The View from Here

90 Days

“Are you kidding me?”

I went to the eye doctor after school yesterday. Good news! My eyes are great- my glasses were wrong. They are fixing the problem and I will have the second pair of new ones very soon. In the meantime, my next appointment is in ninety days. So the receptionist plugged that little number in to the calendar and made this announcement:

‘Well, that makes it August 5. Won’t that be in-service for you?” I must have looked totally floored because she added, “Isn’t that what they call it when you go back to school? I can make the appointment for 4pm.”

“Yes…yes, that would be great, thanks.”

Yikes! What happened to my summer? A quick trip to VT, clean the house, work in the garden, finish a couple of projects, and it will be time to start school again! When did summer become 90 days?

Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration to be sure, but it just suddenly hit me, when it was wrapped up in a number like that, that summer isn’t what it used to be. When I was a kid it seemed endless. In fact, it got to the point in July that I was actually bored. I missed my friends, I missed the routine of school, I even missed homework!

90 days…to be valued. To be spent wisely. To be spent on some major projects, yes, but also on relaxing and rejuvenating. I must keep in the back of my mind that my time is short. J

Ninety days also puts the term “next year” into a more realistic perspective. I have spoken to parents who seem to think that some miracle transformation is going to take place over the endless summer and their child is going to be a completely different student in the first grade. Well, welcome to reality folks! Little Johnny isn’t going to turn his life around in ninety days. He’s going to mature a little bit, make a few more cognitive connections, improve his muscle control a bit, and walk into first grade with the same personality and attitude he had in my classroom. Children actually change in tiny increments. Yes, they evolve and change over time, but it’s more like dripping syrup than flowing lava. Don’t hold your breath waiting for the “aha” moments!

I suppose I’m in a somewhat negative mood because two of my students got into trouble yesterday for actions that were first attempted last August.  I checked the folders of both. One has done the same thing over two dozen times with various results. I have tried every form and combination of discipline in my arsenal- that has worked with other students- and failed to change the behavior of this child. This is a bright, skilled student who excels in academics and gets plenty of praise in that area, yet continues to be a daily disruption and threat to the learning and safety of others. I understand that it is really not my problem to solve, but I feel like a failure nonetheless. And I know that the child’s transition to first grade will not be a smooth one. The other student is better in some areas, worse in others, and again…a daily problem from August to this week, and undoubtedly next week as well.

My question of the day to one of my colleagues was “What are we really accomplishing if we produce a child who can read, but doesn’t value the worth and rights of other people?” If a student will blatantly lie, cheat, steal, and harm others, receive punishment for it, and then do it again, then how high up on the list of priorities can we place those wonderful reading skills?

A couple in a nearby town was arrested this week for leaving their eighteen-month-old child locked in a car while they sat in the casino gambling. There were two of them, yet they didn’t even care enough about the child to take turns watching it. Are these people examples of what happens when you have academic skills but no empathy? I don’t know. But something is clearly lacking in their lives.

I didn’t start out to be maudlin and depressing, it just happened. Sorry.

Anyway, I plan to savor every moment of my vacation, knowing that it is short in comparison to my expectations and ambitious plans.

And I will try to be understanding when I get my little ones in the fall, knowing that their pre-k teachers are thinking the same thing I am this week, “Honestly, I’ve done the best I can. I tried. I’m sorry.”

Hang in there…it’s Thursday. That’s almost Friday. LOL

 

 

Habitats

 

My students have learned a lot about habitats this year. We’ve studied a variety of animals and plants and we know that both thrive best in their natural environment. Although animals learn to survive in zoos and plants adapt to life inside our homes, their natural habitat is where they truly flourish.

I thought about today’s topic because of my great-nephew Tyler. He sent me a card and asked if I like sea animals and fish. Oh, do I ever!! There was a time, when I was about his age, that I thought I would surely die if I didn’t live near the ocean. I could NOT understand why my parents didn’t just move there. After all, we had moved dozens of times. We had lived in three states. We had lived in town and in the country, in a hotel and in numerous houses. Why, why, why couldn’t we live in a shack on the beach? What was wrong with my parents?

I guess as a kid I didn’t understand that my parents were farm people, born and bred. Their natural habitat was the country, more specifically the farm, and they felt at peace in the valley where we worked the fields. The ocean was a place to visit and marvel, not a place to live, or make a living. They were out of their element on the coast.

We’ve all been told numerous times to “grow where you are planted”, a phrase meant to encourage us to do our best to flourish despite less-than-perfect environments or challenging circumstances.  My mother was especially fond of that concept. She always planted flowers and kept our home clean and decorated, no matter where we lived or how lowly the actual structure was. She always expected us to have good speech and even better manners, despite our poor country upbringing. In fact, I’m not sure she ever really thought of us as poor. I certainly don’t remember ever hearing that word at home.

Sometimes the news makes me think about how the environment molds and holds peoples’ lives in its grasp. The oil disaster is devastating to the fisherman along the coast because that is their way of life, not just an occupation. It may be all some of them have ever known, for more than one or two generations. Those of us who have bounced around and experimented with different ways to earn a living can’t truly appreciate what it is like to be so attached to our habitat.

I read recently that it is difficult for each generation to rise above the values and expectations of their society. I believe it is even more difficult to go against the values and expectations created by our earliest surroundings. Try being a Navajo kid living in the middle of the desert and wanting to be a marine biologist because you visited Marine World with your grandparents. There’s an uphill battle in the making. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen. I know it does. I just think the majority of us settle into the closest version of our first natural habitat that we can recreate.

So, Tyler, while I love the ocean and sea creatures, and I briefly considered a job transfer to Monterey when I was a young adult, I think my natural habitat is the prairie where my parents grew up. The wind and the open space and the wild critters nurture my soul. I always enjoy a visit to the ocean, but I don’t think God intended for me to live there.

Besides, if I lived on the coast I might miss sweet faces like this one! (Be sure to click to see the larger version.)

Have a great day, wherever you live!

 

It was a Monday...

Yesterday morning the satellite was on the fritz despite clear skies. So frustrating to say the least. By the time I got home from school and errands there was a storm brewing and I had a brief ten minutes between clouds to post my blog.

It was 82 degrees before the storm front cooled things off a bit. It is supposed to be 90 later in the week. Seems a little early for such high numbers. I hope this isn’t “fair warning” for our summer.

My students “earn” five minutes time-out for each infraction of our rules. Of course they get a couple of warnings about their behavior before that occurs. So when I tell you that one of my students sat out a total of 65 minutes yesterday (recess, centers, table centers) you know it was an exciting Monday! L

I was discouraged yesterday because I haven’t lost any more weight. People around me seem to thrive and stay thin on junk food, colas, school food, and fried, fried, fried foods. This is essentially “the South” when it comes to food tastes and traditions. I’ve spent months cutting sugar, salt, fat, and junk from my diet. I eat less and less each day. And I’m still fat, fat, fat! What is wrong with this picture???

Went to WalMart after work to finish up some shopping that I skipped because of Friday’s rain shower. The store remodel is almost complete, thank goodness. I’m so tired of searching for things! It takes more time.

Somehow twisted my knee during my shopping adventure. It is swollen and sore this morning. What else? And of course it is the same side as my sore foot. For the curious- I have not gone to the podiatrist yet. Decided to put it off until school is out because I was actually pain-free Sunday night despite mowing and other activities. Started hurting again by Monday noon. I really think my current actions (shoe inserts, brace, exercises, ibuprofen) will result in a cure as soon as I can also get off those cement floors at school!

 
 

There was a third calf in the herd last night. I find it fascinating to watch the social action of the cows now that I’m paying attention. I know, I know. ..I’m crazy and country people have too much free time. Get over it. Lol ANYWAY, the one big red mom that I’ve named Mabel, is very nurturing and protective of ALL the calves. She actually had all three of them in a little group with her last night while all of the other cows were down the hill grazing together. If I get too close to the calves, one of the other moms might wander my way, but for the most part they seem content to leave their little ones in Mabel’s care. She actually licked and nudged the new one along to make sure it was following the others.

The bunnies and birds, including the dove and woodpecker, were all out in the yard last night just as it started sprinkling. The sunset was beautiful. I accepted it as the perfect end to a less-than-perfect day.

Be encouraged today! It’s going to be great!

 

What's In Your Cart?

Note: Not a cloud in the sky this morning, but NO internet!! :(

It finally occurred to me a few weeks ago that changes in my diet are really up to me.  I’m the “chief cook and bottle washer” as Dad likes to say, and I’m also the grocery shopper and meal planner.  Since Gary and I seldom eat out, it makes sense that I can’t stray very far from healthy food if that is all there is in the house. The only thing I can do is eat too much, and I’m working on that!

Katrina posted a photo of her grocery cart last week and it made me curious about what was in it. I asked her to post a list and menu plan for this week. We’ll see if she does. In the meantime I want to tell you the food items that are usually in my cart these days.

1.    Brown rice. I’ve grown very fond of the single servings of brown rice. Pop one in the microwave and you are good to go. I can eat rice when Gary works late or wants something else.

2.    Couscous. Quick, tasty, low in sodium.

3.    Milk. I drink 1% because I read that it is actually better for you than skim. I drink 8oz a day, and I’m not sure I could make it through a week without milk.

4.    Eggs. I love eggs and won’t give them up until someone says “these will kill you”. I’m currently using “Egg Beaters”, but every so often I buy the real things- just six.

5.    Sandwich rounds. I still buy bagels, sourdough bread for Gary, and tortillas. However, my sandwich staples are these little flat rounds. I really like them! I use them with eggs for breakfast and with peanut butter for lunch.

6.    Salad. I buy a head of lettuce, two bags of mixed greens, a bag of baby spinach, a carton of grape tomatoes, four avocadoes, a cucumber, a zucchini, a bag of baby carrots, a carton of mushrooms, and a package of raisins, and a package of walnut pieces. That usually gets us through the week. Yes, I put raisins and walnuts on my salad.

7.    Broccoli. I don’t think we ever skip the broccoli at our house! We usually eat steamed broccoli three times a week. I round out the week with zucchini, corn, sugar peas, and carrots. 

8.    Ann’s House nut/dried fruit mixes. I usually buy the “Good Health Energy” or the “Chocolate Anti-Oxidant” mix. Each is a good combo for snacks and I take a serving for lunch about three days a week.

9.    Dove chocolate. Yes, I eat chocolate each and every day. There is always chocolate in our fridge and I eat 1-4 pieces per day, depending on my mood. My usual serving is honestly two. Some days I don’t eat any. But I know they are there. It’s my indulgence.

10.   Whipped yogurt. I like this because it is a good substitute for ice cream. I still buy the little cups of ice cream some weeks, but I find that I prefer this because of the different flavors. I keep it in the freezer and have one in the evening while I watch TV.

11.   Salmon. I buy the frozen fillets and the ready-to-eat in a pouch. I eat salmon two or three times per week depending on Gary’s work schedule. He likes salmon, but not too often.

12.   Chicken. I buy frozen breasts or tenderloins because frozen suits our lifestyle. If we shopped at a real grocery store I would probably opt for fresh and buy it more often. 

13.   Sweet potatoes. I’m not sure we will ever go back to eating regular potatoes more than once or twice a month. Sweet potatoes have far more flavor!

14.   Cheese. I’m buying less cheese, but still usually buy a small block of sharp cheddar, a package of slices, and a package of string cheese sticks.

And more important are the things that have been removed from the weekly shopping list: sausage, biscuits, cookies, chips, hot dogs, hamburger, ice cream, cottage cheese, pizza, pasta, rice mixes, mashed potatoes, frozen dinners in a bag, cream soups, macaroni and cheese, French fries, fried okra and chicken nuggets. I’m not saying we will NEVER eat these things again, but they are no longer on the weekly list. I will no longer bring them home without consciously deciding to do so. We haven’t eaten a biscuit or a sausage patty in six months. Those items may stay off the list. But we had hot dogs last week. Without fries, I might add. That’s another thing that has changed. I no longer think of things “going together”. I don’t assume we have to have chips or fries with a burger. We don’t have to have hush puppies if we eat fish. We don’t eat garlic bread every time we eat spaghetti.

So, our eating habits are still changing and evolving as I learn to shop and cook wisely. I’m trying to give much more thought to what goes into my shopping cart. What’s in yours?

Mowing...and other chores

 

Who knew yesterday would be a sunny, breezy, mow –the- lawn- until –you- can’t -move day? The forecast was for “scattered showers”, but they must have scattered somewhere else because I never saw even one.  I mowed the front parking area, otherwise known as “the pasture” and along the fence line. I like for both areas to be clear so we don’t get so many snakes in the yard. Probably not a real deterrent, but at least I can see them coming. Also managed to mow part of the yard before quitting. At my age and in “winter condition” it’s best to know when to quit!

I also did some pruning and pulled a few weeds. I have much, much more to tackle this week. We also need to get the new gas trimmer going and see how it handles. The old one had a gas line problem and had to be retired. It seems that we buy a new one every eighteen months. I need to buy another fifty feet of cord for the electric trimmer. I really prefer it for work around my flowers because it starts and stops so easily. Don’t have to yank a cord every time I need to restart!  

Time to start putting some edging around the young trees and making it easier to mow near them. I also looked at each one yesterday and did an assessment of what else the yard needs. I want to plant cherry trees, but haven’t found any healthy ones yet. I looked at two Friday at Lowe’s, but I have to say that even though they were on sale, they weren’t worth bringing home. Each had been badly pruned at some time and one had an ugly knot and curve in its trunk. I did pull peaches off of our young peach tree yesterday. It had about twenty peaches on it and it is only old enough to sustain about six without damaging branches. Also trimmed a pine and one of the dogwoods.

Yes, folks, the squirrel has outsmarted me once again!! I was just bragging to Gary Thursday about moving the hanging “squirrel resistant” bird feeder to the end of the old clothes line pole where it had either missed the squirrel’s scrutiny for a whole week, or proven too slippery for her.  Oh, no. Friday I looked out the window and couldn’t quite figure out what “brown thing” was hanging from the side of the feeder. On closer inspection, it proved to be the lock-in-place  lid that had been removed and dropped to the side, where it had caught on one of the bars of the cage that encloses the feeder.  So much for needless bragging.

Also awoke to the sad realization that something had removed the baby bluebirds from one of the next boxes. It was unlocked and the front lid was open. I guess I will have to put a second lock on it. I suspect that a raccoon was smart enough to figure out how to get into it. So far, the one in the back is still safe. It is up higher, has a different lock, and has a hanging wire cage beneath it that I installed last year to keep Babe away from it. May have to do something similar for the new one.

I didn’t take photos yesterday. I had let the battery run down in the camera. L All charged and ready to go for today!

Hope your Sunday is a blessed one!!

 

 

Pardon my rant...and other ramblings

 

I’ve recently expressed my feelings about the foolishness of some weight loss programs, and tanning, and other practices associated with our appearance. But you haven’t heard anything until I get on my soapbox about people who want to “look younger”. Younger than what?  Younger than they wish to be? Younger than their friends and neighbors? Younger than God has allowed them to be? Believe me I want to BE old and if that means looking old, I’m all for it.

Yesterday there was a news report about the safety of a new injection procedure and a woman was explaining that she was getting the injections in the little “hollows” in her cheeks so they would puff out and be smoother. Give me a break! Do these people even listen to themselves?? Do they understand that there are millions of women and children in this country who struggle from day to day without life-saving medications and vaccines because they can’t afford them? Are there people in the world vainer than Americans? I hope we never have a healthcare system that pays for these foolish people to look younger!

Whew! Okay, breathe Mary. Anyone who has needles stuck into their cheeks doesn’t care what you think anyway.

Enough of the rant and on to the ramblings…

If yesterday was a preview of summer, I’m ready. I like the kind of day that just happens. I usually get something accomplished and have some fun in the process. The critters out here are a constant source of entertainment and enlightenment. While we worked in the garden last night a rabbit wasn’t more than a few feet from us. Then he hopped over to a bare spot under a tree in the pasture and rolled in the dirt.

Looking forward to watching the Kentucky Derby, although I’m not sure why. I don’t follow the horses; don’t know anything about today’s group. I think I just like to watch an American tradition. And I’ve always like horses. I rode from time to time as a kid. Read a hundred horse stories. Watched all the best horse movies. There is just something magical about watching them run.

Today’s projects are totally dependent on the weather. It will either be a “clean the house and catch up on typing/filing day (like that ever really happens)” or a “work in the yard, take photos day”. Our forecast is once again scattered showers, and it all depends on how scattered they are.

Caddo has lost two treasured citizens. One of them was my mother’s dear cousin Pat Green, who had battled cancer for a long time. I know she is at peace, but please pray for her family. And please pray also for the family of Olen Chaffin, also related to our family by marriage and friendship.