V is for Van

Van Morrison that is! Where would I be without the music of Van Morrison? Nobody makes me cry like Van. Yet when I am crying, he's the only one who can make it all better. Some say he's grumpy. Others say he cannot sing. I don't care. For me, his music is a religious experience.

The man has released scores of albums. In fact, just this month he released Keep it Simple. He writes love songs; he sings the blues; he's recorded some of the most wonderful hymns; he rocks. He has music for all of my moods!

Several years ago Van came to Nashville. It was my friend Shannon who told me he was coming to Dallas, but tickets had sold out. I waited for weeks for the Nashville tickets to go on sale. They were $85 each. But I'd always wanted to see Van. The tickets went on sale at 10:00 a.m. I picked up the phone and called. The gal who answered explained that it was only 9:58 and that I would need to call back. I reached her at 10:04 and they had sold out. I was miserable. Folks were selling his tickets on e-Bay for hundreds of dollars. No, I didn't go. But I will. Some day.

Picking a favorite Van song would be just about as hard as picking my favorite children's book. But I would have to say that of my many favorites, the following are definitely at the top: Have I Told You Lately, Tupelo Honey, I'm Tired Joey Boy, Enlightenment, When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God, Melancholia, and Brown Eyed Girl.

Van, your music makes my soul sigh and my heart sing! Thank you!

Three Little Kittens

Truffles, it seems gave birth to one more wee monster yesterday afternoon for when I came home, there were THREE little kittens in my garage. They are amazingly tiny, incredibly adorable, and simply marvelous. One is solid grey. Another is grey and white. The last is white and grey. They are hungry. Truffles is hungry and trying to be a good Mama Cat. And I hover uselessly.

The Three Little Kittens

Three little kittens they lost their mittens, and they began to cry,

"Oh mother dear, we sadly fear that we have lost our mittens."

"What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!

Then you shall have no pie."

"Meeow, meeow, meeow, now we shall have no pie."

The three little kittens they found their mittens,

And they began to cry,

"Oh mother dear, see here, see here

For we have found our mittens."

"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens

And you shall have some pie"

"Meeow, meeow, meeow,Now let us have some pie."

The three little kittens put on their mittens

And soon ate up the pie,

"Oh mother dear, we greatly fear

That we have soiled our mittens."

"What! soiled you mittens, you naughty kittens!"

Then they began to cry, "Meeow, meeow, meeow"

Then they began to sigh.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens

And hung them out to dry,

"Oh mother dear, do you not hear

That we have washed our mittens."

"What! washed your mittens, you are good kittens."

But I smell a rat close by,

"Meeow, meeow, meeow" we smell a rat close by...

April 27, Nineteen Hundred and Something

Happy Belated Birthday to Grandpa Doug, aka Grandpa in the Palm Trees! Doug celebrated his "umteenth" birthday this past weekend! We wish we could have celebrated with you!

Kitty Watch 2008

Within days of moving in to our new digs a black and white kitty adopted us. We've been feeding it from the back porch. I assumed it was male because of its friendly personality. Last week she started "showing". Thursday we put her in the garage as it is still quite cold at night (low 30s!). This morning Truffles had kittens. Two of the four kittens survived birth and seem to be doing well.

John predicted on Thursday that she would have kittens that evening. Orion predicted three to five days. He was right on the mark!

The Best Weekend Ever

While it might not be the best weekend ever, it surely has been the best weekend that I have had in an exceptionally long time. It began Friday morning, early, when the boys awoke and left for Conway. The first thing I did was clean their bathroom (Pee Eww!). From there I changed sheets, worked on the laundry, swept, and worked on the house as a whole. I made it to work by 10:00 a.m. Just in time to sign my summer school contract, check my mail and voice messages, and attend our last department meeting for the year. We had fried chicken and sweet tea at our department meeting. It was good. That afternoon I had a few meetings with students, graded papers, and worked on reference letters. I left work at 4:30 to get ready for my "date."

Jennifer was my date for the evening. The Biology and Earth Science Department was having their annual award banquet for students. Jennifer's husband was unable to attend so I filled in. What an evening. It was wonderful to watch the slides of our UCM students out in the field. And when the awards were announced the professors were ready to burst with pride. It was great. But my most favorite part of the evening was when three of my best friends were honored with awards: Outstanding Biology Professor went to Jennifer, my date! Outstanding Geology Professor went to Sally, my exercise partner! And the Spirit of Science Award went to Vicki. I couldn't help but do a little dance (in my chair) for each of them!

Saturday morning I awoke early and dressed in sturdy jeans and sturdier shoes. I layered my tops and dug out my camp hat. I met a group of Geology students and two professors (Drs. Z and L). We drove to Jefferson City and spent the morning and afternoon investigating outcrops along Highway 63. We ended the afternoon at Earthquake Hollow. I learned more in 12 hours than I did in an entire semester 20 years ago. And I have the rocks to prove it! I can't wait till the next trip.

That night we had a late dinner of homemade pizza at Sal's house. We discussed research, science, misconceptions, math games, and pizza toppings. It was fabulous.

I slept. And I slept hard.

This morning I awoke and finished working on the house. I had some dusting and serious vacuuming to do. I have yet to dust and vacuum my bedroom, but the rest of the house looks nearly presentable. I am still working on the funky smell in the dining room and the wicked carpet stains throughout.

I spent my afternoon with students, always a pleasure, and ate a marvelous hamburger and a tasty dog.

My little boy is home and in the shower. Soon we'll both head to bed so we'll be well rested for the coming week. This week will be my last week of classes for the Spring 2008 semester. Next week we'll have finals. Summer school begins on May 12! Holy smokes. I better start running now!

My regret, I didn't take my camera to any of these awesome events!

It's No Secret

The first of my two secrets became official this evening at 5:00 p.m. at Blind Boone Park in the 'Burg. During the Kappa Delta Pi induction program (KDP is an honor society for pre-service teachers with at least a 3.25 GPA) and picnic I was honored with the Kappa Delta Pi Teacher of the Year Award for the 2007-2008 school year. The students made me cry. The professors made me cry. I got them back and made them cry. The most surprising part of the evening (besides the obvious - receiving the award) was something that Dr. F read. It was a note from a fellow professor. She wrote about listening to me read to my class. She made me sound wonderful. The best part of the evening (besides the hamburgers and hot dogs cooked up by one of my students) was receiving two children's books and an awesome book on integrating literacy in the content areas (math, science, and social studies).

As mentioned in my post from Wednesday, my secret, described above, doubled. On Thursday, May 1 the University's Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Student Leadership and Success will be honoring me with their Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2007 - 2008 school year.

I am stunned. Honored and stunned.

Waiting to Hear...

Mom and Doug began their slow and arduous journey home on Friday. The trip from D.C. to Tampa should take roughly 14 hours. However, because Mom will need to stop every hour or so to move around and her daily "car time" has been limited by her doctor, it will take them approximately four or five days to make the trip. I am hoping to hear of their safe arrival on Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week.

For those of you who would like to send her a note back home in Florida let me know and I'll share her address with you!

U is for University

It has occurred to me that I have spent 13 years of my life at one University or another – as a student, a lab instructor, a graduate assistant, an instructor, or assistant professor. I suppose some of us never really want to graduate.

My University Homes:
Hendrix College
University of Central Arkansas
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of Central Missouri

Robin Brings the Sun

Ra is the Egyptian sun god; it is also the nickname that I have for my sister-in-law, Robin. And like Ra, Robin brings the sun to any occasion. Few are lucky enough to have a sister-in-law as wonderful as mine. But the truly lucky one is my big brother, Michael. Lucky and smart. Lucky for finding her and smart for snagging her.

For me, Robin is more than a sister-in-law. She's a role model for kindness, professionalism, and sanity. She is someone I truly look up to and think, "I want to be like her."

The world is a much better place for many of us (family, friends, and patients) because of Robin. And today we celebrate her birthday!

Happy Birthday Robin!

Price of Ga$

Ga$ prices are rising at an annoying rate. Two days ago I drove by the pumps and prices were $3.22. I had half a tank. I kept driving. Yesterday I drove by the same ga$ station and prices were $3.28. Today the price of ga$ in the 'Burg is roughly $3.35 per gallon.

Last summer when the prices crept up to about $2.70 I was surprised to discover that ga$ here in the Middle of Nowhere, Missouri was usually about 30 cents less than ga$ in Northwest Arkansas. I am not sure why that is, but I have considered that it could be our different tax rate as well as the fact that much of our ga$ here is 10% ethanol. We actually have a few stations that sell E85. Here it is usually about 60 cents less a gallon than the regular juice.

I remember the first tank of ga$ I bought. I was driving Mom's T-Bird home and used my own money to replenish the tank. I felt so grown up. (After that Dad gave me the Ga$ Card.) That would have been 1986. I paid $1.30 a gallon. It dropped to less than a dollar a year later, about the time I started college. I remember filling up my tank for just about $10 every two to three weeks.

What about you? How much did you pay for your first gallon of ga$. Come on. Share. You don't have to tell us when! And how much are you paying for ga$ now? How much is ga$ in D.C., California, Arkansas, and beyond? What are your thoughts about using ethanol? Enquiring minds want to know!

My Secret...

My secret, mentioned in a previous post, has doubled in size. I am astounded. I am flattered. I am excited.

I'll tell you soon. I promise.

Tears for Matzo

Cravings. They come and they go. This one came several days ago and has refused to diminish. Matzo Brei. Off to the store I went where I found onion flavored Nyafat (cholesterol free, vegetable based, fake schmaltz)... but no matzo! Oh no! Where were my Egg and Onion Matzos? I cannot possibly have Matzo Brei without matzos! Am I going to have to make my own? (Gasp!) It seems that I will have to do just that as the grocery store manager said that they cannot sell them so they will no longer order them. Perhaps I can find a store in Kansas City. I want it now! Somebody out there send me a couple of boxes of matzos, please!

And it occurs to me... Passover began on Sunday. Is this why I am craving the fried matzos?

T is for Earthquake...

T is for Earthquake! Okay, make that earth tremor. I experienced my first earthquake on Friday morning at approximately 4:30 a.m. Thursday after class I drove to St. Louis to spend the night at a friend's house. I would be presenting math games at her school the next day. I was very excited to be back in St. Louis, albeit briefly, and had a hard time getting to sleep. I was sleeping on the futon in the guest room when futon rumbled and bumped and rumbled some more- with me in it! I sat up in the middle of the bed and strained to hear something. Inside I heard nothing. Outside I heard something that wasn't quite wind and wasn't quite a train. Now that I think about it I think it sounded like thunder when it rumbles through the mountains during a big storm. The bed swayed a bit more and then everything was quiet. I heard my friend's husband get up, but there was no screaming or alarms going off, so I got back in bed and tried to sleep. That morning on the news everyone was talking about the earthquake in Illinois, about 120 miles from us in St. Louis. Seems it weighed in with a rating of 5.2. (It is important to note that the 11 year old in the room next to me slept through it!) Later that morning, about 10:00 a.m., I was presenting and felt a little woozy. I reached out to steady myself and realized that I was feeling the aftershock. The aftershock was measured at 4.5. My first earthquake! It was a great day! Unfortunately for my friend, I think there are a few extra cracks in the plaster of her 100+ year old home!

T is also for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Food, family, and fun! Turkey and stuffing! Cooking and baking. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin bread! A chance to share all the things I am thankful for! And sometimes my birthday lands on Thanksgiving! Double Yum!

S is for Steel Creek

(Stones at Steel Creek on the Buffalo River, April 2008)

Steel Creek is one of my most favorite places to camp. It is located near Ponca, Arkansas on the Buffalo National River. April 4th, 5th, and 6th found me, my family, and several friends "roughing it" down by the river. It has been almost exactly two years since I had been camping. So I used my trip to Fayetteville to interview my subjects as an excuse to spend time at the river and with my friends. It was wonderful! We arrived at 6:00 a.m. precisely and were delighted to discover that Steel Creek is exactly four hours from the 'Burg when traveling down highways 13 and 65 (between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.). It was foggy and cold! We set up camp, had a bite to eat and then napped for a bit. We played by the river (which was up for us, but way down from the recent flooding they experienced) that afternoon, had dinner and waited for our friends to arrive. Shannon and Mia arrived at 10:00 p.m. but by that time I was already tucking myself into the tent. Orion and John helped them settle. Saturday and Sunday were gorgeous! The dogs, Nola and her brother Nate (Nate belongs to Mia), played and played. John roasted a magnificent turkey breast and we all ate till we popped. That evening our friend Pope (now Dr. Pope) joined us with mudbugs and Priscilla (her giant German Shepherd). We broke camp on Sunday, but took our time; we didn't leave the valley until 3:30.

Monday found me interviewing my subjects and we made our way back to the 'Burg shortly before 11:00 p.m.

Mom Update

Good news! Mom is on her feet! She's been sitting, standing and doing a small bit of walking. I spoke with her this morning and she was so happy to have showered and worn a real nightgown. If all went well today she should have been released. She will be staying with my sister, Tree, until she is well enough to make the long trip home. The doctor said it would be two weeks before he would let her leave and even then she would have to stop every hour to walk. That will turn a 15 hour trip into a week long trip! For those of you interested in dropping her a line, email me and I'll send you my sister's address in DC.

Home, Only to Leave

Monday was a big day! A day of ups and a day of downs. I made it safely to Fayetteville only to discover that three of my last four interview subjects had been called out to their schools to assist with benchmark testing! I was on the verge of tears! My advisor was great. I took a deep breath, pulled some more names and started interviewing. A subject that was unable to meet with me last week showed up so I nabbed him. After lunch the Springdale cohort returned and I was able to pick up two of the three folks. I spent the afternoon in my advisor's office going over what needs to happen next and working on a timeline. We chatted about one of my most favorite and dearest professors, Dr. Rose Steelman. I had him and Rose to my house for brunch one day (years ago) as they both mean so much to me and are "painful constructivists." After my visit with him I had about an hour before my next interview so I decided to check my email. There I received an email from a friend in southern Arkansas. Rose died in February. The paper in Commerce, Texas wrote her a lovely obituary. And I sobbed like a baby. But I pulled it together, conducted my next interview, and completed the data collection process for my dissertation. Now I am just waiting for a few more expert surveys to find their way to me. Monday ended on a lovely note- I had a marvelous dinner with my big brother before returning to Shannon's.

Tuesday came too quickly, but I had class that afternoon and that evening. Into the car I jumped and headed north as quickly as possible. I was elated to make it back over the state line before I needed to refuel. Gas in Fayetteville and Bentonville is anywhere between $3.28 and $3.35. I paid $3.15 in Anderson. I was pleased to be making good time and was looking forward to my regular stop in Lamar (It's just about halfway and it's a great place to pee.). Seven miles south of Lamar there was a huge accident. I sat for nearly 90 minutes. I was three cars back from the wreck, but couldn't see anything for the semi trucks in front of me. I did watch as two LifeFlight helicopters landed, first one, then the other. It was miserable. After about 30 minutes I knew I wasn't going to make it back in time for my afternoon class. The second helicopter had yet to land. I watched it circle. And circle. And circle. Eventually I made it to Lamar where I stopped to relieve myself before jumping back in the car to (carefully) race the rest of the way home.

Tuesday evening Orion was too sick to remain at the library while I had class so we left roughly 20 minutes early. He cried and cried all the way home. I was tempted to take him to the emergency room, but wasn't entirely sure they would know what to do with him. My sister-in-law, Robin made several good suggestions. After Tylenol, a warm bath, and some TLC he settled enough to sleep.

Today I have spent preparing for my first paid consulting gig in St. Louis. I leave tomorrow evening after class. All day Friday I'll be sharing math games with Lyon A.B.I. It will be good to see my old teacher friends. I'll be returning Saturday afternoon!

April has been a whirlwind of travel. I am glad to see that the end is in sight. But for now, I am home, only to leave again.

Cold Rain and Snow

Cold Rain and Snow is another one of my favorite tunes by the Grateful Dead. It also sums up our forecast for the next two days! It's just after Midnight and the temps have dropped to a toe tingling 35 degrees. The worst part is the wind! More precipitation is moving in and the weatherman is predicting cold rain and snow: rain and snow for Saturday and flurries for Sunday! Brrr!

Below is a clip of The Dead singing Cold Rain and Snow! Sing it Jerry! I'm right there with you; out in the cold!

We All Fall Down!

Hey readers! I've got a special request. My mom is in D.C. visiting my sister (For those of you not in the know, Tree was accepted by the State Department as a Diplomat. Tomorrow she will be participating in her "Flag Ceremony" where she will receive the flag of the country that she will be assigned to! I am hoping for some place exotic!). Anyway, earlier this afternoon, mom tripped, fell, and broke her hip! She's currently in a Virginia hospital and awaits surgery to fix the break. At this point we are not sure how long she will be in the hospital, how long she will be in D.C recovering, or when she'll be able to travel back to Florida. My special request for you all is to take a minute to send her a little note or card.

Email me (If you do not know my email, you can find it on my profile page for this Blog.) and I will be happy to send you her hospital address or her home address. Thanks in advance for considering my request.

Two Sheets To the Wind

Last month I commented on the simple pleasure of clean sheets, yet lamented that I don't change my sheets nearly often enough. Curious to know how often my readers change their sheets, I posted a poll. I had an impressive 12 votes submitted: 41% of you change your sheets weekly (my mother is quite proud of you!), 33% of you change your sheets every two weeks, 16% of you change your sheets once a month, and 8% of you (one of you!) aren't even aware that there are sheets on your bed.

Like any good thought or question, it leads to yet another thought or question and now I want to know what kind of sheets do you prefer to sleep on? Do you like those slinky satin sheets? Or would you rather slide between a thick pair of flannel sheets? Do you prefer the ease of wrinkle-free percale? Or does your soul crave the crisp feel of 100% super-soft, combed cotton sheets?

Personally, I prefer flannel for the cooler times, especially when my window is open and I can smell the snow on the air. However, when the temperatures rise and the A/C kicks in, give me those luxurious cotton sheets with the impressive thread count! Regardless, there's nothing I love more than clean sheets fresh from the clothes line, kissed by the sun and smelling ultra-fresh. Mmmm, two sheets to the wind.

Last Night Bowling

Tonight was my last night to bowl for the season. Next week is our last night, however I'll be on my way out of town for my first official consulting gig. I did very well this evening, so I am feeling pretty darn good about it being my last game. My average is 101 and I bowled 110, 132, and 108. All three games were above my average. Not too shabby.

This summer there will be two leagues. Thursday night they'll play for money and the league is called just that, "Show me the Money." Everyone pays a little extra and the winners will get a share of the pot. I am considering joining the Tuesday night league, "Have a Ball." I'll pay a little extra each week to bowl, but at the end of the summer I'll have my own bowling ball! It would also be a great way for me to continue practicing. Who knows, I might get that average up to 105!

R is for Reuben

Not my boyfriend, the sandwich! I’ve spent nearly two years without a Reuben. It’s been a dark time for my soul and for my taste buds. So desperate was I, that I was not only happy to see the return of the Arby’s Reuben, I bought one. It was okay. Better than a Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McD’s (of course!), but it didn’t quite fill the void.

Then I found Kenny’s Restaurant and Pub. When I arrived in the ‘Burg Kenny’s was an upscale BBQ joint with a different name. I didn’t much care for their prices OR the fact that they couldn’t get orders right and their wait staff were rude. I ate there once. Well, earlier this year Kenny’s opened and after several months, some friends and I decided to give it a try for lunch. I found a Reuben on the menu. In an Irish Pub / BBQ Joint? I was suspicious. But I tried it anyway. What I thought was going to be a strike, the Reuben was NOT on rye bread, turned out to be a tasty alternative. My sandwich came out on a toasted deli bun. The corned beef was piled high and the best I’ve tasted. The kraut was not bitter. It was, in a word, delicious. And like any good food addict, I am wondering how long it will be before I make it back for another.

This makes me wonder, how many of you enjoy a Reuben from time to time, or do you prefer a Rachel? For those of you not in the know, a Rachel is made with Pastrami instead of Corned Beef. Please cast your vote using the poll to your right.

I've Got a Secret...

That's right. I've got a secret! And I am not sure when I can tell everybody! It's a good secret! It's a marvelous secret! My secret ROCKS! I can't wait to spill the beans (big grin!).

But until then, dear readers, you will just have to wait! Until then you can make your guesses in the comment section! I'll give you two hints: It has nothing to do with my dissertation nor am I pregnant!

Brown Eyed Women

I've got a Deadhead in my Foundations class. She sits right up front and has several Grateful Dead tees and a cool book bag with Jerry Bears (a.k.a. Dancing Bears) across the flap (Yeah, I am jealous!). I asked her what her favorite Dead song was. She just looked at me. That's like asking me what my favorite children's book is. We agreed we both have several favorites.

Sometimes my favorite is China Cat Sunflower. Other times I like the ubiquitous Truckin' or Casey Jones. And there's always room for Black Muddy River and Tons of Steel from the album In The Dark (Yes, I have that on vinyl.) Recently, my favorite is Brown Eyed Woman.

Below is Bob Weir and Ratdog with their version (a good one I might add) of Brown Eyed Women.

"Brown eyed women and red grenadine
the bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean
Sound of the thunder with the rain pouring down
and it looks like the old man's getting on"