Changing the World

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable


As I grew into my twilight years, in one last attempt, I settled for changing only my family; those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now, as age has caught up with me and soon I will leave this world, I suddenly realize that if I had only changed my life first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have been able to better my country. And who knows, I might have even changed the world.
- The words inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)

Paint the Town Purple: Another Women

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Another Women

Today another woman died
and not on a foreign field
and not with a rifle strapped to her back,
and not with a large defense of tanks
rumbling and rolling behind her.
She died without CNN covering her war.
She died without talk of intelligent bombs
and strategic targets
The target was simply her face, her back
her pregnant belly.

The target was her precious flesh
that was once composed like music
in her mother’s body and sung
in the anthem of birth.

The target was this life
that had lived its own dear wildness,
had been loved and not loved,
had danced and not danced.

A life like yours or mine
that had stumbled up
from a beginning
and had learned to walk
and had learned to read.
and had learned to sing.

Another woman died today.
not far from where you live;
Just there, next door where the tall light
falls across the pavement.

Just there, a few steps away
where you’ve often heard shouting,
Another woman died today.

She was the same girl
her mother used to kiss;
the same child you dreamed
beside in school.
The same baby her parents
walked in the night with
and listened and listened and listened
For her cries even while they slept.

And someone has confused his rage
with this woman’s only life.

-Carol Geneya Kaplan

Michael Moore on the Sean Hannity Show

Michael Moore went on the Sean Hannity Show to discuss his new movie.
"I report, you decide."

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

South Bend intermediate student dies, concerns over swine flu

South Bend intermediate student dies, concerns over swine flu

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Domestic Violence Awareness: Why Purple?

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Why Purple?
Purple was Lisa Bianco's favorite color.
Who is Lisa Bianco?
Lisa Bianco married Alan Matheny in 1977. They lived in Mishawaka, Indiana in St. Joseph County. Lisa divorced Alan in 1985 after enduring eight years of very serious abuse. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Alan kidnapped their two daughters and fled out of state. Lisa agreed to not press charges if he brought the girls back home.

In 1987, Alan was charged with seriously beating and raping Lisa. He plea bargained to a single felony charge of battery and was sentenced to the Pendleton Reformatory for eight years, with three years suspended. Lisa began to make a new life for herself. She attended a northern campus of Indiana University. She went to work at the Elkhart Shelter for victims of domestic violence. She told everyone she would have to leave the community when Alan was released from prison. She knew better than anyone how dangerous a man Alan Matheny was. On March 04, 1989, after serving two years of his sentence, Alan was granted an 8-hour furlough for a trip to Indianapolis. He headed straight for St. Joseph County and parked two doors from Lisa’s home. He kicked in the back door. Lisa fled through the front door. Alan pursued her throughout the neighborhood. When he caught her, he bludgeoned her to death with a shotgun he had stolen from a friend’s home. He hit her so hard, the handle of the shotgun shattered. Lisa’s brutal death took place in front of their six and ten year old daughters.

Alan Matheny was executed Wednesday, September 28, 2005 for Lisa’s murder. Lisa’s death brought about much change in Indiana and the nation. We now have victim notification laws—where victims are notified when the perpetrator is being released and the “furlough” policy was revisited. We also have the purple ribbon—the symbol representing domestic violence awareness—so that we will not forget Lisa. Purple was Lisa’s favorite color and her family and friends tied purple ribbons throughout St. Joseph
County as they mourned her tragic and violent death.
Today, the purple ribbon continues to be the symbol for domestic violence.

Girls Night Out Project

This is the project I made at Pottery Schmottery during our Girls Night Out. It turned out pretty good, I think. It's a football shaped snack bowl.