a cold, snowy winter day

Nothing new to write about; unless you want to consider a trip to the supermarket to buy meats and a few necessary provisions.   It is cold and snowy in Warren. It is about 23 deg. F. We are supposed to be in the deep freeze this week with temperatures hitting -3 deg. F. by the middle of the week. Many schools will be closed because of the low temperatures, I'm sure.   The kitties are nice and cozy in the warm apartment. Tonight, I will make popcorn in olive oil, a pot of hot Ricola herbal tea and play Scrabble with Robert.   Sounds like a plan for a Winter's evening.

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No school today!

Today, I had a chance to sleep in after hearing on the news at 6:45 a.m. that Warren County, PA schools would be closed due to the ice storm. Hours later, though, it seemed rather silly as the streets were quite passable. The temperature was close to 40 degrees, which caused most of the ice to turn to a semi-slush consistency.   I had the honor of going to the laundrette to do two loads. My kitties were found on the afghan made for me for Christmas by Robert. It has become their favorite place to nap.   I have a chance to catch up on some needed schoolwork and can finish my novel "The Outlander" by Canadian writer Gil Adamson. The book has been on Canada Reads for some time now. It is long, but so very well-written and descriptive.   My next novel in French is by Michel Tremblay called "La femme d'a côté est enceinte". It has been a long while since I have read any novel in French. I read the first four pages with ease, so I guess I haven't lost my touch.   A la prochaine. J'ai envie de me préparer un bonne tasse de té.

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Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year was spent in snowy Niagara Falls, NY. We had almost 60 degrees one of the days and then the deep freeze returned.   Christmas Eve was spent at St. John's Episcopal Church in Youngstown, NY which is, ironically, right across the Niagara River from St. Mark's Anglican church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. They say there will be a ferry to cross over someday soon.   "Icky" or "Ickers" is relaxing on the bed with an afghan crocheted by Robert. He is so talented!   "Obie" or "Obers" is on the couch with his friends keeping watch. Can you tell which ones are the real kitties?   Anyway, back to St. John's Episcopal Church. It was built from a kit floated down the Erie Canal from Maine and put together. In the interior, one can see the chalk markings from the builders. It was built by Upjohn, an architect from England who also masterminded St. Paul's Epicopal Cathedral in Buffalo, NY.   School resumes in a few days. I have lesson plans, laundry and a few things to do. Tonight, we will play cards with a lady friend who lives in the apartment behind us.

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Winter in Warren and cats

We have had quite a start to Winter already. In the past month, we have had over 20 inches of snow. The apartment, however, has been nice and cozy. We are sharing the kitties' space quite nicely. As any cat owner knows, we share their space: it isn't the other way around.   Presently, I am at the tail end of Thanksgiving break and have a few more hours of freedom. Tomorrow, back to school. Oh well, a teacher's work is always undone. There are lesson plans, tests, quizzes and up-coming meetings to be attended. It's good to be busy though.

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Well, it would seem that teaching in Pittsburgh is not going to pan out very much at the moment.
Unfortunately, most positions have been filled internally and what crumbs are left to me would perhaps be a half-time German position.

The good news is that I have an interview in Warren, PA, a small, scenic community just south of Jamestown, NY over the Allegheny mountains in Pennsylvania. The town borders the Allegheny National Forest and is located ideally only 90 miles or so from Niagara Falls. It would be easy to maintain the house here in the Falls and yet have a quiet apartment in PA where I could teach Spanish or perhaps, later on, German. We shall see... Perhaps it is in God's plan for me. I will find out sooner or later.

Summer roses

Our summer roses are more beautiful than ever!

We are calmy waiting for the news to relocate back to Pittsburgh for my teaching career to continue another decade. Rising costs and the need for a better pension have made the decision for me, not to mention that NY State has been a hostile environment for me with PA certification. I would literally have to start over with my education and then face dismal job prospects with beginning teacher wages.

Oh well. Carpe diem!

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 "What will be will be, and what won't be often happens"
Rachel Lynde of Anne of Green Gables

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A cold Spring

It has been a while since I have posted anything. Although it is May 21st, it feels like March 21st!

The heat is still on and off during the day. I prefer the cooler temperatures actually, rather than the high
humidity and sweating!

The Niagara Falls area almost saw snow showers the other night and the tulips are still blooming in many front yards.
Is this almost June?

 "What will be will be, and what won't be often happens"
Rachel Lynde of Anne of Green Gables

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