Summer Has Finally Begun!!!

Okay, so technically, summer was to have begun for me last week when all our post-planning days were over. But....I went in one last day.  Then, this week, I spent three days downtown at a Teacher Institute and Friday doing doctor appointments all day!!  So, today, Summer has finally begun!!!!

But, let me backtrack a little........
When I last wrote, I was suffering from a major affliction affecting my ears.  I'm sad to report that its not over yet.  The pain and pressure continues along with the incessant whining of those violins in my ears which sometimes rouse me, not pleasantly, from my slumber.  However, I did see an ENT yesterday and there maybe some hope.  After an examination and about an hour of tests, the bottom line is that their is NO fluid in my ears.  The extreme pressure, and possibly some of the whining is coming from damage to my Eustachian tubes. I have also suffered some hearing loss, some permanent and some, if the tubes can be fixed, should clear up then.  As far as the permanent loss, he doesn't think it will be bad enough to warrant hearing aids just yet.  Right now, I'm on a new medical regimen and need to call back in a week.  He'll then make a decision as to how to proceed.

In the midst of all the agony over my ears, I ended up having to take Mom to the emergency room.  Turned out she had a horrible case of bronchitis and a sinus infection.  This would not be noteworthy, except that in the 60 years I have known her and in all her 90 years, this is only the 3rd time she has ever been sick!!!  I guess it was just her time.   It took her about two weeks to recover, then, last Saturday, she broke out in a rash from head to toe!!!   I mean EVERYWHWERE!!!  It lasted for a few days, went away, then suddenly Thursday it was back!!!   The doctor says it is a delayed reaction from the meds they gave her in the hospital. So......she is on her own regimen of meds!!! Never dull!!!

• 

So, today, my first official day of summer, I took my Archie to "Puppy School".  Now, Archie is not really a puppy.....he is a 3 1/2 year old Miniature Australian Sheperd.  But.......he's never had any real training and he's extremely neurotic and very, very sensitive!!!  He barks all the time and at everything!!!  He is always bullied by his brother, Jasper.  Jasper is a 6 year old Shiba Inu and if you know anything about Shibas, you know that they are always in charge!!!  But, I digress.......  The conclusion, from the trainer, (who by the way, has a Masters in Canine Behaviors!!)........seriously?.........is that my poor baby is suffering from anxiety.  By training him, he will gain the confidence he needs to deal with the trials of daily (dog) life and will then be able to overcome his troubling tribulations......including Jasper!!!

The Teacher Institute.....
I cannot end without some comments about the marvelous Teacher Institute that I attended last week at the High Museum in Atlanta.  I attend every year and the theme for this year was "Go West".  This connects to exhibition of the same name which will open at the museum in November featuring art of the old west, including beautiful landscapes, cowboys and Indians.  By far, this is the best Institute I have attended.

Day 1, we listened to lectures on the Westward Movement and viewed art (paintings and sculptures), from the 19th and early 20th century.  There was so much information.   What was very interesting, was that several who wrote novels and painted about the West had actually never gone there......go figure!!!  After an hour + for lunch, we adjourned to our workshops, all designed to accomodate our specific disciplines.  Since I'm Elementary Art, I got to create an Indian Parfleche.

Day 2, was definitely the most interesting day of all.  We listened to lectures from actual Indians (who didn't mind being called Indians), and I learned so much that I felt that my brain was overloaded!!!  It was so fascinating!!!  We adjourned a little early to complete an activity in the museum and then went to lunch.  After lunch, we separated again to work on our particular areas of instruction.  That day I made six different kinds of beads......which Archie ate, five minutes after I got home!!!!

Day 3, started out with us watching videos of Indian ceremonies and dances, listening to a talk on the Booth Museum of Western Art, in  Cartersville, and then being entertained by a Cowboy and Hollywood Stuntman and double who did gun tricks!!!  I was able to video him and I hope that I would be able to show my students!!!  He was so fun and entertaining!!! 
After he was finished, they announced "free stuff" (posters, cards, etc....) downstairs while they set up for crafts in the Museum atrium.  Never say "free" to a teacher!!!!  It was crazy!!!  After we loaded up boxes and bags, we went to the atrium where there were crafts, an Indian making a drum, another Indian making beaded moccasins, and others displaying some incredible Indian artifacts!!! 

This was a truly wonderful 3 days.  The information was just amazing.  Just wish I could convince more teachers to get involved.  So many think it's for only Art Teachers, but it's for those of all disciplines.  
The best part, was that I got to meet up with Joni and several of the other regulars!!  Joni (and Sara) and I, met three years ago and have enjoyed each others company and kept in touch ever since.  Sara couldn't make it this year because she was on a mission trip in Nicuaragua.  I missed her.  But Joni  and I had a great time reconnecting and this year, we will definitely plan to get together sooner instead of waiting a whole year. 

So, now that summer is off to some kind of a start, I am looking forward to a productive and enjoyable time.......as soon as this ear thing goes away!!  But I'm going to be positive and look to heading in a forward direction everyday.   I'm going to write, paint, and get some things done in my house.  And maybe.....just maybe......plan a little for school.  But I don't want to think about that for now.  I'll save that for July!!!!