Julie R Fricke

Well well well, it's starting to seem like summer. Though, unlike previous years, I haven't been DESPERATE for school to end. Reason #2, I have to be right back at the regular work location the very next monday after school lets out to teach a summer program; but more importantly: #1a, my students are still cute. #1b we're doing cool things like swinging around cups of water to demonstrate to ourselves that centrifugal force does exist.

The hills began to be less green a week or two ago. I have been enjoying driving home past the fields and watching swarms of swallows zooming through the blue blue sky. I always have had my eyes on the hawks. To me they are a sign that the world is not yet empty of nourishment for the wild things. Are there more swallows now than before? Perhaps so. I know there are more bluebirds. But when was the last time you saw (heard) a meadowlark?

Life at home is, as usual, "Hotel Balligan" (Israeli for barely controlled disaster) The dishwasher has broken. This would not be a problem except that most other members of the family are paraplegic when it comes to dishwashing by hand. We called a repairman who looked at the dishwasher and declared it not worth repairing. Then we asked him to check the ice machine in the freezer. This also was declared dead beyond redemption, though could be repaired for a measely $250.). After a $55 service fee he left. And the ice machine has worked ever since. Ha!

Having 2 year old Marcus living here is more entertainment than anything. We are considering putting in stadium seating for the bathroom, since there are likely to be two to four adults popping in to check the action whenever he takes a bath... m&m's for using the potty!!! Plastic fish flying out of the shower doors! bubbles galore!
And you thought YOUR hot tub parties were exciting!