Friday, good

Shiny penny found at the Nats Stadium. 

One never outgrows (or so I hope) the allure of the bent copper dipping wand. 

 

The joy of a Paas kit. 

And now I can have pastel egg-salad for the next week...

buy me some peanuts and crrrrackerjacks

Probably the most perfect ballgame~weather wise, that I have attended.  Cool and clear and with a teeny view of the Washington Monument. It was the Nats vs. the SF Giants and a fun game~with some dull innings in the middle with nothing but strike-outs.

Our usher was zany and hilarious and kept it lively during the lulls. Garlic fries were enjoyed.

And, in case you were wondering, Teddy won the President race that they do every game.

acrostics

We tackled acrostic poetry today~students were taking photos of their, for most, very first poem ever. In that spirit, I offer you my day:

This chilly morning brought no hint that it would be

Unusual. 

Easy-peasy traffic and a quiet first hour at 

School. Super fun grilled cheese bar where I divided the school into birth

Days, so student would mix/mingle. Figuring out more of the visa system

And helping one student unsnarl his life, while another one had a meltdown and 

Yelled at pretty much everyone. But now I'm home. Bathed, yogaged, and medicated for bed.

we won't always have Paris

So bizarre as while writing this morning and squinting out my window, I thought the rooftops opposite looked faintly Parisian. And I walk by this light enroute to my mail box and always thinks it looks like it could be along the Seine.

Other than the metro/airport, I've not spent time in Paris, but being on day 661 of French lessons~it floats around in my mind a lot. That, and a life in Montreal.

Just a ramble on the brevity of beauty and a reminder to myself to stay focused on the joys underfoot.

And speaking of underfoot, our boss has five children with varying spring breaks, so we're meeting them as they tag along to the office. Today's was a firecracker! Gave her folders to stuff and shelves to organize and she waded right in.

We were all snickering because she was very carefully making invoices for her mother to pay her at the end of the day. She just turned 11; I would say that it'll be interesting to watch what she becomes as she grows up.

Sunday life still

Sunday life still, the

sacrament of serenity;

lovely slothfulness

the joy of one

One year of this little CupKate~she got to hand out eggs at her sister's school this morning. 

I'd be a little terrified at a six-foot rabbit, but it seemed to be a hit with the preschool crowd. 

Baby's first cake; mama did her proud. 

Not quiiiite sure about the crowd (all five of us) singing to her.) 

But then she decided to pinch the candle out instead of the traditional blowin' and wishin'.

First, a bit of playing with the food before tasting it.

Not sure about the first bite, but then...

 loved it and ate the entire slice.

After Christmas and watching her sister and dad just have birthdays, this little one knows exactly what to do with presents. She was so giggly tonight and racing around~into everything. What a joy to watch this first year!!!

the familiar & the curious

Realized that I'm fully unpacked for the first time in almost two years, so it was fun to find these salt/pepper cuties from an aunt and allow them to be free-range chickie.

Guess I was enthusiastic when I tried some Egyptian gum this week; I thought it tasted like thyme. The student brought me a bag full~just for me today and I learned a bit about the https://www.britannica.com/plant/mastic-tree">Mastic tree

. (I have NO idea why this hyperlink isn't working as it's the correct formula.) I took some to my conversation class~curious to see how other Middle Eastern/Mediterranean countries used it and found all kinds of uses.

Bad lighting, but I finally got a couple of bronzed planters to begin gardening! Again, for the first time since I left Texas. Home Depot didn't have any plants that inspired me to adopt them, so will continue the quest this weekend.

oh, the truth

back in the classroom!

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One of our teachers maimed her foot during break so we're scrambling to cover all her classes. Am thrilled that I get to take over the casual writing/conversation class. Since it's National Poetry Month, I'm kicking off our class with this gem.

In Praise of Dreams

~Wislawa Szymborska

In my dreams
I paint like Vermeer van Delft.

I speak fluent Greek
and not just with the living.

I drive a car
that does what I want it to.

I am gifted
and write mighty epics.

I hear voices
as clearly as any venerable saint.

My brilliance as a pianist
would stun you.

I fly the way we ought to,
i.e., on my own.

Falling from the roof,
I tumble gently to the grass.

I’ve got no problem
breathing under water.

I can’t complain:
I’ve been able to locate Atlantis.

It’s gratifying that I can always
wake up before dying.

As soon as war breaks out,
I roll over on my other side.

I’m a child of my age,
but I don’t have to be.

A few years ago,
I saw two suns.

And the night before last a penguin,
clear as day.

in which we learn

that even though students say they want healthier food days, the oatmeal bar was not a hit.

Some very interesting Egyptian gum given to me by a new student~I'm going to have to ask her what the flavor was; my guess is thyme. I rather enjoyed my first experience with savory gum.

And the teeniest little desserts brought to me by a student who happens to be good friends with my landlady. For only knowing 10 people in this region, there are interesting connections showing up.

We seem to have left spring behind abruptly with a wave of hot rains. But got my car's oil changed and we kicked off a vibrant new session of school with a healthy enrollment from, I think, 13 countries. 

maintenant la lame verte se lève

Sweet peas!

April may babble, but it's a good month

Getting ready for an open house at school tomorrow; we're kicking off a new program that's been percolating for almost a year. Pleased that I found partyware that coordinates with the school colours.

 Got myself an annual membership at the local botanical garden; not only is it a lovely space, I'm hoping to walk there after school and excuse myself from the snarls of traffic.

It was 28 when I got dressed this morning, so delightfully crisp walking weather.

For once, a metal bench felt good to sit upon. 

Found my Prince and he's a reader, natch.

Cool modern sculpture entitled Sprout. Not sure if you can see some hostile and hissing geese~not sure what was going on, but one of them had enraged all the others.

I found where fairies live! I must come back when fireflies are flying.

Came home to this exquisite slant of light~last Monday's roses and Grandma D's green glass.

next best thing

to seeing palm trees is getting a post card full of them and knowing that a friend was enjoying them.