Sibling Assignment #194: Crossroads That Led to the Classroom

Sister Carol gave Sibling Assignment #194. While attending Cosette’s graduation recently, it got me thinking about when I graduated from college, what I did and didn’t remember from that day, and where I was at regarding my future.  Think back to when you graduated and received your bachelor’s degree.  What happened next in your life, and how do you remember feeling at this crossroads of your life? You will find her post here and brother Bill'shere

When you major in education in college you are on a strict timetable before and after graduation. When I graduated from college most teaching jobs were posted in spring/early summer and teachers were hired for the next school year by early July. Back in the day, we got a newsletter that listed all the teaching jobs that were open.

I knew I wanted a teaching job. I had student taught in Coeur d’Alene and hoped to continue teaching there. I did get an interview, but back then hundreds of new teachers applied for jobs there. I wasn’t  selected. I focused my search on the Inland Empire mostly because I thought it would make it easier to relocate.

I was most interested in fourth or fifth grade, but would have considered other grade levels. I had my bright yellow interview dress and often was driven to interviews in the early part of the summer because I didn’t have a car. Sometimes my parents let me use their car.  I interviewed in Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Garfield WA, and Kellogg. I decided to take the job in Kellogg because it was fourth grade. The pay was better than the districts up north. It was at Pinehurst Elementary which meant I would know lots of the staff.

For me it was a fun crossroads in life summer. It was easy to find an apartment, I got my first car, and I got lots of help and support from my mom and other teachers in the district. I didn’t have much money in September so I ate dinner at my parents every night. I enjoyed that because I could troubleshoot teaching strategies with Mom. Dad’s favorite saying during that time was, “Are you two going to teach school all evening?” Yes, we pretty much did that.

It was a smart decision for me and it got my teaching career off to a strong start. I had quality people I taught with, supportive parents, students I have never forgotten, and a fun social life also. I stayed at PInehurst the first three years of my career and only left because a marriage to my first husband required relocation.

Sibling Assignment #193: Capturing Alaska

Brother Bill gave Sibling Assignment #193. “Write about a dream trip you’d like to take in the United States, even if you don’t think it’ll ever happen. Include where you’d like to go and, if it’s fitting, what time of year you’d like to make the trip. Also discuss why this is your dream. “ You will find Bill's assignment here and sister Carol's here.

I have always wanted to do a cruise to Alaska. I would like to see the lower part of the state. I would like to go in the summer when it isn’t too cold.

I want to go because I have heard so many friends that have taken the trip and just loved it. The scenery is breathtaking. People are friendly. Stops along the way are well-planned and allows the tourist to see many beautiful places in our forty-ninth state.   Alaska is a difficult state to drive to, so the cruise would allow me to see sites not able to see on a driving trip.

The Inside Passage is what really interests me. Stretching from Puget Sound, Wash., along the British Columbia coast into the Gulf of Alaska, the Inside Passage was formed by the movement of massive glaciers millions of years ago. It includes more than 1,000 islands, fiords and lush island scenery, habitat for whales, bald eagles and other wildlife — and, of course, the glaciers.

I think a cruise would also be an easier way to travel. If you want to get off the ship you can. When you are traveling in the ocean you have other activities to do. I have also heard the food is amazing on the cruise,

I also think a cruise would be a restful, relaxing vacation

Sibling Assignment #192 : The Memory of Lilacs

I gave the following sibling assignment #192:

“What flower evoke strong memories with you? Share those memories in our next sibling assignment. “ You will find brother Bill's assignment here and sister Carol's here.

I have been surrounded by garden flowers since I was a little girl, Both my
grandmothers raised beautiful flowers gardens as did my Auntie Lila. Mom did the best she could, but the smelter smoke always made it a challenge in Kellogg. Later she was able to add more flowers when the smoke went away. When I would go visit these family gardens, it usually was in August when many varieties of perennials and annuals were in bloom. 

In spring though I could also look forward to lilacs. Lilacs evoke strong memories
with me. When we moved to 516 W. Cameron the back fence was lined with lilac bushes. The lilacs were strong enough to stand up to the smelter smoke. I looked forward to them blooming in the spring and filling the air with a sweet, heady fragrance.

Grandma Woolum also had lilacs in Spokane. Spokane is the Lilac City and what I
remember is that hers always bloomed first. We would bring home a bouquet that would carry that sweet scent in the car and continue when we arrived home. I could treasure that bouquet until ours bloomed.

It was one the first thing I planted when I had room for lilacs at Martin Creek.
 Now that I am back next door to Mom’s lilacs, I was pleased a row of lilac bushes were planted in my new backyard also.

Lilacs are also a favorite bloom to photograph. Here are a few of my favorite photo images.There is one thing I wish I could change about ilacs. I  just wish they lasted longer.

Ten Tips To Help Prepare for the Autumn Season

I think my friends are split in half. Half are crying sad tears as the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to turn. The other half are like me waiting to buy mums for the porch, pulling out the heavy socks and sweatshirts, and sitting around the fire pit in the evening to warm up.

Whichever side you are on, here are some tips to help you prepare for this upcoming season:
1. Match your warm socks in your drawer so can reach them as needed.
2. Make sure there is wood ready for a fire in the pit out back.
3. Dig out the  "Sweater Weather" candle and light it. (favorite scent from Bath and Bodyworks)
4. Review your Pineterest board "Pumpkin Everything".
5.  Find the harvest flag purchased 80% off last January.
6.  Buy school supplies just because they are there.
7. Plan a Sunday dinner that will use the Crock -Pot.
8. Start taking pictures of every leaf that turns or falls in your yard.
9. Store the flipflops.
10. Buy Mason jars to prepare for canning, whether you can or not. I am sure there is a craft that can be created using those those jars.

The Shed Notebook: Life Starts All Over Again

Just a week ago we were hunkered down in the house avoiding hot, hot weather and smoke filled skies from surrouding wildfires. Then all of a sudden cool air moved in, The skies cleared. I dug out warm socks in the morning. Rain fell. Friends built fires and turned on furnances. Just like that life started all over again, The crisp of fall had arrived.

Each season has unique features, but fall is the season that life starts all over again for me. Part of the reason for this was being a teacher for so many years. A new school year started in fall. That meant new students, new school supplies, new teacher clothes, and new hope for a successful year,

Now that I am retired I enjoy fall even more. Summer flowers begin to fade, summer bounty gets preserved for winter meals, the air is fresher. It is cooler working outside, and the birds return for autumn feeding.  It is time to bring in a bright bouquet of mums and end the day around a fire sipping warm beverages while snuggling in hooded sweatshirts. It is time for vacations to places of beauty that are quiet and not so full of people. It is also returning to the warm comfort of home,

Life starts again in my creative life in the fall. I want to crack open a new journal and a new pen and write more, find time to start creative projects, and be inspired by other creative people. Fall is the time I love to tackle the stack of  books I've wanted to read. Give me a good cup of coffee, a soft chair, a good book, and a warm blanket and I am set.

I also love the foods of fall that bring comfort and fill the house with delicious smells. I am ready for hearty soups, grilled vegetables that have been harvested, Sunday dinners with oven roasted meals, warm sweet breads, and the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

I do appreciate different parts of all seasons. I am pleased I live in a place with four distinct seasons, so know that I don't hole up in the house the rest of year and pout until the first leaf changes. Our first leaves haven't even turned yet, but soon the smell of burning leaves, outdoor fires, and ripened apples will surround us. I am ready. 

The Shed Notebook: Remembering Mom and The Smallest Things

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."- Winnie the Pooh

My mother died one year ago today. Mom also loved Winnie the Pooh. The quote I found today seems fitting as I reflect on Mom's life a year later.   I learned when Mom was ill and after she died she did the smallest things for others. When I would run into someone at the store, or a friend of hers  would come into the library, or family members would read another card sent in memory of Mom, there were always the smallest things people we remembered. We knew the big things. Her former students shared stories of her creative classroom, her animals in her classroom, her Valentine post office, and reading "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle." Her friends remembered her dedication to her teacher association, PTA, the Library Board, and her friendship. Her family will never forget the meals she prepared, the strong hand to reassure in time of need, her love for television shows and soaps,the vegetables and flowers from the garden, and the fruit cake, popcorn balls, and cookies at Christmas.

 I learned of the little things. She came home and brought a heater up to a cold building when the librarian was selling books at the annual book sale. Her and dad found extra money so a friend could get out of jail and be home for Christmas with his family. There was a story of how she stood in the sweltering sun selling sloppy joes at Frontier Days to support the Silver King School PTA. Mom volunteered at my own Chili Feed in the evening at my school since she couldn't volunteer during the day. She remembered her former students that were staff at Kindred during her last months even though she taught them over fifty years ago. When she was tired, couldn't remember things, hurt all over, and was confused in her last months of life she always thanked the workers, had a smile on her face when people came to visit, and listened to others tell their sad stories. She held my hand while I cried over the death of my dog Annie.
Those smallest things filled up my mother's heart. That is another part of her I love and miss a year later.