Pillowcases as comfort

About Sandy Hook Elementary Pillow Case Drive

HI everyone, The Quilters Corner in New Milford CT has started a pillow case drive for the children of Sandy Hook elementary school.
I saw this on my google feed this morning and have decided that this is at least something I can do. I may donate the pillowcases I make to a local charity, but at least I can sew a little and pray a lot for victims of violence, for policymakers, for those who stand ready to help.
I believe the goal is to get 600 pillowcases done so the children can receive them after Christmas break. I know it is a small thing to do....but a pillow is always a great comfort and to be able to give these children a little extra peace at night would be a wonderful thing.

This is the mailing address for the Quilter's Corner:
312 Danbury Rd. ( Rt. 7), New Milford, CT 06776
Please feel free to pass this along, let's get these done for Sandy Hook

Whose Woods These Are I Think I Know

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Morning

I so appreciate the little park next door to me. This morning we had a beautiful snowfall to entice me out for a walk. I enjoyed the crisp air, the babbling creek, the beautiful trees, and the poem running through my head.

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

 

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

 

 

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.  

 

 

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

More STS 11

I forgot the pop pop boat!
http://youtu.be/p-M9KUbxxfk
This is not the video my student showed - but it is similar. He also stayed up late last night to build one, and says it works but not as well as he would like. I think we should let students build them during the FCA football tournament and have races!

Science and Technology in Society 11

This class is a series of challenges for me to teach, and I'm having a great time learning what works to inspire this particular group.
I really want each student to understand that STEM matters - that is - these are topics which effect their every day lives.
So today was a "show-and-tell day. Students brought examples of Science/ Technology which they thought was cool and told us why.
See if you agree.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-08/armys-new-weapon-against-soldier-suicides-anti-depressive-nasal-spray





http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443779404577643981045121516.html

Next week I hope that other students in class also bring news or ideas to share.

Happy New Year!

I have been a student or a teacher (or both) most of my life. This means that tomorrow is the New Year's Day which most resonates. New classes, new students, new teachers, new routines. Some years there are new books, new lockers, new clothes. Always there are new promises.
I relish the opportunity to make new promises to myself and the people around me. Last school year was so overwhelming that the promises were more survival techniques than anything else. Not so this year. This year I will have a planning period every day. EVERY DAY! I will have time to find the wonderful video clips, the interactive software, the free downloads I like to use to illustrate my lectures. I might even have time to learn to use the Smartboard more productively. There is a hope that my classroom wiki will actually function efficiently this year.
This year I can make promises to myself, not just to my students.
 

I promise to search for beauty on my drives between school and home.
I promise to NOT spend so much time at school that I'm too tired to enjoy the rest of my life.
I promise to find ways to contribute to my neighborhood.

Three new promises are plenty. If I made 10 I would have no hope of keeping them all, and if I only made one I would not really feel the challenge.

Sabbath at Mawson's cabin

Shaun and Sarah knew exactly what I needed for a true Sabbath rest, and they were in a position to provide it. Friday afternoon after Sarah got off work we drove to a remote mountain lake where Sarah's parents own a cabin.
Friday evening we enjoyed a fire, celebrated National 'Smores Day, and had wonderful, wandering conversations. Sabbath morning I got up early, walked down to the lake, and enjoyed taking pictures of the loons who were enjoying the sunrise.

 I wish I had a picture of Sarah - she was a very important part of a truly wonderful day.

We rowed (I learned that it is much harder than it looks to row in a straight line!), we enjoyed wonderful food, walked down to a public dock, talked, laughed, and napped before it was time to come home.

Thank you, Cannie and Dan for your hospitality, and thank you Sarah and Shaun for giving me the perfect day to refresh, recharge, and renew!

Easter

It has been four months since I received the call from my family telling me that Dad was being taken to the hospital and wasn't doing well. I remember many of the events of the next few days quite clearly, and others through a fog of pain, loneliness, and sleep deprivation.

My Daddy is gone. The man I counted on to teach me to ride a bike, pitch a tent, and solve trigonometry problems isn't in Albuquerque this morning getting ready to lead Sabbath School. The man who took me and my friends hiking, who never missed any of my high school basketball games, won't be watching baseball this season and talking to the TV screen. The man who comforted me when a boyfriend broke up with me, who consoled me when I broke an engagement, who hurt when my husband left me, won't be asking how I'm really doing.

I have hope that I will see my Daddy again, and next time he will be strong and funny, leading a camping trip, holding a baby, chasing a toddler, treating a whole group of grandchildren to doughnuts or ice cream.

But today, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I miss my Dad. Like Jesus slept, he sleeps.

I know that he rests, I know that he was tired, and sick, and that he had lived a worthwhile life. I know all that, I know he is safe, the God guards him and keeps him, but I miss him so much. Good Friday wasn't good until after Easter. The 'Day of Rest' wasn't restful that first Easter weekend - it was a day of terrible sorrow and sadness, which isn't at all restful.

I can't wait for the Resurrection - the Reunion.
I love you, Daddy.