I went for a hike in the park today.  I started at one park, didn't feel comfortable (too many people) and went to another.  I drove in and everything suddenly felt right.  I was pleased to see a nearly empty parking lot and got out of the van and started walking.

Once I got warmed up the interesting experiences began.  I worked my way deep into the park and came upon a bridge that was on a bit of an incline.  I thought I was seeing things, or that I was disoriented, but I saw a woman running backwards up the bridge.  She was shuffling along at a quick pace and I was relieved to see that she was moving backwards.  When I passed her I commented that it was good for the mind to do that and she giggled and said, "I don't know why, but I love doing that."

I clipped along, soaking in the sun and enjoying the early signs of Spring.  A few minutes later I decided it was time to step up the pace and chose to run up the next hill I came across.  When I got there I had to stop. Another hiker had stopped as well, which alerted me to one of my favorite things about his particular park.  A lone doe was walking through the woods, she was beautiful and I looked around for more deer because they rarely walk alone.  Not seeing any I continued on.  When I got to a second inclined bridge, four young deer were coming the other way.  I stopped to let them pass, the other hiker, a man wearing headphones, stopped too.  We smiled at each other, but I was determined to run up a hill.  I looked at the gentleman, smiled again, said "Here I go!" and started running.  As I got to the steepest part of the incline, he started singing along with his music and it seemed to lift me up the rest of the hill.

When I got to the top, I looked down and there was a leaf shaped like a heart lying in the middle of the path.  Breathing heavily, I smiled at the synchronicity of it all and kept moving.

On my way out of the park, I saw a couple walking three dogs.  The woman had one dog on a leash and the man had two small dogs.  One was on a leash, the other was in a baby stroller.  I looked at him and started laughing, I couldn't help it.  He did not look pleased and was probably wondering what I was wondering: 

This had to be the woman's idea, so why wasn't she pushing the stroller?

I've noticed something quite interesting lately. 

Since Ken and I purchased our minivan I've discovered that we are now part of a nondescript group of people that I never realized existed.  We're everywhere.  I see us everytime I go out driving: at the gas station, the grocery store, the auto repair store.  I'm referring to the owners of obscenely old minivans.

These vans were either new buys that have never been traded in, or great finds that have been purchased for next to nothing and fixed up for a steal.  With a knowing glance, we understand that we are owners of great treasures.  Our family prize provides comfortable, safe transportation with room for a group of friends, or simply empty space for hauling things from recycleables to those great curbside finds. 

And if we lose our jobs and lose our homes, we also have a place to live

Oh my poor neglected blog

I have no excuses ~~ I've just been extremely uninspired the last couple of months. 

I have a night photography project in the works.  I have many more articles just about ready to go at HubPages, but, of course, none of them are completely done.  I've been focusing on my teaching career and am eagerly waiting to hear from the Ohio Department of Education to find out what dances and jigs they want me to do so I can start working on my certification.

I'm on my high school's reunion committee and have been busy looking for missing classmates.  This lead me to pay more attention to my FaceBook account and I must confess that this is where I've been wasting most of my Internet time.  I'm having too much fun reconnecting with old friends.

I got rid of the home Internet connection to save some cash and ended up having to refer to one of my own articles to adjust to the change.  I also spent some time in a bit of a panic over turning 40.  I thought I was more stable than that, but even I was not immune to a small midlife crisis.

Well, I suppose I did have a few excuses

This is my favorite exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art.  By Marisol, a Venezualin artist who was part of the 1960's art scene in New York City, the piece is a commentary on feeling completely isolated while in a social crowd. 

It's called The Party and I could be in its presence for hours ~~ if I had the time.

Well, I found out that my sub license wasn't on hold.  I made my checks out to the wrong party.  So, once Lucas County has the proper checks in hand, I'll be back in business. 

It's safe to say that I've moved on

Well, it's a new year and we have a new President.  A President who has instilled hope in a weary nation.  An African American President who has set an amazing example of what hard work and dedication can bring to those who apply themselves.  It's only been 24 hours since his joyous inauguration and unfortunately the entire country's not in the same place as Washington, DC.

Yesterday, while helping a friend move, Ken was standing in a hallway watching our friend's belongings while waiting for her to come back downstairs on the elevator.  An African American gentleman was waiting for the elevator with Ken.  When the elevator arrived, our friend wasn't on it, so Ken let the man know not to hold the elevator because he was waiting for someone.

The gentleman looked at Ken and said "You better watch it now!  'Cause Obama's gonna take care of your bullsh*t."  Obviously the man jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Racism seems to still be alive and well in Toledo, Ohio

Didn't mean to go so long without posting.  The holidays were as nutty as ever.  Stayed in Toledo this year with my family.  It was nice.  We usually do Xmas Eve together, but we switched it up this year.

I've been having fun with Facebook.  I've found so many "long lost friends".  I've also found a lot of old school chums.  It's a great way to keep in touch ~~ everyone should check it out.

I'm currently a little funked out and mad at myself.  I didn't renew my sub license when I should have, so I'm currently not subbing at my school ~~ but I am still working as a teaching assistant.  The principal/ my boss was so disappointed.  I think this is the first time I've ever let him down.

Now I just need to snap out of it and move on. 

It's crazy time for teachers and I've been slacking on my blog entries.  I've also been busy taking photos and writing for HubPages.  Nothing's up yet, but here's a preview.

Enjoy!

Simple Tacos

The school I work at does Thanksgiving dinner for the students. It's a big event with all of the district big wigs attending as well as probation officers. My students were all acting out (hangovers, a pregnancy ~~ a general reaction due to an unstructured day) ~ I do have to say I was not having fun at all ~ I felt like a parent at the dinner table. I noticed the chair I was sitting in was a little wobbly, and I made a mental note to let the janitor know when dinner was over.

When it was time to take my students back upstairs I slid back and the damn chair folded underneath me. I fell flat on my ass. I wasn't even off the floor and the Superintendent was at my side (with her posse) making sure I was OK. I was fine and surprised that I wasn't even embarrassed. Age does have its perks. Some staff members joked that I should have milked it ~~ maybe get a free chiropractic adjustment out of the deal. No need ~ I'm fine.

What I found most interesting though was that the very students who were making my life a living hell were right there to defend me when students from the other classes were laughing. They thought that it was "rude and very uncool".

I guess they're the only ones who are allowed to make a fool out of me ;~D

I didn't have to work today. Most of the schools were closed because of the election. It's a homeland security thing.

I did a little freelancing and enjoyed my quiet and beautiful morning; looking forward to voting with Ken when he got home. I took time to appreciate the artistic beauty of the day. The colors on the trees were stunning today. (Sorry, digi cam's on the fritz   ) And, even though it can get a little nutty in my nieghborhood, I heard the most beautiful sound this morning, and it wasn't the church bells.

Around 11:00 AM, out of nowhere, I heard one of my nieghbors yell, at the top of their lungs, with pure unabashed joy. At first I didn't understand what they had said, but then it echoed back clearly in my head.

"Obama!"

I'm feeling the need this year to take a moment to remember one of my favorite actors who passed away fifteen years ago today. River Phoenix's family has never publicly acknowledged or remembered his life or work. I believe it had something to do with the disrespect of the press the day he passed away. Regardless of their reasons, it has lead to fewer and fewer people knowing about him or his wonderful repertoir. It's almost like he never existed because he's never spoken of.

And, I'll also to take a moment to remember Jam Master Jay who passed away six years ago yesterday. This is a performer who did nothing but try to make his world a better place through his fortunate circumstances ~ a role model for us all.

I'm grateful for the cash.  I'm grateful for the experience.  But the next time the gym coach is out for three days in a row, I probably won't be as excited about it as I was on Monday

On a positive note, I finished another article at Hub Pages.  Check it out!

The house that I used for my silly social commentary disguised as art photography actually sold. The sign's gone and I saw the new neighbors moving in yesterday.  Even in a crappy economy there's always a chance to break the status quo.