I just have to share!

bald eagle, 6/8/14, cropped

In a happenstance conversation a week ago, I learned that, last summer, a bald eagle was spotted in my favorite kayaking location, roosting on a particular tree in the marsh where I kayak.  It returned frequently to the tree until its mate showed up, and then they left together.  I heard that that the eagle had been spotted in the marsh again this year, though it hadn't been seen sitting in the tree.  Since, like I said, it's my favorite place to kayak, I was there paddling again yesterday.  I looked, but he eagle was not on the tree.  A couple of hours later, after seeing turtles, and geese, and ducks, and a redwing blackbird, and after hearing bullfrogs galore, I decided it was time to leave the marsh and head back down the lake.  I took another quick peek at the tree from across the marsh and there it was: the telltale white spot, like a golf ball in the tree.

Of course, I immediately paddled back across the marsh, and, WOW!  I was (and still am) so excited!  So incredibly beautiful!

I think he was looking right at me...

 Of course, the eagle isn't the only thing I saw in the marsh.  I spotted this cutie-pie below, having a drink.

The day was ridiculously pretty!  Blue sky, puffy clouds, waterlilies, and calm water.  What a nice kayak sojourn; what a nice day!

 By the way - in the midst of all my excitement about the eagle, I totally forgot that I promised to pick winners for my jewelry giveaway, as per last week's post.  I'll select the winners tomorrow, and let you know ASAP! 

We have a winner!

Congratulations!

The winner of my Picasso puzzle give-away is Paper Pear, at http://projectpaperpear.blogspot.com/

She wrote: "The blogging world has saved me from pulling my hair out of my head my first 2 years of teaching!" Now hopefully you won't be pulling out your hair trying to put together a deceivingly challenging Picasso puzzle, because you are the give-away winner!

Thanks to those of you who entered the drawing. I'm amazed at having now 202 followers. I almost hope it doesn't keep growing quite so fast, because I relish the friendly conversations that we've been having, and I don't want to get to the point where I can't keep up with it all. Happy Blogging everyone!

200 Followers!! Time for another give-away!

I started my blog early last May. Here I am, one year and 216 posts later, and today I opened my laptop to see that 200 people are now reading what I write!! Huh???!!! WOW!!!
*
I'm amazed by the power of the blog. For many of us, particularly those of us who teach in small or geographically isolated districts, we do most of our planning independently, rarely getting the chance to share ideas with others in similar positions. Blogging has changed that. We share ideas back and forth, we make suggestions, we find ways to change up or improve our lessons, we offer pats on the back (that often don't happen in our home district), and I believe we find some true friends. It takes away the isolation, and I believe makes us better as teachers! Yeah blogging!!!
*
So back to the give-away - the photo above is the cover of a Picasso painting puzzle, which I am sending to one lucky follower! The puzzle was purchased used, from Piece Time Puzzles in Northwood, NH, but we recently assembled it and therefore I can guarantee that no pieces are missing. (They sell a lot of used puzzles and they are always just like new, nice and clean, and I've never gotten one with a piece missing. Great store!) Anyhow, it's a 500 piece puzzle and more challenging than I predicted.
*
So - if you want to be entered in a drawing for this puzzle, leave a comment to this post, with an email address so that I can contact you if you win. Please leave your comment by midnight on Wednesday April 20th; a winner will be selected by random drawing on Thursday the 21st.

And a big thank you to all of YOU, my readers, who put up with my brags about my kid and my occasional rants!

Book Winners! Ta Da !!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!
(I like to have a photo to go with my posts, and I couldn't easily locate a congratulatory type photo, so instead here's Sparkle, Lucy's "baby", emerging from her dragon-egg.)

Well, hubby just drew the names from a bucket, and we have two fine winners! The winner of the Keith Haring - I wish I didn't have to sleep book is Mrs. Picasso, at http://mrspicassosartroom.blogspot.com/ and the winner of the Blue Day Book is Kathy at http://gallery2404.blogspot.com/. They both have terrific blogs to read, too!

Congratulations, ladies!!

Book give-away!

About a week & 1/2 ago I hit the big number of 15o followers (and now, just a few days later, I've got 164 - Yikes!). Anyhow, to celebrate I said I wanted to do some sort of give-away, and that's what this post is about.

*

For my readers who've been following the longest, you know I've been teaching a long time and expect to retire probably June 2012. And I've written that I wonder what I'm going to do with all my "stuff", as I definitely am an art room hoarder. So I've begun to look at what I have, and what I actually use currently or will use, and what I won't or will want to part with. It's going to be tough. I want to get streamline a little at a time.

*

I've started with the books, and picked out two that I'm sure someone will want more than me. The first is an adorable Keith Haring book, I wish I didn't have to sleep. It's a terrific book, just gently used, but somehow I never have been able to do a good job teaching Keith Haring and making the connection for kids. I know someone else will do better, and they 'll enjoy using this very creative book.

*

The second book, The Blue Day Book, is a sweet book, and a great teaching tool for Picasso's blue period and monochromatic color, but for some reason I never remember to use it until too late. I want to pass it on.

*

SO - if you want to be entered in a drawing for one of these 2 books, leave a comment as to which book you'd prefer by the end of this Friday (the 18th), and a way to contact you if you win (an email address). I'll admit I don't know how to do one of those "random number generator" things that a lot of bloggers use for giveaways, and I don't care to figure it out. I'll just put all the names in a bag and have my totally impartial hubby pull the winners. I'll announce the winners on Saturday!

*

Thanks for reading my crazy blog.......