Home, Home Near the Range

BLT-- the sandwich of the summer!

Great bacon, Homegrown tomatoes (thanks, John Bodo), Dukes' mayonaisse, and a nice whole wheat bread-- I "forgot" to add the lettuce!

I am still staying close to the house. I am not seeing many people other than my children. I am like a stealth bomber (with cleaning wipes AND a mask) with my list in hand when I go to the grocery store. AND I have been cooking!

Cooking is something that I never really had time to do when I ramped up my working after the kids went to college. Oh, we ate, but I was really good at stopping by Subway, Jeannines, or any fast food joint that was in my path. BUT, friends, I love to cook.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

I want to know your favorite recipes of foods that you really cook and really eat! I am not looking for your fanciest meals (unless you are a fancy cook all the time)....I am looking for those favorites that you "go to" when you cook. Yep, I'm talking comfort food, I'm talking about the food that makes you grin. I'm talking the "Hurrah, we're having (fill-in the blank) for supper" food. I am looking for the recipe that you can make from the heart!

For example, I get a pound of good ground beef, brown it the beef in an old, old, old cast iron Dutch oven, throw in two boxes of sliced mushrooms and then cook until the mushrooms are softened. I add a big jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce with mushrooms. Heat it all up. Serve over pasta--angel hair pasta. (My family likes the angel hair pasta.) A loaf of Cole's Garlic bread and a salad rounds out this meal. My kids would have eaten this four nights out of five.  I could eat this seven nights out of seven.

OH, if you are going to tell me there are tons of additives and preservatives in my fast food I will just agree, nod my head and keep going. I am sick of the polite police....those of you who want to tell me how I should be living, what I should be wearing, why my politics are wrong, wah, wah, wah,-- save your breath....I am not paying you any attention.

I swear, those additives and presevatives kept me going on many a bad day. I do try to eat healthy. I do try to eat a balanced diet. I do not drink a pot of coffee EVERY DAY like I used to-- this is my stab at being healthy this year. And I love hummus....a vegan I am not.

I adore cooking what my friends and family REALLY eat. My sister-in-law, Jody, makes the best ham balls in the universe. My other sister-in-law, Kim, makes cinnamon rolls that I would drive to Colorado to eat. My sister-in-law, Janie, makes a Curried Chicken Casserole that is superb (son Dan always asks for it). Nancy, Bill's other sister, made a dilly casserole bread in 1975 that I still make!

So, tell me, what do you really cook and then eat? Yep, I want the recipe and how it came into your life.

Smoke and Mirrors-- No, I'm not talking about the virus, I'm talking about teaching!

E-learning, packets, literature for reading, platforms, downloading, log-ins, passwords, plans, matrixes-- welcome to the world of school in the comfort of your own home 2020!

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Homeschooling never appealed to me.  Don't get me wrong-- I loved my kids; I loved my profession. I just didn't see the two of them meshing into a successful relationship for me.  FRANKLY, studying their spelling words each week about drove me around the bend.  I taught in an elementary classrooms for ten years.  I taught teachers at Georgia College from 1986 until 2004.  I loved it both experiences....and I think I can help those of you new to this profession feel great about this endeavor.

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I remember my Georgia College early childhood education students observing a brilliant second grade teacher in the Bibb County Schools.  She was marvelous.  I loved watching her, too.  She made every moment count with her class.

"She makes it look so easy."  That was the universal comment from anyone who watched her teach.

Yep, those twenty years of experience helped that teacher construct her "bag of tricks" for the orderly instruction of her students and flow of the day.  She knew the pitfalls that her students COULD fall in and she headed them off at the pass before they were in the ditch.  In other words, she set her kids up for success and answered the questions they "might" have in her instruction. Remember, she had been doing this job a mighty long time.  Teaching is not for the faint at heart!  Practice will make you better.


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You are on a journey.  Enjoy the journey.  Sometimes you are on the Interstate.  Sometimes you are on a back road.  Sometimes you just run out of gas.  Sometimes you go in the ditch.  Sometime the students get where they are supposed to go and you have no idea how in the heck they read the map.  Jesus take the wheel!


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I have a few tips for those of you treading into these muddy waters -- TEACHING YOUR OWN CHILDREN.

There are four domains that embedded throughout your teaching day-- you will see all of these each day: 

1.  Social (Learning to get along with others, take turns, help, listen, respect of themselves and others), ex:  "Betty, could you please pass out paper to your brothers?  Thank you."

2.  Emotional (reacting in an appropriate way to challenges, opportunities, and experiences), ex:  "Johnny, Your time on the iPad is finished.  Thank you for closing your program and handing it to your sister, Jasmine."

3.  Intellectual (Learning-- this goes from the known to the unknown....the concrete  to the abstract. Think about handing a child a rock to reading the word rock, ex: Any of the instruction is the reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, etc.

4.  Physical (play, movement, exercise, activities). ex:  Any type of physical activity-- large muscles, small muscles, sports, games, climbing, jumping, exercises.  (Do you remember teachers saying, "Go outside and run off that energy?"  It is true and remains true today. )

THESE FOUR DOMAINS ARE IMBEDDED IN THE ACTIVITIES THAT YOUR CHILDREN DO.

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One fall weekend back in 1973,  I spent an inordinate amount of time creating a wonderful interactive lesson for my sixth grade Language Arts students at Milford Township School in the Nevada, Iowa Community.  It was superb.  The hour lesson was a masterpiece.  I was a first year teacher and I wanted those kids to excel.

The entire HOUR lesson took about 7 minutes for those first block of 28 children to learn and master.  That was one of the days that I learned a lot about myself and those smart boys and girls.  I had five sections of Language Arts students that day....by the fifth section that day, I was doing better, asking better questions and the kids were actively engaged in their own learning.  I am still scraping that egg off my face 47 years later.  They might not have learned much that day but I sure did.

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1.  Plan your work and work your plan. (This is your lesson plan so that your day goes by and you actually get something done.) Read over the materials or the instructions your school has given you for your child.  Your schools have communicated their plans...use them.  You can always elaborate.

2.  Read what your kids are reading (if you can).

3.  Reading/listening for pleasure is fun.  There are lots of books for free on-line.

4.  Have frequent breaks for the kids and yourself.

5.  Monitor what your students are doing.

6.  Check their work periodically for accuracy or that they are actually doing some work.

7.  Children are like adults.  They have different learning styles.  Some kids like to listen, some like to talk, some want a quiet environment, some like to discuss what they are doing.  Respect that there are different ways to do a task.

8.  Children are like adults.  They waste time.  They visit.  They go to the bathroom and play with the water in the sink (well, maybe that's only me! :-).  KIDS ALSO LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THEY ARE DOING CORRECTLY.  "I love how you get right to work, (child's name).  Thank you!"  Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

9.  When in doubt, do what my granddaughter, Sally at age 4 taught me, "YouTuber, Nana."  That was Sally's response for almost anything, and frankly, it works.  God Bless You Tube.

10.  Enjoy the time with your kids. Don't sweat the small stuff.  Do your best.  This is uncharted territory for all of us....take care of yourselves and know that I care about all of you.

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This might have made me laugh a little too much.

The Doo-Wah is Hitting the Fan or Boils and Locusts

So, the past week I have watched and read a variety of news: The news/press conferences, the breaking news, the local news, the banter on Facebook and all of my many newspapers.  What I decided is that -- I am excellent at practicing social distancing!  Now, you all know I like people.  But, I also like being by myself.  It makes perfectly good sense not to overwhelm hospitals and the medical infrastructure by all of us NOT getting sick simultaneously.  I can wash my hands and stay away from people.  I also promise not to lick any handrails.

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The news gives me the creeps though.   I am fully aware that I am creeping toward being in the elderly category....butI DON'T FEEL elderly deep down inside.  I sometimes catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I think, "That's my mom." But upon further observation, it's me.  When did that happen?  Creepy.  I told you the news was creepy....just like my neck is creepy.  Be careful out there!  Ah, good old Sergeant Phil Esterhaus.

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I also DO NOT want to be responsible for giving this "super bug" to a medically fragile person.  I spent a career with germs.  (Funny story--- a pre-k teacher had a mark on her skirt at about mid-thigh.   I innocently asked what it was.  She nonchalantly called it the "snot line".  AND IT WAS!   Pre-K teachers taught this old high school principal quite a bit.).  I will wash my hands, stay away from people, work in the yard, play with the pets, and enjoy trying to stay healthy.  I promise to stay the heck away from humankind as much as possible.  Hey, have you watched TIK TOC?  I love the animal videos.

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Mary Michael (4th) and Sally (1st) are out of school for an indefinite period of time.  I get to share my deep love of reading with Mary Michael and she'll share her deep love of reading with me.   I taught fourth grade and I LOVED it! What a wonderful reason to reread the Newbery Award winning children's literature books and engage some standards' based instruction with my oldest grand girl.  The kids (Lordy, they are old enough to retire) that I taught in Nevada, Iowa and Centerville, Iowa will attest to the fact that I love literature and a great book can make a good reader a great reader.  We are starting off with Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, and New Kid by Jerry Craft.  I know she's going to have me read some of the graphic young adult children novels.  We'll use FaceTime and some on-line journaling to start our book studies.  I am really excited to get to know Mary Michael in another dimension.  We'll have a terrific time!

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Sally and I are going "to get" together virtually using some Pinkalicious books.  I never taught first grade-- yikes.  Sally is excited about reading and I'm excited about keeping her moving in the right direction at this pivotal period of her reading development.   Pinkalicious reminds me of my sweet unicorn-loving, tu-tu wearing, "gee I love my red cowboy boots", little 7 year old.  It will be an adventure for the both of us.  The more I know, the more I know I don't know.  Wish me luck!

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Anna got a tooth this week.  It's one on the bottom.  She's quite a champ, if I do say so myself.  No formal school for her but she's going to get some nursery rhyme time from me.

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I am going to make lemonade out of the lemons that our society has been handed.  Frankly, I might make a margarita out of my lemons.  Heck, I might just do shots.  That's what a little age does for a person-- pass my lost shaker of salt.

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One day I was bemoaning the fact that everything was going to hell in a hand basket.  I asked rhetorically, "What else could happen?"  Mack Bullard, one of the assistant superintendents in Bibb County at the time,  looked me square in the eye and said, "Boils and locusts."  Since that wake up call,  I think I'm pretty good at putting things in perspective.  Look, this isn't how I envisioned 2020, but it could be lots worse.

Friends and family, let's pull together (metaphorically without touching), follow the guidelines for staying healthy, and just get through this!  WASH YOUR HANDS!

Michael Conrad, "Let's be careful out there"

Meow....Hey, 2020! I'm BACK!

The cat wrangler has been wrangling stuff other than the computer for the last three months.  Today is just a start of trying to get back in the groove of writing and laughing and seeing the sun shine.

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The best thing about Lent?  Easy--the cod sandwich at Wendy's. I'm not being sacrilegious...I am being truthful.

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Drought-- the past month has certainly helped Northern Monroe County!  Last summer our creek was down to a trickle.  It never was completely dry but it sure wasn't the raging river we saw last week.
It's so good to hear the water flowing over the rocks.

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AND finally, why I haven't done squat.

The Cliff Notes of Molly's Third Birth:

We have a new member of the family.  Anna Malloy Patterson entered the world on November 16, 2019.  She's a champ.  Perfect in every way.  Anna was in the hospital a few days and then went home and left her mommy in the hospital.

Molly had quite a time though.  I have tried writing about it; however, words couldn't express the terror, joy, hope, fear and love that I experienced as my sweet daughter and son-in-law faced the following events.  This is what happened to Molly:

1.   Admitted to the hospital 5 days before Anna is born (November 12)
2.   Emergency C-section (November 16)
3.   Placenta Abrupta
4.   ICU (November 16 to November 25)
5.   23 units of blood (That is not a typo).
6.   D.I. C. (Think high blood pressure after delivery) (Think Molly's blood is not clotting properly)
7.   Kidneys don't work
8.   Dialysis 5 days.  40 pounds of liquid removed.  (That is not a typo).
9.   H.E.L.L.P  (Think nothing is working right)
10.  Heart Failure
11.  Moved to a cardiac floor (November 25)
12.  Dismissed with a LifeVest (think a wearable external defibrillator)
13.  Home on December 2 at about 8 p.m.

I am going to write about the power of prayer and the power of love.  I am going to write about those people who just come like beacons of light to share your joy and fears without asking.  I am going to write about Brad being with his wife, his baby, and work-- I have no idea how he kept going but he is one hell of a scheduler.  I'm going to write about those prayer warriors that dug in and kept sweet Molly alive.  I'm going to write about Molly's Godfather Dan Malloy flying from Colorado and staying with Molly's brother, Dan Weaver and those two Dan's doing whatever needing to be done.

Anna went home on November 20th to the loving arms of her daddy;  his parents,Terry and Jim Patterson; and her two big sisters...Mary Michael and Sally.  

                                       Anna Malloy Patterson, Thursday, February 27, 2020

                                            Molly and Anna, Monday, February 24, 2020


Meow, Meow, Y'all!

School Daze

Teaching small folks is not for sissies.

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Humph.......I know, I know.  They just are so cute.  They are so nice.  They are just so little.

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Little people  (those under 6) usually don’t have a hidden agenda.  If they see it and they want it, they take it.

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Mary Michael, when she was six, told her mother that it takes one year to fly a rocket to the moon if you “take the long way.”  I love her.  Her nickname is “Cautious”.  She is going to graduate from school some day and go to Paris.  Just ask her.  She is enamored by crepes, the Eiffel Tower and anything French.

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Sally is much more practical.  She's 6 right now.  Her nickname is “Crash.”  Sally is still all about the Babbies.  Babbies are her baby dolls.  She has elaborate scenarios that are conducted with the babbies.  I personally like it when she assigns me a babby role and I have to be covered with a blanket (dish towel) and wind up sleeping side by side with her dolls as she tends our needs.  (I am very good at being a babby.)  My favorite babby is one named Frozen Babby.....she was found sleeping in the freezer.  (No, I can’t make this stuff up!)

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When she was three,  Sally saw a dead bug....flat on his back, feet straight up in the air.  “Shhhhhh,” she told her mother very dramatically, “I think it is a dead baby hedgehog.”

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For those servants of the Lord that teach our smallest of children, my hat is taken off to you.

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Kindergarten teachers are saints.  Pre-K teachers are angels.  1st grade teachers are lion tamers with no whips....only honey-sweetened words to make those small ferocious beasts follow them blindly down the lane to learning.  Watching primary teachers help small students learn to open milk cartons by themselves should be an event in the Olympics.

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I am in awe of great teaching. Always have been and I always will be.  I was over fifty and an assistant principal the first time I really understood chemistry....I was listening to Traci Wood and Ron Aaron explain the periodic table to their students and thought to myself, “Dang, I wish I had them explain this to me when I was in high school.”  High school teachers see the future of their charges looming so close in time....they are determined to teach as much as they can in a short period of time.

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And middle school teachers.  Middle school teachers are smart, fast, and full of the devil themselves. They enjoy coming to work because they LIKE adventure.  Middle school students are frisky.  On a good day they are wide open and on a bad day.....they....they....they.....make us turn white-haired!

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Mary Michael headed to fourth grade last week.  Sally moved to first grade.  I have been thinking about is their true education.....I hope the girls find joy, and wonder, and friends, and life-long learning.  I want them to read great books, internalize science, and see social studies everywhere they look.  It's time to sing, and play, and create art and enjoy math.  Spanish will be spoken, the pleasures of writing and spelling will be used on a regular basis, and I want them to love a great book fair like their Nana does.   I want them to listen to their teachers, be kind to their classmates and see how it all fits together in the big picture of life.  These are the same things I want for all children.

Leadership Following the Good Book

Frankly, I think that the Bible is probably the best leadership manual ever written.

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It covers lots of different situations.

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Lots of different people.

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Wise, wise, advice.....

1.  To everything there is a season......

Everyone (teachers, students and administrators) should eat lunch at different times.  Eating lunch at 10:30 a.m. is never fun.

No one should always get the last period of the day for planning.  Hey, and what about the idea that all teachers get some planning every day?  

All God’s children get to do duty....be it morning, lunch, after school or parking lot.

2.  And the greatest of these is love......

It is hard not having a date for the Prom.

Breaking up is hard to do.

"I know you don’t want to take four years of (insert least favorite content subject) because you love (most favorite content subject) and you want to take all of the (easiest content class) you can take.”  

No Pig Latin is not an approved second language...good try though. 

No, your "Uncle Hunk" may not sign you out.....good try though. 

The caller ID says you are at Disney World....you might want to revamp the story of why you are not at work.....good try though.    

3.  Jesus loved the little children.....

No lie.  You get more bang for your buck on the front end of education instead of the back side of education.

Primary teachers are saints.  They also like to help everyone. 

Being a teacher of young students reminds me of someone trying to put cats in a sack....it’s fascinating to watch.  

Small children usually have no filters on their thoughts.  

Secondary teacher are saints.  They love to help teenagers grow into productive members of society with some content knowledge to rely on.  

Teenagers usually have no filters on their mouths when they get started on a roll.  It's either fight or flight.  

Middle school students and middle school teachers are indeed the rarest of rare breeds.  God bless them all.  I remember Rosalind Rodrick telling Mike that he didn't have to write so small.  She thought his mother would buy him more paper to get through the year.  My kids have not been in middle school since 1999....twenty years.  When I see their teachers, they always ask about them. That's amazing!  They are saints as well!  Their halos might be a tad askew!


4.  Luke 6:31"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you"

If you, AS A PARENT,  don’t want to do car pool, do you really think our teachers want to work car pool?  

Listen when people talk to you.  Don’t play with your phone, your computer, or your other electronic toys.  This is for every one.  

Everyone is important in a school.  

(Side note: I grew into loving it when people threaten to get me fired.  I always gave them my business card and asked them to spell my name correctly.)  

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It's easy to write this from the comfort of my own home.  Just remember folks-- everyone has a story-- be it the teacher, the student, the parent, the principal, the bus driver, the lunch room lady, the coach, the community!  I hope this school year 2019-2020 is absolutely the best ever.  

Corinthians 13:4-7