Not Lost, Language Texts

I did go running this morning and, contrary to common opinion I DID NOT GET LOST. It was just that the road turned out to go farther south than it was expected to. First, I went southwest and explored a possible route to the farmlands. It was a dirt road, one way in and one way out. After two or three miles I turned back - (ran out of bread crumbs). Then, two laps around the local field. Several soccer teams were practicing - all the boys in short pants, and there I was, long sweat pants on in 80 degree heat trying to be "culturally appropriate". Well, since I didn't stay long on the field maybe the sweat pants were a good idea. Off to the east towards the swamp, trying to find a road that will put houses between me and the sewage. Running north up the east side I had some partial success. On the north end, I found the bridge that goes from there, further northeward, towards downtown and also another southbound road that successfully circumnavigates the swamp to the west. Victory! Well, partial victory. Another poor neighborhood with a dusty road. -little boys carrying naan (bread) home for breakfast, adults in cars and on bikes, teenagers on bikes, everybody on foot. But the southbound road did not end; it just kept going south. Every time I thought of turning around, I thought, "no, it ends just around the next bend", but it never did. Finally I gave the mandatory greeting to a young man on a bike and asked him where the " Street du la maan" was. He told me he was heading in that direction, so we ambled even further south together. Dirty village gave way to farms. He said that locals did not own the farm (impossible, from my rather limited understanding of the real estate laws), and stopped at his job, several yards short of the main drag. Heading north on a crowded, gas filled road (which was exactly what I had wanted to avoid), I greeted (mandatory) a teenage boy on a bike and got assurance that my bearings were indeed correct. He works ("every job") at University of K-Town (went there last time I ran). He studies in tenth grade, and thinks the teachers are mostly good. He cut west a little before I was going to, but I went with him just to get a look at a new part of town. Found my field (the one where the soccer kids wear the short pants), and headed home, an hour later than I'd planned, half an hour late for group meeting.
Dr. Elizabeth Brewster recommends the production and editing of text speeches for beginning language learners. Though she has been a mentor of mine, I have not bought the "text" idea hook, line and sinker (I did try it at first using Spanish in Costa Rica). But I do notice that improvised texts are unavoidable for language learners. For example, I figure out how to say that I teach sixth grade, and what I do and do not teach in my class and find myself repeating and expanding on this same "text" to many people. Later, I throw in that I'm good at teaching math because of my experience on a nuclear submarine, and if they bite, I can launch into another "text" that I've invented that describes life onboard the submarine. I am not as purposeful at developing and editing texts as Dr. Brewster proposes. I do not prepare them beforehand, they just sort of happen. Yet I find myself reviewing things I've said and planning on improvements for next time - and that is the basic idea of a language learner's "text". Let me give an example of another text I use. I criticize my own religion, the lack of power that some have though they read our book and go faithfully to our meetings because there is nothing new in their hearts. Dad's power comes from our heart and we must have Dad powerfully alive in our hearts if we are to work his power. I'd get dirt on my book, let it stay on the floor when not read it - it makes no difference to me. My power comes when the Father of the book, though He be perfect, can live in my heart, not from the book itself. This text has been well received (at least I think) in several different situations. Twice it has drawn applause.