If left in one continuous strand, how long is an apple peel?
Now you know.

October 16, 2019 - Wednesday morning

41 degrees/cloudy/windy

Pentoga Road

We're going to try this again. I had pictures for the blog uploaded Tuesday morning with every intention of writing when I arrived home from my walk. 

Yeah, well that didn't happen.

I was a half mile away from the house, slogging through a driving rain, when the cell phone in my pocket vibrated.  

It was Dan the Dean, my replacement at Florence Elementary.

Could I possibly come in for a second grade teacher, one whose infant son had suddenly fallen ill?

I really wanted to say no, that I had other plans, wasn't even home, was wet and cold, that there was a pot of freshly brewed coffee waiting for me, and after all, didn't he remember that I am supposedly retired, was looking forward to playing in the shop, and later, taking a rainy day afternoon nap!?!

Geesh, how insensitive.

Instead, I said, "Sure, I'll be in within an hour. Thanks for calling."

Thanks for calling? THANKS FOR CALLING!

Mama didn't have a very bright boy, or at least one who is capable of saying no when the school is in need. I think after forty-plus years in the education business, hanging around a school is too ingrained in my DNA. 

So, I changed my fast walking clip to a jog, sprinted in the door, did a fast change of clothes, and drove the seventeen miles to Florence.

The last two days have been filled with baby Bobkitties. I was the librarian Monday, my favorite job in the school. 

Tuesday found me in the second grade classroom.

You older folks, remember back when we went to the library and were forced to sit in wooden chairs at cold library tables, never talking and always reading? 

It's not that way anymore. Today's philosophy is that learning is fun and why not be comfortable?

2nd grade

I'll admit to being a bit jealous of the new  technologies and methods that accompany them. The kiddies think nothing of reading from their iPads (each student has his own.) They conquer fairly complex math problems using their tablets, read books electronically, and as much as I like to think they'd rather listen to a human voice, seem to prefer computer based learning. 

The teachers, most young, integrate digital learning along with standard, old fashioned, teaching, and the outcomes are rather impressive. 

It's a new world in education, one I don't fully understand, but I don't have to. That's why old people like me move aside, turning the reins over to those who are younger and just as passionate about teaching as I ever was.

It seems to be in their DNA. 

Worry not. The library's filled with conventional books and the children are just as excited to check those out as they are to read on their electronic tablets. 

Since it was pouring rain all day yesterday, recess was indoors. The lower grades gathered in front of a Clever Touch smart board to watch a quick learning video. 

You could have heard a pin drop.

Sargie and I were busy Monday evening dehydrating apples. We use a simple counter top device that peels, cores, and slices each. After, we roll the slices in cinnamon and sugar before placing them on the trays in the dehydrator. 

I would hate to venture a guess of how many bushels are left to preserve. We'll just keep plugging away. For sure, the slices that taste like apple pie seem to disappear much faster than it takes to make them.

Sargie and I are both home today. IF the rain stops, I'd like to drop and work up one or two ash trees that have been dead for over a year. If it doesn't, I'll be in the shop for part of the day and help Sargie in the house after. 

Okay, time to move along. I've been practicing all morning on how to say no, should the school call. 

No no no no no no.

Yeah, we'll see how that works out. It's that darn educational DNA thing that makes it difficult to say... no.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...