My Nieces, The Sixth Street Theater, and Matilda Trent

Today I had the privilege of being back in my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho for a day. I spent time in the morning watching two of my nieces compete in the Idaho History Day competition. Kiki Aru (in fifth grade) did an impressive documentary on the reforestation of the Silver Valley in the late seventies. My other niece Z2 ( in seventh grade) did an original dramatic presentation of the Sunshine Mine Disaster of 1972. Both of them earned superior ratings and will compete in April in the state competition. My other niece Princess just competed in the speech and drama competition and earned a place in the state competition. I learned new information about the area I grew up in, and was moved to tears reliving the Sunshine Mine Disaster through the words of a play my niece helped compose and perform. I was very proud of my very special nieces today and was impressed by their interest and passion for the history of our area.

The finale of the busy day was the performance of "Madam's Been Murdered: Tea Will Be Late" at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace. My sister SilverValleyGirl gave a hilarious performance in the role of Matilda Trent, a teacher that retired early and was taking holiday at a manor in England. She was "ready to snap at any time." We also got to watch "Matilda" and her real husband do a sword fight on stage. There were eight of us in the family there to cheer, laugh, and applaud loudly throughout a marvelous performance. It was a perfect ending for a memorable day.

TGIF

Today in my classroom we tried new versions of TGIF. Here are a few:
Thanks Gonzaga: Inspiration Forever
Try Green Irish Fireworks

The Girl Is Fabulous
Try Green Icy Frosting
Try Good Iced Frappuccino
Try Green Irish Farts

St. Patrick's Day was on many a mind. Usually with thirteen-year-olds it always comes back to farts. Go figure. TGIF

Memoir: To Live Life Twice

" To write one's life is to live it twice". Patricia Hampl

First I began writing memoir. It helped me make sense of the events of my life. Then I began to read memoir. It helped validate in my mind that other authors had to make sense of the events in their lives. Below is a list of memoir books that did just that.
First on the list is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I read her book in a week-end. I kept stopping to remind myself that she survived to reveal this sad, funny, moving memoir. It is her story of a childhood that included adventure, colorful characters, a father that wanted to design a “glass castle”, and living conditions that break your heart. In an honest voice she reminds us that teachers are important and writing can help you make sense of your life as you live it.
Next from my list is Name All the Animals by Alison Smith. Smith’s coming of age memoir captures her adolescent years and how grief can affect all aspects of life. The death of her only brother and the events that follow cause her to question her Catholic faith, her relationship with her parents, and her own demons. Grief can take on many faces and Smith tells her story with honesty and courage.
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the third on my list. In the forward she states “ I was not abused, abandoned, or locked up as a child.” In a fresh way she writes of an ordinary life. The book begins with a timeline, then is organized in alphabetical order as an encyclopedia would be. Under C you can read about Capricious and under P Parking Ticket. She has taken random thoughts, insights, and truth and arranged them to make sense. It made me laugh as I also recalled memories of childhood foods, cream rinse, and 1975. You want to call Amy,meet her for coffee, and reminisce.. Also, I love memoir that makes you laugh.
A few more on my list… Liars’ Club by Mary Karr ,The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, In The Wilderness by Kim Barnes, Julie and Julia by Julie Powell, Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp, and Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett.

Swan Song

After the first year teaching at my current school, we lost a student to a tragic accident. It was the first student I had lost, and the first funeral I had attended in this town. After her death I wanted to honor her with this poem.When I see tundra swans on Lake Roosevelt I always think of her.

Swan Song
in memory of S.A. Swan
A Sacred Place On Lake Roosevelt
(1983-1995)

Don’t apologize for the day you allowed your sister to

mark in that brand new book,
Remember, I wanted you to take it home

and practice reading it to her.

Don’t apologize for the day your mother arrived

to visit your teachers at school.
You were good to steady her when

she stumbled and slurred her words.

Don’t apologize for the day you forgot the words

from a story you composed in class.
Remember, we wrote them, whispered them,

wrestled with them to help you feel the sound.

Don’t apologize for the day after recess when

I had to send someone for you.
Because your other teacher kept you in your seat,

redoing that ditto ‘till you got it right.

Don’t apologize for the day you never appeared,

missing Indian tacos for lunch.

Remember, it was the day your mother returned

to the rez after rehab once again.

Don’t apologize for the day at summer school when

the children heard of your death
We tried to read, we tried to write,

but ended up seeing you.

Don’t apologize for leaving before I could say

how much I loved your spirit.
Remember, S.A., you were a fragile duckling,

beginning to become a swan.

Flavors That Blend: Chocolate and Orange

Chocolate Orange Muffins

A co-worker brought these muffins to a breakfast gathering a few years ago. Ever since that time I have loved the flavors of chocolate and orange together. There is something about the rich, bittersweet chips with the added zest and freshness of orange that makes a perfect combination. Sitting on the deck on an early spring morning we can enjoy the view ( see right), sip cups of fresh brewed coffee and savor Chocolate Orange Muffins.

Chocolate Orange Muffins
makes 12 muffins
2 medium oranges, well scrubbed and wiped dry
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips ( or good-quality bittersweet bar)
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
Heat oven to 375. Grease muffin tins or use foil baking cups.
Finely grate orange peel. Chop chocolate if not using chips. Beat sugar and butter in bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add orange peel. Add yogurt, orange juice, baking powder and baking soda. Mix well. Sprinkle flour then chocolate over batter. Fold gently just enough to blend flour.Put batter in muffin cups. Bake 15-25 minutes or until golden brown and springy to the touch. Turn out onto a rack.

You Can Never Have Too Many Primroses

Primroses (actual name Primula) are perennial plants that can be placed outside early in the spring to provide those first splashes of color in the garden. As long as primroses are protected and in some shade they can be put outside within the next few weeks. Various containers work well with these hardy plants. Making them mobile allows the gardener to move the containers closer to the house or in a protected place if it gets colder. These inexpensive plants are available now in the garden centers andwill flourish with lots of water and rich soil. I buy a bunch of plants for containers each spring, careful to chose a variety of colors and textures. When the weather warms I find a place to transplant them. The following spring I will have primroses returning in flower beds. Good companion plants are pansies, tulips, and daffodils. As JEJ and I take our first visit to the garden center each spring I always remind him," You can never have too many primroses!" He walks off to find another shopping cart as I study the colors and textures of the plants.