Storms and Catch-up Time

So, Minneapolis got hit hard by a tornado yesterday. Didn't harm any of us in St Paul, but it turns out that the school I was at Friday night for some volunteer work was badly damaged. School's out for them until next fall. I'm sure glad the tornado didn't barrel through when that school was full of kids.

Speaking of kids, I believe I mentioned that I took a part-time, temporary job with Minneapolis Public Schools as a bilingual teachers' aide. It has been a lot of work, and a lot of fun. My favorite exchange so far was the following, with a first grade girl:

SA: So, Kizzy, are you going to be in the talent show?
Kizzy: Yes! I'm going to hula hoop!
SA: Awesome! I used to love to hula hoop. I don't think I could do it now (that was a lie, I know I can't)
Kizzy: You have to believe in yourself, Mrs. R!

Don't you love first graders? (no, that's not her real name)

I've been knitting sleeves for International Yarn Bombing Day. Gonna spruce up that fence over I94.

I'm also making a sweater for a branch on Girl-child's tree in the front yard. It's Girl-child's tree because we planted it when she was born. The fact that the trunk is 37" around makes it impractical to give it a sweater for the main trunk, so the tag will be one of the other branches. This means it will be subtle (read: barely visible from the sidewalk).

Other than that, I've got two pair of gift socks on the needles. That's it.

My mother is reaching the end of her journey with Alzheimer's. The doctor has recommended hospice care. The minister, the music therapist, the social worker and the nurse from hospice have all descended upon me. They're offering to help me, which is really nice of them, but I don't really feel like I need help so much right now. Where were they three years ago?

Speaking of my mother, Boy-child and I took her a Dilly bar from DQ yesterday. We probably won't be repeating that. Auntie takes Mom lunch all the time. I don't know how she does it.

I just finished Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. Great book.

Oh, oh, oh! I almost forgot! I got tickets to The Antiques Road Show in July. WOOT! Girl-child will accompany me. We're still deciding about what two things to take.