INSPIRED by mary anne radmacher

  Dear You, I’ve been trying to get your attention for days now. Rolling around on your desk is not an easy activity for me. Still, you haven’t noticed. That nagging feeling that you get when you think you are forgetting something? THAT’S me! When I am in the realm of the forgotten task or more seriously considered, the forgotten promise, I can barely make a sound. You almost heard me the day before yesterday - but then you ended up thinking you remembered to buy that spice you needed for the sweet potato casserole. Good job, by the way, remembering that! I was just disappointed that it wasn’t me that you were also remembering. Last week you remembered to pack your good pal’s birthday present so there was a chance she would actually receive it by post in time for her birthday. I was proud of you for that. And it made me hopeful you would remember me next. Alas, no. Please take note that I am trying to reinforce the behaviors that I want to see more of. You are usually so good a...

 

  Dear Mary Anne Em Radmacher, I understand lengthy names mine being Anisoptera of the Odonata. You can call me Dragonfly.  My family and I have followed you a long time. Since we migrate globally, you have quite the worldwide reputation...your delight with us is legendary. We appreciate that you recognize all that we have to teach and all that we do. We take our position as the most efficient insect in the world very seriously and are proud of our ancestry - 300 million years gives us a lot of story to tell.  My reason for this note is more relevant to my immediate family and me. Your research has been noted and very much appreciated. I imagine you’ll deflect our thanks by saying it was all self interest that prompted you to plant all those Black-eyed Susan, Swamp Milkweed, and even the Joe Pye Weed. That sweet water feature was so thoughtful, too. Don’t worry about that water lily, they can be moody. I see you named your garden “Hunter’s Garden.” So perfect. We ...

  Dear Muse, Must you be so capricious? I’m fully occupied in my days. It would be superb if you could use my scheduling platform. May I forward it to you? With hope, Your Creative _______________ Dear Creative, Your request-two points: 1)  No. 2) You are not mine. I own nobody.  Muse PS: don’t make the mistake of trying to own me. _______________ Dear Muse, It seems you took offense at my specific request. I will ask more generally. Is it possible for you to honor my “do not disturb” hours of 11 PM to 7AM? I really need my sleep.  With respect, A Creative _______________ Dear Creative, Oh, Creative- two points: 1). No. 2). Your close is inaccurate. Your request is not respectful in that it underscores a basic misconception of how I work. I come when I can. I show up for you when I’m able to, not when it’s convenient for you. Would you prefer I discontinue my services? I can do that. Muse _______________ Dear Muse, ...

  An imagined, whimsical letter from the fictional Department of Integrated Learning Dear Mary Anne:  Everyone at the Integrated Learning Department wants to acknowledge your efforts throughout your lifetime to connect the dots, to draw the lines between “seemingly” unrelated things. Seemingly is the keyword; there are interrelated truths in so many things that seem quite different from each other. Simply look at the polarization of political opinions in the United States and around the world. It is clear that these very divergent opinions are all held by people with the commonality of being human. Other commonalities include, they all had a parent at a particular time, and they likely have at least one friend they care about. Really, one of the objectives of our department is to help people realize they don’t have to look too far to see how you can learn one thing from a particular discipline or category and then see if it applies to something else.  We are parti...