Chickens

An update on chickens... they would cost more to keep than it costs me to buy eggs. So no chickens. We are updating our garden box though... a picture later.

Substitute Teaching in FWPS

The system is great; the substitute training and support is amazing. But the actual substitute teaching is close to a nightmere. It is comparable to being an armored gladiator in an arena with unexpected beasties and challenging opponents coming through the gate. Occasionally you may even get a lady, but more often the tiger.

I had hoped it would equal my experience in the Valencia CA schools where I subbed in 1999. Far from it, the socio-economics are upside down, the behavior standards are less-ingrained and I understand now that they have to pay what they pay to keep subs. Complicating the difficult classroom management was the policy to keep Emergency subs from getting scheduled assignments, or asking for repeat engagements.

The good news is, at least for this season of my life (in this city) I can check that off my "maybe I'd love to do this" list.

So my next adventure is writing children's books. I have actually had an interest in this for quite some time. I never thought you could actually make much money at it. After reading Amy Grant's autobiography, Mosaic, a thought occured to me...

She would getaway for these writing retreats. Just her, an instrument, and a cabin in the woods. Wow!! To have this as her job! And she came away with songs!

So I decided I would like a job where regular escapes to be creative was built in. How about writing? I have always loved writing. So here I go... I am reading How to Write Children's Books for Dummies. I really am. And it's working. I am gaining confidence to seek publishing.

Ode to my New Refrigerator

Black
Shiny
Classy
Cool;
Refreshing
Water
Flows
From
You.

Storage
Function
Energy-
Lite;
You
Continue
to Whir
While I turn-in
at Night.

Tall
Sleek
Handsome
New;
My Old
Beast Can't
Compare
To You.

Desecration!
Magnet
Migration
Begins,
A
Picture
A Memory
A Masterpiece!

Still You are My
Stunning Dark
Knight,
Cool and Aloof
As you brew
ice at night.

32

I had a nice birthday last month. My kids got me bright purple flowers for breakfast :-) Which are still alive and vibrant. Aaron made me a frittata for breakfast with spinach and shrooms.

All day everyone was nice to me. Of course I milked it as well.

I think it means more to my 6 year old than to me to have a birthday. I'm sure he was disappointed not to have a cake and streamers and tons of guests and gifts, but I am quite content with the way it turned out.

In the evening we took the kids to Issaquah and had dinner with my lovely in-laws. Then we left on our own to go on an "art walk" where artists are exhibiting and demonstrating. We saw unique layering painting at "Up Front", glass blowing burly gents at something "By Fire" and three ladies with various styles in an upper room studio. And the last was my favorite art. Sort of pastels, with landscapes of scenery, wineries and fields, and brewing storms. Movement captured on a canvas. I like impressionism

Afterwards we went to a crowded wine bar for some live music and what are they playing? Big band style oldies. Sinatra, --The Way You Look Tonight... who is that by? Anyway, we got a free CD for dancing. (by ourselves since there wasn't really room for a dance floor) And Aaron bought a $12 glass of wine! I was the designated driver and had Coke. I really can't stand the taste of alcohol. I try, believe me there are nights I wish I could get drunk...We all have these nights, right? But mostly this is only because I never have been, can't get past the taste. I would probably be happily sober to avoid the unpleasantness that is a hangover etc.

Anyway it was lovely and I drove us home while chattering all the way instead of letting my tipsy date fall asleep.

Hummingbirds in Snow

I couldn't believe it. During some snow flurries today I had a hummingbird come to my feeder. What makes this so exceptional is that I haven't seen one all spring, summer, or fall. I got a new feeder this year, filled it up in early spring, and never saw one bird. Until yesterday a little green-backed, pink throated fellow came whirring to the feeder looking for food. There was a residual food which wasn't even frozen I was surprised to see, and he seemed to be getting something, so after he whizzed away I quickly refilled it with fresh sweet red liquid. And what to my wandering eyes should appear but a little tiny bird in wing on the air. He was back today and I was so excited to have something waiting for him to encourage his venturing.

Another sight was the golf course nearby covered with mallard ducks, heads all tucked in their backs during the snowfall. Usually there are Canadian geese, but today there were maybe 100 Mallard pairs.

I have been setting food out for some darling Chickadee mums and dads, who share begrudingly with the pair of gray squirrels who chat with our cats. They stalk but never pounce the messy squirrels. I did however find a small feather in my kitchen yesterday...

Lovely wild birds! I have my own Wild Kingdom.

Chickens

Chickens as pets... what a strange concept, yet it is catching on! I'd be tempted to say, "only in America" except a lovely urban chicken coop was designed in England. Why not? Pets that actually earn their keep, right? Dual purpose.

They do require attention, although they are relatively hardy. They cannot be housetrained, so they are best kept outside, and in a coop structure to protect them from raccoons and rats--. Both of which are in my neighborhood, I understand. Plus you have to clean the coop about weekly, and lock them in at night and open the coop in the morning, and collect the eggs by 11am--which can include a hunt for them if they are free-range in the back yard.

Not forgetting the fact that they do not like being wet... and this is the Northwest. When I decide to take the jump it will be as a "hobby," I think, more than as a pet.

Compared to the lazy cozy inside kitties this might need some planning.

November Musings

We are having a fabulous fall week!

Loads of rain, wind and colorful leaves falling. Every night was, "a dark and stormy night." Which gives me plenty of reasons to stay cozy inside instead of finding exercise outside, except for the raking of the leaves, of course.

The weather has prompted my to get my winter (snow) boots out of storage, much to Aaron's dismay, to don for my 8:30am bus accompaniment. I walk Benji down to the bus stop at the bottom of the cul d'sac and wait with him and the other kids (I am making many new friends).

I never knew there were so many nice kids around here. And parents, should I choose to be the first one to reach out. Parents in general are each so wrapped up in their own kids' worlds that they are pretty content smiling and waving congenially to perfect strangers each morning, a complimentary, "Mornin'" sufficing as a relationship.

When I can muster the energy or convince myself of a good enough reason I will break deeper below the pleasantries but for now I am content to return the greeting and shuffle back to my cozy den.

I think I may be relapsing into shyness.

I almost had a panic attack when I faced calling acquaintances on the phone to invite them to a recent Partylite candle party. I hate it on the one hand, and want to justify it and embrace it on the other.

Is it possible I was designed for isolation? It can't be so! Yet I enjoy my little family world. My sister, my parents and extended family (for the most part). My wonderful friend Becca, was a lovely reunion of friendship during a brief visit. I almost forgot what it was like to have friends like her.

The holidays will be a blur...

What does the new year hold?