Transition to School Schedule, School Nightmare, and Griefless Grammar

Yesterday and today I began my transition back to the academic year of teaching. Yesterday I participated in the first day of a two day workshop sponsored by the College Board which supports our language arts teaching as we prepare students for Advanced Placement classes. Last night I had my first "teacher nightmare" as summer winds down. In the nightmare I didn't sleep in on the first day of school. I didn't forget to take off my pajamas or (heaven forbid) arrive in my birthday suit. I arrived at school and my room was overcrowded with students that were very unruly. As I tried all my seasoned "bag of tricks" they just got worse. Then more and more students kept coming in so that when the period ended my room was overrun with students and I didn't even know all their names. Things seemed to get worse... but then I woke up. Whew!

The part I enjoyed the most during my workshop today was the section called Griefless Grammar. I was struck by the title of the workshop. Can grammar instruction be embedded in our teaching of writing without grief? Perhaps. I learned some exciting strategies I am eager to take back and try that attempt to make grammar instruction a bit more exciting than what I experienced while diagramming sentences and doing boardwork on verb tenses in Mrs. Peterson's class in 8th grade. After "hands-on" activities with punctuation, I actually began to appreciate the semicolon. I think it is because I understood more how to use it. Look out students; let the Griefless Grammar instruction begin.

"We'll weather the weather, Whatever the weather"

"Whether the weather be fine,
Whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not." -Author UnknownIt has been a long time since I have seen such ranges in temperature and variety of weather in August. Monday when I was in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho the sky was clear and it was 107 degrees. ( When we got in the car after it had sat during a movie the temperature was 115!) That evening we experienced strong winds and the sky filled with smoke, dust, and clouds. The next day the temperature dropped to the low sixties and by the time I arrived home it was raining. Now it continues to be cool, which is a nice change. I always appreciate what happens to the sky during these changes. Enjoy!

A Show To Remember at the 6th Street Theater : Phantoms of the Melodrama- Footprints Under The Stairs

Here is my sister Silver Valley Girl and her husband serenading each other during Kelly's Alley Revue at the Wallace Sixth Street production last Sunday.

On Sunday I had the pleasure of enjoying an afternoon of outstanding entertainment at the 6th St.Theater in Wallace, Idaho. The Phantoms of the Melodrama was an original play written for this theater and brought back for the 25th anniversary year. It was written by Pat Grounds and this summer directed by my sister Silver Valley Girl. She also plays the villain Secret Warbley in the play. She looks a bit evil here. Boo Hiss!! You can read the post on her blog about the melodrama here. The last week of performances start this Wednesday evening and go through to the last Sunday matinee on August 24th. If you live in the inland empire and want an evening/afternoon filled with fun entertainment, go here for more information. It is definitely a show worth driving to Wallace to see!The cast performs the melodrama, which is followed by Kelly's Alley Revue, a mix of singing, dancing, and hijinks! Above is Silver Valley Girl doing a rousing rendition of "Second Hand Rose."I don't want to give up too much of the show... but this was a thrilling moment for my mom when she was asked to dance by a dashing young man!!
...and what is this?? You will have to come to the show and see this song and dance number live to find out. Bravo to the cast for a grand performance! Bravo!

Cousin Helen, a Table, and Family Keepsakes

a potholder made lovingly by a member of my mother's family

My mother attended the funeral of her cousin Helen in Moscow, Idaho yesterday. Helen had lived a very active life into her nineties. Helen had designated many of her keepsakes to family members before her death. Mom knew she would be receiving a table. After the services family members divided up some of her beautiful linens. When Mom arrived home we carried in the lovely table my cousin John had buckled into the backseat. As I lugged a big cardboard box into the house she was eager to share what she had acquired. The inherited table worked great for displaying the linens. Fortunately after we carefully went through the treasures, I was able to pick some for myself.
I could just picture my Grandma West, Aunt May, and cousin Helen sitting around embroidering pieces like this table runner I now get to enjoy.

I don't know if I will be able to use these dish towels. They are almost too pretty for use. I have always loved the doily designs my family members have crocheted. This is a lovely buffet scarf that may just work on my piano.
This runner was my favorite. The colors used for the flowers in the basket are lovely. I felt blessed that I got some pieces of remembrance from Mom's family today also. I think the gathering of the family while they went through her heirlooms made it a bit easier to deal with Helen's passing. She was a remarkable woman and will be remembered fondly by all.

A View from the Front Porch

The location of the house where I grew up in Kellogg, Idaho always provided a perfect view of spectacular sunsets. Where I live now the sun falls behind some trees before we ever see a sunset. I miss sunsets. Standing on the front porch of my childhood home last night I was able to capture these images of a sunset. When I look west at sundown it is still hard for me to get used to not seeing the Bunker Hill Smelter on the hill or the big smokestack with lights blinking every night. It is a much more peaceful view now. The air is much fresher. The colors seem more vivid in the western sky. As the evening began to cool the front porch had the best view in the house!

Photo Hunt: Colorful

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