What is your favorite number?

Count von Count from Sesame Street was asked, " What was your favorite number?"

His answer was:  34,969.

In the BBC News, the article mentioned that the Count gave a hint as to why this is his favorite number.  "It's a square-root thing."  Okay....34,969 is 187 squared.  But the question still lingered...why 187?  From my perspective, 34,969 is a huge number for a preschool crowd, not to mention that teaching the concept of square root is a challenge.  So...why 34,969?

I began to think numbers and what would be my favorite number.

Let's see...

I like the number 5.  Five members in my family.  Five fingers on one hand.  Easy to count by 5's (5, 10, 15, 20, etc..) A star has 5 points.

I like the number 100.  Nice and even.  Big.  Easy to say.  $100 is a good sum of money.  100 can be divided by 2, divided by 5, divided by 10.  It is an even number.

After considering several other numbers, I have decided that the number 3 is my favorite.

I have 3 sons.
I can usually remember three steps in any project, or three words to describe something.
Three is just the right number - not too few and not too many.
When you write it, it has a nice shape to it.  It is an easy to doodle number.

But most importantly, the number three represents God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  I need all three in my life.

Back to the Count.  There wasn't an answer to why 34,969 was his favorite.  Perhaps there isn't a reason other than the number sounds big!

What is your favorite number?  Is there a reason that you selected that number?

Conversation includes not saying the wrong words

"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place 

but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."  

Lady Dorothy Nevill, British writer (1926 - 1913)

Conversations are a particular interest of mine.  I have been researching the topic it seems forever and occasionally, my interests take me to adding new ideas.  I came across this quote by Lady Dorothy Nevill.  She was an English writer, social hostess, horticulturist, and plant collector in the time of Queen Victoria.  

It struck me how a good conversation can quickly go the wrong direction by the wrong choice of words.  And there is nothing you can do to turn it around.  The damage has been done.

I am thinking about conversations that I have had recently.  Have I truly listened to the person?  Or have I been thinking of what I am going to say next and not listened?  Have I chosen my words carefully?  Or have I simply listened without saying a word?

I am learning that often the best conversation are when I just listen and not say a word.  The talker often knows what the response should be - and just doesn't need to be reminded of the answer or response.  We just want to be listened to - to be heard - and to be affirmed that there is someone listening.

So...I do hope that I will apply the lesson here simply listening without any words.  My nod and a smile indicate that yes, I am here my friend, listening to your words.

Neil Armstrong

Do you remember where you were in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon?

I do.  I was in going into 8th grade at Fesler Junior High School in Santa Maria, California.  I was a nerdy looking junior higher with four eyes, short hair, and pimples.  We were at my brother's house for a family BBQ.  Family BBQ meant Santa Maria style BBQ - tri tip cooked on seasoned oak wood, pinto beans, salad, salsa, french bread dripping with garlic butter and hand-cranked ice cream.

I was fascinated with the study of space.  Every time a missile was shot off at Vandenberg AFB, when the weather conditions were good, you could look up into the sky and see the bright speck of light go up and up and up.  We would stand and watch.  My inside voice saying "up, up, up". Then it would disappear.  It was our entertainment!

I was so excited to watch the moon landing and walk.  I eagerly followed and watched the space program for many years.  When I was teaching 5th grade, I prepared my class of 34 5th graders to watch the launch of the first teacher into space.  And then I faced helping all of us deal with our emotions as we watched Challenger explode.

I do believe that for my generation - this historic day when man walked on the moon will always be a day of special remembrance.  Thank you Mr. Armstrong!

“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”  Neil Armstrong