Yes, gruff, we are our histories, but we are also more than our
histories - otherwise everything we do would be determined. And our
histories are continuing to grow and change with every instant added
to them.

Thanks for your second installment! The "Boys Town" references got me
thinking about the strange way connections can be established; Fr.
Flanagan, the founder of the institution (played by Spencer Tracy in
the 1938 film) and I are both alumni of Summerhill College, Sligo, in
Ireland. Other past pupils include Albert Reynolds (PM of Ireland in
the 1990s) and the famous tenor, John McCormack.

My experiences there in the 70s were mixed. My senior years were good,
as I had achieved something of a reputation for academic achievement
and also for independent thinking. My junior years were fraught by
incredible savage bullying, both by pupils and some teachers. Corporal
punishment was only banned in 1975, three years after I got there and
I well remember the snap of the bamboo cane and the incredible burning
on the palms of the hand. The cane was not only used as punishment for
misbehaviour - some teachers (including priests) used it as an
educational accessory;  a major incentive when it came to learning
Irish and Latin vocabulary and grammar. One teacher allowed you two
mistakes free - for every one beyond it one whack with the cane was
administered.

Francis

On 10 Mai, 20:28, gruff <[email protected]> wrote:
> Same thing Tink.  Same thing.  If we are a product of something we are
> that something.
>
> On May 9, 2:33 pm, Tinker <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > You was a wild man gruff.
> > It's your history though. You are the product of it, not it.
>
> > peace & Love
>
> > On May 9, 4:05 pm, gruff <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > > I leave it to you all, should I put it in the wind, let it go?  Is
> > > this not part and parcel all of me?
>
> > > This is far from the finished product but I've put together a short
> > > thumbnail to let everyone have a glimpse of the life I wish to put in
> > > print.
>
> > >http://www.gruffstuff.us/thumbnail_sketch.html
>
> > > I don't think my response was unnecessarily harsh given the
> > > excessively gratuitous condescending attitude shown in her response.
> > > I'm tired of her pollyannish platitudes which lack any real substance.
>
> > > "... On May 4, 1:46 pm, Chris Jenkins <[email protected]>
> > > wrote: ..."
>
> > > > Rough day, Gruff? Your response seems unnecessarily harsh given the 
> > > > sentiment offered.
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