Traditions

We just finished senior week at the high school where I teach. Phew. One more day of finals with the underclassman, a teacher day and summer break is here. The pile on my desk looks insurmountable, but I'll get through it. I always do.
The senior week is a great time to reflect on traditions. And like posted by a classmate, it is a unique perspective when you were also once a student where you now work as a teacher.
One thing this week caused me some distress. Traditionally, most scholarships are announced at graduation, with some specific exceptions that are done at the school assembly. The assembly awarded ones are primarily some legacy scholarships from some long ago coaches or athletes--especially of the football variety. (We used to have a fabulous football legacy). Then there were a couple of ROTC awards and ones in the name of some former staff members or community leaders. Anyway, there was a new scholarship this year in my grandmother's name. She has taught in the district for over 30 years, at the high school and then through the Adult Ed program after retirement. I realize this may be a bit personal so I may be less objective, but I really wanted to have this done at the assembly, with me preferably giving it out. This did not happen. A scholarship in the name of a girl who died soon after graduation last year was presented, A scholarship in the name of a teacher who had worked in the district for 2 years and died was given out. One other was given out for a primary level teacher that had worked in the district for a few years and had recently passed away. There is absolutely no way I could imagine having to justify which of these are more "pertinent" for the schoolwide assembly.
One tradition that caused me some eustress was Senior Class Night last evening, The students are treated to a dance and then an overnight "project sunrise" event. I can't stay up all night and play, but I did "crash" the dance. (Okay, its not crashing when all teachers are invited, but very few ever go). The best thing is to go and pull out some of less socially adept kids on the dance floor. By the end of the evening the jocks are dancing with the emo's and dancing with the band and chorus kids and dancing with my SpEd kids. Every year I go, it is so awesome to see. I always wonder why this couldn't happen going into high school rather than leaving it--but maybe this is part of the magic. The other great part is that a fabulous-funk-adelic 70's cover band played live, I was able to bring out my hidden away inner Travolta one more time.

Revisiting Rhubarb

It is interesting to get reactions to my post about rhubarb and summer projects. As a New Englander, rhubarb has always been a spring and summer treat. As mentioned, strawberry rhubarb pie is so yummy! It is definitely, for me, comfort food. And right now, at year end, I am in need of some comfort. (I'm also really glad I'm not a southern gal, because the collard greens are way out of my taste preferences!)

What is it that makes us revisit childhood favorites?

Projects

I've got a few projects in the works. These are sort of "getting ready for summer projects" and they are simply my own way to avoid the pressures of school work and stress. For example, I am posting here instead of writing up a triennial evaluation and summary of performance that I need for meeting today--all while watching the Celtics play the Lakers.

Project 1: My husband built me 2 raised beds for a garden last year. With all the rain and the tomato blight, it was not very successful. This year, it has been more successful already. I planted onion sets and broccoli seedlings during April vacation (and my bumpa was probably shaking his head at me from Heaven). We've already harvested half of the broc and the rest is ready tomorrow or the day after! I've got baby tomatoes and the weeds are still containable. woohoo. I'm hoping to do pickles, frozen veggie, dry some herbs and put up tomato sauce if we have a better growing season this year. Its only the week after Memorial Day but the garden is looking great.

Project 2: I love rhubarb. Of course the best way is simply dipping the stalk in a little salt and eating up. But this year, I found a recipe I just had to try--rhubarb liquor. I'm not much of a drinker, but it looked/sounded so unique I just had to give it a go. I seeped the stalks for a month, now after straining it, it has to age for a month or better. It should be ready for July 4th. I've given a taste to all visitors at camp this spring. It is fairly sweet, a pretty pink and will probably be best with a mixer of some sort. Hubby put his taste in some iced tea, and that was very refreshing. I just may expand to some raspberry rum?

Project 3: The Cake-Off. My mom, daughters, sister, nephews (and maybe more) have decided to have a cake decorating contest in a couple of weeks. My mother has cake decorating experience. I've seen it done on tv. Who's going to win? Our theme is Swan Pond and everything on the cake needs to be edible. I've got a great plan, but I have no idea how to execute it. It should be fun.

Project 4: Photography. A couple of years ago I got a new camera for Christmas. I would like to be able to take some great pictures, but have never had the time, nor, honestly the talent! My mother recently got a new fancy-pants camera. We've gone out and done a couple photoshoots. Most of the pictures have been of my two daughters. The rocks were in a stream bed at a local brook. I went to get a shot of the little waterfalls, but I love lines. This was one of my favorite pictures, not counting the seven thousand of my two girls.

Third Try

Really, its Memorial Day weekend? One of my most favorites. It is the harbinger of summer for me. This is the weekend we start getting visitors to camp, most of the camp gear gets brought out from storage and the pond starts to see some action. My mom and dad have arrived from Florida, so we were off to a good start. Because of the early good weather, the docks are already in and the boats are too. I left for school this morning, eager to return and get the weekend started.
Upon my return, the bad news is shared. Our well pump is broken. It sprayed water all over the mechanical room. The hubby, an electrician by trade, has been trying to play plumber. Needless to say, his day of from regular work was supposed to be doing some projects he is eager to finish up with, not trying to play with the pump. All calls to service spots, plumbers and suppliers were dead ends. This type of motor is not one that parts are easily available. It now looks like we won't be able to get the gasket replaced until Tuesday--and until this is done, we can't trouble shoot for any additional issues. (I really like my use of the word "we"--mostly I get lake water to try and get the prime going or flip the circuit breaker on demand!)
Now, I have out of town company that is supposed to be here tomorrow. I've got family coming on Sunday. There is a sink full of dirty dishes in the kitchen. I could really use a long hot tub soak for my pinched neck. What to do? Mostly, I am simply reminded of the fact that this is just a little blip in the radar. The camp we have now is still mostly unfinished and a relative Taj Mahal to what we started with thirteen years ago. A weekend without water, so what?

Post 2

Oh my. The end of the school year is coming so fast. As much as I truly need and want a break from my job, getting through these next few weeks is like a marathon. (And I am no runner!)
My diversion tonight was a combined middle school and intermediate school chorus performance. For someone as tone deaf as I am, it is a hard thing to sit through. The kids were cute, all dressed in white and black. The parents were on hand with cameras and camcorders and grandparents in tow. My youngest was proud to be there and kept looking around the audience until she spied us. Then, of course, she would only give us a "I'm too cool to give you a big wave" little nod. This was my highlight of the evening. I am so tone deaf that every song sounded fine. Not great, not bad, and oh so similar. Half way through the bazillion songs, all I could think about is the fact that next week I have the band performance to attend.

First Post

Hmm. I set up simple blog a few years ago. Mostly, it was just a place to put some links for my classroom! This one is going to start out as a requirement for my current UNE course, Connecting Reading with Writing for Success.

So, for a first post, I would like to try a simple journal type entry reflecting upon the beautiful spring day we had today! Maybe one of these ideas may be revisited as a topic.

Driving to the first basketball game today, the beautiful fields we passed were being swept by the wind. The grass was waving to and fro, like ocean waves but green.

The girls playing against each other today were friends. The intensity of the girls was evident, but even nicer was the way they would help a competitor up after incidental contact or apologize for an aggressive hold!

Break time between games. Rest, no! Lunch, probably not! My choice, nope! Hubbie's suggestion, yup! So here we go, getting the last section of the dock in the water. Yippee, that means the boats can get in the water! This is one of the best times of the year for us. When the boats are in the water, camp is ready--even if it's not!

Second game. Old rivalry. Great intensity. The opposing team plays hard and dirty. We win. Beautiful!

Back to camp we go. Dinner's in the oven and homework is getting done by all. Where did the weekend go? I know the garden got watered, but I forgot the Miracle Gro. Oops. Still need more laundry done. Should I have procrastinated getting that document done for the Tuesday meeting I am covering?

So much for my first post. We'll see where we go from here!