As I drove home this evening, the gray clouds hung about the eastern mountains like the smoke around mount doom. My eyes traveled up the steep slopes to the fireworkian display gracing the mountainside. Like lava flowing from the volcanic depths, the bushes and trees near the top of the mountain emitted shades of deep maroon, rich amber, and pumpkin orange as they seemed to spread the changing of the seasons one to another, flowing down the mountain in a lava-ish landslide of rich, burnt color.
I felt the fresh air billow about me in shimmering folds as I cranked the stereo, and the strains of Jars of Clay wafted through the early evening air, breathing in the smells which spelled autumn.
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I can’t tell you just how much that I look forward to the onset of Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love fresh pumpkin pie, dressing in costumes, leaves falling in a myriad of rainbow showers, and crisp mornings that invigorate the lungs and mind.
There are times that I wish the season would last a few months instead of being so brief, but unfortunately it is not to be. It just makes me appreciate the time I have all the more.
The tinder has been set, and the tree outside my kitchen window has already begun to spark, the green in one small patch has turned to bright, sunny yellow. This is just a precursor to what is yet to come.
I look forward to the onslaught of autumn, and the entire forest igniting into flames.
It always seems to happen to me. I find a new blog. I’m excited. Then I see that they have somewhere in the vicinity of a thousand posts. I read five or six of them going back. I feel overwhelmed. I give up on the archives and start to read from this point forward with the new posts and will maybe go back and read the archives when I have time. Yeah, like never…
Sound familiar?
In thinking about this dilemma I always seem to encounter, I wonder if others feel this same thing.
Of course you do…
As a remedy, today I read through my previous 722 posts and picked out what I felt was the best of what I’ve written over the past three years. Then, I created a link below the topbar photo which provides additional links narrowed into categories. The link is titled, ‘The Best of Archive.’
In reality, this is just like a Greatest Hits CD, but without the music.
I present to you the following categories:
Humor – Stuff that I thought was funny (or made me smile) when it happened.
Thoughtful – Things that made me think. Deeper stuff.
Favorites – A collection of those posts I just really enjoy.
Moments with Joey – A link to the boy who makes us all smile.
Summit Valley Memoirs - Stories of growing up in the Pacific Northwest.
Taking Better Photos – A link to all of the lessons in one easy click.
You’re welcome.
And since I posted this new page with all of the links, I’ve decided that I will be taking a week off from the blogging scene. This’ll give you a chance to catch up.
So, until a week or so, happy reading. But don’t feel obligated to do so. After all, why read over the best stuff you’ve already missed out on at least once?
Of those most favorite things I had in life, Sundried Tomato and Basil Wheat Thins had clearly made the list—most especially because they are…how do I say it?
Amazing?
A party in your mouth?
Akin to heaven and all that is good in the world?
Regardless, it was about two months ago that this particular variety of Wheat Thins was on sale, and at an unbelievably cheap price at that.
I was shaking my head in disbelief as I found myself walking out of the local grocery store with twelve boxes of them packed away into shopping bags. I was thinking at the time just how crazy I was; after all, there would be no heavenly way I could eat all them before their expiration date in April.
Fast-forward to this afternoon.
The pantry had been emptied, the last box having surrendered its last dregs of wonderful, basily goodness. Not a single one of these little, golden delights was in sight. I purchased three more boxes at a not-so-good sale price. I can only ask myself why I didn’t purchase an additional ten boxes two months ago…
Then I remember the fourteen boxes of cereal I threw out over the weekend—some of it having expired back in 2008.
Yeah, I’m kind of like that.
If I keep this up I just might have to start attending Wheat Thins Anonymous.
I’m convinced that the world would be a much better place if there were more peanut butter.
Really.
What else is there that brings such supernal happiness and joy to the world?
Nothing.
It all started out about a week ago when a certain someone—whom I’ll choose to let remain anonymous so as to protect their identity (for the sake of this post let’s call her, ‘Rachel’)—brought a nondescript paper bag into my classroom and put it on my desk. All in all, it was very much like the drop-off. “You leave the money and I’ll get you the goods.” Very cloak-and-daggery.
Upon the completion of the school day I remembered the bag I’d seen ‘Rachel’ put on my desk. I was soon to discover that it contained a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup heart—a large, 5-ounce monstrosity made of pure, unadulterated goodness.
Intending to only sample a small portion, I opened the package and took a tiny bite. It was wonderful. It was practically teeming with moist, peanut-buttery goodness enveloped in a cocoon of love.
Can I just share here that I love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? Mind you, this is only so long as they aren’t outdated…old RPBCs are just about the nastiest things in existence; I put these akin to the Whitman Samplers where one is taking their taste buds on a kamikaze mission with every piece in the box. With these it’s always one of two things: gross or grosser. I’d rather gargle glass—great, big shards of it with pointy edges.
But this post is not about glass garglage, but about Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. One small taste led to another, and before I knew it, the Reeses heart had been completely consumed—much to my dismay.
I ventured to the local supermarket, hoping to find another that would be reasonably priced.
Nearly $5? I think not.
I decided that I’d wait until after the holiday in order to pick one up for a steal. Therein lay my mistake. You see, I’d intended to go out at the earliest possible hour—before the scavengers swooped in with their biddy, clutching fingers, and heaped their carts to brimming with after-holiday goodness.
The vultures.
Unfortunately, I was working on my photography website last night—far into the early morning hours. When I finally crashed, I slept in later than I’d anticipated. It wasn’t until sometime in the early afternoon that I even remembered my mission.
Racing to the nearest store, I encountered a great, big, steaming pile of nothing.
Over the course of the next three hours—and eight different grocery stores—I came up empty-handed. I realized that I’d made the cardinal mistake that I’d made two years ago. Even if you'd been a frequenter of this blog back then, you’d probably not be aware of this little fiasco in which I was Reesesless. After all, I don't think I posted it to the world. One would think that I’d have learned a valuable lesson though, and not made the same mistake yet again.
No comment.
So, is the world a better place? Not as of yet, but I’m still hopeful. After all, there is always Easter.
By the way, you probably won't want to click HERE. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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I was recently issued a challenge to list 100 of my favorite things. Ah, a contest of words...The gauntlet has been thrown down, and the ball low lies in my court. How could I possibly pass up such an opportunity?
My thoughts exactly.
However, one would be prone to wonder...why aren't certain things mentioned in said list? Why are they put in that particular order? How come this or that was not mentioned?
To answer each and every one of these burning questions I must deflect by simply stating, not all of my favorite things are listed. After all, then whence would lie the mystery and mystique?
So, by all means just realize that this list is not all-inclusive, nor is it in any particular order. In other words...it is what it is.
Reading
Rollerblading
Dancing
Barbecues
Friends
Friends' friends
Facebook
Blogger
Instant messaging
French Fries
Dr. Pepper
Staionary
Texting
Stamping
Christmas decorating
Gold chains
Bath and Body Works
Scented candles
Periwinkle shirts
Frosting
Aprons
Die-cuts
Scrapbooking
Singing
Love
Valentine's Day
Talking for hours
Dating
Long phone calls
Pina Coladas
Walks in the rain
Healthy foods
Exercising
Yoga
The feel of the ocean
Dunes of the cape
Chocolate dipped chocolate
Sunsets
Rainbows
Haircuts
Gardening
Pillows
Ruffles
Meditation
Sounds of Nature CDs
Oprah
Sheri Dew
Milkshakes
Not getting dirty
Twilight
Unicorns
Pretty flowers
Gossip
Giggling
Relief Society doilies
Fluffy poodles
Truffles
Stickers
Bubble baths
The Notebook
Chapstick
Jane Austin
Shopping
Raindrops on Roses
Whiskers
Kittens
Brightness
Copper kettles
Warmth
Woolen mittens
Brown paper
Packages
String
Girls
White dresses
Blue satin
Sashes
Snowflakes
Noses
Eyelashes
Silver
White winters
Melting
Spring
Cream
Colored Ponies
Crisp apple strudel
Doorbells
Sleigh bells
Schnitzel
Noodles
Wild geese
Moon
Wings
Biting dogs
Stinging bees
Remembering
Feelings
Feeling bad
So bad
As you probably guessed, that list above was TOTALLY real. What can I say? Tell you what, I'll even give you my second list of most favorite things...
The desert - How could one not love this place of sublime beauty?
Being alone - Sometimes, I just need that time away from everything and everybody.
Good friends - Those to laugh with, or a good shoulder to lean on.
Teaching - My students bring me some of my greatest joy...and deepest sorrow.
Mentoring - I sure do miss those boys sometimes.
Family - For those present and absent from my life.
Books - I'll forgo titles, but just know that there are a slew of them.
Forests - There's nothing like an evergreen mountain forest, is there?
Hiking - As well as good health to allow me to do it.
Camping - Can anything compare with spending a night out beneath a star-strewn sky?
Photography - If I haven't said enough about this in the past, then I've not expressed myself very well, now have I?
Writing - We all need an outlet...this is only one of mine.
Music - It washes the spirit and awakens us anew.
A home - Four walls to protect and warm.
Hot showers - There's no better way to start off a day.
Cafe Rio - If you've not eaten there, you have no idea of what heavenly delights you're missing.
Clouds - There's something to be said of the grey, swirling storm clouds.
Rain - Bring it on...the harder the better.
That song - You know the one...you've got yours, I've got mine.
Location - There's something to be said of living in a place which gets all four seasons and a white Christmas most years.
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups - What can I say? Gluttony comes in small packages.
Digital home cinema - When the movie is your house, it is a great place to be.
A conscience - Not that I always listen to it, but it's nice to know it's there...someplace.
Readers - There's something to be said in having people read what you write - and leaving a comment every once and awhile.
Democracy - There's too many other places where this is not available. Thank heavens for being born in the United States.
Email - How in the world would I ever keep in touch with people out there? Oh, I guess Facebook still works...
Random anonymous acts of kindness - Can't say anymore about that here, otherwise it wouldn't be anonymous anymore, would it?
The guitar - I'm not Clapton, but I can hold my own and impress fifth graders with my skills.
Autumn - By far the greatest of the four seasons...no, not the music group.
iPods - When you have the ability to carry around 27,000 songs wherever you go, you feel pretty special.
26 less than before - One day, I'll blog about this.
Remote controls - Oh, how they make my life more better.
Mail - To open the mailbox and find that letter or package is just enough to make my day.
Shows like LOST, Supernatural, Smallville, Castle, The Office, Firefly, and Voyager - Enough said.
BYU Fudge Brownies - With a scoop of French vanilla ice cream, drizzled with caramel, and slathered in strawberry sauce. This will be in heaven.
Accomplishment - There's something to be said of a job well-done.
Air - What would we breathe without it?
Flying - I just wish that I had this ability without a plane.
The Pacific Northwest - There are things about it which I still loathe, but I really do miss this place. Summer was a good time to 'see' it all again.
Freshly-mowed grass - That smell wafting about on the summer breeze is simply amazing.
Christmas trees - The white twinkle-lights and tinsel bring with them their own kind of magic.
Headlamps - What an amazing invention...they really help with caving or hands-free hiking and climbing.
Heroes - The world can ever have enough of them. I have mine, you have yours. Perhaps even one or two of them are the same.
(lack of) Migraines - Stopped taking the meds and have only had 2 or 3 since November.
Sunsets - The flood of color in a nightly painting on cloud. Breathtaking.
Laptops - Imagine how hard it would be to lug around a desktop everywhere you went.
Rescues - Yeah, I needed it twice.
Cell phones - Saved my life on more than one occasion. I anticipate that they will continue to do so in the future.
A job - Look at the economy - we should all feel fortunate.
YouTube - What video can't you find on that thing?
Bread, straight from the oven - When you smell it, it's like somebody left a window open in the kitchen of heaven itself.
Twilight - I've got to make fun of something...
Prayer - How often it has come in handy...
Memories - The good, the bad, and those which haven't been repressed.
Notes from students - No matter how crummy a day just might go, one of these seems to make it all go away.
Musicals - I have only been to 5 or 6 in my life, but those I've attended were AMAZING.
Forgetfulness - There are just some things better left off in the halls of yesteryear and out of sight and mind.
Breakfast for dinner - Hash browns, blueberry pancakes or French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Maybe a glass of orange juice as well...
Microwaves - Dinner in under a minute? Sounds like a blessing to me.
I would say Dr. Pepper, but I kicked the habit. My name is Teachinfourth and I've been sober for three months, seventeen days...
Maple bars - Manna of the gods.
Clothes - I think I've said enough about that.
Indoor plumbing - Trips to the outhouse would be mighty chilly this time of year.
Humor - Without it, my life with be a postmoral...well, bad.
New beginnings - Who doesn't appreciate a 'do over' every now and again?
BBQ grills - Baked hamburgers and steak? I think not.
Medicine - I had a kidney infection once, thank Allah for antibiotics.
Electric razors - Because shaving with a blade is a pain in the neck.
Hair gel - Something's gotta keep this do doing what it does.
A CR-V - Has there ever been a better vehicle for on, or off-roading?
Deodorant - I think this speaks for itself along with toilet paper and toothbrushes.
Multivitamins - It's all about getting healthy without necessarily having to eat that way.
Cinnamon gum - Not only does it combat bad breath, it tastes good, too.
Helpers - When those people come in to help out in the classroom and are not upset when I have to finish teaching before I can get them going on something.
Wheat Thins - Sundried tomato and basil to be exact. If you haven't had any, I highly recommend it.
Candles - There's something about the smell they give and the ambiance they provide to a home.
BluRay - Have you seen one of these movies before?
Glasses and contacts - Try seeing the world through bleary eyes - yeah, it isn't any type of picnic.
Being loved by others - Yeah, it's totally NOT underrated.
Visitors - It's always nice to get those every once and again.
Imitation - When a student comes to school with their hair spiked all over the place it just makes my day.
Siblings - For the good and the bad they give.
Halloween - Not too many horrible memories of this amazing holiday.
Giant Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Eggs at Easter - Bring on the chocolately, evil goodness. Two this year, please.
Steak - Marinated just right, this delight is about as good as it gets.
Jars of Clay - If you haven't listened to them, you really should.
Moms - I have two. I love them both.
Dad - Things weren't always so great between us, now I can't imagine a life without him in it.
Strawberries - Dipped in chocolate, over ice cream, or just straight from the plant.
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The flash of light ignited against the other side of my closed eyelids; that’s probably what awoke me from a restful slumber. The low, guttural tones of thunder followed only moments behind it, chased by the rain. The glorious downpour smattered down upon rooftop in cascades of monsoon. It layered the sidewalks in shimmery wet, inviting worms to surface for schoolchildren to step on as they make their way to my classroom later this morning in this watery-shimmered world.
I moved through the house with lights off, attentive to the wondrous orchestra playing all around me—reverberating through the four walls and ceiling—and even permeating through the very earth below me.
Light flashed, bringing to life the images hanging on the walls of my home for a brief moment of time.
Exhilaration.
Windows were thrust open, and the sounds were fully welcomed into my world—or I into theirs. Above, the lights of the city reflected off of the dark, twisting clouds as a train whistle pierced the darkness from someplace off in the distance; a melancholy souvenir of places far away, and stages of summer I loathed, yet hunger to live again.
But for now, the rain continues to fall in its eternal drizzle from the skies above me, and the August rushing of wind hits the trees in my Olympic-sized backyard, adding to the ensemble which continues to acquire its musicians.
Like before, I am prepared to meet with a smile whatever challenge is here to greet me today,
You see, my sister showed up not too long ago with this magazine advertisement for a photography contest. According to the official rules, a photographer is allowed to enter this contest and ‘showcase’ a sampling of images which summate their photography experiences.
So, I have a decision. I have to pick approximately 12 images to submit should I choose to do this. However, there is a problem. You see, I feel that my photos are like children, I simply cannot choose a few of them as my favorites without offending all of the others.
Now comes the favor…
Would you help me to decide?
Now, this doesn’t have to be painful…in fact, you could just let me know (if you have a minute and feel so inclined) which of the shots from my photography website (or this blog) is your favorite(s). Oh yeah, if they don’t have a name (such as on this blog) would you just briefly describe them?
Thanks, in advance.
Teachinfourth
P.S. Sorry I’m not all that eloquent tonight…after 6 hours of parent-teacher conferences, I feel like I am going to drop.
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Do you have a favorite book you like to read at Christmas time? Mine used to be The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, but a score of years ago I discovered another book which has become my seasonal favorite—and it has remained number one since that time. In fact, it’s up there with my top 10 all-time favorite books as well.
Every Christmas I faithfully read this book to my students; they in turn come to love the story too.
The name of the book? A Return to Christmas by Chris Heimerdinger.
What I probably love most about the book is how Chris is able to hook you with a wonderful storyline, and you find yourself dying to know how it can possibly pan out—but trust me, it does.
Read it.
You won't regret it, I promise.
By the way, I found that you can read the first chapter online HERE, plus a the first page of chapter two. That is, if you’re interested.
Pin ItHave you ever had a movie which, after watching, you just wanted to stand up and start cheering?
While I admit, these movies are very far and few in-between, there are a few which have made their way into the annals of my mind. I was recently contemplating which, if any, movies I’d recommend for anyone and everyone; there was one movie which came to my mind which I would recommend without any hesitation whatsoever:
Searching for Bobby Fischer.
Never heard of it?
It’s odd to me that most people have never heard of this truly amazing film. Whenever I watch it, I find myself totally blown away; not only from the brilliant cinematography and the wonderful score, but from the fantastic acting. Ben Kingsley (as Bruce Pandolfini) and Joan Allen (as Josh’s mom) both play their roles well, and I always find myself amazed at their deliveries. Additionally, Laurence Fishburne (Josh’s “potzer” friend and mentor, Vinnie) does a great job and is very likable. However, the most surprising is the unbelievable performance from Max Pomeranc AKA: Josh Waitzkin.
A brief synopsis of this movie could be written as thus:
Josh Waitzkin is an average boy. He loves baseball, pizza, and playing in the park. Also, he’s 7 year-old chess prodigy, only nobody realizes it. When Josh’s newfound ability is discovered, his father immediately thrusts him into an unfamiliar world of competitions where winning is everything. Though Josh’s instructor tries to get him to be as aggressive as Bobby Fischer, and to win at any price, Josh is determined to not succumb and lose himself in the process of becoming the best.
There are many scenes which I love in this film, but there is one which really stands out where Josh is having a lesson with his instructor, Bruce Pandolfini:
Bruce: Do you know what the word contempt means? It's to think of others as being beneath you, to be unworthy of being in the same room with you.
Josh: I don't feel that.
Bruce: Well, you better start. Because if you don't think it's a part of winning, you're wrong. You have to have contempt for your opponents. You have to hate them.
Josh: But I don't.
Bruce: They hate you...They hate you, Josh.
Josh: I don't hate them.
Bruce: Bobby Fischer held the world in contempt.
Josh: I'm not him.
Though this film contains many thoughtful scenes, as well as those of humor, it is not about chess. Well, it is, but not really. It’s more about the lesson of decency, family, and doing what is right, no matter the consequence. I could go on for pages about this extraordinary movie, however, the best thing you could do is to watch it yourself. In this I can make you a promise…you won’t be sorry you saw it.
There is a lot that I need to blog about, however, tonight is not really the night.
I listen to audio books...I read blogs.
I have subscribed to several of them.
Like the reading favorite novels, these blogs have become a ritualistic reading for me each week. Some of these blogs are comedies, which make me laugh out loud…literally. Others are adventures which leave me on the edge of my seat, wondering just what the characters are planning to do next. But mostly, these blogs are dramas, taking me on a journey into the lives of characters I’ve come to know and love…people I’ve come to regard as friends.
Like new episodes of my favorite TV shows, I look forward to new seasons with the characters, finding out how their individual stories are panning out, as well as finding out what new twists are being added into the various and sundry plots—known as their lives.
I do have one blog in particular, one which I always save for last. Like saving the sugar-wafer cookies which always came in the banana splits from Jay-Rob's Pizza, it has become the proverbial icing which really makes me feel like I’ve enjoyed a full-course blogging feast...
Those who read this blog (who’ve made at least one comment so I know you are a reader), just know that I read your blog as well.
