Monday, March 26, 2012

"Workin'..."



Workin' in a coal mine…



Lee Dorsey


Man, things have been B-U-S-Y around here...I can't believe I haven't posted anything since back in February...

"Little Village"
John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, Nick Lowe

It seems that the Spring Semesters are always so much busier than the Fall Semesters... sometimes, I think it's because what we don't finish in the Fall, we can carry forward into the Spring. However, we do have to finish things up by the end of the Spring Semester...


Man, what a GREAT song this is!!!  "Sixteen Tons"... originally made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford... god, what a singer he was... and then in the above video, that's Eric Burdon, of The Animals... and the original lead singer for the band, War... that band that gave us, "Spill The Wine..."

I tell my students that good things come to those who work hard... and this semester is a great example of this adage...

#1 - my colleagues in my division have nominated me for the prestigious Outstanding Teaching Award here at Alluvial Flood Plain State University...  The competition is fierce, but, like the Oscars... simply to be nominated is a great honor.  One of my colleagues have shared some letters that have been received from former students that support my nomination...  I can't put into words the emotions that I experience when I read what they have written... some of it is even positive... ;o)

#2 - I've been asked to participate in a professor exchange programs with some schools in Europe... it appears that I could get to spend a week in the Netherlands, and a week in Germany...  All I have to do is teach some classes...

The cool thing about this is... I've been working on my family tree... and one of my earliest known ancestors on my Father's side was born (1550) and died (1610) in Gelderland, a province in the Netherlands.  I'm am going to be so close to that area, it isn't even funny... I am hoping to have time to go and explore...

On my Mother's side of the Family, we go back to Biblis, Hessen, Germany...
I am going to be within just hours travel of the origins of my family...

I'm blessed... this has been a difficult year in so many ways for me... but, I've tried to stay the course, and handle things as they've come my way... the best way that I've known how to handle them...

I've got to get back to work...

I hope you all are still around...

~shoes~


Posted by at

31 comments:

  1. Christine MacdonaldMarch 26, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    What a fantastic opportunity and - you are right - you are so blessed! Congratulations on your nomination, as well! How wonderful for read those letters. What a priceless gift.

    Keep us posted on your adventures!

    xxoo
    Christine

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 6:39 PM

      Hey you... Life is pretty ok right now... I have very few complaints! Thank you so much!!

      ~shoes~

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  2. RobinMarch 26, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    First, my parents had the Tennessee Ernie Ford album with Sixteen Tons on it. I used to listen to it all of the time when I was a kid. Loved that song. Second, congrats on your nomination. I think that maybe you needed that whether you win it or not. It really is nice to be recognized for the hard work that you do. And, third, that is awesome about the possible exchange. I am not a big believer in coincidence so I think you might actually get it. How interesting that you are researching your family origins and then an opportunity presents itself to go there all expenses paid???? When does this happen???? You really needed a GOOD thing. So that is freakin' awesome.

    I, too, agree that there are times when all we can do is stay the course. I am living one of those (again) right now. So, I feel ya. Hang in there.

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 6:53 PM

      Hi, Robin... I totally LOVED Tennessee Ernie Ford... what a great voice he had!!

      I've been a bad blogger... I am going to be better..

      I hope all is better for you...

      ~shoes~

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  3. Nancy/BLissed-Out GrandmaMarch 26, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Congrats on the nomination; it is definitely an honor to be nominated. And the exchange...fantastic! Repeat after me: I WILL spend time visiting my ancestral homelands. (You shouldn't have to justify an extra week or so, but if you need to, can you find a small side project that ties into your teaching and scholarship?)

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 7:20 PM

      Hey you... thank you!! I've already started compiling locations for where I want to go. Some of the locations where ancestors from so many years ago lived are not going to be that far away from me!! I am SO excited!!

      ~shoes~

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  4. Ryan BeaumontMarch 26, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    Congrats on that nomination, the students are the most important judges!

    I like the Devo version of the Workin in a Coal Mine. It was on the soundtrack to the movie Heavy Metal.

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 7:22 PM

      DEVO!!!!!

      I LOVE DEVO!!!!

      I will have to look for that song!!

      ~shoes~

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    2. Ryan BeaumontMarch 28, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Here you go

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WRjgv62Ayc

      Delete
  5. LeahMarch 27, 2012 at 4:14 AM

    Oh Shoes, the word congratulations seems woefully inadequate given the wonderful honour you've got. I am delighted for you and to use a Liverpool term "I'm proper made up for ya!"

    Amazing news about the exchange too, and you getting to visit your parents' homelands.

    Fancy a quick stop off in the UK?

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  6. LeahMarch 27, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    Ha, meant to to tell you ..... those tunes, I have them ALL on 45's stored in my loft. Reminders of my mum from whom I got my love of music.

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 7:35 PM

      Hi there, Leah... I am so excited!! I'm not in charge of planning the travel for when it gets to that point... so I don't know... but I do have a big family presence in Ireland and England dating back to the late 1700's. Some of the dates in the Netherlands go back to the late 1400s!!!

      It is all so exciting to learn..

      Vinyl.. I love vinyl... it sounds so much better than CD or any other sound media today.

      How are things with you??

      ~shoes~

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  7. grinsMarch 27, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Whoa, I'm impressed. Congratulations.

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 7:46 PM

      Hi there!!

      I feel VERY fortunate!!

      Thank you!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  8. KrippledWarriorMarch 27, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Dude, If I pissed you off I apologize. sometimes shit happens and other times shit hat pins

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    1. Red ShoesMarch 27, 2012 at 7:52 PM

      Hi, Kurt... how are you? yes, Shiznit does happen sometimes!!!

      ~shoes~

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    2. KrippledWarriorMarch 29, 2012 at 11:56 AM

      that picture is of my Great-Great-Grandfather, Shelumiel Swineford, he fought in the Union Army and was at the battle of Gettysburg...

      Delete
  9. Wine and WordsMarch 28, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    What a fabulous honor Shoes! (Can I vote? Is there a Facebook poll or something?) :)

    You deserve these blessings. I am happy for you and look forward to hearing how everything comes together!

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  10. musicwithinyouMarch 28, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    Congrats Shoes! I love those songs you just posted!

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  11. RCBMarch 29, 2012 at 6:01 AM

    We're still around, Shoes. I also have Dutch and German ancestors, but the list is endless. Have a nice day.

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  12. Cocaine PrincessMarch 29, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    Still here!

    Wow- the teacher exchange program sounds exciting. I hope you win and what a fascinating opportunity for you to research your family history also.

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  13. IleanaMarch 30, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Very cool about the family history thing and your ability to travel to such funky faraway places. Wish I could join you, my friend...but then I'd be going to Barcelona and Galicia instead...which wouldn't hurt!

    Like the song! Hadn't heart it before.

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    1. Red ShoesApril 22, 2012 at 6:27 PM

      Hi there, Scarlet... Barcelona?? My daughter traveled to Spain a couple of years ago and ADORED it!! Her two favorite places were Barcelona and Madrid, where she was able to spend Hallowe'en Night!!

      Spain is most definitely on my Bucket List!! :o)

      ~shoes~

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  14. Green MonkeyApril 2, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    I am so proud to know you Shoes! YES, FINALLY...good things are happening to good people. I'm next, I just know it!!!

    Congratulations~

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    1. Red ShoesApril 22, 2012 at 6:14 PM

      Hey, Monkey Girl!!

      Thank you for the nicest comment!!

      All I've done is treat people the way I want to be treated... if this is my reward, I am fortunate...

      I hope all is well with you, sweetie...

      ~shoes~

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  15. PhoenixApril 5, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Congratulations on your nomination! I had a tough childhood, and I can safely say that the only reason I really made it through was because of the amazing teachers that I had. You should be incredibly proud of yourself for making such an impact in the lives of your students :)

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    1. Red ShoesApril 22, 2012 at 6:07 PM

      Hi there... thank you SO much!! Like you, I didn't have the best teachers when I went to college. I think I've tried to be the kind of teacher I never had, if that makes any sense. I had two English teachers in High School that made a difference in my Life. One of them is still alive, and I remind her of the impact she had on me every time I see her.

      Thank you for your VERY kind words!!

      ~shoes~

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  16. shrink on the couchApril 14, 2012 at 5:23 PM

    Congrats. Hope this comment finds you closer to earning the Outstanding Teaching Award ... AND closer to the Netherlands. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

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    1. Red ShoesApril 22, 2012 at 6:03 PM

      Hey you! Thanks!! I am excited about the trip!! As for the award, I won't know for a few weeks yet...

      This will be an event of a Life Time for me! This is the first time I will have traveled outside of our country... how sad is that?!? :o(

      ~shoes~

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  17. BluezyApril 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    You will have much to blog about when in Europe or more like "please share" K?

    My dad (a professor as well) did a USAID thing in Brazil back when there campus was a warzone (1968) shortly after the UW Madison Dow Chemical Sit In that went bad. He extended it from 2 to 4 yrs. An experience of a lifetime.

    You have fun! Bet you are debating how many guitars to take. And will you find yourself some Euro shoes that fit your personality? Oh what fun!

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    1. Red ShoesApril 22, 2012 at 5:28 PM

      Hey you... thanks for the great comment! I am taking my laptop and look forward to writing about the trip while I am there. This is such a great opportunity for me! I am so excited!!

      I doubt I will take any guitars, but, Euro Shoes? You BET!!! I can't wait!!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete

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