Where Have All the Squirrels Gone?

Squirrel on the Birdfeeder

Squirrel Trapped in Cage

          Where have all the squirrels gone?  That is a good question.  There has been a small tempest brewing at our place lately.  The red, grey and black squirrels have invaded our bird feeders, despite many squirrel prevention tactics.  First we tried the Plexiglas at the ends of the wire tactic. The grey squirrels were able to jump straight up from the deck railing to the feeders.  Then we bought a guaranteed squirrel defence bird feeder.  The black and red squirrels were able to open the feeder, avoiding the lever that closed the food tray. The next step was to live-trap the squirrels and relocate them elsewhere in the township. Ah ha!  That worked and we thought the problem was solved.
          You would not believe all the fuss that this live-trap-relocation strategy created.  In fact, my poor husband was forced by an email petition to return to the release locations, re-trap the little seed eaters, and then bring them home to be reunited with their families.  Although he did this willingly, it seemed to me like quite a waste of time and gas to first relocate the squirrels and then re-relocate them. 
          What to do?   When I jokingly asked if people ever ate squirrels, both my husband and brother-in-law agreed that indeed, some people do.  So, today, after a busy day teaching children, I came home to a delicious dinner.  It was some yummy, and tasted just like chicken.         

Shake and Bake Surprise

          



Until next time,


Bee Rich

No Time to Blog....

          I am half-way through a two-day kindergarten assignment.  It is nice to have the same students for two days.  Alas, my eyes are closing, so I am sharing some of my newly found (on the Internet) inspirational quotes: 

Until next time,


Bee Rich

Monday Morning Surprise!

           It is Monday morning here. No occasional teaching calls. I am home again after an early Saturday morning drive to Guelph, a lovely lunch prepared by my daughter-in-law, a wonderful afternoon and evening with my grandson, a yummy pancake breakfast cooked by my son, and a late morning drive home from Guelph.
           All-in-all, the two day trip was very satisfying. I visited my sister in Mississauga, who recently had her hair dyed pink because she is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. She remains upbeat and optimistic.
           Over the weekend our neighbours let my husband borrow a squirrel live trap. The red squirrels have infiltrated our bird feeders, scattering seeds all over the back deck. On Sunday a little red squirrel was attracted to the smell of peanut butter on bread (and who isn't?) and was caught in the cage of the trap. It was soon driven down the road to another town and released.
           This morning, to our surprise, another little squirrel was sitting quietly inside the steel bars. Upon inspection we decided that we did not know its type, so we took a tour on the Internet. A poor little nocturnal northern flying squirrel had made its way to the feeder and been caught in the process. It was small and soft with huge eyes. The creature was quickly released back to the land, where it scurried away to its treetop home.

A photograph from the Canadin Geographic Website

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/flying_squirrel.asp

Until next time,


    Bee Rich

I Could Not Wait to Write!

Our Grandson on Skype!

          I am excited because tomorrow I am travelling to see our grandson!  My husband will stay here with his brother while I drive for several hours to spend some precious moments with Mac. His mom and dad both have a birthday in the next two weeks.  They have been working so hard that we think they need a special night out, just the two of them, to celebrate their birthdays.  And Grandma gets to look after him all evening.  Can't wait!
         I cannot think of a better way to spend a Saturday night. 

Until next time,

Bee Rich

One Month Until Christmas!



Christmas is for Children
(and the child within each of us!)

         

          Christmas is one month away...only 30 sleeps!  I have to say that I love the Christmas Season.  From now until January we will be busy!  But I don't want to forget the most important reason for this celebration.  The following poem was sent to me two weeks ago from a wonderful friend, who had received it from a friend, and so it goes, until I copied and pasted it here.  Although it appears to be American in origin, it expresses my sentiments. 

'Twas the Month before Christmas

'Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

 

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

 

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !

 

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christmas Season!

 

Until tomorrow,

 

Bee Rich

Snow for a Day (or two)

Frosty Arrived Today!

          It snowed during the night Tuesday and yesterday we awoke to about five inches of the beautiful white wet stuff.  The children at school were thrilled.  At recess time, despite boots, snow pants, mitts, scarves, hats and warm jackets, they tromped around and rolled the wet snow into huge balls of iciness.  They came back inside with smiles and red cheeks and wet mitts. 
          Today I was home alone.  My brother-in-law had a chemo treatment in Ottawa, and I thought I would surprise him with a fall-to-winter frosty fellow.  "Jack" is seen here wearing my mitts and my husband's toque, which was knitted by my grandmother many years ago.  I love the snow and so does Jack!  Somehow, sadly, I don't believe he will be around much longer.  His arms have already fallen off. I can't wait for the next snowstorm!
        
Until next time,

Bee Rich

Where Has the Week Gone?

          For the first time since Sunday, I am sitting down to write.  I check the day and date and realize that it is already Wednesday, a day that I often referred to as hUMp day when I was working full time. The beginning of the week is over and the rest of the week is yet to come.  The week is 60% over. 
          My excuses for not writing sooner are many:

• I taught all day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
• It snowed last night and I had to get up early to shovel
• I have been feeling under the weather
• I have gone to bed early every evening
• I have to do the laundry
• I have to finish preparing dinner
• My brother in-law has three appointments in Ottawa this week

          All-in-all, it has been a busy, yet rewarding week, and I am thankful.  Thankful for teaching days. Thankful for the change in seasons. Thankful for good health.  Thankful for a warm bed. Thankful that I have clothes to wear and launder.  Thankful for food to prepare and eat. Thankful that we live in a country where health care is available to all. 
          Oh, by the way, Happy American Thanksgiving!

A Canadian Sunrise!

         
        

Sunny Sunday

Guess what this is?

          Today we were at home, preparing for a busy week ahead.  I am scheduled to teach on Monday and Tuesday.  My brother-in-law has three appointments in Ottawa on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  My husband will be the volunteer driver for each of these trips.  That left today, a sunny Sunday, to finish up preparing for the winter snow. 
          Before breakfast we went outside to tackle the first of the day's jobs: drain and store the garden hoses, put the last of the deck furniture away, and clean out the garage so that the Jeep has a warm place to stay at night.
          After a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, we moved the newly constructed ice-fishing hut (did you guess correctly?) out of the workshop and on to the driveway.  Then we unloaded some used lumber from the truck and sawed off any rotten ends.  Finally we stacked the lumber in neat piles in the workshop.  I swept the floor, replaced the tools, and headed in for tea while my husband stored his ATV in the clean workshop and pulled the snow shovels out.  We are now ready!
        Sitting at the dining room table, we watched the red squirrel and several blue jays scavenging sunflower seeds.  Just as we are, these animals are preparing for winter.  So, we await the snow and ice!

Ready for the ice!

          In five days, I will start getting ready for my favourite part of the winter season! Can't wait!

First Christmas decoration of 2011!

Until next time,


Bee Rich
         

An Atypical Saturday

My ageless mother on her 80th birthday in
September, 2011, modelling her cover up
for her next trip to Mexico in January 2012

            This Saturday morning we were up by 5:30 a.m. and on the road by 6:00!  The destination?  My mom's home, which is about a two and a half hour drive. The purpose? To complete the pool deck demolition/wood recycling project initiated by my husband. The weather forecast? Sunny with a high of 10 degrees celsius.  

            My spouse had worked on two previous occasions and brought home piles of reusable lumber, mostly cedar.  He assured me that with the two of us working we could complete the job in a couple of hours.  We drove to the back of the house, where the old above-ground pool sprawled, unused for the past three summers. 

           I had not told my mom  that we were coming as I thought it would make a nice surprise. We did not want to wake them up so early in the morning, so we got right to work by 8:30 a.m.  The sun did not come out, nor did the temperature rise above freezing.  In fact there was even some snow in the air!  As I hammered nails backwards through the boards and then pulled them out with the claw, my mind wandered to many memories surrounding this place.

          My mother divorced my father in 1978 and remarried the following year.  She and her second husband have lived in their present home for thirty years.  The pool was added for summer relaxation and entertainment.  I remember my two preschool children swimming in the four feet of water for the first time so many years ago.  A summer trip to Grandma's always included a swim in their round pool. 

          As I carried the scraps of wood to the back of the lot I had to go around the three gigantic pine trees that were planted by my mother so very long ago.  I marvelled at their height and wondered to myself, where has the time gone?   I remember a time when my two children were taller than those tiny trees. 

         So many memories filled my mind as I worked.  Suddenly I heard my step-father yelling out the back door, "So what are you two doing here today?" and I was brought back to the present moment.  We were invited in for coffee and some catching up time.  My mother showed me her latest project- a shoebox overflowing with Christmas gifts suitable for a 5-9 year old girl. "I guess I'm going to have to find a bigger box," she laughed.   

         Later the four of us went outside in the cool November weather to finish the demolition/recycling  job.  Every last nail was removed and saved.  Every last good piece of wood was placed on our truck, ready to be moved to our home on the lake and crafted in to a swimming dock for the kids next summer. Every last scrap of wood was carried to the back of the lot, where one day there will be a bonfire. 

         After lunch out at a local restaurant, we hugged good-bye and made plans to get together again soon. Our visits are more frequent now as we are very aware of the passage of time.  Maybe we will be invited to their place for a bonfire later this winter. 

         My mother no longer is able to swim in her pool, deliver meals-on-wheels, or take long walks in the country. What she can do, however, is bring out warm winter hats and gloves for everyone when the temperature drops unexpectedly, bring joy to an unfortunate and unknown child at Christmas time, and express appreciation to her aging daughter and son-in-law.  That's my mom, and I am thankful that she is still in my life!  

Until next time,

Bee Rich 

         

          

So Many People

          I am loving my work.  As an elementary school occasional teacher I am called to come in to a school when another teacher has to be away for the day.  As the assignments are random and I am on the list for seven different schools, every day is different.  Every day I meet new people.  I struggle with names, by I don't usually forget a face. 
          Whenever I read a quotation, like the one above, to myself,  I wonder, does this apply to my situation?  I don't walk in to a school expecting attention or love or affection.  After all, I am only there a day or two, and then it is off to a new school on a new day. 
          Occasionally I do meet someone who is loving, caring and attentive. It comes out of no where, in the most unexpected circumstances.  It happened in Egypt, when one day, out of the blue, we got a phone call from Lindsay, inviting us to tea.  It happened today, when a teacher actually requested that I go into her class for part of the day. And then later when a literacy coach, visiting the school where I was working, invited me to one of her workshops. 
          I don't know exactly why these situations arise, but when they do, I am thankful.  Hopefully I will also be one of those people who demonstrate attention, affection, and love to others.

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Thinking of Our Grandson!

Our Grandson at 3 months!

          Our grandson was born on July 20, 2011.  This event was one of the highlights of our lives, so far.  This little being weighed in at 6 pounds and 13 ounces.  We went to see him in the hospital and I stayed on for a few days to help the new mother and father.  What a thrill!
          In August and October I was able to arrange a visit to his home in Guelph, where I have enjoyed many hours of holding, cuddling and marvelling at the miracle of life.  As mid-November has come and gone, I am in the process of planning the next excursion. 
          Why?  I want to be a small part of this little person's life.  I want him to know how much he is loved. I am not his mother.  I am not his father.  But I am his daddy's mom, his paternal grandmother.  It is indeed a responsibility that I take seriously. 
           Today at school I was privileged to hear a motivational speaker from London, Ontario.  Andy Thibodeau challenged the students in the auditorium to "share their care." According to this man, there are three ways to show you care:

1. Show up
2. Participate
3. Listen 

          Although this message was intended for teenagers to show up to class, participate in school activities and listen to their teachers and peers, I realized that I can apply his message it to my own life. 
          To show I care for my grandson and his parents, I need to be there for them, by showing up, participating in their lives, and listening to them.  According to Andy, friends and family are everything.  With him I agree. 

Until next time,


Bee Rich

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!     

Work Day X 3

          So, yesterday was a great day!  The checked items on the list below were accomplished!

• Vacuum, dust and clean the entire house check
• Bake date cookies check
• Feed the birds and squirrels
• Finish the laundry (again)check
• Walk the dogs check
• Make lunch for me check
• Drink a pot of tea check
• Vacuum the Jeep check
• Find the Christmas decorations in the crawl space
• Make dinner check
• Clean the kitchen check
• Go for a swim
• Fall asleep... check, at 7:00 pm, so I missed swimming :(  I guess I was tired!

          On the bright side, however, I did get a call to teach today.  It was a wonderful day with an intermediate class. Tomorrow I have another intermediate class for the day and then on Friday, I will spend two-thirds of a day at one of my favourite schools.  This occasional teaching is working out well. I am in my happy place once again!  And tomorrow, I will swim!!!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

PS  For those of you who are pondering the significance of the magic happening...I am working on that, too. 

Mid-November Days Off



MONDAY
          Today the temperature outside reads 15 degrees C!  Although it is mid-November, we have been given a day in the sun. My husband has gone for the day to work outside at my mom's (he is taking down their very old and dilapidated swimming pool deck). 
          And I am home! It got me thinking about all the teaching days in the past where I longed to be at home.  I remember thinking to myself, what would I do if I had a day at home? So without really thinking, I got busy and here is the list of my do s
         

• Bake an extra-large banana chocolate chip cake
• Attempted to order gifts online
• Bathed the dogs
• Mailed a gift to a friend
• Shopped for a few groceries to make date cookies
• Finished the laundry
• Read the paper
• Drank a pot of coffee
• Watched the birds and squirrels dine on seeds
• Made lunch and dinner for people
• Cleaned the kitchen
• Fell asleep on the big comfy chair!

TUESDAY  
          It is not quite so warm today.  It is supposed to be sunny, with a high of 12 degrees C. Yesterday was busy and today I hope to accomplish almost as much.  My husband and brother-in-law are on their way to appointments in Ottawa and I chose to stay home for some alone time. Nice. Whether or not there is someone around, I will remain occupied and content.  My list of To Do's is below and tomorrow I will write a status report.

• Vacuum, dust and clean the entire house
• Bake date cookies
• Feed the birds and squirrels
• Finish the laundry (again)
• Walk the dogs
• Make lunch for me
• Drink a pot of tea
• Vacuum the Jeep
• Find the Christmas decorations in the crawl space
• Make dinner
• Clean the kitchen
• Go for a swim
• Fall asleep...

          I am so thankful to be here, in this place, today.  Yesterday is over. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Today is for living!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Our daughter's comfy chair and doggy!

         

In Case You did not Know...I Love Weekends!

          When I taught full time, I often looked forward to weekends.  As I have been "off" for the past four months, I had lost that little spark of joy that often comes on a Friday, knowing that the weekend is at hand. 
          Happily, the spark appeared again this weekend.  Last week, Monday through Friday, I could be found at one of the schools on my list.  So, by Friday afternoon, I was really looking forward to the weekend.
          Friday at 5:15 pm, I drove in to Perth for a masters swimming practice.  For an hour I was able to replace the stresses of the week with laps of the pool.  Upon my arrival home, my brother, who lives in Ottawa, called to confirm that he was coming for a visit on Saturday.  He is a great guy who never ceases to cheer me up with his listening ear, interesting sense of humour, and playful teasing.  I am thankful that he is in my life.  He even helped my husband solve an ATV motor mystery by consulting the Internet during breaks in the Leafs/Senators hockey game. 
          On Sunday I spoke with both my mom and my sister and received updates on their health and family life.  Both were cheer-filled calls that ended, almost too quickly, with three small, but important words, "I love you." 
          At this time of year, the weather is very changeable, something that we missed during our three years away from Canada.  At one point on today (Sunday), my husband and I had a coffee on the back deck, overlooking the lake. Within an hour, the clouds came out and the temperature plummeted.  With the end to Daylight Savings Time, during this late Sunday afternoon, the house is dark and a tiny bit dreary.
          It is time to turn on the lights, radio and oven and think about baking chocolate chip cookies.  Yummy!

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead; until next time,

Bee Rich
         

Remembering with Thanks

          I am middle aged.  I am too young to remember World War I and World War II, or even the Korean War.  I am old enough, however, to remember having a day off school for Remembrance Day and taking the city bus to the cenotaph in Cornwall to watch the veterans march in the parade and lay wreaths of remembrance. 

          Today I was pleased to receive a call to a very close school to teach in a primary/junior classroom.  I knew that there would be a school assembly in honour of Remembrance Day.  I was not disappointed.  It was a simple ceremony with only 100 students, several school staff members, and a handful of guests. 

          The principal introduced the assembly, noting that the students should sit quietly.  He called upon a grade one student who told a story about his great uncle who fought in the war.  The principal then asked that we all stand silently for "about 15 seconds."  In fact, these children, ages 3-13, were able to stand quietly for almost a minute.  Following that, the kindergarten teacher led an acapella rendition of "Oh Canada." It was beautiful.

         For the main part of the service, several students read a book called, Why Wear a Poppy? and the famous poem, "In Flanders Fields".  The school board had also put together a slide presentation with music and pictures of Remembrance Day ceremonies from around the country.  The only thing missing was "The Last Post," which I heard on the radio as I drove home from a successful day of occasional teaching. 

         It has been a productive week.  I worked all five days, two half days and three full days. Today was the highlight.  I will be forever thankful to the men and women to sacrificed and continue to sacrifice themselves for our country. 

Until next time,

Bee Rich 

         

Another Day, Another Dollar

         
          Today I spent a whole day at school.  The morning was in a primary grade one class and the afternoon was with junior grade 5 and 6 students.  Both were pleasant experiences and I picked up some good ideas from each teacher.
          The only down side to the day was the long drive.  However, when you drive an hour each way, you get plenty of time to listen to the radio, mentally prepare for the day, practice safe driving skills, debrief the day and relax on the trip home. 
          I need to focus on safe driving skills.  It was over three years ago when, driving home from Toronto on this very stretch of highway, I was pulled over by a police officer for driving extremely fast.  It was a very difficult and expensive lesson to learn. Fortunately, today I am a better driver.  I obey the speed limit signs, constantly check my speedometer, keep my distance from other vehicles, and come to a complete stop at every intersection. 
          I will be on the road again tomorrow as I head south for a half day in another school. This time I will be working in an intermediate grade 7 and 8 class.  And the fun never ends!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

Half a Day of Occasional Teaching

         

          Today I was called in for an afternoon of occasional teaching in a grade 7/8 class.  It was the best day yet.  The teacher I replaced was the "teacher in charge" for the afternoon and, instead of spending her time in the office, she opted to continue her regular program and use me as an extra pair of hands.  This was a wonderful opportunity for me to see just what is happening in the classrooms of Ontario over the past five years.

          The focus of my half-day was to be math and Remembrance Day research.  However, half-way through lunch it was discovered that Buster Bus was on hand for a bus safety presentation and these students would be involved during their math class. 

           At the end of the day, this teacher asks her students to write down three things they learned during the day.  These are the lessons I learned or had reinforced:

• Excellent teaching and learning involves respect
• High expectations lead to excellence in achievement
• Each student is an individual with a unique personality and learning style

          It was a grand day and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity.  Tomorrow I am heading to a known school for a full day in two mystery classrooms.  I can hardly wait to learn even more!

Until then,

Bee Rich

So Long to Day Light Savings Time

Sunday Morning on the Lake

          I was going through our pictures this morning.  The one above caught my eye.  It was taken on Sunday morning, the first day back on standard time, looking out the front window of our home.  The sun came up an hour earlier and the lake reflected the beautiful scene. 

          When I showed it to my husband, he suggested that I send it to the weather network and maybe even order a large print for our home.  I wondered to myself, why would we make a print when we have this view every day?  Then I thought, how very fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful country with the changing seasons.  I am so thankful to be home!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Pumpkin Day

Mr. Pumpkin Before

          Today was an interesting day in the kitchen. Earlier this week I heard a story on CBC about a group in Ottawa who were collecting uncarved pumpkins in order to make Christmas pumpkin pies for the less fortunate. I thought to myself, what a pleasant idea.  As it was almost a full week after Halloween, and the frost was on our pumpkin,  I decided it was time to bring him back inside. 
          First I baked the pumpkin in the oven at 200 degrees for about two hours, just until his skin was soft.  Then I let him cool before peeling and cutting into pieces.  The seeds were harvested, rinsed, and placed in the oven for 30 minutes.  After salt and garlic powder they were ready for a nice seedy treat.
          The next recipe was taken from my grandmother's cookbook.  It was a simple pumpkin soup made with onions, pumpkin puree, water and milk, then seasoned with curry powder and salt and pepper.  You have to know my brother-in-law to really appreciate this, but when I offered him pumpkin soup for lunch, he just laughed.  He was happy to have some home made bread and butter instead.  I enjoyed the soup.
          The remaining pumpkin, about 12 more cups of the orangey substance, was put in the oven to bake for another hour or so.  It will be used for pumpkin bread and pumpkin pies later this month, that is if I can find room in the freezer to store it all. 
          The best part of the day was my husband's reaction to the Pumpkin Soup...he had a second bowlful, and his brother even tried some for dinner!



Inside the pumpkin are seeds and gucky guts!



The shell is then cut into large pieces...



Peeled and then sliced into cubes.



Seeds are baked at 400 for 30 minutes
or so and then seasoned. 

Leftover pumpkin pieces are baked
and then frozen for Christmas pie baking. 

         
       

The Sounds of Silence

In quietness and confidence...

          This afternoon while I was driving home from a swimming officials' meeting in Ottawa, I listened intently to DNTO (Definitely Not the Opera) on CBC Radio. The chatter was all about silent moments and what we learn from them.  It prompted me to reflect on times when silence is a friend.  I went to a favourite website, The Quote Garden, to find some appropriate messages for this post.  Thanks to http://quotegarden.com/silence.html

 

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. ~William Penn


Silence is the true friend that never betrays. ~Confucius


An inability to stay quiet is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind. ~Walter Bagehot


Silence is a source of great strength. ~Lao Tzu


Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment. ~Henry David Thoreau


I have often lamented that we cannot close our ears with as much ease as we can our eyes. ~Richard Steele


Nowadays most men lead lives of noisy desperation. ~James Thurber


Now all my teachers are dead except silence. ~W.S. Merwin


Everybody should have his personal sounds to listen for - sounds that will make him exhilarated and alive or quite and calm.... One of the greatest sounds of them all - and to me it is a sound - is utter, complete silence. ~Andre Kostelanetz


All noise is waste. So cultivate quietness in your speech, in your thoughts, in your emotions. Speak habitually low. Wait for attention and then you low words will be charged with dynamite. ~Elbert Hubbard


unplug iPod
music stops abruptly
cricket song instead
~Dr SunWolf


In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Silence is a fence around wisdom. ~German Proverb

Silence is medication for sorrow. ~Arab Proverb


To silence another, first be silent yourself. ~Latin Proverb


Silence was never written down. ~Italian Proverb


Silence is a text easy to misread. ~A.A. Attanasio


Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross


Silence is more musical than any song. ~Christina Rossetti


We must have reasons for speech but we need none for silence. ~Proverb


We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.... We need silence to be able to touch souls. ~Mother Teresa

Need I say more?

 

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Tears in my Eyes this Morning

          Today I received an email from the parent of one of my favourite students, ever.  It went like this:

This morning I asked my son...
...if he would like to quit school, stay home, help me with the baby, read, and play guitar. :-)

He said, No.

I asked, Why not?

He said, Library.

I promised that I'd take him to the library. No problem!

He shook his head again. He held up one finger: My friends.

Another finger: My teachers.

A third finger: And I'd feel even further away from Ms. Barb.

:-)

 

Reasons why I want to go back to teaching full time:

 

1.  Being part of a professional learning community

2.  Meeting fantastic parents and other teachers

3.  Touching the lives of children

 

One of my favourite students and his dad walking for the Cure in Cairo.

I am now teaching one or two days per week on an occasional basis.  For now, it is enough.  I am patiently waiting for another opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.   

 

Until then I remain,

 

Bee Rich 

 

PS  Thank you to this thoughtful mom for passing on the message.

Gotta Share this Picture!

My daughter-in-law and her son, Mac Duck.

          Just for fun I have to post this picture!  It was October 31 and Baby Mac's first Halloween.  No need to write any more.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Thanks to Mama for the picture and to her Mama for the outfit.  Precious moments from Mac's first year. 

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Happy November First!

Halloween Leftovers

        Yesterday was happy and sad. 
        Happy, because I spent the day doing the regular housework jobs and got a, "The house looks nice...thanks," from my husband.  Happy, because it was Halloween Day, one of my favourite days of the year.  Happy, because I painted our pumpkin's pimply face and he/she was ready in time to greet the Halloween trick-or-treaters.  Happy, because our neighbours came over with their year-old daughter dressed like a turtle.  Happy, because I received a text message from my daughter-in-law picturing grandson in a duck costume.  Happy, because it was a cool yet sunny day, nice enough to go for a walk.  Happy because I kept busy enough not to worry when a call came from the dispatcher saying that I had missed a job for the day, and figured out what the problem was so it won't happen again! 
         The sad part of the day was the phone call explaining that I did not get a job that I had hoped I would get.  It was a long term occasional position for six months and it would have been perfect for me.  However, I discovered that I was not perfect for it.  My resume and cover letter and letters of reference, though strong, were not strong enough to make up for a not so stellar interview, and that is what counts.  The good part about this is that the principal spoke to me for many minutes and passed on helpful feedback, which I will use the next time such an opportunity arises. 
          I am amazed at my resilience.  I woke up in the middle of the night and started preparing for the next interview, by taking the feedback, analyzing it, and then writing down the changes I need to make in my approach and language.  It is a work in progress, but I have taken the next step toward fulfilling my dream.
          While at my sister's home this past weekend I came across a little book entitled, Attitude is Everything, compiled by Peggy M. Anderson, and spent some time writing out the quotes that spoke to me.  My plan is to use them in upcoming blog posts, if appropriate.  Here is an example:

We don't get what we want,

We get what we are.

You are successful the moment your start moving

towards a worthwhile goal.

Chuck Carlson                                   



         May your happies out weigh your sads. 

Until tomorrow,

Bee Rich