The last week has been full of playing. Yesterday was no exception.
Since Mr. was off, we took a drive to Big City to see Baby E and family. We shopped a bit on the way up and back to justify a couple of hours of snuggling that little guy. (Spent a whopping $19.00.)
Little Man was quite happy to see his Nana and Papa. (Well, that's what I think!) He endured a lot of kissing and some singing. He is starting to do a lot of "talking" and smiling. So sweet. (He's changing so fast, I hate to miss a week.)
The drive home was a bit treacherous with blowing snow and cold temperatures. We seemed to be driving in a snow globe! Temperatures are to remain frigid with dangerous wind chill.
As cold as it is, any playing on this last day of break is going to have to be indoor playing. Might be time to dust off the cribbage board and look up the rules again. Or I could pop in another season of Downton Abbey. The Mr. would be so thrilled. (Though I think it is growing on him!)
Oh, and I might break down and do a few things to get organized for tomorrow. About 80 sophomores would be so disappointed if I didn't have some work for them to do!
Showing posts with label modern culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modern culture. Show all posts
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Thursday, August 4, 2011
All The News
These are some stories that are almost making headlines:
*The Middleton girls (Kate and Pippa) from England are bringing back nylons or pantyhose. I'm not necessarily sad about that. For the past four or five years, bare legs have been the norm. I don't mind that in the summertime when the legs have a bit of tan. In winter, I wear dark tights. I hate going barelegged in the spring and fall when my legs are pasty white. Now, I have another option.
*Again, kudos to the Brits for banning the airbrushing of models. Talk about setting unrealistic expectations. In the airbrush world, no one has a wrinkle or a zit, and they can shave 10 pounds off a model in a photo. Saddlebags? Gone. Cellulite? Gone. Underarm sag? Gone. Need a little muscle tone? They can airbrush it on. Finally, we might have some truth in advertising. USA, are you listening?
*I called Target's headquarters last week. My "help" was someone in India. When I could hardly understand him, he put me through to someone else. I talked to three different people, and it became quite obvious that the call center was located in India. Does anyone else see the irony? We need jobs in the USA. (Two million people are unemployed in California. Two million!) We give corporations tax breaks, so that their corporations can make more money and create jobs in the USA. They outsource to foreign countries for cheaper labor, and that in turn, makes for greater profits that they don't use to create jobs here--just greater profits. I think I'm beginning to see the problem.
*President Obama is turning 50. I don't know how old I thought he was, but suddenly a fact became clear: for the first time in my life, I am older than the President. I guess I really am picking up speed on the other side of that hill!
And now you know why I didn't become a journalist! (And why they probably wouldn't have hired me anyway!)
*The Middleton girls (Kate and Pippa) from England are bringing back nylons or pantyhose. I'm not necessarily sad about that. For the past four or five years, bare legs have been the norm. I don't mind that in the summertime when the legs have a bit of tan. In winter, I wear dark tights. I hate going barelegged in the spring and fall when my legs are pasty white. Now, I have another option.
*Again, kudos to the Brits for banning the airbrushing of models. Talk about setting unrealistic expectations. In the airbrush world, no one has a wrinkle or a zit, and they can shave 10 pounds off a model in a photo. Saddlebags? Gone. Cellulite? Gone. Underarm sag? Gone. Need a little muscle tone? They can airbrush it on. Finally, we might have some truth in advertising. USA, are you listening?
*I called Target's headquarters last week. My "help" was someone in India. When I could hardly understand him, he put me through to someone else. I talked to three different people, and it became quite obvious that the call center was located in India. Does anyone else see the irony? We need jobs in the USA. (Two million people are unemployed in California. Two million!) We give corporations tax breaks, so that their corporations can make more money and create jobs in the USA. They outsource to foreign countries for cheaper labor, and that in turn, makes for greater profits that they don't use to create jobs here--just greater profits. I think I'm beginning to see the problem.
*President Obama is turning 50. I don't know how old I thought he was, but suddenly a fact became clear: for the first time in my life, I am older than the President. I guess I really am picking up speed on the other side of that hill!
And now you know why I didn't become a journalist! (And why they probably wouldn't have hired me anyway!)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The View, Callouses, and Dragon Tattoos
Just random bits--
1. My fingernails...acrylic so I can't bite them. (I'd gnaw them down to the quick if I could.)
2. Exercise? Three days a week: swim 1/2 mile. Two or three days a week: jog 1 mile. Five days a week: walk for 50 minutes. Yeah, and I still have to watch calorie intake. *sigh*
3. Least favorite show on TV? The View. They talk over each other, interrupt, and could be a model for poor communication skills and bad manners.
4. Favorite book of the summer? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Some readers said it took them a hundred pages to get into it. Not me. I loved it. The journalist in trouble with the law sucked me in from the first. It was almost a nail biter. See #1.
5. Best song of late? I love Zac Brown Band's "Knee Deep." ("Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair?") Best song I've heard in the past few years is going on the bottom of this post!
6. Looking forward to? A weekend escape with the Mr. in August and the arrival of the Lady Bug in later August.
7. Working? Only two days a week for two more weeks at the RV pool, and then... Back to School!
8. Dealing with? Callouses on the palms of my hand and on the bottoms of my feet. I know the dog walking is responsible for my hands, but as for my feet...I have no idea! I walk on them all the time, so it can't be that. Who knows??
9. Needing...? I could use the AC working in my room at school, so I could work at school.
10. Wishing...our federal government would get it together. They are playing with our lives, and I resent it. And I'm tired of them saying that they are only doing what their voter's want--when every poll says otherwise. If we had a one-term-and-out rule, a politician would never have to worry about re-election--and that might be better for everyone.
On a happier note... this is just the best song. K shared it with me. It is a lullaby called "The Blessing" by Celtic Woman. I think all Moms will love this song. (I love songs that say exactly what I would, if I were a lyricist.)
In the morning when you rise
I bless the sun, I bless the skies
I bless your lips, I bless your eyes
My blessing goes with you
In the nighttime when you sleep
Oh I bless you while a watch I keep
As you lie in slumber deep
My blessing goes with you
This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do
And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too
When your weary heart is tired
If the world would leave you uninspired
When nothing more of love's desired
My blessing goes with you
When the storms of life are strong
When you're wounded, when you don't belong
When you no longer hear my song
My blessing goes with you
This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do
And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too
I bless you
And you bless me, too
1. My fingernails...acrylic so I can't bite them. (I'd gnaw them down to the quick if I could.)
2. Exercise? Three days a week: swim 1/2 mile. Two or three days a week: jog 1 mile. Five days a week: walk for 50 minutes. Yeah, and I still have to watch calorie intake. *sigh*
3. Least favorite show on TV? The View. They talk over each other, interrupt, and could be a model for poor communication skills and bad manners.
4. Favorite book of the summer? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Some readers said it took them a hundred pages to get into it. Not me. I loved it. The journalist in trouble with the law sucked me in from the first. It was almost a nail biter. See #1.
5. Best song of late? I love Zac Brown Band's "Knee Deep." ("Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair?") Best song I've heard in the past few years is going on the bottom of this post!
6. Looking forward to? A weekend escape with the Mr. in August and the arrival of the Lady Bug in later August.
7. Working? Only two days a week for two more weeks at the RV pool, and then... Back to School!
8. Dealing with? Callouses on the palms of my hand and on the bottoms of my feet. I know the dog walking is responsible for my hands, but as for my feet...I have no idea! I walk on them all the time, so it can't be that. Who knows??
9. Needing...? I could use the AC working in my room at school, so I could work at school.
10. Wishing...our federal government would get it together. They are playing with our lives, and I resent it. And I'm tired of them saying that they are only doing what their voter's want--when every poll says otherwise. If we had a one-term-and-out rule, a politician would never have to worry about re-election--and that might be better for everyone.
On a happier note... this is just the best song. K shared it with me. It is a lullaby called "The Blessing" by Celtic Woman. I think all Moms will love this song. (I love songs that say exactly what I would, if I were a lyricist.)
In the morning when you rise
I bless the sun, I bless the skies
I bless your lips, I bless your eyes
My blessing goes with you
In the nighttime when you sleep
Oh I bless you while a watch I keep
As you lie in slumber deep
My blessing goes with you
This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do
And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too
When your weary heart is tired
If the world would leave you uninspired
When nothing more of love's desired
My blessing goes with you
When the storms of life are strong
When you're wounded, when you don't belong
When you no longer hear my song
My blessing goes with you
This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do
And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too
I bless you
And you bless me, too
Thursday, July 14, 2011
All Things Potter
I am a fan of the Harry Potter series. I was a slow convert, but once I was 60 pages into the first book--I was hooked.
My conversion began when West Point nephew was about a 4th grader and called me a "muggle." It dawned on me that a whole generation of students were going to making allusions to literature about which I knew nothing! I went home and jumped into the first book. There was no turning back.
L was the only other Easy Streeter to read the books, and I think she only got through the first four. The Mr. might not have been into the books, but he bought me a boxed set of the first four for Christmas one year. (The books have the most beautiful covers.) When the movies came out, I went to most of the movies by myself. I think the Mr. sat through one with me, and then looked at me after it was over like "What the heck was that all about?" *sigh*
I went to the bookstore at midnight on two different occasions to purchase the latest release. Yep, I was with the little kids dressed as wizards or Harry Potter, standing in line for the book. (Although, there were plenty of college kids, high school kids, and adults enjoying these books, too.)
After years of teaching kids who hated to read and faked every book report they ever gave, it was amazing to see such a huge group of kids who were reading again! JK Rowling can almost single-handedly take credit for making reading "cool" again. And since then you can add in the Twilight, Percy Jackson, Eragon, and Hunger Game series. And a generation of Language Arts teachers are incredibly grateful!
Thanks to Harry Potter, "He Who Shall Not Be Named" became a way to refer to some person whose very name made us too angry or repulsed to say aloud. Rowling also gave me several of my favorite quotes:
*"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
*"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
*"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." (My favorite!)
I was so sad to finish the last book. This was one series that I didn't want to end. And yet, it was a most satisfying conclusion. And the message throughout was always the same-- love is always the answer. Period.
Last fall, I went to see the "beginning of the end" of the movies with an adorable, freckled 3rd grader and his mother. And yesterday and today, he and his mother (a former student) have been enjoying a marathon of all the movies leading up to the end. Two of my favorite people are at one of my favorite theaters. (What a combination!) This theater delivers food and drink, including wine, to your seats. Heaven!! Tonight at midnight, they will watch the final movie. I would love to see this now 4th grader's reaction to the final installment. I'm sure we'll be talking!
And me? I'm moving L. She is really pushing it! It is supposed to be 100+ degrees. She is moving from the 2nd floor of one apartment in U town to a 3rd floor apartment in the Big City two hours away. Yikes! L, it is a good thing that I love you more than Harry Potter! And that is saying something. And I'm pretty sure that I will still be using this sacrifice in the future. You sooooo owe me! I'll be reminding you!
Harry is going to have to wait until next week. I guess I'll live. And maybe the theater won't be so crowded by then! (That's the only upside that I can think of!)
My conversion began when West Point nephew was about a 4th grader and called me a "muggle." It dawned on me that a whole generation of students were going to making allusions to literature about which I knew nothing! I went home and jumped into the first book. There was no turning back.
L was the only other Easy Streeter to read the books, and I think she only got through the first four. The Mr. might not have been into the books, but he bought me a boxed set of the first four for Christmas one year. (The books have the most beautiful covers.) When the movies came out, I went to most of the movies by myself. I think the Mr. sat through one with me, and then looked at me after it was over like "What the heck was that all about?" *sigh*
I went to the bookstore at midnight on two different occasions to purchase the latest release. Yep, I was with the little kids dressed as wizards or Harry Potter, standing in line for the book. (Although, there were plenty of college kids, high school kids, and adults enjoying these books, too.)
After years of teaching kids who hated to read and faked every book report they ever gave, it was amazing to see such a huge group of kids who were reading again! JK Rowling can almost single-handedly take credit for making reading "cool" again. And since then you can add in the Twilight, Percy Jackson, Eragon, and Hunger Game series. And a generation of Language Arts teachers are incredibly grateful!
Thanks to Harry Potter, "He Who Shall Not Be Named" became a way to refer to some person whose very name made us too angry or repulsed to say aloud. Rowling also gave me several of my favorite quotes:
*"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
*"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
*"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." (My favorite!)
I was so sad to finish the last book. This was one series that I didn't want to end. And yet, it was a most satisfying conclusion. And the message throughout was always the same-- love is always the answer. Period.
Last fall, I went to see the "beginning of the end" of the movies with an adorable, freckled 3rd grader and his mother. And yesterday and today, he and his mother (a former student) have been enjoying a marathon of all the movies leading up to the end. Two of my favorite people are at one of my favorite theaters. (What a combination!) This theater delivers food and drink, including wine, to your seats. Heaven!! Tonight at midnight, they will watch the final movie. I would love to see this now 4th grader's reaction to the final installment. I'm sure we'll be talking!
And me? I'm moving L. She is really pushing it! It is supposed to be 100+ degrees. She is moving from the 2nd floor of one apartment in U town to a 3rd floor apartment in the Big City two hours away. Yikes! L, it is a good thing that I love you more than Harry Potter! And that is saying something. And I'm pretty sure that I will still be using this sacrifice in the future. You sooooo owe me! I'll be reminding you!
Harry is going to have to wait until next week. I guess I'll live. And maybe the theater won't be so crowded by then! (That's the only upside that I can think of!)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Oh No!
The final Harry Potter movie is opening on July 15th. And I just figured out that is the day L is moving. She is going to owe me soooo big!
The things Mom's sacrifice for their children!
The things Mom's sacrifice for their children!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Dillons Karma
The Mr. needed me to pick up his prescriptions at J town's Dillon's pharmacy. I hate that place. The parking lot is always full, and then I end up waiting in line at the pharmacy. Sometimes it is five or six people deep. You can imagine how thrilled I was at his request.
Of course, I arrived at Dillons at peak time: 5:00. Everyone is just getting off work and stopping for groceries. The parking lot is bad normally and worse when half of the lot is taken with their garden plants. I finally spotted a parking space. I'm ready to pull in, and.... three empty shopping carts are in the space. *Lovely* (I still don't understand why it is so hard to return carts.)
Fortunately, I found parking on the other side of the aisle. I hopped out of my car and went to move the carts so someone else could park there. A little black car with a young family was trying to pull in. I grabbed a couple of the carts and the mom jumped out to grab the other one. We returned them, she thanked me, and I went on into the store.
For the first time ever, one of the pharmacy windows was open. There was no line. *gasp* I walked up, got the prescriptions, paid, and left in about 3 minutes. I couldn't believe it.
Paybacks. Sometimes they work in your favor.
Of course, I arrived at Dillons at peak time: 5:00. Everyone is just getting off work and stopping for groceries. The parking lot is bad normally and worse when half of the lot is taken with their garden plants. I finally spotted a parking space. I'm ready to pull in, and.... three empty shopping carts are in the space. *Lovely* (I still don't understand why it is so hard to return carts.)
Fortunately, I found parking on the other side of the aisle. I hopped out of my car and went to move the carts so someone else could park there. A little black car with a young family was trying to pull in. I grabbed a couple of the carts and the mom jumped out to grab the other one. We returned them, she thanked me, and I went on into the store.
For the first time ever, one of the pharmacy windows was open. There was no line. *gasp* I walked up, got the prescriptions, paid, and left in about 3 minutes. I couldn't believe it.
Paybacks. Sometimes they work in your favor.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Eucharisteo List
So here are 10 things I'm particularly thankful for this week.
* The way 16 year old boys rally around a friend who is facing a scary health crisis. They aren't ashamed to show they are worried about him and that they care. I sometimes forget with all the horsing around they do, that they really do love each other--even if they have strange ways of showing it sometimes.
*Trees budding and green leaves finally making their appearance.
*Flip flops. They are cheap, cute, and they just scream "summer." They also make my toes happy!
*Social networking sites have their share of problems, but I still love facebook. (I hate the game announcements and the horoscope postings, but the good still outweighs the bad.)
*Peanut butter on toast for breakfast. I hated breakfast as a kid, but it has become my favorite meal of the day.
And what are you thankful for this week?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Wonderful Weekend
I had the best weekend. We met the girls and CT for dinner on Friday night. They gave me this:
Purses and shoes have always been a weakness. This might be the most fun purse I have ever owned. I probably wouldn't have purchased it for myself. I would have loved it, but thought it was too impractical for me. (You know, gray or black "boring" is practical.) Actually, just carrying it makes me happy! I think I love impractical! I may never buy boring again!
A friend and I went to see the Broadway Show "Avenue Q." It is an adult puppet show. The set was wonderful, and the performers were so talented. It reminded me of a spoof on Sesame Street. There were some wonderful moments and lyrics. (The opening song--"It Sucks to Be Me" set the tone!) I couldn't take my eyes off of the puppets. That was just a great show.
The rest of my weekend involved a run, a pedicure, church, burning pastures, and riding a four wheeler.
The weekend seemed to have a theme going-- fun! I enjoyed every minute of it. Now to carry that over to this week!
A friend and I went to see the Broadway Show "Avenue Q." It is an adult puppet show. The set was wonderful, and the performers were so talented. It reminded me of a spoof on Sesame Street. There were some wonderful moments and lyrics. (The opening song--"It Sucks to Be Me" set the tone!) I couldn't take my eyes off of the puppets. That was just a great show.
The rest of my weekend involved a run, a pedicure, church, burning pastures, and riding a four wheeler.
The weekend seemed to have a theme going-- fun! I enjoyed every minute of it. Now to carry that over to this week!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Technology Crazed
I love most things having to do with technology. Ipods, Facebook, Twitter, Blogging (obviously), imovie, laptops-both pcs and macs, digital cameras, document readers, LCD projectors, and the list goes on.
I like the creativity that technology gives me. I can't draw or paint and thanks to technology, I don't have to. I can create slide shows set to music, photo collages, and about a million other things for both personal use and for teaching.
For example, today in my classroom I am using a clicker game. I've created several different files of questions with multiple choice answers. They are projected onto the white board by computer. Each student has a remote-like clicker and "buzzes" in their response. When everyone has buzzed in, the program will tell the correct answer and how many students buzzed in for each response. When we finish a game, there is an instructor report that will project a summary of how each student (by number of clicker) performed on the set of questions. It's a lot of fun and can be used in a variety of ways. Oh, and it is a great way to cram in one last review of terms for the State Assessments.
I've been eyeing the Ipads. I think I would probably like using one. Of course, it isn't in my budget right now, but maybe someday!
One technology that isn't hard for me to resist is the electronic reader. I like books. I seem to have a shorter attention span reading on a computer. I don't need a short attention span when I read books. I might like reading newspapers or magazines on an electronic reader: no clutter or inky hands. (Of course, for a magazine it would need to be a color e-reader. Add another chunk of change.) I guess I like paper. In fact, putting this blog in actual book form is a goal of mine. One of these days...!
The problem with all this technology: it is expensive and it becomes outdated so quickly. I also have to confess that I can spend an awful lot of time creating lessons. Technology doesn't really save much time; every form of technology that I use to teach a lesson represents quite a bit of work.
I love technology, but have I mentioned that I only like it when it works? When there are problems or malfunctions I'd pretty much like to pitch it out the window. And I think that makes me a typical American! Most of us know just enough to be dangerous.
I like the creativity that technology gives me. I can't draw or paint and thanks to technology, I don't have to. I can create slide shows set to music, photo collages, and about a million other things for both personal use and for teaching.
For example, today in my classroom I am using a clicker game. I've created several different files of questions with multiple choice answers. They are projected onto the white board by computer. Each student has a remote-like clicker and "buzzes" in their response. When everyone has buzzed in, the program will tell the correct answer and how many students buzzed in for each response. When we finish a game, there is an instructor report that will project a summary of how each student (by number of clicker) performed on the set of questions. It's a lot of fun and can be used in a variety of ways. Oh, and it is a great way to cram in one last review of terms for the State Assessments.
I've been eyeing the Ipads. I think I would probably like using one. Of course, it isn't in my budget right now, but maybe someday!
One technology that isn't hard for me to resist is the electronic reader. I like books. I seem to have a shorter attention span reading on a computer. I don't need a short attention span when I read books. I might like reading newspapers or magazines on an electronic reader: no clutter or inky hands. (Of course, for a magazine it would need to be a color e-reader. Add another chunk of change.) I guess I like paper. In fact, putting this blog in actual book form is a goal of mine. One of these days...!
The problem with all this technology: it is expensive and it becomes outdated so quickly. I also have to confess that I can spend an awful lot of time creating lessons. Technology doesn't really save much time; every form of technology that I use to teach a lesson represents quite a bit of work.
I love technology, but have I mentioned that I only like it when it works? When there are problems or malfunctions I'd pretty much like to pitch it out the window. And I think that makes me a typical American! Most of us know just enough to be dangerous.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
None of the News We Need To Know
Anyone else out there think that if our media quit covering the Lindsey Lohans, Charlie Sheens, and Westboro Baptist protesters of our world that they might go away? Publicity seems to be what they are seeking. My students would call them "attention whores." As much as I hate the expression, it fits.
How about if we quit giving the idiots of our world what they are after?
OK. Thank you for that brief moment of venting. And now back to our regularly scheduled assessments.
How about if we quit giving the idiots of our world what they are after?
OK. Thank you for that brief moment of venting. And now back to our regularly scheduled assessments.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
On Kings and Things
*We had a late start yesterday. Five inches of snow and some ice made travel a gamble. There were a lot of wrecks and cars in the ditches.
*I went to school early (regular time) to try to catch up on work. I made a small dent. There is still a lot to do. With State Testing just around the corner, I am trying to make sure my students are prepared and that I haven't forgotten to teach them something.
*The temperature in my room when I arrived at school yesterday: 56. The heat or the sensors or something isn't working properly in three rooms of our wing. With a space heater, I managed to get the temperature to a whopping 62. Yes, it was cold. (I still prefer this to my trailer.)
*I love the new technology in our classrooms. It is great fun learning how to use it. It is also time consuming, and time is at a premium in my room. I've been going in earlier and staying later. The biggest challenge: figuring out how to use the old technology (a lot of reading activities for the State Test) on the new technology. Baby steps. Baby steps. (Yeah, I keep telling myself that!)
*We had date night on Easy Street last night. I took the Mr. to a movie, and he paid for dinner.
*We saw "The Kings Speech." What a great movie! I think my brother compared it to the "Harry Potter" movies. Churchill did remind me of Mad Eye Moody, and Lionel Logue was very similar to Albus Dumbledore. The Brits always fascinate me. With the Royals in the news and now this movie, I feel the need to brush up on my British History and the Monarchy. I'll be rooting for this movie to win the Oscar, and for Colin Firth to stammer his way into the Best Actor award.
*K and I are headed out to do a little shopping today. She is in need of maternity clothes, and I get to go along and join the fun. Things like this make that little grand baby seem a bit more real. I like that. A lot.
How sad is it that I am looking forward to Sunday afternoon so I can go down to school and work? Pathetic, I know.
Yes, I'm already treading water here on Easy Street--and the ice hasn't even thawed yet!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday Mornings
I like Sunday mornings.
The alarm doesn't scare me out of bed.
The Mr. and I walk Baxter.
I listen to the Mr. complain about Jenna Wolf on the Today Show.
The CBS Sunday Morning News is my favorite news show of the week.
I think I love Charles Osgood.
The new church sanctuary is just lovely.
We have adorable little kids at our church.
(Most of them belong to colleagues.)
I have a "stand-in Mom" at church.
She greets me with a hug every Sunday.
I'm only a little jealous of her daughter.
Did I say like?
I love Sunday mornings.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fast Draw- My Kind of News
Everything about the oil spill in the gulf has made me sick. I kept thinking that our country would be smart enough not to drill in the ocean. An accident like this was bound to happen at some point. If we destroy our oceans, well... I don't want to think of the consequences.
And yet, this Fast Draw yesterday on the CBS Sunday Morning News Show made it clear whose fault it is that we are in this mess. (And it has little to do with the "Drill Baby Drill" mentality of our politicians.)
Watch CBS News Videos Online
I love these two guys. First of all, I have not a stitch of artistic ability. I envy their 'fast draw' abilities. I can actually tell what it is when they draw!
Then, they always leave me something to think about.
How sad is it that I prefer their one minute "cartoons" to almost any news show? And don't get me started on the 24 hour news channels!
If you've never tuned in to the CBS Sunday Morning News, you're missing a treat. Sometimes, it's the only news I watch on television. I always learn something, and it never leaves me depressed or angry--just enlightened.
Who knew that Broadway has a new show called "American Idiot" which is based on an album by Green Day? (I learned that yesterday on the show!) Seems rather apropos.
And yet, this Fast Draw yesterday on the CBS Sunday Morning News Show made it clear whose fault it is that we are in this mess. (And it has little to do with the "Drill Baby Drill" mentality of our politicians.)
Watch CBS News Videos Online
I love these two guys. First of all, I have not a stitch of artistic ability. I envy their 'fast draw' abilities. I can actually tell what it is when they draw!
Then, they always leave me something to think about.
How sad is it that I prefer their one minute "cartoons" to almost any news show? And don't get me started on the 24 hour news channels!
If you've never tuned in to the CBS Sunday Morning News, you're missing a treat. Sometimes, it's the only news I watch on television. I always learn something, and it never leaves me depressed or angry--just enlightened.
Who knew that Broadway has a new show called "American Idiot" which is based on an album by Green Day? (I learned that yesterday on the show!) Seems rather apropos.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December 1st
I spent most of the last night of November in a cellular phone store. After almost two hours in the store, I spent the next chunk of my evening trying to figure out how to use the phone. I figure by the time my contract is up, I ought to have it mastered. How hard can it be to change a ring tone or even put the thing on silence? *sigh* It is going to be a long week.
Where did November go? Tiny Town is in December mode. The Christmas decorations are making their annual appearance. We even decked our deck at Trailer School. There is something so cheery about greenery and red bows.
My first Christmas party is tonight! Let the hectic whirl of this season begin...!
December is...
fields of snow and mistletoe
frosty panes and candy canes
Santa jolly and sprigs of holly
wreaths of green and manger scenes
snow drifts white, a star so bright
-
You get the drift...the sophomores are writing rhyming metaphors for December today. (They have to do an opener every day. This is the one for Dec. 1st.) I'm sure they will be just thrilled.
Where did November go? Tiny Town is in December mode. The Christmas decorations are making their annual appearance. We even decked our deck at Trailer School. There is something so cheery about greenery and red bows.
My first Christmas party is tonight! Let the hectic whirl of this season begin...!
December is...fields of snow and mistletoe
frosty panes and candy canes
Santa jolly and sprigs of holly
wreaths of green and manger scenes
snow drifts white, a star so bright
-
You get the drift...the sophomores are writing rhyming metaphors for December today. (They have to do an opener every day. This is the one for Dec. 1st.) I'm sure they will be just thrilled.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Cell Phone Society
My cell phone contract is up. It has been up for a couple of months. I wouldn't mind a new phone, but I don't need one. I want a Blackberry, but I don't want to pay the monthly charge. (Tightwad is rubbing off on me.)
The cell phone industry seems to have quite a deal going. Your phone gets outdated quickly, and you'll buy a new one every couple of years. (Unless you're L. I think she would get a new phone every 6 months if she could afford it.) Computer companies probably wish they could get in on this every-two-year action. They are still a bit too pricey for the average consumer to do that.
I was thinking back to the first cell phone at our house. K got it for her 16th birthday. Cell phones were fairly new in those days. Actually, the gift wasn't for her. Her dad gave it to himself on her birthday. The idea of her driving a car alone wasn't something he was looking forward to. If she had trouble, he wanted to know. If she wasn't home when she was supposed to be, he wanted a way to contact her.
Now what kind of cute phone did she get? A bag phone. You remember those? They plugged into the car cigarette lighter. It kind of looked like an ugly purse. For her safety and Dad's peace of mind, it was priceless.
Cell phones have spoiled us. We are always a phone call away from whatever we need. Kids are less independent. Parents have them on leashes, texting or calling them at school with unimportant information that could wait until they get home. Only rarely is the call important.
Kids don't have great memorization skills. They don't know phone numbers. Without their list of contacts, they are lost.
I don't even want to think about what it does to our social skills. No one goes to the door any more. They text or call to say they are out front. Parents don't always meet the child's friends or dates. (To say nothing of how lazy that makes us.) And this doesn't even touch on the texting rather than talking, the impermanence of texts, and the lack of face-to-face conversations. (Don't get me started!)
And yet, cell phones do exactly what the Mr. hoped. They give us peace of mind. We can call when we have trouble or are in danger.
My favorite call? K, L, and I were shopping. I get a call on my cell phone. "Mom, can you come to the changing room and see what you think of this outfit? I'm in the 3rd stall back." Only a teenage girl would make this call!
Monday Memories at Planet M
The cell phone industry seems to have quite a deal going. Your phone gets outdated quickly, and you'll buy a new one every couple of years. (Unless you're L. I think she would get a new phone every 6 months if she could afford it.) Computer companies probably wish they could get in on this every-two-year action. They are still a bit too pricey for the average consumer to do that.
I was thinking back to the first cell phone at our house. K got it for her 16th birthday. Cell phones were fairly new in those days. Actually, the gift wasn't for her. Her dad gave it to himself on her birthday. The idea of her driving a car alone wasn't something he was looking forward to. If she had trouble, he wanted to know. If she wasn't home when she was supposed to be, he wanted a way to contact her.
Now what kind of cute phone did she get? A bag phone. You remember those? They plugged into the car cigarette lighter. It kind of looked like an ugly purse. For her safety and Dad's peace of mind, it was priceless.
Cell phones have spoiled us. We are always a phone call away from whatever we need. Kids are less independent. Parents have them on leashes, texting or calling them at school with unimportant information that could wait until they get home. Only rarely is the call important.
Kids don't have great memorization skills. They don't know phone numbers. Without their list of contacts, they are lost.
I don't even want to think about what it does to our social skills. No one goes to the door any more. They text or call to say they are out front. Parents don't always meet the child's friends or dates. (To say nothing of how lazy that makes us.) And this doesn't even touch on the texting rather than talking, the impermanence of texts, and the lack of face-to-face conversations. (Don't get me started!)
And yet, cell phones do exactly what the Mr. hoped. They give us peace of mind. We can call when we have trouble or are in danger.
My favorite call? K, L, and I were shopping. I get a call on my cell phone. "Mom, can you come to the changing room and see what you think of this outfit? I'm in the 3rd stall back." Only a teenage girl would make this call!
Monday Memories at Planet M
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
True Confessions
Not a lot of time to blog. I'd like to blame school, but I really can't. I hate to admit it, but the season finale of "Big Brother" is responsible for my misspent evening. (Sorry Dad. You tried to get our minds on something of more value than TV, but I was your dismal failure! Can you give me a few points because I went to a library board meeting prior to the show? DVR makes all things possible.) The show ended just the way I hoped. (Yea Jordan!) "Big Brother" is one of my guilty summer pleasures. And so now the summer is officially over.
The sad thing is..."Survivor" and "Amazing Race" are about to start. Yep. I love these reality shows, too. So...
"Hi. My name is Mrs. E and I'm a reality show junkie."
The sad thing is..."Survivor" and "Amazing Race" are about to start. Yep. I love these reality shows, too. So...
"Hi. My name is Mrs. E and I'm a reality show junkie."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Harry Potter
The next Harry Potter movie is opening tonight at midnight. (I prefer an hour when I won't sleep through the show, so I'll wait a few days to see it.) The movies are never as good as the books, but I have to see them anyway. It has been fun watching the Harry Potter phenomenon. A whole generation of kids actually read again. And J.K. Rowling can take partial credit for that. (Stephanie Meyer and her Twilight series has done a lot to make reading cool with the High School crowd.)
I fought the Harry Potter craze for awhile. Then one year at Christmas the nieces and nephews were discussing Quidditch. I had no idea what they were talking about, so I asked. The W.P. (West Point) nephew was probably a 4th grader at the time. He looked at me, sniffed, and said, "Hmmm... Muggle!" It suddenly occurred to me that pretty soon I was going to have a whole classroom full of kids who would make allusions to Harry Potter and I would have no idea what they were talking about. And if W.P was going to call me a muggle, I was going to find out what a muggle was! (By the way, a muggle is a non magical person. And yes, I am or at least was a non magical person.)
I bought the first book. Sixty pages in, I wasn't that impressed. But something happened in the next 40-50 pages, and I was sucked into the Harry Potter web. I am a fan. The books are all about love: love that protects us, love that guides us, and love that will always be with us. Goodness always triumphs. But beyond that, the books are funny, challenging for kids, and exciting.
When my colleague talks about "He Who Shall Not Be Named" every time a former colleague's name is mentioned, I know that even his name is painful and brings back a lot of unpleasant memories. Students learn vocabulary. (Professor Umbrage will always help students to remember the definition of umbrage.) So many books for kids are deadly dull for adults. Harry Potter is a great book for parents and their kids to read together. They are as amusing and fun for adults as they are for kids. As each book came out, I joined the kids at the local bookstore to wait for my copy. (Sometimes fairly late at night!) And like the 4th, 5th & 6th graders across the country, I spent the next few days completely absorbed with reading the latest book. (Who am I kidding? The high school and college crowd were as excited about the books as anyone!) I was sad when I finished the last book. Rowling did a great job of ending the series, but I hated to see the end of the saga.
Later this week, I will be in a movie theater (milk duds anyone?) to watch "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." It won't be as good as the book, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to drag the Mr. there, but for a couple of hours I can get lost in the world of Hogwarts and Harry Potter and friends.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Guilty Pleasure
Someday, I will create a list of my guilty pleasures. There are quite a few of them. However, I have to share this one: the "Big Brother" reality show. It started this week. Thank goodness for DVR. It is on three times a week, and I don't always have time to watch it during the time it runs.
I think that I like this show because it is all about relationships. Granted, most of the relationships are shallow and manipulating. Think back on your Middle School or Junior High years and you'll get the picture.
As if it isn't bad enough that I watch the show three times a week, there is also a website that I haunt. There are cameras everywhere in the house and yard that run live feeds of what these people are doing. If you're willing to pay, you can watch the people in the house 24 hours a day for the course of the show. I'm not willing to pay, but someone buys the 24 hour a day feed for the show and then tells what is happening in the Big Brother house on an hourly basis on this website. It is kind of a spoiler for the TV show, but it is fun to "see" and "hear" all the things that aren't included on air.
Yep, that is my guilty pleasure. (And don't get me started on "Amazing Race" and "Survivor!")
I think that I like this show because it is all about relationships. Granted, most of the relationships are shallow and manipulating. Think back on your Middle School or Junior High years and you'll get the picture.
As if it isn't bad enough that I watch the show three times a week, there is also a website that I haunt. There are cameras everywhere in the house and yard that run live feeds of what these people are doing. If you're willing to pay, you can watch the people in the house 24 hours a day for the course of the show. I'm not willing to pay, but someone buys the 24 hour a day feed for the show and then tells what is happening in the Big Brother house on an hourly basis on this website. It is kind of a spoiler for the TV show, but it is fun to "see" and "hear" all the things that aren't included on air.
Yep, that is my guilty pleasure. (And don't get me started on "Amazing Race" and "Survivor!")
Thursday, March 26, 2009
More Art Gallery Inspiration
I loved the photography of Homer Page. Most of it was taken in 1949 on the streets of New York. He captured the spirit of the era and the city. I loved the faces and the fashion, but also the hustle of the city in his photos. His photos of kids, baseball, and even the advertising were unforgettable. The photograph above was the only color photo in the exhibit, and I had a hard time walking away from it. (I wish I could have gotten a better shot of it!) It was beautiful and haunting: a young woman standing on the street, gazing in the window at an older woman sitting alone in her home. So many unanswered questions!
This was part of their "interactive" contemporary art, meaning you could walk across this floor. Very unusual and kind of cool. I can imagine that children love it.
Part of the outdoor sculpture gallery--and one of the pieces often featured at the Nelson Art Gallery.
Keeping it real--Art Inspiration
Isn't this an interesting face? This "guard" at the art museum is part of the contemporary art collection at the art gallery several hours from here. Last week on the anniversary of my stroke the Mr. had to work, but my daughters joined me on a trip to the art gallery. I have always loved the work of the masters, but it was the contemporary art and the photography of Homer Page that caught my eye. I couldn't believe how realistic "Mr. Art Guard" looked: the hair curling around the ears, the wrinkles in his neck. (I should mention he is a lifesize three dimensional piece of art. I wanted to stop and ask him questions when I saw him. Think department store dummy, but much more realistic!) Stick figures are a challenge for me, so I am in awe of any art. Even paintings of trash were amazing. This was incredible:
I think this last one was about the favorite of the day. The photo doesn't begin to do it justice. It was painted on wood panel rather than canvas and looked like a photograph. I had to keep reminding myself that it had been painted. That huge sky and the farmstead nestled so small in the center, well--talk about realistic for this area.
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