The Home of the Free and the Brave

So much happens in five decades of history.  So many changes have occurred in my lifetime.  I often say I am glad I to have lived through these times, difficult or not.  What a colorful handful of years I have had the pleasure and sorrow to experience.  I've often said that you must have the lows with the highs in order to appreciate the good things in your life.  This is true.  I'm hoping that we can get past our current lows.  The economy and lack of jobs worries me.  I have grown children that want employment in their chosen fields.  So I am wary about the future, much like everyone else. 

What worries me most is what seems like the current trend our country is going through; the trend to be politically correct in every aspect of our lives as United States Citizens.  I know we are a melting pot.  Our ancestors settled in the good ole U. S. of A. from every place imagineable.  As did the Founding Fathers of this great country we live in.  They came here with a set of beliefs and desires and set about making this country what it is today through blood, sweat, and tears.  They survived all kinds of tragedies, but continued to preserve their beliefs without making excuses.  They realized that people had to come to a consensus in order to obtain what they wanted.  So has it become difficult for the citizens of this country to stand up for our beliefs?  Does everything we do have to be politically correct, and do we have to always help out other floundering countries, especially when we are faltering ourselves?

Where I live I am surrounded by those that openly celebrate and honor being American.  We still allow the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem in our school.  Here, we respect those that have fought for our freedoms.  Can we maintain this culture in an ever changing world?  I wonder how long until the political correctness invades our corner of the country? 
Happy Veteran's Day to all of our armed service members. Thank you for preserving our freedom.
 

A Whole New Litter

Tomorrow I will be traveling to an old familiar place I haven't seen for awhile.  My classroom.  It's like an old pair of pajamas that you shove into the back of your drawer, and when you find them you can't wait to put them back on and get comfy.  Except I won't be getting comfy for awhile. 

I've got a bucket filled with supplies:  wood putty, all purpose cleaner, Goo-Gone, and some other odds and ends.  My vacuum cleaner and additional must-haves are ready to carry to my classroom.  I must prepare the place for the newbies. 

In a week I will get to meet a whole new litter of puppies...a. k. a. students.  They really are like puppies in so many ways.  Cute, wanting to have the attention and approval of their teacher, and mischievious when "necessary."  They will have to be "trained" in the ways of third grade.  The first few weeks will be fragile during which time they will grow more confident and comfortable. 

Some will be shy; others outgoing when we first meet.  Many will be looking forward to returning to school, only to be dredding it several weeks later, especially when they have to write in cursive ALL the time or study their multiplication tables one more time.  So much to do in 180 school days.  I can't wait to meet and get to know each and every one of them.  There'll be days when I won't be feeling this way.  But for right now, gotta love 8, 9, and 10 year olds.     

N'awlins, NOLA...a.k.a. New Orleans

Okay, so I decided to get out of my comfort zone last week.  I don't do airplanes, but decided to bite the bullet and go for it.  My daughter had never flown before so I decided to lead by example; even if that meant I'd die trying to do so!

It really wasn't as bad as I'd remembered sixteen years ago.  We landed in New Orleans, in perfect condition, in a new southern place for us to explore. Yay!

My thoughts on New Orleans:
Wow, talk about senses overload. New Orleans has so many sights, sounds, and smells (some not so pleasant~LOL!)   It's a bit difficult to focus during your travels throughout the streets.  If you could cross New York City and Charleston, you'd have New Orleans.  NOLA, as it is known, does not need to have a Mardi Gras specifically because Mardi Gras occurs there everyday; true dat! Just travel down Bourbon Street in the evening, and you will know this to be true.

If you like "free" entertainment, the city shall provide it for you.  The love of jazz is apparent by the locals who pull their brass out of the trunks of their cars and congregate on any street corner with more jazz-lovers to impart their beautiful sounds upon anyone walking thru the city.  Local restaurants definitely ensure you have a fabulous food experience, but don't mind the bathrooms being located in the kitchen by the dishwasher. If you are a germaphobic kind of person, you might want to avoid eating while you are there, but you will miss out on deliciousness.  If you enjoy adult beverages, you will be able to imbibe anytime morning, noon, or night, as well as purchase your pleasure on any street corner. Oh, and you can drink your beverage while s.t.r.o.l.l.i.n.g the city.  The trolley is the way to travel, whenever feasible. Walking during the summer heatwave was difficult, but you can really get a sense of what the city is truly about by walking the streets. Wow!

What an abundance of southern history and charm; definitely going back....someday!  Now I have to get over my fear of cab drivers. Hahaaa!!!

Sacred Summer

We all have seasons in our life.  Seasons come and go.  I laugh aloud at this!  I am 50 years old this year and definitely get "it."  I feel satisfied though.  My world is small, but I strive to be open-minded.   I am thankful for the bits and pieces that I have.  Children have made a huge impact on my thought processes.  Flexibility is the key.

I am a school teacher and I teach 8,9, and 10 year olds for 180 school days a year.  I love the children.  In the fall I get to know a whole set of new children.  Their personalities are as unique as the seashells that are strewn across our beach; each with their own shining characteristics and flaws that make you love them even more.  I will miss the students I had this year.  They all have BIG personalities.  There is hope for the future in this generation of children.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand their place in this future...but then I recall what someone once told me:  "We are educating children for careers that haven't been invented yet."  They are ready for it.  They will meet those challenges head-on.  I know this because, although they are unique individuals, they are also a unique group of children.  Our future leaders!

That being said, they have challenged me to work to MY full potential as an educator.  It has been a fulfilling year, but now...I am ready for sacred summer.  I will use this time to rejuvenate for next year's new group of students.  I am looking forward to sifting through the sand with my hands to find the unique shells while I soak up the sun.  Yay...SUMMER!

Embrace Life

Sometimes I feel like everyday is a list of scheduled things that I HAVE to do.  Once in awhile you just have to embrace life and go with it.  My philosophy, despite my have-to-do list, is to have as many of those impromptu moments as possible.  Life is short.  You don't know what the future holds so... embrace life.  Soak up this beautiful day.  Change things up.  (No excuses!)

Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea

I never really knew what sweet tea was until I moved to the South.  Oh sure, I'd had iced tea before, but I soon learned that not all iced teas are created equal.  Southern Sweet Tea has been my beverage of choice since our first move back in the late 80's to Cherry Point.  Serving sweet tea is quite neighborly.  Over the years, I've had friends who've knocked on my door, especially after a particularly hot day involving yard work, looking quite parched, and asked me for a glass of my sweet tea.  It is what my friends help themselves to when they come to my house.

Today I needed a pick-me-up after work so I decided to go with my old stand-by.  If there is a comfort beverage, like there is comfort food, it has to be sweet tea.

Here is the recipe I use for Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea:

Bring 8 cups of cold water to a boil.  Place 6 family-size Luzianne Tea Bags (decaffinated is what I use) into the pan.  Lid the pan and move it away from the burner.  Steep 20-30 minutes.  Then strain the tea bags and put the steeped tea into a gallon sized pitcher.  Add 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar (yes, that much) and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice concentrate, if you desire, to the pitcher.  Last add 8 cups of iced water to the tea mixture.  (Adding very, very cold water stops the steeping process and helps keep the tea from becoming bitter.)  Serve with additional ice. 

This is definitely sweet and it is definitely good!  LOL  Enjoy!  (insert "Aaahhhh!")

Seldom do I order iced tea when I am visiting the northern states anymore.

Downeast

Yesterday we decided to travel to our friend, Gracie Mae's softball game for 8U.  This was no easy feat as the game was being played in Atlantic.  If you've ever been to Carteret County, NC, then you know the county is the longest county in the state.  We drove forevvvvah!  The drive bestows lots of beautiful views of marshlined areas, some along both sides of the rural roads we traveled.  It doesn't have the nickname "downeast" for nothing.  You literally just keep driving east until it seems that you are at the easternmost tip of the U. S., and it is gorgeous. 

I knew the trip would provide some interest for the day; I just didn't realize the fun would start in the parking lot.  As we hung out, my daughter, Stevie Katherine, spied something unusual.  Sitting across from us was a vehicle with an unusual display on the dashboard.  Two cans of soda and two opened cans of Spaghettio's with metal spoons perched inside.  We thought this was hilarious and had to take a picture.  As I reflected on this, I actually remembered a time when my husband and I had dined on cold pork and beans straight from the can.  We were young, poor, and uninhibited by society's expectations.  We were camping outside of Ocean City, MD and really couldn't afford much else.  We still had fun.  Life is good.

Summer Excursions

One of the most enjoyable aspects of living here in the south has been the many little nooks and crannies found tucked away along the rural roads. 
Spur of the moment trips have been the best way to explore and discover.  I anticipate what this summer has in store, but I will share something funny from one of last summer's such trips, in the meantime.

Some teacher friends, true southern gems, and I traveled to Lizard Lick.  I didn't believe there really was such a place, but....  My friend Cristy, who is from Hick'ry, is a HUGE fan of Lizard Lick Towing and Recovery and wanted to meet these folks...and we did just that!  Just traveling there turned out to be an adventure. 

We stopped to spend the night in Raleigh where we lounged in the Presidential Suite~long story..., but always remember to take a Southern Belle along.  Ours was our friend Ashley!  They can work their charms on anyone!  The next day we ate at this adorable local restaurant (it's so nice not to always dine at chains) along the way called the Ole Time Cafe where my friends dined on chicken livers and collards.  I haven't quite aquired a taste for these yet; although I can eat them, I just choose not to~LOL!  Eventually we did arrive in Lizard Lick.  Such friendly folks.  Actually some of the nicest people I've ever met, and what fun we had.  We even had our picture taken atop a tow truck.  I won't tell you how we got up there...I'll just tell you that it was not by conventional means.  Ah, the simple pleasures in life.  Sweet.