Monthly Archives: February 2016

Educating Kathy – February 27, 2016

27 Saturday Feb 2016

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Educating Kathy – February 27, 2016

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Welcome back to Educating Kathy. When we last met, Kathy was an English Major**. And she was enrolled in four classes. Today, a mere three weeks later, she is enrolled three classes – well, two classes and a lab. Nine hours of class a week. Nine. That doesn’t seem like much – BUT – that requires an additional 27 hours of study. Now she has 36 hours of school. That’s what it means to be a FULL-TIME student.

In the middle of the Creative Writing class last week, Kathy snapped to, and realized that dissecting a book to find the metaphors, the plot, the motivation of the characters and the underlying social and economics influences was not fun. It was taking the fun out of reading, and writing. She doesn’t want to write the next great novel. She wants to write procedures manuals and how-to books, short stories from her heart and poems when the mood strikes her – plus, she just doesn’t have time for another 12 hour commitment. Class dropped.

That leaves Physical Geography, the accompanying Lab, and Biology of Food and Cooking. Interesting, fascinating subjects that interest her and are relative* to the world around her.(*Apparently ‘relate-able’ is not a word.) These two classes and the lab are required in order to receive the A.A. degree**, so there will be no more dropped classes.

(**As for the major, let’s just stick to the A.A. degree: Liberal Arts. Maybe later she’ll be interested in Communications as a University major, but for now – Spring semester at Golden West.)

Her first exam in Biology went well (although she did tear up a bit when an incomplete summary chart for macro-molecules reared its ugly head – she experienced a complete blank at first, passed it over for questions she could answer, and returned to it last, scoring 6 out of 7 possible in the end). Following that exam, Kathy decided to try using flash cards to review material for this course. This great idea resulted in a perfect score on last week’s quiz. Also, the Biology Professor lined up experiments last Thursday for the class: making cheese, making butter and comparing the foam of whipping cream and skim milk. The three hours flew by.

The first exam in Physical Geography is next Thursday, and Kathy will be utilizing those flash cards again – the Geography Professor provided review questions after each chapter, so those will be the first to land on flash cards. Geography Professor also provided a review sheet listing terms the class should probably study and know. Yes!

Have we mentioned that Kathy excels at writing research papers? The Geography Professor assigned a research paper due at the end of the semester and provided an extensive list of topics. Well, she loves research, organizing thoughts on paper, and producing a polished piece of informational writing. Also, she tends to go overboard and bite off more than she can chew, so get ready for the meltdown, followed by an above-average paper. She chose the topic – ‘Bees: A Disappearing Species – Fact or Fiction?’ Stay tuned!

Four weeks complete, and twelve more to go, not counting spring break, which falls on her birthday week – is this girl blessed, or what?!

That’s all for this week’s update. Join us again in a few weeks when we report on the results of her exams and quizzes, if she cried during them or not, and her progress on the research paper. Good night!

The Project

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

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It’s that time again – Friday Fictioneers 100-word story from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ photo prompt. I hope you enjoy it.

FF Prompt 2106-02-26 al_forbes

PHOTO PROMPT – © Al Forbes

The Project

Nick looked in the side mirror of his dad’s SUV at the old cars tied to the trailer.

“Why did you buy those old heaps?” They run on steam. Lame.

Dad sighed. Slowly. They aren’t heaps.

“They’re project cars. To work on during our weekend’s together.” Teenagers.

Nick’s turn to sigh. Deeply. Oh joy.

“Every weekend?” I do not want to spend ‘our’ weekends fixing YOUR cars.

Dad gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Stay cool.

“Well – yeah – for a few hours anyway. You know, something different.” Divorce sucks.

Nick sat sullenly. “I guess.” Divorce sucks.

The Pity Party

22 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in That's Life

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The Pity Party

there was a plan.

i made a date.

i scheduled it.

i waited

for so long

(an entire week)

and then

life

(responsibility)

got

in the way.

self-care of one kind

replaced

self-care of another.

its not fair!

its not fair!

its not fair.

i want it!

i want it!

i want it.

NOW

really do not like it

when i don’t get

what i want.

so i have a party.

an itty

bitty

pity

party.

it lasts only

briefly

and then,

i resume

life.

 

Holiday – Friday Fictioneers

19 Friday Feb 2016

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Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for her Friday Fictioneers photo prompt.

FF Prompt 2016-02-19 crook

Holiday

Standing in the tended garden in the warm afternoon light, she powered down the portal. She’d only just arrived- three months this time. Footsteps approached, crunching on the gravel path. She turned to see him come around the tall hedge. He stopped in his tracks, surprise crossing his features.

“I forgot my sweater,” he said finally, pointing to the concrete bench. “I was at the corner when I remembered.” He continued to stare.

“What?”

“Your clothes, your hair – are – different.” He paused. “It’s only been five minutes.”

She REALLY hadn’t expected to see him so soon after her return.

Friday Fictioneers 2016-02-19

Photo Story: Arizona Rest Stop

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by in Photographs, That's Life

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Photo Story: the plan is to post a photo every couple of weeks and give a brief description to go with the photo. Where did I take it, why did I take it, what emotions did I feel, why am I sharing it with you. Cool? Okay then. Here we go.

Arizona Rest StopDSCN2734 Arizona Rest Stop January 2016 BW

This photo was taken near Lupton, Arizona at the rest stop located about 1 mile West of the border between New Mexico and Arizona. Heading toward home on day 12 of a 14 day road trip to visit my daughter’s family in Louisiana. Albuquerque, New Mexico was the point of origin and Flagstaff, Arizona was the day’s destination.

We stopped for the same reasons most people stop – to stretch and use the facilities. It was snowing as we pulled in and parked the 22 foot Ford F250 that had taken us to there and back.

Please understand that I was born and raised in Southern California. I’ve been in snow about six times in a 50 year life span. Day trips to Big Bear, a church trip to Fresno once when I was young, an off year in Amarillo, Texas, and a strange flurry during a weekend trip to Flagstaff last year in May. I act like a child – joyful, giggly, playful – when I am in and around the cold, white stuff as it falls from the sky.

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I built a snowman. It was cold, so Frosty is only about 12 inches high, but adorable, and the camera perspective provides more substance.

I jumped up and down in fresh snow fall, I took photos of the tress, flocked in the natural beauty that tree lot flocking just can’t match. I felt gratitude and childish delight in experiencing something that causes folks who live in it a feeling of eventual weariness, dread and sometimes terror.

Snow brings a muffled serenity when it covers the earth. It mutes the highway sounds. It is bright and glaring and peacefully present. It is so much white.

I look at this photo and am reminded of the distance we covered, and of the adventure that had yet to come on that trip. I remember the complete abandon of reserved adult-like behavior.

I prefer black and white to color and photo above is a favorite for its simplicity and reality. Also for the subtle photobombing of the Arizona Welcomes You sign.

Here it is in color, though:

DSCN2734 Arizona Rest Stop January 2016

Why am I sharing it with you? Because I can.  Thanks for sticking with me to the end.

Parallels – Friday Fictioneers

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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As a part of a Blogging 101 workshop offered by WordPress it was suggested to find an Event, a weekly or monthly commitment to one of the many participation events offered by fellow bloggers. I searched and found Friday Fictioneers, offered and moderated by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This is my fourth week of participation, and I am loving this format, this practice of discipline. I’m not quick – the ideas don’t just rush in – but I have been pleased, so far, with what I’ve contributed. Here is this week’s submission:

Parallels

FF Prompt 2016-02-12 Daffodil

When Daphne was very young, the world seemed a dark and uncertain place. The unknown was feared, and EVERYTHING was unknown. She grew, nurtured and nourished by her seemingly drab surroundings. Transitioning from adolescent to teen, her views changed. A positive example to those around her, though she felt awkward, lanky, somehow still in progress. Life presented challenges. She embraced them, moving forward, growing, changing further. Acknowledging experiences as lessons, Daphne, the warmth of the sun shining onto her face, awakened.  All the joys and challenges of life brought her to a single moment of insight, and she blossomed.

————-

Friday Fictioneers – February 12, 2016

Recipe – Almond Flour Pancakes

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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Pancakes – fluffy, hot and full of grain – not something I eat these days. So I went searching and found this recipe. These pancakes are denser and packed with flavor. Delicious with butter and pure maple syrup, and/or fresh blueberries – these are even good plain, if you like that sort of thing (and I do). I’ve made a batch mixed with diced apples, too. (Use a firmer apple, like Granny Smith or Pink Lady or Jazz.)

Almond Flour Pancakes (recipe found on Primal Palate)

Almond Flour Pancake trilogy

1 3/4 cup Blanched Almond Flour
2 Pastured Eggs, whisked
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg
2/3 cup Water
1 Tbsp Salted Butter, for frying

  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk two eggs.
  2. Pour almond flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a medium sized mixing bowl.
  3. Add vanilla extract, and eggs to the bowl.
  4. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.
  5. Add water, and continue to stir.
  6. Heat 1 tablespoon of grass fed butter or coconut oil in a large non-stick skillet. (I used a little of both – coconut oil first, then butter)
  7. Using 1/8 cup, scoop batter into the frying pan, leaving enough space in between pancakes to flip.
  8. Cook 2 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook for a remaining 1-2 minutes. (This is approximate – It helps to flip pancakes back and forth a bit to ensure they are cooked through.) Add additional cooking fat as needed.
  9. Top with your choice of grass fed butter or coconut oil, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and serve.

Memories of My Friend

11 Thursday Feb 2016

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Memories of My Friend

Furry body curled up under the flannel sheet, resting against my skin, a small, purring furnace. Kaleidoscope of colors; oranges and tans and browns and blacks, a tapestry of chaos reminiscent of a well-made, beautifully browned meatloaf. Paws tucked under a substantial form.

She made stretching an Olympic event, shot for the gold – legs stressed to maximum reach, belly exposed, back arched, accompanied by a gaping yawn. The dismount was obligatory eye blinking, a sign of satisfaction. Nailed it.

Indifference, the impression I got. Sitting sphinxlike, a half-lidded gaze accompanied by the appearance of detachment, as if she could take me or leave me. A behavior betrayed only by her unspoken and obvious desire to always be in my personal space. Taking my seat if temporarily vacated. Laying across open textbooks. Keeping my overcoat warm with her body. Curling up against my thigh and gazing up, as if I were in her way.

Droplets of water falling from a dark sky brought concern and distress. Likewise, dry, windy Santa Anas brought stress of a different kind: the electric crackle on every bit of fur.

Sitting patiently on the cool, hardwood floor before the portal to Outside, gazing through the mesh screen, surveying her realm from her post, taking note of sudden movements in the beyond. A glance over her shoulder, a brief meow, her request for release. Later, a scratch could be heard on the wooden frame of the screen door, and a meowing bark if one wasn’t quick enough.

Feline jungle predator, she crept through the tall, overgrown grasses and various plants, day or night, stalked prey, investigated new scents and disturbances. Hisses and growls were reserved for those of her kind who dared venture into her territory. And upon her return, shared all she encountered during her travels through her vast kingdom, in a constant chatter of murmurs and chirps and meows. Never ventured past the boundaries; curious, but never too curious.

A loving scratch under the chin was encouraged – eyes closed, throat vibrating, acknowledging contentment. I’ll miss that. Never again will I feel her soft, warm breath on the palm of my hand.

No more unrequested predawn wake-up calls, a paw tapping my forehead, nose or ear. Those wide open yellow-green orbs, the size of saucers, inches from my half-opened, sleepy blue ones, a startling sight at any hour, are closed for eternity.

Over are the not so subtle requests for caresses, and the occasional, and obvious, full body flop on the footpath, as graceful as that first lump of clay thrown on a potter’s wheel.

Gone are the late night sounds of water lapped, or the crunch of hard, dry morsels of nourishment. I’ve lost my food critic, always under foot while meals were prepared, begging inspection and a verbal request for a taste test. It will be easier to enjoy a well cooked meal without my friend staring intently at fish or fowl, leaning in for a sniff, a paw on my arm to remind me of her presence, expectant sounds emitting from her throat. Or will it?

Memories linger in every corner of our home, in every shadow. My heart aches for her companionship, her personality, her friendship. The diseases of old age took her from me, suddenly and too soon. My heart will have to get along without her now.

2016-01-18 13.33.11-1

Educating Kathy – Week Ending Feb. 5, 2016

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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Educating Kathy – Week Ending Feb. 5, 2016

Week One is complete – 15 to go.

Made a To Do list to help keep up, stay on track.

One homework assignment: create a Weekly Study Schedule. Realized that I enrolled in one too many classes – too many study hours required overall (I have to eat, after all, and shower, and spend a little time with myself).

Originally enrolled in:

  • American Literature from 1865,
  • Biology,
  • Geography,
  • Geography Lab, and,
  • Creative Writing.

Note: I am a high school drop-out. Took the ‘easy’ way out (which has proven to be the harder way) in my junior year – never took a literature class or a science class or a math class in high school. 35 years later I’m learning about things that my classmates have more recently experienced.

I have learned the art of studying over the past few years – different styles for different subjects.

The Biology professor sent an email to students TWO WEEKS before the class began, listing required reading, and a pre-lecture worksheet to be completed and handed in at the beginning of class.  Students are up to speed and professor can emphasize and clarify rather than walking a room full of students through the basics.  Brilliant, frankly. Already digging this professor.

Geography is interesting. Professor here is also a kick, humorous and no-nonsense. Knows his stuff. I’m looking forward to both science courses.  There is a lab tacked onto this class – 3 hours of lecture, 3 hours of lab. One reinforces the other. Should be a snap.

Creative Writing. My original choice for the semester. I want to become a better writer. Education is to get educated, right? Seems the logical choice. As long I can remember that I walk in knowing very little, that’s why I enrolled, to LEARN. (In the beginning of this education phase, I would be very hard on myself about not knowing, about my ignorance. I wanted to quit because everything was so foreign to me.  It was pointed out to me that I enrolled because I DIDN’T have this knowledge. I was taking the class to learn about… Math, Philosophy, Public Speaking. Not many enroll in a class where they already know the material.)

And finally, American Literature from 1865.  This is no longer in my schedule. American Literature requires as much reading as do the other three classes, and I lack strong retention abilities. I do not need this course to graduate. I do need this course to transfer into an English program at University. I can take it later, after the required General Education courses are complete.

Do what is manageable, reasonable. I have 30 years of work experience. I do not need to overdo this.

My first week was the introduction to what I’m committing to this semester. I’m all in.

One last thing: I’m going to be in the school paper. Monthly “Man-on-the-Campus” thing. Question: What does Love mean? Nothing like a simple question to start of the school year. Once it comes out, I’ll let you know how I answered that one. I frankly do not remember.

Reclamation – Friday Fictioneers

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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FF Prompt 2016-02-05 old bridge pilings leary2

Reclamation

Furtively the masses surfaced and observed.

“It has been a long time,” said the king to his queen.

“That hillside hosted only trees when we left,” she replied. “So many dwellings now.”

“It will be as it was soon enough,” he assured her. He reminded her of how it was before; abundant sea life, harmless air, and fertile land.

And the Florasites marched forward to reclaim what they felt was once theirs. The balance could be restored and their Earth would be healed, though it would take time.  And they had an eternity, and an infinite amount of patience.

100 words

Friday Fictioneers