Shades of Green

I am not a hot-weather person, and have no desire to live in the south as so many people I know say they would like to do. While I do not LOVE the cold winter weather, I generally find it bearable, and in recent years have reacquainted myself with skiing so as to have something to do and to look forward to about winter. I am not too fond of air-conditioning, and since I don't have a pool, the weather around here suits me perfectly.

Summers in Western New York are just gorgeous. Greenery abounds, and even in urban areas, there are trees all over the place. Today, as I turned on Main St. after a trip to Tops, I was struck by the varying shades of verdant colors all grouped together, and I just had to take a picture.

Another School Year Ends

Today was the last of school for the year. It is bittersweet, this day, while I love these kids, and will miss them, it is beyond true that we all really need a break from school. The last few days are always difficult. We're trying to finish up things, trying to clean up things, and trying to say goodbye without really saying goodbye. I have to pretend not to notice all the whisperings and furtiveness as students pass things around to be signed by everybody. Then, when they are finished, a designated student or two bring me a note saying how much they love me, or that I am their best teacher ever, signed by everybody.

Today also ends my era of teaching fourth grade. I am moving to third grade in the fall, and while I don't mind really, I am anxious about the challenge. There are things that I really will miss, most of all working with Phil and Eric. We have been partners and friends for many years, and I just always sort of assumed that we would be forever. But times change, and this time has ended. i realized the other day that the students who just finished 4th grade will graduate the year I will retire. So... Onward for 8 more years.