Going Back to School & Teaching

when you go into a classroom you never know what to expect; you do your best to have anough material, feel confident that you know something but it still is nerve racking; Wed was the 3rd class for my intro class and the first one after a big holiday; so many freshman and sophromore...so I feel like I am a mother duck and imprinting the "social work" motto...upon them in some way...basically we are still in the honeymoon period but that will change pretty soon; so I might as well enjoy it! The pictures are a reminder to everyone what it is like to be in the classroom. So long ago for me! At least I don't have to wear black patent shoes anymore. I hope the German quote is ok for public viewing..Teach in Beauty.

What do these images have in common? THE SUN OF FLAGSTAFF! Went to Coconino County Fair this morning and volunteered for the Coconino County Democratic Party...such an interesting process; those who come by who want to visit, those who just ignore you, those who sit down and registrar, those with questions, those with children, those with smiles and those who just don't like us! Oh well....Left just before it started to rain; took the free bus from NAU to the Fair; that was fun...saw more friends. Riding the bus can be a fun event especially on Labor Day; someone even shared their carmel corn...Labor Day was established to celebrate the end of child labor! I did not know that; did you? c invited me over to her lovely house next to the golf course; saw woodpeckers, dalmatians, bulldogs, other birds and that was just the guests! The democratic party ran a mock election and when I left Hillary had 172 votes! It sure feels like fall in Flagstaff now...cooler, leaves starting to turn yellow...one more tomatoe today.

My Garden!

This is hard to believe BUT I GREW SOME VEGS THIS SUMMER---i have 6 small pots on the back porch (WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FULL SUN!)...and the flowers bloomed into REAL TOMATOES! So far I have eaten 2 and it looks like another one is turning red and will be ready for harvesting by tomorrow...I have really enjoyed them and considering I DON'T REALLY LIKE TOMATOES...this is really funny! Who would have known? So, next summer here I come tomatoes and maybe other veggies too...I have heard about having a 'green thumb' but it seems I have a "red thumb"---ok, pretty poor joke...but still funny...sure happy August is almost over!

coffeecharchar

just purchased a new "hot beverage system" formerly known as a coffee maker, for a single cup! no longer need to make 10 servings...took me a couple of tries but finally got it to work....md gave me a mini mentoring session on the phone and viola it worked; also put together a lamp! my my char has some mechanical skills! So I would say I am ready for classes to start tomorrow....don't forget tomorrow there will be two moons...our earth moon and mars being at its closet ever! so, go outside and look at the wonders of our universe....we are so small and really nothing is that important...except to love one another and take care of our earth hogan.

Back to School--a theme for this week

I started back at NAU; I will be teaching in the classroom two days a week; I have not been in the "traditional" face to face classroom for almost 3 years. I will be also teaching two classes on-line. Nice to see many friends at NAU today. It will be 3 months on Friday....grief work and more grief work...I hope school will keep me busy and not thinking so much about it. Started an 8 week basic Spanish language class at the adult center with b last week. That will be fun...it already is...so, life goes on...............there is a semi full moon outside my home office window; I guess next week on the 27th we will be seeing "two" moons, Mars and Earth Moon getting very close ===I am looking forward to seeing that event. Space certainly puts my little situation into perspective. I have to keep remembering that I came from star dust and will return to star dust....thanks to everyone who has supported me in this change...you know who you are and I lov you all....Libby is much better and so am I! Ruby and Lib are both sleeping by my feet in my office at home...so cute. Lov them both! Until the next time---walk in beauty

Goodluck Symbols

This is for my dad, Charles Tsoi Goodluck who passed away today (8/15/73) in Ft. Defiance, AZ. I miss his love, humor, hugs, smiles, and gentleness.

Hunter Green sorta Day

Bought some "Hunter Green" spray paint yesterday; what a find!!! I went wild today; painted the ole black mailbox; the foot stool; numbers for my address re Ascona...sealed the new backyard steps from the porch; attended a Spanish lesson with Bob at the Adult Center; 3:00 to 4:15 PM; then went to co-teach with ck re "uu artulating our faith"; s said it was really good to see me laughing again...she had tears in her eyes! I feel the same way. Took J and M lemon bars since they have been so sweet to me; looked at the stars with a; lovely night; bright stars and planets; Mars and Venice...I love outer space and the edges of the universe. We are basically all made of "star dust"---miss "the girls"...start school next week! That will be hard re my summer "news"...just smile and say ?????? The picture is from the Dine Nation; love cows!

A Democratic Day

Just returned from the State Democratic Party summer meeting in Prescott; about 75 miles south of Flagstaff; saw so many people I know and traveled with a new friend, Irene. Attended the Native American caucus in the morning and the state meeting in the afternoon; just an interesting process---have you registered to vote? Please do! These are some flowers from a friend, Fay Kelly who can be reached at her web site.

Libby-4 U

Dear Libby, You are loved by t and myself; you bring joy to each of us; you are cheerful when I am not; you are full of energy and I am not; you are spirit filled and so are we. I am so happy you are getting better and more of yourself; Ruby your sister has been low since you have been sick; she will feel much better when you are healthly, able to run, and play. Ruby and I walked on the pipeline trail this morning, over an hour....she is sleeping right now next to me in the living room. Ruby will be going over to t place tomorrow so you can be with Lib. Thank you for being our Lib! Pretty soon you will be walking and running in beauty.

Pictures from my Portland trip in June...my dear friend, K left today; it was wonderful spending some quality time with her and other friends all weekend long..

My computer is back!

I just got my home computer today; then the "outlook" program went down...My dear friend from Montana, K is in town and it is so nice to see her! She gave me some sage from a Sundance she attended in Montana about 2 weeks ago...it smells so fresh. I am so happy she is visiting. My dear friend from 30 years ago called me yesterday from Albuquerque....we met in Phx in the mid 70's...Blessing to both my dear friends and their love, support, and hugs.

Chickens Rock

In honor of all chickens and hens...thank you for providing us with all the eggs; I am learning about your characteristics, types, and food habits. Thanks to Hope for her knowledge re "chickens/hens".

Rain Rain Rain--Don't Go Away

We are being blessed with rain, rain, rain....the pine trees are finally getting something to drink---I love the smell of rain....and the cool breeze it brings...such a lovey way to be---walk in beauty today and always

Faces of Art

Picasso's lithograph of "a face"; so interesting to have such a combination of colors, angles, characteristics, etc. Today was very interesting seeing new faces at our UU picnic; went to see "Sicko" this evening---living in France, Canada, Cuba with their free health care system sounds pretty good---we have so much in the US but we are so sick as a human culture; we need to learn to give more and have less. I am seeking to have this as my motto..all my new friends, thanks a bunch!

Thursday, oh my

Still having "computer blues" --have two computers on my home desk and they do different things and it is driving me crazy....rain sure is helping my blues. Really, it gives life and I am growing too so I am having growing pains. My tomoto plants are blooming and two have tiny green fruit on them; sure hope the grasshopers don't have them for dinner! Love all the blogs with lovely pictures of flowers, fountains, kids, etc. Later....

Altered Book Workshop in Flag

Attended a 2 hour workshop on designing backgrounds for altered books. There were 6 students and a very good teacher with lots of patience. Some of the techniques I already knew about but others did not. Made some pretty paper with inks and alcohol on photography paper; interesting images and designs with very unusual bold colors and textures. Hint: it is very messy so wear gloves (I did not) and now my fingers are blue, orange, and pink! Crazy day with my Mac and PC....I want to work on my on-line classses and can't seem to get a working computer! Darn it anyway. I have a "black computer cloud" over me this week; hopefully, it will get better next week. Many of my friends have been calling me; it is up and down constantly and several times during the day....I know I will feel better sometime just don't know when. Went on a long walk tonight and saw a beautiful sunset with pink and orange showing through the clouds. Almost forgot, Happy Birthday Dad.....long ago... Good nite everyone.

Thanks for Computer Geeks at SBS

My files were all saved...that sure was good news for me since "my life" is on that computer---still no computer to work on at home but the dvd's are on the desk with me, safe and sound. Who would of known that the problem was: CAT HAIR---too much hair inside the computer re the fan/cooling device...it could have caused a fire...thanks to HP for that not happening...found this poem on Ali's blog and I love it and it applies to my life right now... Guillaume Apollinaire : Come to the edge. We can't. We're afraid. Come to the edge. We can't. We will fall! Come to the edge. And they came. And he [she] pushed them. And they [she] flew....[with lots of help from my friends]

Computer crash:Char crash

Basically a horrible day due to my home compter; took it to the office and it is being worked on now; hopefully, the files are all okay----if not--oh well, more adjustments for Char

Some Art and Fun Around the Hogan

A variety of pictures from today....Libby and Ruby (cute dogs) are back with me for awhile; I sure missed them; Son and Baby Son are the two cats who own us; scarf is a type of cactus from the Museum of Northern Arizona; poster from the 13 Annual Navajo Studies Conference; the stained glass globe is in my kitchen; I just love the colors...so "Laugh" out loud like the quote states; the picture of me tonight and an altered picture L1 gave me; Ophie is not here cuz she is very shy and she is outside anyway; just playing...So lots of fun and art for tonight. The pictures are loaded in reverse. Enjoy your evening and peace for the night.

July 4th---Independence Day

Little did I know how independent I would be this year....had a lovely brunch with j and m at Little America; too hot to go to the parade; went to a party at f and n at their beautiful house in Fox Glen---love their sense of style, color, and art. Meeting many new people and having some fun. J and M have been "emotional" bookends for me during this very difficult time of adjustment to my new situation. Love to l, d, and h who are in Indiana at a very special time in their life. I lov you r and l and miss you very much....this picture of m, j, and myself was taken last June 2006---we look pretty good! I saw my first iphone tonight---it is incredible and such a fun toy...Changes in life!