Brown Bear, Brown Bear...

...What do you see? I see a red bird looking at me!

So begins the fabulous children's book written by Bill Martin, and now I can teach it to children in sign language!

Last night one of the special ed. teachers and I attended a workshop on sign language for preschool teachers. It was great! The presentor was lively, she added music and games that even adults didn't mind trying, and we came away with over 300 signs. I had taken ASL years ago, but haven't used it regularly so it was not only a good refresher, but I learned new signs, too. We're going to teach some songs (as well as the Brown Bear story) to the early start preschool class when I go in to do speech-language therapy.

P.S. Ash is home! :)

Goldsmith's

Ash is using up some frequent flyer miles and coming home for two weeks of spring recess on Sunday! Yay! Can't wait to see her! In June she completes her BA in English and History (dual major), so is beginning to haul her stuff home from Goldsmith's (outskirts of London). What a sentimental journey it is to reflect back on when we took these pictures the week we went there to settle her into her dorm three years ago.

Above: Deptford City Hall -- down the street from Goldsmith's College.
Above: The quaint and beautiful St. James Church -- just behind the dorm where Ash stayed the first two years. She could see it from her window. This year she rented a row house with friends.

Above: The back of the administration building (pictured at the top of the page). This was a good place to sit and write, hang out with friends, and watch football (soccer) matches.

Above: The Hobgoblin Pub -- right next door to the dorm where Ash lived (dorm is beige brick building on the left). The train station, grocery store, and a few other amenities were across the street.

Jeans, Wires, and Nerves

Thursday I was listening to my favorite radio station on my way to work when they announced they were having a contest. The fourth person to call in with the correct answer to the following question would win two tickets to see THE FRAY in San Francisco.

Listen to them here: blog.thefray.net/us/news

Not that I really believe in luck, I have designated four as my lucky number over the years, and as soon as the DJ's announced the question I had this premonition I would win. This has happened to me a few times in my life -- these premonitions -- usually associated with something magical or exciting happening, or winning something. Very strange. Anyway, the question was....

What do jeans, wires, and nerves have in common?

Know the answer? I had my blue tooth on so dialed in with one-hand, and the line was busy. Pushed the off button and immediately hit redial and the next thing I knew they were saying, "Hi, you're our fourth caller! Who do we have on the line?" They repeated the question and I said, "Things that are frayed!" "That's right!" They took my address and now 2 tickets are coming my way in the mail!

Winning two things in one week, I have to ask: Is there something to that "luck o' the Irish" saying?!

Second Place - Whoo-Hooo!

Yesterday I received word that I won second place in an essay contest! Now that is probably as difficult for you all to imagine as it was for me, since this blog is a sorry excuse for anything related to the world of creative writing. Even though there is a definite difference between the writing I put effort into and the 'brain drain' drivel I write here, I'm still shocked that I placed!

My second place certificate is setting on the desk next to me, and I confess to being quite pleased with it!

Open the Windows--It's Spring Already!

Sneaking in slowly, as if checking to see if the coast is clear, spring seems to finally be poking its head out. I went to Santa Clara yesterday with friends and the sun was shining when we left, but later in the afternoon we were wishing we had brought coats. Today is quite different -- sunny and mild, though I see showers are forecast for tonight (no sign of rainclouds yet). Since I was gone all day yesterday, I threw open the windows and stayed in today -- cleaned, caught up on laundry, mopped floors, washed down counter tops, and on and on. Sarah Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance) said that keeping orderliness is not a straight-jacket of shoulda's, coulda's.... but rather a shape or foundation for the beautiful life you create every day. I like that thought!

Plant a Book

I'm back...with a different blog. Looks like you found me. This will be my blog for my personal entries. I've decided to save www.plantabook.blogspot.com for our nonprofit organization by the same name.

Took me awhile to figure out how to move the posts and sidebar info over here. Actually moving the entire blog of posts was the simple part, but I had to copy and paste all the sidebar and profile goodies. Technology is amazing!