David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Nine

The first day of school for students is officially in the books,,,,year forty-two for me. Things went smoothly today. There were a few glitches, but nothing unexpected. With so many students to serve, there were a few schedule quirks we had to deal with, but nothing major.

The first day of school always brings up a few butterflies. The “great unknown” of what the new school year will bring and what each of your classes will be like. But it’s all a part of anything new in life and I’m convinced it’s going to be smooth sailing for the remainder of my interim position.

My schedule is a good one. After homeroom, I have three science classes, each an hour in length. The students then spend ninety minutes in their rotation classes, which is a planning period for me. After their rotation classes are done, we then take them to lunch. That is followed up by the last of my four science classes before we dismiss for the day.

Perhaps the highlight of the day for me occurred when I had a chance to see some of my students from last year. They are seventh graders this year and acclimating themselves to a new school setting. I’m hoping that seeing a familiar face helped make their day a bit brighter.

Day one of the school year down, quite a few more to be had. I’m glad I took this interim position and just like most of the rest, will find it difficult to leave when my time is up. But such is the life of the interim teacher.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Eight

So many things we can become addicted to,,,,but why?

I was talking with a friend last night about my continuing quest to be a non-smoker, lamenting how difficult some parts of the journey had been. She was tackling a similar issue with certain types of food she had been avoiding, for about the same length of time. Upon reflection, I was reminded we all can become addicted to a wide variety of things and the basic question is why?

A big part of addiction, at least it seems to me, is based in the fact we deal with uncomfortable feelings on a daily basis. Sometimes the feelings are more numerous than others. But the bottom line becomes, “I don’t want to feel this way. I want some relief.” Somewhere along that path, we find some substance that helps turn down the volume on those not-so-good feelings and that seems to be a good thing. If those same bad feelings return, we tend to go back to what it was that brought us relief before. And, at least for the time, it seems to work again.

As time continues, we can find that we’ve developed a tolerance to whatever it is we’re using to ease our anxious thoughts. The simple solution seems to be to take more of what was helping us cope. This spiraling behavior can leave us wanting more and more of whatever that substance might be, and our body develops a tolerance that leaves us back at square one each time.

Chemical substances, such as alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and the like seem to be the most common vices people use to deal with unwanted feelings. But from last evening’s conversation, I’ve been reminded there are other ways people deal with their emotions, including eating, shopping, gambling, and the like. It would seem that we all can become addicted to things in the outside world as a result of trying to cope with life on life’s terms.

Just for today, I’ll look at my behaviors and ask myself if there are any bad habits/addictions I need to deal with on a daily basis. I’ll also ask myself what good habits I can use to combat these negative behaviors. It’s definitely an inside job.

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Seven

The first week of the 2022-23 school year is over and done for the forty-two year teaching veteran. I’ve had four workdays and am looking forward to the first day with students this upcoming Monday.

Some people have the idea that teachers don’t have a whole lot to do with teacher workdays, but such is certainly not the case. There are so many of the nuts and bolts that need to be put together and adjusted during the short period of time before the school year starts.

Some of the basics for the teacher workdays before school starts:

Daily schedule for each day
List of class rosters for each period
Coordination with your team of teachers to make sure all areas are covered
Classroom decor, including bulletin boards and the like
Class seating chart for each of your classes, including a card for each desk that tells who is supposed to sit where
Open house for parents and students
Opening faculty meeting, which lasts all one workday
Checking out all classroom technology to make sure it’s going to be working properly from day one
Meetings with other teachers in the school for students in their programs you’ll be serving

I know I’ve probably left quite a few things off the list, but this gives a basic idea of some of the things we have to have done before the first day of school. There are lots of little details that I’ve not included, like lunch times and the like, that are also very necessary to have a good start to the year.

I’m very much looking forward to the first day of school on Monday. I’m sure there will be a few blips on the screen as the first day transpires, but good preparation insures that those will hopefully be few and far between.

It’s going to be a good year to have a good school year.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Six

Random writing for today….

Three teacher workdays down, one to go. I’ve gotten a lot accomplished over the past several days. There are still a few loose ends to tie together, but no big deal. We do have an open house for parents and students tomorrow evening, so there’s that. I’m fairly certain it’ll be a good start to the new school year.

I was talking with friends last night and posed the question “What famous person have you met?” One of the group said when he was eleven years old he attended Harry Truman’s inaugural ball. Pretty hard to top that one.

I walked a little over a mile this morning during a break at school. It’s once again gotten a lot warmer and humid. But walking is something I know I want to continue once school is officially back in session.

37 days, 12 hours without a cigarette according to the QuitNow app on my phone. During that time, I’ve avoided 750 cigarettes, saved $218, and added 3 days to my expected life span. I’m still using nicotine lozenges, but have plans to start weaning myself off those starting on Monday of next week.

I’m covering another high school football game this Friday night. I’ll be at Newton Conover, as they take on West Caldwell.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Five

Smoking cessation – Day 36

I’m continuing on my quest to be a long-term nonsmoker. Today is day number thirty-six and although I’m still using nicotine lozenges, I haven’t found it necessary to light up a cigarette in five weeks.

I’m realizing there were distinct reasons why I chose to smoke,,,up to a pack a day. First of all, nicotine is an addictive drug and there is that physical craving to keep it in my system. The nicotine replacement that I get through the lozenges has helped squelch these cravings and my eventual goal is to not have to use those to do so. It’s definitely one day at a time in that respect.

Another reason that I continued to smoke for so long, even when I knew it wasn’t good for me, was that it was a habit. It was something that I did at specific times of day and after certain activities. I would always have a couple of cigarettes upon first waking in the morning. A friend explained my body was going through withdrawals since I had been sleeping and that’s why the urges were so strong. After meals was another time that I would almost always feel the need to have at least one cigarette. Then of course, before I went to bed I would have at least one because I knew I wouldn’t have one for at least six hours or more.

The final reason I chose to smoke is for psychological/emotional/mental release. If I became anxious or nervous at any point during the day, I somehow felt that smoking cigarettes would help calm my nerves. And even though nicotine is a stimulant, my brain felt at least partial relief from my worries. The only problem with this way of viewing things is that it may have been a very short-term fix, but the anxious thoughts would return soon thereafter. The only way I figured to help with those returning anxieties was to light up yet another. Needless to say, long-term this was not a good solution to my mind’s way of thinking.

So five weeks into my latest attempt to stop smoking, I’ve learned to examine my thoughts and do something constructive to help squash them. I’ve started diverting my thinking to something more productive, doing some activity (change a thought, move a muscle type deal), talk over my cravings with someone, and try to use all my tools to slow down my thinking.

It’s still one day at a time. My QuitNow app tells me that I’ve avoided smoking 728 cigarettes and that’s really mind-blowing. You don’t realize how much you smoke cumulatively when you’re just smoking them one at a time. May the odds continue to be in my favor as I continue this happy road.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Four

Year forty-two of teaching….teacher workday number one

Today was my first day back in the classroom to begin my forty-second year in the teaching profession. I’m going to be doing a maternity leave interim for the first eight weeks of the school year and today was our first teacher workday. I got a lot accomplished and am looking forward to the first day with students one week from today.

I was able to access my class lists and proceeded to make seating charts for each of the five groups of students I’ll have during the day. This is something that takes a bit of time, but from my perspective, is one of the most important tasks to complete before school starts.

I was also able to get access to my classroom desktop computer and all the apps I’ll need to use for instruction. Perhaps even more importantly, I was able to print from my desktop to the school copier, as well as make copies in the traditional fashion. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most.

We also met with one of our guidance counselors and went over some of the modifications we’ll need to make for some of our students. We also went over some of the safety precautions that are in place to keep our school a safe environment for all. With the recent incidents involving school shootings, there’s an increased emphasis on this particular part of the school setting.

I will be decorating some in the classroom tomorrow and we also have our beginning of the year faculty meeting to attend as well. It was good to see so many former co-workers and meet some new people as well. And to top it all off, we got a special treat of free caramel corn from a retired school system employee who knows the importance of getting the year off to a sweet start.

Three more workdays this week and then one week from today, the students return! Indeed an exciting time for all.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Three

Continued absitenence from smoking and a close call….

Thirty-four days, six hours, thirty minutes….that’s how long it’s been since I smoked my last cigarette. Even now, over a month later, I still have cravings and urges to have “just a smoke or two.” But I know full well where that will lead,,,a place I’m not interested in going. It’s still one day at a time, sometimes one minute or hour at a time. But I’ve got this!

This morning, on my way to run some errands, I had the overwhelming urge to have a cigarette. There were several triggers that had popped up yesterday and today and I went so far as to stop at one of the convenience stores I many times frequented to buy a pack. I got a diet soda and strolled up to the cash register with the intention of buying a pack. But I was able to use the skills I have learned on this journey and didn’t buy any and at this hour, am still smoke-free for today.

I know one of the key reasons I continued to smoke for so long is that I had the perception it helped me cope with anxiety and stress. Those were both present this morning and I started to resort to an old and unhealthy way to handle those feelings. Perhaps it was fate or Divine providence, but as I thought it through, I decided not to act on that compulsion. I know to keep my ego in check through all of this, but I can say I’m proud of myself for not lighting up.

I know as the school year starts back, there will be a lot more instances where my thoughts and feelings can try to get the better of me and this urge/compulsion/obsession may very well show up again. But I can use today’s experience as another tool….that no matter how strong the urge may get, I don’t need to act on it.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Two

On Friday night, high school football returns for yet another season and once again, I’ll be covering games on the radio for a local AM station. It’s something I’ve done most every season since 1985 and I’m looking forward to another season of local high school football action.

For the first Friday night, I’ll be covering the Hickory High Red Tornadoes, as they open the season at home agains the Alexander Central Cougars. The following introduction will be my pregame report and I’ll be reporting on the game as the night proceeds. The reports are aired during the feature game of the week on the station.

Reporting live from Frank Barger Stadium on the campus of Hickory High School, this is Dave Moser for the Coca-Cola 123 Radio Football Hotline. Tonight I’ll be bringing you updates on the season opener as the Red Tornadoes square off against the Alexander Central Cougars. Hickory is coming off a 7-5 record last year, the first at Hickory for former Lincolnton head coach Joe Glass. They are led offensively by quarterbacks Turner Wood, a junior, and Brady Stober, a sophomore. They’re looking for a big season in the running game from standout Isaiah Lackey. Recent UNC-CH signee Rico Walker will see action on both sides of the ball, at wide receiver and linebacker. This is Hickory High’s 100th season of competitive football, so it’s an extra special season for the Red Tornadoes.

The visiting Alexander Central Cougars were 4-6 last season under seventh-year head coach Butch Carter. One of those wins was a 21-7 home victory to open the year against the Red Tornadoes. The Cougars also feature a pair of quarterbacks who expect to see significant playing time, senior Luke Hammer and junior Tanner Moore. Junior Logan Shoemaker is one of the shining stars on the defensive side of the ball for the Cougars.

We expect to see a large crowd on hand tonight here at Barger Stadium and I’ll keep you updated with all the happenings as the night progresses.

This has been Dave Moser for the Coca-Cola 123 Radio Football Hotline, now back to the Crew at St. Stephens.

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-One

A Story to be Told: Lost at Sea

Several year ago, I dropped by a local historical cemetery and viewed some of the many tombstones of those who were buried there, including some of my relatives. During my search, I came upon a marker for someone I had not known, but it definitely had a story waiting to be told. The tombstone was for Staff Sergeant Howard Flake Sloop and what drew my attention was the inscription “Lost at Sea.” While I didn’t immediately do any research, I recently viewed the picture I had made and decided it was time to find out the details of his death.

I did an internet search and was able to find quite a few details about how he had died during World War II. As it turns out, the bomber he was on was shot down on a mission to bomb an area in Germany in 1943. Sloop served as a gunner on that particular aircraft. Here are the details:

Killed in Action

SSGT Howard Sloop was Killed in Action during World War II.

SSGT Howard Sloop served in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II
Service started:
Unit(s): B-17 “Souse Family” 42-5895
Service ended: KIA Jul 26, 1943

Biography

Staff Sargent Howard Sloop was born in Alexander County, North Carolina in 1911 to William and Agnes (Sides) Sloop. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on September 11, 1942. He married a woman named Ruby Fox. They may have had children. He was a woodworker in his civilian life. In the Air Corps, he served as a Waist Gunner on at least 2 different B-17s. The last B-17 that he served on was B-17 “Souse Family” 42-5895. On July 26, 1943, The “Souse Family” was flying in a mission to bomb Hannover, Germany, along with 20 other B-17s, when they came under attack by enemy aircraft, approximately 35 miles off the northwest coast of the East Frisian Islands. The plane eventually caught fire, and Lt. Col. Theodore R Harris tried to ditch it in the North Sea. 4 of the crew were killed in action and 6 were captured as Prisoners of War.

Howard received an Air Medal and a Purple Heart for his bravery in service to his country.

Howard’s body was never recovered, but his name is listed in memorial at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands. His family also has a plot for him at Fairview Cemetery in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina.

The 3 other men from B-17 “Souse Family” 42-5895 that died July 26, 1943 were;

2nd Lt. Everett H Hiatt Co-Pilot

1st Lt. Arlis K Anderson Navigator

SSGT George J Hrubovcack Ball-Turret Gunner

Source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sloop-257

I will continue to do additional research during the coming days and will include my findings in this entry.

David Lee

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty

Just random writing today…whatever pops into my head.

Today is Tuesday. I’ve had over one month now since my last cigarette and even though I still get cravings, I haven’t found it necessary to pick up a cigarette. For that, I am grateful. I’ve avoided smoking 584 cigarettes over the twenty-nine-day period and have saved $169 by not lighting up. It’s still just one day at a time, but I’m pleased with my progress.

I’ve taken my car to get the oil changed and to have its yearly inspection completed. I’ll then need to renew my license tag at the local tag office. My strategy is to not renew my personalized tag and get a regular one. If the new random tag doesn’t have any particular meaning, I’ll then apply for another personalized tag. I’ve done this for several years and am following the same course of action for this year.

Tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment to check up on the medicine I’m taking for ADD. I’ve been pleased with the results thus far. I have had a sore throat for the past week or so and ended up in urgent care on Sunday. Good news was no covid, no strep…but still no answers as to what was causing the symptoms. So I’ll likely have my family doctor weigh in on what the thinks it might be.

I also have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow afternoon. I don’t have anything, in particular, to talk about with him, except to discuss my twenty-year abstinence from alcohol and my continued recovery from smoking. I was able to speak with a friend yesterday who’s struggling with a family member’s addiction and gave him my therapist’s name as a possible resource, as well as the name of another therapist I’ve utilized in my recovery. It’s always good to be able to use my life experiences to help someone else when they’re struggling. It’s also a part of why I think it’s important to break my anonymity with selected folks from time to time. They then have a resource call upon they might not otherwise have.

I will be going back to school next week. I’m going to be working Monday through Thursday, which are teacher workdays. I’ll need to get my classroom ready for the first day of school on the 29th of this month. It’ll be good to be back in the flow again and I’m looking forward to being with some of my former teacher friends again, as well as some new faces. For good measure, I even had a teacher dream last night, which is very common as the new school year approaches.

We’re getting a break from the heat and humidity this week. It was partly cloudy yesterday and we did get some much-needed rain. This morning we awoke to cloudy skies and cooler temperatures once more. I know we’re still going to have some of those ninety-degree-plus days before the end of summer, but it’s nice to get a break from the heat.

I’ve been walking each day as a way to replace a bad habit (smoking) with a good one. I know there will be those times when I’m not able to walk each and every day once school starts, but I’ve found it helps me both mentally and physically to exercise each day. I’ve been walking at a local park and have begun seeing some of the same faces each day as I walk. I have an app on my phone that gives me a summary of the distance I’ve traveled, as well as calories burned for that day. It even has a map of the route that I took. Any gadget that gives me motivation is good in my book.

So that’s it for today..random thoughts that hopefully make some degree of sense.

David Lee