progressive

while progressive parties are fun, progressive stories are also a hoot. Used this to kick-off this week's vocab lesson. A couple of students were crying so hard with laughter that they couldn't read the final product. (For those unfamiliar with this, you write a sentence and hand it to the next person. They write a sentence to go with yours and then fold yours down and pass it along. So, you're only reading one sentence at a time.)

we just don't use 'mirth' enough

I really need to record my Monday voice student~he says the most hilarious things, but by the time I get home, I have forgotten the exact wording. It's a good life right now~there is a lot of mirth in all my teaching and I am savoring it.

little leaves & fingers

Are filling all my attention these days. It's nice to have time to simply sit and stare at the new life. 

Yes, it's blurry~but you try holding an infant and taking a photo! Her little fingers are worthy of being stared at for several hours.  Just so teeny and perfect.

And the perfect little ears.

"Less of the photos while I'm trying to sleep." 

Out for a walk with the eldest Little~we voted this tree the showiest of the block.

Some creek burblings to listen to and a fine mailbox to admire. 

And then a painting project in the sunshine. 

My heart is full.

flanuessing

A GORGEOUS day to be out/about. 

The tulips have finally been convinced to open. 

Flags at half-mast for the passing of Barbara Bush.

Delish coffee from a favorite cafe. 

I've seen the entry to the National Botanical Gardens now in three seasons, and they are each stunning. 

These orchids were climbing almost a full two-stories.

Me and my love of glitter were thrilled to find a sparkly doorway in the East Building of the National Museum of Art~my first visit. Less thrilled to read the description that each bead symbolized the poison of chemo dripping through veins. (This is why sometimes, I prefer to be ignorant of art.)

And again I ask~HOW is this art? Even if it's abstract or something I don't enjoy, I can appreciate the skill/craft that went into creating it. But painting a large canvas ONE colour and naming it something stupid like Untitled #97 is not Art. (imo.) 

I was soothed by seeing a Kandinsky~always love his joyful colours/shapes. 

But then walked around the corner to see this piece of weird canvas taped to the wall. I can't even.

Up on the rooftop, no Santa, but a Very Large & Bright Rooster. While it's whimsical and startling, I feel a bit sorry for the offices across the plaza that have this for a daily view.

Intriguing shadows created by this pipe sculpture. 

And I stumbled into an entire room of Rothkos! I was introduced to his work by one of my best friends~so it's always a lovely reminder of her when I see one of his paintings. 

Had a yummy chk'n sandwich at Hip City Veg and got my greys all covered at the Aveda Institute. Get ready for an onslaught of darling photos of my Littles!

tiny bits of luck

My Luck ~Jane Hirshfield

My luck lay in the road copper side up and copper side down It shone I passed it by I turned around I picked it up I shook my beggar’s cup quite full I left it there to be refound I bent down and I unbent up copper side down copper side up between the air and ground left there picked up My luck

celebratory

My life experience has taught me that ESL and Choirs have the best food~potlucks seem to naturally spring up around these groups. Today was declared a celebration as Nouf leaves school and returns home for a couple of months. 

I've posted before about these fried bits of deliciousness~legemat.

YUM. 

Two of my favorite students~Fatima (left) is from Morocco and speaks a delightful mash of French/Arabic/English and Nouf is from KSA. They both are extremely kind. And always ready to make mischief in the class.

Just a typical Thursday at this school.

the cockles of my heart

I didn't actually know where the cockles actually were (and yes, one of these is a joke)

Today we did acrostic poems using each student's name. They insisted on doing one for me as well, and I'm still verklempt.

Lovely & loyal teacher

Around the US/UK

Unique and unbelievably

Rich in students

International style

Elegant and smart.

Awwwww. I've one more week with this particular group and then they're launched into their respective graduate programs or heading home for a a couple of months.

My little heart is overflowing.

blink

Those minute pink buds from a couple postings ago? Have morphed into full blossoms since last I walked down this particular street. Truly impressive as we're back in the freezing zone at night.

These are some sturdy and/or defiant little flowers. 

Am sure there is some deep lesson in all of this, but for now? I am simply enjoying the impossible greenness of itty-bitty leaves and the pop of joyous colours from the flowers everywhere.

because a musician's life is one of

mainly monochromatic hours, one needs a pop of colour here and there.

Sunday mornings

Are the best~made some molasses/ginger butter to go on French toast this morning.

Legit reason for not making my bed.

feline fine...

Actually, rather sleepy after two nights of no or little sleep. But, oh so worth it to hang out with baby Kate. 

I've been bouncing back/forth between cousins' cats and the hospital~I SO am ready for another pet.