#TwinTuesday

Wee bit late bringing you #TwinTuesday.  Luckily, #TwinTuesday keeps up with the tradition of being well worth waiting for.   Pearls and paste.  You just probably want to start smiling when you gaze upon this unexpected pairing.

Today was Portfolio Day.  We were like a little assembly line in Room 200, getting the job almost done. Portfolios should be ready to go by tomorrow. In our portfolios for third quarter, we have photographs, literature logs, essays, paintings, historic brochures, power point presentations and cheerful letters. Go Thirdlanders!

The Libraries

When we were in Seattle, we were interested in all the little free libraries scattered around E and B's neighborhood.  Come to find out, WordSavvy's getting a little free library as well.  I started reading about these libraries and where they are in our town and I came across this great local blog.  Blogs like this make me feel a bit insecure because of the focus on interesting and some would say pertinent content, but all I can do is keep calm when I have a qualm. And support my blogging colleagues with as much gusto as I can muster. Great job, Moonraking!

On another note, have you heard about the hygiene hypothesis?  There are a lot of studies supporting the hygiene hypothesis, which basically speculates that we're too clean for our own good.  Because of our hyper hygiene, more kids are getting allergies.  It's just a hypothesis, but the Thirdlanders are discussing this now and we feel it makes sense.  We've read 2 articles about the hygiene hypothesis.   Most of us support the hygiene hypothesis, but a few are holding out until more studies are done.  It's probably time for all of us to go back to the land.

The Power of Hydrogen

The IU Biologists came to teach us about the water cycle and acid rain yesterday.  The Thirdlanders were in a bit of a funky mood.  They weren't great listeners and kept distracting me from learning about the water cycle and acid rain.  I did get to test the pH of some acid rain and when we dissolved some chalk in vinegar, a Thirdlander announced that the results "looked like barf."  Come to find out, we have quite a bit of acid in our stomachs so he was right on the money with his observations.  We had a serious talk after the IU Biologists left.  We'll be reviewing procedures and protocols on Monday.  Then everything will be fine again.

Thursday Creativity Share: Movie Review

Part of a Mr. Painting

Why did I start writing comments on the report cards?  I've written 6 and I have 18 more to go. I'm not saying anything earth shattering, but I'm plugging along. I almost didn't blog this evening because of the pressure of the report card comments, but then I got my priorities in order.  I need everyone, if they want, to go out and see the movie What We Do In the Shadows.  Husbandman loved it too, and describes it as "good" and "funny."  He would give it a "4.5, maybe a 4," so you know that's a pretty good movie.  I would give it a 5.

All the Thirdlanders in the district went to see the ballet this morning.  We saw a snippet of a ballet called Jewels, choreographed by Balanchine.  The ballet has 3 parts and we saw the Rubies dance.  I wish that everyone wore ballet clothes to work every day because those costumes are striking and we would feel fancy if we wore ballet clothes.

Back to the comments.  I wish I could just write, "Your kid's amazing and we both know it."  But I feel I should be more specific.  Let's get this done.

The Re-Entry

First day back yesterday was a bit tough.  I think my favorite brother in law may have passed on a Seattle Style Cold to me.  He's still my favorite brother in law none the less.  But really, a cold of any kind is the last thing I need right now.  Though I was feeling punky, we got some stuff done yesterday, including an interesting lesson about the history of IU.  One Thirdlander had an amusing revelation as he worked on his IU timeline.  He approached me for the gazillionth time that day to share his thoughts.  "Look here.  It says, 'Indiana University.'  Indiana starts with I.  University starts with U.  Get it?  I. U. That's why they call it IU.  IU stands for Indiana University!"
      He shook his head, "I never knew this before.  Now I get it."
      In conclusion, things that seem obvious may not be so to others.  Something to ponder on this grey midwestern Writer's Wednesday.
     

#TwinTuesday

#TwinTuesday.  Pencil Sharpener and Battery.  Unexpected?  I believe so.

Today's the day I have to work.  I plan to give it my all, do my best, and forget the rest.  It's funny that I feel a little nervous about going back to work. I have to remember to stay calm if I have a qualm.

The Return

Happy End of Vacation, Everyone!

It's been a bit of a tough re-entry, what with the imposed detention in Detroit, but in the end, everything worked out fine, as per usual.  I watched a fascinating documentary when I was held hostage on the plane. Because we were stuck on the tarmac for hours, the corporation gave us the films for free.  I watched a film called Finding Vivian Maier.  You probably already know about this film, but I'll recap anyway.  Vivian Maier was a street photographer whose work was discovered by a man by the name of Maloof.  By the time he went looking to find Vivian, she had died.  So he and his pal Siskel made a movie about Vivian's photography and her life as a nanny.  It's all fascinating and if you want to see it I think you should.  I like Vivian's photos.  I am thinking of becoming a street photographer down on Kirkwood this summer.

Spring Break Day 8

Day 8 was truly great.  E and B have a book called Seattle Stairway Walks.  We walked up and down staircases in the Mt. Baker Ridge area.  Stunning views, creative community gardens, floating bridges.  Someone posted Karla Kuskin's Spring poem at Bradner Gardens so we recited it together. Welcome Spring!  A little rain did fall yesterday, but as experienced Seattle-ites we knew to hop into a cafe for tea and scones.

Last night we saw a Moth Story Slam.  We were asked to be a judging team. We were the best judges there, ioho.  We called our team Moth Madness.  Being at a Moth Story Slam was a dream come true. Well done, Moth Storytellers! This trip is getting to be ridiculous in terms of how much fun we're having.  Case in point: we're off to a Wildlife Refuge today.

Spring Break Day 7

Day 7 was really heaven.  Highlights involved:

• the calming paths of the Japanese Gardens
• the fascinating Native American art pieces in the Indigenous Beauty exhibit
• the WILD neoPOP art of Mr., at the Seattle Asian Art Museum
• the blooming flora of the conservatory
• perusing and purchasing Elliot Bay Books 

After seeing the work of Mr., I bought a book called How to Draw Manga and I'm going to get started on that project today or some time later this week. Tonight we're going to hear a Moth Story Slam.  Can't even write about it because I'm so crazy excited.

Spring Break Day 6: Thursday Creativity Share

@Large Exhibit:  Political Prisoners in Lego

@Large Exhibit:  Porcelain blossoms in hospital cells

Goodbyes and hellos on Day 6.  Crossed state lines into Washington and right away began experiencing our sister city with a stroll around Green Lake.  Blue skies, cherry blossoms, bald eagles soaring above. Come to find out, we have a plethora of creative opportunities ahead. As soon as I get my act together, we'll be checking out our own Seattle Art Museum for the first United States exhibit of Mr:

Having grown up during Japan’s postwar “economic miracle” period, Mr. often exercises his art as a weapon against social expectations. As a member of the otaku subculture, his work ties closely with the lifestyle, which is marked by obsessive interests in anime and manga and being confined in one’s room with limited interactions with other people.

I know, right? Here's another thing.  Our nephew works at Carnegie Hall now.  Just FYI:  People in the know call it Creativity Hall.  At Creativity Hall, there are people working on Lullaby Project, where musicians assist young moms to compose lullabies for their babies.  Some of the moms are incarcerated or homeless.  I love this project a lot and wish I could help the moms compose their lullabies.  I make up songs all the time.  

I've got to get moving. The day is slipping by, my friends.  The day is slipping by.  Thursday Creativity Share. Invitations to explore creativity from coast to coast in this great land of ours.  Inspiring Stuff Yet Again.

Spring Break Day 5

Day 5 gets a solid FIVE on the fist of five.  We took the ferry to Alcatraz, toured the prison with an audio tour and explored @Large, the Ai Weiwei exhibit.  The Ai Weiwei exhibit is incredibly moving. Well done, everyone involved.  In the evening, we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant with 20 Something and her Fab4 Roomies.  We're glad 20Something has such a good crew of peeps. 

Husbandman and I are at the airport now, heading north to Seattle.  We've left #1Son behind with 20Something.  I hope they're not too distraught and confused about what to do next.  When we're with them, we do a great job of pointing out tips for safe living.  Case in point.  Right after our goodbye hugs, I told them to go down to the crosswalk because jaywalking could be dangerous.  20Something and #1, don't hesitate to call if you have questions.  We love you both a ton.