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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Obie the cutie

Obie who is soon to be a cat. He was a stray living under some stairs in Niagara Falls, NY for about six months. The uncaring family who had him before I was blessed with his presence, abandoned him by leaving him and another cat in a vacant apartment without food, water or litter. How people can be so cruel is totally beyond me. A few kind neighbors fed Obie and the other cat over a six-month period. When the kitties were rescued from their prison, and close to death, they lived under the steps of a porch. It's amazing that they survived at all.

 

Obie is a very docile, loving cat who loves to sit in the window to look at the birds in the morning, sleep on the stairs and cuddle up on the bed next to me. I always know he is in the bedroom with his cute, little sounds. He wrestles with my other cat and is a perfect companion. He has brought so much to my life already! For those of you out there who may be hesitant in helping a poor kitty, don't be afraid as they give you so much more back!

 

Obie has recently had his shots and was neutered. A day after his surgery, he was a bit quiet, but just two days later is running around as if nothing happened. He had his leukemia test and is just fine! He will live better than he could have ever imagined---or the former, uncaring owner, for that matter!

 

 

 

"What will be will be....and what won't be often is"

Character Rachel Lynde from "Anne of Green Gables".

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The new addition to the household

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Here are some pictures of Obie. He is getting used to his new environment and very happy! He eats like a horse. He says "thank you daddy for giving me a new home. I think I like it better than underneath the porch where I was living before. I didn't have a nice Mexican blanket to sleep on and people to pet me". "I could get used to this!"

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

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A warmer than usual October!

Amazing, the weather we have been having. Here in Niagara Falls, imagine waking up to close to 70 degrees on October 19! It was warmer outside than inside my house. The leaves have just begun to turn colors. In years past, the leaves are almost off the trees by now. Hmmmmm! This warming trend would give some creedence to Global Warming.

Enjoying the warm, Fall weather

Here near the Niagara River, the weather has been very warm; warmer than it normally is this time of the year. They say that the Lake Erie is still close to 70 degrees!   I love Fall for all the colors of the leaves, the lower humidity and the chance again to cuddle up with someone you love under a blanket without having the air conditioning on. I prefer the natural coolness.   Many say that Fall can be depressing because many plants are dying. I look at it from a different angle. The plants are preparing themselves for a long rest, just like the animals that hibernate. They are regaining energy for another year to come. I think "death" is not the appropriate word, rest and tranquility are the key concepts.       "What will be will be...and what won't be often is" (Rachel Lynde from "Anne of Green Gables")

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