My oldest son turns 15 this Monday, May 29th. He also has some summer reading assignments and one of the authors he has the chance to read is Edgar Allan Poe. So, for Gage, I present the following:

Once upon a midnight dreary, as Gage's birthday drew near,

Young Gage, a lad of fifteen, felt the excitement rise, I fear.

His parents, Lynn and James, sought to honor their son's day,

With a tale both humorous and eerie, in Edgar Allan Poe's haunting way.

Gage, a lad so full of zest, possessed a trombone and musical soul,

In the school band, he played with fervor, his talents took their toll.

But his younger brother, Jace, a mere twelve years old,

Admired his sibling's melodies, both raucous and bold.

In their abode, a dwelling quaint, resided the family's dear pets,

A dog named Bully, loyal and true, and Tobie, a cat, no regrets.

Together they formed a curious quartet, their antics a daily surprise,

As Gage practiced his trombone, they would sing along, to everyone's surmise.

On the eve of Gage's fifteenth year, a peculiar occurrence took place,

Bully and Tobie, the mischievous pair, devised a prank, a most puzzling case.

While Gage slumbered, wrapped in dreams, the animals, in silent collusion,

Plotted a scheme to honor him, causing a whimsical confusion.

As the clock struck twelve, the bewitching hour, a melody filled the air,

Gage's trombone, untouched by hand, played notes beyond compare.

A phantom performance, hauntingly sweet, resonated through the halls,

As Bully howled in harmony, and Tobie danced upon the walls.

Awakening from his slumber, Gage rubbed his eyes in disbelief,

What manner of magic was this, causing his heart to sink with grief?

Yet a grin soon formed upon his face, as he recognized his partners in crime,

Bully, the crooning canine, and Tobie, the feline, frozen in time.

Together they reveled, Gage and his pets, in this spectral symphony,

Their love and laughter echoing, filling the house with glee.

For in this whimsical tale of birthday mirth, the spirits of joy did roam,

As Gage, the trombone virtuoso, found solace in his cozy home.

And so, on Gage's fifteenth birthday, we honor this tale so queer,

Of a boy, his trombone, and pets so dear.

May the echoes of laughter, and the spirits of Poe,

Fill your heart with warmth, wherever you may go.

Happy Birthday, dear Gage, may your days be filled with cheer,

With music, mischief, and love, throughout the coming year.

ChatGPT

 My query:

What is the current need for an educated workforce in the area of cybersecurity?

The response was:

There is a significant demand for an educated workforce in the field of cybersecurity, as the need for trained professionals to protect against cyber threats continues to grow. Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and data from cyber attacks, and it is a critical area of concern for businesses, government agencies, and organizations of all sizes.

As more and more of our daily lives and business operations depend on technology and the internet, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can have serious consequences, including financial losses, data breaches, and damage to an organization's reputation. As a result, there is a need for highly trained and qualified cybersecurity professionals who are able to identify and prevent such attacks.

In addition, the field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, as new technologies and threats emerge. This means that cybersecurity professionals must be able to keep up with the latest developments and be able to adapt to new challenges. As a result, an educated workforce with strong technical skills and a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles is essential to meet the current and future needs of the industry.

A Chaplet for Teachers

A Chaplet is a form of Christian prayer that uses prayer beads. This Chaplet uses the same prayer beads that are typically used for a five decade Rosary prayer.

This Chaplet is a personal devotion assembled and written by me (James McGuffee).

The creation of this Chaplet is inspired by Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum).

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A CHAPLET FOR TEACHERS

While holding the Crucifix

"Let us remember that we are in the Holy presence of God."

Opening Beads

• First Bead - Our Father 

• Next 3 Beads

1. Apostle's Creed
2. Hail Mary
3. Prayer to St. Joseph for Success in Work

For Each of the Five Decades

• Reflect on the Blessings of Teaching
• First Bead - Our Father
• For each of the next ten beads

"Lord, the work is yours." OR "Domine, opus tuum."

Ending

• Prayer to St. Joseph for Sanctification of Labour
• "Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle, pray for us!"
• "Live, Jesus, in our hearts! Forever!"

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The Five Blessings of Teaching

1. The Search for Truth
2. Love of Learning
3. The Gift of Our Students
4. Mentoring Service
5. Communion in Mission

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Prayers Used in the Chaplet

OUR FATHER
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

APOSTLE'S CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

HAIL MARY
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR SUCCESS IN WORK
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and death.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR SANCTIFICATION OF LABOUR
O God, the creator of all things, you framed the law of labour for the human race. Graciously grant, by the example and patronage of St. Joseph, that we may do the work You provide us and earn the reward You promise. Sustain us with Your grace to live up to our duties in charity and justice.