Jeanie's Writings and Musings

21st century calendar

2011-12-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

Every where we educators go , we hear the new buzzword, "21st century skills" or "21st century learner". However, we are tied to a 19th century calendar. I have been pondering this lately and have come to the belief that we really can't be 21st century schools until we revamp the calendar.

Here are some ways I feel we can over haul our calendar to gear ourselves up for the 21st century. Of course, we should already be geared up because we have entered the second decade...

First, we need to change our school hours to reflect the working day of most parents. Should this be 9 - 5 or 8:30 - 4:30? I am not sure because every community is different. Many students spend at least 2 hours unsupervised at home each day. Doesn't it make sense to have students get home from school about the same time as their parents. This is such a simple solution to the big problem of juvenile deliquency, that it probably won't ever get done.

Why? It makes too much sense. Of course, the biggest argument you hear against is that athletic practices would be too late into the evening. Take a look at the percentage of students who are athletes in your school - should we really have such a small percentage of people dictating our the course of our school day?

After doing a little research and reflection, I also believe that students should go to school Monday - Thursday leaving Fridays open for teacher planning days. Many teachers attend worthwhile conferences but, must miss class to do so. Having a fifth day each week would allow teachers to create lessons, collaborate with their peers, attend conferences and meet with parents. During these tough economic times, a few northern school systems have tried this with great success. They are finding that test scores are soaring! Again, another so simple solution, that it probably won't get done

Finally, we need to recreate our calendar. Why are students off all summer? Parents must scramble to find summer day care sometimes at enormous expense. Students should have short breaks between each grading period and longer breaks between semesters. For example, a week off between each nine weeks grading period and then 2 - 3 weeks for Christmas and 3 - 4 weeks in the middle of summer. Think of this as what my English teacher used to call the "let it jell" period. Kids need time for their brains to process all the new information they are collecting.

Will any of this ever get done? I doubt it. But, at least we can ponder the possibilities.

Genealogy and family history

2011-07-10T03:32:00.000-07:00

So, I have really gotten hooked on Genealogy. I have found out so much! For a history teacher, this is like manna from heaven!

I joined Ancestry.com after receiving a free trial at a workshop. I splurged after it was over for the world membership. I have traced my family back to Scotland and have found that my ancestors came over in the late 17th century as part of the head right system. My sixth great grandfather has even had a book written about him. How cool is that?

What makes this unique for me is that my mom was not raised with her biological family for whatever reason. (She doesn't talk about it and her brothers and sisters all tell me different stories.) So, I knew absolutely NOTHING about my biological family on that side. With the help of my mom's sister-in-law, I have been piecing together the puzzle.

I have found that I had an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War in Virginia (hello to the DAR!) and an ancestor who was a Confederate Soldier in the Civil War. (He actually fought where I grew up - how freaky is that?) I also found that my grandfather was in the US Navy during WWI. Pretty cool, huh? I must say it is very settling to find my connections after all of these years.

I am working on my dad's side of the family, but, they are from Kentucky and a little more difficult to learn about. Apparently, Virginia kept really good records of people's coming and goings. Kentucky, not so much.

I found a new magazine called Family Tree Magazine that had a great article about finding your Appalachian roots. This has been very helpful. Their article about familysearch.org was helpful as well. This has become a great new hobby for me. Have you tried finding your family history? Let me know if you have!

Its been a lovely cruise!

2011-07-05T04:57:00.000-07:00

WOW! Is the only way I can describe our first cruise. I have to say that I can't imagine a more perfect setting for our 25th anniversary trip. We were catered to, pampered, and fed. I think I have had the perfect vacation!

We flew out of Charlotte, NC to Miami which is a short flight - just under two hours. We had purchased transfers on and off the ship so, that was no problem. We just found the lady with the Carnival sign and showed her our receipt. The bus took us straight to the port. The only problems on that day were the very long lines. Waiting to board the ship in the hot Florida sun was not pleasant. I remember thinking that if the entire cruise was going to be like this I was ready to go home! (I had heard from friends that the ONLY bad part of a cruise was the lines.) However, many veteran cruisers waiting with us assured us that this was not normal! We did find out later that there had been a medical emergency on the ship the night before which made her late for port - so, they weren't quite as ready for us as they should be.

The second day was Key West. Rande and I took the pub crawl late in the morning. We had a great time. I have to admit that I don't remember much after the second pub. But the island is beautiful! I must say that I would like to go back there when I have more time and less alcohol! I would also like to see more of the island earlier in the year. I am thinking March maybe?

Our next stop was Grand Kayman. We elected to do a kayaking tour of the island which was a lot of fun. We had two person sea kayaks which turn out to be very stable. We learned a lot about the mangrove swamps and some of the creatures in the area. We even got to touch a type of jelly fish! AND, believe it or not, I did a bit of snorkeling!

Lastly, we stopped in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. After the busy day before, we decided just to chill out at Margaritaville on the beach. After running the gauntlet of Jamaicans who want to sell you everything from weed to a ride three blocks away, we made it to Margaritaville. The beach was really beautiful and the pool bar was a hit! Rande says I can have a pool now - if it is just like that one!

Of course, all good things must come to an end. So, we are now back to life and back to reality....The question is....who is going to leave me a folded towel animal every night and a chocolate on my pillow!

Latest Project

2011-06-25T04:30:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a following the MODGE PODGE ROCKS!blog all summer and have been inspired. Last week, I made a remote caddy for our basement from an old sticky note holder that I found and a world map.

This is only my second modge podge project but, I think it looks pretty good. It took me awhile to get the air bubbles out but, after I did, it turned out like I wanted it to. I used a two sided map on a clear container so, the map show through with a different design on the inside of the container. I liked that effect.

Evernote

2011-06-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

I tried Evernote this week and have decided it is the best new app out there. If you haven't seen it...it's worth a look.

This app is free and can be downloaded onto your computer and your droid phone. Then, you can sync up notes and/or pictures. I am sure this app does other things as well, but, so far, these two features are the ones I have used the most. The best part? If you don't have access to your computer, you can access your Evernote online! Wow, a to do list that I can have at home, school, or where ever!

I have been playing around with using Evernote to take pictures in my phone. This is great because they are already on my computer when I get there. Then, I just opened them up in paint to save the image as the file type I needed.

In the meantime, the notes feature has allowed me to make to do lists for my vacation. I can open up the app on my phone and see those lists anywhere. I can edit the list as I complete the tasks. The notes feature is similar to any basic word processing program so, I am sure that you would find many other uses not, just to do lists. For me? I can't get things done without a list - so this is a life saver for me.

If you don't try anything else this summer, try Evernote. You won't be sorry!

If it's Wednesday it must be Grand Caymen!

2011-06-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

We go on our first cruise in two days! I am so excited! I can hardly stand it!

I have been checking things off the to do list all week. I took my daughter to WV to stay with family while we are gone, finished the laundry, called the banks and credit card companies, printed all the documents, stopped the mail, and made packing list. I just need to pick up some sea bands for my husband, pick up newspapers and pack my suitcase!

Twenty-five years ago we went to Nashville for our honeymoon. We couldn't afford much. We did do a dinner cruise on the General Jackson, visited Opryland, and the Grand Old Opry. To me, a vacation just isn't a vacation unless there is an ocean involved. But, over the years, I guess I have learned to appreciate visiting lots of different places. Back then though, I would have rather been some place a little more romantic. So, we promised ourselves a cruise on our twenty fifth anniversary.

Here we are...our twenty fifth is next week and we are keeping our promise. I paid on this trip for an entire year and have been saving my pennies so that we can splurge a little while we are gone. Way more romantic don't you think?

If you have any tips or tricks you would like to share with us - the cruising novices, please share!

Week 3.

2011-06-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Finally! I found some lithium batteries for my camera! Any other batteries just don't last long enough. I end up spending way more in the long run. I won't get back to working on my kitchen again until Thursday but, that's quite alright. I did get the curtains up and the shade back up. Rachael repaired the shade so that it works better now than it ever did!

As you can see, I am not done yet!

New curtains over the planter window.

Cooking area. After I finish all the walls, the cabinets are going to get painted!

Also this week, we finally were able to get over to the college and pick up a copy of the LRYC spring concert CD. They are fabulous! I am so thrilled that my daughter is a part of this group. Check them out on YouTube!

I hope to work more on my kitchen tonight and this weekend! I'll keep you updated on the progress!

Cool Cat Teacher

2011-06-13T04:57:00.001-07:00

One of the people in my PLN, Cool Cat Teacher posted this on her blog. I think she hit the nail on the head here.

One of the most important jobs of a teacher during any break is to heal. Working with people is a struggle any day. But to consistently work with people every day with the single minded purpose to help them grow and improve is a calling of great proportions that withdraws energy of great proportion.
When I am blessed with a “break,” I know that I must take “a break” lest I break under the strain. Truly, a tree without water will die and a flower without water parched by the sun will also wilt and die. So to, if I neglect the nourishment of my heart and soul, I will wilt under the pressure of being a teacher.
Teaching is a great calling, a noble calling, and towards this aim I shall ever give my life and soul so that when the last drop of my life is poured out, I shall know it was a life well spent.

Vicki Davis, Cool Cat Teacher

2nd week of summer - kitchen obsessed?

2011-06-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

So, what's going on this week?

My daughter was still in school this week so, I got another week to myself. Monday, I started on the back wall of the main floor of our house. It goes across the entire width of the house which includes the living room and kitchen. I got it primed and cut in before going to get Rachael from school. After dinner, I thought that I would finish the first coat but, alas, my carpal tunnel kicked in so, I didn't get it finished. I just couldn't hold the roller any longer!

On Tuesday, I got the first coat finished after I took my daughter to school. Then that afternoon, I was able to do some touch up painting. The kitchen walls are going to be rather dark when it is all finished but, the cabinets will be light so, it should balance out quite nicely.

Wednesday, was errand running day. I left early in the morning and didn't return until around 4. The best part of that day was "pub night" with my husband. However, I did get lots of things accomplished and I am sure I helped the North Carolina economy!

Thursday, I put the kitchen back together as best I could and decoupaged my switch plates. Nothing exciting on that day I can assure you. Except, I am pretty excited about how the switch plates turned out! Not bad for a first try. I will probably Modge Podge a bunch of other stuff this summer! That stuff is cool to work with!

Friday, I put up my new curtains and cleaned up the little messes I had made in the kitchen over the past week. Rachael and I found the curtains at Anna's Linens on sale for $4.99 each. I needed three valances so, they were a total of just under $15! what a steal! I am out of batteries or I would post a picture of them as well.

So, this weekend? We are supposed to start cleaning out the garage. I need work space so that I can finish the kitchen. I want to set up tables and drop cloths etc so that I can paint some smaller things that will go in the kitchen as well as the kitchen doors.

Wow, I sound like I am kitchen obsessed don't I?

See ya next week!
J

Beginning of Summer

2011-06-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...the summer. A teacher's favorite time of year. Time to rest, relax, and recharge. Really??? Are you kidding me?!?!

In this first week alone I have suffered from a severe sinus infection which landed me at the doctor's office, been to my daughters confirmation ceremony, hosted a tiki bar grand opening party, and finally, been to the speedway to watch the races and hear Rachael sing the national anthem.

Wow!

Today, I prepped the longest wall in my kitchen that runs along the back end of the house. I hope to get it primed and painted tomorrow. There is kitchen stuff strewn all over the house. After I had finished taping off the windows and baseboards, I decided to take a break. I sat on my bed and began to flip channels with the remote. I found myself totally immersed in UNC tv's broadcast of "Anne of Green Gables." I didn't get to finish taping off the ceiling until after supper. Oh well, I guess that is the good part of summer....there is always tomorrow!

MR REPRESENTATIVE: A CHILD IS WORTH A CENT

2011-05-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday, our county PTA/PTO organizations are holding a rally to convince our state legislators that we want to KEEP the one cent sales tax that is keeping education running at the moment. This is NOT a new tax but, an emergency measure that was added two years ago that expires in July. Without this sales tax, major cuts to education will occur. We have been paying this extra penny for two years now and quite frankly, we are accustomed to it. If you look at any economic reports, the most conservative economists say that the economy will not turn around until at least 2015. So, the extra penny tax should be renewed through July 1 of 2016. That should be long enough to get us through this economic down turn.

Now, let me explain to you about our representative. First of all, he is a republican who, for the most part, tends to run unopposed and has be "re-elected" several times. He comes from a relatively wealthy family and has never really had to work. However, he says he understands the working people of our district. From what I have seen lately, he is voting party lines and NOT for what is best for Caldwell County.

I have contacted my state representative many times. He assures me that he will NOT vote for the new tax because the people of our county don't want it. So, we are reduced to holding a rally to prove to him that this isn't true.

Oh yes, I will be at the rally. I will speak my mind and hope that this stubborn man gets it. However, I don't think he will. We MUST remind our representative that he does have to answer to US. He works for US! Mr. Representative: A child is worth a cent!

LRYC tour and Mother's Day weekend in Charlie South

2011-05-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter's youth choir did a tour in South Carolina this weekend. I have always wanted to go to Charleston and haven't ever made it there. So, my husband and I came down here as well. I have had a really nice mother's day weekend.

All my life I have wanted to see Fort Sumter. I never got to go. Well, yesterday, we went out on the first tour boat. I was not disappointed. What an awesome place. I can understand now why it was so important to our coastal defenses and why the Confederates needed it so badly. I never really understood why there were so few men stationed there at the beginning of the Civil War, but I learned that the fort was only about 90% finished at the time. So, I guess that makes sense. In fact, no men were garrisoned there, but the commander, Major Anderson, moved his men there from another island fort after the succession of South Carolina.

Downtown is really nice and we have had some great food and drink while we have been here. I think my favorite was the little restaurant down the street from the place we are staying. It is called California dreaming. We sat outside and ate while we watched the boats on the river.

I totally enjoyed listening to the choir last night. They are just wonderful. It was nice to see the reaction of people who are not friends and family of the kids. You could tell by the faces that they were just amazed. Makes a mother feel proud...

Today we went downtown to do a little shopping. It's Mother's Day but, seems that my husband got all of the presents! I bought a cute little sign for the breakfast bistro and some pralines! (Can't go home without the pralines!)We also went to the park and watched the little children wade in the fountain. I enjoyed watching the little ones. There was one little blonde boy there who reminded me of my son when he was little. Boy, time really does go by fast, doesn't it?

Now, for all of the mothers out there, here is a video of my favorite of all the LRYC songs....Happy Mother's Day to all!

The Spring of Home Improvement - Spring Break Edition

2011-04-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

According to local news, today is going to start off gray but turn into a sunny warm day. I am looking forward to going outside and doing a little container gardening. All those magazines and blogs say to take your container to the local nursery and ask for help.

Yesterday, I did just that. I took one of my three containers to the local garden center. The ladies there were so helpful. They helped me design and create what I am sure will be some great looking planters. I would never have been able to design them myself. I brought the plants home and put them on the front porch to spend the night. I wanted to be able to get started without having to run off to the nursery first.

So, after playing in the dirt and water on the porch...here is what I ended up with....

Now, all we have to do is hope that they survive my brown thumb!

The Spring of Home Improvement

2011-04-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

For two years, I taught full time and attended graduate school in the evenings. My family was still living their busy lives and my husband was writing a book. Needless to say, my poor house was totally neglected and boy, can you tell!

So, this is the spring of home improvement. We have added a wonderful wrap around deck and have begun working on the kitchen. Last weekend I painted the cooking area. It's the smallest part of the kitchen, so I knew I could get it done in just a few hours. This weekend, I hope to get behind the refrigerator and get that part cleaned and painted.

I'll post pictures later...

I can tell its spring!

2011-04-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's spring and I have caught the spring cleaning and redecorating bug! I have been inspired by the many crafty bloggers whom I follow to do something new and creative around the house. I am beginning to see things come together and am starting to feel quite accomplished.

We are having a new wrap around deck put in by the construction classes at school. It is absolutely beautiful. My husband, the engineer, and the expert construction teacher have come up with a beautiful yet functional design. I can't wait to open it up for the season! Below are some before pictures that I took before we started.

Now, here are a couple that give an idea of where we are going with this whole thing....

I am just so happy with how this is turning out! I can't wait to see how it looks when all the post caps are installed and finishing touches are added. Keep watching...I'll keep you posted...

Reflecting on the Effects of Possible Budget Cuts

2011-04-01T03:47:00.000-07:00

I know that one of the possible ways that school systems are looking to save money is to move away from the newer "4 x 4" schedule in high schools by going back to the traditional 7 period day. I am not sure how this saves money but the powers that be can always do that "administrator math" to prove that it does. However, what I have been thinking about is not the dollars saved but, the loss of individualized and creative instruction.

Yesterday, we had an early release day to allow for district wide staff development. Each of our classes was 40 minutes long much like those class periods when I first started teaching. I tried to keep my class as close to our daily routine as possible. We did our Vocabulary Word (instead of WORDS) of the day, we had our lesson (lecture) and then did our activity. However, there was very little time for the activity. If our classes were this short all the time, the activity would have then been left to be completed as homework.

So, what did I learn from yesterday? That the fastest way to make sure your kids get the information they need is to lecture. We all know that but, we have been trying to move beyond being the purveyor of information and into the realm of facilitator of knowledge. Most of the time, the lecture part of my class lasts only 20 minutes at most. (Unless of course, the kids get to discussing, questioning, or debating...it is Social Studies, after all...) The biggest part of the class is the discovery part or project part depending on the topic we are studying.

If we are forced back to the traditional schedule, high schools every where will become lecture and homework driven. We will actually move backwards through time. We may save money (Mr. Administrator show me that math!) but we will most definitely be losing students!

This Country's Attack on Teachers

2011-03-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

I have watched dumbfounded as this country has right by right, inch by inch, state by state, taken away the rights of teachers who belong to strong unions with collective bargaining. Now, this has turned into name calling and bullying from the conservative right. If you know your history, you see that we are now living in some scary times.

Glenn Beck likes to compare everything to the Nazi's. Well, here we have a direct comparison to the National Socialist Movement and how the party operated. Hitler began by systematically purging all upper level military and government officials who did not agree with him. Then, he went after intellectuals and teachers. Why? because teachers make kids think which is forbidden in a closed society. Are you starting to see the parallels here?

Now, I knew that I would never make much money as a teacher. In fact according to the Hickory Daily Record, I make less than $50,000 a year. That is with a Master's Degree, 45 additional hours, and 25 years (at least) experience. For those of you who don't understand how teachers are paid, we are given an annual salary that can be divided over 10 or 12 months. We DO NOT get paid for being off in the summer ! Some of us just divide our paycheck over a longer period of time. This means that I bring home a little less each month so that I don't go those two months of summer without a paycheck.

This is where the attacks are being made - that we have salaries that are too high, that we have benefits that are too good. I don' t get it. We take care of your children 8 hours each day for FREE! I sit with them when they cry, I route for them at ball games and test time, I worry about how little Johnny is ever going to understand the court system, and I lose sleep at night when one of them is sick or injured - just like they are my own.

Thank goodness for our voice of sanity - Jon Stewart and The Daily Show. Bless you Jon!
Teacher Cribs

French Hot Chocolate | Make and Takes

2011-01-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe from Make and Takes online...it is wonderful. Made the mousse yesterday and am enjoying a cup of the hot chocolate now after shoveling snow this afternoon. You have got to try this! (BTW, I used mint chocolate chips - yum)

Recipe:
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup water
2 cups whipping cream - very cold (I took mine out of the fridge and put it out in the snow as I gathered up my other ingredients, pans, mixer etc...)

Heat chocolate chips, corn syrup and water in a small saucepan. Cook while stirring until chocolate chips have melted. Set aside to cool.

Beat the cream in a large mixing bowl until it forms peaks. Slowly add teh chocolate sauce in a steady stream while beating. After all the sauce has been added to the cream, beat for a few more seconds until it is thick. Put in the refrigerator until ready to use (it will get thicker). It becomes like a chocolate mousse.

Spoon a bit of the mousse into the bottom of your cup. Add enough hot milk to fill the cup. Enjoy!

Check out Make and Takes website where I found this. Lots of good things on there!

Plans and Prayers

2010-07-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

There is an old joke about a man in a flood. He sits on his front porch as the waters rise - a row boat comes and offers him a ride. "God will take care of me" the man answers. A little while later he is sitting on the sill of a second story window - a motor boat comes and offers him a ride. "God will take care of me" the man answers. A few hours later he is sitting on the roof top - a helicopter comes by and offers him a ride. "God will take care of me" he answers. Later that evening he meets God in Heaven and asks "Why didn't you take care of me?" God answers "I sent two boats and a helicopter!"

I am feeling a bit like that man right now. I am supposed to go back to school for my doctorate in the fall but, things aren't falling into place. I am wondering if I am missing the boats and the helicopter. I had three stipulations that I set forth before going back:

The house would be cleaned and reorganized (row boat?)
I would hire a cleaning service to come in at least every three weeks (motor boat?)
I was not going to pay my self - I want a grant or loan (helicopter?)

None of those things have happened. In the meantime, I keep running into other opportunities that have little or no cost that will help me to hone my craft. Am I thinking about retirement too soon? Does God have other plans for me? I have a feeling that I need to step back and listen.

The Great Refrigerator/Freezer Clean Out

2010-07-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the semi-annual great refrigerator/freezer clean out at my house. Now, not that I don't clean out my refrigerator periodically - but, twice a year, I take everything out, even the shelves, wash the refrigerator down inside and out, and put everything back. I do this over Christmas break and then 1 time in the summer.

Its amazing to me the little bits of leftovers I can find that no longer look like human food. Things that have been hiding in the deep recesses of the far back upper shelf! What was that round green thing? Who knows what it must have been in its former life?

The darned refrigerator is the kind that beeps at you when you leave the door open. So amidst all the hard work, I have the negative reinforcement of that darned beeping going off. Even though I could intellectualize that this beeper could be ignored...I found myself trying to work quickly so that I could get the door shut and not have to listen to its incessant tone. After awhile, I heard myself arguing with the nagging beeper - "I'll be done when I'm done...", I told the cruel beeper over and over again. It was almost as bad as arguing with the GPS when I miss a turn off. (But that's a completely different blog post all together.)

All in all, the day was a productive one, I finished the refrigerator/freezer, went swimming and even managed to put together a nice supper. This stay at home mom stuff is for the birds! When does school start? I need the rest!

Fox News and the Founding Fathers

2010-07-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

I don't pretend to be an expert, but, I am a Civics teacher and I DO have a history degree. Does Fox News scare anyone else like it scares me?

On one hand, I am proud to live in a country where people are allowed to express their opinions. People have the right to be as controversial as they please. On the other hand, I am concerned about the propaganda that is espoused by that network under the guise of conservatism. Glenn Beck scares the #$%% out of me. I sometimes feel that he is Goebbels reincarnated. I admit - he is a master manipulator - hmmmm just like the Nazis? Is that why he is so afraid of them?

I got to thinking this weekend about our Founding Fathers and Fox News. How would they have treated these men if they were around today. After all, Fox News is conservative - Loyalists were conservative - so using logic, Fox News would have been anti- revolutionary. After all isn't liberalism sometimes used as a synonym for revolutionary? I can hear Glenn Beck now ranting about George Washington showing up at the Continental Congress dressed in uniform. I am sure he would have been against such a display and obvious attempt for attention. isn't that liberal after all? Would that blonde chick be googling words like tyranny? Obviously she would "pretend" she doesn't understand what it means...like she pretends not to understand anything else...

Take the time to remember that our founding fathers stepped out of the box...gambled their lives, their fortunes, and their honor - which many of them lost. They were the radicals of their time. They took on the strongest military in the world and won. They were revolutionary - or is that liberal?

Canada Days 5 and 6

2010-07-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

The last two days of our little adventure were mostly spent in the car. Rande was determined that this road trip would only take two days...he just about killed me. We made scheduled stops at Lake Placid, Chocolate World in Hershey, PA, and Macado's in Blacksburg. I took a few pictures but mostly these were very uneventful days.

Now that we are home, I find that I am very tired but glad that we made our trek up north....I enjoyed myself and I am finding that I already miss the jazz festival and Canadian Beer.

Canada Day 5

2010-07-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

Spent the day walking and watching the main city of Montreal. There is a unique blend of old and new in the downtown area. We started by walking to the corner grocery and buying some Canadian biere and coffee to bring home. Later, Rachael showed us an underground shopping mall. We ate lunch at McDonald's so that I could add another tray liner to my collection.

I know eating at McDonald's outside of the US sounds a little "off" but, I collect the tray liners and laminate them to hang on the walls of my classroom/office. I use these to teach geography. Kids can connect to a McDonald's tray liner because they have all been to McDonald's. I have them from several different countries now.

We wandered back through the jazz festival and bought a couple of souvenirs from the tents. Since it was mid-afternoon, the jazz festival was still going strong but it wasn't as crowded in the tents.

After dinner, we spent the rest of the night at the jazz festival listening to some incredible and unique bands. One was an eastern European big band style group and the other was a mixture of Native American and French. I loved them both.

au revoir à Montréal

Canada Day 4

2010-06-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Rachael arrived safely at the hotel this morning. We looked out, saw the grey skies and set out for the Basilica. We packed sweatshirts, hats, water...but....no umbrella! Luckily it was only misty with showers as we wandered into Old Montreal towards the Basilica. Once we were there, we were not disappointed.

I was at the Basilica on one of those tours they take school kids on when I was a sophomore in high school. I was so impressed then, that I have loved Cathedrals ever since. Notre Dame was probably even more beautiful this time because I have more of an appreciation for the history and the beauty of the place. Even Rachael seemed to be impressed.

Once the rain started coming down in buckets, we ducked inside a little art gallery type place with designer boutiques. Wonderful to see all the unique designs. We ended up at a little Italian type bistro on Rue Saint Pierre watching Montreal go by until the rain stopped. Afterwards, we came back for a little siesta because tonight.....MORE JAZZ!

Canada Day 3

2010-06-29T05:52:00.000-07:00

Most of today was spent getting here. We crossed the border at 11:15 this morning with no problems and traveled east to Montreal. We got here around 2:30 but our room wasn't quite ready. So, we wandered around old town for awhile trying to get our bearings. After we came back to our room, got settled in and cleaned up, we went out for our anniversary dinner.

We found this wonderful little restaurant over by the river. I had the best steak I believe I have ever had in my entire life! It was a pepper crusted Filet Mignon. I had forgotten how wonderful the food is here!! It started raining, so we ran to the hotel for shelter..

After about an hour, we wandered out to the jazz festival. I really didn't know what to expect. WOW, what a neat surprise! Streets are blocked off, there are stages with bands playing, and people out just having a good time. We saw two bands. Susanna and her magical orchestra and Lulu Hughes et le Montreal All City Big Band. Wonderful!!