six research papers over the weekend. That may not sound like much, but it's grueling work, especially when the student has done a slip-shod, half-baked job. I'm supposed to edit it and turn it into a work of art. Of course, the less work they've done on the front end, the less I can do for it when I get it. Rather like a plastic surgeon in that regard.
Only 3 days of school this week, and then I'm off to an educators' conference. That will hopefully be a nice break. The students will be THRILLED, I'm sure :)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Second Fret
Yesterday after a visit to "Sally's" (Salvation Army), I dropped by a new business in downtown, a coffeehouse/music hall called "The Second Fret." I'd read about it in the local paper, and was interested.
In small-city America, we really don't have nice places to go to have something to drink, sit with a friend or spouse, and talk. If we go to restaurants, we are expected to buy meals, spend $35 and leave when the last forkful is gone. We're there to eat, and please clear out of our tables so the next eaters can have a seat. No fun.
The other option is bars, which is also no fun: sleazy, smokey. Well, you know. Not the kind of place I want to hang out. However, a person can go there just to drink. And drink...
Europe has coffeehouses. Why don't we? Starbucks has made a splash, but it's so industrial. I was excited to see this little locally-owned business. It's clean, family-friendly. I love the cozy reading area in the back. That's where Adam and I sat last night. I leafed through an anthology of modern poetry (and found some interesting stuff, I'll add!), and Adam read a dab in a book on Korea. A guy on guitar was playing to an audience in the next room. We saw a family from the school, with their 2 middle schoolers in tow. 2 men behind us debated over a chess board.
Adam was still recovering from his dunking booth experience, so he was achy and tired, and we didn't stay as long as we might have. But I hope we go back. The only difficulty with THAT, is that we've made our living room just about the most cozy, inviting place in town for us, and it's hard to leave :) Besides, we still haven't finished the last portion of the Alexander the Great documentary we're watching. Perhaps tonight.
In small-city America, we really don't have nice places to go to have something to drink, sit with a friend or spouse, and talk. If we go to restaurants, we are expected to buy meals, spend $35 and leave when the last forkful is gone. We're there to eat, and please clear out of our tables so the next eaters can have a seat. No fun.
The other option is bars, which is also no fun: sleazy, smokey. Well, you know. Not the kind of place I want to hang out. However, a person can go there just to drink. And drink...
Europe has coffeehouses. Why don't we? Starbucks has made a splash, but it's so industrial. I was excited to see this little locally-owned business. It's clean, family-friendly. I love the cozy reading area in the back. That's where Adam and I sat last night. I leafed through an anthology of modern poetry (and found some interesting stuff, I'll add!), and Adam read a dab in a book on Korea. A guy on guitar was playing to an audience in the next room. We saw a family from the school, with their 2 middle schoolers in tow. 2 men behind us debated over a chess board.
Adam was still recovering from his dunking booth experience, so he was achy and tired, and we didn't stay as long as we might have. But I hope we go back. The only difficulty with THAT, is that we've made our living room just about the most cozy, inviting place in town for us, and it's hard to leave :) Besides, we still haven't finished the last portion of the Alexander the Great documentary we're watching. Perhaps tonight.
Friday, October 3, 2008
We survived Homecoming
Philip at 7:30 this morning. NOT ready for the school day, but he's there anyway.
Adam is the greeter in the car line this week. He is always cheerful to the middle schoolers as they step groggily out of their cars.
Isn't this cute of Anna? She is in the Culinary Club at school. Recognize the apron, Mother? She is having fun with this group. We sold these apples at Homecoming.
Philip with his 2 best friends. He is having a great senior year. This evening, they are all at the Homecoming dance. Of course, he claimed he didn't want to go, but he changed his mind! So did Peter! Only Anna isn't there; she is with her best friends, at a sleep-over.
Poor Adam got royally dunked in the dunking booth. It was filled with water from a firetruck, and icky water it was. He was cold and miserable and sore. All for a good cause.
Adam is the greeter in the car line this week. He is always cheerful to the middle schoolers as they step groggily out of their cars.
Isn't this cute of Anna? She is in the Culinary Club at school. Recognize the apron, Mother? She is having fun with this group. We sold these apples at Homecoming.
Philip with his 2 best friends. He is having a great senior year. This evening, they are all at the Homecoming dance. Of course, he claimed he didn't want to go, but he changed his mind! So did Peter! Only Anna isn't there; she is with her best friends, at a sleep-over.
Poor Adam got royally dunked in the dunking booth. It was filled with water from a firetruck, and icky water it was. He was cold and miserable and sore. All for a good cause.
No bloggin' right now!
I have to go back to the school for Homecoming! Soccer games! Face painting! Sore feet! Wet husbands in the dunking booth!
And I get to meet our new headmaster, hopefully.
See ya later!
And I get to meet our new headmaster, hopefully.
See ya later!
Yes, I'm here.
I just have nothing to say. Spending 2 hours making up a new American Literature test on Transcendentalism has that effect on the human brain.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
And a few photos:
Julia kicks the leaves back around.
Peter looked longingly at this slab of cake. I ate it anyway.
Our hail storm yesterday. That's 2 hail storms in 4 months:
Peter looked longingly at this slab of cake. I ate it anyway.
Our hail storm yesterday. That's 2 hail storms in 4 months:
Today:
3 research paper rough drafts done.
21 to go.
Julia is in the front yard raking leaves.
Peter is on the living room floor, playing some serious chess. He has books out and is writing down his moves.
Adam is in the kitchen cooking hamburgers and French fries.
Anna is in her room, quiet and secretive, as usual.
Philip is at work. On his Facebook, he describes his work as "the world's best job." That's nice.
All the windows and doors are open in the house, and the fresh fall breezes are blowing through. Perhaps I'm enjoying reading Emerson this year, for the first time. I usually find him annoying.
Now, I will go eat the last piece of chocolate cake :)
21 to go.
Julia is in the front yard raking leaves.
Peter is on the living room floor, playing some serious chess. He has books out and is writing down his moves.
Adam is in the kitchen cooking hamburgers and French fries.
Anna is in her room, quiet and secretive, as usual.
Philip is at work. On his Facebook, he describes his work as "the world's best job." That's nice.
All the windows and doors are open in the house, and the fresh fall breezes are blowing through. Perhaps I'm enjoying reading Emerson this year, for the first time. I usually find him annoying.
Now, I will go eat the last piece of chocolate cake :)
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