The newest and LAST window opening for the garden house
(except for the front two!)

August 25, 2019 - Sunday evening

60 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's a short one tonight as tomorrow begins a whole new adventure. More about that in a minute.

Sunday morning began in the garden house, installing the last conventional windows. With three in the south and two in the west wall, the house should serve as a pseudo greenhouse in the spring when I'm starting bedding plants.

Of course, trim, caulking, and insulation all need to be added, but for now, the windows are installed.

I finished late in the morning and came inside where Sargie and I made two summer garden omelets. We even included a leftover hamburger and what we brought home from the Mexican restaurant the other night.

We needed supplies and groceries for next Sunday's family gathering, enough that we opted to make a quick jaunt to Green Bay. Though the trip was fast and furious, we had a wonderful time gabbing along the way and arrived home around 8:30 this evening.

So, for the big news. I was approached last week about the principal's position at Florence Elementary. My good buddy, Principal Neil, was offered a job at a much larger school in Wisconsin and Florence needed an elementary principal.

I told the powers to be that I wasn't interested, that an occasional day of substitute teaching here and there was more than enough to scratch my education itch.

The talking continued and I reminded them that I'm on the downhill slide towards seventy and not nearly as young as I once was. 

That excuse was immediately poo poo'd and dismissed. 

My ace in the hole... I rather coyly told them that I'd purposely let all my credentials and certifications expire for the single reason that I'd never be tempted to wade into a full time position again. I was told that the certification's already been taken care of and I have no need to worry. 

Seems they anticipated my every excuse and trapped me in a corner. I'd run out of reasons why I shouldn't take the position, at least on a temporary basis.

So, after talking at length with the superintendent earlier today, I agreed to be the interim principal. I'm sharing the duties with the Director of Student Services for the school district. She can do the paperwork, I'll be the kindergarten cop, the person with feet on the ground.

I don't know. Ten years ago I was teaching students earning their Masters degree for the School of Education at UAS. Tomorrow, I'll be the principal of an elementary school. How'd that happen? 

I promised myself that I'd never go back into teaching, administration or otherwise, on a regular basis, but you know, I'm excited. Deep down in this old body of mine, there still burns a love of education and children. It's what I did for forty two years so I guess a while longer won't hurt too badly.

Or will it?

This coming week is all about teacher workshops. I SWORE upon retiring years ago that I WOULD NEVER attend another teachers meeting. Now it appears I not only get to attend them, I'll get to lead one or two.

I've had root canals that are more fun than teacher meetings and workshops. Someone just put me out of my misery.

Come a week from Tuesday, the first day of school for the munchkins, I'll be the guy with a big smile on his face standing in front of Florence Elementary, Home of the Bobkitties, greeting all the babies as they hop off their buses, eager to attend their first day of classes. 

Pre K (early childhood) through sixth grade. They're all mine.

Oh Dear Lord, Baby Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?

It's time for bed. I'll need my rest to put on my education face for at least one more time. 

Stay tuned, this could be fun.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Meow