Worth Watching

TV these days is more of a nuisance than anything. However, these I will watch:





Thank goodness for PBS, I guess.

Happy 4th!

I'm pretty sure I am repeating this post from the last 4th of July, but I just can't get enough of Langston Hughes-- my favorite American.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

I've known rivers:

I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.

I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.

I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans,

and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:

Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Scott Campbell, what a guy!

Happy Father's Day-- to the greatest dad in the world. Truly. The picture above is of my dad playing in the stream in our backyard. Okay, maybe not "playing"... more like rearranging rocks to prevent a flood. But that's just the kind of dad he is-- always rearranging things to make life easier and better for his family. You really are the best and I love you!

Life on the Farm

In an attempt to learn as much as I can about farm life (until I have one of my own), I have joined a group of volunteers at Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary. It's possible that some of my funniest and finest stories may come from this experience.

My first day on duty was spent training with the pigs. I don't know that I can adequately express how delightful and interesting pigs are. I think I was in a constant state of shock and laughter while trying to feed, water, clean and play with the pigs. Most of them have teen angst (seriously) and refuse to come out of their pens, only to eat. My favorite pig, Curtis, lives in a pen all by himself because he doesn't socialize well due to previous and abusive owners. Curtis sleeps in longer than anyone other animal on the farm, and to get him out to eat one has to slowly open his pen and let the sunlight stream in gently. "Wake up Curtis... time to get up..." He lifts his head and opens one eye... obviously annoyed that you woke him. "Don't you want breakfast??" He opens his other eye and his eyebrows raise... "Yes, you want breakfast." He takes about 15 minutes to realize that he has legs and can walk. Finally, he makes his way into the sunlight and grunts with more annoyance. Oh Curtis, you make me want a farm even more.

So yes, I'm one of those people who loves animals almost more than people. Farming seems so rewarding in so many ways. I also think it provides one of the best forms of physical exercise-- the way we were meant to exercise. Really. I can't wait to have my own little farm someday. Everyone and their dog is invited ;)

I saved a bee today.

As I swirl my toe around in the water at the edge of the pool in my back yard, I try to focus on the ever growing ripples and the reflection of colors as the water moves. Beep boop bop. No, too much to think about. Darn. I used to be good at relaxing.

For the past four months my mind has been running on adrenaline, skipping from thought to thought. I have student teaching to thank for this.

Instead of concentrating on the water, my mind thinks about what my students might be working on this very minute. Wondering if Trent is acting calm today...did Jose turn in his last assignment...is Hattie back from being sick for way too long... did the supply order of glue ever ship... beep boop bop.

Now that my semester has ended I suddenly feel oddly guilty for not having to think constantly and acting quickly. If I wanted to, I could sleep in a little... eh, feels weird. I could stare at my ceiling and listen to music for hours if I felt like it... but why would I? Forcing myself to unwind and relax a little has been way more difficult than it should be.

So here I am... jumping from thought to thought, and there he is out of the corner of my eye. A bee. He's struggling in the water, moving with the kicking waves I've now created with both feet. Immediately I slide deeper into the pool with my hand outstretched to scoop him up, but soon realize this could backfire with a sting. Instead I reach back and grab my flip flop to elevate him from the water and place him on the pavement next to me. No movement. I panic a little. With my finger I give him a little nudge away from the puddle he's created and he quickly springs to life, flicking water off his wings and away he goes. Just like that, he's gone. I feel a little hurt, somewhat expecting that he would fly up eye level with me and nod his antennae in gratitude of my efforts.

I felt so involved and then immediately cut off from his life. A metaphor to student teaching perhaps.

Beeb boop bop. So here I am, trying to relax. Attempting to get my own ducks in a row after months of attempting to keep 150 pre-teen ducks in a row. This isn't easy. Thankfully I'll be here in a couple of weeks with the family, and I can't help but think relaxing will come naturally when all I have to worry about is the swim suit I'll wear that day.

Boy oh boy.

A fun little side story: Last weekend while I was in Sedona, my friend and I decided to get our aura photos taken and read by an energy psychic. I realize how hippie-like and crazy this may sound, but those of you who know me wouldn't expect anything less. This is my aura photo:

*You'll have to ignore the hovering shadow of me leaning over and taking a picture of the aura.

Notice the massive amount of yellow.. apparently this means that my mind has been overstimulated with analytical thinking and organization. The energy lady asked me if I had been doing any kind of workshop or internship (hello-- student teaching). She also mentioned that the red and pink surrounding the yellow is my suppressed artistic creativity which she said will come back in focus soon. Interesting. The green at the bottom indicates that I'm anticipating a big change in the near future, such as career change or moving. Both in my case. And last of all, the brown at the center represents my reliance on nature and the earth to stay centered and happy. She suggested I keep a small farm in order to maintain my happiness. I was kind of blown away by how accurate everything was, and I didn't say a word throughout the entire thing. I didn't even give her my name. Not that I suggest you get one taken and live or die by this kind of thing, but it is interesting what our energy says about ourselves.

The end.

Sedona and Jerome

I took a little trip north to Sedona and the ghost town of Jerome, AZ this past weekend with a dear friend. Below are some photos of our adventure. Naturally, I cried standing atop one of the rocks in Sedona... I mean look at it! I highly suggest going for a weekend if you're a fan of fun and beauty.

Jerome

Sedona

Fun Things

These are my two favorite things that happened to me this week:

This gal's new blog

and this little golden nugget:

p.s. yes, the sassy kid dancing up a storm is indeed Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air.