A P. S. on Teaching

Thank you all for commenting on my "Teaching" post. I felt guilty because the post does make it sound as though professional teachers are the only teachers and wanted to add this as a sort of postscript to my last post. I did not mean to diminish the importance of the people who teach in any aspect of our lives.

We all have "personal teachers" such as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, doctors, lawyers, dentists, caregivers of all kinds, and spiritual leaders/teachers - pastor's/priests/clergy who have been huge participants in our lives. There are a wide range of teachers/mentors out there in the world. Most good businesses have mentors who work with new employees to help them adjust & learn. New teachers have mentors to help them along in adjusting to their profession. Teaching is not just left to us professional teacher-types. We are all teachers. We all teach some good & some not so good things. The good things we usually try to teach, but inadvertently we teach the wrong thing from time to time. Here's to the good things we manage to teach.

Those who can... Teach!

Recently Rosaria at sixtyfivewhatnow and Reya at The Gold Puppy have written about good teachers being special people. The quote: Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." has been put out time and again.

I have many friends in business, in law, in the medical profession and not one has ever hinted that teacher's are not important. Teaching can be a thankless job if one needs to be told what a good job she is doing. However, a good teacher is rewarded every time a student comments intelligently on a subject, asks a question about how something works or why a certain thing is done. The inquisitiveness of students is reward in and of itself. When students inquire we know we are doing our jobs. We are causing them to think and question. Oh yes!

Yesterday a teacher friend of mine mailed the following story to me. Of course it most likely isn't a true story, but it does get the point across as to why some of us chose & choose to be educators. Teaching requires talent and perseverance. It is not for the faint-of-heart.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One of the guests decided to explain the problem with education.
The guest argued, “What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”
The guest reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'
To emphasize the point this question was asked to another guest; “You're a teacher. Be honest. What do you make?”

The teacher, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?”

(The teacher paused for a second, then began...)

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?”

(Again a pause and a look at each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.”

(The teacher paused one last time and then continued.)

“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Then the teacher asked the other guest, "What do you make?”

No words came from the arrogant guest; the jaw dropped; dead silence.

Grits... yum, yum!

As the demolition of my kitchen floor continues, Gertie & I are trying to stay out of the way. So after reading Gumbo Writer's blog today I decided to add a grits (grits described in Wikipedia) recipe that is my favorite. Let me add that being raised in Georgia grits was a staple in my family. Once on a trip to New Orleans I found a great cookbook which I brought home & have continued to use over the years.

One of my favorite grits recipes is Jambalaya Grits. I took it from the "Jambalaya Cookbook of the Junior League of New Orleans" and I think it is my favorite recipe in the cookbook. People who don't usually like grits like this dish. My husband is one of those who doesn't care for grits, but will load his plate with this when I cook it.

Jambalaya grits is a great brunch recipe. It will serve lots of folks and holds up in a warmer without getting to stiff. The recipe is as follows:

Jambalaya Grits
Serves 6

2 tablespoons bacon grease (I substitute olive oil which is somewhat healthier)
2 tablespoons flour (here again I substitute whole wheat flour for white flour)
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup quick grits
3 fresh tomatoes, peeled & chopped (approximately 1 cup)
1 cup ground ham
Bacon cooked and crumbled
(Parsley sprigs for color)

In a heavy skillet, heat oil and gradually add flour, stirring constantly, until roux becomes light brown. Add onion, green pepper, and celery; coop 5 minutes. Cook grits according to package directions and add to roux. Add tomatoes and ham. Sprinkle with bacon. Garnish with parsley sprigs and serve immediately.

Tuesday is Demolition Day!

Tomorrow morning the Demo Team arrives to rip up the floors in our kitchen & my bathroom to put down tile. I've spent the day getting things out of the kitchen so they will have space to work. Of course this means the stove & dish washer will have to sit in the garage for a few days and the refrigerator will sit in the breakfast room. I hate a mess, but will love it when they finish.

I'm also having the kitchen cabinets painted. The bottom will be a lovely deep red and the top cabinets an off-white color. They were to take out our sink & put in a new one today, but couldn't get it out. Seems it is cemented to the counter top! I have white tile counter tops & back-splash which I like and if they try to get the cast iron sink out it could break the tiles. So, we decided to refinish the sink. It will be 3 colors: base color is black, next are almond flecks, & last are red flecks. It should be stunning with my red & white cabinets and black appliances. This will probably be going on for 1 1/2 or 2 weeks because it has to be done in stages so things can dry & set up, etc. I'm pretty excited about it, but also a bit apprehensive.

We are also having new shower doors for the G-man's bath tub, having it resurfaced & new faucet, shower, etc. We are having his lavatory refinished as well. The house was built in the late '80s I think (I got it with the hubby) and it isn't put together like I would have done it, but we are making some changes. The G-man bought it from an older couple. There are some things I like about it... wide doorways and an open living area, very large master bedroom and a his & hers bathroom & closets. The separate baths is enough right there to spoil me. We have an extra bedroom, bath, and an office for the G-man plus a little work space (office) & sitting area for me off my bath. Still there are things I would change because its all a bit dated, but those things will take time.

Over the last 2 years we have painted the outside of the house & the main area inside. Prior to that I had new draperies put up, chairs in the living room remade & reupholstered, bought a new sofa & accent pillows and area rug. Of course I came with lots of artwork to combine with existing pieces. It has taken on an us look. Gerald says I scent-marked the house.

So now it's time for an additional make-over in the kitchen. The walls are already painted but I want it to pop. The colors I picked should make that happen. I'll get some before, during and after shots to post later. Now I need to get my feet up and rest my weary toes & back. Demo Day starts about 9 or 10 AM tomorrow. Wish me luck ... at least there will be no cooking for the next few days!

The Winner Is...

The G-Man (on the left) wins 1st place in his flight at the Golf Channel Amateur Tour at Falconhead Golf Club, Lakeview, Texas on Saturday, March 22, 2009.

Back Home!

Mama Duck & the Ducklings on lake at Koasati Pines Golf Course, Louisiana

Azalea & Cypress Trunk, Kinder, LA

Cypress Log

Detail of Cypress log

Driving west & homeward through Houston

Shadow Shot Sunday

Not a lot of sun today to make shadows, but here is one on the patio...

Tuesday is Travel Day

Well, it's time for the annual Pine Forest Golf Club sojourn to Kinder, Louisiana to play golf at Koasati Pines Golf Course & Coushatta Casino Resort. I'm not much of a casino goer, but most of the other 20+ folks going will enjoy the night life at the casino after playing golf in the morning. The G-man will be searching out a Texas Hold'em Poker Game & I'll find something to amuse myself. I do know how to play poker, but lately have not been in the mood for it.

I'll be away for a few days and may not have access to the Internet. I'll be back online Friday.

Below are a few photos from the neighborhood and some random ones from our last golf day in Spring Branch, Texas. Hope you enjoy photos of the beginning of our spring!

Me @ River Crossing Golf Course a couple of weeks ago

Me again

The G-Man @ River Crossing

Below are a few random photos from our stop in Blanco, Texas after playing golf at River Crossing. Saw this cute little bicycle propped against a stone column & couldn't resist taking a photo.

Little Blue Bicycle in Blanco, TX

The "Blanco Blue Bicycle"

Courthouse in Blanco Texas

The redbud trees are in bloom in my neighbor's yard. Pretty, yes?

We've had a taste of spring. My neighbor's redbud is just about in full bloom and looked very pretty in the midday sunshine.

Theme Thursday - Animal - The Great Blue Heron

While Pelican watching...

a Great Blue Heron flew onto this dock...

On the bay in Fulton, Texas there is an old rickety boardwalk going out to some little boats where the shore birds love to visit. One day I was watching the pelicans when over my shoulder flew in a Great Blue Heron and landed majestically in front of me.

and landed majestically among the seagulls & a cormorant

Along side the heron to the right is a cormorant and seagulls all around.

and stood in a stately manner surveying his domain.

Isn't this a majestic looking bird? He/she is a loner and appears to have no fear.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias): This is the largest and most widespread heron in North America. It can be found along ocean shores, fresh water ponds and rivers. The color of mature birds is gray, it has long legs, and a long "S" shaped neck. There is a white striped crown on its head and ruffled feathers at the base of its neck and back. The herons back, wings, and underside are a bluish-gray color. The legs and bill are a pale yellow color. The size is 97 to 137 cm or 34 to 54 in. The wingspan is 167 to 201 cm or 66 to79 in. The heron weighs 2100 to 2500 gm or 74 to 88 oz. Both sexes look alike which is dissimilar to most birds where the male is generally more brilliant in color.

The diet of the Great Blue Heron is mostly fish, but will eat other small animals for example voles, frogs, birds and small lizards.

We find the Great Blue Heron year around in Texas and in most of the United States except the more northern of the mid-western states. Their range in summer during breeding season is from southern Alaska and central Canada to Central America and the Caribbean. In winter they are found from southern Canada southward as far as northern South America and along the west and east coasts as far north as Alaska & Nova Scotia. They live in rural or urban areas as long as there is a good water supply such as ponds or rivers.

The Great Blue nests in colonies sometimes as a lone pair and other times with several groups in an especially nice thicket around a pond or river. Their nests are large, made of sticks, grass and reeds, or sticks and are found high in trees. I read that they occasionally make nests on the ground. The eggs are a dull pale blue and are generally 2 to 6 eggs in a clutch. The chicks are covered in a pale gray down and with open eyes and able to hold their heads up just after hatching.

Resource: Cornell Lab of Ornithology "All About Birds"

A Dr. Seuss Quote

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

~Theodore Seuss Geisel



This quote from Janis' blog at "just breathe janis" (Dr Seuss Quote) seemed quite appropriate taken my recent blog about speaking my mind. Thank you for sharing this with your blogger friends. I found it via "sixtyfivewhatnow" & "musings from the deep".