Spring Fever

It has been a beautiful spring day. Thank God for rain, everything is so green. It's almost 7:30 and still light outside. Sometime along the way my favorite season changed from fall to spring.
I had a conference period the last class of the day. A teacher friend came by my room to see if I'd be willing to ditch. I didn't hesitate for a minute. That sunshine was irresistible.
We drove down to Steinmart where I bought 2 dresses and a blouse and Sharon bought a summer handbag and really cute red flats.
When our shopping was done, we adjourned to Starbuck's for mocha frappacinos.
I wound up getting home about the usual time. Mother was sitting out on the patio so I joined her. I cleaned off the oak pollen and repotted the lacy tree. Tuesday night's storm turned it over and broke the pot.
We had a steak recipe that Mother saw on Pioneer Woman. It was so simple and with sauteed mushrooms, perfectly delicious.
Now it's time for more March Madness and knitting.
Just got an evite to Sloan's 4th birthday...I cannot believe my Grandbaby is going to be 4!
Definitely burning up with spring fever.

And Justice for All

I'm upset about the death of Tayvon Martin. States like Texas and Florida have these "stand your ground" laws. If you feel threatened, shoot! So this vigilante neighborhood watch nut sees a 17 year- old walking home from the 7-11 and decides he's suspicious. He made his 47th call to 911 and they record the whole episode including the boy's cries for help and the 9 mm rounds being fired. Hate crime. Legislative insanity.
Thank God law students and the media have made people aware of what has happened in this case, maybe justice can be done in this case and no one else will have to lose his life or his child to this insanity.
I am continually amazed by how incapable people are of recognizing the humanity of all persons. This has to change. God help us.
Voter ID laws, repeal healthcare, tax cuts for the richest people, denying climate change...it goes on and on. We are at a crossroads and the Universe is demanding a shift in our perspective. What will it take to make us all aware?

Stormy Weather & Santorum

Weather alerts stirred up some excitement this morning. It was dark as night until around 10:00 a.m. The public affairs office was sending e-mails about seeking shelter. I never think about being the responsible adult with that room full of kids. Too scary.
Today is Daddy's anniversary day. He would be 84 and he's been gone for 14 years. I miss him.
Just watched the Descendants and it evoked a strong feeling about family and land and the connections that keep going on and on. There was also a recognition of what we owe to each other, not only to our own families, but to humanity. What it means to be decent and to care for other people. I appreciated that film.
After the movie, I flipped over to Rachel Maddow to check the results of the Illinois primary. Romney won, but I tuned in just in time for Santorum's speech to his supporters in Gettysburg, PA. Oh my God, save us from that reactionary nimwit. Romney is an insufferable empty suit without a shred of a personal belief system, but Santorum's beliefs are quite evident and they'd have served James Buchanan when he was running.
Under the banner of saving America's freedom, Rick will have us all going to the segregated school of our choice, driven there by constantly pregnant women who are forbidden to work outside the home. Everyone will have a job drilling oil and digging coal to insure our energy freedom and you won't have to pay college tuition or union dues. No college snobbery and the right to work, but first you have to get the blacks out of the White House.
Moderate Republicans need to be added to the endangered species list.

Back to Work...Only 49 Days Until Finals!

Yesterday when I was working in the yard, something bit me twice on my left big toe and once on my shin. Itch, all night and all day. I could just scratch these bites until they bleed! And the craziest part of the story is not seeing or feeling anything on my foot or leg. No idea what kind of spider, ant, or insect this was.
Went back to work today. It was a fast flying day because I needed to lecture in all five classes. I can hardly believe how close it is to time for AP testing. There are 125 kids taking the government and politics exam. That's more than ever!
I'm running out of time to cover the curriculum and we are beginning all the distractions like senior picnic and prom. We have another four day weekend at Easter.
DWTS started its new season tonight. The talent was pretty good for a first night. Loved Donald Driver and Jaleel White and the girl who is dancing with Mark Ballas. I think her name is Katherine Jenkins. Max is dancing with Melissa Gilbert...there is room to grow there.
Made B's rotisserie chicken and angel hair pasta recipe. It wasn't nearly as good as hers.
She had better lemons with more zest. And the artichoke bottoms make it better than the hearts.
The March wind is gusting and stormy weather is expected. Even the dogs in the neighborhood seem to be stirred up. Just time to read a few pages before lights out, and the count is down to 48 days!

Spring Break '12 Comes to a Close

What a wonderful vacation this has been. A week of mild weather and a break in the routine. Movies, catching up around the house, time with my kids and grandkids. I've enjoyed this week immensely.
Just had a glass of red velvet Cupcake on the patio to say adios to the break. Blew off the pollen pods, watered the hibiscus and new ferns. The patio is so pleasant right now as the plants put on their spring new growth.
Cindy called from Stu's and invited us to lunch before she headed for home. So we met her at ElCharro and enjoyed some delicious sour cream enchiladas. Cindy looks well and we had a nice visit catching up. It was Mother's first trip out of the house all week, so it was good for her.
This has been a wonderful day without anything more noteworthy than a great nap after a good lunch. I've knitted some on Jeff's blanket.
I'm reading Stacy Schiff's Pulitzer Prize winning, Cleopatra, a Life.
Tomorrow it's time to go back to work. All the knitting and reading goes on the back burner. It's almost time to start reviewing for the AP exam. But we have Easter to look forward to. The kids are coming for the holiday.

St. Patrick's Day

A free day to stay in work clothes and catch up on errands and chores. After reading the Chronicle, I finished my laundry, caught a quick shower and headed out to pick up cleaning, get groceries, and try to do something about the cable bill.
I'm delighted to report that I dropped a movie package or two and got the bottom-line down almost $60. Awesome!
Saw the Pioneer Woman make a spinach salad on the Foodnetwork and decided that would be a great Saturday lunch. Spinach, hard cooked egg, bacon, mushrooms and red onion with warm bacon dressing...umm delicious.
Other accomplishments today included organizing a couple of drawers, putting grades in the computer, changing my bed linens, cleaning up the potted plants on the patio and sweeping up all the oak pollen.
For relaxation I've caught a little NCAA basketball,browsed through the new House Beautiful, enjoyed drinks on the patio with my brother and my son in almost perfect spring evening weather.
For sheer joy I got pictures today of Tyler in his new fedora and his onesie with a green necktie and of Molly in her Irish lass outfit complete with hair ornament!
St. Patty must be smiling.

Home At Last

There really is no place like home. I remember what a rush my Daddy always was in to get home. Now I understand why. Home has your bed, your tea kettle, your bathroom and it's very peacefully quiet.
I stopped at Woody's on the way home. I went through that place like a starving dog in a slaughterhouse. Cheese bread, iced cinnamon raisin bread, a big piece of red velvet fudge,crunchy cheetos, and a grande mocha frappacino to wash it down.
I do miss the kids. Sloan is very funny when she's not whining about something. She can cut with scissors and catch a ball. Pretty good fine motor skills for a three year old. And Ty is just a big doll. His big old sweet smile is going to have the girls in love from the word go.
My vacation is running out fast and I'm definitely not ready for it to end.