A Certain Time of Morning

It was that certain time of morning where you can get up refreshed or try to get back to sleep and be assured of a hard wake-up later.  I chose to getup.  I have had my coffee IV in since 4:15AM...some 45minutes before I even want to THINK about getting up. I have already been outside and noted that it is mild and summer-like.  I expect today to be a warm one.  I like this quiet time of the morning.  No one is stirring, not even me, since i like my coffee black.

I guess I could go for a walk, but that would require getting dressed and letting Cora know my whereabouts, and quite honestly, I think waking her at this time in the morning might be asking for trouble.  I will remain here, sipping my coffee, which is bold and strong and smells so nice.  All I hear is the babble from the fish tank filters and the gentle moan of my chair as I rock slowly to and fro.  Oh, and also the tap-tap-tap of my keyboard.

Once in awhile one of the dogs steps out into the cool night air and they can be tracked via their nails on the floor and the slap-slap of the dog door.  I could read a book, or take my camera outside and see what kind of morning shots I could get.  I noticed that Jupiter is not far from the moon this morning, probably something astronomers knew months ago, but it was a pleasant surprise to me when I stepped out this morning.

How many of you know which planet is Jupiter and which is Venus?  How many of you really give a damn at this time of morning...(crickets chirping) ...that's what I thought.

Well, it seems Friday is here again.  I will be secure in the knowledge that a strange charade will play out in the next week.  I have the singular position of senior maintenance sub.  I have been working as a maintenance sub for five years now.  I am familiar with every one of the maintenance staff and it seems, given yesterdays turn of events, I am in charge of making sure a ton of things gets done...why me?  Dunno.  Could be because of my charm and good looks.  Either way, I need to make sure a number of things get done and if they do that my "crew" stays busy.  Which would be great, but they don't all have those wonderful qualities that I do.

One of them does not know how to drive a stick (manual transmission).  A different one does not have his own car and apparently sees no need to (which is something the rest of us have discussed at length as being somewhat un-American) since he can have his mother or step-father drop him off where ever he wants to be (A. This would annoy me to have to wait for other people, B. I think you have to be crazy or insanely unconcerned with being in control of your life to do this).  And another can be trusted with certain things, but needs to have a certain amount of guidance (he will take over something I have started...leaving me to wonder why he could not have been doing it himself the whole time...).

Also, as if that isn't enough, I have to try and make sure Hose B is not left with Hose A or Hose C, as neither of them seem to like Hose B, and Hose B is of the opinion that everyone is beneath his lofty intellect and therefore unworthy of socialization.  JEEZ, dude!  Just a little conformity will go a long way toward fitting in and making others a little more comfortable with your presence.

Instead, Hose B insists on brushing his teeth for a lengthy period of time (up to ten minutes) AT THE LUNCH TABLE, often just whipping out the toothbrush in the midst of conversation.  He also prefers to use a 15 letter word when two 3 letter words will suffice.  He has been known to begin his phone greetings with "Greetings, Sir, am I to believe we are not to be meeting at X School, as I am unable to ascertain the presence of other employees."  (He could have said, "Are we meeting here?  Nobody else is here yet.")  He has a habit of placing his forehead on the table when the conversation being carried on by us low-lifes is not sufficiently intellectual for him...which is most of the time.  To say he is difficult would be to understate the discomfort he affords others.  I have been sending him off to do lonesome tasks since, when he is out of sight, he is...out of sight.

Well, I guess I could go get ready for work by thinking up a few more nasty projects for them that I want to avoid.  You see, there are perks to being at the top.  I lead by example, unless they can't see me.

Oh, as sort of an update, we are getting more and more coloring books ready.  I am going in to make more copies tomorrow.  Hopefully about five-hundred books will be enough.  Of course, if we sell out, I won't complain.  Cora has been working her tail off making crayon rolls and has finished a fair few!  Everyone is invited to come out to the Moxee Hop Festival!  We will have a table there and it is FREE!!  There is live music and lots of fun for the family!  AND a fireworks show!!    

Friday Is Here Again!!

I have been working 10 hour days lately.  To make up for the holiday observed on Monday.  Yesterday, I put in my time and then rushed off to make copies of coloring books.  So, there are fifty more coloring books that need to be collated and bound.  

Then I got dog food and fuel for the truck.  Then I stopped and picked up dinner.  I know that Cora's day wasn't any easier...apparently fruit does not always juice the same.  I got home about a little after 630pm...some 12 and 1/2 hours after I left.  Of course, I had stopped by to check the dogs a couple times and have lunch.  Still, it made for a long day.  Even though I wanted to stay up and read, I could not force my eyes to remain open much past ten.

Today will be another ten hours day...the last until the week before the Moxee Hop Festival, then I will use that Friday to set up our table at the Hop Festival.  Hopefully I will have my camera by then.

I am torn between the availability of a local store where I can walk in and say this thing doesn't work and the economical decision of buying a camera on-line.  I would love to save $100 but I really like being able to walk in and say: "FIX IT!" if something goes wrong...I am really close!!  I can imagine my camera in my arms and sleeping next to it every night.  I even imagine Cora putting a blanket over my sleeping form and gently prying the camera from my arms and setting it nearby on its own special camera pillow...

OK, back to reality.

Sorry for waxing on about the camera.  It has been a very long time since I had a camera where I could control every facet of exposure...so I am more than a little excited about such an animal entering my house again!!

Tired

So, I have been waking up at about 430am and I usually get up at 500am.  That extra little half hour is kicking my buttocks!  I went to bed early last night but still woke up early.  Rather than wait for the alarm i get up, since the alarm will just pull me from a great dream.

The heat has been nice.  I guess I may be part reptile. Still, even reptiles seek the shade.  I have done the same.  Especially at work.  We have been making progress at work.  Still have to poke Twinky with a stick to make him move.  Apparently that is why I am losing one of my better workers for two days to help someone else...because I have to be kept with Twinky poking him to make him work.

I bought a D90 book yesterday!  Hurrah!  I know I am going to love that camera...I'll most likely sleep next to it and it will go everywhere with me and I will name it George and I will hug him and squeeze him.  Oh, what a camera!!

Well, i have to get moving.  Another grueling day working in the hot sun.  Gotta love it!

Fire!!

I thought you might like a few more of the incredible 700 pictures we took on our vacation ( I say incredible because neither of us thought we had taken so many!).  Both Cora and I like this photo...even though the top of my head seems to be missing, I like it.

I believe I mentioned I was in charge of fires.  I made small ones through out the week since we brought our own wood and did not want to go spend money on the campground firewood.  I might have been a little stingy with the wood and we had a few smoky fires from it.

As you can see, or perhaps not, Cora is in there somewhere.  She was in the process of taking a smoke bath which was successful, in that even after three showers (AFTER we got back), her hair smelled of smoke.  She also took showers at the camp showers...apparently smoke baths are just too efficient.

She tried to get some reading in, in between smoke plumes.  I am somewhat amazed that she was able to breathe during this time.  I mean, look at that picture above!  No matter how long you stare at it, she never comes out for a breath!!

So, yeah, my fire making skills weren't so good at first.

Today, I started back to work.  As a maintenance man.  We are cleaning out the old elementary school, getting it ready to house yet another school while that school is rebuilt or who knows what?   Still, the mess left behind by the last school has to be cleaned up before the new one can move in.  That is our job.

You didn't think I was cleaning an entire school by myself, did you?  No, I have a "CREW."  That crew was working all last week...I was on vacation.  However, my boss, the great guy he is, told the "crew" to listen to me, since I am their boss...huh?  So, I have seniority among the subs.  Yet, my boss still sends back our beloved lazy bastard.  We also have back a hard worker, though socially inept among conservative macho males.  The next is a new guy, who promises to work out well.  So, that is what I have to look forward to...should be interesting, although, I can obviously not post all of my opinions here.  No need to piss off everyone!

We sent off our application to get a table for our coloring books at the Hop Festival.  First weekend of August!  Come and see.

So, from here on out my beloved sun will sink lower on the horizon.  Days will only grow shorter.  I shall mourn the return to winter, even as we gain the first day of summer.  I know, a real downer, huh?  I think it may have something to do with the weird weather this year.  We had tons more rain later in the spring than usual...good for my lawn, but bad for developing veggies and me sitting outside for extended periods of time.  On the bright side, the heat of the summer is coming!!  The veggies will make it all worth it.

We had BBQ chicken and asparagus tonight...it was fair fare.

Feuds

I have been subbing at the El.  I have been enjoying it.  I always enjoy the El, as I feel like I am part of the faculty there.  I don't have a full time job, but I am almost treated as though I do.  The kids all know me and so does the staff.  That recognition was brought home to me the other day when I showed up to work and found several other subs in the building for the day.  I smiled and welcomed them and then made small talk with the secretary and some of the staff.  Then I walked down the hallway with three of the subs.

It is here that my notoriety became apparent.  As we were walking the kids had been allowed to enter the building.  As the flood navigated past us and toward us from different directions, many of the kids could be heard to holler, "Hello Mr. H!!"  and I received more than a few run-by hugs and high-fives.  It wasn't out of the ordinary for me, but I noticed that the other subs received no such welcome.  Of course, I HAVE been subbing for three years now...won't some history teacher please just retire?  I'd like to have my own classes already!  Ah, well.  I enjoy the perks I have being among the few subs the kids remember and like.

Among the perks is the feud that began this year.  It started with me noticing a mark on a teacher's face.  I was unaware at the time, but she is apparently known for walking around with things on her face that she is unaware of.  I called her attention to it.  She explained that that happens often, and that she thought I was joking.  I don't remember the exact turn of events but one day I realized I had inadvertently opened a can of worms.

A child ran up and told me I had something on my face.  I reacted by rubbing my face.  The child laughed and said that Mrs. K had told her to do it.  (I should probably point out, I might have accidentally done something similar to her shortly before)  So the next time I had a chance (I believe the elapsed time was almost 30 seconds) I dispatched a child on a similar errand.  Since then, I can usually figure on a child telling me I have something on my face during the day.

For awhile I was in way too deep and was losing the battle.  THEN I remembered the power my color sheets have over children.  (Did I mention I am not above bribery?)  I told a bunch of fourth and fifth graders I would supply them with color sheets if they would only tell Mrs. K she had something on her face.  I was amazed at my brilliance!  Soon I was winning.  However, I was finding myself without color sheets when I was approached by the kids.  This week, I remembered to pay for the work I had commissioned.  After paying for previous deeds, I commissioned more!

I was informed by my minions that Mrs. K was mad...which means she is having fun.  She is a great actress.  She is really one of my favorite teachers and she keeps up the ruse, by glaring at me and simply saying my last name in a growl...I find it endearing.  Of course, she does, on occasion break character, but it's much more fun when she's acting.

So, it was a good day, up until I nearly sliced off my own foot.

I came home from work and then went and had two new tires put on my truck.  When I got home, I put together a stir fry.  It was ok, but I got side-tracked and it got a little burned, but it was fair.  As I was putting dinner away, I accidentally moved a towel that my large 10" cutting knife was apparently leaning on.  (did I mention I should improve my poor cooking safety habits?)  I turned away and then heard it start to slide.  I had put my weight on the wrong foot and could not shift fast enough to avoid it.  It clattered to the floor and into my foot. I calmly uttered a quiet expletive that I am only partially convinced the neighbors heard.  I quickly checked to make sure my foot remained attached.  It was.

Unluckily, the knife had slid into my foot point first.  Luckily, however, it was oriented the wrong direction (or right direction?) and the back of the knife quickly followed the point.  My only injury was a small puncture wound.  I was, you may imagine, quite relieved.

I now have a small bandage covering my cooking wound.  Maybe I can get Cora to wait on me hand and foot due to my injury??

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We have been walking!  Here we are!

Our dinner last night was EXTREMELY awesome!  We had a Caribbean chicken dinner!  We let it marinate overnight.  It was...YUMMY!!

We worked on the yard today.  Cora mowed the lawn while I changed a tire and did a few other minor things like measure the shed for more siding!

We then went into town and purchased the assorted items for the homestead.  We got siding and concrete, both on sale!!!

So, we worked on the yard...well, we began digging and making forms.  It is going to be a long weekend.  It was hard to keep the dogs out of the area...we finally succeeded and poured the concrete.  Of course, we have several more pours to go...but it's a start!

We began dinner and while i was waiting for the coals to heat up, I took some pictures...here are some clematis with a function our old camera boasts!   I imagine a D90 would do better.

and take a look at this cloud!

I had several more, but I really think yiou want to see the cement!  Here it is!

Isn't it beautiful?  Of course, I am now officially exhaustipated.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Shed Door Done!

So, like I was saying, I planned on putting a door in our old shed.  Here it is with the hole enlarged so I can put the door in.

And then I put some framing in after taking careful measurements and making a run to Lowes and the dump...actually, I went to the dump twice.

Something about my measurements was off a bit.  I had to...adjust the frame.  All-in-all, though, I think it turned out pretty good.  Sure, it's no piece of art, but it works!  It shuts and it opens and it hasn't fallen out!

To say I am pooped would be an understatement.  To say I am exhausted might be to belittle the work I did today.  OK, I am exhaustipated.

I remember days spent slinging hammer and pounding nails.  I worked with my dad for a couple years.  I developed nice forearms when I was younger.  I could sling that hammer all day long.  Of course, often it was used in an attempt to fasten my father to a roof, but you should REALLY try to have fun at work, right?  Usually, he was able to attach me to the roof more often.  That doesn't mean I didn't try, though.  It has been SO long though, since I used a hammer for any amount of time that I have a feeling my forearms will be sore for a few days.  It was worth it, though!

Now I will be able to access the contents of the shed!!  There is some concrete in there and I plan on laying sidewalk in the next week or two.  There is much to be done!  I like having projects...keeps your mind off other things.

Oh, and as for jobs?  I have the majority of the next two weeks filled!  Awesome, huh?

Voyager

I have been a long time fan of Star Trek.  I do not dress up as Spock or a Klingon or anything like that, though, long ago, I thought a Borg costume would be a helluva way to celebrate Halloween, and still have that sitting in the back of my head.  I have put away several semi-functioning optical mice for that option.  I intend to use their small lights and circuit boards for my Borg suit...ok, maybe, just maybe, I have put a little thought into this.

The point is, our DVR is set to record Star Trek Voyager and Next Generation.  Of the two, Voyager is my favorite.  Sometimes, and there appears to be no pattern, SPIKE TV runs a Voyager episode.  The rest of the time, we have to make do with Next Generation.

You see, my wife is a Star Trek fan too.  She watches it with me.  She is ALSO a nerd.  Further proof that we work together well.

So, tonight, when I looked at the DVR, I saw "Voyager" had been recorded last night around midnight.  I was pleased!

I taught SPED today.  It wasn't bad.  I have taught these kids several times over the past few years.  The best thing about it is the people I work with.  The Para-Pros are the best.  These ladies are the real thing.  They make me look good.  I am just there for the ride.  I enjoy it, since they are the nicest people around!  I am not even trying to brown-nose them.  They just are THAT NICE!

So, it was a great day because of my co-workers...and Star Trek: Voyager!

Beat

OK, I know I am not very active, but, Come.  On!  This is ridiculous!  I moved furniture today.  Gotta love the EV maintenance department.  I am bushed!

I have two knee-caps, two feet , and one back bone that are wailing for attention!  I am pooped!

Oh, joy!

Tire. Tired. Really?

I went to work.  I expected a full day.  It was a half, but the computer said I was being paid for a full day.  I was ecstatic, but knew there must be a catch.  In that particular district they expect subs to stay until the last minute.  In EV, if you have a sixth period plan period, once you are finished with your sub notes (I write it as one word and have been getting a little creative lately) and whatever papers you decide to correct (hello-oooo, when I had my long-term thing, I did not trust a sub to do my papers, why would anyone trust me???) you are pretty much free to go.  Not in school district W.  If you have a sixth period plan period you need to go to the staff lounge or the library to wait so they know where you are if they need you.  Yeah, that sucks.

Recently they began an early release on Wednesday thing.  One of the schools instituted a mandatory sub training group on those early release Wednesdays.  I participated in one of them.  I was not pleased.  Turns out all of the subs I have spoken to think that is bullshit.

We all (all the subs, anyway) got a letter.  This letter said that W school district expects all subs to remain present for the entire day whether there is an early release or not.  I was at first worried that it was a letter to me.  I have since discovered that every sub got one.  I asked a senior gentlemen what he thought of is.  He mimed crumpling it and tossing it in the garbage.  Good.  I was afraid I was the only one.

Turns out that the district sent that letter out, and decided not to inform the schools or the sub-handlers (I don't know the correct term, and although it sounds vaguely pornographic, I prefer it because it also holds some sort of mystery, like a covert-operative-handler).  The sub-handler at the HS today looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if I needed to stay until 2:30 to get paid for a full day.  She looked rueful when I explained.  She said they had told her no such thing and the teachers would be gone sooner than we would be if we kept talking.  I decided to trust her and exited the building without further question, destined for bigger errands.

I dropped by Cora's work and picked up her car.  She has had studs on her tires since November.  Which is fine when it's winter time.  It's not, now.  Though, we have had our share of April and March snow in years past, this year is looking up.  The last day to legally have them on your car is April 1st.  I thought, "Wow! I'm off early!  I'm even a few days early!  This should go well!"  Yeah!  I thought that up until I pulled into their parking lot and realized that every other school must have let out early!  The thing was full.  I walked in and they said it would be two hours.  I figured, well, it needs to be done.  I'll just suffer and read my book for two hours.

Yeah.  I know, huh?  Just tow hours.  That's a deal!  Nope.  Didn't turn out that way.  Lets try 3!!  Yep!  Three hours!

Of course, as I sat there, there were 900 people in the waiting room ahead of me.  Still, I chose to be positive and believe this could only get worse the closer we get to the cut off date.  Oh, how wrong I was.

Of course, I sat there reading my book.  Then I realized a lady nearby was having difficulties entertaining her child.  I looked around and realized I had within my grasp, a way to help this poor lady.  I grabbed a napkin (after asking its owner permission) and drew a quick maze on it (trust me, our two mazes may be different-my maze was actually pretty cool).  I handed it to her.  She looked at me with a gratified look...it was then that I realized that was probably pretty weird.  I'm a stranger.  Duhhh!

We ended up talking quite a bit while I entertained her boy.  Turns out he goes to East Valley and I have taught in a class next to his!  I told her this, then mentioned that my wife and I make coloring books and sell them.. She said, so does my daycare lady.  I said, who is that!?  (I thought I had the only coloring book business in town!)  She told me my Mother-in-law's name!  She is the newest of my mother-in-law's parents. Who knew I was talking to a person whose child is in the care of my mother-in-law!?!?!??  Too funny!

I finally got away after three hours.  I then got a little bit of a Safeway six-pack (Have I mentioned the Safeway Six-pack is a six pack of wine!).  When I got home I pulled out into traffic right behind my beloved wife and we pulled into the house at the same time!!

Steak tonight and a glass or seven of wine.  Life is good...for now.

Food for Thought.

I taught kinders yesterday.  They were a hand full.  In the morning, when they first began to filter in, I was singing a Beatles song, and my voice was particularly low for once.  Some thought it was particularly funny that I should be singing.  Others seemed to be a little unsettled.

Later on in the day, one of the little girls said, "Mr. H, when I first saw you I was freaked out."  I smiled, "So, are you freaked out now?"  She looked at me appraisingly and said, "No."  I chuckled about it all day.

This morning, I walked into a third grade classroom to teach for the day.  The kids came in and seemed happy to see me.  One of them looked at me and asked, "Are you going to teach us all day?"  I said, "Yes."  He looked perplexed, "Then who's gonna be the music teacher???"  I just started laughing!  I texted the music teacher (the one I have subbed for a week at a time and a few days in between) this little nugget.  She showed up a couple minutes later and wanted to know who the culprit was.  I pointed him out.  He had of course given himself a figurative slap on the forehead when I told him his regular teacher would be there.  She chided him a little and promised to pick on him when he came to music today.  Some days, the kids just make me laugh!    

I took a few photos today.  I intend to use these for my Transportation Coloring Book.  I hope you all have an opinion on what should go in!

I always liked old trucks...

I also like big shovels.

and tractors...

And I like earth movers...

let me know...

Things a-comin'!

I had a pretty good day at work.  The fifth graders were a bunch of turkeys.  There were times I wanted to strangle them.  I threatened and demanded, yet, they were too hopped-up on sugar to shut the heck up.  As usual, I banked on the notion that the day would end.  It did.  It helps that their teacher came back and watched their Musical Program and then decided to stay for the "party," which I assumed would be some sort of bizarre torture for a substitute.  It turned out we became a sort of matched set of co-teachers.  It's a nice thing having another adult in the room.  It turned out well, and despite my misgivings, she wants me back for the next time.  I won't go into how sometimes it feels like your fighting a losing battle, it's when the kids walk out, and even though you had just been after them for inappropriate...ness, they still think you are a good teacher.  It happens more often than I deserve, but it is much appreciated.  Also, many of the teachers I work for seem to like me, too.  Makes a person feel pretty good.

Cora and I have been driving to work together.  Well, I dropped her off and then went on to school.  Anyway, we both went in and got some copies today.  We were treated pretty well at Office Depot.  I think the manager gave us a good deal on things.  You see, we are working on a Coloring book...it's coming together really nicely!  We plan on selling them to raise money for the adoption!  The first one will be an "Under the Sea" theme.

See the picture above.  Think it'll come out ok?

Weekend Bites the Dust

I remember a Queen song from the early eighties, it went "Another one bites the dust..." I also remember my cousins running that song backwards and hearing it say something that may have sounded like: Wah-shmoo-schna-Smoke Marijuana, or it could have been Was-smoo-sna-smo-kee-mar-eewa-nana...either way it was spooky shit for a nine year old. Of course, I digress. Yet, the idea of the weekend biting the dust, a phrase usually describing something dying without a spark of hope, totally fits the end of this weekend.

Where did it go? I could tell you what we've done. I could explain in excruciating detail, and yet, you might ask, "why didn't that take longer?" Hell, I'd ask the same question...wait, I AM asking the same question. Where the hell did it go? REALLY!! It doesn't seem like we spent any time on anything!

Cora did the taxes and started the process of renewing our immigration documents and home study...both of those were depressing. Basically: before doing taxes and the home study renewal, we thought we were poor and had no money to spend, but now there's no doubt. Like Cora said, Yea US!

We went to the tri-cities today to return something to a store down there. Also we got to visit with her sister and brother-in-law. I got some time in the book store and she got to walk through the mall with her sis. As usual, the tri-cities was sunny and warm...at least compared to our little piece of heaven.

Still, the weekend went WAY too fast. Tomorrow, I get to teach middle-schoolers again. I will be giving out tests tomorrow. I just hope that one of them does eat another's hair. That's what happened Friday. Without getting into specifics, let's just say it was a mildly uncomfortable experience for everyone, except the hair-eating child, who seemed to think there was nothing unusual about that.

In fact, the child indicated that the hair from that particular classmate tasted really good. One assumes the hair-eating child has done some research into who's hair tastes best. I still prefer not to give any credence to this research as it may be unethical...no use giving support to those without ethics.

On that note, I leave you to ponder the nutrition of human hair.

Ahh, Life!

I get my computer back and then don't post at all...how's that for a fine how d'ya do? I guess I have been busy trying to get what I had on it back on it. Last night I kind of took the night off and played my submarine game...it was nice to get back to it. I still have a couple things to add, but it's getting better.

I have worked all week, well, not Monday, since the schools observe Martin Luther King Day. That gave me time to do some running around and make some calls and things. I took the car in for the oil change. I called the agency to see if they planned on answering an email in the next week or two. I waited around for my computer NOT to show up. all in all it was a sucky day until I picked up my computer.

The rest of the week has been better. I think Cora and I both need a breather, though. A vacation somewhere warm would be nice, but I think we'll have to wait until the warm comes to us.

Today, I worked sped at one of the elementaries. I forgot just how tiring it is to work with some kids. Both physically and mentally. Still, it was a good day! I enjoyed their greetings! Some of these kids I have been around for over two years! Their greetings are often exuberant. I have not been over to that particular school for a couple months. The students there, not just the SPED students, seemed to have missed me...really missed me. Now, I am just a sub, but that kind of reception has a tendency to make a guy feel pretty good. Of course, the ladies I worked with were pretty nice, too!

One little girl, well, she isn't a little girl any more, I think she's in fourth grade now, has moved on from SPED to life skills and I did not see her until the end of the day. She dropped her bag and came and gave me a great big hug...that's the kind of greeting that makes you smile.

Tuesday, I was working at WHS and my phone vibrated. I called the number back and it was the nurse at the El. She answered and said that she was big fan of my art work. I know someone blowing smoke up my...well, I knew I was being charmed. I am, however, inclined to listen to praise of my art work. She said someone close to her was having a birthday and wanted to know if I would make a drawing for her. I told her I would. About 6 feet long? I said yes.

Today, she called again to see if I would. I told her yes. I was actually in the area. So, after work, I dropped by and found a note. She asked that I draw "Maxine" holding onto a rocket...I managed it. It looked pretty darned good. I made her two to choose from...I suspect she will use both. They aren't quite six feet long, but I think she'll like them...and I did manage a pretty good Maxine.

Tomorrow is Friday!!! I will be working with some third graders that I will have for a full week in February. Should be interesting.

This weekend? I think I will wait until it gets here before I make any rash decisions.

She Wore a Two Hour Delay

OK, Prince didn't sing THAT, but it works. There are no raspberry berets to be seen today. But there IS a two hour delay! As you can see I have been busy shoveling and sweeping!

You will note the absence of Cora's car...REAL JOBS don't have two hour delays...or snow days for that matter. On the other hand, I actually enjoy going to work (sometimes, I regret getting there, but there are few days like that). I made sure her car was free of snow and ready to go...although, I forgot to start it up for her.

You might be interested to know she made it and that the roads between here and her job were fine, they only got bad in the towns.

In taking the above photos, I just missed the quail...I put seed out for the birds and there was a covey of quail enjoying my generosity when I rudely stepped out the door and interrupted their breakfast.

OH, Regis and Kelly just came on and Anderson Cooper is in for Regis--why in the world would you ever give your kid a last name for a first name? Can you imagine the confusion experienced by teachers when he was growing up? I imagine him being called Cooper as a first name and also being called Mr. Anderson...

I wonder if he hates his parents. I think I have it bad with my name, but jeez, I wouldn't blame him for smacking his parents on his birthday every year. "Thanks for the stupid name, Mom!," SMACK! "Dad, next time you name a kid, call him Bill or John, or, for crying-out-loud, even Sue!" SMACK, KICK!

Ok, then, I will leave you to ponder that.

Bad Beginning?

So, this morning I didn't have to be to work until 8:15am. That's a damn sight better than the 7:15am I did last week. This was in Wapato again, about 12 miles away. I decided I could leave a few minutes before 8AM and be there on time. As I was filling my bag with a few Pepsis and some candy bars the fish tank light started buzzing. I glanced over to find the fish tank dark. The fans were buzzing, but no spark of light at all. I shook it and I tapped it. I turned it on and I turned it off and on again. I plugged it in a different socket. Nothing. It appears to be dead. I put a smaller lamp next to the tank. And the coffee pot was empty. I glanced at the clock and I had to leave.

I got in the truck...8:08am. I jammed my foot on the accelerator and pushed the speed limit, only to follow a slow car, then I was free to speed. Then I got stuck behind a bus. And then another slow car. And this was my first time teaching at this particular school. As if my choices were not bad enough, I turned left when I should have turned right. "Ahhh, the teacher's parking lot is WAAAYYYYYY over therrrre." "Crap, I have to follow three more buses and wait for five different cars." I looked at the time, oh, 8:28m...nice and late. "Good way to make an impression."

I walked in after parking in the student drop off parking lot. It saved five minutes I am guessing. I checked in and she did not have my roster...I had to wait for that. I made it to the classroom and discovered a lady coming out. I inquired as to her nature, wondering if she was the teacher, she was the substitute for Thursday. I was scheduled for today and Friday strangely enough. I get territorial, so I was wondering why she was in my space. She did not know the Teacher had another sub today. And, apparently, there was one there yesterday, too. I thought it did not bode well.

The morning with the kids began well enough, until we got to the math packet...it was then that I realized in the intervening years since my last math class, I have forgotten a lot of unimportant things about math. The one that stumped me for awhile was: 5k+2k=42, solve for k. I was totally, like, "WTF?" These are fifth graders! Who would teach them such things!?!?!? This is just asking for Atomic Bomb Science Projects in junior high! I remember the movie "Men in Black," where Will Smith shoots the little girl in the shooting gallery and points out that those physics books are "Way too advanced for a girl her age." After a few attempts I began to remember a few things about algebra, and was able to match my work with the answer sheet. So, except f0r a fair bit of worry at the start, math went well.

I took them to music, but they were very noisy in the hallway, we stopped five times while I explained to them my expectations of them in the hallway. Over and Over. On the way back from music, I explained to them my expectations again. This time I promised to keep those who were uncooperative in from lunch recess. They complied!

The wonderful teacher left me a science experiment...yayyyy...NOT! Science experiments are usually messy, this one promised to be doubly so. We were testing several liquids for starches. The use of iodine was in order...and we all know how iodine can stain. I thought it was only a matter of time before someone took a pipette of iodine and squirted it at another. I spent a full fifteen minutes going over my expectations and veiling threats to any who might decide to try my patience. Surprisingly, I think the kids learned something (Why am I always surprised that kids learn something when I am around?) from the whole thing. Even more surprising, no one spilled anything of note. No one squirted another...I was amazed.

Then I sent them off to recess and lunch. I had my own healthy lunch: candy bars from Halloween and Pepsi. About two minutes before the kids were to come back the most piercing, sharp, intense, and painfully searing sound I have ever heard began issuing, or perhaps the better word is SCREAMING from the walls. It was a fire alarm. I usually get a little warning. People are usually just nice like that...not today. I grabbed the little emergency book thingy and headed for the place where all the hallways meet, hoping to find someone from my class.

When I got there, I found a few slightly disoriented teachers and a taller lady with a nametag that I took to be the principal. She gave me a searching look that seemed to sear into my soul. I busied myself looking through the emergency book confidently until her eyes went elsewhere. By coincidence or luck, I am not sure which, one of my kids walked by and said, "There's my teacher!" Which gave me an excuse to move out of the principal's piercing gaze.

I followed the kid out to the fence and found my class leaning against the fence looking bored. I began calling role. Everyone was there. I asked them to line up. Then I told them to line up. Then the neighboring teacher chewed out one of my students for sitting on the ground. Then I chewed him out. Then I chewed them all out for not being in a line, the whole time unsure why I wanted them in a line, but certain that was the best place for them. We finally were cleared to walk back in.

They needed to clear their table before heading back to class, so I walked in with them to the cafeteria. The Principal was in there...looking severe. While my kids busied themselves clearing off their table I introduced myself. She smiled warmly at me and I figured out why she had been so searching. I told her today was my first day subbing in her school...She explained that this was her first year as a principal and their first real fire drill. She had thought I was the fire marshal guy, beginning to check off how bad her school was in his book. I thought she just didn't like subs. We snickered over that and then my class was ready and we left. She seemed like a really nice lady.

It was nearing the end of the day and I had managed to mangle nearly everything, yet it all turned out o.k. Then this lady walked in the door. She said she was going to grade some papers in the back, and not to mind her. I said, "By all means!"

She asked how the day had gone, I said, "Fine, apart from the fire-drill." She asked how the science lesson went. I said it went extremely well, even though I had expected a mess and a cluster. She laughed and said, "Sorry." It was then that I realized she was the teacher.

I chatted with her while the kids did their thing. Then I began to get them ready to leave. I joked with one of the kids and then called them to attention and reminded them of my expectations in the hallway. I came back to get my stuff and the teacher asked me to leave her my contact information because she liked the way I interacted with the kids. She said my approach was nicely balanced. I was laid back enough to joke with them, but I was stern enough to get them to do what I wanted them to. I think I may have blushed.

I enjoyed the rest of the day! To top it off, Cora had a good day, too!

Stupid Post But Great Espanol!

Since about a month ago, I had been agonizing over a post for my airplane wreckchasing site. I had great big plans for it. It was my first post of a B-29 accident (For those of you who don't know, the B-29 was my first favorite bomber, and if you aren't a male, then you had just better go back to your Barbie Dolls and leave us men folk alone because you'll never understand it) and I wanted it to be special. I did a lot of reading. I read about the engines. I read about the economic, political, and military events of the era. I read about B-29. Then I read and reread the reports. I then wrote my post. Then I posted it, only a day late for the 62nd anniversary of the crash. I suppose it is acceptable. Given my other posts, I believe there to be fewer typos and mistakes, so all-in-all, it is a decent post. Still, sometimes you just want something to be more than it is.

So, what's next for that site? Obviously, I will try not to post anything before it is ready. I ordered some more information regarding the B-29, but I don't expect to see it for several weeks. I guess I will keep the posts just a little shorter. I like to post on that site a few times a month, but because that stupid B-29 post wasn't right, I put off posting to that site for over a month. Pathetic, huh?

So, I subbed in Wapato most of the week. It wasn't bad. I got stuffed into a Sped room on Friday when I was expecting to teach biology. It turned out to be a pretty good day, though, so I don't begrudge that change of plans.

I got complemented on my Spanish accent when I speak Spanish. Apparently I sound like I speak it better than I do...or possibly can. I have difficulty rolling my "Rs." One of the people I was working with asked me if I spoke Spanish, I said, no, very little. She seemed surprised because of the way I speak it. Cora suspects it is because I have learned a lot of my Spanish from kids who are native Spanish speakers. I suspect it is just 'cause I am...AWESOME!

The sun is shining outside. I suppose I had better get moving.

"Voluntary" Donations My Butt!

So, I managed to get a job early in the morning yesterday. It was not a bad day. I happened to be subbing in the some area as Cora works, so I dropped by after work and said hi to her. Her office has been enjoying some electrical problems, there was electrician working on a plug. I decided that was a good time to tell the electrician joke my electrician friend told me: "Did you hear about the electrician that was SO dumb the other electricians noticed?" I think he either did not get it or he did not think it wise to laugh while his hands were so near live wires...maybe he held it in for later.

I then went and renewed our license tabs for both vehicles. I had withdrawn $100, expecting each to be around $40. After some difficulty getting Cora's car's license plate number totally incorrect, I had to call her. Then the lady said it would be $102!! I said, "Huh?" (I am well known for my quick wit and being well spoken, I think this episode is a very good example of my keen use of language to express myself ) I told her, "I only have $100...," holding up my five twenty dollar bills and waving them weakly. She said, "Just a moment." She did some more typing...similar to that airlines lady in "Meet the Parents." after A LOT of typing, she said, it will be $92. Continuing with my witty comments, I said, "Huh?" And she explained how Cascade Licensing (or is it the state) charges a "voluntary" parks and recreation fee of five dollars for every license renewal. She simply took that off. I'd love to know how this is voluntary if they don't tell you about it!!! I don't mind offering five dollars here and there for parks and rec., but sneaking it in on me makes me a little irritated, and I thought voluntary meant you knew about it. So, if you live in Washington and renew your licenses at one of those handy little places...make sure you know what they are charging you for...maybe you don't want to "volunteer."

Today I have two half days at different elementary schools...should interesting getting from one school to another quickly.

Tonight we get to see the new version of "V" on tv. I remember the first one in the early 1980s...My mom wouldn't let me stay up to watch the whole thing. I DO remember the baby alien lizard delivered by C-section though...I always have that visual when people say a baby was delivered by C-section...thank you 1980s television! I hope this new version has better effects! I would also like the story line and the lines the character speak to be stronger! Oh, and hopefully the background music is a little less like "CHIPs." Actually, we watched a couple of the old ones last night, and I would say the best description would be CHIPs + Synthesizer. Remember synthesizers? Wow! I must be getting old...none of the kids nowadays know how cool synthesizers were in my day.

Witness

I taught kindergärtners the past two days. I have witnessed a few things. here are three in no particular order that had me grinning at one point or another (don't judge, somethings are funny, especially in hind sight).

• A little girl had just gotten a drink of water, and stated to no one in particular "There is a lot of water in the sea."
• A boy accidentally spilled his milk on the floor. After I had replaced it and arranged for it to be cleaned up, the youth said, "I didn't see that coming."

The third needs a little introduction, given that I may find a deluge of mail telling me how uncaring I am. Or, perhaps, how mean I am. Honestly, it wasn't my fault. I really am sympathetic to the various digestive, respiratory, and cardio-pulmonary systems of the students I teach. That said, here is the third thing I witnessed.

• At the end of the day, I had bus duty. That meant that I and several other teachers watched the kids while they waited for the buses. That was going well apart from being cold and more than a little windy. Then, just as the final bus was rounding the corner in to view, a couple little boys in the line for the last bus called to me. One of them had been in my class today. After a little bit of talking at the same time, I gathered that the little boy from my class had to go to the bathroom. I looked at the bus coming up, then back to him. "Can't you hold it?" The answer was part grown, part moan, "Nooooo!" I looked to the principal and tried to get her attention, to tell her we needed to hold the bus for a minute or two. She didn't hear me. I turned back to check on the boy and his expression of consternation and, perhaps, pain changed to surprise and anguish. His entire body gave a slight convulsion and a dark stain began to grow on his pants, and then the flood really let go. The whole time he was trying to stem the flow with his fingers, which apparently on served to accelerate the flow, as you might with a garden hose...this merely made the spectacle a little less interesting than those waterworks outside those Las Vegas Hotels...instead of simply flowing down his trowsers, it came out away from his body and was caught by the wind. It spattered onto the pants leg of his friend. It left an interesting pattern on the ground, since it was not a completely free flow. With the flow of urine came the flow of tears. It was about this time, as my eyes took in and my brain cataloged the spectacle, that the principal turned her attention to the yowling mass that was three boys distressed over a natural body process in a most socially un-natural place! I stated the obvious. She said get him to the office to see if we could get a hold of someone to pick him up. Until then she would hold the bus. I pointed to the office, but made no attempt to grab his hand...or touch him. He followed. When we got in the office. I asked him if he still needed to use the bathroom. He said, "No." I guess that should also have been obvious. Still, I thought I should ask. And, he DID look like he was feeling better. We got the secretary on the case. I asked him if he wanted to wash his hands. He said, "Yes." His mom DID come and get him. Everything seems to have ended well. I, however, am left with an interesting visual, which I will probably never forget: that fountain of urine flowing from the pants of a young boy in the wind.

And I thought teaching would not be very exciting...what was I thinking? This is THE place to be!!

Long Ago...

Long ago, I had hoped to put my slim abilities as a writer to use. I had hoped to mate them with my paltry photographic skills and become a photo-journalist. I took classes as such, until the almighty cost of schooling became my nemesis. So, I put education on the back burner and began seeking a trade. I was a pretty good KOA Kampground person. I made a fair gas station clerk. I thought I had promise as a sandwich artist at one time. I even managed to work at a pet store.

I eventually managed to locate a job at a mill and then at a photography studio where I ran machines that developed other people's pictures. I returned to the mill. There I managed to work for a few years until one day I got poked in the eye and decided that mill work was unsafe. Finally, people around me convinced me that since I liked history so much, maybe I should become a teacher. I put some thought into it. Well, a little (since I am lazy, and a little says a lot). I decided that, yes, that might be a good idea. Certainly it has less potential for parting me with my parts than working in a mill with cutting edges all around.

So, here I am, about 8 years later. I am a substitute teacher. I enjoy subbing, while looking for a full time job as a history teacher. Recently, I signed up with a couple other districts and have been happy as a clam and busy as a beaver. Though my old district seems to find it difficult to let me get the other jobs. I don't mind.

Today, I am to work at one of those other districts. This one does not use the on-line program that the other two use. They call subs. I got a call the other day asking me if I would sub there. I said ,"sure!" The lady told me I needed to be there at 7:15am. I thought I'd make sure I was there on time and showed up at 7:10am. She looked at me and asked when she had told me to be there. I said, "715." "Oops! I forgot this week was conference week! You are two hours early!" So, I walked back out to the truck and came home. So, here I sit waiting a little longer to go to work. On the bright side I will get a little more caffeine in my system than I would have otherwise...still, it may make for a longer day.

I have been ruminating on a post for my other site for two weeks now. I want to make it a particularly involved one, since it seems to invite more than just a cursory inspection. Usually the accidents I deal with are from sparse documents of reports. This one, however, came with some forty or more pages of report. Then, if that weren't enough, I got a second report on the same aircraft...slightly smaller, but mostly different info than the first. Given my fondness for the Boeing B-29, of which the aircraft that crashed was an example, I decided to work a little harder on it. I have thus been digesting various texts concerning this WWII behemoth of the air and its gigantic engines, trying to decide the best way to approach this crash. So, while I keep mentioning it on Facebook and in e-mails, the article is still in its infancy. Awaiting final development, it sits in my computer, stirring slightly.

Given this weekend's complex schedule, I may not finish it this weekend either. So, it will have to wait forlornly for me to write it a few more days. And so it seems that I am still managing to put my writing skills, poor though they are, into some semblance of use. So, that long ago dream of writing may not have been given up for dead. It may have transformed some, but it is still there...even if I am not getting paid (monetarily) for it, the personal satisfaction I derive from comments and letters I receive concerning the blog I write about aircraft losses in Washington State seem to make it worth the effort.