Another Day in Paradise

I have a colleague at school who is very passionate.  She engages with rigor the students with whom she works.  She wears her heart on her sleeve and as such can be both energetic and joyous, as well as, deflated and sad when things don't go as she hopes.  She's a paraeducator, and so she works with some of the most problematic learners helping them with some of the most fundamental building blocks of conceptual learning.  What she does is vital.  And she is very good at it.

One day, she asked me how I manage to not be brought down by some of the shit that goes on.  I said, "Well, I just remember how fortunate I am to have a role in the lives of children.  It's paradise to me."  This turned into an ongoing little passing encouragement.  When I see her, I smile and say, "Another day in paradise."

Her father died and she was away for a few days for the funeral.  Recently, she was tasked with clearing out his home office as plans move forward for the relocation of her mother into a more secure living arrangement.  While going through forgotten cabinets, she found this vintage wooden clapper.  It reminded her of our banter, and she gave it to me this past Friday.  What joy!

When you shake it, the little wooden balls extend and then smack the paddle to create a rhythmic clacking sound. 

On the one side it reads:

PARADISE

Cabaret Restaurant

Broadway and 49th St., N.Y.C.

50 Thrilling Girls 50

On the handle, a silhouette of a nude woman in a coy stance.

On the other side:

Heart and Center of

New York Night Life

- Never a -

Cover Charge

On the handle:

The Greatest

Cabaret Revue

I Like Dinosaurs

Who doesn't?  I mean, they are just fascinating on so many levels.  Recently while exploring books at my elementary school's media center, I happened upon an older (well loved) book called "Living with Dinosaurs" by Patricia Lauber.  It comes with amazing paintings by Douglas Henderson.  The premise of the book is a snapshot of earth circa 75 million years ago in the region which today is the state of Montana.  75,000,000 years ago (11 million years before the earth of struck by a meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs) Monday was partially submerged by an enormous inland sea.  Lush swamps and primordial jungles gave way to higher plains and semi-desert uplands.  The illustrations are as much a celebration of the land as they are depictions of dinosaurs, and I think that's where their charm and beauty lie.  Here are just a couple of examples.

 Two Albertosaurs stand over a duckbill they have brought down.

 Plant-eating Styracosaurs have a fearsome appearance, with three horns and a spiked neck frill.

 Pteradons soar and glide above the shore of the inland sea.

Leptoseratops has no horns or neck frill, but the bones at the back of its skull form a peak.

 Beside a pond three Corythosaurs find cycads, pine needles, and magnolia leaves to eat.

A Plesiosaur swims near a large shark, which is apparently not hungry.

How Many Ways to Photograph a Vase?

A Moment in Time: Amok Time

Chicken Cutlet Inspired by Mediterranean Flavors

Two of the Girls: Sophia and Zuri

 Sophia, the Amur Leopard is the only Asian species at the Baltimore Zoo.  She was sent as a companion animal to the zoo's older male African Leopard, Hobbes.  Hobbes died two years ago at the age of 22 from natural causes.  It seems probable the Sophia, who is only 5, will be paired for breeding at some point.

Zuri is the female African Lion.  She lives with Hassan and they will not be breeding.  The zoo is not equipped to handle lion cubs and there is no particular need to breed these two for purposes of species survival.  So she is an ambassador animal.






g

A New Adventure

Over the past couple of months I have participated in a process at the Maryland Zoo to certify myself an Education Programs Volunteer.  It involved attending a a two hour introductory meeting with a series of activities.  This is used to cover the basic expectations of participation and for the staff, it gives them the chance to vet anyone who is not a competent candidate.  Also, you are vying for one of three roles at the zoo.  Subsequently, I was offered the option to participate in the educations programs.

Once you get the greenlight for this role, you then participate in to two separate 5 hour sessions.  One covers "Zoo Basics" and is led by the head of the Volunteer program.  The other focuses on the role of the Education Volunteer and is led by the education department.  In addition, you also complete a self-guided tour of the zoo that took me just over 3 hours to complete.

At this point I get my shirt and badge.  Also a season T-shirt.  I am awaiting my first assignment.

Sometimes A Burger

...is all you want!

A Moment in Time: The Trouble With Tribbles

Rewatching the original series.  Honoring the favorite episode from the second season "The Trouble With Tribbles" with "A Moment in Time" graphic of the principle actors and guest actors.  They all came together in 1967 to create this timeless episode and then went on with their lives.  Here they are shown with their lifespans compared.  And 52 years later, 5 of them are still with us.

Rawling's Conservatory: Tropical Plants Greenhouse

Though it be dull and dormant on the outside, inside life is robust and verdant.  

Rawling's Conservatory: Resident Cat

Rawling's Conservatory: The Orchid Room

Rawlings Conservatory: The Palm Room

When visiting the grand Palm Room at the Rawling's Conservatory in Baltimore, it is best to look up!