Walt Disney Made Me Cry, Again

(I actually started weeping about 5 minutes before this scene.)

 

Saturday our youngest graduated Chelmsford High.

Band played Pomp and Circumstance and I began to cry,

Watching as his friends and he processed across the floor,

Got diplomas, tossed their caps...  And then I cried some more.

I've been very weepy lately. Watched Toy Story 3;

Mr. S. came in and caught the movie's end with me.

I was sobbing openly; he shed a tear or two.

We're both happy for our son but, still, I'm feeling blue.

He'll be heading off to college and can hardly wait,

Looking forward to his future life at Worcester State;

Making plans and saying his good-byes to all his friends...

While I sit and wonder at how quickly childhood ends.

I've been looking backward to when both our boys were young;

When their Buzz and Woody toys were casually flung

Into corners, under beds... The hours that I spent

Picking up those toys but, now, I wonder where they went.

I know I must look ahead because we can't go back;

Need to force a smile and help my college student pack,

Give him love and confidence so he can seize the day...

Then I might go look for Buzz and make sure he's okay.

Unsolicited Advice for Move-In Day

(Photo/Courtesy of The Boston Globe)

Move in day for college students - happening all week.

If a parking space in metro-Boston's what you seek,

Out-of-towners will discover what the natives know;

Do not pahk yah cah in Hahvud Yahd, for they will tow.

Touring Becker

(Photo/Courtesy of www.yelp.com)

Going on a college tour today. Our youngest son,

In his Junior year of high school, hasn't chosen one.

Looks like it's a pretty day and, hey, you never know,

This might be the place where he decides he wants to go.

Flunking Economics

Neither of our sons will face a huge tuition bill;

They won't have to pay for college 'cause their father will.

I assume they're both aware how fortunate they are

And will quit complaining that we won't buy them a car.

They're in the minority...  Most students need a loan;

Going into debt before they're out and on their own.

Starting life with shiny new degrees and payments due.

'though Obama wants to help, there's not much he can do.

If he said that water's wet the Right would say he's wrong.

You can kiss the Warren bill for loan reform so long.

GOP calls it a stunt; her bill will never pass...

Were I teaching Economics, they would flunk my class.

If your future work-force faces huge amounts of debt,

Forcing them to take the first job offer they can get,

Spending shrinking wages paying off their student loans,

They won't have the income to be keeping up with Jones.

Who's Steering The Ship of State?

Income inequality, where few hold all the wealth,

Hasn't proven helpful to our economic health.

As we lose the middle class we lose the driving force

For a strong recovery because we've lost its source.

I hate to sound cynical because I'm, mostly, not.

I'm inclined to give something a fair and decent shot,

But I'm an idealist who doesn't understand

How the situation's gotten quite so out of hand.

I've begun to wonder, since we've given this a try

(and we've seen it doesn't work since poor people can't buy

Anything but food and Walmart clothing for their backs.

Unemployment's bad without degrees and worse for blacks...)

Why don't we try something else?  I think it's time we did.

Politicians work for those who've placed the highest bid.

We have got to change the law that lets those bidders hide.

How else will we know if we've been taken for a ride?

Dr. Seussilitis Does The SCOTUS Blog - Affirmative Action Editon

The Supreme Court of the United States voted to uphold Michigan's ban on Affirmative Action. (Cartoon/Courtesy of instruction.blackhawk.edu)

SCOTUS ruled, at 6 to 2, that voters get to choose

If there's a protection that minorities should lose.

Michigan decided that Admissions at a school

Cannot factor race when they're selecting from their pool.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly disagreed;

Said the program's one that some minorities still need.

On this issue, I am still unsure how I should feel:

Knowing that the evidence for racism is real,

Wanting to be helpful (it's the Irish Catholic guilt)

Being proud of the protections that the 60s built.

Is that condescending to a person 'cause they're black;

Just assuming I've got some advantages they lack?

That's where I'm uncomfortable. I don't know which side's right,

And I'll never, really know the answer, 'cause I'm white.

All I know is most of color think the program works

And, in their experience, the voters can be jerks.

Aren't we all about protecting the minority?

Not as if they're asking for a lot, it seems to me...

Just consideration of a little more than grades

'til the scar our history has inflicted on them fades. 

The Packing Blues

Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH

Summer's almost over and the nights are growing cool.

In a week my eldest son will leave to go to school.

Hasn't finished packing yet; he hasn't even started.

Even though his other friends have almost all departed,

There are always more farewells that he has got to make.

Doesn't seem concerned (at all) about what he should take.

Plans to bring his T.V. set, his X-Box and guitar.

Sunday night he'll probably just cram things in the car.

Needs to find the other things he'll take to Plymouth State.

Wish that he'd get organized; the hour groweth late...

Guess I shouldn't worry; he's just 90 miles away.

I can always make it there - and back - in half a day.

PSU Freshmen Orientation (Update)

My trip down memory lane leads through Franconia Notch.

Just got back from Plymouth State and, 'though I didn't stay,

And although New Hampshire's sky was overcast and gray;

'though my plans for where to spend the night had fallen through;

'though my son kept ditching me for something else to do,

Staff and students at the school were helpful, fun and kind.

Made us all feel welcome and their speaker was a find.

He helped me to realize - this trip was for my son,

And his mother's presence stood between the kid and fun.

If he felt obliged to hang with me he might miss out

On the whole experience the visit was about.

He'd already met new friends, seemed settled in, and so

It became apparent it was time for me to go.

Hugged and kissed my son good-bye and drove North on Route 3,

All the way to where New Hampshire's Old Man used to be.

Went back to The Woodstock Inn...  It's changed in 30 years;

Still an inn but now it's mostly famous for its beers.

I got back to P.S.U. for Thursday's barbeque

And remain convinced that leaving was the thing to do.

My son had an "awesome time" and, now, can hardly wait

'til the day his college life begins at Plymouth State.

Plymouth State University's Freshmen Orientation

(Photo/Plymouth.edu)

Going up to Plymouth State for 2 days with my son.

It's where he'll be going now his high school days are done.

He will meet some faculty and learn his way around.

It's a chance to get to know his future stomping ground.

Parents and new freshmen are supposed to spend the night

But, it seems, my son prefers that I stay out of sight.

He "forgot" to tell the school that I'd be staying, too.

I believe I've been insulted...  Really.  Wouldn't you?

That's okay 'cause there's a lovely inn just down the road.

I'll drop by to pay his bills if there's tuition owed;

I'll try not to be a nudge so he'll be glad I came...

Meanwhile, I'll be at the pool - or bar - to watch the game.

(Let's go Bruins)

"Oh, The Places You'll Go"

Congratulations Graduates!

"Oh, The Places You'll Go," is what I always give;

The perfect road map for how folks really live.

Gift it to Graduates...  Add my own rhyme.

Let them know how much we've valued the time

They've been in our home to visit our son;

Thank them for making our lives so much fun.

 As they head off to the places they'll go,

'lest they become someone we use to know,

We want to make it abundantly clear -

They'll always find there's a warm welcome here.

Good luck!

Dear GOP... Where Did You Go To School?

Current student debt stands at $1 trillion. (Photo/Occupy.com)

Rates on college student loans could do as much as double...

Meaning current graduating seniors are in trouble.

GOP would tie the rates to markets; experts fear

Their solution could cost kids a thousand bucks a year.

President Obama says he'll veto any move

That does more to harm these kids than it does to improve.

We need college educated people in the States;

Why would we add more financial burdens to their plates?

College can be hard enough without this added debt.

It is in the int'rest of our country that we get:

Future scientists and doctors, teachers, engineers...

Those whose future taxes pay for our declining years.

How are they supposed to pay for us when we get old?

They'll be paying college loans while we're out in the cold.

I think that Republicans should stop and think this through.

Students will remember them when that first bill comes due.

Thank You Chelmsford Schools

Eldest son is graduating, soon, from Chelmsford High.

This week he'll be telling staff and teachers there good-bye.

He's at Seniors' breakfast now; the prom's tomorrow night.

(Have to go and make sure his tuxedo fits him right.)

Friday's Seniors' banquet; graduation is the 1st.

I am so proud of him I'm afraid I'm gonna burst.

But, as this week rushes by and high school slips away,

There are just a few things that I'd really like to say;

My son's been in Chelmsford schools since he was only 5.

They have taught him everything (excepting how to drive.)

It is thanks to them and all the lessons that he's learned

He will be receiving this diploma that he's earned.

Teachers, Dean, and coaches shaped the boy into a man;

Taught him how to stop and think - then execute a plan.

Gave him all the tools he'll need next year at Plymouth State.

Thank you Chelmsford High School.  Lions aren't just good...  They're great!

Fat Envelopes

Congratulations darlin' boy.

Eldest got accepted to the college of his choice,

Giving both his mom and dad a reason to rejoice.

School is not too far away; an hour, maybe two.

Offers Criminal Justice, which is what he wants to do.

He will get to wrestle - which will really please his dad.

He will have to move away - which makes his mother sad.

Doesn't seem to phase the boy at all; he thinks it's great.

He can hardly wait until he gets to Plymouth State.

Student Loan Debt Reform - I Think I Have A Thought

 

If you ask a college student what's the biggest thing

They think that their higher education's gonna bring

I'd be more than willing now to offer you a bet;

10 to 1 their answer is a huge amount of debt.

(My 2 sons are fortunate 'cause we can help them out.

Lucky them, because with recent grades I sorta doubt

They'll be getting scholarships to any decent schools.)

Congress passed a compromise, but I don't think it fools

Students into thinking all their problems have been solved.

As the problem grows, my own position has evolved.

Had a driveway moment and I think I have a thought...

Let's expand Academies where Sciences are taught.

I was in the Navy and my father is a grad...

(Room-mate of McCain's - back in the days when he was bad.)

I am here to tell you that the brightest of our best

Choose to serve their country and give pocketbooks a rest.

Why don't we train scientists and doctors in this way?

Give them educations and use services to pay?

Industries are begging for some well trained engineers.

We are wasting talent.  We've been doing it for years.

Families who can't afford to pay the soaring cost

For a college education - don't... Their kid gets lost.

Think of all the minds that languish in the talent pool.

Time that we recruit them to a U.S. Service School.