make a circuit with me

I got a call today. And with it... a gentle scolding. "Why haven't you been in touch?" Great Grandma chided knowing full well that if I have been quiet, I have been directing my attentions to more home bound pursuits or problems. She understands, but at the same time, we have been missed.

 There has been a "shit load" I have been dealing with of late... a failing septic system being the major culprit in that arena. Its been a bit of a hassle but not much more.

praying mantis

Then there is the dog who ,by the vet's calculations, is now approaching 87 years old and who's age is starting to settle on his old skinny bones. Although his bloodwork and such say he is in excellent health for his age, he has lost almost 40% of his body weight. A change in diet and his weight has been holding steady at 56 pounds for the last two weeks but he was once 80 pounds and now he is nothing but saggy skin and bone and big brown loving eyes.  Arthritis, as well, is firmly introducing itself to his hips. When we walk he leans against me for support. It is a sad time watching the inevitable. Knowing all you can do for this gentle beloved is to make him as comfortable as possible.

 So my attention has been pretty much split between him and Connor's school. Which is going fabulously. He loves his time in the classroom. All of the students are quiet and respectful of the teacher and other students. And the classroom activities are more interactive. Students from 6th through 8th gather together 2 days a week. One of those days they take English class (which is essentially a school newspaper), performing arts class (they made masks and are now discussing how to assume a character and they are practicing a play) and lastly humanities (Which they cover a broad range of topics in from English to Science.)

The second day of the week is student council (all of the students paired up and worked up campaigns to run against each other. Connor didn't win the election but he did enjoy the exercise. This class is responsible for helping set the course for the schools extra curricular activities and field trips), Math (where they work on times tables and play math games) and pe (Which has him running a mile).

The other three days of the week look a bit different. An hour spent at the keyboard at home with an online math tutor (Its really a program that assesses and adapts to his progress. It works well for him. it is topic directed and gives him the ability to move at his exact pace. His initial assessment showed a knowledge of  26 percent of the topics. We just finished the first quarter and he is 48 percent complete. Anyway that is math.) Then we read and write book reports, study ancient civilizations and for pe we rock out with daily dance parties. Science for 6th grade is earth science. We have been observing how the suns coronal holes and sun spots effect the earth, (earthquakes, storms and communications blackouts) and we have been talking about the potential of a pole shift during our lifetime and the ramifications of that as well as the very plausible threat of an mini ice age.  Connor was not thrilled with these lessons. He said "I know why they don't teach this stuff in school." I asked him "Why?" to which he replied, "Because everyone would just kill themselves now."  I followed that line of thought up  with the "Why it is important to see every moment as a gift, See the beauty in each breath, Be grateful for you have a chance to experience because it can all be gone in no time" speech. He is still not thrilled.

He is also attending a youth arts coop two days a month and begins rehearsals for a Charlie Brown Christmas Play next week. We also make good use of the time we spend in the car (We were at Sis's bus stop waiting when I took this. I was not driving!)   and we have had some nice field trips.

Willow is doing pretty well at school. The work load and responsibility are a bit overwhelming
Shedoesn't want to talk about it much though.. she glares at me anytime I ask her anything these days,.. actually she glares at me anytime I ask her anything..  but  I know she is taking things in stride. Homecoming was a few weeks ago  and she had a blast. She isn't doing any extra curriculars just yet except her job animal sitting for the neighbors when necessary and the rare but special visit with her old girl friends. She is planning to join swim team next spring and her braces come off in two weeks!

 My birthday was at the beginning of the month. Mom sent me flowers. I also got some from Greg and the kids then Greg took me out to the Fish House and we had a fantastic meal followed by a much needed and long overdue dip in the warm waters (Did I say warm? It was a heat wave and yes the water was warm. So warm in fact that the area had some great white visitors. A baby was spotted exactly were I was swimming the very next day. Mama was up the beach about 10 miles!). I also got tickets for several sharks games this season. Including two games against the Hawks. Birthday month has rolled over into birthday year this year. And speaking of Stanley.. He has lost some of his tail feathers but he is still king of the roost..


                                                    



Greg has dropped the half marathon race. Travel with work has made his training a challenge and rather than risk injury, he  would rather prep for next year when he can be competitive and well prepared. I think this was a smart move especially since it is official and he begins his Masters program next week. As for work, he is now finally able to relax a little. He has hired the support he needs and the training is going well. So well in fact that before too long, this guy might just be able to step right into Gregs shoes. Then where will we go? We have some serious speculations but only time will bear out that.       Halloween.. This year Con wants to be CP3O for Hmmm... Time to start fabricating.