Thanks!

Sometimes, at the end of the school year, a generous family or two will send in a thank you note from the student with perhaps a gift card. Many of these cards are for coffee-- they are not wrong to assume that a lot of educators run on caffeine for at least part of the day-- but some are a bit more general. This year, for example, I received a 25 dollar pre-paid American Express card, which was a very thoughtful gesture.

I generally like to use my gifts on something specific that I can mention later on if I happen to see the benefactor, and that was what I was planning to do, but since I was headed out of town almost as soon as the year was over, after I wrote my thank-you note, I peeled the shiny gold plastic from the cardboard and placed it in my wallet so I wouldn't forget about it.

Yesterday I was in line at the big wine and beer store ready to pay for a few six packs for my visit with my mom when Heidi called. It was rather a challenge to complete my transaction and have a conversation, but I overcame the distraction and it wasn't until the cashier told me I still owed 24 cents that I realized I had given him my gift card instead of my actual AmEx card. I dug out a quarter from my pocket and lugged my bags to the car, laughing. That particular purchase probably wasn't what the family had in mind, but...

I sure am enjoying it!

Still on Duty

On the first real day of summer vacation, I was lounging in the swivel chair in my mom's living room, TV murmuring in the background, making plans for the day (doing a Target run, grocery shopping, poke for lunch, maybe some board games in the afternoon, gumbo for dinner), texting my sister in Paris, and chatting about this and that.

All of a sudden, I heard Alex Trebek read an answer that was relevant to our conversation. "Listen for it!" I told my mom. "Poke!" I announced at the same time as the contestant. "It's what's for lunch!" I grinned.

"Wow!" my mother answered. "Your brain certainly is busy!"

"I can't help it, Ma!" I told her. "After 26 years of teaching, I need to at least have an idea of what they're talking about anywhere in the room." I paused: there were no new texts on my phone, and on TV a commercial blared I Need a Hero. "It's my superpower!"

Maybe *Vacation* will sink in tomorrow.

That Was Not Funny

Right after I arrived at my mom’s house, my brother called. “Tell Tracey we watched one of those movies last night and it was terrible!” my sister-in-law called from off screen. I laughed, because we had also watched a terrible comedy last night. 

Maybe Netflix doesn’t know me quite as well as I thought! 

(Their advertising is pretty effective, though.)

Nothing *TOO* Spooky

I got an email the other day from Netflix asking if I would be willing to take a survey. In exchange, they would extend my account by one month for free. I decided there would be no harm in checking it out, and before too long, I was rather engaged. One of the earliest questions asked me to rank 10 factors for choosing a movie show in order of importance. I do not remember all of them, but I'm pretty sure "humor" was the third from the bottom, just above horror and something else.

Even so, it wasn't until I was midway through the survey that I realized they were showing me all trailers of comedy shows. What's even more curious, is that I was laughing out loud at every trailer and excerpt, and blithely clicking "Probably would watch" for all 6 of the options.

Recalling the survey today to Heidi, my brother and sister-in-law, and my nephew, I giggled just summarizing what I had seen. Obviously? Netflix (and their algorithm) knows me better than I know myself.

In for a Pound

This afternoon I was jumping through completing one of the endless checkout hoops errands that teachers must when I passed a couple of custodians emptying trash cans full of trash and clothing from lockers that the students had supposedly already cleaned out.

"Have a good summer!" I wished them.

"Thank you," one answered. "Are you coming back?"

I looked down the hallway I had just returned from, and assuming she meant the locking double doors I no longer had a key for, shook my head.

Her eyes grew wide. "You're not coming back?" she repeated.

Realizing that she meant next year, I laughed and shrugged. "Oh no! I'm coming back! You can't get rid of me that easily."

She gave an exaggerated sigh of relief, which made me feel very appreciated. "How long have you been here, anyway?" she asked.

"26 years!" I told her, and this time her gasp was real.

"Isn't it time for you to retire?" she replied, only half kidding.

It was probably one of the worst possible days to ask me that particular question, but damn if I didn't answer without hesitation.

"Nope!"

Playing to Strengths

My favorite activity of today's end-of-the-year extravaganza was definitely "Snowcones and chill" which had the kids cooling off inside from the extreme heat and humidity, slurping freshly crushed ice, munching popcorn, and tossing cornhole, playing cards, Jenga, or Mancala. It was a welcome break, and once I scooped the snowcones, I could enjoy the chill.

My second favorite was the kickball tournament. The sixteen team bracket was run flawlessly by our social studies and math teachers, and I never would have even had the chance to get down there had I not been grabbing some leftover watermelon in the office when a mom came in to check her daughter out a little early.

"I'm pretty sure she's at the kickball field," I told her. "I'll walk you down there."

It turned out that mother and child had passed each other and never noticed. We laughed at how silly that was. "Go grab your stuff!" said Mom, and I turned my attention to the game as the student headed back into the building.

True confession? I never saw them leave. That was one heck of a kickball game! And when the ultimate champions came from 2-7 to win it in the bottom of the last inning, I nearly wiped a tear.

For this day, the students had been allowed to select their groups, and both teams consisted primarily of some of the most challenging kids of the year. But in this situation-- a combination of independence and accountability to their peers?

They were stars!

Why Abbreviate?

Heidi has a bit of a gift for blue language. She can swear fluently and rarely hesitate to do so. In fact, she kind of puts the 'pro' in profanity.

That's why I laughed this afternoon when she read me a text with a puzzled look on her face.

it is hot af!

"What does that even mean?" she sighed with aggravation.

"I'm surprised at you Cussy Cusster!" I answered. "Think about it... how hot is it?

"It's as hot as fu--" she started.

"You got it!" I cheered.