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Essential Workers in an Uncivil World

4/29/2020

A friend who's a store employee mentioned how often people talk down to her, or are downright rude. I seethed. How dare they?

These are essential employees, the ones who enable us to get needed food and supplies. There's a lot more to this work than one might realize. And now they're working in a danger zone, exposed to customers who may be ill, risking the coronavirus.

This work has value. In addition, job titles tell us very little about the person behind the name tag. What are their hobbies, interests, and dreams?

I have kind, brilliant, and clever friends who work in customer service. John is a delightful physics nerd who tinkers with alternate energy inventions. He makes veggie juices in a natural foods store.

Carol works as a cashier and has a gift for making you feel cheerful. Jane could talk history and politics for hours. She devours books and articles like candy and works retail.

Russ earned a law degree, hated the work, and now paints the outsides of houses. Kate is a marvelous poet, Mark is an author, and both stock shelves in a grocery store.

If you choose to be a pompous a**, you'll miss out on all these intriguing, unconventional, potential friends. And, at the very least, BE POLITE!

What are your experiences?

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Everything Is Connected

3/22/2020

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My great grandfather was a farmer who liked to keep track of world news. He routinely bought and read newspapers from Europe. With this information and a basic understanding of history, he foresaw WWII, our eventual involvement, and a coming shortage of metal that would be redirected to war efforts. He surveyed the farm equipment and bought extra metal parts for all the equipment, to keep it running. He was a successful farmer because he understood that everything is connected; he thought deeper and farther.

China suppressed news of the coronavirus problem for three weeks. Then they accepted reality and tackled the problem with everything they could. By early January, the world knew this was a new kind of disease and a genuine threat.

As the virus spread across the world, the U.S. had warning. We could have made millions of face masks and testing kits while making plans for testing, hospitals, and quarantines. We needed to prepare.

Everything is connected. With global travel, it was inevitable that this virus would enter our country. My great grandfather, with only a few years of formal schooling, would have understood and prepared.

We can still slow the spread if we follow the coronavirus containment guidelines. Neighbors are helping neighbors, asking what is needed before going to a store. Schools are closed, but school buses deliver food to students who were on free or reduced lunch. Customers are finally polite to the people who work in the stores.

Everyone is connected. Pray for the victims, doctors, nurses, store personnel, cashiers, and everyone risking their lives to serve the public.

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DELIVER A SMILE INTO THE WORLD

12/18/2019

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Deliver a smile into the world.
It’s the cheapest, easiest thing we can do to make our world a better place.

Yesterday, the cashier at a grocery store recognized me with a smile. She even remembered my name. “How have you been?” I had last spoken with her ten years ago, when I chose her checkout lane in a different store (which soon closed). I was surprised that she remembered me, years later, in a different setting. Apparently I was friendly and helpful on a day when it really mattered. It always matters, but some days are harder than others.

The smiles we give come back to us.

But too many customers complain, are rude, or treat workers with condescension. NO ONE has a greater intrinsic worth than another person. All people are interesting if we take the time to know their story.

A friend recently had to work a longer shift because her replacement never showed and couldn't be reached by phone. Sadly, the no-show had taken her life after her shift the previous day. There are many reasons for suicide, but it can be delayed day by day. Who was the last person who spoke with her? Were they kind?

Be kind to everyone, especially to people who work in retail or customer service. Make eye contact and say “Hi”. Wish them a good day or holiday season. Compliment their smile, or haircut, or something. Treat them with respect. Their job is often undervalued, and harder than you may realize.

What's your emotional footprint in this world?

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I Wanted A Bicycle: A Lesson In Power.

2/26/2019

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Once upon a time, when I was 13, I wanted a bicycle. I worked to earn the money. Then, instead of a bike, I received a lesson in power.

I grew up in a small house. We raised much of our food in a nearby plot, which was undoubtedly healthier than most store options. If I wanted money, I earned it. I wanted a bicycle, so I babysat and sold excess produce door-to-door.

When I joined a 4-H club, I learned that I could also earn money with entries in the 4-H fair. Money was based on points. There were more points for winning a blue ribbon (best) than a red (good) or white (fair).

Points also varied by category; sewing a dress earned more points than growing a flower. I checked through the categories and chose entries that I could make or grow.

Then I planned a campaign to win enough money to buy my bike.

I worked on my entries during the entire year. I practiced to make perfectly even stitches. I sewed a dress, skirt, robe, doll (my own pattern), and more. I tried new recipes and tweaked them. Then I baked and froze a dozen types of cookies. I improved my drawing skills. I collected tree samples, pressed leaves, and made a fancy tree identification book that included detailed pen-and-ink illustrations.

I grew flowers, pinching off side buds to get the biggest blooms. I learned more about composition and lighting, and then took photos. I got scrap wood to make a lamp. I completed all the paperwork to enter my items in the county fair.

I really, really wanted a bike.

I had thirty entries. After the judging, I had won more than twenty blue ribbons. I knew that ribbons were just a symbol, soon forgotten by everyone. I had learned useful skills to make these entries, which I’m sure was the intent.

But, what I really wanted was a bicycle, and now I had won enough money. I eagerly awaited my check.

An official envelope arrived with a check for much less money than I won. An official letter explained that there was a dollar limit. I felt betrayed. There was no written rule stating a limit. So, they changed the rules after the judging to deny me my prize. I wondered what they did with the money they saved by not paying these awards.

Apparently, the officials never expected one person to win so much. But they had no idea how much I wanted a bicycle.

I worked hard and followed the rules. Then the people with power changed the rules to suppress a person without power. This was a potent lesson in abuse of power.

I never forgot this lesson. It was not a tragedy. People suffer far worse every day.

But it wasn't fair. I was a child, and I couldn't change what happened. So I decided that, in time, I would be able to change what happened to others.

I found alternate routes to power, beyond age and wealth. I learned the power of the pen and well written letters.

I’ve written letters to city and state organizations, to Representatives and Senators. I’ve organized successful letter campaigns. I’ve helped change communities, cities, and even state facilities. There's no money in this, no fame, but it provides quiet satisfaction.

Any person can use the power of the pen. And we change the world every time we interact with another person or being, every time we recycle or pre-cycle.

Scree, a shape-shifter in The Dragon Dreamer, says, “What will be, will be. And then I’ll fix it.” She tells Arak, a dragon misfit, “Change is seldom easy. But the ripples from a single stone can cross the sea.”

And my bicycle? I kept working until I could afford one. Then I rode miles through the countryside, alone. I learned the wildflowers and birds along old, seldom used roads. I pedaled to other cities and back again. This was Freedom.

POSTS ON MAKING CHANGES:
Use the Illusion of Power: http://www.jennysburke.com/blog/make-a-difference-with-the-illusion-of-power
Planning for Change: http://www.jennysburke.com/blog/speak-up-you-could-save-many-lives

Thanks for visiting!

The Dragon Dreamer series is Science Fantasy Adventure for young adults 9 to 99.

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DREAMING IN THE SLUMS

12/12/2018

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Once upon a time, while I was a grad student in Florida, I worked an odd mix of jobs. I sorted trays of sand with tweezers for a professor, a mindless task made better by the company of other sorters. I sold my art in local stores.

And I worked as the night desk/security person in the marine science building, near the end of a jetty. After locking up I walked out alone, beneath the stars, surrounded by the sea. Perfect.

I shared a cheap, run-down apartment with another student. It had no heating or air conditioning; living here felt a bit like camping out with solid walls and a roof over my head.

But the roof needed work. One night, during a hard rain, I woke as the ceiling fell in on top of me. I was drenched with stinky, filthy gray water and covered with old insulation.

This place was not perfect. Some might call it a slum. But comfort is relative; I met people who were homeless.

I left my old car unlocked at night, with blankets inside. People stayed in my car from time to time, especially when it was rainy or cold.
Sometimes a visitor left me a gift of an unsmoked cigarette. I don’t smoke, but it's the thought that counts.

I became friends with other tenants and realized that dreams are another kind of wealth. Some need help.

I was able to follow my dream and study marine science. Soon I could take a blank world map and, from memory, draw every major ocean current, even many minor ones. I better understood the connections between sea and sky, weather patterns and climate change.

Years later, the working title for my first novel became “Sea and Sky”, with connections between friends from
different worlds.

Everything I owned fit into my old car, except for the saltwater fish tank. I caught small fish and crabs for the tank, studied them, and returned them to the sea.

When I eventually moved away for my new job as a marine scientist, I gave this tank to a friend.

Vorm, one of my characters, is a wanderer of the sea. “We live free in the water. We are not burdened with things. Our experiences . . . our memories . . . all that
we truly own is in our mind."
~ "The Dragon Dreamer"

I was rich. I owned the gold and diamonds reflected off the sea, and the ruby sunsets. I owned the sound of the waves and the smell of the salty air.

All this is inside me, and sometimes in my Dragon Dreamer books.

“Arak lived with the taste of sea spray, the
rhythmic sound of waves, and the remarkable colors.
Afternoon waves shimmered like hammered gold in the
slanting sunlight.” ~ The Dragon Dreamer

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I Lost a Friend to Depression. Here's What I Learned.

11/30/2018

2 Comments

I lost a friend to depression.
Since then I’ve recognized depression in other friends. It’s been described as a deep, dark, lonely place.

I’ve read every paper I could find and hunted for helpful treatments for friends with depression. It's hard to lose a friend and hard for those who live with depression.

This is what I’ve learned:

**A hug or caring word can sometimes make a huge difference.

**https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-Programs# is a program that may help.

**Visit your healthcare practitioner. If you benefit from a prescription, take it. The mind is part of the body. Get the help you need. You are worth it.

**L-Theanine is a natural tea extract that’s often very effective at relaxing people who are super stressed. Kal brand (online and in natural food stores) makes a 25 mg pill that dissolves in the mouth. Some take this each evening to help them sleep and also to cope with the following day. Many start with one 25 mg tablet and gradually increase to 75 mg or 100 mg taken each evening.

**St. John's Wort (herb) is available online and in health food stores. This is the #1 prescription by doctors in Europe for mild to moderate depression. It's sold online and in natural food stores.

**Zinc: Most people are deficient in Zinc. Taking 30 mg Zinc twice a day with food can make a big difference. Zinc also boosts the immune system (very useful in flu season) and helps the body make hormones.

**Taking B Vitamins can make a huge difference.

**Sunshine and Vitamin D3 (take with Vitamin K2) are helpful. Again, most people are deficient in this. Vitacost.com has a low-cost company brand that includes both in the correct ratio as melt tablets.

**Iodine helps the thyroid which helps with depression. Most people are deficient in Iodine. This also helps strengthen the immune system.

**DEPRESSION IS REAL. A suicide attempt may seem selfish. How can they do this to their friends and family? But they may truly believe that everyone will be better off without them. Or they just can't face another day. Depression may hurt so much that it's physically painful. The pain can be so deep it's hard to escape or even imagine it will ever get better.

I try to listen deeply, to hear what is not said, to be aware when a friend is in trouble. They probably won't tell us. It's our place to be aware and reach out.

My character Scree says, "What will be, will be. And then I'll fix it."
People who suffer from depression may need help immediately.

More phone numbers for help:
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Wishing you all a safe, happy holiday season!
May your dreams come true.

2 Comments

My First Research Cruise. And They Didn't Want Me.

10/27/2018

6 Comments

My first ocean cruise!
And they didn’t want me.
Have you ever seen the face of the last person chosen for a school team? Glad to be finally chosen, sad to be last?

Well, my major professor and his colleague were literally asking people on the street with no science background whatsoever in a desperate attempt to fill the crew positions before I found out about the deep sea science research cruise. They did not want me at all.

Wow. As his student, I should have been asked first. Why didn’t they want me?

I had the science courses. I was a certified
scuba diver, I could sail, and I even had my
captain’s license. I was a slender young person but fit; I ran daily and worked out with weights. I got along well with everyone.
But there was one problem. I am female.

There were persistent myths about women on ships. Women brought bad luck. Women were more likely than men to become seasick. (Not true. This is an equal opportunity affliction.)

But, as far as I could tell,
the real problem was that I would be
the only woman
on a ship with about 20 men.

And they were afraid of me.

I might have laughed if this research
cruise wasn’t so important to me.

I grew up landlocked. When I was eight I saw a short film on the sea and was hooked. I decided to become a marine biologist and work on a ship.

I didn’t share my goals, just set about doing whatever I could to achieve them. Science and math courses seemed obvious choices. Writing skills are important for research papers. I pursued art just because I love it, never dreaming this skill would someday help me achieve my goals.

My certification scuba dive was in a murky northern lake in winter with almost zero visibility. I wore a loose, poor-fitting wetsuit borrowed from a large man. I thought I would freeze to death.

I had been working toward this sea research goal since I was a child. This was my dream. I was not about to give up now.

I found my major professor in his office and asked to join the research cruise. His response? “I was afraid you’d find out.”

He confirmed my fears. The one person who should be in my corner was not. We talked for a while and I was grudgingly allowed to join.
Because I was such a dangerous person, I was isolated in a lonely room two decks above everyone else. Here I had the opportunity to experience the full arc of the ship as it heaved from side to side. I was against the winch room with its eternal grinding serenade. And it was cold.

It was summer and my room controlled the temperature of the other rooms. For my crewmates to have comfortable air conditioning, I turned blue with cold. During my sleeping shift I wore layers of clothing, socks, my raincoat, and every blanket I could find. I shivered myself to sleep and didn’t complain.

I was thrilled to finally be here!

I watched the circles form as we left shore. I learned to walk with the sea, keeping my knees slightly bent to accept random motions. I found the curious center of moment where the ship stood still. The evening sun melted into the sea. These experiences became part of me and my Dragon Dreamer books:

“Arak tore through the sky, flying above the vast sea.

When the dragon shore disappeared, sea and sky met in a perfect circle. As he flew, Arak remained in the center; the circle moved with him. He was alone in a private world. There was no fixed shore to judge the distance he’d flown, and no trees with lengthening shadows to mark the march of time.

Above an endless sea, beyond the touch of time, Arak flew further and further from home.” ~ "The Dragon Dreamer" by J.S. Burke

The scientist crew was divided into two groups with opposite shifts. We worked 8 hours on, 8 off, 8 on. We were always out of sync with our circadian rhythm, but saw the sea at all hours. One early dawn a pod of dolphins played in the bow waves, jumping just beyond the ship. Once, we dip-netted a clump of sargassum seaweed from the sea, examined the matching life within, and released it.

The cook set out plates of fruit, sliced cheese, and dangerously delicious homemade rolls. This helped with our odd meal times but it was easy to overeat. So we skipped rope on deck, competing to see who skipped the most without stopping. It was never me. The ship tilted beneath us as we jumped, so it wasn’t possible to truly jump in place.

Some of us brought a paperback or two, often science fiction, and this became an informal library. I read "Watership Down" and revisited the deserts of "Dune" while surrounded by sea.

Many of my co-workers neglected to don their flotation vests at night and in rough seas. They felt an unfortunate need to appear macho. But any person who fell overboard without a vest would die before we found them. So I rounded up the vests and distributed one to each person, reminding them of their loved ones on shore. Soon everyone wore a vest automatically. My crew-mates seemed grateful that I pushed the issue.

Regarding the seasickness myth? I learned that there were bets placed on me. So, of course, I was determined that no matter how rough the seas were, I would never succumb to nausea. And I never did.

And the person my professor nearly shanghaied from the street, hoping to fill all the positions and keep me off the ship? “John” was useless. Instead of helping he worked out with his elastic bands, seeking to maintain his perfect Adonis body. But he neglected to improve his mind or manners. “John” was the only person who tried to enter my igloo, certain that no woman could resist him. I shoved him out the door faster than a whirling snowstorm. “John” left wearing a stunned expression.

Women were on trial. I figured this type of interaction was what the professors feared most. No worries here. I never mentioned “John” to my ship-mates and he never bothered me again.

I believed then and now that positive change occurs best through positive interactions. It was my place to show these men an example of a safe, reliable, competent woman so that other women would not need to work quite so hard for a chance at their dreams. And the next research cruise? They invited me along! As my character Scree says, "What will be, will be. And then I'll fix it."

I Love The Sea. I also love art, and this helped me land my marine science job. The man who would one day hire me bought my best scrimshaw piece as a gift for his wife. Many of the job applicants had the requested skills. My boss thought that being able to illustrate my own research papers would be a bonus.

Now I also write and illustrate the Dragon Dreamer series: science fantasy adventure with dragons and the sea, for young adults 9 to 99.

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I was hopelessly lost. How did this lead to a book?

8/13/2018

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I flunked the test. I was hopelessly lost.
How did this lead to a book about dragons and octopuses?

Once upon a time, in college, I wanted a particular Statistics class that was rarely offered. This could be useful for a scientist.

I had not yet taken Probability, a prerequisite, but the textbook used very little. So I asked the instructor to let me take his course.

The first two weeks were a “quick review” of Probability. I was hopelessly lost.

I’m an intuitive thinker. My mind can jump to the right answer without knowing how. So I answered questions correctly but without understanding.

I took the test and flunked. I expected this, and now I was cheerfully ready to tackle statistics. I'd learn probability some other time.

But that was not to be. The professor took me aside after class and handed me a hefty textbook. “Learn this. In four weeks I’ll give you another test and I expect you to pass.”

Yikes! I worked a job in addition to being a full-time student. At least it was a well-written textbook.

I passed and he added this grade to my other grades. He did NOT replace my flunking grade. What I found interesting was his attitude toward teaching. He EXPECTED his students to learn. Even when I would have been quite content not to.

Later, he offered me a job as a tutor for the Math department.

I made simple tests to find important holes in understanding and drew pictures to illustrate concepts. Soon, chemistry students found their way to my office so I helped them, too.

I love that “Ah ha!” moment when someone truly understands! I taught chemistry and math, which sparked new ideas in my mind. These ideas became my first books.

I drew pictures and cartoons for my Crystal books. I connected math and chemistry with rocks: the angles of the crystals are the angles of the chemical bonds. I used shark tooth ratios. I learned a new way to write.

Chemistry and Math have a universal language that transcends countries and worlds. Understanding helps us appreciate the interconnected life on our planet, and the dangers of plastics and other pollution.

Crystal Geometry” and “Crystal Colors” were created to help people understand and appreciate science and math. They're now used in schools and homes.

Then, one day, I was admiring one of my many rocks. This was a roundish sort that, on a whim, I set in the middle of my blue ceramic bowl. BAM! Suddenly I knew it was a dragon’s egg in a dragon’s nest.

My mind was hijacked.

I knew dragon customs and legends I’d never heard of. Dragon Arak and Octopus Scree were born.

My math class led to tutoring which led to my Crystal books. This led to the Dragon Dreamer series.

I taught diverse minds. Now I wrote from unique perspectives. I wrote, edited, and rewrote. I painted my dragons and drew the art they make.

Earth octopuses are at least as intelligent as human beings, while dragons are forever fascinating. Dragon Dreamer dragons and octopuses are quite civilized with unique legends, art, and music.

How could an octopus heal a dragon? And why? Writing as an octopus and then as a dragon is fun; I love the range of abilities and diversity of minds. Their unique friendship develops an appreciation of differences.

“The Dragon Dreamer” and “Dragon Lightning” are my first two novels. This Science Fantasy Adventure series is for young adults 9 to 99.

"The Dragon Dreamer" e-books: www.books2read.com/u/bWZOoq
"Dragon Lightning" e-books: www.books2read.com/u/3k0nOn

QUOTES FROM READERS
“This is not a typical dragon fantasy story, and is very different to things I've read before. Certainly suited to younger readers, but I - as an adult - very happily drank it in from cover to cover.” ~ Amazon Review

“Who would have thought about story of a friendship between a dragon and an octopus would be so incredibly interesting? Well, obviously, the author did, because she did a fantastic job of weaving a fanciful story with actual facts about octopi and other marine life.
I adored all the characters.” ~ Goodreads Review

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DRAGONS LOVE CRYSTALS!

11/7/2017

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I wanted kids to love math and science as much as I do, so I wrote the Crystal series. I used rocks, shells, fossil shark's teeth, etc.

Crystal Geometry and Crystal Colors are the first books I wrote and illustrated. The crystal / shell kits are used for educational and artistic activities.

These are some of my favorite questions:
"Why does this pyrite crystal grow as a cube?"
Me: "Because of chemistry. The crystal angles are the angles of the chemical bonds."
We measure all 24 angles. Then we build models.

"How does oxygen get into this quartz crystal?"
Me: "Because it breathes! JUST JOKING!
Oxygen and Silicon combine as the crystal grows."

My Crystal activity series is used in school systems. The book/kits are also in science museum gift shops.

The activities promote deep, connected learning that sticks.

The third book, Crystal Clouds, is underway.

It's no surprise that my
DRAGONS LOVE CRYSTALS!

Golden dragons need copper supplements to survive. They carve a trance-stone globe to meditate and communicate.

Ice dragons use magnetic lodestones for their ice game Slam and to make lightning sculptures.

Octopuses grow black pearls to trade with dragons.

I had the colored calcite in the crystal kits analyzed. The blue calcite is blue for the same reason as the Hope Diamond: a trace amount of boron. This is as close as I'll ever come to HOLDING THE HOPE DIAMOND!

I love collecting crystals, rocks, and fossils. The Dragon Dreamer books began because this ceramic bowl with my odd rock seemed like a dragon's nest.

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Diversity in Books

10/21/2017

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Science Fiction and Fantasy are genres that can be overlooked when seeking stories with diversity.

Spock mind-melds with a silicon-based life form to understand and protect her. The Doctors of Doctor Who defend aliens around the universe.

The wookie from Star Wars, Spock of Star Trek, and Hagrid of Harry Potter are iconic. Hobbits, dwarves, elves, and humans work together in Lord of the Rings.

Science Fiction books often have remarkable diversity, beyond human differences, with stories that promote communication and understanding.

The Dragon Dreamer series is Science Fantasy
Adventure with dragons and an undersea world, for young adults 9 to 99.

When dragon misfit Arak crashes at sea, Scree heals him. Gradually the worlds of sea and sky
become intertwined; dragons and octopuses
benefit from their differences.

The Dragon Dreamer by J.S. Burke won the IAN First Place Award for Best First Novel. It's also an IAN Finalist for Best Fantasy, Best Science Fiction, and Best Children's Book.

Dragon Lightning by J.S. Burke won the PINNACLE First Place Award for Best Science Fantasy and the IAN First Place Award for Best Science Fiction. Dragon Lightning is also an IAN Finalist for Best Fantasy and Best Young Adult Book.

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<<Previous

Essential Workers in an Uncivil World

Everything Is Connected

DELIVER A SMILE INTO THE WORLD

I Wanted A Bicycle: A Lesson In Power.

DREAMING IN THE SLUMS

I Lost a Friend to Depression. Here's What I Learned.

My First Research Cruise. And They Didn't Want Me.

I was hopelessly lost. How did this lead to a book?

DRAGONS LOVE CRYSTALS!

Diversity in Books

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