Little Orange Wildflowers

I love these dainty little flowers, I just discovered them last year!!

Day One: Autism is no fun.

I can do puzzles.

I cannot recognize the word that is my name. I do not know that it starts with a 'C.'
Sometimes I can say my colors but not red. I hate red and you can't make me say it ever.

I will walk down the long hall with you and follow the colored tiles but I don't know where I 'm going. I don't even know this place is school.
My special friend is a squishy, yellow duck and I like to squeeze him with my fingers.
Somedays I will say a word over and over again.
Peepeeaboda peepeeaboda peepeeaboda.
It's up in my head and it just has to come out.

I can do puzzles.

Carmelite Monastery

Located across the street from the park, the monastery has always been a mysterious place for me. You aren't allowed in and the nuns who live there aren't allowed out. Packages have to be passed through a little porthole in the door. Do they ever gaze out and see the wonderful park they have so close? Do they ever get the urge to walk the trails and enjoy the trees and the grass and the squirrels and the birds? Does it make them feel closer to God to be stuck up in a monastery? I'd rather be out enjoying nature, God's wonderful gift to us!

Walking Track: The Park

This is one of the older parks in our city. I love walking here because of the trees. I've learned to identify quite a few because of the little brass plates in front of the different species. On week-ends, the park is filled with families and kids. Also, a definite smell of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs; which makes it difficult for fitness walking!!

The House Next Door

As I have mentioned in a previous posting, we are getting new neighbors. Here is a pic of what it looks like coming down our street. I thought it would be kind of fun to post a picture every so often to capture the progression from "under construction" to "finished house." I don't feel like I'm being intrusive because nobody lives there yet. On another note, I am saddened by the loss of so many trees, after all, they were my non-human neighbors. Such is life!

A Sub's Prayer

I just realized that if the baby comes early, I might find myself in front of a classroom full of first graders tomorrow. In order to prepare myself, I've composed a little prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for keeping me safe and allowing me to enjoy another wonderful, carefree summer. As this school year has started, help me to motivate my students to work diligently and to respect those around them as they gradually grow into strong citizens of this world. Give me enough patience to deal with a classroom of little children "telling me how to do it," and the humor and fortitude it takes to make it through the day.

What is hot weather good for?

Growing roses of course!! As you can see, my Henry Fonda is thriving!!