The weather in my neck of the woods:

Our weather is becoming more like what we are used to here in the Sunshine State…a bit windy but that is what March is all about.

A simple pleasure:

Sleeping until 9:00 because my wonderful husband let the dogs out before he left for work.

I am thankful:

That I love my home.

From the kitchen:

Still not doing real well in that area.  I did make meatloaf this weekend and it seems to be serving us well as leftovers. Other than that it’s chicken or tuna salad and the occasional fried egg sandwich (yum!).

From the learning rooms:

Sam continues to excel with Virtual School. It really suits her learning style.

I am (still) reading:

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It is a very intense novel. I believe it will find it’s way into the category of “literary classics” much like Dostoyevsky – one of my favorite authors.

On My Mind:

Reading The Historian has really had me exploring my memories of times spent “researching” in libraries. I love researching and am thankful for the Internet. However, I believe students today are missing out on the wonderful sensory experience of traveling up into the “stacks” in search of ancient (well, they weren’t so ancient when I was a student…he..he) volumes of well worn and well loved literary works. There is something comforting to me about being in a library “surrounded” by so much knowledge waiting to be “opened” up and “explored”. The smell of an old book is like an exotic perfume to me.

One of my most favorite memories is exploring the top floor of the library in my “hometown” of Franklin, Massachusetts. One of the most unique features of this library is that the second floor had glass floors!!!! Did you know that it was America’s first public library??? Now you know.

Another one of my favorite libraries was in the town of Medway, Massachusetts. It was an old farm house. A new modern library has now been built but here is where I used to sit (at the church across the street under one of those beautiful trees) to read my day’s “bounty” before heading home on my bike.

Hearth and Home:

Worked diligently on my “backyard” side garden over spring break. Back breaking work…but oh so worth it. The bird feeders are up, the birdbaths are filled with fresh water, the winter poinsettias are now planted along with containers of tomatoes, yellow squash and red sweet peppers. A job well done and very satisfying.

I laugh:

Because I think I can lift a 40lb bag of organic garden soil and not pay for it the next day.

Inspirational Prayer I’m  Sharing:

Lord, the pull toward responsibilities away from home is very strong. I forget that all my work to help others must start with the precious souls you have placed closest to me. Please help me love them first through my words, actions, and time.” ~ Erin Keely Marshall ~

A picture thought I am sharing:

Old Faithful (Marbles) and his not-so trusting sidekick Psycho Girl (Snickers)