Tag Archives: great days

The turkey….

Thursday, November 22, 2012, @ 9:42 amCooking, country, Family, food, Life in General, pets, Reading, teaching, Writingchildren, eating, fall in the Midwest, fall leaves, Family, great days, hard work, history, making the days count, patriotism, pets, reading, teaching, weather, writingClay

turkey2012 — roasting and getting ready for dinner!

It’s Thanksgiving morning and the turkey is in the oven. There are yams cooking on the stove and it’s pretty quiet. Ivy’s been out a couple of times and she had a treat to start her day. I mixed chicken broth, warm chicken broth, with her dog food this morning and she enjoyed it. Actually, she’s in the doghouse with B, because Ivy woke us up just as the sun was peaking over the horizon. She had slept at the top of the stairs just outside our room and let out a yelp and short bark to let me know it was time to go out. I felt the warm spot on the carpet when I went downstairs to let her out and start the day. Unfortunately, B’s sleep was collateral damage and she followed me downstairs.

It’s my job to cook the turkey and it’s in the oven. The smells are just now wafting through the house and before long; the aroma of Thanksgiving Continue reading The turkey…. →

Saturday morning sunrise

Saturday, November 17, 2012, @ 8:09 amFamily, Life in General, Reading, teaching, Weather, Writingchildren, education, fall in the Midwest, fall leaves, Family, great days, making the days count, reading, teaching, weather, writingClay

sunrise0106 — a great way to start the day…

It’s great when I can sleep until the sun rises, usually I am on my way to school, and dropping W off on the way as the sun peaks over the horizon and new day begins. I would have missed it, but I set my alarm to get up early this morning, but I let it snooze and slept in. I needed it. I really needed to get a good night’s rest.

It was a treat to see the pinky-orange sky reveal a lightly frosted landscape this morning. It’ll burn off and I’ll get out, rake up the last few pockets of leaves, cover the lawn furniture, Continue reading Saturday morning sunrise →

Veterans Day – Semper Fi

Sunday, November 11, 2012, @ 9:11 amadventure, country, Family, history, Life in General, Reading, teaching, Writingeducation, Family, great days, hard work, making the days count, patriotism, reading, teaching, World War I, writing, WWIIClay

Today is Veterans Day. It is celebrated on the eleventh day of the eleventh month; the day also marks the remembrance of end of the First World War. There is no coincidence.

dad_usmc — Private Robert N. Watkins, USMC, my dad

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

As a young child, there were two topics, which I constantly read – World War II and football. I could not read enough or learn enough about the war. I was fascinated, and I still am intrigued by history. My dad helped foster this learning and I remember watching Patton at the Palms Theater in third grade. At the time, I thought it was a great movie. I have watched it many times since and have the soundtrack in my music library. I am listening to it as I write this morning. I still think it is a great movie about a great man, who like many was flawed, but did what was needed when it was needed most. Continue reading Veterans Day – Semper Fi →

6th grade, all over again

Saturday, November 10, 2012, @ 11:11 amFamily, history, Life in General, pets, Reading, teaching, Teaching and Learning, Writingchildren, Coleen McGregor, Dulles Jr. High Class of 1976, education, fall leaves, Family, great days, hard work, history, making the days count, patriotism, reading, sixth grade, teaching, writingClay

STRESS CITY. It is that time of the year, November and the push at school, home, and everywhere else. This past week was full: parent conferences at school – two full days, parent conferences for O, the election, and the kid’s activities – sports and scouts. I am grateful for B who handled scouts this week; otherwise, I might have burst. And, this week ends with my birthday. Yep, I am officially one year older today – Happy Birthday to me. Continue reading 6th grade, all over again →

Election Day 2012

Tuesday, November 6, 2012, @ 6:08 amcountry, Family, history, Life in General, Reading, teaching, Writingchildren, Coleen McGregor, Dulles Jr. High Class of 1976, education, Election 2012, Family, great days, hard work, history, making the days count, patriotism, reading, teaching, writingClay

The alarm went off at four this morning and I noticed we had a visitor in bed this morning. Sometime after I crawled in bed and fell asleep, Ivy came upstairs and jumped into bed with us. She usually sleeps downstairs, but it is comforting to have her lying at my feet warming my legs, even if she isn’t supposed to be our bed.

Today is Election Day, Continue reading Election Day 2012 →

5:04 PM, October 17, 1989 – 23 years later

Wednesday, October 17, 2012, @ 11:00 pmadventure, Family, jobs, Life in General, sports, teaching, Weather, Writing1989 World Series, baseball, earthquakes, eating, education, Family, great days, Lomo Prieta quake, making the days count, seventh grade, Vie de France, writingClay

250px-1989_World_Series — image courtesy of Wikipedia

23 years ago, I had tickets to Game 3 of the World Series. It was the San Francisco Giants vs. The Oakland A’s. There are a few things in life that you’ll never forget, and going to a World Series game is probably one of them. Yet, that is not what I remember the date for, it was 23 years ago today that I was in a major earthquake.

I moved to the Bay Area in 1987 and B moved out there a couple of years later in ’89. She worked for Macy’s in the electronics buying office for the west coast. I loved baseball and I enjoyed watching games on TV. It was BK, before kids, Continue reading 5:04 PM, October 17, 1989 – 23 years later →

The quiet room

Sunday, October 14, 2012, @ 11:37 amadventure, Family, jobs, Life in General, teaching, Weather, Writingchildren, fall in the Midwest, fall leaves, great days, hard work, high school football, making the days count, pets, reading, softball, sports, teaching, weather, writingClay

The sign says it all, ‘The quiet room.’ My kids tried to avoid it at all costs; I guess I would have, too, at their age. But, I’d sure like to go there for the next couple of days. Continue reading The quiet room →

Dawns Early Light

Thursday, October 4, 2012, @ 5:46 amFamily, Life in General, Reading, teaching, Writingfall in the Midwest, fall leaves, great daysClay

This tree always turns before the others, it is tucked around back and if you don’t look for it – you miss it.

I didn’t!

I do miss writing and I have. Much to write about, but now, this is what I have time to post.

It is day 29 and it’s gonna be a great day, I know it! Making the Days Count, one day at a time.

Lazy Sunday Morning

Sunday, September 16, 2012, @ 11:31 amFamily, food, Life in General, pets, Reading, teaching, Weather, Writingbirthdays, children, education, Family, football, great days, hard work, high school football, making the days count, pets, reading, seventh grade, Summer Vacation, teaching, weather, writingClay

This weekend is B’s birthday. The actual day was Friday and we were all at school. Saturday was softball and football games and household chores. Sunday is church, normally, and homework and relaxing, when we can. So, we decided to celebrate the weekend, the entire weekend.

Last weekend, after dropping W off at football, I stopped by the French market and scored some beautiful roses for my wonderful wife. Continue reading Lazy Sunday Morning →

1969, an earthquake, and Amuay

Thursday, August 30, 2012, @ 5:18 amadventure, Family, history, jobs, pets, Reading, teaching, Teaching and Learning, Writing1969, Amuay, children, education, Family, great days, history, making the days count, reading, seventh grade, teaching, Venezuela, writingClay

1969_clay_pedro1 — Pedro and I – 1969 Venezuela

It has been two weeks since my last post am I feeling guilty that I haven’t written, but I have been busy with my school starting, the kid’s school starting, and the activities that come along with active kids and a family– sports practices, clubs, church, and family. I actually began writing a post earlier this week and stopped because I didn’t have time to finish and get to school, on time. At the same time, I have been trying to get the sleep and rest I need to lead a healthy and productive life. It has been a challenge keeping all of the roles in balance.

Continue reading 1969, an earthquake, and Amuay →