Back to School

The first day of school

The new school year began September 2. Although I am smiling in the picture, I sure was feeling a little sad! I had a really fun and productive summer and I didn't really want it to end. Boohoo. I am returning to Elm Lawn as an educational assistant (EA) and will continue my work in the library, a kindergarten classroom and, also, providing supervision at recess. I feel very lucky to work at such a good school and I really enjoy working with Joan, the head librarian, and Annie, a kindergarten teacher. They both are very supportive, fun and interesting women.

Not much has been going on here. Mark and I pretty much ended the summer with the dogs in quarantine...so we spent most of our daily morning walks with them in 1 of 2 places. We would either take them out to the Mazomanie Marsh or to our good friend's property outside of Black Earth. Although pretty and a favorite spot of Mingo's (Mark has taken him pheasant hunting on the public lands out there),w alking in the marsh proved to be trying at times because of the number of mosquitoes. Very annoying.

Our friend, Todd, has about 125 acres of land outside of Black Earth which he said we could walk on--Mark also received permission from him to bowhunt there this autumn. There is a gravel road on the property and a couple of hillsides planted with "Christmas" trees, but that's about it, no house, no farm...just some nice views and pretty trees. And mud wasps that seemed to only go after Mark.

We enjoyed our walks in these areas, but we certainly are relieved that our dogs are healthy and fine to interact with other dogs again. Mingo and Lily really like to be with their friends.Just a tiny showing of a vegetable harvestBritches checked out a quilt I just completed