local economy

i've always been fascinated by the people in new york city that gather recyclable items for a living...bottles, cans...

yesterday, during this year's only snow/freezing rain storm...i came across a chinese man pulling a laundry cart laden with his find...he was fish-tailing on columbia and rivington...when a car gets stuck in the snow out west, most people jump in to give a helping hand...so, i smiled and offered to help him push his load through the snow...he wore a fisherman's yellow raincoat and a bell bicycle helmet...we didn't speak...i don't think he knew any english...i just pushed and he pulled our way down to delancy...we avoided two oncoming taxis...when we got to delancy pointed westward..."i've got to go this way"...he smiled and took off his glove and offered his hand. i was happy to shake it and found myself hoping that he would find a great stash of recyclables under a snow drift. that is all.

Love

On this day of chocolate and flowers and construction-paper hearts, my thoughts turn to love.

Jesus Christ once taught his followers, "Love thy (your) neighbor as yourself." Is this easy or difficult to do? What do you think the world would be like if people tried to live this way?

Wendell Berry, my favorite author, wrote this poem about love which I really like:

"Whatever happens,
those who have learned to love one another
have made their way to the lasting world
and will not leave,
whatever happens."

What are your thoughts about love?

Happy Valentine's Day students.

Ned

welcome to my blog...I am sitting here with my smart students at Literacy Partners and they are helping me learn how to do this...thanks, Students!