaway Farm. Their shop is just past the Center Lovell store and is the best place to pick up nutrition packed organic vegetables. Some people think that organic only means that the vegetables are not grown with chemical pesticides. True, but the real story is that vegetables grown in organic soil , tastes better and has been proven to have a better nutritional value. The downside is the cost but, thanks to ocal farmers like the Ward family, we can pay a little less and give all the profit to the people who help create our food. 150 years ago there were organic farms everywhere in Oxford County but those people either went out to the mid-west where the soil had less stones or disappeared in the Civil War,. One family came back to grow real food and we are grateful.
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Email: barrylane55@icloud.com
Phone: 802-345-9193
Writer, Singer, Spreader of Kindness