My Novel

Okay folks, I know it has been awhile since I posted.  Life gets busy.  The latest news that most of you know is that I have decided to write a 50,000 word novel this month.  WHAT? you say.  It seems there is this organization that has a contest every November to write a 50,000 word novel in one month with no editing.  It is actually very popular and international.  They work out of Oakland, no less.  The prize is to know you wrote 50,000 words.  Maybe you have heard of NaNoWriMo.  In between report cards and parent conferences, I pound out a few words here and there.  The subject I know best is teaching, so that is what I am writing about.  I thought I would be brave and share a little with you.  Remember, it is brainstorming and no editing allowed.  (Do you know how hard it is to type and not edit? Very!!!)

The class was had settled down to work on their math assignment when Samuel approached Jane.

            “Please Ms. Jane, I’ve got to use it.”

            “What is it you want to use Samuel?

            “I just have to use it, Ms. Jane.”

            “Of course, Samuel, but is it you want to use?”

            “Miss Jane I have to use it.” and Samuel did a quick little dance.  The light bulb went on in her head.

            “Oh, Samuel, of course you can go to the bathroom.”  Without a moment’s hesitation, he rushed out the room and down the hall.   Jane made a quick mental note “use it equals go to the bathroom.” 

It is not an autobiography, but it is based on some personal experiences.  I have a long way to go to put it together.  My intention is to actually finish my novel.  It will, however, take more than a month to come up the final product.  I can at least say that I have started.

Thanks for bearing with me.

CC! and Stingrays

Our school mascot is a stringray and we are doing Character Counts.  The first pillar we are doing is Responsibility.  The Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade class wearing the most green to school on spirit day get to have a stingray and the same goes for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.

School Begins

School is back in session!  I make up these bags for birthdays.  I borrowed the idea from the teacher next door.  Don't you just love those next door neighbors with great ideas!

School is getting more and more stressful for students and teachers alike--and I'm speaking of elementary school.  The district has decided we have to give tests three times this year that are comparable to the state tests and in addition to them (that equates to a minimum of five weeks of testing).  The amount of time left for teaching is steadily decreasing.  I could easily keep a secretary busy with all the paper that is now required and none of the additional paperwork is related to classwork the students do.

Glenwood Canyon Drive

This summer I had the opportunity to drive through Glenwood Canyon on I-70. If you have never driven it, it is a beautiful drive. This is the Colorado River near Greezly Creek in the
canyon. The highway litterly hangs out over the river in some areas. There is also a great biking path below the freeway, along the river. If I were in shape, I would be very tempted to bike along the river.

This is Greezly Creek feeding into the Colorado. I just love the sound of the rushing water. I did take the opportunity to go wading in the Colorado on the beach just below here.

FLOWER

There is a flower here in Nebraska that looks like a hot air balloon before it opens.

Stormy Night

I am visiting family in North Platte. The past few nights we have had thunder and lightening. Last night we got the rain to go with it and some hail. I made a short clip of it last night. You can see the sky light up and hear the rain.

Little Wallets

Here is a fun little item that takes about 30 minutes and two fat quarters, interfacing, and a snap. It has three pockets on the inside. They are good for business cards, $ gift cards, coupons, etc. Bills would fit in the pockets, but change would fall out unless you devise a way to make one of the pockets close.

Memorial Day

Let's see, it is my understanding that Memorial Day is to honor those who died fighting for our freedoms and Veterans Day is reserved for those who are currently protecting our freedoms. Even the President seems to be confused on this one.

Thank you Dad!

Hanging from a Tree

When I came home from shopping I saw the funniest sight out my dinning room window. This little squirrel was busy stealing food from the bird feeder because the other squirrel wouldn't let her near the squirrel feeder. If you look carefully, you can see her head off to the left side. They can be quite voracious eaters.

Gardening

This past week has been Spring Break. I used part of my time to reclaim my patio from the weeds and start a garden. Pulling out the weeds is an ongoing process. The biggest problem has been what to replace them with so they don't come back. I've decided to use cocoa shells. It has a nice chocolate smell and looks good too.



I've planted carrots, radishes, peas, and a tomote in the first bed. There are strawberries and a green pepper in the second bed.

Springtime

Tulips and spring! Isn't this lovely?

I was playing with my new digital camera when I took this. They are such fun to watch. The sound in the background is the wind blowing.

What if . . . . . . .

What if dinosaurs hadn’t completely disappeared before the time of man? My second grade class is studying dinosaurs and this inspired me to ponder about dragons. I have noticed that there are similarities between the two. Both can be very big and definitely look furious; look at some of the depictions of dragons by the Chinese. Like some folktales, they get a bit fanciful, but where or when did it start? Just a thought.

Winter weather ?????

We are finally getting some winter weather here in Livermore. I wasn't sure it was going to come since we had some days that were in the low 70s and high 60s last month. I thought spring had come and skipped winter. I like my seasons as modified as they are.






Some of the residents in our townhome community have taken out their woodstoves and put in skylights. It is on days like these that I am glad I still have my woodstove.

Quilt in Progress

This quilt is taking a bit of time. It is our new family home evening activity. My daughter selected the pattern and the material. I get to do all the sewing. I think the hard part is figuring out what colors to put where and knowing where everything fits. We are about half way through it. The border will be blue and the back will be black. All of the fabric is oriental print.

Are You Looking at Me?

I enjoy watching the squirrels scamper around the trees outside my dining room window. They are such clowns. This little guy was at the feeder I have on my fence. He wasn't the least bit intimidated when I stepped out to take his picture. He had been thoroughly enjoying the pumpkin seeds inside the feeding box. Shortly after I took the picture, I peeked out to see if he was still eating. He was sprawled out on the top of the fence. I became startled and worried that there was something wrong with the seeds. No, he was just taking a moment to sunbathe, then popped up and went back to eating. What a clown!

Today is Tomorrow

Because I am a teacher I find that I sometimes get confused on what day it is. At the end of the day I am planning and setting up for the next day. By the time I get home I am already thinking it is tomorrow.

Hello!

The other morning I looked out the window to notice this little cloud just hanging out.