tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-330869212012-01-18T13:38:53.733+01:00My stuff, my lifeJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comBlogger1211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-48621116470089987992012-01-18T13:36:00.001+01:002012-01-18T13:36:04.664+01:00

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-62923154553205399582011-12-23T03:26:00.002+01:002011-12-23T03:28:17.046+01:00

Thanks, Jimmy Fallon, for helping us remember the high and low lights of 2011 and putting it all in perspective in the way only good comedy can. You put the pundits to shame.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-15696022058561652592011-11-21T18:07:00.000+01:002011-11-21T18:11:05.262+01:00

See more on Know Your Meme See more examples of the Pepper Spray Everything Cop See more on Know Your Meme

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-27200847648574329522011-11-08T23:50:00.000+01:002011-11-09T22:33:11.109+01:00

I was reminded lately that  This Little Light of Mine is not only a children's song, but a song adopted by the Civl Right's Movement. It reminds us all that we have the power and the responsibility to make a difference in the world. Enjoy this rendition.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-35254937984567627602011-10-25T23:17:00.002+02:002011-10-25T23:32:59.008+02:00

The last two years of teaching were incredibly stressful and fall-into-bed-exhausted time intensive for me. I'm not sure if there were fewer hours in the day and more to do, or the fact that I'm not as young as I used to be just made it seem that way, but there you have it. I sacrificed writing on this blog for writing with students on a class blog and getting our house ready to sell.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-11446450163779143032011-05-21T09:11:00.001+02:002011-05-21T09:28:53.438+02:00

While most of us are making jokes on Twitter and laughing at their expense, there is a small core of true believers who actually believe today, May 21, 2011 is Rapture Day. There's another larger group, who, while laughing smugly at the ones who think they know they have figured out the actual date and time, still believe in The Rapture and look forward misty-eyed to the day they will be taken

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-10339588633092320662010-05-30T11:15:00.000+02:002011-11-09T00:19:19.356+01:00

The Frog Legs Restaurant - slide show

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-58049699554763201092010-04-20T20:24:00.001+02:002010-04-20T20:28:00.554+02:00

In a scenario no one expected to ever see, the skies over Europe have been shut down for days. Sorry, your flight has been canceled because Eyjafjallajokull, an Icelandic volcano a thousand miles away from your destination, is erupting is not what one expects to hear at the airport. I haven't seen any figures on how many Europeans were stranded on other continents when the airports shut down on

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-73392126014470143012010-04-14T21:21:00.006+02:002010-04-14T21:27:44.608+02:00

This video has been around for a couple of years, and yet fewer than a million people have seen it. I wish everyone in the world would watch it. We all need to be reminded how small our planet is in the universe, how precious it is, and not that we are insignificant, but that we need to keep ourselves and our self-importance in perspective, and that's what this video is about, perspective.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-76461344104961657552010-03-27T15:08:00.001+01:002010-03-27T15:14:07.307+01:00

Friday afternoon my friend, Mary, and I walked down to the corner of my street to get a closer look at the ewes and lambs. Up to now, my husband and I have been drive-by viewers, like tourists in a safari park. They came running over in an enthusiastic bunch and lined up expectantly. They were rewarded, but not by us, when one of the neighbors came over and threw apple peels into the field. I

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-87550034088876082172010-03-14T11:10:00.015+01:002010-03-14T18:09:21.482+01:00

This my painful nerd story. Every geek has one.I was in high school in the mid 1960s. At the end of my Freshman year my school had a big awards assembly. I got a letter saying that I was to sit on the stage with other award recipients. I had no idea what award I was to receive or even what awards were to be given, but I was an above-average student, I played the violin in the school orchestra

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-46763839093831791322010-02-13T10:22:00.007+01:002010-02-13T14:26:44.778+01:00

What a nice surprise this week to see three, then four lambs among the flock in the corner paddock. How charming to see them frolicking around in the snow, full of new life, a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. The spotted one is such a darling. The reminder from a lunchtime conversation in the teacher's lounge that lamb is quite tasty and most of us have eaten it at the Greek

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-76040903631508642082010-02-06T09:15:00.005+01:002010-02-06T09:28:37.485+01:00

I dreamed that night that there were flowers growing under the snow, and the next day my Tai Chi instructor said that she could smell Spring in the air; so, even though we were hit with a blizzard on Groundhog Day, the 8th straight day of snowfall here in Germany, I also believe that this was this Winter's last big blow.Here is one glimpse of the big storm of 2010, as reported by me, and yes, I

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-21209182300615098912010-02-06T09:12:00.001+01:002010-02-06T09:14:14.702+01:00

This video captures one of those true meaning of life moments that are genuinely unpredictable, absolutely free, and without price. A Concern Regarding Raccoons. from Merlin Mann on Vimeo.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-43941621637628352122010-01-13T19:57:00.001+01:002010-02-13T19:18:48.197+01:00

We pass these sheep every day on the way to and from work. Their little field lies at the entrance to our street. I wouldn't go so far as to say they recognize our car, but they seemed interested today as we drove slowly by on the very slick snow-covered road, as though to say, "We aren't concerned, but really?"

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-76641104089841449002010-01-01T16:07:00.002+01:002010-01-13T20:00:19.853+01:00

Whiz, bang, blink, and 2009 is gone, just like that. And it's time to think about what to call it. Two thousand ten was fine with me, the next step after two thousand nine, but it turns out I was wrong. Twenty ten is the way to go, I find, since that is the pattern we have followed through the ages. Sometime after the year 1,000, we had the eleven hundreds . . . fifteen hundreds . . . nineteen

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-44528219375082238392009-12-29T01:36:00.004+01:002009-12-29T02:35:13.142+01:00

Late this afternoon hubby and I drove down to the new mall at RAB for an early dinner at the Macaroni Grill, which we had not tried out yet, and a movie I had been wanting to see, Where the Wild Things Are. I didn't realize I was going to get a live preview of the movie at dinner, from a boy who even resembled the protagonist. A youngster was sitting at the table next to us, with a man and

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-8121919671891356172009-12-24T07:43:00.000+01:002009-12-24T07:43:54.394+01:00

Warm wishes for a safe, healthy and happy Christmas and New Year. I am grateful this year for the well-being of my family. There are some who are unemployed and have suffered financially during this recession through no fault of their own, but everyone is well. Everyone has a roof over his or her head and hope for a better future. We all know that sometimes bad things happen to good people,

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-8317456185198894132009-10-12T15:09:00.002+02:002009-10-12T16:26:07.905+02:00

After two years of renovations that have transformed this old house into something I'd really like stay in, we are getting ready to say good-bye and move to new digs. We were fortunate to find a house we like on our second outing, literally the second place we looked at. If you're a friend on Facebook, you've seen the pics, but some of you aren't there, so I'll post a few here, too, so you can

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-60438846839420041052009-09-29T18:13:00.001+02:002009-09-29T18:14:13.758+02:00

Change your point of view, change how you look at the world and you may serendipitously discover something totally new. This one gives a new meaning to the two word phrase: bird song. Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-65516136142723749992009-08-29T07:40:00.002+02:002009-08-29T08:04:50.571+02:00

It's been a busy summer. I haven't had time to post more photos of all the work we've done on the house . . . may still do that, but the best news is my daughter got married this week, a civil service with a couple of witnesses, and since they didn't have the big wedding, I went around and asked my co-workers, plus a few innocent bystanders, if they had any advice for the newlyweds. This video is

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-51765835821343956562009-07-25T13:16:00.002+02:002009-07-27T07:45:54.401+02:00

Our house was built in 1965, and a single family lived in it, raised their children, and we purchased it after the death of the original owner, who was quite elderly. This summer we have been not only painting and doing other house improvements, but also trying to go through our possessions in preparation to moving this Fall. Yesterday Jim was going through the attic, moving, sorting, finding out

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-14843648765658392812009-07-14T14:19:00.012+02:002009-07-14T14:31:51.133+02:00

Summer 2009 has consisted mainly of painting, a task which sounds much simpler than it is. Don't get me started! If only the furniture, knick knacks and old wallpaper didn't have to be dealt with before the paint could go on! ••••• There has also been some gardening, some cement mixed and poured, along with many rocks put in place to create an easy way to get from the terrace to the yard.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-2397089099876972402009-06-28T14:27:00.002+02:002009-06-28T17:33:52.351+02:00

We finally made it to one of the medieval markets at our local castle, Burg Lichtenburg, which overlooks both the village Thallictenberg and the larger town of Kusel, Germany on Saturday with our friend, Mary. The crowd was a mix of Germans and local Americans. After the usual speeches, it opened with an unexpected bang, three blunderbusses going off with a defeaning roar, and featured minstrels

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-19842183229586048372009-06-19T21:46:00.002+02:002009-06-20T10:09:06.257+02:00

Today we drove to Zwingenberg an der Neckar for Frank Heidingfelder's memorial service. The weather was chancy, not cold, but a mix of clouds and sun with a chance of rain. Overall, it was a pretty day. Yahoo told us the trip of 125.81 miles would take 2 hours 8 minutes, so we allowed 3 hours, and with construction and one closed road, we pulled up to the cemetery 2 hours 40 minutes after

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-64056714654898240112009-06-14T17:06:00.002+02:002009-06-24T12:54:10.768+02:00

When I went to the final show of the high school drama class, I took my digital camera, but when I saw them dancing, I filmed some of it using the video function from the second row, not the best quality, but you get the idea. They had a lot of fun and so did the audience.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-36766438841739385382009-06-09T20:23:00.007+02:002009-06-09T20:36:22.731+02:00

I read recently that one way to overcome the fear of death is to recognize that our life did not begin when we were born, that it began long before, perhaps eons ago . . . our birth just being our entrance into this reality in a new body . . . and our death just passing from this reality to another, leaving our "remains" behind.Still when you hold a newborn, it feels like something new has been

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-3966548149063078022009-05-23T09:42:00.004+02:002009-05-23T17:04:07.286+02:00

Some of the Baumholder Middle/High School faculty members participated in making this tongue-in-cheek infomercial for the Smartboard recently. I think it's funny, and I don't think it's just because I know all of these people! And now everyone can see it on YouTube. I don't have a Smartboard yet, although they did install an Infocus projector from the ceiling of the classroom and I am using it

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-42412883090954061932009-05-16T09:52:00.007+02:002009-05-19T19:49:44.638+02:00

What does a sea of buses and cars in the Wagon Wheel parking lot signify? It means the troops are back, or a big chunk of them, anyway. There was excitement in the air all week as family members anticipated their arrival, and many happy faces as the soldiers returned from a long and dangerous deployment to Iraq. When we went on post last weekend, we were lucky enough to see the long line of

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-24074234502409915582009-05-14T19:52:00.002+02:002009-05-14T20:03:21.667+02:00

Here's how the balcony, terrace and landscaping look this Spring. I hope a comparison photo this Fall will show filling in of the bare spots on the hill. Most of the plants we put in last Fall died due to the unusually frigid Winter temperatures, and this is the sheltered side of the house. My Pampas grass didn't make it. I've waited patiently for it to show signs of life, but am accepting that

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-4965376367751591702009-05-05T19:12:00.003+02:002009-05-05T19:22:26.228+02:00

My new favorite flowers in the garden, these blue-hearted daisies.I don't know their real names, but I like their clean look.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-69410637188831097762009-04-23T08:11:00.003+02:002009-04-23T08:17:44.686+02:00

The cherry tree just exploded with blooms this year. Since Spring has sprung, we've gone quickly from relentless cold to beautiful sunshine, with just enough rain to keep things growing well.The magnolia tree is starting to bloom now.Happy Spring, everyone.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-66264861441657900902009-04-19T18:54:00.009+02:002009-04-21T06:54:03.550+02:00

I recently got out my Magnetic Poetry board in the class room and the kids and I got busy. Funny how you can pick up words at random and they seem to go together. Totally random? Or a way for our subconscious to reach out and speak to us?Click on the image to get a larger one (easier on the eyes!).  

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-52635101012829055342009-04-18T13:58:00.004+02:002009-04-18T14:15:33.895+02:00

I finally got around to organizing my Flickr account and uploading my favorite shots. I enjoy looking at the photography of others and appreciate their willingness to share with everyone the beauty of the world that they have captured through their camera lens. The Internet makes it possible for all of us to share with each other in ways we never dreamed possible. I'm always amazed at the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-91852715983934569672009-04-11T09:01:00.008+02:002009-04-11T11:06:42.972+02:00

We picked up a nice bunch of lilies just in time for Easter.Have a good one.Love each other in honor of the one who loves us all.We can agree to disagree as long as we agree thatthe heart of the message is love.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-72691053694905347152009-04-01T19:55:00.000+02:002009-04-01T19:55:09.060+02:00

I was only 6 when this happened, so am not surprised I don't remember this great April Fools Day joke. Go, BBC!

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-51413858005520479312009-03-28T10:57:00.007+01:002009-04-12T10:38:11.471+02:00

I ordered a quilt from the Quilt Haus a couple of weeks ago. I love it. I saw this quilt at Shirley's home last summer, or one of two that she and her daughter made from the same materials, and loved it then, but couldn't give myself a good enough reason to buy it.It has sat in a corner in the back of my mind like an itch for half a year. When I saw it again on the website she set up to sell

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-35977651614295971672009-03-27T17:43:00.001+01:002009-03-27T17:44:53.132+01:00

They had some temptingly cute and yummy-looking Easter Bunny breads at the PX bakery today, so I took a photo, although I purchased only rolls and cheesecake. I don't know which I like better, the smiling bunny heads with the whiskers and floppy ears on the right or the running bunnies on the left. There are some more bunnies at the top with chocolate bottoms, but I cut out their heads when I

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-12037644391025838532009-03-18T18:13:00.007+01:002009-03-22T21:48:42.397+01:00

As they read Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, my reading students write poems about themselves which they will eventually read in a poetry slam for another class. Two years ago I promised to write and perform a rap about them. Here I am two years later,  with a new group of kids, but the poem still applies. I read it to them today. They liked it. They got it. It's interesting watching them

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-88146409765168115102009-03-08T11:35:00.004+01:002009-03-08T11:43:06.040+01:00

I tend to sedentariness during the cold twilight months. But, the sun is spending more time above the horizon and the temperatures, while still brisk are warming. It is time to get moving, get on the wii exercise board, get out, and get the blood circulating again.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-34649379809437016202009-02-13T23:09:00.005+01:002009-03-08T11:48:22.955+01:00

Sing along or just sit back and enjoy. It's still a great song.Words & music by Vera MatsonSung by Elvis PresleyLove me tender,Love me sweet,Never let me go.You have made my life complete,And I love you so.Love me tender,Love me long,Take me to your heart.For it's there that I belong,And we'll never part.Love me tender,Love me dear,Tell me you are mine.I'll be yours through all the years,Till the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-86131541059929183172009-02-07T16:13:00.003+01:002009-02-07T16:18:20.847+01:00

This lady is so humorous, and I don't believe it is unconscious. She's a smart old dame, and I'm going to name my next pet after her. I don't know when or where, but the next one up will be named, Gladys, in her honor.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-4205575267804024762009-02-04T17:10:00.011+01:002009-02-05T06:19:12.656+01:00

#1  Joe The Plumber: "I Don't Know If The American Public Deserves Me"Granted, Rod Blagojevich seems to have an ego as big as his hair. He may have ended up making a fool of himself and gotten himself chucked unceremoniously out of office, but at least he can say he got elected.What has Joe the Plumber ever done that he thinks he should be giving advice to Congress or the American people? While

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-75089783419809876432009-01-31T11:06:00.005+01:002009-02-05T06:20:21.223+01:00

Julianne Hough More CMT Music More CMT Music VideosThis is a favorite song of mine. I used it at the the high school awards assembly last spring.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-5625244929043829752009-01-20T19:38:00.004+01:002009-02-05T06:20:44.980+01:00

Not my favorite president; proof that it is not enough to mean well, or be a nice guy, or have a good heart, or be someone you'd feel comfortable hanging out with. To be president of the most powerful nation on earth, you need to know what you are about. Here's hoping President Obama will possess the wisdom and know-how to get the job done. I'm not sure how this time we managed to elect a capable

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-53307251606982218952009-01-08T20:25:00.005+01:002009-02-05T06:21:50.196+01:00

I know just how she feels. I love the promise on this one. I wonder if it worked as well as promised and what was in the bottle.I found this great image on a 15 CD clipart collection I am slowly working my way through. This one is a keeper!After a good night's rest (liniment-free) I wondered about the target demographics for this product. If it is only circus women who fall off horses . . . they

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-66587637374634682412008-12-31T11:25:00.002+01:002009-02-05T06:21:15.749+01:00

This photo of my nephew Sam with his hand lying next to that of his newborn baby is one of my favorites.The New Year is often represented by a baby, because its story is not yet written; its future is still promising, and its fresh optimism offers hope that the days to come will be better than the ones we leave behind.Things are looking somewhat grim at the moment; not enough jobs, not enough

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-85929719348516608922008-12-29T20:20:00.003+01:002009-02-07T16:20:39.798+01:00

From the Believe It or Not category.For Mr Invisible, the first and last blow to his burgeoning career as a superhero was an unexpected punch that flattened his nose.“After months of designing my costume, getting my street moves just right, it was my first week out as a Real Life Superhero – and probably my last. This tiny, tiny girl did not like me trying to calm down her screaming boyfriend.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-77814717741992496212008-12-24T16:47:00.001+01:002008-12-24T16:49:01.243+01:00

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-34161967380550640852008-12-11T18:54:00.003+01:002009-02-05T06:23:14.127+01:00

When I woke up this morning, Jim said, "It's really foggy out there," and you know how one thing leads to another, in this case, a poem.Froggy in a boggy,sitting on a loggy,a very soggy loggyin the middle of thefoggyboggy.Froggy feeling groggy.Along comes a doggy.Froggy not so groggy.Boggy still quite foggy.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-5909865243632254572008-12-01T17:15:00.002+01:002009-02-05T06:23:56.649+01:00

I love the cover of this New Yorker magazine. I would not be a good dog vetter. I would want to take the first dog I saw, and the second, and the third.This issue of New Yorker magazine was published on December 8. Click on the title of this post to visit the New Yorker website.SOURCE

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-14810367936444682802008-11-27T12:54:00.002+01:002009-02-05T06:24:23.719+01:00

Here's my contribution to today's Thanksgiving feast.From left to right: pecan pie, pecan/pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie.I'm hard pressed to say which one is my favorite. They all look yummy.With possibly tough economic times ahead for many, I hope everyone can still find many blessings to be thankful for. The food is just a perk.Still, we must do our duty. Eat while you can.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-20936737746951678012008-11-22T11:33:00.003+01:002008-11-22T11:42:25.049+01:00

Winter is here, not officially, of course, but the first snow has fallen and all creatures great and small have sought shelter. Earlier in the week, I found a ladybug on a glass drying on the dish rack in the kitchen. When I gently tipped it off the glass onto my hand, it lay there on its back waving its miniscule little legs in the air. Ah, good, it was alive.I moved it a very short distance and

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-56241627645118251252008-11-16T10:14:00.005+01:002008-11-16T13:08:53.904+01:00

Those little huts you see, often in little garden communities or off in the woods, are a great German tradition. We were invited last Sunday to visit one belonging to a couple, Ella and Wolfgang. Like Jim, they are amateurfunker, amateur radio operators. They live in the industrial north of Germany, but come down twice a year to spend a few weeks in their little hut in the woods near

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-70249714243553856392008-11-10T20:50:00.021+01:002008-11-11T14:01:07.565+01:00

Even as America celebrates bringing down the race and gender barrier to the White House, the not-so-new prejudice against homosexuals, currently exemplified by Proposition 8 in California, shows we still have a long way to go on our road to spiritual perfection. Homosexuals are always going to be a minority. It's just a statistical reality, and they should not have to depend on the majority to

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-91357734772943303922008-11-05T06:25:00.004+01:002008-11-05T06:37:13.121+01:00

For those of us old enough to remember Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, today is a dream long deferred, but finally come to light. I remember his "I have a dream," speech. I remember when students first sat around singing "We shall overcome," and it wasn't trite, it wasn't overdone. It was a fervent dream of a better tomorrow for our country. Today, we took a big step

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-76331621361780337512008-10-27T18:11:00.003+01:002008-11-11T12:22:24.123+01:00

The Cross Country season has come to an end. Jim started with about 20 runners around September 1 and ended with 9. A couple dropped out due to injuries, but the others apparently had allergies. Allergies to rain. *sniff* Allergies to cool weather. *sniff* Allergies to mud. *sniff* Allergies to pain. *sniff* But most of all, allergies to hard work. *sniff, sniff* They were good for the short haul

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-77405224518841048372008-10-19T10:47:00.009+02:002008-10-19T22:25:30.731+02:00

I've put off writing about this, because it is a sad story. It certainly counts as one of the more bizarre experiences of my life, and it left me in a gloomy state of mind all week.Saturday morning a week ago was foggy. Jim and I left the house around 7:45 a.m. and were heading into school to get set up for a cross country meet, when I spotted a baby wild boar sitting in the road. Being a lover

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-38403356705174953092008-07-12T18:40:00.004+02:002008-12-09T15:45:02.281+01:00

Somewhere in Tennessee, just off Interstate 40.It's hard to know where to begin on this one, how to spell "dining" or the real meaning of the word "forever." *sigh*Bates City, Missouri, just off Interstate 70I'm still trying to understand why anyone would want to to purchase surplus army pizza or deli meats. *burp*Blue Springs, MissouriWhat caught my eye on this sign? Zigzag Bail Bonds, of

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-66603546670576058532008-06-22T03:02:00.008+02:002008-12-09T15:45:02.779+01:00

I'm always amazed at what you can do on the Internet. It's hard to keep up with all the changes. It's so fluid, like watching liquid mercury flowing and blending and changing shape. I feel like I am way behind the kids on this, but doing my best to stay semi-current. I have received periodic invitations to join this or that networking website the past couple of years . . . kind of glad I passed

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-80692598302548890942008-06-16T14:49:00.007+02:002008-12-09T15:45:03.229+01:00

As promised, here are some wisdom nuggets from Jacob Lamoureux's commencement address on the topic of CARING.Perhaps the most important power that lies within human beings is the ability to care, because what we care about controls what we do.We don't even have to be good at something at first. We just have to care about getting good.Caring is not just a fleeting desire; it is a

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-37018985013487837032008-06-07T22:06:00.006+02:002008-12-09T15:45:03.609+01:00

Those little white streaks in the photo are streams of water coming down out of the wall/ceiling.The workmen tore out the tiles on the balcony outside this week, which they then covered with some plastic, but this was not attached to the house, and, much to our surprise, water started flowing and dripping all along this wall during a heavy rain storm. It was coming in where the rolladen covers

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-42517581761653921672008-06-07T14:04:00.006+02:002008-12-09T15:45:04.053+01:00

Another crop of seniors have walked the stage in their carefully selected new shoes (Megan W. gets my vote for cutest shoes . . . I think there were polka dots and a ribbon.) and thanked their family, God and friends, with an occasional mention of their teachers and coaches. There were lots of musical selections, because this was a small class . . . only 24 made it. A couple didn't have the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-3456959847764372772008-06-06T16:27:00.004+02:002008-12-09T15:45:04.381+01:00

After the pile of rubble came the big hole in the ground. The walls were waterproofed (black paint) and then the hole was filled in and tamped down, fortunately just before a big storm, or we might have had a muddy pit. Timing is everything! The terrace is in place, but now there is the equipment the next set of workmen are using the tear off and rebuild the parts of the balcony that are

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-50629148992429702332008-05-28T06:25:00.001+02:002008-05-28T06:28:41.604+02:00

¡Buen trabajo, muchachos!

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-74138144928006539242008-05-25T09:15:00.003+02:002008-05-25T09:25:45.194+02:00

A closer look at the excavation revealed hidden treasures!

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-42838435661699584662008-05-22T19:18:00.002+02:002008-12-09T15:45:04.706+01:00

The destruction phase has begun. On Wednesday while we were at school, they brought in the backhoe, took out part of the fence and a bunch of trees and bushes. It has dug a deep pit under the dining room window, and there are big piles of rubble from the patio and patio extension that it busted up. Things sure look ugly before they get to look pretty again.We take the dogs out now. Gidget needs

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-79461506449044625502008-05-20T20:12:00.006+02:002008-12-09T15:45:04.960+01:00

Today the workmen started removing the glassed in patio on the side of the house. They ripped off the covering under the balcony and found lots of soft wet wood up there. The whole thing has to come off . . . every home owner's nightmare and a cash cow for the renovation business. Who gets to be lucky and find that their old house isn't falling apart? I'll be updating this as the work progresses.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-40610297936036485122008-05-18T08:55:00.012+02:002008-12-09T15:45:05.473+01:00

On Saturday I had a lovely lunch in Bernkastel-Kues at an Indian Restaurant with what's left of my NLU master's cadre: Keri, Judy and Stephanie to my left and our mentor, Sue on the right. We had a long, leisurely lunch in an Indian Restaurant, then did a walkabout and finished up with ice cream. Steph found the "little house in the middle of the street" that she remembered from her childhood.We

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-34625676687082981182008-05-13T19:58:00.002+02:002008-12-09T15:45:05.906+01:00

The magnolia in front of the house was magnificent for a few days this year. The most and most glorious blooms ever. I took a plethora of photos, of which this is my favorite, looking up through the blooms to the sky.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-79431948380974046822008-05-03T19:45:00.002+02:002008-05-03T19:54:50.302+02:00

Read my VisualDNA™     Get your own VisualDNA™

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-71649736790956887812008-05-02T16:26:00.011+02:002008-12-09T15:45:06.094+01:00

A recent Spanish exam featured a Mexican fable involving a jaguar and a cricket. The jaguar was offended by the cricket's croaky creaking and wanted him to be quiet. He challenged the cricket to a race. Whoever reached a rock first would win and decide the question. The cricket, being smarter than the jaguar, jumped onto the jaguar's tail and then worked his way forward until he reached his head.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-20443392242229765402008-04-24T19:43:00.002+02:002008-04-24T19:53:25.228+02:00

This is great fun to watch. One woman. All women.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-89743880848248577032008-04-23T19:06:00.013+02:002008-04-23T19:28:37.086+02:00

 • • • In with the newI seem to have photographed the foliage again,while trying to photograph the wildlife.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-61341174931154930052008-04-20T12:20:00.005+02:002008-12-09T15:45:06.550+01:00

I submit this bush, that got in the way of my photo of the soccer game, as proof that spring is making an appearance, although belated and still chilly and wet.This reminds me of a scene in the movie "Semi Tough" (Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson and Jill Clayburgh) in which the character played by Jill returns from an African safari and shows her portfolio of travel photographs to the character

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-70724165074944243732008-04-10T16:16:00.001+02:002008-04-10T16:22:03.970+02:00

Created by OnePlusYouCreated by OnePlusYou

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-62209937294581236352008-04-07T12:18:00.003+02:002008-04-07T17:17:40.186+02:00

I'm posting this video so you can see the snow we had on this first Monday of what is euphemistically called Spring Break. It looks more like Winter Break than Winter Break did. The dogs, however, made the most of it, enjoying a romp in the snow.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-55300687478258516692008-04-07T09:46:00.003+02:002008-04-07T09:51:55.462+02:00

When I joked about the snow on the daffodils, I truly thought it was almost over, that Spring was just around the corner, but that corner is turning out to be much further away than expected. Here it is Spring Break, and I had hoped to be sitting out in my yard and doing gardening and other yard work, tree and bush trimming, but that just so isn't happening. I realize the week isn't over and

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-28484551858317435882008-03-19T05:48:00.007+01:002008-03-29T15:18:06.026+01:00

If you've been givingmore hugsthan you've been gettingor looking out for others,but feeling left out,take a moment or twofor self-affirmationand remind yourselfjust how special you are!Click on the title of this post.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-6788650452784504942008-03-04T15:57:00.004+01:002008-03-04T16:53:18.416+01:00

The flowers were springing up gloriousBut Winter is always notoriousHe sent us a blowFollowed up with some snowThen laughed cause it was so hilorious.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-25223751365831087512008-02-24T11:21:00.009+01:002008-12-09T15:45:06.984+01:00

Ah, at last the air is warming, and there are signs that the earth is awakening from her long winter's nap. This always comes as a relief to me.It's not that winter is so very long. The time goes quickly, but always weighs heavily on my spirit, so I am glad to see these harbingers of Spring and to listen to the birds sing their come hither songs.A light exists in springNot present on the yearAt

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-86374431488202507512008-02-24T11:10:00.004+01:002008-12-09T15:45:07.594+01:00

I got a nice surprise last week after our students returned from a week's break. One of my 8th grade girls came up and said, "Mrs. G, I have a present for you."Not expecting this, my response was rather short, "Why?""Because I went to Spain," was the answer, which made some more sense of the situation, because I am her Spanish teacher.Inside a plastic bag was this lovely little paella pan

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-59475624684657426772008-02-17T18:45:00.006+01:002008-12-09T15:45:07.897+01:00

Like the bears, I long to hibernate during the long winter months and not wake up again till the days are warm and sunny. The birds know Spring is coming. They are singing merrily in the bare trees. I just want to burrow under the covers, sink into their depths and know nothing until there is something worth knowing.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-63323437500676002892008-01-20T19:52:00.000+01:002008-01-24T18:05:58.800+01:00

Thanks to Mark for taking some good photos of Jim and me together. Usually, I'm behind the camera and OUT of the picture. Anyway, it's nice to have updated images of both of us together. We also had some good laughs. Besides the sites, we shared the Mexican fireman joke and watched the Achmed the Dead Terrorist and the One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song videos. It's sharing things like

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-31540411193946340272008-01-20T19:41:00.000+01:002008-01-20T19:52:13.494+01:00

Day 2 of Mark's trip we had lunch at our favorite Greek restaurant . . . the place where they know our name and bring us our drinks without having to ask. We've been there so often that Jim always orders Bifteki a la Jim, his own variation of what is on the menu. After lunch, we drove up the hill to Burg Lichtenberg and walked around the castle complex for a half hour before heading to the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-69722156455331850452008-01-19T23:14:00.000+01:002008-12-09T15:45:08.080+01:00

Jim's cousin Sue's husband Mark found time to spend the weekend with us. He's been doing consulting week in London. We took him to Trier today, the oldest, and our favorite, German city, for a peek at Constantine's Basilica, Roman ruins, the Dom (cathedral) and the Porta Nigra. We had a nice lunch at the Ratskeller in Trier. I helped Mark set up his new blog. So, now he will be able to share with

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-52267251489819045652008-01-06T20:01:00.000+01:002008-01-06T20:49:25.083+01:00

The wheel has turned and now it's time to get back to work. I resisted going in during the winter break, and so the pile of ungraded papers is still there on my desk lying in wait for me, cackling evilly. It's not that I don't like my job, but it is work, after all. If it were play, they wouldn't pay me.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-34137435557539271282007-12-31T16:38:00.000+01:002008-01-20T20:11:16.478+01:00

New Year's Resolutions:1. Lose more weight. I've done well on the alli diet, but haven't worked very hard on it the past two months. I've still managed to lose 4 more lbs, but I know how easy it is to gain, and I am nowhere near my final goal, so time to get serious . . . after I finish this cookie.2. Read more and spend less time looking at the computer screen. This will be a tough one, because

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-51704270340574907892007-12-26T14:24:00.000+01:002008-12-09T15:45:08.688+01:00

Christmas greetings to everyone. I hope everyone had a table to gather around for the Christmas feast and that the New Year will find you surrounded with friends, family who love you and no more snow than your tires can handle. It feels like winter here; we had sleet followed by fluffy snow this morning, the day after Christmas. The dogs are asleep on the couch. My tummy is full of

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-90629783670984444002007-12-20T18:05:00.002+01:002007-12-26T07:34:39.822+01:00

This is very fun, a love song in Spanish if the singer had only had the first semester of Spanish. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-52025349860895023832007-12-01T06:05:00.001+01:002007-12-02T17:07:57.256+01:00

This morning we are heading to the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. Forecast is for rain and wind. I hope that the weather won't be as bad as it sounds from the forecast!The weather forecast was amazingly accurate, wind, rain, chill air and huge crowds. If shuffling your feet to walk amid hordes of people is your thing, this was great. I must go back someday when the sun is shining and the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-12173237896158199302007-11-25T20:44:00.000+01:002008-01-26T23:56:24.094+01:00

This year I am giving thanks forFriends; it only takes a few good ones to have enough.Dogs; they love me no matter what and only demand a dog biscuit in return.Shelter; the house hasn't fallen down yet. There's hope for it.My husband; a heck of a guy who appreciates me no matter what and doesn't even want a dog biscuit.My children; although there is room for improvement and they cost a whole lot

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-33094814472348543022007-11-11T08:25:00.002+01:002008-12-09T15:45:09.494+01:00

It's the end of another sporting season with the football team first in Europe (first European championship since 1983), the girls second in volleyball (losing in a heartbreaking close set of games), and Jim's cross country girls second in Europe.The end-of-season sports banquet lasted till nearly 9 pm (yawn), but there was lots to celebrate, so the speeches went on a bit longer than usual. The

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-64698824001030094722007-11-02T19:06:00.000+01:002007-11-02T19:20:38.127+01:00

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-91156977220656372712007-11-01T19:57:00.001+01:002008-12-09T15:45:09.824+01:00

On Jim 's birthday, we drove to Trier and met up with Sylvie, Yolenne, Gunther and Sylvanie, but our main purpose was to acquire a houseguest, Alexi, an American exchange student going to high school in France. Before we met up with them, we visited one of the exhibitions on Constantine near the cathedral. After lunch, we did some walking around and not-too-serious shopping. It was "Coat Day" in

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-36426724123959283672007-10-15T19:21:00.001+02:002008-12-09T15:45:10.140+01:00

On the day we found the garden in the trees, we also found this memorial to a really big dead pig . . . er, wild hog killed on this spot by a forester back in 1898. Must have been an epic battle to get a memorial and not just a barbecue.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-41330322092123210022007-10-14T20:09:00.000+02:002008-12-09T15:45:10.802+01:00

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-45432571333045857682007-10-12T20:03:00.000+02:002008-12-09T15:45:11.793+01:00

While walking near Baumholder a few weeks ago scouting for a location for our home cross country meet, Mary, Jim and I came across the Hochteil Garten, which is turns out is not a garden at all, and the "hoch" or "high" in German referred to an extremely elaborate outdoor climbing garden involving platforms, hanging tires, climbing walls, and all kinds of high wire set ups, some low to the ground

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-49759479170842387152007-09-22T14:49:00.002+02:002008-12-09T15:45:11.933+01:00

The beginning of school is always hectic, frenetic and harried, and this year no less than any other. I am teaching a class (Spanish 2) I have not taught for several years and started the year with not enough books to go around. I took a while to get that sorted out. Coming up with new lesson plans and dealing with learning deficits in some of my students is taking up a lot of time. Jim is

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33086921.post-21503655856816065742007-08-15T15:05:00.002+02:002008-12-09T15:45:12.473+01:00

Monday, August 13, found us visiting Silvie, Morgane and Yolaine in France. Our friend, Mary, tagged along as we were going to be going to the annual art exhibition in Ruette, Belgium. We first went last year when I bought my chickens painting, which originally was going to be a gift, but is hanging in the hall outside my kitchen door! This trip, I was hoping Morgane would be willing to sell one

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800886346623253551noreply@blogger.com0