A Memmott Family Special Weekend

Just a few quick snapshots from the Memmott family gathering at the Little Valley homestead - including the house a little depleted, the LVCS alumni gathering, the living room playroom and office sans furniture, and the Sunday's "final" gathering of brothers, sisters, and the younger generations. To see larger and more detailed versions of the photos click here.

The Last Classroom

Could this be the last classroom I ever call mine? It will never be the same. Really. Wednesday the powers that be plan to knock out the East wall (to the right of the door) and expand the room about 10 feet with a new wall. Maybe one that finally has the electricity that was never installed when the room was first constructed two summers ago. It will become a full size classroom. I took several carloads of materials I have bought and collected over the last 35 years - mostly books. The only thing yet to do is to meet with my current principal and do the ceremonial returning of the keys. And then it is done.

Stacked

Only in Oberlin. Our city employees are very creative.
Addendum (7/22/09): Our recycle cans got the same treatment.

Retirement! (Almost)

I'm done. It's official. Thirty-five years is enough. I have just completed my last teaching day and retirement has begun - of sorts. Still need to clean and pack my classroom and that will take a couple weeks. And tonight is the High School graduation which I should attend (need to take photos for the school website anyway). Lots of hugs from kids - and protests (take a closer look at the photo above). So onward.

Trailer

One more step toward getting back on the water. Last Saturday I had a hitch installed on the CRV. Today we picked up a trailer from Car Gear in Akron. They put it all together so all I had to do was attach it to the hitch (and pay for it of course). Meanwhile therapy goes well on the shoulder so I'm hoping that real soon we'll be able to load the kayaks onto the trailer and begin the 2009 season in earnest.

Addendum: At the top is a better photo with the kayaks on the trailer and a better perspective of the trailer's size.

New York City Trip - March 2009

A few photos from our March 25th-29th trip to New York City including the view from our hotel window, Central Park, Natural History Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, and the Cloisters. We did begin our trip with a night in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and ended with an overnight in Little Valley but no photos were taken at those locations. Visits with Martin, Bridget, and Martha. Lots of good food and good walks. A good time was had by all. Click on the above photos to see bigger versions or a slideshow.

Deer at Midnight

Two deer visited our front yard bird feeders just after midnight. They gorged for a while and then slowly moved on. Luckily Oliver slept through the whole thing and we didn't miss the bark. If he had only known... It is very hard to adjust the camera in the dark especially knowing if the flash started working the deer might notice. The last 3 shots were unflashed.

Looking back...

Looking back over 2008 there are two happenings that stick out: our family gathering in California early in the summer and our kayaking. For Christmas I made posters for Nicki to celebrate both of those events.

Happy Holidays!

Oliver wishes everyone happy holidays! May Santa bring you plenty of treats, may the squirrels stay away from your bird feeders, and may the weather allow for walks and car rides and chasing balls in the snow.

Free Dog Food for Voting!

Oliver thinks it is a good idea.