Cold Weather and a Little Breather

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:03 am

Am doubly busy with the final year of a grant for technology in the classroom. What started out as my perceived desperate need for a document camera has given me a wealth of classroom technology. I didn't even know what a SmartBoard was and am now using one, writing/creating lessons and quizes on one and having a great time. (It's wonderful when it works and a bummer when something goes wrong. But that is a whole other story). The only problem is I don't have enough time to go around. I live at my computer at home and before/after school spend a few more hours in front of the computer than I would like.

Thanksgiving cactus and work station ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

I lurk around the Stew in odd moments at home. It is fun to see what's going on here. We are in the midst of a cold, cold snap with temps into the single digits F. here in the Pacific Northwest. I've gotten a whole week off for Thanksgiving because of weather and am in the process of decompressing a little. David got us 4 books for the 4 days we will be lounging.

4 books for 4 days ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

The day of the first bit of snow I gathered a few of the last hydrengas. The bushes were big and green with hidden blue gems amongst the abundance of big leaves.

last of the hydrenga blooms ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Went out this afternoon and the garden had the faint smell of silage from the slightly defrosted green leaves. Tonight it is a waning full moon with no cloud cover and cold seeping down from Canada bringing those single digit temps. Some are suffering from too much snow and power outages in areas around the Sound. The roads are rather like skating rinks and people are encouraged to stay home during the holiday.

nothing like a clear moon filled night and Canadian cold ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

icy cold with a little snow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

We haven't yet decided what our plans will be. I want to go up to the cabin for Thanksgiving. It's been a bit of tradition, but don't want to worry about frozen pipes here at home either.

While contemplating our holiday I've divided my favorite little fern (there are usually takers for that one) and trimmed up the philodendron (this time someone took the cuttings so I didn't have to start them). The poor little aloe vera needs dividing too. The hanging cactus has gone maddly wild. I'd trim it but I want to see if it will ever have flowers.

My 3 favorite house plants...hundreds have gone on... ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

divided ferns ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

cactus gone wild ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

The last bit of blooms to share is my little old orchid Sherry Baby. It really needs to be repotted, but that doesn't keep it from putting a display every fall and most every spring.

Sherry Baby's double blooms ... November rituals ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

reliable Sherry Baby ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

I hope that everyone that celebrates Thanksgiving has a good one. And happy seasons to all.

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Frank wrote on Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:53 am:

Happy Thanksgiving Jewell.

daisybeans wrote on Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:00 am:

Enjoyed this little chat with you so much. Enjoy the Thanksgiving Day whatever you choose to do! P.S. I sure do agree about the SmartBoards -- they are awesome. My school just got them this year and the teachers - and kids - LOVE them. I'm not a teacher, so I don't have one. But as a school clinician, I see the SmartBoards in the little ones drawings all the time. It's changed school quite a bit for the better for some of them. Congrats on your skill set and continued goodluck with it.

Jewell wrote on Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:06 pm:

Thanks Frank and to you too!

Daisybeans, just a few of us who got the grant have SmartBoards! The sped/title/support teachers are the last to get anything so it is wonderful being ahead of the curve. I have ipods to get software downloaded and sync'd. It is wonderful having highly motivational learning for students who are at high risk.

It is too bad they didn't give you one too. Bet you would find a use for one too.

Palm Tree wrote on Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:40 am:

Phew (err Brrrr)
That looks cold.
Your orchids seems to be doing well.
Is your Sherry Baby a Cymbidium???
What a full day you have and still make time for gardening.

Palm Tree wrote on Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:46 am:

Oops I almost forgot
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Nice Smartboarding!

Jewell wrote on Thu Nov 25, 2010 4:44 pm:

Palm Tree the orchid is a Oncidium hybrid "Sherry Baby". I was looking at my records and it is 10 years old. It has been a great little orchid.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy!

Palm Tree wrote on Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:07 am:

Ahhh
AN Oncidium - lovely
and 10 years old to boot. Good going there.
I took over my uncle's orchids and I cannot recall any Oncidiums amongst the collection. Oncidium's are pretty - almost like dancing ladies.

prairie_dancer wrote on Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:36 pm:

The orchid is beautiful. I've had minimal success with orchids... The school I taught at before being let go of (budget cuts)- had just gotten the smart boards-they're fun. Lovely photos!

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