An example of enjoying an aspect of your job

I had the privilege of joining educators from Minnesota and Wisconsin on a four day Environmental Project Based Learning Institute. Not being an educator myself I enjoy spending time and embracing the thoughts and expertise of teachers. Teachers encourage our children to explore their own thoughts and build upon the knowledge surrounding their everyday lives. As true educators themselves, those attending the four-day institute came to expand their own knowledge and add to the curriculum already taught in their own school. The Institute provides a resource to educators looking for strategies to incorporate the natural world into student projects and develop project based learning management skills. It was a time for all to become a student again and experience project based learning first hand. As the underlying theme expressed, the Institute allows for “No Teachers Left Inside.”

Hosted by Wildlands School, the Institute took place at the well-maintained Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek, Wisconsin. The temperature dropped from the previous week to a pleasant 75° F. Although the humidity was kept at bay the mosquitoes were out in full force. However, everyone was well prepared with plenty of bug spray and good spirits. How could anyone resist a location where birdcalls welcomed guests to their home. One teacher was fortunate enough to have a bald eagle fly by the side of her car and direct her toward the reserve. A doe in the brush greeted another teacher as he set up camp.

The first afternoon entailed the technicalities and summary of the Institute. It was a time to introduce the instructors and familiarize attendees with project based learning and to find out specifically what they hoped to gain by the end of the four days. Some came knowing the meaning of project based learning and others hoped to understand the concept better and how to apply it with their students. Wildlands defines project learning as based on a constructivist model of learning that engages students in real-world scholarly activity. Students create meaning by designing and completing a project that ultimately benefits the community.

The middle school group jumped right into a project on Tuesday with the Great Lakes Worm Watch. After listening to an explanation of the project and gathering equipment needed, the groups divided into threes and headed outside for worm extraction. I was asked to close my eyes and put my finger on a map of the reserve. Agreeable or not, we headed off to the Savanna area based on my random map location. With bug spray in tow, we arrived a short distance to the well preserved Savanna area of the reserve. Each group dropped a wood frame (1/9 of a square meter) onto a lush duff area (a layer of decomposed leaves, needles, fine twigs, and other organic material found on the forest soil). Each group started the search for earthworms at this location. I did not participate in the actual extraction of earthworms, but watched as groups dug through the duff to find worms. To allow further worms to rise to the surface, groups poured a mixed solution of 1/3 mustard powder and a gallon of water in the wooden square. As the earthworms squirmed to the surface, forceps and fingers were on hand to put them into a container of isopropyl alcohol. By the time everyone arrived back at the lab, the worms would be ready for identification and study under a microscope. As worms were gathered, others used the GPS to gather longitude and latitude, and used the kestrel (a technical weather hawk) for recording of temperature. These results would be used for nature mapping to create a baseline for the location of worms. Since earthworms are not native to the Great Lakes region, this project is one of many educational projects available for students to learn first hand about the land around them and how it changes based on invasive species.

As the middle school group explored earthworms, the elementary group studied watersheds (an area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place). All living things are linked to this common water source and obtaining water samples allows for a better understanding of the water source. The elementary group found the PH of the Eau Claire River (6.5 – acidic), turbidity (clarity – clear) and velocity (timed the floatation of a ping pong ball down the river). On the third day of the Institute the elementary group created a project to incorporate water sampling into their curriculum. One project is to create a field guide.

The Institute did not stop with only the 22 hours of learning during the day. Evening events took place every day as teachers participated in archery, bat monitoring and visiting the observatory. After dinner on the first evening everyone gathered to experience archery first hand. Fox River Academy brought their archery equipment and the lead teacher, certified to teach archery, guided everyone through the safety of archery. The feeling is incredible to place the arrow on the bow, pull back your arm (remember to keep your elbow up and use your shoulder) and watch as the arrow sails through the air and hits the bulls eye. O.K. in my case some arrows may have hit the board behind the target, but it was a great experience never the less. As dusk fell on the campsite, the gathering continued at the campfire. Not being a girl scout myself, I was a little hesitant in my ability to start the fire. Luckily others had more experience and gathered the twigs and placed one piece of paper under the twigs. “It will only take one match”, insisted one of the teachers. In my past camping experiences one match was never enough, but I was willing to try. I lit the match and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it did take only one match. As we stoked the fire, a whippoorwill called to us to announce its presence. The evening ended with everyone recounting his or her first teaching experience. The dedication of these teachers never ceases to amaze me.

The second night allowed for everyone to participate in hands on acoustic bat monitoring. Volunteers survey the bats and the ultrasound calls through a hand held system that records the bat calls. Combined with a global positioning system (GPS) and personal data assistant (PDA) volunteers capture bat calls in real time. The final night allowed for observation of the night sky at Hobbs observatory. Unfortunately, it was a little foggy, so we did not see any passing comets, but did glance at an amazing view of the moon. Each person took his or her turn at the telescope waiting for the clouds to pass and I wish I recorded the excitement in each person’s voice as the clouds slowly shifted and the moon came into view. The ‘wows’ echoed in the observatory. You can see here my view of the moon, as I was able to capture it through my camera. As I learned that night the telescope and digital camera are both afocal, allowing for images from the telescope to be recorded on a very simple digital camera.

The Environmental Project Based Learning Institute became more than a place to learn about projects for students. As I asked one high school teacher what brought him to the Institute, he responded that at first he only wanted to become familiar with Project Based Learning (PBL). However, he has changed his goal and would like to see how he can fit PBL into his high school as a whole. The key is to bring these ideas to the teachers not attending the institute, and find a way to incorporate PBL into the professional development and use different ways to evaluate students. The final outcome for him at the Institute was designing the course for a nine week Green class. The course will include for these students group work (such as rodent tracking), then teacher directed time on using GPS and service learning with a final individual directed project. Another middle school teacher was looking for further ways to use the resources that surrounds the school. The school has a school forest, water test kit, land fill and rock sites. The goal is to find projects to engage students in these resources. One school was also looking into community involvement with project-based learning. They want to provide students with service learning and a hands-on cross-curriculum learning style. Teachers walked away with a framework to infuse a small project and integrate it across curriculum.

The teachers that attended the Institute are not all teaching in charter schools. There were many teachers from schools searching for a chance to meet others and gather ideas to bring into their own classrooms. This is a primary goal of charter schools. Charter schools focus on the areas of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, and serve as a “testing ground” for new curriculums and teacher methods. These methods are modified and developed into successful models that are then rolled out to non-charter public schools. This Institute served as a good example of three different charter schools (one elementary -Fox River Academy in Appleton, one middle school –River Crossing in Portage and one high school –Wildlands in Augusta) sharing their experience of project based learning and allowing other schools (charter and non-charter) to use these projects within their own school.

One main focus I took back from the Institute was that project based learning created a method of excitement and enthusiasm for the students. As Jeff Nania stated, a volunteer at River Crossing and retired Executive Director from Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, “There’s a rock skipping, frog catching heart inside very child. Teachers are the ones that make this come alive”. Students look for meaningfulness in science. They are not looking for busywork, but a place where what they do and learn makes a difference in their community. The Institute was a great experience because everyone wanted to be there and everyone wanted to learn.

Good Oak
There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.
To avoid the first danger, one should plant a garden, preferably where there is no grocer to confuse the issue.
To avoid the second, he should lay a split of good oak on the andirons, preferably where there is no furnace, and let it warm his shins while a February blizzard tosses the trees outside. If one has cut, split, hauled, and piled his own good oak, and let his mind work the while, he will remember much about where the heat comes from, and with a wealth of detail denied to those who spend the week end in town astride a radiator.
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

This is a favorite passage of students at River Crossing. One reason is mainly that a lot of their projects encompass this chapter. As the lead teacher of the school states, “the students write their autobiography in reverse chronological order, like they were cutting through the rings of the tree.” Another reason is that they learn about the tree anatomy and the types of tissue, and experience first hand cutting and splitting of their own good oak. Not only do these students learn the environmental history of Wisconsin, but embrace the land ethic as described so clearly by Aldo Leopold in the Sand County Almanac. “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.” “In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.” As Leopold would put it, these students are “Thinking Like a Mountain”. The students are learning first hand their role in nature and their responsibilities to respect the natural involvement of land.

Educators at the Institute had the pleasure to meet and listen to Marybeth Lorbiecki, author of “Aldo Leopold – A fierce green fire”. This biography tells the life story of Aldo Leopold and his story on the conservation of land use. The environmental projects that students engage allow the students to learn first hand about nature and themselves conserve the land. Another author, Greg Summers, spoke at the Institute not on “Thinking Like a Mountain” as Leopold would state, but “Thinking Like a Home Owner”. Summers uses the house as a metaphor. He wants people to consider nature in terms of a home, by going room to room and finding the connection of the resources brought into the home and where they originate. The goal is for homeowners to recognize what resources are used for the heating of their house, water coming from the faucet and electricity running their appliances. As homeowners recognize these resources as the comfort of nature, they can begin to help sustain these resources.

As described in the evening activities and speakers, the Environmental Project Based Learning Institute provided so much more than projects for teachers to bring into their classrooms. It provided a network of resources to everyone that will continue to grow. It brought a better understanding on how to incorporate the natural world not only into the student projects, but also across the curriculum and to the school as a whole. A teacher also mentioned once that project-based learning is based on relationships; the relationship between the teacher and student; the relationship between the student and parent; and the relationship between the teacher and parent. Environmental project based learning takes it a step further with the relationship of all these people and nature.

Can I plant my peppers yet?

Can I please plant my peppers yet? I am not a patient person, but I have to show restraint before I can plant my peppers. I love all type of peppers, sweet bell peppers, red peppers, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, poblano peppers and yes even some cayenne chili peppers.

I get the itch to start planting in February. White, thick snow still lies on the ground. Light pads of rabbit footprints dance across sections of the yard. Somehow these rabbits prosper during the winter only to wreck havoc in the spring. But all I see out of the frosted window is where I will plant my peppers. I’m imaging the perfect location. Moving the garden a bit closer to the street to capture the most sun possible. However, I live in the Upper Midwest and the unwritten rule is to wait till middle of May. A surprise frost may sneak upon you and there goes all your hard work, destroyed by a simple cold spell overnight.

I repeat I am not a patient person. To help my need to plant I start the grow lights in the basement. I’ve given up starting my peppers from seed. Those will wait and I will let the farmers sell me their lovely pepper plantings in May. In March I will start my herb garden. A little parsley, a little dill, perhaps a couple calendula marigolds and my fascination in gardening is curbed for the moment. Each day I nurse my seedlings by providing just a little water, turning on the heating pad and illuminating the seeds with the specialized indoor grow light. Each day I care for the seedlings I am picturing my garden in full bloom.

It’s May now, but I still must wait. The sun shines, the birds sing and a cool breeze moves the leaves of the trees. Freshness is in the air and I am ready to head outdoors. It might just be the winter cabin fever that wants me to embrace every moment of warmth outdoors. I don’t want to plant annuals quite yet, but I’m ready to get out there and work in the herb garden. I never thought I would become antsy to go and pick some weeds. I wanted to get those weeds out of my herb garden before I could start planting my rosemary, dill and basil.

Can you actually believe I didn’t enjoy gardening, even five years ago? My husband would be out there gardening and all I could think was that he was wasting his time and there was plenty to do in the house. Perhaps my lack of ambition in going outside to garden was waking up every two hours in the night to a crying infant. At that time my children were my garden I nurtured. Now they are older and come into the garden with me. They have their own sections and plant vegetables of their own. I am so glad my children can identify vegetables outside as they grow in the garden. Even though the potato starts from the soil, they know it’s growing as the shoots climb from the soil and they imagine a beanstalk climbing to the sky. In the fall they hunt for their treasure in the soil and are ready to cook those potatoes.

The farmers markets begin in May. I may not need anything, but I get excited to walk through the farmer markets. In Madison you could go to a farmers market every day just by visiting different neighborhoods in the city. I restrain from constant purchases, remembering that the fresh produce doesn’t last long in the fridge. I just buy what I need for that day and next.

I found myself getting excited by just walking into the local co-op store. There is just something about the co-op store that makes me love shopping for food. And this comes from someone who is not a very good cook. Ever since I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, I have tried hard to eat organically and locally. It is not possible to do for everything. I still love bananas and avocados. And I could not survive without my coffee. It’s my shot of energy in the morning. But I try my best to purchase locally for whatever I can. I am still waiting patiently for strawberries to come into season now that my frozen strawberries from last year are eaten, and remember I’m not a patient person. The herbal aroma wafts through the store and walking aisle by aisle, I am excited to see all the local produce and products available to me. I am imaging all the meals and snacks I can make.

Back at home I go outside to admire the progress of my herb garden and yes pull a few weeds. I started with the herb garden because I thought it was a good beginning project a few years ago and it’s hard to fail an herb garden, oregano, lemon balm and mint grows like a weed itself. Ah wait, there’s an asparagus I haven’t picked yet. The fresh, crisp bite of the asparagus reminds me how glad I am we planted the asparagus three years ago. My daughter planted Sorrel, a sour tasting lettuce last year and she loves passing by her portion of the garden and snacking on her sorrel. My son is not big into vegetables, but he is tending to the raspberries and strawberries. Those disappear faster than they grow. My children even helped pollinate the fruit trees in the blossoming season of spring with their little paintbrushes. They know they will be enjoying fresh cherries and peaches in no time.

Once I’m done pulling some weeds I decide to bring the rosemary, basil and parsley outside, getting their first breath of outdoors. I admire my work and think only a week to go. But you know what? I think I’ll be buying those peppers this weekend. I’ll just cover them up, if a frost sneaks upon us.

Night out without kids

Now this is an adventure in itself, a night out without kids. Actually it was two nights without the kids. Can you hear the choir singing? We met friends the second night (someone else was turning 40 first). They have a six month old and this was their first full night away from their little bundle of joy. It's something that does take a little getting used to. I remember the days I felt guilty about leaving my children. Now the guilt comes from being excited to be away from them. As all parents know, this does not mean I love my children any less, but I love my own time just as much. Someone told me that it is beneficial to get away from your children every once in awhile. She said it makes you a much better mom when you come back. I don't know if I'm a better mom, but I still cherish every free moment.

Here begins the adventure of our first night out without the kids. We had a wonderful dinner and decided to see a movie, in the movie theatre, on a big screen. We were starting to get cabin fever by watching DVDs every Friday and Saturday night (we definitely get our money worth out of Netflix). We had over an hour to spare before the movie started, so we decided to have drinks in the bar. As a married couple with kids, we don’t have many opportunities to just sit and enjoy our company. You would think we would cherish this moment. However, after a short while and a drink (or was it two) we took our antsy bottoms on a new adventure to the department store. Can you see how I have become a true mom because I use the term bottom? In my household that word may become tushy, but since I am telling a grown up story the word will remain bottom. A year earlier I remember a similar night of drinks and spare time before a movie and we ended the night in the department store. I have heard many stories of parents making a trip to the big box hardware store on a night out without kids, so at least we bumped it up a notch with trips to the department store.

The reason for the trip last year was because I wanted to buy a certain color of Fiesta dinnerware. Yes, Fiesta dinnerware. For those out of the loop, Fiesta dinnerware is a popular brand of china. The popularity comes from the multitude of colors and the ways these colors compliment each other. The most interesting aspect of Fiesta dinnerware is that the glaze on the original tableware contained lead. Antique hunters may have fun trying to find an original red Fiesta tableware. The original red glaze was known to be radioactive with high levels of uranium, so you could do some interesting experiments with an original plate. I wish I knew about the radioactive component as a child. I could have played some fun mind games with my younger sister. As she wondered why she was the only person in our immediate family with blazing red hair, I could have told her that our mom, while pregnant with her, ate off this radioactive red plate. Careful little sis, don’t touch people or you will transfer a current to them.

This time it was my husband's suggestion to head to the department store for Fiesta dinnerware and not mine. I was still trying to figure out why he would want to look for Fiesta dinnerware, but I decided to indulge. O.k. I figured I could go for some more Fiesta dinnerware, even though I thought I had all my favorite colors.

We walked in the store and focused our attention toward the kitchenware. The popularity of Fiesta dinnerware could be seen from afar as we gazed upon a complete rainbow wall of bright colorful plates, mugs and bowls. Crayola would be proud. Among this display I glimpsed the garden color of a plate not in my current collection. Lime green. Actually it was lemon grass, but it was close enough to lime green for me. I could see myself now, sitting on the back porch in the Adirondack chair with the sun beaming down and a nice icy margarita in my hand with the lime slice delicately sitting on the edge of the glass, as I leaned over and took a bite of nachos from my brand new lime green plate.

"I was thinking of getting the lighter blue", my fantasy interrupted by my husband. The color was actually turquoise, but I guess I won't quibble with the names created for Fiesta dinnerware.

"Why light blue?” I inquired. We just bought his favorite cobalt blue last year.

"Well, I really don't like the red plates", he replied.

"How can you not like red?” I said.

"It's too Christmassy. The light blue looks more like the water in a swimming pool and reminds me of summer,” he answered.

I'm not seeing it, but do I have to see it. My lime green provided me a much better interpretation of summer and couldn’t the red represent Independence Day.

"Well, I really like the lime green.” I said. We went back and forth for awhile. And yes we did buy some Fiesta dinnerware and made it in ample time for the movie.

Now you are probably wondering, what color did this couple purchase of Fiesta dinnerware on a night out without children.

Why we did what any couple that wants to compromise without giving up their own preference. We purchased both colors.

Running. Why oh why do I run?

Running. I really am not a fan of running. Which is why I try to limit the amount of miles I run? Can I say I'm a runner, if I run only two miles? I still dread the moment of tying my running shoes and heading out the door. Which begs the question, why do I run?

I didn't start running till I was 30. I think I figured it was a free form of exercise. Besides a good pair of running shoes, there's not much else to it. I worked out in the gym in my 20s and still enjoy different types of aerobic classes. However, my husband kept running and only runs as a form of exercise, so I figured why not.

My first challenge was a 5k. I remember being so happy I finished. Of course I was extremely slow, but hey I finished and ran the whole time. Immediately afterwards I ran a 10k and did resort to partial walking, but was still extremely proud of finishing.

Perhaps that is why I run. I hate the beginning and middle, but the end does feel good. You get a burst of energy and you feel great for accomplishing at least something for the day.

I became pregnant right after those first two races that fall. I continued to run slowly, but by 5 months that bouncing belly just annoyed me, so it was back to walking. After I had my son I decided to give it another try and started running again.

Since I am not a fan of running I usually don't go too far. My reward for running is to walk a mile afterwards. Yes, you are calculating correctly, I only run two miles and walk a mile. Some say that walking is a good form of exercise, but I feel that running puts a little extra oomph into it. To keep my motivation going I try to run various 5 k races. The start of the season begins with the Shamrock Shuffle the week of St. Patrick's Day. The motivation for the summer is to train to run a little faster for a 5k race in the fall. And sometimes if I feel adventurous, I'll run the Jingle Bell run in the beginning of December. I am real wimp about the cold, so I've only done that race a couple of times. My husband will run year round and I get a kick out of his icicle eyebrows as he completes a January run. I ran in the winter, but on the good old treadmill inside the warm house. That worked until the belt broke. I blame my husband because he runs extremely fast and wore out the treadmill. Of course it's also my excuse of why I shouldn't run as fast as he does.

I ended up joining a gym again because I needed something for the winter. And I steadily trained for the first race of the season. However, due to my lack of motivation I decided to encourage my son, now 8 1/2, to join me in the race. I figured he wouldn't last the whole 5 k (that's 3.1 miles) and he only has run one mile races. Perfect. He'll run with me and I have the good excuse of walking part of the race.

Now I don't know if you haven't guessed that this plan backfired. We both ran. We both ran up the hills, but after awhile all I heard from the top of the hill...

"Come on Mom, can't you go faster."

No, I can't go faster. We were supposed to walk up the hills, but my son had a lot more energy. We finished the race together and made pretty good time. However, my son says he is running with dad next time.

Yes, I'm done for now. I can go back to my simple two mile runs. But wait. I think I signed up to race with my husband on a team (alright run in the same race several paces behind). What was I thinking? I now have to add another two more miles. I signed up for an 8k.

Well, here's to another race for a runner who hates to run. I just have to remember that it's all worth it when it is completely done. Because that's why I run.

I love the end of a race.

Learning to Knit - A Beginners Point of View

Squishy balls of yarn are happy balls of yarn.

Yes, this is what I learned in my knitting class.

Did you know that there is a very specific way to wind a yarn of ball. Not too tight, "you will stretch the yarn too much or it might even break", declared my knitting instructor. Just wind it around the back of a chair or if you have a willing partner ask them to hold their arms up for a very long time. Now I know why I had children. To help wind my balls of yarn.

I thought knitting was as simple as picking up two needles and knitting away. Quite the contrary. I took my first knitting class and decided to take the class on making a hat. I live in the cold midwest winter, so a hat was something I really wanted to accomplish. You can see some of the things I learned in my first class under a previous blog. (Do I have to climb a mountain to be adventurous, February 11, 2010).

I taught myself to knit from a booklet and friends giving some tips. I never knew there was so much more to knitting. First we had to create a swatch to see our gauge on knitting. I guess we all stitch differently and it is quite important to measure how many knit stitches we complete in an inch. So as a dutiful student, I knitted a swatch and measured my stitches per inch gauge.

"Now unravel the swatch", declared the instructor. "What!" (is all I could think, and yes others thought the same as I did).

"You don't need the swatch now and you don't want to waste yarn", explained the instructor.

I obeyed and unraveled the one hour's worth of work. Seasoned knitters will wonder how it took an hour to knit a little swatch. But hey I made some mistakes at the beginning (such as knitting backwards). I told you - there is a right way and a wrong way to knit.

Next, I needed to measure my head around forehead to back of head and over the top of my head, bottom earlobe to bottom of earlobe (you have to make sure those ears are covered with the hat - it is cold in the winter). The measuring of our heads took teamwork as we measured each others heads.

Now the thinking part. I needed to take my gauge and do several mathematical equations. A- 1" = B. B x your gauge = C. Now subtract 10% of C to find D. Did you get that? This is why I took a class because I am a very visual person and had the most lost look as the instructor went through details. All I want to know is how many stitches to cast on (I learned the correct way to do this as well).

The answer is D. Got it, now divide that by 4, if you are making a ribbing, but leave it at D, if you are rolling the end or creating a hem. Alright I'm lost again. What am I dividing and why? I'll just go with the hemmed end and leave it at that.

"Make sure not to twist the stitches on the first row", said the instructor. "Your hat will be backwards if you twist the first row." Why can't knitting be simple?

I was so excited to get started that I went beyond the three inches I was supposed to stitch.

"You have to do a purl stitch row at 3 inches, if you are creating a hem", explained my instructor. Now what do I do. "I guess you can leave the hem at 4 inches if you want", helped my instructor. "Or I will just make it a rolled hem", I declared. "That works too", finished my instructor.

So now I'm on my way to a hat with a rolled hem. Don't you love how some decisions are made for you because you are way too lazy to unravel rows of completed stitches. Now don't forget that before you continue after your hem of three inches to add back the 10% you took out at the beginning for the brim of your hat. "Oh for crying out loud", is all I thought. I really should have read those instructions better or perhaps not got ahead of myself, and the instructor for that matter.

O.k. now to more math equations. Take D-C and increase a stitch every E stitch. But, if your E is a fraction, then stitch E and then redo your math half way around and add an extra stitch at that new answer. Do you now see why it's sometimes a little more helpful to take a class and not learn completely from a book. I just gave my instructor that lost look again and she walked me though the row.

Now back to regular knitting, but not for long. After awhile it will be time to decrease your stitches to make the top of you hat. Once again I was excited and didn't wait to listen to my instructor. I decreased and decreased (yes, there are more math equations to determine this) and came to a point that the stitches were too tight for the circular needle. If I waited, I would have learned to knit onto double pointed needles. O.k. back to correcting my mistake and slowly transferring each stitch to the new needles, but make sure not to twist the stitch. I will have nightmares on not twisting the stitch.

A lot of concentration is needed (at least on my part) to complete the hat. My 4 year old daughter would love this (plenty of counting). I continued with instructions on making the top of the hat with the least amount of calculations. The more calculations there were, the more chances there would be to make a mistake. I continued with the double pointed needles till I had only 8 stitches left.

Now what do I do with these. Cut a 6" tail with a darning needle, thread the yarn through the 8 stitches and cinch shut. Thread yarn to inside of hat, weave in ends. This I can handle. All was put together.

I finished weaving and took a careful look at my finished product. I was quite impressed with myself. It looked like a pretty good hat and it fit. The eight of us put on our completed hats and admired each other's work. We all were amazed at how a simple ball of yarn, became something useful, such as a hat. It was something we accomplished on our own.

My daughter admired my work and requested that I teach her to knit. I wanted to say, "but you are still too young". However, one of the students in the hat class said she was taught at age 3. So as an encouraging mom I told her, "Yes, I will teach you to knit". These words came from someone who had no idea how to knit a couple of months ago, but I'm ready for the challenge.

I will miss my knitting class. Eight students of varying ages and stages of our lives, came together to learn to make a simple project. The instructor was quite patient and helped each and every one of us. Including the ones such as me who didn't always listen and wait. And of course I learned the most important thing in knitting.

Squishy balls of yarn are happy balls of yarn.

Do ridiculous bets count as an adventure?

I know better, but I did it anyway. I made a very ridiculous wager with someone when I knew I probably would lose.

We headed to the northwoods this weekend. Going to a cabin in the northwoods is just a very good excuse to do absolutely nothing for the weekend without feeling guilty. The first day we did exactly that, absolutely nothing. And I loved it. All I did was read magazines. Well o.k. the first thing was to grab a bottle of beer and then read magazines. The kids love goofing around with their cousins and playing in the snow. I enjoy watching the kids out the window from my comfy spot on the couch. I guess I should be a little concerned as they careen down the hill in their sled right onto the lake, but if snowmobiles can go on the lake, they must be fine. Plus the exercise back up the hill is good for them.

The second day started out much the same. Well actually I did wait till the afternoon before grabbing a bottle of beer. I also completed my knitting homework and stitched three inches of my hat. It ended up being four inches, but I need to wait till Tuesday to fix that because I have no idea how to unravel the extra inch without losing any stitches.

The snow was beautiful to watch from my comfy spot on the couch, but by early afternoon I did want to go outside for just a bit. No I did not go sledding, nor cross country skiing. I did what most people do in the northwoods. We went snowmobiling. And of course where do you go when snowmobiling. To the bar.

Back at the cabin we decided to turn up the music and play some pool. You would think a simple game of pool would be enough, but no, some people wanted to add a little competition to the game. It all started with one person betting that the loser has to run in their swimsuit outside, down the hill, towards the lake and back up again. O.k. it really started with the loser running naked down the hill to the lake and back, but we luckily amended that bet. It was also added that the loser could run in their boots (it was icy outside and freezing). The game started with one win of the game and then best of 3 and then best of 5. It ended up one person losing by scratching the eight ball. I must add at this point that we were playing sloppy pool, so no official rules to make the game never end. As a very good sport the other person who really should have never won if it wasn't for the scratched eight ball, joined the loser and they both ran down the hill and back.

We all had a good laugh and decided to continue playing without any bets.

"Let's add a wager to this game", my brother-in-law exclaimed.

"I'm fine playing without any bets, thank you." I declared back.

"Oh come on, it's a little more fun to have a challenge to play against", added my spouse.

Since he wasn't playing this set, I'm not sure why he decided it would be fun. I still protested, but I am really bad at peer pressure. Plus, I had a sinking feeling I would lose.

"Fine", I said. And it was decided to play the best of three. I really wasn't in the mood to play all night.

As luck would have it, I lost the first game. Thank goodness I said best of three. My brother-in-law and I played a good second game. However, at the end he shot in his last three balls and was shooting for the eight ball. For some miracle. A miracle for me, he scratched and in went the cue ball.

One to one.

This last game was the determining factor. All went as usual and I was actually winning. I kept thinking, 'thank goodness'. I was in no mood to run outside in my skimpies (I did not bring my swimsuit, there was no hot tub, so why bring them).

"Eight ball in the corner pocket", I pointed to the far right corner. I knew I could do it and felt great. I pulled back my pool stick and ever so slightly, hit the cue ball. I watched as the eight ball went in very nicely into the corner pocket. Bingo.

But wait the cue ball did not do what I expected. It started heading to the other pocket. 'NO', I screamed in my head. And in very slow motion, I watched that damn cue ball fall right into the other corner pocket.

"SCRATCH!" yelled my brother-in-law.

Unbelievable. My spouse got a real kick of me losing.

Since dinner was ready I decided to hold off on my bet until after dinner. But then again, I should just get it over with. And then better yet, everyone is now heading to dinner, so perhaps I will do my run real quick without the whole crew watching. There were quite a few people up at the cabin.

So I ran to the garage, grabbed my boots, headed back down, grabbed my husband's running shorts (I wanted to maintain some dignity) and ran out the door. Was it sneaky to not let anyone know? Sure, but hey the bet didn't say everyone had to watch.

My spouse did watch my escapade to head outside and I thought he would be on my side.

I really, really should have known better.

I made my run and sure enough there was my brother-in-law taking pictures. To top off their fun, the door was locked to come back in.

So there you have it, the adventure of an almost 40 year old, who knew better than to make a bet, standing outside of a glass door, freezing, with my brother-in-law rolling in laughter.

I want to send a big thank you to my sister-in-law for finally opening the door.

Do I have to climb a mountain to be adventurous

You hear stories of people bungee jumping or skydiving for the first time. Some even go as far as to climb a mountain to find an adventure. And I mean a very BIG mountain or summit. They say there is a thrill. Now do I have to climb a mountain to find an adventure?

My idea of an adventure is trying anything new. Isn't that what life's about? Trying something new and reaching a goal. If your goal is to lose a few pounds, great. If you want to run a marathon for the first time, hey go for it. I'll cheer you on from the sidelines. I know a young woman in her 20s who decided to join a women's football team. I will be there for her games. With ice packs. But for me, I think I'll just stick to my new crafts.

I did want to skydive at one point in my 20s (bungee jumping never crossed my mind). Now, not so much. Why do I want to injure myself on purpose? Once again people may say it's the thrill and the chance of getting hurt is very slim, but slim is still too much for me. I haven't heard of too many injuries knitting. But of course you never know.

My first knitting class did take place on Tuesday. What did I learn? I have been knitting incorrectly. But hey I did finish a scarf, didn't I?

"You're knitting backwards"

"What do you mean I'm knitting backwards?"

"You are knitting with the yarn going clockwise around the needle. You need to wrap the yarn counterclockwise. Do you see how the yarn twists and you end up with gaps?"

Now this is where I see nothing, but what do I know? So I did as I was told and started knitting the yarn counter clockwise. This is where I thought knitting does seem a little easier and I guess the stitches do look better. Which is why I took the class. So thank you my knitting instructor.

I am also thankful to my knitting instructor because I messed up a whole row of stitches and at home would just unravel it all, but with a lot of patience on the part of my instructor (I have no patience what so ever), she fixed the row and showed me how to fix a row.

Now here's the problem. My homework. I have to stitch three more inches by next Tuesday. I really hope I don't twist the stitches. I mean come on. It's not like I'm climbing a mountain.

You're Restless Baby

I kept thinking I was bored, but that would mean I have no interests. Which is of course far from the truth. I have a lot of interests. Have I even mentioned jewelry making as one of my hobbies. That I actually still enjoy doing.

My husband told me I was just restless. Now what does that mean exactly? According to the dictionary restless means "Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace." Now that seems a little rough to me. I think I like the definition better of "eager for change." That seems to define my dilemma much better.

Eager for change helps define my newest hobby, knitting. Knitting helps keep me occupied. I can't seem to just sit still. Knitting allows me to concentrate on something. As I mentioned earlier, I do have one nifty scarf for my efforts. I tried to make a scarf for my son. However, he wanted two colors. I learned quite fast that I don't know how to switch back and forth from one color to the next and back again. I did finish, but it's just unraveling, so I will have to try again.

To solve my knitting mistakes, I did sign up for a knitting class. I am looking forward to my first class on Tuesday. It's on how to knit a hat. I hope to learn some new skills to redo a multi color scarf for my son and perhaps have a cute winter hat to wear. It would help tolerate a cold winter. It will also be nice to be able to figure out how to fix any dropped stitches.

My first attempt at knitting led to frustration. I would drop a stitch and not know how to pick it up. So what did I do? Unravel several hours of work and start over. This was not very therapeutic.

Finally a friend reminded me, "Ingrid, knitting is supposed to be calming."

So I thought, o.k. Let me try again.

More success this time. I still don't know how to pick up a stitch, but I embrace my mistakes.

Now you think knitting would be enough for now, but no. I still am feeling restless. What is it I want to accomplish?

"The University offers mini-courses", my husband suggested. The mini-courses were more of a way for him to cure his restlessness during the winter. At first I thought I was not interested in going back to school, even for one class.

However, I decided to embrace the idea and thought perhaps they had a class on writing. I have always been interested in writing, but besides reading a lot, I never pursued writing. I think I actually tried to avoid writing classes. Perhaps I just didn't want to write about subjects other people wanted.

I scrolled through the mini-course offerings and was quite excited to see a class on writing. But not only writing, a class on how to write a family memoir. That's one of the few things left on my high school bucket list, aside from going to Hawaii. In high school I said I would write a memoir about my parents immigrating to America.

Now before I delve into this memoir (another blog post), why in the world do I have a high school bucket list. As a senior in high school, a psychology teacher had the class create a book about us. That's it, just a book about ourselves and the family and friends in our lives. A simple book about who I am (at least who I was at the age of 18).

Besides listing my favorite things at the time, which is quite comical in itself, and my friends describing me (there's a lot of talking issues in those - which seems to be a pattern). We wrote a list of 20 things we would like to accomplish in our life. A bucket list made for an 18 year old. I guess over 20 years later I should start a new one.

What do I want to do now?

My sister always told me that whatever I wanted would happen. I had fun in my 20s and married when I wanted. I said I would have children in my 30s and so I did. But I am turning 40, now what? What do I want to accomplish in this new decade?

I have tried my share of crafts. Scrapbooking was fun for about a year (at least each of my children have a scrapbook for their first year of life). I even tried my hand at stamping cards, (now sitting in a box on a shelf). What will I ever do with all those stamps? I started to cross stitch blankets, but those just sit in my closet unfinished. I did start to play with some gardening. And I haven't given up yet on creating a masterful herb garden (something about needing more sun would perhaps solve my problem). And this year I decided to learn how to knit. I do have one nifty scarf for that effort.

People say I talk a lot and then I thought what would happen if I spoke to my computer. And so it goes....