Saturday, September 25, 2010

Moon on the Mountain Edge

COMING OUT OF DARKNESS
I'M LIKELY TO ENTER
THE DARKER PATH AGAIN.

SHINE FAR ALL OVER,
MOON ON THE MOUNTAIN EDGE.

~A Zen Harvest

Of Note: Education. These days in the United States that is a loaded word, especially with the release this week of the new documentary "Waiting for Superman" by the producer of "An Inconvenient Truth." It purports to show why our nation is lagging behind other developed countries in educational achievement, particularly reading, mathematics and science. Frequently for those in the developing world, education is just a dream. Often, education for girls and women is non-existent and does not even rise to a wish. However, with the push of the Millennium Development Goals, education and gender equality are now a top global priority. It is about time, don't you think? After all, research has recently shown that educating women saves children. For every extra year of education for women, the death rate for children under 5 dropped by almost 10%! In 1970 women ages 18 - 44 had only attended on average two years of school. By 2009, that number had risen to seven years. The lead author of the study, paid for by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, explained: "Investments in education pay off by providing better health for the future. Educating women tend to use health services more and often make better choices on hygiene, nutrition and parenting." Think of a world in which both halves of the population are equally educated. That is a future of which I want to be a part. Care to join me?

Today's Weather Report: It is currently 2 am and drizzling outside. The temperature was hovering at 52 or so degrees Fahrenheit the last time I looked. We had a huge dinner party tonight, and I just finished cleaning up at midnight. This is a twice a year event for 40+ of my husband's friends from the Chicago area. Amazingly, the two dogs mingled like regular guests in the crowd. For two near-puppies, that was quite a feat. The cats wanted no part of it, but one is currently nestled in my lap glad for the return to peace and quiet.