“Capitalism derives its strength from the power of self-interest and the ingenuity of human spirit. But its weaknesses also stem from human nature, which can convert the quest for riches into self-deception and dishonesty.”—Robert J. Samuelson speaking about the collapse of Enron

Sunday I met some Chinese friends at the nature center. It was probably the nicest day we have had so far this summer. The tornado was hard on the trees, but fortunately it didn’t damage the big stone.

It wasn’t so long ago that I was out there for a workshop in the Ruby Rupner building. Getting bored, I looked out the window and there was Larry Dolphin who must have asked the students to help him move the “I don’t know how many ton rock.” Something those kids will always remember and look back on.

I walked my friends through the woods, and we took the trail that led to Gerard. I wanted them to see the place, hoping that there wouldn’t be any major objection. There we were joined by one of the supervisory staff that was willing to share some of Gerard’s history.

Of course, I threw in my some of my own history of working at Gerard and telling them about Geordie’s time there when I was in high school. HeYu asked numerous questions regarding the residents, wanting to gain a better understanding of what brought the residents there. She thought perhaps the parents might have had a role in shaping the situation.

She said in China children with special needs were placed in hospitals.

We made our last stop at the “deceased animal museum” where they were able to view some of animals preserved in whatever way they preserve them, as well as the skins of many animals. Something most of the people of Austin and the surrounding area are aware of.

HeYu and her husband studied English while going to school in China. Maybe it’s time for Austin to look at offering more languages and beginning them at the elementary level when we have more unused space in our heads for learning. We certainly have diversity in our community and it would not hurt us to expand our language skills. Perhaps offer adult Czech language. I still carry around a few words in Czech that my father called on.

I believe the education process in China is more demanding of the students than what we expect of our students here. In the Soviet Union, students attend school six days a week. I might object to that.

From the nature center, we drove over to Todd Park to see the tree damage there where the park was still closed to traffic. From there we went out separate ways.

This past weekend was good in another way. I was able to locate a used copy of “Poems I Brought Down From the Mountain” by Humberto Ak’abal. I had passed my copy on to a friend who was going back to Mexico and before he was even back there I was longing for it, sort of like Linus’ blanket. And speaking of Linus, I was so relieved that they finally rescued his blanket from the ocean. It was all Lucy’s fault for turning it into a kite that then broke loose. It was lost for well more than a week.

There is also a need for new comics in the papers. We still have “Doonesbury” by Gary Trudeau, that I hope, like “Peanuts,” never ends, and then there is “Ballard Street” by Jerry Van Amerongen, who I believe came out of retirement. I think the next great cartoonists will grow from our young minds, perhaps here in Austin, maybe a student working for the Sentinel, if that’s what it’s still called.

It’s good to see our combat soldiers moving out of Iraq. It’s been a long hall and at a heavy price. Now we have the Iraqi’s wearing camouflaged uniforms, combat boots, M-16s riding in HumVees or whatever it is they are called. According to the Tribune, the people in Iraq were pleased with out departure. I hope the American’s returning home from war are able to cope with and adjust.

I would like to add that He Yu was responsible for the Riverland Community College card that was sent out with her poem that reads: “Beautiful world we own, /We come from many places, / No distance between our hearts,/The same dream lights our lives,/Loving lets everything become simple,/Harmony belongs to us.”