I Love Fishing!

Lilley's Landing
Summer 2012

Yes! I have to admit, I love fishing! My dear Dad would take us fishing as a family. At the time I never appreciated the sport. It was more of an adventure than a fishing trip. We fished for crappie, catfish and perch. While my Dad fished the big stuff, bass! We mostly fished off of the banks of a lake or near a spillway. But when we went fishing it was an all day affair. We would pack sandwiches, and then stop at the store to pick out our favorite "Shasta" drink to put in the ice-filled cooler. In those days, sodas were a treat reserved for special days. Dad would set up our cane poles to fish off the bank. Then he started in with his fancy gear. He would set at least 2 lines in the water. Oh, how I wanted my own rod & reel! If we wander away or started throwing rocks in the water, that was the end of our fishing time. Dad didn't have time for that nonsense! If we were willing to sit still and watch our line, he would let us keep fishing and help us restring or re-bait our hooks. But if we didn't sit patiently and wait, and we lost our bait....well, no more fishing for us. 

Dad would stretch the day into the night, by building a campfire. Mostly for light and warmth, but also to keep away the East Texas mosquitoes which are the size of hummingbirds. That was probably my favorite part of the day. The smoky smell, the comforting warmth. Sitting with your back to the fire to look out on the smooth lake, you could see no other light, except gillions of stars in the clear sky and the moon.

I will continue to fish at every opportunity. The last time my Dad went fishing, we caught nothing! I took him and my Mom to Lake Taneycomo. We were only there for a few hours when a terrible thunderstorm blew up fast. 

I lost my Dad December 2012. I know he has scoped out the best fishing spots on the crystal clear river. He is talking with some famous biblical fishermen, and I know they are have a great time! When I cleaned my first trout....by myself, last year....I thought about how proud Dad would be to see me just jump in there and cut away! I will always love fishing! Thanks Dad for the memories!

Music Room Behavior Chart

I needed a way to accurately record behavior in my classroom. 

My Challenge:
Since I see the students only once a week, there is no time to waste in class.  If there was a behavior issue, I would have to stop and discuss with that individual student. That takes a lot of time.  I was also looking for a way to motivate the students to participate.

Solution:
With this system I will direct the student to put their name on a "sticky note", then place it on the appropriate sign.  At the end of class, I will know what needs to be recorded in the classes behavior binder.  And, students that choose to try harder will have a positive incentive.

Behavior Chart:
I went with a music theme, Rockin' Music Time.  Each of the cards has a music reference.

Outstanding =  If a student reaches the top chart, they are allowed to fill out a reward ticket to be placed in a drawing for a prize at the end of the month.

Super = First step to greatness!

Ready = Everyone starts here at the beginning of class.

Think About It! =  This is a 1st warning level.  They will  need to make smarter choices.

OOPS! = They did not make a smart choice.  Now it is the Teacher's Choice for consequences.

All I have left to do is punch holes to add rings and hang it from the wall.

New Year!....Egg-in-a-hole!

I fixed Nathan's favorite breakfast today! Egg-in-a-hole! Lots of butter, fresh bread and an egg. And don't forget to toast up the little left-over hole! They make great mini toast.

1. Spray a non-stick skillet and heat to medium or med/high heat.
2. Cut a hole in the center of your favorite kind of bread. (I use an old plastic medicine measuring cup.)
3. Place the bread in the skillet and put a pad of butter in the hole. When the butter begins to melt, move the bread around to start soaking up the butter on the bottom.
4. Break an egg in the hole. When the egg begins to firm on the bottom, flip and then cook to desired firmness.....over easy, medium or hard. My family likes the soft/over easy yoke, because it soaks into the toast and tastes so buttery!
5. You might need to add more butter once it is flipped. Just place small dabs near the edge, or lift up the edge and place them underneath. Don't over cook!