Apollo 11

I never really was into astronauts. I saw the movie “The Right Stuff” when it first came out, and never turned back. I was hooked! Former history major, I dove head into the Mercury 7 project, Sputnik, Gemini program and the Apollo program. What really is bizarre for me is that I am realizing , thanks to news feeds, that it is going to be 50 years next month that Neil Armstrong first landed on the moon.

Neil Armstrong leading Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin to transportation to the launchpad.

I recently caught the documentary on CNN,” Apollo 11″, which showed behind the scenes film of what happened before the flight through when splashdown of the capsule occurred. It was really something to see film of the guys whose voice you recognize from hearing a historical clip of moon communications. It truly was a different day. All male engineers in white shirts with pocket protectors and ninety percent of the control room smoking either cigarettes or cigars: I am sure today’s Mission Control is a different picture.

Even the technology has grown in leaps and bounds from what the film shows that was there in the control room. The computers we know now were only a dream back then. The food the astronauts ate was geared for space (remember TANG?) and now, with the space shuttle and international space station, they were making pizza in space!

If you have a historical itch about the space program the needs scratching, check out the documentary “Apollo 11” on CNN. Don’t forget “The Right Stuff” and “Apollo 13”, to check the program out further. It’s really amazing.

Summer’s Back

We had company over the the weekend, so now, it’s a Kasia and Mom morning. We are getting back to our schedule, as Mom does the laundry and walks Kasia to keep her on her schedule.

We had a beautiful weekend with low humidity.The air has been delightful and the windows have been wide open and the air-conditioning has been off.

Not today…

We were up early so before the humidity crawled up too much, we had a good walk in. We came back so both of us can have our breakfast, and then I get to start my chores. I am just not looking forward to walking for about 5 minutes outside and then feeling like a wet washrag.

Stay cool and hydrated if you are in the same boat as Kasia and I are in. Most importantly , enjoy the company of your friends and family.

After all…it’s summer!

Hi…Party of 2?

I decided to let Kasia lead our walk this morning. Note to self:not a good idea when the morning humidity is 1,ooo,000%.

So we walked and walked, and surprisingly, she recalled a route I last took 3 years ago with Zush and Kasia, and Kasia was taking me down to see the bay. In the old days we would have been able to be on the bay, but in the new socialist government here in”Amity”, dogs aren’t permitted beachside between 10-4. Others are having pups on the beach. Me? I live here and don’t want the BS of fighting a ticket.

So this is as far as we got: we managed to get some sea air and see folks all around and watch me melt in the humidity. The view, however, usually is good for the soul.

So I guess I’ll keep letting my girl step up as her mom’s personal trainer. She seems to know what she’s doing.

Last Day

Mrs. C is almost out of the building!

Today is my last full day of substitute teaching until next term, and, appropriately I have 6th grade, who graduate middle school on Thursday.

It has been an awakening for me. Substitute teaching has made me realize that I can help students, and, overall, they appreciate the help. I say overall, well, because doesn’t 6th grade know everything?😂

I know Kasia will be glad I am off so we’ll be back to being walking buddies and partners in crime.

It’ll be nice to stop and take the moments in and appreciate them.I am not going to lie: it’ll be nice sleeping in too!

Thanks for staying with me on this part of the retirement journey. There’ll be more coming!

Beat

It was a full day for me today with second graders. It was wonderful and exhausting all rolled up into one.

Sure, it is t minus 8 days until the last day of school, yet the class I had was always up for a challenge. I twisted multiplication tables every which way and it was intriguing to watch the minds at work. I chuckled to myself when I heard two of them tell a classmate in the other second grade that “Mrs. C. makes the time tables fun.” Go figure.

I am due in tomorrow for a full day with special education students. It is good because I get to figure out the best ways to get the material to them in which they stand a good chance of understanding it.

Kasia can’t wait for the end of school, so Mom can go back to giving her undivided attention. I am looking forward to getting our walks in around bumps in daily humidity so we both can be comfortable. We had been walking a different route once in a while, and I get the chance to add a little more to every walk.

I can’t wait!

Summer Storms in “Amity”

You know how I joke about “Undisclosed ” here being “Amity”, as in the film “Jaws”. With thanks to my nephew Greg, we have a few photos here to give you a feel for the place,

Especially during this current stretch of weather, you really can believe it is, indeed, Amity.

Try running to a market for something you need? Nope- line is too late long. Need to batten down the hatches during a severe thundershower? No way, as visitors are clogging the roads.

I still would not give up my little slice of heaven here. I get to enjoy it once Labor Day is done.

End of the Month

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and officially, today is Memorial Day. I always preferred to acknowledge it on the 30th of May, which was the first ” Decoration Day”. Either way, I have taken thought of those who served and still do serve, and thank them for their service. It is hard to want to celebrate this in the Washington Area today, as the American Vice-President is leading the ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery. The “President” of the United States is in Japan, where he gave an award to the winner of a Sumo wrestling competition last night. All I have to say is….wow.

Tomorrow marks the last week of the month, work-wise, and I have school through the rest of the week. It’s hard for me to believe time has gone so quickly and summer vacation is around the corner. Here in “Amity”, our population is bursting at the seams. I will get through the summer, and wait patiently with Kasia, for our quiet time, which is after Labor Day.

Here’s hoping that you honored the Veteran in your life today, and enjoy the start of the summer months.

Two Tin Cans and a Line of String….

…please.

I am ending one week of frustration with my beloved iPhone SE. After sending my phone to Apple to get fixed, and it spent time in sunny California, and it finally got back.

Good, right?

Nope.

No Sim card, which you need to dial phone numbers.

Evidently, a SIM card is considered an accessory, according to Apple. Jeez, uh, would you mind putting that in Webster’s. under cell phone accessories? A cover, a screen guard, maybe, but a SIM card which is in the inside of the phone?

So I called Verizon, who is my carrier. Sim card? Sure.You have 7-10 days before you receive it. After complaining and being bumped up to a higher supervisor, I am promised one in 3-5 days, which might as well be bumped to 6 or 7, considering the Memorial Day weekend coming up.

So if you are a phone contact of mine, enjoy the continued silence gratis of Verizon AND Apple.

The two tin cans and string are looking better every day.

And Then What?

I always did what I had to do in our house to get chores done. It was no problem, as I had special days for different things, and pretty much, my scheduled chores got done and the house and laundry were done.

Now, I have a chance to get some days in at work, so I took them. I forgot that we made a road trip today to see Jim’s mom for Mother’s Day. When I got home, I did a wash of dirty clothes and put together lunches for tomorrow .

I’m beat. Kasia isn’t even walked yet

There is something about getting things done. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment. I also enjoy relaxing a little bit after chores are done. Wait a minute, though…

..I also like getting a nice pay check. So, that translates into doing my chores when I get in from school. Kasia is usually waiting patiently for me so she can get a walk. Then that is our cue to start dinner. Anything else that I need to get done is tackled after dinner.

Here’s hoping that the bed is hit on time, household chores get done, my melatonin isn’t used and Kasia stays happy. That all sums up to one thing…

…A good week!

Mothers’ Day

Happy Mothers’ day.

It’s hard, since my Mom is gone seven years. I get to go and see my Mother-in-law for Mothers’ day, so I still, in a sense, get to celebrate the day. Unfortunately, part of me still tugs sadly, since I’d want to go see Mom.

Sometimes I feel bad, as I am a dog Mom, and not a human Mom. I am a benevolent aunt to my niece and nephews, but it really doesn’t matter. A Mom is a Mom. I still honor my buddies who are Moms in their own right, and most of them are also grandmothers too. They are all fabulous with their children and grandchildren. I am fortunate that I get to work with the school children, as I imagine it is the closest to being a hands-on Mom that I could get.

Happy Mothers’ day to all those who are celebrating the day. You have touched the world in the best of all possible ways. I salute you!