Fish Puzzle

Finished another puzzle! This time it was Freshwater Fish of North America.

Just because...

A picture of this good looking', happy couple... just because I feel like it!

The day I have dreaded

Today is the last day of school and I have completed my 30th year of teaching. My summer vacation begins today. Now, you probably think I am excited beyond belief. Well, yes AND no. Yes, because I am eager to have my summer vacation. But also no, because this is a day I have been dreading for the last 6 or 7 years. Why? I'm glad you asked.

When I started my teaching career in August of 1991, retirement was the last thing on my mind. However, I knew that teachers could retire after 30 years of service. As I worked my way through the 90's until approximately 2013, I could see retirement drawing ever closer with each passing year. Then my world was turned upside down when the State Teachers Retirement System's Pension Board changed the requirements for retirement. Within the blink of an eye the new law stated that teachers must work 35 years instead of 30 to receive their full pension. Do you see where I'm going with this? I just completed my 30th year, and under the old law I would be retiring TODAY. Yes, folks, I woulda, coulda, shoulda been retiring this very day... May 29th, 2020. But worry not, my loyal blog readers. I have a good attitude about this. I know that God is sovereign, and in his perfect plan I am, by His grace, destined to work for 35 years. I am thankful that God has provided for me and my family for 30 years. It's a good job. It's very stressful, but it's a good job. I have a good attitude about this though. It's easy to get caught up in thinking about what could have been, but it doesn't do me any good. I have 5 years of teaching remaining and that's not a lot. Especially when you consider I have 30 years in my rearview mirror. Now, if you'll excuse me, my spot at the 'ol fishin' hole is calling my name. I may not be retired yet, but it IS the first day of summer vacation.

Lago Vista Resort

The pool at Lago Vista Resort is officially open for the season. The water is cold, but the pool is ready for swimmers nonetheless. Looking forward to a good summer around the pool!

A whacky year

If this had been a normal school year, tomorrow would be the last day of school and would bring to a close my 30th year of teaching. As it stands, tomorrow is my last day of "remote teaching", and concludes my 30th year of teaching. In honor of parents home schooling their children the last two months, I share this little tidbit. And honestly, I can't argue with it.

New Puzzle

I ordered a new puzzle online. The website is puzzle warehouse.com

What kind of puzzle did I buy? A fish puzzle of course. Tami and I really, really like this one. It's a a nice, high quality puzzle.

Another one down!

Finished another puzzle!

Whew! That was close!

Whew! That was a close one! Scared me there for a minute!

Stairs Project

I finished my stairs project. The first photo shows what the stairs looked like when the carpet was first pulled up. The second photo shows the bare wood ready to be painted. The third photo is the painted stairs. The fourth photo is the completed project. I just wish I had taken a photo of the ratty old carpet on the stairs before I started. Oh well, you can get a pretty good idea of the before, during, and after from these photos.

Not gonna happen!

The CDC has come out with guidelines for public schools when they reopen in the fall. Read through them yourself and form an opinion. Here's my opinion... Ridiculous! Never gonna happen. Most of these guidelines are either impossible or very unlikely to happen. In theory, they're great. In actual practice, they are highly impractical.

Hey CDC! How about handing down some guidelines that are "doable". They may not be the height of effectiveness in preventing disease, but you have to have something the kids can and will do.

Rest Areas

The economy is a mess! Look how the Department of Transportation is cutting costs on Rest Areas... RIDICULOUS!

Birds

In high school I took advanced biology, and a major part of that class was bird identification. Since that time I have been a big fan of birdwatching. My Grandpa Meyer was a big birdwatcher too. As I was leaving the house this morning, a beautiful Northern Cardinal caught my eye. It's mot a great photo, but it's the best I can do with a phone.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Tami and I have gotten into jigsaw puzzles while in quarantine. It helps pass the time and it's quite relaxing. I have noticed one thing though... with my eyes getting older, it's so difficult to see the minute details on the tiny puzzle pieces. We're having a lot of fun though.

Here's me looking at the microscopic details on these ridiculous puzzle pieces:

Who IS that?

Tami happened upon this photo yesterday. It was taken on our honeymoon in late July 1991. It seems like a lifetime ago, yet it seems like only yesterday. One thing I noticed... my bride was breathtakingly gorgeous then, and she is ten times more beautiful today. I am a blessed man!

Yahtzee

Still on lockdown

I'll let you connect the dots. Aren't you beginning to smell a rat?

TRUTH

The lies of the Democrats are starting to catch up to them... FINALLY!

Open?

Open?

One way!

Grocery stores are getting ridiculous. What's next? Traffic lights where aisles intersect? Speed limits for carts? I guess the free sample stations are places where I can refuel.

Ice Cream Cones

Raise your hand if your favorite part of ice cream is getting down to the cone and getting that wonderful combo of ice cream and cone. (*Me raising hand repeatedly... I do! I do! I do!)

Hear me out on this one. Somebody needs to make ice cream cone pieces shaped like nacho chips. That way you can dip your "chip" into the ice cream and have cone and ice cream with every bite. Million dollar idea? I think so.

Thank You!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Also... Policemen, Firemen, Garbage Collectors, Restaurant Workers (carry out), Delivery People (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL), Hardwares Stores etc...

Parade

The St. Bernard Elementary teachers and staff put on a parade for the students and parents today. It was our way of saying, "Hello", and "We miss you!" The turnout was amazing (for both the participants and spectators). A good time was had by all... and it sure was good to see my students!

Here we are getting ready to line up:

Preach it, Freddie

Freddie Mercury is ABSOLUTELY right. Today's music stinks!

A wonderful surprise

So it happened like this...

Sunday afternoon I looked out my front window and saw that someone had placed a sign in my yard. It was not facing me, so I couldn't see what it said. My first reaction was not a good one. WHO IN THE WORLD PUT A SIGN IN MY YARD????? I thought it was a political campaign sign or advertisement. No matter what it was, somebody put a sign in my yard, and did it secretly and without my permission. I quickly went out to investigate and remove the contraband sign. When I got outside my shock was incredible. Someone from my school put this sign in my yard for Teacher Appreciation Week. It turns out it was my principal and some of her helpers. I was touched and moved by this gesture. My first reaction was so negative, only to be so pleasantly surprised by what it was. Thank you to all responsible for this act of appreciation.

We can help

As businesses slowly begin to reopen, let us not forget those who lost income over the last 6-7 weeks. I am thinking specifically of hair dressers, servers, bartenders, and anyone else who works in the service industry. Here's what I'm thinking... What if everybody who gets a haircut, gets served food, gets their nails done etc... gives an extra tip over and above the normal tip. For example, if you get your hair cut, and the cost is $30, and you would normally tip $10... instead of paying $40, why not pay $50? Just as a one time shot until these people get back on their feet. Think about it for a minute. For those of us who have not lost income, or can afford it, what's an extra $10 to us? Just think if a person gives 15 haircuts in a day, and everybody tips an extra $10... that's an extra $150 in one day, and an additional $750 in one week. What's $10 to me? A meal at McDonalds, a six pack of beer, a trip to the Dairy Queen. Nothing. $10 is nothing to me. Let's all pitch in and give those extra tips. These people desperately need it, and we can all help!

Star Wars Day

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you!

How old are you?

Let's play a game. How can you get somebody to guess your age without telling them the year of your birth or flat out telling them how old you are? I'll start:

Video games only worked on channel 3. How old am I?

There you used to be a number you could call just to find out what time it was (PA1-1770 or 721-1770). How old am I?

Your house had a phone number. (641-3930). How old am I?

Asher defeats Corona Virus

So this was just about the cutest thing EVER! Last night Jessi sent a video of Asher relaying his "encounter" with the Corona Virus. I wish I could post the video, but I don't know how to take a video from Instagram and put it on the blog. If you want o see it, just go to Jessi's Instagram page (jessimmorton). Notice there are two m's in middle. Anyway, if you can't see the video, here's the transcript of the conversation...

Jessi- What did you see?

Asher- Corona Virus, it was like...

J- What was it?

A- Corona Virus. I run inside, and open the door, and closed it.

J- You saw the Corona Virus outside?????

A- Yeah!

J- What did it look like?

A- It was smoke.

J- It was smoke????

A- Yeah.

J- Is that what the Corona Virus looks like?

A- (covers his mouth with his hand) I was running like that (mimics running motion)

J- I'm really glad you didn't catch the Corona Virus. Are you going to be able to go back outside?

A- Yeah.

J- OK.

A- You can do 'dis... (covers his mouth and nose with his hand and leaves) BYE!

So there you have it, folks! Asher's foolproof plan for battling the Corona Virus. If you see the Corona Virus outside, run inside and close the door. When you go back outside, cover your mouth and nose with your hand. It looks like the Corona Virus has met its match! Quick! Someone call the CDC!

Mayday! Mayday!

Time is flying! Mayday is here. I can't believe the calendar turned to May 1st today.