New Job

Back from Trinidad

I miss the cool sea air

I don't know how I's do living in a small town.

Traffic here is unreal.

I got a job offer for the next school year to be a librarian.

I like that better than teaching.

Summer school starts on 7/9-8/16.

I'm glad I took a break.

I may go down to Big Sur, take my car in and see about getting a new oven to complete my kitchen. Then the countertops and lighting need doing.

How exciting to have Gwen be about ready to give birth

Trinidad Fish and Jazz Festival

Grilled halibut, fish tacos, petrale sole sandwiches, clam chowder and everything in between was offered along with live jazz on the village green.

The grocery was offering grilled BBQ chicken and tritip and corn.
Yum!
Fun in the sun and cool ocean breezes, Fantastic!

In the afternoon if Marilyn can make it we try and walk over to the cafe so she can lie on the couch, read the paper and get out.

Today we took her 1st trip in 2 yrs to the azalea grove with a view of the ocean wildflowers as far as the eye could see, elk and a big growth redwood forest complete with a tinkling brook. Awesome.

Arcata Oyster Festival

Sat. was the bivalve festival and farmers market. There were every kind of grilled oyster you can imagine: tequila and lime, vodka and cranberry, watsabi and soy, BBQ, blackberry,jalapeno on and on. Marilyn eats them. I stand in tine. There is philly cheese steak, fish tacos and grilled chicken and limpia.

Then, after rocking out with the family friendly crowd a flash back to the 60's and all the kids from Humboldt State I dashed to the coop for organic everything; loaded Marilyn on her mattress in the back of her station wagon for the trip home.

Trinidad

6 hours later at 9 p.m. I watch the sunset over the Pacific as I drive by the ocean on Clam Beach and pull in exhausted, to Trinidad. This tiny coastal fishing village perches above a lovely cove and lighthouse with two rock formations, little and big head and a beach. It is exquisite. The morning is cool and the days have a breeze and temps. are perfect around 70.

San Francisco

I keep forgetting what a great city this is. Going through and across the Golden Gate Bridge I was blown away by the views. It is so beautiful. Marin is cool as is the city and green not golden. It was such a pleasure to drop into the 60's from 91 when I left San Jose to drive N at 1:30.

The last day of school was a joy only 3 8th graders called me a bitch and threw things at me.....I took their diplomas to the office.

When did we have cops on campus and 8th grade diplomas? I don't even remember a trip to King's Dominion.

Things they are a changing.

Too darn hot Heading N to Trinidad

Another day of scorching temps. I'll risk it and drive up to see friends on the ocean in Trinidad.

Even when it's warm here the ocean and the fog help a lot. I watered, planted a few black eye Susan's and some more sunflowers then went into school.

I can't believe how much prep 6 weeks of 6 classes is. I was always amazed before when a teacher came with all his handouts done for Algebra, Now I'm not done but after 2 days, I've got a close handle on the material. My books are ordered,

The dictionary order went in today.
I was going to rent a truck and drive a refrigerator up to her but for a 6 hr. drive on windy roads thru the redwoods I think I'll pass.

I'll be back on Thurs. in time for a teachers luncheon.

Summer is here

IT WAS 95 TWO DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK. AS GWEN TOLD ME WHEN SHE WAS VISITING THE HILLS ARE BROWN NOT GOLDEN. I MISS THE GREEN. With a lot of water my garden is growing.

One the other hand the farmers market is open cherries, apricots and strawberries are in season. Jicima and Japanese and globe eggplant is out and Green Beans are ripe.

The kindergartners are practicing their graduation songs. Funny and cute. Their choreography is the best.

Today I was in 8th grade history and they were tired of movies while all their classmates went off to Great America so we did trust walks where I blink folded one and assigned a partner and had them walk around and see what it would be like with a disability then answer questions and write a paragraph.

Surprisingly for the last week of school I've gotten 3 calls.

I'm glad I don't have to do the end of the year checkout!

Then I had them list important events 2000-2007 and make a collage.

My feet are aching after standing making copies to prepare for my summer school classes.

Summer School

I am teaching 6,7,8,9,10th and 11th grade English this summer.
I have ordered my books and am now doing the lesson plans so that the 80 kids will have their syllabus and stuff mapped out against standards.

Taught 6th grade on Fri. 1st today and Kinder tomarrow. Last week I had a pre k sdc class and a 3 y.o. who ran away screamed and said no all afternoon. Magnify that by 5. (for me, without my aide) We went in from recess early had they lie down on the rug, seperate and put on soft music for time out. They are in diapers and all have special needs. There are some non verbal and some almost normal. yikes!
Today I had a first grader who said no then preceeded to empty his desk, ponds his feet against the desk and cry while sucking his thumb. We tried to ignore him until I took away his recess gave him time out and ignored his tantrum. School is out on Friday.

I'd like to carve out a week to go to Trinidad and see a friend before the marathon starts. First 30k maintenance.
I was sad to read Honda will discontinue hybrid production. I think I would have liked it better.

Come on people global warming remember!?

In the meantime, I had a huge cavity filled for $200. and hope it will not become a root canal. Ouch. It was hurting and sitting on a nerve. Get out the dental floss!

I'm reading a great mystery by John Sandford called Invisible Prey.

Memorial Day

I remember going to my brother Michael at age 26 or so and assuming I had learned all I needed to know. wrong.................

and he told me so
my epiphany wasn't all.

Since then, there have been many lessons by life and trial and error.
1. Of course we know, you can choose your friends but not your family
2. life holds dissapointments
3. happiness is illusive and fleeting
4. friends provide love and support
5. women tend to support each another despite relationships and everything else
6. I am blessed to have 4 or 5 very good friends I can always count on
7. I lost my parents too young
9. I wish I had known them better
10. We can only control ourselves and our expectations of others. How we react to their actions is our choice.