???

I don't understand this. I have tried 3 times to post an entry...it says "published successfully", like always, but I can't see it. Can you see an entry about Martha Clara?

I Survived!

(Again to the tune of Frere Jacques...)

I survived (I survived)
I'm surprised (I'm surprised)
I didn't screw up anything
None of the students acted up
Prof. was pleased
So was I

Observations

Oh, help! I have my first official ESL observation Friday morning. I wish I could've chosen which class to be observed, but I couldn't. The beginner group, which often greets my prompts and questions with blank stares, is the one. I am stressing, I am stressing. Must have the perfect lesson plan to submit. Must include the ELA and content area standards appropriate for their grade level. Must satisfy INTASC, be culturally sensitive, be cognizant of linguistic backgrounds and incorporate appropriate second language acquisition tools. Must display proper classroom management skills. In short, I must teach in such a way as to get the best academic response and production from these kids.

Can we sing? (to the tune of "Frere Jacques"):
I am nervous (I am nervous)
Yes, I am (Yes, I am)
So much to remember
There's so much at stake here
I hate being watched
I hate being judged


sigh

Martha Clara

This past weekend, we decided to drive out to Greenport for the Maritime Festival. We couldn't get an early start, because I had to work until 1 pm, so we figured we'd just head east, and if anything else caught our fancy along the way, we'd stop. The destination wasn't particularly important, just time together, DH, Little Sir and I, outside on a gorgeous early autumn day.

We stopped at a few farms to check out their wares, bought a 50 lb. sack of Yukon Golds (I think they've got to be the closest American potatoes to the reallly good yellow Turkish potatoes we had this spring), 25 lbs. of tomatoes, some basil, nectarines, corn, and a few green tomatoes for frying. We looked at corn mazes and hay rides, but they didn't exactly thrill us. So, we kept going. Then we saw the cattle.

Martha Clara Vineyard has a mini-herd of Highland cattle that demanded our attention. I have never been a cow-lover, but these creatures really interested me. Perhaps it hearkens to the Scottish blood in me, seeing creatures equipped to deal with brutal Highland winters, with their gorgeous long furry auburn coats and horns that could do some real damage. I don't know, but something deep and ancestral was touched.

DH fell in love with the donkeys (he used to ride them in Turkey as a little boy, and has a soft spot in his heart for them.) Little Sir went for the sheep and goats, as they were a little more his size, and less threatening. There were beautiful draft horses, the color of white/grey marble, majestically pulling the hay-wagon. The alpacas (llamas) were sweet, docile as deer, but friendly, looking for free handouts, with coats I could imagine spun into blankets and sweaters.

There is an art shop on the premises, with some paintings in different styles for sale. There are also wood works of varying sizes, apparently made with an electric saw, that are truly amazing. Giraffes, over 8 ft. tall, horses, a bear, a mermaid, and a life-sized bull-dog grace the shop, and are definitely worth stopping by to look at.

Knowing that it is a vineyard, they surely have a wine tasting room, and all that goes with it, but we were having so much fun outside, we never went in. They had live music, with lots of picnic tables outside, where people had brought coolers and were enjoying the gorgeous backdrop to their lunch/dinner.

We eventually did make it to the Maritime Festival, but it was disappointing. It really wasn't much different than all the other street fairs we've been to on this Island of ours. There were some pirates wandering around, scaring little kids, then giving them rings. There was the carousel, which is marvelous (NOW I understand the phrase "the brass ring"!), and the marina is lovely, and of course all the shops, and walking through the village (as parking was scarce), we got to see lots of houses circa 1820 and older).

What a lovely day to be out and about. I wish we could have 3 months or so of this weather, with extended foliage-watching time. Ahhhh...

Introductions

My last post, about trying Chinese bubble tea, sparked comments that have brought back lots of memories. Tonight I am having broccoli rabe, or rapini, one of the later adult additions to my personal list of favorites. Working in Italian restaurants, I saw it as a staple veggie on the menus, and decided to try it several years back. It's like broccoli in shape and color, but unlike it in its bitter kick. Broccoli's ok, and cauliflower, too (sorry, Natasha), but broccoli rabe is something special...saute it lightly in garlic and olive oil, serve it over some penne, sprinkle a little parmesan on top and Presto!...you have one of my favorite all time dishes that Number One Son likes, too.

It also makes a wonderful side dish for, or accoutrement to, chicken francaise. Mmmm...

Also, an adult discovery for me, is homemade Manhattan (Long Island) clam chowder. I discovered it a few years ago, when I bought a big basket of seconds tomatoes from a local farm, and was trying to figure out what to do with it. I discovered that if you grate the tomatoes, simmered with onions and garlic, add steamed clams and their broth, add some basil and whatever other herbs you like, spicy or not, adjusted to your own personal taste, and you have one incredible pot of soup. And it's not expensive. Great to make batches of and freeze for cold winter nights to come!

The same base can be used with other shellfish for chowders, as well as just veggie chowder, or with chicken or beef/veal/lamb...you name it. Sooo much better than using canned tomatoes!


Broccoli rabe is starting to come into peak season, so check it out. Tomatoes are at their cheapest and best now, too, available in 15 lb. boxes, etc. from the local farms. Get them before the frost comes!

Bubble Tea

Have you ever tried bubble tea? I first heard of it from a fellow grad student/ESL tutor, who raved about it. Then, it popped up in a Buster Bunny DVD we borrowed from the library for Little Sir. It is a Chinese beverage, served hot or cold, and comes in many flavors...almond, taro, mango and other fruits, your typical milk tea, and some that resemble latte/cappuccino. You can get it "with bubbles" or "without." The "bubbles" are tapioca beads, like pearls. You are supposed to drink and eat it with a very wide straw through which the beads can be drawn.

Wednesday evening, I was running a little early to my seminar at Stony Brook, so I popped over to Jasmine, a restaurant in the Wang Center, and bought one. I chatted with the sweet girl, a Chinese barista, also a student at Stony Brook, who gave me lots of info. about the drinks as she prepared mine. I noticed a container of small mango pieces, next to the tapioca beads, that could be substituted for the tapioca in a drink. I thought I might try that next time.

Well...I got my drink, paid for it, and scurried across campus to my class...
While waiting to cross a street, I took my first generous slurp. The liquid portion was pleasantly tasty, and my initial reaction was positive...
then, a split second later my senses registered the sticky globs of yuck sitting on my tongue. I didn't want to bite down on them, and get it stuck in my teeth, so I gingerly pressed one to the roof of my mouth, testing it that way.

Wallpaper paste.
Yup, that's it. Wallpaper paste. The beautiful black pearls in the bottom of my drink tasted like wallpaper paste. Thank God, I'd grabbed a few napkins, and quickly spat them out into one. I then lifted the straw to try to drink the liquid without getting any tapioca in my straw. This was a pretty tricky endeavor, resulting in a few accidentally slipping past, causing me to repeat the napkin process.

Once in class, I toyed with it a bit more, then finally gave up. As much as I hate to waste things, this had to be disposed of. Enough was enough.

I emailed my friend, the bubble-tea-raver. She said her first experience was pretty much the same (she never told me that before!), but she tried again, other flavors, and now she loves it. It's a special treat that she sometimes shares with her 8-year-old son.

Maybe I will try to enhance my intercultural experiences again and attempt a different flavor, perhaps with the fruit. But I think my tapioca bead days are over.

I Did It!

I survived my first kindergarten ESL lesson! Student teaching started the day before school actually began, and mostly I've been observing and helping out a lot. My assignment for the elementary part of the certification process has been to a kindergarten ESL teacher. (I've already satisfied the adult teaching requirements, and high school comes next. When I'm done, I'll be licensed to teach ESL pre-K through adult...it's pretty comprehensive.) As I have been used to teaching mainly 5th grade and up, except for my one-on-one private music students, I was really scared of teaching the little ones.

We started by administering the LAB-R, which is the test all incoming students must take if their parents indicate on their home language questionaire that a language other than English is used at home. That, in itself, was a real learning experience. Forget your preconceived notions of what an ESL 4 or 5-year-old looks like. This particular district had entrants which were fluent in Russian, Indonesian, Urdu, Farsi, Ashanti, French-Creole, Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Korean, Chinese, and a lesser amount than I expected of Spanish.

I have a 4-year-old, and he has quite a few friends, so I have a pretty good idea of what 4 and 5-year olds really know. I was blown away by some of these kids whose parents had checked off the boxes that said "speaks, reads and writes English only a little." Well, many of them did have some difficulties with speaking English as fluently as their American-born peers, but their reading ability was way above the average English speaker's. When interviewed, they indicated fluency in their first language, including reading and writing...and you have to realize that the Korean, Chinese and Russian kids are doing this in a different alphabet (or in nonalphabetic characters)...as are the ones with Arabic-based languages. Amazing.

Of course, there are those who barely speak or understand English, and who have no literacy at all in their first language. This is sad, but not representative of the ESL population as a whole. Just to see how far their education thus far had progressed, I experimented with the advanced group (1 Spanish-speaking 4-year-old, and 1 Korean and 1 Russian speaking 5-year-old.) Since they whipped through the lesson for the day, all about apples, we continued into math (counting, adding, charting the results of our survey) as ESL has to also teach English skills in all the content areas. I couldn't believe their skills were equal in that, too.

There are a lot of challenges, teaching a linguistically diverse, multi-proficiency population of students...but so far, I'm finding it very rewarding.

Madeleine L'Engle and Luciano Pavorotti

The beginning of September marks the passing of two greats in this world. In a world where bland mediocrity is hailed as artistic greatness, both of these heroes represented true genius, in and out of the public spotlight. Although very different on so many planes, L'Engle and Pavorotti were giants in their encouragement of quality education, and in providing an environment for true thinking. They were examples of what we are capable of, and where very few, sadly, choose to go.

I could write pages of blog entries about each of them, but nothing I could say would express who they truly were. In my life, these two will be sorely missed.

Unexpected Free Time

After a particularly stressful week, coming at the end of a terribly stressful month, I had a busy day scheduled. There really wasn't much room for additional emergencies thrown into the mix, and I was trusting the Almighty that He'd deemed my quota of such things FULL.

The phone rang at 7:15 this morning, after I'd showered and dressed to go to my first appointment. It was a mom cancelling our 2 hour session (she has 4 kids, so I teach them back-to-back.) That was followed by another cancellation call...these people had emergencies of their own...perhaps the universe was still desperate to disperse the back log of crises, but at least they weren't being distributed in MY direction...for a change.

Ok. So, I was ready to face the world, but had nowhere to rush to. What to do with this unexpected bonus of free time? Don't waste it! Well, first and foremost must come a cup of tea. Ahhhhh...yes. Then sit and savor my lilies for a few minutes, while I waited for the kettle to boil. (DD gave me a huge bouquet of various shades of pink lilies for my birthday, just before she went away to college...sniff...) These lilies only had a few open blossoms when she gave them to me a week ago, and had a lot of really tight buds. Now, they are an absolute riot of deep burgundy, dark maroon, pinks, mauves, some with curly white-tipped petal edges, some with smooth edges, with orangey-yellow pollen dust and dark green foliage. There are 21 fully-opened blossoms right now, with others still waiting to show their true colors. And the fragrance! Sooo beautifully pungent, spicy and sweet, almost cinnamony, and not allergy-inducing (which is always a plus!)

Tea made, I settled in front of the computer to take care of odds and ends of paperwork for school and business. The morning quiet was lovely...DH worked a late shift last night, coming home in the wee hours of the morning, so I'd let Little Sir stay up really late...they could both sleep in a bit.

Paperwork done, I checked the clock...the library was open by now, so I thought I'd pop over and do my printing there, to keep it quiet. Also got to do my library errands, including entering the raffle for the adult summer reading club (maybe I'll win dinner at a restaurant!)

Now, I'm all done, and I still have some time before my next commitment.
Unexpected free time is a wonderful thing.

Just a General Announcement...I Am Not Ready To Go Back To School!!!

Aaaaaack!!! This unseasonably cool spell we've been having is making me realize just how numbered my days of summer are. I still have so much school prep. stuff to do, and I still didn't get to do all the obligatory visiting I'd planned on, before I drop off the radar Sept. 5th.

Everything was going pretty smoothly, before my father-in-law got so sick. Since then, it's been like dominoes falling down, one after the other after the other. Every time the phone rings, I cringe. Not another crisis! No more emergencies! No more cars breaking down, no more additional paperwork requests from school, no more "oops, your daughter's financial aid didn't go through" emails, no more "You HAVE to deal with this IMMEDIATELY!" envelopes in the mail. Not another call to cancel and reschedule an appointment, just when I've got my whole calendar making sense. No more. Enough.

I want some more bubbles and beach days. Actually, I think I need a few. Or two. Or, I'd even settle for one.


sigh

Bubbles and The Beach

It has been a week since we lost my father-in-law. From the horrible days preceding his death, trying desperately to get him to the right doctor, the right hospital, and all that, to now, life has stopped in the normal sense of things. But, in a strange way, it has been a new beginning.

I find I mark time...Before he died, and After he died. It is one of those significant milestones, like my mom's death in 1998.

Since his death, my husband has been in the traditional 40 days of mourning, which, among other things, means no t.v. Now, for me, this is no tragedy. I don't really like t.v., anyway, and cancelled the subscription to the cable-giant-conglomerate years ago. I just borrow videos/DVDs from the library weekly for Little Sir 4-Year-Old, and sometimes one for us. But it is quieter without it, and I find we talk a whole lot more. More than we've talked since before we got married...another milestone, by which I mark time. I remember DH and I talking for hours and hours, on the phone, face to face, about absolutely everything...and sometimes just sitting companionably together quietly.

Today, after a loonnng day doing research at Stony Brook, my first real day away from DH and Little Sir, I came home to a hot late afternoon. Little Sir wanted to blow the bubbles we'd bought yesterday, and so we did.

What is it about blowing bubbles, exactly? It is so incredibly relaxing. My dad taught Little Sir to catch the bubbles with the bubble wand, and then re-blow them. Sometimes this makes them into big bobbling bubble-clumps, and sometimes into teeeny tiny singles. Little Sir is always delighted by this, and chases them all over the yard, losing them eventually under the huge maple, or up through its leaves, depending on the wind.

When he'd had enough of the bubbles, it was still early enough to catch a little beach time before the sun set, so we trouped off. At the bay, there was a little tidal pool, just beginning to refill with the incoming tide. In it, we found lots of tiny little bait fish, and one teensy green crab. Little Sir jumped the mini waves, ran through the foam, and wading out waist-deep. It was absolutely delightful. We found a few hermit crabs, tho' not the horseshoes I was looking for. The teacher in me made sure not to miss the opportunity to point out the different types of seaweeds, sea lettuce and eelgrass, and DH just sat and absorbed the peace.

It was one of those Kodak moments...a snapshot of life, that is so infinitely precious. Bubbles and the beach...bring peace.

Taking A Little Time Out

I regret to say that I'm going to take a break from this blog for a fews days or so. I will probably still read everybody's else's, and any comments here, but won't write much.

Friday I got a call from my Dear Husband while at work. He was sobbing, having just learned that his father was dying. I came straight home, and the following 48 hours were a whirlwind of long distance calls, trying to assess the situation in Turkey, and figure out what to do next. So many decisions to make, regarding doctors, hospitals, money, etc.

By Sunday evening, things seemed to be looking up. We had researched what medical information we'd been given on the internet, and had a better idea of what we were facing. It looked like a difficult haul ahead, but not an impossible one. DH had hopes of Little Sir having many happy memories still to come with his Dede (deh-deh), Turkish for "paternal grandfather."

We started the arduous process of trying to cut through legal and international red tape, so DH could be with his father through this. Step by step, we tackled item by item.

Then DH was awakened early this morning with an awful feeling in his chest. He called Turkey, and learned his father had just had a heart attack. Shortly thereafter, my father-in-law died of a cerebral aneurysm.

I am asking for prayer for our family, and for the difficult days ahead. Also, I am asking for prayer for my husband, that he be allowed to visit with his family and be there for the appropriate mourning ceremonies, and be allowed to return here afterward. I realize the wheels of the immigration system run exceedingly slowly, but some Divine Intervention would be greatly appreciated right about now.

Thank you.

The Resting Post

Sometimes in the busy-ness of my life, Nature takes me by surprise, and puts it all in perspective. Right outside my kitchen window, that overlooks the sink, there is a gate in the fencing, leading to the backyard. Directly in my line of vision is one of the fenceposts to this gate, and it seems to be a resting post for my little feathered friends. Sometimes, a catbird will call from that post, sometimes a cardinal. Chickadees, blue jays, titmice, doves, various wrens and sparrows all take a turn to stop at the resting post, and look into my window.

This morning, in my slightly-running-lateness, I caught a robin staring at me, having recently fluffed himself out, sitting on the resting post. He seemed inquisitive, wondering at my scurryings. To him, the whirlwind of my thoughts would be insignificant. None of my problems have any relevance to his life at all.

If the Almighty can take care of a little one such as this, and this little one can be so unconcerned by the big issues of life that plague me, then perhaps I need a mental, attitudinal adjustment. All my worrying and scurrying makes for stress, which is nothing but destructive.

To that end, I am taking a note from the resting post, and finding resting time, myself.

Technologically Challenged

It is no secret, to those who know me, that I am technologically challenged. I am currently struggling with trying to post pics of our schoolbus RV on Ebay. I was able to get some on from a file on my desktop, but others, that I'd emailed as an attachment, from a digital camera, I can't seem to get from my email to desktop, to then transfer to Ebay.

This is so frustrating. Any advice?

A Very Profound Question

On this very hot and humid afternoon, I am pondering a question with my Little Sir-4-Year-Old. "If I were an African animal, which one would I be?"

He is very definite in his decision. He would be a lion. "Aslan" is the Turkish word for lion (which C.S. Lewis wisely used for the name of his great Lion), and Little Sir loves Aslan, as well as lions in general. Sometimes he says his name is "Simba". (I wonder what that means, and from which language?)

Or maybe, we should extend it to other continents, because Siberian tigers are very, very cool, and so are huskies (no pun intended.) Then again, I am also partial to black leopards from Java and black panthers from India (I LOVED Bagheera, as a child, from The Jungle Book)...(yes, there is a definite preference for the feline theme, here.)

And then there are dolphins.

And horses.

So, I ponder this very profound question, and now pose it to you. If you were an animal, which one would you be...and why?

The Electric Company & Isaac Hayes

There must be something in the air, because I see a common theme developing here. First, I happened upon DVDs of the original Electric Company episodes (The Children's Television Workshop, 1972 - 1985) a couple of days ago. I wanted to share these with Little Sir, and we got a real kick out of them. A young Bill Cosby, together with Rita Moreno, Morgan Freeman, Gene Wilder, and a host of others, made learning to read different, interesting, and fun. Even now, looking back at all the retro 70's clothes (and that HAIR!), and music, and the dancing to the music, there is great value in the work they did, and it's still lots of fun to watch (yes, even for adults.)

Then, I heard Terry Gross' interview with Isaac Hayes, reminiscent of the same time period, on NPR today. (This Fresh Air show was from 1994, I think.) I'm sure everyone has some recollection of Isaac Hayes...the name must ring a bell. Remember Shaft? He wrote that theme song (very, very cool.)

No? Don't remember Shaft. Ok. How 'bout Superfly or I'm Gonna Git You, Sucka from the late 60's, early 70's? The music to those would be Isaac's also. Also very, very cool.

Actually, Isaac defined "cool". Remember The Blues Brothers? Well, "Soul Man" was co-written by Isaac Hayes, as well as "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay." In Terry's interview, she asked Isaac how he came up with the idea for "Soul Man", and he told the story of the Detroit riots, and how the song was born from that time. Terry also asked how the Shaft theme was born, and his detailed, instrument by instrument, sound by sound, feeling by feeling, description of its composition was wonderful. Remember that wah-wah guitar sound? Well, we have Isaac to thank for that, bringing it into mainstream music.

This interview made me wanna go rent the videos from this genre...and get Isaac's CDs again. For a flash back to the past, check them out. You'll be glad you did, I'm sure.There was a lot going on in my life during some of those years, some very traumatic, but I remember this music and some of this work as happy times in the midst of the pain. In the second half of my summer, I plan to check out some of this stuff...we're gonna get the rest of the E. Co. DVDs from the library and watch them, I'm gonna find Shaft and Superfly, Isaac Hayes' music, and also those Bill Cosby stand-up routines. My all-time favorites were Noah ("Noah..." "Yes, Lord..." "How long can you tread water?") and his pieces about his babies. I remember laughing 'til I had tears rolling down my cheeks, every time I heard the records (yes, I said "records"...those black vinyl things you put on a turntable actually held music and speech before rappers' scratchers discovered others uses for them)...even when I knew what line was coming next!

I didn't plan on this particular trip down Memory Lane this summer, but down I'm going...
Wanna come?

Sound Symphony Orchestra

Tonight, Little Sir and I went to the Sound Symphony Orchestra concert on the riverfront green behind the East End Arts Council. (A word to the wise...these concerts are advertised as all starting at 7:30 pm, but this is not always necessarily so. A previous concert started much later, and tonight's was already in full-swing at 7:15...the portable sign posted on the green said "7 p.m.") The orchestra played a nice variety of music, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky to Cole Porter. The guest vocalists on Porter pieces left something to be desired, but they covered their mistakes well (forgetting lyrics, etc.) with cute jokes, and were likable enough.

The highlight of the evening was a 13-year-old guest solo violinist (Abby something...didn't catch her full name) from Shoreham-Wading River school. She was absolutely amazing...seemingly a better musician than those seated in the orchestra. She had apparently won an "honorable mention" in the Sound Symphony's competition. One can only wonder what the winners sounded like. I hope to find out more about this young player, and see her pursue her musical career. Whatever else she decides to do with her life, she has already proven what dedication can accomplish.

All in all, with the perfect coolish summer evening, under a gorgeous bright moon, it was an lovely way to spend a Friday night with my favorite 4-year-old. We both enjoyed ourselves immensely. Anyone looking for a nice night out, free of charge, where you can bring, or not bring, the kiddies...check these concerts out. There is a new feature every week.

Pee Wee Sports

I grew up on my parents' stories of playing stickball in the streets of Brooklyn and Baldwin. My mom idolized the Brooklyn Dodgers, knew all the players' names and their stats, and went to every game she could. She even went bike riding with one of them. The stories fascinated me, and I wanted to play ball, and to be able to watch a team with the same intimate connection the people of Brooklyn had with their home team.

But it just wasn't like that out on Eastern Long Island.

When I was a kid, the only organized children's sport I was aware of (outside of school) was Little League baseball, and that awareness came only in 4th or 5th grade. And it was only for boys. I remember being fascinated by it when I heard of it, and yearned to be able to play. My dad bought me a bat, ball and glove for my birthday and he played with me out in the yard...but it wasn't the same. I wanted to be on a team.

Later, I heard from the City kids about CYO basketball, but there wasn't any out here near us, until I was really too old to start. The little of basketball I learned was from these City kid neighbors, who moved in the summer after 5th grade.

In gym class, starting in jr. high, we were taught organized sports, and I loved the challenge of the competition. I wanted to win! But that was a far cry from the real thing, and when I was finally old enough to try out for a JV team, I found my skills woefully lacking. Kids who'd come from Catholic schools were great at basketball, and girls with older brothers had more opportunities at baseball (preparing them for softball) than I'd had. I did end up playing several JV and Varsity sports, but never was on any kind of championship all-star team, with the thrill of compiled victories. I actually settled into gymnastics, volleyball, field hockey and track, where my lack of childhood play-time wasn't inhibiting. It was fun, but lacked that certain something I was looking for.

For No. One Son, Little League started with tee-ball, for both boys and girls, and he played with all the seriousness and fierce determination a focused 5-year-old can muster. He played all the way through "the majors", often on strong teams, basking in the glow of victory. DD was chomping at the bit on the sidelines, and when her turn came, she played just as hard as her older brother did. As the boys and girls were separated out into softball and baseball later on, she was disappointed at the lack of serious competition on the girls' fields. Too many of her teammates were fancy little sissy-girls, lolling about in the outfield, too afraid to break a fingernail to attempt catching the ball. She looked on longingly at her brother's games, seeing that the determination these players had was mostly missing in her league. How can you have any real competition, when half the players aren't even trying to win? She got quite frustrated, and turned her athletic eyes to other outlets.

When DH found I was pregnant with Little Sir, he was thrilled at the prospect of a little soccer (futbol) player in the making. He showed him his favorite team's colors on the day he was born, and the televised games and following commentary seemed a constant backdrop to his babyhood.

We have checked out the various sporting opportunities, trying to make sure he doesn't miss out on any, as soon as he's old enough. The first was Pee Wee Family Sports...a sampling of basketball, baseball and soccer, for the 4-5 year old set, this summer.

Little Sir 4-Year-Old had his very first basketball and baseball classes at Riverhead Town Rec. Dept.'s Pee Wee Family Sports this week. There were about 30 little ones, with their grown-up partners. This was fodder for the likes of Candid Camera, or America's Funniest Home Videos. Most of the little ones had never run laps before (picture the first 5 minutes with a few tripping and falling, crying to their mommies on the sidelines, and others looking at them a little confused and now-scared.) Then, the idea of listening to the Coach's instructions was a challenge..."How can I possibly pay attention to this big man boring me to death using words I don't even understand?"...when looking on at all the other little kids was much more interesting. After the detailed lecture on "How To Dribble a Basketball", the little ones got to actually DO it. Ah yes...30 4-year-olds, most of whom have never even really noticed dribbling before, trying to manage that unruly orange sphere, which keeps trying to get away from them.

Then, after about 10 minutes, which had most of the parents in hysterics, the Coach
told the kids now they had to use only their right hands. Right hand? Which is that? An interesting exercise followed...then only the left...THEN...when it couldn't possibly have gotten any more confusing for them...they had to alternate...right...bounce...left...bounce...right...bounce...

Oh, yeah. Then came the passing drills...bounce pass...chest pass. More basketballs gone wild.


The following day was more of the same, just with a little more control on the little ones' parts.

Today was the first day of baseball. Now, I am not in charge so I am not going to comment on what I think they are doing wrong, BUT...it is very difficult for a little child to catch a hard, smooth plastic ball with a glove, when that ball is too big to fit inside the glove. 'Nuff said. After about 15 frustrating minutes, little ones and their grown-up partners starting drifting toward the shade, and several left early.

Little Sir had fun. He loves basketball and baseball. But so far, it has been a lot more fun in our front yard, where he actually gets to shoot at the basket, and throw and catch a ball that fits the glove, and is the right consistency. And hitting the ball and running the bases is absolutely the most fun of all.

Can't wait to see what next week brings.

Shakespeare in the Park

Little Sir and I were supposed to go to the Shakespeare Festival held at Suffolk Comm. College's Riverhead campus on Thurs. night...but I forgot. I had it all planned, then went brain dead around 5 pm. Little Sir wanted something to do, and I was running on empty creativity-wise, so we copped out and got a video from the library (which was just o.k....nothing to write home about.) Realized it in the morning. We had plans for a kids-included-barbecue with friends I'd made at Stony Brook for Fri. nite, so that bumped Shakespeare to Saturday.

I wasn't sure how DH would take Shakespeare. He has enough trouble with modern day English, let alone all the "thee"s and "thou"s, but he was game, so off we went with our blanket to sit on.

The stage was set in the center quad, and was beautifully done. We loved the gorgeous costumes, and the props just right. Most of the talented cast played several roles. Their version of The Merry Wives of Windsor proved that Shakespeare is timeless, fit for any audience. Little Sir and DH laughed spontaneously in all the appropriate places, and both enjoyed themselves immensely.

Afterward, and today, DH commented several times how good it was, and that he was surprised how much he liked it. He loves history, and the clothes and all from that period, but was intimidated by the dialogue. Even though he didn't understand every word (it moved a bit fast for me, at times, too!), it still translates well.

If you ever get the chance to see the Long Island Shakespeare Festival, by all means, go! You don't have to be an English Literature scholar to be delighted by the experience.

Ok, Call Me "Crazy", But...

Ok, call me "Crazy", but I just opened my mail and found a sale flyer for one of the drug store chains. It said, "Back To School Sale."

Am I the only one who thinks this is rushing things just a bit? I'm all for getting a bargain on notebooks and stuff...but I am not ready to think about this!!!

There's Halloween costumes with the back-to-school clothes, Christmas decorations put on sale with the Halloween candy, Valentines put out right after New Year's, and Easter stuff comes out almost simultaneously with Valentines Day. Do we really buy more this way?