Meg's A-Musing

Spring is Coming

2011-02-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

We drove off island yesterday and passed a field with grazing sheep. What a surprise to see brand new baby lambs!!! On our way home we stopped and took a few photos. The littlest ones were too far away to capture, but these are still pretty little and pretty cute! Spring is coming! Meg

The final final update Number what?

2011-01-31T21:25:00.001-08:00

After mentioning the cat, I thought I should end with her. Love Meg

Update Number 6 is this finally it?

2011-01-31T21:09:00.000-08:00

As you can see I'm doing well. I'm fortunate to have a job that lets me work with great people and includes lots of room for originality and creativity. ( I would still leave it all for my cat!) I have a great family and friends too. Somehow when I write more than this it sounds too schmaltzy to be true. But it is.

Of course there are days when I worry about the world, about some of the kids, about family and friends. There are days of illness and regrets, but those days go into my very private diary. Not on the internet!

So this is it. It's February tomorrow and I'm headed for my 60th. Think I'll finish this update with some pictures from home and the island. Even in winter this is a lovely place. (The last photo which probably shows up as the first is of daffodils from last spring. it's time for them very soon. Their heads have popped up through the earth and we are watching as they respond to the sun.

Thanks for you patience with my not writing and with my toomuch writing. Lets see if I can find a more regular rhythym now.

Take care and stay in touch.

Meg

Update Number 5

2011-01-31T20:49:00.001-08:00

The next week-end I had a group of friends come for the evening. Poor Warren had to move out for the duration. He and a neighbor/friend consoled each other with dinner and a movie at Vince' home since his wife was with the girls.

It was great. Thanks to the great instruction by Sandee and help from the parts department I was able to make a Market Bag for each of my friends. This was actually a minor miracle.

Sandee and I had picked up the pattern for the bag nearly two years ago. She has made 25 or more of them over that time. But now, I'm catching up.

My friends began arriving at 5:00. I finished the seventh bag at 4:45. Sweet Warren watched the door while I jumped in the shower. Then I slipped each bag one at a time onto my lap as we visited, because they still needed a button each. Then later I was able to give everyone a gift. It was perfect. The party was an early 60th celebration for me and I love the thought of giving gifts on your birthday not just receiving. These women make my life deeper and rooted and fun. Hooray. We all laughed and enjoyed the time. Thanks everyone!

Update Number 4

2011-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

The holidays came and went quietly. Mom was with Sandee for Thanksgiving and the rest of us were scattered to in-laws and friends. Christmas was full of goodies and talk. Some games, but not quite as many as usual, we all seemed to enjoy talking and catching up a bit more. The babies are toddlers now and they caused us all to smile and remember Christmas magic.

Just after Christmas and only two weeks ago I got to take a second holiday and went to see Sandee. We spent the MLK week-end sewing at a quilting retreat. Her friends are funny and talented and generously warm-hearted. I would have gone for the giggles alone. Sandee and I doubled up in a bed and reminisced about our shared room growing up.

The spot was in a beautifully woodsy area along the Rogue River (I think it was the Rogue). We could walk along the river during breaks and smell the piney scent. Most of the time though it was sewing!!! They brought a ton of fabric and quilting projects and accomplished an amazing amount of work. The quilts were beautiful adn I learned a lot from the ladies. Sandee helped me learn to do machine quilting and I started a big project myself. Market bags for a group of friends I was going to see the next week. I put one together there and made parts for several more. Sandee and Nancy were contributors to the "parts department" and made it possible for me to carry off my plans. See the next update.

Quilting is a rich hobby. Full of color and creativity and the generosity and laughter of friends...women who love to give. Thanks ladies!!!!

Update Number 3

2011-01-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

Friends have enriched my year beyond description. I'm lucky to have people in my life whom I've known since I was 8 or 9. One of them is a gal named Rodie. We reconnected at our annual Zanika reunion and have made an effort to stay in touch this time. It's been great.

She was recently elected to be President of her quilting group and was very involved in their annual quilt show. This was in October. I spent part of the week-end with her. What fun! We talked all night then looked at quilts the next day. Two of my sisters-in-law came to the show as well, so there was time for friends and family.We laughed liked crazy, ooohed and ahhhhed over the quilts then had to go. What a great memory. Rodie made it up a week ago for another friends week-end.That will be in another update. Do you like the applique? I thought the flowers and owls were cute.

Update Number 2

2011-01-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

In November & December a friend and I took a baking class. What fun! Every Tuesday for several weeks we scurried away from school and hopped a ferry to Port Townsend. The days were still longer and we enjoyed the views as we crossed to the Olympic Penninsula.

Because of the timing of the ferries we usually had about 45 minutes before our class started and that meant a quick dinner. Did you know there is one of the best pizza places ever in Port Townsend? It sells pizza by the slice. We loved it so much the first day, that we kept going back. OMG the pizza routine was a must..Original combinations, rich flavors and lots of vegetarian options which we both liked. Then we giggled our way to class. The class ended at 8:30 but that's when the ferry left, so we tip toed out a bit early each week. Darn! We missed the tasting time!!!!

That's OK though, because we've been baking up our own treats since then and have lots of tasting at home. We learned to make fabulous cinnamon rolls, ganache and chocolatte mousse, Christmas cookies and a variety of cakes. It was a huge success. I learned to use my mixer better and why the parts of recipes I always skipped were actually important.

Come by some time and I'll bake you a sample!!!

January and earlier

2011-01-31T19:32:00.000-08:00

September meant the beginning of the school year and apparently a lost ability on my part to type and communicate. Half of the school calendar has gone by and the first month of 2012 is ending today. WOW. Are you ready for an update? Let's see if I can manage one.

School is going fine. I'd much rather be home retired with my books and my cat (and Warren), but that having been said...I'm having a good year. My kiddos are learning and they are just quirky enough to be a lot of fun! My new colleagues are very nice and so hard working. If people only knew how much teachers do for their kids they would be amazed. And my room (as you saw) is fabulous. Sunlight and views. We had snow all day long in December and it was unbelievably wonderful. All 25 kids pulled up a chair to one of the windows and watched. They were lost in joy.

End of September part 2

2010-09-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

The third week-end of September brings my Zanika reunion. It was terrific.

Left right after school and drove into the Cascade mountains. Made to one of my alternate homes, Camp Zanika. For the last five miles I drove with the windows wide open (despite a light rain) and took in the smell of pine trees, a lighter drier eastern washington air, and views of the lake.

Parked and headed for the second lodge (the dining hall) and was greeted with more hugs and laughter than many people see in a year. The room was full of women I've known since I was a kid. We've grown up together and are growing older together. What a rich reality. The week-end was full of stories, and family tales. Reports on fundraisers, the current camp and camp fire,the general health of our group and each other. Food, song, laughter, hikes, kayaks, guitars, crafts, more food and more laughter. An all around success.

This year I made the camp quilt. It will be raffled next fall. I"m including a photo. You saw its bits and pieces in earlier blogs. It turned out well and will hopefully generate a bit of money for our next project: remodeling and updating the camp kitchen.

Enjoy the photo. Camp is such a great place. Meg

End of September

2010-09-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's been just over three weeks since my last blog and so much has happened. It's amazing how much life can pack itself into a day!

School started and I've met my kiddos. What a great group. The room looked good when I stood with my boxes and bags and looked around. It looked happy once it was unpacked and welcome signs were hung. But it looks positively exciting filled with fourth graders. Each is eager to learn in his or her own way. Some plunge right in, others are more cautious, not wanting to repeat unsettling experiences from the past. So far, we've managed to cover a lot of territory and generate a ton of smiles as well.

Having walls and a door makes such a HUGE difference. When I read aloud I can add sound effects and change voices. When they laugh out loud it is OK. When we work in groups a comfortable buzz is actually comfortable. Last year it was an open space class and we had to constantly whisper and shush because of the other 5 classes in the same space!

Much more joy will be had this year! Meg

September

2010-09-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

We are safely home and have been for just over two weeks now. The days have zipped past as only time can.

Our trip was such fun! We collected memories to keep us cozy over many wintry days.
I'll update the blog with a few of the better photos we took soon.

We've spent some time with family and friends since getting back. And we took out the kayaks. Paddling across the water and enjoying the gorgeous sights and wildlife near Deception Pass is an amazing experience.

The other activity that has gobbled up time is school. I've changed locations again and came home to see that my boxes of materials had been moved. It has taken many days to open all of the boxes and find a place for everything. Classroom library books, paper supplies, decorations and items for bulletin boards, files, a professional library, etc...all needed to be set up and ready for use. Tomorrow I'll hook up the computers, printers, and electronic equipment. Then I'll think about activities for the first days. Lots is done and more remains.

My new room is quite large and very sunny. Have a look at the picture or better yet, come for a visit.

Love, Meg

London

2010-08-17T02:46:00.001-07:00

Have enjoyed our time in London. The entire world in a few city blocks. Once you've reviewed a bit of history you look at these buildings and monuments with completely new eyes. Amazing. Not only the current world but the past as well.

We've been to Avebury and walked the circumference of a stone circle, walked along roman roads and under roman arches, seen signs of Queen Victoria, Napoleon,and even Ben Franklin. We've watched a memorial to the dead of many wars and read about the current ones including new and strong protests. Fashion alive and very dead. Food to be remembered and food to leave ulcers in its tracks!

To the prime meridian and back again. An amazing time and now we've run out. Less than 24 hours to home. See you all soon. Bringing hugs and smiles and stories and songs.

Love, meg

Still in Love

2010-08-14T02:26:00.001-07:00

Unlike any other trip I've ever taken, I was a bit homesick as this one began. I think that's good actually. It means I've put down roots and home is truly home. Good friends, a satisfying job and family not too far away.

That having been said, I forgot everything as I stood on the edge of the sea for a week in Boscastle. The raw power and beauty of the ocean flows through my body when I'm there and there is room for nothing else. Pure joy.

We did have some sun and when swimming up the road in Crackington Haven. The waves pounded us and we laughed out loud. Most were in wet suits and on surf or boogie boards. Warren and I just went in. We both love the sea and in we went. Big cresting waves to wash over us, high swells to dive into, splash and jump and swim and tumble. Sea and salt and sun. It was fabulous.

We ended our stay in Boscastle with two unbelievable nights with the locals.Our landlord told us about the snug up the hill where a group of locals meet to sing once a week. We went and were invited to join in . It was like an "evening fire" at Zanika, just in Cornwall. The next night was instruments and singers alike. We met some truly lovely people and I suspect we'll return again. There's more, but I'll save it for another entry.

We're in London now. Headed for the Thames and a play sometime tonight. More soon. In a few days we'll be home to enjoy each of you in person.

Love you. Meg

Pictures from Boscastle

2010-08-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Having a really great time! Just thought I'd add a few photos today. Meg

In Love

2010-08-07T02:42:00.000-07:00

Twenty-four years ago Warren and I went on a whirlwind tour of England and Scotland. I stood on the edge of a cliff looking down at pounding waves, listening to the roar and feeling the power of wind and water and promised myself I would somehow return. We came again in 2002 and now we have a full week. I am in heaven.

WE are in Boscastle on the Cornish Coast. The cliffs are dramatic in black slate, angled from earthquakes and worn from the wind. The waves are still crashing and they still take my breath away.

Nestled in the valley a bit behind is a dozy village. Whitewashed walls, everything bent and worn with age. Lovely. Scones and tea are the food of the gods. Now we just need a tad bit of sun and I'll jump into the harbor and swim to my hearts content.

We are having a grand time!! Wish you were all here to enjoy it with us.

LOVE Meg

Oxford

2010-08-01T02:26:00.000-07:00

We're in Oxford now. OMG it is so impressive. I felt obligated to buy half a dozen books and carry them around so we wouldn't look like the hundreds (make that thousands) of other tourists. Once we tore our eyes away from the matching backpacks and screaming t-shirts we looked up to see gargoyles that make you laugh, not scream. ancient and lovely architectural details. lazy fields with cows, punts on the river, blooming roses and every window and inch of garden in bloom. it's really nice. the colleges with their dignified quads, the libraries, the dates on building going back hundreds of years. it's really great.

And now we're off to explore some more. enjoy your summers. we are. love meg

Germany in July

2010-07-28T03:09:00.001-07:00

We are in southern Germany now in a woderful town called Tubingen. Yesterday we drove a bit further to Maulbron. There is an ancient cloister there. When you enter the walls you find a small village where the sequestered nuns or brothers once lived. We took a tour of the cloister and were hugely impressed by the medieval art. When I studied Germanistik one of my specialisations was the literature of this period. It was moving to see the art work and glimpses of life from this time. I really loved it. Later we barbecued with friends and laughed into the evening.

We are having an extra special time. It will be hard to leave this town and our friends, but of course England will be great too. MOre later.

Love, Meg

Traveling

2010-07-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

Warren and I are wandering our way through bits of Europe. A week in Paris was fabulous. Listening to CDs before we came really did help. Je voudrais un cafe creme sil vous plait. And magically we would receive a coffee. If you ever hear that the French are unfriendly don't believe it. Warren and I have been here several times and we could fill a book with the many courtesies and kindnesses we've experienced. Learn a few words, be polite yourselves and you'll see. Paris is magical. We celebrated our 25th aniversary and it was memorable. Next we headed for southern Germany.

Here we have good friends and are relaxing and exploring with them. Today we are heading for a chocolate factory. I can hardly wait. MMMMmmmm. Once I'm home I'll share photos. Haven#t quite figured out how to download them here. Hugs, Meg

A few more photos

2010-07-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

It's hard to leave home when it is all so beautiful. On the other hand what wee'll be seeing will be well worth it. Have a great summer. Meg

Mid July and summer is here

2010-07-13T17:28:00.001-07:00

Summer is here. The flowers are blooming, cherries are almost ripe and the eagles are busy. We watched one land with a fish and eat it in one of our nearby trees just last week. We head for Europe tomorrow and I'm checking out my camera. They had a terrific sale and I decided to buy a new one for the trip. I used to love using my telephoto lens back when I hauled photographic gear around with me, and this one has a 10x. I'm really pleased with it. I'll add some pics so you can see the variety of distances it can handle, from panorama to close ups. Hopefully this means great shots of the people and countries we'll visit. Hugs to each of you. Send us an email. Love, Meg

June 1st

2010-06-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

In April I had hundreds of triangles all over one of the beds. Finally they've been worked into a quilt top. Not quite done. Still needs a border and a back, but those will be done soon.

This will eventually be my Camp Zanika quilt. Used to raise funds for maintaining a great camp for kids. More soon. Lots of love. Meg

2010-04-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Life continues to be busy and full. Easter Sunday found most of us at home with mom and a mountain of food. It was really nice to be together.

The picture is a pile of potholders. The shape is cupcakes. Two of my brothers and my wacky sisters-in-law came to visit last week-end. What fun! The girls went to the fabric store. Along with non-stop laughter came the purchase of "just a little more fabric". Baby quilts are underway and I also made the cupcakes. I gave a surprise party for a friend and her 60th. Cupcakes were on the invites and other decorations, so I couldn't resist making these as party favors. Cute HeY?

This week means finishing report cards. Teaching like crazy. Cleaning for spring and for my sanity. Then back to sewing. I'm half way through the Zanika quilt and it is looking good. Hope to finish by the end of the month. That's it for now.
Meg

2010-04-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

There's a new quilt under way. It will be used as a fundraiser for Camp Zanika. At the moment I have a bed covered with little triangles. I need to add more pieces then connect them all together. A fun border will wrap it up. This has taken days already and I wan't sure if it would work or not, but I'm beginning to like it. Some lighter ones have been removed, some that are there need adjusting and rearranging, but then it will be great. Keep watching! Love you, Meg.

2010-04-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

I love the longer days and spring flowers. No more winter gray. Yeah! Meg

2010-04-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

I wanted a nice spring photo and here it its. We live near a valley where daffodils and tulips are raised. This was taken a month ago when the daffs were just saying hello to the new yea. Nice hey? We'll be driving near there today..maybe we'll get some tulip shots. Happy Spring. Meg.

January

2010-01-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

Only one week left of the new month. Work has been exceptionally busy so it's zipping past. We're having a warm spell though and that's nice. Left the classroom door open to the outside twice last weeek. Fresh balmy air. Mmmm. The daffodils are up a couple of inches and buds have formed on the wild current. When I finish up by 5:00 there is still light in the sky and 6:00 isn't quite pitch black. I love the approach of Spring. Winter is my least favorite season. Something to be endured and wished away. I love spring with its fresh colors and birdsong, the frog chorus and gentle rain mixed with lots of sun. Hooray it's nearly here!!! Meg

3 Months Later

2010-01-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Yikes! My last entry was in October. Three months ago. I promised myself I'd do better in the new year---NOPE! I was looking for the perfect photo. Don't think I'm going to find it.

No picture and not sure what to write. Life at this moment is full of school. No projects under way, but I have read lots of really good books. Must be winter. Have added a few pounds, found some low carb cocoa, and have been to the library and bargain shelves at the book store. Warren can't pry me out of my corner of the couch. Oh, add to that cozy picture a well-worn quilt and a purring kitty.

Do I need to clean house? No, I don't think so. Do I want to go for a walk? No, not now. How about a turn at the swimming pool? Much too far to drive. I'll just take 5 more minutes in my book on the couch with my cat.

So, my new year is full of surprises at school but calm and cozy at home.

I hope to find an inspiring picture and write more soon. Much sooner than 3 months.

Meg

Fog on the water

2009-10-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and as I look out the window I see a view very similar to this. Fog rolled onto itself and just touching the clouds as they roll past in a similar grey, just higher.

It has been weeks since I posted an update to my blog. I just read all of the Sept and Oct entries made by my sis. Wow what beautiful sights...quilts, kids, family, small towns and more. A lot has happened since school started.

September hit hard and there is only now a bit of breathing room. I have never had to work so hard so long to get a class up and running. OMG!!!!!!

There was packing and unpacking and packing and unpacking. An early open house and meeting parents the night before school started, then again a week later to discuss curriculum and classes. Then there were assessments and grouping kids and schedule changes and changes and changes. Add meetings, meetings meetings meetings and data collection data data data and packing again to paint the room and unpacking again and parent conferences and training sessions and meetings and data and meetings and broken printers and offline computers and book fairs and meetings and oH yes...teaching. And this week-end all day sessions to finally catch up on grading papers, because progress reports then report cards will be due soon.

BUSY. Not to mention thousands of other details and trying to live and exercise and oh, yes sick as a dog for three weeks too.

But today the sun has broken through. Yesterday I did catch up and had time for a walk on the beach. Today I have time for home. Laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning, maybe even a little quilting. What an overwhelming time and how lovely it is to hope for a more humane pace to come.

Love you all. Me(g)

Changes

2009-09-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Changes indeed! When I posted the photo of those cute little frogs, I thought I was nearly ready for the school year to begin. My boxes of books and materials were unloaded and put away. The room was organized and the last of the decorations were finished. A little garden was planted and other little things were in place to perk up the portable and make it a fun place to be.

Then, the possibility of moving to a new school developed. It meant tension and sleepless nights. Two days of all-day meetings (sore bottom, tired mind). Finally I learned I would stay where I had been moved to but in a different classroom. Soooo, a day spent reboxing and labeling everything. Then most of 2 days cleaning up after the last teacher in the "new" room. It took one full day just to clean out her overloaded and unindexed files. Then moving furniture around, unpacking again, and finally today a bit of decorating. It's not as finessed as I would like it, but its OK. And I can spend Labor Day at home. One last day. Then more meetings and finally the kids will arrive. I'm eager to meet them!

Despite all of the work, its been fun. The staff at the new school is really nice and helpful. The move and prep have been filled with smiles and laughter as well as work.

OK. More later. Maybe even a picture of the new space soon.

Love ya'll. Meg

Wrapping Up Projects

2009-08-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Papier Mache animals are painted and sealed with plastic. I'll include a photo once they are installed, that is, if they are installed. Wouldn't you know it?! I just finish my improvement plans for my portable and learn there is a possibility my classroom will be changed again.

Yep, that's schools for you. And when will we know for sure? Maybe next week or maybe after Labor Day. Of course whichever room it is, it will need to be in order by Thursday after Labor Day for Open House.

Sheesh. Kids are being shuffled to different schools and some teachers as well. This will result in additional moves. We don't know yet if we can volunteer for change or if it will be mandated. No child left behind is leaving those who work in the schools in the dust!

I just lined up a great event for my class, the local music store has several talented teachers and they've agreed to come and teach my kids about their instruments! Cool! We'll also read stories that connect to the instruments. Elementary will be a lot of fun (and a bit of work).

Summer is still wonderful. Full of sun and swimming and creativity and books.

Talk later. Meg

More Projects

2009-08-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

Two more projects completed! Yahoo. The summer is moving along. It's nice to reach some of the goals set back in June. The little frog in the photo is one of four I bought ages ago. They have magnets in their bottoms and move around our house staying where they can and surprising us with their little smiles and goofy colors! They've been a ton of fun.

So, when I found these little crocodiles for 50cents I bought a few for my classroom. I have a favorite book, that is a version of Red Riding Hood which takes place in Louisiana. The woods are now the bayou and the basket of food is filled with Cajun delights. A lovely crocodile shows up in this version and I thought the magnets would complement the story. The other day I opened them up and added magnets. Now I can move them around the classroom and entertain the kids.

The second project is pillows to sit upon during silent reading. I bought themfor $1 each, but the neon colors screamed and weren't at all silent. so, these have been covered with bugs and butterflies and hearts in quieter, but still "perky" colors.

What do you think?

I also put the second coat of gesso on the papier mache. Company this week-end, but next week that project will finish as well. Fun!!!!

Talk soon. Meg

Projects

2009-08-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

This summer has been full of projects. I'm getting ready for the upcoming school year and vacation means time to think and to create.

One of the projects is papier mache. The outside of my classroom, a portable looks so institutional it makes me want to run every time i approach it. I have run through a half dozen ideas to improve it, but most of them are either too expensive or they would get me in trouble with maintenance. So, I'm making little paper animals to hang outside during the first few weeks of school. Then I hope to instigate a mural project in partnership with our art teacher.

I'm including a couple of shots. At the moment my figures are all painted white with gesso. We are supposed to have a couple of rainy days next week, so that will be my big indoor paint day. Watch for the results. I'm having a ton of fun if nothing else.

What are you working on?

2009-07-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Summer is here in full force. We have reached the mid 90's on the island and over 100 all around us.

One thing that makes the heat bearable is our luscious crop of basil and the promise of tomatoes ripening soon.

Pesto is one of those indescribable delights! It is a tad cooler today, so I hope to make several batches to freeze for winter usage. I'll fill it with memories of sun and light breezes, of briny sea smells, fresh fruit and flowers. I love the summer!

I'm hoping to add more notes later. But now I'm off to the pool. I swim laps when I can. And after yesterday's gigantic hot-fudge sundae (totally off limits and doubly delicious because of that) I need to swim. Talk to y'all later.

Meg

Comment on the Blackberries

2009-07-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry, the photo does show blackberries. i borrowed it from the internet. The photo window is smaller than the image. If you want to see the berries you have to click on the pic. Meg

Blackberries

2009-07-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

We grew up picking and eating tiny wild blackberries. Not the big burly ones that grow on every roadside and vacant lot in the Northwest. These are sweet and small. They have teensy tiny seeds that are unnoticeable. For some of us it takes hours just to pick enough to cover the bottom of the bucket, but they are worth it.

Those burly guys I mentioned earlier? They would ride Harleys if they could. Tough old berries on inch wide vines that extend their arms and wrap around whatever they can reach. A tumble of thorns and berries like the snakes on Medusa's head.

Those live in our yard, along the bluff and up the sides a bit. But guess what? I am attacking them and they are beginning to dwindle. I know I'm having the best of summers, if I actually get out the loppers and pruners. There is something fully rewarding about clearing a patch of overgrown land. No, not like the pioneers. More like machete wielding fun a la "Romancing the Stone". Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. She smiles like crazy when she realizes that even a city wimp can whack weeds. That's me. A crazed grin and pure glee.

Watch for pictures soon. So, I'm off to scare those berry vines into leaping off the bluff! (Actually they will be properly carted away and mulched to death.)

Love you all. Me(g)

May it always be summer

2009-07-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

This summer is already one of the best. Sunshine. Rest. Accomplishments. Company. Friends. Books. Good food. Coffee. Cats. Fresh fruit. Light breezes. Laughter. Music. Mmmmmm.

I'm posting a couple of pictures. Mom visiting. Warren and Vince working on a new deck lower on the property, closer to the water, but not too close. Flowers.

This summer really has been terrific. Each day has been packed full with a rich variety of things. Like a garden run amok. That's me. Laughing my way through the days and totally surprised by deep joy.

I decided that if I want a long-lasting break I need to create it. It turns out not to be that hard. Just enjoy each day fully. Take time to take in everything except worry and fear. That means driving to Coupeville on the back roads at 20-30mph instead of 50. Smelling the countryside and looking at it. It means stopping at the beach, removing shoes and jumping in . Running on the beach, looking at rocks, rubbing the salt and sand off with a sock. Laughs and smiles and joy.

I've been able to visit several friends. Traci York and I went to the nursery and bought flowers. Is there anything more wonderful? Warren and I split our irises so we can replant and share the bounty as well. We have a new deck and we can hear the water from there. I love to prune and weed when there is time, so I'm in hog heaven weeding and pruning the back garden.

Summer is great!!!! And the cherries will be ripe in another day or two. First strawberries and now cherries. We even have some tiny wild blackberries. As I said, summer is great.

Summer: Golden Days

2009-06-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Summer. Not every summer is easy and refreshing, but this one has started out perfectly. A nice mix of catching up with errands and jobs and time to unwind. A balance of visitors, those to be visited and time alone.

Lots of sleep the first couple of days and a trip to the local bookstore to prepare for summer reading. Then mom came to visit. It was the kind of visit that golden memories stem from. We laughed almost non-stop. Time to enjoy the eagles and there were many!!! Time for gardens, books, shade and sun. Time for me to learn to play pinochle...the basics anyway and time for a drive to Bellingham on Chuckanut Drive. The views were spectacular. The lunch was yummy. The toy store entertaining and the nursery inspiring. WE HAD FUN.

And now, daily chores and a run on the beach. Visiting local friends and talking with my cat. Hooray. Time to be happy, to let worries and stress disappear. Summer is great.

Me9(g)

June

2009-06-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

It's nearing the end of June. My middle school classroom is packed and ready to be moved. The portable is emptied of all traces of life...kids, teachers and their stories. It's ready to receive me and my version of a school year.

Once the portable is cleaned and the multitude of boxes moved, I'll settle in and make it mine. Like moving into a new house. What posters will I hang? How will the furniture be arranged? Where will the kids' work be hung?

School fills my mind even if it is summer. That's the life of a teacher!

For awhile this morning there was room for other thoughts as well. Eagles! One, two, three? No more! Five, six, seven, eight? More! Nine, ten, eleven, twelve? Keep going! We made it to eighteen. They were diving for fish, scanning the sea from the sky, drifting in the thermals, and playing tag. Mom is visiting so we gasped and pointed, oohed and ahhd together. Now a bit of rain has arrived, so its tea and talk. Isn't vacation great???!!!

More talk later! Love ya'll. Me(g)

OMG Here we go again!

2009-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am the queen of job changers! Every few years I get a new challenge. Up until now I've initiated the process, but this time it's the economy and budgets starting it all up. No, I haven't lost my job. But I am being moved back to elementary!

It was a bit of a shock and surprise and some tears were shed with my team at North Whidbey, but they need some middle school staff to move to elementary. Our district isn't firing staff this year, but they do need to reduce staff size by 22 over the next year or two. That means any openings that come up have to be filled by current staff. I'm filling a 3/4 job at Crescent Harbor.

Fortunately I learned of the possibility a day before they told me, so I had time to think about it. The Math teacher I work most closely with was told on Thursday of the change and why. We were pretty sure I'd be next. I didn't want to move, but oh well.

I've decided to just dive in and love it and I'm finding it easy to be excited.

I love those little kiddos and my mind is exploding with ideas. I love the creating part of this job.

I stopped by to tell my friends at CHE that I'd be there next year and I received an amazingly joyful reception. I know more people than I realized and it was non-stop hugs for quite awhile.

I'll be in a portable that has a really nice feeling to it and windows from which you can see the Olympic Mountains when they are out!!!

Anyway, I'm moving again and starting over again. And its OK, I love change and I'll have new little kid stories to share!!!

Love you all, Me(g)

Kids

2009-05-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

Not only do I have a big family, but I'm a teacher so I have lots of kids at work too. We just finished a big field trip. All of my advanced students (25) spent most of a day on the job with a mentor from our community. We were spread out throughout the town. Support for the project was rich, everyone had a mentor and parents volunteered to drive, so we didn't need a bus. Once in a while something goes very right at school and this was one of those events. The kids each had an "amazing" time and came back with excitement and facts and impressions that will last a long time. At the moment they are preparing power point presentations to share with the class and perhaps other classes as well. Then their presentations will edited into a presentation next fall for the community group that funded the outing. Fun!!! I'm including a few photos so you can share our day. We went to beauty parlors, veterinarians, glass blowers, jewelry makers, daycare providers, theaters, film-makers, photographers, oceanographers, policemen, interior decorators and more. A great day!

Thank-you

2009-05-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

As an Auntie I get to love lots of special nieces and nephews. I'm lucky to have lots and lots of them and each is very precious to me. Our family is big and as quirky as can be, but we are rich in love nonetheless.

These are two thank-yous I received from my two great-nieces, Zoe and Madison. What a lucky Auntie I am. I love you all!!

Great-Auntie Ina

Early Spring

2009-05-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

I've taken a few photos and thought about entries to the blog, but somehow I never make it online. I'll try to post a bit today. First of all, I'll share a few spring photos. It's so beautiful here. These were the first spring buds and flowers. Now we have lilacs and rhodies. MMM I love spring!

easter egg quilt for Sydney

2009-04-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sydney's Quilt

2009-04-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Sydney's quilt is done. I'm adding phtos in a moment. I was really happy with it. It looks sunny to me, like a bowl of easter eggs. My friend Arlene quilted it for me and you can see how wonderful her work is. She picked up the swirls in the border and made swirls all over.

I tried machine stitching the border, but couldn't quite succeed. So I hand stitiched it. Something I love doing anyway.

Warren and I drove to Seattle yesterday. Sydney's at Children's Hospital. We visited with her and her dad for a while. She has such a long road to travel!!! Three months already. Multiple surgeries and multiple chemo treatments and she has much more.

Anyway, I gave her the quilt and she loved it. The best part of making quilts is thinking your way into anther person, imagining their likes and trying to match the design and colors to them. When you succeed it's great. This one hit the mark. She really liked it. We left her cuddled up in it and starting a nap.

Warren was great to go with me and you are great to share this here.

Me(g)

Sewing the pieces together and adding borders.

2009-04-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

Quilting a little more for Sydney

2009-04-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

After vacation I took a week off from the quilt and focused on school. Sunday I made up for lost time and finished the top. Some of the pics show the colors better than others. The last border is purple with fun swirls on it. I'm hoping to get a better shot once its quilted and bound.

This was gong to be my first quilt for me to quilt together, but I needed to finish this week while Sydney is able to receive a visitor. Next week she has surgery and I want her to be able to cuddle up with it then. So a friend is quilting it for me. Then I'll add the binding. Those fotos will be posted later this week.

I like the top. Its sunny colors and polka dots. Makes me think of easer eggs. The back is a fun flannel. Light lime green checks with little hearts that are almost polka dots. I'm excited to know that I will be able to give it to her soon.

It was great news when I learned the name of her surgeon. I worked with him when I worked for the tissue bank. I even watched him perform surgery too. She has one of the very best taking care of her at Children's.

Ok. time for pics. Talk more soon. Me(g)

These run from bottom to top. Pieces, pattern, small squares, my sewing room, my sewing view

2009-04-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Quilting for Sydney

2009-04-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a quilter. Not quite a beginner, but not too far along either. I love it. I don't really understand fabric, but I love the mixing of colors and designs. I enjoy the women I've met through the hobby and I love the sense of community and service that exists with quilters.

My sister got me started. Yes, she starts me on new paths quite often. Nice, hey?! Then she started the rest of the sisters in the family. Now we talk fabric stores and fat quarters. Machine quilting and how best to bind a quilt. Thread and projects and laughter and fun!

So, coming soon are pictures of my current project. One of my students has cancer and has basically moved into the hospital for 6-9 months. She and her family were accepted into the Ronald McDonald house. This is where community counts too.

Both of her parents are teachers and the school community, plus the larger town along with friends and family are finding ways to support the foursome as they face a challenging disease and its treatment far from home.

Me? I'm starting with a quilt; filling it with love and hope and hugs and greetings from all of her current teachers. She's a sixth grader with lots to live for and lots to get through in the coming months. I hope this quilt will help keep her warm and cozy all the while.

Share the proces with me. Me(g)

2009-03-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

I love reading everyone's blogs. Makes me feel like I just had a cup of coffee and a chat with each of you. But when I try to write mine, the coffee gets cold.

What pushes me into finally making an entry is the joy I get from yours, that and the fact that I promised my sister. Hi Sand'! You're still making me braver than I am.

At the moment I'm on vacation. What a glorious gift that is. My first day off I took three naps! I was worn out. I had had a headache for three days and had just finished two solid days of parent conferences. (I'm a teacher.) The first day we stay until 8pm for our parents and then start at 7:30am the next day. We didn't break for meals, we were so busy. Just took five minutes to grab a snack and kept at it.

The second day I drove to Kent for a baby shower. That was fun. Lots of really nice women, terrific food, great gifts and laughter. Caught up with family and got to hug the cute babies who arrived last fall. Melissa's baby will have cousins his age to play with.

The great aunties have a tradition now. We each sew a row on a baby quilt. This one was filled with lively colors and a zoo full of animals. Grandma Annette connected our rows and did the quilting and binding. It looked really good Annette. Thanks.

And now I'm already on day 4. Someone slow down the clock!!! I'm off to the pool to swim laps and then a new project awaits me. More on that later.

Love you all. Me(g)

Rain

2009-03-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

It's raining. That can mean so many things...

The entire sky is covered at the moment. To the east a sheet of grey. To the west the clouds are more delineated. And here in the middle the trees are swaying; rain is sliding drop by drop along the windows. This time the rain is cozy. While the trees bend and twirl and the rain slips quietly down, my kitty and I are comfortably tucked away. Blankets and books and tea.

When we look out there is an invitation to reflect. Life must be good if time allows for reflection, if there is a break from work, if the mind can travel through memory, and if there is a calm in which one can reside while one thinks.

It's a great day.

Spring is Coming

2009-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I get really tired of winter. Snow is great. Short days are OK. Rain is tolerable. But endless grey is hard to take. I play mind games each year. It's not really winter until late December. January isn't really winter; if you watch, Pussy Willow will start to form buds. February isn't winter the Forsythia bloom and the wild currant won't be far behind. March and April bring official Spring and the local tulip festival. Winter? What winter?

It almost works. If I can make it to February, I know I'll survive.

This year was grey, but Spring has been shaping up for weeks. Buds are forming everywhere. Tulips and daffodils are up and out of the ground. I was in California a couple of weeks ago and everything was in bloom there. A great preview of the color to come. The final proof of life returning was the waking of the frogs. We live by a pond and each year the frogs awaken in spring. Its a full tympany of sound. A percussion section that sings the sound of the earth. Last night the first frog woke and began to call the others. Within a week there will be thousands calling out. This is the music of our vernal equinox.

Family

2009-02-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

Family. That word hosts a myriad of images, emotions and experiences for people. For many it's overwhelmingly negative and for others its a synonym for strength and comfort. Family stories are horrific, non-existent, funny, warm, wacky, short, long, never-ending.

I'm lucky. I belong to one of the great ones. We use up all of the adjectives like crazy, thoughtful, distant, close, funny, wise, strong, intelligent, original, innovative, energetic, slow, flexible, stubborn, short, tall, skinny, not-so-thin, kind, sensitive, angry, unbending, preoccupied, stressed, overloaded, available, generous, faithful, reliable, and loving. Above all my family is a family. We belong to each other.

There is room for individuality within the group. There is space for variety. There are traditions, but also new members, new routines and new expressions of love and joy and celebration. There is strength to be leaned on, humor to lose yourself and your problems in, there is food, and fun and times together and times apart and ups and downs and life as only life can be, and through it all you aren't alone. You are free and you are connected. How wonderful!

I have brothers and sisters, uncles and aunties, nieces and nephews, cousins and cousins and cousins and more cousins. Big, boisterous, and the best.

I have brothers who call just to say "I love you.", "What's up?". I have a sister I would be lost without. I think we must be twins. My sisters-in-law are so incredible! As the ad says "indescribably delicious"! And my brothers in law are thoughtful, and funny and soo talented. You think I'm exaggerating? NOPE. I'm holding back.

Mom (the best in the universe) deserves an entry of her own along with the kiddos. Nieces and nephews who share their lives, their discoveries, their hi jinks and their love.

Thanks to you all. You make life so rich!!! I love you all. Me(g)

Cats Schmats

2009-01-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

Do any of you own a cat? We do. I find I can't live without the pleasure of all those feline moments: delicate baths, soft fur in the face, a lump of love & warmth on the lap and the comfort of the ubiquitous purr. Those teensy tiny fuzzy wuzzy cutesy tootsy little kitty bundles break my heart and say take me home.

I love my cat. But once the downy fur is gone, the musculature developed and the voice box discovered, they become more complex.

Do I enjoy opening and closing the door twenty (no kidding) times a day? NO! Will I always be her doorman when her little meow rings? Absolutely.
Do I like to turn the water off and on in the bathtub? NO! Will I always let the water meter run when she cries for a drink? Absolutely.
Do I like to be woken in the dark of night by a nudge against my shoulder and the odor of fish? NO. Will I always lift the covers and let her nestle against me, purring, grinning, and falling promptly asleep? Absolutely

Cats Schmats.

I sure do love this one! Ain't she cute?

Sunny Days

2009-01-21T19:37:00.000-08:00

The last two days have been great. Watching the inauguration was moving. I watched it with friends at school. Instead of a Tuedsay morning meeting we had a Tuesday morning CELEBRATION! We laughed, cried, sighed, stood, clapped, reminisced, hoped, loved and were inspired.

Two of us remembered marching (here, not in the south), remembered debates and discussions, the movement and the discrimination. Our kids come from every background imaginable and for them it was a "no brainer" that everyone is equal. We danced in the halls, we cheered in the classes and yes it was done with respect for all.

Today was an all day class; learning how to help kids struggling with math. And it was actually useful. We started so fogbound that the room looked like it had white filmy curtains. By midday it was burning off with hints of islands, boats muscling their way through the tide and a promise of sun. By early afternoon we could see snow-capped mountains, glistening light refracted from the deep blue and a bald eagle gliding past with a snack in its claws. A beautiful day. A day filled with hope and promise just like yesterday.

My Sister Made Me Do This

2009-01-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

If left to my own devices I would crawl under a rock (provided I had a good book and a crack for sunshine) and disappear. BUT ...I have a big sister and she's been dragging me behind her for, well since, OK, OK always.

I usually like drafting along in her wake when the world is calling, but a blog? Techno-smart?! We'll see...

This is for her and for the rest of my computer aged family. Hello. Even our mom, who is a terrific great-great grandma has a blog. Before long all of us will be airing the family linens in the sunshine of the internet. We laugh a lot at ourselves. Hope you do too.

This is my test drive so I'll be back once I've filled in all the other screens.

Bye sis this is for you. I love you forever. Meg