The other day, I caught part of the Oprah Show that featured three men who are triplets. They all had excelled at education, and they are all successful attorneys now. One of them reported that their mother would send them to their room to memorize multiplication tables. She was a teacher, and in their Black community, she was determined to keep her sons off the streets and see that they made something of themselves in life. When the interview was nearly over, she was asked to stand up in the audience, to be recognized, as well she should have been. What a great role model and strong leader!
Mathematics does not seem to be a priority in the schools today. For a few years now, we have seen the results of that.
This morning, the electricity was off due to a bad storm. I knew that there was no chance of buying a hot cup of coffee anywhere, in the local area, but I thought, if Dunkin’ Donuts (just up the street) were open, perhaps we could buy a muffin or donuts and some juice.
So, Jim called the shop. Yes, they were open. When we got there, it was clear to see that everyone was in a fluster. The cash registers were not running, and those folks trying to wait on customers were trying to add, by writing numbers on paper bags.
The plan was not working. The plan to use calculators was also not working. The first addition of what we owed was a figure that was way out of line. The second addition, I’m sure also was an overcharge, but by that time, I was frustrated with the situation. We just paid the price asked, and went to sulk in a corner, (I do speak for myself, when I say “sulk,”), while we ate. A bad mood is not good for digestion.
One never knows when math will come in handy. I feel very sorry for anyone who cannot rely on his or her own mind to figure out something…like an addition problem. With paper and pencil, it should be a simple proposition. I feel that this is an indication that our schools are letting us down in that area. For some reason, children (and young adults) today are not learning to give back two cents, if the purchase comes to $.98 and they are handed one dollar. They must use a calculator, and even then, they don’t always get it right.
Never mind. I’ll be ok. I just have to get over not receiving my Senior Citizen’s Discount this morning, an “addition” of insult to injury. 
All in a day’s happenings…now the wind is dying down, it is brighter out, and it appears to have stopped snowing/sleeting/raining and misting. There is flooding and there were some mudslides throughout the state, and our babbling brook down back is a roaring stream.
On days like today, I am ever grateful for teachers. It’s not an easy task. I applaud them, and I also congratulate those parents who take matters into their own hands and help to instruct their own children, like the lady mentioned at the beginning of this note.
Encouragement is everything, in quilting, and in life, and math comes in handy, in both.
Pat
