Don't be afraid of watermelon!

What a beautiful month of September - the geraniums, roses, and Black-eyed Susans are keeping my back yard in a state of beauty and we are still eating most of our meals on the patio. My everbearing strawberries have had a very tasty fall crop. I love going out and picking fresh tomatoes and zucchini.

But fall is in the air. Yesterday when I stopped at my favorite produce place, the 4 Seasons Farmers Market, there were no Hermiston watermelon. I asked the proprietor if they were done for the year and he said yes, most likely. "But did you notice the black watermelon?" "Yes," replied I, "but I was afraid to try them." He assured me they have great flavor and yes, the flesh is pink like a normal watermelon. I consented to try one. He judged my selection as too soft and went out to choose just the right one for me. He helped me carry my fresh local corn on the cob, nectarines, apples, cantaloupe and watermelon to my car. After I closed the trunk, he shook his head and said in a slightly scornful tone as he walked away, "You don't need to be afraid of watermelon!"

Ok, so I wasn't afraid of watermelon, duh. What I meant was, I didn't want to spend money on something that we might not like.

And speaking of awesome produce, the strawberries at another fruit stand, the one 7 Mile Lane just off Hwy 34, are delicious! I got a flat for half price ($10) because they had been picked the day before.

And what about the black watermelon? The family liked it. It has a good flavor, but the texture is a little firmer. I definitely prefer the normal beautiful green watermelon! But I'm glad I tried it and I will try not to be "afraid" to try a new fruit again. At least if I am, I won't admit it in the hearing of a produce store proprietor!

Weekend Whimsy

Today the forecast called for temperatures in the mid 90s, but we beat the heat by driving out to Newport. It was a little breezy on the beach - ok, it was actually downright windy. So we found a sheltered spot up on the dunes where we could put our chairs and see the ocean as well as watch all the kites flying. When Will decided it was time to fly his kite, I once again witnessed his curious magnetic effect on little girls! There he is, just minding his own busines, trying to get his kite to take off...

...when two little girls showed up offering to help. One of them ran off with her own kite, but her sister stayed to assist. I heard her tell Will, "I might know more about kites than you do!"

Sad to say, by the time she got done "helping" Will, his line was hopelessly tangled, and we won't mention how long it took him to get it straightened out!

Yes, flying a kite is a blast.

You just never know what might happen when you go somewhere with Will. Last night we went to watch my nephew Duane play football at Santiam Christian. (Great job, Duane, but ahead 65-0 at half time?! Really!!!) At the admission table, Will was in front of me and the gal there motioned him forward and stamped his hand. I thought it was a little odd to do that before we paid, and I had the money. Will stepped back behind me, I paid and stuck out my hand to receive the stamp. The woman saw Will behind me and gasped. "Did your twin brother just go through? I just stamped the hand of someone who looks exactly like you! He's even dressed like you!" I said, "Yes, it's really embarrassing at their age, they still insist on matching their clothes whenever they go out. I'm trying to break them of it!" Oh my goodness!

Tomorrow it's only supposed to get up to 92. I think I will soak up and enjoy every morsel of warmth while sipping iced drinks in the shade of my back yard.

Please do not grade my writing!

The warm evening air surrounded me as I sailed down the road on my bike, accompanied by a plethora of sights and smells that enhanced the cycling experience. The odiferous scent of sheep dung accompanied me for a good part of the journey. Fortunately the delightful aroma of sun ripened blackberries wafting across the road negated the former nose-wrinklng redolence. The golden orb of the setting sun in the pink western sky and the reflecting light glowing on the diminutive clouds clustered across the eastern sky reinforced my belief that the sky is one of creation's most scenic wonders. I congratulated myself that I did not disturb the twilight calm by shrieking when I nearly ran over a coiled snake on the road. I went by Tyler's memorial in the park and inhaled the sweet fragrance of the petunias there, while trying not to be too grumpy about the empty Pepsi can that I had to get off my bike to pick up.

I am indeed fortunate, after a busy day working with awesome teachers and students, that I can come home and enjoy relaxing on my lovely patio as I listen to the fishing adventures of my happy husband, and then take a bike ride in the country.

Today I walked a visitor down to our Basic Skills classroom and enjoyed observing those awesome staff members caring for the special kids there. It was such a calm and happy place, with so many things going on with different students, including a busy boy crawling around who I managed not to trip over! I know it can't possibly be that calm and happy all the time, but it was really cool to be in their environment and see how caring those staff members are with challenging needs of students. I need to get out more!

Sunday in church, Pastor John asked us to think about our most influential teacher. My high school Creative Writing teacher came to mind. He encouraged, complimented, and laughed at things I wrote, but the main thing I remember he said was that I needed to work on my descriptive writing. That was 34 years ago. It's never too late. I thought I would start working on it tonight! I believe long sentences were sometimes an issue also. I don't want to even think about what kind of grade or comments he would put on my first paragraph! But it was fun coming up with it anyway!

I have so much respect and admiration for all my friends who are teachers and classroom support staff. It is a very noble calling! Sometimes I wish I would have become a teacher...