Country Sky

What is it about an unadulterated, clear evening sky?  I came home this evening around 7:30.  Be glad you weren't in the car with me on the way home.  The tunes expanded from Celtic Women's "Over the Rainbow" to Barry Manilow's "Daybreak" all the way to Lynda Randall's "The God on the Mountain".  Don't try to profile me based on my playlist!

I opened the car door and looked up at the night sky.  Wow!  We are surrounded by trees here.  The branches perfectly framed the big dipper and a handful of other constellations that I never took the time to memorize. 

Honestly, there isn't a more beautiful sense of peace and simple purity that an evening sky that is far away from the city lights.  Uncapturable, maybe that is why it is so special.  I always imagine my friends and families across the continent who are looking at the same stars and moon as I am 1000's of miles away.  Powerful, isn't it!



Afternoon movie

Okay, so we went to movies this afternoon.  Alyssa wanted to see the Justin Bieber movie; I just couldn't do it.  But, Jenn went to it with Lys and a friend.  Adam, Jon, and I went to see the Eagle. 

What is it about going to movies?  I just love it!  I always think it is the greatest movie right after I've seen it.  Honestly, how many great movies are there.  Sadly, only a few.  (The Wizard of Oz, to name one!)  Since the boys don't really want me sitting with them, I saunter down to the front so I can take in the whole experience.

I have to say, although it is a bit predictable (what movie isn't?), I enjoyed it.  Yet another positive film about loyalty, suddenly subtle friendship, and honor.  I guess you can't really go wrong with those ingredients, right?

There are plenty of battle scenes, but not to much blood shown.  There is one slaying that really got my blood boiling; but, according to Adam, you "have to kill a traitor."  I would argue whether he was a traitor or not, but it truly depends on whose point of view you take.

Who does define traitor?  Hummm...I'll leave you with that thought.

By the way, Esca is my favorite character.  Go see the movie and decide why.  Or, you could read the book.

Yes, it is true.  A good story ALWAYS starts with  a book!

Approved

I heard from my professor today.  She liked my dissertation project.  Well, folks, it is pretty much a done deal.  My final course has been completed; it was received by the university today.  I have two modular to attend.  For most of my adult life, it seems like I have been "taking a class", there has been an assignment to complete, a book to read, something to research. 

Now, I'm left with this blog...sorry folks, that's it.

A week of Snow Days!

It happened, I tell you, it happened.  The story that you're about to read is true.  Monday started as any ole other Monday.  You know how Monday's are, don't you?  Yep, I had spent the evening on Sunday getting ready for the week ahead.  Its an OCD routine of mine, five suits of clothes ironed and hung (in order) in the closet, lunch for tomorrow decided, school bags packed, Blackberry checked for appointments, teeth brushed and body showered. 

4:15, alarm sounds.  My morning routine started and completed.  I traipsed off to school, just like I do every Monday.  Morning exercises with the elementary and middle school students started well.  Their faces were glowing and excited to be back in school after a beautiful Oklahoma weekend.  Oh, did I mention that we had record temperatures near 80 degrees on Saturday.  No, I forgot to mention that, didn't I?  Well, as seemingly insignificant as that may seem, it is an important fact to note at this point in the story.  Change is good, right?

It actually started at Faculty Prayer in the morning.  "We need to rearrange the schedule for this week.  We're expecting snow."  Around noon on Monday, I was met with additional comments that sounded much like this, "Are we going to close school tomorrow?"

"What," I thought.  "Why would we close school tomorrow?  This is SPIRIT WEEK! for heaven's sake.  We've put a lot of planning into the week."

Hummm...Well, it appears that a terrible snow storm is on its way to the Tulsa area.  At that point, it was only predicted.  As I listened to the comments of these native Okies who tried to tell me that we would not have school tomorrow, I wasn't sure if I should question their selfish motives or trust their aged experience.  In fact, we'd be lucky to  be back in by next Monday, they continued to exclaim.  What, are you kidding me?  Seriously, can a snow storm incapitate a city for that long?

I've learned a new lesson about Oklahoma weather.  As fate -not that I believe in fate, I'm a Christian leader, you know - anyway, as fate would have it, it began to snow and sleet and snow and sleet and blow and snow and blow and snow and blow and sleet and snow (you get the idea, right?).  Yeah, we're talking thunder snow.  What in the heck is thunder snow! 

I have experienced snow storms in New England for the past 19 years.  However, I have never seen snowflakes whipped around like I did on Tuesday, all day on Tuesday.  There are drifts on drifts. 

It is now Thursday morning.  As I sit here posted this requested blog, I am viewing the sun rays pouring through the window, laughingly splashng on the kitchen table causing the colorfully checkered table cloth to display an assorted variety of reds, yellows, oranges, and blues.  The brightness of the rays cause me to squint as I look out the window.  I have to turn the light out just to see the computer screen.  The sun is too bright as it mocks the idea of warmth.  You see, the temperature today is -2.  Not exactly warm, is it.

Okay, it is Thursday now.  The combination of 12 inches of snow, limited snow plowing activity, Alaska temperatures, and inexperienced snow drivers have forced us to not only close school on Tuesday but we're now in day three.  And I have to tell you, tomorrow isn't lookin' too good either.

Have you any idea what it is like to be stranded in your own home with two teenage boys, a preteen (who, in their right mind coined that freakish word!) girl, and a dog who can't figure out how to get to his poop spot?  Should Monday arrive and I am able to navigate my Toyota out of the driveway into the snow packed streets, I shall rejoice greatly as I begin to notice that civilization has not been eliminated, just slowed down.    Maybe, in the purest sense of the word, snow days create an environment where family, food, and dogs can reconnect, restructure, and re-play. 

A week of snow day...not to be repeated (I hope), but to be appreciated and taken in stride.