Lesson 849: Roads Go Ever Ever On

 Congratulations, Class of 2024!

You celebrated your last day of school.

Enjoy your fun week leading up to your graduation.

The young princes and princesses watched you from the sidelines,

waiting to step into their roles as leaders of the pack.

Kings and Queens they shall be

on the evening of June 6th.

King Sam is always easy to spot in a crowd.

All the excitement left me drained this afternoon.

What's in my cup this week?

This, 

and its good.

Question for the coffee connoisseurs:  

The last two "dark roast" coffees I've purchased 

for a weekend treat for myself,

have measurements different from regular coffee.

Instead of one tablespoon per 6oz of water like typical coffee,

they call for two tablespoons per 6oz.

Is dark roast really unique in some way,

or does one just brew double the amount of coffee?

Harbor Creek is hurting this week as our students lost a classmate.

When Eloise hurts,

she escapes into fantasy.

I spent some time in The Shire.

Tolkien was truly a master of his time.

The Hobbit was published in 1937.

Not only have I developed an appreciation for the story,

but also the artwork.

This is the cover art from Clark School's book.

How could you NOT want to read it?

I've also decided that I am part Hobbit.

Hobbits are curious creatures of study frame.

They have curly hair

and are generally pleasant homebodies.

They love to eat--

particularly the vegetables they garden

the bread they bake

and the ale they drink.

Lore,

wisdom,

and proverbs!

I drip those things!

And how I love 

peace,

quiet,

and the comforts of home.

My family has made fun of my stubborn staying power.

Here,

all along,

it's really a hobbit-like endurance and resistance!

I will admit that keeping

the elves,

dwarves,

goblins.

orcs,

and the like can be confusing.

Which is why Clark School also has on hand

this clever book:

Elosie highly recommends!

It has poetry,

and my favorite:

a book map!

A two page spread,

at that!

Readers, 

if you are not sure you want to join me on my quest

through Middle Earth,

perhaps you can find another

better suited for your Tolkien tastes.

They will be filled with journeys

and roads less traveled

and unbeaten paths.

Filled with terminology

and overused quotes

 that clogs

graduation speeches 

from Florida to Maine

and Massachusetts to California.

Instead of giving advice to Seniors

about quests,

we should be helping them understand

evolution.

As you live,

you learn.

As you learn,

you evolve.

I can best illustrate this through song.

Unfortunately,

I could only find this example on TikTok,

so if you don't have an account,

ask to use someone's to look this up.

First, though,

we will head over to trusty YouTube

for a 1977 animation of 

Lord of the Rings, Return of the King.

Listen to the song with the animation.

On YouTube CLICK HERE

Good, but nothing that hits just right, correct?

Fast forward 47 years.

This guy,

a self-professed nerd,

takes a risk and tells the world he loves this song.

In fact,

he tells us it is his favorite of all time.

Please listen at the link below if you can.

(click on the blue words)

The Road Goes Ever Ever On

Listen to this one first

Then, 

this gal with the cow printed sweater

duets it.

Next, listen to this duet:

This one second CLICK HERE

And someone else finds it,

and puts a full orchestra behind it.

Now, with the orchestra

Listen to this last CLICK HERE

Readers,

that's evolution.

If I sign your yearbook,

this is what I'm writing.

When you unearth it in 47 years,

you can look up the quote and remember me

as The Teacher Who So Loved Her Books.

And as we say goodbye to our friends

and loved ones,

remember this:

Until we meet again,

next week under the light of the Lamp Post.

Eloise

Lesson 848: Evocation

Good Morning, Readers!

And a good SUNDAY morning to you, at that!

It was such a jam packed week,

filled start to finish with endings 

that lead to new beginnings.

Weeks such as this evoke memories 

that lead to all the feels.

I'm feeling them all as I recollect

on this rare Sunday morning writing session.

The sky demanded attention this week.

The moon in the blue-hued sky 

hung low over the vineyard

and produced a golden glow.

Earlier that same day 

I watched a storm move in at lunchtime.

The rest of the week

the weather was sunshine and rainbows.

Particularly after the fog

cleared at Shades Beach.

It was an eerie scene on Lake Erie

as we checked out the new conversation piece on the beach.

Our resident Birthday Princess was the first in the family

to sit on the giant beach throne.

They both celebrated birthdays this week

making for a very Happy House.

Natalie couldn't decide on a cake so we bought both,

and purchased a little chocolate one for good measure.

Natalie was extra happy as she spent her birthday afternoon

doing something she really loves:

painting!

Natalie loves to paint!

She helped paint this Mother's Day planting pot

representing each of my children's birth flowers.

Natalie--lily of the valley

Ellen--morning glory

Sam--daffodil

We will definitely keep an eye out

for more community activities like this one.

High Praise to Harborcreek!

The painted pavers were placed

near my newbie-greenhouse.

I have plans to build 

my dream greenhouse soon,

but after I spend more time mastering 

the art of working with seedlings.

It is going to be spectacular.

Stay tuned.

Can you guess which artwork

belongs each Lamp Poster?

Answers at the bottom of this blog.

#1

#2

#3

As I recollect on the school week,

I remember now why I averaged 17,000 steps per day.

Aquapod rockets and parachute designs

made for a fun week of learning.

The Coffee of the Week was this one,

and boy was it good!

And much needed!

The Huskies played two intense playoff games this week.

The first in our favor:

Here is Sam giving a post game acknowledgement

to the big kid from Girard

that he hit with a pitch.

I'm sure #30 will remember in September,

when they meet again on the football field.

The second game did not go our way,

Sam, Jake, and the Huskie Hit Squad

have run off the field for the last time this season.

The game went our way for five innings,

and as it happens in baseball sometimes,

one inning got unruly.

If there was a way to rewind time

and have a redo.

Until that is possible,

Eloise will prove this a lie.

The tears turned to smiles

the very next day

as we celebrated Louie's induction into the

Bowling Hall of Fame.

The ceremony at Lawrence Park Golf Club

was a lovely honor to those 

who have made notable accomplishments to the sport.

There is so much to offer in the sport of bowling

and we urge anyone interested to consider trying it,

no matter your age,

experience,

or ability level.

Contact us and we will gladly 

head out to the lanes with you.

This beautiful shot of the setting sun

calls forth memories of a day completed.

We also celebrate a career completed

as Louie has chosen to retire early,

and help with the A Team full time.

Natalie and Erik are happy to have a driver,

walker,

shopper,

and mover and shaker 

available at all times to help them out when needed.

Congratulations, Louie!

The students of North East will miss 

your fun teaching style.

Your colleagues will miss your lightheartedness

at a time when the world of education

has become ever so difficult.

The kids and I will be happy to have you home.

Answers to the painted pavers:
#1-Eloise

#2-Ellen

#3-Natalie

Eloise