Practical in-home coverage

It's been a little while so here I am. I have selected this color type as it almost matches the color of my morning toothbrush. My evening toothbrush is deep blue. By the way, I have two toothbrushes because a dentist whose name I can no longer recommended it, suggested it as a good dental habit. So, you decided if his suggestion is wise, but keep in mind this color is like soft grass, or light flowing through leaves. My blue one matches the blue evening skies, particularly the incredible skies here at the Oregon Coast. The Pacific Ocean is a wonder.

Beyond colors, toothbrushes, morning and evening nature scenes, I am now almost completely moved in. I have a few projects yet, particularly a clothesline of hooks for my hats to decorate a wall in my small bedroom. Most are various brightly-colored ball caps. I love those hat and they suit me--sporty and fun. I have a few others--a couple that make me look like Audrey Hepburn (not close at all but vaguely), a racing hat, and one that makes me look like a newsie. That's to be done this week. Plus a rather quirky project to replace the vertical blinds in the back wall of my townhouse.

To give you a bit of a visual, the house has a vaulted ceiling that creates a huge feeling of space in the living area, and also makes the back wall all windows, and a sliding door to the back deck. This wall of windows allows a wonderful view of trees and plants, plus a family of deer. The speckled twins are breathtaking beautiful and adorably cute. I am watching them grow out my window.

Outside these walls, I train as a library volunteer on Monday. I am planning to put in 2-3 hours on Saturday afternoons. I definitely asked not to put plastic covers on paperbacks--I am terrible at that, don't even wrap presents well. I will probably shelve books, and read them--going over others work and just fixing up mistakes. I would also like to help with children's activities as allowable. The other library job that appeals is tracking down the hold requests as this can be items all over the library--they even call a detective hunt.

If possible, I want to get the SMART training. It's a program here in Oregon that is Start Making a Reading Today. Adults read with select younger elementary students for two sessions a week. Has good researched results.

Then it's time for subbing in the schools in September. With three budget cuts, local schools consolidated classes and released some teachers. Even though there was a special ed opening, larger classes were the solution which is really too bad. Hopefully, next year will be better. Beyond that, I will poke around for other jobs working with kids--head start, social service/transition programs..

Well, that's my update. Nothing too philosophical. I realized that I can all my bills withing walking distance or online. That was a eco-friendly discovery. I also realized that I can drive from my home, 22 miles south to Newport, and then east on 20 to visit my daughter and return in one day. It's a nice drive. They are well.

JD

Life on the beach

Actually I walk on the beach almost every day. Sometimes the wind makes it really cold. Still a little jetty from the "D" river flows under a bridge and sweeps through the sand into the surf. The water is quite warm, a haven for children, and a wonderful place to make sand castles or fill tonka truck with sand then dump it out to start all over again.

I, who vowed not to bring "coast-y" things into my home as I already live here-not a tourist--have started collected hard black stones with holes in them. I believe it is a symbiotic relationship as the holes appear appear to be dug by clinging fauna. Some are quite large and sturdy. Others are very small, as if they chipped off, and dissolve into tiny pieces if handled too roughly. Anyway, they are beautiful in an elegant black way. The holes often make the rock resemble a key or hook or other common element in our lives. I have them decorating from my from garden areas. I also have an array decorating my old Nike shoes--one of the first pairs over marketed to the public--blue with the yellow swoosh. In fact, the postal woman slid my graduation certificate behind the shoes so that it would not bend!

I am getting to know my neigbors, who are by and large women over 50. We do have two young couples, and a divorced guy who is very nice. The most affable tenant is Kay, a traveling nurse practitioner, who will be with us for 3 months. As we have so many medical professionals in my family, she and I relate quite well. I also am the bearer of the extra set of keys for a month, which compels me to meet everyone. Kay is a delight and I will be sorry to see her go.

Nothing too prosaic this time. I have found a fourquare church on 22nd--about 25 blocks from me. On good days, I can walk in under an hour. Very strong sense of faith and I have made some female friends already. The church has dipped in attendees so that I am about the only new person which brings me lots of attention in the meet and greet time. One new friend works in the same school district that I hope to and has invited me out to lunch.

One of my neighbors wants to see Eat, Love, Pray, or whichever the order is with Julia Roberts next month. A local theater still in the period of an organ for silent movies is the site. It is a rare experience, and one I recommend if you ever come visit me.

Happy Sunday!

JoAnn

"JD"

A time to think, read, and "remodel"

The comfort of being at the beach everyday is incredibly soothing. In the evenings, I read a broader range of titles--in bed. That has always been my dessert--reading in bed. Our little library has an eclectic assortment of dvd's and even vhs's. I have been able to enjoy some of the most well produced BBC series, such as Foyle's War, Inspector Lynley, and Ballykissangel.

At present, I am watching the A & E version of Pride and Prejudice. I could almost state the dialogue word for word, but it never ceases to amaze how rich the setting, the plot, the acting, and the web of characters that Jane Austen created.

In the "remodel" or rather decorating, I am making good progress. The loft which is to be my office is a bit of a challenge, but a afternoon here or a morning there seem to make the project less daunting.

This is a "Faithful recording of all my dealings with 248 SE Keel Ave., Lincoln City, Oregon"

JD

One goal down

In my profile I mentioned that after completing my teaching degree, I wanted to live and work on the Oregon Coast. I have graduated. And I am sitting in my little townhouse in Lincoln City, Oregon. I am up the hill about four blocks from the main highway-101- which stretches up and down the whole of our west coast. But when I step outside my door is it so quiet--no highway noise at all-just a hint of ocean waves. My back wall is all windows with a sliding door to the deck. We have a two adult deer, and two twins--spotted identically and adorable. Of course, we don't feed the deer or we would attract goals, which are fun to look at buy raspy and indecently "droppings" all the time.

The position I have applied for is still open as this district, as well as many across the country, is grappling with balancing its budget. Special ed openings have to be filled by law so that door is still open. Interviewing should be happening soon as school starts Aug 26--for staff. I am also applying for subbing both as a teacher and an aide. That can be a good way to become part of the staff also.

As for the other goals in my profile, I still love God, my kids..., but that Hummer H1 still has not shown up. However, I did spot a picture of one splashing through a creek in a magazines devoted to lovers of cigars--mainly men as you can imagine. Quite glossy, sexist, and irrelevant, but that ad was great, plus a column by George Plimpton almost helped to zero out the negative effects of all the other articles and ads of every sort of person minimizing their lifespan by smoking cigars. I couldn't get all the way through by just skimming.

I've been checking out dvd's from the local library, which is about a 5 block walk away. The nearest beach is about 7 blocks. I love to walk as much as possible so its fun to have things close. Anyway, I have been enjoying bbc television shows like "Foyle's War" and "Ballykissangel." Not all of the segments are available but both are worth the characterizations, plots, and drama/comedy depending on the show. The BallyK has wonderful writing and I laugh out loud so much.

The library also has hbo films and some Sundance. Not much new or fairly new, but I am enjoying this eclectic selection. I do have to say that I have rented "Leap Year" from the RedBox 4 times--once when my 20 year old son was here--he liked it also.

Nothing too profound this time. I am endeavoring to decorate a bit differently this time, and I am looking forward to using my loft office for school stuff, writing this blog, etc. It is a very peaceful and thoughtful space. I am very glad to have it.

JD

I am watching Foyle's War on Pbs. I think it was on once before but I never followed it through. What a fascinating picture of England shortly after the war ended. The tension between american and English soldiers, segregation of blacks from whites--with only our honorable Detective Chief voting against. It's offensive to hear the men called colored.

There is also a British-sanctioned covert action in alliance with Stalin's Russia to kill off all the Russian soldiers who fought against Stalin and know of a horrendous killing zone in Odessa of Russians who fought for the wrong side--red or white depending on where they stood back in 1917.

It has made me think, just mull over history, especially those parts I didn't really know about it.

I am also getting ready to move to the Coast. My leave is up June 30 and I have no cause to renew here for another year. I will be looking for a place to rent, month-to-month, until making a permanent decision such as buy a condo. I go searching this weekend so please help me with your thoughts and prayers. I would like to be comfortable, with easy access to the coast, as well as paths up into the east hills.

I am applying to schools there as well, so that's important of course.

Still, I know this is the right course. Sounds a little funny, but I have such peace that this is the right way to go forward at this time.

JoAnn (JD)

Guess what I got in the mail yesterday? My initial teaching license from the state of Oregon. I am thrilled and humbled and intimidated all at the same time. If you know of a teaching job on the Coast (in a low income area, which they all are), let me know.

My goal is the Lincoln County School District--Newport, Taft, Toledo, and Waldport. If (or should I say, when) I will rent for awhile. When that seems like home both as a person and a professional teacher, I'll buy a condo.

So much for my educational journey, or its start after three years of graduate school. I do have one last class and a few paperwork stuff, but this is it. I told Will that I am experiencing a little loss being in the last term, as if I have to start acting and being an adult. No more sweats, hoodies, and fun hats every day. No more running shoes every day. No more letting my hair grow way past the time I need a cut. That includes body hair in other areas as well. No more aggressively crossing intersections near the university , making cars wait or navigating the actual campus as if we were driving streets of Rome or some city in Pakistan. Bikes, skateboards, pedestrians in ones and sixes, some cars, and a lot of go wherever you want with reflexes not to hit each other. We rarely do. No keeping to the right or keeping anywhere specifically and consistently. But it makes me feel young, just part of things even though I triple some of their ages. I am also experimenting with some rec classess--fitness yoga, hip hop, yoga, and soon Zumba--whatever that is.

I look forward to your comments and your own thoughts.

JD (JoAnn)

Next phase of last class and final term

Tomorrow's class in Biblical Lit is our midterm with a sheet of study notes that was incredibly long for an estimate 15 minute objective class. After the rough treatment on the first round of papers the undergrads were required to do, we are all a bit sobered. Most of the class is English majors that want that "A." I feel the sense of challenge in thinking, writing, and discussing, but I think that some classes have been a little dumbed down. In any case, off we go with more class, first test that separates the greats for the goods or low averages.

Beyond that, I am starting to apply using a service called Ed ZAPP. More schools want it, although some schools still want the paper product. Prayers and thoughts are appreciated.

To all of you, happy Mother's Day or wonderful weekend, or read a book on your deck or in a bubble bath.

JoAnn (JD)