Checking Out The Local Sites

 "Where are we going today? Los Angeles?" my nephew joked when he got up this morning. 

Yes, we've done a lot of driving in the 4 days we've been here. Trek number one was a 3-hour drive to Zion National Park. Trek number 2 was yesterday's 2-hour journey out to Death Valley.

Getting to each park was one thing. The other thing was the hiking. Let's just say I've broken a few exercise records on my Apple watch.

We kept it local today and headed out to a Nevada State Park by the name of Spring Mountain Ranch. It turned out to be quite a sight! The ranch has been owned by a famous furrier to Hollywood, a radio show star, a famous German actress, and Howard Hughes.

German actress Vera Krupp's story is the most interesting. She came to Nevada to get out of Hollywood. By all accounts, she did more than her fair share of work on the ranch. The Krupp diamond, one of Vera's most prized possessions, had a story of its own. 

Our little history tour of the ranch residence was interesting, but the real prize of the park was the beautiful surroundings. The towering red sandstone peaks of nearby Red Rocks Canyon provided quite the backdrop as we wandered the sandy paths around the property. We saw chipmunks scurrying the desert floor, a jack rabbit, and a few wandering burros.

We topped off the outing with some delicious tacos. 

What a vacation it's been.

Beep Beep

The weather today was wet, something you don’t expect when hanging out in the desert. Our plan was to head about 2 hours west to Death Valley and we weren’t going to let a little rain get in the way. 

The ever-changing landscape of Death Valley is stunning- even in the rain. The salt flats did not disappoint. The hike up Golden Canyon challenged me and provided a stunning view from above the canyon. 

It was a fabulous day. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a roadrunner sighting. 

Maybe next time. 

Some Sphere

The Sphere is one of the newest attractions on the Las Vegas Strip. If you've seen any videos of U2's concert online, you can see what a sight it is on the inside.

I didn't know that it was a Madison Square Garden property. The auditorium seats 18,600 people and includes a wrap-around LED screen and 4D visual effects.

On Wednesday night I found myself high up in the auditorium waiting for a screening of a 50-minute movie, "Postcards from Earth," designed to showcase the technology of the sphere. I was not disappointed. 

It was like being in the front car of a ride, except the entire auditorium was the front car. We traveled across 7 continents and saw a glimpse of the world from snowy mountaintops and African savannahs. Elephants stomped across the screen with a force that shook our seats. (Thank you 4D experience) We watched and screamed as a lizard let its tongue fly to grab a spider. Landscapes spread out in front of us as we traveled with ease from one place to another. 

If you're ever in Vegas I'd recommend giving it a try.

What A Day

Zion is Utah's first National Park. Walking the trail along the Virgin River gave our group an amazing view of the sandstone cliffs rising high up into the sky. 

I'm always amazed by the beauty on display throughout the US and am happy every time I get a chance to see it up close. 

Today was not an exception.

Snow Day in Las Vegas

Snow isn't something that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of a week in Las Vegas, but we got to see more than our share of it today on Mount Charleston. 

The drive from Summerlin's desert landscape to the Spring Mountains forest only took about 40 minutes. Stubby palm trees sprouted from the desert floor but eventually gave way to towering pine trees and wooden a-frame homes. The rocky ridges rose high up into the bright blue sky. Climbing out of the car at an overlook I took in a long, deep breath of the mountain air.  If I didn't know better I might have thought I was somewhere in Colorado.

After 7 trips to Las Vegas, I probably thought I'd seen it all. The snow-covered landscape reminded me that I have not.

Also, there was sledding. 

Heading Out

 My bags are packed. And yes, I'm ready to go. Getting out of town is a little easier when the flight time is in the evening. There's no early wake-up alarm and I have enough time to stop in at the chiropractor and to get a quick manicure.

I also get to hang out with the cats a bit. They know that the silver suitcase means the rhythm of their lives is about to change. 

I'm sorry about that, but sometimes a gal needs to get out and see the world a bit.

Take Another Road

My Instagram feed is full of ads showing me how to stretch my back, improve balance, and the best morning stretches. There are also moves to unlock those tight hips, and tips for getting off the floor gracefully.

I understand it's all my fault. In the past five years, I've had two knee replacements and rotator cuff surgery. I suffered for too many years on a bed that was way too soft, so through the years I've investigated a few back and lower body stretches online. I was never a strong science student, but I'm pretty sure I'd graduate at the top of my class at Google Medical University.

And while I enjoy all of the stretches and yoga moves being sent my way it's definitely time to reroute my internet trails. 

Feeling Flexible

In the hopes of staying with my "grade 10 personal narratives a day" plan I sipped on coffee and got right to the first three on my list this morning. My break from grading included a quick trip to REI and a pedicure with my good friend Julie. 

The plan fell apart when Julie and I decided to go for an early afternoon margarita, queso...and a beer. 

We walked around Shirlington Village to counteract the effects of the tequila. One of us, Julie, made an impulse buy for her daughter's cats. 

Upon my return home, I went right to the cleaning of one more dresser drawer. However, when I opened up the next narrative to grade my brain said no thanks. 

So, I think that's a wrap for today, better luck tomorrow.

Clean Out

I made quick time of going through the socks, t-shirts, and shorts I'd pulled out of the overloaded dresser drawers.

It didn't take more than about 15 minutes to fill a garbage bag with clothes to dispose of. Tomorrow I will wrestle with too many shoes for one closet, as well as a spare closet of bags, board games, and old sheets. 

Spring break and spring cleaning go well together.

Cruising into Break

It was a quiet, controlled cruise into spring break today. Thanks to early vacationers and a run of Flu type A and Strep all classes were well below 100% occupied. I had already decided not to introduce anything new before the break, instead, I gave the students time to complete the personal narrative they'd been working on.

As of this morning, there were still about 5 students putting the finishing touches on their writing. Others were catching up on Lexia units, illustrating a storyboard of their narrative, and doing their own "Slice of Life" writing. I was offering support while quietly cleaning and organizing my desk. Every class worked diligently to complete what needed doing. 

Ninety-eight percent of my students left with everything accomplished for English. Their teacher left with about 90 personal narratives to grade. Here's hoping she gets at least half of them done.

A Well-Timed Break

My homeroom was eerily empty today. Sure, some students were there, but the kids who were always there without fail were oddly absent.

Out in the team area, teachers started talking about kids who went to the nurse and were sent home. The math teacher had a sub today after starting to feel achy yesterday. Yes, we're two days away from spring break but these absentees were not out to start vacation early. They were all sick.

I stopped upstairs and Tracey reported that something like 20 kids were sent home sick from the clinic. Hmmm, I thought, that is not good.

Around 1:30 this afternoon, I got a message from a parent. 

"I took Marley to the doctor this morning and she has type A flu. I wanted to let ya'll know because the doctor said this strain is very contagious and she may run a fever for 7 days."

It feels like spring break can't come soon enough.

What's For Dinner?

Somewhere out there on the World Wide Web, I ran across an interview with vocalist extraordinaire, Aretha Franklin. The reporter's question was something like,  "What do you find to be the most difficult thing to do?" 

I'm sure he was hoping for some kind of inside scoop about working with difficult producers or how to keep her voice in shape.

Aretha took a second to consider the options before responding, "The hardest thing is figuring out what to make for dinner every night."

I laughed when I heard her response because, after over 35 years of living on my own, I struggle with the same damn thing.

Respect.

They're Here!!

It's that time of year in the DC area. As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer the charter buses start appearing. The buses mean the kids aren't far behind. 

Large groups of teens are everywhere on their own annual trip to the nation's capital. I've already had my first spotting. A meandering line of teens moved toward white buses where smiling chaperones guided them toward the right chariot.

The kids were somewhat oblivious as they were busy looking at their phones while talking over one another. Just about every student was wearing a sweatshirt, no doubt recently purchased at one of the many vendors downtown. The more popular purchases read FBI, Lifeguard, Georgetown, and Washington, DC.

I stood outside the DSW at Pentagon Row shaking my head as I turned my attention to the chaperones. It really is something to take on such a trip. Being a teacher is hard enough when it's done for 7 hours in a classroom. Sure, I've done overnights to a local county-owned property, but the thought of doing it for 3 or 4 days at a time is something I can't conceive of. I felt like I should be passing mini bottles of spirits to each and every adult.

Really?

Today's SEL theme was resilience. I shouldn't be surprised that only 2 of my 16 homeroom students had heard of the word. No one knew exactly what it meant but we figured that out together. 

The lesson asked students to write 2 positive emotions and 1 negative emotion they've experienced recently on a piece of paper. Past lessons have taught me that my homeroom students have a limited vocabulary when it comes to explaining their emotions, so I found a resource to help them identify what they've been feeling.

The last part of the lesson asked them to take their paper and fold it up to make a paper airplane so we could fly it around to one part of the classroom. Then students would choose a paper that was not theirs to see if they felt similar emotions to the ones that flew to them.

It was then that I discovered that 95% of my homeroom students did not know how to make a paper airplane. I found that statistic to be even more shocking than when I realized they don't know what resilience means.

This Week's Advice

The weekend is usually my time to tidy up around the house and catch up on laundry. This weekend I was out of town so I'm sort of starting the week already a bit behind the 8-ball.

Spring break begins on Friday afternoon so I'm okay with feeling a little behind for five days.  Of course, some things must be done. Clothes must be cleaned, and food prep of some sort must occur.

This week I'll take my advice from Anne Lamott and take it all bird by bird. 

Before I know it, Friday afternoon will arrive.

Love Trains

My first big train ride was an overnight trip through the small villages of the Soviet Union. I was 17 and traveling with a small group from my high school. Somehow we all managed to survive 4 years of Russian class. The 8-day trip was the reward for sticking it out.

I can't remember where the train started or ended, but I remember traveling through the darkness only being able to see the occasional illuminated windows in the cottages that dotted the countryside. Russia was like nothing I'd ever seen, but when I think about it these days I'd say the director of Dr. Zhivago got the landscape right.

On that overnight journey, I absolutely fell in love with train travel. 

Twenty years ago I was lucky enough to travel across the US and Canada by rail. I spent about 3 weeks on and off the train, sometimes for as much as 35 hours. At night I'd sleep curled up in my seat, unable to afford the luxury of a sleeper car at that time. I loved the gentle jostling of the car as it rocked me to sleep each night.  Upon waking I would look out the window and see how the landscape had changed while I slumbered. I was fortunate to see a few bears, sea lions, and a moose.

Yesterday I boarded the train again. I left the tiny train station in Alexandria, VA ready for a 2-hour journey to Charlottesville. When I heard the first clickety-clack sounds of the train's wheels passing over the rail joints my heart soared as a smile spread across my face.  I opened up my book fully intending to get some reading in but spent most of the time gazing out the window at the passing scenery.

I thought back to that first train ride in 1979 before texting my high school buddy Ed.

When we took the train in USSR what was our route?

Maybe we took the train from Leningrad to... I can't remember 

I told him I was on the way to Charlottesville. Through text, we tried to recall the details of the trip that took place so long ago. We couldn't agree on where we were but we agreed on one thing. 

Ed texted, I love trains.

Me too!

Busy, Busy Day

 Student-led conferences means:

1. Tons of talking.
2. Numerous head nods.
3. Smiles for miles.
4. Applause for all.
5. Delivering tough news directly, but respectfully.

I know it's not a favorite day for many teachers, but it's one of my favorites.

Let Me Tell You About Inflation Kid

 The young man at the counter was probably about 10 or 11. He hadn't come to Ayers Hardware and Variety to get anything in the hardware department. He and his friend were there for the variety items, specifically, they were there for candy and a soda.

I remember doing the same thing at his age. Summer days in the 70s meant a walk up Route 24 with my best friend, Suzanne. Our destination was 7-11, and our choices were a soda and a snack. My go-to was a Dr. Pepper and a Slim Jim. Suzanne was a Mountain Dew girl, her pairing was usually a bag of Fritos. I have fond memories of those walks, which we usually took barefoot. Honestly, most of the summer was spent barefoot.

So, I watched intently this afternoon as the young man waited for his friend to pay before he placed his items on the counter. He had some delightful choices: a cold Pepsi and a dispenser of Bubble Yum tape. The cashier rang up his items and I'd say we were both surprised to hear that the total was $2.50. He did an obvious double-take before slowly reaching into the pockets of his blue gym shorts. He pulled out his young-man wad of ones and was obviously disappointed when his wad of ones turned out to be two folded dollar bills. His face fell a bit before he pushed the Bubble Yum tape back toward the cashier.

"Uhm, can I just put this back?"

The cashier was just about to delete the item. In that second all those memories of Suzanne and I came rushing back. 

"I'll spot him the 50 cents," I piped up.

Because after all, how often are you presented with the opportunity to help someone and go back 50 years at the same time?

Uhm, That Sounds Made Up

These days before Spring Break are always tricky ones. The pupils are having a tough time staying tuned in. I think if I could present my lesson on Snapchat I might have a chance. 

This afternoon I noticed a student spending a lot of time looking down at the floor on the side of his desk. It was obvious to me that he was on his phone but I couldn't quite catch him in the act. Finally, I took a chance, "Brandon, give me your phone."

I was intrigued when he offered no resistance. There was no "I don't have a phone," he simply stood up and handed it to me.

"It's off, right?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah, it's off," he answered.

With the phone in my palm, I tapped the screen and watched it come alive- it was very much on.

And then there was a buzz.

"Hey," I called, "a new Snapchat just came in."

The phone sat on my desk all through lunch. By the end of that time, there were about 6 or 7 Snapchat notifications, a few text messages, a phone call, and a couple of TikTok notifications.

After lunch, I called Brandon out into the hall where he explained that his phone was off, but he turned it on to check the time.

I tilted my face and gave him a look. The kind of look a teacher gives when they know what they're hearing is absolutely made up. 

"The time? That's on your iPad and the clock on the wall. So, how about you tell me the truth now."

He stopped and considered his options before finally relenting, "I was checking my messages."

"So, it was on the whole time?" I asked. 

"Yes."

"Thanks for telling the truth, I appreciate it," I replied with true sincerity, "Your phone will be in the office at the end of the day."

Can I Get More Work To Make Up For The Work I DIdn't Do Before?

Spring conferences are this Friday. Since students are the star of the Student-led conference, interest in grades has increased in the past few days. 

It's not uncommon to see a dip in grades during the third quarter. Teachers expect more and some students would rather put effort into their social life than academic life. I expect I'll be getting a few extra emails tomorrow and Thursday asking for advice on the steps needed to bring up a grade.

Oh, if only these students knew about the days of extra credit. It was only a few years ago that those student procrastinators could wait until practically the zero-hour before a teacher waved a white flag of sorts- the extra credit assignment. I broke up with extra credit assignments over 10 years ago. 

When asked about such a thing I'd shake my head and ask, "So, you want me to give you work to bring up your grade? So you want to give me more work because you didn't do your work the first time around? Sorry, I'm not up for that."

Manic Monday

"She has a sub, but he's running late. I'm sorry I don't have someone to send downstairs. There are 26 staff members out today," the voice on the line responded.

There are 5 teachers in my small team area. Today 3 of them were out. Two had subs, one had a sub who would be coming at some point. When that point was? Who knows.

Fortunately, my classroom neighbor, Starr, was able to take over for the homeroom period. As the time passed and 1st period seemed even closer I knew I better check the status of the missing sub.

"Is there any word on Miller's sub?" I asked.

"He's running late, but we'll send him right down when he gets here," the voice replied.

I wasn't quite sure how I would handle two classes at once. Starr had a class in another area of the school in 10 minutes.

"Uh...I'm the only one down here. Starr has a class in 10 minutes. If no one shows up by 8:30, I'm sending the class to the office."

That did the trick.

"I can help," the voice replied, "I'll be right down."

Within two minutes one of the school counselors walked in with a smile and a let's go attitude.

She wasn't there long, eventually the late guy showed up. 

The rest of the day went off without too many issues. Not too bad for a Monday.

This Too Shall Pass

Darkness will return for my Monday morning commute. After driving in post-sunrise for about two weeks, returning to the dark side will be tough. 

Fortunately, I've learned everything is temporary. As I look at the calendar of sunrise/sunset times I see that the sun will return just about the time I return from Spring Break. So, I just need to put up with two weeks of darkness.

I can do that, but I will be whining just a bit along the way.

Rainy Days

I completely leaned into the rainy gray Saturday in the DC area. After throwing in a load of laundry I settled into my usual morning games and puzzles. It was almost 11:00 when I realized I hadn't written a "Slice" on my classroom discussion board. The 100-Day Writing challenge is underway in my 6th-grade English class. This year my English CLT friends talked me into writing each day with my students. Sometimes I add my post when I create the discussion board, but yesterday in my rush to leave work I did not get it done.

When I logged on at 11:30 I was surprised not one student had posted yet. Perhaps I wasn't the only one leaning into the rainy day.

Friday's Contest

The Washington Post used to run a weekly neologism contest where they would ask readers to come up with a new word for everyday occurrences. I don't think it's happened in a while, but I was reminded of the weekly event when I considered an everyday occurrence in my own classroom.

So, I ask you, the readers, to come up with a term to describe the following situation: The teacher has taken time to review directions orally and posted them on the Smartboard. She-that's me by the way- has also asked anyone with questions to raise their hands. She has also had a student repeat the directions and again asked if there were any questions. Not a hand goes up and yet when the said teacher returns to her desk there is a line of students with questions about what to do.

What would you call that line?

Listen and Learn

My friend, and colleague, at Walking the Dog has taught 6th-grade English for over 30 years. She's the kind of teacher that rethinks her lessons each year, never relying on what was successful, in years past. Like her, I understand what is good for one group of 6th graders may not be good for another group of 6th graders. 

Besides having a firm grasp of the pedagogy of 6th-grade English she fully understands the developing brain of 12-year-olds. I even took an adolescent development course from her.

So because of all that I always listen up when she shares something new she tried in class. 

Recently she reported on her use of stations in class. This former elementary teacher loves stations, but I was having a hard time seeing how I could use them in class.

"C'mon," she urged, "it's going to be great! You'll see."

I nodded and agreed to try but definitely dragged my feet a bit on implementation.

Eventually, I decided to jump right in.  I mean, I didn't want my friend to be disappointed in me, right?

Stations are Awesome!

Why, you ask? Teaching in a 90-minute block is tough on 12-year-olds, especially 12-year-olds who spent about a year "learning" in their pajamas while in bed. Many of those kids admit to merely tuning into their class and not much more. For some, the pandemic years were lazy ones.

Thanks to all that laziness, many students are lacking stamina. When it's time to get down to work, many choose to go to the bathroom instead.

Students work at each station for 20 minutes. Restroom time is limited to the breaks that occur between stations.

As groups work it's easier to move around and help those in need simply because some activities are more self-directed than others.

The restroom sign-out sheet is down to an average of 3 students per class, about 1/3 of what it usually is.

That's some data I can get behind.

Price Alert

I don't typically do my grocery shopping at multiple stores. Since my sister keeps telling me to check out the low prices at Aldi I decided to stop in and give it a try. 

I used to run into my local Aldi for one thing- they had zero-carb bread. That was a plus when I was trying a "Lazy Keto" diet. After a while, I grew tired of the second stop for groceries so I put Aldi on the back burner and focused on one-store shopping.

I picked up cauliflower, mushrooms, and some salmon and ran to my car to head to Safeway for cat food.

Out of curiosity, I checked the price of cauliflower at stop number two. The price difference was astonishing. 

Aldi- $2.79

Safeway- $3.49

I'm sure I'll eventually return to my 1-stop shopping habit, but I'll be sure to stop in at Aldi whenever it's convenient and whenever I don't need food for the finicky felines.

Right Back At Ya

 For all the years I was in high school my mother's go-to wake-up call came from the bottom stair of those leading to the upstairs bedrooms.

"MAR-EEE!" she would yell, "IT'S TIME TO GET UP!"

It was not quite the June Cleaver method- more like calling pigs home after a long day on the farm.

If my bedroom door didn't open so she could see me walking to the bathroom round two came 3-4 minutes later.

"GET UP! GET UP! MAR-EEE! GET UP!" echoed in the hallway until I finally shuffled across the hall.

This morning, I finally got my payback. I was in Bel Air to take her to an early morning doctor's appointment. Honestly, the appointment was only early by her standards. I find a 10:00 am check-in time to be very civilized.

Last night she asked that I wake her up at 8:00 am.

"Really?" I replied.

I shook my head and asked, "Don't you have an alarm clock?"

I dislike waking people up, it's silly I know, but it seems like an adult should be able to get their ass out of bed on their own.

Walking over to her wing of the house this morning I felt a smile come across my face.

"MOM! MOM! IT'S TIME TO GET UP!" I screamed.

It took a turn or two, but eventually, I heard a groggy, "Okay."

As I turned to leave I pounded out one big bang on her bedroom door.

"I'm coming back in 15 minutes and you better be out of bed!"

Payback was 44 years in coming but it felt pretty good.

Happy Sunday Night!

Some days it feels like there's much unhappiness in the world. You don't have to watch TV or scroll your computer for too long before your good mood starts to deflate. Last night I entered the doors of a local music venue and found myself in a room of happiness.

Mother's Finest, a band I've never heard of, was playing. The show was a sellout. As I sat waiting for the music to start, I watched as groups of friends chatted, smiled, and laughed out loud. Gary was sitting at the table next to us. He's from the class of '77 of a nearby high school and seemed to know almost everyone there. 

"Is this some sort of reunion for you all?" Mary asked.

"Nah, we all just ended up in the same place tonight," he smiled.

Mother's Finest was formed as a funk rock band in the 70s in, as Gary said, "the greatest decade for music."

Once the music started the happiness meter was off the charts. There was dancing, hootin', and hollerin'. There was also a whole lot of smiling.

It's been a long time since I've been somewhere that exudes such happiness. I have to say, it was a great way to start off the week.

Stepping Out

My biggest revolution as an adult has been that I work best with 8 hours of sleep. Since my alarm goes off at 5:00 am, I try to make my way upstairs at a time that is about the same time I begrudgingly went to bed in elementary school. Back then, I assumed there was all kinds of fun after my early bedtime. These days I often pass on school night invitations if they mean staying out later than 9:00 pm.

So when I got an email from a long-time friend inviting me to a concert tonight I hesitated at first. I have no idea who the band is other than they are a funk rock band that formed in the 70s.

What I do know is how much I enjoy hanging out with this particular friend, one of the first people I met when I moved to the area close to 40 years ago. So tonight, I'll stay up and enjoy some of that fun I was sure was happening way back when.

My 10-year-old self would be so excited.

Vision

I went to college about 90 minutes from where I live, so I have many friends from that time in the area. Our social get-togethers are so frequent that instead of trying to label what they are, we just call each gathering an alumni event.

Today's alumni event was cooked up by me. We met up to check out a fabulous photography exhibit at the National Gallery. Dorothea Lange was a well-known photojournalist. Her Depression-era photos are memorable and include the well-known photo entitled Migrant Mother. Walking through the gallery I studied the close-up of each face in the photos. The eighteen-year-old mother looked more like she was forty. Weathered faces looked outward with a blank stare. They were deep in thought. I can only assume they were wondering how they would get through another day.

I looked at Julie, "The Depression Era is depressing."

"Yea-uh," she replied as she took in a breath.

Lange's work offers a glimpse at life during the Depression and the day-to-day existence of those living in Japanese internment camps. She also traveled to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ireland. Each close-up she took told a story of its own. 

The quote at the end of the exhibit brought it all together for me. 

"The whole world is a museum. To walk through the streets, as though down a museum corridor... To step into a supermarket as though setting forth in the National Gallery- is an experience and exercise in vision."

Yes, Dorothea Lange was a woman with vision and I thank her for that.

Watch Cat

My writing group came over for dinner last night. As usual, we had great food and wonderful conversation. The only person who didn't enjoy the evening was my cat, Edgar. He started raising concerns when I moved his heated blanket off the couch long before the guests arrived. 

His concern amped up to full-blown anxiety when I started making dinner. He sat on the dining room table, smack in the middle, and raised his head to project his strongest, from the gut, meow.

Eventually, the writers arrived. Edgar sauntered over to the door to inspect Ellen as she came in. He let her pass, as he did the others.

Apparently, he wasn't quite sure they could be trusted. (They can.) Edgar stayed close to me throughout the evening. 

Tonight he is curled up behind me on the couch. He's sleeping with one eye open and trained on the door. After all, you never know what kind of strangers may come walking through the entry.