Miscellaneous Missives

I have a love/hate relationship with Google, especially GoogleDrive.  I can't imagine teaching without it. Tonight, I was grading some student writing.  I told a few students that they had until 7pm tonight to finish their writing from last week.  As I was online, I noticed a student who was absent today was finishing his writing.  Thanks to Google (GoogleDrive?), I was able to have a brief conversation with him about what he missed.  Now, if I could only get my students to not only read my comments but use them to make their writing better.  Although Google is amazing, I always feel as though corporations are taking over education.  The other negative to The Google Machine is sometimes The Google Machine (According to Urban Dictionary, The Google Machine is what old people call Google.) was broke today causing me some frustrations.  Actually, I think my students handled it better than I did.  This morning the media director (She's amazing...

Today I was taking my geraniums to the dumpster since it's going to get colder, and it seemed like a good day to get them off the deck.  They're actually still blooming and look decent.  As I was walking to the dumpster, a neighbor stopped to chat.  Let's be honest, winter is coming soon, and I won't see my neighbor's at lunch.  He asked what I was doing.  When I explained that I thought it was a good time to prepare for winter, he asked, "Why don't you cut them back and keep them for spring?"  Honestly I replied that I wouldn't know how.  He gave me a brief lesson, and I took them to the garage and "cut them back."  If they don't come back in the spring, I have nothing to lose.  I'm now ready for spring!

Thursday I told the seventh graders that I would grade their paragraphs on Saturday morning starting at 7am.  This would give them until 7am Saturday morning to finish their writing.  Many questioned whether or not I was going to get up st 7am to grade papers.  I said that although I would get up at 7am to go to the farmers' market, I might not grade their papers until later, but I still want them to abide by the 7am deadline.  It's currently 1:54pm, and I am going to start grading soon to quite soon.  First, I would like to let you know of this mornings' accomplishments because I really don't want to start grading. 1) famers' market 2) breakfast with K 3) the coop 4) started laundry, put away farmers' market goodies... 5) bike ride 6) more laundry 7) started up the Google machine to find cardinal and gold native Iowan sticker 8) purchased said sticker 9) made smoothie and ate smoothie 10) started and will certainly finish blog about absolutely noth...

Cedar Lake The weather is beautiful, and I've had some major decisions to make lately.  Last night I had to choose happy hour or biking.  I chose happy hour knowing I would be biking today.  Tomorrow will be happy hour because I'm able to bike on Saturday.  Having choices is a good way to deal with stress.

Last night's Pearl Jam concert reminded me of two things.  1) The music of the 90s was the best.  2) I am getting old.  I love Eddie Vedder and his voice.  Last night's concert was everything and more.  Of course, I have two complaints.  1) It started at 8:30 instead of 7:30.  2) They didn't play Just Breathe .  The concert, however, had an incredible set list and lasted three hours.    Not only were we kept entertained by Pearl Jam , we were also entertained by the twenty-somethings in front of us.  Unfortunately, it was a school night.  Getting home at midnight and leaving for work at 6:30 was a bit of a challenge, but it was well worth it.

One would think I'd have a better picture since I spent a long weekend in Dallas visiting a friend and helping with Sports Extravaganza .  As mentioned in the link to this earlier post, it's a working weekend, but it's wonderful to be with a great friend and help others.  Everyone is always so nice when I go down to help.  Friday night as we were finishing set up, I sat and talked to a small group of people.  One was a Lion and always helps with the event.    We were talking about being ready early Saturday morning for the event.  During a silly conversation, I said it'd be nice if I had an omelet Saturday morning.  He wanted to know what I'd put on my omelet.  "Oh, I don't know.  Maybe ham and cheese with a little spinach... and hash browns," I bantered.  Saturday am I arrived to find my ham, cheese, and spinach omelet with a side of hash browns.  It was so sweet!  Today as the Park n Go guy dropped me off at my car, ...

Mary's Enthusiastic Anxiety Once again I'm going to Dallas for MEA to help with Sports Extravaganza .  I've been joking a bit about bring Ebola back.  At my PT appointment, my PT started freaking me out about traveling to Dallas.  She started talking about the latest nurse to contract the disease.  Of course, she mentioned the safety, or lack, of riding on a plane with passengers from Dallas that may be carrying the disease.  Her statements and warnings continued as she worked on my shoulder and walked me through my exercises.  By the time I left, I was a bit shaken about making this trip.  The, I went on a bike ride and forgot (a bit) about it.  Tomorrow I'm flying to Dallas, and I am not going to bring Ebola back with me even though it's been stated several times (in jest) this week.  

Yesterday I posted on Facebook asking for a dermatologist.  Today I went to the dermatologist office recommended by two friends.  It seems I'm not going to die because I only have perioral dermatitis a form of rosacea, but I am going to have to be on antibiotics for a month.  Actually, a month after I get back from Dallas since they create sun sensitivity.  When I picked up the antibiotics and creme, the pharmacist informed me that it may be three weeks for I saw any improvement.  What!?!

"Will it make it easier on you..." U2 Our student all have devices this year and a inexpensive access to internet at home.  Basically, I'm thrilled with the one to one initiative.  The other day I noticed to boys enthralled with the computer when they were supposed to be reading.  When I went over to check it out, they were looking at pictures of snuff.  It was mentioned in the book.  They didn't understand and looked it up.  Yay!!  The conversation that followed was interesting to quite interesting.  It went something like this... B1- I don't get it.  What is it? M- It's tobacco. B2- Why is it called snuff? M- You snuff, inhale, it up your nose. At this point both boys are looking equal parts disgusted and amazed. B2- But why? M- I don't know.  It seems kinda gross to me. B1- Yeah B2- Do you get high? M- I'm not really sure, but I would guess you get a bit of a rush.  It has nicotine in it. After the conversation w...

Today I was at a workshop put on by the Minnesota Writing Project and the Department of Education.  The focus was connected learning.  During the last section, the person next to me was asked a question.  She said she couldn't answer because she was a green person which she'd learned yesterday taking a personality test.  She needed time to think.  I asked, "Is this a real thing?"  It seems there's a blue, green, orange... personality.  Instead of being fully present in the session, I took the personality test and found out in ten short questions that I was an orange personality. Orange You are most likely a first color orange.  You are a true freedom fighter.  You value freedom, you seek boundaries, and you are effected by rewards.  If you are an extrovert, you are opinionated and flexible as long as things fit your freedom needs. It seems fitting. I came away from the workshop with teaching ideas, but they need processing be...

  Jennifer Simonson/MPR News Yesterday we took our team of seventh graders to Seedfolks at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis.  Wednesday I tried to pump the play up to the students by telling them that most children's plays don't make the news, but both MPR and the Star Tribune had talked about this play.  In reality, I was nervous about having the seventh graders see a one actress show.  How could one actress hold the attention of seventh graders for 60 minutes?   Sonja Parks was amazing!  I can't say enough about this play.  The kids were engaged.  At the end there was a Q & A session in which Parks talked about having a dialect coach to help with the variety of characters.  Although it makes sense that she had someone to help her, it was something I wouldn't have thought about.  If you haven't read Seedfolks , it's a wonderful book with a variety of characters.  If you live in Minneapolis, you should try...

Yep, it's a bit blurry. un·com·fort·a·ble ˌənˈkəmfərdəb(ə)l,ˌənˈkəmftərbəl/ adjective causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort. "athlete's foot is a painful and uncomfortable condition" synonyms: painful ,  disagreeable ,  intolerable ,  unbearable , confining,  cramped "an uncomfortable chair" causing or feeling unease or awkwardness. "he began to feel uncomfortable at the man's hard stare" synonyms: uneasy, awkward, nervous, tense, ill-at-ease, strained, edgy, restless,embarrassed, troubled,  worried ,  anxious ,  fraught , rattled,  twitchy ,discombobulated,  antsy "I felt uncomfortable in her presence" My plan for dinner at Pepito's tonight was cancelled, so I decided to get take-out from Thanh Do .  Instead of merely ordering the spring rolls as I had planned, I also ordered cream cheese wontons.  S...

Sometimes I have a difficult time staying on task.  I also have difficulties when the students are doing what they are supposed to and don't need me.  Today as my honors class was diligently working, I checked my e-mail.  Each week I get this e-mail called This Week in History .  Today's e-mail came with the subject line:  Who's the most famous cow in history?: This week in history.  Instead of keeping the words inside my head, I asked the class if they knew the answer.  Then I continued to read to them about the O'Learys and their cow.  One girl asked if that's the origin of the song "Old Lady Leary."  When I told her I didn't know the song, she said it was a camping song.  "Ahhh, I don't camp, but I do have Google,"  I replied as I looked up the song and played it for the class.  The students went back to work, and I continued to look at different variations .  It seems it has many verses and can be sung as a round. ...

An afternoon bike ride brought new knowledge, so I am blogging twice today.  While biking with a science major friend, J, I learned about the black and brown caterpillars which were quite often trying to make their way across the trail.  Her mother calls them teddy bear caterpillars although the website I found called them Woolly Bear Caterpillars.  J said they were a predictor of the winter weather.  When I returned home I did a google search and found out this is documented .  It seems that if the brown band is larger than a third of the caterpillar's body, we will have a milder than average winter.  Look at the pictures I took.  I think we're in for a mild winter.

This morning was the Twin Cities Marathon.  I need to cross the route in order to get to church.  Although I've watched the marathon many Sundays, I rarely (never) see the runner whom I'm cheering, but it's always fun to be in the crowd.  My plan this morning was to get on the other side of the runners and be productive at Caribou.  When I arrived at Caribou, the line was long and the energy was palpable.  It seemed as though everyone in line was bundled and ready to cheer on the runners.  Even though I was using Caribou as a school work station, I felt the excitement of the marathon.  The Twin Cities Marathon is another reason I love this city!

It seems I've had difficulties with blogging this week.  Actually, I'm having difficulty with motivation in general.  Blogging and biking are two things I enjoy, but I don't do well if I don't complete each on a daily basis.  I've returned from my monthly Sabbath group where we talked about rituals.  Perhaps I do better with some ritual to keep me going. I've been counting calories again, and it's been a bit rocky.  Although it's a bit ritualistic, it's been somewhat of a fail.  Of course, I realize I'm 98% to blame, but others help.  For example, Wednesday when I returned from lunch, I found these wonderful treats on my desk telling me that people are kind. Unfortunately, it also said you should go home and get on your bike.  The weather, however, is also not cooperating.  I know I need to toughen up and get outside while I still can, but I'm starting to think I also need to start using my gym membership.   Anyway, tonigh...