Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I have always wanted to live on a lake, ocean, or near a meandering stream. I have finally gotten my wish! No, the stimulus package has not landed on my doorstep with more money than I can spend. The simple answer is: We have received 4 inches of rain in the past 18 hours.

I woke up last night at 1:10 AM and couldn't believe the noise that was outside. It sounded like a freight train was coming through our driveway. I had always heard that tornadoes sound this way right before they strike. I noticed no branches were swaying so decided a tornado was on our doorstep. After waking Steve up, we hurriedly went downstairs and tried to assess what we were going to do. I had cell phone in hand, all of my expensive belongings I own (that would be my wedding and engagement ring), and a flashlight. We turned on the radio, no warnings, and ascertained that the loud noise was the rain BEATING against our house and barns. Who knew rain could make so much noise.

This morning, the rain continued as it has most of the afternoon. Our house has a beautiful lake across the road, as well as my meandering stream running through the front yard. I hear ripples as we speak and water fowl have begun making their home on the various water landforms around our perimeter.

Alas, this will eventually drift away, but I will be left with the memories of a dream fulfilled, no cost to me whatsoever. Who ever said I was hard to please?

Tea For One

I have become a tea aficionado. While on a recent trip to the Chicago area, I was introduced to a tea shop called TeaGschwendner. I am hooked. Some people become wine connoisseurs, but I think I am destined to be a tea lover.

While at the tea shop, I bought two different kinds of tea, an Indian Chai and Marzipan. Now, both of them are a delicious treat to come home to after school and sooth both my mind and soul. Brewing a cup of either one brings me back to center and allows me to be productive for most of the remainder of the day.

I was intrigued by many of the tea flavors that were available. I guess I didn't realize that I led such a sheltered life. Chocolate Chili Tea (you're kidding, right?), T-bear Gummi Bear (tastes like the real thing), Strawberry Pepper (really?), Sensual Affair (!), and, for those special nights, Mr. Ollivander's Magic Potion (conjures up all KINDS of images!). You should read the descriptions of some of these.

I have spent the evening polishing up my copper tea pot (since I have nothing else to do) and am enjoying a cup of Marzipan as we speak. Soon the teakettle will be whistling as much as the trains around here. Stop by and share a cup with me some time (as long as it's not the Sensual Affair!).

It's All In What You Hear

As most teachers do, I give a weekly spelling test to my students. After the 20 words, I always give 2 dictation sentences which I grade on punctuation and I always incorporate some of my spelling words in them.

This week, one of my dictation sentences was as follows: Do you enjoy making a large amount of noise just to annoy me? I told them they could answer that question if they desired and I got some funny remarks.

However, the most interesting sentence was submitted by Tenaya. Her version of the sentence above went like this: Do you and Joy like making a large amount of noise just to annoy me? Now, she was close, but I had to chuckle when I read about Joy. It took all I had to keep from counting it wrong. Just a little misunderstanding or an attempt to make up another word because she didn't know how to spell enjoy? It's hard to make the call.