No News is Not Good News

Still no word from out east about a new grandson but.......I have to convince myself that I am not the one pushing this agenda so I will get on with my life and concentrate on other things besides being a grandma.

I LOVE this season.  Right now I am enjoying a cup of hot jasmine tea, knitting by the Christmas tree while carols entertain me, and have my evergreen candle burning non-stop.  The smells, sights, and music of the season overwhelm my senses.  I do enjoy buying gifts at this time of year but have never been so busy that I have failed to enjoy the true meaning of the season.

Take time to relive your childhood past and get caught up in the memories that must abound.  The gifts you received were fleeting; the memories have lasted your lifetime.  And not all Christmas memories are glorious, but they all remind us at this time of year that there is goodness, kindness, and compassion in most people's heart.

I was hoping to share some other good news with all of you at this time, but I have no earth shattering pronouncements, just a reminder to enjoy this season for what it truly is:  A gift!

At The Drop of a Hat

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.  I'm standin' here outside my door!"  When the phone call comes, I am on my way to Washington, DC to meet my new grandson.  Trouble is, I haven't gotten the call yet and I have found that I am much more anxious and time is moving much slower than it did when I was having my own children.  Seems I'm not a good waiter!

So much has been going through my mind since we found out in May that "Buster" was going to join our family.  I simply cannot wait to snuggle a little baby neck again and kiss soft, quiet cheeks.  I do rocking really well and my gentle lullabies will still convince a small child to fall gently to sleep.  What wishes and hopes I have for that tiny little boy.

But, as Ellen says, he's still cooking and right now he holds all the cards.  His birth day will be decided by him.  But does he understand how excited this whole family is to take him in our arms and welcome him into the family?  Maybe he does and that's why he's taking his time.  Stay tuned!!! 

You Never Know What It Means

About a year ago this time, Steve and I were having some problems with our septic system not draining correctly.  I know, too much information, but that is a fact.  We knew that something needed to be done quickly as we would have guests over the holidays and certainly did not want to be dealing with septic systems during the "ho ho ho's" of the season so we called a man who had been recommended highly to us.

I'll call him Dale.  Dale was pleasant to talk to on the phone and he agreed to come by to look over the situation the following day.  He was prompt, pleasant, and seemed very capable of doing the job for us.  He couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of any problems but he was the kind of guy that you are so confident in that we just said: "We'll be gone.  You do what you would do if it were your system and send us the bill."  Whew, a leap of faith but that we had.

Within his promised time, our system was fixed and running as good as new.  It just so happened that Steve was able to observe him at work and was quite impressed with Dale's expertise.

The bill for his services arrived and I gladly paid promptly.  Since it was such a pleasure to do business with Dale, and you always want to keep the septic guy happy, I enclosed a note to him commenting on his promptness, ability, and how much he had saved us by having a second sense about so many things having to do with drain lines, pipes, and systems in general.  Took me about three minutes and the note, along with a check, was in the mail the next day.

A week ago, my brother-in-law saw Dale at a farm sale and had a nice visit with him.  Dale mentioned how much the note had meant to him.  He said no one had ever thanked him with a note before, how good it made him feel, and how he had framed it and put it up in his office!  He went on and on about how we were at the top of his list for any work we ever needed done.

I wrote this blog not to brag, but to remind each of us how important those random acts of sincere kindness can be.  Something that took me three minutes to do has lasted this man an entire year and he was still talking about it.  How easy it is to call a company when we are unhappy about a situation yet we take little or no time to tell others how much we appreciate them when we do.  Next time you pay a bill or send something in the mail, or someone waits on you that just makes you happy, let them know how much it means.  What a wonderful world it would be if we just did this a little more often.

Hello, This Is Your Conscience Speaking

     I have a dear friend, who I will address in this blog as my conscience, who emailed me today and rattled my chain about my blog that has been neglected for a VERY long time.  She's right, I have been on a hiatus!  Doing what I am not sure, but since I last wrote, harvest has been completed, we have finished our first quarter of school, and are well into the second quarter, and I will become a grandmother in about one month!  So, it really has been a long time!
     Aren't friends just wonderful?  They can nudge us when we need a jumpstart, help us get perspective when we are zooming out of control, and be there for us when we just need someone to start us back down the right path.  And I have been very blessed with many caring, loving, friends through the years.
     So Conscience, otherwise known as Barbara, thank you for nudging me.  I'll send word on to Ellen to nudge her.  And for all my faithful readers out there, probably all five of you, I am just sure that my life will become less complicated soon.

Fall Preview

          It's that time of year again.  Almost 7:30 PM and I have no idea what time we will eat supper, nor who will be here to enjoy the spaghetti and meatballs I have stewing on the stove.  I know there will be two, Steve and Dan, and I think there is a good possibility that there will be two more, Mike and Mal.  I never really know until I hear the back door open and try to decipher how many distinct voices I hear on the back porch.
          Everyone has spent the day weaning our spring calves and now all of the little ones are getting their much needed immunizations, much the same as those kindergarten children get once they start school.  It is a long and involved process and I know that it will be several hours before I see the first group come pulling in the driveway.
          But I also know that weaning means I will get restless sleep for the next two to three nights.  The calves will be bawling for their moms 24/7 and with the weather still quite warm, we will have the windows open and be privy to their serenading.  Just as noisy as any city block so I can kiss the quiet and serene country nights goodbye for a while.
          I have midterms to make out, papers to grade, and budgets to work on.  Really, might as well use my time wisely.  But then, I'll probably be awake most of the night anyway!   

Everything's Relative

        I was driving home from school last week and I encountered a situation I very seldom, if ever, have dealt with.  I was approaching the stop sign one quarter mile from my house and there, to my surprise, was a lot of traffic.  There were two cars behind me, two cars at the stop sign facing me, and we had to wait for six cars before we could go through the intersection.  A traffic jam!  I had never before seen my intersection so busy.  Ten cars!  Urban sprawl was happening just down the road from where I lived.
        And then I had to laugh.  My friends from larger urban areas would call that a peaceful commute home.  Two hundred cars would be a gift, let alone ten.  As my mind wandered, as it so easily does, I started thinking about other things that are merely relative depending upon your situation.
       So many people in our country think they are so poor and yet most people in a third world country would gladly change places with anyone in our lowest economic class.  A dinner out in the burg costing a couple more than $50 would be a splurge, but a drop in the bucket to someone else.  And in the country, a neighbor closer than one mile away is encroachment while those in an inner city apartment couldn't even imagine the space.
       As I ponder these situations it makes me realize even more that no matter how bad or dire or good our situation is, we must always remember that things are relative.  I guess I've never had it so good.

First Day Jitters

Every year about this time I get the same feeling........What will happen tomorrow?  It's the first day of another school year and as I glance at the clock, I am imagining that most of my students, hopefully, will be putting on jammies, brushing teeth, hearing a goodnight story (I wish) and jumping into bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.  Little do they know that their teacher feels the same way (and I would be delighted to have someone read me a goodnight story!)

As teachers, we always have wishes.  As I was pondering today about the upcoming year, my wish would be that the students are just as excited to come to school in the middle of January, or any other month this year, as they are tomorrow morning when they walk into class.  Clean slate, no prejudgements, anything can happen, dreams can be met, obstacles overcome.  I hope I instill in them an attitude that promises they won't be judged by what they can't do, only by what they attempt and how hard they try.  But I hope they give me the same leeway.

I'm excited, nervous, overwhelmed, among many other feelings.  And I've been doing this for 25 years.  I get my 27 new students for 174 days.  Oh, if I could only make a difference in one of their lives!  I know that I will learn much more from them than they will ever learn from me.

Pavlov's Dogs/Margaret's Cows

Having been a psychology major in college, I am always alert to behavior in both humans and animals.  It's something I enjoy and analyze with gusto that most people would not understand.  So I have enjoyed the summer experiment that I have inadvertently run the past four months and it makes me laugh each time I run it.

For those unfamiliar with Pavlov and his famous dog experiments, he easily trained his animals to hear a bell (stimulus) and then he would give them a treat and they would, of course ,salivate (response).  Throughout the course of the experiment, he was able to remove the treat and simply ring a bell and the dogs would salivate.

We have an area not far from our house that contains eight head of cattle that are in a grazing pasture.   It happens to be that I mow around the fence in the barnyard to keep it looking neat.  The cattle were quite intrigued the first time that I mowed and rather bored with their environment as they would follow the big green machine around the fence perimeter as if it were the pied piper, kicking up their heels and running around.

But, there was a positive outcome to their behavior.  My mower would throw freshly cut grass through the fence and once one of the cattle realized that they were being thrown goodies, they pounced on it like flies to honey.  Such a deal!!  Fresh grass and they didn't even have to work to get it.  I thought it was hilarious and watched them devour the sweets as voraciously as if it were manna from heaven.

When I mowed the second time, they followed me around again.  With all of the rain that we have been having this summer, they were in for some very tasty abundant treats!

And now.........as soon as they hear the lawn mower start up, they rush out of their sheds and stand at the fence, anticipating the return of the big, green machine that shoots treats out to them through the fence.  It just makes me howl.  They start kicking up their heels and running around like students on the last day of school.  The real test came about a week ago when it was almost 100 degrees and they were in the cool shed, trying to keep out of the harsh sunlight.  I was pretty sure that they would not respond to the lawn mower that day.  WRONG!  Out they clamored as they have been trained to do.

For them, I guess the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence.

How Sweet It Is!!!!

Sweet corn is ready!  Need I say more?

Well.....Give Me The Boot

Farmers are so ingenious!  I love how they use what they have to solve problems.  I went out early this morning and saw a sight that brought a smile to my face.

I saw Dan's boots by the well, the tall ones he uses for choring.

I noticed they were next to the well, which has a deep hole alongside of it.

It looked like it just might rain.

Chores were over, boots come off, don't feel like taking boots inside but yet......don't want them to get wet if it rains.  What should he do?

Problem solved!

Tossing Out Orchids

The party's over! Our youngest daughter and child was married this past weekend amidst many tears, a whole lot of fun, and relatives and friends who wish the young couple nothing but love and joy in their lives.

And for us left behind, life goes on as usual. But putting things back together after everyone has gone is a bittersweet experience. I have washed 60 stainless steel trays of various sizes, 60 bowls, countless utensils, put away and frozen numerous pounds of food and done it all with a gracious and smiling face, reminiscing the glorious weekend. I am, however, in a quandary as to the disposal of the bridal bouquets and centerpieces.

Orchids and hydrangeas make a beautiful couple and I have yet to feel the need to toss them out. Never in my life would I have thought I would have so many tropical flowers at my disposal, let alone disbursement.

When it comes to orchids, does one give them a ceremonial burial complete with song and Hawaiian music? Or do I simply throw them outside and let the birds of the air embellish their nests with these immigrant flowers? Should I let them decay in the vase they are currently in and enjoy them as long as possible?

I guess the above picture is going to have to be my reminder of a time when dreams were made, dances performed, and vows made. The memories are what I must save and have, smiling and grinning from ear to ear almost every second of the day.

Best wishes Nick and Janice. We all love you so much!!!!

Bird Brains

Nature and I have been playing tug of war for about 4 days now. Actually, it has been a war with the barn swallows around my house. Now that the last battle has been fought I am able to claim victory and write about my accomplishments.

Last year a family of swallows decided that they would build their mud laden nest on the side of the overhead light on our front porch. They snuck in under the radar before I realized what was happening and had a beautiful nest built in which they raised a nice family. It was ideal, for them anyway.

For me, I had to duck their swoops every time I used my front door, walk through their bird droppings, and listen to them chattering at all hours. Not the best situation but nonetheless, who am I to destroy the whims of nature so I let it pass. Their condo would soon be gone and I would have my front porch back.

Last Thursday I noticed a bevy of barn swallows in the front yard hanging around my porch again. They must have been pretty impressed with the accommodations from last year as, before I knew it, they were back at putting up another nest on the overhead light on the front porch. I was not going to be caught unawares this year so planned to stand my ground and fight for my rights.

I let them work about an hour and then went outside and raked the still wet mud/grass mixture off the light fixture with my garden hoe. Mission accomplished. I would show them who had stake to this territory! Brains over brawn.

After carrying on about my business, I noticed an unusual amount of commotion outside. Sure enough, my swallows were back and there were more of them. They would build their nest up, I would hoe it down. Lord knows we have plenty of barns that barn swallows could build their nests in. The war was on!

This went on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They would spend time building the nest, I would knock it down. How long was this war of the wills going to last?

Much to my chagrin, I got up this morning and noticed that the swallows were back, using another side of the fixture this time. I stood my ground and let them know who was boss.

Finally, they gave up this afternoon. I have been wondering what made them change their minds. Do they work for four days and have a nest and then quit? Or did they get the hint they were welcome on the farm, just not on my front porch? I couldn't believe that I could knock their house down and they kept rebuilding in the same place. Who would do that? And then I had to smile as I realized that humans who build homes on the ocean, hillsides, and along rivers, among other places, do the same thing year after year to be destroyed by floods, hurricanes, mudslides, etc. If they don't "get it", why did I think a bevy of barn swallows would?

My Little Corner of the World

Yes, it has been one month since I've written but I have been busy in my little corner of the world. Where would that be might you wonder? Well, even though I have many, I am currently talking about my garden.

We have had a wet spring and that has given me the opportunity to sit back and really plan what I wanted to put in for a garden this year. Well, the opportunity was there but I took no advantage of it. I spend my thinking time walking around the garden centers wondering what looks good and trying to decide if a certain vegetable is something my "guys" would eat.

I am on the final leg of my journey after hearing the weather forecast for today. I got up bright and early to finish putting in some plants I purchased yesterday. I think I have almost completed my mission.

In neat little rows and hills I have the following variety of veggies:

4 basil plants, 3 red peppers, 3 golden peppers, 3 Annaheim peppers, 2 hills of cucumbers, one each of the following tomatoes: Early girl, Better Bush, Juliette, Roma, and Supersteak, 1 melon plant, a row of Blue Lake green beans, and a row of snow peas. Almost forgot, my lovely lavender plant that I put in for the senses.

I still have room left. Might do some sweet potatoes, eggplant, sage, oregano, thyme, who knows? I'm making quite a bit of work for myself but there is nothing better on a cold winter's day than taking fresh veggies out of the freezer and cooking them up. We are so blessed to have such bounty available to us for a minimal amount of work. I'll keep you posted on the progress of the garden, unless the rabbits beat me to it!

Wicked Witch of the East

I always have ambitions of writing about something other than my second career, that of being a farmer's wife, and I had a great idea ready, even a picture snapped. But that blog will have to wait as I have once again experienced another totally outrageous incident in this second career. One that left me befuddled!

The guys were busy selling cattle tonight so they said they would be late for supper. About 7:30 I began making Swiss Steak with mashed potatoes, one of their favorite meals and not too hard for me. No recipe needed as I have made it so many times. Then the phone rings! It's Daniel! Never a good sign.

"Mom, there's some pigs out in the field and dad's gone to take the cattle. Can you come out and stand by the gate while I round them up?" Sounds so easy and innocent. Anyone would be willing to oblige him. But I knew better. I was on alert.

The swiss steak was simmering and I thought I was safe there. The longer it simmers, the more tender it is. But the potatoes! They weren't boiling yet and I didn't know how long I would be outside. Should I leave them on the stove to cook, with the possibility of them overcooking, or should I turn them off and know that it would be at least 15 minutes of cooking time once I returned? I opted for choice number 2. First problem solved.

When inquiring of Dan which pen of pigs was out, he had hesitantly told me it was the northern most pen we had. In a split second I made the decision to take my bike out on this jaunt. Problem number 2 solved.

And what a sight I was. Since it was past 7:30 and I had already worked out, I had on my pj's and long pink robe. Proper attire for lounging around the house but not for riding a bike and rounding up pigs. But that has never stopped me before. I ran out to the garage, hopped on the bike, and with my robe flying in the wind and the white basket on my bike rattling up and down, I knew that I was reminiscent of a scene right out of "Wizard of Oz," and I wasn't portraying the good witch.

The entire incident lasted less than 15 minutes with only a few swear words and slight mudding of shoes. I got back in, started the potatoes, and the guys only had to wait for 5 minutes for supper once they got in. They've eaten, a little left over, and I remain in my pink robe and pj's, hoping that my second job is over for the night.

Three (sets of ) Sheets to the Wind

I really know that summer is here when I begin to hang sheets out on the line. This past week has been a perfect opportunity for that for two reasons: 1. The weather has been gorgeous. 2. I have some very special guests coming for the weekend and I knew they would love to have sheets that had been "hung out." And, I needed three sets of sheets. Perfect weather!

As I was hanging them out I received a text message from one of my daughters telling me she was splurging and going out to lunch with her sister. I was immediately jealous but enjoyed the message nonetheless.

It got me to thinking. Our farmhouse was built in 1850. Even before the Civil War! I was hanging laundry up on a clothesline between two trees that I was certain must have been planted by the women who lived there so they could hang clothes out. And as my mind began to wander even further, I had to laugh at how far things have come since those first ladies hung clothes out on the line. Bringing it closer to home, I've lived here for 32 years and can't believe the changes.

Can you imagine my 1850's women and what they would be thinking of me receiving a text message while I was hanging out my laundry, which, of course, I did NOT have to do by hand? Throw it in, add soap (purchased at the store) and continue doing other things. So many years later and we can talk with our daughters across the country at a moment's notice. If there are any ghosts living in this house they must roll their eyes at me and wonder what in the world I am doing most of the time. (It wouldn't bother me if they had supper ready once in a while when I got home either, in case they get into my computer during the day and read this post!)

Three sets of sheets to the wind. It's been done here on this farm for over 160 years.

Executive Board Meeting

All executive employees were called in on this important meeting. We have present, not in any particular order, the CEO, CFO, and Human Resources. There were some important decisions being made, no doubt. Who could ever get bored with a board room like this?

March Madness Farm Style

It's here and we've been waiting all winter long. We're down to the final four and wonder who will win this year. It will, of course, be the one who wins every year: Mother Nature.

This week has begun the official planting season. I haven't seen the guys during the daylight hours unless they are heading out first thing in the morning or coming in to get a snack to get them by about 5:00 until supper at nightfall.

This is the time of year that I sometimes question my coping abilities. I need to come up with suppers that are "flexible", whatever that is. There needs to be a cookbook on that one. I never know when to start a project, grade papers, or begin cooking something as I am "on call" at the ring of a phone.

I don't know where to find the guys if I need them. Cells make that so much easier. Who knows what farm they might be at. I sit in the house and listen for the sound of a tractor or truck to pull in the driveway and then I hightail it to the kitchen to begin the final preps for supper: start the potatoes boiling, cut up the salad, finish the veggies, etc. They never mind waiting if my timing is exact.

It is supposed to get to 80 on Thursday and nice through Friday. We'll get a lot done. The air smells so good being turned over and there is an anticipation amongst those who till the earth. God bless them all for their hard work and dedication.

Until then, I'll figure out what to do until the guys get in for supper!

Miles and Miles of Walking and Riding

Old age has been knocking at our door and desperately wants to get in. Steve and I are doing everything in our power to keep the invader out and do our best to stay healthy and wise (wealthy we will never be as it has NEVER knocked on our door). So we have established a nightly routine that looks something like this.

I come home from school and try to do my best to get my walk in. I purchased a treadmill last autumn and have dedicated a room upstairs to its use. I don my walking apparel, grab my latest book, decide what routine I want to work on that evening, and get on the treadmill for my workout. Usually it's a good 60-90 minutes, if I can get that much in before I have to begin supper. When the winds were howling this winter and I was still able to walk, I thanked the heavens above for the treadmill. Now that spring is showing itself a little around here, I will make more treks on the outside.

As I started my walking tonight, I noticed that I have walked 207.41 miles since I got the treadmill. I have spent 83 hours on it and have lost a total of about 15 pounds. I feel great, energetic, sleep well at night, and have a positive attitude about most things. One of the biggest advantages is that I now have over 83 hours of books read. I'm progressing in more ways than one.

Steve, on the other hand, walks almost all day so has bought himself a stationary bike. Although I think he gets more exercise than most people half his age, he eats supper and then religiously rides his bike for 30 minutes most nights. Sometimes I'm on the treadmill in the same room and we chat about the day, but usually it's his solitary time. He doesn't read a book, listen to my iPod, or chat much. I think he just enjoys the lack of stimuli that otherwise surrounds him throughout the day.

I can't tell you how far or how long he has ridden, but I imagine that we are well on our way to a nice visit with our children if we were walking/riding to DC. We have become conscious of the foods we are eating and are so grateful that most of what we put on our table is from our farm or is non-processed food. We rarely eat out, but enjoy it when we do.

We'll keep on keepin' on. Who knows. Maybe there will be a Marathon for us to participate in soon or, who knows........we may show up on your doorstep having walked/ridden all the way there.

What Would You Do?

The ministers at our church are doing a Lenten series of sermons on the book, 30 Days To Live. It basically asks the question, "If you had only 30 days left in this life, what would you do and how would you spend it?"

I usually attend the early service which is a more contemporary version of the typical Sunday service. While giving the sermon, there is interaction between the minister and the congregation, some give and take, and a few laughs. I wasn't prepared for what I heard one Sunday on this subject.

After asking the congregation the above question, "What would you do if you had 30 days to live?", there were many typical answers thrown out by those of us present. "I would quit my job!" "I would spend it with those I love." " I would definitely travel." On and on as I would expect. Then a man on the left raised his hand and put us all in stitches.

"I would go to live with my mother-in-law. Then it would seem like a lifetime!"

Gotta give him credit for that one. His wife sitting next to him wasn't as amused but the rest of us sure got a good laugh at her expense. Love those early morning services!

Black and White, Pink, Green, and a Rodeo

When someone lives on a farm, life is never taken for granted, nor is there such a thing as a "typical" day. I was reminded of this about a week ago on one of my precious days off school.

While embellishing President's Day by curling up in bed for a lazy afternoon of reading my latest novel, my cell phone rang and I noticed that it was Daniel calling. Hmm....he usually doesn't call in the middle of the afternoon but I decided that since Steve was out of town he might need me for a little grunt work. Little could I anticipate!

With panting breath and urgency in his voice, he managed to get out, "I've got some holsteins out (black and white) and they're running towards Fremont. Start running down Fremont Road and keep them from going into Jerry's corn!" Bingo, gone was my lazy afternoon.

I grabbed my closest coat, luckily also my warmest, my pink down-filled Liz Claiborne number that was meant more for skiing than for running but it served the purpose. As I looked out the window and saw cows heading towards our very busy road, I made a split decision that the camp slippers (green) that I was wearing from LL Bean would have to do. Once again I was lucky as they are higher boots, they had a rubberized sole, and were not flimsy. I tore out of the house, glad that I had been working out on my treadmill for the winter months.

Beating the cows the quarter mile I had to run, the two of us managed to head them off at the pass. The deep snow worked both for us and against us. It slowed the cows' pace but ours as well. As Dan got behind them and headed them towards calmer areas, he yelled at me to run home (I wasn't sure I would make it), bring the truck down our west road, and park it across the lanes so the cows wouldn't be able to get by if they decided to turn around and complicate our lives.

Dan jumped in the truck leaving me to guard the sacred passageway. I wasn't feeling real confident and asked him if I could call someone for backup. I knew that the two of us were not going to make this whole thing work out well. There was only disaster movies going across the image in my mind. He informed me that he had called his buddies from the local sale barn to bail us out and once again, luckily, the sale barn is only 1/4 mile from our house. They couldn't get to me fast enough as three holstein cows coming at me while I was wearing green slippers wasn't a pretty thought.

It wasn't long that I saw deliverance pull up alongside me in the form of three very capable young men. The odds were looking better: 4 1/2 people (me being the 1/2) against three determined cows. I was immediately put on dog control and stood my ground as best I could, looking ominous I am sure.

Within 10 minutes, the cows were safely rounded up and back in their pen. Kudos to all those involved. We had won the rodeo and earned ourselves, what I was sure was, a gold medal. My only duty left was to watch the gate while Dan pulled the tractor out of the barn that had initially caused all of the trouble. There were three cows in there that were NOT going to challenge us this time. Their tongues were hanging out and they were panting much like I was.

At times like these I have to make myself laugh. I imagine that when Liz Claiborne designed my coat and LL Bean shipped me my camp slippers, there was never any intention of them being used as they had been that afternoon. I'm thinking Liz has probably never been on a farm, much less enjoyed a rodeo such as her coat had just participated in. And the camp slippers, I was far from being on a leisurely camping trip. But it makes for a good story and an appreciation for those "normal" days on the farm!

White on White

Every morning when my students walk into the classroom, I have a brief greeting on my Smartboard to do what I can to welcome them and lighten their moods. It's become such an enjoyable routine that I find their eyes glancing at it first thing in the morning. Sometimes it's a trivia question they can answer, an old adage they may never have been introduced to, or just some whimsical thought to stew on for the day.

However, today I could come up with no other news but........"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" (disclaimer: we didn't have nearly the snow that my family in the east had, but.....everything is relative, so to speak.)

When the Superbowl started last night it had just begun snowing. When Dan and Mallory left after the game it was snowing. It was snowing this morning and did all day, and still is...... We aren't supposed to get the heavy stuff until around midnight. Sheesh, I thought we already had it.

6-8" of the white stuff before this storm passes with 40 MPH winds. Blowing, drifting, whiteouts, seriously, what could be more fun. On a farm we have our blizzard routine down pat but when you teach you just go to bed wondering if you will be working tomorrow, or the next day, or whenever. I jokingly told my students today that the math test that is planned for tomorrow will take place on the next school day, be that Feb. 9 or June 8, I wasn't quite sure. They thought that was funny. I don't!

Steve has changed travel plans to DC. United must just cringe when weather like this hits the nation. They were very accommodating but still, who knows when it will be safe/possible to travel. Maybe the good old horse and buggies were a safer bet.

As I mentioned before, we have nothing like out East but every time this mid-February date comes around, I am ready to hear robins singing and see green grass. White on white. Right now I prefer green on green.

Welcome Back

I have a feeling no one reads my blog anymore but I really can't blame them. I haven't written since June 23 but.......I hope to do better. I actually have more time on my hands recently or I have become a better manager.

I promise I will do the following: (in case anyone cares)
1. Write at least one blog per week. Otherwise, why have a blog?
2. Ponder situations over in my mind to encourage creativity.
3. Pay more attention to everyday life to find inspiring stories or perspectives.
4. Let my family know what is going on here in the burg.
5. (everything needs at least 5 things) Urge others to keep me going.

Now, I ask for your help. Nudge me, kick me, tweek me, yell at me, threaten me, do whatever it takes to make me write. Now I'll see if anyone reads this. Give me a holler if you do. I have to know someone out there is listening. Gives me encouragement! Thanks!