Lesson 938: Heart

Happy Valentine's Day, Readers!

We  are in the Heart of winter

and love the fact that temperatures are climbing.

23 degrees feels warm,

compared to what they have been!

Right on target,

our Valentine card arrived from my mother--

It had a ride in the mail truck from 5796

to Pittsburgh,

then back to 5768.

The US Postal Service is something she will continue to support!

In the heart of the cold, cold winter,

we got a blue skied day!

It called for a ride to Presque Isle to see the ice dunes

and the frozen lake!

My students are celebrating athletes with heart!

If you look closely at this stoat,

a weasel-like creature native to the Italian alps,

Milo represents the Para Olympic Games.

He is using his tail to balance his snowboard

as he was born without a leg!

The high schoolers thought this would be a perfect hill

for our own Giant Slalom!

It's just the dirty plowed-up stuff from the parking lot.

Mr. Lamp Post made a trip to Marienville

to see the big snow in the Allegheny National Forest.

He is standing in the middle of Spring Creek.

I showed that photo to Gus and Whitford.

It was just to much for them.

They had to jump in their fluffy beds

on the hearth to recover from the chilling photo.

Meanwhile, 

the dogs have had a change of heart.

Hazel and Penny are so tired of being cooped up

they are warming to the snow,

especially when I'm out in my snowshoes.

We are a bit heartsick over my favorite ice dancers.

Yes, a silver medal is something to be proud of,

but phooey on the French judge.

I had a heart attack watching his two falls!

It was a good reminder the fragility of a champion

and that he, too,

is human.

Our hearts go out to the Gutherie family

again this week.

Continued prayers for strength 

from our hearts

straight to Tuscon.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend

doing what you love

with someone you love.

Eloise

 

Lesson 937: Under the Same Big Sky

Hello, Readers.

Here we are again.

Another Friday night on Earth.

All of us,

living Under the Same Big Sky. 

On February 1st,

we were beneath the Full Snow Moon.

She was gorgeous.

And full snow we have had!

It, too, is gorgeous.

Penny chooses to wade through the deep,

ignoring the tracks Mr. Lamp Post makes for her.

Hazel needs booties.

I have to get some for her.

She shivers and shakes like a chihuahua,

holding up her paw to show me it is cold.

Birds are tough.

It was negative 1 on the morning I took this.

I've watched some pluck some alpaca fibers

from this ball.

I hope they've lined their nests 

and houses.

Six more weeks,

so says the groundhog!

Not fake news!

Anna was there to watch it happen.

Charlie tells us they used to EAT the groundhog.

That certainly puts a different spin on the day

So what are the Lamp Posters doing this weekend.

I'm hoping to take a ride to the peninsula

to see the ice dunes.

Never, ever walk on them, remember.

I heard this cool stat on the news:

Record cold temps this weekend

so Penny is preparing.

They are finding their sunny spots.

Mr. Lamp Post will be buffing up some bowling pins.

This is no make-uped me

after a hot shower and my hooded snuggly robe.

I'm watching the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

I give the US team uniforms and A++++

Under the Same Big Sky, 

4000 miles from my house,

athletes are gathered together in spirit of the game.

Under the Same Big Sky, 

only 364 miles from home

the most bizarre and unbelievable news

feeds through the outlets.

This government reminds me of school

when the kids elect the @$$h01e for Class President,

thinking it is one, big joke.

Under the Same Big Sky

in the dry desert of Tucson,

Savannah is looking for her Momma,

and her Momma is waiting for Savannah to find her.

We must all keep the faith.

Pray with conviction.

Never lose hope.

And for Pete's sake,

wake up Americans.

Weekend Homework:

Is this the world you want?

Think about that over a steaming hot drink.

Sit outside for a bit when you are pondering.

Maybe the cold will shock some sense back into some of you.

Eloise

Lesson 936: Winter Moon

Hello, Readers!

It's finally frozen over!

No, not Hell.

Lake Erie.

This season has the most beautiful of days.

Snow piles in the Clark School parking lot.

I had to climb to the top of this snow dune

to see how my tree was wintering.

There's Lake Erie,

all frozen over.  

The daytime skies are beautiful

with the bright white 

against the sky blue.

But the nighttime is equally stunning

on a clear night

and a winter moon.

It's not an easy capture for my little mom camera,

but here I was in negative one degrees this morning

giving it the old college try.

My first task of the day is to feed the ferals.

They get bowls of warm milk

and fresh, hot chicken.

Evidence of my foot shuffling walk.

Outdoorsy folks--

what animal makes tracks like these?

I'm giving out the weekend homework

early in this post

so you get right on it!

The countdown is on.

NASA's Artemis II mission

is nearing the start.

Launch date:

February 6, 2026,

the same date as the Opening Ceremonies

of the 2026 Winter Olympics--Milan Cortina.

Here are the very smart and dedicated astronauts

on the crew of three Americans and one Canadian.

As my students say,

Lucky Bummers

 

Look what you can do!

Sign up to include your name on a jump drive,

and your name can go for a ride around the moon!

Thank you to Jeff Burger, 

Science Teacher extraordinairre

for telling me about it!

CLICK HERE to sign up!

I got a great moon book recommendation for you.

I got the hot tip from my Principal at Clark.

It was granted this seal in 2016.

If it wins the Newberry,

it has to be good.

I just started it,

and agree with the New York Times--

it is impossible to put down.

Plus it has chapters not only titled,

but with clever plays on words

for each chapter.

It's simply as brilliant as the moon itself.

I'll bring you back to solid earth

for the next moon link--

My Prairie Moon seed catalog came today!

Yay!

I'll be choosing one of the Staff Favorites to plant this year.

Help Eloise decide--

post in the comments in you have a favorite.

Eastern Bluestar?

Sneezeweed?

White Trout Lily?

Royal Catchfly?

Western Indian Physic?

Maybe I'll ask Whitford.

He's always by the fire,

ready to lend an ear.

We'll close the blog tonight with some winter wildlife.

I've been trying to catch this little guy up in the tree!

Success!

He's a birdseed thief!

Tufted Titmouse doesn't mind.

Time to watch out for my nightly visitors.

They know to follow the light of the Lamp Post.

I'm glad that you do, too!

To be sure to be notified of my weekly,

Friday night post,

become a follower on Blogger.

Facebook isn't circulating my posts,

probably because I'm not paying

the advertising fees they are requesting--

if that is even a thing.

I'm not sure what to trust anymore.

Enjoy your wintry weekend.

Look up at the moon 

and take in a big deep breath

of frozen air,

to remember in

hot, humid July.

Don't forget to do your homework!

Eloise