Tag Archives: writing

Why I became a teacher…

Family, history, Reading, teaching, Teaching and Learning, Writing, , ,
the story needed a picture, and a single dafodil fit the bill – happy spring!

There are days when I ask myself this question; today is one of those days. I remember seventh grade just like it was yesterday, even though it was thirty-six years ago. Maybe it is because I teach seventh grade and I am surrounded by seventh graders most of the day; this year William is in seventh grade and I get to ‘live’ seventh grade all the time. It may also be because being a teacher, a really good teacher, is reaching out to kids who are struggling but having a difficult time like the one I was watching when I started writing this a while back. Continue reading Why I became a teacher… →

New week – new start!

Family, Reading, teaching, Writing, , ,
maple flowers, leaves breaking out, spring is here!

It is raining, but that beats the original forecast – snow. Yesterday, the forecast was for heavy snow across the area with accumulation. The good news is that a heavy snow in April does not last long. The bad news is that it is snow. But, even better news is that the snow is north of us and it is raining and we need rain. Continue reading New week – new start! →

Railroading…

Family, history, Hobbies and Fun, Life in General, model railroads, , , ,

I pulled into the driveway this evening after a long day at school to find no one at home. Ivy greeted me enthusiastically, as she always does, and I searched the counter for clues. I found none and called Beth’s cell, only to discover it lying on the kitchen counter beside me. No help, at all. Continue reading Railroading… →

Spring Break – Mr. Freeze style!

Family, Life in General, Reading, teaching, travel, , , , ,
William and Olivia - on the lake, last year they were in it!

Minus four at the airport, five on the temperature gauge at the cottage. There is no other way to say it, it is cold.

We left yesterday afternoon for a short trip to the cottage and visit with grandma and grandpa. We picked William up after his merit badge class – Citizenship in the World – stopped at Trader Joe’s and we were headed north by four. Continue reading Spring Break – Mr. Freeze style! →

two – one hundred, twenty-three – forty-seven

Family, Life in General, Reading, teaching, Writing, , , , , ,
four crocusses - open for the world to see! Saturday, 3/19

two – one hundred, twenty-three – forty-seven; No, that is not my locker combination! If it were, it would have to be a very large dial or one with very small numbers and even if it were my combination, I would not be able to read it. I woke this morning to the blaring of my alarm clock reminding me it was time to get out of bed and start a new day, a day that promises to be one more closer to spring break. The kids, my students, are restless and I must admit so am I. It is two days, two school days, before spring break. Continue reading two – one hundred, twenty-three – forty-seven →

The List

adventure, country, Family, history, Scouting, Writing, , , , , , ,
several lotto tickets - waiting to be checked!

The other day, I went to the grocery store with a list, Beth made the list and it included everything I needed. I ran my errands and drove to the store. I got out of the car, forgot about the list and left it inside the car, where it was safe, and went inside to shop for groceries. I added items to my cart, remembering the items from the list, as I walked down each aisle.  I checked out and drove home. Of course, when I walked in and unpacked the groceries Beth asked where the sour cream was and it was still at the store on the shelf, where I had left it. It was on the list but evidently, it never made it to the Iist, I used. If it were the first time, I suppose Beth could have forgiven me, but this happens all the time; I make a list or am given one and do not use it. Continue reading The List →

President’s Day Weekend Recap

Family, food, Life in General, model railroads, racing, Reading, , , ,

It is Tuesday morning, and normally, I would be wrapping up teaching my first section of Language Arts block and heading off to duties, meetings, and lunch. However, today’s schedule includes evening, leaving me a few moments to re-think and review the President’s weekend. Continue reading President’s Day Weekend Recap →

Saturday – President’s Day Weekend 2011

Family, history, Teaching and Learning, , , , , ,
Snow remains in only a few places in the backyard, what a bright sunny February day

Most of the snow has melted leaving only pockets of grey dingy ice piles here and there. Fallen twigs and branches litter the backyard and deck leaving a carpet of brownish grey grass matted from the snow. That is what is left of the yard after twenty or more inches of snow and several days of late winter days in the forties. It is nice outside, thought the sunlight belies that temperatures in the thirties, which will probably remain there all day, at least that is the forecast. Continue reading Saturday – President’s Day Weekend 2011 →

Like vs. Need

Family, jobs, Reading, Writing, , ,

Often, I am torn between what I would like to do and what I need to do. And, sometimes I am caught between what is good and what is better. This morning, I spent time thinking and now it is time to be doing. Sometime after I fell asleep and before I woke, snow fell and I need to clean the driveway before we leave for church. The job will take ten or fifteen minutes but I need to get it done, now. I also want to write a blog post, but I cannot. Therefore, this will have to suffice, for now. The view out the window this morning is all white and grey, but the sun will shine today and bring brightness to us all. Make the Days Count, one shovelful at a time! Continue reading Like vs. Need →

The Big Snow – part one

Family, Life in General, teaching, Writing, , ,
Ivy looks out the front window and 'dreams'!

At this moment, it should be first period and geography class, but I am sitting in my basement writing about the past couple of days and the ‘Big Snow Day.’ It has been a very hectic couple of days and last night was the latest night I have had since Christmas Break, but I knew I was not going to need to get up in the morning and drive to school. As school was cancelled due the blizzard prediction for Tuesday and Wednesday; and it came, starting midday Tuesday and it continued until just a few moments ago. After the initial frenzy quieted down, about eight o’clock Tuesday night, I checked Facebook and a friend posted, “Due to the weather tonight, I’m cancelling bedtime.” To which I replied, “Our’s was cancelled hours ago! It is wild outside!” And, the weather and snow was wild: the winds howled, the snow fell, and it blew. Continue reading The Big Snow – part one →