Miscellaneous Missives

I realize the words awesome and October don't start with the same letter, but I sense some assonance happening here. Friday I had breakfast with a dear friend from Washington DC.  In fact, I think I'm going to purchase tickets to fly for this year's inauguration later today.  Her husband (Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture) was being honored at the University of Minnesota.  Of course, he is amazing, but she is AMAZING.  I lover our time together.  Unfortunately, it was costly because I downloaded a book and the same audiobook as I left our time together.  I promised I would call when I had it finished.  Since I was driving to God's Country, I listened to it on the way and then read as I hung out with a friend in Okoboji.  Soooo....  This book is called Hillbilly Elegy .  I'm a little over half-way finished, and it's worth the read.  Oh, I also listened to Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson.  It's not YA ...

Each year we have two days off in October for the Minnesota Education Association Conference.  I was talking to someone the other day, and the conversation made me a bit cranky. OP- No one even goes to the conferences.  Our tax dollars are paying for a two day vacation. M- Well, although I never go to the conference, many teachers actually go for the conference.  Besides, we aren't getting paid for these two days.  I are paid on a salary for a certain number of days regardless of the days we actually work. OP- She's getting argumentative (or a similar word). M- No, I'm merely tired of misconceptions that aren't clarified. Soooo.... Today is the first day of the two days off.  I woke up early and started working on next week's plans.  Yesterday, a colleague and I spent quite a bit of the day discussing the best way to plan the week.  It's sometimes crazy after a long break.  We are finishing a novel and have an end of the novel writing as...

Not Quite a Full Moon Over Paisley Park Last night I went on the Paisley Park tour.  Although I was glad that I went on the tour, I found parts to be unbelievable.  They said his television room/kitchenette room was left untouched.  I'm calling bullshit.  Anyway, the rooms were set up by themes.  I think my favorite part of the tour was looking at his bicycle from Purple Rain.  Being able to view multiple guitars and pianos was also quite amazing, but I kept wondering, "Where are the other guitars? Where were all of these instruments stored?"  I do think it's tastefully done.  The elevator was blocked by a frame of tickets.  His pet doves were also on display in the first room.  This along with the handwritten lyrics was a bit surreal.

It's Friday.  My students are reading three chapters in The Skin I'm In.  Actually, I read one aloud to get them back into the book, and they are reading the next two silently.  As the read,  they are looking for at least one signposts .  Everyone is engaged.  I've walked around the room. I've checked everyone's signposts chart.  I've constantly made eye contact with the one student who is not working.  Basically, I'm bored because everyone is working, and I have nothing to do except tell the girl I've been making eye contact with that she can't avoid work by going to the bathroom.  I suppose this is actually a successful day. Now, I am taking a picture of my feet under the desk.  Do you see that brown thing?  It's a paper cutter than somehow made it's way into my room several years ago when I was absent.  It's actually one of the few paper cutters that works in this building, so I keep it under my desk. Happy Friday.

As I tried to figure out what layers I would need for today's Mankato River Ramble , I was certain to quite certain it was going to be a miserable ride.  The starting temperature for today's ride was in the mid-thirties which looks better as an age and not degrees.  As I loaded my gear into a friend's car, I still wasn't quite sure what the final layers were going to look like.  I'm proud, however, to say that my layers were perfect.  I shed one layer and exchanged really warm gloves for long finger gloves at the pie stop on the ride (I chose strawberry/rhubarb... an excellent choice).  At no point was I cold and miserable probably due to my long wool socks and rainbow leg warmers.  Yes, they're more than a fashion trend my friends.  Anyway, not that I know I can dress for the mid-thirties, I've decided to keep biking through October .  I've got this!

Today I attended Minnesota Writing Project's fall workshop:  Partnering to Explore Social Justice, Art, and Literacy.  As with most good workshops I attend, it left me feeling inadequate and adequate at the same time.  TruArt Speaks was featured at today's workshop.  Although I have witnessed the work of TruArt Speaks in the past, today I realized once again the importance of the organization.  As I looked at their website , I knew what I wanted to do.  For the past several weeks, I've been trying to figure out why my church hasn't been taking money out of my credit card.  I've sent approximately 6-10 emails about trying to get my giving reinstated.  It must be a sign because today I decided to give the money I would have given to the church to TruArt Speaks.  I feel good about this.

I knew I wanted to go on a ride tonight, but I wasn't quite sure of my path.  At least I wasn't sure until I received an email from Zap Twin Cities .  It seems I've zapped enough that I earned a light set (head and tail).  My prize was available at Move Minneapolis located in the Minneapolis Visitor Information center.  The guys were super nice and funny.  On the way home, I tried a different route which took me to the Loring Park Trail.  Let's say it was an interesting ride that probably won't happen again.  The good news is that I had my new lights, so cars could see m downtown as I encountered some rush hour traffic.  I do love free stuff and prizes.