Update from Fairbanks

I haven't blogged in a while...blogging is not so much a function of time as it is things to discuss. I went to the podiatrist this week- Dr. Manx Quayle. I think I should have named my kids after types of cats- Manx, Persian, etc. But anyway, he was very helpful. I have foot pain in the morning and wondered if I had fallen arches. He said that most people come in after their arches are already flat. He told me to buy SuperFeet insoles to support my arches. The insoles were about $35 and I put them in my sneakers. Within 5 minutes I had blisters on both heels. I think the insoles made my shoes fit too tightly. The good news is that the insoles really add some spring to your walk. He also advised me to take "second skin" and hydrocordozone ointment in my first aid kit when I'm hiking. He said to break a blister and apply the "Second Skin". I was glad I went in even though most people who see him really have bad problems, like hammertoes.

I have been in town this week for mentor training- my last one before I retire. We learned about giving professional development presentations. It is my favorite training- I've been through it one other time- we learned how to make charts, react to hecklers, plan for a training, use implementation strategies and more. I hope I have more opportunities to use the info.

Some social highlights of the week were our book club, Kay's birthday celebration and lots of laughs during the week. Everybody brought 60 items for Kay- I gave her a deck of 60 cards. She got 60 marbles to replace the ones she lost. The book club read "The Legend of Zorro" by Isabelle Allende. It is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. Next time, we'll have "This I Believe", a series of essays written for NPR. Maybe I'll even write one to share. We met at my house and had chicken and sausage paella.

Yesterday was First Friday, and Sue and I went out to the Diner for dinner and to the North Pole Grange to see artwork. The Diner has a Harley Davidson theme- lots of burgers named for bikers, like the Hog Burger. I had the meat loaf sandwich and cole slaw which were both good. They also have yummy malts, but I need to cut back. The Grange had some beautiful watercolor landscapes. All the artists were there and Sue knew quite a few people.

I was supposed to go with a group (including my husband) out to Bev's cabin on the Chatanika this week by snowmachine. The snow is too rotten and there is too much overflow in the creek. It's just as well- I plan to sort through some stuff and plant seeds today. Tonight a few of us are going to Bev's for spaghetti and card games. I'm making bleu cheese dressing and bringing a salad.

I won't be traveling until next week. This week I'll be in Fairbanks working with teachers here, organizing my thoughts and materials, teaching my 7th out of 8 classes on eLuminate Live and writing test items for NWEA. AND walking outside in the beautiful 40 degree Spring weather I hope (assuming my blisters go away).