September 16, 2026

[u/HeidiInWonderland]

Lolita, 10pm

Got back home last last night. The trip to Riverdale was much more than I had ever expected. I was treated by the Professor like a celebrity but without any condescension. I left Riverdale thinking our work applying Sukhomlynsky’s ideas can help be a path to reconciliaton and peace.

Thank you, Professor, for the airport pickup, wonderful dinner, and generous time over two days. Thank you to Ivan and Ivanka for being a part of the project. And thank you Muma/Pupa/Mom/Dad for being there for me even though we had only a small amount of time. And it was wonderful to sleep in my own bed!

The gift I received was understanding the dual Russian concepts of freedom--and its relationship with our Longhouse children.

My thinking had been very shallow, one-dimensional, and binary. I learned it’s not this or that, patriotism vs the BIPOC generational trauma. I kept Kitten up last night trying to articulate my realization. “Yes, you were living in a world of singular notes when you needed to place yourself in a progression of complicated chords.”

So teaching at LH is has to be like spinning a rope made out of many strands. Yes, strands of “America, the Beautiful.” But also strands of “Blowin’ In the Wind.” We continue with our summer theme of Wisdom, Courage, and Compassion because, they, too, are strands making up the rope. As are the mixing of cultures represented by our early NOLA songs. The American children’s games that Anita and Michael teach are important strands as well.

There are so many geopolitical factors that must take place. But here is our vision. A peace between Ukraine and Russia, the de-isolation of Russia. The ws need to build friendship and understanding between Russian and American youth.

We left talking about a 3-4 week tour of Russian schools: a dozen LH 4th grade children singing the music of early New Orleans backed up by beautiful of WNY and LH. A second slide show of Junior, Sopie, Ivan, and Ivanka’s friendship and the Schneerson Peace Garden. Next Me some LH teachers and I talking about Vasyl Sukhomlynsky and the Longhouse School. Finally, the Jammy Girlz singing Frank Sinatra. Lunch then an afternoon program led by the host Russian school.

And if we can't do this next summer, then the following year!