I came across this 16 minute film today - give it a watch. It reminds us just how powerful our interactions with people can be. As a teacher who talks with hundreds of people eveyday, its good to be reminded that some of them are in need of a little validation. Enjoy.
~MET
A fun early supper at Joyce's in Hallowell tonight. It has a great atmosphere, and the food is good - though not great. I love eating out with M-S, in fact its one of my favorite things. My camera battery was dead, so no real pics from the fun. Give Joyce's a try if you haven't already.
I didn't go to school today, but had lots to do. The best part was that I was able to take Burt for an early morning walk. He LOVES his daily walk and gets very "puppy-like" just before we take off. He stalks birds, pees 100 times, and follows animal tracks into the woods. He has a great time, and both M-S and I have a good time with him. Today he decided to poop on a snowbank just as the Whitefield school bus was passing by...I could hear the screams from inside the bus. I also got some errands done and was able to try a slow-cooker chicken recipe with my time at home.
But, can you tell where I spent a big chunk of the day?
~MET
The spring training season opened today......and.....the Nationals lost to Houston 6-3. But - John Lannan pitched very well, and Adam Dunn didn't even play. I love this time of year, and can't wait for the season to begin for real! Lets Go Nats!
This is what winter looks like in Maine. Another big storm - heavy, sticky snow, and beautiful images. I went out this morning to pack down a path for Burt in the backyard...he's not a big fan of this kind of snow. You can see how pretty our home looks with all the trees covered in a new round of the white stuff.
I then tried to snowshoe through our woods, but the small trees have been pushed into all of the trails. Its pretty back there, but there is no place to walk. I may try later today down by the river. I actually appreciate this extra day off. I have some more papers to grade, and I need a haircut. AND, M-S always has Monday off!
Today was simply an awesome day. For starters its my Mom's 71st birthday, and I'm happy to report that she is feeling pretty good. She is the ONLY person in the WORLD who is getting her combination of chemo + whatever experimental drug, and though it was a tough few days in DC, it seems to be having a positive effect. Her doctors only want her to have one glass of wine a day...so I got her this glass for her birthday. Haha. She is truly amazing, and we had a great time tonight. This month's meal was Greek - and I must say this was the most fun I've had cooking. I found a VERY authentic Greek recipe web page. The measurements were things like, "a teacup of olive oil", or "a wine glass of rice." It was great. I was in the kitchen all afternoon. Here is what a top chef's work station looks like: 
M-S and Kori were here to keep me company :
We began with Ouzo, the licorice flavored Greek liquor. We only had a very small taste, as it is pretty potent. After downing it we all yelled, "OPAH!" - the traditional Greek toast. This is the kind of day I had - there was only one bottle of this in Augusta, and I found it at Lou's Beverage Barn. (Kori had cranberry juice) The toast:
The appetizer was Feta sto fourno me rigani, which is baked feta cheese with oregano:
The starch was Lahanorizo - which is cabbage rice. All Greek dishes have some common ingredients: tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and garlic. You'll notice lots of red in these dishes. Here is the rice:
The main veggie was Fasolakia me domata kai feta - green beans with olives, and feta: 
The main courses were two kinds of meat...the Greeks are big on meat. This is Kreas se sifniotiko tsoukali - which is a pork recipe from the island of Sifinos that is slow cooked in a dutch oven:
You can't have a Greek meal without lamb. This is Arni me kolokythakia - lamb with zucchini and tomatoes:
All the dishes had multiple spices, and many steps. Here is the full plate:
It was outstanding - one of my favorites to make and eat! I wanted baklava for dessert, and the recipes were too complex - but the stores only have it at Christmastime. I stopped at Kennebec Chocolates hoping to get lucky, and she sent me to Charlie's Pasta in Farmingdale. Its a pizza joint that is owned by a Greek family that always has the very sweet dessert. It was exceptional:
I'm stuffed, and everyone seemed to enjoy all aspects of this one. Happy birthday, Ma - and OPAH!
My parents came home today, after two weeks in DC for Mom's first round of treatments. It sounds like things went well, though I could tell they were both very glad to be home. We had 3 separate snow storms over the last 24 hours - these are the trees at Mom and Dad's from this morning:
I got to use the snow blower a couple of times, here is Murphy in the driveway right after I finished this morning:
The dog was really glad to see my parents, he just jumped back and forth between them in the garage:
Its a homecoming for me also, as I will be in my own bed tonight. They go back down again in early March, so I'll be rooming with Murph again soon. Mom seems to be feeling pretty good, and I'm proud of both of my parents - and very proud and thankful for my DC siblings.
This is my parents' cat...I can't remember his name. He's never really been very friendly to me, and usually runs and hides whenever I'm around. This week we've bonded - I guess his fondness begins and ends with whomever feeds him. He's been sitting in my lap, sleeping on the end of the bed after I feed him in the morning, and reading the paper with me. I don't know if you can tell, but he's HUGE. Owen will always be my favorite pet, but its been nice getting to know this chubby cat.
When I was a kid my favorite kind of food was cereal. I KNOW that I had at least a bowl a day. My favorites are listed below, and they may surprise you:
A nice morning for a snowshoe to the top of Mt. Battie. The views were awesome, and the temperature was a pleasant 28 degrees. I love the woods in the winter. Its so quiet, there are animal tracks to identify, and you can really get some thinking done.
The rest of the day will be spent with Murphy. I have some homework to do for my Thomas class, and then I'll have dinner with M-S and Kori. Hope all is well with everyone.
This morning M-S and I went to Bath to have brunch at Mae's Cafe. Here she is in the bakery:
The food was good - I had a Greek omelet, and M-S has crab meat eggs benedict:
It was a nice way to start vacation. Today my wife and the dogs are coming to Ma and Dad's house for supper. Murph and Burt get along great, though it's tough to get the spaz dogs to sit still for a picture:
I've talked to my mother several times and she is still feeling the effects of her treatments. I am in hopes that she will start feeling better today. 
The Washington Nationals finally made a move and signed slugging first baseman Adam Dunn to a two year contract yesterday. He has hit at least 40 home runs for five years in a row, and will bring some much needed offensive pop to a somewhat pathetic lineup.
He only hits between .230 and .250, and he strikes out...umm...a lot. But this is just what I need to get me charged up as pitchers and catchers report to camp today. Naturally, first baseman Nick Johnson is being a true professional and says he will refuse a role from the bench. Huh? Former Yankee (why are all Yankees stupid?) Johnson has played in a TOTAL of 38 games in the last two years. Trade him for an old yellow dog. Dunn added to a young line-up that includes Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Christian Guzman, and Ryan Zimmerman sounds like a recipe for wins. PLUS he loves to fish:
The first spring training game is Feb. 25. Lets Go Nats!
Time for an update on my Mom. She is in Washington, DC at the national Institute of Health to begin treatment for her cancer. In fact, she starts today. Because her form of mesothelioma is so rare, she is taking part in a trial study to see if a new "cocktail" of drugs will better serve those with her version of the disease. Even in this difficult time she is thinking of how she might help others by agreeing to be a part of this study. Today she will be getting two different kinds of "regular" chemo type medicines with an added antibody medication that has yet to be approved by the FDA. Next Wednesday she will just get the antibody. Her cancer has been slow growing - thankfully - and we are all hoping that this will slow it down even more. Its nice that Jim and Suz can be with her as she begins this process, and my Dad is with her also. My brother has written about it with pictures of where she is on his blog, linked to the right - My Oyster. They come home on the 20th, and then she goes back for 5 more two week sessions like this one. If you need to be introduced again to my mother, here is my post about her from my "hero series" http://met1963.blogspot.com/2007/07/part-nine-of-ten-part-series-my.html
I'm really beginning to get excited about my trip with students this year. I'm just sitting here with Murphy watching the MLB network, and getting ready to go to class tonight...but thinking about the big trip. I love Washington, and in the 18 times I have brought students, it has never been the same trip twice and I never tire of it. Highlights this year include:I'll try to post while on the trip depending on the internet access at hotels. We don't leave until next month - on the 18th. 3/18 - a special day all by itself.
~MET
Tomorrow morning I am taking my Dad to the airport so he can be with my Mom as she starts a round of treatments at the National Institute of Health in DC...I'll post more specifics about that later this week. I have the unique pleasure of taking care of their dog - Murphy. He is a cocker spaniel, and may be the most pampered dog on Earth - but he is unbelievably lovable. My parents will be gone until the 20th and I'll be staying at their house for many nights...though he may stay with us some evenings during vacation. The picture is not Murphy - though Murph looks very close to this googled dog. I'm looking forward to taking care of him - and my Dad has schooled me on the very detailed schedule that makes up Murphy's day. He'll get a chance to hang with Burt a bit more during this time, and I'll get a chance to know him better. Don't worry, Ma & Dad - I'm going to be the perfect older brother to your baby. I love you both very much.
...I have an AWFUL head cold. I couldn't really sleep last night, can't hear much today, and feel terrible. I wanted to go with my Dad and M-S and take the dogs somewhere - but no way. Yesterday I didn't feel too bad at all, and went with M-S for a walk with Burt:
We even wrestled in the snow:
If anyone needs me today I'll be on the couch. Ciao.
Just before Christmas I started to use the treadmill at school everyday in an effort to lose a little weight and to get into better shape. I do the "hills" program, and listen to great songs on the iPod. Beginning in February I started wearing my backpack with filled water bottles in an effort to get myself into hiking shape again. I have HUNDREDS of hiking pictures, and I just grabbed some to post today as I think about getting back into the woods again. I have climbed 66 different mountains...some several times. Favorites include the 7 times I've climbed Saddleback, many 4000 footers in New Hampshire, and (of course) the 6 times I have bagged Katahdin. Above you can see me feeding "Dolly" during a trip to Baxter from a few years ago, and a chilly May climb to Baxter peak with my wife. My first hike up Katahdin was very special in that it was also my Dad's first time to the peak: (how about the mountain-man beard?)
I've seen lots of amazing views, wonderful animals, spent time with close friends, and challenged myself.
Sunday I am going to take a snowshoe up a local mountain, and pledge to keep training at school in order to get back into the wilderness as much as I can. My goal is to hike throughout the year and to make my 7th trip to the top of Katahdin in September. Anyone interested in joining me? 
The TOP TEN places I want to visit before I die (in reverse order):I know its a strange list. Greece and Italy are there for the history they provide for our American democracy. Memphis, New Orleans, and Chicago are all music and food wants. The Kentucky Derby just looks cool. San Francisco is a food and culture thing. Alaska is an outdoor dream - hiking and fishing. I want to go to England for the history, and because my Dad's family is from there. And, Seattle makes the list due to how my siblings talk about it with such admiration. I'm sure this list will change over time...but this is how it looks right now. There are lots of other places I want to go...but I limited myself to 10. Others that will be added after I can cross these off, will be places like Ireland, Poland, West Virginia, Colorado, Utah, etc. I like to think about traveling, both for work and with M-S.
~MET
I'm well into the semester of the graduate course I'm taking at Thomas College. Its called Trends in Instruction, and so far its pretty interesting. I've enjoyed writing papers and discussing educational topics with other teachers. Today, we are holding our class discussion through SKYPE - one of the trends:
I'll be on my couch talking into my laptop screen with other students about the reading assignments we had for the week. Its an interesting "real-time" program. This class ends in in March...I think...and I'll probably take a summer session class next. 
The picture above was my view of the sunrise as I was digging my first hole this morning. Fab joined me to see if we could talk some fish into making an appearance.
Of course, he only had to walk out his front door. It was a calm morning, and we had a good time. The fish didn't cooperate, but that's not the point. Here I am using a lure on the jiggin' stick my father invented many years ago:
There was not much activity on the lake...I don't understand...it was a balmy 4 degrees.
Now I've time to relax with M-S before the Super Bowl. I'm picking the Cardinals in the upset: 24-21. But I really don't care, except for how my pool sheet turns out. I'm really just a fan of the commercials.
