The View from Here

This you gotta see...

These aren't the best photos I've ever taken, but you have to consider that I was watering my flowers when I saw this butterfly and hummingbird try to sip from the same flower! I just happened to have the camera around my neck because I had been photographing a praying mantis on the tree. I was quite a distance from this little argument and it happened very quickly, but I think the shots tell the story. The butterfly and hummingbird each tried at least three more times to take possession of the flower! Then the butterfly took out her frustrations on a nearby dragonfly and chased him all over the yard. I've never seen such antics from an insect. :)

 

   

 

 

Better Late...

I have been exhausted this week, a fact that I may or may not have mentioned. A combination of allergies and heat and allergy medicine messed up my already slow body rhythm and I found myself dosing at the computer last night at 8:15. So, this morning I got up at 4am, fed the cat, went back to bed and slept until 5:30!! Gary slept until 6:00. That is almost unheard of for both of us, and I have to admit it was wonderful.

We awoke to fog and smoke. There was a big fire northwest of us and I imagine we will hear about it later from the news or a friend.

  

Not much going on in the yard except slow cleanup and preparations for fall. A few plants like the butterfly bush and the ox-eye daisies are having a rerun of blooms. The obedient plants are wonderful and even though they are somewhat of a nuisance, I transplanted them to three other areas. And speaking of nuisance, I have a love/hate relationship with scarlet sage, but still have a little in the yard. It is very easy to grow, colorful, drought resistant, self-seeding. But it does not play well with others. By the third year it becomes a real bully and can literally take over a flowerbed. Diligent pulling and chopping and cutting keeps it under control.  Still too hot to plant bulbs. At least I will pick some peppers this morning.

I worked downtown for an hour yesterday morning. I’m preparing one of the flowerbeds for our annual Heritage Day celebration on October 2. I absolutely love Heritage Day! I can’t fully explain why, except to say that it is the quintessential small town celebration.

Hope you enjoy today’s photos. I’m surprised that I still manage to take forty to fifty per day. I’m making a couple of books, saving some in albums, using some for cards, and just enjoying the others.

I hope this coming week brings you joy, good health, happy relationships, and a grateful spirit.

  

Potential just isn't enough.

Who knew this fat, ugly little baby would grow up to be such a wise and wonderful woman?? J (My aunt, holding me in this photo, once told me that at 11 pounds 2 ounces, I was the ugliest baby she had ever seen. Still fat, but hey…)

Yesterday one of my least remarkable children- quiet, shy, behind in many skills and totally lacking others, messy, clumsy, immature- confidently told me that when she grows up she is going to be a doctor.  If I have learned anything in life I have learned that she may indeed.

I have seen many bright, even gifted children take the wrong path in life and end up in jail or worse. Others who have struggled through school have gone on to lead happy, productive lives and are a blessing to everyone around them.

Potential and test scores and trophies do not predict all that life holds for a child. Sometimes the outcome is all about attitude, motivation, and persistence.

Two of my students were goofing off during reading last week. I called the first one to my desk and asked her to read from the little book we had read in group earlier. She had been sneaking a peak at her unfinished math paper throughout most of reading time and also whispering to her neighbor. She tried her cutest smile and told me, “I don’t know how to read.” When I reminded her that we were using our sounds and blending them to make words she said, “I can’t.”  Then she tried a few tears. I stopped her and told her I would discuss her problem with her mother and let her know that she needed to work on sounds each night for homework. Reluctantly, she let out a big sigh and then sounded out her letters and read all six pages of her little book- which I knew she was quite capable of doing in the first place!

Next I called one of my boys to read for me. He had also been talking, looking around the room, and counting his crayons instead of reading with us during group. Of course he started “telling me a story” based on the picture. I stopped him and lectured him about what we had discussed in circle that day and what he was supposed to do with his book. I know this child and love his general attitude, so I wasn’t surprised by his response. He said “okay”, did exactly what I asked him to do- looked at the simple words on the page, sounded them out successfully-and then said, “I’m sounding them out so I can learn!” Big smile…and a huge difference.

I don’t know what will become of any of these children in my class. But since many of my first students are now married and have careers and families and their own children, I know that some will surprise us all!

Run, Run, Run

Saturday, October 2 is the date for Caddo’s annual Heritage Day Celebration. It is also the day of the Buffalo Stampede 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk. If you would like to participate you can register at www.signmeup.com/71190.

The event starts in front of the Presbyterian Church. Contact race director Don Tidwill for more information. 580-367-9898.

Different Day, Same Song

Kindergartners love repetition. Read it again! Do it again! Can we sing that again? Sometimes as adults we find our lives a bit boring and predictable and mundane and we forget the comfort and security of the “same old same”. We don’t often delight in the repetition of our days.

Last night I wandered out in the yard after our brief, blessed rain shower in hopes of seeing a frog. I have seen several this past week, but only when I haven’t had the camera. In fact, there was a lovely big green one that got away from me Saturday.

But alas, no frogs. As I wandered around there were only the usual sights- a few familiar flowers, the bunny waiting for me in the garden, birds on the fence, a cow hanging out under the tree, and a friendly drangonfly posing for me near the porch. I took a few photos, but I was less than enthusiastic about them.

Later when I went to feed the bunnies I noticed that one was already sitting at the stump eating a few nibbles left from yesterday. As I approached he simply moved about three feet and waited. I put out the new food and stepped away, and he returned to his spot. It suddenly dawned on me that he depends on my boring repetition. He loves my predictability! The raccoons came to eat later and I was glad they too, are predictable. 

 

 

   

So I offer the few photos from last night. If they look very familiar, they are- different day, same song. This morning I find that quite comforting.

 

Yes, Mother...

When your children are small they think you are wonderful and smart and funny.

As they get a little older they realize you aren’t quite as perfect as they thought. Teachers are smarter and their friends are certainly funnier. And you are often just plain unreasonable.

By the time they are teenagers they see you for what you are: old-fashioned, stupid, and seriously out of touch with the real world.

 As young adults they feel sorry for you. Obviously you have one foot in the grave and are doing the best that you can with your limited mind and means.

When they have children of their own they suddenly realize that you’ve had a little experience in this area and maybe you should be consulted from time to time. However, their own lives are still off limits and you often have to bite your tongue in order to stop the flow of advice you’d like to give.

When they reach forty they are a little more tolerant of your strange ideas and old-fashioned knowledge. They still think you are out of touch with reality sometimes, but they are more inclined to think you have a little wisdom with regard to relationships, struggles, and endurance. Perhaps you have lived through a few situations and experienced a few things of interest, even if it was way back then.

If you are still alive when they are old, you get to return to your status of wonderful, smart and funny- at least I hope so!

Hold that phone!

Now wait just a minute folks. I know you have heard this week that Okies have a terrible diet; that we don’t eat our veggies and fruits; that we are behind the rest of the nation in fruit and vegetable consumption. Whoa….let’s just take a quick look at HOW the folks at the CDC came up with those startling facts!

“Researchers analyzed the data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, state-based telephone survey of civilians in the U.S. aged 18 and over.” Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I didn’t get a call!! And chances are GREAT that if they did call me I wouldn’t talk to them. I just don’t do phone surveys!! So my wonderful eating habits didn’t make the charts.

So how accurate is it to say that only 18.1% of Okies eat fruit, if they didn’t talk to all of us???? And NO state actually met the healthy people national guidelines. I think the CDC should take another look at the flaws in their survey!

Lake Views

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Gary and I did a little driving and meandering today. Went to the lake and then stopped by Fort Washita. I don’t know why we don’t go to the lake more often since it is so close to us. Here are a few shots and I’ll put more in an album very shortly.

Photography 101

 

I’m making a point today. Gary went to a car show this morning and took the “big camera”- the Nikon D60 SLR- with him. I also carry a Nikon Coolpix in my purse and use it for school photos and “surprise” photos of things I happen upon. Of course the big camera has lots of bells and whistles and a telephoto lens. When Gary bought it I swore I would never be able to use it. I was afraid to even turn it on at first- sure that I would break something. You know that I’m now seriously addicted to it and take an average of 50 photos a day.

After Gary left this morning I pondered whether I would be able to take anything “blog worthy” with my little camera. So…the only way to find out was to go outside and try.

The two cameras are totally different and designed for different purposes. The most obvious drawback to my little camera is that it doesn’t have a viewfinder. And of course it isn’t made for serious close-ups. But once you get beyond those two factors, it’s all about choosing a subject and taking a picture.  

I suppose the point I’m trying to make is that you shouldn’t let a lack of fancy equipment keep you from enjoying photography. The most important part is to go outside and try.

Friday...

and once again the weekend has arrived. No big plans. Gary is going to a car show tomorrow and I’m going to finish a few chores around here. Probably do a little shopping. Go for a walk. I’m so darn predictable.

 

Don’t forget that Sunday is Grandparents Day!