"Quirk"

"QUIRK"

So, I'm house/dog sitting for a great friend of mine. I sleep on the couch - feels safer for whatever reason. It's about 11:00 at night and there it is again.

"QUIRK"

Sounds almost like a duck. Lily and Gandalf (the pups) take a much-needed break from their boisterous kitchen play to listen as well.

"QUIRK, QUIRK"

What IS that? So I used some logic - the noise was definitley from some sort of creature and it sounded like a creature that I could overpower, in other words, not a cockroach. Being the brave sitter that I am, I get up to investigate.

"QUIRK"
Getting closer.

"QUIRK, QUIRK."
Ahh, I found it.

You see Stacy also has a pet tree frog named Mork who apparently now feels comfortable enough to let his voice be heard with me, a stranger in his home. I guess I should feel honored, but I really struggled as I listened to his night-long "song" during my precious few sleeping hours.

Has anyone ever met a "Frog Whisperer"? I could use some amphibial psychology right now.

Leaves for the Blind

I have been noticing that Melinda (a 7 year old student) has found a new recess hobby. She collects fallen leaves from trees and brings them to the teacher of her choice - you may be surprised what an honor it is to receive one.

I have observed though that the leaves she brings me have dozens of tiny holes in them. I assumed they were evidence of hungry bugs - I assumed incorrectly. Today, I saw firsthand what occurs just prior to the leaf gift-giving. She picks up the leaves, carries them to and places them on the blacktop. She then takes a stick and proceeds to poke tiny holes in each one. Now knowing her meticulous effort, I complimented Melinda on the artistic value of the leaves:

"Wow, Melinda. I love the texture of these leaves! You probably had to work pretty hard on them."

"Thank you. I really make them for blind people. They're in Braille."

She has such insight - every blind person's dream come true is a leaf...in Braille.

A Bug's Life

So Roberto comes up to me at recess today and says,

"A bug just flew in my eye. I saw it fly out, but I think it left an egg in there. I feel it."

Definitely cause for concern. If I had a bug's egg in my eye, I would be worried.

Feline Romance

Kendra (one of my 7-year old students) and I were talking after school recently. Apparently, her parents really stress family values because a concluding remark to her weekend summary was:

"...and my cat found a husband and she had babies in our yard."

Recent Ramblings

Wow! I'm a bit embarrassed by the months that have lapsed since my last post. My apologies to you regular checkers - you know who you are ;). This post will be a miscellaneous compilation of important updates since our last meeting.

Just got back from an amazing weekend at the farm in Robbinsville, NC. My family has a tradition of meeting at "the cabin" every year for Labor Day. So fun with lots of love and laughter! Nothing like a weekend away with home-cooked meals (unfortunately, I cannot receive credit for any of those), "tablet" crosswords, Rummikub runs of 2,3,4,5,10, feeding the fish, swinging on the porch, and getting absolutely NO work done. It was a true vacation, refreshing me to the very soul.

School has started. Although I currently have 25 students, within the next week we will have another 2nd grade teacher which will lower my student number to about 16. I really thought I would be excited about having some of them go to her, but I've recently realized I am not. I know that it is best for everyone, but it's amazing how attached we all are to each other already after only 2 weeks of school. I know that I will have plenty of stories to share as things settle down. For now, I am adjusting:).

FOOTBALL SEASON has arrived! Phrases like "action pass," "personal foul," "tight end," "interception," "flag down," - what can I say? My heart quickens and my stomach flutters at the anticipation. I love fall! I love football! Although, I am prepared for a disheartening season following the Green Bay Packers, I do look for Carolina to have a good season. Super-Bowl bound, or so I've heard. On a Packers note, poor Brett Favre. It will be interesting to see how this year (hopefully his last) plays out. Even now, I watch the FSU/Miami game - the sound is relaxing, the action is exhilirating, the excitement is contagious. I'm ready for NFL games to count, to mean something - enough preseason already. All I have to ask is, "Is it Sunday yet?"

So, do you feel caught up? I feel a bit disjointed after typing this entry that covers SO many topics, and I do apologize. I am, however, trying to meet the needs of my ADHD friends. They may be the only ones who have a clue about what I have written:).