The Dixons

Today the distance learning seemed a little more sensible.  I still may have given too much stuff, so I'll keep working on the tweaking.

I tried to make a little video of me teaching math, but I couldn't get it to hook up with CANVAS.  Boo!  Down with CANVAS!  (Canvas has actually been working pretty well, so let's cut Canvas some slack this time).

Every Monday morning, I have a new seating chart up in my classroom.  So it was sweet today when a Thirdlander came to our Morning Announcements page and commented, "Where's my new seat, Dr. H.?"  I also hand out a new Dixon Ticonderoga every Monday, so I answered, "Go check the seating chart, Kiddo.  And could you please hand out new pencils to everyone?"
     She wrote back, "That's funny, Dr. H."
So, we got off to a good start.

Something great happened last night.  I watched 2 episodes of  Love Is Blind.  This show is like manna from heaven.  You should watch it if you feel like it.

The Realness

I made this little video.  it wasn't that hard.  I just clicked a button and started talking.

Here's some good news.  I'm out on the deck and a little carolina wren just flew up to us and checked us out.

I need to be more creative.  Maybe I'll get this guy's book.

I just feel so out of sorts right now.  I guess it's the global pandemic.

The Distance

3 days of distance learning in the bag.  It had its ups and it had its downs.

The ups:  I can sleep in a little later. I had many interactions with all my students every day, and celebrated their awesomeness. Thirdlanders are getting feedback right away as they submit assignments.  I don't have stuff to do in the evenings. I'm feeling some pride in the way I've organized the learning sequences.

The downs:  It's very time consuming to plan the distance learning modules.  And the hours between 9 and 3 are frenetic.  Picture a switchboard operator constantly moving at her station, hands blurring and whirring.  That's me.  Responding to emails, commenting on hundreds of pieces of kid work, connecting with the peeps, trying to figure out the next day's activities.  When I'm done, I feel like I'm about to keel over and I'm feeling self doubt about the way I've organized the learning sequences.

Today we got news that our district will now go to a 4 day week and wants teachers to only plan for 2 to 3 hours of work with Thirdlanders.  That's going to be easier, not going to lie.  I want the best for the Thirdlanders, so I'm putting my heart into it.

The Camels

I made this camel think piece last night.

The Crackatoa

I worked on putting lessons on line today. I keep finding little mistakes here and there.  I could go back in and edit today's work, but I'm trying to set limits on my workaholic tendencies.

Today I started to crack a bit, worrying about the world and all the people in it.

Did you know that past pandemics have lasted 1 year to 18 months?

I read an article in the NYT about staying sane in tough times.  The author said that we should do 3 things.

First, set a daily goal you can accomplish.  I made 2 goals and met both of them.  Sweeping and swiffering the entire main floor of the house.  Check.  Creating 2 online math lessons that don't suck?  Check, I think.

Second, Find some joy in your day.  I took a walk and saw daffodils and forsythia.  And now here I am blogging.

Third, connect with peeps.  I've done a bit of texting, a bit of phone calling.  And here I am blogging as well.

So I'm sane today.  For now. Still have a few hours left to this day.

The Weekend

 #1 Son is playing some bass.  Husbandman is making dinner.  R is resting.  June and HeMan are taking it all in.

I just got off the phone with my dad.  He told me about the Cocoanut Grove Fire.  Boston. 1942. 492 people died.  Father Albert Shea, who was a friend to my grandmother, tended to the injured and grieving.

My Uncle Jack was an altar boy for Father Shea when he said mass in the middle of the night for people who worked in the entertainment industry in Boston.  Dad would go to mass with Jack.  They'd ride the subway at 1am to get to St. James. My dad said, "Jack ogled the showgirls as they came up for communion."

Crazy times.

The Year of the Monkey

I finally finished Patti Smith's Year of the Monkey.  I was not crazy about it, which was a downer because I love Patti Smith so much. Case in point:   I drink black coffee now because Patti Smith drinks black coffee.  Also, I think about Patti Smith frequently and enjoy seeing her images and reading most of her words.

This book wasn't for me, but Patti slipped in a surprise in the epilogue that made me cry a bit and love her again.

"This is what I know. Sam is dead.  My brother is dead.  My mother is dead.  My father is dead.  My husband is dead.  My cat is dead.  And my dog who was dead in 1957 is still dead.  Yet still I keep thinking that something wonderful is about to happen.  Maybe tomorrow."

I want to think that something wonderful is about to happen.  It's hard to conjure that thought, but I want to have that thought and that hope. Cynthia texted that Patti recently wrote that we should be both prudent and positive.

I think I'll get there.  Maybe tomorrow.  

The Notes

We left the Southland one day early.  The entire time we were at 90Cab, I had this horrible feeling that I was killing my dad with the coronavirus.  When I told Dad about my anxieties, he replied, "Look Babe, how long am I going to be around anyway?" That's when I started crying. Note to self:  Don't visit nonagenarians when there's a pandemic going around, no matter how much you love them.

Now we're home and at 3 am #1 Son arrived with his partner in crime, Rachel (R).  They brought June, R's Clumber Spaniel and He-Man, her cool cat.  We're hunkering down together!  Note to self:  No hugging for awhile.  Keep your distance at all times, no matter how much you love these people.

Yesterday, in anticipation of their visit, I decided to clean the refrigerator.  It took a way long time.  Note to Self: Clean your fridge on a regular schedule, no matter how much you love ignoring household chores.

On a good note, KC told me about the most wonderful podcast called Anthropocene Reviewed with John Green.  I think you should listen if you feel like it. Note to self:  Embrace daily creative distractions in this time of pandemonium, no matter how worried you are about the digital teaching you will be required to create next week.

The Goals

One of my goals this week was to make bread for the first time in my life.  The bread dough is rising as I write this blog entry.

Another goal I had was to write in my notebook.  I did that today as I watched a movie with my dad.

I also accomplished my walking goal.  I walked my sister's dog twice today, up and then down the street. Brief walks, but  still great that I perambulated.

As I walked I asked the dog the following questions:

a. Why do you think there are no Covid-19 cases in West Virginia?

b. How do you think the debate will go tonight?

c. Are you amazed that I'm making bread?

d. Do you think I will get the coronavirus some time soon?

My sister's dog enjoys the walking and talking and so do I.    Spring break is obviously going well.

The Break

Tiny House Model

All our spring break flights have been canceled.  By us. No beach trip again this year, but we will get to hang out with Dear Old Dad at 90 Cab.  We're driving down there so we'll have social distancing as we travel.

I have some goals for the week:

Walk every day.
Make bread with the unused dutch oven.
Watch movies.
Write in my notebook.

When I get back to B-Town, I'll be working remotely for a week or more.  I wonder how that's going to work.

I'll think about it later.

Right now, it's time for an epic road trip and some long talks with my all time favorite nonagenarian. I'll have to remind Dad to keep six to seven feet away from me at all times, so that we can slow down this darn pandemic and get it under control.  Dad's usually sitting and sleeping in his recliner, so it will probably be up to me to maintain our distinct body borders. I've got this.

Coronavirus, you're not getting near my dad. Not now.  Not ever.

The Pond

Breaking News:  Today we headed to Goose Pond in search of Sandhill Cranes.

We did not in fact see the Sandhill Cranes, but we did in fact see:

2 Whooping Cranes (endangered)
Northern Harriers
Northern Shoveler
American Coots
TUNDRA SWANS
American White Pelicans
Snow Geese

So, clearly, the day was a good one.

I'm not exactly prepared for my week in Thirdland, but I think it's important to take a day off every once in awhile in order to hang out with migrating birds.

The Virus

I'm not sure why we're having some tough times in Thirdland these days, but I think it has to do with that pesky virus that's in the news all the time right now.  The Thirdlanders seem to think that school is going to be abruptly closed any minute now.  The anticipation is making them hyper.  Give it a rest, People.  Just focus on the present moment.  

PS:  The paper has been revised.  Soon it will be resubmitted.  

The Notes

Sticky notes that say KICK ME get on my last nerve. Especially when applied to the back of a Thirdlander's jacket.

We had a talk about it.  "Why is this a bad idea?" I asked the 3rdlanders, who were sitting in a circle, looking sincere.

"It's mean."
"It's embarrassing."
"It's disrespectful."

I agreed with all of these statements.  Then someone added, "And sometimes people read it and then they kick you."

I hadn't really thought of that possibility.  That truly makes the whole situation even worse, don't you think?