Springtime in Fairbanks

You really have to know where to look to find the signs of Spring in Fairbanks. One of my local teachers heard a kid ask his mom if he already missed summer. It's been cold and slushy this week, single digits in the morning. Can you identify these 3 signs of Spring? The snow is receding by the sides of the road, Creamer's Wildlife Refuge field has been plowed up to provide future forage and barley is laying in rows under the snow in anticipation of the geese and if you look closely, you'll see pussy willows in the bottom picture. All these pictures are within walking distance of my house. Yep, it's coming soon.

We saw two movies this weekend, both character movies, really delving into sibling and family relationships, death and defining yourself. They were "Smart People" and "The Savages". Both were really well cast, but if you like action, these aren't for you. They definitely both remind you of people you know, though.

I went to Safeway yesterday and bought my new favorite food, cashew butter. Omigosh, we're really getting into the 21st century. You just select a container, put it under the cashew dispenser and turn it on, then off and the yummiest concoction emerges. It's great.

I started my plants last weekend and I already have hollyhocks and tomatoes coming up. I am always hesitant to start this early because they outgrow their pots before it is warm enough to plant outside. Maybe this year I started late enough, but not too late. The pool table in the basement is covered by plastic and the low light overhead has a grow bulb. We bought some reusable pots a few years ago and just fill them with potting soil. This is another rite of spring.

Paul and I are really excited to be planning a trip to see Ben in Taipei in early June. When we skyped him a few days ago, he asked where we'd like to go. Here is my top 10 things I want to do in Taiwan: 1) see where and how Ben lives 2) spend time with Ben 3) eat at the Night Market across the street 4) go to Ben's school to meet his class 5) hike along a scenic ocean trail 6) take in a cultural festival or event 7) go to the fish market 8) learn a few words in Mandarin 9) take a ride into the country on the train 10) go to the top of Taipei 101 to see the city and the ocean. I suppose RELAX and pretend I'm retired would be good too.

Next week I'll be taking the first of my last three trips as a mentor. I'm heading to Nunapitchuk to see Debbie. I was originally going to see her in May, but she reminded me that the river divides the airstrip from the village so once the ice becomes dangerously thin, the village is cut off from outside transportation- no snowmachines, no boats and no 4 wheelers dare cross for about 2 weeks until breakup is complete. I guess the restaurant has opened there- hamburgers and hotdogs and pops. I'm meeting Jerry in Anchorage on Thursday since he won't be in Atmautluak when I can get there.

I have mixed emotions about these last trips. I'm going to be glad to stay home for awhile, but I will really miss the teachers and kids and village life. Despite some drawbacks, the pace and simplicity of village living is unique. Your life can be simplified to relationships, basic needs and lots of time for introspection. It's not for everyone, but I really like it.

My play is coming slowly. I hope that will have more time in retirement to work on it. I'd actually like to spend more time on just blogging too, but its a vicious cycle- the less active I am, the more time I have to blog, but the less I also have to blog about!

There was a discussion about school and technology today at lunch (with Sue, Gail and Kathy). There is research that states that students' brains are being changed by their constant use of technology. This is not to say that they aren't as smart- just that they learn differently now. Because thinking begets thinking, it makes sense that new neural pathways are created in young brains to be stimulated by screens and constant, fast-paced action. The challenge is that textbook work and lectures just don't provide the same stimulus, but that's the order of the day in many sad classrooms. Changing the educational system has been likened to turning a freighter with a rowboat. It's changing, but so incrementally as to be unmeasurable. I can forsee in the future that all children's writing will be done on computers with the capabilities to add student created animated illustrations. Already there are so many educational websites with interactive tutorials, research and assessments, that a savvy teacher with access and planning time could easily plan technologically enhanced lessons for every period of the day. This is an exciting time to be alive. I hope we don't blow it.