another day in the banana belt

well, they say this area is the banana belt--ie-- usually warmer than other parts of south dakota, but it was stock show weather to me (National Western Stock Show-Denver). it almost always gets near zero when the stock show rolls around at the end of january. i miss being able to zip down and see the draft horse show and the pull. i was truly surprised to find that there are not horse pulls around here.

i think i will probably get more calls for subbing now. it is the time of year when people get the blues and cabin fever, plus little kids --and grownups-- seem to get sick. i subbed again today, half day for a different teacher whose little boy got sick. her classes were really well behaved. it was a pleasure.

so my sis and i spent an old lady evening in front of the tv with robes and blankets. trying to keep our heating bill down by keeping the thermostat at 60. i am really getting used to the temperature. feeling really english. (we didn't have hot cocoa or tea!)

i loaned my sis "That Old Ace in the Hole" which she really liked. i think she was surprised. i love that book. we are trying hard to not spend money wildly on books, but rather to use the local public library. spending money on books is a hard habit to break.

day of surprises

the cats decided that they needed to play at 6 in the morning--which isn't early for working folk--but if you are retired, it is too early. sam and cc were playing and dennis was asleep at my side. cc chased sam onto the bed where he landed on dennis who promptly awoke with a start and managed to claw my lip. and i just had changed the sheets; now there are little blood spots. my lip is swollen and i should probably get a tetnus shot.

then just as i finished my tutoring session, the secretary at middle school called. a teacher's little boy had become ill--could i come in. so i dashed out of the house in with just a sweater as it was 45 degrees out. the kids were pretty good except for a few seventh graders who KNEW EVERYTHING! left notes for the teacher. poor teacher; she had to come back after school for play practice.

when i went out to drive to my afternoon job at the after school program at the elementary, it was a little colder and a little bit more windy. by the time i got to the middle school it was snowing. when i finished at the elementary school an hour later it was really cold, snowy, and windy. my sweater didn't quite keep me warm.

i knew a cold front was coming, but i thought it would be polite and wait until evening. yeah right!

surprise present

i knew i was getting a present from my daughter and son-in-law, but i did not know what it was until i opened the mail box the other day. it was a copy of Print magazine! i really love that magazine even though i am not a professional graphic designer. i have dreams though. if ---that word!--- i had been born in a different era, i think i would have been some kind of graphic designer or interior designer.

on the other hand, they say you are never too old. maybe i should get busy.