Recently, my son bought an iPad for his artwork. It was part of a deal we made when he agreed to create a mural on the outside wall of a business as a school project this fall. As the mural was completed, he asked again about the iPad. So, last Monday night we went out…
If you read my blog yesterday, you know I’ve been teaching during the last two days. Today, was more of the same – connecting students in grades 4-8 to our local lands through writing Haiku. The theme was wetlands but many wrote about Autumn, tree color, and other such observations that were encouraged in my…
Wetland Celebration Today I was part of a group of Environmental Educators celebrating our Wetlands. We hosted fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from 9 – 2pm in thirty-minute stations. I had the pleasure of seeing 177 students, plus all their teachers today for lessons on Nature Poetry. Since our stations were only 30 minutes each,…
The Sweet Stuff and Climate Change Do you realize that maple syrup production is being affected by climate change? It is! On a hike late this summer, I met a gentleman who had been tapping his maple trees for sap and making maple syrup for several years. Last year was different, he said. He had…
Today, I am in a contemplative mode. Inquiring Minds Want to Know: How many college applications does the average college-bound senior send in? Are digital applications easier than the paper ones of the past? Why does it take until senior year in High School for English class to be fun? Why do you feel like…
Last night I got to see a performer whose music I have enjoyed my entire adult life. My oldest son and I saw Vince Gill at Stephens Auditorium in Ames, Iowa. We’ve been going to shows together for several years now as he enjoys music and theater as much or possibly more than I do….
On a Saturday in mid-September, I was at large event for work. It was an event I organized. There were at least 125 people in attendance, probably more. It was an event to celebrate land conservation hosted by our local land trust and promoted by the state governing body of land trusts. It even was…
This past August we went to Banff National Park in Canada for vacation. It was a spectacular trip with gorgeous mountain scenery. One of the most memorable parts was riding the Sulphur Mountain Gondola to the visitor center and then walking to the lookout on a boardwalk while sweeping views were visible from any direction…