Generation divide…I do find this a revealing topic.  Now, I am 62; my own children are in their thirties.  Some several years ago, I taught English to middle school children.  Veering off into a semi-intellectual topic, I earnestly explained how television was the invention that separated my parents’ generation from mine.  As anyone who’s taught twelve year olds knows, one must forge on with any topic in a desperate attempt to make a point;otherwise, the time is lost to countless, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘You mean your parents are still alive? Wow!’ ‘Your parents didn’t like, want , know about televison? ‘Were your parents orphans?’  ‘NO,’ I explained and continued, carefully avoiding eye contact. I then offered that the invention which separated my generation from my children’s was the computer. ’ Your kids took your computer?’ ‘If your parents had a computer, they could watch television on it.’  ‘You have kids?!’  Now, I’m wondering why I thought this topic so interesting.  Finally, the big question, ‘What invention do you think will separate you from your children?’  Silence.  Then, one proud hand flies up.  ‘BOOK SOCKS!’ came the confident answer.  Now book socks are cloth coverings for textbooks, which that year had become a popular replacement for the traditional paper protectors donated by the electric company or perhaps the local bank. And once again, ‘What was I thinking when I started this line of questioning?’  Thus, somewhere there are young adults wandering about with their Kindles, thinking, ‘Book socks aren’t going to fit on these things.  Man, no way these machines will catch on!’

peace and grace

Cookbooks ‘gobbled up’, oh, Liz.  You’re the best.

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Thank you for your article, Liz.  You know, it isn’t just that you know everyone, but that you capture them in sterling sentences and whimsical words.

Say, could you send some snoods down here for ‘Good Hair’ Perry?  Kinky has signed up for the jamboree and Tom Scheiffer (-2 for spelling).  Kay Bailey should be riding in soon after quitting the Senate.  It’s goin’ be a shootout for sure, Liz.  Would not surprise me if Dubya threw his hat in the ring.

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Me, too, with the childbirth, Frannie Em.  I watched a film showing women sipping orange juice as they walked back to their rooms after 20 hours of labor prior to delivery.  This was not my experience and, apparently, changing your mind in the labor room is not an option.

Also, I’ve climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire twice.  I’m a slow learner, and I don’t care what my husband says, there is no path.  He sarcastically asked me if I would like a sidewalk.  No, I answered, I want a paved walk up the middle and handrails would be a nice touch.  I’m not Mother Earth, but you still shouldn’t try to fool me.

Peace and grace

Rosemary, Eunice Kennedy Schriver didn’t have to be elected.  Her service touched the better parts of all of us, unequivocally.

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Lauren Hutton, I think.

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Ah, those who have a gift for the obvious.  Well done, Liza.

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Yes, but  what districts are now spending on textbooks could go toward more teachers, smaller class sizes.  Some high school textbooks cost as much as $60-$70.  We don’t want broken backs, but I know well of what you speak about ‘empty arms’ as students leave the school building.  I used to stand in the hall and say, ‘Hey, you forgot your books.’  Universal answer:  I finished all my homework.

Texas was the leader in statewide standardized tests, which everyone jumps through hoops to score Excellent.  But no changes arise from all the statistics.  Our city schools are back to being segregated.  I’d be willing to try the e-reader.  The Irving District warehouses their textbooks because they don’t want the students to lose them.  How crazy is that?

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Hey!  Hey you!  Yeah, you!  What, you can’t see the forest for me?  Come on, we’re on leaf support here.  No more CO2, think about it.

School systems around the nation need to get rid of textbooks and put e-readers in the hands of students.  What a huge reduction to the annual budget.  Few children are curling up with a juicy textbook.

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Brava, Liz Smith. 

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Well, Liz Smith, what’s not to love!  A bodacious beau you have there and what taste, in women and decor.  A true Southern Gentleman..set out and did conquer Yankeeville and planned his return to the juleps and and junipers…ah, and that’s what I love about the South.  Not lost on me, Liz Smith, a photo of your office and a description (in your own words), let me parahrase, "My friends think I live like a freshman in college."  As do I, all the more appreciative are we of those who can get all that neat stuff together and still be able to walk through the rooms without tripping over a pile of books or ‘steppin’ in something.

Thank you for the news of Dominick Dunne, what an inspiration.  Which reminds me, Liz, when will you wOw women be journeying up to Richard Gere’s bed and breakfast?

Peace and grace

And not even a four letter word at that.

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Welcome back, Liz Smith.  Perhaps Madonna penned a song of eternal love dedicated to Guy to apprise him of the fact such love requires a younger guy.

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Thank you for your response, Liz. I agree about tax credits as an incentive to bring our businesses back home.  Here in Texas, the Association of Businesses has challenged the Texas Education Agency because of the Agency’s false formula to register the state’s dropout rate.  The Agency recently announced a 12% dropout rate, which the business organizations countered with claims that the number is closer to 30%.  In a knee-jerk reaction to the higher rate, the head TEA is calling for a voluntary ban by businesses to stop hiring any person who does not have a high school diploma.  Bussinesses have cried foul.  I don’t know how other state’s rank with their dropout rate, but I strongly believe the strongest two areas to improve education and contribute to a rising economy are for businesses to keep joining in alliances with public schools….to let students know what their prospects will be and the students’ responsibility to qualify.  Another is for colleges and universities to stop providing so many remedial classes….the constant complaint that high school graduates do not arrive on college campuses prepared, can be solved by colleges concentrating on education rather than operating as a business.  The trickle down effect from higher standards at the top will affect education standards all the way to elementary school.  If one does not know how or where he is going, it really doesn’t matter how long he takes to get there.  Let’s put some responsibilty on those who will most benefit from a stonger education system.

Peace and grace