Be Careful What You Wish For

This afternoon was beautiful and sunny, after a cold gray morning. I decided to run to my yoga class since I wouldn't have time to walk, but didn't want to get back in the car. I ran along the outside path at Greenlake, where there is a little less traffic and a slightly softer running surface. About 1/4 mile into my run, a group of high school boys, presumably track or cross-country team members, came along the path in the opposite direction. The first clump of them were running 3 abreast, and basically didn't budge when our paths crossed, forcing me off the path and onto the grass.

Annoyed, I allowed a few nasty thoughts and unkind words to enter my mind. When the next group approached, I was determined to hold my ground and make clear with eye contact that they needed to share the space. This clump was more like 20 boys, 2 and 3 across, running as a pack. The first few rows moved to the right and we passed without a hitch, but the problem with my plan was that the kids in the middle of the pack were in herd mentality, and were just running along without really looking or thinking. I slowed down and made sure to avoid any collisions, but a couple of them were a little bit startled to see me there.

One of the boys said "oh, sorry ma'am," which I suppose was the polite thing to do. Why then did that feel so much more problematic than the first kid who felt he didn't need to move at all? I guess getting "ma'am'd" was karma for me labeling the first one asshole in my head. Lesson learned.

Get Your Creepy Halloween Spider Movie Here

The spiders are everywhere this fall and they are huge. Massive webs everywhere we walk, and lots in the yard. Yesterday this guy had a bee wrapped up for later, and was going to town on what might have once been a fly but now was just a pretty nasty-looking snack.

Harvest Day

Didn't grow much of anything this season, but did manage to get potatoes in the ground. Today we harvested the remaining crop.
Adelaide discovered some creatures living in among the plants.
Not a huge crop, but enough for a lot of yummy meals and some to share. Adelaide selected 4 of the biggest spuds to give to her teacher for a birthday present.
Tonight we'll roast up these. Dinner from the backyard!

Car Conversation

Coming home from school today . . .

A: Mom, is that wet cement?

C: Yes.

A: Mom, can I . . .

C: No.

On the Road Again

Dear Other Drivers,

Remember Driver's Ed? Remember those rules that you had to take a test on before they let you behind the wheel of a car? Like using a turn signal, checking your blind spot and stopping when the traffic signal turns red? No? Oh, right, silly question, I see evidence every day that you don't remember. But guess what? Those rules actually still apply! Yes, even after you pass the multiple choice test, and forget how many feet from a driveway you can park, there are some basic things that make life on the road more pleasant for everyone.

For example, Mr. Mercedes from yesterday morning on 80th at 7:20 a.m., a double yellow line is a no passing zone. This means that even if the driver in front of you (that would be me) is not riding the bumper of the car in front of her (perhaps due to the fact that there are many, many cars in a long line slowly making their way up the hill, so there really is no point in tailgating), you should not accelerate to 50 miles an hour, zoom into the oncoming traffic's lane, and zoom back in front of her, slamming on the brakes to avoid rear-ending the next car. While I did appreciate that you would be tailgating the person in front of me rather than tailgating me, I felt it was a little bit dangerous to go to such a tremendously dangerous effort to do so.

And how about you, Ms. Volvo station wagon on the same street, coming off the off-ramp from I-5 and heading east on 80th over the freeway at 7:45 this morning? Was it really necessary to occupy both lanes, straddling the dividing line and using no turn signals to let anyone else know your plans? And were they good plans? I think not. Since the other cars ahead of you were waiting for the red light, there really was no need to zoom around the cars in the turn-lane in order that you be next to wait at the light. Because actually, you were next even if you were behind the turning cars. No one was moving, but you managed to find a way to continue driving.

So, drivers, since I am sure you won't be heeding the advice in this informative letter, I suggest that you head over to the Department of Licensing and pick up a handy brochure. Maybe take a practice test and see how you score. And this time, try to remember what it is that you learned.

Sincerely,

Christine

Squash Nachos

Delicata squash with mustard greens, brown rice, fire-roasted tomato puree, garlic, cumin, zucchini, mushroom and cheddar nachos.

Love Letter

Dear Delicata Squash,

I love you. You are the most delicious food on earth. Please forgive me, for perhaps over the summer I forgot that you are my one and only, my undying love. I may have been so foolish as to say that the blueberry was my favorite, or the peach, but I was a fool. There is no fruit that can compare to you in your sweetness, your creaminess, your explosion of delights in my mouth. I will be faithful to you from here on out, and profess my love only to you, dear squash.

Faithfully yours,

Christine

Only thing missing is Blogger.com

T-shirt design from a friend's friend's friend on Facebook.

She's Never Been Beaten, You Know

Adelaide returned home today and discovered the Scrabble game that I had left on the table. She decided she was interested, so we played a round. She didn't want me to help her (though I managed to a little bit) and she really took to it. We're ready for the rainy weather!

Star of the Week

Adelaide was "Star of the Week" in her classroom at school this week. The event has lots of ceremony, including the creation of a poster, daily presentation of pictures and favorite items, and the bringing home of the much-coveted "Star of the Week" suitcase. I have enjoyed watching my students get their turn to sit on the yellow bench and hold court in front of the class for many years now, so it was especially fun to see Adelaide try it on for size.

Today she got her "shooting star," which the kids in class fill with comments and compliments about the special student. Then at the end of the day she got to select the free choice activities for the class before it was time for the ceremonial passing of the suitcase. Her reign is officially over, but it was a good run.

The Fair

We had a chance to head to the fair over Labor Day weekend with our friends. We stayed away from most of the fair food (unlike Wisconsin, there was not a great deal of deep-fried foods on a stick), which sounds like it was a good choice based on 2 other families' reports of post-fair illness, but nonetheless a good time was had by all.Getting there was fun, too!
Lots of baby animals were in the petting area. The girls chased them around and made friends.
Scheming how to catch the geese? Not sure.
The ferris wheel was a big hit. Cotton candy was an even bigger hit, but I couldn't bear to photograph the kids eating blue insulation, so it will have to remain undocumented.


I think my favorite part was the pig races. Or maybe just the generally happy kids enjoying a variety of experiences they don't normally get to have.

So Inviting

Discovered this gem on a walk during my lunch break today. And yes, it is the middle of nowhere. Welcome!

People Ask Why She Is So Tall

Today's dinner was in two courses - the first being a slab of tofu, cherry tomatoes and a glass of soy milk to calm the hungry beast as the second course was being prepared.

The main course before:
and after:
Requests for more food after this were denied (though carrots and tomatoes were offered and refused).

First Grader!

Today is the first day of first grade. Adelaide was a bit nervous, but mostly excited to check out her new teacher and classmates. As a first grader, she lines up outside instead of in the hallway.

The kids then walk down to their classrooms and line up to wait for the teacher to welcome them into the room.
Adelaide found her spot and began getting organized while I helped her classmates and other parents with the school supplies.
The kids had a few minutes to work on a paper at their seats before heading down to the welcome to school assembly. Adelaide has a nice group in her class this year.
She is already in the groove. She raised her hand to tell Mrs. Ibach that she knows the students in her blended partner classroom because they are my students.
So much has changed in a year! This was the first day of school last year.
I'm proud to say, no tears for mom this year. I was too busy helping all the new kids and greeting the old ones. It's shaping up to be a great first day!