..." a day late and a dollar short". She would also say: "the rich gets richer and the poor gets chillun' (children, ie: more mouths to feed)", which could likely be a subset of Murphy's Law. Meaning that people who are blessed with good fortune continue to come up smelling like roses and those who seem to struggle with finding the right/simple/easy path in life always encounter road blocks and detours/diversions that result in poorly thought-out choices.
The reference to' a day late and a dollar short' is due to my not writing anything on yesterday/Friday. When I had all day to ponder and type the perfect thing to say:
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Abby.
Abby who?
Abby Birthday to You.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
literacy tutoring...
..yesterday morning at an elementary school across town. I'd signed up, but not sure about the day. Had to go to an introduction/training last week, and discover I am on the list to be a tutor on Wed. So I took a long 'lunch break' from work to go 'way across town and spent more time going and coming than actually being there. Worked with two little four year olds, about twenty minutes with each and read the book "Have You Seen My Duckling?" which is mostly illustrations, with a few words for them to begin to recognize. A cute sweet story, about a little duck who leaves the nest chasing a butterfly. More picture reading, interpreting the illustrations than actual words. And repetitive, for them to begin the process of recognizing simple sight words.
One of the little people could not really count to eight (the number of ducks in the nest) or write her name, but the other seemed to be much better with basic skills. We read the book, talked about the pictures and counted the ducklings on each page, searching for the missing one that was semi-hidden in the illustrations. I am amazed to think that there are four year olds who do not have anyone in their lives who reads to them. Sad to think they have not experienced books. Saddened even more to think there are so many who will not ever learn to read, never go to school, have to opportunity of being literate and the resulting liberation that learning to decipher those strung together letters brings. Hard to imagine not having that ability.
So today: we can all be thankful for the people who taught us how to read, the community of book lovers who shared that love with us Taking us by the hand, leading us gently through the door into the world of being literate, and loving literature: books, magazines, writing, reading, postcards, stationary, postage stamps.Can you imagine what your life would be like if you could not decipher the confusing letters found on the cereal box or street signs?
One of the little people could not really count to eight (the number of ducks in the nest) or write her name, but the other seemed to be much better with basic skills. We read the book, talked about the pictures and counted the ducklings on each page, searching for the missing one that was semi-hidden in the illustrations. I am amazed to think that there are four year olds who do not have anyone in their lives who reads to them. Sad to think they have not experienced books. Saddened even more to think there are so many who will not ever learn to read, never go to school, have to opportunity of being literate and the resulting liberation that learning to decipher those strung together letters brings. Hard to imagine not having that ability.
So today: we can all be thankful for the people who taught us how to read, the community of book lovers who shared that love with us Taking us by the hand, leading us gently through the door into the world of being literate, and loving literature: books, magazines, writing, reading, postcards, stationary, postage stamps.Can you imagine what your life would be like if you could not decipher the confusing letters found on the cereal box or street signs?
Monday, September 21, 2015
ant invasion...
...possibly partially my fault: due to stirring them up yesterday. I went out in the late afternoon to water things that were looking desperately limp and thirsty - you could almost hear them panting for a drink. When moving the hose as I walked around the perimeter of the beds, I pulled it up and dislodged lots of highly agitated ants. Probably the mean, vicious, biting variety.
I've started to water, after letting nature do the work, as things have gotten dry in recent weeks. Remembering years ago, this was the rainy season, Dog Days, when as I child, it rained every day for weeks on end. Plus possible hurricanes blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico across the Florida panhandle. But since humans in our blissful self-centeredness have tilted the balance of the environment, no longer wet, steamy sticky summers awash with daily rain showers across GA.
When I walked into the kitchen before first light this morning, I saw at least ten thousand busy ants, swarming across the floor, up the cupboard wall and across the counter top. Having a feast on a dirty plate 'Someone' left sitting out overnight. Proving that Nature wins in the end? I am generally reluctant to spray bug killer in the house, mostly due to the greasy residue it leaves wherever you point the aerosol can.
So I went out to get the plastic bottle of Fire Ant Poison and sprinkled ant killer powder all along the trail they were industriously making under the door and across the porch. Sprinkling all around the plate and watching them scatter in distress. Went out in the yard to put some down where they were nesting and disturbed when the hose got moved. And hope the invasion has been halted.
But the powder is 'slippery as owl s**t', and now the floor needs to be mopped. I've cleaned it off the counter top. But left the used plate full of ants and white poison for the person who chose to deposit it on the counter top immediately above the dish-washing machine, instead of putting it in. I'd actually set myself the goal of getting the kitchen floor cleaned this morning before I have to leave for work at 11:00. But there is, of course, a big difference in doing something because you want to as opposed to Doing It Because You Have To.
PS: I do not like to clean up after other people. If WE ALL did it, cleaned up after our dirty, sloppy, lazy, sorry selves - there would not be a mess left for someone else to have to take care of. From trash, cups, butts, cans tossed out the car window, to empty plastic water bottles dropped on the school playground, to waxed squares of paper given with free cookies at the bakery and casually discarded on the floor of the store, to old tires and appliances disposed of in the ditch, woods or river. Your mama does not work here.
I've started to water, after letting nature do the work, as things have gotten dry in recent weeks. Remembering years ago, this was the rainy season, Dog Days, when as I child, it rained every day for weeks on end. Plus possible hurricanes blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico across the Florida panhandle. But since humans in our blissful self-centeredness have tilted the balance of the environment, no longer wet, steamy sticky summers awash with daily rain showers across GA.
When I walked into the kitchen before first light this morning, I saw at least ten thousand busy ants, swarming across the floor, up the cupboard wall and across the counter top. Having a feast on a dirty plate 'Someone' left sitting out overnight. Proving that Nature wins in the end? I am generally reluctant to spray bug killer in the house, mostly due to the greasy residue it leaves wherever you point the aerosol can.
So I went out to get the plastic bottle of Fire Ant Poison and sprinkled ant killer powder all along the trail they were industriously making under the door and across the porch. Sprinkling all around the plate and watching them scatter in distress. Went out in the yard to put some down where they were nesting and disturbed when the hose got moved. And hope the invasion has been halted.
But the powder is 'slippery as owl s**t', and now the floor needs to be mopped. I've cleaned it off the counter top. But left the used plate full of ants and white poison for the person who chose to deposit it on the counter top immediately above the dish-washing machine, instead of putting it in. I'd actually set myself the goal of getting the kitchen floor cleaned this morning before I have to leave for work at 11:00. But there is, of course, a big difference in doing something because you want to as opposed to Doing It Because You Have To.
PS: I do not like to clean up after other people. If WE ALL did it, cleaned up after our dirty, sloppy, lazy, sorry selves - there would not be a mess left for someone else to have to take care of. From trash, cups, butts, cans tossed out the car window, to empty plastic water bottles dropped on the school playground, to waxed squares of paper given with free cookies at the bakery and casually discarded on the floor of the store, to old tires and appliances disposed of in the ditch, woods or river. Your mama does not work here.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
it was a looonnng day...
...going in to work at 6:00 a.m. and leaving just after 5:00 p.m. But not quite as bad as it sounds, since there
was a two hour break when I went to church. And also not so bad as it would have been had I spent the whole day doing produce prep.
Co-worker who usually mans the floral department is out of town for several days so I was doing that. Putting out fresh cut flowers, that come tightly packed in bunches, in flat boxes, shipped from growers in south America. They need to have stems cut, and placed in buckets of fresh water to drink and revive/freshen upon arrival. Plus watering lots of plants that looked desperately dry and thirsty. And making some cut arrangements to go in reach in cooler for cash/carry sales.
So it was not such a bad day, as I was able to putter in the flowers and spend about half the day doing something I really enjoy. And take a long two hour break to go to church: that rarely happens due to either travel or work schedule I'd asked the dept.manager about coming in early, since I know he always makes a point of going with his family on Sunday mornings. He knows I will get my work done before leaving, so it's not a problem.
But after nine hours of standing on that hard floor on my poor tired feets, I was worn out. Plus in an effort to be completely honest, I will admit all I had to eat during that time was two Snicker bars. Nothing 'well balanced' about that!
was a two hour break when I went to church. And also not so bad as it would have been had I spent the whole day doing produce prep.
Co-worker who usually mans the floral department is out of town for several days so I was doing that. Putting out fresh cut flowers, that come tightly packed in bunches, in flat boxes, shipped from growers in south America. They need to have stems cut, and placed in buckets of fresh water to drink and revive/freshen upon arrival. Plus watering lots of plants that looked desperately dry and thirsty. And making some cut arrangements to go in reach in cooler for cash/carry sales.
So it was not such a bad day, as I was able to putter in the flowers and spend about half the day doing something I really enjoy. And take a long two hour break to go to church: that rarely happens due to either travel or work schedule I'd asked the dept.manager about coming in early, since I know he always makes a point of going with his family on Sunday mornings. He knows I will get my work done before leaving, so it's not a problem.
But after nine hours of standing on that hard floor on my poor tired feets, I was worn out. Plus in an effort to be completely honest, I will admit all I had to eat during that time was two Snicker bars. Nothing 'well balanced' about that!
Saturday, September 19, 2015
crafting at camp...
...all day long. Got up at six a.m. to get all the crafting supplies loaded in my car and leave home by 7:00. Drive about forty five minutes to get up to the Scout camp in Harris County. Where there were about 120 girls, with mos m, troop leaders and the folks who were the organizers for the event. My assignment was to do crafts all day long, with groups rotating in and out of a variety of different programs in 45 minutes segments.
In addition to make-and-do, the girls were learning the basics of archery, canoeing/paddle boarding, knot-tying, low-ropes course, camp fire building. A group of girls were preparing lunch for the whole crowd in order to complete requirements for a badge. I did not eat any of the lunch, though I think it was pretty good for camp food. (I am sure the recipe came from a cook book or someone with lots of experience, but don't think I missed much as the main-est ingredient I noticed when I passed through as they were stirring was ramen noodles.)
The crafts included making the dream catcher which was a total bust. Only one girl of all that crowd actually had the patience to complete the project. I'm thinking if I had several samples/examples to show and had exhibited much more enthusiasm, there would have been a better response. It's too tedious for the little ones to stick with, plus they really don't have the eye-hand coordination/fine motor skills to do it like it should be done.
They did enjoy making the para-cord bracelets once they got the hang of the knotting process. Very repetitious, but if you don't do it right, it looks like a jumbled mess. And younger girls had a good day making a God's Eye from craft sticks and colored yard, along with friendship bracelets they all seemed to really enjoy. I thought the yarn bracelets were seriously cheezy - the yarn will get so dirty, nappy, frizzy, ugly after a couple of days it will soon go in the trash - but it was easy and they had a grand time producing something they could immediately put on and wear.
Long day of demonstrating the same thing over and over to different groups, but good to be out in the world. I tried to tell all those adults there as leaders and moms what a wonderful thing they were doing for those kids. Saying those girls would remember this weekend for years to come, even if they might not remember the names of the adults who make it possible. The experience of being out in the woods, fresh air, sleeping in cabins with friends and fellow scouts, will stick with them for the rest of their lives. And those women (and a couple of dads) who were willing to set their lives aside for two days to make it happen will have lots of stars in their crowns when they get to the Pearly Gates.
In addition to make-and-do, the girls were learning the basics of archery, canoeing/paddle boarding, knot-tying, low-ropes course, camp fire building. A group of girls were preparing lunch for the whole crowd in order to complete requirements for a badge. I did not eat any of the lunch, though I think it was pretty good for camp food. (I am sure the recipe came from a cook book or someone with lots of experience, but don't think I missed much as the main-est ingredient I noticed when I passed through as they were stirring was ramen noodles.)
The crafts included making the dream catcher which was a total bust. Only one girl of all that crowd actually had the patience to complete the project. I'm thinking if I had several samples/examples to show and had exhibited much more enthusiasm, there would have been a better response. It's too tedious for the little ones to stick with, plus they really don't have the eye-hand coordination/fine motor skills to do it like it should be done.
They did enjoy making the para-cord bracelets once they got the hang of the knotting process. Very repetitious, but if you don't do it right, it looks like a jumbled mess. And younger girls had a good day making a God's Eye from craft sticks and colored yard, along with friendship bracelets they all seemed to really enjoy. I thought the yarn bracelets were seriously cheezy - the yarn will get so dirty, nappy, frizzy, ugly after a couple of days it will soon go in the trash - but it was easy and they had a grand time producing something they could immediately put on and wear.
Long day of demonstrating the same thing over and over to different groups, but good to be out in the world. I tried to tell all those adults there as leaders and moms what a wonderful thing they were doing for those kids. Saying those girls would remember this weekend for years to come, even if they might not remember the names of the adults who make it possible. The experience of being out in the woods, fresh air, sleeping in cabins with friends and fellow scouts, will stick with them for the rest of their lives. And those women (and a couple of dads) who were willing to set their lives aside for two days to make it happen will have lots of stars in their crowns when they get to the Pearly Gates.
Friday, September 18, 2015
#2 sub. teaching day...
...at the elementary school just down the street from our house. It was as a replacement for a para.pro/aide in a pre-K classroom. A whirling bustling chaotic day of continual activity. From the time they walked in the classroom at 7:45, depositing lunch boxes and book bags at the door until the carpool came and picked them up at 2:30. Plenty of time on the playground in the early morning to run, swing, jump, bounce, shout - that seemed to have no visible effect on the general bedlam of the rest of the day. The teacher was more than capable, had them in hand throughout the day, and seemed to fully able to manage two dozen energetic little people.
When I did a sub. job a couple of weeks ago, at another elementary school up on the north side of town, the same age group, different school, they also went out to run off steam early in the morning. I walked around that play area picking up trash while they were dashing to and fro for thirty minutes. No one seemed to notice me policing the area - teachers probably thought I was pretty strange. When I started picking up trash: styrofoam cups, bottle caps, flattened plastic bottles, odd bits of paper, candy wrappers - several of the kids started picking up trash with me. I picked up a plastic shopping bag, and we filled it up before I made them stop and go play, run around with classmates.
I left there about 2:45, and stopped by the house then went to work, to my 'real' job, for three hours. My cohort in floral dept. is out of town for several days, and left some things I needed to get done for pick up on the weekend. I made several corsages and boutonnieres, some bows of silk ribbons, two cut arrangements to put in the cooler for walk-up sale, plus two more that were for orders for Saturday.
I was invited to come to work tomorrow, but had already requested the day off to do some volunteering for Girl Scouts.
When I did a sub. job a couple of weeks ago, at another elementary school up on the north side of town, the same age group, different school, they also went out to run off steam early in the morning. I walked around that play area picking up trash while they were dashing to and fro for thirty minutes. No one seemed to notice me policing the area - teachers probably thought I was pretty strange. When I started picking up trash: styrofoam cups, bottle caps, flattened plastic bottles, odd bits of paper, candy wrappers - several of the kids started picking up trash with me. I picked up a plastic shopping bag, and we filled it up before I made them stop and go play, run around with classmates.
I left there about 2:45, and stopped by the house then went to work, to my 'real' job, for three hours. My cohort in floral dept. is out of town for several days, and left some things I needed to get done for pick up on the weekend. I made several corsages and boutonnieres, some bows of silk ribbons, two cut arrangements to put in the cooler for walk-up sale, plus two more that were for orders for Saturday.
I was invited to come to work tomorrow, but had already requested the day off to do some volunteering for Girl Scouts.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
so impressed with myself...
...and my cooking at work on Wednesday, I made the cheeze grits for supper at my house tonight. Had to run to the store for the cheeze, since that is what makes the grit so wonderful, but it was well worth a trip. Plus there will be leftovers for breakfast. Did I mention I like cold grits? Straight out of the pot is good for me.
There are some who swear by putting left overs in a loaf pan, chill overnight, and slice to put in skillet and fry for breakfast. Personally I think that unpatriotic and possibly sacreligious, nearly an immoral thing to do with something as classically, traditionally southern as grits. But what do I know? Only born and bred in the deep south...
Smoked gouda cheese is a wonderful thing in it's own right, and if you were raised on grits you will feel the same way about that ground corn product. So combining two things as wonderful as the cheeze and the grits into one mouthful: oh-my-goodness! You can almost hear Aunt Bee calling us in to wash up for dinner....
There are some who swear by putting left overs in a loaf pan, chill overnight, and slice to put in skillet and fry for breakfast. Personally I think that unpatriotic and possibly sacreligious, nearly an immoral thing to do with something as classically, traditionally southern as grits. But what do I know? Only born and bred in the deep south...
Smoked gouda cheese is a wonderful thing in it's own right, and if you were raised on grits you will feel the same way about that ground corn product. So combining two things as wonderful as the cheeze and the grits into one mouthful: oh-my-goodness! You can almost hear Aunt Bee calling us in to wash up for dinner....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)