Bullets of update and photos of catch-up

• Internet went down last night, just minutes before I came up to post. Grrr.


• Rain here this evening. Lovely! We always need it, and I always welcome it.


• OldManDog's vet appointment was pushed off to tomorrow. He seems to alternate days in how spry or old he feels.


• Out of the classroom today for training on our all-in-one student management system: attendance, referrals, contact, data repository, and gradebook. Sounds cool, right? Except their gradebook SUCKS! I am so disappointed. I shall practice civil disobedience next year if they try to force us to use this gradebook. And how am I supposed to be a good salesperson to other dyed-in-the-wool Easy Grade Pro users (it's a heavenly program, comparatively speaking) if I myself hate the beast? If I have to keep two sets of books, I will, but I will not use their gradebook program. Why can't districts actually consult the teachers who have to use the programs before they decide on which stupid company to go with?


• Out of the classroom tomorrow for cleaning of this filthy house before family members come from the bible belt to stay. Nice to have another day away from the kids (I love them, but come on -- it's a day away), but lots (lots) of work to do.


• POM is starting a calculus for teachers class. (She teaches junior high pre-algebra! But she needs it for her credentialing stuff.) Her textbook is entitled, Calculus Made Easy. If that's not a classic oxymoron, I don't know what is. (Heh.)


• Catch-up photos below:

Scar. They came and took the tree yesterday. I hope they replace it soon; apparently they're dealing in sycamores these days. Sigh. (Sniff.)

Series: Old Man Dog.

Being awfully interested, sticking his tongue out, and look terribly cute.

FatKitty panthers in the garden in the afternoon sun, plays coy, then prepares to pounce on LittleKitten (whose tail can be seen in the corner of the second photo).

It's poetry month, so I shall attempt more poetry this month, though I won't commit to the daily thing, because it's already a big enough commitment to doing this photo blog thing every day. Here's a hasty haiku. Caveat: It's crappy; but it's a beginning and Annie Lamott says we're all allowed to write shitty first drafts, so...

SoCal Rain

pavement dusty dry;

drops begin, slow, then harder;

my heart fills, rises.