Lesson 693: Beyond the Influence

 

Happy Saturday, Readers.

No one loves a warm, April weekend more 

than an Erieite.

We've gone from this

To this,

in just nine days.

Speaking for me, 

and all of my colleagues at Clark Elementary,

that's our favorite tree in the photo above.

We watched her turn spring green this week,

which signals it's time for the annual

Egg Drop.

If you are a reader who did this assignment,

post what you packed your raw egg in,

and if it survived the drop from the school roof.

In 1979 I used a Pringles canister,

and she did not survive!

So much of what I learned while I was a student

at Clark School 

influences my teaching today.  

I've been thinking a lot about things that have influenced me

because of this guy:

Oh my!

Tim McGraw hosts the most amazing radio show

on Apple Music.

I play it while I walk outside for a treat,

while I beat my feet.

I highly recommend this radio show for anyone.
In the first episode Tim tells about his influences in his life 

in between his favorite tunes.

His own songs and Faith's are on his playlist,

but so are 

Allman Brothers

Van Halen

Dixie Chicks

Willie Nelson

Dolly Parton

Fleetwood Mac

Merle Haggard

Carly Simon

Adele

Keith Urban

Doobie Brothers

In fact,

this Doobie Brothers hit is playing on repeat in the background

while I write this blog.

This Allman Brothers Band hit, too.

Check out this one with

Gregg Allman, Vince Gill, and Zac Brown!

As life is starting to reopen up a bit

and we are walking towards the light 

at the end of the pandemic tunnel

music is making its way into my life again.

I'm also wearing jewelry

and sipping a Friday night pony bottle each week.

The pandemic has certainly influenced me.

The COVID-19 restrictions have been tough on a creative soul

who thrives on the heartbeats of other people.

Social distancing creates distance.

Isolation is isolating.

However, I do have the pandemic to thank 

for my new favorite hobby--

walking.

I'm talking serious, planned out walking,

not just roaming with the dogs,

although they are part of the plan, too.  

Eloise highly recommends a step counter

with workouts included. 

I'm so influenced by nature

that walks outdoors in local parks,

are my most frequented paths.

Readers, if you know what kind of duck this is,

please let me know.

Bull Dam, North East, PA.

This weekend I wanted to wake up at the cabin

to fit in an early morning hike,

forcing a Saturday post rather than the typical Friday.

I thought that was Mountain Laurel,

but my Picture This! App told me I was mistaken.

It's called Spring Beauty,

which I think is quite a nice name.

The dogs hiked so much Penny had to be carried out of the van

because she was too tired to walk.

And Hazel insisted riding on Natalie's lap

the entire ride home.

Stop at the Lamp Post each week this month

to find out more of Eloise's influences.

The Allegheny National Forest is a big one.

Holiday celebrations are another.

Sam and I were the lucky ones this year

in Grandma's Money Bunny eggs.

Evidence of covid's influence:

Without even thinking,

we brought our Easter Nest outside in the driveway

and spaced ourselves apart.

We're all vaccinated, 

so we really didn't need to.

It was weird how we thought nothing of the practice

until I looked back at the photos.

The old Italian influences prompted us to make

Aunt Terri's Easter cookies ourselves!

They looked pretty but you could have cracked a tooth

on our dough.  Aunt Terri's taste much better!

I suppose I should show you the unedited shot--

keeping it real--

The Easter Bunny tried to distract Hazel and Penny

with a bone so he wouldn't get eaten.

They chewed it through in an hour

and Penny will not put it down.

This annoys Hazel.

Sports are a big influence in my life.

Kid sports, especially.

Baseball

is

back!

Speaking of baseball

and the great outdoors,

I got up and close with one of these little guys.

Eloise got her first tick!

Thanks to some knowledgeable and resourceful

baseball moms,

we extracted him from my left hip in minutes.

After our hike today we took 6 off of Hazel,

2 off of Penny,

and 1 off of Sam.

Pay close attention to your People & Pets this season!

In some upcoming posts we'll find out some more of 

Eloise's influences:

It's Autism Awareness month.

We'll find out who is the lucky recipient

of this great book I'd like to pass along.

which is slowly getting more abused by the day.

And you can help me solve the mystery of who buried their 

cheese stuffed pig hoof under my pillow.

See you again in a few moons!

Eloise