Miscellaneous Missives

Each staff meeting, we've been joined by a special guest.  We've had Kevin Hart from Entertainment Tonight, a professional baseball player, Prince and Lady Gaga's sound man, and a variety of other guests.  Today was my favorite (and I really like Prince's sound guy).  Alan Page joined us today.  Some were interested in his professional football career, but most were interested in his work as a court justice.  He was amazing.  He really does so much for the community . He gave some great words of wisdom: -based on judgement, not will-- how to set preferences aside and go where the law and the facts take you -if you are not about making the world better for everyone, what is the point? The rest doesn't matter. It is relatively easy when doing what we can to leave this world a better place than when we came here Advice for MS: be curious, seek excellence, not to be better than the person next to them, but to fulfill themselves. Be kinder than you have to be. ...

Anyone remember the B52s song Quiche Lorraine ?  Yesterday a friend made brunch for a few of us.  We enjoyed her quiche.  The B52s song kept running through my head as she served us Bloody Mary's and quiche. I was proud of myself for not bringing it up while we were conversing.  Today I'm eating the piece I was given to take home for breakfast.  Yep, I'm eating the quiche and playing B52s.  Happy Monday!

In these days of #stayhomemn which has turned into #staysafemn, I treasure the times when I can take my work and meetings out to my small deck.  Even though rain is coming this afternoon and it's a bit chilly, I'm sitting out on the deck listening to birds and geeking on the internet.  To be honest, I haven't even showered even though I've worked out.   There are a few trees that have bloomed that smell amazing (almost like Gardenia although I know they're not Gardenia).  The birds are chirping like crazy.  My favorite birds are the cardinals.  For some reason they remind me of visiting my grandparents in Pennsylvania.  These cardinals come close to where I am sitting.  They are so close that I can see their throats move as they converse with their pals.   Here's to a relaxing Saturday!!

Yesterday we did another cooking Google Meet with our Facs teacher and some kids.  I fielded questions as the teacher cooked.  We made a pizza pasta bake and pizza pinwheels.  Even though I could freeze the pasta bake, I still halved the recipe.  It was decent although I'm really glad I used my spicy Italian sausage.  The pizza rolls were iffy.  If I was going to make these again, I'd alter the recipes.  There was one student on the meet that was absolutely adorable.  He had the best questions and was so happy to be cooking with his mom.  Adorable. We're doing this every week, and I'm looking forward to it.  I work with awesome people.

Recently, I noticed my friend's percolator.  She said not only made coffee taste better, but one didn't need a filter and used less coffee.  I looked online.  They're fairly expensive.  Later last week, a friend, who is moving, asked me to come shop her items.  When I saw the percolator, I immediately took it.  Although I like coffee from my drip machine, I was super excited to use the percolator.  1. The coffee might taste better. 2. Less coffee is needed. 3. No filter is needed. 4. It's messy, coffee grounds everywhere... I'm trying to get used to the percolator and use it, but I'm not ready to put the drip coffee maker in a cupboard yet.

Yesterday I made a quick trip to my hometown.  This Coronavirus thing is crazy.  Iowa has a strange way of handling this pandemic.  I went to my favorite eating establishment when I return home.  There was not seating (of course), but they made the doorways into take-out windows.  My brother met me on the beach at a picnic table, and we talked while I ate my soft shells.  It was a bit surreal sitting on the beach since it was fairly cold and windy.  As usual the conversation was ridiculous and lovely.  As I was driving around, I noticed some places had people sitting and eating.  I couldn't help but questioning the protocol of it all. On the way home, I took an exit to get a picture of these silo mural which I've passed several times without getting a picture.  It's pretty damn cool... just saying.  

    Our FACS teacher is amazing.  A group of teachers were on a happy hour Google Meet when she came up with an idea to do a Google Meet bringing staff and students together to cook.  She's the one that taught me to make an omelet by watching in her class.  When she said she wanted to make two types of pancakes (one in the oven... Dutch baby pancake), I was in.  I've never made pancakes, not even from a box.  Maybe it's because I'm a French toast person when it comes to sweet breakfast food.  Anyway, 20+ students and teachers were on a meet this afternoon making pancakes. Teachers were cooking and fielding the comments.  It was so much fun.  We've talked her into doing each week or two until the end of the year!