Facebook Friends

I love Facebook!  I got a Facebook account because I wanted to see the pictures my nephew posted of his little girl, Abby. (Now it is Abby and Jackson)

Jackson and Abby

My list of friends consisted of relatives and close friends.  After I retired my friend's list expanded to include former students...and oh how wonderful.

I spend each morning and evening checking to see what everyone is doing.  I love reading the friendly political sparring between Kendra and Joe but try to remain an observer. (But, Joe...you have it right!...and Kendra...you are a great person...love reading about your kids...but we just differ on views.)  And there are the world travelers...Amy who has been in the Peace Corps and Laura who has a job that sends her around the world.  She has been posting pictures of a Flat Sawyer for a friend's child.  What an adventure he has had.  Riley...you followed one of my dreams and now have a PhD and keep busy on research and archaeological digs in Turkey and Italy.  Tommy...you, too, just earned your PhD!  Katie...you are a chef now!  Kyle...you are almost finished with your Masters.

Darla...you just got Member of the Month from the Health and Wellness Center!  Shawnda...you have been so brave in your struggle with Chiari (I had never heard of this until you shared.)  Ben...you have turned into quite a writer...maybe you should join the Slice of Life next year! Check his book on Amazon.

 Nena and Barb...mother and daughter...so full of wisdom.  Kelly, Beth, Preston and Carol...all so tender hearted. Judith, Erin and Hailey (well, all of you with families) your children are beautiful.  Marci...such kind word from you when my mother died.  Allison...we share kitty love!   Chase...your musical talent is a gift to everyone.  Shane and Zac...my Godsons so full of talent and kindness.  Tonia, I hope you get to join Kimberly, Ginger and Stephanie when they visit Carrie later this year.  Ben, you were not a student of mine, but I watch for your posts while you are stationed in Afghanistan.  Mark...your acting talent and sensitivity touch my heart.  Tony...you love your little Miss Molly.

So I am fighting the guilt of leaving out most of my former students....but know this blog would be way too long.  I just so appreciate reading about their lives...what they have accomplished...pictures of their beautiful families...some are going through difficult struggles, but they find help and support from friends on Facebook.  Once in a while someone vents...but not often...and when there is a vent it seems to be needed and no inappropriate language is used.  How proud I am of all of my former students...I wish I could include each one of you in my list of your activities.  Do know that I follow your lives and I feel so blessed that you have allowed me to be a friend on Facebook.

 And please, take a bit of time to listen to this amazing You Tube written and created by Chase...he plays guitars, sax, violin and drums...as well as sings.

Rätsel Gelöst or Mystery Solved

My post for March 1st mentioned my high school German teacher, Herr Werba.  I said that he left unexpectedly and our next teacher was Miss Marnett.  What I did not mention was that after that, I did not learn much German compared to my first year.  Of course, it could have been my interest in playing guitar, singing folk songs and joining in a number of protests....yes, I was a child of the 60s.  But I also did not have Herr Werba to scare me into studying my German lessons. 

This is my high school, DeVilbiss  Herr Werba's room was the third floor to the left of the pillars.

The other thing not mentioned was that his leaving was not only unexpected...but also mysterious.  All sorts of stories roamed the school halls. Did he run off with a former student?  Did the U.S. government kick him out of the country?  We never knew for what...but lots of stories about that too.  Was he a spy and got caught?  Did he get arrested or escape?   Some thought his wife turned him in to the authorities for tax evasion.  As you can tell...lots of rumors...and from these branched even more interesting if not sordid stories.

After time there were fewer stories and soon Herr Werba was forgotten.  But after writing the post a couple of days ago I became curious.  What really did happen?  I Googled his name and found some information from Findagrave.com.  There was a man, Henry Werba, who died in 2002 in Connecticut.  As I read about him I could not stop smiling.  This man was amazing!  He received his PhD from University of Connecticut and became a professor.  He authored a number of German college text books.  He was fluent in six languages!  He was a sculptor, concert violinist, award winning photographer...and he even built his own house.  He reconditioned pianos and also rode a motorcycle.

There was a lot more about him, and for those who want to read more, here is the link. Henry C. Werba. I was dumfounded and yet not surprised (if that makes sense).  But was this the real Herr Werba?  There was no mention of him being in Toledo, OH.  I searched more (I love the internet) feeling like a detective on a cold case.  And then I found it...an article in the Toledo Blade, November 22, 1961: Linguist Studies 7th Tongue Via Disks. Henry Werba Studies 7th Tongue.   The missing link was found.

What did I learn from this?  It is amazing that the Truth about Herr Werbe dwarfs all of the rumors and stories that were told.  Did anyone know the truth?  I am sure the administration had to have known...but back then there was so much unrest with sit-ins and protests...maybe they felt no need to tell Herr Werbe's students why he left.....and then again....maybe he really was a spy and was sent to Connecticut on a secret mission.  No...the rumors stop here...Herr Werba was multi-talented man who made life a little better for a lot of people.  I feel bad there were so many rumors but glad that Herr Werba's real life was so enriched and interesting.  I wish I would have known him better, but I am so glad I know a little more now.

For those Facebook friends of mine who participated in the contest to solve this mystery....it looks like Jamie Keeker won this time.  Your prize will be in the mail shortly. :-)

Boston: Mourn the Lost. Hope the Worst Is Over. But, Please Have Perspective, and Don't Live in Fear.

I don't think I can write a post for my blog today.  I tend to like to write light hearted posts and I just don't feel that today.  While walking with my friend, Ann, yesterday (taking advantage of one of the few warm days we in Toledo have had this spring and reinforcing, Jozy, her young golden retriever's lesson of heeling) she received a text.  Ann glanced at the text but could not read it because of the sun's glare, but she did see the word Boston.

"My friend, Linda, must have sent me a recipe for Boston Cream Pie," she said...and we continued our walk.

Oh how I wish that had been the message...but as you all know...it was informing us about the bombs exploding at the Boston Marathon.  We found out while driving home.

I found myself watching the coverage...seeing the same footage...over and over...watching that same runner fall with what appeared to be something white hitting him...seeing someone dressed up in an M&M costume...watching so many run to help...and hearing the panic of the people...

I had to turn off the television...but then was drawn to Facebook.   I know people in Boston...I have relatives who live there.  Facebook answered my questions...all were okay...but there were other posts that made me sad...people already politicizing it.  I read on...most posts were sending their thoughts and prayers...healing energy...and I saw many words of wisdom.  These far outnumbered those politicizing it...so my faith in the human race has returned. 

The comedian Patton Oswalt wrote an inspiring post on Facebook called  The Good Outnumber You and We Always Will that is worth reading.  It is short but powerful...and of course has gone viral.

 I will end this with wise words that my nephew, Nathan Foster, wrote on Facebook yesterday.
"Mourn the lost. Hope the worst is over. But, please have perspective, and don't live in fear."