Day 776: Slushy NYC

Too exhausted to write tonight, but here's a photo of the frozen Hudson from our journey today.

Day 775: Our bags are packed...

We're ready to go... NYC got ten inches of snow today and now it's raining.  Tonight, more snow.  Perfect conditions for a visit with our family!  Long visits, exotic foods, crowded subways, a stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge.  The weather doesn't matter.

The sun was deceiving... still bitter cold.  Today I am dreaming of rich blue hyacinths, velvety tulips and sweet cherry blossoms.   Next weekend = 50 + !!!!!

Day 774: SC crew

Our Silver Creek crew with two student leaders

The turkeys have worn a path from the woods to the bird feeder.  We open a door and they take off.

Too much to do and too little time.  How does that happen in retirement?

Steve got news today that he has to have a full knee replacement.  The partial lasted just short of four years when he expected it to last for ten. The hardware is fine, it's the deterioration of the knee itself.  That adds a wrinkle to many endeavors.

Day 773: Dreaming of daffodils!

It was an awesome class with wonderful kids in Brocton!  We were so impressed with Maddie's leadership in the discussions.

More progress on the expedition behavior chapter.  On Friday, I can write on the train.  I decided there will be just two more chapters: the games chapter and a conclusion.  The "Where do we start" piece I've been contemplating will be incorporated into chapter one.

I started hunting for travel information on Bluffton, SC and Savannah, Georgia.  It's 13 hours away.  Do we really want to drive all that distance?  At least then we would not have to rent a car.  The hotels away from the beach are reasonably priced and there is lots to explore.  It would be fun to visit the historic center of Savannah, too.  We'll be able to connect with Nancy, Jeremy, Kendall and Jason.

Warmth, sun, a sandy beach, green grass and palm trees.....please!  Although I will happily settle for daffodils and forsythia!  Hopefully, this is the last night of sub zero temperatures.

Day 772: The Beatles

I made great progress on the expedition behavior chapter today.  Paul Petzoldt, who wrote the Wilderness Handbook identified six sets of relationships that should be monitored and directed to assure a successful expedition: individual to individual, individual to group, group to individual and group to group.   Individuals and groups must fulfill responsibilities to each other and can expect that others will care for them in turn.  So, I have related stories that reflect what happens when individuals do not fulfill their obligations to others and thereby disrupt the cohesion of the group.  Originally, this content had been in another chapter, but I decided it was too important to limit. That's happened a few times now.

Our snowy creek

Paul and Ringo

Paul was always my favorite Beatle

Last night's Beatles concert was fantastic.  New artists performed their classic songs then both Ringo and Paul performed several songs before concluding the night with "Hey Jude"!  They said that when they perform, they are always thinking of their friends, John and George.

Day 771: Wax lips and cappuccino

Susan loves holidays and always sends the members of Penelope a special treat to spur laughter.  For Valentine's Day, a box of wax red lips arrived.  We know how much she misses her friends and our Sunday morning meetings.  We got some hysterical shots that she will surely enjoy.

Carolyn and Valerie

Penny, Carolyn, me, Carol, Pat and Sarah

Penny's newest project: A series of photos on the quest for the perfect cappuccino!

Fifty years ago tonight, the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show.  I fell in love with them that night, just like millions of young girls around the world.  In 1965 or 1966, our sorority took a  trip to Toronto for their concert.  We never heard a single word of the lyrics or a note of music because of all the screaming.  In fact, it was difficult to see them because we had seats in the very top of the auditorium.  After the concert, we were walking down a long corridor when someone screamed, "there they are!"  and a crush of crazed girls rushed through the halls searching for them.  Hysterical girls fainted dead away.   The music is so classic and timeless it is sure to last another hundred years.

Day 770: Equipment Seminar 2014

I waited a whole year to get pictures of the equipment seminar.  I charged the battery, attached the wide lens, wrapped the camera carefully and tucked it into my bag.  And there it sat for the entire morning.  All that prep and as soon as I switched on my teacher mode, I completely forgot the camera.   I could have passed it to one of our amazing student leaders, but I forgot!  So maddening.

The seminar went very well.  Jill took attendance as each family entered.  Of course, two thirds of them were late.  Lee would have been crazed and we were very irritated.  Masses were walking in at 9:05 when the program started at 9:00.  Why?

Should we have started at 9 when there were only thirty people present?

Grrrrr.

At the end, a boy from Brocton approached me and asked if he could still participate.  Rules, deadlines.  I don't even know his name and I really want to say yes.

On to musical.  No rehearsal today because of All-County music festival.  The crew worked hours on the sets while we worked on costumes and props.

Evening: Two episodes of Sherlock and one disappointing pizza from a new pizzeria.   Why do they all make their pizzas in the same identical way?  No originality, no flavor, no thin crust!

A long week, productive week, but no new chapter completed or list of publishers prepared.