Dear Murray,
I write for a text book company. Can you tell me what students and teachers like best, and dislike the most, about their school text books?

Thanks, and keep up the silver sheen.
Sincerely,
 Lisa O'Hara
Senior Project Editor
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Reading Department
2 Penn Plaza, 21st Floor New York, New York  10121

Dear Lisa,
Thanks for writing! Wow! Word sure gets around fast! I’ll post your letter and see if anyone out there will share their opinion.

Hello Murray,  Mr. Villanueva here.  I am working on a painting in 015 and I can't seem to finish it.  The painting is about my struggles to figure out the math that would help me determine the numerical alias for my inner llama.  The only part that is incomplete is the section marked "inner compartment".  My question is, What would the inner compartment include?  Do you need to see the painting?  It’s quite large.  It’s an old table.   Thank you in advance for your wise words.
 
Mr. V.,
The numerical alias for your inner llama may be arrived at by considering this question: Is it the whimsy of your precision you wish to compartmentalize ((W)p+[IC]=IL), or the precision of your whimsy ((P)w=IL-[IC])? Do the walls of your compartment stop at your ears, or do they reach beyond your sight?

Quoting that old song from the 40’s by Bix Biederbeck, “Wherever you go, there you are.” So be there, Mr. V! Regressing concentric shapes – either on a flat surface, or in three dimensions – are a place to start. Choosing if the shapes converge will go a little further for you to find your answer. In other words, does your llama travel timeless trails, or does it stand silent yet sentient inside a zoo? Thank you, and thanks to all artists, by the way, for your art!

Murray, long time, no see!  I hope the brisk climate of Room 106 is treating you well.  Mr. L is inevitably keeping you well adorned with beads and such.

  I have several questions for you, Ms. Murray...
 
1.  Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the car-pool lane?
2.  Why doesn't broccoli come in a can?
 
3.  When the French swear do they say pardon my English?
That should give you some food for thought.  Enjoy -- AB

Dear AB,
1. When, indeed, do people stop being persons and become cargo? A hearse carrying a corpse CAN use the carpool lane, but should it? A police officer spies a hearse in a car-pool lane with no visible passengers. The officer will still have to pull the hearse over, investigate, etc. Not only does this pose an impediment to the flow of traffic, it also diverts the police officer from his/her job of keeping us safe.

2. The charm of broccoli, I’m told, is its texture. Canned broccoli would be limp, droopy, and tasteless. Broccoli is one of those vegetables that can only be preserved by freezing.

3. I’m sure French-speaking people excuse their verbal faux pas as graciously as does anyone else.

And, yes, my home in Room 106 is delightfully cool and invigorating! Several students are keeping sweaters and blankets stored on the shelves to stay warm for class. Some complain, some appreciate a cooler classroom, but all of Mr. L’s students are working hard and doing good work, so it must be working!

Dear Readers,
Before answering last week’s letters, I am so happy to thank Mr. Rich Ruggiero for single-handedly creating and managing this space for me. Rich is a very busy guy around Vernon Schools. With all he has to do, I know how precious his time must be, and I’m deeply grateful for his energy, creative talents, and his enthusiasm.
Thanks, Rich!