The First Day

Saturday, August 2, 2008

(Are we there yet? Looking down Constitution Avenue. Who said the Natural History Museum was a 15 minute walk from the hotel?)

I was up by 7:30 and dressed by 9:00. I registered for the conference and cruised by to pick up a pre-conference workshop on PowerPoint. I left early. The workshop was designed for true beginners. Much of the time was going to be spent using pre-made game show templates available online.

Around 10:30 we headed north one block and had breakfast at the Billy Goat. Well, I had breakfast and the boys had Cheese Borgers. The three of us ate for less than $20. I was most impressed by the speed and efficiency of the short order cook. Wow.

From there we headed south and west approximately one mile, it felt like three (it was already very humid and nearly 95), to the Natural History Museum. Our first of the few Smithsonians we had decided to “take in” while we were in town. The building itself is worth several days of study. And of course, there was so much to see inside too! We’d decided before we left the ‘Burg that we would NOT try to see everything. We wanted to take things slowly. Soak it all in. Appreciate. And maybe learn a little something.

(Uhm, just a tiny bit creepy?)

The stuffed animal exhibit, officially the “Mammal Exhibit” was first. And not my favorite. When I say stuffed animal I mean taxidermy. While there were many, many animals on display and the descriptions were interesting, it was a bit creepy. I kept thinking, “Is this where zoo animals come to die?”

(Orion investigates ancient sea life.)

From there we methodically walked from one maze of exhibits to another. I would have to say that my favorite exhibits included the marine life fossils (however I saw NO signs of foraminifera), dinosaurs, rocks and minerals, and the rocks and minerals gift shop (It was nice to look!).

(Cool!)

The worst part of the day had to be the throngs of people who were quite literally running through the exhibits. I would be reading an explanation of stromatolites off the coast of Australia and adult humans (using both terms loosely) would push me out of the way or stand in front of me. All in all many of Saturday’s visitors were quite rude.

(Orion inspects a chuck of amethyst.)

At one point I had had enough so we escaped out doors to a shaded part of a butterfly garden. There we consumed street hot dogs and bottled water. Just sitting and have some personal space helped a great deal.

(A piece of home. Orion and I pose in front of a giant chunk of Arkansas quartz.)

By 5:00 people started leaving the museum in throngs. I was delighted to discover that the museum stayed open to 7:30 in the summer, instead of 5:00 as the brochure indicated. There were still many folks milling about the museum, but the Ice Age exhibit was nearly empty. It was a nice way to end a hectic day in one of our nation’s most popular museums.

(This is less than half of the throngs we saw at 5:00 pushing out the doors!)

By 7:00 our feet were sore. I wanted desperately to take off my tennis shoes but feared I’d never want to put them back on. We grabbed a cab to dinner. Phillip’s Flag Ship boasts some pretty fine seafood. You can order from the menu or eat from the buffet. We chose buffet. There were hundreds of people at the restaurant- including several parties of 20 and 50. We sat out under the awning overlooking the Potomac River. It was actually cooler out there than inside the restaurant.

The buffet was impressive. They had everything you might ever want to eat: turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, pastas, roast chicken, BBQ ribs, a huge salad selection, fried shrimp, fried clams, a desert bar that was several yards in length. But my favorite part included huge copper kettles where folks lined up to enjoy crawdads, boiled shrimp, crab legs, stone crabs, steamed mussels, and more! I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in my ability to keep up with others at the restaurant. But I have to admit that I was a bit of a light weight in the arena of consuming mass quantities. I tried. I paced myself. But it was no use. It was a great place to people watch. It was also a great place to remind me how much we have, how well off we are, and how much we waste. (Note: I saw more crab and shrimp being thrown away from folks who had eyes bigger than their stomachs. That made me sad. There was probably enough food to feed the entire homeless population of D.C. being thrown away that evening. It pleased me that even with Orion’s often odd food choices and pickiness that we threw nothing away.)

The cab ride back to the hotel was quick. I noted to myself that so far, our two cab rides were in very lean cabs. We rested a bit and the boys headed off to the swimming pool for a little bit of fun. I turned on the television to view what was on cable (something we don’t have in the ‘Burg). After about 30 minutes of flipping channels I gave up in frustration and turned it off. It rather made me glad I wasting my money in the ‘Burg with their over-priced cable packages.

(A ropey rock formation for Sally!)

Things I learned on Saturday, August 2, 2008

• I hate crowds.
• Hot dogs and water on the “front” of the museums is about $2.50 more than the hot dogs and water on the “back” of the museums. We came in the back way so we weren’t tricked.
• Humans don’t always act humanely.
• Taxi cabs can be feet savers.
• It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.

I Really Hate to Fly

Friday, August 1, 2008

Up at 5:15 on approximately four hours of sleep. Cranky with 14 hours to go. Our boarding passes wouldn’t print last night so stopped off at campus before driving to the airport. By 6:05 we were headed north on highway 13 to catch I 70 West. It is a 90 mile drive to MCI in Kansas City. Personally I think the Kansas City Airport is closer to St. Joseph, MO.

We hit the city as the first of the commuters started their mornings. It wasn’t too bad as we went around K.C. on I 435 (Bridge construction on I70 and I29.)It took us exactly 90 minutes to make it to MCI and another 10 to get to economy parking (more construction). We parked in section C “All that Jazz.” It was the same place I’d parked on my trip to Toronto nearly a year ago!

The shuttle arrived in no time and we were on our way. But I could feel the telltale tightness in my chest and the knot forming in my gut.We checked our bags and the Northwest Airlines gal was very helpful. We had cheap tickets (Travelocity) and they bumped all three of us to different seats. We weren’t together. She got Orion and me together with John in front of us for our trip to Minneapolis. Security was a major pain and I am beginning to think that T.S.A. stands for The Security Assholes. A very long line and grumpy folks made us nearly the last passengers to board at 8:45.

The plane left promptly at 8:57. The flight to Minnesota was good. But I cringed with every cough, sneeze, or sniffle I heard on the plane. Planes are a hotbed of diseases- stir them up and spread them around. I was also plagued with thoughts that I had left the car unlocked in economy parking, that the pets would demolish the house, that the house would be destroyed by some catastrophic event. I tell you, this line of thought makes for terrible travel.

We walked the Minneapolis airport mall and split a burger and fries at T.G.I.Friday's before boarding. Orion liked the rail-tram. I liked the Body Shop. And John liked the burger!

The flight to B.W.I. left on time and arrived a bit early. We flew over a thunderstorm. That made for a pretty bumpy ride (Think: roller coaster!). Orion and I read a bit and colored a bit. I was so tired I thought I could have slept. I even closed my eyes. But alas, I could not!

The descent into B.W.I. was horrid. I always have trouble with my ears so I buy gum and chew away the entire trip. It was no use. Halfway down and I was nearly deaf and tears from the pain ran down my face, making for a most unhappy camper, rather flyer.

We finally landed and despite the antihistamines and gum, I was deaf. We made our way to baggage claim 13 and I went in search for my friend Jennifer who was arriving at the same time on Southwest- baggage claim 4. She’d already come and gone. Oh no! I ended up walking the half mile baggage claim area three times. It was only 4:55 Eastern and 3:55 Central, but my body insisted it was well after 10:00 pm and that I should be in bed.

The shuttle arrived promptly and took us to the BWI train stop where we picked up the MARC. Six dollars a ticket is a deal for the 35-45 minute trip to D.C. Cabs are $75 and the Super Shuttle would have run $57 for the three of us!

We had a bit of trouble navigating, but a kind pilot on the shuttle helped us out. My deafness coupled with unfamiliar accents distorted by poor microphones was a definite impairment. I kept asking John and Orion, “What did they say?” or “Is this our stop?” John may be a 21st century man (and possibly a metrosexual), but he still balks at asking for directions. He was happy to purchase the train tickets, but when I asked which platform he shrugged. Thank goodness for Arrival/Departure signs.

(Looking north for the MARC at the BWI Train Stop, 5:40 pm, August 1, 2008)

The wait for the train made me question the decision to travel in August. Baltimore is very humid. The heat, the humidity, my deafness, the exhaustion were all negatively impacting my already fragile well being.

(Unsure of the laws in Maryland, I use my mental powers to flip John the bird. How dare he take my picture when I'm feeling homicidal?)

The train trip was actually soothing. The temperature inside was cool and the rocking motion of the train helped me with my now foul mood. But would I be able to make it from Union Station to the hotel without murdering a stranger, or worse one of my own family? We arrived in D.C. at 6:30. We were hot, tired, sticky, hungry, and dirty… “Eat here or go on to the hotel?” I knew if we chose hotel I was not going to leaving again. We chose hotel. We walked the 2-3 blocks to the hotel with our luggage bumping along behind us. (Thank you, Jennifer and Ruth, for lending us your luggage with wheels!)

The Hyatt is a big hotel. The Capitol looms about two blocks south. The Hyatt is undergoing a seven million dollar renovation of their lobby. (Think: Plaster dust and a maze of temporary walls.) Check in took nearly an hour. No, I’m not kidding. The hotel had my reservation. No problem. The receptionist was slow. Some problem there. But when I pulled out American Express Travelers’ Cheques to pay her with she insisted she could not take them. Around and around we went. Finally the other receptionist explained that they were just like cash. Grrr! And to top it off, she insisted on keeping a hold on my credit card as well. Still not certain of the Traveler’s Cheques. Stupid bitch!

But I continued to smile. Switching my weight from one foot to the next as I stood there.

During the 50 minute process I watched the other receptionist check in six people! This was just like my luck when picking supermarket lanes. I did get to see some old colleagues and friends as I stood and waited.

The room was small, but nice. We all stripped off our travel duds and put on something clean. We found the Lobby Restaurant on the 11th floor (construction again) and it was very good. Orion enjoyed a $15.50 cheeseburger. I had Maryland Crab Penne for $19 and John had steak and roast potatoes for $22. Expensive? Sure! But not the most expensive meal we would have.

My only complaint from our dining experience would have been our service. We were seated, served water and bread, and then we couldn’t get anybody to take our order. Once we did, the server dropped bread on our table, touched J’s fork during dinner, took J’s plate while he was eating, and splashed us with coffee. It was the first time in years that I tipped somebody less than 20%. He got 15% - still more than I wanted to give. We made our way back to the room and crashed after showers. I don’t think I rolled over or stirred till a family decided to have a group meeting outside our room at 7:30 am. Grrr!

Things I learned Friday, August 1, 2008

• I really do despise flying.
• Unhappy people make the world difficult (especially at security in the airport!).
• Mean people suck.
• Stupid people exist outside of Missouri and Arkansas.
• It really is good to see a familiar face in a strange city.
• Having unlimited hot water is a dream.
• Wide bathtubs rock.
• Men don’t ask for directions.

Safe and Sound...

(Our Capitol from Constitution and Third Streets, Saturday, August 2, 2008)

We made it home safely! As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. last week for the Association of Teacher Educators Summer Conference (ATE). With the help of John's mom, who purchased our Travelocity tickets (Round trip with taxes and fees $179! Thanks Loree!), I was able to take John and Orion with me. After dreading the trip much of the spring it occurred to me that 1) John's always wanted to go, 2) Orion would really dig the museums, 3) The hotel room would be nearly $200 a night whether I slept alone or not, and best of all 4) The Smithsonian Museums do not charge admission. Things came together and the Leslies left at the butt crack of dawn on Friday, August 1. We returned close to 11:00 pm on Wednesday, August 6. It was a long week. And I kept a journal. So over the next couple of days I plan to share with you our adventures and pictures from our trip to D.C.

Have You Been Touched?

... By His noodly appendage, that is!

I would like to take a moment to do something I've never done before... That is to witness. Forgive me, but when you feel as strongly about something as I do, it becomes a moral duty to share.

Pastafarianism is a growing religious movement with thousands of members. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) offers something for everyone- including Heaven. For those of us devout enough to hope to gain entrance to FSM Heaven have many glorious things to look forward to- beer volcanoes and stripper factories are only a few of the amazing rewards awaiting us in the afterlife.

Pastafarians in the Midwest walk a fine line and while many of our brothers and sisters around the world worship openly, we remain hidden- worshiping our Maker in secret.

But alas, I feel compelled by His presence and I must share His good news. In that light and in the spirit of spreading His goodwill. I share these photos from a recent FSM meeting (at an undisclosed location). Please note that names have been changed to protect the innocent as we still fear persecution. Until then we continue to pray that one day we can all live in harmony and acceptance- praising His noodly visage. In the name of Semolina, we pray... Ramen!

(We honor our Heavenly Beer Volcanoes and break bread together! Beer Volcano Communion was created by Reverend Brother Pocket Gopher and his spiritual sister and legal wife, Sister Doctor Ocelots.)

(Here we have a most creative expression of one of our most Holy joys awaiting us in the afterlife- the Stripper Factory. Complete with Strippers!)

(Sister Euphemia laughs, embarrassed by the great praise she earned honoring His Noodly Appendages with her art. Well done Euphemia, you made us all proud!)

(The culminating event of the evening was to create FSM shirts for each of our members in hopes that one day we will be free of persecution and may share or love of Pasta and all things Noodly with our heathen neighbors.)

Children's Book Workshop

I spent the last two days in the James Kirkpatrick Library at UCM enjoying the Children's Book Workshop. During my two days I had the opportunity to listen to several authors and artists (Veda Boyd Jones, Cheryl Harness, Carolyn Mulford, and Jaime Thome), to practice the art of bookbinding, and to hobnob with other aspiring writers and published authors. Part of my requirements for taking the workshop for graduate credit is to submit a book proposal to a publishing house. I received good reviews from the two authors who reviewed my proposal. I am looking forward to incorporating their suggestions, finding a publishing house or two that might be interested, and sending off my proposal in two weeks.

Mind Suck!

Hulu! Is it a leisurely walk down memory lane? A chance to catch a few movies you've missed in the past? Or a total mind suck!

Who cares!?! Visit http://www.hulu.com/ to catch that movie you've been dying to see again. There you'll find movies like Ghost Busters, Fiddler on the Roof, and Fifth Element. You can also watch full episodes of your favorite TV shows. Orion seems to really enjoy Simon & Simon. Of course, Gerald McRaney is a total hottie.

Tree, you'll be pleased to note that Hulu currently has 22 full episodes of Silver Spoons! So tell me readers, what's your favorite TV show?

Sauced!

Six quarts of spaghetti sauce, thirty giant meatballs, savory simmered ribs, and two lasagnas later the kitchen has been laid to waste. Now I must return order where there is none.

Next week: Chicken soup with matzo balls.

Catching Up

It has been a week since my summer term ended. In that time I have driven to and from Arkansas. Spent the night with my friend, Shannon. Caught up with my sister and her family before they moved south of the border where Tree will begin her first foreign assignment as a diplomat in Mexico City. Visited with my brother and his family. Purchased a nifty little chest freezer for $5 (Thank you, Shannon!). Cleaned house. Caught up on laundry. Drove to Kansas City and back. I am currently making a huge vat of spaghetti sauce complete with meatballs to freeze for the hectic fall semester. At the same time I am cleaning out my camping supplies and packing them into smaller, more manageable totes in hopes of some serious camping time this fall when temperatures drop. I'll be leaving again soon. Another trip to Kansas City, a trip to D.C., and perhaps another trip to Arkansas before the fall semester begins in roughly one month! I'll try to catch up on my blogging and at the same time keep you posted on current events as well!

Lettuce Pray

I recently found a recipe in my old Betty Crocker cookbook for Crab Louis. An average salad (greens, hard boiled eggs, olives, and tomatoes) made special by adding crab and Crab Louis Dressing. The recipe also had a very 70s ring so I had to try it.

I went to Wal*Mart to pick up the necessary items: fresh salad, tomatoes, and chili sauce for the dressing recipe.

I found everything but lettuce. Well, interesting lettuce that is. I found one head of hydroponically grown Boston lettuce. I had since wilted and turned brown. I found bags and bags of mixed salad greens that were quickly turning to wine (yuck!). And I found rows and rows and rows of Iceberg. I wanted something interesting!

So I picked out the best bag of mixed greens and threw in a bag of spinach. I made it work.

The Crab Louis was quite tasty, however I must add that the dressing tasted remarkably like 1,000 Island. Interesting...

Crab Louis

What you need:

For the Salad:
4 cups lettuce (your choice)
4-5 hard boiled eggs
4 medium tomatoes
black or green olives
14 oz of crab (2 7 oz cans, fresh, or surimi)

For the Dressing:
3/4 cup Chili Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon instant minced onion
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire

What you do:
1. Mix up the dressing and place in the fridge.
2. Toss up the salad. Add whatever else is in your fridge and wants to come out! Use eggs and tomatoes to decorate the top of the salad.
3. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Betty Crocker's Cookbook: New and Revised Edition, Golden Press, New York, (c) 1979, 8th Printing 1983, p. 79

Running on Empty

Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind

I had forgotten how much I like Jackson Browne until this week when I couldn't get his song, Running On Empty, out of my head! It was a litany that kept me going for the past several weeks as I put in 12+ hour days on campus, 6+ hour stretches of grading, all while averaging about 4 or 5 hours of sleep! It's just a reminder that I am not as young or as resilient as I used to be.

4:30 yesterday I said good-bye to my last group of summer students. I've enjoyed getting to know all of my students this summer. I only wish I had had more time to devote to them individually.
7:02 last night I completed grading my 'last' paper, test, reflection, website, whatever! (I'm waiting on two items from two students.)
7:05 I began grading a portfolio that had been turned in late and needed immediate grading for admission to student teaching.
8:50 I finished grading said portfolio and headed home.

I spent several hours with the boys straightening up the house and doing a load of laundry in preparation for our very quick trip to Arkansas. We'll essentially be driving down, visiting with Tree on her way to Mexico City, and driving back! I'm not looking forward to the driving, but I am looking forward to visiting with nephews and niece.

Now for all of you Jackson Browne fans, a little clip of Running on Empty from 1979.

Introducing...

A Day in the Life of Orion... Orion has his own blog! Several days ago Orion asked to start his own weblog, so I took a few minutes and showed him how Blogger operates. He's hungry for a blog audience, but being a semi-good mother, I have restricted access to his blog. It is invitation only. Unlike some blogs where you enter a name and a password to visit, you will have to log into Blogger to see Orion's goods. So far he's posted a picture, bragged about his Guitar Hero scores, and shared several funny jokes. If you are interested in becoming one of Orion's readers, send me an email and we'll get you invited.

Birthday Pics

Orion's 11th Birthday was held at our favorite restaurant in town, Monetti's Pizzeria. Yum! We invited several of his good friends and ordered the Gigunda Pizza! The boys only thought they were hungry!

Orion wanted a John Deere cake! And so we made that happen! It came from the local grocery store, Parker's, and was very tasty.

Orion watches me intently as I place the candles on his cake! One for each year and another to grow on!

Mr. Monetti guides his staff as they sing Happy Birthday to Orion in Italian! What fun!

Pre-Camp

Here's a photo taken at Uncle Michael and Aunt Robin's house. We briefly visited on Saturday, June 21. We spent about an hour hanging out with Grandpa Doug who comes up every year from Florida to volunteer at Camp Subi as Chauffeur Extraordinaire, Aunt Robin who volunteers as Camp Physician, and Cousin Dominic who is a Counselor in Training. This was Orion's third year to attend camp. He loves it! Visit the Camp Subi website to learn more or to check out the slide show of camp pictures (Orion was part of Session 2!). I enjoyed the slide shows so much I am considering coercing my friend Shan to volunteer with me next year. Shhhh! Don't tell anybody!

I Fought the Lawn and the Lawn Won!

Friday, July 4th! Independence Day! Early Friday morning I snuck over to my friend R's house to borrow her awesome push mower (It's more like a drag you behind it mower!). Upon returning home I immediately started in on the front yard. Our mower has been out of commission for weeks. The grass in the yard was up to my calves. In fact, in the back yard, the last 15 feet to the fence hadn't been mowed previous and was up to my knees! Some weeds were chest high! (We've been getting a good deal of rain!) I mowed. And I mowed some more. R's mower rocks! The grass was high, so I took it easy, mowing in four to six inch passes (Did I mention we have a HUGE back yard?). I would stop regularly to make sure grass wasn't sticking to anything and refilled the tank at least once. By 2:00 I had mowed to the line where the grass had grown too high. I didn't want to risk a stroke OR R's awesome lawn mower. I called it quits and considered letting that last bit of yard serve as a "Prairie Restoration."

I stumbled into the house, dropped my drawers in the laundry room, and stood in the shower for several minutes wondering how I got grass on the inside of my under garments. Shortly after my shower I heard the doorbell ring. John answer to find our neighbor, Mr. Droege. Mr. D began, "While I was napping, my wife was watching your wife mow the yard. I don't think you all will be able to mow that back part. Would you like me to make a few passes with my riding mower?" Of course, we accepted. Mr. D made a few passes and in NO time the prairie was tamed. I am humbled by the kindness of my neighbors and reminded why I like Warrensburg so much! Thanks to my friend R for lending me her mower (for an unspecified time) and to Mr. D. for getting the big stuff!

Nancy Frieko Rocks

I'd like to share a video from an old friend who made her way (north) west a few times over. Nancy Frieko grew up in Central Arkansas and now makes her home in Seattle, WA. When she's not rockin' she's mom to two awesome boys. Congratulations Nancy on your album, Dangerous Songs from the 12th Perspective! My favorite Frieko song is My Vagina! Learn more about Nancy at her website.

Happy Birthday to Orion!

Happy 11th Birthday Orion Teague Leslie! I can't wait for you to come home from camp so we can celebrate your day! These pictures were taken in June of 2002 for Orion's 5th Birthday. We had his party at Uncle Michael and Aunt Robin's House in Fayetteville. This year we have a super-secret-surprise party for Little Bear planned on the 30th!

Camp Pictures...

Pictures from Sunday and Monday have been posted! Check out the Camp Subi site, scroll down to Session 2, and click on Sunday and Monday for a slide show! There are several awesome pictures of Orion (being dorky, of course!). It looks like everyone is having a blast!

Camp Subiaco

(Orion and his Raven buddies, June 2007)

We drove Orion to Arkansas on Saturday! It was a quick trip down and back. Aunt Robin took him the rest of the way... along with cousin Dominic and Grandpa Doug. This is Orion's third year at Camp Subiaco. For the next week Orion will be in the wilds of Arkansas whooping it up with a bunch of other little boys. I think his favorite activities are the go-carts, archery, and the rifles. He always has such a good time! We are so lucky that Grandpa Doug, Aunt Robin, and Uncle Michael sponsor him each year so that he can have this great experience! You'll notice that the pictures I have provided are from last year's camp. I have been eagerly checking the website for pictures, but I bet it will be Wednesday or Thursday before they have time to post. Until then, we'll have to make due with last years photos!

(Orion at the Lake, Camp Subi, June 2007)

Summer Solstice

Happy first day of summer. Tomorrow our days will begin to shorten in length. This photo is from one of my all time favorite sites: Astronomy Picture of the Day! Learn about the cosmos one picture at a time!

Peter Coyote

Peter Coyote has been one of my all time favorite actors! I first remember him in the Legend of Billie Jean (An '80 Joan of Arc) with Helen Slater and Christian Slater (not related) from 1985. For years now I have enjoyed him in various TV shows (4400, Brothers & Sisters, and the occasional Law & Order) and movies (The Hebrew Hammer (a very funny movie), Cross Creek, and Patch Adams).

Peter Coyote is not just a pretty face (I think he's a hottie!) he's an activist, a poet, a musician, a writer, and a survivor of the '60s. Did I mention he went to London with Ken Kesey and The Dead to check out the Beatles? "We thought the Beatles were brilliant musicians and wanted to see what their lives were about. It turned out that they weren't very interesting..." (Coyote, Philadelphia Inquirer)

Did I mention that we was born Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon on October 10, 1941? I wonder how he chose the name Peter Coyote? (Notice I didn't say I wonder why...)

Four Years

It has been approximately four years since this photo of me and Orion was taken at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. It's one of my favorites.

(Katherine & Orion, Missouri Botanical Garden, 2004)

(Katherine & Orion, Omaha Zoo, June 2008)

The above picture was taken just a few days ago at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. He's such a big guy now! He's still my favorite!

Broken Heroes

I have a thing; it seems, for broken heroes. Perfectly imperfect men doing extraordinary things. My favorites include Monk, House, and Dexter.

With Monk, it was love at first sight. I've always loved Tony Shalhoub and his terrified, valiant, brilliant character Monk reminds us that all of us, despite our various stages of brokenness, are capable and worthy of great things.

House (played by Hugh Laurie) on the other hand calls to something darker. He's the guy your mother warned you about. Is it is pill popping, dark humor that tempts me? The medicine? Perhaps, but more than likely, I think that it is his surly countenance. He seems to be lacking social filters and tells people exactly what he thinks. There are so many zingers I'd wished I'd delivered at one time or another. House lets them rip without batting an eye.


My latest hero pulls at my heart for an entirely different reason. Dexter is played by Michael C. Hall. Is he the monster he claims to be? A serial killer with a code of honor? Or the little boy who witnessed his mother's horrifying death and was forever changed? Is it my "do-good-ing-school-teacher" persona that hopes he can find peace? Or my own twisted sense of right and wrong that hopes he doesn't get caught so he can continue "catching bad guys?"

W is for Warrensburg

Warrensburg is small. It’s farming. Warrensburg is the University of Central Missouri. It is safe, constant, and comfortable. Warrensburg is veterans. There’s plenty of snow and an abundance of wind. Warrensburg is 1956, a window into history. Warrensburg is home.

(The President's House, UCM)

(Warrensburg Train Station, Amtrak)

(Howard School, Warrensburg)

(Old Drum, Warrensburg Courthouse)

(Veterans' Memorial, Warrensburg Courthouse)

Awards Ceremony

(Katherine Leslie & Nicole Gadt, April 2008)

In April I shared that I received Teacher of the Year from Kappa Delta Pi and an Excellence in Teaching Award from the National Society for Leadership and Success. There were no cameras present during the KDP ceremony. But I did manage to have some pictures taken at the second ceremony. Above I am pictured with one of my former students and the gal who nominated me for the award, Nicole Gadt! Below I am accepting my award. My mom as been not-so-patiently waiting for me to post these. I think she wanted to make sure I dressed professionally! Enjoy!

(Seth Eggleston and Katherine Leslie, April 2008)

Mom Update

A few of you have asked and I wanted to share the good news with everyone. Mom and Doug just returned from a fabulous visit with Mom's four siblings. They spent a week in sunny Key Largo! It was just what the doctor ordered for Mom. She put in a great deal of time in the pool and she's getting better every day! She's walking! Soon, she'll be walking without assistance! Keep up the good work Mom!

Four and a Half Books

I am guilty. Guilty of a secret pleasure! And I must confess. For the past week I have been consuming books as if they were popcorn. I cannot seem to stop. I have not read for pleasure (other than the books that Orion and I read aloud) since the end of last semester. It all started with Nora Roberts' book, High Noon. In the past week I have found myself gobbling up three books by author James Patterson (an old friend in Arkansas introduced me to his books several years back!): See How They Run, Black Friday, and Midnight Club. These were some of his earlier books and a few of them had been published under different titles the first time around. It was interesting to see how his style has changed over the years and what has stayed the same. I really enjoy reading Patterson’s books.

I also reread just over half of The New Encyclopedia of Modern Sewing edited by Frances Blondin, copyright date 1943. My grandmother, Josephine, gave this book to me when I was in high school and I have read bits and pieces over the years. There is some serious information on altering patterns to make them fit any type of body. There are also great ideas for curtains, slipcovers, bedspreads, and even a chapter on reupholstering. I have found a few shops that will clean and oil my grandmother’s old Singer (circa 1932) and I am ready to get busy. Orion’s getting new pajamas for Christmas!

Oh, and by the way, I started Tami Hoag’s The Alibi Man this morning.

Free Furniture

This weekend keeps getting better! Yesterday I received a call from a friend and colleague letting me know that a friend and former colleague was in town and had some Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals for me but did not have my phone number with her (She moved to TN about two months ago!). So I called up my TN friend and met her at her old house in Knob Noster where she gave me a giant garbage back filled with pristine stuffed animals from the Hundred Acre Wood. Sweet. While there and catching up (read: gossiping) she offered me a dresser, a computer desk, a book case, and an awesome entertainment center. How could I say no? But I was in the Kia. So Shan and I headed back to the 'Burg and grabbed John and the truck and loaded a HEAP of furniture in the bed. The afternoon and evening was spent putting together our new furniture, cleaning, feasting on tacos (Thank you Shannon!), moving furniture, and more cleaning. John finally has something more than a futon on the floor and a box with a lamp on it! His room looks pretty darn sweet. Orion's room has been slightly reorganized (I swapped the chest from Orion's room with the dresser from John's (same suite).). I've got a bit more work to do and I hope to get curtains hung before school resumes on Tuesday. I cannot wait to put the dresser in the basement spare room and switch out desks for Orion's computer in the basement! Sweet! Thank you Tracy and Brian for you generosity. You saved us a boat load!

Did I forget to mention that I started my morning with homemade chocolate cake doughnuts (Thank you John and Orion!) and that Shannon found some $3.24 curtains at Lowe's (I am not kidding!) for the "Dirty Romance Room"? What a day!

We're expecting some wicked weather tonight (Tornado Watch and Severe T-Storm Watch). Currently KC is getting hammered. I think I am going to call it a day!

Jewish Communion

Today has been another marvelous Saturday… day to rival Saturday from The Best Weekend Ever back in April. My friend Shannon has come up for a visit and after a good night’s rest and a marvelous breakfast (biscuits and gravy!) we headed off to flea markets, antique malls, and a quilt shop on the way. While out an about Shannon I and dug through china, linens, books, and more! I got very excited at the quilt shop. We snacked at Baskin-Robbins (Yum!).

When we returned the bagel fairy (my friend Sal) had visited and left me a couple of bagels and some smoked salmon. In minutes I had a sesame bagel stacked with cream cheese, slices of purple onion, and delicious lox. I savored every bite: a Jewish Communion. I’d have taken a picture, but I gobbled it up too quickly! Thank you Shannon and thank you Sal! I had a great day!

Drive-Thru

Wednesday morning I left the house early in search of medicine for my eyeballs. I didn't bother to take time for breakfast. I ended up at Wal-Greens where I found the meds I needed. The smell of McDonald's tempted me across the street where I found myself in line behind a beat up Monte Carlo. Both the driver and the car were belching smoke (ugh!). What was I thinking?

Well, that's when I heard the best drive-thru order in my life. The folks ahead of me leaned out of the car and ordered the following: "I'd like a steak and egg bagel. No egg. No onions. On an English muffin!"

Did I hear them right? The order actually went down hill from there and it took them roughly seven minutes to place a $10.98 order. Not to mention they were quite ugly to the attendant who took their order. I sat in the fumes while I watched three other cars zip through the other drive-thru lane.

It was the first time, I confess, that I actually hoped a food service employee would spit in a customer's order (theirs not mine!). Am I going to hell now?

Pink Eye :: Stink Eye

Tuesday afternoon I felt like I had a stick in my eye. Within hours I looked like I had a bad drug habit. By midnight my eyes were glued together! Oh no, not pink eye! I thought; dread creeping up on me.
I haven't been sick nor have I been hanging with pre-schoolers. It has to be allergies. Wednesday morning, after scraping my eyes open, I made my way to work via two pharmacies. Wal-Greens, my second choice, had the goods I was looking for. Within minutes I was feeling better. By the end of the day I could actually see again. So far so good. But I can tell if I wait too long in between doses, my eyelids start to stick together. My allergies haven't been this bad in over a decade.

Garage

Up early! Oatmeal to nourish the body and soul. This is war. Off to attack the garage. Friend or foe? The garage is a mixed blessing. The garage can be a nifty place to store a lawnmower, snow shovels, paint, assorted tools and even (gasp) a car or two. Or the garage can be a dark place. A place filled with dirty secrets- boxes and crap that you cannot bear to sort through. Worse, this crap seems to multiply and migrate until there is no garage. There is nothing but garbage... boxes... un-recycled recyclables: a somber miasma reminding you that you have no time, no life.

But no more! I tamed the garage and she is now a friend. It took roughly 8 hours and there are still a few piles. We took two truck loads of crap to the Johnson County Sheltered Workshop. The first load was nothing but flattened boxes that had lost their boxiness. They will be recycled into some nifty toilet paper or a steno pad. The Sheltered Workshop has a Thrift Store. Now we can recycle more than paper and plastic! So I loaded up the truck and took off with one of Orion's bicycles, the dog crate (Nola's too big!), and several boxes of stuff- mostly paperbacks and tchotchky. I am two truck loads lighter and happier for it! I've got camping goods in one corner. Used lumber from a huge desk we built years ago in another corner. Some nice boxes for a friend who is moving soon in the place somebody might park if there was a garage door opener for that door! Shovels and brooms along one side. And Grace (the Kia) all snug in her new bedroom.

My goal- to keep it clean. We'll see how long it lasts. I'm celebrating with grilled meat and veggies. Yum! What did you do today?

What a Week!

Is it Friday yet? Please tell me yes! This has been a whopper of a week. I considered titling this post "The Week from Hell" however, it hasn't been a bad week so much as a full week.

This week saw the end of one semester and the dawn of another semester! So I have been busy removing courses from BlackBoard, archiving grades, and putting the semester to rest, while at the same time starting up a new class in BlackBoard, meeting new students, grading, hooking students up with their field experiences and the like.

It's been a simply exhausting week. I am spent. Summer school is no easy feat! Our classes are longer (which I like - gives me more time discuss topics with students) and they meet four to five days a week (which is exhausting). Because of this, many summer classes are done in a matter of approximately six weeks. However, Foundations of Education is an 11 week course. We actually have MORE contact time during the Summer semester than we do during the Fall or Spring semesters.

The first Monday of June I will pick up another class. This will be a traditional six week, Monday through Thursday, course. And during the last three weeks of the Summer semester I'll pick up a third class. A three hour class, that will meet daily for three hours, three weeks straight. Come July 11th I will be dead. I am certain.

Of course, by August 11th I will be raring to return to school and signing up for training sessions, creating my BlackBoard courses, and the like... But until then, I dream of afternoon naps, romance novels, bubble baths, and thunder storms.

Gasolina, Si? Gasolina, No!

Less than a month ago I blogged about the rising gasoline prices here in the 'Burg. I asked readers to write in and let me know how much gas was running in their neck of the woods. I only heard from one of you! Well, after my post in April, gasoline prices leveled out at $3.38 a gallon. I was hesitant to mention it as I was sure as soon as I did the prices would shoot up the next day (as if my blog were all powerful!). Well, Friday things started moving in that upward direction. Over the weekend gasoline reached $3.47. And Monday (between my trip in to work and my trip home) it went to $3.56.

A friend of mine told me in April, "Honey gas prices are going to $4.00 so get over it!" I shared this with John who just laughed. Seems his sources say that gasoline will be $6.00 by Christmas.

Just today I received an email asking me not to go to the pump on May 15. Sort of a mini gas strike. While I understand the sentiment and spirit, I also know that not purchasing gas for one day is NOT going to get my message across. I am going to have to change how I live (and how I drive).

For those of you that may or may not have received a similar email regarding a gasoline strike on May 15th, it has a long Internet history as a bit of a hoax. You can check it out at Snopes. However, instead of boycotting the pumps for a day, I urge you to consider how each of us can consume less? While going out and purchasing a hybrid or a Smart Car is not a possibility for most of us, I believe that there are some small things we can do that will add up.

I remember my dad's suggestions for increasing fuel efficiency on Dominic, my 1980 Ford Pinto not my nephew! I'll share them here. If you have suggestions, please make them in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Dad's Suggestions

1) Tune Up

2) Check Tire Pressure

3) Avoid the A/C. (That's a hard one!)

4) Don't drive 85 mph. Seriously.

My Suggestions

1) Take the bus. (I wish we had serious public transit here!)

2) Car pool.

3) Think about your errands; that is plot your course carefully and try to do it in one trip instead of several smaller ones.

4) Ride a bike. (I admit, I am scared to death to do this! Most of the time folks on Hwy. 13 drive like maniacs. They scare me in my Kia. What would it be like on a bike? But I am giving this serious consideration.)

So what are your suggestions? What were your parents' or grandparents' suggestions? Please share.

Sal & Kat Rock!

Here's a picture from The Best Weekend Ever! Previously I blogged about my trip with a Geology Class to several outcrops around Jefferson City, Missouri and to Earthquake Hollow. This picture was taken at the end of the day, about half way down the mountainside, at Earthquake Hollow. One of my guides on the day's adventures and good friends, a.k.a. Dr. Z. is pictured with me! What fun! I'd like to point out that I look pretty darn good at the end of a long day! And yes, I am a bit sun burned. I started using my hat to carry rocks, of course!

Happy Dance

As of 5:48 p.m. this evening I not only completed grading for the semester, but I finished posting my grades via the Banner System. Just in the nick of time! Summer school starts Monday! I think I am in over my head.

My favorite part of grading this week was evaluating my students' philosophy of education artifacts. I had roughly 33 sophomores in Foundations of Education and 9 seniors in Classroom Management submit their philosophy metaphors. I had poems, trips to the zoo, an under-wire bra, sculpture, paintings, essays, gardens, sports activities, cookies, and all sorts of goodies. It always impresses me to see what my students are thinking. This is also a very personal assignment and allows me a little glimpse into their souls, I think.

Bowling Booty

This evening was spent rubbing elbows (literally and figuratively) at the Dinner Bell with my fellow bowlers on the Faculty & Staff League. It was our annual awards banquet. We had a good time laughing at each other. Of course, I must admit that a great deal of that laughter was directed at me! I received a couple of honors this evening. I am tickled pink and just had to share. I received a couple of patches: 140 Game and 70 Pins Above My Average. I was duly heckled by fellow players for having THE lowest game, a whopping 55 pins. Spare Time, the team I bowl with, was in 10th place out of 10 teams! Instead of receiving toilet seats (thank goodness!) we earned a nifty bowling themed dry erase pad for the fridge. But the best part of the night (besides the fried chicken livers) was receiving the "Most Improved New Woman Bowler." I raised my average five points, from 97 to 102. A got a nifty little plaque and another patch! Woot!

I have to be honest. I had given up on Most Improved. Last year I missed Most Improved New Player by one pin. ONE PIN! So when I started in the fall I had high hopes. But when Terry sat me down and explained how averages are figured, I had pretty much given up hope (as noted by my not mentioning it for the past several bowling entries). As the season progresses, one has to bowl dozens and dozens of pins above their average to raise their average by a point! It's nearly as convoluted as Bistro Math.

Humanities 101

I love Magnetic Poetry. I have several kits. They're currently in boxes and I have considered getting them out and plastering them all over my fridge. Or better yet, getting a nifty piece of sheet metal on my office door and letting my students play. Visit Magnetic Poetry online and choose a kit (cat lover, pick up lines, Shakespeare); I chose the college kit. My poem is called Humanities 101. I think my confusion over the duality of my roles at the university (graduate student and professor) are obvious.

Are you feeling creative? Visit Magnetic Poetry and write your own. Post it in the comments!

"Mix Bread Puppy's"

Yesterday I was about a block from home and trying to make a left on to Hwy. 13 South. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon and I knew that it would take all the patience I had to wait for a break in traffic. I sat for a bit, with the windows rolled down, and watched the traffic buzz by. That was when I saw it. A sign stapled to the telephone pole between the Casey's Gas Station and the house with the 30 lawn mowers in the front yard (and other assorted treasures!). The sign read "Mix Bread Puppy's." It took me a minute. Really, it did. I cocked my head to one side and thought to myself, 'What am I missing?' And then it hit me. Bread sounds like bred, not breed. And then it hit me again, 'Just what belonged to this puppy or were there more than one?' I finally made a left and found my way home. I called my friend Shannon to see if she wanted a "Bread Mix" puppy. I am fairly certain that not everyone can brag about owning a "Bread Mix" puppy. However, when I stopped by today (to take a picture of the sign) and to discover what kind of bread these puppy's [sic] were (I really like a good rye, but I also find a whole grain to be satisfying!) the sign and puppy's [sic] were gone. Sorry Shannon, no "Bread Mix" puppy for you! But I'll keep looking!