Tag: New Mexico

January Reminds Me: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. · My Thoughts

January Reminds Me: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Larada Horner-Miller1 Comment
Martin Luther King, Jr. quote - January

January reminds me: I shared my Martin Luther King, Jr. unit with my middle school students each year in my language arts and literature classes, celebrating the life and teaching of this dreamer. Here’s what I did to share his life and how he influenced my students and my life!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Teaching Unit

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quote - January

Each January, I started the new year studying the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in my middle school literature and language arts classes.

The unit included important dates in King’s life and the Civil Rights movement. I found a great play that walked my students through key parts of his life. When they read it, they took the part of Reverend Ralph Abernathy and John Lewis. By doing this, they met many of the King’s colleagues through this play. They learned how instrumental the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was in the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s connection to it.

A highlight of the unit for me: when we read his “I Have a Dream” speech and took it a part and talked about its meaning. Then I shared a precious teacher-resource a colleague gave me my first year of teaching in Denver, Colorado at Martin Luther King Jr. middle school. He had been in Washington, DC and recorded Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. He gave me a copy of this treasure! Yes, a cassette tape! Probably today, you could find a better-quality recording on the internet, but I taught these classes from 1984-1991 in Raton, New Mexico and from 1991-2000 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the resources weren’t available so readily on the internet, and the background sound was unbelievable of the singing and the people.

Key Dates

They learned important dates:

January 15, 1929 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Born

5 key events to remember the minister and activist

  • December 5, 1955 – Supported Rosa Parks with a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama
  • August 28, 1963 – “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, DC
  • December 10, 1964 – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
  • April 4, 1968 – Assassinated
  • November 2, 1983 – President Ronald Reagan signed the law establishing a holiday in his honor.

https://www.en-vols.com/en/inspirations-en/culture-en/martin-luther-king-key-events/

As I taught the unit, I watched the impact studying Dr. King had on my students. Especially, my eight-graders marveled at the thought of participating in the sit-ins at diners where black people were not allowed to eat. Because of the changes in our world due to the Civil Rights Movements, they had never seen anything like that.

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/the-greensboro-sit-in. January
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/the-greensboro-sit-in

I shared with them that I remembered going to Amarillo, Texas in the 50s as a child and seeing signs that said “Whites Only.”

White Ladies Only - January
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/pnp/ppmsc/00100/00198v.jpg

Because of my experiences growing up, I shared personally. I was ten years old when Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, and I remember the coverage on the news. What amazing crowds gathering in Washington, DC. Also, I remember the day he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. At twelve years old, I totally understood the significance of loss of this courageous man. That’s probably why I so passionately shared his life in my classes.

Also, I told them about what I saw in Denver, Colorado with the force desegregation that happened in the early 70s. White families fled Denver to the suburbs like Littleton so their children wouldn’t have to go to school with “blacks.” This movement was named the “White Flight.”

One Memorable Classroom Revelation

In January 1991 while teaching in Raton, New Mexico, my eight grade students soaked up all the information I presented about Martin Luther King, Jr. in a telling way. Then Operation Desert Storm hit January 17, 1991, and they asked what me what could we do. The idea of war scared them, and the Dr. King unit had opened up possible actions they could take.

One student touched by the Dr. King unit asked, “Can we do a sit-in?” Others agreed.

My teacher-heart overflowed—they had been listening to me. We brainstormed the possibilities and the logistics. What could we do that would be acceptable? We came up with a tentative model. Then I shared it with my other classes and they totally wanted to participate. I had ignited a firestorm in Raton, New Mexico.

“Let me talk to the principal,” I replied and the next day, it was off to the principal I went. I presented their ideas. He stared down at his hands, taking it all in.

“This can’t be a protest against Operation Desert Storm. That wouldn’t be patriotic,” Joe Gagliardi, the principal said.

We had thought of that, so I explained, “They want it to be a protest against war, not Operation Desert Storm.” I knew we were splitting hairs, but it had to be “politically correct” so we could do it.

Mr. Gagliardi asked more clarifying and probing questions. I had all the answers lined up—my students and I had done our job. Finally, he agreed and we set the date for the assembly for the whole middle school.

Preparation

To prepare, we created posters of each national guard soldier who had been called out from Raton. Our own janitor was one of them.

The class who came up with the idea planned the whole thing: the format, the music, who would speak. It was amazing to see the depth they wanted to go.

After advertising it to the school, the day finally came. As students entered the gym, we asked them to sit in the stands. We had patriotic music playing. The posters honoring the National Guard men hung around the gym, and I MCed the event. Several of my students stood up in front of their peers and shared their concerns. Then we opened it up to anyone who might want to say something. The janitor/National Guard volunteer spoke and had us all in tears.

Sit-In against War

Then the moment came. I asked anyone who wanted to join us on the floor of the gym in protest to war, to get up and join us on the floor. I had no idea if any of the other students besides my classes would come down. To my surprise the whole school joined us.

We ended the event with Bette Midler’s song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Martin Luther King, Jr’s legacy lived on for me on that day. I saw my students see the impact on others when you stand up for what you believe in. I hope that memory lives on in all those students who joined us for that “Sit-In against War” that day.

Finally,

when I think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I think of the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, his dynamic “I Have a Dream” speech and a strong Christian belief that stabilized him throughout his tumultuous career. And also, I remember eight-graders who digested his actions and beliefs and took a stance.

Take time tomorrow, January 15, to stop and think about Dr. King’s amazing accomplishments.

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir Audiobook Cover - January

~ Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir available in audiobook format at the following places:

~SHOP TODAY! Shop at my Etsy Shop until January 15, 204 for 50% all of my books, even Flippo’s hardback.

close up photo of hummingbird near flowers A Hummingbird Party: Let’s Attend!
haiku · My Thoughts · poetry

A Hummingbird Party: Let’s Attend!

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment
Hummingbird

A hummingbird party continues to rage at our house on the deck where the feeders are. The birds arrived late this summer—first or second week of July. We lamented over their absence in June, but they’re here now and chugging the nectar Lin puts out daily! And what a stunning spectacle!

Our hummingbirds at three feeders - day of leading meditation
Hummingbird Party

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, I selected our deck to lead a meditation group I’m in. Why the deck? So the participants could see the massive amount of hummingbirds we have and join the party. Those tiny birdy rebel-rousers came out in full force.

Our group time together began with: I read my favorite poet, Mary Oliver’s poem, Hummingbirds, for the inspiration part of our time.

Hummingbirds

By Mary Oliver

The female, and two chicks,
each no bigger than my thumb,
scattered,
shimmering

in their pale-green dresses;
then they rose, tiny fireworks,
into the leaves
and hovered;

then they sat down,
each one with dainty, charcoal feet –
each one on a slender branch –
and looked at me.

I had meant no harm,
I had simply
climbed the tree
for something to do

on a summer day,
not knowing they were there,
ready to burst the ledges
of their mossy nest

and to fly, for the first time,
in their sea-green helmets,
with brisk, metallic tails –
each tulled wing,

with every dollop of flight,
drawing a perfect wheel
across the air.
Then, with a series of jerks,

they paused in front of me
and, dark-eyed, stared –
as though I were a flower –
and then,

like three tosses of silvery water,
they were gone.
Alone,
in the crown of the tree,

I went to China,
I went to Prague;
I died, and was born in the spring;
I found you, and loved you, again.

Later the darkness fell
and the solid moon
like a white pond rose.
But I wasn’t in any hurry.

Likely I visited all
the shimmering, heart-stabbing
questions without answers
before I climbed down.

https://thepoetryplace.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/hummingbirds-by-mary-oliver/

At first, my reading of the poem featuring them chased off all of those hummers. They flee from any sound we make. During the meditation part and the quiet, they came back in full force—dipping and diving. One vied for a position near the feeder, then another ran him off—probably an ornery rufous. I love the collective sound they make—probably their wings flapping, “10-15 times a second. Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and even upside down.”

Click to access Hummingbirds-of-Chamizal_english.pdf

Is all the sound from their wings flapping or do they sing? “While most birdwatchers can identify a Hummingbird by the furious buzzing of their wings, they also have a series of calls, songs, and vocalizations to communicate with each other.”

https://hummingbirdhobbyist.com/do-hummingbirds-sing/#:~:text=sight%20for%20birders!-,Wing%20Sounds,average%2C%2050%20times%20per%20second.

The herd of hummingbirds and Oliver’s poem inspired me to write the following haikus about hummingbirds and tree climbing:

My Haikus

You are the Lord of

The dainty hummingbird gift!

They make me laugh so!

Climb a tree at my

Age? Why not? Discover life!

Nature heals my heart!

Come and sit on our

Deck to see hummingbirds feed.

Sweet nectar lures them.

I can visit the

Whole world, sitting in a tree.

My deep concerns melt.

Clouds hang over the

Sandias. Hummingbirds dance.

  1. A picturesque scene!
  2. New Mexico True!

(I had trouble deciding on the third line. Which do you like?)

Jesus orchestrates

The hummingbirds’ migration.

Thanks for stopping here!

The thirsty crowd has

Arrived! Hummingbirds party!

Be quiet and watch!

Yes, living in the mountains has many blessings, but these fanciful little hummingbirds have to be the best. They continue to come—hopefully for the rest of August. Yesterday, Lin prepared two gallons of nectar which according to some formula he uses, means he fed 1000 hummingbirds yesterday—wow! Also, he only plants flowers and plants in his garden like penstemons, to feed and attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies!

Finally, yes, when they gather to party and drink the nectar, the hummingbirds disturb the quiet, but naturally. As I sit and type this, those hungry little lovelies gather at the feeders I can see. Two feeders need filling, but there are ten spread out on the deck, and Lin has a schedule of keeping them full.

Hummingbird feedings I see from my laptop

I love to sit outside and watch their maneuvers and marvel at their speed and antics. Do hummingbirds party at your house? Do you feed any? many? Let me know! Join the hummingbird party!

I’d like to leave you with a treat—a video Lin took last week! Let the party begin!

Hummingbirds Party!

News, News, News!

Pre-order my new book, Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming and Humorous Christmas Memoir, ahead of the Christmas rush. To be released in September for your early shopping pleasure!

Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? meme - hummingbird
Vacation with my book and heal!

Listen to my twenty-three minute interview on Masterfesto Media Podcast with Isabel Elias about my book Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better?:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uRX60sDFWbejTg7rZAiLn

Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flipp meme - Hummingbird
Find some shade with a cold drink & enjoy Flippo!

Get your free 50-minute audio recording of Flippo! Click here for easy access!

Nature Speaks Through Poetry
My Thoughts · Nature · poetry

Nature Speaks Through Poetry

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Nature speaks through poetry—a tree, a butterfly, and a blackbird! Sometimes gently, other times it screams at me, in a loud attention-getting voice I have to listen to! Notice me, it says! Here’s a poem I wrote about that topic. Enjoy!

Along the Way, Nature Screams at Me!

May 1995

Along the way, nature screams at me—

look and see me here—

A butterfly, orange and black

dancing in a circle

sucking sweet nectar and life.

A red rock half buried

but screaming at me to see

its bright color,

its lasting character.

A woodpecker pecking hard

at life.

A pine cone, dry and brittle

once the hope of new life.

A stick, simple

dry and cracked

wanting to be noticed–

to be touched and admired.

A bone—life given up

dry and bleached.

A coyote, killed its prey,

cleaned it of meat and                                                   

sustenance.

#

Artifacts, pieces of life

things here in the woods

no value

trash to some people,

but to me–

life as it is–

colorful, dry and lifeless at

times, yet teeming with life.

#

Tall trees bow to the earth,

the weight of their existence

dragging them down,

the pain,

the misery,

closer and closer to the earth,

mother earth

who nurtures and gives life.

A silent stance of prayer

of renewal, commitment

yet deadly–pulling

the life out of them–

pulling, dragging, relentlessly

and death

a cycle of life

strength and overkill

too much though

much like life.

The light through the trees,

shines bright,

but it’s the shadows that call me.

The long profile of trees melt into one

and shadows take over–

dim, dark, cool,

blackening the view.

Like feet the roots of a tree grow down–

supporting and balancing its

tall counterpart.

Sounds abound

the quiet, gentle breeze whispers

come see, come hear, come listen.

#

A pesky fly bothers me–

at my elbow, my thigh,

my wrist, my ear,

my hair

buzzing, circling,

demanding then gone.

The sun peeks through the top of the tree

Just a minute ago shining full force

on me.

Now only a hint–like a light slowly

going out.

A mosquito bite on my hip itches,

demanding attention and care.

Bird racket echoes in the quiet–

someone’s not happy.

She’s demanding her way.

Her children are late in coming home,

and she wants her male partner to form

a search crew. He refuses to listen, so

she continues to screech.

Wind, swaying the tops of the trees,

in a gentle rhythm to and fro–

a soft hand moving through them.

The sound is gentle yet strong.

A power moves them

but only the tops.

Pine cone, rock, bone, tree

connected to life and earth.

All a product of–

laying there ready to be seen.

#

Energized with power and strength.

Self-confident and knowing who you are–

but what about  the trees

no question,

no doubt.

Strength connected to your creator.

The busy insane life I left

melts into peace and serenity.

I want to be a tree,

standing firm in a forest,

serenaded by the birds, bees, insects,

the rocks and leaves.

The serenade of the forest–

a tune that ears can’t hear–

easily.

Yes, you can hear the birds

the dirt,

the grass,

the leaves.

#

A sweet melody of love,

dependence,

self-worth

assurance.

A jazz beat, a samba, a slow luxurious waltz.

All these sounds unite in nature

and play if you’re listening,

not with your ears,

with your heart!

The smells touch me–fresh and clean and green.

Not artificial, contrived,

but powerful,

new

exciting!

Life-giving

alive

renewed

a sharp contrast.

Deep meaning–

This is peace–

this is serenity!

Void of structure

calm

letting my heart listen,

receive the message

and  alter my negative energy!

I feel it–

I’m being altered

right now.

The lump in my throat is gone,

that anxious twitch in my stomach

that dry, cotton mouth

the urge to run and do something–

gone!!

Nature heals,

but I have to be here,

sitting outside

away from cities,

demands,

chores!!

And I have to leave that behind!

Then nature heals!!

Nature screams at me sometimes igniting my soul. I must listen. And poetry comes out!

News, News, News!

Just Another Square Dance Caller meme - nature
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy Flippo!

~FREE TO YOU! A Fifty minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!

Celebrate Women This Month!
family · My Thoughts

Celebrate Women This Month!

Larada Horner-Miller2 Comments
Mom with her Panda hat on!
Mom at a Branson-Trinchera Reunion!
Mom with horseshoe sunglasses

March—Women’s History Month! Did you know that? What a thrilling discovery! So, over the next four weeks, I plan on celebrating four women in my life and history. Some are dead; some are still alive! It doesn’t matter because they still have had an intact on me!

First, here’s a great resource with pictures from Dr. Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress to Sojourner Truth, three-quarter length portrait, standing, wearing spectacles, shawl and peaked cap, right hand resting on cane. What a wide variety of pictures of women in our history. Look at: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/

Now, more focused for me—where else would I start the celebration of women? My Mom—Elva Marie Dickerson Horner. Celebrating her this month has a poignant ring to it—she died March 23, 2013, ten years ago! In so many ways, that’s hard to believe! It seems longer; yet it seems like yesterday.

On March 23, 2013, at 5:10 pm, Dad and Jesus won—Dad had waited up there for seventeen long years to dance with the love of his life again. Jesus agreed with him, and the pull towards heaven won, and Mom passed from this world to the next.

Let’s Start at the Beginning

Elva Marie Dickerson Horner was born on September 24, 1928 to Virgil and Tresia Dickerson in Des Moines, NM. Mom joined her 9-year-old sister, Willa Lee.

Aunt Willie and Mom - women
Aunt Willie and Mom

Being the youngest child in the Dickerson home, Willa Lee tells a story about Mom: “when we went to the post office she would lie down on me—on the ground and throw a fit. I reached inside the fence and got me a switch. (Pause) She didn’t do that again.”

Living through the depression, Mom endured a hard life, living in a shack with dirt floors. Grandma would wet the dirt down and pack it hard, and Mom got in trouble for digging little holes afterwards.

Her Marriage and Family Life is Coming!

Mom loved to dance her whole life. A certain cowboy caught her eye at a dance. She noticed his unique dance style. At the Robin Hood Bar in Raton, New Mexico, he crossed the dance floor towards her. She knew he was going to ask her to dance. Then she panicked, and the romance of a lifetime started with Harold Horner, my dad. They dated; they danced!

Dad and Mom on their wedding day - women
Dad and Mom on their wedding day

Then, Dad and Mom were married on August 28, 1951 in Raton, New Mexico. Their married life that would span 45 years had begun. Mom immediately became stepmother to three small children and faced the trials of being a stepmom, but the children lived with their mom in Denver. They visited Mom and Dad regularly.

As newlyweds, they moved in with Dad’s parents in Branson, Colorado, and experience a small-town tradition—chevarier. Friends short-sheeted the beds, removed labels off all the canned goods, and Mom, the bride, had a wheelbarrow ride around town. Dad’s parents had the joy (and despair) of sharing this country tradition and all the effects.

Then Dad and Mom bought their own first home from the Stephenson’s a few months later—lock, stock & barrel. After the birth of my brother and me (thirteen months later), Mom’s family was intact! Her family grew with marriages, then nine grandchildren came, and then fifteen great grandchildren. She celebrated each addition to our family, so I witnessed a woman dedicated to her family.

Mom cherished family get-togethers and holidays. Her father-in-law, Laurence, loved to have family get-togethers at our house because of Mom’s cooking and hospitality!

Her Life in The Community

Lots of life happened in Branson through the years. Mom enjoyed not only her own children, but my brother’s and my friends in the community. She was happiest when her kitchen and adjacent dining room were full of young people. Mom maintained close relationships with many of these children into their adulthood.

After Granddad Horner died, Mom became Dad’s right-hand man, able to do anything on the ranch. She worked hard! In fact, in 1989, she fell off of a haystack and broke her wrist when I was teaching in Raton, New Mexico, right before shipping time. So, several rancher’s wives and I stepped in and helped cook and serve the meal to the shipping crew.

As Dad’s health worsened, I watched Mom lovingly cared for him until the end. What an example of dedicated love!

Mom’s Interests

Mom had a variety of interests:

She was an avid sports fan of all Branson sports. When Bub played, she yelled loudly at basketball games, drowning out other parents. For many years, Mom sat in the same place every game with a dear friend.

In the 70s, Mom got interested in genealogy and researched both the Dickerson and Horner sides extensively. In 1999, we traveled to Eastern Europe because of her genealogy interests, looking for connections to her granddad, who immigrated here as a castaway with no records of entry into the US. Today, I cherish her black ledger with all of her records. I joined her in this interest and have entered her data into an app on my computer, Family Tree Maker.

Girlfriends have been a part of Mom’s life forever: Ellen Berry in high school; Clara Warner, Nancy Salas & Mokey McMillan years ago; Helen Waldroup; Betty Clark and Rose Ward.

Learn More About Mom

Mom had an abiding faith and became baptized and a faithful member of the Des Moines, New Mexico Methodist church, attending every Sunday with her niece and her husband. She looked forward to the time after church when a group went to a local restaurant for lunch—and a little gossiping! Her faith lasted until the end.

All of us have evidence of Mom’s beautiful handiworks: afghans, quilts, Christmas ornaments and more.

I remember Mom as quite the prankster—she loved a good practical joke. If you fell asleep at her house in the living room, a good chance you would end up with whipped cream on your nose! That is just one of her many tricks!

Often when I was with Mom, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing her laughter, so rich and inviting, seeing her eyes twinkle and her joy for living.

Mom and I in our matching Christmas Outfits - women
Mom and I in our matching Christmas Outfits

As you can see, Mom touched my life and many others. She formed me and others to be the women we are today, and I will be forever grateful for my mom! So be sure to celebrate the women in your life this month by doing something special for them.

Mom’s Purple Bear

Recently my husband, Lin, went through our house collecting things for a rummage sale for the Garden Center in Albuquerque. I had a purple bear on the bed in our guest bedroom I gave Mom in her dying days. Somehow the purple bear ended up in a stack of stuffed toys, and he took it to the rummage sale to sell.

Afterwards we were in the guest bedroom, and I looked at bed and realized the purple bear had disappeared. Then I looked at the top of the bookshelf where the other various stuffed toys had ended and they were gone. I realized our house cleaners probably put the bear up with the others innocently.

When I told him where I thought the precious purple bear ended up, he returned to the sale before it started, went through bags and found it. He received cheers from the workers there because he had told them, “I have to save my marriage. I have to find that bear!”

Mom embrace that bear tightly in the hospital after I gave it to her, and we kept it near her until her dying day. Lin blessed my heart with his extreme effort to retrieve it!

Finally,

What women are you celebrating this month? Have you even thought about it? Which woman has influenced you? Why?

News, News, News!

My five books meme - women
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com

~For me, it’s Christmas all year long! Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A

Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? meme
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!

~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet? Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.

Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo meme
A relaxed time with a latte and Flippo!

~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.