"These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things"*

Oregon Trail that you can play online with the original graphics! Got to love it!

Sun all day in the forecast with no rain!

* Title inspired by Rach and her recent blog titles.

Enjoy ~SJ

Kermit At The Beach

Kermit enjoyed a little R & R over the weekend taking in the rays at the beach in Humarock.

He is even getting creative with his photography.

Enjoy ~SJ

Skywatch Friday

In Humarock the 4th of July is celebrated on the 3rd, complete with bonfires and fireworks on the beach. With all of the rain that the northeast has been having the 3rd of July festivities have been a little dampened.

Happy Skywatch!

Enjoy ~SJ

Skywatch Friday or Photo Sleuthing?

A family member has been sending out old family pictures this week and asking for people to share if they know more about the story than just who is in the picture. I haven't been able to contribute much to this conversation but have been enjoying looking at the old pictures and learning more family stories. There was one photo that I could put in my two cents on and it is below. As I am sure that I have mentioned Worthley Pond has a long and deep rooted family tradition. Many generations of the family on both sides have spent their summers on the shores of the pond. The picture is just one piece of that family tradition. The part of the story that I could tell with the below picture is where on the pond the picture was taken, it happens to be not too far from my own house. I recognized the shoreline in the old picture and went down to my dock to confirm that this old picture was taken not to far from my own house - I decided to take a picture to prove it. I sent this all back to the family member who was happy to learn more about the picture. I am going to add it to my growing collection of family pictures from the pond.

Maybe doing a little Skywatch will help solve your own family photo questions!

Enjoy ~SJ

Raft Shack!

I want one, I mean I really want one! Yesterday The Music Man and I went to the Cape and had the opportunity to do a little fishing off from a "House Boat". I'm not sure if House Boat is the correct title for this amazing aquatic find, but I want one. Basically it is a little building that sits on top of a floating raft. Inside the building you could put a futon for sleeping, a bbq, chairs, and other overnight essentials. This would be a perfect addition to the Shamrock in the summer and could accommodate more guests, I think I shall name is Clover. Now I just have to figure out how to get one built for me, and what do do with it in the off season, any ideas?

Enjoy ~SJ

And Sometimes Y And Sometimes Y

I read a small list of comics on a daily basis via the internet. They are all neatly bookmarked in one folder where I simply have to click on "open all in tabs" and my morning chuckle is ready to read - isn't tab browsing and comics on the internet two of the greatest things?

I read the below comic a few days ago on Mordent Orange and just had to share.

Here is a list of the comics that I read daily in case you want to check them out:

Mordant Orange

Pooch Cafe

Close To Home

Calvin and Hobbes

Mother Goose and Grimm

Speed Bump

Enjoy ~SJ

And Cue The Fat Lady!

We have been able to hear the Fat Lady warming up for weeks now through the halls of school. I think she entered the building about a month ago when the 8th graders (Kermit and I) went on the three day trip to New York City. Her warm ups intensified when I could say to myself "That is the last new topic I have to teach", or "This is the last homework, quiz, or test assignment I have to grade", she was almost ready for her final note last week when I could say "My grades are done!" Yesterday was the last day for the students and although the students got to hear the Fat Lady, the staff only caught a glimpse of her since we have a workshop day today. Our district tradition is to have a school wide staff lunch and the Superintendent acknowledges those who have been teaching for specific milestones, or are retiring. I anticipate hearing the Fat Lady hit her final note after this lunch.

So, please cue the Fat Lady soon so that we can start our much anticipated and deserved summer vacation.

Enjoy ~SJ

As a side note, the phrase "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" was coined by Ralph Carpenter during a Red Raiders, Texas Tech basketball game in 1976.

A Point Of Reflection

The last few weeks have been filled with the hectic finish of the school year, topped of with a pile of homework for my own courses. While sitting at my kitchen counter this afternoon reading and outlining this was my view, thankfully I stopped and took a moment to enjoy this reflection. I think that it makes a fitting Skywatch post.

Enjoy ~SJ