Happy weekend, Readers.
It feels like October tonight.
Call me crazy,
but are the trees behind schedule
with their autumn bursts of color?
These are the trees along the east parking lot
of Rolling Ridge Elementary?
Is this right for this time of year?
Is it good?
That got Eloise thinking about Right vs Good.
There are deep, philosophical discussions involving the two.
I was inspired by Gretchen Rubin's Happier podcast,
October 18th episode.
She talked about how happiness involved both,
and that doing things that were right,
even if they didn't feel good,
were foundational aspects of happiness.
It was one of those days where I experienced a ton of coincidences.
For example,
I was listening to the podcast on the way to work.
It was A Little Happier--a mini episode
where Gretchen offers her thoughts in just 3 minutes.
That's about how long it takes me to drive to Clark School.
The podcast ended as I pulled into the parking lot.
I walked into the school and passed this bulletin board.
I always park facing north,
so I can gaze at the lake and one of my favorite trees.
Her leaves are not yet their bright yellow.
Is this right?
Is this good?
It sure is pretty.
Even though we sat in the drizzly rain last Saturday
watching Sam do this...
it didn't feel good necessarily,
but it was the right thing to do.
Doing the right thing to support your kids
always brings happiness in the end.
We had a beauty of a full moon this week.
The cheerleader's mums lived up to their expectations.
Our rose bush also bloomed one more time.
The orange glow in the background are the changing leaves.
The kitchen had a lovely orange glow, too.
Hubby finished the paint
and did an excellent job!
With the furniture back in place,
we can gather around the table again.
The photo galleries are on display.
It's always interesting to see which favorites make the cut
and take the place of the highest honor here in the Lamp Post.
This one has always been one of my favorites,
given to me by friend Heather.
Ellen gave us the great idea to frame a piece of the wallpaper
we just stripped.
We still have one yellowish stripe left--
Sam's growth chart!
We started it on his 9th birthday.
In June he finally passed his Dad in height.
There will be a few more updates to the kitchen soon.
New light fixtures and a floor are next on the list.
Oh, yes.
And a replacement rug.
This is neither good nor right.
Hazel's corner.
Penny's corner.
And if you are wondering,
they both are denying any involvement.
Who? Us?
It did feel good and right to head to a Friday night football game.
I give major props to the Greenville High marching band.
They had feathered caps and the most entertaining show.
80's Readers,
it was like a blast from the past.
The auxiliary had short sparky skirts,
used flags,
and had twirlers.
They had knee high white boots
and formed a kick line!
It's the right thing to bring back old classic stories.
My Questies and I are reading
the 1961 classic,
The Phantom Tollbooth .
It turns out,
the story is good, too!
This has never once happened in 28 years of teaching.
I always survey the students before we begin a unit or novel,
so I can gauge their prior knowledge going into the teaching.
None ever read the book!
The book starts off in the best way--
it has a map.
Readers,
I'm collecting books with maps at the beginning
which relate to the story.
Weekend homework:
If you know of a book with a map in the beginning,
post it in the facebook comments.
The Questies and I are starting a collection
and we could use your help.
I swiped all of the copies off the school library shelves
so the students can follow along in class.
Several copies must be originals.
I noticed that with the older books,
the 15th page is stamped with the school's name.
Some of the books are so old
the sign out card still remains!
Apparently Tony had a bit of trouble getting through the story.
Mike FINALLY got his turn in April.
If anyone knows Kristin DePlatchett,
tell her I found her name.
It's about time to call it a night.
I have another 5 hours devoted to football,
beginning early tomorrow morning.
Eloise needs some sleep,
which is both right and good.
It's always right and good
when you are having the time of your life.
Eloise
