Autumn Update

It’s finally starting to rain again! After 3 or 4 months of flawlessly sunny, dry days, a little rain is good for the soul. And for the grass and trees and flowers. In a couple of days Portland will transform from that brown dusty wasteland of summer back into verdant jewel-tone greens that I love.

We’ve been going, going, going so the rain means we can rest. We don’t have to be out there “enjoying nature” and going for hikes and bike rides It’s been busy this month with the beginning of the school year and having house guests and having some fun. My junior high students have gotten off to a good start so that’s a relief. But they brought with them an onslaught of new viruses and I, along with just about every other adult in my building, have been attacked by a lingering cold virus.

I’m teaching one class at Portland State University–Survey of Exceptional Learners (sp.ed. for reg.ed. teachers). The first meeting was last Wednesday night. I was not having a very good week. I had all sorts of computer problems prepping for the class plus I had a sore throat and my voice was threatening to leave my body. Fortunately, a nameless PSU computer tech came to my rescue and, with his help, and frequent drinks of water I made it through the first 2 1/2 hour lecture.

I stayed home sick on Thursday and slept all day. I feel a little better now. Which is good since tomorrow is the LiveStrong Challenge—and it’s starting to look like it will be a forty-mile bike ride in the rain.

That’s all for now.