The Maroon Vol. 3… No. 2 Thursday, December 5, 2022
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: After The Gold Rush
Macky’s New York: A Colorful End To A Colorful Year
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Made For & Inspired By RHS Alumni
RHS Tired Teens: Later School Start Times
Paul Cortellesi: The Best Day Of The Year
Mark Porro: A Cup of Tea on the Commode
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Jeff Meyers: Resolved
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
Observer
After The Gold Rush
Tell me why parents rush their children towards earning a college degree. Why do they empty their nests before their children are ready to fly? The certainty of a good job after graduation with a upwardly mobile career path were sacred beliefs of the 20th century; they are less & less certain now.
In the 21st century, we see companies increasingly automate office tasks & employ machines with Artificial Intelligence instead of people. Students, whether they are on the “college track” or not, need to hone their analytical skills. Analytical skills include data analysis, research, creativity, & communication. These skills are acquired in a variety of ways. Both the academic & vocational paths offer opportunities to learn them.
Though maybe we need to give the idea of “Vocational Training” a rebranding. Consider this: a “Trade” allows a young person to earn money immediately. It might also give them the impetus, through the sheer repetition involved in learning, to consider the world’s complexity, its challenges, and ultimately the potential solutions.
I suggest we pressure our kids less to attain a diploma of dubious value and nudge them instead towards learning a library of skills that are useful immediately and for the rest of their lives. Yes, we need specialists but one has to be a generalist first. People need to be prepared for a myriad of circumstances, some that are impossible to predict. Our schools and our homes need to be more conducive to learning, not just in order to pass a test, but in order to face the many tests Life throws at us (unexpected job losses, illness, being a care-giver, pandemic, catastrophic weather, to name a few).
How much less anxious do you think we all would be if we learned not only to appreciate the finer things in Life but also acquired a variety of strategies to deal with stress and unpleasant emotions. We all need to understand how to withstand & endure the tragedies which inevitably come our way and which no amount of money can shield us from.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
December 31, 2022 - Rockefeller Center
A Colorful End To A Colorful Year
Meeting my father for lunch at one of my favorite spots in Midtown- Le Bonne Soupe - and decided to walk up from Union Square and as I got closer to Rockefeller center I realized U haven't seen the Christmas tree this year and so...I walked west and 48th and decided to approach from the south where there would be less tourist and as I walked towards the tree...I decided to shake my camera up and down as I took the shot and captured this - a colorful end to a colorful year - now off to the restaurant for some french onion soup and a croque monsieur and perhaps a touch of the grape.
Looking north into the Rockefeller Christmas tree with a shakey hand.
Time 10am
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
They cut down the Mulberry tree I used to play in as a child on the West End/Cantrell triangle.
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Made For & Inspired By RHS Alumni
Digital Printing for the RHS Hall of Fame provided by Tim Boucher, RHS 1988
RHS Tired Teens
Later School Start Times
Paul Cortellesi
Favorite Day Of The Year
Meet Tantrum.
Tantrum is one of the two dozen hounds that spent the afternoon with us at Fieldview Farm for the annual walking with the Tewksbury Foot Basset’s.
We’ve been attending this Jan 1 tradition for years. I’ve long felt that spending the afternoon with these hounds galumphing and braying about the countryside is just the hilarity one needs to start the new year off with the proper mindset.
It is already my favorite day of 2023.
Mark Porro
A Cup of Tea on the Commode
Author of "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" a memoir. Arriving in bookstores on May 14, 2023 (Mother’s Day).
M + A NYC
Mighty Are We As One
M + A is a destination devoted to art, artists, artisans and design. We are inspired by art as it relates to design: the soul, the spark that ignites beautiful ideas. We are equally as motivated by craft traditions passed down from generations.
Shop home décor and wearable accessories at www.mplusanyc.com
James Stroker
Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
And just like that, my little rock hound and adventure buddy is on his way back home to Alabama and there is a deafening quiet around the house.
Jeff Meyers
Resolved
I don't have a New Year's resolution...
But I will admit that during the last few weeks...I have been
struggling...
It's not any predicament that's worse than anyone else's of course,
It's not the worst struggle of my life...
But if a struggle is threatening to dominate each day...
Or worse, every hour
(I have learned from the past)
Then a situation
could get out of control and lead to counting the minutes of misery
For a very extended time.
Resolved: I will
build and rebuild relationships
exercise,
meditate,
play and listen to music,
paint/draw/build,
write. I will
work on environmental issues
give my self to social justice
be a part of and observe nature...
AND...I will
loaf around,
YES, and
thank you Walt Whitman,
I resolve to
Spend a lot of time
Loafing around...
Until I see
and hear
and feel
Again
who I
want
to
and
who
I am
meant
to
be
Kathy & Ross Petras
You’re Saying It Wrong
Ross & Kathy’s podcast: You're Saying It Wrong is a podcast that looks at what we get wrong—and what we sometimes get right—when it comes to this English language.
Another great edition!