lunch bunch and videos

Part of the fun of a teacher inservice day is getting an hour for lunch instead of 27 minutes. Today we went to Pizza Hut and caught up with what everybody did over the summer. (Good luck having those twins, Liz!)

Also, cleaning the room is part of the get-back-in-the-saddle ritual. I threw out many VHS cassettes, and I'm officially updating to DVDs and Internet videos. Got to get with this century. For the past three years I've asked for a projector in my room to show student projects, videos, and educational YouTube interviews and such---and I never get one. The young teachers all have them, and I guess they think we seasoned veterans won't use 'em. So, I had a hissy fit in the library, complete with stomping my feet, to show I'm not that old. And---I'm getting one!

You know the old saying about the squeaky wheel?

Technology and Thoreau

Ahh, as summer slips away, I'm back to work. First day of inservice includes meetings, meetings, more meetings---and technology training. It takes the year for me to master the new technology, software, hardware, etc., and then the next year they change it again! New laptops are great, but with them comes more new stuff to learn and use. Thoreau was right about technology. It doesn't really make our lives simpler; it just adds to the things we need to learn and do.

"We don't ride the railroad; the railroad rides upon us." ---Henry David Thoreau

Summer is so sweet---the cherry on the sundae, the kiss before bed, the dog's underwear (you know, way better than the cat's pajamas).

Did some serious hammock time today. Glass of iced tea, the New Yorker, and a nap. Heaven.

And, an ice cream cone for dessert tonight.

It doesn't get any better than this.

August 3 Musings

Yup, been awhile, but here I am again. Went to 2-Onion farm this afternoon and hoed the cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots and beets. It was hot, but there was a breeze. Drank lots of water and worked through an aching muscle in my backside. Will either feel great tomorrow or won't be able to walk. Came home and cracked open the best watermelon we've had all summer. Mmmmm! Lots of vitamin P!

Six years ago today our son, Kelly, passed away. I hate how distant he has become. He's forever 25, and we keep aging and changing, plugging away at life and doing the best we can. I see his smile in the sunset as I look out the window right now. He may be frozen in time, but his essence is a part of us every day.

It's August, and soon I'll be back in the classroom. Don't tell anybody, but part of me is looking forward to it. I know; I'm sick. You know, that chalk dust, or white board marker ink gets in your veins and what ya gonna do?

If only winter didn't have to come as the school year progresses. In my bible, hell is cold, not hot.