Dorothy Gale...with a Twist TOTOTOTOTOTO

The cottage landed with a thud as the violent cloud encircling it, dropped it to the ground. It was as though the hands that grabbed the small house released its cold, wet grip.  The event seemed like hours of tumultuous travel, but the upheaval in reality lasted only a few minutes.  In those brief moments, the sole occupant of the house seemed to be transported across time and space.

Far from home, as she knew it, the young girl cautiously opened the door of the foundationless abode and contemplated the scene before her eyes.  The road was paved with bricks painted with yellow sunshine.  The sweet smelling gardens were in glorious bloom.  Rainbow colors were well represented.  Bluebirds were circling overhead.  At first she thought she had hit her head but then she realized the birds were real and seemed to beckon to her to step outside the damaged door frame.  If it hadn’t been for the broken door, she would have thought she had died and gone to heaven.  But, no promised pearly gates were visible.

The confused girl bravely stepped outside into the new surroundings.  The cottage was a total loss but she was all in one piece.  The bluebirds chirped a song that vaguely sounded familiar.  She didn’t remember all the words, but she was certain rainbows and longing for happiness were part of the lyrics.

At first frightened at the thought of being alone in a strangely beautiful place, she suddenly was greeted by a chorus of well wishers.  Although still a bit unsettled by the unexpected relocation, she knew full well she was not in Kansas anymore.  No one dressed in such clothing there. Black, white and gray were the only colors she could remember from there.  So, she acknowledged the colorfully clothed but small statured crowd with a half a smile.

It is the little things that count

It is the little things that count.  If the binoculars had been remembered on the Titanic the guy in  the deck could have sent up a flare and they could have gone around the iceberg.  It is the little things that matter to prevent a tragedy.
Author unknown…I just like the sentiment.
Marian 7/3/2012

Code for Mass

Hey, we are having supper on Sunday to help celebrate the anniversary of my brother’s death.  He asked us to remember him in a special way.  He lived a simple life so we want to keep the celebration simple.  Our menu includes bread and some wine.  No need to bring any money, our Father will provide what we need.
We will sing some of my brother’s favorite songs that his ancestors wrote.  Then we will listen to some of his stories.   It really is a shame he died so young.  He taught my family a lot during his brief time with us.  He was so good to me.  Thanks for helping us to keep his memory alive.

Marian R. Carlino...lesson in religious education....What if we had to use code to go to Mass?

The Rose for Pro-Life

Why should I wear a rose for life?

The rose is a universal symbol of perfect love.  Wear a rose to remember the visible sign of God’s love for mankind in the birth of a baby.

Marian R. Carlino

Years of Learning

In 1978, I started my teaching career in Galloway Township, New Jersey. I taught in the Galloway Township Public Schools until 1983 working in regular and special education. I did not want to be a teacher with regrets, so after five and a half years of teaching, I left the classroom. As a tenured teacher, some people thought I was nuts. That thought process for those who do not know me has not changed. However, there are too many teachers in our schools today with regrets. They become stale and can't wait to retire. I did not want to be one of those teachers.

I was married at the time but no prospects of children nor a home, so I had some financial freedom. I have learned that if we tie our freedom to our finances we get tied down instead of free.