conflicting realities

This morning, my parents, Bryce, and I waited for our breakfast in a McDonalds. Dad and I sat at a table watching the news on the television mounted on the wall. Two young children raced over to the table just under the t.v; both of them early elementary age wearing pastel brand name winter clothes, missing a couple of teeth each, and laughing happily together. I wished that I'd had my camera with me, because the image of those girls clashed so greatly with the images on the television screen above them... footage from the terror in India.

And now, as I write this, full from my yummy pie and cranberry-orange relish, I see news of the worker who was trampled to death when he opened the doors to his Wal-Mart store. It just sickens me.

Commercialism, materialism, and the current state of the world brings fear to my heart.

Yet, we got to watch Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen of the State Theatre this morning at 10:30 for 25 cents, and the theater was packed. It was inspiring, reassuring, to see the families watching an old classic about the real spirit of the season and about having faith in something "when common sense tells you not to". So, I have faith that good will prevail, and hopefully I'll be able to do some part in bringing about goodness in my own small part of the world... surely if enough of us share our devotion to peace and love, the rest of them will catch on?

lovin' the north

Saturday night outside the Kal-Ho... You can see the Trout across the way!

happy snowy non-snow day

the walk to school this morning


Despite early morning disappointment at the absence of a snow day phone call, I had a rather lovely day at school. Highlights: bringing my snowpants and playing in the snow at morning recess with my first-graders (going down the super-fast slides too, and sliding down the pole), making "stuffed" snowmen (the kids did their own shapes, as I am very anti-cookie-cutter-activities, so there were some hysterically shaped snowmen).



the walk home

predictions

I am always quite skeptical when the rest of the teachers are gleefully exclaiming about the possibilities of a snow day the following day. Tonight, however, at a bit after midnight, I am feeling more confident than usual. Being the practical forecaster, I must cite wunderground's traverse city/williamsburg forecast which expects 6+ inches of snow during the night tonight. Surely Kalkaska will end up with more, being in the snowbelt?? So, I am hesitantly optimistic. I even ventured to the Kal-Ho tonight with Rachel, which is not my typical school night activity.

Based on past experiences, though, the above letter and photo might apply tomorrow morning. I will let you know how things work out.

morning update: WE HAVE SCHOOL--ACK!

cold nights, warm kitty

Welcome, winter! I envy my kitty cats and their amazing ability to warm up instantly. Sometimes I feel guilty that we keep our house so cold-- I'll touch Lucy's ears and they feel like ice-- but then I totally use the cats as heaters, pulling them under the blankets with me to toast my body... a live fur blanket.

So I walked to school today; it just takes about 10 minutes or less, and I've decided I like the feel of crisp winter air. I'm not sure that I will be so hardy when the winds kick up... but at least for these early winter days, I can save gas, get exercise, and let fresh air energize me first thing each day. I know that I should be walking *every* day, but this fall was a blur. Too much to do, late sleep-ins due to illness or busy nights, and a frantic need to get to school asap. Now it's like it's almost pointless to start the car early to warm it up, clear the snow off if I've parked outside, and then drive... takes almost as long as just walking!

I think I shall heat some water for raspberry tea.

this historic moment

teaser

Halloween, 2nd night.
more photos to come-- once the election is done! I'm too overwhelmed by my mind to do much on here...

awww... very cute video from Alaska

a Happy Halloween, for real

We had such fun getting "dressed up" together-- What a nice day & night, all in all. We got ready at our house... then headed to the Kal-Ho!

Tonight I'll become an 80's prom queen, so I should have some good photos to add tomorrow. ;) I'm feeling the effects of being 30 and having a happy Halloween,

which is my excuse for this being a semi-lame blog post!