I was reading some of Mom's posts from earlier, and had been reading the one about eating a snicker's bar. Now, anyone who knows me well knows I have a terrible sweet tooth. I like to claim that it keeps me young and smiling:) I know it also makes me look more and more like Santa Claus as I get older. If I let a beard grow out, it might even work, because my whiskers are a very definite white if I let them grow more than about 4 days. Don't worry Mom (or Michelle), I never intend to grow a beard. I get itchy after day 2. And I do intend to try to avoid reaching that body type.
I was enjoying the "discussion" of variations on eating candy bars, and it made me think of some experiences with my students. I have introduced my students to Swiss chocolate. Sorry, parents! Of all the European chocolate I have had during my time in Switzerland, or on any of my visits to Germany, my definite favorite is Lindt/Sprungli, the manufacturers of Lindor truffels. The bite size round balls of pure chocolate indulgence! I have been fortunate to try all of the varieties they make, except the dark/mint version, and all I can say is ..mmmmmmmmmmm:) :)
Over the years, I find it interesting that my students have begun to share my passion for fine chocolate. They have also learned some things about the fine people who make them, or at least the societies that produced them. It is an inspiring notion, that love of a small round confection can instill a sense of pleasant wonder about a culture and place far away from our own lives.
If we all had the opportunity to sample the "minor" delights of the world's many cultures, before we had a chance to see or hear of their many problems, I wonder if we would look at those places and people with slightly different eyes?
It is one of the many joys of teaching, the chance to expose students to a world much larger than the one they know, and to influence them in opening their minds to the many pleasantries of other cultures. If we took more time to find the beauty in other customs and creations, our world would be a much better place in which to live.
Also, as I think back on my students experiences with Lindor "Kugeln" (balls), the snickers test opens up diplomatic opportunities. I know some who will simply pop the whole thing in their mouth and chew it up almost immediately, to get the rush of rich velvety chocolate goodness. Others will let it melt slowly, because the type of chocolate Lindt makes has a magnificent richness to it, and as it melts slowly on your tongue, the rest of the world just melts into oblivion for a moment. Others will separate the outer layer from the "melting" chocolate filling, which has a special softness and richness that is distinct from the outer shell, but which can only be exposed to air for a few moments before it starts to liquefy. AND Oh My Gosh!, is it absolutely heavenly!!
I have overheard students discussing their favorite way to eat one of these wonders of the candy world, and have yet to hear an argument over which way is best. New ideas are tried, favorite methods discussed and relied upon, and generally ..."gushing" is the best word I can come up with. Some have stepped out of their "milk-chocolate" comfort zone to try something new ("dark", "extra dark", hazelnut, raspberry), just because they knew and liked the other.
Maybe if we could just get our world leaders to share a few moments with each other discussing their favorite way to eat a small piece of heaven, whether it be Lindor, snicker's or any other treat, they would be better able to see each other as friends. It's a thought I like to call chocolate diplomacy!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Still here!
I have not fallen off the planet! I have not been arrested and put in jail! I have not broken both of my arms! We still have electricity at our house and the computer DOES still function!
It has simply been busy enough the past two weeks that the only times I can find to get on the computer long enough to do much of anything tend to be late at night. And then, my sporadic computer time splits between loading and reading any new e-mail messages (sometimes upwards of 20 messages), reading any new postings from my blog lists, such as Barb'sbabblings (mom), Janet's Garden Spot (Janet, obviously), Andrew and Kathy, and others. I sometimes have things to print for church, and I try to keep track of my travel group.
All of this takes way more time than I would like, because we still have slow dial up. I know, I know! The first thought each of you just had is some variation of "WHY?" "Why don't you get cable? Satellite? etc.? Feasability and function, that's why! Our location would make running cable a several hundred dollar job, if not thousands, since we are about 20 miles from the closest cable source that we know of. Satellite is simply too expensive to set up, and the monthly fee just to have the connection is not within our budget, to say nothing of the subscriber rates for this area. And, no, it is not worth it to have satellite TV in my opinion. we have enough issues with channel surfing as it is!
Some friends from church, who live in a similar situation over by Floral (15-20 miles away) have looked into satellite, and the best service is the equivalent of cell phone service that swings between 2 and 3 bars, with frequent drops. (this according to the tech from the satellite company in question!)
This requires significant time AND patience for any internet activity beyond a few e-mails. And when your average day starts at 5 am, sitting at the computer at 11 pm is not the best choice. And here the last few weeks, 11 pm has been about the only time I have been able to come near the computer. Which means I don't spend much home time on the computer.
I know if I ran down each individual day, I could find plenty of minutes that I could spend here, but when those times fall in between job, church, family and farm responsibilities, and I know that I would rather spend those "down" times with my wife and kids (when they're not running every which way but loose), then the desire to come fight the slowness just doesn't materialize.
At some point, hopefully in the not too distant future, I think I might just run through what for me is a fairly typical day. I may be the only one that finds it interesting when I do, but then again..... it is MY blog, isn't it? :)
It has simply been busy enough the past two weeks that the only times I can find to get on the computer long enough to do much of anything tend to be late at night. And then, my sporadic computer time splits between loading and reading any new e-mail messages (sometimes upwards of 20 messages), reading any new postings from my blog lists, such as Barb'sbabblings (mom), Janet's Garden Spot (Janet, obviously), Andrew and Kathy, and others. I sometimes have things to print for church, and I try to keep track of my travel group.
All of this takes way more time than I would like, because we still have slow dial up. I know, I know! The first thought each of you just had is some variation of "WHY?" "Why don't you get cable? Satellite? etc.? Feasability and function, that's why! Our location would make running cable a several hundred dollar job, if not thousands, since we are about 20 miles from the closest cable source that we know of. Satellite is simply too expensive to set up, and the monthly fee just to have the connection is not within our budget, to say nothing of the subscriber rates for this area. And, no, it is not worth it to have satellite TV in my opinion. we have enough issues with channel surfing as it is!
Some friends from church, who live in a similar situation over by Floral (15-20 miles away) have looked into satellite, and the best service is the equivalent of cell phone service that swings between 2 and 3 bars, with frequent drops. (this according to the tech from the satellite company in question!)
This requires significant time AND patience for any internet activity beyond a few e-mails. And when your average day starts at 5 am, sitting at the computer at 11 pm is not the best choice. And here the last few weeks, 11 pm has been about the only time I have been able to come near the computer. Which means I don't spend much home time on the computer.
I know if I ran down each individual day, I could find plenty of minutes that I could spend here, but when those times fall in between job, church, family and farm responsibilities, and I know that I would rather spend those "down" times with my wife and kids (when they're not running every which way but loose), then the desire to come fight the slowness just doesn't materialize.
At some point, hopefully in the not too distant future, I think I might just run through what for me is a fairly typical day. I may be the only one that finds it interesting when I do, but then again..... it is MY blog, isn't it? :)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Don't like the weather? Stick around!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
I hope you have had a great Christmas and New Year's holiday break! I know not everyone gets two weeks off at this time, but I hope you have enjoyed the time you had. I have been enjoying the time with my family. It is one of the many things I enjoy about being a teacher. Typically, when my kids are out of school, I am also out of school.
I have been sitting here at the end of the day, looking out on the glowing embers remaining from a huge fire in our backyard (more on that), waiting for feed trucks to come off the hill before I go do night time checks on the farm ("put the chickens to bed"), contemplating what, if anything, to write tonight.
I thought back on the holiday break, and decided on the weather. I know, I know, it seems like such a lame topic, but I live in Arkansas! Weather is a common topic of discussion, because there is always something to talk about. These past 2 (maybe 3)weeks are definitely a good example of same.
The last week of school in december started off a wild ride. Arkansas natives (sometimes called "Arkansans") are often heard to say, " if you don't like the weather, stick around awhile. It'll change. (Feed truck's coming off the hill, I will be back).
(40 minutes later)Okay, fed, and put to bed!
Anyway, the weather! 3 weeks ago today, the weather was fairly nice, but on the cool side of things. Just like you would expect for December. Monday, December 15 dawned cold and drizzly, at least here in Drasco. I drove down to school, and watched as the day got colder, and grayer, and wetter. Sleet is such wild stuff. I believe I described it once as tiny ice ball-bearings. Then it was announced that school would dismiss at 1:30. As I watched the sleet start to stick to edges of sidewalks and car windows, I knew I was in for a rough ride home.
Sleet, some snow, and light freezing fog for the next 2 days, most schools cancelled across the north and central part of the state. Then Thursday was cold, but fairly nice.
Friday Dec. 19, last day of school before break, testing for the last 15 students (okay, there were more, but not many). Gorgeous! Sunny, and a pleasant 70 degrees in Conway (or very close to it.) Drasco had 65 degrees or higher. There was talk of possible tornadoes.
Saturday was sunny but cool, and then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before Christmas dawned cold! very cold. Sunday at church we had people saying they had 10-15 degrees showing at home. Monday, Bob (my father-in-law) said his porch thermometer showed 4 degrees at about 7 am when he got up to deal with a dog. I believed every bit of it, because puddles in the chicken house driveways had frozen solid enough to support our van. The day stayed cold, although fairly sunny. It took a 20-something ton feed truck to break the ice on those puddles Monday night. When I saw them Tuesday a.m., they were nearly 1 1/2 inches thick!!
Then over Christmas Eve, Christmas, and (for our British and Canadian friends) Boxing Day, we had more typical Arkansas December weather. Cool, mostly sunny, some wind and night-time fog or mist (not the German version).
We have enjoyed the week leading up to New Year's, with nice cool weather, allowing work in the yard, or just a pleasant walk down the road. These past 2 days, I finally had to actually do some work in the yard. Hey, I said the weather allowed it, I didn't say I did it!
I spent today dealing with some trees. I have 8 trees in my front yard that need to come down. 3 are dead, and threaten our small storage shed. The others are in the way of a planned construction of a shop for Michelle's seamstress business. After taking care of chicken house chores, breakfast, and some other miscellaneous things, I went to get the chainsaw and get started. Wouldn't you know, the best laid plans........
After drawing the starter rope 4-5 times to work the mechanism loose, the first strong pull snapped the rope! Bummer! After spending Nearly 2 more hours finding tools, rope and other parts, and about 30 minutes unwinding the twisted starter rope, I finally got the chainsaw started. We didn't have as much daylight as I needed to cut down all of my planned victims, but just to say I got something truly accomplished today, I took down the biggest of the 8.
We got it cut, Ian and I split it into good firewood, and it is now stacked nicely behind the house. To celebrate, we burned a huge pile of old rotting logs, and the smaller branches, creating the big bonfire I mentioned earlier. The wood pile was about 4 feet high, and as it burned down to coals, we thought it was a beautiful night for a wienie roast. That's how nice the weather was today. We had hot-dogs, and s'mores, and then sat around the fire for about an hour.
That was 4 hours ago, and I wouldn't want to go sit out around the glowing embers, or a big fire now. A very heavy fog has moved in, and everything is wet and cold.
I don't know what tomorrow's weather is supposed to be like, but if it is not what I want when I wake up, I just need to wait and see what it changes into.
I hope you have had a great Christmas and New Year's holiday break! I know not everyone gets two weeks off at this time, but I hope you have enjoyed the time you had. I have been enjoying the time with my family. It is one of the many things I enjoy about being a teacher. Typically, when my kids are out of school, I am also out of school.
I have been sitting here at the end of the day, looking out on the glowing embers remaining from a huge fire in our backyard (more on that), waiting for feed trucks to come off the hill before I go do night time checks on the farm ("put the chickens to bed"), contemplating what, if anything, to write tonight.
I thought back on the holiday break, and decided on the weather. I know, I know, it seems like such a lame topic, but I live in Arkansas! Weather is a common topic of discussion, because there is always something to talk about. These past 2 (maybe 3)weeks are definitely a good example of same.
The last week of school in december started off a wild ride. Arkansas natives (sometimes called "Arkansans") are often heard to say, " if you don't like the weather, stick around awhile. It'll change. (Feed truck's coming off the hill, I will be back).
(40 minutes later)Okay, fed, and put to bed!
Anyway, the weather! 3 weeks ago today, the weather was fairly nice, but on the cool side of things. Just like you would expect for December. Monday, December 15 dawned cold and drizzly, at least here in Drasco. I drove down to school, and watched as the day got colder, and grayer, and wetter. Sleet is such wild stuff. I believe I described it once as tiny ice ball-bearings. Then it was announced that school would dismiss at 1:30. As I watched the sleet start to stick to edges of sidewalks and car windows, I knew I was in for a rough ride home.
Sleet, some snow, and light freezing fog for the next 2 days, most schools cancelled across the north and central part of the state. Then Thursday was cold, but fairly nice.
Friday Dec. 19, last day of school before break, testing for the last 15 students (okay, there were more, but not many). Gorgeous! Sunny, and a pleasant 70 degrees in Conway (or very close to it.) Drasco had 65 degrees or higher. There was talk of possible tornadoes.
Saturday was sunny but cool, and then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before Christmas dawned cold! very cold. Sunday at church we had people saying they had 10-15 degrees showing at home. Monday, Bob (my father-in-law) said his porch thermometer showed 4 degrees at about 7 am when he got up to deal with a dog. I believed every bit of it, because puddles in the chicken house driveways had frozen solid enough to support our van. The day stayed cold, although fairly sunny. It took a 20-something ton feed truck to break the ice on those puddles Monday night. When I saw them Tuesday a.m., they were nearly 1 1/2 inches thick!!
Then over Christmas Eve, Christmas, and (for our British and Canadian friends) Boxing Day, we had more typical Arkansas December weather. Cool, mostly sunny, some wind and night-time fog or mist (not the German version).
We have enjoyed the week leading up to New Year's, with nice cool weather, allowing work in the yard, or just a pleasant walk down the road. These past 2 days, I finally had to actually do some work in the yard. Hey, I said the weather allowed it, I didn't say I did it!
I spent today dealing with some trees. I have 8 trees in my front yard that need to come down. 3 are dead, and threaten our small storage shed. The others are in the way of a planned construction of a shop for Michelle's seamstress business. After taking care of chicken house chores, breakfast, and some other miscellaneous things, I went to get the chainsaw and get started. Wouldn't you know, the best laid plans........
After drawing the starter rope 4-5 times to work the mechanism loose, the first strong pull snapped the rope! Bummer! After spending Nearly 2 more hours finding tools, rope and other parts, and about 30 minutes unwinding the twisted starter rope, I finally got the chainsaw started. We didn't have as much daylight as I needed to cut down all of my planned victims, but just to say I got something truly accomplished today, I took down the biggest of the 8.
We got it cut, Ian and I split it into good firewood, and it is now stacked nicely behind the house. To celebrate, we burned a huge pile of old rotting logs, and the smaller branches, creating the big bonfire I mentioned earlier. The wood pile was about 4 feet high, and as it burned down to coals, we thought it was a beautiful night for a wienie roast. That's how nice the weather was today. We had hot-dogs, and s'mores, and then sat around the fire for about an hour.
That was 4 hours ago, and I wouldn't want to go sit out around the glowing embers, or a big fire now. A very heavy fog has moved in, and everything is wet and cold.
I don't know what tomorrow's weather is supposed to be like, but if it is not what I want when I wake up, I just need to wait and see what it changes into.
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