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Across the Fence:  Education  |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 1:59:29 PM
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Miss Wilma, I work at a two year college. And I don't know if I know what education is any more. The students here don't seem to have gotten anything out of high school. And a lot of the professors seem to think that a bunch of letters after their names makes them educated. But if they had to survive on their own - well, there's not much common sense or self reliance around here. I guess it depends on if you mean 'book smart' education or 'can do' education. Sadly, I don't see much of either in the students today.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:05:04 PM
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Alright, Miss Wilma...there are different types of education. My daddy was abandoned as a child and only went to the 8th grade. But, he was the most intellectual man I've ever met (besides Jus) and was largely self taught. Read anything he could get his hands on--but at the same time, he was wise in the ways of the world by living in a variety of situations...dirt poor, living in a tackroom in 1930, WWII ball turrett gunner in England, and then eventually, settling down with my mom. There wasn't a thing he didn't know, and if he didn't know enough, he found out. I've always considered him a well educated person--and so did everyone who knew him. Had no idea he'd only gone to 8th grade!
Then there are folks like my first husband who was brilliant and book smart (2 masters degrees and a PhD), but didn't know when to come in out of the rain. No common sense, and no self preservation, either.
My idea of a well educated person is someone more like my dad--someone with knowledge and intellect, a master at certain occupations or subjects, but also worldly. I'd like to think I'm like him :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:12:00 PM
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That is what I am seeing a lot of, I wonder what we have done to our children. You know I have always believed I had a highly educated husband, he never graduated high school , never learned correct English Yet by the time he was 28 he owned his own 100 acre farm paid for, He very seldom ever has to buy very many parts he makes them, He can take a tractor apart from end to end, He is the the best at running a sawmill, He is a number one woodworker, I could go on and on about the things he can do self taught, now am I wrong to consider him highly educated
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:19:16 PM
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Jonnie thats what I see in an educated person, The more I see of these elite paper educated people the more I try to ignore them, I think if you dont have hands on you only have memorised schooling from someone elses learning. There is no reason anyone cant learn anything they want to. There is no reason for I CANT DO IT
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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napafarmhouse1885
True Blue Farmgirl
208 Posts
diane
napa
ca
USA
208 Posts |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:43:22 PM
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Well, I don't know, my father is a doctor...but was never snobby about it...he respected anyone who WANTED to learn..I mean, it is not about fancy papers, but wanting to know more about ANYTHING, not people waiting for a hand out, or having their hand held. He was strict about being self reliant and always FINDING the answer for yourself, and I suppose that is the best sort of education--being curious and wanting to learn more...and being polite to people, having manners. That, and honesty, and that was the best sort of person to be, according to him, and I agree :)
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
www.pumpkinpatchparlor.etsy.com
And Blogs:
agriculture: www.bigtownfarmer.blogspot.com
art: www.queenofcrows.blogspot.com
animals: www.big-luv.blogspot.com |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:51:09 PM
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My dad used to call people with degrees and no common sense "educated idiots". I think there are all kinds of people in this world. Those with book knowledge are educated in their sphere. Those with life knowledge, educated also. I believe to be a truly educated person is to be well-rounded, both "classroom" and hands-on. But those most important quality of a truly educated person is the ability to understand you don't know everything and the drive to try to learn as much about everything as you can.
Every path has its puddle. We have a choice - Turn around, walk around, or jump in and have fun! |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 2:52:23 PM
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Isn't it amazing how in this world of knowledge right at our figertips so many young people know so little.
They read very little and only experience scheduled things like ballet or ball. Not that there is anything wrong with after school activities but children today do not experience the hands on, imaginative play that allows them to dream. To me the most educated people are those who dare to dream out loud. Experience life that is how you become educated. I have encouraged my own children to go out into the world and DREAM go beyond the schools to learn. Misson trips, farm work, road trips all grow minds and experiences that help uncommon sense become more common.
Miss Wilma my daddy was working in the Appalachian colemines by the time he was 13. He watched a cave in kill his daddy when he was only 15. He was so well versed in electrical skills he taught a class for the community college with an education of the 7th grade
Tamara
http://smallfarm.about.com small farms give big benefits
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 3:10:11 PM
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To me, education should simply be; " a life long love affair with learning" -I figure if I help to create in my children a love to learn for lifetime - they will succeed. My family is well degreed.. and I have experienced others trying to define me by my "titles", or job description, or salary.. putting my worth in those things.... But to me education means very little if it doesnt add value to your life and lives of those around you....I have a lot of friends and family some with titles and degrees some without... But I enjoy the company of those that are as eager to learn as they are to teach..... whether is be "book learnin" or life experiences ....
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 3:24:08 PM
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Girls from what I have done read us farm girls know what real education is, Zan your dad would be my hero along with Tamaras, I would not consider either one better educated than the other just different waysLast week I had a doctor in my shop, not only is he a close friend if you didnt know him you would never know he was a doctor hes so down to earth, His partner is a fine doctor but if you dont belong to the country club you are nothing, well you know what I think of him NOT MUCH
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 5:06:27 PM
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“How do we define a well educated person?”
To put in my two cents...In my opinion, Why would we want to? What difference does it make if someone is “well educated”?
I guess some endeavors in life require more formal education than do others. That's probably good. Yes, I prefer a specialist for some things. But outside of the professional world, does it really matter? Does it really matter if somebody is degreed or not? Nope. But get this. There are many fields where it even matters which particular school you attended.
But, just as it should NOT matter when someone does NOT have "degrees." It shouldn’t matter when someone DOES. I would never “ignore” someone just because they did. Just as I would never “ignore” someone who didn’t.
We all have something to teach. We all have something to learn.
People are people.
Tolerance is tolerance.
And, Farmgirls are Farmgirls.
No further defining is necessary if you ask me.
Long answer to a short question. You know you can count on a lawyer for that! |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 5:17:18 PM
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I think your best education is what you learn when you are young. I read somewhere that you are who you are based on what you learned by the age of 12. I believe anyone can learn to "be" something- farmer, lawyer, military, parent, etc. I think that basics skills of taking care of oneself, community, a sense of pride and honor, ability to do basic things like reading, writing, math are the foundation for everyone. Life is the true teacher and we must be open to learning at all levels, college, home, work, in the store, at the beach, in nature,,, wherever!!!
A college education is more about teaching someone to stick something out, seeing it through, get them thinking and digging deep and not just about a diploma or getting perfect grades. I can't tell you the number of times I have used my life experience in my college studies.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 6:24:32 PM
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I have a nephew that is a Dr. of bio-chemistry, He is one of the most educated guys I know yet he is one of the most interesting persons I have ever talked to,I could set and listen to him all night. We have all kinds of friends and family that have degrees , doesnt make me any more comfortable being around some of them, We treat every one the same in our home whether they have more schooling or not I guess what upsets me is a certain person made a crack about a good friend growing up with out a bathroom, Well years ago every one wasnt born with a silver spoon in their mouth There is a difference in trying to send a family of 10 to school than an only child, education is hard to come by for some families, My first thought was even thoug my friend was poor with an outside toilet , it sure beat going behind a tree. In my opinion the degree one was not very educated.
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 6:34:49 PM
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Wilma, this is a wonderful thread. I have often wondered about the very group I work with day in and day out. Now mind you, I have a bachelors degree, but I also come from a set if parents that taught me and my brother and sister to pay attention to what is around you. My dad made a point of having us listen to certain events on the news - example, the impeachment of President Nixon, or the Vietnam war coverage. We also grew up in a community that was culturally diverse. We had the Mexican community, which was made up of Mexican/Americans and farmer workers that only came for the harvest season and we also had a Orthodox Russian community, which all of us kids had friends in and around that community and participated in their holidays and special events. My parents also instilled the importance of reading, both were active members of the local library and read a ton. My dad was and still is a "fix it" kind of guy - if he didn't know how do to it, he read up on it. He did not get his bachelor degree until just before I graduated college and then got his Masters same year I did graduate, and he was highly respected in the corporate world.
Back to the group I work with - all are very nice and hard working, but I would say more then half are closed minded. They do not pay attention to world events - which I am sorry - does effect even the smallest individual - case in point Global Warming - HELLO. They are very intolerant of people who do not speak English well - we are a global company, we are going to talk to foreigners even on the domestic side of our team. New food, new ideas, sorry to much trouble or to scared to look into it. They even snub their noses at higher education. Which I find is okay, if you open your mind to the outside world and learn from it, but a college education - if again you pay attention - will open your mind to new ideas and different cultures.
So back to the question (sorry so long winded) I feel an educated person absorbs as much as they can either from schooling or life and uses that to the best of their knowledge, not only to help themselves but those around them. From the sounds of here on this thread that is what is happening, people who learn and help others.
Thanks for letting me go on and on.
Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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Edited by - asnedecor on Apr 22 2008 6:36:18 PM |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 6:59:33 PM
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Anne how well spoken,, I am proud of anyone that achieves a degree or degrees, I did not but I have have enough books to went to the North pole on,The most un educated person in the world is one that has to try and convince every one else they are educated , hello I dont know many people that dont know if a person is educated or not.Like you I love to learn different cultures, have had some good memories from our German friends. When it comes to the snobs I can live without them, there are to many people out there that are real peoplefor me to enjoy
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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chessie
True Blue Farmgirl
403 Posts
Karen
Vista
CA
USA
403 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 8:23:16 PM
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Well, I have a degree but it doesn't mean I'm smart, it just means I graduated. My husband is the smartest fellow around and he went straight from High School into the electricians apprenticeship (4 years) then 10 years later, to better himself even further, he went to the linemans apprenticeship (3 years - 1 year was credited to his life/work experience) yet he has no degree. He knows more useful things than I ever will and I'm the one with the degree.
Right after graduating from college in the 80's, I worked for Nordstrom and I'll never forget what the store manager told us at a new employee orientation, She said, "I can teach you how to operate our cash registers and show you where the employee entrance is, etc... but I can't teach you to be nice to customers. Your Mother had to teach you that. You were hired because we think your Mother did her job. Treat every customer as if they were a guest in your own home and you will do well." I loved that job and, in many ways, I learned more working there than I ever did in college.
I learn every day. Some of what I learn is from books, from failure, from success, from friends, from family, from YOU, from observation, from research, and on and on. For me, college was just for a short time but learning is forever. When I was a kid, I can remember saying to my Uncle, a long retired plantsman, that when I reached his age, I hoped to have learned as much about plants as he knew. He said he hoped I learned more. I still think about that and what he meant. Maybe if I live long enough to learn more & more I can feel that I am truly educated well.
Much love, Karen
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 8:30:47 PM
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Karen how well you have said this, this is what true education is. Not what you try to impress on someone.It doesnt matter to me if you have a degree or not, I like you because you are you. I once had a person tell me that clothes made a person , well I guess that puts me at the bottom of the totem pole because right now I look like a duck feathers and all
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 8:44:22 PM
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Hey Ladies, jumping back in...I agree this is a great post Miss Wilma. I agree with Karin and so many others. I think it's really how you live in the world and I like the idea of a "life long love affair with learning." And I think it's true, I respect people who really just want to know more all the time, and always challenging themselves to be better. Aha! That's most ladies on here!
And some people are snobby about it, maybe they think if you are from somewhere, and you aren't rich, that must mean you aren't smart, as if money is everything. But it's so not true! I think life isn't necessarily all about money, but it's definitely challenging yourself to be better :)
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
www.pumpkinpatchparlor.etsy.com
And Blogs:
agriculture: www.bigtownfarmer.blogspot.com
art: www.queenofcrows.blogspot.com
animals: www.big-luv.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 9:37:39 PM
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Zan you have had good teaching,I can not understand why anyone thinks they have to impress others, in my opinion if you are just your self its the best impression you can give, I dont think I have ever known any one that is not smart in a certain degree, consider a criminal they are smart enough to commit a crime but just dumb enough to get caught.I am not impressed with self important people . It is necessary that we have money it is not necessary to brag about it, I love learning but the funny thing is I remember the long ago mememories better than what I learned yesterdy
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 04:36:33 AM
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"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde." ~Dolly Parton
I am a student at U of Tex @ Tyler...3 more semesters and I will be "certified" by the state to teach....& I'm not tootin' my horn--I would say that I am "smart." However, on my first day of a Geography class, I realized how far some have not come. A sweet girl, who to the eye looked what we would call "intelligent" asked why if China was such a big city, then why was it not a country! The burden of responsibility on parents has some how become slack, because if I would have EVER said anything so silly--no matter how old I was--my Marmie would have checked my behind. I am so thankful that the Lord put me in a place where I can educate my children, indoors and out. I just hope they keep the ball rolling....
Dirt under my nails and weeds in my hair...don't tell me I can't dress up with flair! |
Edited by - elphie0503 on Apr 25 2008 04:38:12 AM |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 05:48:37 AM
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Samantha, I love the town of Tyler have been there many times, I used to deliver loads of antiques to an antiques dealor John Sauls, He was one of the biggest antiques and textiles dealors in Texas, I have a wonderful cupboard that came from him, Education comes in many forms, where one person has a lot of degrees or not it doesnt mean they are not smart. I was always really glad when my children got smart teachers, I used to work with a teacher in school that couldnt do 6th grade math, a lot of the teachers were lousy but we also had some great teachers.Funny how all the good teachers are well thought of including their students. A child knows when their teacher is a good one,ITS good to know we have another good one like you coming into the system
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 06:20:59 AM
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well, miss wilma thanks again for an interesting thread. you my friend are a born teacher.
what i have learned about education is that for some things it is required, and that it is possible to have the knowledge without the formal education.
in my "work" life i had to go to school to be able to do the work i did.
so an education was required. my family and i worked hard for me to acquire it, but honestly, what i really acquired was the ability to go out in the world and do the work, and thats where the real learing occurred. i too have met alot of educated folks who didnt have a lot of common sense. i was raised by two folks who i thought were very smart but my dad didnt finish high school, and my mom wasnt allowed to go to college, even though she got a full scholarship because she was a woman and her dad didnt support the notion that a woman needed a "higher" education.
when i graduated from college i was the first in my immediate family to do so, and i had the realization that i had completed a requirement and that now i could go out and learn, and that what i believed and knew, i had come into school with that knowledge.
i enjoy school alot, the exchange of ideas and the time to think over things but the smartest folks i have known in my life have been self taught.
when i entered the world of bluegrass music my music mentor was a self taught musician who didnt read music. he learned everything the hard way and "invented" on his own music theory by figuring it out for his own use. he wrote a music theory book that explained many of the theories of music that i had learned in college and he did it by figuring it out. he was totally self taught and i have to say he is the smartest man i have ever known.
he is now a farmer in mississippi, and is a seed saver and can tell you all kinds of things about botany. he just never seems to stop learning. (at 78)
when it comes to smarts i admire wisdom which in my mind is knowledge and experience. i love to learn from folks rather than formally from books. (although i LOVE books). but i would rather hear information from a person who has real wisdom than read something from a person who has collected info and may not have a real love or passion for the subject.
when i worked in nursing homes, one of the things i loved about the work was that i was surrounded by wisdom all day, and that wasnt the staff, they were educated and smart, but the real wisdom came from my patients who had knowledge and years of experience....now to me that is really smart.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 07:18:52 AM
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Frannie you are a lady of great knowledge, I have so enjoyed reading your post, One thing interesting was the girls going to school, you know that was how I was raised, it was not important for girls to have schooling now this was to a child that loved school better than any thing. I married very young but that must have beeen good its lasted very happily 46 years the 18th of May,I have spent my entire life constantly learning, I have never had but 3 public jobs My first I worked in a restruant in 1968 for 75 cents an hour I loved that job, sewing factory just long enough to buy my first new sewing machine and pay the tax on it, the next in the school system.That was a bunch of baloney, We were supposed to be helping the poor in the county, Well we got sent to meetings put up in the nicest hotels fed the best of food while the people we were supposed to be helping had crap for food and hardly a bed to sleep on, Well that sure wasnt me, so I handed in my resignation, went and bought me a big yeller Penske truck and off to Texas I went, I made more money in one show than a lot of the younger school teachers were making in a year.Like you I love books, there arent many subjects I havent studied, You know our little friend Jonnie well I dont know how far she went in school but I can tell you she is one smart girl.You dont have to tell anyone how smart you are it tells its self.Take care of the bunnies Love Wilma
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 07:40:57 AM
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thanks miss wilma, i am birthin bunnies today even as we post.
i am still thinking about this thread and decided maybe:
education is what the world provides for you.
knowledge is what you provide for yourself.
and wisdom is when knowledge and education combines with experience.
i think i have had an opportunity to have all these things, ....well i am working on wisdom, but thanks to my parents and the world as it was when i was "coming up" i did get to acquire and education, and i have had a curious mind, and that is just a fate kind of thing, so i have tried to acquire knowledge.
when i worked with my elders, sometimes they would ask me, "why an=m i still here? what do i need to do or learn?" and my answer was usually, "be patient, we( the younger folks) still need to learn from you, and we're kinda slow learners."
i have no doubt that our jonni, is a smart woman. when i first started visiting with her, i just assumed that she was my age.....i was surprised to learn she is a youngun, i just had a sense that she was older, i think some of us just start acquiring wisdom at an earlier age.
...and when does that occur? well, for me it didnt start until i realized that i didnt have all the answers! i think my children taught me that.
and i have to add too, that in my life most of my learning has occured during times of trials. dont get me wrong, i love when everything is going well, i love the happy times, but most of my lifes lessons have occurred with at least a smatterin of tears.
now, speaking of learning, miss wilma, i will only ask this one more time, cause i try not to be a nag, but i asked you recently about a woven red and white textile in one of your blog photos, cause i have a similar piece that i want to sell. so i was wonderin if you could tell me what youknow about those types of textiles and what would be a good price for it for resale.
i am trying to earn some money for repairs on my guest houses and so i am selling some things off.
if you need a picture of my textile i can do that. i just dont want to sell it for too cheap and cheat myself, but i dont want to put a ridiculous price on it either.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Education |
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Education
