September on the Farm

Hello All !!

We are having Climate Change here in NE Tenn !! The evening breezes are cooler and the mornings alittle chilly! But I suspect we will have more warm days ahead before we really get into Fall. Then the tourists will flock to see the leaf color. They call those people 'leafers' and the local economy loves them. It is a beautiful time of year, but I hate the traffic, especially the motorcycles, but it would be a great way to see the Blue Ridge Parkway wouldn't it ??

I really am liking the freedom that retirement gives me, and i hope to experience different things, after all, as one person said, 'time is running out' Well, I do feel like 40 , so I hope to be able to explore other things for at least another 2o years! Brian is saying , am I going to have to wait that long for the Farm?..No, is the answer, I might be Tahiti by then !! Really, I have never lived anywhere that has given me so much pleasure than this area. I have found out that I gain a quiet strength from the Mountains and the life style here, The people are incredible and the air and water clean, A definite change of lifestyle for sure. But it's not for everyone I guess.

Which brings me to my latest adventure, Dudley is just glad it doesn't cost him any money like the last 'good' idea I had of getting Swans.... But anyway, as I said in a previous post, I am volunteering at the local school. I just presented myself there one morning and they were eager to have me, No background checks, no references, no waterboarding....they took me at my word that I was a retired teacher, and not a sex offender! Amazing in this day and time, Don't tell the rest of the school boards in the country, they may ruin the good thing we got going here. If you want a background check here, like if I wanted to work as a teacher or substitute, you have to pay for it yourself. I guess that makes sense doesn't it ? Simple logic, something missing in today's world,

So I show up Monday morning at 8am, a small hardship since I do tend to enjoy my slow wake up period, coffee, porch, Fox and Friends. etc. but I hurried to my new job, excited and nervous, You see, they put me in Kindergarten with a 25 year old BEAUTIFUL new teacher. She is amazing. I can not say enough about her. If this is what the new teachers are, our students are in great hands. I imagine Desire and Allison being like her. BUT, my role is to support, and because i want her to like me, i am completely her slave, It will take her a while to trust me, but I hope she will, because I am having a ball !!! I really thought I would be better with 4-6 grade, because that's what I am familiar with , but love those screaming munchkins !! They are putty in your hands, They need to learn EVERYTHING !! and 2009 Kindergarten is not like the Kindergarten we knew, they are expected to READ by the end of the year !! Incredible,! but we have known for a long time the early years are the most important in a long successful plan of learning. But it is still the parents that have the most influence over the child's learning curve. The difference is night and day , you can tell which parents have worked with there kids and which ones have let them watch Batman for 4 years. They will never catch up. But enough of my soap box, I love the chance to do this, and as the news gets out in this small school that there is a volunteer in the K program, and they learn that I am the daughter -in- law of Shirley Carter.... I am proud and I feel like I fit in immediately. Reputation is everything sometimes, it can carry you , until you make your own, and that's what I intend to do.

Well, I think that is enough from The Farm today, I wish you all the very best and hope you find joy in your life , and if you don't have it , go look for it, it's worth it the time and effort. Love, Sandi xx oo