Lesson 610: Gifts

Good evening, Readers.

Summer comes to its official close this weekend.

So many of us are looking forward to fall.

Erieites are making the most of the beaches

the calm waters

and taking in the beauty of the clear skies.

Nature's gifts abound.

We finally spotted Sasquatch--

appears to be a juvenile,

roaming the shores of Shades Beach.

I couldn't catch him,

but look for tracks at the top of the cliff.

Sam and his Junior High Huskies 

are enjoy the gifts of the game.

Hazel gave me a little gift this week.

I've named it a Book Salad.

I collected up my Erie Public Library Book Club books

and made the mistake of leaving #10 on the van seat.

FYI--The Erie library does offer book club kits

with ten copies of a title.  You can sign the books out

for a longer period of time.

They include nerdy little discussion questions in a folder

if your group is so inclined.

My group is a little Not-So-That-Way.

I mean.

Grandma joined.

And we meet at a brewery.

The girls enjoyed the gifts of community tonight.

An Expanding Social Opportunities dance 

was held at the Barber National Institute tonight.

The night was a fun Carnival theme.

There were games to play

opportunities to socialize with family 

and friends,

and lots of dancing.

 Nearly all of the glass slippers worn tonight

had Velcro fasteners.

I've spent the first part of my school year talking

with families about the gifts their children posses

and how they can be best highlighted in school.

If the Harbor Creek School District allowed it,

I'd meet with every single family

of every single child.

Everyone has a gift to offer this world.

And once in awhile,

you find someone with an extraordinary gift.

Meet my favorite America's Got Talent winner

of all time--

Kodi Lee.

Weekend homework:

Watch all three videos.

I'm quizzing you next week.

If you are new to the show, 

here is Kodi's background piece 

along with a finals performance.

Here is the duet he performed with Leona Lewis--

so beautiful.

I hope this will play.

It's from ABC News from a long time ago.

The story of Leslie Lemke is one

I've remembered since my childhood,

and I believe,

one of the factors which 

led to me to pursue Special Education

as a career.

Advice from Eloise:

When you find your gift this weekend--

unwrap it and share it with the world.

Have a great weekend.

Eloise