Northern Noise

First real snow today.  Melted by this evening, but this morning was a snowy morning.  Clouds, fluffy white stuff, cold air, the whole works.  Although I want the snow to hold off one more week until we finish some house chores, I think I'll be ready for winter this year. I'll be ready for winter this year, although the fall has been amazing.  Cool mornings, warm evenings, beautiful leaves and the smell of cranberries,  The dog running through the leaf pile, the chickadees making dive bombs at the sunflower seeds in the bird feeders. Winter is an excuse to snuggle down in front of a movie with the family.  Winter is a reason to make soup.  Winter is hot chocolate after sledding down the hill.  Winter is dinner in the crockpot and coming home to amazing smells.  Winter is northern lights and red wine, fires in the wood stove. Every season brings something positive, something to look forward to.  And the change keeps us on our toes, not getting too comfortable. Life is

Well, it's official.  I'm officially a Master of Arts.  Although it took me 18 years after earning my Bachelors degree, I went back to school and received a Masters of Arts in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction.  I must say that I definitely feel that I learned something in the 23 months I was in the program.  It was a worthwhile, albeit expensive, experience.  My family says I don't LOOK any smarter, but I'll show them!! I really enjoyed being back in school.  Having to read the research, reflect on best practice, study current trends, and increase my basic knowledge in everything from theories of child development to interpreting statistics was really good for me.  It reinvigorated me, both professionally and personally. So I decided to start a second masters program.  So far it's not been as good as SXU, but I'm enjoying my current class.  I told Bob that if I get another degree I'll be almost as smart as he is! It all makes me ch

Went to bed last night after a beautiful, warm evening.  Woke up this morning and it was snowing.  Bob reminds me that some years it's been darn cold by now.  I'm still not ready for it.  Of course it didn't stick, and it was nice and crisp and beautiful this afternoon but ol' Mother Nature has once again reminded us she's boss.  And she has a sense of humor.

It's September 22 and I've been sitting out on the deck drinking coffee in my bare feet.  Kinda crazy considering that it's usually a bit colder than that.  It is unusual.  It looks like fall outside; the leaves have fallen and the sky is grey and foreboding.  It's disconcerting when what you see just doesn't jive with the 60 degree warmth. I think tonight we'll set up the tent and sleep in the yard.  It's a beautiful time for it.

It's funny how things can go from "just fine" to "not so much."  One minute we're sitting down at the dinner table talking politics, sharing the good things from our day, and the next minute someone's grouchy and being a turkey. That's how families go, isn't it?? Do you ever get the feeling that you just don't want to be the grown up? That you want to be able to throw a temper tantrum and not have to wait patiently for others?  Yeah, I get ya.  But you know what?  Being a grown up means that you smile and continue to act like a parent even when you don't want to.  It's about putting the kids and the "right thing" in front of one's own frustrations and desires. So that's it. (and then you put the kids to bed and pour a cocktail)

I've been trying to write more.  The problem is that I don't always have a lot to say.  When I started writing it never occurred to me that anyone would read anything I posted, so I spewed out the drivel that rolls around in my mostly empty noggin.  I was also still learning to deal with a boy, so there was probably some humor in that.  Little kids are funny; I think they're less so as they grow.  When I used to write "old school" I made myself write in my journal for at least 20 minutes every day.  Sometimes I discovered deep thoughts, mostly I just forced out words.  I have about 12 years of journals in boxes in the studio.  (I should probably get rid of them before I kick the bucket and the kids have to muck through all the crap.)  So now I force myself to write and it (mostly) gets published on my little blog.  On occasion I write something I like.  Often I share my random thoughts on issues.  When I get a gem, I post a laugh about my life.   I think the m

I have never seen myself as especially patriotic.  I am proud of my gramps's military service and the sacrifices he made for our country.  I support our troops and their families as they carry out the life-changing, world-altering decisions of our Commander in Chief.  I don't want my own children to join the military, and I don't appreciate that our country spends so much on the military and oversees missions when our own citizens suffer daily. Still, there is something about watching the Democratic National Convention that is inspirational.  First, I always admire people who feel passionately and act on their beliefs. I do believe that President Obama feels passionately about doing the right thing for our country.  I suppose that Mitt Romney does also, but  there's something about a man whose had money off the poor and middle class that rings false with me. Watching the speeches last night made me wish I could be a part of the energy and gave me hope for the future